As a retail reporter, so much of the industry news I read is about companies consolidating. The small (like Gottschalks) are squeezed out and the big (like Walmart) get bigger.

That's why it was refreshing to see a local company take over a space in Fashion Fair mall after a national retailer went out of business. My Girl, a store that offers merchandise and hosts parties for girls, opened last month in the former Club Libby Lu space.

Libby Lu, which also catered to young girls, closed in January after its owner, Saks Inc., closed all 98 stores. You can read more about My Girl and their original location in this week's Word on the Street.

Also in this week's Word are a Christian commercial cleaning business and a catering company growing and changing hands.