New Business

1999

December

A.N. Deringer Inc. of St. Albans opened an office at 928 W. Hillcrest Boulevard, Inglewood, Calif., to serve importers and exporters using the Los Angeles International Airport and the seaports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Bruce Francisco is branch manager.

Joe Hoeppner, P.T., opened Hoeppner Physical Therapy at 150 Kennedy Drive, South Burlington. The outpatient clinic specializes in the treatment of back and spine pain, and sports and industrial rehabilitation. Hoeppner has been practicing for more than 11 years in New Orleans, La.; Portland, Maine; and Vermont. (802) 862-4670.

Rick Haynes established print layout and design company WriteSideUp in Moretown. The company designs and delivers brochures, promotional literature and newsletters, and offers copy editing and composition. Haynes was purchasing manager at Lake Champlain Transportation Co. in Burlington. P.O. Box 528. (802) 496-2220. (802) 496-9982 (fax). abitibi@madriver.com

Susan Messier has opened Feng Shui Advantage at 27D Maple St., Essex Junction. The business provides space suggestions for office and business environments. Feng shui is an ancient, Asian cultural practice that balances the flow of spatial energy in conjunction with nature. P.O. Box 5443. (802) 879-1219. fengshui_4u@hotmail.com

George P. White Jr. established Occupational Health Logic in Essex Junction. The business develops computer applications for occupational health, focused on small businesses with ergonomics problems in the workplace. White is medical director of Northwestern Occupational Health, a new occupational health center and wholly owned subsidiary of Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans. He worked for Fletcher Allen Health Care and Fanny Allen Hospital. P.O. Box 8551. georgepwhite@ohlogic.com www.ohlogic.com (802) 283-2137.

Dr. Zhen-Sheng Gao, L.A.C., has opened the Oriental Healing Art Institute at 40A Park St., Essex Junction. The clinic offers acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine and other alternative treatments primarily for management of back pain and other chronic pain and disease. Gao is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist with more than 10 years of experience practicing in China. (802) 872-8886 (phone/fax).

Vladimir Selec, a Bosnian refugee who moved to the United States three years ago, has opened Balkan Pearls at 72 Main St., Burlington. The business offers imported food, crafts and music from eastern Europe, including Croatia, Bosnia, Romania, Poland and Russia. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (802) 859-3467 (phone/fax).

Todd Wharton has established Wharton Consulting in Suite 6, 4257 Esplanade, Montreal, Quebec. The company offers French language services for law and business, including document translation, formatting, on-site interpreting, and cross-border and travel-related consulting services. Wharton, a Burlington resident, will work from the company's Burlington office at 70 S. Winooski Ave. #157, full-time beginning in March. Since 1998 Wharton's worked as legal services coordinator for Lingua Franca, a Montreal training company, developing a legal English curriculum to train French-speaking legal professionals. (514) 844-0408. (514) 844-9880 (fax). whartonconsulting@hotmail.com

November

Vermont Hand Crafters Inc. has opened Vermont By Design, its first retail store, at 23 Stowe St., Waterbury. The store features work from more than 30 Vermont artisans. Vermont Hand Crafters, a statewide, volunteer organization, produces three craft shows a year and offers workshops and demonstrations. (802) 244-7566.

Owner/developer Gregg Beldock of Bullrock Corp. in South Burlington has established the Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community at 185 Pine Haven Shores Road, Shelburne. The 65-apartment facility is for seniors who want to maintain an active, independent lifestyle within a managed retirement community. It's scheduled to open this month. Robyn Skiff Stirewalt was appointed executive director. She has nine years' experience in assisted living and independent retirement facilities in Florida, Colorado and Vermont. (802) 985-9847. (802) 985-1438 (fax).

Radyx Capital LLC has opened an office in Suite 240, Lakewood Commons, 1233 Shelburne Road, South Burlington. A registered affiliate of 10-year-old venture capital company Bridgeport Square Capital Corp. of Dallas, Texas, Radyx helps businesses find capital to accompany their projected growth. Radyx's focus is providing $1 million to $20 million investor equity to firms that show $1MM to $75MM in sales, have at least a three-year operating history and have solid management in place. Al Fichera is managing director of the South Burlington office. (802) 860-6402. (802) 860-6406 (fax). al@radyx.com www.radyx.com

Independent automobile consultant John E. Gregory has opened Auto$ave at 31 Rivendell Drive, Essex Junction. Gregory researches automobiles and negotiates sales for clients for a flat fee. He handles leasing and traditional bank loans. 879-3962. 879-3602 (fax).

Merchants Bank has opened a branch in the former Vermont National Bank building on South Main Street, Rutland. Sandra L. Predom was named vice president and corporate banking officer to serve the area. Predom was vice president and commercial loan officer at Vermont National's West Street, Rutland, office.

October

Brent B. Sloan and William R. Shahady have founded Wine Works Inc. at 133 St. Paul St., Burlington, across from City Hall Park. The store occupies 4,000 square feet and will host weekly wine tastings in its wine cellar. The owners are former New England Culinary Institute (NECI) instructors, and graduates of the culinary arts/bachelor's degree program. Sloan was an educator, buyer and the wine director for NECI; Shahady was director of cost control/IT systems. (802) 951-WINE (9463),(802) 864-4565 (fax). info@wineworks.net. www.wineworks.net.

Byron Gronvold was named manager/account executive at Allied American Insurance Agency Inc.'s new branch at 100 Dorset St., South Burlington. Gronvold owned Shelburne Insurance Agency, which he merged with T.S. Peck Insurance Agency to form Valley Insurance Group, where he served as president. He came to Allied in 1996 as an account executive in the company's Bristol office. Cheryl A. Casey was hired as an insurance broker and customer service representative. Casey was co-owner, operator and broker of a South Burlington insurance agency from 1991 to 1998. Other Allied American branches in Vermont include Woodstock and Middlebury. (802) 862-8387.

Jeanne Shea has opened Whistle Stop Antiques, a group shop, at 208 Flynn Ave., Burlington. The newly renovated building is owned by Farrington Properties. Shea has sold antiques in group shops for six years; this is her first venture as a shop owner. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (802) 951-9189.

Frank Wilkins has opened an office of Allstate Insurance Co. at 164 U.S. 7 South, Milton. The firm offers a complete line of insurance products and services. Wilkins has worked in insurance for more than six years, and has been an Allstate agent since July. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. (802) 893-7235.

John Hausner and Robert Marcellino have founded Bread & Bagel of Vermont at the Essex Town Center, Vermont 15, Essex. The restaurant features Klinger's breads, pastries and desserts baked daily, as well as New York style bagels and bagel sandwiches, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters coffee, homemade soups and cookies. Michelle Livingstone is store manager, overseeing a staff of eight. She has 15 years' food service and retail experience. Hausner and Marcellino are principal owners of real estate development company Homestead Design Inc. in Williston. Open seven days a week. (802) 878-8144.

September

Paul Foley and Brent Carpenter have established New England Office Equipment, a Sharp copier and facsimile dealership, at 43 Barrett St., South Burlington. The company also services all major types of copiers, printers and facsimile machines. The owners have more than 20 years of combined experience in the industry. (888) 554-COPY.

Stephen Fishman and Susan Bayer-Fishman have opened the Stowe Craft Gallery Design Center on Vermont 100 in Stowe. The center offers interior design services and features hand-crafted home furnishings, lighting and hardware from more than 39 artisans. Interior design services are offered by Bayer-Fishman, a stained glass artist with more than 25 years' experience in craft and design, and Lois Horan, formerly of Kaleidoscope of Hanover, N.H. Fishman and Bayer-Fishman own Shimmering Glass Studio in Waterbury Center, the Stowe Craft Gallery in Stowe, and Bayer-Fishman's stained glass studio, which the couple recently relocated to the design center after operating it from their Waterbury Center home for 20 years. (802) 253-7677.

The Turner Group of Concord, N.H., has established an office in Londonderry. Senior project architect Keith Dewey, AIA, is responsible for operations at the new location. The architectural, engineering, building science and construction management company also has offices in Danville; Harrison, Maine; and Burlington, Mass.

Keith Brown and Karalyn Middings founded Delux Design Associates on Marble Avenue, Burlington. Brown serves as creative director; Middings is chief executive officer. The two have worked together for years at design firms in the Burlington area. (802) 862-8355. (802) 862-8362 (fax).

Shark Interactive, the online division of Shark Communications in Burlington, launched Skatewhere.com , a Web site selling skate and surf clothing for men. The site is the third e-commerce equity venture for Shark.

Advanced Internet Services, a subsidiary of Vermont Technology Exchange Co. of South Burlington, created Vermont-products.com , an online catalog of Vermont products and services. Vermont companies can freely list their products on the Web site.

August

Candace R. Crowley, CDA, has formed Innovations, a management consulting service focused on dental practices. Crowley is president of the Vermont Dental Office Group and office manager for Dr. Lorne Lavine, and has offered consulting services informally for five years. P.O. Box 4067, Burlington, Vt. 05406. (802) 893-2633.

Pre-press house Bergman Graphics in Colchester has opened Bergmans Nashua in Nashua, N.H. The full-service color house includes a 4,000-square-foot digital and traditional photography studio. Jonathan Lanman, former head photographer for Webb & Co., is the photographer; Jeff Elsing, who has more than 20 years of color separation experience, runs the color department. Steve Bergman is general manager. (603) 577-5400.

July

Todd M. Pratt founded HuskyBoy Landscaping in Grand Isle. The business is a full-service landscaping company for commercial and residential customers. Services include snow removal, mowing, spring and fall clean-up, mulching, tree removal and more. P.O. Box 386, Williston, Vt. 05495. (802) 372-8532.

ETF Publishing Inc. has launched BTV Destination Press, a monthly newspaper for travelers using the Burlington International Airport. The publication is distributed at the airport, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Burlington City Hall and hotels. Virginia Lindauer Simmon is publisher/editor; Vickie Crocker is advertising sales manager. Simmons 20 years of writing/editing experience includes work with Vermont Public Television, Eating Well, and Business People. ETF Publishing publishes the Shelburne News, Shelburne Autumn View and Shelburne Summer View. The company is owned by president Rosalyn Graham, Alice Winn, Monique Rameaka, Mary Candon, Susan Davis and Judy Christiansen, all of Shelburne. (802) 985-3170. (802) 985-5403 (fax).

Bluehouse New Media Solutions was founded at 145 Essex Road, Williston, by Michael Early as a subsidiary of Viamar Inc. Bluehouse is a full-service, multimedia design company working with Web sites, intranets, corporate presentations, animation/video and print media. Services are provided in- house. (802) 878-1444. www.viamar.com bluehouse@viamar.com

Michael and Debra Diender have opened the Stowe Golfpark at the Sun & Ski Motor Inn, 1613 Mountain Road, Stowe. The park consists of a lighted, 18-hole miniature golf course with a snack kiosk. The Dienders own the Sun & Ski Motor Inn, the Grey Fox Inn & Resort, and The Dutch Pancake Cafe. Open 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, May through October. 253-9951. www.stowegolfpark.com info@stowesunandski.com

June

TownePlace Suites at Taft Corners has opened at 66 Zephyr Road, Williston. Resembling a row of townhouses in a residential setting, the suites offer studio, one- and two-bedroom suites for travelers needing accommodations for a week or longer. James Canning is the manager. (802) 872-5900. (802) 878-0422 (fax).

Liz Markowski has opened womens clothing store Everywear for Everybody at 233 Main St., Vergennes, in the newly restored Basin Block Building. The store layout was designed by Mitra Design of Bristol. Painter Ellen Sutherland added a tromp loeil ceiling mural. The store carries clothing lines Putamayo, Kar-a-van, Potato, Moe, Click, Chava and Willow, as well as accessories like jewelry, pocketbooks, scarves, hats, soaps and perfume. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (802) 877-6811.

Tod Backe, R.M.T., and Victoria Catani, R.M.T., CHt, have founded Essential Symmetry at 46 Contentment Lane, South Hero. Backe is a certified Reiki master and personal fitness trainer who is trained in neuro-linguistic programming. Catani is certified as a clinical and metaphysical hypnotherapist and Reiki instructor. The business offers an interactive wellness program that combines Reiki, hypnotherapy, neuro-lingusitic programming, aromatherapy, ayurvedic body mind typing, guided imagery and personal fitness training. (802) 651-7666. healing@together.net.

Technology marketing company RVS Enterprises in Suite 5 of 159 Pearl St., Essex Junction, has established an audience research division to conduct audience research for radio and television stations. Audience preferences and profiles the company collects can be used for advertising sales, programming, promotion, and local news departments. Mark Shay has been promoted to sales and marketing director for the division. Shay was a promotion and advertising director at local stations WWBI-TV and WWIN-TV. Ron Sweet is RVS president and CEO. (800) RVS-6335. (802) 879-2831 (fax). info@rvsenterprises.com www.rvsenterprises.com

May

Rusty Baker and Arnold Carbone have opened The Blue Plate Ceramic Cafe at 119 College St., Burlington. The ceramic studio/cafe allows customers to decorate ceramics while enjoying coffee, other beverages and dessert. Baker, who has 15 years of experience as a potter, is manager. Carbone has been with Ben & Jerrys Homemade Inc. for 11 years. Homeworks/Renovation & Remodeling of South Burlington provided cabinetry for the cafe. Lighting is by Pat and Mike Quinn of Quinn Electric of Winooski, through an energy grant with the Burlington Electric Department. Sign Language of Burlington provided signage. The companys logo was designed by Carbones brother, Ken Carbone, of Carbone Smolan Associates in New York City. The cafes 1,800-square-foot storefront in the Wells Richardson Building is leased from the Wells Richardson Partnership. Feeley Commercial Real Estate was the listing broker and Tom Raub, broker with Hickok and Boardman Commercial Realty, represented the tenant. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. (802) 652-0102.

Shark Interactive, the online division of Burlington advertising and design agency Shark Communications, has launched Gurlwear.com , a Web site that sells skate, surf and snow clothing for girls. The site features brands like Volcom, Billabong, Girlstar, Sugar, A Girls Ride, Freshjive, and music through online music supplier Purepopmusic.com The site was co-developed by Jay Strausser, owner of Pure Pop Records and All Points Booking. Its the second e-commerce site for Shark, following Urbanwhere.com, which was developed in 1998.

Glen Cousins founded Icon Promotional Products at 337 College St., Burlington. Icon provides logoed promotional products and marketing solutions to corporations. Cousins has 16 years experience in the promotional products industry, designing and implementing custom promotional programs focused on imprinted and embroidered products. (802) 860-7002. iconpro@together.net.

Truex Cullins & Partners Architects in Burlington has opened an interiors division headed by associate Kim Deetjen, formerly of Deetjen Design Associates of Boston. She is joined by interior design assistant Rebekah Rhinehart, a recent graduate of Drexel University with a bachelor of arts in interior architecture; and office manager Jackie Fournier, who was with the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

David Zuckerman has founded Full Moon Farm, a community-supported, agriculture organic vegetable farm in Burlingtons intervale. The prepurchased share arrangement means each member garners a share of the produce. Vegetables are delivered to Magic Hat Brewery for weekly pick-up during evening commute hours. Zuckerman has been farming vegetables for five years. Vegetables start in June. (802) 863-2199. davidz@together.net.

April

Bob Ross has established Ross Environmental Associates Inc. (REA) in Stowe. Ross is a certified ground water professional with more than 14 years of experience. For the past 21/2 years he was section manager for contaminant investigations and remediation at Marin Environmental Inc. Before that he spent more than eight years as senior hydrogeologist at Aquatec Inc. REA specializes in hydrogeology, water quality, contaminant fate and transport, remediation and regulatory compliance and permitting. (802) 253-4280. (802) 253-4829 (fax).

Computer Task Group (CTG) has opened an office in Suite 195 at 1233 Shelburne Road, South Burlington. It is the first Vermont office of the Buffalo, N.Y.-based information technology company. E. Fred Pierce is a career development manager who works in the new office. Renee Roth-ONeil is site manager for the area. (802) 860-7172. (802) 860-7164 (fax).

The Vermont Energy Investment Corp. in Burlington has formed the Renewable Energy Resource Center. The center provides free information, analyses and financing assistance for Vermonters considering residential renewable energy systems. (877) 888-RERC (7372).

March

Claudia Llona has founded Confidential Transcribers in Shelburne. Llona was a paralegal and legal secretary in Miami, Fla., and a temporary worker at Downs, Rachlin & Martin in Burlington. The company will pick up dictation tapes, transcribe them overnight and deliver the tapes and transcriptions the next morning. (802) 985-3144.

Laurie Childers has founded Laurie Childers, CPA, PC in Addison. Childers assists small businesses and individuals with preparation and analysis of financial statements, general business advisory services, bookkeeping and payroll services, and preparation of income tax returns. Childers has more than 14 years experience in financial services, and has held her CPA for 10 years. The business plans to move to the newly restored Basin Block Building, Main Street, Vergennes, in the spring. (802) 759-3034. cfo@lchilderscpa.com

Owner Lesli Bell, P.T., announced that outpatient orthopedic clinic Timberlane Physical Therapy has opened a satellite office at Shelburne Athletic Club on Shelburne Road, Shelburne. In addition to physical therapy services, personal training, injury screens and fitness evaluation are provided at the new location. (802) 985-2229.

Patty Paul and Liz Markowski have established gift store Greetings! in space formerly occupied by Black Knight Comics adjacent to the Basin Block building in Vergennes. The two owned Homeworks & More for eight years. The store offers gifts, wrapping paper, and a selection of more than 13,000 greeting cards. Open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (802) 877-1095.

Michael and Dawn Angier have founded Productivity Partners at J-2 Stonehedge Drive, South Burlington. The firm provides on-site computer training, Access database design, Web site design and marketing solutions for businesses. Dawn is a Microsoft certified trainer and was a senior trainer at SymQuest Group for four years. She provides desktop and technical training. Michael is president and founder of Success Networks and has contracted with local computer training centers since 1995. (802) 862-0812. www.successnet.org/partners/.

February

Country Walkers in Waterbury has formed Country Walkers Travel, a full-service travel agency offering the companys guests airline and ground reservations. Edward Brennan, a certified ARC specialist with 11 years travel experience, is manager of the bureau. Country Walkers is a walking company that offers 44 worldwide itineraries.

Kathy McNames and Liza Ciano have established Yoga Vermont in the Chace Mill, Burlington. The center offers instruction in astanga yoga seven days a week at its studio and via on-site workshops for businesses, holds workshops across the country, and hosts nationally renowned instructors for special sessions. Astanga yoga is an energetic form of exercise for the body and mind. Special classes are offered for pregnancy, athletes and seniors. (802) 660-9718. yvt@together.net.

Sue Carp has opened Susan M. Carp, EA Inc. at Harborview Plaza, 130 Prim Road in Colchester. The firm specializes in income taxes and accounting. Carp is an enrolled agent admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. (802) 652-0282.

Mike Parolin and Donna Booher have opened an Allstate Insurance Co. office at 205 Dorset St., South Burlington. The agency sells auto, property and life insurance. Parolin ran an Allstate office in Shelburne for more than 20 years. Booher operated an office in South Burlington for 14 years. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. (802) 862-8620.

January

Susan D. Auld, Bethany A. Bishop and William L. Adams have formed Auld, Bishop & Adams Capitol Strategies Ltd. at 50 State St., Montpelier. The companys services include direct lobbying, strategic planning and recommendations, issue research, communications, and public relations advocacy for businesses and organizations. The partnership offers clients more than 25 years of state governmental affairs and political experience, including more than seven years administrative experience as commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training, eight years as a legislator, and six as House leader. (802) 229-6444. info@capitolstrategies.net.

Thierry F. Guerlain and Barry S. McVey established Guerlain & McVey, LLC at 48 Forest Road, Essex Junction. The business provides business planning; budgeting and financing assistance; sales and marketing support; interim management services; due dilligence, research and analysis; and project management support. Guerlain has 20 years of sales and marketing experience. McVey has 20 years of management experience, including 15 years as CEO for several international shipping and consumer product companies. (802) 879-3402 (voice/fax). thierry@together.net. bmcvey5@aol.com

Internet service provider SoVerNet of Bellows Falls has opened an office on the second floor of 110 Cherry St., Burlington. The company offers dial-up and dedicated access accounts, including ISDN, frame relay and point-to-point. The Burlington office manager is Beth Margolis. (802) 651-8730. (802) 651-8735 (fax).

Richard Phillips, M.Ed., CRC, CDMS, has established RTW Vocational Consulting Inc. in South Burlington. The company specializes in disability case management, post-injury re-employment, vocational assessment, litigation support and expert witness services for businesses, property casualty insurers, liability insurers, government and attorneys. Phillips was the Vermont/New Hampshire operations manager for a Fortune 1000 risk and disability management company for several years. (802) 860-7000 (voice/fax). rdphill@together.net.