We have news about several new businesses in and around Davidson this week: Miller’s Produce north of Davidson, GCG Wealth Management on Main Street, and a new photography studio at South Main Square. Also below, a bit of local restaurant news, info about upcoming business events, and word of achievements by local businesspeople John Pizetoski and Michael Lewandowski.

DINING NOTES

A new fresh market called Miller’s Produce has opened at 110 Market Road, near Mount Mourne, just north of Davidson. Owner Audrey Miller says she’s offering local produce, fresh eggs, fresh baked cakes and bread. And she says she’ll have “much more to come through out the summer.”

To get there, head north on N.C. 115 out of Davidson, past Mount Mourne Elementary School. Turn left on Waterlynn, and then your first right. Miller’s produce is behind All Occasion Florist. Info: 704-662-4685.

• Campania Café will host another Friday night Party on the Porch today, June 5, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tonight’s featured musician is guitarist Clyde Derberry. He’ll also be back on June 19. Campania, 416 S. Main St., sponsors the Friday night music all summer. They serve their trattoria menu on the porch. Phone: 704-987-5111.
• XO Tapas Wine Bar opened with a reception and ribbon cutting at 19701 Bethel Church Road, off West Catawba Avenue, Cornelius.
• Restaurant X in South Main Square, off South Main Street in Davidson, will be open for Father’s Day brunch on Sunday June 21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2:30p.m. Reservations or more information: 704-892-9369. www.restaurantx-davidson.com.

DENIM SHOP PLANNED DOWNTOWN

A new clothing shop called JG Smith Premium Denim & Thread is laying plans to open on the third floor of the new Stowe Building in downtown Davidson later this year.

The store opening is still months away. But owner Jason Dunigan has been blogging about his plans, about style and fashion, and a lot more, at http://www.jg-smith.com/

FINANCIAL ADVISOR OPENS DOORS

Financial advisor Joel Burris of has opened a branch office of GCG Wealth Management at 137 N. Main St. downtown.

Mr. Burris is a 6-year senior advisor of GCG Wealth Management. As his book of business expands, he is now able to open an office closer to his current and prospective clients.

“With today’s hectic environment and our clients’ busy schedules it is important to be positioned to service our clients in the most timely and convenient manner,” he said in an announcement.

GCG Wealth Management is a financial services firm with offices in Charlotte, Davidson, Wilmington and Greensboro. Mr. Burris specializes in goal-oriented financial strategies from risk management to investment strategies for individuals and business and is especially passionate about helping each client set, review and achieve their goals. He can be reached at 704-990-5930 or jburris@gcgwm.com.

SOUTH MAIN SQUARE NEWS

Photo studio opens next week

Craig Michael Photography now has a studio in Davidson, taking over the Seaweed Designs space in the former Ice House, at South Main Square. For three years owner Craig Dietrich has been serving the Davidson and Lake Norman area, visiting clients at home. The studio will be opened for sittings beginning June 12.

Craig Dietrich was a Naval Photographer for five years, including 2 tours in the Persian Gulf. For 10 years he was regional manager for an in-home baby portrait company. He settled here three years ago and started his own company, Craig Michael Photography.

“Photography is something so special. There is nothing that becomes more important to us as time goes by. It will be my privilege to be working with the children and families to create portraits for now and generations to come,” Mr. Dietrich said in a press release. See samples of his work at www.craigmichaelphotography.com

South Main Sq. tries social networking

South Main Square business and property owners are turning to social networking for help in attracting more visitors to their art, music, dining, shopping and other businesses. Brandon Bailey, co-owner of Amity & Bailey Trading Co. and a free-lance graphic and digital designer, has been working with Kathleen Rose, managing partner of South Main Square and president of Rose & Associates SE, Inc. to get the others in the Davidson Arts District involved through digital media and social networking.

“Beyond the basic, often static web pages we have all come to expect, social media provides a ‘live’ presence on the Web, and a much more personal way to reach your audience” Mr. Bailey said in a note.

Adds Ms. Rose: “Social networks are the leading edge of communication and we wanted a place for anyone that is part of the creative process, whether it be an artist or business, here in Davidson and the Lake Norman area to collaborate. This is becoming a huge factor in the business arena. Places such as the Arts District are having to find new ways to get noticed in the sea of information so as to stand out as a destination for tourism, entertainment or business.”

The group now hosts a monthly networking meeting at the Executive Suites at South Main Square to collaborate with the area artists and businesses. For further information visit www.southmainsquare.com

They invite residents to join them on Facebook and Twitter, where you can follow SOMADavidson.

Amity & Bailey to host charity block party June 19

Amity & Bailey Trading Co. in South Main Square will host a summer Block Party Friday, June 19, at 5 p.m., to benefit United Family Services. UFS is a local not-for-profit with offices in Cornelius that helps families through tough times in a variety of ways. They offer consumer credit and housing counseling services for those in financial crisis, shelter for women & child victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and have counseling programs for children.

The event will include live music, food and drink, entertainment for kids and teens, and a prize drawing, will serve as a fund-raising push to help expand the hours of a United Family Services counselor at Davidson’s own Ada Jenkins Center.

They’ll have wines by the glass, skateboarding exhibitions, and pony rides. Admission is free, but tickets will be sold for various activities.

The afternoon kicks off at 5 p.m. with a visit from Davidson’s fire department – kids can take a close-up look at the truck, meet firefighters, and learn a thing or two about fire safety.

Besides Amity & Bailey, other businesses in South Main Square will join the party. Fuel Pizza and Campania Cafe will be providing pizza and Italian sausage & peppers. Restaurant X will give a percentage of its evening’s earnings to United Family Services as well as donating prizes for the raffle. Kids get the chance to ride a pony through the square courtesy of Jayne’s Village Tack Shop.

Other area businesses are also joining in on the fun – revelers can take home a vintage-style photo strip from Bella Booth’s donated photo booth. Cornelius’ Sinister Skate will set up a mini skate park. Live music will be played through the evening, including three-piece blues band The Old One Two and Campania Cafe’s resident musician Clyde Derberry.

Corporate and individual donations are appreciated. For more information on attending or helping out with the South Main Block Party, please contact Amity & Bailey Trading Co. at 704-896-9690.

PEOPLE

John Pizetoski

John Pizetoski, of Jorel Association Management, recently earned the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation from Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Mr. Pizetoski also has a Master’s of Business Administration from the The McColl School of Business at Queens University in Charlotte, and is a Blumenthal Fellow. He and wife Gail Pizetoski, a Certified Public Accountant, opened Jorel Association Management in 2002.

CAI is a national organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent community managers. Some 50 million Americans live in the nation’s estimated 250,000 association-governed communities.

To earn the PCAM designation, managers must have five years of community association management experience and complete more than 100 hours of course work. In addition, PCAM designees must fulfill continuing education and service requirements and adhere to a code of ethics.

Michael Lewandowski has been named Director of Business Development for the Davidson Center for Learning. Lewandowski has worked for the Davidson Center since 2007, when he came on board as Director of Student Services; most recently he served as the Center Director for the school’s Davidson branch.

A Bachelor of Arts (History) graduate of Marquette University, Lewandowski went on to receive both a Master’s of Arts and a Master’s of Education from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. From there he went on to teach history, math, English and science in both public and private schools in Illinois. Lewandowski first came to the Davidson Center after a year-long stint as Center Director for SCORE! Educational Centers in Schaumberg, IL.

About The Davidson Center: The Davidson Center for Learning is an accredited supplementary educational school that offers comprehensive education services to students and families. Their goal is to work together with families to help students achieve their academic potential by providing the best services and resources available. For more information, please visit www.davidsoncenter.com.

EYEGLASS FRAME SHOW
Family Eye Care of Davidson , in the Harris Teeter shopping center, will have a Frame Show on Friday June 19, from 2-5 p.m. Brands include Fendi, Coach, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, etc., 30 percent off the first pair, 50 percent off the second pair, except prescription and non-prescription sunglasses, which will remain 30 percent off.

Framemakers will have representatives available to discuss their products, and there will be complimentary Lasik consultations with Viso Lasik MedSpa. They’ll have door prizes, refreshments, and more. Family Eye Care of Davidson, is at 624 Jetton St., Suite 210. Information: 704-439-3174.

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