Thanks to reader Natalie for the heads up on this one:

PF Chang's has started a new free loyalty club that entitles you to 10 percent off purchases when you dine at Chang's through the rest of 2009.

The card is called the Warrior Card (personally, I might have gone with a different name, but whatever...). From the looks of it, the discount applies at PF Chang's and not at Pei Wei, which is owned by the same company.

Here's the FAQ page, which includes the link on how to sign up.

As we previously reported, today is the day that liquor prices at state-run ABC stores come down to prices North Carolina consumers haven't seen in three years.

The reason for the cuts: the economy, of course.

A few examples: Grey Goose vodka will drop from $71.95 to $59.95. The cost of a fifth of Absolut vodka will drop from $21.95 to $19.95. And a half gallon of Glenmorangie scotch is slated to sell for $89.95 instead of $99.95.

Cheers.

I mentioned this on our new business blog, .biz, earlier this week, but today is the final day to request a government-issued coupon for one of those digital converter boxes.

If you haven't asked for yours yet and you want to, it's now or never. Each household is allowed to request two of the $40 coupons.

Visit www.dtv2009.gov. 

In downtown Raleigh's Glenwood South district, the new Sauced restaurant is having its grand opening today.

The casual bar specializing in New York style pizza is a far cry from the previous occupant of that space, an upscale wine-lovers restaurant called Enoteca Vin. That store, behind what used to be the Hard Times Cafe, closed down suddenly earlier this year.

You can check out the Sauced Web site here... 

Barnes & Noble recently announced that it will offer free Wi-Fi service at its stores. Wi-Fi has been available at Barnes for years, but always on a pay-as-you-go basis.

On one hand, I see this as a smart move. Many other companies such as Panera have used free Wi-Fi as a big selling point.

But on the other hand, I'm not sure how easy you want to make it for folks to check the price of books on Amazon.com...

For those of you who look forward to the new Kohl's Cares for Kids offerings each year, here's a look at the 2009 selection.

This year, Kohl's has selected three books and three stuffed animals to go with them. All six items are in stores now and will be available through September.

Each toy and book costs $5, with proceeds going to the Kohl's Cares for Kids program for health and education initiatives. Over the years, Kohl's has made more than $126 million through the sale of these items.

Right about now, a new Wal-Mart money center is opening in the Wal-Mart store at 1525 Glen School Road in Durham. The centers are located in select Wal-Marts and offer a variety of services including on-site bill pay and money transfers.

If you have time to pop over there, there are giveaways to celebrate the opening, including a couple of money cards and chances to enter the "Cash Cube" and catch some cash.

This has very little to do with retail but it just made me laugh.

Reuters reports that an '80s-themed gym chain called Retrofitness has signed a deal to take over the phone number 867-5309, which was of course made famous by the 80s song "Jenny." The amount of money paid to get the famous phone number was not disclosed.

Retrofitness founder Eric Casaburi explained: "The devil is in the details, especially in branding. This was a cool detail that people will appreciate when they see it. Plus it's easy to remember."

This is something that pre-dates my time on this planet, but I am told it will be a very big deal for some folks... Fresh Market stores are stocking Quisp cereal for a limited time.

The cereal, which is owned by Quaker, was originally introduced in the 1960s and there was a big marketing campaign around it and another cereal called Quake. It was kind of a competition between the two. (If you have time, search YouTube for some of the old commercials. They are a riot.)

At any rate, the cereal is available for $2.99 a box in Fresh Market stores while supplies last...

As we reported last week, the upscale gardening chain Smith & Hawken is going out of business, including the lone Triangle location at Crabtree Valley Mall.

From what I hear, the clearance sale is on, with furniture discounts starting at 30 percent. Mall officials say the store is supposed to be open through the end of the year, but I doubt there will be very much left after the first month or two of the sale.