The pet business seems to be a good business in the Lake Norman area these days. Two new veterinary offices are starting up less than a mile apart on NC 115, joining a market already home to a variety of established practices, pet supply stores and even a dog cafe. Main Street Veterinary Hospital opened its doors April 15 in Cornelius, while The Veterinary Hospital of Davidson will open on June 1. Tara Moore reports, in PETS & ANIMALS»

Sam James

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Funeral director Sam James has purchased Northlake Memorial Gardens, a 30-acre cemetery in Huntersville, adding another service at the business he started 2 1/2 years ago. He says the deal will enable his James Funeral Home to serve families “from beginning to end” of their funeral planning. Read the full story

Organized wine selections

By BRENDA BARGER
CorneliusNews.net

The Economist magazine tells us that “Americans glugged more still and sparkling wine than any other country” in 2011 and by all reports we were still at the head of the list in 2012. From wine stores to grocery stores, specialty markets to upscale restaurants, everyone wants your wine business. Comparing prices is hard to do unless you know the exact vintage, vintner and varietal.

So when a new shop called the Winestore opened last November in Cornelius, we were curious. In the Peninsula Village Shopping Center (behind CVS) at West Catawba Avenue and Jetton Road, this store’s goal is “to provide a fun, educational and non-intimidating shopping experience for wine lovers of all levels of expertise.” Their wines are organized by body, color and “occasion” making shopping very consumer friendly. (And they also carry some local beer.) Read the full story

Ace Hardware General Manager Dori Rice stands amid boxes of computer equipment behind the new post office counters. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)

Community members soon will have a new place from which to mail their holiday cards and packages. In December, Ace Hardware, on Main Street in Cornelius, will begin offering post office services and will sell mailing and shipping supplies. Read the full story

Michael Archer, ready for the day's tank deliveries.

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius native Michael Archer is a numbers guy by nature and a people person at heart. As owner of Propane Express, a propane tank supplier and delivery service, he uses both skills regularly.

“The best part of the job is interacting with people,” he said. And he treats is customers with the respect and responsiveness he expects as a consumer.

“I don’t make purchases like the average consumer,” he said. “I’m much more analytical.” And as a business owner, his savings translate to customer savings. Read the full story

Ben and Viive Ralston and their honorary business partner, Juneau.

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

Viive Ralston has always had an eye for little touches that make a big difference. As a child, she loved to make breakfast in bed for her mother. Even then, the tray was not complete without a small vase of freshly picked flowers, she said, and she’d walk down her street in New York City to “borrow” a few stems from an unknowing neighbor’s window box.

Now, as co-owner of Smart Deco Home Furnishings and Consignment in Cornelius, which opens this weekend, Ms. Ralston (whose name is pronounced “VEE-va”) approaches her new business as she once did her mother’s breakfast – always looking for the perfect, beautiful accent or splash of color that turns something nice into something special.

“Viive  can see the beauty in everything, and what I bring to the table is I can see the value in it,” said her husband and business partner, Ben Ralston. “There’s a very practical side to decor.”

A glimpse inside the Smart Deco store. (Smart Deco photo)

And that focus on practicality as well as aesthetic value puts the “smart” – and the “art” –  in Smart Deco. The Ralstons carefully select pieces that are functional as well as good looking, and won’t break the bank. Read the full story

Before school starts Aug. 25, Bailey Middle School families have the opportunity to chat with Principal Jennifer Dean in a casual, community “meet and greet” setting. Parents will have the chance to ask questions, learn more about the school and get to know Ms. Dean better.

WANT TO GO?

The Bailey Middle School PTSA invites parents to attend one of two coffee house meet and greets in the area:

• Tuesday, Aug. 9, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Starbucks at Birkdale Village
• Thursday, Aug. 17, 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Dilworth Coffee House on Bailey Road.

After 10 years, James Sanders must be doing something right: 85 percent of new business at his Shared Resources Technology Solutions in Cornelius comes from word-of-mouth referrals, he said. Another 10 percent or so is from people who brought in home computers, had a positive experience, then brought Shared Resources on board at their workplaces. Read the full story