From staff and wire reports

Roto-Rooter adds 12 franchises

Roto-Rooter Inc. has agreed to acquire 12 franchises in the West, a major step in the plumbing and drain cleaning company's effort to expand coverage of its company-owned outlets.

The purchase price wasn't disclosed, but the company, which changed its name from Chemed Corp. this year, said it expects to complete the purchase by year-end. Revenues from the combined operations are about $47 million annually.

The closely held company which held the franchises was the largest franchisee in the Roto-Rooter system and one of its oldest, dating from 1947.

Jeweler moving to Hyde Park

Longtime downtown business Boris Litwin Jewelers will relocate its shop at Race Street and Garfield Plaza to Hyde Park in late September.

Too many customers aren't willing to come downtown, so the jeweler will offer a location at 3643 Erie Ave., one block west of Hyde Park Square, owner B.J. Foreman said Friday.

The company was founded in 1913 by Foreman's great-grandfather Akim Litwin, grandfather Boris Litwin and other family members. The jeweler, which employs 10, has been at its current space since 1973.

Lawsuit alleges toy knock-offs

Cleveland-based American Greetings Corp. the world's largest publicly traded greeting-card maker, claims discount retailer Dollar General Corp. is selling knock-offs of the Care Bears plush toys, jeopardizing the relaunch of the 1980s-era toy.

Introduced in 1981, sales of the bears reached $1.5 billion between 1982 and 1987 at the height of their popularity. American Greetings began a new push to sell the Care Bears last year and has spent more than $25 million to promote the toys and related products. Sales are expected to reach $250 million this year, according to a lawsuit.