Boosting Business

SEBRING - Lesley Roseval figured after servicing TVs for 14 years, he should begin the purchase process by selling them as well.

Roseval, the owner of L&J Electronics, relocated his business in January of this year, moving into a 2,800 square-foot space at 3033 U.S. 27 N. in the Country Plaza strip center. He continues to repair TVs and is specializing in big-screen TVs.

"I could offer the customer a second option in my business," he said.

Roseval said he has wanted to get into the retail end of the business. The timing is good because people are transitioning from analogue to high definition TVs.

Roseval has TVs from 32 inches to 65. He sells Hitachi, Samsung, JVC and Toshiba.

His new location, which is open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, is just a couple of hundred yards away from Wal-Mart and not far from recently opened electronics giant Circuit City.

"The way we compete is in service," Roseval said.

Roseval grabs a Consumer Reports magazine that just happens to rate the buying experience of readers for TVs. According to the November edition, local independent stores were rated the highest.

Roseval, who said he is planning to print the story to show to customers, noted he knows the brands that are not reliable.

"I will be the service man and will be the liaison with the manufacturer," he said.

Roseval provides free delivery set up and financing for up to one year. Extended warranties of three and five years are available.

Like L & J Electronics, some other local businesses have added inventory, equipment or more space.

Sew Special Embroidery

Dave and Judy Carmolli are beginning their fourth year as owners of Sew Special Embroidery in Sebring.

They recently purchased a $20,000 textile printer.

"You are putting photographic quality on a shirt without having to pay for the separation costs," said Dave, who is a graphic designer.

The Carmollis do custom-made items "on anything that can be stitched." A job they did recently was for a groom who wanted initials placed on a gun case for his groomsmen.

They also work with promotional items such as cups, license plates and magnetic cards.

"When we made a commitment to get into apparel decorating, we wanted to offer a one-stop shop for customers," Dave said.

Alpha Natural Store For Your Health

Owners Gary and Kathy Freeman moved the health food store in Lake Placid from the Tower Plaza to
a larger location so that they could expand their inventory and have better exposure.

The store opened its new location - 214 N. Main Ave. - a few weeks ago, and Kathy Freeman described the decision as "a wise move."

"I have been very busy," Freeman said Friday. "It has been a phenomenal response."

Freeman, who said people told her they didn't know Lake Placid had a health food store, now has almost twice the space she had previously. She noted she will be able to stock more specialized food products.

For example, there are people who are sensitive to gluten, which is a protein. Freeman said she sells gluten-free cookies, crackers and pastas.

Store hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday.

A grand opening is planned during the first week in November. Freeman said she is scheduleding it then to coincide with Paula Tharpe, who is moving her business - Tiles by Fran - from Placid Lakes to Main Avenue.

Edward Jones

The financial services firm has opened its fourth office in Sebring and fifth in Highlands County.

Ed Burnside is the financial advisor running the office at 4846 Sun 'n Lake Blvd. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment.

A native of Pennsylvania, Burnside was a high school math and computer program teacher there before coming to Florida.

"I know the people of this community have come to rely on our firm to provide them with sound investment advice that is geared toward individual investors," he said.

A grand opening will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the office near Florida Hospital Heartland Division.

E-Stone Corp.

E-Stone USA Corp. is planning to add a second production line by the end of October, according to Mike Titzler, the plant manager.

E-Stone manufactures and distributes granite products for flooring, countertops, bathroom sheet tile from its massive facility at the Sebring Regional Airport Industrial Park.

Titzler said the the company is operating 24 hours a day five to six days a week with about 70 employees.