A Week In Business

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A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week at the new Seaside Village, a new residential community located at the intersection of Route 50 and Inlet Isle Lane in West Ocean City. Above Lennar officials are joined by Senator Jim Mathias as well as representatives of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Jeanette Deskiewicz

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The new Pilates and Holistic Wellness Studio, owned by Kelly Hughes Roberts, was celebrated last month with a ribbon cutting organized by the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce.

New Community

Comes To West OC

OCEAN CITY — National award-winning homebuilder Lennar is bringing its innovative Everything’s Included!® (EI) concept to Ocean City with its newest community, Seaside Village, located at the intersection of Route 50 (Ocean Gateway) and Inlet Isle Lane.

Seaside Village offers luxury waterfront townhomes at a beautiful bayside location about a mile from the beach and a short drive from the nightlife, shopping, dining, fishing and marinas of Ocean City.

Everything’s Included!® is a feature of Lennar homes where all of the most requested options and extras are included at no additional cost, from granite countertops and upgraded cabinetry to hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and 58-inch linear fireplaces.

“We asked thousands of buyers to name the options and extras they would like most in their homes,” said Brian McManus, Director of Operations at Lennar. “Then, we simply included them. When you walk through our beautifully furnished models, you won’t have to wonder what’s included and what is additional. What you see is what you get — and what you get is a great value.”

Seaside Village will feature 63 townhomes with three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a recreation room and 2,090 square feet of living space plus a two-car garage. Residents also may enjoy a community clubhouse and outdoor swimming pool. Private boat slips are available.

Seaside Village is the latest community in Maryland built by Lennar. Founded in 1954, Lennar is a national award-winning builder renowned for construction, design and customer satisfaction. Lennar also makes the home buying process easier by offering its own mortgage and title services via Universal American Mortgage Company (UAMC) and North American Title Company respectively.

Pricing at Seaside Village is competitive, with townhomes starting in the upper $200,000s.

For more information on the community, visit www.LennarMD.com or contact New Home Consultant Rick Cheetham at 302-540-0309 or [email protected]. Seaside Village is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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CAR Adds Staff Member

BERLIN – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) announced that Sarah Rayne has joined its staff as the new Government and Public Affairs Director to provide representation of local REALTORS® at government meetings and events in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties.

Rayne comes to CAR with a strong background in journalism, most recently working as a news reporter for The Sussex Countian in Georgetown, Del. She has also worked as a news reporter for The Daily Times in Salisbury and The Wave and Coast Press newspapers in Bethany Beach, Del. Rayne graduated magna cum laude from Salisbury University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus in Journalism and Public Relations. She is originally from Chestertown and now lives in Salisbury with her husband, Ben.

“I am excited and ready for this new challenge and opportunity to work with the CAR team,” Rayne said. “We plan to strengthen our presence in our communities, representing the best interest of the local real estate industry and becoming the strongest and most accurate source of information for REALTORS® and consumers.”

Sheila Dodson, executive director of CAR, said Rayne’s wealth of knowledge and experience in working with local government in her capacity as a reporter will be highly valuable to CAR as the organization expands its advocacy for the real estate industry on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

“We view Sarah’s appointment as a sign of our commitment to bolstering the local real estate industry and protecting the rights of local private property owners,” Dodson said. “Sarah will be very active in working with members and staff to determine which candidates in the upcoming elections will best represent the needs of local REALTORS® and consumers. Legislative advocacy is a large piece of CAR’s value proposition and commitment to our members because promoting the right causes in government helps build and keep our market strong. I’m confident Sarah will play a key role in assisting CAR to further service the local real estate industry through an active and vibrant role in community government and events.”

CAR is the leading local advocacy group in the real estate industry on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. CAR works in partnership with its members to promote home ownership and preserve, protect and advocate private property rights. The organization supports 1,000 REALTORS® who serve Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Retirement In OC

OCEAN CITY — William “Bryan” Bishop Jr. has retired after over 25 years with the Town of Ocean City. Bishop, who began working for the Fire Department in 1989, spent his career as the as a firefighter/EMT.

Working his way through the ranks, Bishop served as a shift sergeant and second lieutenant before being promoted to captain. While his formal responsibilities included providing emergency first response to the residents and visitors of Ocean City, he also served on the departments Equipment Committee.

“I wish to thank the career and volunteer members of the Ocean City Fire Department for all of their support over the past 27 years,” said Bishop. “They are a group of dedicated and honorable individuals and they will be missed.”

Prior to working full time for the Town of Ocean City, Bishop worked part time for the department for two years. During retirement, Bishop will be entering into a new career endeavor with his family. “I have been a Funeral Director for 16 years and my wife Amy and I have purchased the Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville DE,” Bishop said. “We along with our sons will be running the family based business.”

Wellness Studio Opens

BETHANY BEACH — Kelly Hughes Roberts finally made it official last month with a Bethany-Fenwick Chamber Ribbon Cutting for her brand new Pilates and Holistic Wellness Studio that opened in South Bethany Beach, Del. in April.

Roberts’ studio offers an array of Pilates and yoga as well as many other Holistic practices. Beach Pilates and Wellness offers private one-on-one personal training on tower reformers, Pilates mat, springboard, ballet barre, and yoga classes. During the summer months, she offers a kids class for ages 5-13 as well as five beach classes on the pristine beaches of Ocean City and Bethany Beach. You can soak up the sun, sand, and salt air while taking a personally instructed Pilates class overlooking the ocean. Classes run from May to September, Monday through Friday mornings.

Other holistic services provided at the studio include nutrition counseling, raw food demonstrations, essential oils educating, guest speakers, health and wellness seminars, and a boutique filled with yoga and Pilates apparel and accessories, cookbooks, and organic packaged goods and soaps.

Roberts is a Body Arts and Science International Certified Pilates Instructor. She has nine years of teaching experience specializing in Pre and Post-Natal, athletes, rehabilitation and clients with chronic illness. She is also an AADP (American Association of Drugless Practitioners) Certified Holistic Health Coach, Certified Raw Chef, and Master Gardener. Roberts is also the author of two cookbooks.

“I mentored and worked alongside my mom, who has had her own Pilates studio in Salisbury for over 10 years now. I learned a lot from her in the seven years I was with her, she is a physical therapist assistant so she has always had a huge health background so I owe it to her for all the knowledge and rehabilitation background I have now,” Roberts said. “I had a lot of clients I was traveling around the area to their homes doing private sessions and I just decided it was time to open my own studio and have a place where I could offer everything I do in one location. The community, chamber, and my clients have been so supportive and excited. I love that everyone is so enthusiastic and embracing.”

Roberts teaches total wellness by incorporating nutrition, health, cooking, gardening and fitness into her practice.

“The studio provides a place where you could get a more personal and intimate experience for a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

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Breaking ground on the new First Shore Federal branch are, from left, Ken Adams, Melvin Joseph Construction; Bob Stickels, First Shore Federal Board member; John Thoroughgood, Vice Mayor, Town of Millsboro; Dwight Miller, President, Gillis Gilkerson; Judy Schwartz, Senior VP, George Miles & Buhr; Vance Phillips, Sussex County Councilman; and Marty Neat, President & CEO, First Shore Federal.

New Bank Branch Planned

SALISBURY — First Shore Federal Savings & Loan Association, headquartered in Salisbury, broke ground on its ninth branch on Lower Delmarva on June 25.

“We are proud of our record as a community bank and responsible corporate citizen, and we look forward to demonstrating that record to the people of this area over the next months and years,” said Marty Neat, president and CEO.

Joining First Shore Federal board members, officers and staff at the ground breaking were representatives of the Town of Millsboro, Sussex County and Delaware Economic Development Office as well as the contractor, Gillis Gilkerson, subcontractor, Melvin Joseph Company, and design firm George Miles and Buhr.

“I’m particularly excited that First Shore chose Millsboro for its new branch site,” said Bob Stickels, First Shore board member and Sussex County resident. “We’ve felt so welcome here throughout the process – and I wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

First Shore Federal, with nearly $300 million in assets, has held a rating of “outstanding” for community reinvestment from its federal regulatory agencies for more than 15 years.

Del. License Earned

SALISBURY — Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate has announced that Bob Rich of the Alder Land Group has earned a Delaware real estate license.

As a land advisor, Rich already holds a Maryland real estate license.

“By earning his Delaware real estate license, Bob is now able to better serve his clients throughout the Delmarva region with his expanded knowledge of the market,” said SVN-Miller Managing Director Brent Miller.

Rich joined SVN-Miller in January 2014 to work with Ben Alder of the Alder Land Group. He holds a BS in Agriculture from the University of Delaware and has worked for numerous agricultural firms over the course of his career.

New Branch Opens

OCEAN CITY — Hampton Roads Bankshares, Inc., the holding company for The Bank of Hampton Roads, announced the opening of a new Shore Bank branch at 9748 Stephen Decatur Highway in West Ocean City. It’s the bank’s third branch on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Collectively, the new branch team has several decades of banking and local experience.

Branch Manager Laurie Isaacs has over 25 years of banking experience, most recently serving at Bank of Ocean City as Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and Assistant Vice President.

The team also includes Customer Service Representative Jackie Geiger and Personal Banker Sarah Wagner, who each have over 10 years of banking and customer service experience.

Douglas J. Glenn, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of Hampton Roads Bankshares, said, “Our ‘One Bank’ strategy is about experienced bankers providing personal attention to families and businesses in the communities we serve, and our new Ocean City branch is another important step toward delivering on our commitment. Laurie, Jackie and Sarah all have strong roots in Ocean City and a long and outstanding track record of banking experience, and we are excited to have them on our team.”

Shore Bank’s new branch will offer a full range of community and commercial banking services, targeting the needs of individuals and businesses. The branch will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon.

Lease Announced

SALISBURY – Brent Miller, Senior Advisor and Managing Director of Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate in Salisbury, has announced the lease of 840 South Salisbury Blvd. in Salisbury.

The 2,853-square-foot free-standing building was previously occupied by Quizno’s and has been leased by H&R Block for a seven-year term. John Hays of H&R Block states,

“We are excited about this new prominent location with high visibility on Route 13. H&R Block will be open all year to turn tax worries into tax relief,” said John Hays of H&R Block.