Local businesses weeks from closing, and the one decision that kept the lights on (or didn't).
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Local Business · New episodes on Tuesdays
The Corner Economy
Why does a haircut cost what it costs? Who actually makes money on a croissant? Each week, two hosts take one business on your block, a bakery, a nail salon, a food truck or a barbershop, and dig through its strange history and hidden math until you see your own shop differently. Every episode ends on the owner's side of the counter, with one thing to check in your own business on Monday.
Hosted by Tess and Ray, performed by synthetic voices. Verified to the FactUnion Standard. Sources are in every episode's notes.
Supported by Lynqly
Episodes
Newest first
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The Fee on the Tip
A tip used to be something you could get arrested for. Now it's something the shop pays a card fee on, and since 2026 the tip screen also decides part of the worker's tax break.
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