Business Briefs

Small Business Giveaway
Following this year’s devastating hurricanes, it is even more important to support Englewood’s small businesses on Saturday, November 30 during Small Business Saturday. As an added incentive to shop local this year, the Englewood Chamber of Commerce is holding a giveaway with a great prize: four tickets to the Atlanta Braves game in the LECOM Legends Club VIP area on Tuesday, March 4th. To be entered in the drawing, make a purchase at five Englewood small businesses/restaurants on Small Business Saturday and bring your receipts (must be from five different local businesses) on Monday, December 2 to the Chamber, 601 S. Indiana Avenue. For questions, call 941•474•5511.

Crews Bank and Trust is excited to share the finalized design of the 4,620 square foot bank building that will replace the existing storm-damaged Englewood branch at 1111 S. McCall Road. Demolition of the current building will begin in the coming weeks, and construction of the new branch is set to begin in Spring 2025. The new branch will offer an enhanced customer experience, blending the bank’s tradition with innovation. Customers can look forward to private offices for consultations with personal bankers and lenders, a welcoming lobby, safe deposit box options and a redesigned teller line. The new building will also feature a convenient attached Drive-Thru. Throughout the demolition and construction phases, the existing Drive-Thru will continue to serve customers.

Estate-Planning Seminars
Christine Hause, Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist, and Kerry Hunter, Senior Wealth Strategist, have scheduled free estate-planning seminars during the month of December at Crews Bank & Trust locations. The following seminars will be offered in Englewood at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, 601 S. Indiana Avenue. “Florida Residency and Will & Trust Settlement, the Benefits of Becoming a Floridian and Estate Administration Tips”, will be Monday, December 2, 10-11:30am. Explore the benefits of being a Floridian, including homestead advantage. Review the steps to settle a last will and/or trust for both Florida and out-of-state documents. “Basic Estate Planning: Last Will & Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directives” will be offered on Tuesday, December 3, 10-11:30am. Learn about the fundamental tools of a proper estate plan and the pitfalls to avoid. If you can’t make these seminars, they are also offered at other branches. Go to crews.bank to see the schedule. The following seminar is offered only at the branch locations given. “Building a Better Estate Plan”, Top Ten Tips from a Trust Officer’s Perspective”, is Wednesday, December 11, 10-11:30am at the Crews Bank, Punta Gorda Branch, 2331 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda.. and on Wednesday, December 18, 10-11:30am, at both the Crews Bank Venice branch 207 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice and Crews Bank North Port branch, 4300 Aidan Lane, North Port. Topics include revocable and irrevocable trusts, and best practices for IRAs. Discover various strategies for safely and efficiently passing wealth to the next generation and/or charities. Registration is available at any Crews Bank & Trust office, online at crews.bank, or call Linda at 941•624•1943

Social Security Basics & Medicare 101
Do you have questions about Social Security and Medicare? It can be confusing and overwhelming when you start to research for fact-based and individualized answers for your life. Pope Insurance wants to help clear the confusion by offering a free seminar on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7pm at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, 601 S. Indiana Avenue. The December seminar will be Wednesday, December 4th. This free, educational and no obligation presentation includes an overview on Social Security and Medicare to help you understand your options and timelines so you can make the best choices for you. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A so you can get the answers you need. No reservations needed. Learn more at popeinsurance.com or call 941•475•6766. 

Spring Training Job Fair
The Atlanta Braves will host a Spring Training Job Fair to fill seasonal part-time and internship positions on Wednesday, December 11, 4 to 8pm at the CoolToday Park stadium, 18800 S. West Villages Pkwy., Venice. Applicants must apply online at CoolTodayPark.com/jobs prior to the event. Applicants must enter through gate 1 on the day of the event.

Reid’s Health Foods celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon-cutting by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce on November 14th at 1833 Englewood Road in Lemon Bay Plaza. Sisters Kim and Toni carry on the legacy of their mother, Lee Reid, who founded the health food store, Reid’s Nutrition, over 40 years ago. The store carries high-quality supplements that support good health and offer personal service and education for those wanting to achieve their best health. The store now offers a smoothie bar and a grab-n-go lunch counter. The store is a member of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association. Visit their website for the monthly specials. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Visit Reids online at reidshealthfoods.com or call 941•474•1833. Cutting the ribbon are (l-r): Lance Schyck, Toni Reid, Kim Reid, and Emily Reid.

The items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation and further information. If you have an upcoming event you would like to have considered for “BIZ”, please send info and/or photo to The Englewood REVIEW, 370 W Dearborn St, Suite B, Englewood, FL 34223, or email: [email protected].