http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:08:55 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/31/korean-pancake-purple-oreo-k-pop-bts/stories/20260531065 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/31/korean-pancake-purple-oreo-k-pop-bts/stories/20260531065#comments Sun, 31 May 2026 11:04:30 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/31/korean-pancake-purple-oreo-k-pop-bts/stories/20260531065 Oreo is teaming up with K-pop supergroup BTS for a bit of marketing dynamite that capitalizes on consumers’ growing interest in global flavors. The new Oreo and BTS collaboration cookies. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/armbruster-ridi-named-finalists-regional-entrepreneur-award/stories/20260519090 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/armbruster-ridi-named-finalists-regional-entrepreneur-award/stories/20260519090#comments Sat, 30 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/armbruster-ridi-named-finalists-regional-entrepreneur-award/stories/20260519090 There will always be a demand for the services of Clean Team. Dan Ridi Clean Team is showcased in Holland on May 21. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/drive-thru-coffee-chain-7-brew-undercaffeinated-america/stories/20260530009 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/drive-thru-coffee-chain-7-brew-undercaffeinated-america/stories/20260530009#comments Sat, 30 May 2026 10:16:07 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/30/drive-thru-coffee-chain-7-brew-undercaffeinated-america/stories/20260530009 A new coffee chain may be headed to a town near you, and it’s not Starbucks or Dunkin’. 7 Brew's drive-thru stands, which also accept walk-up orders, are reminiscent of decades-old competitors like Scooter's Coffee and Dutch Bros. Arkansas-based 7 Brew is a rapidly expanding coffee chain aiming to operate more than 1,000 drive-thru stands within a year. Utah-based influencer Mayra Okechukwu posts drink reviews of 7 Brew orders, often based on recommendations from other customers. Jesslynne Mann occasionally picks up 7 Brew drinks and orders for her coworkers in Kentucky. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/29/tomatoes-become-latest-symbol-of-america-s-affordability-squeeze/stories/20260529084 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/29/tomatoes-become-latest-symbol-of-america-s-affordability-squeeze/stories/20260529084#comments Fri, 29 May 2026 10:36:26 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/29/tomatoes-become-latest-symbol-of-america-s-affordability-squeeze/stories/20260529084 NEW YORK — Tomatoes, ubiquitous in everything from fast-food burgers to haute cuisine, are taking on a new role beyond the plate: A nagging reminder of rising costs. Tomatoes await customers on the shelves of a supermarket in New York on May 26. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/how-to-oil-proof-your-life/stories/20260525003 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/how-to-oil-proof-your-life/stories/20260525003#comments Tue, 26 May 2026 10:40:33 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/how-to-oil-proof-your-life/stories/20260525003 Gasoline prices are up more than 50 percent since the start of the war in Iran. Can average Americans protect themselves from those higher costs? Signs show the gas prices at a gas station, March 10, in New York. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/downtown-remedy-shoppe-and-apothecary-eyes-opening/stories/20260518085 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/downtown-remedy-shoppe-and-apothecary-eyes-opening/stories/20260518085#comments Mon, 25 May 2026 17:42:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/downtown-remedy-shoppe-and-apothecary-eyes-opening/stories/20260518085 Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary is getting ready to heal its first patients. Interior of Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Executive assistant Heather Van Doren looks out the window at Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association CEO, at Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Executive assistant Heather Van Doren looks out the window at Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association CEO, at Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Riverview from Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Interior of Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Exterior of Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Entrance at Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. Exterior of Doc Martin’s Remedy Shoppe and Apothecary May 19 in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/high-gas-prices-cost-of-living-send-us-consumer-sentiment-to-all-time-low/stories/20260525079 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/high-gas-prices-cost-of-living-send-us-consumer-sentiment-to-all-time-low/stories/20260525079#comments Mon, 25 May 2026 10:28:49 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/25/high-gas-prices-cost-of-living-send-us-consumer-sentiment-to-all-time-low/stories/20260525079 Americans just loathe this economy. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/24/jell-o-is-jiggling-its-way-toward-more-natural-ingredients/stories/20260524057 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/24/jell-o-is-jiggling-its-way-toward-more-natural-ingredients/stories/20260524057#comments Sun, 24 May 2026 11:04:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/24/jell-o-is-jiggling-its-way-toward-more-natural-ingredients/stories/20260524057 Jell-O — long known for its bright rainbow of artificially colored gelatins — is getting a line of products made without synthetic colors or artificial sweeteners to meet increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients. A new line of Jell-O products. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/22/ready-to-party-fills-the-balloon-and-decor-gap-in-toledo/stories/20260518004 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/22/ready-to-party-fills-the-balloon-and-decor-gap-in-toledo/stories/20260518004#comments Thu, 21 May 2026 11:30:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/22/ready-to-party-fills-the-balloon-and-decor-gap-in-toledo/stories/20260518004 A shutdown in one place left an opening in another. Dontia Greene, owner, works at Ready to Party Supply Store in Toledo on May 15. Dontia Greene, owner, works at the register at Ready to Party Supply Store in Toledo on May 15. Ready to Party Supply Store is located on Sylvania Avenue in Toledo on May 15. Phenique Davis shops at Ready to Party Supply Store in Toledo on May 15. Dontia Greene, owner, inflates balloons at Ready to Party Supply Store in Toledo on May 15. Nae Chatman paints the face of 8-year-old Bella Greene at Ready to Party Supply Store in Toledo on May 15. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/photo-gallery-graze-station-charcuterie-co-grand-opening/stories/20260518084 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/photo-gallery-graze-station-charcuterie-co-grand-opening/stories/20260518084#comments Mon, 18 May 2026 18:58:51 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/photo-gallery-graze-station-charcuterie-co-grand-opening/stories/20260518084 Graze Station Charcuterie Co. hosted its grand opening on Monday. Co-owners Meredith Smalley, left, and Casey Lucio during the grand opening of Graze Station Charcuterie Co. in Toledo on May 18. Customer Lynn Stokey, left, points out an item she’d like to include in her charcuterie board to co-owner Meredith Smalley during the grand opening of Graze Station Charcuterie Co. in Toledo on May 18. Casey Lucio, co-owner, left, prepares a charcuterie board for customer Claire Diegel during the grand opening of Graze Station Charcuterie Co. in Toledo on May 18. Co-owner Meredith Smalley prepares a charcuterie board for a customer during the grand opening of Graze Station Charcuterie Co. in Toledo on May 18. Exterior of Graze Station Charcuterie Co. in Toledo on May 18. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-white/stories/20260518007 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-white/stories/20260518007#comments Mon, 18 May 2026 10:28:04 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/18/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-white/stories/20260518007 TOKYO — The packaging on some snacks in Japan is turning a somber black-and-white, as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient used in colored ink. This image made from video provided by Japan's NNN-NTV shows Calbee snack packages in color and black and white in Tokyo. Potato chips packages of Calbee Inc. are seen at a convenience store in Tokyo on May 13. People walk past the logo of Calbee Inc., which makes potato chips and cereal, at its headquarters in Tokyo on May 13. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/the-trump-phone-will-start-shipping-following-months-of-delays/stories/20260515091 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/the-trump-phone-will-start-shipping-following-months-of-delays/stories/20260515091#comments Sun, 17 May 2026 12:48:52 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/the-trump-phone-will-start-shipping-following-months-of-delays/stories/20260515091 NEW YORK — Nearly a year after Trump Mobile started taking $100 deposits and a few days after its website updated to say delivery was “conditional,” the gold-plated Trump Phone was set to begin shipping last week, the company announced. Nearly a year after Trump Mobile started taking $100 deposits and a few days after its website updated to say delivery was 'conditional,' the gold-plated Trump Phone wast set to begin shipping last week, the company announced. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/u-s-grocery-prices-rose-in-april-but-gas-spikes-weren-t-the-only-reason/stories/20260517040 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/u-s-grocery-prices-rose-in-april-but-gas-spikes-weren-t-the-only-reason/stories/20260517040#comments Sun, 17 May 2026 12:48:34 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/17/u-s-grocery-prices-rose-in-april-but-gas-spikes-weren-t-the-only-reason/stories/20260517040 Americans paid more for their groceries last month, but high gasoline prices resulting from the Iran war were only one of the reasons why. A person looks at the fresh fish at a grocery store May 11 in Nashville, Tenn. Fresh fish are seen at a grocery store May 11 in Nashville, Tenn. Customers shop in the produce section of a grocery store on May 11 in Portland, Ore. Apples are displayed for sale in the produce section of a grocery store May 11 in Portland, Ore. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/16/walmart-amazon-race-rural-america-speedier-deliveries/stories/20260516090 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/16/walmart-amazon-race-rural-america-speedier-deliveries/stories/20260516090#comments Sat, 16 May 2026 12:59:36 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/16/walmart-amazon-race-rural-america-speedier-deliveries/stories/20260516090 PEA RIDGE, Ark. — Walmart and Amazon are racing to speed up online order deliveries in rural areas of the U.S., a rich source of untapped sales that major retailers long wrote off as too sparsely inhabited, too remote or too impoverished to serve profitably. A drone operated by Zipline flies to make a delivery from a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark. on Sept. 26. Amazon employees sort packages at a last-mile delivery center in Seaford, Del., on Jan. 21. A Zipline employee loads a drone with an order at a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark., on Sept. 26. Emily Ingram checks her Walmart order after it was delivered by a drone operated by Zipline in Pea Ridge, Ark., on Sept. 26. A drone operated by Zipline flies to make a delivery from a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark., on Sept. 26. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/13/levis-commons-to-be-sold-to-outlet-developer/stories/20260513084 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/13/levis-commons-to-be-sold-to-outlet-developer/stories/20260513084#comments Wed, 13 May 2026 14:21:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/13/levis-commons-to-be-sold-to-outlet-developer/stories/20260513084 The Town Center at Levis Commons is being sold to an operator of outlet centers, its owners announced Wednesday. The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/12/amazon-looks-to-redefine-a-need-for-speed-with-30-minute-deliveries/stories/20260512077 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/12/amazon-looks-to-redefine-a-need-for-speed-with-30-minute-deliveries/stories/20260512077#comments Tue, 12 May 2026 10:40:17 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/12/amazon-looks-to-redefine-a-need-for-speed-with-30-minute-deliveries/stories/20260512077 NEW YORK — More than 20 years after it redefined fast shipping, Amazon is preparing to raise the bar on consumer expectations again by offering to fulfill customers' most urgent product needs in a half-hour or less for an extra fee. An Amazon truck makes deliveries in Wheeling, Ill., May 16, 2024. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/11/japanese-video-game-maker-Nintendo-raises-Switch-price-forecasts-lower-profits-1/stories/20260511021 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/11/japanese-video-game-maker-Nintendo-raises-Switch-price-forecasts-lower-profits-1/stories/20260511021#comments Mon, 11 May 2026 10:24:28 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/11/japanese-video-game-maker-Nintendo-raises-Switch-price-forecasts-lower-profits-1/stories/20260511021 TOKYO — Nintendo’s annual profit surged 52 percent in the last fiscal year, lifted by solid sales of its Switch 2 machines and software, the company announced Friday. A Nintendo sign is seen outside Nintendo's official store in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Jan. 23, 2020. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/10/yemen-coffee-culture-united-states/stories/20260510048 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/10/yemen-coffee-culture-united-states/stories/20260510048#comments Sun, 10 May 2026 11:33:58 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/10/yemen-coffee-culture-united-states/stories/20260510048 SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Hundreds of years ago, Yemen helped introduce the world to coffee. Lately, the mountainous, war-ravaged country that borders Saudi Arabia and Oman is exporting something else: its coffee culture. Franchisee Ahmad Badr serves a drink and treat sampler at Arwa Yemeni Coffee on April 6 in Sunnyvale, Calif. A customer enters Arwa Yemeni Coffee on April 6 in Sunnyvale, Calif. Customers are seen inside Arwa Yemeni Coffee on April 6 in Sunnyvale, Calif. Hanan Jomaa drinks an iced pistachio latte inside Arwa Yemeni Coffee on April 6 in Sunnyvale, Calf. Customers sit inside Jabal Coffee House in Ann Arbor on April 20. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/09/secretive-business-buying-ube-internet-food-craze/stories/20260509004 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/09/secretive-business-buying-ube-internet-food-craze/stories/20260509004#comments Sat, 09 May 2026 11:05:55 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/09/secretive-business-buying-ube-internet-food-craze/stories/20260509004 Jeffrey Cesari grew up eating ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines, whenever he visited his relatives there. But seven months ago, when he encountered it in a latte at a Turkish cafe, it suddenly sparked a business idea. Coconut Ube coffee served at Vietnamese Coffee shop in Fountain Valley, Calif. Jeffrey Cesari sampled different types of ube powder from the Philippines for an ube latte mix he wants to launch this summer. Ube is mostly grown in the Philippines, where production of the root crop declined in 2025. A purple yam known as ube is served on a plate. Jeffrey Cesari took a two-hour boat ride to meet with a 73-year-old farmer and others who could help him buy ube. https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/06/jcpenney-offering-sensory-friendly-shopping/stories/20260424087 https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/06/jcpenney-offering-sensory-friendly-shopping/stories/20260424087#comments Wed, 06 May 2026 12:55:21 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/business/retail/2026/05/06/jcpenney-offering-sensory-friendly-shopping/stories/20260424087 The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with JCPenney, will host a sensory-friendly shopping event for people with disabilities from 9 to 11 a.m. at the retailer’s location in the Franklin Park Mall on Saturday. Emalee Ahrens, 9, removes hangars from her new outfits as she shops for school clothes at JCPenney at the Franklin Park Mall in 2015 in Toledo.