BUSINESS PULSE: Flower Basket, Dream Maker get new owner
Greetings and welcome to a somewhat abbreviated Business Pulse. You may not have realized it, but I spent much of last week vacationing around the state and in parts of North Carolina and Virginia.
But you know business news is never far from my mind. If a hot business tip is involved, you can pretty much figure I’m going to report it from Hawaii (as if I made frequent stops to Hawaii).
This week’s Business Pulse silliness has to do with Hawaii in a way. At least it’s kind of close to Hawaii. I’m talking about California and the complete government fiasco taking place in that state.
In case you haven’t heard, Californians are extremely upset with current Gov. Gray Davis. They are so upset they are holding a special election in October to try and kick Davis out of office.
But here’s where the story gets really juicy. Californians are operating under the mistaken impression that the grass is greener on the other side of the mountain. In other words, they believe the person who replaces Davis will do a better job than he did. Judging by the list of candidates, that hardly looks like the case.
I can tell you where the problem comes right from the start. It only takes $3,500 and 65 signatures from voters in the same political party to get your name on the ballot. And if you collect 10,000 signatures, you can run for governor for free.
With those sort of requirements, you’re just asking for trouble. And believe me, California has gotten it. Just take a glimpse at this early sampling of candidates:
• William Pratt, 18 – Good, ol’ William just graduated from high school where he lost six elections to become a member of his high school student council. William admits he doesn’t have a lot of money because he is currently saving to buy a laptop to use in college.
I can just see him trying to work his way into a gubernatorial debate. “I can’t debate you at 10:15 a.m. because that’s when my biology class starts.”
• Michael Wozniak – This retired Oakland police officer might have made a good candidate if the focus of his platform wasn’t legalizing ownership of ferrets as pets. Yes, Wozniak is referring to the weasel-like creatures that are like giant hamsters. Maybe it’s just me, but is there really a large group of people clamoring for ferret legalization?
• Roger Willoughby – This potential candidate is just a little bit too candid about his reason for wanting to enter the race. He says he’s unemployed and needs a job.
I can see him flipping through the help wanted ads now. “McDonald’s? Nah, don’t want anything in fast food. Night-time security officer? Nah, don’t really like third shift. Governor of California? Hey Martha, take down this number.”
The name which gets folks excited the most is when Arnold Schwarzennegar’s name is tossed around as a candidate. With Arnold as governor, you better pay your property taxes – or else!
Barbara Lance buys two Main Street stores
After 23 years of operating The Flower Basket and Dream Maker Bridal, Claudine Ray has called it quits. On Friday, she officially sold her two Main Street businesses to her cousin, Barbara Lance.
“I’ll miss it, but I’ll still be around some,” said Claudine, who plans to continue working part-time. “Just to be off a day or two a week will be nice.”
Claudine has kept her two businesses afloat despite two moves and the now-infamous incident where a deer jumped over a truck and crashed through her store window.
Barbara certainly hopes to avoid any incidents involving wildlife and all indications are she will do just fine as the new owner. She’s been working there about a month, learning the ropes and getting to know the customers.
“My mom had been talking to Claudine and that’s how I found out she wanted to sell it,” said Barbara, who grew up in Warren County and went to high school here. “This just seemed like a really great opportunity.”
Barbara was busy helping a customer with a bridal gown Monday afternoon and says the formal wear part of the business has been keeping her busy – especially with the Fairest of the Fair competition coming in September.
“We’re going to offer more mother of the bride dresses because that’s one thing people have been asking about,” said Barbara. “These will be nice dresses that can be used again and again.”
Barbara emphasized that customer service is of major importance. She also said her gift shop has a variety of items in the $10 to $20 range that would be good for secret gift swaps at work or secret Santa swaps.
Dream Maker Bridal and The Flower Basket are located side by side on Main Street, just a few doors down from Magness Library. The phone number is 473-4453.
There’s activity on the industrial front
I was talking with director of economic development Don Rigsby the other day and he filled me in on all the activity that’s happening on the industrial front. In particular, Don told me there has been considerable interest in the county’s vacant buildings: Powermatic, Findlay and DeZurik.
A research and development company toured both the empty Findlay and DeZurik buildings about three weeks ago and actually made an offer to buy both facilities. The offers were extremely low, however, and Don said he took that to mean the company wasn’t really that interested in locating here. He said the offers were so low, he doesn’t even think they generated a counter offer from Findlay and DeZurik officials.
“I think that company is looking at Chattanooga and Alabama right now,” said Don. “I told them if they were going to bring in jobs to give us a chance to make it work and put a deal together, but I haven’t heard back.”
Don was a bit more optimistic about a company which was in town Monday. He showed representatives from that company the DeZurik building Monday morning, and they then toured Powermatic Monday afternoon.
“These companies are ready to move their empty buildings around the county,” said Don. “They will sell, lease, and are pretty much agreeable to most anything. There are things going on and people are looking, but they’re still hesitant.”
Don did tell me that a company called Cherokee Manufacturing has just moved into the old Bouldin Corporation building on Belmont Drive. The company is based out of Minnesota and makes wire baskets for the nursery industry.
However, Cherokee Manufacturing is only opening a distribution center here. That means it will probably only create a half dozen jobs. But on the bright side, that’s a half dozen jobs we didn’t have before.
I’ll make my way down to Belmont Drive and get more of the lowdown on Cherokee Manufacturing when I’m not on vacation.
P.K. Embroidery has clothing at dirt cheap prices
I’ve told you about Paul Kring and his business, P.K. Embroidery, in a previous Business Pulse column. Paul is making the news again because Vigorelli Sportswear has gone out of business and Paul bought the store’s entire inventory of clothing.
It amounts to boxes and boxes of shorts, shirts and jackets. It’s all brand new clothing and most of it is for sale for only $1. Paul has some nice UT fleece jackets for sale for $5 but you better hurry because those things are really going fast.
“You can’t find better prices,” said Paul. “This UT jacket normally sells for $34 and I’m selling it for $5 just to get rid of it.”
The main thing that’s hindering Paul’s retail business is his location. He still has a huge account embroidering clothing for Cracker Barrel, but doesn’t get an overwhelming amount of walk-in customers.
He’s located on Durham Street which is the street which runs beside Shelton’s on Sparta Street. You turn on Durham, go over the railroad tracks, and his store is located at the end of the large, brick building with the Vigorelli Sportswear sign.
I tried to tell Paul that a business as unique as his would really flourish in Plaza Shopping Center or Northgate Shopping Center, but he seems happy where he is. His phone number is 507-5553.
That’s all folks
Well it turned out to be a pretty good-sized Business Pulse after all. If I can find a way to make myself return to the office this week, I’ll be available to take your calls at 473-2191 or your e-mails at [email protected].