images mooresville, nc: 2008
DESCRIPTION
Residential, retail and industrial development continues at full throttle in Race City USA, known as such for the more than 60 motorsports racing teams located here. This town of approximately 27,000 people is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, 30 miles north of Charlotte. The city is home to Lowe’s Home Improvement Co. headquarters, as well as several international manufacturing businesses. The nation’s largest man-made lake by surface area, Lake Norman, offers both recreation and highly desirable real estate. Both the city and county school systems have earned national recognition for technology programs and academic excellence.TRANSCRIPT
THE HIGHS OF LOWE’SWorld headquarters
continues to add employees
MUCH MORE IN STOREBig-name retailers set up shop
Hospitality HavenLangtree at the Lake promises an upscale leisure experience
TM
SPONSORED BY THE MOORESVILLE-SOUTH IREDELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OF MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
2008 | IMAGESMOORESVILLE.COM | VIDEO TOUR ONLINE
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OF MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
2008 EDITION | VOLUME 6TM
14 HOSPITALITY HAVENLangtree at the Lake will be a premier “live, work, play village” featuring custom homes.
18 CURES FOR THE COMMUNITYHome to several quality health-care facilities, the area is a magnet for top-notch physicians and allied-health professionals.
22 SUNNY SKIES AHEADGreat weather, outdoor activities and a family atmosphere make Mooresville a top place to live.
26 MUCH MORE IN STOREWhen it comes to shopping, Mooresville offers something new almost every day.
50 ART IN THE LIMELIGHTIntrigued by art? If so, head to downtown Mooresville and visit the epicenter of the community’s arts scene.
53 GREEN LIGHT FOR FUNThe Mooresville Parks and Recreation Department is developing a greenway and laying plans for a new skate park.
26
CONTENTS
FEATURES
50
ON THE COVER Photo by Ian CurcioLowe’s corporate campus
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 3
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AT IMAGESMOORESVILLE.COM
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STARTS TODAY!
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DEPARTMENTS
10 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Mooresville culture
28 Portfolio: people, places and events that defi ne Mooresville
48 Education
57 Health & Wellness
59 Community Profi le: facts, stats and important numbers to know
OF MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
MOORESVILLE BUSINESS 36 The Highs of Lowe’s
When Lowe’s needed more breathing room, company offi cials found it in Mooresville.
38 Biz Briefs
40 Chamber Report
41 Economic Profi le
OF MOORESVILLE
SENIOR EDITOR RENEE ELDER
COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS
ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES,
SUSAN CHAPPELL, KIM MADLOM, ANITA WADHWANI
ASSISTANT EDITOR REBECCA DENTON
STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN,
KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO
DIRECTORIES EDITORS AMANDA MORGAN , KRISTY WISE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KAY BROOKSHIRE,
CRISTAL CODY, CATHERINE DARNELL,
WARREN DENNEY, SHARON H. FITZGERALD, PAM GEORGE, BRIDGET HUCKABEE, VALERIE PASCOE
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER TODD POTTER
INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER CASEY PORTER
ONLINE SALES MANAGER MATT SLUTZ
SALES COORDINATOR SARA SARTIN
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS,
WES ALDRIDGE, TODD BENNETT,
ANTONY BOSHIER, MICHAEL W. BUNCH,
IAN CURCIO, BRIAN MCCORD
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY
CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS
WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS
ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN
PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER
SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MGR. TADARA SMITH
PRODUCTION PROJECT MGRS.
MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER,
KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS
LEAD DESIGNER JANINE MARYLAND
GRAPHIC DESIGN JESSICA BRAGONIER,
CANDICE HULSEY, LINDA MOREIRAS,
AMY NELSON, CARL RATLIFF
WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ
WEB PRODUCTION JILL TOWNSEND
DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER ALISON HUNTER
COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN CORY MITCHELL
AD TRAFFIC MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER,
PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY
CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN
SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER
SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN
SR. V.P./PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER
V.P./SALES HERB HARPER
V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER
V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART
EXECUTIVE EDITOR TEREE CARUTHERS
MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO
CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY
ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA
McFARLAND, LISA OWENS, JACKIE YATES
RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP
COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY
DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH
MARKETING COORDINATOR AMY AKIN
IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE
IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
NICOLE WILLIAMS
SALES SUPPORT MANAGER/
CUSTOM MAGAZINES PATTI CORNELIUS
OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM
Images of Mooresville is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the
Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber ofCommerce and its member businesses.
For advertising information or to direct questionsor comments about the magazine, contact
Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080or by e-mail at [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce
149 E. Iredell Avenue • Mooresville, NC 28115Phone: (704) 664-3898 • Fax: (704) 664-2549
E-mail: [email protected], www.mooresvillenc.org
VISIT IMAGES OF MOORESVILLE ONLINE AT IMAGESMOORESVILLE.COM
©Copyright 2007 Journal Communications Inc.,725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067,
(615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.No portion of this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or in part without written consent.
Member Magazine Publishers of America
Member Custom Publishing CouncilMember Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce
Please recycle this magazine
34
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“Find the good – and praise it.”– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder
jnlcom.com
What’s Online More lists, links and tips for newcomers
SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past issues of the magazine by year or search for specifi c articles by subject.
INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services.
EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; fi nd related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.
IMAGESMOORESVILLE.COM
VIDEO TOUR INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Mooresville through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagesmooresvile.com
A GARDENER’S PARADISEWe live in a plant paradise here in North Carolina. From the Outer Banks to the Great Smokies, our diverse climate and topography afford us tremendous opportunities for growing plants that are indigenous to many continents.
BARBECUE: A SIMPLE SOUTHERN PLEASUREOne of the simple pleasures of Southern dining is the down-home barbecue experience. Pork is the meat of choice in eastern North Carolina, and it’s usually chopped or sliced and served with a vinegar-based sauce.
ABOUT THIS MAGAZINEImages of Mooresville is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Mooresville tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.
WEB SITE EXTRA
MOVING PICTURES PLUS
“A Name Recognized”
631 Brawley School Rd.Ste. 201
Mooresville, NC 28117
Cathy LynchOwner/Broker
Offi ce: (704) 662-9698Cell: (704) 400-0521
When buying or selling real estate, you may fi nd it helpful to have a real estate agent assist you. Real estate agents can provide many useful services and work with you in different ways.
Cathy Lynch has many years of experience when it comes to helping you buy or sell a home. She is a highly motivated native of Atlanta, Georgia who has excelled tremendously in her real estate career here in Mooresville and is known for getting the sold sign up!
Whether you are buying or selling your home, give Cathy a call today for a free real estate consultation.
Mention this ad and receive a free Home Warranty with your listing.
Call Today!
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8 IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM MOORESVILLE
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“We serve our citizens.”Town of Mooresville
North Carolina
Town of MooresvillePost Office Box 878
Mooresville, NC 28115(704) 663-3800
www.ci.mooresville.nc.us
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Mooresville by providing valued governmental services and
directing well planned growth and development.
©Town of Mooresville/Kelly Culpepper
LIVE LINKSHot links allow users to quickly link to other sites
for additional information, and an ad index allows you to easily locate local advertisers in the magazine.
SEARCH AND YOU SHALL FINDAn easy-to-use search function allows you to fi nd specifi c articles or browse content by subject.
A VIRTUAL TOOLBELTTools allow you to customize the look and function of the magazine on your desktop as well as print individual pages or save the magazine for offl ine reading.
MORE OF THE SAMEAnd that’s a good thing. Inside, you’ll fi nd the same award-winning photography and compelling content as in the printed magazine.
SHARE WITH A FRIENDE-mail individual stories using the pop-up text window.
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I’ll Have a CrepeA popular Mooresville bakery has expanded to include
meals. La Patisserie now serves breakfast and lunch at
its bakery/café at 627 N. Main.
The breakfast and lunch specialties are crepes, including
Hawaiian, beef stroganoff, chicken and Cuban crepes.
Other menu items include a variety of soups
and sandwiches for lunch, along with
pastries and fruit dishes for breakfast.
La Patisserie means “bakery” in
French, and all of the baked goods at
the Mooresville location have a European/
Mediterranean flair.
Branching OutThe Mooresville Public Library is much
more than a place to check out a book.
The variety of programs includes reading
mornings for toddlers, an organized Summer
Reading session, special youth programs and
several book clubs for adults and younger
readers. There is also an online feature
called “Ask a Librarian,” with staff members
answering your research requests in a
timely fashion.
The library has more than 100,000 volumes
of books on site and circulates a total of
350,000 items per year – that’s seven for
each of the 50,000 residents living in
Mooresville and Iredell County. The library
also offers wireless access to the Internet.
Plenty of PreservesHomes in and around downtown
Mooresville are spiffing up, as interest
grows in the area’s historic architecture.
To help showcase this effort, the
Historic Mooresville Tour of Homes
took place in October 2007, with 12
properties open to the viewing public.
Tour stops included homes originating
from the 1800s, such as Bull House,
Turlington House and the Isaac Harris
House. Early-1900s structures on display
included the Templeton, Harrill and
Baker houses.
Also on exhibit for the tour-goers was
the Zande House, constructed in 2004.
The Zande House was showcased as a
new house that demonstrates
appropriate architecture for a historic
neighborhood.
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Almanac
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Gentlemen, Start Your Tours
The largest private collection
of retired NASCAR racecars – on
the entire planet – is at Memory
Lane Museum.
Cars on exhibit were once driven
by stock car superstars such as
Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt,
A.J. Foyt, Junior Johnson, Alan
Kulwicki, Richard Petty, Rusty
Wallace and Darrell Waltrip. The
museum that opened in 2001 also
has a large collection of Soap Box
Derby cars and go-karts.
There is also a collection of auto
props that the museum has lent to
Hollywood production companies
for use in movies such as Driving Miss Daisy, Days of Thunder, Shake Rattle & Roll and Steel Chariots.
Need for SpeedMooresville is not your average slow,
Southern town.
Its official nickname is Race
City USA, with more than 500,000
stock car fans rumbling into
town each year. Many of
the dozens of NASCAR
motorsports-related
shops in Mooresville
offer tours, and
more than
200,000 people
a year visit the
North Carolina
Auto Racing Hall
of Fame just off
Interstate 77.
Race City USA
became the city’s
moniker in 1993,
and city officials
estimate that
one-fourth of
Mooresville’s
employment is
tied to motorsports.
Celebrate MooresvilleGrab some friends and head downtown to join the fun at
the annual festival of arts and culture.The date for the 2008 celebration is May 17, with the event
always taking place during NASCAR Race Week in downtown Mooresville. The outdoor street fair celebrates and
showcases the various cultures, arts and people of the community, and is held rain or shine.
The event includes entertainment, children’s games, food and fun
lasting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Mooresville-South Iredell
Chamber of Commerce sponsors the festival, and the 2008 celebration will be the 26th annual.
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Fast Facts Mooresville is home to more
than 60 NASCAR racing teams.
Mooresville is a top spot for business relocations, according to Site Selection magazine.
With 520 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest body of fresh water in the state.
The NASCAR Technical Institute is located in Mooresville.
Mooresville is the world headquarters for Lowe’s Co., the nation’s second-largest home improvement retailer.
SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Mooresville, visit imagesmooresville.com.
777
8585
Harmony
Troutman
Mooresville
Statesville
IREDELL
4040
77
64 70
20
Love Valley
Winston-Salem
Lake Norman
Mooresville | At A GlancePOPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE)Mooresville: 20,944
Iredell County: 146,206
LOCATIONMooresville is in the Piedmont
section of North Carolina,
30 miles north of Charlotte.
BEGINNINGSMooresville was named for John Franklin
Moore, who arrived on the scene in
1855 and persuaded the Atlantic,
Tennessee and Ohio railroad to run
tracks through the center of town.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONMooresville-South Iredell
Chamber of Commerce
149 E. Iredell Avenue, P.O. Box 628
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: (704) 664-3898
Fax: (704) 664-2549
www.mooresvillenc.org
Mooresville Street …in Germany?
People of Mooresville, welcome to Hockenheim.
That was the message in June 2007 when
a delegation of Mooresville leaders visited
the German town. Mooresville and
Hockenheim have been sister cities
for the past 10 years, and the
June 2007 meeting resulted in
the German city naming a park
and street after Mooresville.
Meanwhile, Mooresville recognizes
its sister-city ties to Hockenheim on
the main sign leading into town, at
the intersection of Wilson Avenue
and Highway 21. There is also a
student exchange program in
place between Mooresville
High School and academies
in Hockenheim.
To date, Hockenheim
leaders have been in
Mooresville twice to form
cultural and business bonds,
while Mooresville officials
have returned the favor by
traveling to Germany twice.
Mooresville
SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Mooresville at imagesmooresville.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 13
Almanac
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Hospitality Haven
LANGTREE AT THE LAKE PROMISES AN UPSCALE EXPERIENCE ATLAKE NORMAN
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W hen Mooresville’s Langtree at the Lake development broke ground on Aug. 9,
2007, there was no doubt that the future commercial and residential community on the shores of Lake Norman would be hot, hot, hot. The temperature was 104 degrees, the hottest day in the region in more than a century.
“You know, more than 250 people showed up,” marvels Mount Mourne native Rick Howard, CEO of Langtree Group and one of the developers of the project. The turnout, he believes, is a testament to the community’s enthusiasm for the project, expected to cost more than $800 million.
Langtree at the Lake will be a com-bination of luxurious, custom-built homes, upscale retail and Class-A office spaces, a hotel and conference center, a marina and yacht club, walking trails and pools, health clubs and additional amenities that will make Langtree at the Lake a premier “live, work, play village,” Howard explains. “The whole complex is about 128 acres and growing.”
Ruth’s Chris Steak House has signed on to open a restaurant at the devel-opment, situated just off Interstate 77 at the new Exit 32. That new interchange is expected to be complete by the summer of 2009.
A 12-story Embassy Suites hotel with about 250 rooms and 35,000 square feet of meeting space in an adjoining con-ference center will be developed by John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, which operates about 70 properties in 24 states.
“After I visited three or four of his properties, I decided he was the right guy, so I recruited him to come to our community. We have one opportunity to
STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALDPHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
Crews put finishing touches on Langtree at the Lake, an $800 million luxury hotel and conference center on Lake Norman.
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Hiking trails around Lake Norman are part of the location’s appeal.
do something right on Lake Norman,” Howard says.
Ron Johnson, chairman of the board of the Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau, predicts the hotel and conference center will significantly boost the area’s economy. “We have had a lot of requests over the years for meeting space,” he says. “And, of course, to have meetings, you have to have restaurants and lodging and the meeting space all at one place. We have never had that here. For the last 15 years, one thing I have heard is, ‘Where can I stay on Lake Norman?’ We just have not had that, either, and that’s going to be a unique experience in itself.”
Johnson says the bureau already is promoting the prospective venue, since conventions and business conferences plan years in advance. The Hammons project is expected to open between the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010.
“Mooresville is emerging as one of the largest employment centers in the state,” Howard adds. “We need this type of amenity to help the new industries that are coming to our community, to help them expand their businesses. Most of the industries currently have to go to Charlotte for a full-service hotel.”
Howard foresees Langtree at the Lake as a “destination location,” taking advantage of Mooresville’s easy acces-sibility via interstate and air, its proximity to Charlotte and its location on scenic Lake Norman.
“The views are going to be spec-tacular. Some people offer a view at the lake. We’re going to offer a view of the lake,” he says.
At the same time, Howard empha-sizes that the developers have carefully plotted the project’s footprint to protect natural attributes as well as to safeguard the area’s heritage. “It’s really not about office buildings and condominiums and steel and concrete. This whole thing is about quality of life,” he says.
Just three weeks after the ground-breaking, future Langtree at the Lake residents and proprietors had already reserved more than 150 condominiums and 50 percent of the retail and office space. In fact, Howard is sold, too. “I intend to live at Langtree at the Lake,” he says.
Left: Langtree properties will offer gorgeous views of the lake.
130 Norman Station Blvd.Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 662-6900fax: (704) 662-6914
www.hiexpress.com/mooresville
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W hen Mooresville-area residents need health care, the impressive array of options
proves the adage that quality breeds more of the same.
Boasting several quality health-care facilities, the area is a magnet for top-notch physicians and allied-health professionals attracted by modern hospital facilities and the region’s natural beauty and charm.
“We’ve worked hard over the last 10 to 15 years in recruiting primary-care [providers] and specialists and sub-specialists to Mooresville. There’s really not a service that you can’t get done here,” says Paul Smith Jr., Lake Norman Regional Medical Center’s chief exec-utive officer. “We’re very fortunate that
MOORESVILLE AREA HOSPITALSAND THEIR EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK
Curesfor theCommunity
STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALDPHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
Dr. James W. McNabb at his office at Piedmont Health Care Right: Lake Norman Regional Medical Center
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Nurses Pam Rudisill (left) and Pamela Latlamme talk about SafeScan.
SafeScan at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center aids communication between nurses and doctors.
we live in a great area, and we’re able to attract high-quality physicians.”
In 1999, the medical center moved into a new facility on Fairview Road near Interstate 77, thus situating the hospital closer to the county’s swelling population center. Adjacent to the hospital is Medical Pavilion at Lake Norman, which is nearly leased out by health-care professionals. Physicians and outpatient services are also filling up several sizeable professional office buildings that are complete or near completion in the hospital’s vicinity.
The Lake Norman Regional medical staff numbers about 130 physicians, and in February 2007, the hospital received national recognition for nursing excellence. One of only 238 hospitals in the country to garner the honor, the medical center achieved Magnet® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The nurses are among the first in the nation to master the SafeScan System – handheld, interactive devices designed to ensure medication accuracy.
The talented medical professionals in the region make it a point to give back to the community. Outreach is “a major focus for us and has been for years,” Smith explains. “We’ve made it company policy here.”
A full-time community outreach director coordinates health fairs and free screenings, and physicians and other medical personnel volunteer at the HealthReach Community Clinic in Mooresville and other free clinics inthe area.
“Our doctors have really made this community their home, and I think that’s what separates us a little bit from the bigger places. There is a real sense of community,” he adds.
At Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, which nabbed two national awards for customer service in July 2007, physicians donate their time to the Open Door Clinic.
“This medical community is very giving of their own time, seeing a good number of patients who have no means of paying for their care,” says Ed Rush, Iredell president and CEO. “They do it willingly, openly, and that’s a tough balance nowadays.”
Rush notes that the nonprofit hos-pital’s bylaws, written when the facility
opened in 1954, endorse disease pre-vention, wellness and health education.
“The individuals who established this hospital had great foresight,” he says. “That is something I take to heart.”
With the hearts of its patients in mind, Iredell was the first hospital in the county to offer noninvasive heart scans beginning in July 2007. The sophisticated CT scanner is able to take 192 images of the heart per second.
“We operate at a very modest mar-gin, and that allows us to take and reinvest in technology upgrades to the hospital, maintaining the best of care,” Rush says.
Other hospitals and medical groups in the area – and their productive staffs – also contribute to wellness and com-munity education. Piedmont Health Care offers a number of outpatient services, plus urgent care in both Mooresville and Statesville. Carolinas Medical Center–NorthEast, in Concord, features six Centers of Excellence, including the Batte Cancer Center and the Cannon Heart Center. At Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville, The Solomon House offers advocacy, information and referrals to community health resources for the area’s underserved population.
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M ooresville residents know a good thing when they see it.
Economic growth, great schools and easy access to out-door activities are just a few reasons why the community is getting so much favorable attention these days.
“It’s just a feel-good place,” says Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunberg. “It’s a great place to live with good people and good weather. We’ve got great recreational opportunities in the area for folks.”
The city was nationally recognized in 2007 by Money magazine as one of the country’s best 100 towns to call home.
Chris Montgomery, general manager of the Lake Norman Times, notes that strong family ties are often found throughout the community. For exam-ple, his grandparents operated Mabry’s
GREAT WEATHER, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & FAMILY ATMOSPHERE MAKE MOORESVILLE A TOP PICK
Sunny
STORY BY CRISTAL CODYPHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
Kids have fun on the playground at the new Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville. Right: Stumpy Creek Park
AheadSkies
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Stumpy Creek Park in Mooresville
Washerette in downtown Mooresville for more than 45 years.
“I like the idea of working where I live and where my kids go to school and where we go to church,” Montgomery says. “We’re fortunate that so much growth has come here, bringing busi-ness and opportunity.”
Donna Corriher, development direc-tor of the Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville, says the community offers “a little bit of everything.”
“We’re two hours from the moun-tains; about four hours from the beach.”
Lovers of outdoor activities will appreciate the Mooresville weather: Average high temperatures are just 77 degrees in the summer, and annual snowfall registers a mere 3 inches.
Festivals and special events fill the local calendar. The YMCA sponsors a major fireworks show in July and Healthy Kids Day in April.
“We love that we have all this space where the Mooresville community can come together,” Corriher says of the new Y on Joe V. Knox Avenue.
The Y’s staff works with area schools to offer educational and fun oppor-tunities for students. The 57,000-square-foot Lowe’s YMCA, part of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte system, features an indoor water park. Activities for adults, include fitness facilities, sports programs and clubs.
“We have wonderful programs, and they’re growing,” she says.
Mayor Thunberg says the town also has started investing creatively in recreation.
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Help Is a Mouse Click AwayPARENTS GET TIPS
Got a child care question?
The Iredell County
Partnership for Young Children
helps families find the answers
to child care and other
parenting issues.
“We have a complete
database of licensed child care
operators in homes and centers
in Iredell County,” says Karen
Campbell, regional school-age
specialist and program
evaluator for the Iredell County
Partnership for Young Children,
headquartered in Statesville.
The partnership operates
Child Care Solutions, a
comprehensive child care
resource and referral
organization for parents.
“We have preschools listed in
there as well, so we’re able to
help parents discover what’s in
the area,” Campbell says. “We
also help link parents with other
services in the community.”
The Iredell County
Partnership for Young Children
offers assistance to first-time
moms, a positive-parenting
training program that addresses
child-behavior issues, and other
programs such as More at Four,
North Carolina’s state-funded
pre-kindergarten program that
prepares 4-year-olds for school.
The Partnership for Young
Children, a nonprofit
organization led by local
volunteers, also helps parents
find health-care services for
children.
“In addition to child care
solutions, we do a variety of
things to prepare children to be
ready for success in school,”
Campbell says.
– Cristal Cody
The gym at the new Y is a big hit with the preschool crowd.
“We’ve got a new park and a new skateboard park being designed,” Thunberg says.
Finding a spot to enjoy outdoor family activities isn’t a problem. The Mooresville Recreation Department has nine parks on its roster. Amenities include seven tennis courts, eight out-door basketball courts and six ball fields.
The Iredell County Parks and Recreation Department operates the 83-acre Stumpy Creek Park adjacent to Lake Norman. It has a playground, boat launch, walking track, three soccer fields, three baseball/softball fields and a disc golf course.
The county’s Outdoor Education Center near Mooresville features a ropes
course, a 50-foot rappelling/climbing tower and primitive camping sites.
A wide variety of age and interest groups enjoy the ropes course, says Michelle Hepler, recreation programs administrator for Iredell County.
“It ranges anywhere from birth day parties to sports teams to town man-agers,” she says.
Seniors have their own special interests, such as woodcarving and line dancing, offered every week at the South Iredell Senior Center. The center is located in downtown Mooresville on the first f loor of the Charles Mack Citizen’s Center.
With spacious meeting rooms and outdoor courtyards, the citizen center also welcomes large groups.
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T here was a time when national retail chains such as Target, Bed Bath & Beyond or Wal-Mart might bypass
Mooresville. No longer, says Darrell Palasciano, a commercial broker with Pinnacle Properties, which is devel-oping Mooresville Town Square, a retail center, and Legacy Village, a mixed-used development with retail, residences and offices.
“In the past five years, a lot of your national retailers have taken Mooresville a lot more seriously,” he says.
Take Staples, for instance. The office superstore opened a second Mooresville location last summer to better meet the demand, says Peter Dorninger, general manager of the new store, which is on River Highway across from Target.
What’s fueling the retail boom? In part, it’s the influx of new residents with the types of demographic profiles that appeal to retailers, Dorninger says. Newcomers are a mix of retirees, workers related to the NASCAR industry and employees who’ve relocated to the Lowe’s headquarters here. Lowe’s vendors have also sparked the population growth.
Recent accolades and awards have also caught large retailers’ attention. In 2002, for instance, Site Selection
magazine named the Mooresville area a “Top 10 Economic Development Group for 2001.” Mooresville was selected as a “Champion of Industry” award winner for 2003 by Pat Summerall Productions.
“Mooresville has such high income, such growth and so much employment,” Palasciano says. “It’s become its own self-sufficient town. With the addition of Lowe’s and other large companies, it’s created its own identity, and with that has come a lot of retail.”
Morrison Plantation was among the first developments to spot the trend, says Billy Cooper, a commercial real estate broker with Southern Real Estate, which has been handling the leasing for the Shops at Morrison Plantation for the last five years. “We’ve got two spaces left, and we are nearly full,” Cooper says.
Harris Teeter anchors the retail segment of the development, which also includes Georgetown-inspired townhomes and live-work townhomes located above retail shops. Although Harris Teeter is a chain, the store bills itself as a “neighborhood food market.”
SaladWorks, a national food chain, is also popular here.
Morrison Plantation has been joined by Winslow Bay Shopping Center, home
to such well-known stores as Super Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T.J. Maxx, PetSmart and Pier 1 Imports. Mooresville Crossing, meanwhile, features Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy and Old Navy.
The latest addition, Mooresville Town Square, is a planned 400,000-square-foot retail village with gardens and walking paths. Legacy Village will feature 450,000 square feet of retail, office and residential space.
While giant retailers have clearly taken notice of Mooresville, there is still room for small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“There’s a wonderful phenomenon in Mooresville – maybe more so than in a lot of your boomtowns – and that is that there are as many if not more mom-and-pops continuing to f lourish,” Palasciano says. “There’s a very nice balance.”
Indeed, the Shops at Morrison Plantation is composed mostly of mom-and-pop operations, Cooper says.
Expect more retail options – both large and small – in the future. Mooresville, it seems, is on the map of site selection committees nationwide.
“The word has gotten out now,” Cooper says.
WHEN IT COMES TO SHOPPING, MOORESVILLE OFFERS SOMETHING NEW ALMOST EVERY DAY
RetailRampage
STORY BY PAM GEORGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
Mooresville Town Square shopping center is billed as a “retail village.”
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Teens Rock at ClubFXFUN IS TEMPERED WITH SAFETY AT POPULAR MOORESVILLE NIGHTSPOT
Teens in Mooresville can no longer lament that there’s nothing to do.
ClubFX opened in June 2007, providing a dance floor with DJs and a 12,000-watt sound system just for teens. A snack bar, video game arcade, and a rock-climbing wall add to the club’s attraction.
Teen dances are held on weekends, with middle-school nights on Fridays and high-school nights on Saturdays, bringing in 200 to 350 teens at each event.
“There’s clearly a void in this city and most other cities of places for teenagers to go,” says Ken Connor, owner of ClubFX.
The father of three teenagers, Connor combined his interest in providing a needed amenity for the community with his desire to start a business by opening ClubFX.
The club is open to teens 13 to 18, and admission on dance nights is $10. Security is a priority for Connor, and the club’s rules are strictly enforced. Alcohol and tobacco products are banned, and teens have a dress code.
“As important as it is for parents, it is equally important for kids to feel like they are secure, as well,” Connor says.
At ClubFX, a private VIP room handles teen birthday parties and other smaller
gatherings, Connor said. Children’s birthday parties, with inflatable bounce houses, are another option. Located in the Talbert Point Business Park, the facility also is home to the Backstretch Grill, which serves lunch during the week, and a catering business, A Tasteful Solution.
Connor offers nonprofit groups the opportunity to use the facility pro bono and has welcomed groups from Special Olympics and inner city youth for special events.
“If we can help them out, we love to do it,” he says. “My own kids work those events. It gives them a better appreciation for life.”
ClubFX owner Ken Connor started the teen club to fill a community need.
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One-Stop Shopat Dale Jr.’s
Fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr. now have a one-stop shop in Mooresville
for checking out retail merchandise, viewing exhibits and touring the NASCAR driver’s race shop.
“To get the room that we need and to have really a first-class facility that we are proud of is just very exciting,” says Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, JR Motor-sports vice president and general manager and sister to Dale Jr.
Growing from six employees in 2001 to 100 employees in 2007, JR Motorsports moved out of two facilities with 14,000 square feet into a 65,000-square-foot building at Talbert Point Business Park in January 2007.
Fans can shop at JR Nation, the first retail store that exclusively carries the Dale Jr. and JR Motorsports brand, and they can visit the Dale Jr. Fan Experience, a permanent display fea-turing the driver’s life and racing career with exhibits that rotate quarterly. Past exhibits have included a salute to the fans and Earnhardt Jr.’s Elvis memo-rabilia. Exhibits in 2008 will chronicle Earnhardt Jr.’s association with the music industry, including his appear-ances in music videos, as well as his sports collectibles.
“He’s a huge Redskins fan,” Elledge says of Earnhardt Jr.
The Fan Experience includes a 15-foot window into the race shop, where fans can watch the two Busch teams work on JR Motorsports’ No. 5 and No. 88 cars. Nearby is a life-sized wax figure of Earnhardt Jr. commissioned by Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
JR Nation attracted about 4,000 fans during the May 2007 race week and averages about 100 fans a day, according to Elledge. The retail store carries more than 500 items, including hats, shirts and collectibles, many with the JRM orange flame logo.
“Dale Jr. was very instrumental in helping with the design of the product,” Elledge says “It definitely speaks Dale Jr. It’s got the cool factor. It’s interesting from the design stand-point, not your typical race gear. It’s more trendy and fashionable.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new shop is at Talbert Point.
PH
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Big Appetites at Little Kitchen
The Little Kitchen keeps families coming back, generation after
generation, for its slow-cooked prime rib, its homemade salad dressings and special desserts.
The 38-year-old restaurant has had only three owners, and each has followed the traditions and menu established by the family of Claude Little, the original owner.
“Besides giving the place a face lift, nothing has literally changed since I bought the restaurant,” says owner Joyce Smith, whose customers know her as Joy. After working in Charlotte area restaurants, Smith returned home to Mooresville in 1998 and worked as a waitress at The Little Kitchen until 2005, when she purchased the restaurant.
Smith continues to serve the com-plimentary cheese-spread appetizer to customers as they relax on classic red leather button-tuck chairs at black tables and booths. The late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt used to slip into a back booth frequently for prime rib, and Dale Jr. included the restaurant in a documentary, Smith says.
Smith’s daughter, Tiffany Tadlock, manages the 200-seat restaurant with her mother, continuing the family-restaurant tradition. Organist Jerry Shiver has provided live music Friday and Saturday nights at The Little Kitchen for 22 years.
Tucked into the Port City Shopping Center at 631 N. Main St. in Mooresville, The Little Kitchen serves breakfast to customers every Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday through Thursday. The restaurant stays open until 10 p.m. on weekends.
The salad bar is fresh daily at The Little Kitchen on North Main Street.
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Classic Cars Head for Race City
Mooresville steps back in time the first Saturday of each month, when
the Cruise-In Classic Car Show attracts hundreds of classic automobiles down-town for an evening of family fun.
Spectators, sometimes as many as 3,000, might see a rare 1933 Buick sedan along with the restored Cadillacs, Chevrolets and other well-kept classics from the last century. Also on display are well-maintained street rods and sporty muscle cars. The show is open to cars 30 years old and older.
The Cruise-In features a disc jockey spinning golden oldies, food vendors, karaoke and games for children. Many of the downtown merchants remain open during the 4 to 8 p.m. Cruise-In to serve the crowds.
“Folks love to bring their cars out. It’s a big family affair,” says Allen Warlick, a member of the Good Ole Boys Street Rodders. “It certainly is good for business.”
The small street-rod club co-sponsors the monthly Cruise-In with the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Mooresville. After hosting an annual show for 14 years, the street rodders made it a monthly event in 2006 with help from the town and chamber.
A recent Cruise-In brought about 500 cars to Mooresville from South Carolina, Virginia and throughout North Carolina. Visitors to Mooresville often take in the classic car show, along with nearby racing attractions, Warlick says.
Warlick is at work restoring a 1934 Buick and owns several street rods. His family is one of eight families involved in the Street Rodders club, a small group tackling a large monthly task.
“It involves a lot of work for our club to organize every month. But we enjoy the folks and we just have a very good time,” he says.
RAYMER OIL COMPANY
• 24-hour fueling
• Tractor-trailer access
• Member of CFN fueling network
• 17 convenient locations in and around Iredell County
Statesville, North Carolina(704) 873-7285
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Store Fills Community Coffers
Mooresville’s newest state-of-the-art package store offers an impressive
selection of items and gives a boost to the town and school system budgets.
In the 2007 fiscal year, the area’s three package stores and numerous liquor-by-the-drink establishments generated $500,000 for the Town of Mooresville and its public parks, the Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District, says Mike Deaton, general manager of the Mooresville Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
The third and newest Mooresville ABC Store opened in mid-2006 at 117 Bridgewater Lane in a 7,200-square-foot building. The store stocks some 1,200 items, Deaton says.
Annual sales of spirits in Mooresville, including those at the package stores and in restaurants, total about $7 million, Deaton explains. Once excise and sales taxes are delivered to the state and expenses are covered, the remaining profits are available to the town and the school systems.
North Carolina is one of 19 “control” states, in which a state control board regulates the sale of liquor.
“But we’re unique in that we are the only state that keeps all the profits locally,” Deaton says. “All of ours stay in the local school systems and the town of Mooresville.”
Since the first package stores opened in Mooresville in 1965, the Mooresville ABC Board has turned over nearly $6.3 million in profits to the town and schools, Deaton says.
– Stories by Kay Brookshire
The community will benefit from sales at the new ABC store off Interstate 77 at Exit 33.
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Main Street mural
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Image Gallery | PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO
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Lake Norman sunrise
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
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W hen the nation’s second-largest home improvement retailer – and one of the
nation’s fastest-growing chains – needed more breathing room, they found it in Mooresville.
“We needed access to a talented workforce that would be able to support the company as we grow well into the future,” says Chris Ahearn, vice presi-dent of public relations for Lowe’s Cos., which relocated its corporate offices to Mooresville from Wilkes County.
With its close proximity to Charlotte and a growing population of 67,000, Lowe’s officials saw Mooresville as a big-ger pond in which to fish for workers.
Lowe’s purchased land in Iredell County in 2001 after an exhaustive search that included such major cities as Dallas, Chicago, Raleigh, Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio. Factors they considered included workforce demographics, education, housing, quality of life and transportation.
The company is now in the midst of the third phase of its expansion plan, which will bring more employees to the area. When the master plan is fully complete, the campus will accommodate
up to 12,000 people, Ahearn says.Lowe’s Mooresville customer support
center opened in 2003, and the next year the company announced plans for its second phase, a 136,000-square-foot addition to house 600 employees.
Phases I and II total 537,000 square feet and house about 2,100 employees. When complete in fall 2008, phase III will house about 2,400 people and total 735,000 square feet.
“We will do a phased move over a four- to six-month period,” Ahearn says.
The newest facilities were designed to accommodate Lowe’s anticipated growth over the next few years.
Phase III expands the site’s con-ference center facilities. It also provides Lowe’s with an auditorium. “It will be convenient for large presentations,” Ahearn says.
The campus buildings, which are con nected by enclosed walkways, surround a spring-fed lake. A terrace, suitable for lunch, invites employees to take a break and get a breath of fresh air, she says. Lowe’s has been investigating the installation of wetlands to serve as a filtration system for the lake. “We’re trying to be environmentally friendly, as well,” Ahearn says.
The campus also includes a “plan-ogram” facility in a 94,000-square-foot building that is home to the company’s quality assurance and business television departments. The laboratory-like plan-ogram helps with design and inventory. For instance, light bulb merchants might set up products exactly as they would in a store. Once installed, decision-makers can determine if there is enough or too much of any one type of product.
“They evaluate the products the way they would look in a store,” Ahearn explains. “Once they make their decision, then it goes out the stores. The light bulbs would come down and another product would go up – maybe garden hoses and sprinklers. (The Mooresville Lowe’s retail store often serves as a testing ground for new products.)
It is easy to see why Lowe’s continues to ramp up operations. With fiscal year 2006 sales of $46.9 billion, the Fortune 50 company serves about 13 million customers a week at more than 1,425 home improvement stores in 49 states.
There are currently no plans on the horizon for phase IV, Ahearn says. “We do have a master plan that will include additional buildings as the need arises. But we have no timeline for that.”
LOWE’SMOORESVILLE PROVIDES THE RIGHT
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMPANY’S GROWTH
STORY BY PAM GEORGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
Lowe’s environmentally sensitive campus could house up to 12,000 workers.
Knows
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Soiree Restaurant on Main Street serves spiced rare tuna.
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UPSCALE DINING DOWNTOWN
From the moment they first laid eyes on the historic two-story building at the corner of Center and Main streets, Maria and Jon Spencer knew it would be perfect for a restaurant full of character and charm.
Two years later, in 2006, the Spencers and their partners, chefs Alan Jackson and Michael Spencer, opened Soirée, a restaurant known for its upscale atmosphere, extensive wine list and gourmet dishes such as grilled North Carolina trout and rack of lamb.
“The combination of exquisite food, along with the ambiance and history of the surroundings, makes Soirée a truly
unique dining experience for our customers,” says Maria Spencer. “Everything is made in-house, even down to our ketchup and salad dress-ings. Our chefs are dedicated to using only the freshest ingredients.”
In addition to serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and dinner on Saturday nights, Soirée is a popular destination for Sunday brunch. Spencer says the response has been so tremendous that the restaurant regu-larly attracts some of the top names in NASCAR and prominent visitors to the area.
“This side of downtown was really missing a restaurant like this, and the terrific response has helped us continue
to grow the business,” Spencer says. “At the same time, we have remained true to our goal of keeping prices very reasonable for our customers.”
With two dining rooms and more than 16,000 square feet of space, Soiree offers banquet facilities for weddings and other events as well as on-site resources for corporate meetings. Spencer says the restaurant is also expanding its off-site catering business.
THE REAL (ESTATE) DEALWhen James Jennings founded Lake
Norman Realty in 1978, the region was primarily known as a retreat with summer cottages and vacation homes. The visionary entrepreneur predicted a boom in the local real estate market early on and, as a result, built one of the largest real estate firms in the Charlotte region.
“He had a vision for what this area would become, and he was right. He was always a little ahead of his time,” says Abigail Jennings, who became president of the family business a year before her father passed away in 1999.
Today, Lake Norman Realty has four locations across the area and is known for its residential and commercial services, as well as in-house products such as homeowner’s insurance, title insurance and mortgage services.
“The local real estate market has remained strong and active,” Jennings says. “We have not seen depreciation in the Lake Norman region. In fact, we see plenty of people still moving into the area. We’re very fortunate to live in such a strong market.”
FAMILY JEWELFor more than 90 years the Markarian
family has been a source for comfort and beauty underfoot. In 2000, Steve Markarian opened the Mooresville location of Markarians Fine Rugs & Carpets, a company originally founded in upstate New York by his grandfather. Today, Markarian is grooming a fourth generation to continue expanding the family business in North Carolina.
“One thing that hasn’t changed since my grandpa’s era is respect for our customers and dedication to service,” Markarian says. “We recognize that you can buy carpet and flooring anywhere, but what you can’t buy is customer service and the values of honesty we
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hold as a family business.” Located on Charlotte Highway, near
Interstate 77 at Exit 33, Markarians Fine Rugs & Carpets is hard to miss. The 18,000-square-foot facility has under gone a series of major expansions to house several new departments, including a rug loft and a home interiors division.
“We saw that f looring companies were catering to new home construction, but we also wanted to focus on indi-viduals remodeling their homes,” Markarian says. “Our success is a testament to our clients and the support of the local community.”
MAKING WAVESMooresville business leader Bob
Wilson received an honor when he was tapped by North Carolina’s governor to serve as a state commissioner-at-large as part of the Coastal Area Management Act.
The appointment came as somewhat of a surprise, since Wilson’s hometown of Mooresville is more than 200 miles from the beach.
However, his company, Row Boat Dock & Dredge, has had positive impact on the state’s effort to balance envi-ronmental protection with economic
development along the coast – and so Wilson was, in fact, a natural choice for the position.
“The strength of our company is the quality of our people and the expe-rience they bring to the business,” Wilson says. “We have built an enviable reputation in the industry, thanks to our talented employees.”
Founded in Mooresville in 1976, Row Boat Dock & Dredge is a $10 million heavy marine construction business with 50 employees. The company designs and builds docks and marinas for waterfront developments. In addition to dredging for docks and marinas, the company also provides dredging services for golf courses and power and chemical companies.
With customers in the Lake Norman region and across waterfront areas throughout the southeast, Wilson says Row Boat Dock & Dredge will continue to expand its headquarters in the Mooresville area.
“Mooresville is not only a very strategic location with respect to transportation resources that reach our target markets, it’s also a community that has supported us over the years,” Wilson says. “Mooresville has been very good to us.”
STILL GOING STRONGWhen L.B. Plastics came to North
America in 1977, the company’s European founders were drawn to Mooresville for its hard-working population and proximity to the furniture manufacturing industry. Thirty years later, the Mooresville facility has grown to include more than 324,000 square feet of manufacturing, operations and storage space three miles east of Interstate 77, Exit 36.
According to Harry Davis, president of L.B. Plastics, many of the company’s 125 employees have been on board for 25 to 30 years.
“As we continue to add production, we recognize that a good part of our success can be attributed to the dedi-cation of our employees and the good working relationship we have with the local community,” Davis says.
With several award-winning pat-ented products, L.B. Plastics Inc. is recognized as an innovator and leader in the building products industry for its design and manufacturing of premium, low-maintenance vinyl railing, post clad, decking and related products.
– Valerie Pascoe
Row Boat Dock & Dredge built this marina in eastern North Carolina.
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visitors and exhibitors at two halls.“It is eye-opening,” Shore says. “The
diversity of the businesses and their products and services is amazing. We want people to be aware of what’s done here and of the potential of what can be available to them.”
Another highlight of the expo is the Taste of the Town, a two-hour social event that wraps up the expo and showcases the expertise of local
restaurants and caterers.“There is always a lot of excitement
over Taste of the Town,” Shore says. “During this time, the exhibitors are really able to socialize. Some of them have not been able to really see much of what the others have to offer because they’ve been at their booths most of the time.
“So this part of the expo has become very important in itself and allows an after-hours networking and a sampling of some of the great food provided in our area.”
Of course, the bottom line with this type of event is its impact on business, and Shore believes the effect is major.
“Everything we do aims for an impact by producing more revenue for the businesses and more jobs created within the community,” Shore says.
“The expo brings into focus every-thing we do as ‘the chamber.’ We are all about the promotion of doing business locally. This event highlights the diversity of the products and services available here.”
– Warren Denney
Business ExpoSpotlights DiversityCHAMBER-SPONSORED EVENT PROMOTES A VARIETY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES
W hen Karen Shore speaks of the annual fall Business Expo sponsored by the
Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, she can’t help but express both excitement and pride.
The expo showcases products and services offered by local businesses and organizations – from manufacturingto retail to nonprofit, in areas ranging from agriculture to advertising and recreation.
“Participation in the expo increases a little each year,” says Shore, who took over as the chamber’s executive director in August 2006. “It has grown some from my last year’s experience, and we may have to consider changing venues in the future if it keeps growing. That’s how popular it is.”
The Charles Mack Citizen Center has two exhibit halls that provide room for up to 100 exhibitors, and those accommodations have been pushed to the limit in recent years, Shore says. Increased participation by local businesses also indicates that the chamber has been successful at pro-moting the expo as part of its overall mission.
“We do market it widely through normal channels and resources, television and radio,” Shore says. “I do think the business community is strongly aware of it and relies on it each year, not only as a means of exhibiting services but as an important means of networking and establishing relationships.”
The event, free and open to the public, attracted 100 exhibitors in October 2007. The high level of participation mirrors the energy and broad-based enthusiasm of the local business community, Shore says.
During the event, Shore spends much of her time greeting and directing
“This event highlights the
diversity of the products and
services available here.”
KAREN SHORE
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The fall Business Expo showcases companies’ products and services.
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MOORESVILLE
TRANSPORTATION
Airports
Charlotte-Douglas
International Airport
(704) 359-4013
Concord Regional Airport
(704) 920-5900
Statesville Regional Airport
(704) 873-1111
Lake Norman Air Park
(704) 896-0822
Railroads
Norfolk Southern
(404) 529-1591
TAXES
Property Taxes
Mooresville
$.55 per $100 valuation
Iredell County
$.465 per $100 valuation
Next valuation year is 2007
Sales Tax
7% (4.5% state, 2.5% county)
Income
Personal tax on income varies
depending on income and
filing status
Franchise tax
$1.50 per $1,000
LABOR FORCE STATISTICS
Iredell County Labor ForceJune 2006
Labor Force, 73,250
Employed, 70,034
Unemployed, 3,216
Unemployment percentage,
4.4%
BUSINESS CLIMATEMooresville has a healthy and diverse economy, with a strong
manufacturing base. The city’s industries manufacture a variety
of products – from textiles to candy. The area’s economic base
is also anchored by tourism, spurred by the burgeoning stock
car racing industry.
Mooresville is nicknamed Race City USA.
More than 60 race teams and more than 100
race-related suppliers are in the city and county.
High Speed LearningMary Ann Mauldwin
P.O. Box 4928Mooresville, NC 28117
(704) 902-2899Fax: (704) 799-7553
www.highspeedlearn.com
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MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Company Product/Service No. of Employees
Lowe’s Companies Regional headquarters 1,800
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Hospital and medical offices 930
Wal-Mart SuperCenter Retail 500
Mooresville Graded School District Public education 465
NGK Ceramics USA Inc. Manufactures ceramic auto parts 450
Super Target Retail 350
BestSweet Inc. Manufactures candy 300
WinCup Inc. Manufactures plastic utensils 290 and containers
Dale Earnhardt Inc. Racing-related company 250
Town of Mooresville Town government 250
Cardinal FG Manufactures flat glass 230
Penske Racing South Inc. Racing-related company 210
PGI Non-Wovens Manufactures polypropylene 210 non-wovens
Lowe’s Home improvement center, retail 175
Overcash Electric Inc. Commercial, residential 175 and industrial electrical
NASCAR Technical Automotive repair/collision 150Institute technical school
Service Partners Inc. Manufactures glass logs, ceiling 150 tiles and insulation
Southern Container Corp. Manufactures corrugated boxes 150
L.B. Plastics Inc. Manufactures PVC profile extrusions 145
Custom Products Inc. Manufactures airline seats and cushions 143
Brian Center Health Skilled intermediate nursing 130& Retirement and rest home
Michael Weinig Inc. Woodworking machinery specialist 130
Spectrum Financial Alarms, ATMs, bank security systems 120Systems Inc.
General Microcircuits Inc. PC board assembly 90
Carolina Beer & Beverage Brewery 85
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Business | Economic Profile
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HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Iredell County Income (2005)Median household income
$48,686
Median family income
$60,587
Per capita personal income
$23,802
BUSINESS PARKS
Barley Industrial ParkIs zoned light industrial.
Approximately 40 acres
remain available. Among the
current tenants are
Carolina Beer & Beverage,
AeroDyn Wind Tunnel and
DDP Holdings Inc.
Deerfield Business ParkIs a Class A industrial park
located next to I-77 and the
future I-77 interchange. This
park is zoned light industrial.
Tenants include Recource Plus
and Scott Glenn Motorsports.
Lakeside Business ParkIs a 245-acre business park
zoned general industrial and
business. Approximately 25
acres remain undeveloped.
This park is close to I-77,
I-40 and I-85. Water, sewer
and natural gas are available
to the site. This park is close
to hotels, restaurants and
shopping. Among the current
tenants are Ameritech
Die-Mold, the North Carolina
Racing Hall of Fame, REDS
Athletic Club, Michael Weinig
Inc. and Master Power
Brake Inc.
Mooresville Business ParkIs a 500-acre industrial park
with all utilities in place.
Approximately 90 acres
remain undeveloped.
Norfolk-Southern Railroad
considers Mooresville Business
Park one of their top industrial
sites in North Carolina.
Current tenants include
Cardinal FG, Duke Power,
Southern Container, PGI Non-
Wovens, Penske Racing South,
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 43
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120 Consumer Square Dr.Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 663-6100 tel • (704) 663-6138 fax www.marriott.com/cltmr
• Luxury bedding
• Marriott’s new Early Eats™
complimentary hot breakfast
• Complimentary high-speed Internet
• Executive and whirlpool rooms available
• Fully equipped fitness center
• 1,066 sq. ft. of meeting facilities
• Seasonal outdoor pool
• Conveniently located off exit 36, adjacent to shopping and dining
• 100% smoke-free environment
the Griffin Agencies
227 W. Plaza Dr.Mooresville, NC 28117
Statesville (704) 871-8002Mooresville (704) 664-9111Lincolnton (704) 735-6974Denver (704) 483-4383
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625 Economic Profile.indd 44 11/20/07 8:30:18 AM
Toyo Seal of America and
WinCup. Restrictive covenants
are in place to preserve and
maintain the visual appeal of
the park.
Talbert Pointe Business Park
Is a 260-acre, Class A business
park that fronts I-77. The park
is zoned for light industrial.
Approximately 150 acres remain
undeveloped. Sites range from
one to 10 acres. Located
nearby this park are hotels,
restaurants and shopping.
Among the current tenants are
PIT Instruction and Training,
NASCAR Technical Institute
and Robert Yates Racing.
Timber Ridge Industrial Area
Consists of 37 acres of land
located close to I-77, I-40 and
I-85. This property is zoned for
general industry and would be
an ideal location for an office,
distribution or manufacturing
facility. City water, sewer and
natural gas are available to the
site. This park is not in a
watershed district. Tenants
include Goodridge USA,
Pro System, Details Inc., and
Varnell Struck and Associates.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CONTACTS
Small Business Center
Mitchell Community College
Michael J. Tucker, Director
701 W. Front St.
Statesville, NC 28677
Phone: (704) 878-3227
Fax: (704) 878-4265
Centralina Development Corp.
Richard D. Vitolo, President
One Charlottetown Center
P.O. Box 34218
Charlotte, NC 28235
Phone: (704) 373-1233
Fax: (704) 372-1280
Small Business Technology
and Development Center
The Ben Craig Center
8701 Mallard Creek Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
4.5 miles west off Exit 36I-77 on Hwy 150
1459 River HighwayMooresville, NC
Jacks Lakeside Grill | Tiki & Dock Bar | Special Events/PartiesBanquet & Conference Facilities | Full ABC Permits | Special Corporate Cruises
Check out our monthly event calendar! | www.queenslanding.com
Jokers – Dueling Piano BarWed-Sat 7 pm-2 am
Entertainment starts at 8 pm
Dinner Cruises on the Lady of the LakeCheck our Web site for dates
for our theme cruises
Pirateland, Golf & Bumper BoatsLunch, Sightseeing & Dinner Cruises Aboard the Catawba Queen
For cruise reservations, call (704) 663-2628
Your local destination forFOOD, FUN & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 45
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Phone: (704) 548-9113
Fax: (704) 602-2179
SCORE (Service Corporation
of Retired Executives)
Phone: (704) 344-6576
Call Monday-Friday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Small Business
Resource Center
Eileen Joyce
Phone: (704) 344-9797
Fax: (704) 344-3990
Meets monthly at
the chamber. Call
(704) 664-3898 for
an appointment.
SUPERLATIVES
Mooresville’s economic
development group ranks
among the 10 best economic
development organizations in
the nation. Site Selection
magazine, May 2005.
Ranked the No. 1 community in
the nation out of the top 100
U.S. micropolitan areas.
Site Selection magazine, March
2005 and 2004.
Named one of the 25 Best
Managed Small Cities in
America by Pat Summerall
Productions, 2004.
A Champion of Industry
award winner. (Pat Summerall
Productions, 2003)
Ranked the No. 1 Small Town
in the U. S. for New and
Expanded Corporate
Facilities by Site Selection
magazine, 2002.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Bank of America
(704) 664-8300
Bank of Granite
(704) 987-9990
BB&T, (704) 664-3434
Catawba Valley Bank
(704) 658-9261
Charlotte Metro
Credit Union
(704) 375-0183
Citizens South Bank
(704) 799-2800
Fidelity Bank, (704) 799-3302
First Charter, (704) 664-4488
First Citizens Bank
(704) 799-6233
First Trust Bank
(704) 662-9004
Mooresville Savings Bank, SSB
(704) 664-4888
Mountain National Bank
(704) 799-7740
Piedmont Aviation
Credit Union
(704) 660-7200
Piedmont Bank
(704) 660-0111
RBC Centura Bank
(704) 658-2280
Southern Community
Bank & Trust
(704) 663-7426
State Employees
Credit Union
(704) 663-0305
SunTrust Bank – Motorsports
Banking Group
(704) 662-3487
Wachovia Bank
(704) 663-5344
Mooresville Savings Bank, SSB
347 North Main Street
Post Offi ce Box 1158
Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 664-1383
Member FDIC
46 IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM MOORESVILLE
Business | Economic Profile
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IREDELL COUNTY EMPLOYMENT DIVERSITY
7%
2%
12%
28%
23%
25%
3%
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce149 E. Iredell Ave.
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone (704) 664-3898
Fax (704) 664-2549
www.mooresvillenc.org
Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of CommerceEconomic Development151 E. Iredell Ave.
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone (704) 664-6922
http://economicdevelopment.mooresvillenc.org
Sources:
www.mooresvillenc.org, http://economicdevelopment.mooresvillenc.org, www.city-data.com
Construction
and Mining
Finance, Insurance
and Real Estate
Government
Manufacturing
Service and
Miscellaneous
Trade
Transportation,
Communication
& Public Services
A Tradition of Equipping Students for SuccessEstablished 1905
“Excellence isn’t a skill. It is an attitude.”
– J. Marston
305 N. Main St.Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 658-2530Fax: (704) 663-3005
mgsd.k12.nc.us
Generations of Trust. Decades of Knowledge. Since 1979.
www.FinancialStrategiesForLife.comSecurities through Advantage Capital Corporation. A registered broker/dealer.
A registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC
Sara Seasholtz, CFP®
(704) 658-1040
Scott Andrew, LTCP(704) 663-9041
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 47
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In the not too distant future, teenagers around here will be acting out, singing a different tune and
marching to the beat of their own drummers.
And they will be applauded for it.Those young creative types will
be enrolled at the Iredell-Statesville School District’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, set to open in 2008 with 400 students.
“This is an exciting new program that will serve students in the areas of visual and performing arts,” says Principal Lisa M. Miller, who came on board Aug. 1.
The school is a “learn and earn” early-college high school, the ninth such school in the state. Students will earn an endorsement in fine arts that will appear on their diplomas when they graduate from high school. It is part of the North Carolina New Schools Project, sponsored by Gov. Mike Easley, that allows students to earn both an
associates degree and a high school diploma in five years. The new Visual and Performing Arts School will be partnered with Mitchell Community College and Catawba College.
“The county commissioners did a proposal last fall where they asked for a vision for 2025,” Miller says. “They determined that we needed to do more in Iredell County for visual and performing arts.”
Visits were made across the state to determine the best offerings for area students. As a result, instruction will include choral arts, dance, theater art, visual arts and orchestra.
The school will incorporate the Mac Gray Auditorium, a 1942 facility whose renovation has kept some of the charm of the historic structure. Classes will be held in a new building that is adjacent to it.
“My background is band and music, and I’m just thrilled to be a part of this, especially when you have students and
teachers who are eager to participate and grow with it,” Miller says.
Other teachers on board include theater and orchestra instructors. Some students will be accepted as early as January 2008. The early college classes will begin next fall.
The student-selection process will include an application and an audition or portfolio submission, depending on the student’s area of interest.
“Most of the kids and parents I’ve talked to are very excited,” Miller says. “A lot of them are taking piano, dance, voice, things like that, and they are thrilled to have something that is special for them.
“This is not to take away from their high schools, but to enhance it. Some of them will have AP [Advance Placement] credit, so they’re just thrilled to take it up a notch from what they have in their traditional high school.”
– Catherine Darnell
Arts on the ScheduleNEW SCHOOL COMBINES HIGH SCHOOL- AND COLLEGE-LEVEL LEARNING
A new visual and performing arts school will use the Mac Gray Auditorium in Statesville.
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Education
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Growth Brings ChallengesAREA IS FULL OF YOUNG FAMILIES
Along with the usual
trappings of a school
superintendent’s office, Dr. Mark
Edwards has something one
might not expect to see in an
educator’s environment.
That would be a hardhat.
And it’s not just for show.
When Edwards came on
board at the Mooresville Graded
School District in May 2007,
he inherited the second-fastest-
growing school system in North
Carolina. Currently the district
has 5,700 students – a number
expected to continue to
increase by 600 to 700
students each year.
“Growth is our biggest
challenge,” Edwards says.
There are several factors
contributing to the growth.
Mooresville is about 20 minutes
north of Charlotte, which
attracts a lot of people who
don’t necessarily want to live
in the city, the superintendent
says. Also, Lake Norman is in
Mooresville, and it is one of the
largest, most beautiful lakes in
North Carolina. In addition,
Mooresville is the NASCAR
capital, and Lowe’s corporate
headquarters is here.
Whew.
So while there are seven
schools already in Mooresville,
there are still lots of plans for
expansion.
“We have an aggressive
capital [building] plan which
includes opening up a new
intermediate school in 2008,”
Edwards says. “We will start
construction on a new
elementary school in the
winter [of 2007]. We are also
in the process of renovating
other school spaces.”
It’s all pretty exciting stuff
to Edwards. “I think one of the
things about being a high-
growth area is that people come
in from all over the country with
energy and ideas,” he says. “It’s
a great place for families. My wife
and I have a 7-year-old. We think
it’s going to be a great place for
our child to grow up.”
– Catherine Darnell
Mark A. Edwards, Ed.D, is the new superintendent at Mooresville
Graded School District.
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Intrigued by art?If so, head to downtown
Mooresville and visit the epicenter of the community’s arts scene.
“The art scene is lively in downtown Mooresville, and we’re trying to be even livelier,” says Sandie Bell, publicity director and board member of the Mooresville Artists Guild.
Once a month, the guild sponsors a Gallery Crawl, which takes place in conjunction with a classic car cruise-in and always attracts large crowds.
The Saturday evening Gallery Crawl begins with a 6 p.m. reception at the old Southern Railway depot, home of the Artists Guild.
“There is no charge for the event, and many downtown businesses, such as the antique shops and restaurants, stay open for it,” Bell says. “We feature an artist of the month at one of the galleries.”
Four Corners Framing and Gallery displays the work of more than 80 artists. Gallery owners Tony McDaniel and Kim Saragoni provide live music, as well as wine and cheese, for art lovers to enjoy as they browse during the monthly Art Crawl.
Four Corners occupies a 104-year-old building on Broad Street next to the Deluxe Ice Cream Co.
“We’ve provided a bench where gal-lery crawlers can sit to eat their ice cream
and look at the art,” McDaniel says.Exhibited art ranges from water-
colors and oils to pottery and some very popular metal work.
“We also display photography,” says McDaniel, a photographer and a former Charlotte Police Department detective. Saragoni did custom framing in the Charlotte area prior to the gallery’s opening.
“Kim and I always talked about opening a gallery, and one day our spouses said, ‘Quit talking about it and do it.’ So we did,” McDaniel says.
The gallery rotates exhibits on a regular basis. Prices range from $25 to $2,000.
Artist James M. Moore created this tall maple vase on display at Four Corners on Broad Street.
Art in the LimelightDOWNTOWN DISTRICT ATTRACTS GALLERY OWNERS AND ART PATRONS
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Arts & Culture
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Artist John Melius created this natural edge vessel of ambrosia maple burl.
The framing side of the business offers 3,500 samples for customers to contemplate. McDaniel considers framing an art in itself. The owners’ expertise in the area is one of the perks of having framing done at Four Corners.
Another benefit is a computer pro-gram that allows customers to test various frame and mat colors, textures and sizes before their picture is framed.
McDaniel says all the framing work is done in-house.
“We get a lot of return customers at the gallery and the frame shop,” he says. “I think that speaks for itself.”
Another popular stop on the Gallery Crawl is the Depot Fine Arts Gallery, which is housed in the old Southern Railway Depot, home of the Artists Guild. Remodeled space at the depot also includes a converted warehouse used for large exhibits.
This Mooresville Artists Guild began in 1955 with six artists. Now with 225 members, the guild includes Mooresville residents as well as others from throughout the surrounding region.
The nonprofit organization is sup-ported by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Iredell Arts Council.
– Bridget Huckabee
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Cardinal Glass Industries is the world’s largest producer of Insulating Glass units. Since our opening here in Mooresville (August 1999) we have produced enough glass to
wrap around the equator twice and we are about 1/3 of the way around again!
Cardinal FG Mooresville has 230 employees and produces 625 tons of flat glass every 24 hours.
Striving to set the industry standard for safety, quality, customer serviceand employee satisfaction by everyone working together.
Cardinal FG342 Mooresville Blvd. • Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 660-0900
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 51
625 Arts.indd 51 11/20/07 8:28:53 AM
Look, a tall purple rectangle!
When you talk to your child you build vocabulary, so everyday moments become learning moments. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org
Representing the people of Iredell County since 1962
Mooresville Office | Lakeside Business Park | 236 Raceway Dr., Ste. 7Mooresville, NC 28117 | (704) 664-1127
Statesville Office | 316 E. Broad St. | Statesville, NC 28677 | (704) 873-2172
Offering legal services in real estate, corporate and business law, personal injury, criminal law, domestic, civil law, contract, probate and estate planning.
Homesley, Jones, Gaines,Dudley, Childers, McLurkin
& Donaldson, PLLC
T.C. Homesley, Jr. | Walter H. Jones, Jr. | Edmund L. GainesL. Ragan Dudley | Mark L. Childers | Elise B. McLurkin Horton
Kevin C. Donaldson | J. Patrick Stutts
52 IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM MOORESVILLE
625 Sports and Recreation.indd 52 11/20/07 8:35:22 AM
The Mooresville Parks and Recre-ation Department is developing a greenway and planning for a
new skate park. But those projects are just the tip of the iceberg.
Funding is on its way for numerous additional parks and rec improvements, and the community’s enthusiasm for the added amenities is palpable.
“This is a very exciting time at the Parks and Recreation Department,” says Wanda McKenzie, who has served as the city’s parks and rec director for the past 12 years.
“I’m excited about our future. We have more going on and more funding becoming available for our projects than at any time during the 28 years I’ve been with the department.”
A bond issue passed by the town council generated $25 million for parks and recreation facilities.
The new Mazeppa Road Park is one of the department’s most ambitious
projects, with amenities likely to include three softball fields, a baseball field, dog park, a BMX/mountain bike trail, tennis courts, playground structures, a trail system, a recreation center, soccer fields and practice fields.
The John Franklin Moore Memorial Park planned across from the depot would include an interactive water fountain and pavilion.
The department is also working with architects Wirth and Associates of Charlotte to design a skate park.
Land has been purchased on Cornelius Road for a park and a possible recreation center, and contractors are currently working on two more Mooresville parks: Bellingham Phase 2 and Nesbit Street Park.
“I am very excited for the citizens of Mooresville,” McKenzie says.
As if they didn’t have enough going on, the department staff recently moved into new offices.
The Mooresville Parks and Recre-ation Department runs nine parks that include seven tennis courts, eight outdoor basketball courts, six lighted ball fields and a gym for volleyball, badminton and basketball.
The department also offers a variety of classes – such as tennis instruction, dog obedience, creative arts and fitness – for youth and adults.
At the War Memorial Center, the parks and rec staff provides summer programs for 80 to 100 children each week. A special program for eighth- though 10th-graders includes leadership training, character education, etiquette and life skills.
The city’s 60,000-square-foot Charles Mack Citizen Center has space for large and small functions, which, along with the center’s Joe V. Knox Auditorium’s seating capacity of 235, are all available for rentals.
– Bridget Huckabee
Green Light for FunNEW RECREATION PROJECTS GET THE GO-AHEAD IN MOORESVILLE
Charles Mack Citizen Center is a popular public gathering spot in Mooresville.
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Sports & Recreation
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“I’ve had two kids and I
lost the weight from both
pregnancies. Going to the
Y just makes me feel better
about myself. I like the way
I look. I like the way my
clothes fit.” – Carla Halpern
Real People. Real Solutions.
Lowe’s YMCA • 170 Joe Knox Ave. • (704) 716-4000
Financial assistance available.YMCA Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Lowe’s YMCA
www.ymcacharlotte.org
54 IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM MOORESVILLE
Health & Wellness
625 Health.indd 54 11/20/07 8:34:13 AM
Creating beautiful smiles that last a lifetime: Teeth whitening Tooth-colored fillings Porcelain bonding & veneers Custom crowns & bridges Full & partial dentures Implant restorations Sedation dentistry Laser certified TMJ diagnosis & treatment Invisalign – straight teeth without braces
Family-style comfort & convenience: Warm, friendly care Televisions, DVDs & CD headphones Warm towels & cozy blankets Convenient appointment times Major credit cards welcome Insurance-form preparation No- & low-interest payment plans
Call (704) 664-7774 today!
631 Brawley School Rd., Ste. 500Mooresville, NC
(In the Lowes Foods shopping center)www.LakeNormanSmiles.com
Dr. H. H. DrouinPronounced Drew-in
Restore your confidence with a beautiful smile that lasts.Don’t waste one more day embarrassed by your aging smile. Dr. Drouin offers
advanced dental techniques to restore your smile’s lost strength and beauty. By first rebuilding a healthy foundation, he ensures that your beautiful smile will outlast “cosmetic band-aid” treatments that simply cover up unhealthy teeth.
Best of all, you’ll love the warm, friendly atmosphere at Lake Norman Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry. We treat you like family and offer you the comforts of home – even sedation dentistry for those who are anxious about treatment.
Featured in Charlotte Magazine as one of Charlotte’s Top Dentists.
MOORESVILLE IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 55
625 Health.indd 55 11/20/07 8:34:17 AM
SEVER SURDULESCU, MD, FCCPCHRISTOPHER POOR, MD, FCCP
Specializing in the diagnosisand treatment of:
• Asthma• Shortness of Breath• Emphysema• Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders• Other Breathing Disorders
Lake Norman Medical & Professional Plaza170 Medical Park Rd. • Ste. 103
Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 660-4094 • Fax: (704) 660-8901
www.lakenormanpulmonary.com
Hospice & Palliative Care
of Iredell CountyMooresville/
Lake Norman Office
Mooresville/Lake Norman150 Fairview Rd. • Ste. 325
Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 663-0051
www.HospiceOfIredell.org
Providing quality and compassionate carefor patients and their loved ones for 24 years.
A nonprofit, community-based organization, we are the leading provider of medical, emotional and spiritual care for Iredell County residents. With a dedicated staff that lives and works in the community, we have earned the trust of our local doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and families like yours.
Gordon Hospice House2341 Simonton Rd.
Statesville, NC 28625(704) 761-2400
Statesville Office2347 Simonton Rd.
Statesville, NC 28625(704) 873-4719
Serving south Iredell and north Mecklenburg since 1984.
P601
8923
19 weeks
24 weeks
30 weeks
Now Available in Statesville!
“Making An Emotional Connection!”
• 3D/4D/Elective/Prenatal Ultrasound
• Licensed/Certified Ultrasound Technologists
• Sessions Available from $95
• Makes an Unforgettable Baby Shower, Birthday or Holiday Gift
• Gift Certificates are Available
Call for your appointment:(704) 883-83631620-A Davie Ave. • Statesville, NC 28677Visit our Web site for more information:www.watchmegrowultrasound.com
All images are projected on our seven-foot home theater screen!
Mom may bring up to five friends/family with her to debut this special occasion!
Serving you with dignity since 1925
(704) 664-3363 • 494 E. Plaza Dr.Hwy. 150 • Mooresville
www.cavin-cook.com
Owned and operated byH. Mike Cook
Member National Funeral Directors Association, NC Funeral Directors Association and
Cremation Association of NCLNU5578419
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625 Health.indd 56 11/20/07 8:34:36 AM
When you pronounce the name of Ahlara Interna-tional, just remember the
first syllable is pronounced, “Ahhh.” That’s fitting, considering that the Mooresville business is a wellness center and spa unlike any other in the community.
“People’s lives are so busy, and we have a very tranquil atmosphere,” says company owner Lynne Wiggins. “People tell me every day when they come that, first of all, they’ve never seen anything like it. Second of all, they tell me that they immediately calm down when they walk in.
“Even if they take half an hour out of their lives to get a manicure, it’s very relaxing.”
Wiggins founded Ahlara in 2005 and patterned it after a wellness center she owned in Boston in the late 1980s and early ’90s.
“I found that there was nothing here like what I had in Boston, a true
wellness center.”Wiggins bought an acre of land and
built the 7,500-square-foot facility on Joe Knox Avenue, now an area of considerable growth.
“We built it out in the middle of a field,” she says. “Now the YMCA is near us; it’s one of the biggest in the South.”
Ahlara employs 22 specialists in body, skin and nail care. Wiggins’ enterprise boasts four distinctive divi-sions: the wellness center, a spa, a retail shop and a travel service. Wiggins leads two to three trips annually for travelers interested in seeing more of other countries – not just the traditional tourist spots. On these excursions to places such as Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, India, Egypt and South American countries, Wiggins buys local-artisan handcrafted treasures, which are sold in Ahlara’s International Market. She brings 20 years of retail experience to the merchandising side of the business.
The overall atmosphere at the well ness
Just Say, ‘Ahhh’AHLARA OFFERS CITY A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE
Lynne Wiggins offers pampering and relaxation to customers at Ahlara International spa.
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center and spa also has an exotic flavor. Wiggins says the interiors are “decorated in an Asian motif” and that many of the space services are Asia-inspired.
“One of my areas of interest has been to travel all over Asia, so I brought back a lot of their thinking and philosophy.” Wiggins says.
The 1,500-square-foot wellness center offers classes in yoga, meditation, tai chi and Pilates, as well as symposiums taught by local physicians and practitioners such as accupressurists, chiropractors and podiatrists. “We look upon ourselves as preventive health,” she says.
The spa takes clients into an atmos-phere of pampering and relaxation, with an eclectic assortment of services, from shirodhara, a sesame-oil treatment for the forehead and scalp, to prana mas-sage, designed to release blocked energy and realign healing forces.
“People will come to us so that, at least, they get an hour or two out of their day for themselves. That’s the main thing,” Wiggins says. “We find that people don’t take care of themselves. They don’t take the time to take care of themselves.”
– Sharon H. Fitzgerald
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Health & Wellness
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THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY
EDUCATION
Public Schools
Iredell-Statesville Schools
(iss.k12.nc.us), (704) 872-8931
Mooresville Graded Schools
(mgsd.k12.nc.us)
(704) 664-5553
Private Schools
Believer’s Faith Center
Christian Academy
(704) 873-5484
Cannon School
(704) 786-8171
Chesterbrook Academy
(704) 658-1344
Montessori Children’s House
(704) 873-1092
Montessori Elementary School
(704) 873-1092
Mooresville Christian Academy
(704) 633-4690
Primrose School of Lake
Norman, (704) 658-0460
Southview Christian School
(704) 872-9554
SNAPSHOTMooresville is about a 35-minute drive from the Charlotte/Douglas
International Airport and is known for its excellent schools, strong
neighborhoods and flagship industries such as Lowe’s corporate
headquarters and NASCAR racing teams.
Statesville Christian School
(704) 873-9511
Higher Education
Catawba College
(704) 637-4290
Central Piedmont Community
College, (704) 342-6633
Davidson College
(704) 892-2000
Gardner-Webb University at
Statesville, (704) 761-5100
Johnson C. Smith University
(704) 378-1000
Livingstone College/Hood
Theological Seminary
(704) 797-1000
Mitchell Community College
(Mooresville), (704) 663-1923
Mitchell Community College
(Statesville)
(704) 878-3200
Montreat College (Charlotte)
(800) 436-2777
Pfeiffer University at Charlotte
(704) 521-9116
Queens University of Charlotte
(704) 332-7121
University of North Carolina
– Charlotte, (704) 547-2000
Racing Schools
NASCAR Technical Institute
– UTI, (704) 658-1950
PIT Instruction & Training Main
(704) 799-3869
(866) 563-3566
CLIMATE
Annual Precipitation
43.35 inches
Average July high
temperature, 88 F
Average January low
temperature, 26 F
GARDENING
Average last frost date, spring
April 11
Average first frost date,
autumn Oct. 24
Iredell County Agricultural
Extension Service
873-0507
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Emergency Services
For all emergencies, dial 911.
MOORESVILLE
The area code for Mooresvi l le i s 704 . IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 59
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Registration, (704) 663-5472
Business Office
(704) 663-3800
Charles Mack Citizen Center
662-3334
Convention & Visitors Bureau
(704) 799-2400 or
(877) 661-1234
Driver’s License
(704) 664-3344
Human Resources
(704) 662-8724
Hunting & Fishing License
(may be obtained at Wal-
Mart) (704) 664-5238
Parks and Recreation
(704) 663-7026
Personal & Real Estate Tax
(704) 878-3000
Planning Department
(704) 662-7040
Post Office
(800) 275-8777
Public Library (Iredell County)
(704) 878-3090
Public Library (Mooresville)
(704) 664-2927
Public Works Department
(704) 664-4278
Mooresville Town Clerk
(704) 664-3800
Town Engineer
(704) 662-8472
Town Manager
(704) 663-3800
Vehicle Registration
(704) 663-1699
Voter Registration (Iredell
County)
(704) 878-3140
Voter Registration
(Mooresville)
(704) 664-3898
Water-Sewer Maintenance
(704) 664-3705MEDIANewspapers
Business Today(704) 795-6030
The Business Journal(704) 347-2822
Lake Norman Neighbors/Charlotte Observer(704) 987-3670
(Non-emergency numbers)
Iredell County EMS
(704) 878-3025
Iredell County Fire Marshal
(704) 878-3035
Iredell Sheriff’s Department
(704) 878-3180
Lake Norman Volunteer
Fire Department
(704) 664-2468
Mooresville Fire Department
Station #1 (704) 664-1338
Station #2 (704) 660-7740
Station #3 (704) 235-5900
Mooresville Police Department
(704) 664-3311
Mooresville Rescue Squad
(704) 663-3660
Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire
Department, (704) 892-1530
MSI Crimestoppers Inc.
(704) 658-9056
Shepherd’s Volunteer
Fire Department
(704) 663-1245
South Iredell Volunteer
Fire Department
(704) 664-3043
Other numbers
Automobile & Boat
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Community Profile
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Lake Norman Magazine(704) 892-7936
Lake Norman Times(704) 664-2822
Mooresville Tribune
(704) 664-5554
Que Pasa Newspapers
and Radio, (704) 391-5044
Statesville Record & Landmark(704) 873-1451
Benfield Sanitation
(704) 872-2668
Iredell County Garbage Refuse
Depot and Transfer Station
(704) 663-5314
Water
Water Department
(704) 663-3800
ATTRACTIONS
Bird Brain Ostrich Ranch
(704) 483-1620
Championship Yacht Charters
(704) 905-1495
Children’s Museum
(Statesville)
(704) 872-7508
Cotton Ketchie’s
Landmark Galleries
(704) 664-4122
D.E. Turner
& Co. Hardware
(704) 664-5145
Dale Earnhardt Inc.
(877) DEI-ZONE
Energy Explorium
(704) 875-5600
Fishin’ with Gus
(704) 489-0763
Less than $50,000
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000-$149,999
$150,000-$199,999
$200,000-$299,999
$300,000-$499,999
$500,000-$999,999
$1 million or more
5.1%
24%
29.6%
22%
15.4%
3.4%
.2%
.4%
HOUSING VALUES
UTILITIES
CableMI Connection, (704) 662-3255
Time Warner, (888) 683-1000
ElectricityDuke Power Co., 594-9400
Energy United, 892-0278
GasPublic Service Co. of N.C.
(877) 776-2427
TelephoneWindstream Communications
(704) 664-4123
TrashTown of Mooresville
(704) 664-4278
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Gasoline Alley Collections
of Mooresville
(704) 662-9479
Historic Mooresville
Downtown Commission
(704) 662-3336
Iredell Arts Council
(704) 873-6100
Iredell Museums, Inc.
(704) 872-7508
Lake Norman State Park
(704) 528-6350
Lake Norman
Yacht Club
(704) 799-2446
Lazy 5 Ranch
(704) 663-5100
Memory Lane
Motorsports & Historic
Automotive Museum
(704) 662-3673
Mooresville Convention &
Visitors Bureau
(704) 799-2400
Mooresville Dragway
(704) 857-9364
Mooresville Ice Cream
(704) 664-5456
Mooresville Museum
(704) 664-2704
North Carolina Auto Racing
Hall of Fame
(704) 663-5331
Penske Racing
(704) 664-2300
Pit Instruction
and Training Facility
(866) 563-3566
Queen’s Landing/
Catawba Queen
(704) 663-2628
Race Shop Tours
(704) 688-1466
The Quilter’s Loft
(704) 662-8660
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Carolinas Medical Center
(Charlotte)
(704) 355-2000
Davis Community Hospital
(Statesville)
(704) 872-0281
#1 Properties of Lake Norman www.number1properties.net
Ahlara International www.ahlarainternational.com
Blanco Tackabery Combs & Matamoros, PA www.btcmlaw.com
Buonosera Media Services, LLC
Cardinal FG www.cardinalcorp.com
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory www.cavin-cook.com
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. www.daleearnhardtinc.com
Energy United www.energyunited.com
Fairfi eld Inn by Marriott www.marriott.com/cltmr
Farm Bureau Insurance www.ncfbins.com
First Command Financial Planning www.fi rstcommand.com
First National Bank & Trust www.myyesbank.com
Fishing With Gus www.fi shingwithgus.com
Garage Pass Shop Tours, Inc. www.adventureinmotorsports.com
Griffi n Brothers www.griffi nbrothers.com
Griffi n Insurance Agency, Inc.
Guardian Fence Company www.guardianfenceco.com
High Speed Learning, LLC www.highspeedlearn.com
Holiday Inn Express www.maya-hotels.com
Homesley, Jones, Gaines, Dudley, Childers, McLurkin & Donaldson, PLLC www.hjattorneys.net
Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County www.hoic.org
Iredell Memorial Hospital www.iredellmemorial.org
Iredell-Statesville Schools www.iss.k12.nc.us
L.B. Plastics, Inc. www.lbplastics.com
Lake Norman Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry www.lakenormansmiles.com
Lake Norman Hematology Oncology Specialists www.lnho.org
Lake Norman Pulmonary
Lake Norman Realty www.lakenormanrealty.com
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center www.lnrmc.com
Mitchell Community College www.mitchellcc.edu
Mooresville Downtown Commission www.downtownmooresville.com
Mooresville Graded School District www.mgsd.k12.nc.us
Mooresville Savings Bank
MSI Economic Development Corporation www.edcmooresville.org
Piedmont Healthcare www.piedmonthealthcare.com
Pinnacle Properties, LLC www.pinnacle-properties.net
PIT Instruction & Training www.5off5on.com
Preferred Financial Strategies www.fi nancialstrategiesforlife.com
Queen’s Landing www.queenslanding.com
Raymer Oil Company
Re/Max at the Lake www.homesatthelake.com
Ryland Homes www.ryland.com
Sells Service, Inc.
Soiree www.soireeonmain.com
State Farm www.chrisburnham.net
The Clusters Premier Rental www.clustersbybmc.com
Town of Mooresville www.ci.mooresville.nc.us
Watch Me Grow www.watchmegrowultrasound.com
Windstream Communications www.windstream.com
Yadkin Valley Bank www.piedmontbank.com
YMCA of Greater Charlotte www.ymcacharlotte.org
Visit Our Advertisers
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mooresville-South Iredell
Chamber of Commerce
149 E. Iredell Ave.
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: (704) 664-3898
Fax: (704) 664-2549
www.mooresvillenc.org
Sources:
www.mooresvillenc.org,
http://economicdevelopment.
mooresvillenc.org,
www.ci.mooresville.nc.us
Iredell Memorial Hospital
(Statesville)
(704) 873-5661
Lake Norman Regional
Medical Center
(Mooresville)
(704) 660-4000
Northeast Medical Center
(Concord)
(704) 783-3000
Presbyterian Hospital
(Huntersville)
(704) 384-4000
University Hospital (Charlotte)
(704) 548-6000
MEETING VENUES
The Charles
Mack Citizen Center
(704) 662-3334
5 Off 5 On/
PIT Crew U
Training Facility
(704) 799-3869
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
(704) 663-6100
Hampton Inn & Suites
(704) 660-7700
Holiday Inn Express
Hotel & Suites
(704) 662-6900
Iredell County
Outdoor Education
Center/Ropes Course
(704) 878-3103
Memory Lane Museum
(704) 662-3673
NC Auto Racing
Hall of Fame
(704) 663-5331
Queens Landing/
Catawba Queen
(704) 663-2628
Sleep Inn
and Suites Hotel
(704) 799-7070
The Springhill Suites
by Marriott
(704) 658-0053
The War Memorial
(704) 663-7026
Wingate Inn
(704) 664-4900
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
Professional sports
in nearby Charlotte include:
Carolina Panthers,
football
Charlotte Bobcats,
basketball
Charlotte Sting,
basketball
Charlotte Checkers, hockey
Charlotte Knights, baseball
Kannapolis Intimidators
baseball
The area code for Mooresvi l le i s 704 . IMAGESMOORESVILLE .COM 63
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Providing Full Service Moving & Storage Since 1960
Family Owned and Operated
Approved Carrier for the Department of Defense
Call for a Free Estimate(704) 872-9841 • (800) 723-80032313 W. Front St. • Statesville, NC 28677 • [email protected]
D&B 030491633 • NCUC-C-609 • DOT 512499 • MC 197142
Moving & StorageSells
©2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.
questions answers
8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r . o r g
“GARAGE PASS” SHOP TOURS, INC.The VIP Race Experience
Tour the NASCAR race shops, museums, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and more on a guided VIP tour of NASCAR.
www.adventuresinmotorsports.com
Gift certificates [email protected]
Monday-Friday(704) 938-7390
We specialize in:Ornamental • AluminumPVC • Wood • Chain linkCustom arbors & pergolasSwimming pool enclosuresInstallation & repairs(704) 799-3666
Fax: (704) 799-6444
The job is not complete until you are happy!
www.guardianfenceco.comwww.downtownmooresville.com
Unique Shopping & Dining
215 N. Main St.Mooresville, NC 28115
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