Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - December 6, 2024 issue
lizabethtown’s first ever seafood restaurant, Brickhouse Seafood & Cafe is now open to the public. Staff and owners of the restaurant came together with the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Nov. 15 to commemorate the momentous occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“On behalf of the Town of Elizabethtown, I just want to tell you how excited we are to have you here. There are nights that I just wanted seafood,” shared Mayor of Elizabethtown Sylvia Campbell during the ceremony.
PHOTO BY GFBJ
Seafood &
Rochelle Pridgen (left) and John “J” Pridgen (right) are excited to welcome the
Elizabethtown.
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>> By Faith Hatton
No place like home
HOMES AT FORT LIBERTY CELEBRATES NEW OFFICE SPACE AND A YEAR OF SUCCESS IN BUSINESS
Homes at Fort Liberty celebrated a new development for the up and coming real estate office owned and operated by Broker Paula Dingwall.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, she along with her husband and the Fayetteville/ Fort Liberty community came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting of her new office space located at 5135 Morganton Road, Suite 103 in room 107.
This is the latest step for the new company which began over a year ago when Dingwall adopted a new name for her business.
“As soon as the base changed their name I said ‘Ok, let me start my LLC,’” said Dingwall. She shared that originally, she had her sights set on Hoke County to establish a physical office, but was deterred due to pricing in the area. She would later find her new office located within the Morganton Commons building.
“I wanted a brick and mortar place and I got here in January. This [location] came up in the MLS the day after I came back from vacation
and I grabbed it. So this became my office, and my husband put together almost everything in here,” shared Dingwall.
Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, Dingwall began visiting the Fayetteville area in 2008 and eventually settled down permanently in 2012.
A former military spouse, Dingwall discovered her love of real estate when she was looking to purchase her first home with her husband, retired Army Veteran and longtime supporter Dennis Dingwall.
“I decided to do something for myself after we purchased our first home. And of course with active duty, it was busy. So I did all the running around,” shared Dingwall.
“I got us closed in 19 days because I was under the realtor asking ‘What do we do next? What comes next?’ and reading all the fine print and I was like ‘I enjoy this!’”
Dingwall began her career at Coldwell Banker Advantage Real estate firm where she spent seven years before moving on to two local REMAX offices where she spent a total
of three years. It was in December of 2023 that she decided to branch out to start her own firm.
“I’ve always been self driven and I wanted to make a name for myself, not to make millions of dollars or anything like that, but I’ve always wanted to be that safe corner for people that come to me,” shared Dingwall. “This became a vocation for me.”
Focusing primarily on the military community, Dingwall shared that she has spent her time investing into people beyond just as customers and that her client base has grown itself over the years.
“100% of my business is military, so as a military spouse, these are the people I serve because I understand the lifestyle,” shared Dingwall. “I tell people ‘I’m interviewing you as much as you’re interviewing me, because I expect respect, kindness and courtesy. And that’s how I built my business.”
Along with home valuation and buying and selling homes, Homes at Fort Liberty will continue to offer a
personal connection with their past, present and future clients.
“Whenever anybody comes into the area, the first thing I say is ‘Call me if you need anything. My husband and I are right around the corner, so he's with me in tow,’” shared Dingwall. “A support system is important, and we can make a difference. Leading with the heart, not just about a business I want to care for. I want people to feel loved, I want people to feel warmth when they walk into this office.”
Homes at Fort Liberty is open from 10:30 a.m - 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday. Find out more about Paula Dingwall and her services online at www.homesatftlibertync.com.
PHOTO BY GFBJ
Homes at Fort Liberty Owner/ Broker Paula Dingwall (right) cuts the ribbon for her new office space with her husband and longtime supporter Dennis Dingwall (left).
4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
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Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com
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Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com
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Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com
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Kate Griffin
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Brian Miner
Jenna Shackelford
Rachel Townsend Eddie Velazquez
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ACCOUNTING
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The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.
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I’m not sure when Fayetteville and the southern regions of NC finally got the memo, but it is finally starting to feel like winter!
Hallelujah!
I wish I could say that I waited until the official start of the month of December to put up my Christmas tree, that bad boy went up the day after Thanksgiving.
While I did succeed with holding off on decorating the whole house, it is now, at the time of this issue’s printing, Dec. 6 and it’s time to deck the halls.
This has been a great year for the Journal. We were able to bring back our annual Health Care Heroes event, which featured more than 200 guests honoring local health care professionals, and I began hosting our quarterly Power Breakfasts which has been an interesting new assignment for me. I hope you were able to enjoy our final Power Break-
fast for the year, focusing on “Fayetteville’s Most Intriguing People of 2024” we worked with the panelists to discuss some key talking points and of course to serve up a few ‘golden nuggets’ of wisdom to the audience.
As we prepare for our final issue of the year coming out on Dec. 20, which will focus on a wrap up of all the developments that have taken place throughout 2024, I am looking forward to future things to come in 2025. As always, the editorial staff here at GFBJ will keep our inboxes open for all business stories across our seven-county coverage area!
In the meantime, please enjoy this issue which introduces the wider Fayetteville community to the new CEO of Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Anne Rendle (page 5), shares more about the future second location of Miller’s Brew Coffee Shop (Page 12) and our cover story
featuring Elizabethtown’s first ever seafood restaurant! I will say on a personal note it was a joy getting to celebrate their grand opening with the Elizabethtown community. The food is good, (I of course had to order a lunch platter, you know, for journalistic research and photo purposes) and the staff are very sweet and ready to serve the community.
As this is my last editor’s note this year, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, Heri za Kwanzaa, Chag Hanukkah Sameach and a happy New Year!
Happy reading!
PHOTO BY ELEMENT5 DIGITAL. PHOTO FROM PEXELS
>> By Eddie Velazquez
New goals for new leadership
NEW CEO OF THE LONGLEAF PINE REALTORS® SHARES HER GOALS FOR THE ASSOCIATION MOVING INTO 2025
Anne Rendle, the new Chief Executive Officer of The Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, wants to charter a new path forward for the longtime professional organization of realtors. Her expertise and vast experience in realty, she said, are a fit for her goals to modernize how the organization can best serve its members.
Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Inc. is a professional association that serves the interests of more than 2,400 realtors and business professionals in North Carolina.
“We’re affiliated with the largest professional association in North America, which is the National Association of Realtors. We are a local chapter, where the rubber meets the road,” Rendle said. “We help with education and professional development opportunities for our members. We put on events for them to do networking, and we try to keep them updated.”
Rendle was hired as the CEO of the Longleaf Pine REALTORS® in September of 2024. Her mission is to use her more than 25 years of experience in real estate to modernize procedures and some of the internal operations of the organization to deliver for its members.
Most recently, Rendle was the CEO of the CORE Association of Realtors in Trenton, New Jersey, where she spent more than four years leading more than 4,400 realtors in three counties. There, she also oversaw the upgrading of financial reporting and budget processes, improving data-driven decision making.
some of the organizations policies and bylaws.
She also plans to draw on some of her training from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) to modernize the internal governance infrastructure at Longleaf Pine. The ASAE is a membership organization that provides resources, education and advocacy for association and nonprofit professionals.
It has more than 50,000
members, including association executives and industry partners, who manage organizations in the United States and around the world.
“I’ve taken a lot of governance training there,” she said. “So some of this work will be about updating our governance documents.”
Although Rendle said she plans on modernizing internal systems, she noted she was delighted to see Longleaf Pine REALTORS® is in great shape in other areas.
need to have their eyes above the horizon and be looking as far out as they can. It is even more important now because we are trying to build an association for the future.”
That future vision partially includes getting everyone on the same page.
“That is the goal of me and the directors and the officers,” Rendle said. “What I brought to them was the idea of a volunteer and staff partnership. That way we are rowing in the same direction and respecting each other's roles and lines of authority.”
Rendle said she is confident in her ability to lead, particularly because of her varied experience. She said she has worked in multiple roles, including some in customer service and food service.
“Every job you have gives you more knowledge that you can bring to your next job and experience. I can really help with organization as well, and how to organize the energies of a lot of people,” she said.
One action item Rendle said she could look at in the near future is the size of committees.
She also oversaw digital security upgrades and the growth of reserve accounts from $400,000 in 2019 to $1.2 million in 2023.
Rendle said that a good starting point for implementing changes would be modernizing the structure of the organizations internal committees, sharing that “They are structured in an old-fashioned way,” and one of her goals will be to update
What I found coming here is that this is just such a great group. The staff gets along really well. The members also get along well. People are working together to achieve all kinds of goals.”
— Anne Rendle CEO, Longleaf Pine REALTORS® “
“What I was delighted to see was that the hardest thing to fix: the apathy of certain members, or unproductive disagreements among members, is not present here,” Rendle said. “What I found coming here is that this is just such a great group. The staff gets along really well. The members also get along well. People are working together to achieve all kinds of goals.”
Part of Rendle’s expertise, she shared, is her ability to organize goals through a cohesive strategic approach.
“These days, given how there's so many challenges that are just accelerating all the time. You have to try and stay up to date with technology and how that changes things,” she said. “So some of that I think leadership, particularly boards of directors,
“Some of the organization just isn't there, and some of the committees are so large that it's really hard to chair a large committee because everyone in the room should have the ability to speak on every topic that they care about,” Rendle said. “We’re going to have a maximum number on every committee, and it’s not to limit the number of volunteers, because we're gonna try to put everyone who volunteers on a committee. But to have them operate more efficiently and have them be able to gel as a group better.”
You can keep up with the group’s latest developments by going to their website at www.longleafpinerealtors.com or by following their facebook page at facebook.com/ longleafpinerealtors.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LONGLEAF PINE REALTORS®
Longleaf Pine REALTORS® CEO Anne Rendle (left), stands alongside NC REALTORS® President Tony Harrington at the at the NC REALTORS® Convention held in late October.
>> By Faith Hatton
“We are blessed here in Elizabethtown to have the very best restaurants, but there are times when we want seafood so I am thankful to you for bringing that and providing that to us here and in town.”
Located at 315 MLK Blvd in Elizabethtown, Brickhouse Seafood & Cafe is the work of Co-owners John “J” Pridgen and Rochelle Pridgen. Together, they’ve worked for the past year to make the restaurant a reality.
“My wife always wanted a restaurant, and I guess I was trying to make her dream come true, so we got into the restaurant business,” shared John. “I did my research. I went around town, I asked what people wanted and everybody, 100% of the people, said seafood. So I went with seafood.”
Brickhouse Seafood & Cafe is the second restaurant owned by the Pridgens who previously had a restaurant in Tar Heel, NC, called J & R Grill. Now, the focus has shifted to Elizabethtown where John also owns JM Custom Prints.
While Nov. 15 marks the official grand opening, the restaurant has been serving up deep fried seafood to the community since their soft opening in mid-October.
“It’s been four weeks, we started our soft opening on Oct. 14 and we’ve just been building on that. We’ve been tweaking some things, and even right here at our grand opening, we’re still not full throttle just yet,” shared Rochelle.
The restaurant began serving the community on Oct. 14. The official grand opening took place on on Friday, Nov. 15
Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce organizing an official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate.
Everyone gathered, from community members to dedicated regulars to local leadership, to share their excitement for the new dining option.
“My wife loves this place. I mean, every time I come by here the place is packed,” shared longtime resident and Bladen County Commissioner Arthur Bullock. “This is something
that’s new in town and we’re hoping it’ll be very successful.”
Brickhouse Seafood & Cafe is a family owned and family operated business with 12 staff members and four cooks to keep the food coming out fresh. The menu is also custom made in store each day by Head Chef Tyrone Love.
“All of our batter is homemade. My son is the chef and we did it for him also. He’s been cheffing for about 15 years and he makes all of the sauces himself. He does a lot of the recipes himself,” shared John.
The menu features fried fish, shrimp and oyster combos, catfish nuggets, whitefish and wings, all fried fresh and served with coleslaw and hushpuppies. Side options include fried okra, sweet potato fries and more. According to the Pridgens, the menu is expected to expand in the coming weeks with grilled and steamed seafood options coming soon. New breakfast options were also added to the menu on Dec. 1.
“We’re going to be serving a nice southern style breakfast. So we’re going to have some great shrimp and grits, fish and grits, homemade salmon cakes, possibly some liver pudding,” shared Rochelle. “We’re going to start with some of those things, and then we’re going to expand with some more sandwiches. Our version
of the po’boy will be the rich boy, and we have our signature Brickhouse sauce that everybody seems to love.”
A full menu is expected to be in place in January of 2025 but for now, the Pridgens shared they are grateful for the community response so far at the ceremony and from their soft opening days.
“It’s really heart warming to see so much support and so many people come out because I didn't expect it,” shared John. “I just want to say that the Town of Elizabethtown, the people are great, and I hope that I serve them well, and I hope everybody comes in and eats and has a very good experience,” shared John.
The community is welcome into the restaurant Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Brickhouse is also still hiring. Subscribe to get the latest updates on Brickhouse Seafood Cafe on their website www.brickhouseseafood.cafe.
PHOTO BY GFBJ
with the
PHOTOS BY GFBJ
The menu features deep fried seafood items including whole whitefish (left),shrimp combos (right), catfish nuggets and wings, all made fresh and served with coleslaw and hushpuppies.
ACHIEVERS
Mary Katherine Stiles named 2024-25 School Psychologist of the Year
Cumberland County Schools (CCS) is proud to announce that MARY KATHERINE STILES has been named the 2024-25 School Psychologist of the Year. Stiles’ unwavering dedication to students’ well-being and her impactful contributions to the district make her an outstanding choice for this prestigious honor.
The announcement was made on Nov. 15 at the annual reception held at the Dr. William “Bill” Harrison Educational Resource Center, part of the district’s celebration of National School Psychology Week (NSPW). NSPW is an annual event recognizing school psychologists and their vital role in supporting students, schools and communities. This year’s theme, “Spark Discovery,” emphasizes the efforts of school psychologists to inspire growth, drive change and expand possibilities for children and youth.
With 12 years of service as a CCS school psychologist, Stiles has made a lasting impact across the district. She played a key role in developing and maintaining an after-school mentoring program for third- through fifth-grade girls and has supported Exceptional Children (EC) classes in preparing for the Very Special Arts festivals. Known for her infectious sense of humor, Stiles brings positivity and energy to her daily work.
Lisa Craver, CCS psychological services coordinator, praised Stiles' contributions in a press release, stating, “Mary Katherine is passionate about her job and dedicated to helping children. She goes above and beyond to assist teams in making the best decisions for students. She’s not only a strong advocate for her schools but also a supportive colleague to the entire psychological services team.”
CCS proudly recognizes Mary Katherine Stiles for her exceptional contributions to the school community.
Gustafson and Holmes Security Systems honored in Tampa, Florida
Holmes Security Systems celebrated an impressive achievement at Resideo's annual CONNECT conference in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The Eastern
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
North Carolina-based security provider with locations in Fayetteville and Wilmington, NC was recognized for its exceptional contributions to life safety, receiving Resideo's “Life Safety” and “Making a Difference” Awards. The honor celebrates Holmes Security’s commitment to safety and security and its dedication to making a positive impact in the communities it serves.
In addition to the company-wide recognition, Holmes Security's technician Ryan Gustafson received the conference’s inaugural “Outstanding Technician of the Year” award, marking a significant personal and professional milestone. A lifelong Hope Mills, NC resident and an alumnus of Southview High School, Gustafson expressed surprise and gratitude for the honor.
Company president Stephen Wheeler praised Gustafson's work ethic and customer-first approach, sharing in a press release, “Ryan joined us in 2021 as a helper and was quickly promoted to crew leader. His skills, dedication and positive attitude exemplify the values we strive for at Holmes Security. Ryan's national recognition brings immense pride to our entire team.”
Holmes Security Systems, a trusted provider in Eastern North Carolina, is known for its unwavering commitment to quality service. It is staffed by local professionals 24/7, who continue to raise the bar
in the security industry. The team's achievements at the CONNECT conference underscore the company’s dedication to exceptional customer service and meaningful community impact.
Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce announces new director
The Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce AVERY LECLEAR as its new director of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce.
LeClear is from Clemmons, North Carolina, and is a recent graduate of Campbell University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. She is excited to apply her knowledge to make a positive impact in Sampson County.
LeClear is passionate about creating meaningful connections within the community and is eager to bring fresh perspectives to the Chamber. She is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation and growth among members.
As LeClear steps into her new role, she has expressed her excitement about working alongside local businesses, organizations and community leaders.
“This community has so much potential, and I’m excited to explore ways the Chamber can grow, flourish and serve as a valuable resource to Clinton and Sampson County,” LeClear shared in an announcement from the Chamber.
Cumberland County receives Budget Award for second year
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announces Cumberland County as a recipient of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This is the second year in a row Cumberland County is receiving this distinction.
Award recipients must meet nationally recognized standards for effective budget presentations. These standards evaluate how well a budget functions as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a tool for communication.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of the Board of Commissioners, whose commitment to sound fiscal management sets the foundation for our success,” said Cumberland County Budget and Performance Director Deborah Shaw in a press release. She continued in part: “I also extend my gratitude to the County Manager for his continued support and guidance throughout the budget process. Most importantly, this award reflects the dedication and hard work of our exceptional Budget and Performance team. Their collective effort and unwavering commitment to excellence made this accomplishment a reality.”
Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
“I’m proud that Cumberland County has earned this prestigious recognition for the second consecutive year,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioner Chairman Glenn Adams in a press release. “This award reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and excellence in the ways we manage taxpayer resources. It’s a testament to the dedication of our staff, who work to ensure our budget is a clear, effective tool for guiding the County’s priorities and operations.”
Stiles
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY The Budget and Performance Department accepts the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award during the Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Nov. 18, 2024. Pictured from left are Budget and Performance Director Deborah Shaw, County Manager Clarence Grier, Budget and Management Analyst II Gathany Smith, Budget and Management Analyst II Ashley Brewington, Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams and Senior Budget and Management Analyst Denise Urban.
LeClear
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOLMES SECURITY
Left to Right, Holmes VP Luke Wheeler, Ryan Gustafson and President Stephen Wheeler
What makes Fayetteville distinct
TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE CAN ENJOY A NEW RESOURCE THAT SHOWCASES THE BEST OF THE AREA’S ATTRACTIONS
DistiNCtly Fayetteville, the official tourism site of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, recently launched their Fayetteville Area Destination Guide available in print and digital format.
The guide highlights major events, attractions and recreational opportunities in the area. This is the first destination guide to be updated and released for the area in eight years.
“Fayetteville and Cumberland County has a lot to offer…So we can’t put everything in the Destination Guide, but what we can do is give you the highlights, give you some of the bigger events and some of the bigger attractions and recreation and outdoor experiences, and then give you enough to make you more inquisitive, to make you want to explore more, by going to our website, following us on socials and so forth, as well as making sure that folks can know how to get here [by providing information about] the airport, the hotels, what to do while they’re here [like] shopping,” shared CEO of DistiNCtly Fayetteville Devin Heath.“We don’t list out every single store, but give them enough taste that they’ll realize that there is a tremendous amount of things that you can do while you’re in Cumberland County.”
Heath and his team agree that eight years was too long to go without an update previously and expect to update the guide every year or two going forward. Future updates will be based on demand and new attractions.
“When you have a destination like ours that's really starting to grow, there's a lot of new attractions that are going to be coming online in the next year or two: the event center downtown, the new Cape Fear Regional Theatre, there’s the new beer garden that just got announced off of Russell. So there’s a lot of new attractions that are coming online that we want to make sure we're helping to tell their story as well” added Heath.
To access the Fayetteville Area Destination Guide go to www. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/planyour-visit/visitor-guide/. Using this link individuals can request a digital
Pick
version of the guide which they will then be able to view right away, or they can request a mailed copy. Both options are free of charge.
Locals can also stop by DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s office at 245 Person St. in downtown Fayetteville to pick up a copy. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“
...we can’t put everything in the Destination Guide, but what we can do is give you the highlights, give you some of the bigger events and some of the bigger attractions and recreation and outdoor experiences, and then give you enough to make you more inquisitive, to make you want to explore more...”
—
“We’re just really excited about a lot of the seed work that we’ve been doing over this past year. We’re working now with the Sports Commission, and we're working with the community on how we can help support the development that’s happening in the community. We just continue to think so much about the future of this destination, and we’re really excited to start seeing a lot of the work that we’ve been doing come to fruition,” remarked Heath.
To keep up with DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s work and what’s happening in the community follow them on social media: www.facebook.com/DistinctlyFayettevilleNC.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DistiNCtly Fayetteville
up a copy of the updated Fayetteville Area Destination Guide at DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s office located at 245 Person St., request to have a copy mailed to your home or access a digital version of the guide by going on their website.
Devin Heath CEO, DistiNCtly Fayetteville
Neil Grant, Gary Futch, Patrick Murray and James Sherrill
Coffee for a cause
MILLER’S BREW COFFEE SHOP PREPARES TO EXPAND OPERATIONS WITH A SECOND LOCATION AT WEST REGIONAL LIBRARY IN FAYETTEVILLE
Local coffee shop Miller’s Brew is preparing to open their second location at West Regional Library, located at 7469 Century Circle, in Fayetteville.
Kim and Karl Molnar opened Miller’s Brew Coffee Shop, a shop that doubles as a training center for adults with special needs, in the first quarter of 2023. It is an extension of the couple’s nonprofit organization Miller’s Crew, started in 2016.
West Regional Library was built in 2010 with a cafe space, but until now that space has only been used as storage. Upon joining the library staff in 2021, Assistant County Manager and Library Director Faith B. Phillips saw the potential for the space and was eager to see it put to use.
“I learned of Chairman Adams and our Board of Commissioners’ desire to meet the needs that had been expressed to them by several community members, needs for young folks who have special needs for employment in warm, nurturing environments [and] for job training and job experience. And so that’s how the idea came about, really working with the team here at the library and with county administration and the Board of Commissioners on what that vision would look like. And so we explored partnership opportunities, and then we approached Kim and Karl with Miller’s, and we talked with them. We explored the partnership, the opportunity, and we knew that they were the right partners for us with the passion that they have, the dedication that they have to providing job development and workforce experience and training and support for young people with special needs. It was the right fit for our library location,” shared Phillips.
After almost two years in business at their premier location, the timing is right for Miller’s Brew to expand. This new location will allow Miller’s Brew to connect with and train even more crew members.
“It was a no-brainer for us. One, we’re working with the county, and we work with people who really understand what we’re doing and understand our mission — our number one mission and vision for
this entire process, if you will, is that we put our families first who have adults with developmental disabilities — and they get that after talking to them and meeting and them hearing our vision and what we wanted, those two things aligned, and so we really just came to the agreement that this would provide the best opportunity to spread out our crew members,” shared Kim Molnar.
In their current space, Kim shared that they have no more room for bringing on additional crew members.
“We cycle through over 55 crew
members a week, and we have about 25 on the waiting list, waiting for training. And there’s just no more time in the day. We’re here six days a week, and we basically have maximized our ability to plug people in so that they get the individualized attention that we want them to have so that they can retain those skills,” shared Kim.
The library is working with Miller’s Brew to help them get the space ready for operations from painting to installing equipment. Special Project Liaison Danielle Ellis will be working closely with the Miller’s Brew team
to see that their branding and energy is curated in the new space.
Kim also shared that the library recently received a grant to provide an inclusive playroom for children with special needs. This will provide further accommodations for the families that Miller’s Brew works to prioritize and serve.
The new location will feature a full menu with fan favorites from their original location such as espressos, milkshakes, their own special brew of coffee and pastries provided by their continued partnership with Superior Bakery.
Miller’s Brew anticipates a full opening in early 2025. Kim shared that ideally they hope to be in the space training people in January and to open in February. In the meantime, swing by Miller’s Brew in Haymount for delicious drinks and sweets and to support their mission.
For more information on Miller’s Brew Coffee Shop, visit millerscrew.com/millers-brew-coffee-shop or facebook.com/ MillersBrewCoffeeShop.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Miller’s Brew thanks the County for their partnership. Pictured from left are Joey Marinelli, Kim Molnar and Karl Molnar.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumberland County Public Library held a key ceremony on Monday, Nov. 25, to officially welcome Miller’s Brew to Café West at West Regional Library. Pictured from left are Karl Molnar (back left), Pam Marinelli, Kim Molar, Joey Marinelli, Assistant County Manager and Library Director Faith Phillips, Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams and County Manager Clarence Grier.
Celebrating Phase I
TOWN OF HOPE MILLS HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR ITS HERITAGE PARK PROJECT
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 was a day of celebration for the Hope Mills community when town commissioners, leaders and friends all came together to hold a historic groundbreaking on the long awaited Heritage Park Phase I project.
Located at 5445 Lakeview Road, across from Hope Mills Lake, the park includes ample field space, the historic preservation of the old mill flume and the conversion of the flume to a stormwater control measure that will treat the new impervious surfaces constructed in the park.
Other park amenities include the construction of a new driveway, restroom, parking lot, event lawn and the preservation and placement of the floodgates as shade canopies over benches. The project also includes an interpretive element that will explain the history of the Town, the mill and how the flume has been repurposed to treat stormwater and protect Little Rock Creek.
“We’re here to witness something never done before in the history
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOWN OF HOPE MILLS
The park’s amenities include the construction of a new driveway, restroom, parking lot, event lawn and the preservation and placement of the floodgates.
of this town. We’re here today for the opening of a park dedicated to the history of Hope Mills. We're also here today because of the hard work, dedication, vision, and most importantly, the desire of citizens and Hope Mills to come together,” shared Chancer McLaughlin, town manager for the Town of Hope Mills. “Through this interactive space, you will be able to dig deep into the rich
history of this site while experiencing a design amendment to address drainage and engineering while at play, this park will become one of our premier spaces that provides a place of peace and tranquility in a natural setting, while preserving and highlighting elements significant to the operation of one of our historic mills.”
According to an official breakdown of the Heritage Park development timeline released by the Town, the project has been in the world since 2020 when the Board of Commissioners accepted the PARTF grant from NCDENR and authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement for Phase I construction. Since then progress continued steadily, with milestones being marked such as the selection of K & C Contractors, Inc. to complete the project.
According to Hope Mills Parks & Recreation Director Lamarco Morrison, the project utilized $405,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds along with a match from the Town of just under $400,000 to make
the project happen.
“I don’t want to call it a cost. I want to call it an investment, because this project is going to be here well after all of us, it's an investment in town that people for years to come will be able to enjoy,” said Morrison. “A couple of items that you don’t see yet, but they’re going to be installed really soon. There’s a dedication plaque and a commemoration plaque that’s going to commemorate all of HPC and the members that started the project, and then it’s also going to be a dedication plaque for the grist mill.”
The ceremony also included words of thanks from Mayor Jessie Bellflowers, a brief history of the area from Sharon Reeves, chair of the Historical Preservation Committee and a certificate presentation from Katie Smith, senior advisor for Senator David Rouzer.
The event concluded with a dinner held at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation building.
PHOTO BY GFBJ
Leadership with the Town of Hope Mills were determined to celebrate the success of the park project come rain or shine. Representatives gathered under the historic, newly renovated flume gates to open the park up to the public.
Sustainment Symposium 2024
ARSOF SUSTAINMENT SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON FORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFORMATION AND GSB INTEGRATION
The 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) hosted the United States Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) annual Sustainment Symposium from Nov. 13-15, 2024. This year’s symposium focused on Transforming in Contact (TiC), specifically developing and integrating Multi-Functional Teams (MFTs) and restructuring Group Support Battalions (GSBs) to address manpower challenges and enhance operational efficiency. Senior military leaders, logistics experts and specialists discussed strategies for optimizing logistics support in modern military operations.
A key symposium theme was adapting force development to address evolving challenges in manpower and resources. Discussions highlighted the potential of MFTs—specialized, mission-specific units—to provide tailored logistical solutions in high-intensity combat. Integrating MFTs with restructured GSBs was identified as a critical strategy for improving logistics coordination, enhancing flexibility and ensuring efficient support for soldiers in complex operational environments.
The event also explored how emerging technologies, such as au-
Col. Andrew Lynch, commander of 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) and Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Bower, Command Sgt. Maj. of 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) were some of the featured speakers during the Symposium.
tonomous systems, artificial intelligence and advanced transportation solutions, can mitigate manpower limitations. These innovations are essential to improving logistics speed, precision and resource management, ensuring that warfighters receive timely, reliable support in dynamic combat conditions.
Experts also focused on the evolving role of GSBs in maintaining readiness, for themselves and for the Special Forces Groups they support, ensuring the continuous flow of re-
sources during operations. They emphasized the need for GSBs to adapt to modern operational demands, highlighting their importance in providing responsive logistics even in austere and contested environments. This adaptability is essential to maintaining operational effectiveness and supporting the warfighter.
The symposium also underscored the critical role of Combat Training Centers (CTCs), including the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and the National Training Center
(NTC), in preparing sustainers for the complexities of large-scale combat. These centers simulate realistic, high-intensity scenarios where logistics support is vital to mission success. Insights from CTC training were identified as essential for ensuring future MFTs and GSBs can meet the demands of the modern battlefield.
As the symposium concluded, participants stressed the importance of continued transformation in force development, innovation and warfighter support. Integrating MFTs with updated GSB structures, leveraging technological advancements and incorporating lessons from CTC training will be key to overcoming operational challenges and ensuring operational success. The event reaffirmed the need for strategic planning, innovation and interagency collaboration to maintain logistics systems that effectively support Army and Joint forces in any environment.
Disclaimer: "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STAFF SGT. EMELY ECKELS, 528TH SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE
Participants of the United States Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) annual Sustainment Symposium took a group photo on 15 November 2024, Fort Liberty N.C.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STAFF SGT. EMELY ECKELS, 528TH SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE
Time for Your Business to Save with Time-of-Use Rates
As a small business, you can save money on your energy bills with PWC’s Time-of-Use billing. Power used during Peak Hours is billed at higher rates (just four hours a day), and power used during Off-Peak Hours is billed at 29% lower rates. During the winter schedule – from November 1 through March 31 – Peak Hours are weekdays from 6:00 am – 10:00 am. Some things you can do to shift your usage and conserve power during Peak Hours:
• Use a programmable “smart” thermostat to keep your heat at the lowest comfortable temperature during Peak Hours and avoid allowing employees to adjust thermostats. Consider setting the schedule to preheat your building(s) during Off-Peak Hours (before 6:00 am), then lower the heat from 6:00 – 10:00 in the morning.
• Schedule non-essential equipment to run during Off-Peak Hours. When possible, schedule required equipment to run sequentially (not concurrently) during Peak Hours.
• Educate your employees on Time-of-Use, encouraging them turn off lighting and equipment they don’t need during Peak Hours and perform non-urgent, high energy-use tasks after 10:00 am.
• The Whole Business (Super Off-Peak) Rate will not be affected by the change to Winter TOU.
For more details on PWC’s Time-of-Use billing: FayPWC.com/Time-Of-UseRates-For-Non-ResidentialCustomers/ See Business Conservation Resources for more ways to save.
BIZ LEADS
Reader’s Guide
BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.
New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Desired Realty LLC
2047 Birchcreft Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Desiree Elizabeth Rivera
J J Wright and Associates LLC 916 Santiato Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Carrie Wright
INSPIRED BY CHANGE LLC
6490 KELMSCOT CT
Fayetteville Agent: JUSTIN GREEN
Precision Medical Supplies LLC 922 Carver St
Fayetteville Agent: Jeffrey Persky
Vickers Educational Consulting L.L.C. 3521 Heartpine Dr.
Fayetteville Agent: Melinda S Vickers
HealthyCare
Nursing Group PLLC
4286 Raeford Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Jermecka
Hamilton
Family's Cleaning Services LLC
B. Daniels Logistics LLC 2520 Murchison Rd Suite 6B
Fayetteville Agent: Brian Lee Otis Daniels
360Vibes LLC 102 Ryan Circle Spring Lake Agent: Omar Cunningham Mad Jacks Asphalt And Concrete LLC 5213 Delco St
Fayetteville Agent: Stafford Earl Boswell
Valley End Phase
Three Homeowners Association Inc. 2557 Ravenhill Dr Fayetteville Agent: Rad Brown
Adore Beauty Company LLC 3413 N Main St.
Hope Mills Agent: Julie Sumners
Mcneill Heritage Renovation LLC
100 Hay Street Ste 503
Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
Gifts of Gold
Family Home Care LLC 1128 Artemis Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Brittney Mckoy Williams
6614 Roslin Farm Rd
Hope Mills Agent: Lisandra Gomez
Crownhart Professional Services LLC 5132 Thruway Rd
Hope Mills
Agent: John T. Crownhart
JS Medical Training and Nursing Services LLC 1822 Ellie Ave
Fayetteville Agent: J
ACKIE KENYETTA SHORTER
Krisi's World LLC 6508 Bonnie Bell Ln Fayetteville Agent: Tania Abonza Duran
All In One Realty LLC 1112 Beehive St
Fayetteville Agent: Honore Byrd
MIXIES BAR & LOUNGE LLC
310 SAWTOOTH DR APT 24
Fayetteville Agent: KEVIN CANARICK
Dream Catcher Consulting LLC 3039 Boone Trail Extension Suite 100
Fayetteville Agent: Dinah Goodman
W Maldonado Stone LLC 6119 Brooks St
Falcon Agent: Walter Orlando Maldonado
Lewis Development Group LLC 7206 Shelby Circle
Fayetteville Agent: Elijah D Lewis
Double Trouble Realty LLC 6558 Turnbull Road
Fayetteville Agent: Daniel T Fugate
Falange C Trucking LLC 325 Desmond Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Falange C Francisque
Rounders Express. Inc. 5285 Butler
Nursery Rd. Fayetteville Agent: Robert D. Taylor III
Qolysis LLC 5075 Morganton Rd STE 10C #1429
Fayetteville Agent: Kayla Nikole Hurley
1019 Hope Mills Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Bridgett Renee Floyd
D'yanis Reed Photography LLC 865 Sunbury Dr
Fayetteville Agent: D'yanis L Reed
407 Norton LLC 104 Tallstone Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Mason Pratt
Tessier Ventures LLC
860 Danish Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Brentley Adam Tessier
NSC Investments LLC 201 Hay Street Suite 402
Fayetteville Agent: Claudia L Isgrigg
F&M ONE DESIGNER LLC 6454 Rannock Dr
Fayetteville Agent: ANDRE HOLMES
Mendez Solutions LLC 5418 Palm Circle
Fayetteville Agent: Amir Mendez Perez
Bridging Faith Over Fear Corporation
FATIMA ROUFI LLC 1408 BURFORD CT
Fayetteville Agent: FATIMA ROUFI
Fowl Play Food Truck LLC 6054 Shannon
Woods Way Hope Mills Agent: Jerome Alonzo Jackson
Rebirth: Heart and Mind PLLC 351 Wagoner Drive STE 411
Fayetteville Agent: Brittany Wharton
Custom Comforts LLC 6467 Rannock Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Laura Hardin Brewer
CIC Construction Inc
429 Person St. Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady
Corporate Services LLC
Force Field
Construction Intelligence LLC 201 Hay Street Suite 2000
Fayetteville Agent: R. Jonathan Charleston
Gigi’s home away from home childcare LLC 3412 Park Hill Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Toni Anthony
Arrow Key Properties LLC 109 Hay Street Suite 202
Fayetteville Agent: Lawrence Bell
BBT Global LLC 524 Auburndale Lane
Fayetteville Agent: Adebowale Adejumo
HAT Company LLC 916 Beuer Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Bankole P Togbenon
Bully Sports 2517 Quail Forest Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Dwayne Manning
Ministerio Rey de Reyes NC 6428 Barbour Lake Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Jose Marcano
Hasifa Graham D.D.S P.L.L.C. 313 Glenola St
Fayetteville Agent: Hasifa Graham
BLO LLC 8529 Amish Drive
Fayetteville
Agent: Chatara A Perry
Shadow Veil Holdings LLC
229 Old Street
Fayetteville Agent: Brandon Shawn Patton
Topflight Property Management LLC
2035 Raeford Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Jonathan St Jules
ToyaSierra Enterprise Solutions LLC 1716 Tryon Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Latoya Sharika Sierra Ware
The Lord's medical transportation LLC
1179 N Bragg Blvd
Spring Lake Agent: Danielle Nicole Lord
G&F FRAMINGL SERVICES LLC
68 Ashley Ct
Spring Lake Agent: Gustavo
Flores Santos
Spring Hill
Church Road LLC
350 Wagoner Drive
Fayetteville Agent: BLW HOLDINGS LLC
K' Oasis LLC 1656 Kershaw Loop
Fayetteville Agent: Krystal
Rene Eason
Nova Optic Solutions LLC
5535 Wade-Stedman Road
Wade Agent: Cesar Rafael Gonzalez
186Hub LLC
2978 Gillespie St. Suite 105
Fayetteville Agent: Donghong Chen
MTF GAMING
CAFE LLC
1605 Rock Merritt Ave Ste 70239
Fort Liberty Agent: BRYAN EMMANUEL
MORALES
McKenzie Family Trucking LLC
3771 Ramsey St STE 109 #238
Fayetteville Agent: Jermaine Adam McKenzie
Oma's Schnitzel Haus LLC
3920 Black Bridge Rd
Hope Mills Agent: Mark A Hernandez
Aj Hauling of Dunn LLC
8226 Norris Rd Dunn Agent: Joyce Christina Harris
The Next Level Protection LLC.
4454 Bent Grass Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Todd Nicholas Pascarella
Somatic Massage & Bodywork LLC
308 Hay Street
Fayetteville Agent: Jordyn Marie Johnson
H&H Ayers Properties LLC
150 N. McPherson Church Rd. Ste B
Fayetteville Agent: George D. Regan Jr.
MENCHIES OF FAYETTEVILLE LLC 1028 THISTLE GOLD DR
Hope Mills Agent:
DHARMESH A PATEL
JEID LLC
6432 Rutherglen Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Jayden Deonte McRae
Ippie's Little Farm LLC
120 S. Churchill Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Charles McBryde Grannis
Active Life LLC
330 Sawtooth Dr. APT 17
Fayetteville Agent: Teoz Mauney
Persevera Capital Co. #1697 5075 Morganton Rd STE 10C
Fayetteville Agent: Lashonda Moore
Everything’s Unique LLC
100 Hay Street Suite 704
PMB1070
Fayetteville Agent: Daja Viera
ChelleyCreates LLC
6773 Weeping Water Run
Fayetteville Agent: Michelle Delcid Evans
SNG LLC 6010 Begonia drive
Fayetteville Agent: oshane donovan graham
Blue & Crimson LLC 3412 Canmorre
Court Fayetteville Agent: Leslie T Dysinger
Matt & Jess
Holdings L.L.C. 7150 Faircloth
Bridge Rd
Stedman Agent: Matthew Brian Langlois
From the Root by Keya llc 3771 Ramsey St
Fayetteville Agent: Nakeya Carter
Indus Interlock and Paving LLC
3713 Sunchase Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Jacob Joby
GG Prime LLC 4035 Pleasantburg Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Has'zahn Grimes
Ezzy LLC 530 Grove St
Fayetteville Agent: Allam M Al-Bahri
Armor Siding and Construction LLC
4148 Collins Street
Fort Liberty Agent: Kole Smith
Brittany Ana Events LLC 5640 Bimini Place
Fayetteville
Agent: Brittany Anna Schafer
Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning LLC
100 Hay Street Ste 503
Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
Feed Yourself Initiative
100 Hay Street Ste 503
Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
RNC Outdoors LLC 351 Nottingley Drive
Hope Mills
BIZ LEADS
Agent: Richard Joey Sigouin JR
Turbo Roadside Assistance LLC
2619 Indian Wells Court Hope Mills Agent: Rico Brooks
Stepping on Toes Automotive LLC
714 Elcona St
Fayetteville Agent: Phillip M Thomas
De Lujo LLC 3905 Limwert Lane
Fayetteville Agent: Matthew Callihan
EdVantage Solutions NC LLC
4211 High Stakes Circle Apt 232
Parkton Agent: Timberly Jones
Empire Roofing & Solutions LLC
429 Person Street Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady
Corporate Services LLC
Star Vape & Tobacco LLC
2620 Bragg Blvd Ste D
Fayetteville Agent: Beyah's Accounting & Tax Service LLC
