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Google to pay $391.5 million in location tracking settlement with 40 states – TechCrunch

Google has agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 state attorneys general over its location tracking practices. The settlement outlines that Google misled its users into thinking they had turned off location tracking even as the company continued to collect their location information. The investigation, which marks the largest attorney general-led consumer privacy settlement ever, was co-led by Oregon and Washington.

For years Google has prioritized profit over their users privacy, said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in a news release. They have been crafty and deceptive. Consumers thought they had turned off their location tracking features on Google, but the company continued to secretly record their movements and use that information for advertisers.

Google said in a statement that it has already addressed and corrected some of the location tracking practices detailed in the settlement.

Consistent with improvements weve made in recent years, we have settled this investigation which was based on outdated product policies that we changed years ago, a spokesperson for Google told TechCrunch in an email.

As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to improve its location tracking disclosures and user controls starting next year. The settlement requires Google to show additional information to users whenever they turn a location-related account setting on or off. Key information about location tracking must also not be hidden going forward.

In a blog post, Google outlined it will provide a new control that allows users to easily turn off their Location History and Web & App Activity settings and delete their past data in one simple flow. The company also plans to add additional disclosures to its Activity controlsandData & Privacy pages.

Alongside these changes, Google is going to create a comprehensive information hub that highlights key location settings. In addition, Google plans to give users who are setting up new accounts a more detailed explanation of what Web & App Activity is and what information it includes. The company said it will continue deleting location history data for users who have not recently contributed new location history data to their account.

Until we have comprehensive privacy laws, companies will continue to compile large amounts of our personal data for marketing purposes with few controls, Rosenblum said in the news release.

The attorneys general opened the Google investigation after a 2018 Associated Press report found that the company recorded users movements even when they explicitly told it not to. The investigation found that Google violated state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about its location tracking practices since at least 2014.

Last month, Google agreed to pay the state of Arizona $85 million to settle a separate lawsuit that alleged the search giant deceived users by collecting location data without their consent. Google is also currently facing a lawsuit from Washington, DC, Texas, Washington state and Indiana. The lawsuit alleges that Google deceived users by collecting their location data even when they believed that kind of tracking was disabled.

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Google to pay $391.5 million in location tracking settlement with 40 states - TechCrunch

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Centrilogic Named a Leader in the 2022 IDC MarketScape Report for Canadian Datacenter Colocation and Interconnection Services – Yahoo Finance

CentriLogic

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centrilogic, a global provider of IT transformation solutions, today announced that it has been recognized as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Canadian Datacenter Colocation and Interconnection 2022 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA49811122, November 2022).

The IDC MarketScape vendor assessment evaluated 11 Canadian providers of datacenter colocation and interconnection services to support IT buyers when making decisions to outsource these critical functions to third-party vendors. Each vendors current capabilities and strategies relating to their datacenter colocation and interconnection service offerings were evaluated against a comprehensive set of qualitative and quantitative criteria. Upon rigorous review and evaluation of all 11 vendors included in the IDC MarketScape, Centrilogic was positioned as a Leader.

Since the companys founding in 2007, Centrilogic has grown its global datacenter footprint to 18 strategic locations throughout Canada, the USA, and EMEA. The company has a strong track record of architecting and delivering strategic colocation, interconnection, and managed services for mid-market and enterprise organizations across a wide range of industries. Centrilogic has also evolved its portfolio of services and solutions through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, which now includes IT strategy and consulting, public and private Cloud professional and managed services, application development and management, data analytics and business intelligence, and cybersecurity. With this depth of service capabilities, Centrilogic is uniquely positioned to design, build, and manage an end-to-end digital platform for Canadian and multinational organizations.

A strong foundation of datacenter colocation and interconnection services can enable companies to accelerate their IT transformation journeys, facilitate the seamless adoption and integration of new technologies, and drive business value and competitive advantage faster, says Robert Offley, President and CEO of Centrilogic. We are proud to be recognized as a Leader by the IDC MarketScape. This recognition validates the team of experts we have at Centrilogic and further demonstrates our commitment to helping our clients realize their full digital potential through the delivery, integration, and management of innovative technologies.

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Centrilogic has been positioned in previous IDC MarketScape reports, including:

IDC MarketScape: Canadian Public IaaS 2015 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA1SSC15, February 2015) A Major Player

IDC MarketScape: Canadian Data Centre Operations and Management 2016 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA40622416, September 2016) A Major Player

IDC MarketScape: Canadian Infrastructure as a Service Providers 2018 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA4321418, February 2018) A Major Player

IDC MarketScape: Canadian Datacenter Operations and Management 2019 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA44463419, April 2019) A Major Player

IDC MarketScape: Canadian Cloud Professional Services Providers 2021 Vendor Assessment (Doc #CA46215320) A Major Player

About IDC MarketScape:

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendors position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Centrilogic

Centrilogic is a global provider of IT transformation solutions that empower organizations to realize their full digital potential. Armed with capabilities that span the stack from multicloud management to next-gen applications and strategic services Centrilogic delivers resilient end-to-end digital solutions that help companies reshape the role of their technology platforms as business-driving assets. With regional headquarters in Canada, USA, and the United Kingdom, Centrilogic delivers solutions to innovative companies worldwide.

Media Contacts:Matt Callahan647-968-9037mcallahan@centrilogic.com

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Centrilogic Named a Leader in the 2022 IDC MarketScape Report for Canadian Datacenter Colocation and Interconnection Services - Yahoo Finance

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Essential San Francisco Brewery Cellarmaker Is Leaving SoMa and Taking Production to the East Bay – Eater SF

The new year will bring some big changes to whats arguably San Franciscos best brewery. According to an Instagram post on Thursday, Cellarmaker Brewing Co. will close its original Howard Street location at the end of the year and move its production to the East Bay. The brewery has acquired Berkeleys the Rare Barrel, which opened in 2013 as a sour-beer lovers paradise. The post explains that while Cellarmaker will transition to brewing its beer out of the Rare Barrel space, itll continue to produce the Rare Barrel product line out of the facility, too.

Cellarmakers House of Pizza in Bernal Heights will remain open; that restaurant and taproom opened in 2019 bringing crispy-edged Detroit-style pizza to the neighborhood along with a full lineup of the brewerys pale ales and IPAs. An Oakland outpost is also in the works and according to the Instagram announcement, should open in February 2023. The brewery plans to debut that location before turning its attention to the Berkeley Rare Barrel taproom, which they hope to reopen later in the spring.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Daly Citys Vals Restaurant and Lounge will close its doors for good at the end of the year. The old-school steakhouse has been around since the 1950s serving prime rib and veal parmigiana. Co-owner Greg Taylor declined to provide details about the reason for the closure and told the paper a firm date for the closure has yet to be set.

The San Francisco Standard spotted a mention of an upcoming Union Square restaurant in a real estate press release. According to the Registry SF, Chotto Matte will open at 100 Stockton Street, formerly the Macys Men's store, in the second quarter of 2023. The Japanese-Peruvian restaurant with locations in Miami and Nashville is taking over a 15,000-square-foot space on the buildings rooftop.

Theres a new restaurant open in San Leandro that specializes in Hainan chicken, the dish comprising of poached, skin-on chicken and seasoned rice, the Mercury News reports. Special Hainan Chicken is now open at 699 Lewelling Boulevard, Suite 104, serving a menu of design-your-own noodle soup from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Tuesday, according to the restaurant website.

Congrats to East Bay diners: OKs Deli is now offering online ordering on Thursdays and Fridays so you can snag your highly Instagrammable, super-stacked sandwiches for pick-up. The menu changes frequently so head to the deli website for a current list of options.

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Essential San Francisco Brewery Cellarmaker Is Leaving SoMa and Taking Production to the East Bay - Eater SF

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Farmer’s Cow Calf and Creamery expanding Hartford Courant – Hartford Courant

Mansfield The Farmers Cow recently completed negotiations with independent Connecticut-based Full Service Markets for the hosting of the Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery within a number of markets located on Connecticuts roadways.

The recently finalized agreement calls for the Farmers Cow, in partnership with the Full Service Markets owners, to initially co-locate and co-operate one of the companys Calfs & Creameries in Unionville, Connecticut, on Farmington Avenue.

The required build-outs, including staffing, logistics system management, and training are scheduled for completion in November.

A Connecticut-based farming cooperative comprised of six individual family-owned farms, the Farmers Cow was founded by a group of like-minded farmers and farming families in 2003. As part of its community outreach and support initiatives, and in support of the growth of its brand, the Farmers Cow founded the Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery in 2012.

The Farmers Cow, in partnership with the Full Service Markets owners, will co-locate and co-operate one of the companys Calfs & Creameries in Unionville, Connecticut, on Farmington Avenue.

In researching all of the possible partnering and franchise options available to us over this past year, we loved the fact that the Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery had both great food and great ice cream, said Markets owner Marwan Tawfik. And the fact that it is a part of the local Farmers Cow brand, sourced from local farms supporting local communities and economies, made it the perfect choice for us.

The Farmers Cow brand sources the freshest and healthiest products from not only their own Collective-based family farms, but also from other select local farms engaged in sustainable farming practices, which provide local lettuce, local bacon and pulled pork, local fruits, and local one-of-a-kind drinks..., reads a press release announcing the expansion.

The Farmers Cow brand is known for offering the highest-quality local ingredients, and operates through distribution channels that include their own fast-casual, farm-to-table calfs and kiosks, as well as regional and national chains and grocery stores (including Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, and Big Y).

The Farmers Cow Collective is also leading the farming industry in the development of innovative technologies and environmental sustainability from developing new pollution-capturing processes to producing clean energy systems that can power and fund numerous projects and programs their own as well as community-based organizations seeking clean and renewable energy, reads the release.

The Farmers Cow and the Markets owners are next scheduled to co-locate a Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery at numerous additional Markets located throughout Connecticut.

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Our next deployment with the Markets owners is already scheduled for build-out and co-operation, and all that that entails, stated Edwin Molina, FC Development Corp., and Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery CEO.

Once we finalize the physical build-out and officially engage in the co-operation of the Unionville location in November, we then will initiate the co-location and co-operation of the Farmers Cow Calf & Creamery at a number of additional Markets in eastern, southern, and western Connecticut following that with additional locations throughout all of the state, continued Molina.

The Farmer's Cow Calf opened in 2012, at 86 Storrs Road in Willimantic.

Further expansion of this partnership is being planned not just in Connecticut, but also in other areas throughout New England and beyond.

According to Steven Lane, chief development officer at FC Development Corp., a management and development entity for the Farmers Cow brand of companies, the current agreement includes three additional locations in Connecticut, on major roadways.

We are in discussions with additional partners to develop similar agreements, said Lane.

We are continually exploring new avenues of community support and sustainable development with all of our operations, said Tawfiq. And having a partner like the Farmers Cow and all that their combined companies bring to the table in regard to food sustainability, environmental sustainability, energy sourcing, and pollution abatement combined with an unparalleled record of community service initiatives supports both on-the-ground and high-level applications of our combined vision, mission, and goals.

The Farmers Cow, originally established in 2003 in Connecticut, serves many local and regional communities throughout nine states, including throughout New England. The six farms making up the Farmers Cow Cooperative are: Cushman Farm, in Franklin; Fairvue Farms, in Woodstock; Fort Hill Farms, in Thompson; Graywall Farms, in Lebanon; Hytone Farm in Coventry; and Mapleleaf Farm, in Hebron.

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Farmer's Cow Calf and Creamery expanding Hartford Courant - Hartford Courant

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Herschel Supply Co. opens first U.S. store with more on the way – Modern Retail

This week, the company is opening its first permanent U.S. store in New York Citys Flatiron District the first in a series of new locations. Herschel Supply plans to go from the current four stores all located in Canada to 12-plus stores in North America by the end of 2023. The majority of the new locations will focus on major U.S. cities, where Herschel already has a robust customer base. This phase marks the start of an ambitious physical retail expansion, as the company tries to grow its DTC business to account for a bigger portion of revenue.

Niko George, the newly-hired director of global retail at Herschel Supply, said that 80% of Herschels revenue comes from wholesale while 20% comes from its DTC website and stores. We want that to be more balanced over the next few years, George said. We already have a robust presence at major retailers across North America, but we want to create a halo effect in our biggest markets through our own stores.

George said Herschel decided to move forward with new store openings now after the companys digital direct-to-consumer sales grew in double digits over 2020 and 2021. Also overseeing this new phase of growth is CEO Jon Hoerauf, a former executive at outdoor brands The North Face and Arcteryx, who joined Herschel last year.

Previously, Herschel tested temporary pop-ups in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. According to the company, its new U.S. stores are designed to act act a destination for the brands biggest fans, offering exclusive events and programs shoppers cant find at Herschels retail partners.

Investing in brick-and-mortar will also help us share resources across our DTC channel, especially marketing and fulfillment, George added. The company plans to roll out buy online, pickup in-store in the coming year.

Some of the cities George said Herschel eventually hopes to open stores in includeChicago, Washington D.C., Boston and Seattle.

Because customers already have many other channels to buy from us, we want to differentiate these spaces through workshops, panels and other unique events, George said. He added that the retail teams strategy is to tap local artists and vendors to help make each store more localized. For instance, the new New York City store will feature an artist-in-residence program, with a dedicated gallery wall and lounge space to feature the work of these local artists.

The new Flatiron location, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 19th Street, features 2,500 square feet of sales floor space. George said that bags are still the brands bread and butter and will be the main focus of all stores. However, growing Herschel categories like travel accessories, luggage and apparel will also take up floor space. We just launched a workwear line that we want to highlight through our own store displays, George said.

Retail consultant Rebekah Kondrat said that this is a tricky time for brands to open standalone stores, and many are trying to take advantage of any leftover pandemic-era real estate deals. Real estate has come back up, and in some cases like big cities, lease rates are even higher than 2019 levels, Kondrat said.

The key is in utilizing the square footage as more than just a marketing play, she added. Thats where unique features, like exclusive SKUs and educational product testing, can come in handy to entice customers to visit a brands standalone store. If youre building these community hubs for customers, its important to know who theyre for and what makes them worthwhile, Kondrat said.

For Herschel, the goal of the new retail footprint is to get more customers thinking about shopping from the companys owned channels, George said. Whether its through unique seasonal campaigns, or offering product demos and expertise that customers cant get anywhere else, he said.

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Herschel Supply Co. opens first U.S. store with more on the way - Modern Retail

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MacLeod Ale Brewing Co. To Abruptly Cease Operations – TheFullPint.com

(Van Nuys, CA) The Los Angeles brewing scene has been dealt an unexpected blow as valley favorite MacLeod Ale Brewing alerted their fans on Facebook that their original location in Van Nuys, CA and their brand new location in Highland Park will be halting operations once they have sold through their current inventory of beer.

This shocked many of the loyal fans of MacLeod, and it was noted that only fourteen days ago, MacLeod was advertising job openings for their new pizza venture in Highland Park. Below is a memo MacLeod has sent out to members of the Los Angeles Brewers Guild. We wish the best for the entire staff at MacLeod on their next ventures.

Hi Everyone,

Some of you have seen our posts today on Instagram. Unfortunately, today we had to lay off our entire staff and close down both locations. We will be open for beer sales only [draft and cans] in the Van Nuys taproom.

Im a direct and open person, so I just want to let you know what is going on. Very simply:

1] Were over budget in several categories2] We have too much debt due to expansion3] Sudden crash of sales [down 15% in Oct, 21% in November! Bad timing!]4] Our 2nd location opened too late and is underperforming.

Over the years Ive been able to scrounge up money here and there to keep things going, but I finally came to the end of the road and we only have enough money for one final payroll, this Friday.

We are exploring all options at this time. Perhaps theres a buyer? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Reorganize with a new team? Who knows, but were open to any and all conversations.

We also have some cool equipment for sale, more on that shortly.

Love to you all,

Jennifer

MacLeod Ale Brewing Co.14741 Calvert StreetVan Nuys, CA 91411

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‘A few of us noticed the propeller has stopped’: Air NZ flight lands with one working engine in Auckland – Stuff

Scott Hammond/Stuff

Fire and Emergency NZ responded to reports of a plane engine fire at Auckland International Airport at 1.20pm on Friday. (File photo)/

Blenheim mum Sonal Shouler was on a flight to a family wedding in Auckland with her husband and their 5-year old daughter on Friday afternoon when she noticed something was wrong.

"A few of us noticed the propeller has stopped. It happened as we were about to decend. Aanya [her daughter] and I were sitting opposite the wing, near the propeller.

"The air host quickly came to do a visual check and spoke with pilot. They quickly explained to us what was happening and glided into Auckland airport.

"It was tense, people were worried but everyone kept calm. Aanya and a few of the kids were scared so everyone kept a brave face, and the air host did a fantastic job at keeping everyone calm," Shouler said.

READ MORE:* Loud bang as Air NZ plane loses engine during flight from Wellington to Tauranga* Airforce Orion plane lands at Whenuapai air base with one engine out* Calm crew averted disaster after propeller fell off plane

Air New Zealand said the captain of Flight NZ5200 from Blenheim to Auckland on Friday afternoon observed the flare from the right-hand engine on approach into Auckland.

As standard operating procedure emergency services were alerted to be on standby as a precaution, they said.

"The landing was very smooth despite only have one engine.

"The air host was amazing. He was very calm and collected, smiled the whole time and kept everyone calm and kept the kids from getting too scared.

"He said it was the first time in 12 years he has ever experienced it," said Shouler.

The aircraft had landed safely, and all customers were disembarking.

Police have been assisting Fire and Emergency NZ with the situation.

It came after the fire light turned on in an Air Force aircraft on Thursday, and emergency services were called to Whenuapai Airport.

There was no fire and an investigation has been launched into what may have occurred.

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'A few of us noticed the propeller has stopped': Air NZ flight lands with one working engine in Auckland - Stuff

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Forrest Co. Health Department to temporarily relocate to former HPD building on Klondyke Street – HubcitySPOKES.com

Now that the Hattiesburg Police Department has vacated its temporary spot at 300 Klondyke Street for its permanent home at the Hattiesburg Public Safety Complex, the Klondyke Street building will soon have a new temporary tenant: the Forrest County Health Department.

On November 8, Hattiesburg City Council members approved a lease agreement with Forrest County officials for the use of a portion of that property for a term beginning November 1 through June 30, 2025. The department will locate there while the current health department on Old Highway 42 undergoes renovations.

It will be at least for the next 12 to 18 months, possibly 24, depending on what their renovation schedule ends up being, said Ann Jones, who serves as chief administrative officer for the City of Hattiesburg. While (the departments) permanent facility is being renovated, theyll be temporarily be located there at 300 Klondyke.

Forrest County has to complete a few minor adjustments just to the floor plan for a few exam rooms, and they should move in fairly quickly after that. I dont have an exact date, but I do know they have started making those minor renovations.

Under the agreement, Forrest County will pay the City of Hattiesburg a rate of $2,550 per month, which includes the current pro-rata cost of property insurance and utilities, such as gas and electric.

Its a fantastic location, right there in the heart of the community, Jones said. Its a space that had recently been vacated, and so it was just a hand in a glove, the way that partnership worked out.

Back in May, members of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors announced they would be enhancing the services at the health department, with the help of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. That plan, which was instituted in 2021, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill designed to speed up the nations recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The improvements include, but will not be limited to, a drive-through vaccination center, additional exam rooms, extra space and more advanced technology.

TheForrest County Health Departmentserves some of the most underserved people in our community, as far as when it comes to health care, said David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, in a previous story. So (the board) is partnering with the state to make renovations and enhancements to our health department.

Were renovating the existing facility, adding a new facility on the front of the building, and a vaccination center in the rear of the building. (There also will be) additional parking."

The department, which is located at 5008 Old Highway 42, offers services such as pregnancy testing, immunizations for children, STD testing, birth control and the treatment of certain ailments. The improvement project is expected to cost approximately $2 million: $1 million from the Mississippi Department of Health and $1 million from Forrest Countys ARPA funds.

I think itll be a great benefit to the community, Hogan said. As I said, the Forrest County Health Department serves some of the most underserved people of our community, and to have a new facility to better serve those people will be a great enhancement.

It will benefit the health of our entire community.

Once the health department moves back into its permanent location, the Klondyke Street building will be available for other use.

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Here’s why the same 6 universities always come out on top – World Economic Forum

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World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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Here's why the same 6 universities always come out on top - World Economic Forum

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$11M soap retailer plows ahead with post-Ian recovery – Business Observer

This is the first of an occasional series on lessons business leaders are learning during Hurricane Ian recovery.

The first six weeks post-Hurricane Ian have been a whirlwind of meetings, tasks, more meetings and more things to do for Naples Soap Co. founder and CEO Deanna Wallin. The one thing she hasnt had time for? To go home, she says and crawl into a ball and cry.

I dont have the luxury for negative emotions right now, says Wallin, speaking 44 days after Ian. The hurricane damaged four of the skin and hair care retailers 10 Florida locations, denting 40% of its brick-and-mortar sales for a time. Naples Soap Co. makes more than 300 bath, body and personal care products sold in its own stores and its own website, boutiques, Amazon and more. The publicly-traded company was founded in 2009.

All I can do is stay positive, Wallin adds. The people in this company are looking to me to set the tone.

Beyond buoyancy, that tone is one of steadfast resolve to have all four closed stores fully reopened by early 2023. The four damaged locations are: downtown Fort Myers; Tin City in Naples; Sanibel Island; and Fifth Avenue South in Naples. Fifth Avenue has already reopened, and Wallin hopes to reopen Tin City by Thanksgiving and Fort Myers within a few weeks. The Sanibel location was hit particularly hard, Wallin says, recalling a visit she took there, via a boat ride from a vendor, soon after Ian. At 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel took on seven to nine feet of storm surge. Sludge, Wallin says, was everywhere. It took my breath away. I could hardly speak the rest of the afternoon, she says. Thats how traumatized I was.

The Sanibel location for Naples Soap Co. took on significant damage from Ian. (Courtesy photo)

The companys Fort Myers warehouse/office was also damaged, which prompted it to speed up a planned move into a new facility nearby and do it in 72 hours. The new space, on Jetport Loop just north of Southwest Florida International Airport, is 19,000-square-feet. Despite the uncertainty of closed stores, Wallin didnt let go of any staff from the 67-employee Naples Soap Co. payroll, instead shifting them to other jobs, including warehousing and inventory.

Wallin, meanwhile, has labored to make the road back more methodical than urgent three-day moves. Wallin describes it as an assess, triage and step-by-step process, down to the to-do list she created on a whiteboard. It included: mold remediation/repairs; landlord discussions; keeping sales staff engaged and employed as well as caring for their mental health/welfare; community outreach; crisis communication management; dealing with insurance adjusters; and replacing lost inventory.

Through early November, Wallin had spent between $200,000 and $300,000 on inventory and getting stores ready to open. And on those out-of-pocket costs, she says, were not done yet. She calls the process of getting insurance a hurry-up-and-wait chronic nightmare, though she has received some funds from FEMA.

One other challenge to compound the crisis is the timing, during October, which tends to be a slower month. That means Wallin has less cash on hand just as the holiday season comes into play. Thats a monster monster problem, she says. This is our biggest season.

The Naples Soap Co. location on Sanibel Island remains closed post-Ian. (Courtesy photo)

The companys third quarter earnings report, which doesnt include Octobers closed stores, showed a slight year-over-year increase: quarterly sales rose 2% over September 2021, according to the report, released Nov. 14. And sales for the first nine months of the year were $8.08 million, up 7% from $7.52 million in the first nine months of 2021. Sales from stores, excluding online, increased 12% over the same period, according to the report. The company posted $10.9 million in revenue in 2021.

Taken in total, the sales that fuel the company, Wallin realizes, will only come from being back to 100% full operations. The biggest business lesson shes learned in the process to get there, she says, is hands-down, communicate. You have to communicate with your landlord, your employees, your vendors. Even at times like this, people have to know whats going on.

Next? Be task-driven. Its all about being organized. You have to be able to delegate and hold people accountable to themselves and a deadline. Have quick meetings as often as possible, she adds, to make sure everyone is on the same page.

In the backdrop of the comeback, Count Wallin as one of the many Southwest Florida residents who say Ian was a never-have-I-ever kind of storm.

Im 53 years old and Ive never seen anything like this. I dont think my brain has fully absorbed everything, she says. Theres some days where Im just numb. But the only way out is through. There is no stopping. I love what I do, so Im just gonna keep going.

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$11M soap retailer plows ahead with post-Ian recovery - Business Observer