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Business Journal PO Box 510 Salisbury, MD 21803-0510
The Regional Chamber Newsletter
Vol. 16 No. 4
Dedicated to the Principles of Free Enterprise
November 2012
Mobile credit card readers can help increase Salisbury merchants’ sales By Sophia Smecker
SACC Director of Media & Public Relations
Salisbury merchants are now able to set up shop anywhere while still accepting credit cards. Technological advancements have surfaced within the past few years making it easier for business owners to accept credit cards outside their store’s permanent location. One popular form of mobile payment
Executive Club
Perdue Stadium is a “diamond” in the rough when it comes to dining destinations on Delmarva. Page 10
kuhn’s tradition
Kuhn’s Jewelers, a Salisbury landmark for 159 years, is owned by Susan Purnell. Page 18
Annual taxes
Maryland Sales Tax totals for the year shown by local counties. Page 23
INSIDE Ad Directory................................... 6 Barometer.................................... 13 Bus After Hours.....................12, 14 Business Directory................28, 29 Calendar........................................ 9 Director’s Journal.......................... 5 Education ................................... 26 Edward Jones.............................. 20 Health.......................................... 24 Member Profile .....................19, 30 Member Renewals........................ 4 Networking Tip.............................. 6 New Members............................... 6 Personnel File ............................ 22 Salisbury University..................... 27 Shore Land Report...................... 25
Hurricane Sandy is an unwelcome visitor
Hurricane Sandy tested the Delmarva Peninsula with winds and rain. We saw flooding and wind damage, but were much better off than New Jersey and New York who took the brunt of the storm. The Chamber office and many other downtown businesses played an unhappy host to a visit from the Wicomico River. But most of the businesses were busy cleaning up before Sandy was finished punishing Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It will take a few days to get back to normal. It is truly inspiring to see the community rise to the challenge of mother nature and quickly bounce back from the “storm of the century”. This publication was delayed by the closure of roads in Delaware and other storm related measures that were needed to protect the people of Delmarva. We cannot control the weather and did our best to get back on track as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.
Brad Bellacicco, Executive Director, SACC Bryant Richardson, Publisher, MSP, Inc.
Mobile credit card readers enable traveling merchants to offer credit card payment which is increasing sales since most people don’t carry a lot of cash.
is a mobile credit card reader, which pops into the merchant’s headphone jack on their cell phone or tablet and allows them to swipe their customer’s card. Many companies offer the card reader along with different rates, but some of the most popular are Square, Intuit GoPayment and PayPal. This service is also available through companies like MLJ Processing, which service their customers locally. Mobile card readers have been a great value for businesses, ranging from retail kiosks at the mall to artists setting up booths at a craft fair. Currently, the device is most popular among photographers, mobile food truck owners and craft fair vendors.
When Common Grounds owner, Tri Townsend, began serving coffee and pastries in his mobile café around town, he found that using the mobile card reader was a big advantage because most people do not carry cash. By accepting credit cards, customers began wanting to buy more of his products. Although this technology may be new to some of Townsend’s customers, he said that he has received lots of positive feedback. “It’s really easy to use and allows interaction with the customer. There’s that ‘wow factor’ when the customer goes to sign the phone with their finger,” Townsend said. Customers have also loved the fact that receipts can be sent directly to their cell phone Continued to page 20
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Patrons