BUSINESS PULSE: Talking sofa allows new level of laziness
I have previously joked in this column that before long someone would invent a sofa equipped with a commode. Yes folks, I believe we have almost reached that point of laziness.
The commode sofa invention hasn’t made its way into production (at least to my knowledge), but serious couch potatoes can rejoice in the fact there’s now a sofa being developed which allows close to that level of inactivity.
It’s called the smart sofa and it contains programmable microchip sensors on each leg that determine who is sitting down based on a person’s weight. Once the sofa realizes who you are, it can automatically set your house thermostat to your level of comfort, turn the TV to your favorite station, and even turn on the particular lights you like.
All a person has to do is sit down and the smart sofa does the rest. It will even give you a personalized greeting.
If I was to sit down on the smart sofa, for example, the couch would say, “Hello James.” Then my favorite reading light would automatically be turned on, ESPN would pop up on the TV screen, and the thermostat would set the house temperature at 70 degrees.
Said University of Colorado professor Mike Mozer, who has already implemented similar sensor technology in his home, “You get used to it very quickly and you really feel weird to have to turn a light on yourself.”
To this new technology I say, “ARGGHHHH!” Enough already. I’m all for making life easier, but have we gotten so lazy we can’t exert the energy to push a button on our TV remote? When has flipping a light switch been a fierce cardiovascular challenge?
There’s a reason most household scales now go up to 360 pounds instead of the traditional 300. It’s because of modern conveniences which have taken activity almost completely out of our lives. Asked about his couch promoting obesity, smart sofa creator Mads Haahr said, “We’re hoping people’s weight won’t vary so quickly, but it’s something we’ll have to deal with.”
That’s enough of my ranting and raving for this week. I guess there’s no way to fight technology so I’ll hush up and bring you this week’s Business Pulse.
Hurray! U.S. Factory Outlets to open Wednesday
The long-awaited, much-anticipated opening of U.S. Factory Outlets is finally just a few days away. The doors open at the new anchor at Three Star Mall this Wednesday at 10 a.m.
“The main thing people are going to find when they shop here is we have tremendous bargains,” said store manager Paula Terry. “Some of the items you won’t believe what you’ll pay compared to other places. I’m excited about finally being able to open. We all are.”
The store was virtually overflowing with merchandise when I stopped by Friday afternoon and Paula and her staff were mainly working on a few loose ends. One thing I didn’t realize is U.S. Factory Outlets sells furniture and there are a couple nice recliners priced right around $200.
There’s also rack after rack of clothes for the entire family, kitchen items, and even a sampling of throw rugs. That’s just to name a few items because a complete inventory would take up the bulk of this column.
There will also be seasonal items and right now that means Halloween stuff. Some decorations are priced as low as 50 cents.
The store at Three Star Mall is one of four new stores U.S. Factory Outlets is opening this year. The other locations are in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Delaware.
Grand opening festivities begin this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store then opens at 10 a.m.
Shoppers are encouraged to register for $1,300 in gift certificates which will be given away through Oct. 25. The gift certificates will be good for $25, $100 and $250 worth of merchandise from U.S. Factory Outlets.
Stan Hankal says he can fix your old appliance
When it comes to appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators, Stan Hankal says people don’t exercise enough patience. If something goes wrong, that appliance usually finds a quick path out the door.
Unfortunately Stan says that’s probably not the smartest thing to do – that is unless you like throwing away money (which, for the record, I don’t).
“Today people get rid of their appliances way too soon,” said Stan, who has opened a new store called Stan’s Service on Morford Street. “With just a few minor repairs, you can usually keep it going and that can save you a good bit of money.”
Stan learned his trade from the best of them, the late Bud Hankal, who was known for his many battles with city hall. Stan says he is a lot like his father in terms of appliance knowledge, but there’s one overwhelming difference.
“I like things clean,” said Stan. “I can’t stand a mess.”
Stan grew up in the business of fixing appliances which means he’s pretty darn good at it by now. His new store has a variety of refurbished items for sale for about half of the normal retail price.
“All these used appliances, I break them down head to toe and put them back together,” said Stan. “I repair it, polish it, scrub it, and have it looking good.”
But his business is more than a place to buy used appliances. He also does plumbing and electrical work and says he’s committed to keeping his prices down. That’s why he only charges $29.95 for a service call.
While Stan is running around the county fixing stuff, his wife, Ellen, is in charge of the downtown shop. She puts together a nice variety of gift baskets which sell for under $20.
“They are nice baskets that can brighten someone’s day,” said Ellen.
Stan’s Service is located next to Central Church of Christ on Morford Street and the phone number is 474-1222. The store is open through the week and until 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Get a Touch of Wellness from new massage therapist
If you’re searching for some relief for those everyday aches and pains, Misty King has a solution for you. She is now open for business offering therapeutic massage at her S. Chancery Street business called Touch of Wellness.
“The whole key to massage is to come in and relax, to get away from our high-stress society,” said Misty. “I look at it as a way to do something healthy for yourself, and you can enjoy it.”
Misty is absolutely right. Unlike other healthy things like eating vegetables and exercising, getting a massage is enjoyable. Misty’s massage room is relaxing from the moment you walk in. There’s the sound of running water that comes from a fountain in the corner and there’s also soothing music.
“I’ve had people ask me if they can just sit in this room for an hour,” said Misty, who is a licensed massage therapist. She completed a 1,000-hour course from the Tennessee Institute of Healing Arts to receive her certification.
Misty offers hour-long massages that cover just about the entire body. There’s also a half-hour massage that can emphasize a particular muscle group. She’s also doing some hot stone massages and says the heat from the stones allows her to work deeper in the muscles.
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” said Misty. “And with the blood and the needles, I didn’t want to go the nurse route.”
Call 473-3000 for an appointment. Gift certificates are also available if you want to buy someone else a massage.
Theresa Buck starts her own practice
Nurse practitioner Theresa Buck has gone out on her own and has started her own practice at Plaza Shopping Center. It’s called Theresa Buck’s Urgent Care and it’s a walk-in family clinic.
“I’ve worked with over 5,000 patients before,” said Theresa, who is operating under the guidance of Dr. David Florence. “When people find out I’m here, I think the business will come.”
Monday was the first day she was open and it didn’t take long for word to spread. Theresa had a pretty busy day Friday, which is good news for her, but bad news for the people feeling sick.
Theresa began her career in the medical profession in 1982. She started as a LPN and worked her way up to nurse practitioner.
Now she’s helping others get their start. Ashley Scott, a senior at WCHS, is working at Theresa’s office through the HOSA program, which stands for Health Occupation Students of America. HOSA is offered at the high school much like auto mechanics. It gives students the chance to learn a specific skill prior to graduation.
The phone number at Theresa Buck’s Urgent Care is 507-WELL.
That’s all folks
As you can tell, I had a good bit of business news this week. For once in a long time, the Business Pulse phone was ringing off the hook. Folks were calling and telling me about business news. It was great.
I also want to put this notice out there. I’d like to hear from the first person in Warren County who buys a new smart sofa.
I’d like to come out to your house, take plenty of pictures, and then make fun of you in this column. So don’t hesitate to call.
The number is 473-2191 and the e-mail is standard@blomand.net.