$1: The Whole Foods in Durham has begun phasing out use of the dollar bill at the store, becoming the first in the organic grocery chain in the country to do so.

The store is now using dollar coins instead of the paper bill. The bills will continue to be accepted if customers want to pay with them, according to Amy Eller, a spokeswoman for the store. "But we are not going to order them from the bank or have them available at our register to offer as change. We will strictly use dollar coins," she said.

The store has invited a U.S. Mint representative to answer questions and explain to customers why using the coin helps the environment and also saves the country money.

Some facts about the $1 coins: $1 coins are made of 88.5 percent copper, 6 percent zinc, 3.5 manganese, 2 percent nickel -- and not a speck of gold, despite the color. They are also 100 percent recyclable, according to the U.S. Mint.

Trade Representative Mary Lhotsky will be in the store today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For information, call the Durham Whole Foods at (919) 286-2290 or go to www.usmint.gov.

Ruby anniversary: Morgan Imports is holding its annual open house on Sunday to usher in the holiday season.

The open house will be noon to 6 p.m., with discounts on ornaments, gift wraps, trees and other Christmas specials. Richard Morgan, who owns the store with wife, Jacqueline, will also be serving freshly baked mini-doughnuts, punch and champagne.

Additionally, Morgan Imports will have a 40th anniversary celebration starting at 3 p.m., and has invited past employees and longtime customers.

The first Morgan Imports, opened the same year as Woodstock and man's first steps on the moon, was at the corner of Morgan and Main streets in the shell of a former Piggly Wiggly. The store, which sells everything from bicycles to candles, now resides in some 22,000 square feet across from Brightleaf Square.

For information, call (919) 688-1150 or go to www.morganimports.com.

Sale: The second state sales tax holiday for Energy Star products will continue this year on Friday through Sunday.

Qualified products include clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. Purchases for businesses are not exempt.

For the full list, go to the N.C. Department of Revenue's Web site: www.dornc.com

What's the Buzz? Call Business Writer Monica Chen at (919) 419-6636, send a fax to (919) 419-6837 or e-mail mchen@heraldsun.com.