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. It's called 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 …

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Passion for Pink Party on Coventry to Benefit The Gathering Place

Ten percent of purchases made during Blush Boutique's benefit party will be donated to The Gathering Place

A Coventry Village boutique will turn pink this Saturday in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Blush Boutique will host a "Passion for Pink" benefit party from 5 to 10 p.m. at 1783 Coventry Road. The shop will be filled will pink decorations, dresses and miniature martini glasses to celebrate the perseverance of cancer survivors like owner Laurie Klopper's best friend, Cindy Young. "I'd always heard about breast cancer and I ran the (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure) for years, but you never think this is going to affect you until it hits somebody you know," Klopper said. But she was just so upbeat during the entire experience." Young, a Cleveland Heights resident and three-year survivor, will also attend the event. Ten percent of …

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Mayfield Grads Form Publishing Firm

H.H.B. Publishing owners John Savage and Dan Donatelli give advice about starting your own business.

It can happen anywhere at any time for potential entrepreneurs. For John Savage and Dan Donatell, the "epiphany moment" occurred years ago at party in Southern California. That's when the Mayfield High School graduates realized they would go into business together. "He says, 'Dan, I don't know how your literary talents haven't been discovered yet, but I think we should take advantage of that and start a publishing company ourselves,'" Donatelli remembered Savage telling him. It truly was an epiphany because the works Donatelli had composed up to that point were considered "practice" and had been shelved. Now, the 2000 Mayfield graduates and former baseball teammates operate H.H.B. Publishing, with Donatelli's "Music Made by Bears" as its …

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Own a Small Business? Claim Your Listing on Hillcrest Patch

You can add photos, list specials and more.

If you own a business in Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights or Gates Mills, check out the Hillcrest Patch Places tab, and claim your listing. It's free and easy to do. In the Places tab, users can find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and much more about local venues. Users can add events that are happening in your business as well as rate it on a five-star system. If you claim your listing, you can add information about sales, specials and more. To learn how to claim your listing, watch the video above. Here are some other benefits to claiming your listing with Patch: If you've already claimed your listing with Patch, thank you! We appreciate your support. If you have business owner friends in the …

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PHOTOS: Give Something Locally Made

We found five sources for local gifts for anyone on your list

Looking for that perfect holiday gift? We rounded up area sources for handmade gifts. Check out the list below.

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Holly Barnes

7:16 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011

I think the point of the story is that no matter where you live, if you look, you can find handmade items. Just look through the "Places" section of each Patch site to see all the diverse businesses listed within. That is the charm of Ohio...so many local businesses make it easy to find whatever you're looking for right in your backyard. And note to local businesses, if you haven't claimed your …   more ›

Video: Black Friday Shopping Starts Early

People started shopping at the stroke of midnight at Great Lakes Mall

Thousands of shoppers got the earliest possible start at midnight on Black Friday in Great Lakes Mall. One of those Mindi Kikel, who said she had never gone shopping on Black Friday before. "I just like the commotion because there's so many people. It's exciting," she said, standing outside of the Toys 'R Us store with a friend. Jennifer Praniewicz came to the mall with eight of her family members. "It's just for fun and adventure," she said. "We were all together for Thanksgiving, so we thought, 'Hey, let's go at midnight. They're giving away prizes.'" The first 100 shoppers in the Macy's concourse received a free goody bag. Additionally, DJ Jesse Webb entertained shoppers in the early morning hours and gave away gifts from stores in the …

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Susan Ruiz Patton

11:09 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

This event looks like it was soooo much fun. I'm so sorry I missed it. :)   more ›

Arrabiata's Owners Revamp Menu at DiCillo's Tavern

Popular Friday fish fry will continue.

The people behind the food at Arrabiata's Italian Restaurant are now running another kitchen just down Mayfield Road at DiCillo's Tavern. Paul and Joe Rini, who joined with Nick and John D'Angelo to buy Arrabiata's Italian Restaurant 13 years ago, are now managing the kitchen at DiCillo's. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is from 4-9 p.m. Joe Rini said he's a regular customer at the bar, owned by Pete DiCillo and his daughter Annette, and was excited about the opportunity. "I was up here one night and heard they were looking for someone to run the kitchen," he said. Rini said they're not looking to take Arrabiata's menu to DiCillo's, which will still focus on bar staples like burgers, sandwiches and soups. "It's a different …

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Shop Local

Welcome To Jurassic Aquatics & Pets Store

Mayfield Heights store specializes in selling a wide range of fish and reptiles

Jurassic Aquatics & Pets owner Fred Boseman is not exactly sure how many fish tanks he has in his Mayfield Heights store. But his best estimate is about 150 tanks, neatly stacked on top of each other in several rows of 6-foot metal racks. The tanks are filled with all kinds of marine, saltwater and tropical fish as well as live corals. Other tanks not filled with fish are nests for reptiles and snakes that lie motionless under the light purple rays of UV lights. Boseman opened the pet store earlier this year at 1413 Golden Gate Blvd. in a building that also houses medical, legal and business professional businesses. He moved his business from Richmond Heights in part because he needed more room. In addition to fish, reptiles and snakes, …

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Shop Local

Herman Textile Window Fashions Has Created Smiles for 102 Years

Family business thrives on making customers happy.

If a 102-year-old company is doing everything right, it’s bound to thrive on repeat and word-of-mouth business. That’s been the formula at Herman Textile Window Fashions since Joel Herman’s grandfather founded the company in 1909. "My customers say, 'Why would I go anywhere else?'" Herman said with satisfaction. "They appreciate the value we can give them." His father handed him the reins in the mid-'80s, when they were still doing business at Cedar Center Plaza, but he’s been at the company since he gave up his paper routes 39 years ago. Herman moved the store to Alpha Park, Highland Heights, in 1988, and will mark the first anniversary of his new 2,200-square-foot showroom in December. The showroom is a wonderland of American-made Hunter…

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