LET’S MAKE A DEAL Renee Powell is a Larchmont restaurateur, merchant, and as of this week, internet entrepreneur. TODAY Renee launches her new website JCadin (pronounced "jay-kay-den"), a web-based, self-service marketplace where local businesses can sell deals directly to the public. Renee understands firsthand the challenges facing small businesses, particularly in tough economic times. One such challenge is finding ways to promote a business in an effective and profitable way. Like other small business owners, Renee tried a popular deal site and was disappointed with the results. She was frustrated by the restrictions on creating a deal, the hefty fees, and the lack of promised repeat customers. JCadin offers a different solution, and it's a simple one. Local businesses can create a web storefront in minutes and begin selling unlimited custom deals immediately to the public. There are no contracts, no upfront costs, and sellers get paid instantly. Only a small fee (99 cents + 3.5%) is charged per deal sold. For shoppers, there are no “spam” emails cluttering their mailboxes on a daily basis. They shop when they want to shop by entering a zip code in the JCadin search engine to find all the great deals available at businesses in the neighborhood. Once a deal is purchased, they redeem the printed voucher at the appropriate store or restaurant. With JCadin, Renee hopes to create an online environment where shopping and dining are made fun and rewarding for both customers and merchants. She also wants to reinforce the connection between local businesses and residents. JCadin strives to keep local dollars where they belong…locally. A vibrant local business district benefits the entire community. And if Renee’s idea catches on, thriving local economies around the country could give the overall economy a much-needed lift. As part of this week’s launch, Renee created a web store for her restaurant, Pascal’s. If you’re craving French food, this would be a good time to visit. Renee is offering deals on everything from wine to desserts to dinners for two and four people. Click here to visit Pascal’s new web storefront. Questions? Renee can be reached via email at renee@jcadin.com.
THE WELCOME WAGON
BE FIT Now that the holiday food fest of latkes, jelly donuts, gingerbread men, and Christmas pudding is over, it’s time to focus on shedding those extra pounds. If being more fit and healthy is part of your new year’s resolution, you need to meet Nicola Cristiani. Nicola, a Larchmont resident recently opened the Be Fit supplement store at 2005 Palmer Avenue. The store, similar to a GNC but a whole lot cheaper, caters to people who live an active and healthy lifestyle. For athletes, there are products to use pre-workout for energy, inter-workout for sustainability, and post-workout for recovery. Need to lose weight? Be Fit offers a range of products to help boost metabolism. Joints hurt from overexerting yourself? There’s a supplement for that too. And of course, popular vitamins are available to maintain a healthy diet. Nicola is a firm believer in using supplements for health. As a teen in Italy, he was a boxer and body builder. With other distractions in his life, he gave up fitness for twenty years. He started exercising again a few years ago, and supplements are an important part of his daily regiment. Nicola’s wife Karina, also a fitness advocate, is helping to manage the store. Be Fit is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HOLIDAY PARTY The Larchmont Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual holiday party tomorrow (TUESDAY), 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Palmer’s Crossing. All local business owners are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Cindy at info@larchmontchamber.com.
FOR KIDS Fun events for kids this week at the Larchmont Library. On WEDNESDAY at 11 a.m., the Circus is coming to town! Amazing juggling, plate spinning and balancing acts are part of this one hour show. Seating is first come, first serve. No reservation needed. On FRIDAY at 11 a.m., 2 to 4 year olds are invited to ring in the New Year at the PreSchool Dance Party. They’ll be plenty of grooving along with a Countdown to the 2012 (a bit early).
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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