VOA标准英语2012--Small Businesses Offer Taste of Economic Growth

Small Businesses Offer Taste of Economic Growth
 
A flurry of upbeat reports show a U.S. economy recovering from the worst recession in decades and headed for expansion.
But this week's improved figures for housing, jobs, rising stock prices and modest inflation, represent a few measurements of growth.
At a small business in Jersey¹ City, New Jersey, Felicia Grasso is hoping to contribute to the growth in her own unique way.
Since opening her cupcake store, Sophie Sophia, two months ago, she says treats she bakes bring cheer and represent an inexpensive symbol of better times.
"It’s something tangible² right now," she says. "[For] people that have fallen on hard times, the cupcakes are not very expensive."
Grasso's shop, with two employees, is just one of 14 retailers⁴ on the ground floor of Hamilton Square, a new apartment building that developer Paul Silverman says is directly responsible for 150 jobs, and indirectly⁵ responsible for hundreds more.
"FedEx delivers to the property, UPS is delivering; the service companies -- the window washer that’s there every day, the air conditioner repair people, the doormen that are in the building," he says, adding that he secured a loan to develop Hamilton Square before the 2008 financial crisis.
Otherwise, he explains, the ensuing credit crunch⁶ would have blocked the project. But he says banks seem ready to lend again.
"I wouldn’t say it’s back to the 2005-2006 levels of interest, but we have banks calling us now, which is a great thing," he says.
Nonetheless, Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at the Standard and Poor’s market research firm, says banks are cautious.
"I think the concern though is still that banks are only calling up those people whose credit quality is pristine," says Stovall.
Business owners are borrowing carefully, he says, noting continued concerns about high U.S. unemployment and economic uncertainty⁷ overseas. But, he adds, consumers are tired of holding back.
"They’re tired of denying themselves going out and spending, and they spent going into the holidays and, at least so far, are continuing to do that," he says.
But even for those consumers who remain extra cautious, seeking only a small reward, proprietors⁸ like Grasso are well positioned to deliver.
"You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get that feeling, and it’s right away, it’s gratification, it’s your favorite flavor," says Grasso. "You’re having a bad day and you come in and, ‘oh, she has lemon today -- that brightens up my day.' "
U.S. employment and retail³ sales improved slightly in January, an uptick in which Felicia Grasso’s cupcakes played a small -- and customers might say tasty -- role.

1 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

2 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

3 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

4 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

5 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。

6 crunch   

n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声

参考例句：

• If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
• People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。

7 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

8 proprietors   

n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These little proprietors of businesses are lords indeed on their own ground. 这些小业主们，在他们自己的行当中，就是真正的至高无上的统治者。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Many proprietors try to furnish their hotels with antiques. 许多经营者都想用古董装饰他们的酒店。 来自辞典例句