Is 'Green Monday' Your Last Day For Online Shopping? Maybe.

The Internet changed things forever, including how we shop. Many Americans now prefer to shop online instead of driving to "brick and mortar" stores. Just like those physical retailers, online sellers of goods and services also have sales. You're probably familiar with Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales online, but lesser known is "Green Monday." If you're a last-minute Christmas shopper, listen up.

Photo: AP/Mark Humphrey

According to Business Insider, Green Monday is "the day when shoppers wake up and realize that if they're going to order a gift for someone online, they'd better get on it." Ebay coined the term "Green Monday" more than a decade ago "after it noticed an uptick in orders on a particular day. It traditionally falls on the second Monday in December, the last day with at least 10 days left to order before Christmas. This year, it's December 11. Think of it like Super Saturday for online shoppers who wait until the last minute."

Granted, Green Monday is not as well known as other big sales days. And that's a large reason why it may not exist long beyond 2017. "With the two-day shipping guarantee that comes with an Amazon Prime membership," reports BI, "and Walmart's two-day shipping offering with any $35 purchase, there may not be a compelling reason for last-minute shoppers to click check-out on Monday."

Of course, many of us wait until there is little time left before finishing our Christmas shopping. And if you think about it, that alone is reason enough for Green Monday to live on and prosper.

Why It's So Cold In Starbucks (Drink Up and Get Out)

July 6, 2015 - Going to Starbucks? Take a sweater, it's cold in there. For several years now I have wondered why every Starbucks seems to be too cold. I mean, cruelly cold, far colder than they need to be for the comfort of their customers.

Image via Mike Elgan on Google+

It's not just me who feels this way. Most of my fellow Starbucks customers agree that the air conditioning is almost always arctic in its severity. But nobody can agree on just why. Some folks have long theorized that Starbucks keeps their stores bitingly frigid to discourage us from lingering. I always thought that was a bad theory. Turns out I was wrong, as revealed to me yesterday by a Starbucks employee.

I've asked many a Starbucks barista and manager why they can't turn the A/C to a comfortable temperature. The reasons given are always ridiculous. They'll say that their thermostat is controlled by Starbucks corporate headquarters in Seattle. Some have added that corporate HQ only gives them a leeway of five degrees on their thermostat. Others have said, amazingly, that the temperature is set to keep the employees comfortable because it "gets so hot behind the counter," implying that they care more about their own comfort, and the customers be damned.

Occupy Black Friday Stupidity, Plus a New Occupy Song (Video)

November 25, 2011 - We hope you got enough turkey on Thanksgiving Day. If you're like most Americans, you gave thanks for the good things in your life. Sure, many Americans are hurting these days: Unemployment, a bad mortgage situation, a pension fund in the crapper, rising prices, and so on. Even in bad times, though, most of us understand that it could be a lot worse, and we keep trying to make things better for ourselves and those around us.

Some Americans, however, do the opposite. Take many of the Occupy crowd, who would like nothing better than to make things worse for their fellow Americans by shutting down businesses and, as a result, causing layoffs and more unemployment. How would they do this?

Simple: Occupy is trying to shut down "Black Friday" retail shopping events across the country. Let's remember that many retailers, if not most, depend heavily on the Christmas shopping season to end their year with a profit. Many retailers just break even or perhaps operate in the red for the other 11 months of the year, holding on in anticipation of the year-end national shopping spree.

Millions of employees of those retailers, larger and small, depend on those profits to remain employed. Occupy, in some misguided attempt to do whatever the hell it is they think they're trying to do, wants to hurt the retail sales. Which means, by extension, that they are trying to harm the economic security of fellow Americans. Some Occupy people will tell you that they just want to encourage shoppers to favor small local businesses over the big chain retailers. That sounds nice, and I try to shop locally when I have a choice. But Occupy is trying to inflict damage on those big stores, apparently without realizing (or caring) that plenty of local residents earn their livings by working there.

Marathon Pundit compiled a great list that he calls "Occupy occtrocities: Black Friday edition." Here are a few items:

CNBC: Demonstrators plan to occupy retailers on Black Friday
CNBC: Tea Party activists challenge 'Occupy Black Friday' with 'BUYcott Black Friday'
Gateway Pundit: #OWS Mob targets Macy’s midnight opening – chants "Shame, shame, shame!" at holiday shoppers (Audio)
The Other McCain: #Occupy Black Friday?

You can see the full list with about 17 additional story links at Marathon Pundit.

My Favorite Used Bookstore Needs Help!

The best used bookstore in Chicago, in my humble opinion, is Armadillo's Pillow in Rogers Park. They are in financially troubled times (who isn't these days?), but there's a way that you bookstore lovers can help them out. It's simple enough: Buy some books from them and/or drop off the used books that you know you'll never read again. Armadillo's Pillow is not the biggest used bookstore in Chicago. It doesn't have the largest selection, and there is no off-street parking (although it's along some major bus lines and is an easy walk from the Morse CTA Red Line station). But the quality of selections and the charm of the space itself will hook you. What makes A.P. the best is a combination of things: A warm, cozy environment that encourages lingering and browsing, a wide variety of genres and titles, the home made art for sale on the walls, and never knowing what new literary gem you may find for a couple of bucks in the well-organized aisles and rows of used books. Actually, they're in such good condition that owners Matt and Beth might take a cue from the auto retail industry and refer to them as "pre-owned" books. Like many businesses these days, Armadillo's Pillow is having a rough time financially. You might think that a seller of used books (or used anything) would see an uptick in business during such times, when people are looking for bargains. Not so, says Matt. Apparently, people are willing to forego books to keep their own budget in line. I find that confusing, since a good book can be found for less than what might pay for a beer at tavern. Unlike the beer, the book can provide entertainment for days or weeks and will not increase your need to urinate or impair your ability to operate heavy machinery. Armadillo's Pillow has been in business for 15 years. I discovered them 12 years ago, when I first moved into Rogers Park. Over the course of 10 years, I think I purchased something like 70 or 80 books there. Most of those were used (pre-owned) science fiction items, often under $2.00 each. With no television at home, the books were welcome entertainment. Also welcome has been the many hours of good conversation I've had over the years with Matt and Beth. Now, Armadillo's needs a little extra love. Friend and fellow blogger Bill Morton recently helped in a big way. "I donated roughly two thousand books to local bookstore The Armadillo's Pillow. The books that I donated were the ones that I saved from the North Shore School demolition a few years ago." Read Bill's post at his RP1000 blog. The Armadillo's Pillow is located at 6753 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois, 60626. They're on the east side of Sheridan just south of Pratt. Their website is http://www.armadillospillow.com/. Their phone is 773-761-2558. Photos taken October 9, 2010 by T.H.Mannis

Another Sneak Peek at Wilson Yard Target

This is a view through the front doors of the new Target store in Uptown, Chicago. Employees have been busy for weeks getting the shelving in place and, more recently, stocking those shelves with much-awaited-for merchandise. The two-level store at N. Broadway and W. Sunnyside will feature a limited grocery section and a Starbucks.

(Sneak Photos) Uptown Target Store Opens July 25

Will Target really come to Wilson Yard? I'm kidding, of course, but after years of wondering, and despite the obvious, I think a few people in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood were still not believers even after Target announced that they were hiring for the new store on Chicago's north side. In fact, even at this late date, some seem incapable of seeing what's before their very eyes. "Wilson Yard, located at the corner of Montrose and Broadway, is the largest parcel of undeveloped land on the North side of Chicago," says the website of FixWilsonYard.org. That group tried for years to stop the development. Now that's it's completed, they seem unable to cope with it. Look at the photos below. Does that look like "undeveloped land" to you? It's time to start believing: Target will open its new store on July 25 on N. Broadway, one block north of W. Montrose (see map) on a plot of land that used to be Wilson Yard. It was called that for years because it was a work yard for the Chicago Transit Authority, but now it's a big complex with both commercial and residential space. So, like, can we please stop calling it "Wilson Yard?" We don't still refer to the United States as "the Colonies," do we?

Circuit City Closing, 30,000 Will Lose Jobs

It's never good when anybody loses their job, so the closing of electronics superstore Circuit City is a very bad thing. From a Darwinian viewpoint however, it seems to have been an evolutionary inevitability. To be blunt: Circuit City sucked. Their selection was not as good as their better competitors, and their prices were often on the high side. Once great, Circuit City was a new kind of store, offering electronics ranging from computer equipment to vacuum cleaners to cell phones. Circuit City didn't keep up with the times, however, with a poor selection of items in every department. Let's hope that all of the 30,000 employees fare well, but let's bid good riddance to the badly run Circuit City Stores, Inc. NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- After failing to secure financing from creditors and lenders, bankrupt electronics vendor Circuit City Stores Inc. said Friday that it will liquidate, joining the list of retailers like Linens 'n Things that are closing up shop due to the economic downturn. The liquidation will affect more than 30,000 employees, adding to the rising number of U.S. job losses, which last year hit their highest level since World War II. As of Dec. 31, Circuit City had 567 stores in the United States and about 765 stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Full Article at MarketWatch... RELATED: Timeline of Circuit City Stores Inc. Circuit City Hires Liquidators to Sell Merchandise Electronics Retailer Has Nearly $2 Billion Worth of Inventory to Sell Electronics sales fell 5.7% over holidays Business isn't getting easier for Best Buy Sector Snap:Best Buy up as Circuit City liquidates Best Buy shall rule the land when it comes to retail electronics ... Subscribe to Chicago News Bench

Don Gordon's Next Move

The former candidate for Chicago City Council and long-time resident of Rogers Park has not been slacking off. In fact, he and others are busy planning to revolutionize the retail food industry, as Don Gordon details in his own words: As a few of you know, since the election challenge came to an abrupt end last August, I've been working on a business plan for a new concept in food stores. It's kept me pretty much in "hibernation" and certainly has taken all of my attention, but I wanted to at least let all of you who worked so hard in my campaign or lent me your support know what I'm up to at this time. I won't go into the details at this point other than to say that there will be nothing like what we're putting together and that it will be a very exciting retail experience that will forever change the way people shop for food. From the presentation of the store layout to the "check-out" process, our customers will be immersed in a smarter way to purchase their food. It also leverages my life-long addiction to health and fitness by bringing the whole aspect of wellness into the concept ("shop smart, eat right, live well"). Of course being a long-time community activist, we've also incorporated a neighborhood development aspect to the business as well - our focus at first for locating the stores will be throughout Chicago's 77 communities. And yes, there will be bleeding edge technology components to the business - 25 years managing technology projects taught me a little about that. :-) There are three partners involved at this point, including myself, but we're looking for one more. We need to bring on board a partner who has a long history in the retail grocery business and well versed in the management of all aspects of running a store. Though all 3 of us have had experience in the grocery industry in the past (combined 40 years), we need to have a partner who will be focused on the store management aspect of the business and who has been working in the industry more recently. If you know someone, or someone who knows someone (currently working or retired) with this kind of background and who's at the stage in their life that they want to do something that not only will be personally rewarding but also present an opportunity to change the face of the retail food industry, then please let me know. I'd love to talk to them. Finally, if you're simply interested in knowing more about this project and the investment opportunities associated with this start-up endeavor, I'd be more than happy to discuss that as well. I'll have a final business plan done by end of February, at which point I'll be hitting the streets making presentations. You can email me at fit4life@the-gordon-family.net. I hope the new year finds all of you well and that 2008 will be good for everyone. I'll be busy working on getting our new business launched so we can open by Spring of '09 and in the interim hopefully landing a few teaching engagements at one of the local universities. Evidently aldermanic campaign experience, especially the candidate's, is worthy of a Political Science Department's interest. Hope to hear from you, even if it's just to say hello. Sincerely, Don Gordon

Joe Moore Calls Chicago a "Food Desert"

The world according to Alderputz Joe Moore:

• We're all cruel barbarians for eating foie gras. Or bacon. Or lobster. Or anything animal.
• The CTA is a "third world" transportation system.
• Employers must pay a "living wage" - even though there is no real definition of "living wage."
• Most of Ald. Moore's campaign contributions are turned over to the Little League and the Home for Lepers.
• Chicago is a "food desert." No, not "dessert," but "desert." You know, like where there's little or no life.

Joe needs to get out more. And judging from the looks of Joe's three chins and large derriere, he is apparently living in some kind of "food tropical rain forest." Oy. According to ABC Channel 7, "The planned closing of more than a dozen Chicago Dominick's grocery stores will create what one researcher calls a "food desert" in some neighborhoods." There is a beautiful posting about this from the famous and highly respected Marathon Pundit today (Feb. 22), which should have a look at. Joe Moore, of course, is repeating this. But do you believe it? I don't. First a paragraph of sarcasm, then some happy news. If Dominick's stores close, that would be bad for many or all of their employees, of course. But to say that it would cause a "food desert" is a big overstatement, undoubtedly meant to create a sense of "crisis" and and need for some kind of urgent action. Guess what that urgent action would be. Right! Some kind of government intervention in the private sector. How about a Big Pantry Ordinance, Alderman Moore? Sure, you could make it a law that grocery stores that occupy 50,000 square feet or more can never close, not even if they are losing money by staying open. That was the sarcasm. Now the happy news. Rogers Park may be lacking in some things, but we are blessed with a good number of very nice little grocery markets. The researchers who predict "food deserts," and Alderman Joe Moore, do not like to shop at these little markets. They're so, you know, ethnic. Joe Moore would rather shop at the Whole Foods in Evanston, which is much closer to where he really lives anyway. As for the nice, non-mega-chain markets, there's Morse Fruit and Vegetables (on Morse) and Devon Market (on Devon). There are a number of others, and they offer all the staples and more and at reasonable prices. I've found many a great deal at MFV and DM, often better than the prices at Dominick's or Jewel. Would it be good if Dominick's - or any other business other than a hooka shop - closed down? No, of course not. But would the closing of one grocery store be a crisis? Would it cause a "food desert?" Doubtful, very doubtful. Would screaming loudly that it would be a crisis perhaps be a benefit for the desperate campaign of a failed alderman in the 49th Ward of Chicago? You bet it would.

Goosing Joe Moore

From the website of DevCorp North comes this tidbit today (pardon the pun) about a proposed new gourmet food and wine shop. Too bad for owners Eric Aubriot and Jamie Evans that they can't legally sell foie gras, thanks to Alderman Joe Moore, who wrote the anti-foie gras ordinance - and whose office is right across the street from the proposed location of their shop. You see, Eric Aubriot (photo) is quite well known for his various artistic presentations of foie gras and widely recognized in his industry. He has opened three north side restaurants: Aubriot and Tournesol and, most recently, Fuse in Hotel 71. Fuse serves - or served - foie gras. For example, in a "Hotel News Resource" review of Fuse in 2004, it was noted that appetizers included "Seared Foie Gras with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce – Aubriot’s signature dish." Aubriot will be right across the street from the world famous clown and battler of foie gras, Alderman Joe Moore. Foie gras with chocolate sauce is rich, but the irony in all of this is richer still. --> Learn about a proposal for a gourmet food and wine shop in Jarvis Square.Aubriot's business partner in the venture, Jamie Evans, is co-owner of the Celtic Knot Public House, a traditional Irish Pub and European restaurant located in Evanston. For more information, contact the 49th Ward Service Office at (773) 338-5796.