Introducing Small Business Patch

The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.

Patch has launched a new site to educate and empower small businesses with the digital tools, social media strategies and marketing know-how needed to ensure long-term growth. Small Business Patch readers will have access to exclusive interviews with well-known founders and CEOs and small business industry experts who share their experiences, advice and tips for success. One of the latest articles features an exclusive interview with successful real estate entrepreneur, Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group. In this Q&A, Corcoran discusses the how to take advantage of the size of a small businesses, and why making big “mistakes” made all the difference in her success. Click here to read about the tactics Corcoran used to grow …

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Black Friday Guide - Howard County

Check out Black Friday sales at major retailers and small businesses around the county.

  Black Friday can be a tortorous event. On the one hand there are (occasionally dangerous) crowds at major retailers and outlets, but at the same time there are some great sales. This year, many large retailers such as Target and Walmart are opening on Thanksgiving evening, giving early bird shoppers the opportunity to shop until they drop—quite literally if they've had enough turkey. In addition, many local small businesses will be offering sales on their products. Below, we've compiled a list of local major retailers and small businesses that are offering Black Friday sales around Howard County on Nov. 23. For the big shops, you can click on the link in their name to view their full Black Friday flyers. Patch will continue to update …

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El Nayar's Future Uncertain (Updated)

"I will fight for my business.” —owner Maria Flores

(Updated Thursday, 10 p.m.) The Elkridge location of El Nayar will close, according to an El Nayar post on Facebook. "Unfortunately, we have decided to close Elkridge," an El Nayar representative posted on the Catonsville Facebook page Thursday. "We can't thank enough everyone who has wished us the best and gave us their loving comments. We will continue fighting for our business and continue to improve." The number to the Elkridge business was disconnected Thursday. Original article: Down the street from Ellicott City, in Catonsville, Mexican restaurant El Nayar is in danger of closing. Owner Maria Flores managed to retain her sunny disposition through most of a conversation about the future of her business - which also has a location in …

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Main Street Minute

Shades of Blue at Discoveries

What's the meaning behind the colors outside Discoveries?

If you're like me, you may have expected the dresses hanging outside of Discoveries to be green this week in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Not so.  Sally Fox Tennant owns the store at the corner of Main Street and Maryland Avenue. She sells trinkets and wind chimes and jewelry and, of course, dresses. Tennant said there's no secret meaning behind the colors of the dresses she puts out.  "It's just whatever I happen to have in," she said.  Blue it is.

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Best Of: Breakfast in Ellicott City

What's your favorite spot for eating the most important meal of the day?

You hear it all the time: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast may help you lose weight, and maybe even make you smarter. “Evidence suggests that breakfast consumption may improve cognitive function related to memory,” according to a study by the National Institutes of Health. And, besides that – cereal, bacon, eggs, pancakes … do you really need an excuse?  So, to kick off Patch’s new, weekly Best-Of feature, we’re asking you to choose your favorite place in Ellicott City to have breakfast: We included a variety of businesses from our listing to accommodate the simplest breakfasts to the more elaborate, but if we didn’t mention your favorite spot, please, add it in the comments and we’ll add it to …

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Shara Darden

4:55 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Eggspectation has the best yogurt parfait with warm honey, yum! It is a bit pricey if you want to pair it with other delicious items from their breakfast menu though.   more ›

Best Hair Salon in Howard County? Impressions in Ellicott City

'I can't rave enough about them!'

The votes are in. We asked Patch readers where they like to get their "wig popped," their "hair done" or their "curls coiffed." They chose Impressions Hair Studio and if the comments are any indication, it's the stylists as much as the styles that matter. Here are a few reader comments: Dan Gaffney: "Great place for a great haircut and friendly service where you feel comfortable. I never have to worry about my wife not liking the cut!" April: "Kelly is great. I didn't get covered in color or soaked with water while getting washed nor did she use the hair dryer to get the hair trimmings off my face like at my old salon." Susan Palfi: "Sarah not only has a sparkling personality, but the entire staff is kind, efficient, timely, and service-…

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Business Owner? Claim Your Listing!

Ellicott City business owners can connect with the community on Patch.

Patch Places is the spot where users can find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods, and much more for business and institutions around town. All users can add events taking place at local spots, can rate the business on a scale of one to five stars, and can add a review. But owners of local businesses get extra bonuses when they claim a listing. Owners or managers should search for their business listing and select "claim your listing" to make updates to the page. A form will pop up asking for your name, contact information and proof of ownership. Within a few days, someone from Patch should contact you to verify your authenticity, and then you'll be approved as the business owner. Once approved, you'll have a "Manage Your Listing…

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Poll: Should Schools Start After Labor Day?

Maryland's Comptroller Peter Franchot says it would give a boost to business.

State Comptroller Peter Franchot pitched the idea last week that Maryland schools should start after Labor Day instead of in late August, according to the Baltimore Sun. He said the shift would bolster local businesses. Some states have school calendars that defer the opening of school until after Labor Day. In Virginia, what is known as the “Kings Dominion Law” has been around since the 1980s, although the Huffington Post reported that the measure has opponents currently fighting for its repeal. With a name that references the theme park, the law mandates that schools not open before Labor Day, in large part to help promote tourism and business. A few states away, Ohio lawmakers are looking into standardizing the state's school calendars…

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Wine Bin Staff Pick: Valentine's Day Grab Bag

Check the Wine Bin's monthly staff pick(s) in time for Valentine's Day.

Looking to try something unusual for Valentine's Day?  No, no, no ... not like that. Why not try a new wine? This month's "What the Heck is That" wine six-pack from the Wine Bin features an assortment of "unusual" wines, according to owner Dave Carne.  For an unmasking and preview of what's in the bundle, check out the store's video on YouTube. And to watch a professional saber a bottle of Champagne, check out this video, or stop by the store Sat., Feb. 11, where you can see it happen live every hour from noon to 6 p.m.

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