Tag Archives: BALLE

Pondering the death of retail as Urban Outfitters leaves Ann Arbor

Earlier this evening, having just read that Gap was planning to close approximately 200 stores over the next three years, I heard from my friend Jean that Urban Outfitters had decided not to renew the downtown Ann Arbor space that they’ve held for the past several decades. While I don’t suppose it’s that terribly surprising, […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Local Business, Marketing, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

I hesitate to do this, as I know it’s exactly what they want, but fuck Urban Outfitters

I know that I should just keep my mouth shut, as everyone else is already talking about this, and as I know it’s exactly what Richard Hayne, the far-right CEO and chief provocateur of Urban Outfitters wants, but I can’t help myself. I keep putting down my computer, and trying to walk away, but I […]

Posted in Corporate Crime, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Paul Saginaw sets the record straight on employee ownership and participation within an evolving Zingerman’s, contemplates the future without him

As I suspect most of you know, a few days ago the Business Insider posted an article stating that, in the near future, Zingerman’s would be transitioning to a “worker-owned cooperative”. As you may not know, however, the folks at Zingerman’s quickly came out to say this wasn’t the case. While they were indeed planning […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, entrepreneurism, Food, Local Business, Locally Owned Business | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Jessica Meissner on assisting non-venture capital backed companies, and expanding the role of co-ops in Michigan

Among the people in the audience at Thursday night’s “Doing Business in Ypsilanti” panel, was a woman who has been tasked by Washtenaw County to study the needs of non-venture capital funded entrepreneurs, and make suggestions as to how we might better support them. Her name is Jessica Meissner, and what follows is our email […]

Posted in Economics, Michigan, Ypsilanti | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Big Business vs. Small Business…. who’s right?

Today, in response to an interview that I’d posted recently with the founders of the Ypsi/Arbor small business support group Small & Mighty, a reader by the name of KJC posted a link to an article titled “Small is not Beautiful,” implying, I think it’s pretty clear, that many of us are misguided in our […]

Posted in Economics, Local Business, Locally Owned Business, Mark's Life, Observations, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

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