Biz Buzz From Around the North Shore

Have you noticed a new store while driving around the North Shore recently? Patch loves small business and we try to cover every new opening. Here is a look at some recent business openings and happenings on the North Shore.

Have you noticed a new shop and have been wondering what it is? Leave us a note in the comment section and we will check it out.

PEABODY

DSW Opens for Business at the Mall

If you're in the market for designer shoeware, you're in luck, DSW (Designer Shoes Warehouse) opens its Peabody location at the Northshore Mall today (Oct. 25).

The store is located in the lower level of the mall by the Food Court.

City Liquor Board Denies New License for Martino's

Peabody liquor licensing authorities sent Frank Martino away empty-handed last month, questioning his sincerity to operate a package store in the city.

The main reason for the Licensing Board's reticence to grant Martino a license was because he just sold his full liquor license for a tidy profit less than a year after receiving it from the city (at a fraction of the cost), and was now asking for a new license to replace that one.

Container Store 'Super Fan' Gets VIP Treatment on Opening Day

Opening day has finally arrived for The Container Store, and no one is probably more excited than one local fan who will receive the VIP treatment.

A company spokesperson said "North Shore Super Fan" Leslie Aznoian of North Andover was identified in a Facebook contest and on Saturday will get the first place in line, a special Super Fan shopping cart, a package of organization necessities and an actual receiving line by 60 store employees.

What Would You Like to See on Foster Street?

The focal point of attention on Peabody's downtown inevitably centers on Main Street, as a major thoroughfare to and from Salem and points east, as much for its traffic safety issues and vacant storefronts.

Rebirth of the downtown seems synonymous with a vibrant Main Street. But what about one of the other roads to and from the downtown -- Foster Street?

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SALEM

5 Salem Spots Serving Pumpkin Beer

Just like a pumpkin-flavored latte or a fresh pumpkin muffin, enjoying your first pumpkin-flavored beer is fast becoming one of the sure signs that fall has arrived in New England.

Downtown Salem is once-again swarmed with tourists, many of whom have pumpkin brews on the brain.

Henry Derby Bed and Breakfast Serves Stories Too

Red and yellow mums in four window boxes at the Henry Derby House Bed and Breakfast welcome visitors.

But to really feel at home in the circa 1840 house on the Summer Street corner is to sit in its dining room. 

Blue and white China await breakfast in a vintage cabinet. A marble fireplace that blazes in winter rests on the opposite side of the room.

Licensing Board Has Handle On Bangkok Paradise Issue

Anyone that reads message boards or newspaper comment threads is familiar with the "hang 'em high" mentality that comes with the territory.

No matter the subject matter, hard-liners will insist that any and all infractions must be met with quick and severe discipline. Any other approach is seen as lily-livered or weak-kneed. Take the malefactor out back and tan his hide with a leather strap.

The actions the Salem Licensing Board took against Bangkok Paradise last night will not come close to appeasing some of those homebound "knights of the keyboard" (thank you Ted Williams). That is because we do not govern by the QWERTY method.

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BEVERLY

Local Artists Kick Off First 'Art Walk' This Week

A number of artistic and cultural assets call downtown Beverly home.

Montserrat College of Art, LPF Studio, Cabot Cinema, Clay Dreaming, Porter Mill, Wallpusher Guitars, Blue Box, Mingo Gallery and Frame Shop, the Atomic Cafe, Sea Change Theater and 17 Cox are a handful, not to mention the hundreds of professional and student artists working in the city, maintaining both public and private studios.

Former Bell Market Gets 'Revitalized'

Have you noticed the windows at Bell Market have a colorful new look?

The “Revitalization Mural” was sponsored by Beverly Main Streets as a way to beautify the windows while the space is vacant. The art showcases the vibrancy that a thriving business will bring to the area.

Beverly Native Mazzaglia Has Passion For Hair (And Lack Of!)

Lifelong Beverly resident Amanda Mazzaglia knows how devastating hair loss can be. 

When she began noticing clumps of her hair falling out at an alarming rate, she said "medical doctors, dermatologists, endocrinologists, all presented various forms of hopelessness that sent me into a depression."

But after six years of research and finding a successful treatment, Mazzaglia is now bringing her expertise to the North Shore, opening Rejuvenate Hair Loss Recovery Laser Therapy Clinic at the Cummings Center in Beverly.

The plan for a six-story hotel at the Cummings Center was suspended last week, and we want to know what you'd like to see in the space. 

The proposed space for the 140-room hotel at the corner of McKay and Elliott Street is currently zoned for commercial/industrial buildings.

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DANVERS

21 Winters Of Warm Traditions for Local Stove Business

Warm Traditions Stove Shoppe has been keeping folks toasty with alternative heat sources for over two decades.

Tucked alongside the Danvers Rail Trail on Pine Street next to the building that houses Pete’s-A-Place, the specialty stove business owned by Bob Raucci is celebrating its 21st winter this year.

Deborah McDermott is a self described fitness nut.

Folks around Danvers may know the McDermott family from town sports like baseball and flag football, where dad and Danvers native Jeff helps coach his boys; or they may recognize wife Debbie, originally from Topsfield, as the Fitness Instructor at the Danvers YMCA has taught for many years, and can be seen warming up small groups during walks as part of her personal trainer vocation. 

The new co-owner of The Gym Downtown in Hamilton, reflected on the path that brought her to the fitness industry.

When Lorraine Roy Women's Appearel leaves Danvers Square at the end of the year, it won’t be going far.

Across town, Bella Sera Bridal has bought Lorraine Roy and part of its inventory and plans to keep the name, merging the two stores that will mean a portion of Bella Sera on Route 114 will be called “Lorraine Roy at Bella Sera.”

People's United Bank Doubles Market Share Since Danversbank Buyout

The Connecticut-based bank that took over Danversbank last year has doubled its share of the greater Boston consumer banking market since the purchase, according to Boston Business Journal.

People’s United Bank announced in January 2011 it was buying out Danversbank. The deal was completed in June 2011.

The hotel known to many as the Ferncroft has a new name – DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore.

The conversion from CoCo Key Hotel Water Resort to DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore was completed last month, according to Sage Hospitality, the hotel operator for the past five years.

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HAMILTON-WENHAM

Windover Selected to Build Senior Housing at Penguin Hall

A local company that is well-known in Wenham - Windover Construction - has been selected to complete the conversion of Penguin Hall into a senior living complex.

In recent years, Windover has built the Boulder on Main Street and several single family homes on the shore of Wenham Lake off Cedar Street and Topsfield Road.

The project is planned to convert Penguin Hall, on the so-called Mullen property - a 50 acre estate off Essex Street in Wenham.

New Owner Eyes Bakery for Empty Downtown Building

The new owner of a commercial building in downtown Hamilton says he is doing all he can to get a bakery to move into the building.

Last month Michael Pallazola of Hamilton unveiled plans to spruce up the building at 227 Willow St., which is the southern part of the former Hansbury property.

The building will not be expanded upward or outward but instead given a new look on the outside.

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MARBLEHEAD

What Should Go Here?

This commercial space, located next to Amy's Cozy Corner at Village Plaza, is currently looking for a new tenant.

As part of our Visions for Vacancies column, we want to know - what kind of business do you think should move in at this location?

Selectmen Preparing to Vote on BYOB

Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren asked that theBoard of Selectmen "do their homework" when it came to reviewing recently crafted BYOB regulations in the hopes of bringing the matter to a vote at their meeting Wednesday night.

Board members have been working with Town Counsel Lisa Mead to put together local regulations ever since Marblehead's new Mexican restaurant, Casa Corona, filed a request last month for permission to allow their patrons the option of bringing along their own alcohol beverages.

Warwick Place Facade Taking Shape

As each day passes, the exterior of Warwick Place is looking more and more like this computer rendering of what the finished product is expected to look like.

Over the last two weeks, workers have installed the windows along the Pleasant Street side of the 38,000-square-foot office and retail building and have wrapped up the majority of the brick-work.

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SWAMPSCOTT

Proposed Vaughan Place Condos Shouldn't Make Flooding Worse

The Zoning Board of Appeals continued to Dec. 19, its permitting hearing for the Villas at Vaughan Place, 15 condos for people 55 and older in the Foster Pond area.

First, though, on Wednesday, ZBA members heard from an engineer who reviewed the applicant's drainage study, and from residents who live near the site and attested to the hardship they have endured due to frequent flooding.

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LYNNFIELD

Lynnfield Company Helped Boost MCAS Science Scores

Lynnfield-based JogNog has announced that students using its competitive learning games were able to noticeably improve their MCAS science scores last year.

Last school year, JogNog partnered with science, technology and engineering teachers from various Massachusetts middle schools to work on their goals for the MCAS test. The result was the American Science Challenge, which uses JogNog as part of the test prep process, giving the students a chance to compete with their friends while building their knowledge of science, technology and engineering concepts.

Landscaping Work Underway at MarketStreet Site

Those who pass the MarketStreet at Lynnfield development along Walnut Street may have noticed that along with the emerging structure of the future Whole Foods, some trees have also begun to appear on the nearby land berm.

As noted last month on this website, National Development, the company building MarketStreet, reported on its MarketStreetConstruction.com website that its landscape architect had recently traveled to Pennsylvania to select the new trees and that other recent developments in the project include paving work and foundation work.

Kimball Law Practice to Move From Current Location

On November 1, 2012, Attorney Jay Kimball will be moving his law practice from the second floor of The Centre at 590 Main Street in Lynnfield, to his home at 618 Main Street, two doors from the Centre, at the intersection of Main and Summer Streets, across from the Town Common and Meeting House.

Kimball is excited about the move but fondly recalls walking up to the second floor office as a child after school to visit his father, Attorney John Kimball, Sr.

Local Business Offering New Skin Care Options

Two area women have brought a new medical laser treatment to Lynnfield, setting up their business space at Venezia Day Spa at Kernwood Plaza on 12 Salem Street, near the Lynnfield/Wakefield line.

Michelle Doran is a Marblehead resident who has been a nurse practitioner since 2001. She has worked in areas such as palliative care and family practices, but in recent years has also worked for a plastic surgeon while gaining various certifications as an esthetician. Her business partner Linda Vecchione is a registered nurse who lives in Peabody.  Before setting up their business in Lynnfield, the two did freelance esthetician work at various spas around the North Shore.

WAKEFIELD

Wakefield Resident Added To Masthead of Area CPA Firm

Boston area accounting and business advisory firm Rucci Bardaro & Barrett is now Rucci Bardaro & Falzone, the company announced this week. 

The name change reflects the amicable departure of partner Christopher Barrett, and recognizes the ongoing leadership role of Wakefield resident Salvatore P. Falzone Jr., CPA, a twelve-year partner of the firm.

New Wakefield Yoga Studio Has Grand Opening Saturday

Wakefield's newest business - Balance Yoga Studio - will mark its grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 27 from noon to 2 p.m. in its location at the rear of 364 Main Street, (The Alano Building) The studio's yoga classes will begin their normal schedule starting Monday, Oct. 29. 

Christy Dole, a Woburn resident who has been practicing yoga for 12 years and teaching it for 2, is offering a variety of holistic health options geared toward all ages. Dole is also a Reiki master and is trained in integrated energy therapy - which is focused on releasing emotions from the body. She also has more than just a business tie to Wakefield - Her husband, Greg Dole, is a 2001 graduate of Wakefield High School.

Plenty of Twenties Website Building Fame in the Region

Two Wakefield men were featured in a Boston Globe article over the weekend for their plentyoftwenties.com website, which helps strangers find randomly hidden $20 bills – and which has even been lining up sponsors and quite a following in the process.

The Globe report focused on Wakefield High School Class of 1994 graduates Steven Grant and Richard Cook, who along with the previously mentioned website, also use social media and apps to tell followers where they might find the $20. The newspaper noted that the two have reportedly distributed some $7,000 in hidden $20 bills over the past year, with some help from business sponsors.

Local Business Offering New Skin Care Options

Two area women have brought a new medical laser treatment to Lynnfield, setting up their business space at Venezia Day Spa at Kernwood Plaza on 12 Salem Street, near the Lynnfield/Wakefield line.

Michelle Doran is a Marblehead resident who has been a nurse practitioner since 2001. She has worked in areas such as palliative care and family practices, but in recent years has also worked for a plastic surgeon while gaining various certifications as an esthetician. Her business partner Linda Vecchione is a registered nurse who lives in Peabody.  Before setting up their business in Lynnfield, the two did freelance esthetician work at various spas around the North Shore.

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ANDOVER

PROFILE: Andover Hearing Center

If someone finds they keep turning up the volume on the television or asking others to repeat, then it is probably a good idea to get their hearing checked, according to Wendy J. Ring, owner 11 Chestnut Street #6. 

"The huhs and what, and excuse me" are good indications of potential hearing loss," she added.

Local Salon Joins the Fight for a Cure

Marissa Michaels Hair Salon, on Florence Street in downtown Andover, is starting the fight for a cure today with "Feathers for a Cure." They'll be selling pink feather hair extensions and will be accepting donations for the the service.

The salon said the feather extensions cost $15 and all procceeds benefit the Susan G. Koman for the Cure foundation.

Andover Action Photos Captures Important Moments in Time

Andover Action Photos, a business which specializes in sports photography and action posters, was started in 2006 by Andover moms Tracy Layne and Linda Hughes. 

“How can you not want a cool picture?” said Layne. She remembers how difficult it was trying to get that perfect shot of her son playing football with her Rebel camera. 

But then, she would see always Hughes, with her professional camera, getting better results.

Perfect Form Fitness Offers Small Group Classes and Personal Training

Perfect Form Fitness LLC, 38 Andover Street, recently introduced Booty Barre classes, a combination of dance, pilates, yoga, balance on a barre (bar) and mat work to improve strength, mobility and coordination.

Owner Dana Gattinella said two years ago, she trained with Booty Barre founder and celebrity trainer Tracey Mallett who has been seen on Ellen and Access Hollywood. Gattinella emphasized the rigorous certification requirements, and explained they are one of the few fitness facilities in Massachusetts certified to teach the class.

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NORTH ANDOVER

Grab a Free Cupcake at Good Day Café

Halloween is days away and Good Day Café is celebrating with a spooky and delicious promotion.

Kids in costume will receive a free chocolate or vanilla cupcake today. They’re topped with their own frosting, pumpkin rings, and sprinkles.

New/Old Business: Licciardello Financial

The name Tom Licciardello may ring a bell to many of you. He's a former selectman and a financial planner.

And now, he has moved his business back to town. Licciardello Financial Services has relocated from Lawrence to the Willows Professional Park, 863 Turnpike St.

Ciao! Bow Wow Having Pet Costume Contest

Think your pet looks adorable in his or her Halloween costume? Well your pet could win a prize from Ciao! Bow Wow.

The local pet supplies store is having a Pet Halloween Photo Contest.