Julie Yenichek shows off her Yeni apron.   New Aquesta headquarters   Lucy Anne Buffett’s new cookbook   Chef Troy Gagliardo

Dry idea

Julie Yenichek of Cornelius has the solution to soppy kids and dripping pets after bath time: the Yeni. It’s a super length, super-absorbent apron-style towel that gets kids and pets dry and protects their handlers.

A textile mill in Conover creates the terry pile for the body of the apron. Then a team of seamstresses in Hildebran takes over to make the fabric top.

Yenis come in six fabrics with baby or pet themes and can be customized with monogrammed initials, names or short phrases.

Find Yenis in trendy shops, such as Poppies and Polka Dots, or online at www.Yenithing.com. The cost is $30 to $40, depending on customization.

Ulta comes to Mooresville

Ulta, which carries brand-name cosmetics, fragrances, and skin- and hair-care products, has opened in Mooresville Crossing, 609 River Highway.

Ulta encourages busy women to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy themselves, while beauty experts are on hand to offer current advice. Because Ulta is illuminated with natural light, customers can easily see the true shade of the products they’re testing. The store also offers hair and skin services, such as cuts and facials.

For more information, visit www.ulta.com.

Dry Clean Spot opens in Mooresville

Jeff Prince has opened his first Dry Clean Spot at N.C. 150 and Williamson Road, behind the Cheese Steakery restaurant, in Mooresville. The company offers environmentally dry cleaning and same-day service.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 704-658-1777.

Bruster’s links with Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs

Bruster’s Ice Cream has added a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog franchise along with its homemade ice cream. 
In addition to waffle cones, shakes, ice cream sundaes and smoothies, the Cornelius store now offers hot dogs, hot dog nuggets, chicken tenders and french fries.

The store, which is owned by Greg and Sue Fiedler, is at 17029 Kenton Drive in Kenton Place. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday during colder weather. For more information, call 704-896-2886 or visit www.bruster.com.

Parker, Banner, Kent, and Wayne openses in Magnolia Plaza

Parker, Banner, Kent, and Wayne, which has opened in Cornelius, is all about comics and games.

Located in Magnolia Plaza on West Catawba Avenue, PBKW showcases new Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse comics every week, with thousands of back issues right next to a variety of games.

The store is owned by Matthew Milburn, whose last comic book/games store was in Winter Haven, Fla.

PBKW’s monthly calendar features games events and league play.

The shop is at 8301 Magnolia Estates Drive, Suite 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.pbkwcomics.com; e-mail pbkw@pbkwcomics.com, or call 704-892-4263.

Denver entrepreneur is bridesmaid resource

Kathy Scott Rummage of Denver has launched a Web site, BridesmaidEssentials.com, for the bride’s supporting cast.

The site offers answers for frequent dilemmas, such as how to resell a bridesmaid dress and how to deal with the difficult bride, as well as a blog and downloadable planners and checklists. It also deals with fashion, party planning and etiquette.

Chamber golf challenge set for April 29

The Iredell Chamber Challenge Golf Outing with the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce members vs. the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce members will be April 29 at the Statesville Country Club. 

The Captain’s Choice Tournament title sponsor is Forest Grove Development Co. There will be 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. tee times. The Dana Rader Golf School will offer group and personal instruction throughout the day.

To register for the golf tournament, call the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, 704-664-3898. The cost is $65 per golfer, or $250 per team of four players.

Underwood to aid Lincoln development

Melanie O’Connell Underwood, former executive director for the Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corp., will work with the Lincoln Economic Development Association to generate business leads with future development potential. Underwood recently opened an economic development consulting business specializing in leads assessment, client handling and site location assistance.

Underwood is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is certified as an economic developer by the International Economic Development Council.

The Lincoln Economic Development Association is a nonprofit organization located in Lincolnton that recruits corporations to the county. The organization’s goals also include retention and expansion of existing business and industry and improvement of the overall business climate within Lincolnton and Lincoln County.

Head Over Heels oganizers organizers

Head Over Heels has taken over as the organizer for the Charlotte Wedding, Event and Party Professionals group. Laura Massie, owner of Head Over Heels, joined the networking group a year ago. After the previous organizer stepped down, Massie stepped in to help revive the group.

Head Over Heels, based in Stanley, provides wedding and event planning, including service planning, day-of coordination, décor, invitations and bridal shows.

For more information on the networking group, call Head Over Heels at 704-840-7549 or e-mail headoverheels@lauramassie.com. The group offers free membership.

Gagliardo adds Tuesday TV program

Chef Troy Gagliardo (whose name was incorrectly spelled in the March issue of Lake Norman Magazine) now has his own TV segment, “Tuesdays with Troy,” on Fox News Rising.

Aquesta Bank opens new corporate headquarters

Aquesta Bank has opened its modernistic corporate headquarters building on Jetton Road in Cornelius. The three-story, 20,000-square-foot facility features a blend of blue/green glass and stone, as well as environmentally friendly features. The bank will obtain a substantial amount of power for the building through solar energy panels.

The building also will be a branch for customers.

Architect Roger Layman of Davidson designed the structure to reflect the waters of Lake Norman. The building, which was constructed by Edifice, took a year to complete and was managed by Global Project Solutions in Huntersville.

Lake Norman Gardens hosts Lucy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett’s sister Lucy “Lulu” Buffett, owner of Lulu’s at Homeport, will sign copies of her new cookbook, “Crazy Sista Cooking: Cuisine and Conversation with Lucy Anne Buffett,” during Lake Norman Gardens’ TGIS (Thank Goodness It’s Spring) event on April 12.

The garden center, which has a bookstore specializing in gardening and birding topics, will have copies of the book available for sale. The event will highlight the opening of the center’s gourmet foods section.

There also will be refreshments and face painting, with donations going toward a children’s charity. In addition, 10 percent of proceeds from the cookbook sale will go to the charity.

Lucy Buffett will be available for signings from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Lake Norman Gardens is at 1453 Perth Road in Mooresville. For more information, call 704-528-1919.

How to Submit

Business Update includes brief items on changes at companies in the lake area; for example, announcements of new businesses, special company events such as grand openings, and community endeavors such as free health clinics or seminars. Items should be one-time announcements rather than recurring events or new staff members. This will enable us to spotlight more businesses. We like to use photos of the people involved. Send items to Business Update, Editor, Lake Norman Magazine, 400-B North Harbor Place, Davidson, NC 28036; fax to 704-896-0661, or e-mail to LNMag@lakenormanmagazine.com. If you want a photo returned, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope large enough to hold the photo and bearing sufficient postage.