Business First-Columbus articles from June 2000

Business First-Columbus archives from June 2000

Hospital targeted at Dublin.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Real estate reporter Brian R. Ball contributed to this story. OhioHealth says 150-bed facility due by 2005; Mt. Cannel prospecting area, too Central Ohio's two largest hospital systems are stepping up their bids to attract and service...

'Upscale' warehouse planned by Value City.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Value City Department Stores Inc. will open its first "upscale warehouse" on Columbus' northwest side to draw that area's affluent shoppers who want designer labels and couture at deep discounts. The store's nameplate will include the...

Window opens for stadium beer sales.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... A controversial amendment benefiting Ohio's pro sports franchises was slipped into a liquor control bill at the last minute and likely will be signed by Gov. Bob Taft, despite opposition from religious groups and liquor permit holders. The...

Tough times spell ToyTime cuts in Obetz.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A start-up Internet retailer of toys has cut back its Obetz warehouse operations after financial markets turmoil raised havoc with its money-raising plans. ToyTime Inc., the Torrance, Calif.-based operator of the ToyTime.com and...

Never underestimate WWF fans' knack for innovation.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Xen Riggs learned a lesson from hosting the first World Wrestling Federation event after Ohio State University's Jerome Schottenstein Center opened a couple of years back. The lesson? Make sure everyone has the opportunity to buy beer. ...

Birthdays.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Some notable upcoming birthdays: * Ralph W Anderson, president, Anderson Concrete: June 3 * Joe Calvaruso, president and CEO, Mount Carmel Health System: June 3 * Alan R. Weller, chairman, ArcherMeek-Weller Agency: June 3 *...

Some good news?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Bank One's Anthony Chan sees a potential loosening of the labor market after years of falling jobless rates. In his latest Weekly Economic Review, Bank One's managing director and chief economist says recent passage of federal legislation...

Here comes the rain again.(Columbus Clippers)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Last week we told you how much cold weather has hurt attendance at Columbus Crew games. With the Columbus Clippers, it is ran that's increasingly the problem. "For our first 22 years, we averaged three rainouts a season," said Clippers...

Buy a map, already.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... We're not getting paranoid or anything, but we're more convinced than ever that the New York media considers everything west of the Hudson to be one large grazing pasture. First there was the New York Times that several months back...

Singles night.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... The Columbus Symphony Orchestra will host Classical Encounters for Singles from 8 p.m. to 1 am. June 10 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. The event, billed as a "classic way to meet new people," is "not really a dating thing," said Joel...

Foundations sending $3.6M to host of health initiatives.(Osteopathic Heritage Foundations)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... In their first large funding awards, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations have authorized more than $3.6 million for a broad range of health care initiatives. The foundations, reorganized and refinanced with the $142 million sale of...

U.S. Dial Tone will target home telephone consumers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A San Antonio-based upstart hopes to become a player in Central Ohio's local, long-distance and Internet service markets. U.S. Dial Tone is preparing to seek regulators' approval, to package these services at rates 20 percent below those of...

Butler Wick reaches into Central Ohio with Columbus office.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A former deputy director in the Ohio Treasurer's Office has opened a local office for a Youngstown investment firm. Omar Ganoom, most recently an investment banker with McDonald Investments, in April opened the 10th Ohio office for Butler...

Parcel/Direct to deliver 90 jobs at new Grove City digs.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A Wisconsin-based business-to-home parcel delivery service plans to employ up to 90 workers at a new operation in Grove City. Parcel/Direct, a division of suburban Milwaukee-based commercial printer Quad/Graphics Inc., opened its doors May...

Purchase Plus Business Group will take McGraw Eastwind site.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... The former Westerville offices of McGraw-Hill Cos.' educational publishing division have become headquarters of a fast-growing network marketing company. Purchase Plus Business Group plans to consolidate its members-only product and...

Midwest Retail expands into Union Co. space.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A new building will provide 6-year-old Midwest Retail Services Inc. with room to expand. Midwest Retail Services designs and installs retail display fixtures for retailers such as Micro Center, Batteries Plus, DSW Shoe Warehouse and Hartz...

Nationwide sees financial savvy in CEO Jurgensen.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... When recruiters called Jerry Jurgensen last fall about the soon-to-be-vacant CEO job at Nationwide, it was the fourth time in the last two years the veteran banker had been contacted about leading an insurance company. That, in a nutshell,...

LogiKeep seeks VC, looks to double its work force.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... When Derek Harp set out to build a network security company in late 1997, he needed what most young entrepreneurs require -- an angel investor or two. Instead, Harp's father, who is a retired school teacher, and his mother became his...

Free speech claims clashing with new cybersquatting law.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Ricart, OSU grad student at odds over trademark use on Internet site A Columbus company that was the first Ohio law firm on the Internet is now among the first to protect its clients' trademark rights in cyberspace. And a partner at...

Banc Stock Group widens scope, taps Dillon as CEO.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Banc Stock Group Inc. has built a reputation nationally for its community bank expertise. Now it wants to make a new name for itself -- perhaps literally -- as a broad-based investment manager. As part of the plan, the Columbus firm in May...

Wayne Mutual taps Westfield server system.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Wayne Mutual Insurance Co. has turned to Westfield Services Inc. for help with an automated insurance policy processing system. Columbus-based Westfield Services, a subsidiary of Ohio Farmers Insurance Co. of Westfield Center, is a...

OSU, Fairfield Medical link with heart surgery program.(Ohio State University)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Ohio State University Medical Center plans to forge a partnership with Fairfield Medical Center to start an open-heart surgery program in late 2001. Fairfield Medical Center will provide renovated space and support staff. Ohio State will...

Bill would give doctors more clout at managed care bargaining table.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Legislation has been introduced in the Ohio House that would bypass federal antitrust laws and allow physicians to join together to negotiate managed care contracts. A three-doctor office has little bargaining power when negotiating with...

Lowe's, NationsRent partner on equipment rental service.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Two Central Ohio Lowe's home improvement centers are among a half-dozen of the retailer's stores nationally where contractors and do-it-yourselfers can rent construction, garden and home improvement equipment. The service is available...

Unlimited opportunity.(Softcom)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... A former Limited Inc. executive has joined a New York-based company to concentrate on e-commerce. Allan Haims, once vice president of merchandising for Victoria Secret stores when it was a division of Limited and later business development...

Store happenings.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... * A Geoffrey Beene retail outlet has opened at Jeffersonville I. * A Bath & Body Works shop, under construction, is expected to open July 1 at Jeffersonville I. * Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium Inc., which operated at Cookstore locations...

In case you wondered.(Ikea will not open in Ohio)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... With retail booming in Central Ohio and new-to-the-area retailers promised at Polaris and Easton, shoppers might figure Ikea, the Sweden-founded, Denmark-based furniture retailer that operates 156 stores in 29 countries, might be among them....

Mel Schottenstein fund-raiser maintains corporate support.
June 2, 2000... It's the party to which they all come. Since 1995, about 800 movers and shakers in the Columbus area have gathered in early June to celebrate the birthday of the late Mel Schottenstein. In the process, they have raised more than...

NNCREW spring conference scheduled.
June 2, 2000... At least 135 members of the National Network of Commercial Real Estate Women (NNCREW) will gather June 8 at the Hyatt on Capitol Square for the organization's spring conference. Columbus developers Robert Weiler and William Schottenstein...

Group to advise companies on nonprofit giving.
June 2, 2000... Area companies faced with dozens of pitches for charitable causes will soon be able to call on a nonprofit group for help. For a fee, they can ask Community Research Partners Inc. to study a human services issue or the effectiveness of a...

Street Party & Tour along East Gay Street set for June.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Central Ohio oenophiles and food aficionados will be well-served next weekend by two festivals. The Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Capital South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. will conduct the first Columbus Landmarks Street Party...

New ownership for Perkins.(Perkins Restaurants)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Kings Mills-based Reading Restaurants Inc. has sold its chain of 15 Perkins restaurants, including the only one it operates in Central Ohio, on Hilliard-Rome Road. Reading filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last October. The new...

Dragonfly opens.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Dragonfly neo-v cuisine will introduce Columbus diners to its "new vegetarian" cooking with a brunch June 4 at its official opening. Formerly the King Avenue Vegetarian Restaurant, Dragonfly, at 247 King Ave., specializes in plant-based...

Sushi class.
June 2, 2000... Having trouble turning that avocado, cucumber and crab concoction into the perfect California roll? Restaurant Hama thinks it can help. Central Ohio's new sushi restaurant, on Easton Station, plans to launch a one-day class in late June...

Agencies ordered to meet contract goal for women.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... President Clinton has ordered government agencies to designate a senior acquisition official to promote contracting opportunities for woman-owned small companies. Last year female entrepreneurs won 2.5 percent of all federal contracts --...

Cincinnati investors buy apparel firms from Tultex.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... A group of investors has acquired two lines of sporting apparel with annual sales of $164 million from a bankrupt Virginia company, creating one of the Cincinnati area's largest privately held companies. The group, led by Joseph Rippe of...

Gliatech snapped up by Md. drug developer.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. has agreed to spend $216 million to buy Solon-based. Gliatech Inc., acquiring research on therapies aimed to treat neurological disorders. After the stock-swap deal closes, the companies are expected to...

Faltering Gateway starts search for buyer.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Blue Ash-based Gateway Communications, a regional computer networking firm, has dismissed 25 workers since March and may be sold or file for bankruptcy protection, said its founder and chief executive, Mike Camacci. "I am going to sell the...

Effort gets rolling to keep LPGA tourney in Dayton.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Business and tourism interests are attempting to persuade Dayton-area companies to come up with money to keep a women's professional golf tournament in the Miami Valley. The Firstar LPGA Tournament was held May 15-21 at the Country Club of...

UnitedAuto acquires 4 Cleveland dealerships.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A Cleveland automobile retailing group has sold four dealerships to UnitedAuto Group Inc. Motorcars Group has sold two Mercedes Benz and a pair of Infiniti dealerships to UnitedAuto, which did not disclose the price, it had paid for the...

Kendle International Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Kendle International Inc., facing a slowdown in contracts from the drug industry, will reduce its work force by 8 percent and take a $2.5 million hit to its second-quarter earnings to cover the cutback. Kendle said the 125 workers will be...

First Place Financial Corp.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Warren-based First Place Financial Corp. has agreed to merge with FFY Financial Corp. of Youngstown, creating a 35-branch bank in Mahoning, Trumbull and Portage counties. About 10 percent of the combined company's 480 workers will lose...

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. workers at factories in Salem, Malvern and Minerva have ratified a five-year contract that expands their health coverage and increases wages. The contract covers 600 workers represented by the...

Bayer Corp.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Bayer Corp. will eliminate 200 jobs at its plastics plant in Addyston because the specialty resin that the operation produces has become a commodity. The jobs, a third of the plant's payroll, will be cut by the end of 2003.

PC On Call.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... A pair of private equity tunas nave pumped $17.5 million into Cincinnati based PC On Call, a mobile computer service companies that also operates in Columbus. The round of financing is expected to help PC On Call expand into Cleveland and...

House panel strips OSHAs ergonomics rules budget.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... The House Appropriations Committee struck a blow against OSHA's proposed ergonomics standard by eliminating from the agency's budget funding for enforcing the regulations. Ergonomics opponent Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., called the measure a...

Doctors thwarted in push for collective bargaining.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Legislation to give doctors collective bargaining rights was pulled from the House floor on the eve of Congress' week-long Memorial Day recess. The American Medical Association called the delay "an outrageous subversion of the American...

IRS to aid small firms, but tax code still problem.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Small businesses spend an average of $7 in compliance costs for every $1 in federal income tax they owe, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. This ratio may fall slightly after the Internal Revenue Service ramps up...

ADA lawsuit dispute brings out stars, plenty of rhetoric.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Becky Ogle is no Clint Eastwood fan. The disabled fights activist from Bethesda, Md., parked her wheelchair outside the House Judiciary Committee's hearing room to confront the movie star after he testified in favor of modifying the...

Employers may be liable for harassment from outside staff.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Like the seemingly harmless scratch that becomes infected, it's important that employers heed the actions of non-employees in and around the workplace because inappropriate conduct by them may create claims of sexual harassment. Federal...

Code of ethics adopted for Internet health sites.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... The Internet Healthcare Coalition unveiled a code of ethics for the Web's 15,000-plus health care sites. The code calls for sites to provide accurate, up-to-date information and disclose any sponsorship relationships. It also requires...

Greater Columbus engineering firms.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 2, 2000... Greater Columbus engineering firms Ranked by 1999 Greater Columbus consulting engineering billings COMPANY NAME ENGINEERING OTHER ADDRESS ...

Taking a personality inventory may ease workplace clashes.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Within your organization or team, is there ever miscommunication, conflict or differences in personalities that you don't understand? Is work productivity and staff morale impeded due to this? I have used personality profiles in...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Burkholder Flint has named Amanda Yang accounting assistant. ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS Costello Nardecchia Advertising has hired Casey Hauck as media coordinator, Ryan Bodo as account services coordinator and Mike Askew...

Leading association addresses increasing needs of physicians.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... For more than a century, the Columbus Medical Association (CMA) has served physicians dedicated to the health of the greater Columbus community. Established in 1892, as the Academy of Medicine of Columbus and Franklin County, CMA has evolved...

Health promotion, health care access and education drive foundation's focus.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... As one of the nation's largest medical association endowments, the $80 million CMA Foundation has awarded over $9 million to more than 180 local nonprofit organizations since becoming a grantmaker in 1992. A large cash infusion in 1992 enabled...

Letter from CEO.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... A report to our members and the community We hope you enjoy the Columbus Medical Association and Foundation's newsletter On Call, now published every other week as a special section of Business First. On Call will provide CMA members and...

Regional trauma system brings community together to reduce injury and death.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Trauma is a critical injury that threatens loss of life or permanent disability. Trauma is the leading cause of death of children and adults I-44 years of age. In the U.S. trauma claims a life every six minutes and causes a serious disability...

Largest provider of free care opens its door to the uninsured.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... With over 130,000 uninsured residents living in Franklin County, providing free health care to local residents in need has been identified as a priority. The Physicians Free Clinic opened its doors in 1993 and is now the largest provider of...

Inflation or deflation? Both can be very risky business.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Some of the Asian economies of late have been making noises about taking steps to "inflate" the global economy through their interest rate and foreign exchange policies. All of this talk has given the Federal Reserve governors still more...

A public opinion strategy for Bill Gates.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... On his way from Springfield, Ill., to Washington, where both the presidency and Southern secession awaited his arrival, Abraham Lincoln stopped to speak at the Statehouse in Columbus. Lincoln's remarks should be studied carefully by Microsoft...

Common strategies.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... According to Jon Morgan, a registered representative and investment adviser with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., Shore Morgan Financial Advisors, there are several common strategies family business owners can use to avoid family succession...

Dividing the spoils.(Passing on the business.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Some children are active in the family firm, some aren't. When passing on the business, what's an owner to do? It took an application for a loan through the Small Business Administration to make Dave Ramsey do what many business owners...

Two Central Ohio firm owners head for D.C summit.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Two Central Ohio small-business owners have been selected as delegates to the 2000 Congressional Small Business Summit. The summit, hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business, will be held in Washington, D.C., June 7-10. ...

SubmitOrder.com.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... SubmitOrder.com will provide customized and scalable e-fulfillment services for MuseumCompany.com, an Internet store offering museum-related items. For information, visit SubmitOrder.com.

Cable Link Inc.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Columbus-based Cable Link Inc. has been tapped by AT&T Broadband and Internet Services to manage certain segments of its inventory and sell its surplus equipment. Under the agreement, Cable Link's B2B eCommerce network will be used to help...

Nationwide Financial Services Inc.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Nationwide Financial Services Inc. has signed an alliance with American Buying Retirement Services Inc., a marketing firm based in Chicago and Miami, to distribute its "Best of America" pension products, non-qualified executive benefit programs...

A sales call or a loyal client -- all for the price of postage.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... How often are you in front of your customers or prospects? Answer: Not as often as you should be. It takes seven to 10 impressions to get a sale and begin to build a relationship. You can get there quicker if you use the mail. Not e-mail...

Argus Growth Consultants Ltd.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Argus Growth Consultants Ltd. has reorganized into a community services division and a business services division. The community services division works on economic development programs for communities, while the business services division...

ECOutlook.com.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... ECOutlook.com has introduced Track & Trace, a shipment tracking system allowing companies to view shipment status by tapping into all major carriers' tracking systems simultaneously.

Doing homework, soliciting advice key in buying a firm.(part 2)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 2, 2000... Editor's note: second of two parts. In my last article, I discussed the process of buying a business, including finding a potential target for acquisition, evaluating the targeted business and determining the targeted firm's value. Once...

Greater Columbus government construction projects.(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Greater Columbus government construction projects Ranked by total dollar project amount awarded PROJECT PROJECT NAME DOLLAR LOCATION ...

Planning will keep business thriving after owner is gone.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... For many owners of closely held companies, their business is not only the most significant asset they own, but essentially their life. Many owners dislike even the idea of thinking about giving up control of their company. However, business...

Guide shows visitors where 'HomeGrown' products found.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... GAMBIER -- From Larry Ackert's grainfed freezer beef to Susan Yoder's vegetables and herbs, Knox County farm products are getting a free plug in a new marketing booklet. "HomeGrown: A Resource Guide to Local Food Products in Knox County"...

Licking Co.'s corn crop gets off to healthy start.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... HANOVER -- The Licking County corn crop is on its way to fulfilling farmers annual hopeful mantra: "knee-high by the Fourth of July." "It has a good start," says farmer Robert Bailey, who owns 200 acres and rents another 200 acres in...

Goody's opens store at River Valley Plaza.(Goody's Family Clothing)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... LANCASTER -- Goody's Family Clothing has opened a store in Lancaster in the River Valley Plaza. The 30,000-square-foot store provides shoppers with current-season active, casual and career wear at prices 10 to 30 percent below traditional...

Big Bear does 'flip' on store strategy.(Big Bear Plus)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Lancaster store undergoes overhaul; changes target young, affluent shoppers LANCASTER -- A new and improved Big Bear Plus celebrated its grand opening here on May 27, part of a wave of changes the grocery chain is making in the region. ...

Lancaster modernizes 61-year-old zoning code.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... LANCASTER -- After 61 years, Lancaster has a new zoning code. Lancaster City Council approved the code May 22. "We believe it's easier to read and more understandable, because there are fewer gray areas. It's as straightforward as you can...

Creating serenity.(Ohio State Medical Association )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... OSMA staff, architects develop office complex to foster more creativity Officials of the Ohio State Medical Association had a theme in mind when they started the process of designing a new headquarters -- creativity and serenity. "We...

Interesting contract issues part of design-build projects.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... In the past decade, design-build has dramatically re-emerged as a viable construction-contracting option. Although often regarded as something new, it is actually a centuries-old concept the construction industry has again embraced. A...

Modular homes sales aided by local worker shortages.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... More and more Central Ohio home buyers are saying "no" to construction companies and "yes" to modular home manufacturers. New home contractors don't have to worry about being out of work yet, however. The modular industry makes up just 3.6...

King Arts Complex prepares to debut major renovations.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... With a smile and a shake of her head, King Arts Complex Executive Director Barbara Nicholson says she and her staff can now plug in a coffee pot without fear of blowing a fuse in their office. An upgrade of the complex's electrical system...

Enticements of Internet slow to hit building industry purchasing chain.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 2, 2000... Builders are gearing up for an explosion of business over the Internet in the next three years, as industry experts predict e-commerce will rise from $1.4 billion in 2000 to $27 billion by 2003. For an industry that builds its reputation on...

Leased employees critical option in tight labor market.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2000... Leasing temporary help to finish a job on time or to fill in labor force gaps is not a new practice but, for many Central Ohio contractors, it has become a permanent part of doing business. Robert Beal, president of Accurate Electric Inc....