Mexicali owners offer great food, local music venue

Kim Everett | December 22, 2011

Becky and Alex Townes bought Mexicali Café & Cantina with the intention of serving great Mexican food at affordable prices while offering a venue for live music in the Garland area.  The couple is well on its way to realizing that dream and is enjoying every minute of it.

The family-friendly restaurant offers a variety of music genres and hosts live music several nights each week.  From the sounds of western swing by the Top of the Hill band to classic rock, country, Latino, oldies, and rhythm and blues, there is music for all tastes.

It’s important to the restaurant owners that Mexicali be known as a family musical entertainment spot, and parents and kids are always welcome to enjoy the food and the music.  “It feels so much like family here that I sometimes wish we could just have one big table,” Becky said. 

Alex grew up in a musical family, and he enjoys sharing the joy that music brings.  His life changed after the devastating events of 9/11, which served as a catalyst for his decision to follow his passions, which were to play music and own his own business.

Becky, who has had many careers ranging from truck driver to body guard to cook, has always dreamed of owning her own restaurant.  As a published poet, she has chronicled the ups and downs of her life in verse with openness and honesty.  It’s only fitting that she and Alex now enjoy writing songs together.  Alex is active in the local music scene and has served three terms as president of the Dallas Songwriters’ Association.  His band, Southbound Texas 35, with lead singer Rob Heath, primarily plays country and classic rock, and they have recorded a CD. 

The Top of the Hill Western Swing band wows audiences at Mexicali every Tuesday night.  Several members of the band have been inducted into various Western Swing halls of fame and played with notables including Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.  Top of the Hill is an entertaining band, and fiddle player Billy McBay is extraordinarily talented.

On Thursdays, Latino artist Tony Sol entertains audiences; and on Fridays, Ronnie Ray, who played guitar for Charlie Pride for many years, serves as emcee and plays guitar for karaoke night at Mexicali.  Ray has played with other notable musicians including Neal McCoy, George Morgan, and Ferlin Husky.

On Saturday nights, popular Elvis impersonator Johnny Rockit entertains audiences at Mexicali at least once a month with a variety of Elvis Presley hits.  Saturday evenings also feature local artists such as Stephen Pride, Dion Pride, and local oldies singer Little Anthony. 

Becky and Alex are happy to host special events, meetings, and parties at Mexicali, and they also provide catering service.  They offer affordable lunch specials, and happy hour is 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.  The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day.  Visit www.mexicalicafeandcantina.com for additional information.

ABC Supply names new manager

Posted December 6, 2011

ABC Supply Co. Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation’s largest distributors of siding, windows and other select exterior building products, has promoted Matt Moody to Garland branch manager.  The Garland branch is located at 2525 S. Shiloh Rd. Ste. 200.

Moody is a resident of Wylie, Tex.  He joined ABC Supply in 2008 as an inside sales representative in the company’s Ft. Worth branch.  Moody also has served as manager of the company’s Longview branch. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Batteries Plus opens Garland location

Kim Everett | November 22, 2011

Jim Smith first became interested in being a Batteries Plus store owner when he saved more than $50 on a replacement battery for his home alarm system.  The alarm company representative offered to sell Smith the battery he needed for $85-$100, but he also told him that it was available at Batteries Plus for $30.

He bought his first franchise, located in McKinney, less than a year later and opened the Garland location last month.  Located at 4280 Lavon Drive in the Firewheel Town Center area, Smith’s newest location is filled with every type of battery that his customers could possibly need.  According to Smith, the average home has 21 different types of batteries, and Batteries Plus has them all. 

The store carries batteries for everything from computers, cameras, hearing aids, watches, and iPods to cars, trucks, golf carts, ATVs, and watercraft.  “There are some other battery stores, small groups that have done similar things,” Smith said.  “But Batteries Plus led the way.”  In addition to batteries, the store is also stocked with every imaginable type of light bulb.

The retailer, who sells more than 50 million batteries per year, is environmentally responsible and offers recycling services.  The home office is located in Heartland, Wisconsin and the company was designated as the nation’s fastest growing specialty retailer by Inc. Magazine.  There are 480 Batteries Plus locations in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Smith realized that retirement wasn’t for him after trying to retire twice and returning to work both times.  “I realized I didn’t want to die before I was dead,” he said.  Earlier in his career he owned a pharmaceutical sales company, which he sold in 2000.  He tried a couple of other businesses after that but didn’t find the right fit until purchasing the Batteries Plus franchise.

Smith and Nate Stinson, the store manager who opened the first store with him, travel between the two locations, and the Garland store has two additional employees.  The store is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. 

Trey Finley helps businesses reach their potential

Posted November 21, 2011

Before he became an ActionCOACH Business Coach, Trey Finley was a consultant for another company that’s aim was to help business owners. But after losing clients to ActionCOACH Business Coaches, Finley knew there was something they were doing better. That’s when he decided that he could use the systems and resources of ActionCOACH to help more businesses get where they want to be.

ActionCOACH is the world’s leader in business and executive coaching. Brad Sugars, Chairman and Founder of ActionCOACH, started the company in 1993, when the concept of business coaching was still in its infancy. ActionCOACH specializes in coaching small to medium sized businesses as well as executive teams and group coaching.

“What drove me to become an ActionCOACH was the opportunity to serve the business owner who’s doing his or her best to make it work,” Finley said. “These businesses drive the economy and I am committed to support them.”

Finley has been helping businesses through the tough economy for years, and in that time he has learned how to coach businesses to reach their potential.

“I listen, I ask questions and I use my reasoning skills to get to the bottom of the challenges that plague businesses quickly and efficiently,” Finley said. “I know that behind every business is a person motivated by their own reasons, and to help them, I have to ask the right questions.”

There were a number of factors that brought Finley to ActionCOACH.  “I love the culture of doing in my own business what I ask my clients to do,” Finley said. “ActionCOACH has a mindset of abundance and the sheer number of tools allows me to work with businesses of any size. We also have a strong network of coaches I can rely on if I need help. Becoming an ActionCOACH Business Coach is rewarding and also allows me to achieve financial independence for my family while doing what I’m passionate about.”

When he’s not coaching, Finley is active in his local church, the Rowlett and Garland Chambers of Commerce and is a member of Winners’ Circle BNI.

Finley began his journey as an ActionCOACH Business Coach in Las Vegas, Nevada where the ActionCOACH Global Office is located. Here he spent 10 days training with other new firm owners and business coaches from around the world. They learned the ins and outs of ActionCOACH, how to run a business the ActionCOACH way, including branding, systems and techniques, and, most importantly, how to apply this knowledge to any business. 

ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business coaching and executive coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 39 countries, coaching more than 15,000 businesses every week. To learn more, visit actioncoach.com.

Subway celebrates grand opening

Kim Everett | August 24, 2011

A drawing was held Monday, August 22 at Garland’s newest Subway Restaurant, located at 109 First Street, Suite 102B, to determine who would win a sandwich, chips, and drink each week through the end of the year.

Garland resident Manuel Ortiz was happy to learn that his name had been drawn, and he is sure that he will enjoy his weekly Subway meal.  “This is the first time I have ever won anything,” he said.  “When the call came, my wife said, ‘no, it couldn’t be; you never win anything.’”

More than 300 customers completed entries Friday, August 12 as the restaurant celebrated its grand opening.  In addition to the contest, the new Subway was offering meal deals for $1.99, and members of the Garland Owls football team were on hand to help with the celebration.  According to Operations Manager Charla Saberi-Nikou, the new restaurant sold more than 1300 of the $1.99 meals during the grand opening.

Mariana Martinez, the manager of the restaurant, is somewhat of a celebrity having won contests as the “Fastest Sandwich Artist” both locally and nationally.  In the national contest in San Francisco, Martinez competed against 178 other sandwich artists.  She has been with Subway for seven years and worked her way up to the management level in less than a year.  A Garland resident, she likes working at this location.  “I’m so happy to be in a brand new store,” she said.

Also in attendance to congratulate Ortiz were Area Supervisor Israel Zavala, who has been with Subway for 10 years and Chief Operations Officer David Peugh, who started his career with Subway 18 years ago.

The restaurant is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Good deals and fun at Firewheel Town
Center during tax-free weekend

Posted August 15, 2011

With the 2011 Texas tax-free weekend providing a bit of relief for parents during the back-to-school season, Firewheel Town Center is ringing in the new school year in style with a variety of activities.  As the mall prepares for this busy time of year, several retailers are getting ready for an eventful weekend with the latest fall fashions, accessories and school electronics to start the school year off right.

The three-day sales tax break begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 19 and ends at 12 p.m. on Sunday, August 21. During this period, retailers will not be required to collect state and local sales use tax on most footwear, clothing, backpacks and school supplies priced less than $100. Area malls are anticipating a busy weekend with shoppers looking for deals and quality products.

Firewheel Town Center will host a variety of events from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. including animal adoptions in the park by Faithful Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization devoted to finding loving and responsible homes for abandoned dogs. Habitat for Humanity will be at the event, across from the AMC Theater, displaying an assortment of children’s playhouses. The houses on display will be raffled with proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland. 

Additionally, shoppers will have the opportunity to stop by the Texas Discovery Gardens booth in the park area for the chance to win family passes and discount coupons to visit the organically maintained urban oasis.  Retailers Trimesters and Build-A-Bear will join the events in the park with displays and coupons.    

Before hitting the mall, shoppers can check out more savings by visiting the Simon Retailer Showcase at www.simon.com.  Not sure what clothes are school uniform approved?  Stop by Guest Services for a list of school requirements, which stores to find the appropriate attire, and which stores have the best deals. 

Firewheel Town Center will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 21. Shoppers should check with favorite retailers for specific hours.

Local music store receives
‘Top 100 Dealer Award’

Posted August 7, 2011 

The National Association of Music Merchants presented The Music Store in Garland with a “Top 100 Dealer Award” at the organization’s trade show called Summer NAMM held in Nashville, Tenn.

The stores that received this distinction were judged by industry experts on criteria including:

• Displaying a consistent and clear understanding that the success of the store is directly related to the level of customer satisfaction

• Providing customers with an experience worth returning for and recommending to others

• Preparing for future success with sound planning, marketing and training initiatives.

• Ensuring an exceptional floor plan, merchandising and marketing to encourage repeat sales

• Using the web and social media in interesting and engaging ways.

The “Top 100 Dealer Award” recipients were acknowledged at a ceremony during the Summer NAMM Show on July 22. Each of the recipients was also in the running to receive the “Dealer of the Year” designation at the presentation. 

“We are proud to recognize these outstanding national retail music product stores for maintaining high standards in their businesses and for encouraging more people in their communities to experience the joys and benefits of making music,” NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond said.

About NAMM – The not-for-profit association unifies, leads, and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 member companies. For information, visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-6266.

About The Music Store – The Music Store opened in 2005 with owner Gary Pearce enjoying 25 years’ experience in the industry.  It was the fastest growing music store in Texas three years in a row. 

Two core principles held by the store are the support of local music education and offering the best product at “The Lowest Price in Texas.”

The store revolutionized the music industry with several approaches to doing business.  Most notable are “Freedom Service” and “www.themusicstore.cc with School Deliveries.”  Freedom Service is included with every instrument sold and is the store’s way of guaranteeing the customer’s instrument will play perfectly during the first year of ownership.  Normal maintenance and repairs above and beyond any factory warranties are performed free of charge.  This even includes replacing strings, and there is no visit limit.  Some customers get setups or re-strings at no charge two or three times a month.  The website offers prices below The Lowest Price in Texas with Local School Delivery.  Many local band and orchestra students depend on this service to get their supplies.

Recent upgrades and additions to the website now make local service available to national customers.  Everyone in the country now has Freedom Service available on a variety of instruments.

The Music Store’s ingenuity is enough on its own to be a Top 100 store but there’s more to the story.  2008 showed promise with the opening of a second store.  Just months later saw the beginning of the banking crisis and the floor plan for both stores being yanked.  The store continued to show great resolve in 2009 by enduring a legal assault by a national company bent on taking everything. 

These setbacks didn’t stop The Music Store’s will to survive and serve the community.  Expenses were cut, which included closing the second store, moving to a smaller location, and unfortunately letting some very good people go.

Its perseverance and willingness to adapt helped keep the heart and soul of the music industry, the local music store, alive.  For information, call 972-686-2263, visit www.themusicstore.cc or visit the store at 1311 Marketplace Drive in Garland.

Don't give up on In-N-Out

Kim Everett | August 6, 2011

Anyone who is wondering if/when Garland area residents can expect to savor the flavor of the popular In-N-Out burger should not despair.  Although Carl Van Fleet, the restaurant’s vice-president of planning and development, could not give an exact date, he said that construction should begin “fairly soon.”

The excitement level was high when it was announced last year that Garland would get Texas’ first In-N-Out Burger.  However, the excitement turned to disappointment when Frisco, Allen, and Dallas locations opened earlier this year, and construction on the Garland restaurant had not even begun.

“We remain very committed to the project.  We also remain very enthusiastic about the opportunities in Garland,” Van Fleet said.  In an earlier conversation, Van Fleet said that it takes about five months from the beginning of construction to open for business.

The first In-N-Out Burger was opened in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California.  Their philosophy was to “Give customers the freshest, highest quality food you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment.”

Charming Charlie to open at Firewheel Town Center

Posted August 5, 2011

Firewheel Town Center is pleased to announce the addition of Charming Charlie to their retail lineup.

“We’re always thrilled to bring stylish retailers to Firewheel Town Center,” said Michelle Yeglic, director of marketing and business development for the mall. “Charming Charlie will be a great compliment to our newest stores Kirkland’s and Ulta.”

Opening this fall, Charming Charlie is a unique fashion accessories boutique designed to help women of all ages complete their outfits, regardless of the occasion or mood.  Through a unique blend of fun, style and affordability, Charming Charlie helps shoppers pull together their look through the key finishing touches in an upbeat, boutique environment.

Unlike other retailers, Charming Charlie’s displays their merchandise by color, not category, allowing shoppers to navigate through the overwhelming and fabulous selection of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, handbags, belts, scarves and more. The 9,372-square-foot store will be located on Winecup Way next to Pier 1 Imports, across from Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit www.charmingcharlie.com.

Also opening this fall, Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe will make its new home at Firewheel Town Center on the corner of Paintbrush Drive and Coneflower Drive across from Friday’s. The 6,429-square-foot restaurant will offer guests half-shell oysters, po' boys, jambalaya plus other Cajun favorites like blackened catfish, Cajun etouffee and boiled crawdaddies.

Beauty retailer opens at Firewheel Town Center

Posted July 30, 2011

Firewheel Town Center has announced the opening of Ulta this weekend.  The 13,371 square foot store provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass, and salon products and salon services in the United States.

The beauty retailer focuses on providing affordable indulgence to its customers by combining the product breadth, value, and convenience of a beauty superstore with the distinctive environment and experience of a specialty retailer. The store is located at the corner of Town Center Boulevard and Horseshoe Drive.

Kirkland’s opens Firewheel
Town Center location

Kim Everett | July 24, 2011 -- Photos by Lori Falk

With more than 50 stores across the state, Kirkland’s is pleased to announce that its Garland location is now open.  Garland’s Firewheel Town Center location is 10,347 square feet and is the 12^th store to open in the Dallas area.  The national retailer of home décor and gifts will also open stores in McAllen in July and San Marcos in August.

According to Kirkland’s press release, “Visiting the store is more than just shopping – it’s a delightful experience for the senses. Kirkland’s specializes in home décor and gift items, all at very reasonable prices. There’s framed art and mirrors, holiday items, gifts, candles and candleholders, decorative vases and accessories, pillows and throws – and many items are displayed by color and theme. Plus the store always smells fabulous!  Kirkland’s caters to consumers looking for quality at affordable prices.”

Photographer Lori Falk enjoyed visiting the new store.  “The Kirkland's Firewheel crew is amazing and fun.  From the moment you walk into the store there is energy and excitement in the air. She also reported that the store is laid out nicely with “lots of eye candy everywhere.”

“I’m sure that the people of Garland and surrounding areas are going to enjoy the new store and all it has to offer.  From the picture gallery to the pillows to the chairs, the store is amazing,” Falk said.

Hawaiian Falls working to ‘Splash out Hunger’
 
Posted July 23, 2011 -- Photo by David Alvey

The “Help Hawaiian Falls Splash Out Hunger” Food Drive, benefiting North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank, kicks off August 1 and runs through Labor Day, September 5.
 
Food donations are needed year-round for low-income families, senior citizens, unemployed workers, individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, homeless families, victims of family violence, and others in need.  But the need is even greater in the summer when school-aged children do not have access to free and reduced-cost school lunch programs.
 
“The thought of any child going hungry really shakes me out of my comfort zone,” said David Busch, Hawaiian Falls CEO.  “I recently toured an area food bank, and the work they are doing to help local families is amazing.  They squeeze three meals out of a single dollar donation. Just think what we can do if we all pitch in to help our neighbors who are struggling with hunger. Our Hawaiian Falls’ ambassadors will be collecting cans.  Please help us ‘splash out’ hunger in North Texas.”
 
Guests can bring a non-perishable food item to any of the four North Texas waterparks and receive $5 off a Big Kahuna ticket, normally priced $23.99.  All food items collected at the Garland and The Colony waterparks will go to the North Texas Food Bank.  Items collected at Mansfield and Roanoke will go to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.  Cash donations will also be accepted.
 
The North Texas Food Bank was established in 1982 to address the critical issue of hunger in the North Texas area including Dallas, Denton, Collin, Fannin, Rockwall, Hunt, Grayson, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Lamar, Delta, and Hopkins Counties.  It is a certified member of Feeding America Food Bank Network. More information is available at http://www.ntfb.org.
 
The Tarrant Area Food Bank was chartered in 1981 and began distributing food the following year.  It is a private not-for-profit organization serving Tarrant and 12 neighboring counties on the west side of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.  For more information, visit http://www.tafb.org.
 
Hawaiian Falls operates waterparks in Garland, Mansfield, The Colony, and Roanoke.  All four North Texas parks are open through Labor Day.  Visit http://www.hfalls.com for more information.
 

Downtown restaurant begins
third year serving tasty treats

Kim Everett | June 6, 2011

Customers enjoyed complimentary, delicious baked goods Friday afternoon when downtown Garland restaurant, Paw Paw’s Sweet Shop, celebrated its second anniversary. 

Owner Cheri Stigler named the 1950s themed restaurant after her father who loved sweets.  She enjoys having the eatery in downtown Garland and being involved in the area’s revitalization. 

Even with the old fashioned twist of the 1950s theme, Stigler has updated the menu to include healthier foods than the typical fried variety from that era.  She takes pride in having lots of healthy choices for her customers and uses only the highest quality ingredients.  She makes all the salads and almost all of the desserts herself, using her own recipes.

The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and appetizers, along with all kinds of ice cream treats, fresh baked cookies, cakes, pies, and other desserts.

Stigler and her husband Earl have three sons and two daughters.  One of her sons, Sean, works at the restaurant.

Located at 612 W. State Street, PawPaw’s is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.  The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

Popular Garland restaurant celebrates 30^th anniversary

Kim Everett | May 31, 2011

Paolo and Fran Siciliano, owners of one of Garland’s most popular restaurants, Siciliano’s - A Taste of Italy, know what it takes to make diners happy and keep them coming back.  May 18 marked the restaurant’s 30^th anniversary of serving the residents of Garland and surrounding areas.

They understand that great customer service is as important as the quality of the food, and they do their best to insure that both are top notch.  Their goal has always been to provide a pleasant dining experience for families, as well a place for people to bring dates and business associates, and host parties and reunions.  The Sicilianos make it a point to get to know their customers.  “We like to spoil our customers,” Fran said.

Paolo was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, and his father brought the family to Detroit, Mich. in “The Land of Opportunity” in 1958.  He worked as a truck driver based in Michigan until the early 1980s when he decided to make the move to Texas.  After being exposed to a great deal of substandard food while he was on the road, Paolo decided to open a restaurant.

Though he had no experience as a restaurant owner, he was determined to open a quality dining establishment.  “I have been served food that even the chef wouldn’t eat, and that will never happen here,” Paolo said.

After arriving in Texas, he purchased an existing Italian restaurant at the corner of Walnut Street and Shiloh Road.  He opened his restaurant on May 18, 1981.  At that time, all his children were involved, working as busboys and wait staff, and performing whatever tasks were needed.  Paolo and his daughter, Carmela, were the chefs, and his son, Mike, made the pizzas.  In one month, they doubled the business of the original establishment.

Some of the current recipes are from the original owner, but they have been altered to remove all animal fats.  New recipes have been created over the years as well.

The couple shared that some of their customers were unhappy when they were forced to move from the Shiloh & Walnut location because of deteriorating conditions.  “We had been there for 21 years, and people liked it because it was small and cozy,” Paolo said.  “But, we didn’t have any choice about moving because the place needed repairs, and the rent was being doubled.”

They did their best to keep the customers’ needs in mind when designing the new building at 2210 W. Buckingham Rd.  The large lobby area, privacy booths, seating capacity of 340 people, banquet rooms, full bar, and patio dining are a few of the ways that the Sicilianos add to the enjoyment of their diners.

Fran, who had moved to Texas from New York looking for a better environment in which to raise her children, was hired as a waitress in 1981.  When she married Paolo in 1985, they combined their families, which resulted in nine children.  They now have 18 grandchildren.

Her son, Brian Gittermann, who started as a busboy 26 years ago, now serves as head chef.

Siciliano’s – A Taste of Italy is probably best known for their delicious garlic rolls, but the rest of the food is also superb!  For more information, visit: www.sicilianosgarland.com.

Posted May 28, 2011 

This week while visiting Washington, D.C., Marisol Trevizo, funeral director/ owner, Pilar Funeral Homes, and Karina Olivares, president of Garland Chamber of Commerce, paid their elected U.S. Representative, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3^rd Dist.-Texas) a visit on Capitol Hill. 

Trevizo, a Garland resident, told Johnson of her experience as a female-business owner in a male-dominated industry.  She started her family-owned and operated business in the economic downturn two and one-half years ago.  She literally built the building and company from scratch. 

Karina told the Congressman about the three-day U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit as well as business development in Garland.

Caption: Karina Olivares, president of Garland Chamber, Congressman Sam Johnson, and Marisol Trevizo, owner of Pilar Funeral Homes.

Jeff Wooten | May 23, 2011 -- Photos by Steve Fitch

Leadership Garland is a program offered by the Garland Chamber of Commerce to any interested citizen who lives or works in Garland or is a member of the Garland Chamber.  The purpose of the program is to provide corporate leadership training; to motivate and encourage civic leaders; and to develop participants’ leadership characteristics and skills. 

Class members are introduced to state, county, and city officials; school board trustees; administrators; and community leaders, boards and commissions.  Leadership skill topics are taught through active participation along with numerous field trips, and each graduate is encouraged to contribute to Garland’s growth and future.

Participants are involved in various hands-on learning activities that help identify personal values, visions, and goals. The program provides important concepts crucial to an emerging leader, ranging from problem solving to time management. Graduates of the program acquire a working knowledge of themselves as well as their community. LG not only produces leaders, it also enriches the lives of all who participate.

The 26 participants of LG Class XXX who graduated on May 12 worked with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland as part of their project.  HFHGG’s mission is “To love God and neighbor by working to eliminate poverty housing in the greater Garland area, and worldwide.”  They build affordable homes for hard-working, low-income families where they can live and grow into all that God intends.

“The project was completed in two workdays starting with a house on E. Taylor Drive in Garland,” said Beth Leos, HFHGG’s director of development and LG Class XXX member.  “Our group helped finish trim and painting on the interior of the house, and we were joined by homeowner Angela Key. The group had the opportunity to meet Angela and work alongside her on the home.  She was grateful for the hours we spent helping put the final touches on her home.”

Leos also said that this project was a Super Build 45 home. The home is one of 45 being built and commemorated in honor of Super Bowl 45. North Texas affiliates joined together to complete the 45 homes, which beat the record previously set by Houston during Super Bowl 38 in 2004.

The second workday was spent building a playhouse for an August fundraising event. The playhouse was built from scratch, and “Jesse” James Truscott, LG member and city employee, was the lead carpenter.  The class also worked on other playhouse projects that were in various stages of completion.

The playhouses will be on display at Firewheel Town Center August 13-21 and will be raffled with proceeds benefiting HFHGG.

Leadership Garland will accept applications for Class XXXI through July 29.  The class begins in August.  Visit www.garlandchamber.com for information.  Visit www.garlandhfh.org for more information on Habitat for  Humanity.

Posted May 10, 2011

Firewheel Town Center is pleased to announce the addition of Razzoo’s Cajun Café to its list of eateries.

"Razzoo’s Cajun Café will be a great addition to our diverse restaurant lineup,” said Michelle Yeglic, area director of marketing and business development for the mall. “We’re excited to offer this vibrant dining concept to our community and visitors.”

Opening this fall, Razzoo’s, a true Cajun cafe will resemble a restaurant straight from Bourbon Street with neon beer signs, string lights and paper flags hanging from the ceiling. The dining room will have tables and booths, while the bar will provide alternative seating. Rock, reggae and jazz tunes will fill the air as the quick wait staff deliver half-shell oysters, po' boys, jambalaya plus other Cajun favorites like blackened catfish, Cajun etouffee and boiled crawdaddies. Razzoo’s food is authentic and cooked from scratch every day.

The full bar will be stocked with daily beer specials and Big Easy potions, like frozen daiquiris and hurricanes. The 6,429-square-foot restaurant will be located on the corner of Paintbrush Drive and Coneflower Drive across from Friday’s.

Posted April 25, 2011

Firewheel Town Center has announced the opening of two new retailers.  “We’re very excited about adding ULTA and Kirkland’s to our diverse retail mix at Firewheel Town Center,” said Michelle Yeglic, director of marketing and business development. “Firewheel Town Center is always looking for retailers that will enhance our customers’ shopping experience.”

Garland’s first ULTA will open its doors for business this July. ULTA is the largest beauty retailer that provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass, and salon products and salon services in the United States. ULTA focuses on providing affordable indulgence to its customers by combining the product breadth, value, and convenience of a beauty superstore with the distinctive environment and experience of a specialty retailer. The new 13,371-square-foot store will be located on the corner of Town Center Boulevard and Horseshoe Drive. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.

Home decorators mark your calendars because Kirkland’s is also slated to open this July. The 10,375-square-foot store will present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, picture frames, garden accessories, and more. Kirkland’s will also offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise, as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for giving as gifts. The leading specialty retailer of home décor will also be located on the corner of Town Center Boulevard and Horseshoe Drive. Visit www.kirklands.com for more information.

In the coming months, additional retailers will join the lineup at Firewheel Town Center. Details will be announced later this year.

Reimagine Beverage Containers Recycling Center offers rewards for recycling

Posted April 24, 2011

Coca-Cola Recycling LLC opened a new consumer recycling center in Garland that accepts and processes aluminum cans and #1 PET plastic beverage bottles. Located in the Shiloh Springs shopping center at 6850 North Shiloh Road, the center is designed to offer free and convenient access to beverage container recycling.

The Garland Reimagine Beverage Containers recycling center was opened today when a “ribbon” made from used beverage containers was cut by Garland Mayor Ronald Jones, City Councilman Doug Athas, and representatives from Kroger and Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola Recycling introduced the world’s first Reimagine Beverage Containers unit last November in Arlington, and a second location was opened last week in Plano. The Arlington center has already processed more than 500,000 beverage containers. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex was chosen as the pilot market for this new technology because of high levels of beverage consumption and the opportunity to improve recycling rates.

“We know that people want to recycle,” said Gary Wygant, vice-president of Business Development at Coca-Cola Recycling, “but when recycling is inconvenient, too many used beverage containers end up as waste. We believe that Reimagine will grow recycling by making it easy, accessible, rewarding and fun.”

Kroger is the retail host for the Reimagine pilot program and plans are under way for additional placements in the DFW area. “The Reimagine Beverage Container unit is innovative recycling technology. As the retail host for the pilot program, we’re thrilled to be the first to offer our shoppers a cool, convenient way to recycle,” said Gary Huddleston, consumer affairs director for Kroger. “We’ve enjoyed working with Coca-Cola Recycling to introduce centers in Garland, Plano and Arlington and look forward to rolling out additional units across the area.”

Recycling provides many benefits to communities, but the Reimagine Beverage Containers center adds a Rewards for Recycling program that provides added benefits for schools. Consumers can designate a local K-12 school to receive credit for the containers they recycle; the school will be awarded My Coke Rewards points redeemable for free school supplies and equipment.

To celebrate the opening of the new Reimagine center, a special competition will award the top two participating schools with a gift certificate redeemable for learning materials. The competition runs from April 25 until May 31 and schools can get details by emailing schools@reimaginerecycling.com.

Consumers who prefer not to designate a school to receive credit for their recycled containers can use their Reimagine points to get personal rewards, like free or discounted merchandise and event tickets, or to enter sweepstakes drawings for great prizes.

Reimagine Beverage Containers recycling centers feature groundbreaking technology that allows the recycler to bulk feed cans and #1 PET plastic bottles – up to 150 a minute. The containers are fed onto a conveyor where optical scanners verify the material and sort by type – the PET bottles and aluminum containers are separated, crushed and stored; anything else is sent to a reject bin. Because the material is pre-sorted and crushed, it can move efficiently through the recycle stream and into the production process to be remade into new products.

Results from these initial centers will be used to validate expansion plans for Reimagine. For more information, visit www.reimaginerecycling.com.

Posted March 23, 2011

Simon Property Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that Michelle Yeglic recently accepted the position of director of marketing and business Development for Firewheel Town Center.

In her new position, Yeglic will work to create, develop, and implement the overall strategic marketing direction of the shopping center in order to meet corporate and property business and marketing objectives. She is responsible for staff supervision of customer service, sponsorships/business development, budgeting and monthly marketing analysis/reporting, along with maintaining community, tenant and public relations. 

Over the past four years, Yeglic held the positions of marketing assistant and the assistant director of marketing and business development at the Houston Galleria, the fourth largest shopping center in the United States. Yeglic was instrumental in propelling the iconic property to one of the nation’s leaders in retail profits and sales. She also introduced positive grassroots relationships; played a creative role in launching Simon Fashion Now - high-energy fall and spring runway shows rivaling fashion industry shows in production values - as well as assisted in establishing the Houston Galleria’s social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.

"Michelle is a proven performer with an excellent track record in creating strategic partnerships and opportunities to enhance the profile of the center,” said Deanna Dancy, regional vice president of marketing, southwest. “We are excited to bring her passion, dedication, and experience to Firewheel Town Center.”

Yeglic is a graduate of Texas State University where she earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing.

According to Councilman John Willis, the owner of the property had received more than 50 citations for failing to comply with various code ordinances.  Willis also said that a permit was issued for the demolition, but that city officials are now investigating whether proper precautions regarding the possibility of the presence of asbestos were taken.  “We’ve got to be sure it’s being done right,” he said.

There is no indication at this time if the owner has immediate development plans for the property.  It is also unknown what will become of the towering Garland Shopping Center sign that guided shoppers off South Garland Avenue into the center and has been a popular landmark for more than 50 years.

Read the article below, written and published in June 2009 in “The Garland News,” for more history of the property:

Kim Everett, article originally published in "The Garland News," June, 2009

What was once a busy shopping center, patronized by virtually everyone in Garland, now sits in severe disrepair at the corner of South Garland Avenue and Miller Road.

The city’s first shopping center, logically named the Garland Shopping Center, was built in 1953.  For many years, businesses including Skillern’s Drug Store, JC Penney, M.E. Moses, Plaza Hardware, and Wyatt’s Food Store, thrived at this location.  Other stores at the site included Stern’s Dress Shop, Oglesby Jewelers, and Rick’s Furniture.  All these, combined with Lobello’s BBQ, a cafeteria, bank, dry cleaner, and optometrist office, rounded out the offerings that made the center a “one stop shopping” experience.

As newer, more modern shopping centers and malls were built in Garland and surrounding cities, business at the shopping center dwindled.  Currently, only one tenant, Aaron’s Sales & Lease, remains open, and their lease is up at the end of this year.  The structures located closest to South Garland Avenue have been demolished, and the remaining structures appear to be beyond repair.

The current owner of the property, Alex Daredia, said that he hopes to have the money to demolish the remaining structures in the near future, but that it is difficult to get funds in today’s economy.  “There is no hope of building anything there,” Daredia said.

He also said that when he did have the funds, the city took too long to issue necessary permits, and he lost the tenants that he had lined up.  “These people [city officials] don’t care about anyone,” he said.  Daredia stated that the permits were finally issued, but not until it was too late.

He currently has the property listed for sale at an asking price of $5.5 million but is not hopeful about his chances to sell. 

Deputy City Manager Martin Glenn provided all the dates of communication with the property owner, including requests for site permits, building permits, development plans, and necessary plan modifications.  According to the city’s records, the longest time lapse between Daredia’s requests and their responses was 11 days.

“We haven’t heard from the property owner since the end of 2008,” Glenn said.  “We would like to see this property redeveloped.  That would be the best thing for the neighborhood and the city.”

Councilman John Willis, whose district borders the shopping center location, indicated that the Chamber of Commerce tried to help Daredia navigate through the permit process and help him any way they could. 

“The traffic is there to support a lot of different types of businesses,” Willis said.  “New development in that location would be great for the neighborhood.”

Councilman Darren Lathen, whose district includes the property, stated that perhaps there were necessary repairs that Daredia was not prepared for.

“Nothing ever came to the council where the owner asked for assistance or a tax abatement,” Lathen said.  “If this owner brought us a workable proposal, I’m sure he would not go away empty-handed.”

“We really want this property to be re-developed.  It’s special to everyone in Garland,” Ayako Schuster, Chamber of Commerce Director of Economic Development, said.  Schuster also stated that the chamber has tried to work with Daredia without success.

Visits with residents on Williams Dr., which is directly behind the shopping center, revealed a variety of problems.  “Aside from the fact that it is an eyesore, people – maybe homeless people – break in and sleep there,” said one resident.

Others shared that the alley has frequently been used as an illegal dumping ground and that semis sometimes park there and that the engines can be heard running all night.  The alley between Williams Dr. and the back of the shopping center is often littered with broken glass and beer bottles.

One resident, who moved into the Williams Estates neighborhood in the late 1970s feels that the shopping center in its current state is a detriment to the neighborhood as well as to homeowners’ property values.

The property is vandalized on a regular basis, and air conditioning units have been pilfered from the roof, leaving holes that allow rain into the buildings, which causes further damage and could eventually constitute a health hazard.  Much of the front glass has been broken and replaced with plywood, which does not completely seal the interior of the structure.

Some neighborhood residents feel that the structures should be torn down, and others believe that the view of the empty damaged parking lot would be worse than what they currently live with.

“We need to stay on top of this.  I strongly advise people to call the non-emergency police number when there are problems on the property,” Willis said.

Almost everyone interviewed for this article, some that live near the shopping center and others that do not, feels a sentimental attachment to it.  Long-time Garland residents shared stories about riding their bicycles to the shopping center to spend their allowance at M. E. Moses, having dinner at Lobello’s before Friday night football games and going to the soda fountain located in the drug store. 

Nostalgia and sentiment, however, do not equal profitability, and the state of the property is a sad reality.

Garland Once Upon A Child owners receive award

Posted March 4, 2011
 

Jule' Miller and Rachel Wilson, owners of the Garland Once Upon A Child store, were awarded the Sales Excellence Award at the company's annual conference and trade show.  The award is given to franchisees who achieve a specific level of sales.

"This award is especially meaningful because it is announced at our annual conference, in front of our peers," said Miller. "Once Upon A Child achieved record sales in 2010, and we are proud to have played a part in reaching that milestone."

Once Upon A Child stores buy and sell gently-used children's clothing and merchandise, with over 240 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In 2010, the brand posted new record average store sales for the eighth consecutive year and also saw a record number of stores that are now open nationwide.  The key to the brand's success, according to Susan Baustian, director of the Once Upon A Child brand, is in providing a positive customer experience and in managing store stock to ensure that loyal customers can find the merchandise they need, when they need it.

"Our brand continues to set new records for sales because of the dedication and professionalism of our extraordinary franchisees, like Rachel and Jule'," said Baustian. "Our award winners are people who have made a commitment to grow their businesses through their own efforts and initiative. All of us at Once Upon A Child applaud their success."

"Winning this award has inspired us to try to top our own achievements," said Wilson. "We know that the energy that winning this award has given us will help us reach and exceed our goal of providing an even better shopping experience for families in the local area this year."

For more information about the Garland Once Upon A Child(r) store, contact owners Jule' Miller and Rachel Wilson or visit www.OnceUponAChild.com.  The Garland store is located at 5125 George Bush Highway.

Once Upon A Child(r) leads the nation in the buying and selling of name brand, gently used kid’s items.  There are more than 240 franchised stores in the United States and Canada.  Once Upon A Child buys and sells quality, gently used children's apparel, baby equipment and furniture, books, toys, and more. 

Kim Everett | January 31, 2011

Albertson’s will close five metro area locations that have been deemed unprofitable, and the store located at 3046 Lavon Highway will be one of the victims.  Other Albertson’s supermarket locations that will be closed are in Plano, Richardson, Carrollton, and Southlake.

According to neighbors of the store, there has been a supermarket at this site for more than 30 years.  Liquidation at the Garland store has begun, and the location will be closed on or before Feb. 20.

Albertson’s has been working to find positions for the 550 employees that will be affected by the closings, but the employees at the Garland store do not yet know their fate.