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Highlands Today

Business Is Not All Bad In Highlands

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: August 3, 2008

SEBRING - Although it might seem otherwise, it is not all gloom and doom in the local business community.

Some businesses are planning major expansions while other building projects are currently under way. A mortgage bank has opened a branch in Lake Placid and a couple of stores are planning to open - other than Wal-Mart in Avon Park.

Eldridge's Design Center is going to add a showroom covering almost 2,000 square feet at its 1313 U.S. 27 N. location in Sebring.

Brannon Sparks, the company's vice president, said there will be kitchen cabinets, bath tubs, granite counters, shower enclosures, faucets, toilets, sinks and a full line of solid mahogany doors. Sparks noted that he believes it will make Eldridge's "highly competitive" with The Home Depot and Lowe's.

"Diversifying a business is the way to stay going," Sparks said.

Sparks said the company hopes to break ground on the project in September and be finished in early 2009.

"We're excited," Sparks said about the project. "It will fill a niche for us."

Meanwhile, a home decor store is coming to Sebring's downtown Circle.

Suzette Rhoades and her mother, Kaye Pigman, are going to open Le Attique (The Attic). They have renovated the former Iris and Butterflies store and hope to be up and running in early September.

The store, which has 3,900 square feet and has an upstairs, will offer small pieces of furniture, bridal gifts and accessories "for every room in your home," Rhoades said.

"At first I was a little apprehensive," Rhoades said. "I stopped to think what the community needs. With the price of gas, people are staying close to home. Why not try something like this.

"I wouldn't do this unless I had the support," she added.
Rhoades said she wants to set up a display area for artists and perhaps have monthly activities at the store.

The tentative hours for the store are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In addition, Rhoades said she is expanding her Happy Owl Educational and Party Supplies store in Village Fountain plaza in Sebring.

Matrix Medical is no longer occupying the space next door. Part of the wall will be removed and an archway will be built.
Rhoades said she will pick up an additional 1,200 square feet of space to bring the store's total to 3,400 square feet. She hopes to increase the inventory of toys, art supplies and Christian materials.

"There are so many new products that I don't have the space," she said.

Work will not begin until October.

In Lake Placid, Eagle Home Mortgage has opened an office at 126 Dal Hall Blvd. It is only the Kirkland, Wash.-based company's second office in Florida. The other is in Naples.

Sandy Del Valle, branch manager/ reverse mortgage specialist and currently managing the Naples office as well, has been spending weekends in Highlands County for more than two years.

"I was absolutely sold on Highlands County," Del Valle said. "I could see that people that lived on the coasts in Florida were at the point where they were looking for an alternative lifestyle away from the crowds, the traffic, the commotion and looking for a lovely way of life."

Del Valle believed that Eagle Home was always looking for opportunities for growth even in this market.

"We know in this economy people need help," she said. "They are looking for other ways to stay in their homes, to be able to hang on until things get better again and we know they always get better."

Del Valle, who has worked for Eagle Home for 12 years and has been a mortgage banker for 28 years, is joined in the office by Vicki Spires and Teri Sassin.

"This area can really use the services that we offer," she added. "We're a full government lender, so we do all of the FHA and VA loans that not a lot of other places do."

Despite the economy there are apparently many enterprising people who want to get into business.

"Entrepreneurialism is alive and well in Highlands County," McKown said. "They want to make sure they do it right."

Contact Bill Rogers at 386-5825.

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