Member Spotlight: Cavenaugh's Gifts of Distinction

Ask J.D. Teachey about downtown Wallace, and he will tell you the history of all the stores. He’ll tell you how at 15 he worked at the ticket window of the movie theater that was on W. Main Street, he’ll tell you about the department stores and five and dimes, but mostly, he’ll tell you about the amount of traffic there always was in downtown Wallace. “The street would be full of people on a Saturday!”, J.D. explained, “Everybody came to Wallace to shop!” And J.D. is passionate about downtown Wallace becoming a thriving center for commerce again. The shops will be different as will the customers- but he believes that with perseverance, and with the efforts of the Wallace Revitalization Committee, downtown can be a strong retail center and be one of the things that attracts people to the area. It’s been 10 years since J.D. bought the Cavenaugh’s Jewelry store. The building used to house a five &dime on the right, and the jewelry store was on the left, but it has since been opened into one space. For years, it was THE place that brides-to-be would register for their china, flatware and crystal- but that business is not as strong as it once was since we have become a more casual society. And as fashions have changed, Cavenaugh’s has changed with it. The store has recently been repainted and reset, and looks amazing! Kudos to J.D.’s daughter Karen and her friend Leah Wallace for an exceptional job of redesigning the space. Some items have gone, some will stay, and some will be added. Staying are the hundreds of Christopher Radko Ornaments. J.D. boasts that the collection is one of the largest in Eastern N.C. The Brighton Jewelry and Leather lines are also staying, as is the Arthur Court Serve Ware and the most popular china patterns. The store carries Madame Alexander Dolls, and will retain several china patterns that remain popular. The extensive crystal selection will also stay. The Christmas selections include Steinbach Nutcrackers and Dept. 56 in addition to the Radko Ornaments.
As for what is yet to come- we’ll need to wait till after January for that answer. Karen will be going to Atlanta then, and will be choosing new merchandise lines for the shop.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., and on most days you’ll be greeted by Miss Patty Smith- or stop in on Saturdays and J.D. will tell you stories about the way Wallace used to be!

Chamber After Hours- December 16th

Please join us for an evening of fun and networking December 16th for an Oyster Roast at Lake Leamon! Once again Vaughan & Jeff have invited us to their wonderful facility- and this is a real treat!! Please RSVP to Lou at 910-285-4044 or email her at lou@wallacechamber.com by December 12th! If you missed the last Chamber After Hours at Lake Leamon- you want to be sure to join us this time! The atmosphere and scenery are wonderful- and will give you a needed break in the hectic holiday season. See ya’ there!

New Member Spotlight- The Fleur-de-Lysa

When Lisa Fussell was a child, she sat on the floor playing with flower petals as her Grandmother made floral arrangements. The process fascinated her, and though her career life has taken her in many other directions, she always dreamed of her own shop- and now she and her daughter Mandy Rivenbark are making dreams a reality.
The Fleur-de-Lysa is located at 420 E. Main St., next to the Four Oaks Bank. In addition to fresh and silk floral arrangements, you’ll find an eclectic mix of gift items and home décor. Mirrors and wall plaques, candles and candlesticks, vases and lamps and a good variety of fleur-de-lis are in every corner of the 4 rooms that are overflowing. There is also a large assortment of Christmas merchandise.

In addition to the shop, Lisa has launched 2 other ventures. Stage Show is a residential and commercial staging company whose goal is to help you stage your home for resale. It’s no secret that there is a philosophy behind the model homes you see that translate into home sales in the marketplace. These same practices can be put in place in your property to increase interest and help a property sell quicker. Fussell Concierge Services, LLC will offers everything from house and office cleaning to auto detailing, and running errands to personal shopping. When your schedule is too busy to handle- this is a service that can take the pressure off!

New Members

The Fleur-de-Lysa
Lisa Fussell
Mandy Rivenbark
420 E. Main St., Wallace
Phone: 910-285-2997

Stage Show
Lisa Fussell
420 E. Main St., Wallace
Phone: 910-285-2997

Fussell Concierge Services, LLC
Lisa Fussell
420 E. Main St., Wallace
Phone: 910-285-2997

Peek-a-BooTique
Scott & Bridget Brennan
107 W. Main St., Wallace
Phone: 910- 271-4103

Dancer’s Corner
Jane Highsmith
606 College St., Wallace
Phone: 910- 285-4083

Welcome to all
Our new members!

Another Successful Christmas at Twilight!

Thanks to everyone who made the 2008 Christmas At Twilight a success! See you again next year!!!

Lou, Shiela & Frank

Where do you do business?

Justin Boyette is the Finance Manager at Friendly Ford. He doesn’t live in Wallace- but when he needed garden tools- he went to Marshburn’s Ace Hardware. There is a Food Lion near his home- but he stops at the Food Lion here to get his groceries. Why? Justin knows the importance of supporting the community he does business in. The people in the hardware and grocery store are his customers- the folks near his home are not likely to come to Wallace to buy a car.
Justin learned the lesson at an early age when he grew up in Clinton. He was going to get a watch for his birthday, and had seen one in Fayetteville he liked, but thought they should check the jewelers in Clinton also. He found the watch he wanted- and at a much better price....There’s no place like home.
It is true that there are many things that are not available to us within the town- or even the county limits- apparel, shoes, books, and some trendier choices are in short supply. But there are just as many categories that we have depth in. Furniture and home décor easily comes to mind. Definitely gift items. Though we don’t have the big box stores that barrage us with commercials, there are some good deals to be had in electronics and appliances if you take the time to look.
We are bombarded with outside advertising and we seem persuaded that the deals exist only at the national chains- when in reality, the people who are local business people will work harder for your business than any college kid working at a chain store ever will.
There is no way to measure the importance of small business in a town- but in Duplin County, Wallace has the largest diversity of small businesses. If you added the number of jobs they produce, and the revenue they generate- it would be greater than you thought. Though there will be superstores and other stores following it coming down the road, the lifeblood of our community is in it’s small businesses and the options they offer.
The challenge to the business community is to develop businesses that meet the needs of the people- whether that is by merchandise selection, pricing, hours of operation or by offering superior customer service. These will be the challenges both in today’s economy and in the future as the face of retail changes locally.
Many towns across the country have come to understand the importance of shopping local- and many Wallace business people know how important it is to look to their neighbors when they need something. The Duplin First Council works to make the county aware of how important it is to do business within its borders.
Just because the price of gas has dropped a bit- don’t be so quick to run to Wilmington when you need something- take just a moment to take a look at what we have to offer in the town and county- and when you can- shop local!

Toys for Tots

When you are out shopping this holiday season, please remember the Annual Toys for Tots Campaign! We are hoping the response this year will be as great as we anticipate the need will be! You can bring new unwrapped toys to the Chamber Office any day between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS AT TWILIGHT

This year’s Christmas at Twilight is shaping up to be one of the best yet! The event will begin one hour earlier- at 3:00 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. A Taste of Wallace will be held in the Farmer’s Market section of The Depot. Among the participants are The Mad Boar, Subway, Pizza Hut and Western Sizzlin’. The Longleaf Arts & Craft Guild will be open as well. There is enough entertainment scheduled to fill the stage at the back of the depot, a freestanding stage, and another stage area on E. Main near The Treasure House. The Elf Shoppe this year will be in the old Biney’s Music space on W. Main, and there will be antique cars, motorcycles and tractors all along Main St. The Craft vendors will be along the sidewalk along SE Railroad St. and the
food vendors will be along Main St. Hayrides will begin at the corner of W. Main & Raleigh St., and the children’s inflatable bounce house will be near the Depot. Santa’s House will be in it’s usual location- it’s been refurbished by the generous group from the Rotary Club.
One of the things we are hoping will have HUGE participation this year is the Toys For Tots campaign. This year, the need will be greater than some years past, and we hope you will all remember to bring a donation for this cause!
Many of the stores will be open and are planning specials for that day- Evan’s Jewelers will be giving a free Christmas Ornament to children under 12 (while supplies last) and serving Hot cider and cookies. One Peacock Place LTD. will offer 20% OFF Greenleaf Diffusers and Diffuser Oil. The Verandah will offer discounts on Christmas items, and Farrior’s will offer 30% off accessories, mirrors, pictures & lamps, and serve coke, Johnnie Cakes & cheese. Market Furniture will offer discounts and offer refreshments. The Art of Hope will host a
book signing from 5-8 pm for Marilyn Thomas for her newest book, “Sweet Beulaland” and serve hot cider & cookies. They will also have Christmas paintings and prints for sale. The Stone Leaf Café will be open for dinner, and Brown & Thigpen will be having an auction that evening. The Polka Dot Zebra will be having their Open House and offer discounts. Duplin Adult Day Services will be serving refreshments. The Fleur-de-Lysa a new shop that carries unique florals & gifts will be open, serving refreshments and offering discounts. The shop is located in the white house aside Four Oaks Bank at 420 E. Main St. Though we don’t have details, The Mustard Seed, The Fancy Farmer, Divine Fashions and the newly renovated Cavenaugh’s will be open that evening. Be sure and join in the fun!!!

New Members

Omni Homes Inc.
Rick Batchelor
157 Red Fox Run Dr., Wallace
Phone: 910-540-7676

Regina’s Nail Care
Regina Simpson
At Rose Pointe Hair Design, Wallace
Phone: 910-290-0534

Bits n Bytes Web Design
Jeridith Blanton
123 Phillip Mills Rd., Teachey
Phone: 910-441-0409

Clint Blanton Construction
Clint Blanton
105 Clay Hill Farm Rd., Rose Hill
Phone: 910- 271-4103

Optometric Asso., P. A.
Dr. John Robinson O.D.
311 E Main St., Wallace
Phone: 910- 285-3167‎

Northeast Ruritan Club
Clint Blanton
Phone: 910- 271-4103

Seegars Fence Co.
Sheree Garrett
Wayne County
Phone: 919-735-8211

Burrows & Hall, P. A.
Freddie Hall, Attorney
317 N Norwood St., Wallace
Phone: 910- 285-3600

Same Day Plumbing
Jamie Tucker
5813 Wrightsville Ave. #150, Wallace
Phone: 910- 794-2595

Beach House Auction
Jesse Yates

Welcome to all
Our new members!

New Member: Prudential- John Ripley

My wife and I came to North Carolina for the first time over 30 years ago. Now that we have permanently relocated, we have fallen in love with the Coastal Carolinas all over again. With over 25 years of sales experience, I realized this is the area for living and investment for ourselves, as well as our family and friends. It has been an easy and exciting transition. I am looking forward to the opportunity to help others find what we have found on the beautiful Carolina Coast.
910-264-4428 jripley@prucarolina.com
Please allow me the opportunity to help you with your next sale or purchase. John
About Burrough’s & Chapin Realty
Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE: PRU] company, and Prudential Burroughs & Chapin Realty, Inc announced that Prudential Real Estate ranks “Highest Satisfaction for Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms” in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM.The inaugural study measures customer satisfaction of home buyers and sellers with major national real estate companies. Overall satisfaction is determined by examining four factors for the home selling experience: agent (43%); marketing (38%); office (12%); and services (7%).Among home sellers, Prudential Real Estate achieved a score of 793 on a 1,000-point scale – and Prudential Real Estate received particularly high ratings from customers in the marketing and office factors.
“We are very proud of this distinction, as it underscores the quality of our affiliates and their hard-working sales professionals, said Laurie Keenan, president of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. “Our sales professionals are local experts, and sellers appreciate their ability to market and price homes right -- along with providing exceptional, attentive service.”The team at Prudential Burroughs & Chapin Realty, Inc works hard to not only meet, but exceed the expectations of its clients – sellers and buyers, explained Marvin Heyd, General Manager for the South Carolina Division of Prudential Burroughs & Chapin Realty, Inc. “In the current challenging market, our clients want all the expertise and market knowledge we can offer – and by leveraging Prudential’s brand strength, its wide array of product and service offerings and its strong Internet marketing programs, we can provide sellers with the increased exposure they need.”
Visit the company website at http://prudentialbc.com/ and their blog at
http://prudentialbandc.blogspot.com/

2009 Chamber Board Members

Nominations for the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors were announced and voted on at the October Chamber of Commerce meeting. The members will be sworn in during the Annual Banquet in January. The new Board will sit as follows: President- Sheila Young; First Vice President- Frank Brinkley; Second Vice President- Hugh Caison; Treasurer- Missie Wells; Executive Director- Lou Powell; Bookeeper- Jim Cavender; Golf Chair- Kevin Hager; remaining Board members; Rev. Leo Bracken, Davis Carr, Teyaka Pickett, Linda Vann, Laura Maready and Maria Likens. Our congratulations to all the Board

Chamber After Hours

Dear Friends,
I would like to sincerely thank you for attending and contributing to “Chamber After Hours-Pig Pickin At The Lake”. The food was delicious! Everyone did a great job and it is much appreciated. It was fun to do something different, wasn’t it? I hope you enjoyed it as well. These “After Hours” events are for you, our members, and friends. They are intended to be an opportunity to exchange ideas, and to get to know the other Chamber members, and other folks in our community as well. I especially want to thank Vaughn King, Owner of Lake Leamon and Jeff Jugan, the Manager of the resort for hosting this event. I didn’t realize that we had such a lovely resort, so close to us. What a jewel! I certainly intend to go back sometime.
The plans that Vaughn and Jeff have for the resort are exciting- They will be building cabins around the lake and about 30 floating cabins in a left side cove on the lake. There are also plans for a seafood restaurant that will extend out over the water! The plans will be executed once the requirements for water and sewer in the area are to capacity.
Again, thanks to all of you who participated, the food was wonderful, and the conversation was interesting! I hope you enjoyed the evening!
Lou

The Chamber of Commerce- What’s the Point?

Just what is the point of having a Chamber of Commerce? That’s a very good question- and I have a very good answer….The purpose of any Chamber of Commerce is to promote the businesses within a town, encourage new businesses to open in the community, to offer a venue for the exchange of ideas, assist business owners with information affecting how they do business and -most importantly- provide opportunities for networking.
Lou tries to bring in monthly speakers that will educate on issues pertinent to doing business, and one of the best chamber meetings was one where members shared their best business practices with each other.
And then there is the benefit of networking with the other members of the business community. It is no secret that we feel more comfortable doing business with people we know- and our small town offers many opportunities to do just that. Most anyone in business here is someone you have met at a church or civic function...someone you’ve known for years ...right?
That may have been the case for a long time in Wallace- but not so much now. We have changed as a town and a business community- and many of the new business owners and chamber members are new to Wallace- some live outside of the town- but chose Wallace as a place to engage in commerce
You don’t know them- and though you’ve been in business for 20 years- they don’t know you! Attending the chamber functions gives us all an opportunity to get to know one another and the businesses offered in the community.
I know how difficult it can be to make time in your schedule to attend the monthly meetings or the after hours events...but I invite you to determine to make an effort- there are many new members that would love to meet you and know about your business as well as share their story with you. You never know- one of them may be your next best customer

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Marshburn's Ace hardware

Where do you go if you need a tool, paint or what-cha-ma-call-it to finish a project or repair? You probably go to Marshburn’s Ace Hardware on 117 in Wallace. What was originally an electrical supply company in 1976, became one of the buyer owned co-op Ace Hardware stores about 13 years ago. Unlike many franchises, this company is owned by it’s co-op owners, and they have a stake in it’s success. That translates to people who care about their customers and offer exceptional customer service, as evidenced by their winning the JD Powers & Associates Award for Customer Satisfaction for the past 2 years- over their big box rivals. Any time you walk into the store, you’ll be greeted quickly, and whichever one of the 9 employees(5 FT & 4 PT) asks you will know what you need and where to find it. If by chance the item is out of stock- no worry- they order and receive trucks twice a week, so they can get it to you in 3 days as long as it is in the distribution center. The store is supported by the Ace hardware website www.acehardware.com and , if you find something there that is not carried here, there is no charge to have items ordered online shipped to the store. Many of the items carried are Ace branded, and they are made by the same names you see in other stores, but have the added benefit of being quality tested to Ace standards. When the company had consistency issues with the name brand paint it carried, they bought a factory to make their own- with more consistent standards achieved by computerizing the plant. They now have a second plant to meet the demand! They offer several color palettes, and offer test sizes in the most popular colors.
The next project you take on- before you waste the time and gas to go to Wilmington- Check out Marshburn’s Ace Hardware- the place with the helpful hardware men ( and woman!)

Christmas at Twilight

We had our first “Christmas At Twilight” meeting September 18th, and it was a very exciting time! We have many plans for folks to have fun, be entertained, enjoy some good food, children to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, elves, etc. and much more to offer families! But, we need more help to contribute ideas, and to staff the different stations that night. You may not can make all of the meetings, and that is o.k., but maybe you could help in some way. Our next meeting will be October 2 at 5:30 at the Depot This is a great opportunity to promote our town and businesses in and outside of Wallace. If you or someone you know would like to help, please email or call me and let me know as soon as possible.2,
Thank you!
Lou

NEW CHAMBER MEMBER

Please welcome our
New Chamber Member:
Rick Batchelor
Omni Homes Inc.
157 Red Fox Run Dr
Wallace, NC 28466
Phone: 910-540-7676

New Member Spotlight- Del Rio and The Liberty Inn

Since 2001, Victor Tadeo has joined 2 older generations in running the Del Rio Restaurant, and now the Liberty Inn. Victor went to college at Mount Olive, and moved to Raleigh for several years pursuing business and artistic interests as an avid photographer. He became the manager of El Dorado in the Triangle (one of my favorite restaurants when I lived in Raleigh)- and the stage was set for him to become an important member of a hard working, entrepreneurial family. His grandfather and father run the kitchen at Del Rio, and are proud of their immaculately clean kitchen. Victor and his mom focus on the motel, where they have been renovating the rooms. Each room has a focal wall in a bright, happy color- lime green, vibrant yellow, and even pink. The rooms are comfortably sized, have TV, phone, renovated bath areas, and a comfortable chair- and are a great value at $65 a night.
When I first moved to Wallace and asked about restaurants, Del Rio was among the top suggestions. The authentic Mexican menu is extensive! Everything is there-from chicken, shrimp and steak to vegetarian- and the traditional favorites of tacos, fajitas and nachos are also available. They have a selection of Mexican and domestic brews, and of course, Margaritas!
I asked Victor what the best thing about doing business in Wallace was, his answer was the fact that this was a family town - how on any Friday or Saturday night there were families with their children in the restaurant. Having spent time talking to him about his family, and understanding how important they are to him, and how important it is to be part of something great working along side of them, I totally understand his answer.

Fall Extravaganza- October 4

The Wallace United Methodist Church is having a Fall Extravaganza on October 4. We will have an outside yard sale, bake sale, plant sale, breakfast, children's activities, entertainment and chicken BBQ plates. Activities will be in the parking lot beginning at 6am. There will be an Auction held during the evening in the fellowship hall.

Time for your flu shot!

On October 4th, Walgreen's Drug Store in Wallace will offer flu shots from 10am to 3pm. Walk-ins are welcome, however to save your time, we recommend you make an appointment. To make an appointment, please visit our pharmacy to complete eligibility forms and schedule your time. The cost is $24.99. We will gladly bill your insurance, including Medicare (must be Part-B eligible). If you have any questions, feel free to contact our pharmacy at 910-285-6481.

Be an Informed Consumer

Many of you have been accessing the Office of Environmental Education's Informed Consumer pages for some time. Whether you are a longtime user of this resource or new to the idea, we are excited to let you know that the Informed Consumer pages have been given a makeover! Topics are easier to navigate and resources are easier to find. Go to http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/consumer.htm and have a look! We will continue to add information to these pages and always welcome any questions or comments you may have. The Office of Environmental Education's Informed Consumer Initiative seeks to highlight many of the issues surrounding our consumer choices. The information and resources provided are not meant to advocate for any particular choice, but rather to let folks know what choices are out there and the costs and benefits associated with them. Topics covered include: Food, Lawn & Garden, Energy, Water, Waste, House, Personal Products, Green Development, and Global Climate. Each section features resources where people can find the information they need to make informed decisions. From finding your nearest farmers market to investigating the ingredients of your shampoo...you'll find it all on our Informed Consumer pages! Be Smart. Buy Smart. Know Your Choices!

Help a Teacher Help his Students

Please help! I need businesses that are willing to let me bring a small group of students to visit, that are willing to let one or two students observe a worker during part of the day, or who are willing to take on a student as an unpaid intern and provide them with vocational training for a few months.
To give you some background, I am Mike Jarosinski, the Occupational Preparation teacher at Wallace-Rose Hill High School. My duties involve working with a group of Exceptional Children who, while not anticipated to go on to obtain a college degree, are nonetheless capable of holding a regular job and having a successful career. To make the program work, however, I need to expose them to a variety of jobs and to give them experience with the ones that interest them. In most cases, I am not asking for help immediately.
Places that we can visit for an hour or so and individuals who willing to come to school and talk about their career are what I need in the short term. As the program continues, I will still need this help, but I will need to move individual students into longer placements ranging from a few weeks to a few months where they can better see if that is the job for them and hopefully gain some skills and experience. Ultimately, all of these individuals will need paid employment to finish the program, but there is no obligation on anyone’s part to give them a job.
For the observation and internship part of my program, I am not talking about volunteers. To keep both of us out of trouble, the programs to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act. In brief, the FLSA says that the students cannot be “free labor”. They cannot replace a regular worker, nor can they perform duties that would keep the employer from hiring another worker. While they can work while interning, it is expected that they would do only parts of a worker’s job and would require supervision and training. In effect, the amount of benefit a business receives should be roughly equal to the training and supervision provided.
For those businesses willing to provide training, I have a standard agreement form to set down in writing the duties of both sides. While this is a formal requirement to avoid legal difficulties down the road, I hope it will not prevent anyone from helping because the net effect of this program will be more productive citizens and workers in Wallace and fewer needing public assistance.
Contact Information:
Wallace-Rose Hill H.S.—285-7501
Email: mjarosinski@duplinschools.net
Cell: 910-409-7078

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Evan's Jewelers

When Harold Evans bought Bell’s Jewelers in March of 1965 the merchandise mix included kitchen appliances, dishes and club aluminum. A lot has changed in 43 years! Harold had been working in Clinton at Jay’s Jewelers, and for the first 2 years, the Evans’ commuted between Clinton & Wallace. Becky, Mark and brother Russ (who now runs Evan’s In Warsaw) grew up in the business and learned the art of jewelry repair from their dad. The store carries a full line of precious and semi-precious stone pieces, silver & pearls, charms and gifts, and does engraving for plaques and awards, but the mainstay of the business is the steady stream of customers needing repairs. From watch batteries to resizing rings to more involved repairs, Harold & Mark are always working on something! Harold is an expert at clock repair, and you’ll always find a beautiful old clock waiting for it’s owner to come take it home.
The family business eventually grew to include another family- in more ways than one! Back in the day, Bridgette’s mom worked in the store during the week, and her dad worked on Saturday. Bridgette started working on Saturdays at the age of 13 (yes, there was a time when 13 was not too young to have a job!). Her sister Ann married Mark’s brother Russ, and initially Bridgette had no interest in Mark- and instead set Mark up with her friends. But as fate would have it, the romance would be theirs, and Bridgette and Mark married. For over a year now, Bridgette has added a new dimension to Evan’s...her hand painted polka dot and ribbon initial canvases can be seen on many a front door and in countless kid’s rooms, and her polka dot monogram license plates are all over town! She has painted bird houses, candle sticks, trunks, and furniture by request, and has painted name canvases with the motif for the child’s favorite sport or hobby included. This past fall Bridgette held craft classes for youngsters. The kids got to create and paint some cute crafts- and enjoyed the pride of making something all by themselves. Stop by Evan’s next time you’re downtown- you’ll always get a smile and some good conversation from this group- they are truly an example of what makes our town special!

Art at the Depot- September 13th

For the second year, The Longleaf Arts & Crafts Guild will present Art at the Depot Saturday, September 13th from 9am-5pm. This much anticipated event is part of the Guild’s annual membership drive. The event celebrates the culture, art and history of Eastern NC. This year’s featured speaker is Evelyn Knowles, quilter. She will be speaking at 11am. In addition to the many artisans who will be showing and selling, the Farmer’s Market will be open with produce, food and craft vendors selling goods, and there will be Bluegrass & Gospel performers and cloggers. Special children’s activities are planned as well. The Downtown Merchants are planning a sidewalk sale that day as well! For more information, visit www.longleafguild.org

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

New Chamber Members:

Katina Richardson
Pink Lady Sno Cones
WalMart parking lot
Phone: 910-620-9291

Rodney Paul
Paul’s Painting & Pressure Washing
Phone: 910-631-2478

Victor Tadeo
Liberty Inn Motel &
Del Rio Restaurant
Phone: 910-285-9400

Hope G. Smith
Art of Hope
105 W. Main St.
PHONE: 910-285-4940

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Walgreens

Walgreen’s in Wallace has been open a year now, and they have recently joined the Chamber of Commerce. The store has 21 employees, and fills a void left in the evening when the downtown drugstores have closed. This convenience, along with the company’s prescription savings club program and diverse merchandise selection accounts for much of the store’s success. You can order a prescription, find the newest makeup items, get your pet’s Frontline products, order a gift item personalized with your favorite picture from the photo department and have it shipped to grandma, pick up the stamps you didn’t get to the post office for, and get some ice cream all in one stop. They also run extensive sales- the August promotions flyer was 20 pages long and full of everything from vitamins to back to school items to grocery items. The management staff includes David Jackson, Manager; Benjamin Whitman & Chrissy Randall, Assistants; and Head Pharmacist Jennifer Cavenaugh Knowles who chose to come home to Wallace in her career capacity. The staff is well trained, and very friendly. Karen, who runs the photo department, has been with the company for 9 years and has been very happy with the company culture and the career opportunities she has had. The next time you need lipstick, dog food, milk, tuna, socks, photos processed, vitamin C and cough medicine, and you’re short on time- check Walgreen’s out. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find!

WRA Plans New Flags for Wallace

The Wallace Revitalization Association is planning to give the town a fresh new look. They are planning to replace the Discover Wallace flags that are starting to show wear, with new flags. The final colors and design have not been finalized, but among the designs being rendered for consideration are the Wallace Depot and the downtown clock. They may even decide on a mix of designs. The number and placement of the flags will also change- they are planning for 200 flags with flag locations to include US 117, the Tin City area, Hwy 41 near 40 and the River Landing area as well as the downtown area. The plan is to direct visitor’s attention to the downtown area from the areas that are most traveled. The cost of the project is $22,000- all of which will come from fundraising events. It is anticipated that raising that amount will take over a year and the anticipated completion time for the project is 2 years. Harriet Farrior is the Chairperson for the project, and the committee includes A.J. Cavenaugh, Susan Carone and Ken Wilson. For more information or to get involved, contact Harriet at 285-2299.

Teach & Inspire at WRH this year!

Mike Jarosinski is looking for a few good men & women to assist in the Occupational Prep classes this year at WRH High. They need businesses that students can visit, as well as ones where students can shadow workers, and also receive training. They also need info on the numbers and types of jobs in the area and what they pay. Speakers from local businesses as well as from the Chamber of Commerce are also welcome.
This is a great opportunity for local business owners to help shape the career decisions of our young people, and show them the opportunities available right here at home for them after graduation. If you are interested in participating in the program or need more information, contact Mike by phone at 910-409-7078 or email him at jarosinskij@bellsouth.net.

Christmas at Twilight

Frank Brinkley & Sheila Young are looking for your help in making Christmas at Twilight a wonderful event this year. The first planning meetings will be held soon, and the event is scheduled for Nov. 22. The success of this event depends on the efforts of many volunteers. To volunteer this year, please contact Lou Powell, Executive Director, Wallace Chamber of Commerce office at 910-285-4044 or email Lou at lou@wallacechamber.com.

4th Annual Muscadine Festival

The 4th Annual North Carolina Muscadine Festival will be held Saturday September 27th from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at the Duplin County Events Center. More than 20 wineries will be participating this year, and music will be provided by The Embers, Key Lime Pie and The Drifters. Along with the wine tasting and music, there will be all the exhibitors and food vendors, and plenty of activities for the kids. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. You can go right to the ticket purchase page via the link about the festival located in the news section on www.uncorkduplin.com, the Duplin County Tourism page. The Annual Gala Dinner will be held September 5, poolside at River Landing. For more information, email Lynn Davis (lynn@muscadineharvestfestival.com) or call her at 910-290-1530.

Smart Start Book Drive Continues

Duplin County Partnership for Children - Smart Start is having a book drive. Please help us give our children a head start by donating new or gently used books to our Drop off locations in Wallace are: The Chamber of Commerce Office M-F 1-5, Thelma Bryant Dingus Library, Latinos Restaurant, Panaderia La Imperial, Piggly Wiggly, Wal-Mart, Wallace Troop 35 Boy Scouts.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sean & Tracey Knowles

Knowles Accounting, Willa’s Florist , The Butter Box Bakery & Catering, Butterflies & Frogs- plus working at The Holiday Inn- These are the things that have Sean and Tracey Knowles up at the crack of dawn, and going full force -sometimes till midnight.
Both have degrees from Campbell University, Tracey a BS and Sean an MBA, and though they could have chosen from several career paths in other markets, they chose Wallace. Wallace is home- Wallace is family- and these values are most important to them.
The Butter Box almost happened before Willa’s- Sean and Tracey had been looking for a business for Tracey- something she could do and loved- and baking is it! But the initial deal fell through, and then Willa’s came available. Sean had worked in retail for the Fox’s for eight years, and decided to go ahead with Willa’s. Sean had a vision for Willa’s - he would keep the florist business, but wanted to do more than just flowers and gifts. Almost two years ago, he added a clothing line in what had been the gift shop. The shop carries a total range of sizes, trendy casual and dressy looks- and reasonable prices for designer labels.
The Butter Box again became a viable option- and Sean and Tracy took it! Tracey and a cousin, Jean have made The Butter Box more than a bakery and sandwich shop- it is one of the area’s premier caterers- and their cakes are coveted by many! Tracey has also committed to being a vendor at the Farmers’ Market this year! Don’t be surprised to see a chain built on the success of the local store- Sean and Tracey continue to think BIG!
The newest thing for the Knowles- Sean’s sister Wendy has been operating “Butterflies & Frogs” Quality Children’s Clothing in Warsaw, and because of health issues, they are moving her business to the Willa’s location so they can be nearby. Butterflies & Frogs carries a full line of name brands in children’s clothing. It’s addition to Wallace will help fill the the void left with Babycakes leaving.
The biggest challenge Sean finds in doing business in Wallace is getting the word out. After 2 years, customers will still comment that they didn’t know they carried clothing. He does hope that in the future Wallace will implement proactive planning which could help the growth of business and establish strong retail corridors which will attract more shoppers. The best thing about doing business in Wallace is that we are a family oriented community’, Sean says, “ You know everybody and can talk to everybody. This includes the newer residents at River Landing who are patrons. They are a part of the contribution of the Murphy Family to Wallace. The Murphy’s have done a lot for this area.”

LOOK WHAT WE FOUND!

There was a treasure found recently- a case of about 50 copies of the 2002 “Coastline Cuisine” cookbook with recipes from Wallace collected by the Wallace Junior Women’s Club of 2002-2003. The book was originally done as a fundraiser for the restoration of the Wallace Depot. There are some great recipes, all submitted by folks you know. Sherry Coombs “Corn Pudding” recipe is here as are Dana Whitehead’s “Graham Cracker Cookies” and Doris Brooks’ “Apple Dapple Cake”. The books sell for $15 and are available at the Chamber of Commerce office. The money raised by the sale of these treasures will go towards the upkeep of the depot. The cover shows what an amazing job was done on the restoration!

NEW CHAMBER MEMBER

Please welcome New Chamber Member
John Ripley of
Prudential
Burroughs & Chapin Realty Carolina Beach.
Phone: 910-458-9672
Website: http://www.prucarolina.com/
email :
jripley@prucarolina.com

AUGUST CHAMBER MEETING- SBA SEMINAR LUNCH & LEARN

The August meeting of the Wallace Chamber of Commerce will be a “Lunch & Learn” session conducted by the James Sprunt Community College Small Business Center and the North Carolina Small Business Administration (SBA). You will learn all about the loan options available from the SBA, and how to qualify and apply for these loan opportunities,
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including 7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans. Within this section, we’ll review eligibility requirements, SBA’s loan programs, surety bonds and the role of SBA, equity capital topics, special purpose loans, SBA partner topics and 7(a) lender programs. Though the SBA does not provide grants to help you start a business, included is information on organizations and sites that can assist you in locating special purpose grants. For more information visit the SBA website section on loans at www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html
This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered! Come ready to take notes! Join us at our meeting at the Western Sizzlin on August 14 at 1:00 p.m.!

Duplin County Partnership for Children & Smart Start Book Drive

Duplin County Partnership for Children - Smart Start is having a book drive. Please help us give our children a head start by donating new or gently used books to our cause. The books should be age appropriate for children birth through five years of age. You can also donate money for us to buy the books needed. The books acquired will be distributed among child care facilities within Duplin County that are in need of books. Encouraging your child to read at the earliest age possible is one of the greatest things that can be done to ensure your child is on the right path to education. If you would like to donate books, please see the drop off locations posted below. For more information or if you would like to make a monetary donation please call Duplin County Partnership for children at Melody Williams at (910) 296-2000 ext 211 or stop by our office at 149 Limestone Rd in Kenansville. Drop off locations in Wallace are: The Chamber of Commerce Office M-F 1-5, Thelma Bryant Dingus Library, Latinos Restaurant, Panaderia La Imperial, Piggly Wiggly, Wal-Mart, Wallace Troop 35 Boy Scouts.

FREE Concerts at the Wanoca Theater!

The Wallace-Rose Hill Friends of the Arts are presenting 2 FREE concerts in August 7 at the Wanoca Amphitheater at the Wallace Women’s Center. Contemporary Country Singer Jason Marks and his band will be appearing on August from 6:30-8:00 p.m. He recently released his 4th solo CD, "SLOW DOWN" .Part of the sales from the CD will be donated to The Singing Nurse Scholarship Fund created by Jason Marks for the Cape Fear College School of Nursing Jason has been performing in Wilmington and at The Mad Boar during July.
Contemporary Christian group The Kornegays will perform on Thursday, August 14, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00 p. m. The Kornegay Family as they have been called is comprised of Jay, Terri and sons Jay Jr. and Tyler. While Jay and Terri have been performing together for over 25 years, the entire family has been performing for about 6 years in area churches and at various civic functions.
The Wallace - Rose Hill Friends of the Arts was created in 2004 to promote local cultural growth and awareness of the Arts. Their objective is to bring Fine Arts programs to the schools and the entire community, donating any surplus proceeds to the school system's Art and Music programs.

Wallace on WNCT

Wallace was featured on WNCT News July 18th in the “My Hometown “ Segment! There were 3 segments shown during the 5:00 & 6:00 news hour with Annette Newell, the News Anchor of the 6:00 and Nightside newscasts for WNCT & The CW. The segments included an interview with Mayor Charley Farrior, who discussed the history of Wallace and the importance to the town of the railroad in the past, and therefore the importance of the depot renovation project to the town. During one segment, Ms. Newell commented on the revitalization efforts of the downtown section, and the growth in Wallace as a whole with the building of River Landing and it’s cousin, The Vineyards.
During the 6:00 broadcast, with Thomas Edgerton running the trains, Ms. Newell interviewed Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lou Powell. Though she was a little nervous about that camera and mike, Lou did a wonderful job of explaining that though Wallace is progressive, it has small town charm and welcoming arms- and promoted the fact that we have great shopping and restaurants. Annette commented after the segment that she was very impressed with the pride and community involvement she found here! To see the segments go to http://www.wnct.com/ and click on the “Your Hometown” link

Christmas at Twilight

Sheila Young has volunteered to Co-Chair the Christmas at Twilight Committee again this year. Co-chairing with her is Frank Brinkley. The success of this event depends on the efforts of many volunteers. To volunteer this year, please contact Lou Powell, Executive Director, Wallace Chamber of Commerce office at 910-285-4044 or email Lou at lou@wallacechamber.com. You’ll be glad you did!

The 2008 Tax Free Holiday is August 1-3

Whether you’re selling or shopping, this is info you need. Certain items of tangible personal property sold between first Friday in August and the following Sunday are tax exempt. For 2008, the dates are Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 3rd. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item will be exempt.
Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.
For a complete list of items included and answers to frequently asked questions , visit the Department of Revenue online site and click on the links. www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html or call them at 1-877-252-3052