Indie business associations form coalition Seven organizations representing independent businesses have joined together to launch Advocates for Independent Business, a coalition "dedicated to ensuring that locally owned, independent businesses succeed and thrive." Among the coalition's founding members is the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, which said that the new group would give its members a stronger and louder voice. "ASTRA is always looking for new and effective ways to give our locally-owned toy retailers a stronger voice on public policy issues that affect their businesses," said Kathleen McHugh, president of ASTRA. Other founding members include the… Read More