COVINGTON - Custom-roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries are the order of the day at a new espresso bar.

The Mad Cup, at 514 Madison Ave., brewed its official first pot Friday at a grand opening sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Its beans are roasted in batches by a local coffee specialist. Other beverages include fruit smoothies and teas.

The Mad Cup's pastries are locally made and include muffins, cookies, brownies, cakes and cheesecakes. Patrons can take advantage of The Mad Cup's wireless Internet service. The cafe is open Monday-Saturday.

Information: (859) 491-CUPP (2877) or www.themadcup.com.

Kolache Factory franchise to open

MASON - An Eastern European treat will soon be available at a new franchise operation.

Kolache Factory is popularizing a modern version of the kolache, a traditional pastry roll stuffed with anything from fruit to meat. The company, headquartered in Houston, has sold its first Ohio franchise to Bruce Allen and Richard Boiman, who will open their Mason eatery Oct. 29. Kolache Factory locations are located in Texas, Indianapolis, Denver and St. Louis. Other franchises will open soon in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Minnesota.

Because kolaches can be stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, they can be eaten at any meal, say the new franchise owners.

Their menu includes gourmet coffees and a variety of traditional pastries such as croissants, strudel and cinnamon rolls.

8250 Arbor Square Drive. Information: www.kolachefactory.com.

Parts center remodeled for picture frames

SPRINGDALE - A former NAPA auto parts distribution center has been completely remodeled to house a picture frame manufacturer and retailer.

Frame USA Inc. is moving its operations from Evendale to 225 Northland Blvd. The newly renovated facility is scheduled to open Friday.

Owner Daniel P. Regenold said the NAPA building's 80,000-square-foot space will house his picture frame production facility, which employs 50 people, and a retail store. The new building is also home to Frame USA's sister company, Posterservice Inc., which is a nationwide distributor and publisher of posters and art prints that are sold in retail stores and college bookstores across the United States.

Information: (513) 577-7100.

New clinic caters to hard-of-hearing

GREEN TOWNSHIP - Help for the hard-of-hearing will be available at a clinic scheduled to open Nov. 1.

Audiologist Laurie DeWine will provide diagnostic and treatment services for children and adults at The Place for Better Hearing, 3302 Westbourne Drive. She will also sell a full line of Starkey digital hearing aids and products, such as vibrating alarm clocks and amplified telephones.

DeWine has treated deaf and hearing-impaired children and adults for 25 years and founded the Northern Kentucky group Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People. She also has conducted seminars on the Americans with Disabilities Act and gives talks to educate the public about assistive listening devices.

Information: (513) 922-0123.

Truepoint Capital founder on adviser list

BLUE ASH - An area financial expert has been named to Worth magazine's 2004 list: "The Nation's 100 Most Exclusive Wealth Advisors."

This is the 10th such recognition for Michael J. Chasnoff, CFP, founder and president of Truepoint Capital. Worth first published such a list in 1994.

Truepoint Capital was listed also in Bloomberg Wealth Manager's 2004 list of top wealth managers.

"Being consistently included among the nation's elite firms offers tangible proof that our effort to provide clients with an integrated suite of skilled services is succeeding," said Chasnoff.

Truepoint Capital, a fee-only wealth management firm, was founded as Advanced Capital Strategies in 1990. The firm's principal services are financial planning, investment management, tax planning and preparation, pension management and family office and estate and trust services. It is at 4901 Hunt Road, Suite 200.

Information: (513) 792-6644 or www.truepointcapital.com.

Toy seller promoted to group manager

FAIRFIELD - A local representative of Discovery Toys has been promoted to group manager and has launched her own Web site.

Maureen Everhart, who sells the popular toy line through home parties and direct sales, has gone online to better reach customers and provide more information about her products.

Information: (513) 939-0997 or www.mytoystore.org.

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