Business Notebook: New business, grand openings and hula hoops

Warwick - Their motto, which often appears in advertisements featuring local residents as models, is “Real clothing for real men and women.” Until recently however, Style Counsel, 19 Main St., Warwick, was generally thought of as a ladies’ fashion shop. By June 1, all that will change when owners Bob Maxwell and Tim Mullally open “Style Counsel Men” in the courtyard at 24 Railroad Ave. “We always carried ties and some other clothing for men in our Main St. store,” said Mullally. “But our new shop will be exclusively for men.” The owners explained that Style Counsel Men would carry mostly casual items such as sportswear, jackets, slacks, ties, shirts, jeans, haberdashery and furnishings. It will also stock everyday necessities such as underwear and socks. “We thought that by offering some ordinary items as well as fashionable clothing we could save some people a trip to the mall,” said Mullally, “And if they didn’t have to travel outside of Warwick for these items, they’re more likely to save gas and shop at other stores in the Village.” In any event, Style Counsel Men will be open well in advance of Father’s Day. Grand opening The renovation by general contractor Bob Knebel of the corner at 2 North Main St. in the Village of Florida may be the forerunner of a downtown beautification program spearheaded by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Deborah Marks, owner of New Beginnings Treatment Spa, is proud of that building for two reasons. She serves on the Chamber’s Beautification Committee and her new business occupies ground level space in what has been renamed after Knebel’s daughter, The Allison Brooke Building. On Saturday, May 5, Marks held a grand opening for New Beginnings Treatment Spa. “I wanted to offer a large selection of spa services right in this area and in an elegant setting normally found only in Manhattan or at resorts,” she said. Marks is no stranger to providing service. For the past nine years, she has operated another business on North Main St., Elegant Nails. In addition to providing that same service, New Beginnings Treatment Spa also offers a variety of facials, massages, waxing, glycolic peels and LED skin therapy among others. One unique service, for example, involves a revolutionary method to help people stop smoking using laser therapy. “It’s similar to acupuncture and it’s very successful,” said Marks. New Beginnings Treatment Spa is open to both men and women Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although there are five licensed technicians on duty, scheduled appointments are recommended. Call 651-6245. Champion hula hoopers The hula-hoop, first introduced in 1958, may have been the most popular toy ever invented. Although shortly after its heyday, it was described as a passing fad, it continues retain its popularity. In recent years, Newhard’s gift shop has sponsored a hula-hoop endurance contest during Warwick’s annual celebration of Springfest. And this year, the first place winner, Molly Byrne, 8, won first place with a non-stop demonstration lasting 29 minutes and 14 seconds. On Saturday, May 5, owner Michael Newhard presented gift certificates to Molly Byrne and runners up Rachael Ignaszak, 18; Hanna Cavanagh, 11, and Maureen Byrne, 4. Simonee Tierney, not present for the ceremony, was the winner in a Springfest raffle for a basket of gifts, also conducted by Newhard’s that day. Keene goes green Warwick publisher Diane Tinney, recently announced that her firm, Keene Publishing, home to Moo Press children’s books, has joined the Green Press Initiative (USA). The organization works with publishers, authors, printers, and paper mills to reduce the environmental impact of the publishing industry. “As a book publisher,” said Tinney, “we recognize paper as a core part of our business and we want to support conservation through the use of forest-friendly paper.” Tinney believes that her company’s “Green Press” policy will help preserve ancient forests, save trees and reduce greenhouse gases. Tinney is also working with a working group at the American Association of Publishers that is researching environmental aspects of paper used in book publishing. For more information visit www.KeeneBooks.com or contact Diane Tinney at dtinney@keenebooks.com.