Local retailers are encouraged with the start of the holiday shopping season, saying it's the busiest they have seen in years, as crowds turned out in droves to take advantage of great deals.

Ebisu Mini Japan in Towson opened in October, and business has been good ever since, said George Dong, a store manager.

Square Enix will open a temporary pop up store at the Daimaru Umeda department store in Osaka throughout the 2024-2025 ...