Business Briefs
Uptown Bingo opens on Santa Barbara Boulevard
Uptown Bingo Inc. recently held its grand opening at 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., in Cape Coral. The bingo hall and arcade is open daily at 10 a.m. with matinee session on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. and evening sessions Tuesday through Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The center offers both smoking and non-smoking rooms with state-of-the-art bingo technology as well as original bingo paper packs. Every session played benefits local charities.
This month, Uptown Bingo will be offering free breakfast before the matinee session on Feb. 23 from 10-11 a.m. A free dinner will also be offered prior to the evening sessions on Feb. 13 and 27 from 5-6 p.m.
For additional information, call 239-772-4646 or visit the web at www.uptownbingo.net.
New Dollar General opens in the Cape
Dollar General recently opened a new store at 1235 Tropicana Parkway, West, in Cape Coral. A grand opening celebration was held Saturday, Feb. 12.
The new store features a fresh layout, designed to make shopping simple for customers. Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, and departments are easily recognizable with visible signage. Coolers conveniently located at the front of the store.
Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by providing a focused selection of national brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health and beauty care products.
The store employs approximately six to 10 people. And, anyone interested in applying for a job at Dollar General will find more information and a job application at www.dollargeneral.com in the Career Center.
Waste Pro contributes trailer to Take Pride in the Cape
Foreclosed homes in the city of Cape Coral are becoming harder to spot lately, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and a local business.
The city’s Take Pride in the Cape initiative, now in its third year, strives to keep vacant properties mowed, trimmed, and clean. But to keep doing the job, it needed a safe means to transport its equipment. That was when Waste Pro Cape Coral came to the rescue.
Waste Pro presented Take Pride in the Cape, which participates in the Keep Lee County Beautiful campaign, with an enclosed, customized trailer – complete with the Take Pride logo – to haul and store its clean-up equipment.
Foreclosed properties continue to confound municipalities as their numbers rise and funds dwindle. In response, Waste Pro teamed up with code compliance to develop a program to move out the trash and yard waste collected by the volunteers, at no cost to the taxpayers. As the push continues and more help is needed, community associations are being recruited to adopt a lot or a block and educational programs for school-age youngsters are in the works.
Ray Nicholson, who spearheads Take Pride in the Cape, describes his organization as a loosely-knit group of about 30 volunteers who donate their time and the use of their equipment to help beautify the neighborhood.
The address for WastePro in this area is P.O. Box 60717, Fort Myers, FL 33906. Telephone 239-337-0800
Business Assistance Expo planned for March 12
The 2011 Business Assistance Expo is set for Saturday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to noon by the Farmer’s Market in Cape Coral.
This second annual event will bring together a host of business resources for anyone interested in launching or expanding a business. Participating agencies and experts will offer individualized counseling for business success.
A sampling of participating agencies includes: Small Business Administration, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, FGCU’s Small Business Development Center, city of Cape Coral Community Development Department, Cape Coral Economic Development Office, Florida Department of Financial Services, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Southwest Florida Works, Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency and Service Corps of Retired Executives Learn how to create a business plan, decide whether to incorporate, where to get low and no cost training for your staff, and how to apply for a business loan.
For additional information or to share regarding how to make this expo a success, call 239-574-0444 or send an email to ecodev@capecoral.net.
New business chats to begin
The Cape Coral Economic Development Office and FGCU’s Small Business Development Center are teaming up to host monthly forums for newly licensed businesses in Cape Coral. The “New Business Chat” program will answer questions from new business owners on issues such as organizational structures, business plans, financial statements, marketing and SBA loans.
The “New Business Chat” will be held Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Cape Coral City Hall, Conference Room 220A,1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
For more information, call the EDO at 239-574-0444 or the SBDC at 239-573-3727. RSVPs are welcomed. A light lunch will be provided.
Welch joins Five Star Glass and Heritage Automotive
Jenifer Welch has joined Five Star Glass and Heritage Automotive as its marketing director. She will be responsible for web site maintenance, customer retention, sales and marketing efforts for both companies.
Prior to joining these companies she was with Habitat for Humanity and was the marketing director for Naples and Harbor Nissan.
For additional information, call Welch at 239-939-7827, or Jenifer@fivestarglassinc.com
Frantz receives 2011 Best of Fort Myers Award
For the third consecutive year, Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, owner and medical director of Florida Eye Health and Suncoast Surgery Center, has been selected for the 2011 Best of Fort Myers Award in the Ambulatory Surgical Center category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.
Suncoast Surgery Center opened in June 2000 as one of Florida Eye Health’s Centers of Excellence to provide patients with a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center committed to the highest standards in quality, performance and care. It is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc.
Suncoast Surgery Center is located on-site at the Florida Eye Health Fort Myers office complex at 12731 New Brittany Blvd., and serves patients from throughout Southwest Florida.
For more information, call the main office at (239) 418-0999, toll free 800-581-0999 or visit www.bettervision.net
Local company In national list
Mr. Rooter Plumbing, which has a franchise in Southwest Florida, is on the 3rd annual “AllBusiness AllStar Franchises” list.
Compiled by Dun & Bradstreet’s subsidiary AllBusiness.com, the ranking lists the nation’s top 300 franchises for 2011. Ranked No. 152, this is the third year in a row the plumbing company has been included in the list.
AllBusiness.com analyzed more than 800 franchise companies to select the top 300. Selection was based on financial strength, system size, franchise unit growth rate, availability of financing, Web visibility as well as years doing business and years franchising.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing has five affiliate companies – Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric and Rainbow International – that also made the “AllBusiness AllStar Franchises” list. Visit.allbusiness.com/allstar-franchises/11736542-1.html to see the full list.
To contact the Cape Coral store, call 574-3133.
Pollock promoted to oversee BB&T Insurance Services’ Florida operations
Wesley Dasher Jr., president of BB&T Insurance Services, recently announced the promotion of John Pollock, CIC, to the role of BB&T Insurance Services’ regional agency manager for Florida, effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Pollock will be one of eight regional managers nationwide.
In his new position, Pollock will oversee 350 employees at six BB&T Insurance Services agencies throughout the state, including BB&T – J. Rolfe Davis Insurance of metro Orlando; BB&T – Burkey Risk Services of metro Orlando and Boynton Beach; BB&T-Iler Wall & Shonter of St. Petersburg; BB&T-Wyman, Green & Blalock of Bradenton; BB&T-Landrum Yaeger of Tallahassee; as well as BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Miami, Naples, Sarasota, Holmes Beach, Weston and Ocala.
Raised in Fort Myers, Pollock attended Eckerd College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After several summer internships at OTC, he joined the agency as a commercial lines processor in 1990.
BB&T Insurance Services, the nation’s sixth largest insurance broker, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BB&T. Founded in 1922, it operates more than 100 insurance agencies in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and California. For additional information, visit Insurance.BBT.com. BB&T Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking & Trust Company.
Hobby Lobby to open Fort Myers store
Hobby Lobby Stores, a privately held retail chain of more than 469 arts and crafts stores, is readying to open its new store in Fort Myers with a grand opening celebration scheduled for Monday, March 28, at 9 a.m. The 55,000-square-foot facility located at Ben C. Pratt Parkway is Hobby Lobby’s 12th store in Florida.
Hobby Lobby offers crafts, hobbies, picture framing, jewelry making, fashion fabrics, floral, scrapbooking, cards and party, baskets, wearable art, home accents, holiday supplies and much more. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and all Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sunday. This location employs approximately 50 full and part-time employees.
Hobby Lobby was founded in Oklahoma City, OK in 1972. The chain has grown into 469 stores in 39 states and operates from a 4.1 million square-foot office, manufacturing and distribution center. For more information about Hobby Lobby, visit us at www.hobbylobby.com or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/hobbylobby.
Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to hold Spring Job Fair
The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its 2011 Spring Job Fair on Friday, April 1, from 1-5 p.m., at Hodges University Fort Myers Campus, located at 4501 Colonial Blvd. Some of the past participating companies include Suntrust, South Seas Island Resort, Hodges University, Fort Myers Broadcasting, Sprint, Prudential, Univision, Comcast, Telemundo, FOX 4, Northwestern Mutual, Fifth Third Bank, Paramount Transportation, Santorini Apartments, Lee County and more.
This event is free to the public. For information about the Job Fair or to rent a booth, call the chamber at 239-418-1441, or send an e-mail to info@hispanicchamberflorida.org.
Marine Concepts adds new project manager
Matt Chambers, president of JRL Ventures, Inc./Marine Concepts, has announced the addition of Jeff Hudson as project manager.
Hudson comes to the company with years of experience in engineering, project management and customer service. His previous experience includes engineering manager at Yamaha Motor Corp., dba Century Boat Company; owner/president of Hudco Marine Inc.; and vice president of engineering and director of customer service at OMC Boat Group, dba Stratos/Javelin Boats.
His position with JRL Ventures, Inc/Marine Concepts as project manager will includs responsibilities in obtaining and overseeing specific engineering and tooling projects from quotes through delivery to the customer.
For additional information about the companies visit www.marineconcepts.com and www.jrlventuresinc.com, or call 239-283-0800.
Publix Deli to host Parmigiano-Reggiano ‘wheel crackings’
Publix has sold several varieties of specialty cheeses for years, but customers can now explore a new line of Publix Deli brand imported and domestic specialty cheeses. Currently, 13 varieties are available in-store, with two additional varieties debuting later this month.
To help build excitement, Publix will be holding wheel cracking events in selected stores during which experienced deli associates will be cracking 75- pound wheels of our Publix Deli Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano.
On Saturday, Feb, 19, at around noon, the Publix at the Midpoint Center, 2420 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, will be cracking a wheel.
Publix customers will have an opportunity to learn more about the company’s specialty cheeses through the weekly sale ad, publix.com, FamilyStyle and Grape publications as well as Apron’s Cooking School presentations and recipes and in-store promotions featuring master cheese makers.
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 146,000 employees, with 2009 sales of $24.3 billion. Currently Publix has 1,032 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.For more information, visit the company’s website, www.publix.com
Florida’s Brightway Insurance expanding into Georgia market
Fresh off another record-breaking sales year, Brightway Insurance is expanding again.
Brightway Insurance embarks on a new chapter in Georgia as the company begins its first in a series of expansions across the coastal Southeast, beyond its home base in Florida.
Brightway Insurance identified other states for expansion based on its coastal exposure and strong inland populations. Brightway Insurance already received its state insurance licenses in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas and plans to expand into those markets, said David C. Miller, chief executive officer.
Despite the recession, or perhaps because of the recession, Brightway Insurance is enjoying much success. The independent insurance agency doubled its new business sales from $35 million in 2009 to $70 million in 2010 without doubling its physical agency offices, which is an unusual feat, Miller said.
Brightway Insurance operates 70 Florida offices – including two in Fort Myers and one in North Fort Myers – with more than 300 associates and insures more than 75,000 Florida households
For more information, contact Brightway Insurance at 888-254-5014 or visit www.brightway.com.
Pushing the Envelope relocates
Pushing the Envelope Inc. has relocated to 12557 New Brittany Blvd., Suite 4, in Fort Myers. The mixed marketing communications firm officially moved to the new location in World Plaza I this month and will retain the same phone, fax and other contact information.
“We are excited to be in a more central Southwest Florida location,” commented Samantha Scott, owner of the firm. “This is more conducive to servicing our local clients and offers a convenient home base for our staff.”
Pushing the Envelope was formerly located in Bonita Springs. The new offices afford space for their growing staff, while offering additional meeting space.
Pushing the Envelope, Inc. is an award-winning mixed marketing communications firm offering comprehensive public relations, social media strategy, marketing and advertising services. Based in Southwest Florida, the firm services clients both regionally and nationally.
For more information, call (239) 221-2858, visit GetPushing.com or email Info@GetPushing.com. Additionally, they can be contacted on Facebook (www.facbeook.com/GetPushing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GetPushing).
California Pizza Kitchen to hold fund-raiser for United Way
California Pizza Kitchen at Coconut Point is holding a fund-raiser for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades February 22-24. When diners present the California Pizza Kitchen-United Way flyer to their servers, 20 percent of the check will be donated to United Way.
The United Way flyers are available on the United Way’s Facebook page, at banks in the Coconut Point area and by calling (239) 433-2000 or by emailing the United Way at louise@unitedwaylee.org. They can also be picked up at the United Way headquarters in Fort Myers at 7273 Concourse Drive.
For more information please call United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades at (239) 433-2000 or visit www.unitedwaylee.org.
Greene joins Scott Fischer Enterprises
Scott Fischer Enterprises has added John Greene to its executive leadership team in Fort Myers. A partner in the organization’s Harley-Davidson dealership in Albuquerque, N.M., Greene is now also partner in SFE. He has officially relocated as of this month.
The transition from partner and general manager to being part of the executive team and partner in SFE was done strategically to align with the company’s ongoing initiatives. In order to continue the strong alignment of SFE at the store level Greene will focus on redevelopment of marketing initiatives, sales training and supporting in aligning the SFE brand company wide.
Scott Fischer Enterprises has been serving the motorsports community since 1982. Founded and operated by Scott Fischer, SFE owns two dealerships in Florida, one in Alabama and one in New Mexico. For more information, visit www.SFE-US.com.
Automotive technician offers less expensive approach to car repair
Forget ever having to pay for another mystery car repair – a certified technician takes you into the garage and out of debt in “Car Care for the Clueless (…or How to ‘Make Money’ While Maintaining Your Vehicle)” by Pamela Oakes.
Oakes is a fourth-generation, automotive service excellence-certified technician. She was introduced into the industry by her dad, Jerry Oakes, and her great-grandfather, Leonard Smith, in Detroit in the late 1960s. While Oakes does not explain to readers how to fix their vehicles, she warns that cars and trucks are too complicated to perform any do-it-yourself repairs. She stresses the importance of knowing how to maintain, rather than repair, a vehicle.
Oakes gives a behind-the-scenes look into what really goes on in the automotive repair industry, including how to be savvy the next time your car groans.
There is a “Car Care for the Clueless: Silver Edition” available for AARP drivers. It contains the same information as the original book, but in an easier-to-read print.
“Car Care for the Clueless (…or How to ‘Make Money’ While Maintaining Your Vehicle)” is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.
Edwards joins Edison National Bank
Pam Edwards has joined the lending team at Edison National Bank as senior vice president of business banking. In this position, she will cultivate and manage new and existing client relationships while providing customer-oriented solutions for business customers.
Prior to joining Edison National Bank, Pam worked for the Fort Myers branch of a large national bank for 33 years. Her tenure culminated with the position of senior vice president senior client manager, and she received multiple honors and accolades for her performance at the bank. She specializes in building client relationships, designing solutions for client needs, cultivating business partnerships and providing team leadership, motivation and development.
Edison National Bank is the oldest locally owned and operated community bank in Lee County. The bank offers a wide range of services and accounts for business customers, nonprofit organizations and individuals of all ages. Edison National Bank offices are located at 13000 S. Cleveland Ave., in South Fort Myers, and at 2105 First St., in the downtown River District of Fort Myers.
Feichthaler Tax Services opens
Mary Feichthaler, CPA, recently announced the opening of Feichthaler Tax Services at 1710 Cape Coral Parkway, East, in downtown Cape Coral. Feichthaler Tax Services is a local, full service tax firm serving individual, corporate and non-profit clients. FTS will provide you with the highest level of experience, knowledge and service, and we are committed to being available any time by phone or email to answer your tax questions.
Feichthaler, is a licensed Florida CPA with over 16 years of extensive experience working to help clients to legally keep tax liabilities to a minimum.
She has previously served as director of corporate taxation at two of Lee County’s largest multinational corporations and worked at the largest global public accounting firms for nine years. She holds a masters degree in taxation with honors from Pace University and a B.S.B.A. degree in accounting with honors from Georgetown University.
For more information, call 239-898-8522, email at FTSCape@Comcast.net or visit us on Facebook.
Foster joins FineMark National Bank & Trust
Lee Cankar, vice president and senior banking officer, recently announced that Andrew Foster has joined FineMark National Bank & Trust as a relationship banker and teller. He will spread his time among the bank’s three offices at Riverwalk, Coconut Point and Shell Point.
Foster received his degree in political science, with a minor in mathematics, from the University of Florida.
FineMark National Bank & Trust offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust, investment and brokerage services to clients interested in establishing long term, high touch relationships.
Edward Jones named to FORTUNE Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For list
Financial-services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine’s
“100 Best Companies to Work For 2011” list in its 12th appearance on the
prestigious list, according to Edward Jones financial advisors in the Cape
Coral area.
Edward Jones also ranked No. 2 for large-sized companies and was the
highest ranking financial-services firm.
Edward Jones’ 12 FORTUNE rankings also include top 10 finishes for eight
years and consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003 and consecutive No.
2 rankings in 2009 and 2010.
The full list and related stories appeared in the Feb. 7 issue of FORTUNE
and now at www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.
Currently, Edward Jones has nearly 900 positions available throughout the
country, mostly for financial advisors and branch office administrators.
Each Edward Jones branch office includes one financial advisor and one
branch office administrator who work one-on-one with clients in the
communities where those clients live.
For more information about Edward Jones in the Cape Coral area, please
contact Terry Lyn Frith, Edward Jones in Cape Coral, located at 1402 S.E. 46 Lane, 239-542-6629; or Matthew James King, Edward Jones in Matlacha Isles, located at 12016 Matlacha Blvd. Ste C., 239-283-2582.
Marine Concepts celebrates 35th anniversary
Marine Concepts, a leading composites tooling and parts manufacturer located in Cape Coral, is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Founded in 1976, Marine Concepts opened its doors under the leadership of Augusto “Kiko” Villalon offering customers in the marine industry one of the first design and development companies that could take a project from concept to completion. His first projects were with several well known boat manufacturers.
In 1994, J. Robert “Bob” Long with his wife, Karen, purchased Marine Concepts.
Matt Chambers, president of Marine Concepts/JRL Ventures, joined the company in 2006 and leads the team of Glen Naroth, Sidney Lanier and Dan Locke in the engineering and design departments; Todd Biddison and Kevin Long, project managers; Chris Hughs, production manager; John Long, pre-mill and facilities manager; and Mac Spencer, chief financial officer.
Marine Concepts expanded into new markets with the addition of JRL Ventures Inc. in 2007 and has grown ten-fold and become more diverse. Marine Concepts/JRL Ventures continues to service their core customer base in the marine industry while broadening their reach in the composite industries such as Aerospace, Wind Energy, Heavy Industry Transportation, Automotive, Amusement Industry and Water Park Attractions.
For additional information about the companies visit www.marineconcepts.com and www.jrlventuresinc.com.
Charley Todd joins Ted Todd Insurance Agency
Ted Todd Insurance Agency recently announced the addition of Charley Todd as IT director. In his role with the agency, Charley will coordinate all online and mobile brand development, communications, marketing, social media and search engine optimization efforts to develop and maintain the company’s Internet presence. Internet and Mobile communications is top of mind at Ted Todd Insurance Agency, especially with the agency’s recent expansion and reach to the east coast of Florida. The majority of customers today are searching the Internet via computer or smart phone for insurance quotes, so accessibility and ease at which these customers can reach Ted Todd Insurance professionals is top of mind.
Charley graduated from Stetson University in May with a degree in business management and communications. He has spent much of his time in and around the insurance business in Lee County where he grew up. He is the son of Marilyn Todd and Ted Todd, owner of Ted Todd Insurance Agency.
The Ted Todd Insurance Agency currently serves over 30,000 customers statewide, and has over 30 licensed professionals providing home, auto, business, commercial, retirement, and life insurance products at its seven regional offices located throughout Lee, Collier, Sarasota, and Brevard counties.
For more information, call 239-561-1100, 321-777-8503 or toll free at 800-276-7812; or visit www.tedtoddinsurance.com
BB&T Insurance Services announces leadership change in Florida
John Pollock, CIC, agency manager of BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company, recently announced that David Owen, CIC, CPA, has been promoted to director of commercial lines of the Fort Myers-based insurance agency.
In his new position, Owen continues as branch manager of the BB&T-OTC Cape Coral office and will oversee all commercial operations of BB&T-OTC with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Holmes Beach, Miami, Naples, Ocala, Sarasota and Weston, Fla.
Founded in 1982, Oswald Trippe and Company was the largest employee-owned insurance agency in Southwest Florida. In 2009, the company merged with BB&T Insurance Services to provide comprehensive insurance and risk-management services from the country’s leading insurance companies to families and businesses throughout Florida.
Stephens joins Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company P.A. recently announced that Carol Stephens has joined the firm as an administrative assistant in the Fort Myers office.
It offers a wide range of services including business consulting, technology consulting, tax preparation and planning, litigation, mediation, forensic accounting, and elder services.