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From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know! The Giant Heirloom Market, a compact grocery store focused on selling fresh food, sushi and beer on tap plus a coffee shop, aimed to bring the boutique shopping experience to Philadelphia neighborhoods. Yet some would argue the experiment failed in one community as the Market East in Center City location will close permanently by year’s end. For now, it was a risky bet that didn’t pay off for both the current building owner, a real estate investment trust in San Diego, California, and the tenant, a grocery store with roots in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “I think this is more of a mismatch in location and maybe a bit of an optimistic bet for the area but it was probably ahead of its time,” said Jessie Handbury, an economist and associate professor of real estate at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in urban economics. That gamble came with the support of public subsidy. Taxpayers have already given a break to the building owner for years and the deal extends another 11 years in exchange to help make the retail corner active and not sit vacant, because it’s an extension of the Fashion District shopping mall. There is one group that did place a winning bet: the investors who bought the ground floor retail property out of bankruptcy, who secured an anchor tenant then sold the property at a profit to the highest bidder. As Philadelphia leaders prepare to showcase the city on the world stage in 2026, there’s potential for yet another stretch of vacant storefronts to greet pedestrians walking from City Hall to the Liberty Bell – a stark contrast to the city’s ambitions — despite efforts to attract businesses through economic incentives. And it’s unclear how successful the next tenant of that property might be based on the struggles documented in public records obtained by WHYY News, which include health inspections to retail theft reports on file with the police department. Giant Grocery Co. declined multiple interview requests for this story, opting instead to respond to a series of written questions. What’s going on with the price of groceries? Cooling inflation hasn’t translated to lower prices on store shelves. We’ll look at how sticker-shock over grocery costs is having an impact on consumers and voters. Air Date: September 24, 2024 12:00 pm A highly curated experience Giant launched its Heirloom Market concept in 2019, opening locations in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood, University City and Northern Liberties. The company continues to operate larger, more traditional locations in less dense neighborhoods within the city limits and nearby key public transportation hubs along Broad Street, both north and south of City Hall. These smaller Heirloom Market stores were meant to encourage shoppers to gather, linger and spend. It was designed for tourists, commuters and even a growing residential population in Philadelphia’s urban core. The stores often carried local small business products like breads and chocolates curated to reflect the character of different neighborhoods. Not everything went as planned. A previous bid to build a Queen Village neighborhood Heirloom Market fell through on South Street. In 2021, Giant opened the Market East store. Now just three years later, it will shutter permanently on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m., according to the company’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter to the state of Pennsylvania. Giant occupied a space that’s technically an extension of the shopping mall now known as the Fashion District and previously as The Gallery. The Giant grocery at Market East in Philadelphia is inside a renovated Strawbridge department store. (Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza/WHYY) Built with a limestone facade in 1931 for $10 million, the building was once a Strawbridge & Clothier department store, with extra flourishes to compete with Wanamaker’s store down the street closer to Philadelphia City Hall. Over the years, the lower floors remained retail and the upper floors were what’s known as Class B office space, that’s one step below the highest rent per square foot, or Class A. Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, known as PREIT, held on to ownership of the bottom two retail floors until one of its Chapter 11 bankruptcies in 2020. That’s when it was scooped up for $5 million by an entity affiliated with Philadelphia-based Alterra Property Group, which spent at least “several million dollars” to renovate the property for the future Giant Heirloom Market lease, according to bankruptcy documents and an interview with the Philadelphia Business Journal . Just two years later, in 2022, Alterra sold it to an affiliate of Realty Income Trust of San Diego, which still owns it today. It’s likely the store lease was signed during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when economic uncertainty was at an all-time high, said Handbury, the economist. “The downside of the bet was pretty severe. My guess is that this wasn’t an economical operation for Giant to be running and they were losing more money running the operation than they would be just buying out the lease,” she said. “The plan could have been for Giant to act like an anchor but if there’s not enough foot traffic in that area generally, then there’s no foot traffic for that anchor to attract.” Show me the money: SEPTA tells City Council it needs millions to expand service for arena goers The authority is in dire straits as the Sixers seek to build the transit-oriented development. It’s unclear where the additional funding will come from. 1 week ago Will a new business bet on Market East? It’s unclear whether another commercial tenant will take over as a sublease, considering the property’s condition. The grocery store did promise state and city officials that it would “look to assign or sublet the premises to any other qualified or permitted party with the consent of the landlord.” But a casual visitor to the Market East grocery store might notice several individuals experiencing homelessness within 25 feet of the front door that opens to Market Street — a scene observed on a recent weekday in November. Those same individuals are often visible from the store’s cafe area, through its large front windows. This familiar sight is reflective of broader challenges in Center City and has been for many years. Public records reveal struggles inside the store too, such as a steady stream of retail theft and persistent infestations of rodents and insects. In addition, someone from the 801 Market St. building reported various theft issues to the Philadelphia Police Department dispatches 73 different times between March 2021 and November 2024. Inside that figure, 52 calls were for theft of at least $200 or greater value, which is at least $10,400 of stolen goods, over a three-year stint as a minimum estimate of retail losses. During the month of October 2024, there were eight reports of theft at the property for products worth $200 and greater, which is a minimum loss of $1,600, police records show. Retail theft is known as shrinkage and all companies deal with it as a cost that’s baked into the business model. However, it seems the risk may have been underestimated — until now. Matt Kelley, senior vice president of business and market development at LiveView Technologies in Salt Lake City, works with retailers on mobile security camera systems. “Some of our customers say theft has dropped off in general, but to what degree we don’t know because a lot of time it’s severely under reported,” Kelley said. “Shrink is a percentage of top line sales. So, I think that companies have done a really good job of trying to slow down the growth of theft relative to sales growth. If shrink grows at a slower rate than sales you’re going to see the percentages [go down] and their perception is that theft is getting better but it might not be getting better.” Often, the public will watch videos on social media of retail theft and get angry, he said. “The real question is how much theft is worth a person’s life. Is it worth a $20 item for someone to stop that individual and be murdered? Some of these individuals are very violent and when they’re cornered, when they’re threatened, they can lash out,” Kelley said. “Is it worth that stolen item for the violence that happens to the security guard, to the employee, to a customer nearby? What most stores have said is that it’s not worth it. What we’d rather do is deter people from the beginning. And be able to have higher resolution images from video to identify their faces.” While the grocery retailer is pulling out, that doesn’t mean businesses can’t coexist when there are communities of individuals experiencing homelessness outside their stores – if the store is willing to build partnerships. One professor at Drexel University has spent decades working at a nonprofit organization who helps individuals find housing, then mental health resources. He’s now a business professor. Damian Salas is an assistant teaching professor and associate dean of academic partnerships at the Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University. “I think part of selling food is they really needed the community to be involved in the development, in the planning stages. That’s easier said than done, maybe they did, but it doesn’t sound like they truly knew who their customers were or how they were going to be engaged. I think they missed that opportunity,” Salas said. “What we call, in entrepreneurship, that product market fit, I think was just a little bit off. I think they need to do a little bit more work around building community engagement as part of their launch.” Salas said some companies dealing with extensive retail theft have gotten creative, like Wawa in University City. Instead of a traditional corner store at 34th and Market Street, where there were issues with theft, now everything is ordered by a customer on a kiosk and workers deliver products. “There’s just kiosks of stations with touchscreens where you order everything from sandwiches to gum to a Tastykake or whatever it is,” he said. “But I’m not sure that’s even possible within a bigger supermarket. But the point is that [the company said] we have a problem. Let’s solve the problem by doing this.” Car-free streets will return to Philly’s Rittenhouse Square this winter. Here’s what to know The pedestrian-only street closures saw a big boost in sales during Open Street’s September experiment. 2 weeks ago Philadelphia’s retail theft situation Retail theft is not just an issue in Center City, it has increased significantly in recent years citywide, records show. In 2013, there were 129 retail thefts citywide during a two week span of Nov. 11th to Nov. 17 – the 46th week of the year. There was a slight uptick for several years thereafter and then a downward trend but not much of a difference, police crime data shows. But in 2019, there were 243 retail thefts during the Nov. 11th to Nov. 17th time frame — a notable difference. And while there was a slight dip in 2020, likely when retailers were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has risen considerably. In 2022, there were 298 retail thefts during that same two week stint, the next year there were 317 thefts. And in 2024, there were 406 retail thefts citywide over that same metric, a prior two-week period. On an annual basis, retail theft has grown from 6,433 crimes within city limits between January and mid-November in 2014 to 19,692 during the same time period in 2024. Critics of the Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner point to his guidance he gave to attorneys in 2018 to charge summary offenses in retail theft cases if the merchandise is worth less than $500. Krasner has since created a retail theft taskforce and decided to change internal policy to target and prosecute theft rings fleecing retailers. In urban environments, retail theft can be a sticky issue because employers weigh the value of the goods stolen with the likelihood that a bad actor will be violent towards a customer, employee or security guard. “If you don’t have enough [police] for coverage you’re not going to be able to respond and that’s why you see retailers in urban environments having to lock up products or do other mitigation tactics to try and reduce theft, if not, you see what’s happened with certain retailers where you have to close a location because it’s not profitable,” Kelley, the tech startup executive, said. “That goes back to the enforceability issue, if they’re not going to prosecute why would you spend your time putting your people in harm’s way potentially to stop somebody who is stealing $900 worth of product.” Historic properties come with pests There are 16 different inspection reports on file with the City of Philadelphia Department of Health Office of Food Protection that show a pattern of persistent health code violations at the Giant Heirloom Market, between 2021 and 2024. Before the grocery store opened in November 2021, its health inspection report was largely clean with recommendations to replace missing ceiling tiles, dust construction debris and to remove plastic from equipment. But by January 2022, health inspectors were on the scene again in response to an unidentified complaint, although no violations were observed . The store has been cited with numerous health code violations since June 2022, which include issues like mouse droppings in both food preparation and storage areas, fruit flies in the deli prepping section and entry points that are not properly sealed that enabled pests to easily enter the premises. Despite inspections being conducted regularly to address these problems, issues continued to persist over time, such as infestations and unsanitary garbage areas as well as unresolved problems with the store’s restrooms. Inspectors have noted instances of gnawed food packages and a mouse infestation by November 2022 with violations continuing into the year 2023. Both June 2023 and November 2023 periods passed with the store still not meeting the standards and having unresolved issues that added to its troubled past, which ultimately led to its closure. The most recent health inspection report of the store was in October 2024 and many of the longstanding issues persisted at the grocery store. The Hissho Sushi operation inside the Market East grocery store was inspected by the city in a series of different reports. Many of the issues were similar, including the mouse infestation, fruit flies and even live roaches in a trap observed by health inspectors in November 2023. It suffered from similar problems with the building structure, such as peeling paint, cracked floor tires and lack of sealed rooms. More Philly landlords are marketing units to renters with housing vouchers amid building boom, PHA changes A collision of market forces and higher subsidies is creating new opportunities for residents with very low incomes. 2 weeks ago Center City is no food desert The closure of the Giant Heirloom Market is unlikely to push the urban core into a food desert. Handbury, the University of Pennsylvania researcher, contributed to the study at the intersection of food deserts, real estate and public policy after significant federal investment to reduce food insecurity. Researchers found individuals are likely to visit a nearby grocery store when it enters the market nearby their home, but the presence of a store does not change the nutritional quality of the food they purchase nor eat. “We found that even if households face the same food options, poorer households tend to pick less healthy options because those options fit more within their budget,” she said. “Particularly when it comes to these perishable food items, for the store to be able to offer high quality fresh foods, they need to have sufficient demand for those products so they can actually get the inventory off the shelf while it’s still fresh without losing money.” Meanwhile, competition among grocery stores has intensified in Philadelphia, particularly in Center City. “We understand that customers have a lot of choices about how and where they want to shop which is why we offer both in-person and online grocery,” said Giant Grocery Co. spokesperson Ashley Flower in an email. “Philadelphia remains an important market for the company.” Giant has operated in Philadelphia since 2011 and continues to expand with new stores in Andorra and on South Broad Street scheduled to open on Dec. 13. None of these new ventures will be Heirloom Markets. “This is simply a business decision, only made after a thorough assessment and efforts to improve performance,” Flower said. “Unfortunately this store has not performed to our expectations and when coupled with the challenges we and others have faced in the neighborhood, it no longer makes sense to continue operating at this location. Things like local business conditions, safety and foot traffic, among others, all have an impact on a business’s operations.” While the Fashion District is taxpayer subsidized, the grocery retailer itself did not accept any economic incentives since it opened in 2021, even federal paycheck protection money to pay workers, according to the company. The Market East store employed 61 people as of Nov. 5, with an average weekly payroll of $28,000. Workers were offered equivalent positions with the same pay and benefits at surrounding stores in Philadelphia as part of the closure agreement. As of mid-November, 84% of employees accepted jobs at the other locations. Any employees leaving the business are expected to be paid until Jan. 4. The company estimated that the store closure will mean a loss of $256,911 in tax revenue for the city of Philadelphia but expects “the opening of our South Broad Street location later this year should more than offset that lost tax revenue.” Exact details of the Giant Heirloom Market lease term were not immediately available; the company declined to share such information publicly. But real estate experts suggest it’s highly unlikely that the lease was three years long. A highly visible anchor tenant in a commercial building typically signs leases between five years to 10 years long, if not 15 years. Which means that Giant could still be on the hook to pay monthly rent to the property owner for the entirety of its lease term, just like an apartment lease. “We don’t disclose the costs of our projects but as with any new store, it was a significant investment,” Flower said. “While the details of our lease agreement are confidential, we did sign a multi-year lease agreement.” Giant Company has more than 35,000 employees across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia operating 193 stores. It was founded and is still headquartered in Carlisle after 101 years in operation. It’s now owned by Ahold Delhaize USA, the American subsidiary of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V., a publicly traded grocery multinational in the Netherlands. Get daily updates from WHYY News! The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.Bullying Works: World's Largest Retailer Is Ditching Diversity Nonsensed������G(H�ܽV$;�y�N�H����lTh� )�����U�����d�S9A0���D!4���϶�fcv�Ș�i�n$�j����?���H_�/��ܥ��+��s。

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Travis Kelce 'Go Taylor's Boyfriend' Shirt Is on Sale for Only $17 on AmazonAmir’s Colombia visit boosts strategic ties, expands global partnershipsPrime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people. In a social media post on X on Sunday, Trudeau said the fall of the Assad dictatorship "ends decades of brutal oppression." Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday and is now reported to be in Moscow, bringing to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war. The toppling of Assad comes after opposition forces entered the Syrian capital of Damascus, ending half a century of rule by his family. Trudeau said Canada is monitoring the transition closely, and he urged "order, stability, and respect for human rights." Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told a news conference on Sunday that Assad "was a puppet for the tyrants of Tehran." "He has carried out genocides against the Sunni people in his own country, and now he appears to have been toppled," Poilievre said in Ottawa. Poilievre said it's unknown who will replace Assad, adding it isn't Canada's fight and that he doesn't believe Canada should get involved. "We should stand with our allies, including Israel, against the terrorists. We should focus on protecting our own country." Ottawa describes the security situation as volatile, and said the Damascus and Aleppo airports as well as some border crossings are closed. An updated travel advisory from the Canadian government warns people to avoid the Middle Eastern country due to what it calls "ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance." Canada has urged its citizens to leave Syria since November 2011, and its embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press. The Canadian Press

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the country following the rapid advance of rebel forces into Damascus, marking a significant turning point in the nation’s 14-year-long civil war. Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed Sunday that Assad resigned from his position and left Syria, instructing the government to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, as mentioned in a report by Forbes. According to Moscow, Assad engaged in discussions with various factions involved in the conflict before making the decision to step down. However, Russia emphasized that it was not a participant in these negotiations. “Following talks between Bashar al-Assad and a range of conflict participants within Syria, he decided to resign as President and leave the country, giving instructions to facilitate a peaceful transition of power,” the Russian foreign ministry stated, as quoted in a report by Hindustan Times. Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The exact whereabouts of Assad, his wife Asma, and their two children remain unknown. Celebrations Erupt as Assad’s Regime Collapses The end of Assad’s decades-long rule sparked widespread celebrations across Syria. In Damascus, citizens toppled statues of Assad’s late father, Hafez al-Assad, a symbol of the regime’s 50-year grip on the nation. Similar scenes were reported in Aleppo, where residents dismantled statues of both Hafez and Bassel al-Assad, Bashar’s late brother. In Daraa, often referred to as the cradle of Syria’s 2011 uprising, rebel fighters were seen dragging a toppled statue of Hafez al-Assad through the streets. Images of jubilant Syrians ransacking presidential palaces, including the Al-Rawda Palace and Muhajreen Palace, also emerged, with furniture and ornate decorations being carried away by mobs. Rebel Forces Take Control The rebel coalition, spearheaded by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launched a swift offensive that began with the capture of Aleppo and culminated in the seizure of Damascus. The group announced its intention to work with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, who is expected to oversee public institutions temporarily. Al-Jalali, in a statement, confirmed that he had not spoken to Assad since Saturday. He expressed his commitment to cooperating with the new leadership to stabilize the country during this transitional period, as mentioned in the Hindustan Times report. The Assad Legacy Bashar al-Assad inherited power in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who rose to leadership through a 1970 coup. For decades, the Assad family maintained a firm grip on Syria, characterized by allegations of oppression and suppression of dissent. The civil war, which erupted in 2011 after peaceful protests against Assad’s regime were violently quashed, has left the country in ruins, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and displacing millions. The dramatic fall of the Assad regime raises questions about Syria’s future and the international community’s role in its reconstruction. As celebrations continue, the nation braces for what lies ahead in this new chapter of its history. What’s Next for Syria? While Bashar al-Assad’s departure signals the end of an era, the path to rebuilding Syria is fraught with challenges. Rebel leaders and international actors must now navigate a delicate transition to restore stability and address the humanitarian crisis left in the wake of the civil war. FAQs Who runs Syria now? The position has been vacant since December 8, 2024, following the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad after the success of the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives. What is the currency of Syria? The Syrian Pound (SYP), symbolized by £, serves as the official currency of Syria. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

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This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. (FinaMill via AP) This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. (QelviQ via AP) This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax’s Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. (FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo via AP) This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. (FeatherSnap via AP) This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. (Nama via AP) This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling.(Pull Start Fire via AP) This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. (Uncommon Goods via AP) This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. (easyplant via AP) This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. (Ashley Cuoco via AP) This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. (FinaMill via AP) By JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.This ASX All Ords stock just crashed 22%. Here's whySinger Madonna seemed puzzled over ironing as she juggled an iron in one hand and a beverage in the other while gearing up for a soccer mom day. The 66-year-old pop legend and mother to six — Lourdes Leon (26), Rocco Ritchie (22), David Banda Ciccone (17), Mercy James Ciccone (16), along with 10-year-old twins Estere and Stelle Ciccone — offered fans an intimate glimpse into her bustling life as a mom. On Monday, she shared her experience taking her children to football practice and cheering at a game by Asphalt Green Soccer Club in New York . Taking to Instagram she posted several photos showing her family moments. Madonna, 66, 'splits from boyfriend Akeem Morris, 28, after running into same issue' Madonna 'stuffed face' with anti-Trump cake as she slams Election Day results The first image featured her clenching an iron and swirling a cocktail. She captioned it: "Soccer Momming.............. Don't give me an Iron and a Drink at the same time!" Additional photos captured her rinsing tights in a sink and spending quality time with her youngest daughters. Having previously confessed parenting is an ongoing learning journey, Madonna told Vanity Fair in January last year: "Even today, I struggle to understand how to be a mother and do my job. Because, however it goes, whoever you are, having children and raising children is a work of art." She previously stated: "No one gives you a manual [on motherhood]. You have to learn from your mistakes. It is a profession that requires a lot of time. And it is exhausting because there is never rest." Madonna also admitted to feeling envious of her eldest daughter, Lourdes, affectionately known as Lola, whose father is actor Carlos Leon. DON'T MISS... Michael Jackson told Lisa Marie Presley 'I'm still a virgin' when they first met [INSIGHT] Madonna breaks silence over brother Christopher's death with heartbreaking post [COMMENT] Madonna makes dramatic entrance to Milan Fashion Week with black veil [PICTURES] In a past interview with Vogue, she said: "[Lourdes] is insanely talented. I'm green with envy because she's incredible at everything she does – she's an incredible dancer, she's a great actress, she plays the piano beautifully, she's way better than me in the talent department. But she doesn't have the same drive, and again, I feel social media plagues her and makes her feel like, 'People are going to give me things because I'm her daughter.'" She continued: "I try to give her examples of other children of celebrities like Zoë Kravitz, for instance, who have to work through that 'Oh yeah, you're the daughter of...' – and then eventually you are taken seriously for what you do. You just have to keep going." Madonna concluded by saying: "But does she have the same drive that I have? No. But she also has a mother, and I didn't. She grew up with money, and I didn't. So everything is going to be different. But what can I do? I can't fixate on it. I just have to do my best."