Published July 3, 2009, 9:31 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Three years ago, when the economy was healthy, Berean Christian Stores was hungry for growth.Its appetite for acquisitions prompted the Cincinnati-based retailer to buy 11 stores, including Provident Bookstores locations here and elsewhere.But now that the economy has taken a turn for the worse, cau...

Published July 2, 2009, 10:01 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER, Pa. - Continuing its aggressive growth strategy here, Giant Food Stores will start expanding its Lancaster Shopping Center store early next year.The project, which will double the size of the store, is part of a $12 million overhaul of the Manheim Township strip center.Giant expects the expansion, incorpo...

Published July 1, 2009, 12:06 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER, Pa. - As a guy who commutes to work on two wheels, not four, Chip Cargas encourages co-workers to do the same.He's found a few colleagues who would consider bicycling to work, if showers were available there.Late next year, Cargas hopes that feature will be a reality, after his firm moves to a new bui...

Published July 1, 2009, 12:03 AM EST

by CINDY STAUFFER

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The Wilbur Chocolate workers' union has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against Cargill Inc., the owner of the Lititz plant.Chocolate Workers Local 464, which represents hourly workers at the plant, recently filed the charge against the company for a...

Published July 1, 2009, 12:01 AM EST

by CHAD UMBLE

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Kyma Seafood Grill opened Tuesday in Denver, marking the transformation of the former Silk City Diner into a sleek, new seafood restaurant.Owners Nick and George Barakos closed the Silk City Diner in January for major renovations. The brothers tore down most of the former diner at 1640 N. Reading Ro...

Published June 30, 2009, 12:03 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - So much for the worst being behind us.The jobless rate for Lancaster County jumped back up in May, hitting 7.2 percent — the worst since 1985, the state reported Monday.The rate had slipped in April to 7.0 percent from March's 7.1 percent, raising the possibility that March was the peak of...

Published June 30, 2009, 12:02 AM EST

by BERNARD HARRIS

LANCASTER, Pa. - Where do the people in the southeastern part of Lancaster City go to buy their shoes? How about their jewelry, airline tickets, appliances and most of their food?The answer to those questions is — almost exclusively — outside the southeast of the city.While the people and money are there...

Published June 30, 2009, 12:01 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Lift Inc. was looking for new markets.It found them at Bobcat of Lancaster.The material-handling equipment firm acquired the local Bobcat dealership, effective June 1, for an undisclosed price.Lift Inc. president Don Herman said Monday that the Bobcat dealership serves the same market as Lift Inc., ...

Published June 29, 2009, 12:01 AM EST

by Patti S. Spencer

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The statistics for termination of marriages in the United states are pretty grim. The latest statistics claim roughly 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce. Second or third marriages have only about 20 percent of couples remaining happily married.On the dissolution of the marriage by divorce,...

Published June 28, 2009, 12:08 AM EST

by DENNIS LARISON, Business Editor

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Some people just don't like to leave home, even when they go away on vacation.When going to the beach, they find thousands of homes away from home to choose from for a stay.But when coming to Lancaster County, they find the selection of homes is much more limited.Recently, however, more people h...