News from the biz front

Heart attack averted at Borders today
Well, I thought I might have one when I walked into the Brentwood Place book store a few minutes ago. Wide empty spaces. Tables and tables of sale merchandise.
I know the economy is bad, but certainly our Borders isn't about to go belly up? I still have last month's coupons to use.
Taking a deep breath after taking a 360-degree twirl to take in the changes, I saw two likely candidates for answers and said, "Do you work here?"
After an affirmative nod, and a "Can we help you?" I bluntly asked: "What's going on? You're not closing are you?"
I really didn't want to hear the answer.
Well, there's good news to share. Borders is not closing. It's remodeling. And I understand the young adult section is going to be interesting.
As soon as I have a chance to chat in detail with sales manager David Beddow I'll share all the scoop. Now, be still my beating heart ....

***

Sisters get right to the point
Speaking of businesses, renovations and such, I popped into Nashville Needleworks grand opening last week.
Only wish I had seen the shop before the three formidable Thorman sisters (and one husband-brother-in-law) went to work transforming it into the light, white workspace and retail store it is today.
From the tales they shared, it's night and day literally in the Brentwood Court storefront where they've put up their shingle. The sisters are Lisa, Emily and Jennifer.
Lisa Thorman Rusche's husband Bud did the bulk of the renovation. Lisa and Bud recently relocated from New England where they ran a bed and breakfast to take over management of The Brentwood, the B&B on Murray Lane, from Lisa's dad Dick Thorman and his wife, Ly Anne.
Jennifer Thorman is a natural-born entrepreneur, with her hand not only in the needleworks store as its main tech person, but also as a teacher and small business consultant, webmaster and Microsoft Office specialist.
Store manager Emily scouted out and found the store's location and has transferred her management skills from The Brentwood to Nashville Needleworks.
The sisters are convinced their business has a ready clientele. For years, the Green Hills needleworks store Metamorphosis owned the market. When Lisa learned that the shop had closed, she saw an opportunity, talked with her sisters and a business was formed. They opened in mid-May.
I don't do needlework, but have always admired those who create beautiful works of art with a needle, canvas and fibers. Sitting with Emily for five minutes last week made my appreciation grow deeper. For instance, I had no idea that certain canvas artists have followings just like best-selling authors.
"All the canvases we sell are hand painted, not machine painted," she explained of the racks of designs in the store. "That's a big deal."
In addition to canvases, Nashville Needleworks sells amazing fibers and materials. It also hosts sit and stitch events, classes, and trunk shows. Don't be surprised if "Meet the Artists" nights aren't on the calendar soon as well.
For more information, check out http://www.nashvilleneedleworks.com/, call 377-6336, or drop by the store, located at 7020 Church St., 5 Brentwood Court.

***

Big idea to come

Expect one more business-minded post to come soon. I've been crafting an idea in my head all day and just need to get it on "paper." Always dangerous.

It's big. Real big. It involves four wheels, big money and big thoughts. It may also involve Baptists.

Stay tuned.