Southern Rivers Mortgage

James Jackson, Mortgage Officer at Southern Rivers Mortgage, cut the ribbon for the new office at 133 Main Street in downtown LaGrange, GA. He is joined by members of the board of directors of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, and executives from the parent company F&M Bank and Trust.

Habitat's ReStore

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore at 333 Main Street has been refurbished and updated. Store Manager Jody Carey cut the ribbon to celebrate while Habitat Executive Director Steve Brown explained that the charitable organization accepts donations of household goods and then sells them to help fund their building projects. They can be reached at 706-837-0702. The ribbon cutting ceremony was facilitated by the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. The public is invited to an Open House at ReStore on Saturday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

DB Green Opens

Rick Brock cut the ribbon for the new location of DB Green at 1691 Vernon Road. Joining the Brocks were friends, family, customers, the Troup County Commission, and the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber selected DB Green, a residential remodeling and repairs contractor, as the “Small Business of the Month” in May and comments to the chamber’s blog included, “(Rick) was professional, courteous, and timely in all aspects, from beginning to end of our project.” (See our May 1, 2009 posting.)

Three Stores Now Open

The chamber of commerce was priviledged to be a part of three grand openings this week. First, the Sock Shoppe opened at LaGrange Mall, with General Manager Mike Brown doing the honors. Then E.J. Jones and Barbara Treadwell used ceremonial scissors to open the doors to the new West Georgia Technical College bookstore. And finally, Southern Shooters owners Cindi & Bruce Southwell celebrated their new hunting and archery pro shop opening at 51 New Hutchinson Mill Road. Congratulations to all!

Tone Ribbon Cutting

Ms. Bena Klier-Bouler has expanded Tone Fitness Academy into a 5,000-square foot facility at 805 Hill Street. Helping her cut the ribbon were her partner Kevin Daniel (center) and her husband Julius Bouler (fifth from right), members of the LaGrange City Council, and representatives of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Klier-Bouler, a body-building champion, said one of her goals is to serve the teens of the area by offering an assortment of classes from boxing to wrestling and more. The fitness center can be reached at (706) 594-4881.

American Red Cross ribbon cutting

The American Red Cross has moved from Main Street to 900 Dallis Street in LaGrange. Your chamber of commerce was on hand to help celebrate the event. Cutting the ribbon were Red Cross Board Chair Jolene Davidson (left) and Executive Director Connie Hensler.

You may call the Red Cross at (706) 884-5818, e-mail them at lagrangeredcross@mindspring.com, or visit their website at www.redcross.org.

The local Red Cross is a United Way Agency. Visit the U.W. site at www.unitedwaywga.org or call them at (706) 884-8292. They can also be reached by e-mail at patty.youngblood@unitedway.org.

We cut ribbons

It's a large pair of scissors, but they really do cut and it's fun to help new businesses open up in our community. At right, Tom Cipolla brought Paisano's Italian Restaurant to downtown LaGrange and it's been hopping since opening day. He's at 104 Bull Street. The phone number is (706) 407-6412. They are open Tuesday through Sunday.

ITP Global Services, Inc., 1508 Whitesville St. is owned by Eunsook Choi, who is joined by her husband Jy for the official opening. They are flanked by office manager Maria Gallardo on the left and sales manager Susan Newsome on the right. The staffing agency also does executive placements and they can be reached at (706) 443-5184 or visit them on the web at http://www.itpglobalinc.com/.

Chamber members and local elected officials always like to welcome new businesses to our community. The chamber website has an abundance of information for those interested in starting a new business. In fact, LaGrange has been named an "Entrepreneurial-Friendly City" by the State of Georgia. Learn more at http://www.lagrangechamber.com/