Mellow Moods Now Offering Hot Beverages
Mellow Moods, at 111 W. German St. in Shepherdstown, has expanded their menu to include gourmet hot chocolate, teas, and espresso, made with organic ingredients. “We are making these tempting items as healthy as possible,” stated owner Phil Mastrangelo. They also offer fresh, locally produced cider. Mellow Moods is open Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
My Friend’s Bowl Open For Pet Lovers
Owner of My Friend’s Bowl, Janet Kelemen.
My Friend’s Bowl, a new store offering healthy and natural pet products, opened in Shepherdstown in mid-November. After dealing with many health issues with her own dogs, including allergies and arthritis, Janet Kelemen started searching local shops and online for healthier pet food and grooming products. She quickly discovered that stores in this area did not offer high-quality natural pet food. This led to the creation of My Friend’s Bowl, a premium pet food and supply store, featuring natural, organic, and holistic food and treats. They also stock a variety of toys, shampoos, and other healthy pet products. “We offer 10 brands of dog food and nine brands of treats, both with several variations and flavors,” said Kelemen. “We also have several brands and variations of cat food and treats.”
Through research and building relationships with vendors, Kelemen has been able to help clients with their pets’ special needs. “One customer came in with a prescription from the veterinarian and asked if I carried this medication,” she stated. “After some research, I was able to find three different products that were actually healthier for the dog than what the vet had prescribed.”
The store is a pet-friendly environment, and customers are encouraged to bring their pets into the shop. “All pets that come in get a little something to try, and every Saturday features food and treat tastings,” stated Kelemen. My Friend’s Bowl is located at 219 South Duke Street in Shepherdstown. Hours of operation are 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday. To learn more visit www.myfriendsbowl.com or call (304) 876-6005.
Right Angle Helps Create Your Favorite Room
An example of the CAD technology used by Right Angle Creations.
Right Angle Creations lets you see your project before they build it. Using 3-D computer aided design (CAD) capabilities, they work with customers to create the room or home remodeling project the customer envisions. “We spend a lot of time with clients, using computer technology to refine down to the smallest details,” said owner Carl Green. The CAD software can insert everything from color to molding, stains, flooring, and furniture, providing a 3D, fully animated walk-through.
“From a builders’ perspective, this is pretty sophisticated stuff,” said Green. “We know exactly what we need and show up for the job prepared. There’s no more guess work.” If a customer says they will be putting a particular piece of furniture or a certain size television into a room, they can actually insert the dimensions into the software so the customer can see the full picture. “We also have home theater experts who can come into the home, tell the customer exactly what they need for the desired effect, and show us where all wiring will need to be,” Green explained.
Right Angle Creations specializes in interior and exterior design and remodeling. They have aligned themselves with decorators and landscapers in the area to “offer the full experience,” Green said. “We want to take all the hassles away from the customer, making it as simple as possible through the CAD drawings and guidance. Our goal is to deliver high-quality work.” For information, visit www.RightAngleCreations.com or call (304) 724-5111.
Neighborhood Welcome Connects Businesses and Consumers
Photo Caption: The welcome pack provided to newcomers includes coupons, ads, and samples from local businesses.
Neighborhood Welcome was started in Leesburg, Va., in 1999, greeting new residents and providing them with a welcome packet that includes coupons, ads, and samples from local business sponsors. In the past eight years, Neighborhood Welcome has expanded to cover Loudoun and Frederick counties in Virginia, Washington County in Maryland, and Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia. “Our goal is to connect businesses and consumers,” said Jodee Arndt, owner of Neighborhood Welcome.
In an effort to build relationships with organizations in the community, Neighborhood Welcome includes information and flyers from nonprofit organizations in their welcome packets at no cost. “We want people moving into our area to know what’s happening in the community,” stated Selina Meehleib, director of operations. “We want to create a stronger community by supporting consumers, businesses and organizations.”
Neighborhood Welcome recently launched their first publication, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Relocation Magazine. “In the long term we would like to develop these publications for every county in our region,” stated Meehleib. Neighborhood Welcome is also working on a 2008 Church Directory and Daycare Directory. They have also launched a direct mail division, which handles follow-up to their welcome visits.
Their 2008 Sponsor Drive is underway, now offering the month of December for free for new sponsors. “One of the great benefits for our sponsors is that we bill after the service is performed,” said Meehleib. “Sponsors that sign up now will not receive their first bill until February!”
Neighborhood Welcome will begin serving Clarke County, Va., in February 2008 and Frederick County, Md., later in the year. To learn more about their services or sponsorship opportunities, call (304) 260-9168 or visit www.NeighborhoodWelcome.net.
Go Green Gals Offer Parties With A Purpose
Photo Caption: Business partners Karen Valentine and Michelle Liefke have made “going green” a way of life.
One Vine, a division of Go Green Gals, offers a unique and environmentally responsible way to host events. This new way of catering features organic and biodynamic wines, cheeses and chocolates, presented with eco-friendly party accessories. “The idea for One Vine came as we developed relationships with advertisers for the Go Green Gals website,” stated Karen Valentine, one of the partners in this venture. “We want to get the message across that eco-choices don’t have to skimp on fun or luxury.”
One Vine caters holiday parties, baby showers, wedding showers, open houses … any event whose hosts are interested in making a powerful and positive impact. Valentine and her business partner, Michelle Liefke, searched for the best reusable and recyclable party accessories, like antique china plates and 100 percent post consumer recycled dinnerware. “Whether it’s a simple, stylish party or something more elegant, we create a true eco-event by being aware from start to finish,” stated Valentine.
Their biodynamic and organic product vendors are from “down the street and around the world.” All wine, cheese, and chocolate vendors are selected by their standards and sustainable practices. Companies that provide biodynamic products are offering “the purest form of agriculture,” Liefke stated. Being eco-friendly “used to be a trend and is now part of our daily lives. Our customers love being part of the choice to be environmentally conscious.”
Based in Shepherdstown, parent company Go Green Gals challenges consumers to make a difference by buying green and adopting a sustainable way of life. They are building a comprehensive online directory of socially responsible and ecologically sound businesses, including eco-fashions, gourmet, beauty, and healthy pet products. To learn more about One-Vine and going green, visit www.GoGreenGals.com or call (304) 261-1532.
Greentree Hits Highs in Down Market
Six year real estate veteran, Brad Lewis, closed out the 2007 season with October and November sales volumes reaching $2.8million. Lewis also oversees the property management division, which manages more than 100 rental units in Jefferson County.
Greentree’s Harper’s Ferry Office led the way in sales in 2007. Sales associates Richard Clark, Carrie Gauthier and Carol Orsini each took home quarterly honors for selling 1million, 1.6 million and 1.7 million respectively.
When asked about Greentree’s success, Broker Jackie Lewis commented,” We do our best to study market conditions to assist our buyers and sellers in accomplishing their goals.” Lewis went on to suggest that with the amount of inventory, low interest rates and price adjustments the current market is a great time to buy.
Jennifer Jensen is a communications specialist with Platinum PR in Shepherdstown.
