The Framing Gallery located on the first level of 320 N. Main St. in Salisbury is now under new family leadership.
In January, Jody Sedberry became the new owner/operator of the framing and fine art gallery originally opened by his grandparents (Merrea and Don Weinhold Sr.) in 1983. He has been part of the family’s business since he was about 8 years old when his grandfather allowed him to do odd jobs in the shop.
Although the current location’s two-story building may be for sale, The Framing Gallery has been renovated and redecorated and is ready to provide wall art (framed and unframed), fine art pieces, custom framing services, glass cutting, dry mounting, shrink wrapping and tabletop accessories.
The Framing Gallery is across the street from Koco Java. It is open Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and provides plenty of free parking for your convenience. Phone number is 704-633-1246
Previously living in Charleston, S.C., and Asheville, Sedberry now lives in Salisbury.

Cockerl opens new business

SALISBURY — After 39 years with All-State Insurance, Robert Cockerl Jr. has retired and opened a new business, A Better Solution Today.
Cockerl will remain in his former insurance location at 130 N. Arlington St. Suite 6. A Better Solution Today sells health supplements made from mangosteen fruit and is an independent distributor for Xango.
The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays by appointment. Cockerl works with his wife, Yvonne C. Cockerl. The supplements are not available on site, but the Cockerls will order them for customers. Robert Cockerl worked as an All-State employee for 26 years, then owned an All-State agency for 13 years.
To learn more, call 704-636-5295.

Free tax help for those who serve
SALISBURY — Liberty Tax is giving away tax preparation services to people who serve, protect, educate and assist local communities.
For first-time customers, Liberty Tax is offering free tax return preparation for people in the following careers:
• Monday through March 3: Teachers, daycare workers, educators and all school staff.
• March 4–10: Firefighters, EMT/EMS personnel, police and law enforcement officers.
• March 11–17: Nurses, doctors, therapists and all hospital staff.
• March 18-24: Gym staff members, personal trainers, dieticians and recreational centers staff.
• March 25–31: Nonprofit organizations staff member and all volunteers.
Liberty Tax does take appointments but they are not necessary. The business is located at 122 Avalon Drive in Salisbury. To learn more, call 704-636-8121.

Stitchin Post employee retires

Jo Anne McDaniel was recently honored at a dinner at Gritz Restaurant with friends, family and co-workers to celebrate her retirement from Stitchin Post Gifts in Downtown Salisbury.  Jo Anne began working at The Stitchin Post in the summer of 1997 and was a loyal and faithful employee for 16 years.  Prior to the Stitchin Post, she worked 22 years for Markey Fabrics.  Jo Anne now looks forward to lots of time with her husband, Claude McDaniel and her family. 

New business development director
House United/101 Mobility has named Melody Boyette Reid, Business Development Director of its Retail Medical Equipment and Supplies Division at 126 A Statesville Blvd.
Reid worked for Rowan Medical Facilities, Inc. for 10 years as the Manager in the same location as 101 Mobility from 1998-2008 and continued her employment with Novant as Manager of Follow-up/Denials till 2012.
She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Pfeiffer College and an associate’s degree in marketing and retailing from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Melody is looking forward to her move from Columbia, S.C., back to Salisbury in May.

Gentiva moves on Jake Alexander Boulevard
SALISBURY — Gentiva Home Healthcare has moved to 1834 Jake Alexander Boulevard West, Suite 503.
The company is dedicated to compassionate care and specializes in skilled nursing, rehabilitation and therapy services. Robbin Norris is the branch director. To learn more, call 704-636-3334.

Lambert joins DialAmerica

MAHWAH, N.J. — DialAmerica, one of the nation’s largest teleservices companies, has hired Mark Lambert as director of business development.
Lambert holds a bachelor’s degree from Catawba College. He is based at DialAmerica’s Salisbury office.
“Mark brings a wealth of industry experience to DialAmerica, and we are extremely pleased to have him join our team,” said John Redinger, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DialAmerica.
Bringing more than 20 years of experience in the contact center industry, Lambert is responsible for developing new clients and opportunities for DialAmerica. He was previously senior vice president of sales and marketing for Thomas L Cardella & Associates. Before that, he served as vice president of business development for Global Contact Services.
DialAmerica’s network of U.S.-based contact centers includes 23 locations in 13 states. Visit www.dialamerica.com for more information.

Ahold eyes Harris Teeter Supermarkets
Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc., the Matthews-based grocery chain exploring a sale, has attracted interest from Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch owner of Stop & Shop stores, according to a Bloomberg report.
Ahold has contacted JPMorgan Chase & Co., retained by Harris Teeter to evaluate options, and is seeking more information on the sale process, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. Ahold hasn’t made a formal bid, according to that person.
“We regard Harris Teeter as a likely deal for Ahold,” Patrick Roquas, an analyst at Rabobank, wrote in a report. A transaction wouldn’t hurt Ahold’s stock as it’s unlikely that the Amsterdam-based company is willing to put its “credible track record at risk” by paying too much.
Bloomberg reported Harris Teeter’s market value tops $2 billion. Buying the chain would help Ahold expand further in the southern U.S. and Washington, D.C., and its acquisition history and previous expansions position the Dutch chain as a probable bidder, said BMO Capital Markets analyst Karen Short.
Ahold “appears to have more than adequate capacity on its balance sheet to complete a transaction,” she said in a Feb. 20 research note. She also listed Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. and Cincinnati’s Kroger Co. as possible suitors.
Royal Ahold just agreed to sell its 60-percent stake in Scandinavian retailer ICA for $3.3 billion to investment group Hakon Invest.

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