Pampered Pets Inn, inspired by the look, feel and amenities of a Tuscan spa, offers area residents an affordable high-end alternative for caring for their dogs and cats when they are away.
Founder Terry Bermani created Pampered Pets Inn in 2007, responding to a growing need for premium boarding options, as pet owners were increasingly unhappy with traditional kennels with their wire cages, limited interactive physical activity for the pets and less-than-optimal sanitary conditions. Bermani built the business based on her holistic approach to the well=being and luxurious treatment of pets in an interactive and fun setting, and as a result has created a loyal customer base.
Bermani is selling her business in order to join her husband of 31 years in California, where he has been working for the past several years. Concerned with finding just the right buyers, Bermani said she carefully vetted all offers.
"I was looking for someone who shared my deep passion for animals," Bermani said in a recent press release. "Tony and Judy DaDante fit the bill. I am so grateful that they have stepped forward. I am completely comfortable turning Pampered Pets Inn over to them and I am confident that they will take excellent care of our clientele and expand upon my vision. I will be spending the next 60 days with the DaDante's to ensure a smooth transition."
The DaDantes say they are excited about supporting the Ryan Newman Foundation, which encourages families to adopt rescued pets, and NASCAR's Greg Biffle Foundation, which advocates improving the well-being of animals.
"We have zero tolerance for pet abuse and have made it a personal challenge to eradicate it," said Tony DaDante. "Furthermore, acquiring Pampered Pets Inn enables us to provide extraordinary care and compassion to the animals entrusted to us."
"Throughout our lives, we have raised, saved, spoiled and loved dogs and cats across the globe," said Judy DaDante. "It's what we do and who we are. We wanted to own a business where we could offer an unsurpassed level of service to our true clientele — the pets."
Immediate plans are under way to expand the business' services, which include the introduction of a fleet of pet taxis offering pick-up, check-in and return transportation for busy pet parents; curbside express check-in; installing hi-tech Web cams throughout the facility; massage and acupuncture; a dog-themed swimming pool; and play areas with hypo-allergenic, mud-free, K-9 grass.
Pampered Pets Inn is at 2993 Charlotte Highway in Mooresville, just off I-77 at Exit 33. For more information, call 704-663-3733.
Racing legend and Riley join forces
Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) and Riley Technologies announced a new partnership that will see the Riley Technologies' 40,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville make an innovative product from BRE.
The move is designed to meet the demand for the BRE-designed Aerovault trailers, which provide comprehensive advantages in weight and aerodynamic efficiency over traditional vehicle trailers.
The Aerovault was designed by Peter Brock, who emerged as an innovator in the 1960s with his Shelby Daytona and Chevrolet Corvette designs that scored win after win on the race track. Brock designed the Aerovault to satisfy the needs of the "weekend warrior," people who want to take their car to the track and maybe have a set of spare wheels and tires, fuel, a jack and some basic necessities on board. More than 50 percent of current Aerovault owners race vintage Porsches.
"Our customers love their aerodynamic, full-feature Aerovault trailers," said Brock, CEO of Brock Racing Enterprises, in a recent press release. "The only issue we've ever had is not being able to build enough to satisfy demand. By March of this year, we had sold out our entire 2011 build capacity,"
The challenge of increasing production lies at the very heart of the Aerovault's advantage, its unique construction. The Aerovault doesn't use conventional motor home construction techniques like other trailers. While the design requires a different production process, the payoff is significant to the customer as the aerodynamic design results in a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency and handling.
"Those sharp-nosed Vs on so-called aero trailers do little to improve aerodynamics, and the undersides are all turbulence with exposed axles and even loading ramps hanging down in some cases," said Brock.
The Aerovault is not only efficient but it also leverages a semi-monocoque design whereby its one-eighth-inch thick aluminum skin is its structure.
"For those reasons, no U.S. trailer manufacturers we approached were interested in building it," said Brock. "From every perspective it's a far superior trailer for users but it takes more time, requires more craftsmanship, and consequently, costs much more to build. So when I saw Bill Riley at Sebring in March, a light bulb went off in my head, as his company has such a strong record of building a diverse range of machines to a very exacting standard that it was an ideal match for our needs."
"BRE approached us about building their trailers and we saw some good synergy," said Bill Riley, vice president of Riley Technologies.
"We're an engineering company and it's a well-engineered trailer," said Ron McMahon, Riley Technologies Vice President and CFO. "Where other manufacturers must have scratched their heads at the thought of fully skinning the underside of a trailer, we get it. I've towed trailers thousands of miles and as I went over every square inch of this trailer, I was impressed with all the well-thought-out details. We're very pleased to be able to join BRE in satisfying the demand of car enthusiasts with yet another quality, well-engineered product."
Production of the all-aluminum Aerovault has begun at Riley's facility in Mooresville, with trailers being delivered to their new owners starting the end of January. For more information, view the Aerovault brochure at www.bre2.net with detailed specifications and floor plans, or contact BRE at 702-558-3374 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For additional information, visit www.rileytech.com.
Newport Properties helps local angels
Newport Properties in Mooresville is doubling its charitable giving efforts this Christmas season, adding a second organization to its annual practice of selecting a charity to support.
Owner/Broker Kate Gaither says in addition to the food bank Newport Properties is sponsoring for Eastern Catawba County Christian Ministries, it will also collect unwrapped gifts for the Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission's Angel Tree Program.
The children who will benefit from donated gifts are a 13-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy. To support the drive, donated gifts can be dropped off at the Newport Properties office at 542-2 Williamson Road in Mooresville. For more information, call 704-663-7779.
'Pay it forward' with free spa classes
In an effort to keep the community happy and healthy, a local luxury business focused on wellness and relaxation is offering free "Mind & Body Fitness" classes including yoga, Pilates and Zumba, this holiday season to Lake Norman residents for the entire month of December.
The company, Burgundy Moon Spa & Winehouse in Jetton Village in Cornelius, only asks of participants a "pay it forward" request to bring in a non-perishable or canned food item that will be donated to the Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen in Huntersville.
"Realizing that the holidays can be stressful for many of us, the team at Burgundy Moon Spa & Winehouse wanted to gift the community by offering these classes for participants," says owner Noell Michalski, "to shed some tension and reconnect with the beauty of the season (and) the blessings of health ... not only caring for your own well-being, but also lending a hand to those in need."
While the classes are free, registration is requested as space is limited. Register online at www.burgundymoon.com or by calling 877-49-RELAX.
'Body studio' brings pampering to town
Bruna Oliveira, Lavi Adkins and the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of The Olive Branch — A Body Studio in Cornelius last week.
To commemorate the grand opening, The Olive Branch partnered with the Ada Jenkins Center and the Cornelius Police Department to donate a portion of the evening's sales to local families.
"Lavi and I cannot express how much we appreciate the support that we've already received from our Lake Norman neighbors," said Oliveira, the studio's co-owner. "The other small business owners in Cornelius have been so welcoming."
The Olive Branch specializes in facial treatments and "lifts," massage, eyebrow design, body waxing, organic microdermabrasion, Botox and Dysport, Juvederm, Radiesse and LHE treatments to tighten the skin and treat unwanted hair, dark/red spots and wrinkles. Fully licensed aestheticians and independently certified professionals also perform Vascutouch treatments.
The studio also is home to a clothing boutique, offering clothing, accessories and other items all priced less than $100.
"When Bruna and I started to dream up The Olive Branch, it was really important to us that we open a place where women can visit, relax, have a glass of wine and leave feeling good about themselves," said co-owner Adkins. "I think that our unique mix of product and client services accomplishes just that."
The Olive Branch is at 21314 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, and is open Monday by appointment, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a complete list of services visit www.TheOliveBranchLKN.com or call 704-892-0060 to make an appointment.
InSouth cutting and Chamber coffee
In conjunction with the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, InSouth Insurance will host a ribbon-cutting event and "Coffee Connections" mixer at its new location in Huntersville, on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Beginning at 8 a.m., InSouth will provide coffee, desserts and networking opportunities and cut the ribbon on its new office at 119 N. Maxwell Ave.. There will also be a door prize giveaway.
For more details, call InSouth Insurance at 704-948-7730 or visit www.insouthins.com.
— Compiled by Lori Helms
Local engineers charge coast to coast
Huntersville-based Lime Energy recently announced completion of the design and installation of 90 electric vehicle charging stations in four states.
Under the $2 million contract awarded earlier this year, Lime completed stations for a fleet of electric delivery vehicles in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
"As a leader in energy efficiency design and implementation, Lime embraced the opportunity to provide a solution for electric vehicles that utilized our expertise in emerging smart grid technology," said Jim Smith, executive vice president of operations.
"Ultimately, our customers can achieve a savings of 30 to 40 percent by switching to electric delivery vehicles as part of their overall energy efficiency program design," said John O'Rourke, Lime's president and CEO.
"This offers an attractive return on investment and Lime's unique capability to design and install these charging stations will continue to be a part of our portfolio of clean energy solutions."
As one of the nation's leading providers of clean energy solutions, Lime brings more than 20 years of delivering economically viable efficiency and renewable energy solutions that benefit communities and protect the environment. Lime Energy's services include integrated energy engineering, consulting and the implementation of solutions that enable customers to reduce their facility's energy consumption, lower their operating and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
The company's stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LIME. Additional information is available at www.lime-energy.com or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
— GlobeNewsire
Toolmaker offers Web site en Espanol
IRWIN Tools, part of Huntersville-based Newell Rubbermaid's global portfolio, recently extended its online services for Spanish-speaking tradesmen with www.es.irwin.com. It is a full-service Spanish-language resource with access to IRWIN's product information, promotions and retail channels, along with customer service.
Setting a new industry benchmark in the U.S., the Spanish-language Web site also includes the company's full line catalog, product reference guides and product manuals.
"One in every four construction workers in the United States is Hispanic, so it is essential that Spanish-speaking tradesmen have access to detailed information about our tools," said Curt Rahilly, Vice President of Marketing for IRWIN Tools.
"IRWIN's Spanish-language Web site, the full-line catalog, and bilingual sales force give an important growing audience, projected to account for more than 50 percent of the total construction workforce by 2025, the information and resources they need to make effective purchase decisions."
For more information, call 800-GO-IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.
— News.Gnom.es
