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Couple opens nutrition store in Airway Heights
Spokane couple Ivan and Erin Ribic recently opened a General Nutrition Centers Inc. franchise outlet in Airway Heights at 10414 W. Highway 2.
The couple has leased for the store a 1,200-square-foot retail space in a shopping center anchored by a Walmart store.
They own and operate the store, which sells vitamins and a variety of weight-loss and nutritional supplements, through a venture here called Ribic Nutrition LLC.
Ivan Ribic says he and his wife opened the store in November. Before that, he had worked for 13 years as the manager of three other GNC outlets here, located at NorthTown Mall, the Spokane Valley Mall, and on Spokane's South Hill.
Ribic says he wanted to open his own store because over the years he'd become familiar with the business model of Pittsburgh-based GNC and saw owning his own store as an opportunity to advance his career.
In addition to staffing the GNC outlet, Erin Ribic works as a physical therapist at a clinic in Airway Heights.
Ivan Ribic says he and his wife are the business's only employees right now, but he plans to hire two part-time employees in the spring. He adds that November and December typically are the slowest months for nutrition-related businesses, and that he expects sales to pick up in the coming months.
The Ribics, who are active in the sport of powerlifting, also are involved in promoting the Empire Classic and Night of Champions fitness events held annually at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, he says.
Antique clock repair, restoration shop opens on North Side
A husband-and-wife team has opened Spokane Clock, a clock repair and restoration shop, on Spokane's North Side.
The concern, located at 3140 N. Division, occupies 800 square feet of leased space, including a retail showroom, says Nat Williams, who owns the business with his wife, Marjorie. The couple made small improvements to the space, which previously housed Ed's Barber Shop.
Spokane Clock specializes in the repair and restoration of vintage, mechanical, antique, and street clocks, Williams says.
He has worked with antique clocks as a hobby for more than 30 years and previously worked at Larsen's Clock Center with Dave Larsen, who died in the spring of 2009. Williams continued to work at Larsen's Clock Center with Leo Tracy, of L&M Clock & Watch Repair, until Tracy closed the concern a few months later.
Williams is the sole employee of the store and works by appointment only. He says his long-term plan is to expand the store to showcase local craftsmanship of different trades, including cabinetry.
Life coach establishes business in Spokane, Everyday Abundance
Local entrepreneur and life coach Lori Mage has opened a home-based business, Everyday Abundance, in Spokane.
Mage says she specializes in teaching people how to develop leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and group facilitation.
She offers training and personal development through workshops, webinars, seminars, and individual or group coaching programs.
Mage has one employee, personal assistant Jessica Dingwall.
Mage received a bachelor's degree in applied developmental psychology from Eastern Washington University in 2004 and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University last year.
In addition to starting Everyday Abundance, Mage also manages The Pact Project, a nonprofit organization.
"The Pact Project is a team of cyclists committed to helping (Spokane-based) Project Access with their mission to provide quality health care to uninsured, low-income, Spokane County residents by riding in events to increase awareness, attract volunteer physicians, and raise additional financial support," Mage says.
Garland niche bakery that changed hands adds cake to inventory
Amber Owens, who bought a gourmet cookie-and-cupcake business in the Garland District last summer with her husband, Joe Owens, has expanded the shop's offerings to include custom cakes, cake pops, and specialty orders.
Celebrations Bakery, located in 1,900 square feet of leased space at 713 W. Garland, has been in business for 10 years and has changed hands twice since it opened, Joe Owens says.
The Owenses bought the assets and the name of the shop, which currently employs five people, he says.
They also changed the name to Celebrations Bakery from Celebrations A Cookie and Cupcake Boutique.
Amber Owens has been producing cakes and baking for more than five years, Joe Owens says, which made it possible to expand the bakery's offerings to include custom-themed cakes, logos for cookies, cake pops, and specialty orders for personal or business events.
Personal trainer opens health, fitness store in Coeur d'Alene
A health-equipment retailer that does business as Vitality Health & Fitness opened late last year in Coeur d'Alene.
The concern is located in 4,000 square feet of leased space at 6235 N. Sunshine and employs four people, including owner Bob Thomas.
It carries workout bikes, treadmills, personal gyms, and weight systems, as well as rehabilitation tubs, infrared saunas, and acceleration trainers.
Thomas says he and his staff put together a personal training program for a client and offer lifetime fitness support as a value-added service.
The company also refers customers to nutritionists, personal trainers, chiropractors, physical therapists, and nutrition-supplement companies in the surrounding area, if needed, to help them with fitness goals.
Thomas says he has 27 years of experience in the fitness and health industries. Before opening Vitality Health & Fitness, he worked as a personal trainer in the Coeur d'Alene area.
Before moving to Idaho, he worked in Southern California as a personal trainer.
Gina's Design Corner plans move this month
Warehouse Carpets, which does business as Gina's Design Corner, plans to move later this month to a building at 811 W. Second downtown.
The company's store currently is located in 1,200 square feet of leased space at 1. N. Browne, also downtown.
Mother-and-daughter owners Naomi and Gina Cook have owned the four-story building on Second Avenue for about five years, manager Melissa Higgins says. They decided to move the store so it would be closer to its warehouse space, which is located in that building, and to have more room to expand the store.
The company's operations will take up the first floor and the basement of the building on Second, she says.
Each floor has about 3,500 square feet of space. The other floors of the building will be available to rent, Higgins says.
Since the Cooks bought the building, it has undergone extensive renovations, Higgins says. She declines to disclose the cost of those improvements, but says the building was updated to comply with city codes, including getting a new elevator.
Gina's Design Corner is a full-service interior design and remodeling company, and offers consultations and products for remodeling projects.
Three full-time employees and one part-time employee staff the concern, including Gina Cook and Higgins.