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Business Briefs

Lowe's gets magazine

honor; Griff is quoted

This month's edition of Today's Garden Center touts Lowe's Greenhouse and Gift Shop in Bainbridge as one of the nation's "evolutionary 100 Garden Centers."

Aurora resident Jeff Griff owns the business, and he also was quoted in another national industry magazine -- Grower Talks -- with advice to fellow growers.

"Only 100 independent garden centers across the country are selected for this prestigious award," said Griff about the Today's Garden Center honor.

"We're very proud to be recognized along with this amazing group of businesses. It confirms our commitment to making Lowe's Greenhouse an integral component of our community."

Founded in 1926 by Carlton Lowe and then purchased by Griff's grandfather in the 1950s, Lowe's Greenhouse once was on the Weatherhead 100 as one of the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio.

The center has been featured on many national garden center tours and last fall was named to Fox 8's Hot List as one of the best florists for wedding flowers.

Sonic clears hurdles,

will build on Route 14

Having resolved its signage issues, Sonic has completed its approval process and is coming to Streetsboro.

The planning-zoning commission approved Sonic's signs unanimously Jan. 22 at a special meeting. The drive-in restaurant is planned for an outlot in front of Wal-Mart on Route 14.

Aurora resident and franchiser Kerry Dechant is planning to build and open the Sonic. He agreed to lower signs on a tower at one end of the proposed building to the level of the roofline.

"If we lower that sign a little bit under what Sonic is asking us to do, I think we can live with that," said Dechant. "I'll bring the signs to the top of the roof."

Dechant said he would use red instead of yellow for an arch on the building's roof and several other features to comply with the panel's request.

There are no more board approvals necessary for Dechant to break ground on the facility.

National City's income

much lower than 2006

National City Corp., which has a National City Bank branch in Aurora, reported a net loss of $333 million, or 53 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2007.

Net income for the full year in 2007 was $314, or 51 cents per diluted share, compared to $2.3 billion, or $3.72 per diluted share, for 2006.

Officials said the fourth quarter loss resulted from a large provision for credit losses, losses on mortgage loans held for sale, charges related to Visa, indemnification obligations and severance charges associated with employment reductions.

"The poor financial performance of mortgage-related businesses, along with related restructuring costs and other unusual charges, overshadowed solid fundamental results in banking and wealth management," said Chairman and CEO Peter A. Raskind.

"We believe the restructuring actions we've taken in recent months to reduce costs and to lower credit and capital markets risk in the mortgage business have put the company in position to deliver better results going forward."

Lowe's programs set

Several programs will be offered by Lowe's Greenhouse and Gift Shop in Bainbridge in February.

Included are "Houseplant How-Tos" o Feb. 2, "Building a Garden Fit for a Fairy" on Feb. 9, "Residential Landscaping School" on Feb. 16 and "Tree and Shrub Pruning for Dummies" on Feb. 23.

All programs begin at 10 a.m. There is a fee for some of them. More details about the classes can be located at www.LowesGreenhouse.com or by calling 440-543-5123.

Home sales, average price are down in '07

Sales of homes in Ohio in 2007 dropped by more than 8 percent, according to statistics released by the Ohio Association of Realtors.

The group reported 131,120 homes were sold in 2007, compared to 143,415 in 2006. The average value of homes sold also dropped from $153,268 to $149,657, a 2.4 percent decrease.

Total volume was listed at $19.6 billion, a 10.7 percent decrease from 2006's $21.9 billion.

Sales in December were 8,172 units, down from 9,784 in December 2006.

OAR calculates its home sales figures based on statistics provided by the Multiple Listing Services.

"The 2007 market certainly presented a number of challenges for industry professionals and property owners, yet it also offered a wonderful opportunity for many homebuyers," said OAR President Brad Knapp.

"To reach the fourth best level of sales activity in the current environment is a clear indication that the desire to make the American dream of home ownership a reality is strong within Ohio."

New owner takes over

HoneyBaked Ham in Streetsboro's Liberty Corners Plaza (Route 43 and Market Square Drive) has changed ownership.

Former owner Dennis Demshar has sold the business to new owner Stephen Schwartz, effective Jan. 1. Demshar said he will continue operating the Solon outlet of HoneyBaked Ham.

Demshar also still owns the Arabica next to Streetsboro's HoneyBaked Ham. It is managed by his wife Edie.