Business

Workers describe difficulties making ends meet on minimum wages When Cherese Mildrew was a minimum-wage worker in California, she shared a two-bedroom apartment with four other people just to afford rent. At 22, when she moved back to Syracuse, she worked four jobs just to make ends meet. One day she would be restocking shelves at Price Chopper, and the …

Two local designers use their personal styles to instill confidence Ever thought about making clothes, but were scared of what people might think of the style? I would say go for it. Be a fashion designer! There are many people in Syracuse who make clothes, and it started with a dream and conquering their vision. Two people in particular, Ron …

Chef’s passion shows through to community she feeds Wanda Adair has a relationship with food that is as deep as her famous three-cheese macaroni pan in the kitchen of Simone’s Soul Food. The 58-year-old and her son, David Hills, have been the operators of Simone’s for more than a year. The restaurant, named after Hills’ wife, Letisha Simone Johnson, has …

Jon Speed: The Book Scout sells used, rare books As a child, Jon Speed was in awe of his uncle’s book collection. “There were bookshelves everywhere, in places you could not imagine,” Speed said. “There were books in every corner of the house. It was like a museum.”

Benediction Cafe, fully accredited culinary training program to replace deteriorating church The historic 104-year-old church at 711 E. Fayette St., the former home to People’s African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, will be renovated and turned into a cafe and culinary school. The project organizers said they hope this is a good way to serve the community and the economy, while …

Eat to Live board says working on business plan The Eat to Live Food Cooperative on South Salina Street closed its doors due to a lack of funding after being open less than three months, but its board is addressing the issues that caused its closing in hopes of reopening it this spring. “We didn’t make the money we needed …

Co-Op Board shuts down grocery store to restructure Less than three months after opening, the Eat to Live Food Cooperative has closed in order to restructure and hire a new general manager. The 3,000-square-foot grocery store closed after the Dec. 17, 2013, annual membership meeting.

Success of thrift store 3fifteen helps fund, inspire Rescue Mission’s other services The Rescue Mission is updating its Thrifty Shopper stores in Central New York, replacing tight aisles and overstuffed racks with floor layouts similar to department stores. Thrifty Shopper stores in Auburn, Cicero, East Syracuse and North Syracuse already sport the new look, said Charles Chappell, the Rescue Mission’s …

A key use for grant money: provide guidance on health insurance The South Side Innovation Center, whose mission is to help develop small businesses, has received a $75,000 grant from an international financial services company. The money will be used to upgrade the center’s business training programs, its director said. The grant, from JPMorgan Chase & Co., will also be …