Biz Buzz

Aldi to open first Denton store May 30

Karina Ramirez — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:00:14 +0000

On May 30, the German discount grocer ALDI plans to open its first Denton grocery store at 1105 Loop 288 S.

To celebrate the opening of the Denton store, ALDI will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. May 29.

The event is open to the public. Guests may sample ALDI exclusive brands and tour the new store, a press release said. Additionally, they may participate in an on-site sweepstakes for a chance to win store gift certificates, a news statement said.

Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

ALDI has more than 1,200 U.S. stores located in 32 states. Over the last several years, ALDI has added approximately 50-80 new stores each year.

In 2009, Aldi Inc. opened a 500,000-square-foot distribution center at 2500 Westcourt Road in Denton at an estimated cost of $50 million.

More Fun Comics and Games will celebrate Worldwide Free Comic Day on May 4

Karina Ramirez — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:34:31 +0000

More Fun Comics and Games in Denton will join other stores worldwide and celebrate Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4.

Free Comic Book Day is celebrated the first Saturday in May each year, when participating comic book shops give away comic books for free to anyone who comes into their stores. The activity began 12 years ago, retailer Joe Field, according to a press release.

Tim Stoltzfus, the owner of More Fun Comics and Games at 103 W Hickory St., said in a news statement, his store will have comics for children, teens, and adults that day.

More than 4.6 million free comic books are expected to be given away at more than 2,000 participating locations.

On Saturday, More Fun Comics will open at 11 a.m. and the first 20 people through the door will get a free goodie bag, according to a Facebook post. Each goodie bag will have a hardcover graphic novel and several free comics.

For more information, visit http://www.keithscomics.com.

Cinco de Mellow at Mellow Mushroom

Karina Ramirez — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:40:20 +0000

Through Sunday, May 5, Denton’s Mellow Mushroom is hosting a “Most Interesting Man in the World” contest for a chance to win a trip for two to a destination in Mexico.

Participants need to stop by Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, take a photo with the Dos Equis ‘Most Interesting Man’ standee and upload their photo via Instagram. Participants can use the hashtag #CincoDeMellow.

Mellow Mushroom Denton is located at 217 E Hickory St.

For more information, call 940-323-1100 or visit www.CincoDeMellow.com.

Durham School Services announces layoffs

Karina Ramirez — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:58:40 +0000

Durham School Services, a full service student transportation provider, reported to the Texas Workforce Commission that 67 positions in Little Elm will be cut beginning July 31.

The company provided its layoff notice to the commission on April 23 as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) which protects workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notification of pending job cuts.

Earlier this month, the Little Elm School Board of Trustees approved GoldStar Transit as the carrier for its student transportation for the 2013-2014 school year. Durham School Services also presented a proposal but was not selected, according to a news release.

In addition to the layoffs in Denton County, the company also will cut an additional 218 positions in Johnson, Parker and Uvalde counties starting June 2013.

Go Green With Bill Utter Ford will take place Saturday during Earth Day Weekend

Karina Ramirez — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:56:00 +0000

Bill Utter Ford will host a Go Green Event on Saturday, April 20 as part of Earth Day Weekend. The dealership will be celebrating the Ford lineup of Electric and Hybrid vehicles. The day will include free seminars and a free lunch for those in attendance provided by The Cupboard Natural Foods, according to a press release.

The free seminars held throughout the day will include: a Ford Technology Seminar at 10 a.m. focusing on the Sync/My Ford Touch component, vehicle demonstrations with Ford technology trainer, Jason Dickens, and a presentation on owning an electric vehicle with Bill Utter Ford customer and Fusion Energi owner, Michael Combs.

Bill Utter Ford General Manager Carl Anderson in a news statement he thought Earth Day was a great time to focus on Ford’s movement toward more green vehicles and its new lineup of electric vehicles.

“These free seminars will help educate the public about electric vehicles and how the car market is changing with the developments of these new greener technologies,” he said.

Ford’s lineup of electric vehicles includes the Ford Fusion Energi, the Ford CMAX Energi and the Ford Focus Electric each rated at over 100 miles per equivalent gallon. The Ford Hybrid lineup includes the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Ford CMAX Hybrid which are rated at 47 miles per gallon.

Go Green with Bill Utter Ford is a free event and open to the public. Bill Utter Ford is located at 4901 S.-I35E. Bill Utter Ford was established in 1956 in Denton and will celebrate 57 years in Denton in May.

Earth Day 2013 is officially Monday, April 22.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Buckle coming to the Golden Triangle Mall

Karina Ramirez — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:28:49 +0000

Golden Triangle Mall just announced the addition of Buckle, one of the country’s leading fashion retailers for young men and women, to a list of national and regional tenants that have recently committed to or renewed leases at the renovated mall, according to a press release.

Buckle will occupy 5,040 square feet and is expected to open later in the fall. In addition to Buckle, the list of new tenants includes food court eateries like Italia Express, Tobu Oriental Eatery and Smoothie Paradise, the release said.

The Buckle, Inc. sells medium to better–priced casual apparel, footwear and accessories. The company currently operates over 430 stores in 43 states, according to its website.

More information to follow.

Robson Ranch to celebrate 12th anniversary April 6

Karina Ramirez — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:44:41 +0000

On Saturday, April 6, Robson Ranch, an active adult community will celebrate their 12 anniversary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Model Village, 9501 Ed Robson Blvd.

The community will open their doors to the public and feature music, giveaways, treats and demos. Robson Ranch clubs and organizations will also host mini parties in various model homes.

In the past 12 years, Robson has grown to 1,500 homes and 2,700 residents, and has also added a creative arts center, community garden, dog park and softball fields, according to a press release said.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RobsonRanchTexas.

Contractor hired for STEM Academy in The Colony

Karina Ramirez — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:29:44 +0000

The Board of Trustees of Little Elm Independent School District approved a contract with Pogue Construction of McKinney to serve as the contractor for the STEM Academy in The Colony that the district will break ground on this summer. The goal is for the innovative facility to open on-time, no later then the fall of 2015, officials with the district said in a news statement.

The district used the construction delivery method, Construction Manager (CM) At-Risk, to select Pogue from the 11 firms that answered the districts Request for Qualifications, and then narrowed the pool to four finalists. Interviews with finalist were conducted prior to the administrative recommendation, a press release said.

CM At-Risk allows the owner, architect and contractor to collaborate earlier in the process to ensure a quality and cost effective school facility. Pogue Construction works extensively in school construction having built 546 schools that have all opened on time, officials said.

Direct job link and address for Aldi applicants

Karina Ramirez — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:06:25 +0000

Following a number of calls about getting a job at the soon to be Aldi store in Denton, officials with the company shared the following information:

The direct site for job listings is: http://alditexasjobs.com/home.aspx

The direct link to the application is: http://alditexasjobs.com/docs/aldi-employment-application.pdf

According to Aldi officials, applicants should apply in person at the Denton store located at 1105 S. Loop 288, or from 6 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 3 at the following address:

1585 W. Main St.
Lewisville, TX 75067

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes a look at debt collection

Karina Ramirez — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:45:03 +0000

About 30 million consumers, nearly one out of every ten Americans, are subject to debt collection activities, for amounts that average about $1,500 apiece, according to an annual report released March 20, by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In the report, the bureau highlights the number of complaints received in various debt collection practice categories from 2008 through 2012.

Although the numbers of complaints received have decreased since 2008, last year the bureau said consumers top three complaints from debt collectors were:

receiving calls where the debt collector falsely represented their character, the amount of the debt or the status of the debt;
When debt collectors call a consumer repeatedly or continuously;
And falsely threatening suit or illegal or unintended act if the consumer failed to pay.

Other types of complaints listed in the report deal with debt collectors calling consumers as early as 8 a.m. or as late as 9 p.m. or later, using obscene or profane language, and using or threatening the use of violence.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the federal agency responsible for regulating consumer protection with regards to financial products and services across the country. The bureau began operation in July 2011.

To view the full report, click here.