7 Traditional New Year Party Foods From All Over The World

7 lucky party dishes from all over the world

1.Ring-Shaped Cakes:

 Ring-shaped cakes and other baked goods symbolize wholeness and the completion of a full year’s cycle. In Greece, there’s vasilopita, a round, anise-flavored cake with a coin hidden inside; in Mexico, they make rosca de reyes, a sweet, ring-shaped bread that’s studded with dried fruit and baked with a tiny figurine of baby Jesus inside; and a long-held Dutch tradition is to feast on puffy, doughnut-like fritters called oliebollen, which are filled with apples and raisins and dusted with powdered sugar.


2.Dumplings:

 Dumplings resemble the gold ingots that were once China’s currency, eating them represents the hope for an auspicious new year. If you’re making them yourself, however, look out: superstition warns against counting the dumplings for fear that it will lead to scarcity in the new year. Another ancient belief that doubles as a teaching moment: any bad feelings between family members must be resolved before the dumplings are cooked; if they’re not, evil spirits will steal them.


3.Fish:

 In China, a whole steamed fish symbolizes a long and healthy life and oysters and prawns are lucky, too. In Poland, one serves pickled herring at midnight; in Italy, dried salt cod stars in a variety of holiday dishes; and in Germany, you simply can’t celebrate the day without noshing on carp, which often appears in a stew. Germans take it one step further, though — many tuck a few carp scales into their wallets afterward to keep from running out of money in the following year.


4.Grapes:

 In Spain, New Year’s Eve means one thing: a whole lot of grapes. At midnight, everyone from grandmothers to teenagers starts popping the fruit into their mouths one-by-one, in time with the local clock tower’s chimes. The saying goes that if you manage to swallow all twelve before the last stroke of midnight, you can count on a prosperous year. Today, the custom is also going strong in Portugal, Cuba, Venezuela and a handful of other countries.


5.Greens:

 The leaves of greens are thought to resemble folded money and supposedly portend a rise in economic fortune. In Germany, sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) is a New Year’s must; in Denmark, it’s kale sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, and in this country, sautéed collard greens are an integral part of a New Year’s meal. In Iran and other countries that celebrate the Persian New Year, fresh herbs, which represent fruitfulness in the coming year, find their way into rice dishes and oven-baked omelets.


6.Legumes:

 Some believe you can increase your chances of getting rich by feasting on beans, peas and lentils over the holiday. Their small, round shape is reminiscent of coins; plus, legumes swell when they’re cooked, which symbolizes growing wealth. One of the most famous of such New Year’s dishes, which is eaten widely in the South, is hoppin’ john, a soup made of black-eyed peas and rice. In northern Italy, it’s customary to eat green lentils and pork sausage just after midnight, and in Brazil, the first meal of the new year is often lentil soup.


7.Pork:

 The high fat content in pork signifies wealth and prosperity; plus, pigs push their snouts forward when rooting for food, which represents progress. (In contrast, turkeys and chickens scratch backward for their food. For that reason, and the superstition that happiness will fly away with the birds’ feathers, many people avoid poultry for the New Year.) Suckling pig is a favorite at New Year’s meals in Russia, Austria, Hungary and Portugal; in Germany, you’ll find roasted pork and sausages, and in Sweden, pork trotters.
Source: babble

Surprisingly Valuable Things in Your Home

The average family has about $10,000 worth of unused items in their home. But how do you know what's worth something and what's just plain junk? We asked Cucksey and a few other experts to tell us the most often overlooked items-and the best online resources for you to start cashing in.

Used Clothing and Shoes 

A lot of people donate to charity clothing that has been sitting in their closets for years, but, Cucksey says, "There is a really big secondhand market out there of people who will buy styles that look outdated to you." It's often lesser-known designer items that are most surprising: Many of her clients are ready to toss their boxed, funky purses from the '60s and '70s before she lets them know they are by designer Enid Collins and commonly sell for $300 and up. And don't discount the pieces from the '80s you'd rather forget: Those garments (shoulder pads and all) are considered vintage. They're some of the most popular items at resale shops right now. 

Costume Jewelry

Unique jewelry pieces can be sold with a heavy price tag, especially if they have their original stamp or maker's mark. AtJewelryWonder.com, you can set up an online store by uploading photos of pieces you own. If the jewelry was passed down by a relative or looks as if it's a few decades old, it might be just the thing costume jewelry enthusiasts are eager to get their hands on. Pieces by Trifari, a jewelry company popular in the '30s, can be distinguished by its trademark "T" stamp with a crown above it. Other sought-after pieces are Eisenberg Ice, especially pins made of Swavorski crystal (marked with "Eisenberg Originals") from the '30s.

Pottery

"We once had a client who had a pottery vase they were using as a toilet brush holder," says Stuart Whitehurst, vice president of Skinner, Inc. auctioneers in Boston. "They had no idea it was made in the late 1800s by Boston pottery maker William Grueby and that its yellow glaze was extremely rare. That toilet brush holder ended up being worth $18,000." So how do you know if Grandma's umbrella stand is actually precious pottery? JustArtPottery.com has a large gallery of patterns and frequently publishes articles on how to tell what kind of pottery you own. And one of the hottest items on the market right now, Whitehurst says, is Chinese porcelain. Commonly found in a traditional blue and white motif, it's now exceptionally popular because Chinese collectors are trying to reclaim pieces that were brought to the States by American missionaries in the 20th century.

Records

If your music collection is now on your iPod, you might have somevinyl records sitting in your attic collecting dust. As with most collector's items, the more rare the record is, the better (and if it's autographed by a popular artist, it's definitely worth thousands). The vinyl records that sell for the highest prices tend to be albums from the '60s and '70s by artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan that are still sealed (never opened) and in great condition. Gently used records are still sought after. To learn more about your collection, ForeverVinyl.com offers auction and appraisal services and also buys and sells vinyl records, as well as CDs. 

Books

While the antique book market isn't what it once was, appraisal expertAllan Stypeck says rare, autographed and original editions, especially manuscripts, are still highly valued. Because books are usually passed down through relatives over the years, many of his clients have no idea what theirs could fetch at auction. "A woman recently called and said she had a book she thought might be worth something," Stypeck says. "It turned out it was a 13th-century illuminated [handwritten and illustrated] manuscript from a monastery in Paris that was worth a minimum of $30,000." But because book appraising depends on a multitude of factors (edition, condition and rarity) Stypeck doesn't recommend trying to figure out your books' value on your own. The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (abaa.org) has a directory of rare booksellers who can get you on the right track. 

Computer Parts

You've upgraded, and now your old computer sits there, obsolete. Many buyers will pay good money for your old desktop, hard drive, monitor, router and even keyboard and printer. Computer parts are especially popular on eBay: Visit PCSellingCenter.ebay.com for detailed instructions to get started on selling what you've got. You'll be doing the Earth a favor: Disposed computer parts, also known as "e-waste," are an environmental hazard due to their toxic parts. 

Vintage Toys

Pez, Barbies, figurines from popular cartoons like the Smurfs or Snoopy-any toy that brings back a little nostalgia could be something a collector will pay big money for. There are certain rarities to look out for, says Whitehurst, like Barbies with a side part and bubble haircut (which were mostly sold in Europe in the '60s and are now highly sought after by American collectors) or a Pez dispenser with a patent number (found toward the bottom of its stem) of 3.9 or lower, which means it was manufactured before 1976.

Source: newzforu

10 Best Honeymoon Spots in Hawaii

 The beaches, the water, the Aloha Spirit... It's hard to go wrong with a honeymoon in Hawaii. Romance is everywhere you turn. These 10 hotels and resorts are some of most decadent and dreamy on the Hawaiian Islands. Enjoy a beautiful sunset from the privacy of your beachfront cabana, explore the undersea world with your partner, or relax at one of the many award-winning spas.

1.Sheraton Keauhou Bay

What: Sheraton Keauhou Bay sits on an ancient black lava flow near the birthplace of Hawaii's King Kamehameha III. In this dramatic and romantic setting, guests can do everything from relaxing on the beach to partaking in Hawaiian cultural activities.

Honeymoon Highlights: Keauhou Bay has a special manta ray-viewing point just offshore. Couples can dive or snorkel at night with the manta rays. Those looking to renew their vows (or get married the first time around) can do so underwater with a certified dive master and officiate. 

Where: Sheraton Keauhou Bay is in the historical Keauhou district of the Big Island

Cost: Rooms start at $149

2.Fairmont Orchid

What: The Fairmont Orchid spreads across 32 acres of perfectly manicured gardens along the Pacific. Vast grounds and open plan ensure that there's always a great view. The hotel even has its own lagoon, complete with resident green sea turtles.

Honeymoon Highlights: Couples who enjoy getting pampered should try the outdoor Waterfall Massage, where they can lounge in a hale (private hut) overlooking waterfalls and a koi pond.

Where: The Fairmont Orchid is on the Kohala Coast on The Big Island

Cost: Rooms start at $239 per night

3.Hotel Renew

What: Honeymooners who appreciate a chic, designer boutique hotel will enjoy the 72-room Hotel Renew on Waikiki Beach. The hotel's on-site surf school and sunset surf lessons are a regular hit with couples.

Honeymoon Highlights: The Tie The Knot Newlywed Package features a 20% discount and includes champagne, continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and beach gear.

Where: Hotel Renew is in Waikiki on Oahu

Cost: Rates start at $159 per night for the Tie the Knot Newlywed Package

4.Kahala Resort

What: The Kahala's 6.5 acres of crescent beach, tropical gardens, and waterfalls seem far removed, but the resort is only minutes from Honolulu's cosmopolitan atmosphere. Five bottlenose dolphins frequent the private lagoon -- but they aren't the resort's only celebrities. A walk through the hotel's photo gallery shows that The Kahala has hosted everyone from US presidents to rock stars.

Honeymoon Highlights: Honeymooners receive a $50 resort credit to use toward activities or a meal at Hoku's restaurant. The Kahala's "Kissing Point" is one of the most beautiful spots on the island to watch the colorful Hawaiian sunset.

Where: The Kahala is minutes from Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Oahu

Cost: Rates start at $395 per night

5.Grand Hyatt Kauai

What: The Grand Hyatt Kauai hosts about 250 destination weddings each year, and is even more popular with honeymooners. This 50-acre resort has wide, white sand beaches, a saltwater lagoon, an adult pool, a lazy river, hula lessons, and ukulele lessons. Hidden nooks have double hammocks and more privacy, for guests who prefer a little solitude.

Honeymoon Highlights: Honeymooners receive a bottle of sparkling wine in each room and a private cabana reservation. In Anara Spa, honeymooners receive a 15% discount on the half-day Romance Journey or three-hour Kauai Lover's Escape spa treatments, which take place in a private outdoor hale near a lava rock shower and ginger steam grotto.

Where: Grand Hyatt Kauai is in Koloa on Kauai

Cost: Rooms start at $360 per night

6.Ko'a Kea

What: Kauai's only luxury boutique, Ko'a Kea, was renovated in 2009 with honeymooners in mind. This low-key hotel on Poipu Beach skips over the man-made trappings of other resorts and instead emphasizes the serenity of its surroundings.

Honeymoon Highlights: The Tropical Desire Package includes breakfast, a one-hour couple's massage, three-course dinner for two, and a midsize rental car.

Where: Ko'a Kea is in the town of Koloa on Poipu Beach in Kauai

Cost: Rates start at $329. The Tropical Desire Package starts at $615 per night.

7. Courtyard Kaua'i

What: The Courtyard Kaua'i at Coconut Beach is a 311-room property that feels more like a boutique hotel because of its attention to detail. This secluded oceanfront accommodation will unveil its $15 million renovation in January 2012.

Honeymoon Highlights: Honeymooners enjoy welcome cocktails, fresh flowers, and Hawaiian cookies during turn-down service. For a real treat, try to book the ocean-front Discovery Suite, which boasts a full kitchen, Jacuzzi, and private lanai. 

Where: The Courtyard Kaua'i at Coconut Beach is in Kapa'a on Kauai

Cost: The starting rate for a room is $199 per night

8. Grand Wailea

What: Honeymooners visiting Grand Wailea will enjoy a particular combination of decadence and Hawaiian culture. Grand Wailea has one of the most valuable and largest collections of international art in the Hawaiian islands, a farm-to-table dining series, the largest hotel spa in Hawaii, the only specialized scuba pool in Hawaii, and Maui's best resort restaurant.

Honeymoon Highlights: The Romance Me Maui package offers couples a side-by-side two-hour spa session, a four-course dinner with exclusive wine-pairing, bottle of champagne, and Hawaiian flower petal turndown service.

Where: Grand Wailea is in Wailea on Maui

Cost: Rates begin at $399 per night. The Romance Me Maui Package starts at $1,776 for five days and four nights' accommodation.

9. Ka'anapali Beach Hotel

What: Honeymooners seeking an authentic Hawaiian experience should consider Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. The hotel, which sits along three miles of one of Hawaii's most romantic beaches, has been named "Hawaii's Most Hawaiian Hotel" by the Waiaha Foundation due to its authentic details and Hawaiian cultural classes.

Honeymoon Highlights: In the interest of preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture, the hotel has established a unique Po'okela program. Guests can learn how to hula, play the ukulele, make grass skirts and leis, pound poi, and much more.

Where: The resort is near Lahaina on Maui

Cost: Rooms start at $159 per night, which includes a welcome breakfast, nightly luau, lei ceremony, and Po'okela classes

10. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea

What: For couples who truly love the finer things in life, the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea can provide a luxurious and romantic atmosphere on the shores of Maui. The resort boasts one of the country's top-rated spas and three of Hawaii's most critically acclaimed restaurants.

Honeymoon Highlights: A concierge can help with any romantic request, but the resort features two popular options. For the Bougainvillea Trail option, gardeners hand-pick bougainvilleas from the grounds and set up a trail from door to bed, complete with chilled champagne. The Ultimate Romantic Dinner brings private, fine dining to the beach. The Four Seasons Resort Maui chef creates a five-course meal for couples at a private table on the beach set with fine crystal, silver, china, and tropical flowers.

Where: The Four Seasons Maui is in Wailea on Maui

Cost: Rates start at $485 per night. The Bougainvillea Trail option costs $125. The Ultimate Romantic Dinner option costs $750.

Source: Frommers

Top Ten New Years Resolutions for Small Businesses

 We all have New Year resolutions for 2012 but do small businesses need New Years Resolutions? Yes! In honor of our rapidly growing small businesses in Frisco, we tracked down the Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for Small Businesses. Improve on last year and keep growing into the New Years with the Top ten New Years Resolutions for Small Businesses from mashable.com.

Go Small.

You want customers to support the concept of small business, right? This means you should adopt a small business mindset at your own business too. Analyze your current vendors and service providers for opportunities to “downsize.” If you find any opportunities to support a small business instead, whether virtual or brick and mortar, aim to switch at least one vendor or supplier.

Go Mobile

By 2015, more U.S. Internet users will access the web through mobile devices than through PCs. On average, 15% of all searches on Google today are from a mobile device. How well are you catering to this mobile population? Make 2012 the year you optimize your search marketing, email marketing and website to focus on this growing mobile community.

Go Local

These mobile users are constantly interacting with things and places that physically surround them. Microsoft reported that 53% of mobile searches on Bing have a local intent. The online world has become an essential place for businesses to connect with their local community. Make sure your business has a local listing on key search engines: Google Places, Bing maps, and Yahoo maps.

Learn How to Delegate

When you’re just starting out and times are tough, it’s natural to tighten the purse strings. However, consider what you could gain by handing over certain tasks to contractors, virtual assistants or full-time employees. By relinquishing control of administrative tasks or company blog updates, you’ll free up time for what’s ultimately going to keep you in business: bringing in revenue.

Invest in One Touch Point

Whether it’s blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, mobile coupons or QR codes, new ways to connect with customers seem to pop up daily. As a small business owner, you don’t have to excel in every new technology or network that comes along, but you should try to be wherever your customers are. Ask your current customers where/how they’d like to connect with you, then spend some time in 2012 to make it happen.

Website

In the race to master new social media tools, don’t overlook the power of the website. Every business needs a website, your are done before you even begin without one. Research the many internet marketing firms around Frisco. Small businesses tend to take care of other small businesses. Make sure it is updated and up-to-date! After all, social media efforts like Twitter campaigns end up driving traffic somewhere, right? It doesn’t make any sense to build a beautiful and savvy Facebook presence that funnels people to a boring, inaccurate, and out-of-date website. Keep it current and engaging!

Protect your Assets

While legal fine print may not be the most glamorous part of your business, forming an LLC or corporation can be critical to your business and personal financial health. These business structures protect your personal assets from any company liabilities. That is, if your business is sued or has bad debt, your personal property may be shielded from legal repercussions. Keep in mind that creditor judgments can last a total of 22 years, so you’re protecting not just what you own today, but whatever assets you’ll gain in the future.

Tax Time

Are you notorious for waiting until the last minute to organize and file your taxes? Do you find yourself wading through emails, or scrounging through your car to find stray business receipts? Don’t wait until April to start on your 2011 tax forms. Start fresh in 2012 by organizing your books from day one (even if that means outsourcing your accounting).

Social Network in the Real World.

Whether the plumber recommends a carpenter or the web designer recommends a copywriter, business is driven by referrals and connections. In 2012, put some effort into networking by signing up for an industry conference or seeking out a local meetup group. These are invaluable ways to develop relationships and share advice with fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners. Check out the best social networking group for small businesses in Frisco, Frisco Youth Professionals!

Time for You

As an entrepreneur, remember that you’re solely responsible for your own motivation, productivity and well-being. There’s no boss to pat you on the back or give you a raise. It’s up to you to keep yourself motivated and inspired. In 2012 be sure to reward yourself for specific milestones like a big client win, meeting a tough deadline, or working “overtime” for multiple nights on end.

Start with a plan and adapt these how you see fit. All big companies started out small and with these Top 10 Small Business New Years Resolutions your heading in a great direction.

Source: Realfrisco

5 Ways To Begin With Your New IPhone

Got an Apple iPhone this Christmas? Well, you're doing pretty well for yourself. It may or may not be Santa Claus' Smartphone of choice and you successfully avoided waiting in long lines as many Apple fanatics do once a year when a new iPhone launches.

 But marketing and hype aside, the iPhone is one of the best Smartphone lines on the market and each of the devices currently available -- the 3GS, the 4 and the 4S -- run iOS 5, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. With that in mind, here are five places to get started if you're a first time iPhone owner.

1. Photography apps: Apple's App Store (the only place you can get iPhone apps), with more than 140,000 apps available, is a major bragging right for the iPhone versus its competitors, but not all apps are created equal. However, no other Smartphone platform can currently match the iPhone for slick apps that produce fun and artistic photos. The best place to start is likely Instagram, which combines a solid selection of filters to make photos look like they were shot on vintage film cameras and a social network of other users so you can see the world through other lenses. Histaminic is another popular choice, which takes the vintage filter approach to another level with the ability to mix and match digital lenses, flashes and film choices to create a more customized look than in Instagram. Another app, called SwankoLab, allows you to alter photos already taken using a simulated dark room.

2. Games: The iPhone is also arguably the best gaming Smartphone out there and the choices here are plentiful. Angry Birds is one of the most popular games available on Smartphone’s and is a good place to start. But other choices such as Robo Surf, Cut the Rope, Tiny Wings, Bumpy Road and Kosmo Spin are worth checking out too -- each combining unique art styles, enchanting soundtracks and simple touch screen controls. For those looking for a bit more of a gaming challenge, the third-person shooter Minigore and puzzle game Scribblenauts impress. The sword fighting games Infiniti Blade and Infiniti Blade II show what the iPhone is capable of with detailed 3-D graphics and fast-paced action.

3. Music: Apple's iTunes allows for easy music buying, but there are plenty of other music related apps worth checking out as well. Shazam can listen to and then identify thousands of songs. Band of the Day is a great way to discover new music. Sound tracking is a unique social networking app that allows you to share what you're listening to with others, as well as check out what tunes they like. And if you're a Spotify Premium subscriber, the Spotify app is a must.

4. Built-in Twitter: If you're a big Twitter user, as I am, or even if you're new to twitter, you're likely going to appreciate that the social network is baked into iOS 5. Checking out a website you care to share in the iPhone's Safari web browser? You can tweet that directly from Safari without having to go and open up a Twitter app. same goes for photos, videos and locations in the maps app.

5. Ask a friend: As always, talking to a buddy can generate suggestions that may line up with your interests on just about anything -- same goes here. Ask a friend who uses an iPhone what they like about the phone or available apps and you're bound to find something you may enjoy too.
Source:Techqnews4u

How to Stay Young And Fit At All Ages

Despite the challenges that life poses on a daily basis, exhausting us and relentlessly showing the marks of age, we can do a tremendous lot to keep our youthful looks. There are a bundle of techniques which are absolutely free and easy to start employing immediately. Rely on your sense of humor and smile and laugh as often as possible. Mend your mood and cheer up, and that will chase your wrinkles away. Take further care of your freshness by regular naps whenever possible. You will wake up fresh, energized and alert, and you will love it!

Now something which involves purchasing some essential equipment to tone your muscles – the culprits for aging signs when you don’t take sufficient care of them. Buy your kettlebells with a Dragondoor promo code, and turn your living room or your garage into your gym. You will love the look of your rust resistant coated kettlebells, and you will marvel at the difference you will make to your muscles – Dragondoor coupons not only provide discount rates, they enable you to get your right kettlebells that will tone your muscles to youthful suppleness. You won’t have to rush to a gym outside and shudder at the very thought when it is freezing – use your kettlebells in the comfort of your home. Make daily kettlebells exercise a dedicated commitment.

Do you know the simple secret to the fastest toning of your muscles? It is an amazingly simple shortcut to youthfully toned arms, and it is doing pull ups. All you need is a pull up bar. Get a bar for your pull up exercise from an online store with a Dragondoor promo codes, and have it installed in your doorway. By lifting the weight of your own body, you will do miracles for your fresh appearance. Your waistline will shrink, and your arm and torso will get firmer. Isn’t it an enthralling perspective – and it is so simple and easy.

Combine your pull ups and kettle-bell exercise with adequate moisturizing at least two times a day. It is a tip inevitably underlined by all authors of digital books available with Dragondoor coupons, as it is common knowledge that adequate water intake keeps the skin youthfully sleek and does wonders for melting excess weight.

If you have recently started considering methods of keeping aging at bay, rely on experts – digital books and DVDs that you can get with a Dragondoor promo codes contain the essentials you need to confidently proceed along the path to youthful looks. Gleaming allure is an art; you can master that art by studying digital books on the appropriate tips on how to stay young, and then follow up with DVDs to enhance the ideas visually.

Start now, take the advantage of Dragondoor coupons and put off the effects of aging with these easy methods. You will be amazed by how much mental fitness exercise will add to your youthful spirit. Enter your kettle-bells and your good mood – exeunt aging, tiredness and wrinkles.

3 Tips to Saving Money This Holiday Season

 Sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday were off the charts this year -- and most of us know the holiday spending season has only just begun! Between doling out gifts to half the folks you know, attending holiday parties galore and traveling to-and-from family events, money is a major source of stress for many women over the holiday season. 

So how can you reign in spending while not becoming a total Scrooge? Here are a few easy savings tricks that will still let you enjoy the holiday season. 

No matter how much you spent during your post-Thanksgiving shopping spree, it's not too late to create a holiday budget! Make a list of all your holiday commitments and try to decide ahead of time exactly what you want to bring to each one. Buy in bulk, then keep a stash of hostess gifts in the house, so that you don't end up overspending on a last-minute find en route to your next party. A little prep will make you feel instantly calmer and more in control of your credit cards. 

The upside of this tough economy is that truly thoughtful gifts have become even more coveted than pricey presents. For each gift you buy for a loved one, rather than asking yourself, "What would really impress them?" ask, "What would make them smile?" And be sure to do this before you get to the mall, or risk becoming totally bamboozled by crazed shopping crowds. A meaningful gift says that you truly understand a pal for who they are and that you've paid attention to their wants and needs -- which is a far more valuable gift that any material good. 

Even the most savvy shopper sometimes goes over-budget. To avoid stressing about future debt in the midst of all the merriment, create a savings plan that you can be prepared to put in place come January 1. You'll be able to better enjoy the holiday season (and all of the money-spending that comes with it) with much less guilt if you already have a recovery strategy in mind. 

Happy shopping! 
Source:Yahoo Shine

Largest-Ever Apple Store to Open in NYC Next Week

The opening of the much-anticipated Apple Store at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, which will become the company’s largest retail venue, is officially scheduled for next week.

A new message on a series of ticker screens featured on the boarded-up storefront announced Apple will be arriving at the highly-trafficked commuter terminal Friday, Dec. 9, according to TheNextWeb.

“Apple Store, Grand Central. Arriving Friday, December 9,”the announcement says.

Previously, many expected the company would open its new store before Black Friday, but construction workers at the location confirmed to Mashable last week that it wouldn’t be ready in time.

“It won’t be any time too soon,” a construction worker at the site said. “We still have a lot to do, so my guess is that it will be ready in December.”

This will be Apple’s first U.S. opening since the departure of Ron Johnson, the former SVP for retail at Apple who helped create its iconic store design with Steve Jobs. Johnson is now the CEO of J.C. Penney.

The Grand Central Apple Store will reportedly cost the company more than $1 million in rent each year to reach the 750,000 people who pass through the venue each day. However, recent reports have indicated that Apple is paying $60 for each square foot, compared to other nearby retailers paying $200 for the same amount of space. A New York Post report also noted Apple will not be sharing revenue with the terminal’s operator Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) since the store will likely bring a high amount of additional consumer traffic to Grand Central.

In response, the state is launching an investigation into whether the MTA is playing favorites with Apple’s lease.

The Grand Central location will be the company’s fifth Apple Store in New York City.

Source:Mashable