Sebring CRA boasts 15 new businesses
By JOE SEELIG
As seen in Highlands Today
“If I could use one word right now attending these What’s Up Downtown meetings the CRA is hosting; enthusiastic is that word,” she said. “There’s a positive buzz. The energy is positive and everybody is finding a new enthusiasm.
“We have a lot of folks showing an interest in opening downtown.”
The 15 new businesses, minus four that have closed, brought the downtown up to about 51 businesses, total.
Hinote gives credit to its Business Recruitment Program and Retention Committee, its Restaurant Incentive Program, Façade Grant Program, Downtown Advantage Program and Buy Downtown Program as well as its Florida Enterprise Tax Credits.
One of the newest businesses downtown is The Flower Box & Interior Design, owned by Diane Belcher, who recently bought the building located at 233 N. Ridgewood Drive, formerly the location of Wilson’s Shoes.
Her shop specializes in home décor, interior design, silks, upholstery, windows and most recently weddings.
“I’ve been open since April,” she said, emphasizing the interior design portion of her business. “I do anything from rearrange what they’ve got to completely new.”
The shop is also the location of The Lazy Painter, owned by Anne Watson, open Wednesday and Thursday.
“That’s a friend of mine who has painting classes in here a couple of times a week,” Belcher said.
Belcher’s shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Up Next, Inc., is the name of a new barbershop, owned by Sebastian Quijano, who opened at 107 W. Center Ave., who has been open four months.
“I try to do every service a barber shop should have,” he said. “Business is good! Thank God it’s good; little by little.”
Quijano said he worked at some other shops and temporarily worked at a local beauty school.
“I moved from Miami two years ago,” he said. “I’ve been in Sebring ever since.”
He does fades, blowouts, Mohawks, tapes, designs, flat-tops, traditional, beard trims, shaves and hot towels.
He’s open Monday though Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is closed Sunday.
Casey L. Wohl, owner of Gray Dog Communications, a company contracted by the CRA to do marketing for the downtown, has played a big role in getting the word out about downtown Sebring.
“We know we still have store fronts to sell but we were pretty encouraged when we added it all up,” she said Friday.
She drove around the Circle recently and saw lots of signs flashing the word “Open.”
“I haven’t remembered seeing that in a while,” she said.
Other businesses on the CRA’s new list included; Sebring Meals on Wheels, 705 Pine St.; Maulden’s Treasure Trove, 107 Circle Park Drive, Suite 1; Andrea Degrange Massage Therapy, 211 Circle Park Drive; Thrifts and Gifts, 542 Lemon St., Teon’s NV, 408 N. Ridgewood Drive; Richard’s Tires, 542 Lemon St.; Growing Sprouts, 133 N. Ridgewood Drive; Life & Health, 131 E. Center Ave., AAA Eagle Express Bail Bonds, 134 N. Ridgewood Drive; Douglas Computer Repair, 2121 Lakeview Drive; GB’s Ladies’ & Men’s Formal Wear, 207 Circle Park Drive; Scrap Jammies, 133 S. Ridgewood Drive, and Tully Callaway, 326 Lemon Ave.
On top of those already open, other businesses are coming into the redevelopment area.
Signature Salon Suites will open a second Highlands County location in the recently remodeled Towne Square Shopping Center at the corner of Lakeview Drive and Kenilworth Boulevard, in Sebring, a media release said.
“We just signed the lease and expect to be open in late 2012, said Glenn Moree, president of the Sebring-based company. “Just like our first location, the Towne Square suites will feature all new construction and equipment.
“The response to our Sun ‘n Lake location has been phenomenal. We reached 100 percent occupancy in three months…”
Suites at the Towne Square location will be available for independent hair stylists, nail techs, massage therapists and skin care specialists. Each fully equipped suite will include water and electric.
For more information call the CRA at 863-471-5104.