Doctors and mini-storage don’t mix
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I say that because on page 6 of this section, the editors of Consumer Reports have compiled a story about appropriate tipping during the holidays. They talk about proper tips for the doorman and the hairstylist, but nowhere do they mention proper tips for Business Pulse writers. I just want to set the record straight and say your monetary contributions won’t be viewed as offensive, no matter how small.
As for other things Christmas, I bring you the story of a California couple who has decided not to set up their tremendously popular $150,000 holiday light display because of a dispute with a neighbor. The couple, Alan and Bonnie Aerts, has been assembling the impressive display for the past six years. It’s even been featured on NBC.
But thanks to a neighbor’s protest, the display won’t be set up this year. The neighbor petitioned the city of San Jose to place restrictions on light displays, saying their quiet neighborhood has been transformed into Disneyland during the holidays.
“We wake up to Christmas for about 45 days of the year,” said the protesting neighbor, Le Nguyen, 55. “You ever seen the movie ‘Groundhog Day?’ It’s just like that.”
The display drew so much traffic from far and wide, the Aerts went so far as to hire a security guard to direct traffic on their street. Now instead of their familiar Christmas lights, the Aerts have only one ornament in their yard, a 10-foot Grinch with its finger pointing directly at the Nguyen home. And don’t ask me how to pronounce Nguyen.
Said Aert, “If you can’t even put up a display these days, what kind of people have we become?” The city mayor said it was a “crying shame” the Aerts decided against their display.
As for other things odd, strange and curious, I bring you the story of two Kansas City criminals who robbed a preacher at gunpoint – at church of all places! The preacher, Tony Caldwell, told the robbers the collection plate money had already been deposited, but said he would be happy to write the men checks.
The robbers accepted the offer, and even went so far as to make sure the preacher spelled their names correctly. Police were then able to track down the men using one key piece of evidence – their names.
And in this final tidbit, I bring you perhaps the wackiest story I have ever heard. For me to say that, it must mean something.
According to police reports, a Dallas man was recently arrested and charged with practicing medicine, in this case gynecology, without a license. In fact the man, Thomas Remo, 50, had built up quite a clientele. What is completely baffling, however, is none of his female patients found it odd that Remo ran his office out of a mini-storage building and didn’t charge anything for his services.
This is just me, but I normally don’t choose physicians who work out of mini-storage units. How this guy saw more than one patient before getting busted is what I find a total mystery.
Merry Christmas, mall gives away car
For the third straight year, Three Star Mall is giving away a car for Christmas. I’ve said from the get-go I think this is a great promotion. It’s aimed at getting people to spend their Christmas dollars at the mall and I know it works for me.
The rules are simple. Every $50 worth of merchandise you buy at the mall can be redeemed for one ticket. The $50 can be from one receipt or from several receipts. If you had $200 worth of receipts, for example, you would get four tickets. Receipts are good from every Three Star Mall store, including Kroger, Dollar Tree and Sally Beauty Supply.
All the tickets will be placed in a bin and a drawing will be held at center stage Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. You must be present to win.
In addition to the car, mall shopping sprees of $500, $250 and $100 will be given away, along with other mall merchandise.
“All the mall merchants like the promotion and our customers sure like it,” said mall manager Teresa Martin. “The first two years we’ve been very pleased. And the best part about it is the two cars have gone to people who have really needed them.”
Last year’s winner, Rita York, said she was hoping to win the $500 shopping spree more than the car. But with five children – including three who drive – she said she could certainly use a new vehicle.
U-Save Auto drives away from downtown
For 20 years, U-Save Auto has been located at its familiar spot on Main Street next to Hardee’s. That tradition will continue for roughly one more month before U-Save finds a new home at the start of 2005.
Owner John Pelham has put up a sign on the current U-Save lot indicating the property is available to buy, or to rent. He says the sign has created a bunch of questions hurled his way.
“People have seen the sign and asked if we’re going out of business,” said John. “After 20 years, I want to make it clear we’re not going out of business.”
John says he is simply consolidating his two businesses, U-Save and Volunteer Motors, which is located on South Chancery Street by the turnoff to Viola. The two businesses had been together downtown for some 16 years before John decided to separate them four years ago. Now he is going back to the old way, only at a new location.
“The new building is a lot larger, a lot nicer,” said John. “It’s a matter of putting both operations under one roof and I think the timing is right. We’ve been at this location for 20 years and it’s been great. We’re going to miss it. But this is a chance to do a better job for our customers.”
John says the change will become effective Jan. 2.
Drew Barrett takes over Barrett Business Machine
It was around a month ago I told you about Leo and Teresa Barrett buying our local Sears in Northgate Shopping Center. Apparently, I only brought you half of the report. Since then I’ve had a number of folks ask what would be happening to Leo’s other business, Barrett Business Machine.
I thought this was odd because I had never heard of the business. That’s mainly because Leo admits he never advertised and was only known through word of mouth. And since I’ve never been in the market for a cash register or a copy machine, Barrett Business Machine never came to mind. But I must be in the minority on that because Barrett Business Machine is immensely popular and has local customers around every corner.
Now the business has been handed down to Leo’s son, Drew, and he says don’t expect much to change.
“Dad has been doing this since 1967,” said Drew. “And I was born in 1970 so it’s safe to say I’ve been around it my whole life. My idea is to keep everything the same, to keep doing business the way we have been doing it.
“We service everything we sell. If that means you have trouble at 2 in the morning, you call us at 2 in the morning.”
Drew says he operates under the philosophy of doing it right the first time. He says in the event something is broken and it will require several days to repair it, he will provide a loaner.
“Our thinking is you wouldn’t have bought a cash register if you didn’t need one,” said Drew. “So if it’s got to be gone, chances are you need one to replace it.”
Barrett Business Machine, located on Sparta Street, sells everything from fax machines, to timeclocks, to copiers, to cash registers. The phone number is 473-8614.
Michael Collier joins prestigious law firm
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has announced that Michael M. Collier, a native of McMinnville, has joined the firm’s office in downtown Nashville as an associate. He concentrates his practice in labor and employment law.
Michael is the son of Linda and Miles Collier. He graduated from Warren County High School in 1994, during which time he served as student body president.
Michael earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UT. He graduated from law school at the University of California where he served as editor-in-chief of the Berkeley Journal of International Law. He also received the Appellate Advocacy Award for Moot Court and American Jurisprudence Awards.
Bass, Berry & Sims is a law firm of 175 attorneys in four Tennessee offices. Since its inception in 1922, the firm has been involved with many of the major business transactions and significant litigation matters in the Southeastern region. The firm’s clients include a broad range of Fortune 500 companies, as well as local and regional businesses.
From everyone here at Business Pulse, I’m happy to say congratulations Michael. You’ve gone and done Warren County proud.
That’s all folks
I realize shopping and the holiday spirit are commanding everyone’s attention, and the last thing most folks think about during this time of everlasting joy is Business Pulse.
That said, keep those business tips coming. I celebrate business news year round. That means every Sunday is like Christmas for me.
OK, so maybe I’m getting carried away, but I still want to hear your business news, if for no other reason than to satisfy my own curiosity. The phone number is 473-2191 and the e-mail is [email protected].