The site work going on next door to the new and nearly complete LaQuinta Inn and Suites at 908 E. Hawkins Parkway is to make way for a new Longview location of BancorpSouth.
The institution has a Longview branch at 3120 H.G. Mosley Parkway along with two Marshall locations, according to Troy Moore, president of the Longview branch.
The location of a bank at the site will place four financial institutions in close proximity to the intersection of North Fourth Street and Hawkins Parkway. Already in existence are Regions Bank and Citizens National Bank.
In the early stages of construction is a new location for Texas National Bank, which will be located a little west of the new BancorpSouth location at the north entrance of The Home Depot at Hawkins Parkway.
A formal business
Gowns of Distinction, 3104-C Gilmer Road, has new owners in Wendy Ravellette and Amber Jacks.
The entrepreneurs said owning a shop like the one they purchased on July 1 has been a longtime dream. They stand ready to work with brides-to-be, young women looking for the perfect prom dress and in meeting other needs for formal occasions.
The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with plans to expand those hours to include Mondays beginning Aug. 18. Jacks and Ravellette said they will be adding a new line of formal wear, to include mothers' dresses and seasonal wear, soon.
They plan to have a Web site up and running in coming weeks and can be reached (903) 295-1779.
Consignment event
Repeats Are Neat, a seasonal consignment event, is looking for participants for its fifth sale beginning Aug. 7.
Sellers make 70 percent, minus a $10 fee, according to owners Carie Barthelemess and Kelly Plunk.
They will accept "gently used" children's clothing and other children's items, as well as maternity clothes, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 2 and 3, at their sale location, 1022 McCann Road in Longview.
They said whatever is left by the end of the three-day sale at 3 p.m. Aug. 9, can either be picked up or left for donation to charity.
For specific information on labeling items or other information, visit www.repeatsareneat.com; or call Barthelemess at (903) 987-1161.
White Oak growth
Debbie Sadler, director of economic development for White Oak, said the city has been busy on a number of fronts.
Several existing businesses are expanding.
Businesses expanding include Precision Water Cut Services, now on U.S. 80, with plans to move to Cherokee Trace Business Park; while O & D Manufacturing and Great American Coil are planning expansions in coming months, Sadler said.
Construction for a new home Signature Pools and Spas is well under way in Willow Lake Business Park, 1600 E. U.S. 80. On the retail front, Mekka Wells recently opened Roughneck Video on White Oak Drive and Cup of Joe, a coffee shop, opened on U.S. 80.
Sadler said the city has had preliminary contact from the potential developers of a Hampton Inn expressing interest in doing a market study for possibly locating a hotel property in White Oak.
Mike Elswick is the business editor of the News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737 or melswick@longview-news.com.
