family-owned
R.L. Howell, D.D.S. and Associates, P.C.
business
Providing Comprehensive General Dentistry
“WHERE WE TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY” Serving Suffolk for Over 45 Years”
Harbour View Dental Center 5837 Harbour View Blvd., Suffolk, VA (757) 686-3636
Downtown Suffolk 102 Western Ave., Suffolk, VA (757) 539-7695
For more information on our practice and procedures, check out our website at: www.rlhdds.com
NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A look at Suffolk’s local enterprises Visit us online at www.ncquilting.com
Authorized
AUBREY E. MYERS, DDS JANA E. BOYD, DDS (not pictured)
RALPH L. HOWELL, JR., DDS, FAGD R. LEROY HOWELL, SR., DDS
MARVIN G. SAGUN, DDS
Dealer
~ Sewing Machine Service and Repair ~ 757-596-7397
Follow Nancy’s Calico Patch on Facebook to read our blog and get info on sales, classes and events! 21 Hidenwood Shopping Center Newport News, VA 23606 ~ Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday
THANK YOU FOR 40 YEARS OF FAMILY
SERVING FAMILY
HEATING • COOLING • ELECTRICAL Cola Cobb and Ray Cobb
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309 Granby St., Suffolk, VA
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RAWLINGS MECHANICAL CORPORATION ed h s i l b a Est 58 19
Heating • Air Conditioning & Plumbing Contractors We Service All Brands •PRECISION TUNE UPS •24 Hour Service Licensed Class A Contractor •Free Estimates •Financing Available 757-653-2225 22515 Linden Ave., Courtland, VA
Page 26 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 3
festival lights brighten the night
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Page 4 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Suffolk News-Herald
table of contents
October 2011 The 2011 Family-Owned Business and the Suffolk News-Herald are publications of Suffolk Publications, LLC. For more information call (757) 539-3437 or visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.
EDITORIAL R.E. Spears III - Editor Tracy Agnew - News Editor Emily Collins - Staff Writer Andrew Giermak - Staff Writer
Design & Composition Hope Rose - Advertising Composition Troy Cooper - Designer Beth Beck - Designer Circulation Yvette Brozzo - Circulation Manager Business office Cathy Daughtrey - Bookkeeper
5
14
The team at Carter’s Quality Furniture has been selling furniture to local residents since 1958. They say teamwork and customer service have ensured their success.
For years, Rodman’s Bar-B-Que has provided delicious Southern fare to residents of North Suffolk and Portsmouth. The business has lunch service and caters events of all sizes.
Furniture Store depends on loyalty
ADVERTISING Susan Holley - General Manager Sue Barnes - Advertising Rep. Earl Jones - Advertising Rep. Tina Louise Harris - Advertising Rep.
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 25
9
R.W. Baker funeral home serves the community
The Baker family knows what service to the family means. For more than 125 years, the funeral home has provided loyal service to local families.
11
DAy SChool teaches children
The Suffolk Day School believes in the importance of early education. That’s why the small staff at the school takes special care with their students.
Rodman’s caters to thousands or to one
16
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23
Rawlings Mechanical serves a large region
email: RODMANSBBQ@gmail.com Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Sat. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5665-A Shoulders Hill Rd., Suffolk, VA
RODMAN S BARBECUE
Gourmet Cupcakes & Desserts 1024 Centerbrooke Lane, Suite D Suffolk, VA 23434
Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Two of Suffolk’s most respected locally owned insurance agencies merged this year into one business with 25 employees in two different locations.
Rawlings Mechanical founded in 1958 and now employs 15 to serve thousands of customers throughout Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
Divine Creations Let Us Add A Divine Touch To Your Holiday! Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years.
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Suffolk Insurance merges with J. Walter Hosier
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family-owned Ca
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“ Family Owned & Operated Since 1967”
Nicholson Tax Service, Inc. 705 E. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434
• INCOME TAX • PAYROLL TAX • SALES TAX • BOOKKEEPING H.L. Nicholson, Sr., President H.L Nicholson Jr., V. Pres./Sec ty L.T. Nicholson, MBA, CEO Fax: 757-539-7832 539-9123 THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
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Page 24 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Continued from page 23 Franklin, his wife Sarah joined the company in 1986. But it takes more than family to run a business with as many customers as Rawlings Mechanical enjoys. “We are in business to fill the heating, air conditioning and plumbing needs of our existing and new customers and take pride in doing so,” Glenn said. And doing so calls on the work of 15 employees who are trained in the art of making customers their top priority, according to Glenn. “Not only do we hold our customers in high regard, we also hold our employees in high regard, ‘Not only do we hold because we know it takes a team working together our customers in to keep a business going,” he said. “We know our employees are customer oriented and provide qual- high regard, we also ity service all the way around.” hold our employSpecializing in residential, commercial and light industrial installations, Rawlings Mechanical mainees in high regard, tains good relationships with a variety of suppliers, which enables the company to offer many different because we know it brands designed to fit a wide range of budgets. takes a team workService technicians and a plumbing division provide 24-hour service, and the company offers heating together to keep ing and air-conditioning service agreements, which are designed to help maintain installed equipment’s a business going.’ efficiency and longevity by ensuring that needed repairs are handled before permanent damage Glen Rawlings occurs. Rawlings Mechanical Glenn and Sarah Rawlings realize that the fact the company is still serving customers after nearly 55 years is because of the relationships that have been built during that time. “Sarah and I thank our customers from Southampton, Franklin, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Emporia, Suffolk and all the areas for allowing us to handle their heating, air conditioning and plumbing needs,” he said.
QUALITY FURNITURE SINCE 1947
219 W. Washington Street, Downtown Suffolk, VA Selling Quality Furniture for 64 Years
539-6361
50 Years of Dependable Service 1961-2011
LEDBETTER SEPTIC TANK RILLCO, Inc.
Certied Residential & Commercial Septic Tank & Grease Trap Inspections Plus Excavating & Concrete INSTALLATION • PUMPING • REPAIRS CLASS “A” GENERAL CONTRACTOR & MASTER ELECTRICIAN
www.rillco-inc.com 539-2003
Dependable Service R. Linwood Ledbetter, Owner
Family Owned... 50 Years of Auto and Truck Service
DICKENSON & DICKENSON Your Family Lawyers Daniel D. Dickenson, III • Thomas B. Dickenson Serving All of Hampton Roads Trafc & Criminal • Real Estate • Wills & Estates Personal Injury • Corporations • Bankruptcy We are a debt relief agency We help people le for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. 757-489-1300 www.dickensonlaw.com 1170 Lexan Ave., Suite 203 Norfolk, Virginia
Furniture store depends on loyalty
By Andrew Giermak Staff writer
L
oyalty is a two-way street for Carter’s Quality Furniture, now into its sixth decade on East Washington Street in Suffolk. Don and Edna Earle Carter started Carter’s in 1958. The “new” half of the business is Carter’s Budget Shop and Warehouse Showroom, now 27 years old, straight across the street from the original business. On most mornings, Don is in his stores getting to work before 6 a.m. His wife is the bookkeeper. Carter gives most of the reason for his business’s longevity to the customers, many of whom have trusted in Carter’s for years and have been pointing children, family, now even grandchildren, to the downtown family-run stores. “It’s really about the loyalty of the customers,” Carter said. “I can’t begin to tell you how many customers have come to us for years. It’s quite a number. We’re selling to the third generation in
“Easy access from Suffolk through the Midtown Tunnel - go three miles on Hampton Blvd. Corner of Hampton Blvd. & Lexan Ave.”
See FURNITURE, 6
Network with us
202 Market St., Suffolk, VA 23434 • 3575 Bridge Rd., Bennett’s Creek Crossing Suffolk, Virginia 23435 Ph: 757-539-9988 Fax: 757-539-2989 www.suffolkinsurance.com
Follow Suffolk News-Herald on Facebook and Twitter.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!
Rawlings: ‘It takes a team,’ owners say
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 5
Call Us For Your LIVE NATIVITY SCENE for the Christmas Season. “We bring the Farm To You!
The Teeny Tiny Farm
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USDA Certied Licensed and Insured
Our Work Is Child’s Play! State Licensed Family Owned Business Since 1968 Maxanne Kerr Morrison
221 Pinner St. • Suffolk • 539-7123
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REFERENCES AVAILABLE
Page 6 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 23
Rawlings grows with second generation Emily R. Collins/Suffolk News-Herald
Showroom: Carter’s sells a variety of furniture to customers who visit the showroom on West Washington Street. Suffolk’s booming population has led to an increase in business in recent years, the owners say, but they still rely on good customer service to bring in more people.
Furniture: Carter’s provides personal service, friendly atmosphere Continued from page 5 some cases now,” he said. Some of Carter’s loyal customers have been purchasing furniture and décor for all rooms of their homes from Don and his family for all 53 years. “Some of our customers have been with us since we opened,” Carter said. “We try to treat everybody fair and treat them right. It’s about trying to take care of the needs of the customer.” Personal service is another way Carter’s separates itself from the large, national chain stores. Don is a Suffolk native. Son Donnie and daughter Beth Brown make Carter’s staff two generations old. Angela Allen, who Beth genuinely
calls “an adopted daughter,” is the secretary, having worked for Carter’s for 17 years, since age 18. “All of our employees are very loyal, along with the family,” Carter said. “They all really make up the backbone of the business.” Everything that made for a strong, growing business decades ago still holds true today, especially when it comes to how Carter’s treats its customers. “There have been a lot of changes. Much of our furniture today is imported,” Carter said. Suffolk’s booming population has led to increased business in recent years. Carter’s Quality Furniture joined
Homearama for the first time, furnishing one of the homes, the Treasure Chest Organizational House, for the home show in North Suffolk’s Harbour View neighborhood. “We’ve had good responses from that so far,” Carter said, saying being a part of Homearama has spread the word about the family business around Hampton Roads. The Treasure Chest Organizational House won the most awards among the nine houses on display at Homearama, including Best in Show and, of particular pride for Carter’s, Best Interior Design. Both Carter’s locations sell furniture
for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, offices, home theaters and more, along with artwork, carpet and flooring, lamps and mattresses. Products, quality and prices are important. Tastes and styles have certainly changed many times since 1958. Caring for and treating everyone right, whether or not they’ve been coming into Carter’s for all 53 years, is what Carter always comes back to. “I hope it’s been because of good service and a friendly atmosphere,” Carter said. There’s no talk of retiring, or simply getting to work an hour or so later each morning.
From Staff Reports Suffolk News-Herald
As the oldest heating, air conditioning and plumbing company in the area, Rawlings Mechanical has a wealth of experience in putting all of the family’s resources into meeting customers’ needs. The company has been family owned and operated since it was founded in 1958 by “Buck” and Irma Rawlings. The founding family operated Rawlings Mechanical from their home until 1965, when they moved to the company’s present location on Linden Street in Courtland. Son Glenn began to work full-time with the company in 1973, when he opened a branch in Wakefield. Although that branch closed in 1980, Rawlings continues to enjoy a large customer base in the Wakefield area, and Glenn Rawlings now serves as the company’s president. After Glenn moved his family from Waverly to See RAWLINGS, 24
Page 22 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
PARKER BATTERY
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ING V R SE UR S O MER TO CUS FOR R OVEEARS Y 25
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(757) 539-6616 OFFICE
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Have You Been in a Slight Altercation? We’re Here to Help!
From small scratches to major repairs our highly skilled & trained technicians will get you back on the road in no time!
Family Owned Since 1969
MURPHY MOTORS, INC. 757-653-2003
28292 Southampton Pkwy., Courtland
Quick Service at a Price You Can Trust!
Nansemond Antiques • Silver & Brass Polished & Lacquered • Lamp Repairs BUYING SELLING A & 9 6 2 6 NTIQU 9 • Chair Caning and Rushing 53 Since 196 ES 9 • Silver Repaired Open: Wed. - Fri. 10 am - 4 pm Sat. 10 am - 2 pm 3533 Pruden Blvd. (Rt. 460) Suffolk
Including wire, cable, battery boxes, chargers, testers, boosters cables, Ûashlights, jump starters, power inverters, solar chargers, etc.
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 7 208 South Street, Franklin, VA 23851 757-562-6084 www.parkerbattery.com Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-5 Sat. 9-1 Most Popular Brands AC Delco Exide Optima Deka Cole Hersee Maglite
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Cross Country Battery Hawker Power Sonic Duracell Procell US Battery Desno
• Cell Phones • Two Way Radio • Commercial • Motorcycles
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• Golf Carts • UPS Backups • Laptops • Digital Camera
CALL 562-6084 FOR YOUR BATTERY NEEDS
Suffolk’s Family Owned Tree Service Since 1988
“Suffolk s Transportation Specialist for Church, Social, School and Senior Citizens Trips Since 1961� “Celebrating 50 Years�
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The pace of life in Suf folk
SUMMER 2011
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Page 8 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
HUGH INVENTORY OF RV PARTS
THE TRAILER OUTLET
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 21
WHITEFORD’S COLLISION & REFINISHING Dependable, Quality Work Lifetime Warranty on All Repairs ALL MAKES & MODELS - FREE ESTIMATES I-CAR Certied & GM Approved Repairs Family Owned & Operated Brad Whiteford, Owner 220 Jackson St., Suffolk Phone: 538-1400 whitefordren@aol.com
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Family-owned: Small businesses are vital to local, national economies Continued from page 20 (Sweden), Lego (Denmark) and Kikkoman (Japan). 4According to an article in the Spring 2001 edition of “Family Business Review,” the oldest family-owned business operating in the United States is the Zildjian Cymbal Co. of Norwood, Mass., which was founded in 1623 in Constantinople and moved with the family to the United States in 1929. 4Family businesses account for 78 percent of all new jobs created, 60 percent of the national employment and 50 percent of the gross domestic product. 4Approximately 30 percent of all familyowned businesses survive into the second generation, and 12 percent will be viable into the third generation, according to the publication “Family Business Review.” Only 3 percent of all family businesses operate at the fourth generation and beyond. 4In the next five years, 39 percent of family-owned firms will experience a change in leadership, according to the 2003 American Family Business Survey. 4The same survey concluded that 19 percent of family business participants have not completed any estate planning other than writing a will; only 37% have written a strategic plan; and over 60% are very positive about their company’s future. Furthermore, 85 percent of family-owned businesses that
have identified a successor say it will be a family member. 4How important is a plan of succession? By 2050, according to Robert Avery’s book “The Ten Trillion Dollar Question: A Philanthropic Gameplan,” virtually all closely held and family owned businesses will lose their primary owner to death or retirement. Approximately $10.4 trillion of net worth will be transferred by the year 2040, with $4.8 trillion in the next 20 years. 4According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, there are 1.2 million husband-and-wife teams running companies in the United States. 4According to a Sept. 4, 2003 article in the Boston Business Journal, the number of family businesses run by women grew by 37 percent between 1998 and 2003, with an average annual revenue of $26.9 million in 2002. 4Arthur Anderson/Mass Mutial reported in 2003 that 52 percent of family firms had hired at least one female family member fulltime, while 10 percent employed two female family members. 4The typical American family firm donates $50,000 annually to philanthropic causes, mostly to local, educational and religious organizations, according to the 2003 American Family Business Survey.
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Your source for news and information
suffolknewsherald.com
Ray’s Dog House Hot Dogs • BBQ • Sandwiches • Subs • Salads • Cold Cuts and more!
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Page 20 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 9
Small business crucial
Hometown service
Family-owned businesses vital to U.S. economy
S
mall businesses are often thought of as the backbone of American capitalism. According to statistics from various industry tracking organizations, family businesses are nearly as important. Following are some statistics to put things into perspective. 4According to an article in the September 2003 edition of “Family Business Review,” as many as 90 percent of all business enterprises in North America are family owned. Some sources say that number is even higher when looking at the United States alone. 4Lest you get stuck on the stereotype of the mom-and-pop corner store, consider this: 35 percent of all Fortune 500 companies are family firms. 4Wal-Mart, Ford, Mars Corporation, J.P. Morgan, Firestone, DuPont and Levi Strauss are some examples of big family businesses in the U.S. Other family-owned or familycontrolled multinational companies with popular brands include: L’Oreal (France), Benetton (Italy), Siemens (Germany), Ikea
By Emily R. Collins Staff Writer
See FAMILY-OWNED, 21
ce 1 n Si 97 1
A Family Owned Business
ASWELL’S GARAGE Dealers for:
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Showroom located at: 4318 Godwin Blvd., (Rt. 10) Suffolk
Family-owned furniture store morphs into funeral home
4597 Adams Swamp Rd., Suffolk
Family Owned and Operated Since 1958 Proudly Featuring One of Tidewater’s Largest Selections of Traditional and Transitional Furniture
ur o o rs t s e nk tom a s h T cu
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186 E. Washington St., Suffolk www.cartersqualityfurniture.com
Emily R. Collins/Suffolk News-Herald
Funeral home: From left, Marie Baker, Robert N. Baker III, Blake Baker and Kelly Baker own and operate R.W. Baker Funeral Home on West Washington Street. The business has been in the family since it started in 1885.
When Robert Washington Baker opened his furniture store in downtown Suffolk in 1885, he likely didn’t think his business would morph into a funeral home. But sure enough, more than 125 years later, R.W. Baker’s descendants own and operate a funeral home that bears his name. Blake Baker said when his greatgreat-grandfather opened his shop, it wasn’t uncommon for furniture stores to handle funerals occasionally. “They did because they sold coffins,” he said. But in 1916, he split the businesses up and the Bakers were in the funeral services business from that day on. The family now has two locations in Suffolk, one on West Washington Street and the other on Lee Farm Road, which is operated in conjunction with Foster See FUNERAL, 10
Page 10 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 19
Funeral: Baker family business began as furniture store in 1885 Continued from page 9 Funeral Home. Baker said the downtown location handles most of their business, and they do about 10 to 12 funerals a month. Baker family members have run the funeral home ever since its opening. Baker said running a family-owned business has similar challenges to running any business. “Keeping a good staff, keeping the bills and taxes paid,” he said. However, he said, being the owners, they are required to stay at the business as long as it takes. “A lot of times because we are family-owned, we’re here a lot more than we would be if it wasn’t our funeral home,” Baker said. “We work a lot of hours.” He said some people think handling funerals isn’t hard work, but they couldn’t be more wrong. “A lot of people think our job is riding around in nice suits all day,” he said. “They don’t see what we do in the background and the time it takes to take care of a family.” Although Blake Baker now runs the funeral home alongside his father,
Robert N. Baker III, he almost didn’t get into the business at all. He said his father never pushed him into taking the business and let him make his own decision about his career. After graduating from high school, Blake Baker attended Ferrum College and earned a degree in environmental science. He worked in Virginia Beach for a consulting firm, but it was a matter of time before his focus shifted back home while his dad renovated the West Washington Street facility. “I found myself calling home to find out what was going on,” Blake Baker said. “I finally asked him if I could come back and work.” Robert N. Baker III welcomed his son to the business. In addition to Blake Baker and his father, Blake’s wife, Kelly, and his father’s wife, Marie, also help keep the business running. Also, he has an aunt and uncle and cousin who help out as well. Blake Baker said one of the biggest misconceptions about the funeral services business is that it’s always
depressing. “Sometimes, death can be a blessing (if someone has been sick),” he said. “It’s hard when we have babies, kids or young military guys.” In those instances, Baker said, even the funeral home employees can suffer an emotional toll. Another misconception is that they don’t struggle through tough economies like other businesses. “Everyone thinks we’re recessionproof,” Baker said. “But we aren’t.” When times get tough, he said, people cut back on funerals just like they cut back on other expenses. People purchase less expensive caskets or opt for a cremation instead of a burial. “People don’t see the point to do the extra things,” he said. “We have people call all the time asking about the cheapest crematory service.” In response to the ongoing sluggishness in the economy, Baker said, the funeral home has tried to offer more affordable options for its clients and cut costs as much as possible. “Like every other business, we have to watch what we spend and watch what we buy,” he said.
No matter what service the clients choose, Baker said, the business makes it a priority to provide quality service. Because of their high level of customer service, he said, a lot of their business comes from word-of-mouth referrals. Many families return to the funeral home for all of their needs throughout the years. “They know we’ll treat them fair, provide a good service and we care about what we do,” Baker said. One of the things R.W. Baker does to ensure their clients are happy is to have the same funeral director serve a family throughout their time of need. “When we start with a family, we finish with a family,” Baker said. “If a person is going to trust us to take care of our loved one, then the respect you can show them by showing up instead of someone else is worth it to us.” Although there are challenges in the business, he said, he is passionate about what he does. “You’ve got to have a passion to be in this business,” he said. “It’s very rewarding when a family come to you and tells you that you made it as easy as possible for them.”
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13 562-4367
Family Owned and Operated Since 1998
Plants & Decorate For FALL! 1905 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 757-934-0149 Leon Boone, Owner
WHO CAN ENTER
Hurry! Submit your entries by email: news@suffolklivingmag.com
The contest is open to any amateur photographer except employees of Suffolk Publications and members of their immediate families. An amateur is defined as someone who does not earn more than half of his or her income from photography. Entrants must be 18 years old as of November 1, 2011.
WHAT TO ENTER
Our Work Is Child’s Play! State Licensed Family Owned Business Since 1968 Maxanne Kerr Morrison
221 Pinner St. • Suffolk • 539-7123 Kinsey’s Glass & Door LLC • Mobile Auto Glass Repair & Replacement • Shower Enclosures (Framed & Frameless)
• Mirrors & All Types of Glass • Storm Door & Window Sales/Installation/Repair • Residential Window Repair/Screen Repair • Commercial Store Front & Door Repair & Replacement Your Complete Mobile Glass Shop Residential & Commercial Licensed & Insured Serving Hampton Roads for 18 Years
kinseysglass@aol.com Brian Kinsey - Owner/Operator 757-618-0875 Suffolk,VA
Jerway Cabinets Designers and Builders of Custom Cabinets, Built-ins Jerry Manning
1614 Pitchkettle Rd., Suffolk, VA
Phone: 925-0554
Fax: 757-925-1349 Email: barbel580@verizon.net
Attention
Photogs
Suffolk Living is pleased to announce its first Photo Contest, with winning entries to be published in the January/February 2012 issue.
We are looking for striking, digital images that capture the people, places and things that make Suffolk special. Images must have been taken in the City of Suffolk between Oct. 1, 2010 and November 1, 2011. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast, etc.) will be disqualified. Images that do not meet these requirements may or may not be judged at the judging panel’s sole discretion. If you choose to enter in the “People” category, or use any photography which includes people, you are responsible for obtaining necessary releases from the individuals depicted, and must be able to provide copies of those releases to Suffolk Living magazine upon request. Photo captions must accompany all submissions, and should include the subject of the image, the location where the image was taken, and the name of the photographer. All photographs will be credited with the caption “© Person’s Name.” Suffolk Living magazine has final approval of any language that appears on its web site with any of the photos and will not promote or endorse third-party products or services.
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
4Outdoors: Relates to the scenery,
Pumpkins Gourds Pansies Mums Collards, Sweet Potatoes
landscape, wildlife of Suffolk 4People: Relates to the people of the Suffolk community 4Home Interiors & Exteriors: Relates to photography of the existing homes of Suffolk 4Architecture & Structures: Relates to photography of any buildings (existing and abandoned) as well as structures (nonresidential) found throughout Suffolk 4Action: Relates to photography that captures events, sports or leisure activities within Suffolk
IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS & JUDGING
All entries must be high quality digital images. Photographers may enter up to five images. The photos may be in the same category or spread among different categories. Images will be judged on originality, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. The judging panel includes Suffolk Living staff members as well as other qualified judges, including professional photographers in the area. Suffolk Living magazine shall determine winner eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by judges are final.
DEADLINE All submissions must be received no later than Nov. 1, 2011.
SUBMIT TO: Suffolk Living Magazine – Photo Contest Mail: PO Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 In Person: 130 S. Saratoga Street, Suffolk, VA 23434
Page 18 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 11
Insurance: Money stays local Continued from page 16 son. Currently, Bob House is president of the agency, his son Rob House also works there. It is believed J. Walter Hosier began somewhere around 1900 by its founder of the same name. Walter’s son Duke eventually took over the business, and Kent Spain’s father worked for Duke. When Duke Hosier died, Spain’s father took over. Kent himself got into the business rather suddenly when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. “I turned in my two weeks’ notice,” Spain said. “Two weeks later I was in the insurance business.” His father died about three months later. Besides being in the insurance business, House, Spain and Odom have known each other for decades. Spain’s and Odom’s fathers knew each other through coaching football in the Lakeside neighborhood, House’s and Odom’s fathers were business partners, and Spain and House lived next door to each other for years. “We knew each other pretty well before we even started this,” Spain said. The businesses have been talking about merging for a couple years, Odom said. “We’ve always respected each other for the way we did business,” Odom said. All agreed the transition was relatively smooth. Three employees remain at the former J. Walter Hosier location on Bridge Road to serve customers in North Suffolk. Employees from the former West Washington Street location of J. Walter Hosier moved a few blocks away to the Suffolk Insurance location on Market Street, which underwent some moderate renovations to change unfinished storage rooms into offices and conference rooms. Because the two businesses already were using the same software system, they simply merged all of their customer information into one database. J. Walter
Hosier remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Suffolk Insurance. “The biggest challenge was the phone system,” Spain said. “We had a little bit of scrambling.” The combined agency offers insurance for individuals and families including auto, homeowners, motorcycles, boats, individual health, life and umbrella policies. Services offered for businesses include property and casualty, workers compensation, group health, life and disability, and bonds. “We’re a full-line agency,” Rob House said. The agency works with a number of different carriers, so customers have a choice among many different carriers and plan options. It is associated with the Keystone Insurers Group in order to provide a wide array of products and services. Spain said he believes local residents should consider Suffolk Insurance because they could get a good deal, money stays in the area and the business supports local nonprofits. “People are always wondering about whom they buy insurance from,” Spain said. “Dealing with us is good for the Suffolk economy. I think it’s one of the biggest reasons you should look at Suffolk Insurance.” Another reason to choose Suffolk Insurance, Spain said, is the cost. “We may be able to do something for less, and the money stays in the area,” he said. Spain also said the agency is active in several nonprofits. Finally, Spain said, people should choose Suffolk Insurance because it has friendly hometown service. “Our customers know where we live,” Spain said. “The buck stops with the three of us. If it can’t be solved by us, we can’t solve it.” The Suffolk Insurance office is located at 202 Market St. For more information, call 539-9988.
shaping young minds
Emily R. Collins/ Suffolk News-HErald
‘We may be able to do something for less, and the money stays in the area.’ Kent Spain
Suffolk insurance
Bluebird: Maxann Kerr Morrison participates in a group activity, called “Bluebird through my Window,” with the 2 and 3-year-olds at the Suffolk Day School.
By Emily R. Collins Staff Writer
Temporary school set-up grows over 44 years
For Maxann Kerr Morrison, home is where the school is. About 44 years ago, one of Morrison’s friends asked her if she would watch her children when she went back to work. Morrison agreed, but she decided if she was going to start watching the children, she want-
ed to do something more than babysitting. “I wanted to meet my children’s needs,” she said. To help with the children’s development during a critical time in their lives, she said, Morrison decided to open the Suffolk Day School, a preschool and daycare center. When the See DAY SCHOOL, 13
Page 12 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
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Page 16 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Day school
Families protecting families
Continued from page 11
By Tracy Agnew Staff Writer
Suffolk Insurance provides full line of products, service Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
Suffolk Insurance: From left, Rob House, Hunter Odom, Kent Spain and Bob House run Suffolk Insurance. The company recently merged with J. Walter Hosier Insurance.
Suffolk Insurance and J. Walter Hosier Insurance both began as family-owned businesses in the early part of the last century. About 100 years later, the two companies have merged, and family members and long-time employees of the original owners still run the business, which is now the largest independent insurance agency in the city. “We’ve always had healthy competition with each other,” said Hunter Odom, who has long worked for Suffolk Insurance. The company was started in 1923 by Taylor Darden and his
SINCE 1938
“Energy To Deliver” • PROPANE • APPLIANCES • HEATING OILS • GASOLINE • DIESEL FUEL • LUBRICANTS Proud to be a Family Owned & Operated Suffolk Business
SUFFOLK: 539-4761
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 13
See INSURANCE, 18
We ll Make Your Car LOOK New Again!
• Expert Computer Paint Matching & Frame Repair • FREE Estimates Family Owned & Operated
BODY WORK & PAINTING 60 Years of Quality Work Dean Gordon, Owner
1249 Wilroy Rd., Suffolk, VA
539-2819
first 13 students attended the school in 1968, she said, she thought she’d operate the school for a short time. “I was just going to do it for a little while,” Morrison said. But to this day, Morrison welcomes a group of 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds into her home for school every day. “It’s addicting,” she said. In her historic home on Pinner Street, the school occupies two rooms in Morrison’s basement. The school hosts about 20 students on average, who arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and leave as late as 5 p.m. During the day, the children participate in variety of activities, such as outside play, group activities, reading, puzzles and other games, and science lessons. Morrison said the school also focuses on preparing the children for kindergarten. “It’s more than learning ABCs and sounds,” she said. “It’s learning to take care of your own needs.” Additionally, Morrison’s backyard has transformed into a playground for the students. On the playground and in the classroom, Morrison tries to give the students plenty of things to keep them occupied and engaged. “You give them the tools, and they entertain themselves,” she said. Since she opened the Suffolk Day School, she said, she has served difEmily R. Collins/Suffolk News-HErald ferent kinds of children with different School: When Maxann Kerr Morrison opened the Suffolk Day School in 1968, she thought she was only going to do it for a little while, but she loved it so much she’s continued to needs. In fact, some of her operate the school. students didn’t know English when they started at the school, and now, one of those students is a successful pediatrician, she said. Morrison said she has kept the school in her home for so many years because she thinks it’s good for the students’ development. “The home atmosphere really works so much better for the children,” she said. “It’s more like they are here to visit.” Like every other business, Morrison said, she worries about cash flow. However, her biggest challenge is meeting the strict requirements for running a school in her home. “The most challenging thing is meeting rules and regulation in the home setting,” she said. But she has managed to make it work for the past 44 years, and she attributes her success to having great staff members that care about the development of children. Depending on how many students she has, Morrison said, there are usually two or three teachers who help her. She said one of the biggest compliments she’s received is having former students bring their kids to the school. “I think one of the greatest rewards is when an ex-student enrolls their child,” But daily objective is to have every student leave Suffolk Day School excited about coming back the next day. “We want the kids to have a fun day,” she said. “That’s a great reward.”
If you don t know us by now, we are Ivor Furniture Company. Since 1949 we ve served our communities with ne furniture, appliances, ooring and bedding. We have a rst class showroom showing products to meet the needs of everyone, featuring the latest edition of Hand Made, Solid Wood Groups. They are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Page14 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 15
Barbecue: Rodman family started restaurant in Portsmouth nearly 100 years ago Continued from page 14
family-owned barbecue flavor
By Tracy Agnew News Editor
For a foodie, to step into an old dairy barn on Shoulders Hill Road is to step into heaven. The huge building emits the delectable aroma of barbecue nearly 24 hours a day. Step inside, and other smells — fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw — threaten to overtake the barbecue scent. This is the home of Rodman’s Bar-B-Que, a nearly 100-year-old family-owned business that can cater an event for a thousand attendees or cater to one person who walks in the door. The business began in Portsmouth nearly a century ago, when the grandfather of current owner Judson Rodman began cooking pigs at an old gas station. Judson’s father later opened a restaurant on High Street in Portsmouth. Another restaurant in Deep Creek also opened in what is now a Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
See BARBECUE, 15
Peanuts: Barry Saunders, the current manager of Rodman’s Bar-B-Que, pours fried peanuts out of the fryer and into a pan. The greased legumes are a specialty of the catering company.
George and Steve’s steakhouse. The Shoulders Hill Road location now serves as a catering headquarters and carry-out restaurant. It delivers barbecue every morning to Rodman’s Bones and Buddys in Portsmouth, which produces its own soups and other items on-site. Barry Saunders, who has worked at the restaurant for about 35 years, is the current manager. He’s in the process of taking over the restaurant after Judson “Juddy” Rodman moved to Florida. Besides Saunders, the restaurant has three regular part-time employees and a group of several more employees Saunders can call on for catering jobs. The business caters everything from backyard barbecues to the Portsmouth/ Churchland Rotary Club fundraiser that draws several thousand attendees every year. “We’ll go anywhere,” Saunders said. “As Juddy used to always say, we can do everything from beans and franks to lobster tails and prime rib.” The business has dozens of heat-retaining containers at its disposal, which it uses to keep the barbecue, fried chicken and other goodies piping hot until the party starts. But it isn’t just catering that
Rodman’s is famous for — a steady stream of customers comes to the Shoulders Hill location every day for sandwiches, barbecue by the pound, sliced ham and sides such as cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad, ham biscuits and corn muffins. Fried chicken, barbecue ribs and Boston butt are available on 24-hour notice. Rodman’s also will cook whole pigs for those who request it, Saunders said. “Some people like to have the whole pig with the apple in its mouth,” he said. Though the locations have changed over the years, the recipe hasn’t, Saunders said. Rodman’s still cooks its dishes the same way the founders did. “We’re still making cole slaw the same way it was done in the ‘50s,” Saunders said. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The barbecue and the sauce that goes on it combine to make “a simple recipe,” Saunders said. “We’re still cooking barbecue the oldfashioned way, with a live wood fire,” Saunders said. “Anybody can put a butt on a cooker, but it’s the sauce that does it.” The restaurant’s “secret ingredient” is not an ingredient in the barbecue sauce
Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
Bar-B-Q: Barry Saunders shows off a June 1939 photo of the Rodman’s Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q location on High Street. The business is nearly 100 years old and does catering as well as takeout lunch.
at all, but rather the red-skin fried peanuts it sells by the pound at the store and takes along on all its catering jobs. The store also does a big business in hams at Christmastime for people who want an alternative to Smithfield hams. But, he admits, the barbecue is the
mainstay of the business. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and is closed Sunday. Lunch is served from 10 a.m. to closing time. Call 484-1297 for more information.
Page14 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 15
Barbecue: Rodman family started restaurant in Portsmouth nearly 100 years ago Continued from page 14
family-owned barbecue flavor
By Tracy Agnew News Editor
For a foodie, to step into an old dairy barn on Shoulders Hill Road is to step into heaven. The huge building emits the delectable aroma of barbecue nearly 24 hours a day. Step inside, and other smells — fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw — threaten to overtake the barbecue scent. This is the home of Rodman’s Bar-B-Que, a nearly 100-year-old family-owned business that can cater an event for a thousand attendees or cater to one person who walks in the door. The business began in Portsmouth nearly a century ago, when the grandfather of current owner Judson Rodman began cooking pigs at an old gas station. Judson’s father later opened a restaurant on High Street in Portsmouth. Another restaurant in Deep Creek also opened in what is now a Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
See BARBECUE, 15
Peanuts: Barry Saunders, the current manager of Rodman’s Bar-B-Que, pours fried peanuts out of the fryer and into a pan. The greased legumes are a specialty of the catering company.
George and Steve’s steakhouse. The Shoulders Hill Road location now serves as a catering headquarters and carry-out restaurant. It delivers barbecue every morning to Rodman’s Bones and Buddys in Portsmouth, which produces its own soups and other items on-site. Barry Saunders, who has worked at the restaurant for about 35 years, is the current manager. He’s in the process of taking over the restaurant after Judson “Juddy” Rodman moved to Florida. Besides Saunders, the restaurant has three regular part-time employees and a group of several more employees Saunders can call on for catering jobs. The business caters everything from backyard barbecues to the Portsmouth/ Churchland Rotary Club fundraiser that draws several thousand attendees every year. “We’ll go anywhere,” Saunders said. “As Juddy used to always say, we can do everything from beans and franks to lobster tails and prime rib.” The business has dozens of heat-retaining containers at its disposal, which it uses to keep the barbecue, fried chicken and other goodies piping hot until the party starts. But it isn’t just catering that
Rodman’s is famous for — a steady stream of customers comes to the Shoulders Hill location every day for sandwiches, barbecue by the pound, sliced ham and sides such as cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad, ham biscuits and corn muffins. Fried chicken, barbecue ribs and Boston butt are available on 24-hour notice. Rodman’s also will cook whole pigs for those who request it, Saunders said. “Some people like to have the whole pig with the apple in its mouth,” he said. Though the locations have changed over the years, the recipe hasn’t, Saunders said. Rodman’s still cooks its dishes the same way the founders did. “We’re still making cole slaw the same way it was done in the ‘50s,” Saunders said. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The barbecue and the sauce that goes on it combine to make “a simple recipe,” Saunders said. “We’re still cooking barbecue the oldfashioned way, with a live wood fire,” Saunders said. “Anybody can put a butt on a cooker, but it’s the sauce that does it.” The restaurant’s “secret ingredient” is not an ingredient in the barbecue sauce
Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
Bar-B-Q: Barry Saunders shows off a June 1939 photo of the Rodman’s Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q location on High Street. The business is nearly 100 years old and does catering as well as takeout lunch.
at all, but rather the red-skin fried peanuts it sells by the pound at the store and takes along on all its catering jobs. The store also does a big business in hams at Christmastime for people who want an alternative to Smithfield hams. But, he admits, the barbecue is the
mainstay of the business. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and is closed Sunday. Lunch is served from 10 a.m. to closing time. Call 484-1297 for more information.
Page 16 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Day school
Families protecting families
Continued from page 11
By Tracy Agnew Staff Writer
Suffolk Insurance provides full line of products, service Tracy Agnew/Suffolk News-Herald
Suffolk Insurance: From left, Rob House, Hunter Odom, Kent Spain and Bob House run Suffolk Insurance. The company recently merged with J. Walter Hosier Insurance.
Suffolk Insurance and J. Walter Hosier Insurance both began as family-owned businesses in the early part of the last century. About 100 years later, the two companies have merged, and family members and long-time employees of the original owners still run the business, which is now the largest independent insurance agency in the city. “We’ve always had healthy competition with each other,” said Hunter Odom, who has long worked for Suffolk Insurance. The company was started in 1923 by Taylor Darden and his
SINCE 1938
“Energy To Deliver” • PROPANE • APPLIANCES • HEATING OILS • GASOLINE • DIESEL FUEL • LUBRICANTS Proud to be a Family Owned & Operated Suffolk Business
SUFFOLK: 539-4761
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 13
See INSURANCE, 18
We ll Make Your Car LOOK New Again!
• Expert Computer Paint Matching & Frame Repair • FREE Estimates Family Owned & Operated
BODY WORK & PAINTING 60 Years of Quality Work Dean Gordon, Owner
1249 Wilroy Rd., Suffolk, VA
539-2819
first 13 students attended the school in 1968, she said, she thought she’d operate the school for a short time. “I was just going to do it for a little while,” Morrison said. But to this day, Morrison welcomes a group of 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds into her home for school every day. “It’s addicting,” she said. In her historic home on Pinner Street, the school occupies two rooms in Morrison’s basement. The school hosts about 20 students on average, who arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and leave as late as 5 p.m. During the day, the children participate in variety of activities, such as outside play, group activities, reading, puzzles and other games, and science lessons. Morrison said the school also focuses on preparing the children for kindergarten. “It’s more than learning ABCs and sounds,” she said. “It’s learning to take care of your own needs.” Additionally, Morrison’s backyard has transformed into a playground for the students. On the playground and in the classroom, Morrison tries to give the students plenty of things to keep them occupied and engaged. “You give them the tools, and they entertain themselves,” she said. Since she opened the Suffolk Day School, she said, she has served difEmily R. Collins/Suffolk News-HErald ferent kinds of children with different School: When Maxann Kerr Morrison opened the Suffolk Day School in 1968, she thought she was only going to do it for a little while, but she loved it so much she’s continued to needs. In fact, some of her operate the school. students didn’t know English when they started at the school, and now, one of those students is a successful pediatrician, she said. Morrison said she has kept the school in her home for so many years because she thinks it’s good for the students’ development. “The home atmosphere really works so much better for the children,” she said. “It’s more like they are here to visit.” Like every other business, Morrison said, she worries about cash flow. However, her biggest challenge is meeting the strict requirements for running a school in her home. “The most challenging thing is meeting rules and regulation in the home setting,” she said. But she has managed to make it work for the past 44 years, and she attributes her success to having great staff members that care about the development of children. Depending on how many students she has, Morrison said, there are usually two or three teachers who help her. She said one of the biggest compliments she’s received is having former students bring their kids to the school. “I think one of the greatest rewards is when an ex-student enrolls their child,” But daily objective is to have every student leave Suffolk Day School excited about coming back the next day. “We want the kids to have a fun day,” she said. “That’s a great reward.”
If you don t know us by now, we are Ivor Furniture Company. Since 1949 we ve served our communities with ne furniture, appliances, ooring and bedding. We have a rst class showroom showing products to meet the needs of everyone, featuring the latest edition of Hand Made, Solid Wood Groups. They are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Page 12 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Hearn
2-BAG HEAVY DUTY POWERED BAGGER
A FURNITURE
FAMILY YOU
ON CAN DEPEND
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 17
FURNITURE of Smitheld
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• Pulaski • Bermards • Legacy • Coast to Coast • Stylecraft • Rowe
• Med/Lift • American • Standard • Kincaid • Cooper Classics • Powell
• Straford • Riverside • Broyhill • Five Star Bedding by Serta
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Page 18 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 11
Insurance: Money stays local Continued from page 16 son. Currently, Bob House is president of the agency, his son Rob House also works there. It is believed J. Walter Hosier began somewhere around 1900 by its founder of the same name. Walter’s son Duke eventually took over the business, and Kent Spain’s father worked for Duke. When Duke Hosier died, Spain’s father took over. Kent himself got into the business rather suddenly when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. “I turned in my two weeks’ notice,” Spain said. “Two weeks later I was in the insurance business.” His father died about three months later. Besides being in the insurance business, House, Spain and Odom have known each other for decades. Spain’s and Odom’s fathers knew each other through coaching football in the Lakeside neighborhood, House’s and Odom’s fathers were business partners, and Spain and House lived next door to each other for years. “We knew each other pretty well before we even started this,” Spain said. The businesses have been talking about merging for a couple years, Odom said. “We’ve always respected each other for the way we did business,” Odom said. All agreed the transition was relatively smooth. Three employees remain at the former J. Walter Hosier location on Bridge Road to serve customers in North Suffolk. Employees from the former West Washington Street location of J. Walter Hosier moved a few blocks away to the Suffolk Insurance location on Market Street, which underwent some moderate renovations to change unfinished storage rooms into offices and conference rooms. Because the two businesses already were using the same software system, they simply merged all of their customer information into one database. J. Walter
Hosier remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Suffolk Insurance. “The biggest challenge was the phone system,” Spain said. “We had a little bit of scrambling.” The combined agency offers insurance for individuals and families including auto, homeowners, motorcycles, boats, individual health, life and umbrella policies. Services offered for businesses include property and casualty, workers compensation, group health, life and disability, and bonds. “We’re a full-line agency,” Rob House said. The agency works with a number of different carriers, so customers have a choice among many different carriers and plan options. It is associated with the Keystone Insurers Group in order to provide a wide array of products and services. Spain said he believes local residents should consider Suffolk Insurance because they could get a good deal, money stays in the area and the business supports local nonprofits. “People are always wondering about whom they buy insurance from,” Spain said. “Dealing with us is good for the Suffolk economy. I think it’s one of the biggest reasons you should look at Suffolk Insurance.” Another reason to choose Suffolk Insurance, Spain said, is the cost. “We may be able to do something for less, and the money stays in the area,” he said. Spain also said the agency is active in several nonprofits. Finally, Spain said, people should choose Suffolk Insurance because it has friendly hometown service. “Our customers know where we live,” Spain said. “The buck stops with the three of us. If it can’t be solved by us, we can’t solve it.” The Suffolk Insurance office is located at 202 Market St. For more information, call 539-9988.
shaping young minds
Emily R. Collins/ Suffolk News-HErald
‘We may be able to do something for less, and the money stays in the area.’ Kent Spain
Suffolk insurance
Bluebird: Maxann Kerr Morrison participates in a group activity, called “Bluebird through my Window,” with the 2 and 3-year-olds at the Suffolk Day School.
By Emily R. Collins Staff Writer
Temporary school set-up grows over 44 years
For Maxann Kerr Morrison, home is where the school is. About 44 years ago, one of Morrison’s friends asked her if she would watch her children when she went back to work. Morrison agreed, but she decided if she was going to start watching the children, she want-
ed to do something more than babysitting. “I wanted to meet my children’s needs,” she said. To help with the children’s development during a critical time in their lives, she said, Morrison decided to open the Suffolk Day School, a preschool and daycare center. When the See DAY SCHOOL, 13
Page 10 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 19
Funeral: Baker family business began as furniture store in 1885 Continued from page 9 Funeral Home. Baker said the downtown location handles most of their business, and they do about 10 to 12 funerals a month. Baker family members have run the funeral home ever since its opening. Baker said running a family-owned business has similar challenges to running any business. “Keeping a good staff, keeping the bills and taxes paid,” he said. However, he said, being the owners, they are required to stay at the business as long as it takes. “A lot of times because we are family-owned, we’re here a lot more than we would be if it wasn’t our funeral home,” Baker said. “We work a lot of hours.” He said some people think handling funerals isn’t hard work, but they couldn’t be more wrong. “A lot of people think our job is riding around in nice suits all day,” he said. “They don’t see what we do in the background and the time it takes to take care of a family.” Although Blake Baker now runs the funeral home alongside his father,
Robert N. Baker III, he almost didn’t get into the business at all. He said his father never pushed him into taking the business and let him make his own decision about his career. After graduating from high school, Blake Baker attended Ferrum College and earned a degree in environmental science. He worked in Virginia Beach for a consulting firm, but it was a matter of time before his focus shifted back home while his dad renovated the West Washington Street facility. “I found myself calling home to find out what was going on,” Blake Baker said. “I finally asked him if I could come back and work.” Robert N. Baker III welcomed his son to the business. In addition to Blake Baker and his father, Blake’s wife, Kelly, and his father’s wife, Marie, also help keep the business running. Also, he has an aunt and uncle and cousin who help out as well. Blake Baker said one of the biggest misconceptions about the funeral services business is that it’s always
depressing. “Sometimes, death can be a blessing (if someone has been sick),” he said. “It’s hard when we have babies, kids or young military guys.” In those instances, Baker said, even the funeral home employees can suffer an emotional toll. Another misconception is that they don’t struggle through tough economies like other businesses. “Everyone thinks we’re recessionproof,” Baker said. “But we aren’t.” When times get tough, he said, people cut back on funerals just like they cut back on other expenses. People purchase less expensive caskets or opt for a cremation instead of a burial. “People don’t see the point to do the extra things,” he said. “We have people call all the time asking about the cheapest crematory service.” In response to the ongoing sluggishness in the economy, Baker said, the funeral home has tried to offer more affordable options for its clients and cut costs as much as possible. “Like every other business, we have to watch what we spend and watch what we buy,” he said.
No matter what service the clients choose, Baker said, the business makes it a priority to provide quality service. Because of their high level of customer service, he said, a lot of their business comes from word-of-mouth referrals. Many families return to the funeral home for all of their needs throughout the years. “They know we’ll treat them fair, provide a good service and we care about what we do,” Baker said. One of the things R.W. Baker does to ensure their clients are happy is to have the same funeral director serve a family throughout their time of need. “When we start with a family, we finish with a family,” Baker said. “If a person is going to trust us to take care of our loved one, then the respect you can show them by showing up instead of someone else is worth it to us.” Although there are challenges in the business, he said, he is passionate about what he does. “You’ve got to have a passion to be in this business,” he said. “It’s very rewarding when a family come to you and tells you that you made it as easy as possible for them.”
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WHO CAN ENTER
Hurry! Submit your entries by email: news@suffolklivingmag.com
The contest is open to any amateur photographer except employees of Suffolk Publications and members of their immediate families. An amateur is defined as someone who does not earn more than half of his or her income from photography. Entrants must be 18 years old as of November 1, 2011.
WHAT TO ENTER
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Attention
Photogs
Suffolk Living is pleased to announce its first Photo Contest, with winning entries to be published in the January/February 2012 issue.
We are looking for striking, digital images that capture the people, places and things that make Suffolk special. Images must have been taken in the City of Suffolk between Oct. 1, 2010 and November 1, 2011. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast, etc.) will be disqualified. Images that do not meet these requirements may or may not be judged at the judging panel’s sole discretion. If you choose to enter in the “People” category, or use any photography which includes people, you are responsible for obtaining necessary releases from the individuals depicted, and must be able to provide copies of those releases to Suffolk Living magazine upon request. Photo captions must accompany all submissions, and should include the subject of the image, the location where the image was taken, and the name of the photographer. All photographs will be credited with the caption “© Person’s Name.” Suffolk Living magazine has final approval of any language that appears on its web site with any of the photos and will not promote or endorse third-party products or services.
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
4Outdoors: Relates to the scenery,
Pumpkins Gourds Pansies Mums Collards, Sweet Potatoes
landscape, wildlife of Suffolk 4People: Relates to the people of the Suffolk community 4Home Interiors & Exteriors: Relates to photography of the existing homes of Suffolk 4Architecture & Structures: Relates to photography of any buildings (existing and abandoned) as well as structures (nonresidential) found throughout Suffolk 4Action: Relates to photography that captures events, sports or leisure activities within Suffolk
IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS & JUDGING
All entries must be high quality digital images. Photographers may enter up to five images. The photos may be in the same category or spread among different categories. Images will be judged on originality, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. The judging panel includes Suffolk Living staff members as well as other qualified judges, including professional photographers in the area. Suffolk Living magazine shall determine winner eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by judges are final.
DEADLINE All submissions must be received no later than Nov. 1, 2011.
SUBMIT TO: Suffolk Living Magazine – Photo Contest Mail: PO Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439 In Person: 130 S. Saratoga Street, Suffolk, VA 23434
Page 20 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 9
Small business crucial
Hometown service
Family-owned businesses vital to U.S. economy
S
mall businesses are often thought of as the backbone of American capitalism. According to statistics from various industry tracking organizations, family businesses are nearly as important. Following are some statistics to put things into perspective. 4According to an article in the September 2003 edition of “Family Business Review,” as many as 90 percent of all business enterprises in North America are family owned. Some sources say that number is even higher when looking at the United States alone. 4Lest you get stuck on the stereotype of the mom-and-pop corner store, consider this: 35 percent of all Fortune 500 companies are family firms. 4Wal-Mart, Ford, Mars Corporation, J.P. Morgan, Firestone, DuPont and Levi Strauss are some examples of big family businesses in the U.S. Other family-owned or familycontrolled multinational companies with popular brands include: L’Oreal (France), Benetton (Italy), Siemens (Germany), Ikea
By Emily R. Collins Staff Writer
See FAMILY-OWNED, 21
ce 1 n Si 97 1
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Emily R. Collins/Suffolk News-Herald
Funeral home: From left, Marie Baker, Robert N. Baker III, Blake Baker and Kelly Baker own and operate R.W. Baker Funeral Home on West Washington Street. The business has been in the family since it started in 1885.
When Robert Washington Baker opened his furniture store in downtown Suffolk in 1885, he likely didn’t think his business would morph into a funeral home. But sure enough, more than 125 years later, R.W. Baker’s descendants own and operate a funeral home that bears his name. Blake Baker said when his greatgreat-grandfather opened his shop, it wasn’t uncommon for furniture stores to handle funerals occasionally. “They did because they sold coffins,” he said. But in 1916, he split the businesses up and the Bakers were in the funeral services business from that day on. The family now has two locations in Suffolk, one on West Washington Street and the other on Lee Farm Road, which is operated in conjunction with Foster See FUNERAL, 10
Page 8 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
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FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 21
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Family-owned: Small businesses are vital to local, national economies Continued from page 20 (Sweden), Lego (Denmark) and Kikkoman (Japan). 4According to an article in the Spring 2001 edition of “Family Business Review,” the oldest family-owned business operating in the United States is the Zildjian Cymbal Co. of Norwood, Mass., which was founded in 1623 in Constantinople and moved with the family to the United States in 1929. 4Family businesses account for 78 percent of all new jobs created, 60 percent of the national employment and 50 percent of the gross domestic product. 4Approximately 30 percent of all familyowned businesses survive into the second generation, and 12 percent will be viable into the third generation, according to the publication “Family Business Review.” Only 3 percent of all family businesses operate at the fourth generation and beyond. 4In the next five years, 39 percent of family-owned firms will experience a change in leadership, according to the 2003 American Family Business Survey. 4The same survey concluded that 19 percent of family business participants have not completed any estate planning other than writing a will; only 37% have written a strategic plan; and over 60% are very positive about their company’s future. Furthermore, 85 percent of family-owned businesses that
have identified a successor say it will be a family member. 4How important is a plan of succession? By 2050, according to Robert Avery’s book “The Ten Trillion Dollar Question: A Philanthropic Gameplan,” virtually all closely held and family owned businesses will lose their primary owner to death or retirement. Approximately $10.4 trillion of net worth will be transferred by the year 2040, with $4.8 trillion in the next 20 years. 4According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, there are 1.2 million husband-and-wife teams running companies in the United States. 4According to a Sept. 4, 2003 article in the Boston Business Journal, the number of family businesses run by women grew by 37 percent between 1998 and 2003, with an average annual revenue of $26.9 million in 2002. 4Arthur Anderson/Mass Mutial reported in 2003 that 52 percent of family firms had hired at least one female family member fulltime, while 10 percent employed two female family members. 4The typical American family firm donates $50,000 annually to philanthropic causes, mostly to local, educational and religious organizations, according to the 2003 American Family Business Survey.
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Page 22 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
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Page 6 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 23
Rawlings grows with second generation Emily R. Collins/Suffolk News-Herald
Showroom: Carter’s sells a variety of furniture to customers who visit the showroom on West Washington Street. Suffolk’s booming population has led to an increase in business in recent years, the owners say, but they still rely on good customer service to bring in more people.
Furniture: Carter’s provides personal service, friendly atmosphere Continued from page 5 some cases now,” he said. Some of Carter’s loyal customers have been purchasing furniture and décor for all rooms of their homes from Don and his family for all 53 years. “Some of our customers have been with us since we opened,” Carter said. “We try to treat everybody fair and treat them right. It’s about trying to take care of the needs of the customer.” Personal service is another way Carter’s separates itself from the large, national chain stores. Don is a Suffolk native. Son Donnie and daughter Beth Brown make Carter’s staff two generations old. Angela Allen, who Beth genuinely
calls “an adopted daughter,” is the secretary, having worked for Carter’s for 17 years, since age 18. “All of our employees are very loyal, along with the family,” Carter said. “They all really make up the backbone of the business.” Everything that made for a strong, growing business decades ago still holds true today, especially when it comes to how Carter’s treats its customers. “There have been a lot of changes. Much of our furniture today is imported,” Carter said. Suffolk’s booming population has led to increased business in recent years. Carter’s Quality Furniture joined
Homearama for the first time, furnishing one of the homes, the Treasure Chest Organizational House, for the home show in North Suffolk’s Harbour View neighborhood. “We’ve had good responses from that so far,” Carter said, saying being a part of Homearama has spread the word about the family business around Hampton Roads. The Treasure Chest Organizational House won the most awards among the nine houses on display at Homearama, including Best in Show and, of particular pride for Carter’s, Best Interior Design. Both Carter’s locations sell furniture
for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, offices, home theaters and more, along with artwork, carpet and flooring, lamps and mattresses. Products, quality and prices are important. Tastes and styles have certainly changed many times since 1958. Caring for and treating everyone right, whether or not they’ve been coming into Carter’s for all 53 years, is what Carter always comes back to. “I hope it’s been because of good service and a friendly atmosphere,” Carter said. There’s no talk of retiring, or simply getting to work an hour or so later each morning.
From Staff Reports Suffolk News-Herald
As the oldest heating, air conditioning and plumbing company in the area, Rawlings Mechanical has a wealth of experience in putting all of the family’s resources into meeting customers’ needs. The company has been family owned and operated since it was founded in 1958 by “Buck” and Irma Rawlings. The founding family operated Rawlings Mechanical from their home until 1965, when they moved to the company’s present location on Linden Street in Courtland. Son Glenn began to work full-time with the company in 1973, when he opened a branch in Wakefield. Although that branch closed in 1980, Rawlings continues to enjoy a large customer base in the Wakefield area, and Glenn Rawlings now serves as the company’s president. After Glenn moved his family from Waverly to See RAWLINGS, 24
Page 24 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Continued from page 23 Franklin, his wife Sarah joined the company in 1986. But it takes more than family to run a business with as many customers as Rawlings Mechanical enjoys. “We are in business to fill the heating, air conditioning and plumbing needs of our existing and new customers and take pride in doing so,” Glenn said. And doing so calls on the work of 15 employees who are trained in the art of making customers their top priority, according to Glenn. “Not only do we hold our customers in high regard, we also hold our employees in high regard, ‘Not only do we hold because we know it takes a team working together our customers in to keep a business going,” he said. “We know our employees are customer oriented and provide qual- high regard, we also ity service all the way around.” hold our employSpecializing in residential, commercial and light industrial installations, Rawlings Mechanical mainees in high regard, tains good relationships with a variety of suppliers, which enables the company to offer many different because we know it brands designed to fit a wide range of budgets. takes a team workService technicians and a plumbing division provide 24-hour service, and the company offers heating together to keep ing and air-conditioning service agreements, which are designed to help maintain installed equipment’s a business going.’ efficiency and longevity by ensuring that needed repairs are handled before permanent damage Glen Rawlings occurs. Rawlings Mechanical Glenn and Sarah Rawlings realize that the fact the company is still serving customers after nearly 55 years is because of the relationships that have been built during that time. “Sarah and I thank our customers from Southampton, Franklin, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Emporia, Suffolk and all the areas for allowing us to handle their heating, air conditioning and plumbing needs,” he said.
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Furniture store depends on loyalty
By Andrew Giermak Staff writer
L
oyalty is a two-way street for Carter’s Quality Furniture, now into its sixth decade on East Washington Street in Suffolk. Don and Edna Earle Carter started Carter’s in 1958. The “new” half of the business is Carter’s Budget Shop and Warehouse Showroom, now 27 years old, straight across the street from the original business. On most mornings, Don is in his stores getting to work before 6 a.m. His wife is the bookkeeper. Carter gives most of the reason for his business’s longevity to the customers, many of whom have trusted in Carter’s for years and have been pointing children, family, now even grandchildren, to the downtown family-run stores. “It’s really about the loyalty of the customers,” Carter said. “I can’t begin to tell you how many customers have come to us for years. It’s quite a number. We’re selling to the third generation in
“Easy access from Suffolk through the Midtown Tunnel - go three miles on Hampton Blvd. Corner of Hampton Blvd. & Lexan Ave.”
See FURNITURE, 6
Network with us
202 Market St., Suffolk, VA 23434 • 3575 Bridge Rd., Bennett’s Creek Crossing Suffolk, Virginia 23435 Ph: 757-539-9988 Fax: 757-539-2989 www.suffolkinsurance.com
Follow Suffolk News-Herald on Facebook and Twitter.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!
Rawlings: ‘It takes a team,’ owners say
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 5
Call Us For Your LIVE NATIVITY SCENE for the Christmas Season. “We bring the Farm To You!
The Teeny Tiny Farm
757.375.5172
Traveling Pony Rides and Petting Zoos www.theteenytinyfarm.com
USDA Certied Licensed and Insured
Our Work Is Child’s Play! State Licensed Family Owned Business Since 1968 Maxanne Kerr Morrison
221 Pinner St. • Suffolk • 539-7123
Building, Remodeling & Restoration Services Preparation, Repair and Painting Specialist Bathroom & Kitchen Specialist • Quality Roof Systems Quality Services at Reasonable Rates! Tony & Ray Licensed & Insured • Free Estimates 757-718-4267
REFERENCES AVAILABLE
Page 4 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Suffolk News-Herald
table of contents
October 2011 The 2011 Family-Owned Business and the Suffolk News-Herald are publications of Suffolk Publications, LLC. For more information call (757) 539-3437 or visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.
EDITORIAL R.E. Spears III - Editor Tracy Agnew - News Editor Emily Collins - Staff Writer Andrew Giermak - Staff Writer
Design & Composition Hope Rose - Advertising Composition Troy Cooper - Designer Beth Beck - Designer Circulation Yvette Brozzo - Circulation Manager Business office Cathy Daughtrey - Bookkeeper
5
14
The team at Carter’s Quality Furniture has been selling furniture to local residents since 1958. They say teamwork and customer service have ensured their success.
For years, Rodman’s Bar-B-Que has provided delicious Southern fare to residents of North Suffolk and Portsmouth. The business has lunch service and caters events of all sizes.
Furniture Store depends on loyalty
ADVERTISING Susan Holley - General Manager Sue Barnes - Advertising Rep. Earl Jones - Advertising Rep. Tina Louise Harris - Advertising Rep.
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 25
9
R.W. Baker funeral home serves the community
The Baker family knows what service to the family means. For more than 125 years, the funeral home has provided loyal service to local families.
11
DAy SChool teaches children
The Suffolk Day School believes in the importance of early education. That’s why the small staff at the school takes special care with their students.
Rodman’s caters to thousands or to one
16
4 OU 8 4 KE TA
100% PURE PORK BAR-B-Q Cooked The Old Fashion Way Since 1929
• Ask About Our Catering Services
* SANDWICHES OR BY THE LB. * EAT-IN OR TAKE OUT Just 1/2 mile off Rt. 10 In Chuckatuck Serving Area Residents For 34 Years
OPEN 1ST SAT. EVERY MONTH 8 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Quality First...Second to None
ENGINEERED FOR PERFORMANCE, BEAUTY, & ENERGY EFFICIENCY. Beautiful Replacement Windows Superior Quality Lifetime Warranty
$200
R ASK FO ES
NC
REFERE
TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE!
www.windowworx.com
FREE ESTIMATES
Locally owned by Marvin “Boots” Matthews Ofce: 757.238.2966 Cell: 641-8148
23
Rawlings Mechanical serves a large region
email: RODMANSBBQ@gmail.com Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Sat. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5665-A Shoulders Hill Rd., Suffolk, VA
RODMAN S BARBECUE
Gourmet Cupcakes & Desserts 1024 Centerbrooke Lane, Suite D Suffolk, VA 23434
Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Two of Suffolk’s most respected locally owned insurance agencies merged this year into one business with 25 employees in two different locations.
Rawlings Mechanical founded in 1958 and now employs 15 to serve thousands of customers throughout Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
Divine Creations Let Us Add A Divine Touch To Your Holiday! Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years.
255-4442
Suffolk Insurance merges with J. Walter Hosier
NOW SERVING BAR- B-QUE SANDWICHES FOR LUNCH... Mon. - Sat. 10 A.M. - Closing 97LY 2 -1 T ON
•
WINDOWWORX
business
ll
GENUINE PIT COOKED BAR-B-QUE
6124 Everets Rd.
family-owned Ca
LINWOOD & ANN OWENS
DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS Subs • Salads • Specialty Pizza
KIDS MENU AVAILABLE CALL-IN ORDERS WELCOMED
al-forno-pizzeria.com
757-925-2829
Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sun Noon - 9 p.m. 1523 HOLLAND RD., SUFFOLK (Across from Food Lion)
“ Family Owned & Operated Since 1967”
Nicholson Tax Service, Inc. 705 E. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434
• INCOME TAX • PAYROLL TAX • SALES TAX • BOOKKEEPING H.L. Nicholson, Sr., President H.L Nicholson Jr., V. Pres./Sec ty L.T. Nicholson, MBA, CEO Fax: 757-539-7832 539-9123 THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
757-539-6422
www.facebook.com/pages/divine-creations/149396987315
Isle of Wight Academy Strong Academic Program AP and Dual Credit Offerings Free Bus Transporation Competitive Tuition Numerous Extracurriculars Full Athetic Program Strong Sense of Family
Now Accepting Applications for the 2011-2012 School Year! Contact Joseph Whitley, Admissions Director for more info.
17111 Courthouse Hwy., Isle of Wight, VA 23397 757-357-3866 www.iwachargers.homestead.com
Page 26 – FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011
FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, Suffolk News-Herald, Sunday, October 30, 2011 – Page 3
festival lights brighten the night
Let US Help You Grow Your Business!
new issue coming in november
suffolklivingmag.com
OFFICE SPACE NOW AVAILABLE ! • www.franklinsouthamptonva.com
THANK YOU FOR 40 YEARS OF FAMILY
SERVING FAMILY
HEATING • COOLING • ELECTRICAL Cola Cobb and Ray Cobb
539-7484
Financing Available
309 Granby St., Suffolk, VA
Triple T Sports Center
Keeping You Comfy, No Matter What The Season
619 E. Constance Road, Suffolk www.TripleTgym.com • 923-5150
REGISTER
NOW FOR FALL CLASSES.
• Gymnastics • Tae Kwon Do •Open Gym • MMA • Jump Rope • Hip Hop • All Star Cheerleading • Wrestling • Tumbling • Birthday Parties • Ballet, Lyrical & Tap Dance Ask about our Before and After School Programs for elementary schools.
Please see our website for more detailed class info - etc.
www.tttgym.com
RAWLINGS MECHANICAL CORPORATION ed h s i l b a Est 58 19
Heating • Air Conditioning & Plumbing Contractors We Service All Brands •PRECISION TUNE UPS •24 Hour Service Licensed Class A Contractor •Free Estimates •Financing Available 757-653-2225 22515 Linden Ave., Courtland, VA
family-owned
R.L. Howell, D.D.S. and Associates, P.C.
business
Providing Comprehensive General Dentistry
“WHERE WE TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY” Serving Suffolk for Over 45 Years”
Harbour View Dental Center 5837 Harbour View Blvd., Suffolk, VA (757) 686-3636
Downtown Suffolk 102 Western Ave., Suffolk, VA (757) 539-7695
For more information on our practice and procedures, check out our website at: www.rlhdds.com
NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A look at Suffolk’s local enterprises Visit us online at www.ncquilting.com
Authorized
AUBREY E. MYERS, DDS JANA E. BOYD, DDS (not pictured)
RALPH L. HOWELL, JR., DDS, FAGD R. LEROY HOWELL, SR., DDS
MARVIN G. SAGUN, DDS
Dealer
~ Sewing Machine Service and Repair ~ 757-596-7397
Follow Nancy’s Calico Patch on Facebook to read our blog and get info on sales, classes and events! 21 Hidenwood Shopping Center Newport News, VA 23606 ~ Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday