Eleni Kassian
Senior Editor, Main Street Economics
With over 15 years of experience covering local economies, Eleni Kassian brings an analytical eye to the challenges and triumphs of Main Street. Prior to joining The Business Nearby, she was a senior reporter at the 'Metropolis Business Journal' where she led a team that won the Gerald Loeb Award for their series on post-pandemic supply chain disruptions for independent retailers. Eleni holds a Master's in Urban Planning from Columbia University, and her reporting often uses this framework to decode how city-level decisions impact the corner store. She is passionate about long-form, data-driven journalism that holds a magnifying glass to the forces shaping our communities.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Monterey Park voters permanently ban new data centers
Monterey Park, California, implemented a permanent ban on data centers within its limits, following an 86.
Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read
GLP-1RAs Reduce Cardiac Risk Factors, Improve Outcomes
Nearly one in ten participants in a recent study discovered they had previously suffered a heart attack without ever knowing it.
Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Business Improvement Districts: Purpose, Benefits, and Backlash
Dozens of UK businesses are refusing mandatory payments to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), leading to court battles over organizations designed to improve local areas.
Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Global Hair, Skin, Nail Supplements Market Poised for Billion-Dollar Boom
Last year, a single TikTok video featuring a celebrity's 'secret' hair supplement drove a 300% surge in sales for an obscure brand, illustrating social media's immense, often unscientific, power in th
Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Non-alcoholic beer market share at 2.5% in 2025
Non-alcoholic beer, once a fringe option, now commands a market projected to nearly double from USD 25.
Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read
Gas Prices Soar, National Average Nears $5 Amid Tensions
Californians are already paying $5.84 for a gallon of gas.
Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Small groups foster future leadership growth strategies
At TechCorp, a recent internal audit revealed that 70% of new project leads credited their rapid development to intense, self-directed work within teams of 3-5, not the company's multi-million dollar
May 23, 2026 · 3 min read
New Small Business Ideas for 2026
The Story Exchange recently received an unprecedented 1,100 submissions for its 'Brilliant Business Ideas' list, signaling a booming interest in new ventures for 2026.
May 20, 2026 · 2 min read
What Are Business Improvement Districts And Why Do Their Fees Vary?
While many San Diego businesses contribute a nominal $40 annually to their local Business Improvement District, some anchor businesses face assessments reaching up to $5,000 each year.
May 18, 2026 · 3 min read