Business news in brief

Elkins thrift store aids those in need

When the Elkins Family Store opened Sept. 8, it became a showcase not just for its recycled merchandise, but for some of those who are helping give those items a new life.

The Elkins Family Store serves as a thrift boutique for upscale clothing and refurbished vintage furniture, said Major Timothy Williford, area commander of The Salvation Army, Northwest Arkansas Command. Participants in The Salvation Army’s drug- and alcohol-rehabilitation program will refurbish the furniture, he said.

The Elkins store will specialize in refurbished pieces in styles to appeal to all generations. The furniture will have a vintage look with “shabby chic” color pallets, said Dan Ashley, public-relations and volunteer coordinator.

All proceeds from the store benefit The Salvation Army to feed and shelter the homeless and those “down on their luck.”

Hours for the Elkins Family Store at 2074 N. Center St. in Elkins are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Five employees have been hired.

Tech institute to offer adult classes

The Adult Education Center at Northwest Technical Institute offers free instruction in Arkansas High School Diploma (GED) preparation, English as a second language, and U.S. citizenship. Adults may register for classes at several locations and on various days and times.

More information is available at (479) 751-0181, www.

nwti.edu or by stopping by the center at 709 S. Old Missouri Road in Springdale.

Credit union conducting focus groups

66 Federal Credit Union is conducting focus groups in Springdale to determine financial preferences, product needs, market perception and name recognition.

“We are constantly looking for ways to serve our members better,” said President and CEO Kelly Diven.

“Meeting with members and nonmembers face to face will give us vital information as we plan for the future.”

66 Federal Credit Union serves 59,000 members worldwide and has assets of $635 million, according to its website 66fcu-nwa.org.

La-Z-Boy Arkansas gets safety award

La-Z-Boy Arkansas in Siloam Springs received a One Million Work Hours Safety Award. The Sept. 14 presentations recognized 1 million work hours without a lost day to work-related injury or illness between December 2010 and August 2012 accumulated among 325 employees.

The company’s safety committee of employee and management representatives is part of the local safety program. The award is from the Arkansas Department of Labor, the Arkansas Insurance Department and the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Cargill plant honored for work safety

Cargill Turkey Production in Gentry was presented a 20-Year Accumulative Safety Award in a ceremony Friday at the plant on Arkansas 12 North. The award recognizes that between June 1992 and June 2012, there was no day lost away from work because of a work-related injury or illness among 35 employees. The company also has a safety program in effect and a safety committee of employees and management.

VT Grill in Bentonville a family affair

Philly cheesesteaks and homemade chili top the traditional American menu at VT Grill at 3404 S.E. Macy Road, Suite 20, in Bentonville. Named for grandchildren Violet and Tripp, the restaurant owned by Nancy Hall opened June 20.

Hall started working in the restaurant trade 34 years ago. VT Grill has four employees and occasionally gets help from family members. It has 22 tables and 88 seats. Customers are welcome to call ahead at (479) 254-3868.

The website is at vtgrill.com. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Averitt Express finishes up warehouse

Averitt Express recently completed construction on a Fort Smith facility at South Zero Street and Arkansas 45 that features more than 30 dock doors and 25,400 square feet of space. Now in its 41st year of service, Averitt Express provides freight transportation and supply-chain management reaching more than 100 countries.

Averitt has provided warehousing services for more than 10 years, both dedicated space and flexible, multicustomer warehouse space throughout the U.S. It can also provide build-to-suit solutions. The Tennesseebased company has more than 100 facilities in 18 Southern states, with the closest in Jonesboro, Little Rock, Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

“We’re continuing to work with companies who are looking for flexible warehousing options to accommodate spiking inventory levels. The Fort Smith market is an ideal location for shippers needing space for storage, processing and distribution between the South and the Southwest and West,” Phil Pierce, executive vice president of sales and marketing, said in a news release.

Contact: (800) 283-7488 or averittexpress.com.

Briefs are for businesses in Northwest Arkansas that are new, have moved or closed, opened a new branch, changed owners or have been honored by an independent organization. E-mail items to [email protected]. Information will be published as space allows.

Business, Pages 60 on 09/23/2012

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