Some readers upset about snow day compensation

Several Gazette readers responded to Friday's Business article about the dilemma local employers faced regarding employee compensation during the city's recent blizzards.

Employees of several local companies said their employers closed for a day or two, or closed early, but didn't compensate workers.

Employers aren't required by law to pay hourly employees for hours not worked, even though many businesses in town chose to do that. Others decided they could not afford the generosity. That left employees out in the cold, with a decreased paycheck.

"We should have some recourse," said one caller. "I was dressed and ready to walk to work when I was told not to come in because they were closed. And I'm supporting a family of six. It really hurt us."

Coat factory heads to malls

Burlington Coat Factory is tentatively set to make its move to the malls on March 2. The existing store at Citadel Crossing will move across Academy Boulevard to The Citadell mall and a new store will open at Chapel Hills Mall, each taking over space previously occupied by Mervyn's.

Chamber honors deceased United Way leader

The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce will remember Jerry Smith, president and CEO Pikes Peak United Way who died last month, at its annual dinner Jan. 26.

Smith was active in public policy issues at the chamber and a member of board of directors for the past three years. He also served on the chamber board in the 1980s.

For information on the dinner, call 575-4387.

Tourism Day at the Capitol

The Colorado Tourism Office is hosting a Tourism Day at the Capitol from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at the State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver.
RSVP by contacting Brian Selvig at (303) 892-3717

Denver tire dealers test Colorado Springs market

After many years of service as a neighborhood tavern — the Mousetrap Lounge, He’s Not Here, Jock’s Trap and Jeannie’s Place — the property at 2514 E. Platte Ave. is now home to Auto Accessories & Tires La Sierra. Co-owner Mario Moreno operates another wholesale and retail tire store under that name on Federal Boulevard in Denver and decided to partner with Jorge Balderrama for this new venture in Colorado Springs. “There are so many businesses like ours in the Denver area,” said Balderrama, “so we thought we would have a better opportunity here.” Property owner Lee Goodbar oversaw construction of a new structure on the site this year, designing it with a garage on the north side to expand his options with tenants.

Restaurants on the move

Blizzard-related delays to construction at the Manitou Springs Spa Building have forced Adam's Mountain Cafe proprietor Farley Kaminer McDonough to push back her moving day at least another two weeks. The transfer from the current location at 110-A Canon Ave. to the Spa Building at 934 Manitou Ave. is tentatively set for Jan. 20 but may take another week with the first day of food service at the Spa Building to be Feb. 2. ...

Fanz Sports Grill has moved out of the old fire house it occupied at 817 W. Colorado Ave. and into a partnership with Will's Sports Pub at 424 S. Nevada Ave. Grand opening for the joint operation, called Will's Pub featuring Fanz Sports Grill, is Jan. 5-6. Joe Portillo and Andy Finkbeiner will handle the food preparation, having developed a reputation for creative and tasty bar food in their three years at Fanz Sports Grill. ...

Franchisee Phil Fisher has broken ground on his first Del Taco restaurant at 3991 N. Elizabeth in Pueblo and expects to have it open in late April. He is in the planning stages for his second store, which is going to be in Fountain at the old Taco Bell site on Highway 85-87. ...

New name for Colorado Springs graphic design company

Colorado Springs-based graphic design company, Barnstorm Creative, recently changed its name to CoPilot Creative.

The name change reflects the reorganization and growth of the company.

"We feel that this name change better reflects our position and capabilities, working side by side with our clients and helping them to navigate successful marketing objectives," the company said in a press release.

The company will soon launch a new Web site: http://www.copilotcreative.com/.

Businesses on the move

Richard Harvey, owner of A&R Services LLC in Monument, has been named national Vending Operator of the Year by Automatic Merchandiser magazine for exhibiting the "qualities that the vending industry needs to embrace in order to move to a higher level of professionalism." A third generation vending operator, Harvey has 14 employees and projected 2006 sales of $3.2 million.

Art of Design i.d. owner Debbie Tuzel has moved her growing design and marketing agency into a larger office space at 1621 W. Colorado Ave., suite 110. Focused on serving independent professionals and small businesses in the Pikes Peak region, Art of Design's clients include Aeorospace Modeler magazine, Kirk and Hill clothing store, Memorial Hospital, Old Town GuestHouse and Blue Fox Photography.

Depot USA takes new posting in Fountain

Depot USA, a store dealing in military and law enforcement uniforms, insignia and field gear, will open its fifth store Jan. 5, at 6436 Highway 85/87 in Fountain, near the north end of Fort Carson. Headquartered in Oxford, Ala., Depot USA locates all of its stores in close proximity to military bases. Its other stores are near Fort Sill (Lawton, Okla.), Fort Bliss (El Paso, Texas - two stores) and Fort Polk (Leesville, La.). All of the company's merchandise is new.

Goodwill countdown

Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs expects to close on the sale of its downtown store at 324 E Pikes Peak Ave. by the end of this month and will then lease it back to continue using that site until its new store southwest of the intersection of South Circle Drive and Janitell Road is ready to occupy in early 2008. There is no indication yet what use the new owner has planned for the downtown property once Goodwill moves out, but condos have been planned for that block.