WOODLAWN — Image Arts Etc., a digital age venture that combines photo-related services, has opened at 10579 Springfield Pike, in the Glenwood Crossing Shopping Center.

        It's the first Ohio franchise of a company started in San Diego by Tony DeSio, founder of Mail Boxes Etc. Franchise owner Todd Simmons describes his shop as “a new store concept that harnesses digital imaging technology to consolidate the portrait studio, frame shop, sign shop and art gallery under one roof.”

        Mr. Simmons said photographs can be restored and enhanced. Prints can be digitally reproduced on many fabric and hard objects. Image Arts Etc. also provides custom framing.

        Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

        Information: 771-3877

Marketing company wins trade awards
               Marketing communications and design firm Three + Associates won three of a possible eight Gold Awards from the local chapter of the Business Marketing Association. The annual competition was held May 16.

        The Mount Auburn agency won awards for Wingspan, the employee magazine for Broadwing Inc., the 1999 annual report for Federated Department Stores, and public relations and sales promotional materials developed for the Candle-lite company.

        Three + Associates also received two Silver Spotlight Awards from BMA.

        Founded in 1968, the agency employs 11 people and serves a variety of regional and national clients.

        Information: 621-8100.

XU consultant launches service
               WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Bob Jewell, a former management consultant with an international engineering and architectural firm, has launched his own consulting service, Omega Leadership Group.

        The firm helps clients in the areas of strategic planning, project management, continuous improvement, leadership development, team building and customer service.

        “The key to success in tough times is having a clear understanding of what your company can do better than any other company in the world,” Mr. Jewell said.

        He is a consultant with Xavier University's Consulting Group and is a guest lecturer for Xavier's MBA program.

        Information: 759-4919 or jewell@one.net

Store specializes in handmade shoes

               SPRINGDALE — Diane Roemke has opened the first San Antonio Shoemaker (SAS) Comfort Shoe Store in the Greater Cincinnati area. The shop specializes in handmade shoes for women and men, leather handbags and men's leather belts.

        “SAS offers male and female customers handcrafted leather shoes made the old-fashioned way by hand,” Ms. Roemke explained. “The Diabetic Association approves our walking shoe because of added toe depth. Believe it or not, we actually measure your feet to assure the correct size and width.”

        San Antonio Shoemaker is at 12195 Princeton Pike, a quarter-mile north of Tri-County Mall. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

        Information: 671-7463.

Architect firms agree to merge

               Two architectural firms have announced a merger, expected to be completed in August. Downtown firm Brandstetter Carroll Inc. and Fairfax-based Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum will combine to become one architectural engineering company. The new entity will be called Brandstetter Carroll-PKG. The Fairfax office of Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum will remain open. BCI's offices are at 424 E. Fourth St.

        The company said it does not expect to trim any jobs from its combined work force of more than 110. BCI's Lawrence Brandstetter will be president/CEO of he new entity; PKG's Jack Pflum will be COO.

        PKG's recent projects include work on the Fifth Street/Columbia Parkway viaduct, Rookwood Commons and the Cintas Center. BCI has worked on Harbor Point at Winton Woods, the DHL hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the aviation education building at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

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