New businesses open their doors

MOUNT VERNON — Airport shuttle service, gun holster bags and an insurance office are among the newest business ventures around the Knox County area.

The ability to carry a concealed handgun in a fashionable carry-on bag with easy-access holster is now available in Mount Vernon. Attractive, fashion handbags complete with a holster are the specialty at Concealment Unlimited.

Owners Nikki and Brien Artus opened their storefront Oct. 29 at 10 E. Vine St. Nikki had been conducting an online business for three years before deciding to open a retail shop. Besides a large line of purse-style bags for women are the male shoulder bags, fanny packs and waist packs. Other accessories available are an elastic waist band with holster as well as mace and pepper spray.

Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Concealment Unlimited can be reached by calling 392-3692. For more information, go to www.concealmentunlimited.com.

Are you taking a trip somewhere and need a ride to the airport? Express II Fly now gives Mount Vernon area residents the chance to secure a shuttle without having to burden family or friends for a ride.

Gwen Cockrell had been a newspaper route driver before retiring and has now decided to spend her time offering a shuttle to the airport. Rides to/from Port Columbus Airport or Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport are now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reservations are preferred, but last-minute notices can also be honored.

Express II Fly allows for as many as three to four adults traveling at once. Handicap accessibility is not available. Payments in cash or credit card will be accepted.

For more information or to schedule a shuttle, Cockrell can be reached at Express II Fly by calling (419) 566-8075.

Whimsy Twins Boutique and Alterations has moved from 3 Public Square to 11040 Old Delaware Road (Ohio 229). Whimsy Twins Boutique will still feature local artists striving to bring gifts and clothing that are eco-friendly and made from sustainable and recycled materials.

Public hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and appointments are available for other hours. For more information visit their website at Whimsytwins.com or call Karen at (740) 503-5067.

On Sept. 1, the Fredericktown Dana plant, located on Ohio 95, became Schafer Driveline LLC. Employing roughly 158 salaried and hourly employees in two locations (Fredericktown and Blacklick), Schafer Driveline produces axles for leisure, all-terrain and utility vehicles; transmissions and transaxles for ATVs; and related off-highway brake components and assemblies, as well as the machining production of aluminum gear housings, ductile iron differential cases and ductile iron brake components for the leisure, all-terrain and utility vehicle markets.

For nearly 80 years, the parent company, Schafer Gear Work, has been involved in providing gears nationally and internationally for many applications and customers. Kathy Laymon, human resources manager, told the News that plans for expansion are in place for 2014 with more employees being hired at that time.

Those doing any insurance shopping now have another local option in Mount Vernon. Chris Frye is opening a Farmers Insurance office the first week of December at 51 Public Square, between Paul’s Flowers and The Vac Shop.

Farmers Insurance will offer a variety of insurance polices in the areas of auto, homeowners, life and business. Frye comes to Mount Vernon having recently had an office in Canton.

“I’m from Mount Vernon and kind of wanted to move back this way,” said Frye, who previously worked for Verizon Wireless in Mount Vernon. “I want to help out the community. It’s good when everybody works together in a small town.”

A variety of discounts will be available while Frye establishes his business in Mount Vernon. Farmers Insurance will observe regular business hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with limited hours on Saturday. Appointments can be made by calling 392-7920.