I  was going to call this column "Business Tiger," after James Clark’s "Business Cheetah" in the Southern Standard. After all, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Our graphic composer had a different take.
“That’s not very original,” Seth Wright told me.
So I changed my tune and went with Business Incorporated, or Business INC. for short after a Bruce Springsteen song.
Clark writes all the breaking news he finds on his beat, turning over every stone for the latest business news. In truth, most people just email but he does run off to take a lot of pictures.
I intend this to be the place where new businesses and existing businesses with a new product or service, can get a shout-out to the community. There’s no charge for the inclusion, just send me an email or call with the info and I will run out with my trusty camera and snap a picture to include in an upcoming edition. My email is news@smithvillereview.com or you can reach me at 615-597-5485. It doesn’t matter if you’re a major corporation or a mom and pop just opening, let me know.
This being the inaugural edition, I didn’t think I would have anything but an introduction, but that proved false.

Alexandria
Heading out on my second day here in DeKalb County, I traveled to Alexandria to cover a story about the library getting an award and celebrating the donation of a picture of Alexandria’s founder, Daniel Alexander. It so happened, there was a ribbon cutting just after for a new dental office in town.
Congratulations to doctors John and Laura Adams as they celebrated their new location Friday.
Being the eagle-eyed reporter that I am, I noticed a dumpster on the street. Add to that a sold sign in the window across the way and all the clues were there. When I inquired as to the status I was told several of the buildings sold and work was ongoing to transform them into new businesses. I am looking forward to letting everyone know what they will become.

Time and Again Antiques and Consignment
Just next to the on-going construction on the square in Alexandria is a quaint little shop that is now open for business. I met the owner, Linda Burges, at the library and ribbon cutting so I went in for a chat. The first thing I spotted was soap, and it wasn’t just any soap this was handmade goat’s milk soap made by Pomona Hill Farm locally. Now it might sound strange I’m talking about the soap with all the antiques about, but I have always had a fascination with hand-made products. It gives me a scent of yesteryear when things were all made by hand.
Now most of the inventory didn’t fall into the personal grooming arena. There was this really cute bear with a matching tea set. The price was right too…just $10.
If you want to get some good deals, Burgess said this weekend is the time to shop.
“We’re having a sale on glassware dishes and stemware,” she said. “If you have a set and are missing a piece we might have it.”

Florence and White Ford fundraiser
What do nice cars, high school, barbecue and football have in common?
Friday, it was Florence & White Ford, who set up shop at the high school and - with the help of volunteers like football coach Steve Trapp - raised money for DCHS through their test-drive program. Anyone who came by Friday, and took a test drive, helped the school through donations that add up. Last year the program generated over $6,000 in funds. High school students also helped as volunteers, and even through a late-afternoon rain shower, folks lined up to test drive their favorite. From a Mustang GT to a fancy Ford F150, they had them all for the asking. As an added bonus, everyone who test drove a vehicle was treated to a barbecue meal.
I had my eye on the red GT but it was pretty popular. Coach Trapp asked if I would help by taking one of the cars out for spin but the GT was pretty popular so I took the Ford F150 for a drive. I drive the work truck currently, which is also a Ford. In fact, I bought them for the paper back in 2000. Not I personally mind you, but I did have to find a good deal. Florence and White had two Ford Rangers that fit the bill. I have to say it was a good buy. It has 250,000 miles on it and runs great.
They don’t make Rangers anymore but I wouldn’t mind upgrading to the F150 … it was like the space shuttle in there.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week folks. I’m looking forward to getting out and about in DeKalb to meet with more folks in the future.