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| Stevens Point Journal September 17, 2005 Section: Local Page: A1 East side welcomes niche stores BY CARLOS GIESEKEN Journal staff The east side of Stevens Point seems to be a world of its own. Set off the highway and not in the public eye, Parkdale Plaza has slowly become a major retail development area with classy store fronts and a mix of big-name and niche stores, all in a beautiful setting. "We've tried to keep it upscale because it's the entryway to Stevens Point from the east," said Bill Bayba of Parkdale Development. "We wanted to give a favorable impression of the city." The 222 acres where two farms once stood are now occupied by the construction site of the Holiday Inn & Convention Center, apartment buildings, single-family homes, duplexes and retail and restaurants in few well-designed strip malls. "When you stand and look at the complex, they're all complementary," said Andrew Halverson, owner of Andrew's Limited, a high-end men's clothing store. "They're an interesting and specialized set of stores." Terry Eichmann moved Glacier Bay to the location four months ago and feels it's a great location for shoppers looking for specialized, locally owned shops. "It's a great place because people who like to shop specialty stores have a single location to come to," she said. Glacier Bay is a coffee shop, ice cream parlor and cooking school. Cooking classes are taught for bread-baking, soups and ethnic foods, among others. From Keke's Kitchen, owned by the Sotiros family, is a boutique-style pet bakery and pet store. Everything from cat litter to handmade dog leashes, shampoos and fragrances are available to pamper a favorite family pet. "I loved the location because it is appropriate for an upscale store," said Keke Sotiros of the store's surroundings. "It was a location we could blend in with." Keke, her daughter, Stephanie, and husband, Leo, own and run the store, which stocks high-end grooming supplies, food and other pet needs. The family bakes nutritious treats for cats and dogs using all-natural ingredients. Bayba said the businesses will benefit from spin-off business once the new convention center is completed. "We've got conventions booked with upwards of 1,200 and 1,500 people," he said. "It's really going to help the area thrive." Jaime Stepan and Melissa Kedrowicz recently opened their women's clothing and accessories store, Pink Boutique. "It's a growing area, and we're very excited about the hotel going up behind us," Stepan said. Store owners are excited about the improved access the new intersection and road to be constructed on Highway 10 between Amber Avenue and Badger Avenue will give them. "That's going to be something I'm really looking forward to, because we're going to have a lot of convention traffic going in and out of there, and I think that stop light is a must," Bayba said. Gieseken can be reached at 345-2253 or cgieseken@cwnews.net ________________________________________ Copyright (c) Stevens Point Journal. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc. | |||||
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