The Enquirer

PRICE HILL - The West Side has a new coffeehouse that is designed to be a gathering spot as well as a purveyor of memorable coffee.

Front Porch Coffeehouse, at 5245 Glenway Ave., is the project of a group of West Side friends who recently asked each other, "Why not a coffeehouse on the West Side?"

The cafe is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until its grand opening on Labor Day, when the hours will expand. Besides coffee beverages and pastries, the Front Porch has Internet access and a real front porch.

Information: (513) 471-JAVA (5282).

New company helps clients get organized

COLERAIN TWP. - Three designing women have teamed up to help clients organize and decorate their living spaces.

The Assistant Product Group Inc. has been launched by Amy Moeller, Jayne Moening and Tina Lainhart. The three have complementary experience in product research and development, interior decorating, sales and marketing, retail store prototyping and business operations.

The new company is starting by selling its products online nationally and will add retail components this fall. The first product, the Decorating Assistant, is an organizer for folks involved in a home remodeling or decorating project. The product is a carry-all holder for fabric samples, tape measure, tools and even a magnetic floor plan with furniture pieces.

Other products are in development. The founders are seeking investment capital for expansion.

Information: (513) 616-3528, info@assistantproductgroup.com, or www.decoratingassistant.com.

Fitness center closes; another offers help

WEST CHESTER - Members of a fitness center that recently closed can continue their workouts at another business.

According to Curves Fitness Center owner Carol Mitchell, women who belonged to Slender Lady Fitness Center in Union Centre Pavilion may bring proof of membership - either their contract or their key tag - to a Curves Fitness Center in either Liberty Township or West Chester Township and receive full membership benefits with no sign-up fee.

Information: (513) 759-1555.

Aquarium Adventure opens Mason store

MASON - There's water, water everywhere at a new pet specialty store.

Aquarium Adventure opened this weekend at the new Deerfield Towne Center shopping plaza, 5145 Deerfield Blvd. The store carries a broad range of freshwater and marine fish, goldfish, corals and aquatic plants.

"Our goal at Aquarium Adventure is to offer the finest fish and fish supply selection with service and expertise unsurpassed," said co-franchisee Bill Wynard, a marine biologist.

The Cincinnati-area Aquarium Adventure store is the fourth of its kind in the United States. Other Aquarium Adventure locations are on New York's Long Island and in Cleveland and Columbus. The company is a subsidiary of Chillicothe-based Petland Inc.

All fish, plants and invertebrates are shown in professional displays like those in public aquariums, Wynard said. The tanks are arranged by continent. One goal of Aquarium Adventures is to educate the public and encourage fish fanciers to be responsible aquatic pet owners.

The new store can help customers create anything from a simple goldfish habitat to a sophisticated tank of tropical fish.

Information: (513) 770-4222.

Banquet facility new in Park Hills

PARK HILLS - The McHale family is ready to roll out its newest banquet facility.

Friday was the grand opening of The Gardens of Park Hills, 1622 Dixie Highway. McHale Catering & Event Specialists recently completed a renovation of the former Wood Brothers' Smokehouse and Grill, which the company purchased in May 2003.

Part of the new banquet facility has been open while the lower level was still under construction.

The facility houses the Tuscan-themed Vista Room as well as the Arbor Room, a freshly redone space with a large dance floor.

McHale's Catering also owns and operates The Marquise Banquet & Conference Center and The Point Pavilion.

Information: (859) 442-7776 or www.kycater.com.

Laser therapy offered to help quit smoking

SPRINGDALE - A new clinic offers a relatively new approach to quitting smoking: laser therapy.

The technique is not widely used in the United States, but is now available at the Anne Penman Laser Therapy Center.

"This technology has been extremely successful in the U.K. since the early 1990s," said Ted Wade, the center's health and wellness program director.

Anne Penman Laser Therapy is seeking FDA approval.

Wade said the treatment involves applying a cold, soft laser beam to specific pressure points on the hands, ears, nose and wrists, which promotes the release of endorphins.

The treatment also involves counseling and 24-hour helpline support.

The therapy center is at 135 Merchant St., suite 135, main lobby. It is part of a network of centers that promote the technique developed in 1992 by Anne Penman in Scotland.

Information: (513) 772-9355 or www.annepenmanlasertherapy.com.

School's retail store hires new manager

WINTON PLACE - A private school's retail store has hired a new manager.

Christine Masur is now in charge of The Magic Meadow, located at The Cincinnati Waldorf School. One of her objectives is to expand the shop's customer base beyond school families.

The Magic Meadow reflects the Waldorf School's holistic and multi-sensory emphasis in its merchandise mix. It sells creative, "open-ended" toys made of natural fibers and materials, art and handwork supplies, books and gift items. It also carries a line of products crafted by developmentally disabled residents of the Camphill Village community in New York state.

It is located at the back of the parking lot on the Cincinnati Waldorf School campus, 745 Derby Ave.

Information: (513) 542-9669.

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E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com or fax (513) 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about neighborhood businesses.