WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Partnership Helps Vermont Businesses Grow
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Manchester, Vermont - June 14, 2009
A pair of Vermont businesses are teaming up and managing to expand during a recession.
The Northshire Bookstore in Manchester is independently-owned, and has had to deal with competition from the internet and dwindling CD sales because of the popularity of mp3s. But the store says children's books are still selling strong. It teamed with Cabot-based Zutano to open a mini-store inside of the Northshire, to capitalize on the book traffic to generate more revenue.
The retailer of infant and toddlers' clothing says it wouldn't have been able to grow in Manchester without the partnership. Company president Michael Belenky says, "We're able to use their infrastructure. But also, their 30-plus year reputation and their following is incredibly valuable."
Zutano handles the merchandising for its store-within-a-store, relieving the Northshire Bookstore of some of that expense and pressure.
The companies say they expect other businesses to develop creative partnerships like theirs as Vermonters find ways to get through these lean times.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News
