Mountain Island - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

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News Ooey Gooey Bake Shop’s in a sticky situation by Rhiannon Bowman news@mountainislandweekly.com Maybe it’s the location. Perhaps it’s the economy. Whatever the reason, Ooey Gooey Bake Shop owner Toni Belanger says people don’t seem to know her shop exists. “Every person who comes in here says, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were here,’” she says. It’s not for lack of trying. The shop, which opened in April 2008, has filled mailboxes in neighborhoods throughout the Mountain Island Lake area with fliers offering 50 percent off any item, including custom wedding cakes, which can be pricey. But, says Belanger, only one person took the owners up on their offer. They’ve also begun handing out two dozen cupcakes to area schools every weekday as a treat for the teachers. That generosity hasn’t generated much buzz, either. Though disappointed, she still hopes people will make time to visit and realize, “I’ve got good stuff.” One customer’s son was fighting cancer, and the only thing the young man would eat were her mini-carrot cakes, Belanger said. So she made a point to keep them in stock for him. She thinks part of the store’s problem is the lack of foot traffic in the Callabridge Commons shopping center, where her shop is sandwiched between an empty storefront and Domino’s Pizza. A Wachovia-Wells Fargo Bank branch sits on the far side of the empty space, blocking the storefront from the busy Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. The shopping center has at least 10 empty storefronts. Bull and Barrister Draft House and Grille provides its biggest attraction. Last Sunday brought another letdown for the bakery owner. She signed up to compete for a chance to win a Shine-a-Light grant, sponsored by American Express and NBC Universal, worth $100,000. To be nominated, 50 people had to endorse the company. Only 26 did. It’s been a rough ride for Belanger. Since she started the bakery in her home, baking for friends and neighbors, her mother died in a car accident involving a drunk driver, someone broke into the bakeshop (though nothing was stolen) and she had gall bladder surgery. Belanger’s husband, Ted, an orthopedic spine surgeon and partner at OrthoCarolina, supports the fledgling business. He also created most of the shop’s irresistible cheesecake concoctions. Rhiannon Bowman/MIW photo Toni Belanger, owner of the Ooey Gooey Bake Shop, ices a cake while discussing problems she has encountered attracting business since opening in April 2008. The bakeshop ladies – Belanger; her sister, Tracey; and her best friend, Jess – continue to greet every customer as they gear up for the holiday baking season. In addition to the usual pumpkin and apple pies, they’re also planning holiday specials, like candied apples for Halloween. And they offer specials on their gooey treats every Thursday and Friday. “Thursday is always buy-one-get-one-free cake slices,” Belanger says. “And, Fridays, after 2 p.m., everything is half off.” Plus, customers can enjoy a free cup of coffee with their purchase any day of the week. Belanger still beams while talking about an upcoming wedding. She’s making a six-tier cake, the biggest cake anyone has ordered from the store to date. q Want more info Read Ooey Gooey’s Shine-a-Light grant submission online at ShineALight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/ProfileID=9488. FINANCIAL FOCUS Time to Make Post-Recession Investment Moves Jim Hale Financial Advisor 3635 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd., Suite 501 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 971-0331 Like a tiresome dinner guest, the recession has long outstayed its welcome. But there are some clear signs that the economy has begun to turn around. If that is indeed the case, how should you, as an individual investor, respond Before we get to that question, let’s quickly review some of the key factors that suggest the recession may be ending. First, we’ve seen four straight months of gains by the Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators. Also, the job market is improving somewhat and bank lending is increasing. The Federal Reserve’s efforts to stabilize the financial system have improved conditions in the corporate credit markets, as indicated by a dramatic increase in the amount of new bonds issued by companies thus far in 2009. We’ve also seen improvements in the housing market and in industrial production. Even if all this evidence indicates the recession is ending, does that necessarily mean that boom times for investors will follow A look back in time shows reasons for optimism. In 10 recessions, extending from 1949 through 2001, the S & P 500 rose, on average, 9.5 percent six months following the recession’s end date, and 15.5 percent after 12 months, according to Ned Davis Research. Of course, as you have no doubt heard, past performance is no guarantee of future results, but in years gone by, staying in the market rewarded long-term investors —those who could look beyond the recession at hand. In any case, if the recession is ending, let’s return to our original question: What investment moves should you make As we’ve already seen, the most important step you can take is to remain invested — and if you’re out of the market, consider getting back in. As exhibited by the strong market rally this summer, large gains can come quickly, but they only come to those who aren’t on the investment sidelines. In addition to staying invested, consider these other post-recession moves — which are actually pretty good moves before and during a recession, as well: • Look for quality. In any economic environment, you’ll be making a smart move by focusing on quality investments that fit your unique situation. You may look for the stocks of those companies with strong management teams and competitive products. And stick with investment-grade bonds, if fixed income is appropriate. • Diversify. Build a portfolio containing a variety of investments, including stocks, bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit. While diversification, by itself, can’t guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, it can help you reduce the longterm effects of volatility on your holdings. • Keep a long-term perspective. It’s not easy to overlook market fluctuations, especially severe ones, but if you can keep your eyes on what you hope to achieve in the future, you might be less likely to over-react to short-term events. While you may need to periodically adjust your investment mix in response to changes in the economy and in your own life, you’ll be better off, in the long run, by establishing a strategy that’s appropriate for your individual risk tolerance and goals — and sticking to it. As individuals, we’re all subject to the ebbs and flows of the economy. But by focusing on those things you can control — such as buying quality investments, diversifying and thinking long-term — you can become an investor for all seasons. paid advertisement Page 8 • Mountain Island Weekly • Sept. 18-24, 2009 www.mountainislandweekly.com
Race City Sauce Works (continued from page 5) combination of flavor and warmth,” he says. “It is one of the few sauces for which you don’t need generous dollops to get the full effect of the flavor. “This sauce is just awesome, if you are man (or woman) enough to handle it.” Lowcock has been a chef for 18 years, most recently as the executive chef at The Peninsula Country Club in Cornelius. Lowcock started creating hot sauces as a hobby. He grew the peppers in his gardens. He made the sauces at work, and people liked it. Lowcock runs a catering company and personal chef business, but when the economy slowed, he figured it was a good chance to start a new business. His wife still works full time as a process improvement manager with Exervio Management in Charlotte. Lowcock handles all the sales and product development, while Becky Lowcock does the books. She’s also the one who tells him when he’s got something just right. All the sauces and mustards feature local ingredients and are part of the Goodness Grows in North Carolina Program. The program showcases products that are “staying local, staying fresh,” Lowcock says. While not organic, all of the Race City products have no preservatives and little salt, Lowcock says. “We smoke the chilies by hand, and that mellows them out,” he explains. “We age all of our hot sauce in barrels.” Lowcock uses raisins for natural sweetness. The pepper jam is all natural, with no sodium and fresh peppers. “There’s no dehydrated anything,” he says. Lowcock has other competitions coming up. He just got back from the N.C. Hot Sauce Festival in Oxford. The Fiery Food Challenge, sponsored by Chile Pepper Magazine takes place in September. Albuquerque, N.M., hosts the Scovie Awards competition in October. “It helps put a foundation to the company,” he explains. “Winning awards proves we’re not just a label on a bottle. It supports the business, showing people that this is real.” Lowcock named the business after the area’s successful racing industry and hopes there will be a natural tie-in with racing. Through word-of-mouth, he’s gotten interest from NASCAR and hopes to become a licensed product for the 2010 season. He envisions making private-label sauces that will be available at NASCAR gift shops. Locally, you can find Race City products at Earth Fare in south Charlotte and Reed’s on 7th Street, as well as in several Internet stores. You’ll find Race City Sauce Works at the Lexington Barbecue Festival in October. The couple also plan to take their products to the North Carolina State Fair this fall. Lowcock is also developing a secondary label, Vintages — A Sauced Company, in hopes of capturing a wider market. The Race City products are priced from $4.95 to $7.95. “Ours are a little more expensive, but there’s a lot more in it,” Lowcock notes. The sauces are bottled in Louisburg, where he goes to oversee test batches any time he changes a product. He says he’s been pleased with his first year in business. He’d like for his products to be found on more grocery shelves and expand slowly. He gets a chill – pardon the pun – to see Race City products on the shelf. “It’s not like seeing Heinz ketchup everywhere,” he admits, “but it could be someday. You never know.” To learn more, log onto www.racecitysauceworks.com. q www.carolinasmedicalcenter.org Welcoming new patients. Now offering 24/7 online appointments! News For those closest to you, we’re right in your neighborhood. At CMC-Mountain Island Lake Medical Plaza, you don’t have to go far for comprehensive, quality healthcare. Our board-certified physicians in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and family medicine are currently welcoming new patients. In addition, Carolinas Rehabilitation’s outpatient facility offers physical therapy, as well as spine and pelvic therapy and sports medicine. You’ll be glad to know our urgent care location is close by! It is located on the corner of Couloak Drive and Mount Holly-Huntersville Road in the Callabridge Commons Shopping Center, and is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week for treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. Carolinas Rehabilitation Suite 1400 www.carolinasrehabilitation.org 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday 704-801-3065 Carolinas HealthCare Urgent Care 10210 Couloak Drive, Suite E Charlotte, NC 28216 www.carolinashealthcareurgentcare.org 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday - Sunday 704-801-2000 District 2 (continued from page 1) seats on the council – chose Patrick Cannon, Mayor Pro TemSusan Burgess, David Howard and Darrin L. Rankin. Cannon is a former city council member. With Mayor Pat McCrory not running again, the stage is set for Charlotte to have its first new mayor in 14 years. In a highly-competitive mayoral race, Republican John Lassiter will challenge Democrat Anthony Foxx. Lassiter (8,516 votes) soundly defeated Martin Davis (2,031) and Jack Stratton III (159) in the Republican primary, with nearly 80 percent of the vote. Call today to schedule an appointment. NorthCross OB/GYN Suite 201 www.northcrossobgyn.org 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday 704-801-2075 Riverbend Family Practice Suite 202 www.riverbendfamilypractice.org 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday 704-587-2400 In the District 5 Democratic primary, incumbent Nancy Carter held on to her seat on the city council after beating Darrell Bonapart with 61 percent of the vote. She has no Republican opposition for the seat. District 5 represents the University City area and parts of east Charlotte. Carter has served on the city council since 1999. In the District 1 Democratic primary, incumbent Patsey Kinsey beat out rookie Owen Sutkowski with 67 percent of the vote. As with Districts 2 and 5, Kinsey retains her seat on the city council since she has no Republican opposition. q South Lake Pediatrics Suite 103 www.slakepediatrics.org 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday 704-801-2025 To find a physician, call 704-355-7500. 9908 Couloak Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216 www.mountainislandweekly.com Mountain Island Weekly • Sept. 18-24, 2009 • Page 9
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Page 5 and 6: Some like it hot. Some like it hott
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