More drugs available at cheaper prices

The recent change in Colorado law that allows businesses to sell products below cost, as long as they are part a promotions package and not intended to set up a monopoly, extends to prescription drugs.

Last year, several national retailers, including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target, began offering a 30-day supply of common generic prescription drugs for $4. About 10 percent of drugs on the lists of hundreds available under the program were excluded because of Colorado law.

"Clearly one of the goals of the new Democratic administration and Legislature is to take advantage of cost savings for consumers in certain areas," said Jim Hertel, a health care industry analyst and president of the HealthCare Corporation of America.

The downside of the legislation, he said, is "it clearly creates an economic advantage for those companies who can afford to provide services at a loss."

The affordability and accessiblity of prescription drugs is one of AARP's top priorities, said Morie Smile, spokeswoman. While the association that serves seniors did not take a position on this particular bill, Smile said AARP does back initiatives such as the use of generics across the board and multistate buying pools.

A taste of New York may be coming to Springs

Johnny’s Lunch, a 71-year-old dining institution in Jamestown, N.Y, has ambitious expansion plans — and Colorado Springs is part of those plans.

Johnny’s has just begun to expand; the first Johnny’s restaurant outside Jamestown is set to open Tuesday in Toledo, Ohio. George Goulson, Johnny’s chief development officer, said there are commitments for more than 100 franchises and he expects to have deals for 500 by the end of the year.

Johnny’s is in talks with a Colorado Springs group to build 14 or so restaurants in the Springs area, he said. Goulson was in town recently for the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference and Expo 2007 at The Broadmoor hotel.

“We have had a number of people that have shown interest in various parts of Colorado, including Denver, but we haven’t begun discussions yet with them,” Goulson said. “We are in serious discussions with the Colorado Springs group.”

Johnny’s menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, shakes and rice pudding, with carryout and sit-down service.

Time to discover Colorado

Colorado residents can enjoy special packages and rates across the state next week and beyond in celebration of Discover Colorado Week, April 30 to May 4. The Colorado Tourism Office has listed more than 40 offers on www.colorado.com for travelers who want to do a little exploring in their own back yard. A few examples: Vail Valley Partnership is offering a golf and lodging package starting at $81.25 per person, per night through May 31, valid at any Destination Resorts Vail property. Pueblo’s Abriendo Inn, meanwhile, is offering a special rate of $99 per night during May.

Grand opening for Skin Deep Colorado

Is Colorado’s dry air and bountiful sun taking a toll on your skin? Skin Deep Colorado (www.skindeepcolorado.com), a physican-directed skin-care center, has its grand-opening celebration 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Services include Botox and skin-filler injections, laser therapy, intense pulse-light microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Skin Deep Colorado is in the Penrose Community Hospital Professional Building, 3207 N. Academy Blvd., Suite 309.

Free shredding day

If you’ve been meaning to shred some documents, Friday is your chance to “letter rip.” The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is offering free document shredding 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 317 East Kiowa St. Haul up to five boxes of documents to docuVault’s shredding truck in the church parking lot. The destruction company is nationally certified and does not accept plastics, cardboard, newspapers or magazines.

Nissan land deal final

The sale of 13.5 acres of land to South Colorado Springs Nissan was finalized Tuesday, giving a green light for the dealership to build a new store on Academy Park Loop, near Fountain and South Academy boulevards.

The dealer purchased the land from General Dynamics Corp. for an undisclosed price, said Candace Seaton, a broker with Grubb & Ellis/Quantum Commercial Group in Colorado Springs.

“It’s a great location – there are other car dealerships in the area, and a new dealership will be a good economic boost for South Academy Boulevard,” Seaton said. A development plan has been completed, and construction should begin soon. The dealership will relocate from its current location at 175 N. Academy Blvd.

Costco, Lowe's on schedule to open on North Nevada Avenue

Costco Wholesale Club and Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse remain on track to go to North Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs as part of a redevelopment project.

Costco and Lowe's will anchor the 80-acre, 650,000-square-foot University Village shopping center planned by Springs developer Kevin Kratt and his partners northwest of Nevada and Garden of the Gods Road. Kratt, Costco and Lowe's submitted a development plan -- a document that spells out specifics such as store location, parking and other project features -- to Colorado Springs officials in March. The plan likely will go to the Colorado Springs Planning Commission in a few months. Assuming approvals are received, Costco and Lowe’s probably will complete the purchase of their store sites in September, Kratt said. Construction would begin soon thereafter, with completion of the stores in late 2008 or early 2009, he added.

Strategic Networking group gaining in popularity

Business networking in a "speed dating" format is becoming a popular way to make contacts, get leads and promote businesses.

Colorado Springs Strategic Networking started in March with a fast-paced networking event and has scheduled these monthly sessions:

• April 26
• May 24
• June 28

During the event, 24 people meet in a round-robin setup and spend five minutes with each person. Only one person per industry is allowed to be represented.

For more information, contact Robin Botzler at 650-9890.