THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605220146
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 49 lines
HOME GROWN: B&B Manufacturing Inc., a company that specializes in tents and related products for funeral service companies, will buy two acres in PortCentre Commerce Park to build an 18,200-square-foot office and manufacturing facility.
The company, now on Laigh Road, employs 26 people and anticipates adding 10 more over the next two years.
B&B, started by Buddy and Robert Doleman, also make party tents and wholesales cemetery products and supplies.
Robert Doleman said the company chose to expand in PortCentre because of enterprise zone benefits, such as reductions in permit fees and other city costs connected with construction, and ``assistance from city officials.''
``This project is a good example of our economic development system at work: growing local business, acquiring a site in a municipally owned commerce park and obtaining financing from a city-sponsored local program,'' Economic Development Director Matthew James said. ``This company is experiencing rapid growth, and we are excited they will be growing in the city of Portsmouth.''
ADDING CLOTHES: Nails Plus and Boutique will move June 1 from Tyre Neck Road to larger quarters at 5850 Churchland Blvd. An open house at the new location is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. June 8.
In addition to nails, manicures and pedicures, the shop will have a tanning bed, massage chair and a line of sportswear, jewelry and handbags.
The business is owned by Margaret Groh, and Alice Wilkins is the buyer.
Hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
NEW SERVICE: Ambassador Enterprises Inc., another home-grown business, is expanding once more - this time to add a data services division to its list of communications specialties.
The new division will focus on the particular needs of the education community, said company President J.R. ``Randy'' Vaughan. It is a ``natural outgrowth'' of the company's experience installing data network cabling and specialized systems for telephones, intercom, sound, security and media management in education facilities, he added. The new service will include installation and management of Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN/WAN), including library automation systems.
AE Inc. has hired Ken Ferguson for data sales and support and Glenn Vickery as data systems engineer for the new division. Both previously worked for AmeriData, where Ferguson marketed ABM K-12 educational hardware and software and Vickery provided technical field support.
The company is at 900 High St. The building restored by Vaughan in the 1980s was originally a department store and later housed a nightclub. by CNB