Business survey and real estate merger top Topeka news | CJOnline ...

It seems to be new business season in Topeka.

I have been getting a rush of business news for this space. Glad to see it, readers, and I hope you keep sending in your news, but I must ask you to be patient if I can?t get it in the same week you send it.

That said, here?s a sampling of this week?s news:

NEW GIFT SHOP

A gift shop specializing in used and collectible items will open Monday at the corner of S.E. Adams and 29th.

Topeka?s Treasure Chest, 420 S.E. 29th, will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store?s website said it will stock vintage, antique and contemporary merchandise, including dishes, furniture, jewelry and other gift items.

For more information, call owner Liz Montano, (785) 580-9218, or visit http://topekastreasurechest.com/. Montano also works as a reporter at 580 WIBW Radio.

BUSINESS SURVEY

The Topeka Independent Business Association is conducting its annual Small Business Climate Survey.

Privately owned, for-profit businesses with a location in Shawnee, Jefferson, Douglas, Osage, Wabaunsee or Pottawatomie county are eligible to participate. The deadline is Feb. 5.

The survey asks how a business?s financial results in 2012 compared to 2011, what the owners expect in 2013 and what the biggest challenges facing the business are. The results will influence TIBA programming for the coming year, organizer Robert Evenson said.

The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/93LNTHK. For more information, email tiba@topekaiba.org.

REAL ESTATE MERGER

Topeka commercial real estate firm NAI Kaw Valley is merging with Martens Commercial Group to create NAI Martens.

Tom Moses, who led NAI Kaw Valley, will be senior vice president in the new affiliate and continue to run the Topeka office. Martens Commercial Group is based in Wichita, and NAI is an international network of commercial real estate offices.

Moses said the merger will allow the office in Topeka to offer appraisal services, as well as assistance buying and selling real estate. Martens also has an established marketing department that will benefit the Topeka office and its customers, he said.

?It seems like a real natural fit,? he said.

NAI Martens CEO Steve Martens said the commercial group, which was formerly affiliated with international real estate company Grubb & Ellis, switched to NAI so it could team up with NAI Kaw Valley and expand into the Topeka market. He said Moses? years of experience in Topeka real estate are an asset to all parties.

?If you?re working in Topeka, you want someone who?s very knowledgeable in that market,? he said.

HOME DAMAGE CLEAN-UP

A disaster clean-up and restoration business is opening a franchise covering Topeka, Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City and Ottawa.

Lawrence residents Nick and Raegann Berger own the new Rainbow International Restoration franchise. They can clean up and restore homes and furnishings damaged by water, wind, smoke, mold and blood, said Steve Berger, who is Nick?s father and handles the franchise?s marketing. They also repair clothing and carpet, he said.

?It?s a top to bottom restoration and cleaning,? he said.

For more information, call (785) 840-4027 or visit www.rainbowintl.com/Lawrence. For after-hours clean-ups, call (785) 371-2400.

GIFT EXPANSION

Lee?s Flower and Gift Shop, 106 W. 5th in Holton, has a new owner who has expanded the inventory.

New owner Candy McManigal said she used to sell Bella Taylor purses in the shop and bought it when the former shop owner decided to get out of the business.

McManigal said, in addition to continuing to sell the handbags, she has expanded the store?s selection of Christian-themed gifts and Willow Tree figurines, which don?t have faces and depict religious and family themes.

The store does arrangements of both live and silk flowers, and can take orders there, at (785) 364-2123, or online at www.leesflowerandgifts.net, McManigal said. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Source: http://cjonline.com/news/business/2013-02-02/business-survey-and-real-estate-merger-top-topeka-news

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