Ukrop brothers say name a blessing and a burden (Times-Dispatch)
The Ukrops — notably Jim and brother Robert S. “Bobby” Ukrop, the chain’s chairman and CEO — are more than just grocers. Their reach includes business, politics, community development, education and arts. The family’s influence could wane in the years to come if they sell the grocery chain, as industry publications have speculated, and as First Market Bank, which is majority-owned by the Ukrop family and the grocery chain, gets ready to merge with Union Bankshares Corp. And competitors continue to eat away at the chain’s market share.
Feds push banks to fix troubled CRE loans (Inside Business)
The guidance, meant mostly for financial institutions’ eyes, suggested re-working CRE loans to show how lenders should work with troubled borrowers and how regulators will view their efforts.
Be their guests: The hotel industry hopes for a holiday turnaround (Roanoke Times)
The hotel industry has been hurt by the economy, but some in the business believe things will get better with the good tidings holiday travelers bring.
Bowl America shuns glitz, avoids gutter (Washington Post)
Alexandria-based Bowl America is unapologetically old school. Walk into the chain’s Gaithersburg location, and you might hear Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” on the sound system. On Friday afternoon, the smell of bacon was in the air as the kitchen got ready for Saturday morning’s youth program, which will bring 160 kids to play on the joint’s 48 lanes.
Singles group makes history with first ‘cougar cruise’ (CNN)
It’s a trip that would make Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher blush. On Friday, the Carnival cruise ship Elation, sponsored by the world’s largest nonprofit singles travel group, will make history by hosting the world’s first International Cougar Cruise, and we don’t mean the animal.
Par for the Course (Slate)
Why we can’t get enough of the stories about Tiger Woods and the Salahis.
How to Write an Operations Manual (WSJ)
Every business, no matter how small, needs to have standards, and developing your own set of policies and procedures (often called an operations manual) will help your business run more smoothly— especially when you can’t be there.
The Entrepreneurs of the Decade: 2000 to 2009 (Inc.)
They have changed the way we buy things, find information, and communicate. A look at the most influential and inspiring entrepreneurs of the past 10 years.
From Problems to Profits (Entrepreneur)
For these entrepreneurs, pressing personal needs were the inspiration for thriving startups.
