Business Notebook: Custom remodeler now includes appliances

Warwick - Several weeks ago, we wrote about Kitchen & Bath Works of Warwick. That company, located at the Warwick Crossing Plaza, 314 Route 94 South, between the Village of Warwick and Vernon, N.J., offers custom remodeling of kitchens, baths, basements and additions from A to Z. And according to owner Mechelle Casciotta, you’re not only shopping locally, you’re getting the best expert advice from people with roots and involvement in this community. Casciotta has been building homes with Scott Rothamel, whom she describes as her “managing partner,” for five years. And Rothamel, she explained, has been building homes for the past 25 years and brings experience and knowledge from beginning to end of all phases of any building or remodeling project including excavating. The company recently opened a companion business next door, Warwick Valley Appliances. “We were already doing complete remodeling,” said Casciotta. “We thought it would be a natural transition to open up an appliance store where we could offer our clients competitive pricing on new appliances. And with the price of gas these days, why travel beyond Warwick?” Warwick Valley Appliances stocks all name-brands including, Amana, Bosch, Meile, GE, Frigidaire, Viking, Dacor, Wolf, LG, Kitchen Aid, Maytag, Thermadore and Jenn Air. “If we don’t have it, “she said, “we’ll find it and deliver it to your house in anywhere from two to four days.” Warwick Valley Appliances also carries grills, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and other small appliances. Delivery is free and removal of your old appliance is also available. Builders’ discounts are honored. The store is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 988-5550. Family hair salon There’s a new unisex hair salon in town. Vincent of Warwick, Family Hair Salon, recently opened in the ShopRite Plaza on Route 94. Owner Vincent Minuta learned his trade as a barber when he was a teenager in Italy. He continued that profession when he came to the United States but then changed direction and spent 25 years as a restaurateur. In 1993, however, he returned to his original profession as a barber and, for the last 10 years, Minuta had been with “Hair Sense” at the Galleria Mall in Middletown. This past June, he opened his own shop in Warwick. “I’m a barber but I have great hairdressers like Laurie Minuta, Billie Lesinski, Donna Todd and Allison Clark working here,” said Minuta. “We offer lady’s hair fashion design, styling and coloring.” Vincent of Warwick, Family Hair Salon is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. With eight stations, the hair salon staff promise fast service and welcome walk-ins. Appointments, however, are preferred. Call 988-0037. Gas pains The price of gas, already well more than $3 per gallon in this area, is expected to climb to even greater heights over the Labor Day Weekend. A recent report circulating on the Internet, however, may offer some comfort. The price of a gallon of unleaded gas, translated into U.S. dollars, in Oslo is $6.62. In London it’s $5.96 and in Hong Kong $6.25. That’s typical of most of the world. But you can still find a few bargains. In Saudi Arabia it’s only 91 cents and, if you don’t mind living in the shadow of Hugo Chavez, a gallon of gas in Caracas, Venezuela, sells for just 12 cents. Ladies Night Out Congratulations to Co-chairs Tim Mullally and Sue Loughren and all participating merchants for the 9th and possibly most successful “Ladies Night Out” to date. Back to school shopping Save gas. Save time and travel and support your local merchants. And, you don’t have to travel to New Jersey to save on tax. Purchases of clothing and shoes (priced up to $110) are now permanently exempt from New York State sales tax. For a complete list of state tax exempt clothing, footwear, and items used to make or repair exempt clothing, visit: www.tax.state.ny.us.