The business basics

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Faith in a rebounding economy has prompted the recent opening of several new businesses in Wytheville with a large retail store arriving in September. A wait-and-see attitude is still held by others as they contemplate their future.
Burke’s Outlet, headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., announced plans last week to open its first stores in Virginia. Wytheville, Bristol and Norton were selected as sites for the retail chain, which sells apparel for men, women and children, accessories and household décor.
“We sell good quality brand name merchandise with up to 70 percent discount of other stores’ prices,” noted Jim Simpson, vice president of real estate. “The community will find a very nice selection of merchandise throughout the store.”
According to him, the former Goody’s Family Clothing Store in the Wytheville Commons shopping center is being renovated to meet company specifications for colors and floors. The new store will have approximately 25,000 square feet of retail space.
“We are doing some remodeling to make the store brand new,” Simpson stated. “The floors, lighting, signs and graphics will give a nice environment for customers to shop.”
He said a “soft opening” is scheduled for Sept. 24. The grand opening, he noted, will be Oct. 15.
“We feel this will be a good time to open with school beginning and the holidays approaching,” Simpson added.
Applications for all positions are being accepted online. Approximately 20 employees will he hired.
Store hours, according to Simpson, will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
The financial services firm Edward Jones plans to open its second office in Wytheville. Ed Clyburn will be the financial adviser for the new office at 345 E. Monroe St.
“We opened out first Edward Jones office here in 1998 and every year more and more people have come to rely on Edward Jones for their investment needs,” Jim Weddle, the firm’s managing partner said in a press release. “By opening an additional office, Ed can continue our tradition of unparalleled personal service to the people of the community.”
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors. It is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.
Edward Jones also has an office at 148 West Main St. in Wytheville.
K’s Nails opened for business July 1 in the Wythe Shopping Plaza. It offers manicures, pedicures, acrylic nail applications and waxing.
Business hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Operators are Phu Huynah and Hoant Ka.
“We have three pedicure chairs and three manicure chairs,” Ka pointed out. “We like the location here. There is plenty of parking.”
R&C Repair Co. opened July 14 in the former Houseman’s service station at 385 West Main St. in Wytheville. It features general vehicle repairs and oil changes.
“We’ll pick up your vehicle and deliver it when we’ve finished,” noted Tammy Smith, office manager.
David Grubb, a longtime mechanic, and Josh Smith are the other employees.
The business is owned by Rail and Carla Porterfield, who also own and operate R&C Towing Service.
The repair shop is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to noon.
U-Send-It has been open in the Wythe Shopping Plaza (former Smokey’s site) since June. It is owned and operated by Tony and Dolores Stokes.
As the official U-Haul dealer, the business also sells moving boxes and supplies. It also sells and installs trailer hitches.
The business is an authorized FedEx shopping center. Boxes and labels are available.
U-Send-It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The company answers U-Haul calls 24 hours a day.
Donna Vier, owner/operator of Words of Life Christian Bookstore in the Wythe Shopping Plaza since October 2005, is praying her business can stay open. She has experienced a $30,000 decline in sales this year.
“It’s not that the business is in the red,” Vier said. “It’s just not paying for itself. We have a lot of regular customers that have supported us through the years.”
She pointed out the economy indirectly impacted her business when her husband, Danny Vier, was laid off from his job at Volvo Heavy Truck Plant in Dublin two years ago.
“I’ve not been able to pay myself,” Vier noted. “I have to put everything I make back into the store.”
Words of Life Christian Bookstore is having a 30 percent off merchandise sale. It will continue indefinitely.
“I’m trying to get rid of the old stock,” she said. “If business picks up then I’ll restock.”
Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to noon.
“We have a lot of good supporters here,” Vier commented. “I’m praying I won’t have to close. It’s not in my heart to close. The business is a good ministry.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).