Transitioning businesses swap locations in town

• Open houses, new tenants mark fall moves

by Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune
A number of commercial buildings in Homer are in transition this fall, with sales of the Orca Building and China Grill topping the list of six businesses moving to new locations.
Curves has moved to a new spot in the Orca Building on Pioneer Avenue – back up from its old quarters on Lake Street. Homer Remax owner Terry Yager is in the process of purchasing the building from Rick Norvell. Curves, a national exercise franchise, was recently purchased by Barbara and Bob Howard, with the new 1,500-square-foot area allowing them to expand beyond the company’s previous space.
Howard, who serves on the Homer City Council, said she was interested in buying Curves because she believes in the program.
“I liked it as a business model, and as a system to strengthen minds and bodies and connections to the community,” she said.
Curves will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., to both men and women. It takes 30 minutes to work two circuits, for a membership cost of $44 a month.

Yager is purchasing the Orca Building, located next to Remax Properties, in order to position his company for expansion. Remax recently took over Homer Properties Management, and is bursting at the seams in its present building. A third enterprise, a water purification business, means he may need more floor space in the coming years, he said.
“It was a good opportunity,” Yager said of the purchase. “We’re looking a year or two down the line.”
Current businesses, Sea Glow and Grass Roots will remain at their present location in the Orca Building.
No plans are announced yet for the China Grill Building on Lake Street, which was purchased in a Wells Fargo foreclosure auction this summer by Sunland Development Corp.
“We’re still considering ideas. A number of people have approached us,” said Sunland owner Phil Slabaugh.
After a busy summer season of general contracting work completing the Homer Court House addition and work on the Kachemak Mariculture Shellfish Association’s new building on the Spit, Slabaugh said he will need the winter to consider how best to use the China Grill building.
Down Pioneer Avenue, in the distinctively round building that formerly housed The Fringe, antique shop owner Colletta Walker is sprucing things up in her “Ivory Goose Antiques and Tea Emporium.” About a year ago this week, Walker opened Ivory Goose Antiques at her former location at Bel Monte Vista Cabins on Lake Street.
Walker said the move allowed to her expand to include a line of teas made fresh at Queen Mary’s Tea Room in Seattle, a brand of Red Bush and Mate, as well as green teas. Her grand opening is set for Nov. 4 and 5, with food and refreshments.
The public is welcome to come to the shop this weekend for “an early bird peek,” she said.
“Something to Believe In,” owned by Camille Moritz, is moving to new quarters in the East End Village, next to Organic Hair Salon. Moritz is planning a three-day open house from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a special “toning and blessing” ceremony 2 p.m. Sunday. She said the intent of the ceremony is to create good blessings for the new location as Something to Believe In celebrates its fifth year of business.
While some business owners feel Pioneer Avenue gives them good exposure, Moritz said she feels the lease space at East End Village is an up-and-coming spot for shoppers.
“This location feels like a better fit,” she said. “East End Village provides us with a nice community of businesses, and the space is warm and classy.”
Moritz will be giving away hourly door prizes from 1-6 p.m., including “spooky” grab bags. Musical entertainment and catered food will be provided.
Regular business hours at the store will run Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Sessions will also be available by appointment with Moritz from 10 to 1 p.m., and 5 to 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, in the building formerly housing “Something to Believe In,” and right next to “2-2-Tango,” Cindy Smith creates “Winter Cache Collectibles.” This brand-new business is something Smith said she conceived based on her expertise and love for vintage collectibles. It will offer quilts, hand-embroidered pillow cases, vintage enamel and glassware, vintage jewelry and many other items.
“I’ve been planning it for years, and thought, ‘Well, why don’t I just do it?’” Smith said. Her shop will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A grand opening is scheduled from Nov. 11.
A new lease was also signed with the Seldovia Village Tribe for space in the Kachemak Mariculture Shellfish Association building on the Homer Spit. SVT will base its new ferry offices in the building, with ferry operations scheduled to begin next summer.
Despite the recent activity, commercial properties in Homer continue to be in a slump, Yager said. When businesses change location, it allows them to downsize or to expand – which is what Homer tends to see at times.
“The commercial market in the Lower 48 is devastated right now,” Yager said. “Anchorage is slowed down, but it is still better off than the states. In Homer it’s down, but not out.”
In Kenai and Soldotna, the commercial market has included growth among smaller malls and small retail businesses. Homer is “on the cusp” of that trend and has a need for retail clothing goods. However, with limited land that is expensive, this type of development tends to be discouraged. Less-than friendly reception for the larger retail stores that might be interested in Homer – such as Fred Meyer, doesn’t help.
Yager said the type of economic downturns currently tied to the national economy – tourism and recreational homebuyers – has impacted Homer realty. He predicts that the market struggles in those areas, and likely will for another year at least to come.
Where Homer has seen growth is in the healthcare field and government sector. Yager said the expansion at South Peninsula Hospital has been good for the Homer economy, along with state spending on Homer office leases.

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Posted by Newsroom on Oct 28th, 2009 and filed under Headline News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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