Chatt-R-Bug closes after 12 years in Hixson

A Hixson boutique outlet that has housed dozens of homemade craft shops, bakeries and other local vendors over the past 12 years, closed its doors Monday.

Chatt-R-Bug, which sold a variety of specialty items at the 2,500-square-foot storefront at 5231 Wilbanks Drive in Hixson, shut down Monday after the owners said they wanted “to take on the next chapter of our lives.”

Dolores Ireland, one of the owners, said the building and land have been sold. “We have made lifetime friends with vendors and customers alike,” Ireland said in a social media post.

On Facebook, the owners thanked their vendors, who they said “have become family.”

“To our customers, we have sweet dear memories of Chatt-R-Bug and we owe that to you all,” the Facebook post said.

China promises to back business

BEIJING — Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is promising to drag the economy out of a crisis of confidence aggravated by tensions with Washington, wilting exports, job losses and anxiety among foreign companies about an expanded anti-spying law.

Its most striking pledge is renewed support for private businesses that generate most jobs and wealth. Over the past decade, they’ve felt under attack as the ruling Communist Party built up state-owned industries, tightened control over business and pressured them to pay for its technology and industrial ambitions.

Entrepreneurs and investors are waiting to see what tax, spending or other steps the ruling party might take, and if it will rein in state companies that dominate the economy.

Pipeline operators fined over oil spills

Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in 2015 in Montana and in 2016 in North Dakota.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement Monday. The 2015 Montana spill involved more than 50,000 gallons of oil leaking into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Montana.

The 2016 North Dakota spill involved more than 600,000 gallons of oil leaking into an unnamed tributary and impacting waterways, including Ash Coulee Creek and the Little Missouri River. Belle Fourche also will pay more than $98,000 to North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality for past response costs.

Europe’s economy grows after stalling

FRANKFURT, Germany — Europe’s economy is growing again — but not by much.

Growth came in at 0.3% in the April-to-June quarter, following zero expansion in the three months immediately before. Stronger performance in Spain and France helped. But Germany, the largest of the 20 economies that use the euro, is holding things back with zero growth.

High inflation is still sapping consumer spending power despite rebounding travel. Another factor is the series of interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank, which are making it harder to borrow to spend or invest. Amid inflation and higher rates, prospects for the rest of the year are muted.

— Compiled by Dave Flessner