Allegiant Air gets national write up by AP

Looking at the headlines today, we noticed this Associated Press story about Allegiant Air. Older planes, seats that don't recline ... Who cares as long as the fares are cheap?

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=25784831&nid=157

Business Review seeking nominations for Money Makers program

The Idaho Business Review is taking nominations through Aug. 1 for its Money Makers program, designed to recognize 20 financial professionals whose work has set the pace for their company and the state.

Eastern Idahoans routinely don't show up on lists like this not because this is a region devoid of talent but because the word never seems to reach a wide number of people here. Perhaps this post will make up for the deficit. Whatever the case, it can't hurt, right?

Honorees will be selected based on industry, community involvement, achievement and innovative ideas. Their work should offer a peerless example of professionalism to their peers.

Honorees will be recognized in four categories:

• Banking: Mortgage lenders, bank executives, credit officers, loan officers.
• Corporate: Chief financial officers, comptrollers.
• Investment: Stockbrokers, financial advisers, financial planners, investment executives.
• Professional: Public accountants, auditors, financial educators, financial analysts.

Nominations for the 2013 program are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 1 and can be submitted online by clicking here: Money Makers nomination form.

To learn more about event reservations, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, contact IBR Publisher Sean Evans at (208) 639-3512 or email him at sean.evans@idahobusinessreview.com.

Horrocks Engineers opening office in Idaho Falls at Snake River Landing

Horrocks Engineers will be opening a new office in Idaho Falls at 901 Pier View Drive Suite 205 in Snake River Landing. The company will occupy approximately 1,400 square feet on the second level of the building.

Founded by Gilbert Horrocks in 1968, Horrocks is one of Utah's leading civil engineering firms. The company designs and builds roadways, water systems, treatment plants, utilities. Headquartered in Pleasant Grove, it has 12 locations, in Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada. The Idaho Falls office is the second in Idaho,, following Nampa.

The new office is being managed by Clint  Boyle, who has 18 years experience in all stages of land development working with developers, architects, government agencies and other regulatory entities. Boyles’s specialized knowledge of planning and development spans both public and private sectors. In the 1990s he was employed by the city of Idaho Idaho Falls Planning and Building Department.

“After growing up in the Idaho Falls area, I am excited to now have the opportunity to open a branch office for Horrocks Engineers here,” he said. "With the depth and breadth of Horrocks’ services supporting this office and my familiarity with the area, we will provide exceptional services.”

For more information about Horrocks Engineers, contact Boyle at (208) 522-1223.

Town & Country Gardens plans remodel for 50th anniversary

Town & Country Gardens owner John Crook

Town & Country Gardens' 50th anniversary will be next year, and for the occasion owner John Crook hopes to have a remodel done that will expand the business both in size and purpose.

Crook's father, Howard, started the nursery in 1964 on three acres of ground south of Idaho Falls. Today, Town and Country covers seven acres, with 11,000 square feet of green house space, 8,000 in shade house and 8,000 in storage.

Having survived the last five years, when the market for landscaping collapsed alongside new home construction, Crook said they are on an even keel. The plan for expansion is one that has been in the works for a long time. The front buildings will be torn down to make room for more parking and the front of the business will be where the shade houses now are. There will be more pooling in the greenhouses, and better climate control for the really hot times of the year.

Crook had thought the remodel would be farther advanced, but the architects and engineers have have presented him with surprises from time to time. At one point they were telling him that it would be more expensive to remodel than it would be to tear everything down and rebuild, but they have since learned they don't have to meet any different codes in the county to put the buildings to new uses.

As if Crook doesn't have enough on his mind, he is also opening a fudge and popcorn shop, Aunt Annie's Kitchen, in the Teton Spectrum near the Edwards Cinema. He said he got the idea from someone he met last year during a meeting in Chicago.

Two-thirds of the building's 1,200 square feet will be devoted to kitchen space, the other third to retail. There will be close to 50 flavors of popcorn, 30 flavors of taffy,12 flavors of fudge and 10 different brands of root beer.

"I think it's going to do well," Crook said.

Bakery opening on First Street; Happy Chinese, Idaho Youth Ranch plan moves

Here are a few more tidbits gleaned today from my visit to the Idaho Falls Building Department office and keeping my eyes and ears open as I go about my business

F.J ."Tiger" and Neccia Hahn, are remodeling a house at 335 First Street into Buttercup Bakery and Bistro. They hired Alderson Karst and Mitro of Idaho Falls for the redesign, and when finished the project will be 977 square feet. Neccia Hahn recently spent time in Northern California to learn the ins and outs of making artisinal bread.

The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buttercup-Bakery-Bistro.

Happy Chinese Restaurant has filed plans to relocate to 504 Shoup Avenue, where the Grand Victoria Wedding and Reception Center used to be. The floor plan features seating for 135.

Idaho Youth Ranch is planning to relocate its thrift store from 478 Shoup Avenue to the vacant Honk's 99 location on Woodruff Avenue next to WinCo Foods. More floor space, more parking. The opening date of the new store has been set for Aug. 3.

We'll be reporting more on this as the summer progresses.