MOUNT VERNON — New businesses, new names and new locations are continuing to pop up on the business landscape around Knox County.
Getting ready for a change in name and change in location is Image Apparel Plus at 311 W. Gambier St. Making a move in early March to 120 Newark Road, the site of the former Sunny Garden Chinese buffet, will be MARKT, which is German for the word marketing. Owner Todd Taylor has been renting his current space since opening his business there and is looking forward to owning his own place. “It will be a nice upgrade; the parking and exposure will be terrific,” said Taylor, who added the interior will be a different configuration and more conducive for his work staff.
have a story idea?
Suggest a story
If you have a news tip or a story idea, click the link above.
You can also reach our reporters via our Staff Directory page.
MARKT will continue to offer commercial uniforms, custom apparel and embroidery service. “We provide uniforms for a lot of construction companies, universities and fire departments,” said Taylor. He is hoping to add one more full-time employee with the move and is anticipating launching an internship program this fall where college students will be a representative for student organizations.
Hours for MARKT are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Also scheduled to make a move after purchasing new property is New Life Church of the Nazarene. Located at 998 Newark Road, the church congregation has been meeting at the Mount Vernon High School auditorium for the past two years after experiencing much growth.
The church recently purchased the 84 Lumber property on Harcourt Road and is planning on renovating all four buildings on the property. “We really want to be a community church,” said pastor Troy McNichols. “And we’re excited about the chance to rehab an existing property that needed renovating. We hope this can help the community.”
McNichols said that the church plans on using the buildings as a worship center, a gymnasium, a Kid-Life center and a student ministries area. Fund raisers will be taking place to allow funding for renovations. McNichols expects it take about a year for the renovations to be completed before the actual move can take place. The buildings and property on Newark Road are now up for sale.
Reverting back to where they were once before is Henry’s on the Square, formerly known as Henry’s Copper Curry, 12 Public Square, Mount Vernon. What has been serving Indian cuisine including a buffet, Henry’s is converting to American and Italian cuisine. “Many people wanted it to go back to where it was,” said kitchen manager Jody Sherman. Having recently closed in order to make the transition, it is hoped for Henry’s to be open sometime this week (by March 2).
A full menu will be featured including breakfast, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and many daily specials. Thursday will be Mexican night featuring tacos and burritos. A “Happy Hour” will also be observed from 4 to 6 p.m. “Everything is homemade,” said Sherman. “Nothing is store bought.”
“We just want people to feel comfortable and relaxed,” said bar manager Amber Myers. She added that live entertainment will be scheduled on the patio later in the summer.
Creative Images of Mount Vernon, 122 W. High St., is now under new ownership. Crystal Lafferty, along with her husband, Clarence, assumed ownership of Creative Images on Dec. 1 and have made a few changes to the business already.
“We’re doing more consignments of local artists,” said Lafferty of her gallery, which is taking on a bit of a new look with some remodeling as well. An upstairs section is opening in the future where art classes will be conducted.
Visitors to Creative Images of Mount Vernon can expect to find limited edition art, unique gifts and novelties plus the opportunity for custom framing. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, go to www.creativeimagesmtvernon.com or call 397-2904.
If you are looking for a unique entertainer to spruce up a party, you can now use the services of Cupcake the Clown. Sharlene Perry, age 22, recently began providing entertainment at local parties dressed in a colorful clown costume. Cupcake will tell jokes and stories, provide party favors, visit with children and provide a fun atmosphere for your occasion. Cupcake can offer youthful entertainment at nursing homes, preschools, birthday parties, picnics or events where she can be a draw with her magnetic disposition and charm. She is already scheduled to appear at this year’s Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival.
Perry acquired a grant through the Bridges Through Transitions program to pay for her costume, business cards and numerous props. She travels with a job coach at all of her bookings.
For more information, go to www.cupcaketheclown.net or call (740) 393-6639.