Has anyone else caught the new AT&T Wireless ad featuring UNC basketball star Tyler Hansbrough?

The 30-second spot features Hansbrough (and his AT&T phone) playing a pivotal role in locating a girl's missing dog. Reportedly, it was shot in Chapel Hill. You can check the YouTube video out below...

Sorry for the late notice on this one, everyone, but I just found out myself.

Hardee's stores owned by franchisee Boddie-Noell will be giving away free cookies for the rest of today. Rocky Mount-based Boddie-Noell owns 341 stores, including all of the Triangle locations.

The new fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies are being given away to celebrate their introduction to the Hardee's menu. Every lunch/dinner guest today will be eligible to receive one through closing time (11 p.m. or midnight for most stores). No purchase is necessary. The Big Cookies normally retail for two for $1.

I just got an e-mail from C&H Cafeterias saying that pending any further inspection delays, they should be opening their highly anticipated Six Forks Station store on Forum Drive this Thursday.

See www.chcafeterias.com for store hours and details.

Halloween is often a bright spot for retailers even in a down year. People like to splurge on the annual night of tricks and treats and they see it as an affordable way to splurge. But that's not so this year.

In a survey out this morning from the National Retail Federation and BIGResearch, shoppers said they plan to cut back on their Halloween spending this year. Average spending this year is projected to be $56.31, down from $66.54 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion this year. That's not a good sign for holiday retail...

Electronics retailer hhgregg will open its newest Triangle store at Cary's Crossroads Plaza this morning, in the old Circuit City building.

The store will one at 11 a.m.

But the company is also using the event to launch a special giveaway for North Carolina residents. It's called the "Show Me Your State" Facebook photo contest and will run from today through Oct. 11. Residents of this state can download a photo of hhgregg's mascot, "hh" and take a pictuer of him at their favorite North Carolina location. Post your photo to hh's Facebook page for a chance to win a high-end digital camera. See www.hhgregg.com/ShowMeYourState for more details.

Here's something that is sure to cause a couple of double-takes: Del Monte has announced plans to introduce fresh fruit snacks to vending machines in the coming months.

The fruit will include pineapple chunks, grapes, apple slices, baby carrots, celery, and tomato; some paired with light dips. They will be packaged in special wrappers that slow the ripening process. And they will be sold from special refrigerated vending machines.

Prices will range from $1 to $2.25. Products will be introduced first in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and Del Monte says availability will increase early next year.

There's a printable coupon for $1 off one dozen Dunkin' Donuts doughnuts here.

It's only good through Sept. 30.

And, in other Dunkin' news, the store at 13182 Falls of Neuse Road in Wake Forest/Raleigh opened on Friday. And the new Dunkin' in Cary at 3511 Kildaire Farm Road is scheduled to open on Sept. 30, for all of those who have been asking!

Attention Lowes Foods shoppers: the grocery chain confirmed today that it will soon discontinue its participation in the Greenpoints program.

Lisa Selip, director of marketing for the Winston-Salem-based grocery chain, declined to comment about why the change was made. Here's what you need to know:

Greenpoints, of course, are the electronic points you accumulate when you shop at Lowes. You can usually find your new Greenpoints total at the bottom of your receipt, or you can check by going to customer service. Points are redeemable in stores for discounts on certain items or money off your order total.

After Oct. 6, Lowes will no longer offer you the opportunity to redeem your Greenpoints for discounts on grocery items in stores. However, you will still be able to redeem your Greenpoints for merchandise at greenpoints.com for up to two years. Selip did say that the Greenpoints promotion would be replaced with a new loyalty program but declined to offer any additional details, saying that information about that program will be released on Oct. 6.

You can read my explainer about the Greenpoints program and Lowes HERE. Remember also that the Greenpoints program will allow you to donate your Greenpoints to local charities like the food bank if you cannot use them.

It seems that World Market has finally started up a loyalty club. It's called World Market Explorer and it's free to join.

The club offers three ways to save: 10 percent off when you buy six wines or more, 10 percent off on World Market brand food and an instant 10 percent off your next order coupon just for signing up. I can only imagine that members may also get special offers and coupons.

Here's the link. 

First Citizens Bank will open its new 3,700-square-foot branch today at 6550 Knightdale Blvd. in Knightdale.

It replaces a smaller office located about a mile away at 1140 N. Smithfield Road.

First Citizens has 32 offices in the Triangle.