Business roundup: Old Stone Winery has new owner

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Old Stone Winery is under new ownership. Darin and Naomi Griffin bought the winery and vineyard on U.S. 52 in Salisbury from Mark Brown.
Brown owned Old Stone Winery since its inception in 2002. He and the Griffins were in discussions about a sale for three months before closing the deal.
The sale closed July 17, Darin Griffin said.
He bought the winery because he was interested in owning his own business, and he wanted to stay in the area. He said he doesn’t plan any changes to the corporation for the foreseeable future.
JellyBeans sale
The JellyBeans Consignment Sale this weekend will feature infants’, children’s and women’s clothes, toys and gear, including school uniforms.
The sale is 4-9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Travelodge across from Arby’s on Jake Alexander Boulevard. Merchandise will be marked half-price between noon and 5 p.m. Saturday.
Any items remaining after the sale dates will be donated to Nazareth Children’s Home.
Applebee’s teams with Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit serving U.S. troops and their families, is joining forces with Applebee’s to raise money for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families at home.
On Sept. 12, Applebee’s at 205 Faith Road will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. to benefit the organization.
Marianne Walters, regional captain for North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee, said proceeds will help fund Soldiers’ Angels various projects, which range from care packages for the troops to portraits of fallen soldiers and Easter baskets for deployed troops’ children.
Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $5 per person. Visit Applebee’s on Faith Road or contact Walters at ctlnc08@gmail.com or 704-400-7804 to purchase tickets.
BNC reports earnings
BNC Bancorp this week reported an increase in net income for the second quarter of 2009. Net income totaled $1.4 million, an increase of 56 percent from a year ago.
Net income available to common shareholders is 13 cents per diluted common share, which is up from 12 cents in the first quarter of the year.
The provision for credit losses in the second quarter was $3 million, compared to $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. Net charge-offs of loans were $2.4 million, compared to $892,000 in the second quarter of 2008.
BNC Bancorp is the parent company of Bank of North Carolina, which has a branch in Salisbury, on Jake Alexander Boulevard West.
Windshear celebrates 1st anniversary
Windshear, the Concord company that created a wind tunnel for the racing industry, is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
The wind tunnel is a way for competitors from auto racing to test their cars and improve aerodynamic performance.
In the future, Windshear officials hope vehicle engineers will use the wind tunnel to test vehicles being created with improved fuel economy. The tunnel might also be used by professional drag racers in the future.
TOPS opens new chapter
A Milwaukee-based weight-loss organization is opening a new chapter in Faith.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, or TOPS, Club promotes diet, exercise and support for men, women, teenagers and preteens.
Weekly meetings of the newest chapter will be at 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Farrington Family Medical Center at 1000 Brown St. Visitors can attend their first meeting free of charge.
For more information on the 60-year-old organization, go to tops.org or call 800-932-8677.
Party with Sasha at Stitchin’ Post
The Stitchin’ Post Gifts, a gifts, ladies’ apparel and accessories shop at 104 South Main St. in downtown Salisbury, will celebrate the birthday of Sasha, the store’s cat, on Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of the day’s sales will be donated to Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary.
The party will feature giveaways, drawings, prizes, cookies, lemonade and a birthday cake for Sasha.
Those who bring a donation of pet food or supplies will receive a gift from Sasha. Each child will also take home a goody bag.
For more information, contact the store at 704-637-0708 or go to spgifts.com.