"While overall retail sales were down locally at the end of 2009, it appears to have been a decent holiday season for local merchants.
Whatcom County generated $771.5 million in retail sales during the fourth quarter of 2009, a 1.2 percent decline compared to the same period the year…
"We're not out of the woods yet when it comes to the economy, but it appears that small-business owners and entrepreneurs are feeling a little more confident.
In recent weeks there have been a variety of businesses, particularly retailers, either opening or expanding into a…