family-owned and operated business

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By Linda Williford

There is a warehouse building off Hwy 59 tucked behind some retail businesses that could easily be missed. This warehouse is a bookstore with over 500,000 new and used books and has recently opened to the public. JHS Bookstore, named by its owner John Henry Soderberg, is much more than a warehouse bookstore. Soderberg said, "Everyone who enters the front door says, "Wow!"'

The many thousands and thousands of books that are located in the back of the warehouse are there to accommodate Soderberg's online business. The front part of the warehouse has just recently opened to the public as a retail bookstore. 

JHS Bookstore is organized with different areas of interests. For example, Soderberg has over 15,000 cookbooks located in a little alcove that gives the ambiance of being in a kitchen, with kitchen décor, a dining table, and even a refrigerator. 

Soderberg has a special area set up as the Oval Office, surrounded by American history and political science books. He has a master's degree in political science, which explains why he is a huge fan of books about American history and political science. One of his favorite quotes is from Thomas Jefferson, printed on his coffee cup, saying, "I cannot live without books."

Soderberg is a retired librarian with many years at the St. Louis Public Library. His father was from Sweden, and his mother was from Scotland. Soderberg is the first American generation of his family. 

The bookstore has an area for mystery and true crime books and a chapel area for religious books. In addition, there is a large and inviting area for children and children's books. Soderberg also has a sweet spot for local authors. He carries books from local authors, including states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. If you are looking for local authors writing about local interests, check out that display behind the sales counter. 

Soderberg has traveled all over the world for 25 years without flying. He explains how he and his late wife would travel by boat and train. 

The warehouse has thousands and thousands of books, which Soderberg says "successfully contribute to his online business and helps support his bookstore business." 

To help keep his warehouse full, he also buys books from local bookstores going out of business. 

He says "that they fill from 50-100 orders per day with online orders from businesses, libraries, schools, and homeschooling, as well as book sales on Amazon and eBay." 

Soderberg says "that he loves what he is doing. It's not work, not a chore; it's a fun undertaking."

The bookstore is unique. Not only does he have books with specialized areas, but it also has music LPs, 78s, 45s, cassettes, and 8 tracks. In addition, he has collectibles, glassware, framed art, and prints. And there is a display of a collection of vintage Life Magazines. 

Soderberg has an added attraction to his bookstore that he inherited. The warehouse came with a stage. The warehouse was known as the Pate Country Hall a few years ago. Then, it was a local venue for country music. But now Soderberg said that he plans to use the stage for author lectures, showing movies, and other activities, including music.

JHS Bookstore has two upcoming events in May. On May 4, the South Baldwin Literacy Council will have a free event with the Youth Literacy Program for graduated students and their parents. And on May 5, in memory of Soderberg's late wife, Dr. Diane Camilleri, Veterinarian of Medicine, the bookstore will hold a pet adoption event. The Haven No-Kill Animal Shelter in Fairhope and JHS Bookstore will promote the No-Kill Campaign for animals in Baldwin County. 

Be sure to visit the bookstore with the "wow" factor as you enter the doors. Learn about upcoming events.  

By Linda Williford

There is a warehouse building off Hwy 59 tucked behind some retail businesses that could easily be missed. This warehouse is a bookstore with over 500,000 new and used books and has recently opened to the public. JHS Bookstore, named by its owner John Henry Soderberg, is much more than a warehouse bookstore. Soderberg said, "Everyone who enters the front door says, "Wow!"'

The many thousands and thousands of books that are located in the back of the warehouse are there to accommodate Soderberg's online business. The front part of the warehouse has just recently opened to the public as a retail bookstore. 

JHS Bookstore is organized with different areas of interests. For example, Soderberg has over 15,000 cookbooks located in a little alcove that gives the ambiance of being in a kitchen, with kitchen décor, a dining table, and even a refrigerator. 

Soderberg has a special area set up as the Oval Office, surrounded by American history and political science books. He has a master's degree in political science, which explains why he is a huge fan of books about American history and political science. One of his favorite quotes is from Thomas Jefferson, printed on his coffee cup, saying, "I cannot live without books."

Soderberg is a retired librarian with many years at the St. Louis Public Library. His father was from Sweden, and his mother was from Scotland. Soderberg is the first American generation of his family. 

The bookstore has an area for mystery and true crime books and a chapel area for religious books. In addition, there is a large and inviting area for children and children's books. Soderberg also has a sweet spot for local authors. He carries books from local authors, including states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. If you are looking for local authors writing about local interests, check out that display behind the sales counter. 

Soderberg has traveled all over the world for 25 years without flying. He explains how he and his late wife would travel by boat and train. 

The warehouse has thousands and thousands of books, which Soderberg says "successfully contribute to his online business and helps support his bookstore business." 

To help keep his warehouse full, he also buys books from local bookstores going out of business. 

He says "that they fill from 50-100 orders per day with online orders from businesses, libraries, schools, and homeschooling, as well as book sales on Amazon and eBay." 

Soderberg says "that he loves what he is doing. It's not work, not a chore; it's a fun undertaking."

The bookstore is unique. Not only does he have books with specialized areas, but it also has music LPs, 78s, 45s, cassettes, and 8 tracks. In addition, he has collectibles, glassware, framed art, and prints. And there is a display of a collection of vintage Life Magazines. 

Soderberg has an added attraction to his bookstore that he inherited. The warehouse came with a stage. The warehouse was known as the Pate Country Hall a few years ago. Then, it was a local venue for country music. But now Soderberg said that he plans to use the stage for author lectures, showing movies, and other activities, including music.

JHS Bookstore has two upcoming events in May. On May 4, the South Baldwin Literacy Council will have a free event with the Youth Literacy Program for graduated students and their parents. And on May 5, in memory of Soderberg's late wife, Dr. Diane Camilleri, Veterinarian of Medicine, the bookstore will hold a pet adoption event. The Haven No-Kill Animal Shelter in Fairhope and JHS Bookstore will promote the No-Kill Campaign for animals in Baldwin County. 

Be sure to visit the bookstore with the "wow" factor as you enter the doors. Learn about upcoming events.  

To learn about upcoming events see the JHS Bookstore ad:  https://online.fliphtml5.com/knog/csmi/#p=10

Now is the time of the year to start planning that special outdoor living project. Southern Patio & Screen specializes in building sunrooms, screen rooms, patio covers, pool enclosures, pool fences, carports, wood decks, handrails, and gazebos.

Chris Kendrick, owner of the business, says, “Approximately 50% of the homes in the Baldwin County area have screened rooms or some kind of aluminum outdoor structure.” Spring and early summer are the most popular times for the three biggest projects of the year, which are screen enclosures, screen porches, and screen rooms.

Southern Patio & Screen is locally owned by Chris Kendrick in Summerdale. He and his late father, Larry Kendrick, started the business as a father/son team. The business has been in existence for eight years. Between Chris and his father, they had 27 years of experience in specializing in aluminum construction.

Depending on what the job entails, Kendrick says, “It generally takes about 3 days to get the job done." He added, “We have a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship.” 

Their company is known for taking care of their workers. Kendrick said, “We do not have a high turnover of employees like some construction companies. One of our guys has been with us for 20 years.” 

Kendrick was proud of the fact that they have the largest indoor/outdoor showroom on the Gulf Coast. “We love it when people stop and visit our showroom.” 

He said, “When Hurricane Sally came through, we only lost two structures out of the 2800 structures they had built, and that was because of trees and debris damage.”

In this line of business, you want to be very cautious of who you hire as your contractor. Kendrick said, “Something to remember is any project over $10,000, you need to have a licensed contractor. You want to be covered in case anything goes wrong.” Kendrick said that there are too many bad situations where the structures were not built right, and there were always problems. “We call that "Chuck in a truck,” he said. “The only work or structure guarantee that you get is a “taillight guarantee.” When you no longer can see the taillight of the truck, your guarantee is gone.”  

Southern Patio & Screen is highly recommended by many suppliers (who sell to hundreds of builders). Kendrick said, “We use only premium quality materials and build every job like it was attached to our own home.” They have financing available at 12 months interest-free.

Their service area includes a wide range of cities within Baldwin County, as well as outside of Baldwin County. Visit their website at southernpatioandscreen.com    

La Casita, “the little or small house,” was recently voted the best Mexican restaurant in Baldwin County. According to Juan Vazquez’s customers, this family-owned and operated restaurant has amazing food and service. Vazquez said, “We have been open for only nine months, and we are blessed and lucky to have all of our customers.”

Family is very important to Vazquez. He said that the restaurant, consisting of 11 tables, was named by his children. They said, “It looks like a little house.” Vazquez has four children, two of whom are twins, ranging in age from 19 to 21 and 23.

Vazquez says, “I have been in the restaurant business since 2006, starting out as a waiter. I then worked my way up into management for 14 years.” Vazquez then opened La Casita in July 2023.

La Casita offers special deals each week. Some of the specials include Mondays, "Taco Salads,” with a choice of ground beef or chicken; Tuesdays, "Taco Tuesdays;" Wednesdays, "Margarita Specials; and Thursdays, "Buy two dinners and get a free dessert.” Vazquez says, “We have many plates to choose from, but one of our most popular plates is the fajita dinner.”

Vazquez says that the Mexican food in America is very different from the authentic Mexican food. The Tex-Mex food, as we know it, is a blend of Mexican, American, and Spanish cuisines. In Mexico, he said, "They don't know what Chimichangas are, and the soups and guacamole are very different.” Some of the differences worth noting are: Authentic Mexican food uses white cheese instead of yellow. Burritos include mostly meat, skipping the rice and veggies that American diners are so fond of, and Authentic Mexican food uses soft tortilla wraps instead of taco shells, fresh beans instead of canned beans, and corn on the cob instead of sweet corn in the recipe dishes. 

Vazquez's commitment to the community is evident in La Casita's Spirit Nights, held a couple of times each month for the Foley High School soccer team. This special event, which is a fundraiser for the soccer team that one of his children is part of, is a testament to the sense of community that La Casita fosters. Vazquez generously donates a percentage of all sales between 5 and 7 p.m. to the soccer team, showing his dedication to the community that supports his restaurant.

Since Cinco De Mayo is on Sunday this year and the restaurant is normally closed on Sundays, Vazquez says that they will be celebrating on Friday and Saturday with menu specials. “Everyone is invited to celebrate with us,” he says. They are open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lunch menu is from 11-3 p.m. They are located at 740 West Laurel Ave. (off Hwy. 98). You can follow La Casita on Facebook.  

“I find nutrition fascinating,” says Justina Ralston, owner and operator of GNC in the Pelican Place at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores. “It’s like working a puzzle,” she says. “I know medications are important, but alternative solutions can be a tool that can help fill in those nutritional gaps in your healthy well-being.”

Justina Ralston started as a sales associate with GNC in 2007 and worked her way up into management. Eventually, Ralston wanted her own store. She took over the ownership of the Gulf Shores location six years ago, in April of 2018. 

Ralston shares her story of how she lost weight a few years ago. “I was collecting fat around the mid-section. I learned about macronutrients,"We can handle pretty much any remodeling process on the interior of the home," begins Andrew Lemovitz, a Worcester, Massachusetts native who has served as general manager for Home Design Center since 2022. "But our focus is on kitchens and bathrooms — everything from cabinets and countertops to flooring, tile, and luxury vinyl flooring," he clarifies, noting that "99 percent" of Home Design Center's clientele are either homeowners or condominium owners. 

It all adds up to plenty of satisfied customers, if Home Design Center's recent growth is any indication. 

"When I started, we had a dozen employees, but now we are up to 27," says Lemovitz, who attributes his team's success to a combination of factors.

"Time frame is one of the biggest things that differentiates us from competitors," he explains. "Customers are not waiting long periods of time. We also go that extra mile — we go back and finish projects, whereas a lot of competitors take forever to do final punches."

As a representative example, Lemovitz cites Home Design Center's countertop turnaround, "which is the fastest in this area," he says. "We guarantee 72 hours from measure to install on in-stock material."

Lemovitz, who moved to the Foley area three years ago, encourages people to visit the company's showroom, found on the service road off Foley Beach Express.

"We have a 110,000 square foot warehouse here with all our slabs indoors. And we have a 10,000 square foot showroom with a variety of different cabinet lines — from a low-cost brand all the way up to custom cabinetry. Also, we have a full-fledged custom cabinet shop in the building, and tile displays as well." 

The bottom line is that visitors are likely to find what they are looking for — in stock — whether in ever-popular white or grey, or a look that is trending in 2024.

"More colorful countertops are being used, and stains are starting to come back, which is wonderful. Also, natural woods are becoming popular again," explains Lemovitz, before noting that Home Design Center runs specials — and can also help with financing.

"We have a couple different financing options, and we have in-stock cabinetry that is 50 percent off. We also have 20 mil flooring in stock that is starting at $2.19 a square foot," he says, the kind of deals he plans to promote on a forthcoming digital LED billboard that will soon be added to the sign in front of the building. 

Meanwhile, Lemovitz said he plans to continue to enjoy living and working in Foley, having fallen in love with the area while on vacation several years back.

"My wife and I came down here to visit her grandmother, who was a snowbird. I said, 'I'll buy a house, and you can move in with us. And that's how it all started,'" he says. 

Now it's hard for him to imagine living anywhere else, wrapping things up by adding: "I like being close to the water, and I love the weather." 

CONTACT:

Home Design Center

11746 Foley Beach Express

Foley, AL 36535

Phone: 251.923.0073

Open M-F 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday by appointment 

https://www.homedc.com

"Now is the time to make changes to your Medicare insurance. October 15th through December 7th is the annual enrollment period", said Renee James, at Insurance Specialist. "This is also the time of year Medicare recipients are inundated by phone calls, TV commercials, and mail solicitations, but it's the ideal time to contact Insurance Specialist with your questions."

"I have been in this business for 19 years and a second-generation agent in the Medicare field." She explains.

Almost 2 decades later, she is helping clients with Medicare disability, people aging into Medicare, and those already on Medicare.

"I am independently contracted with the insurance companies, and I write plans that include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplements, special needs plans, and plans that are specifically for people who are diabetic or have heart conditions."

That said, James has one overriding bit of advice.

"Your healthcare is local, so your insurance agent should be local. So many plans are network-related, so when people are interacting with agents and companies outside of our area, they are only as good as what they are reading on the computer. Information by a non-local agent is not always up to date. For example, a particular physician may show up as an in-network provider, even though the doctor may have retired a year ago or moved and not be in your area."

"That is why it's important to be local and be in this area and know the physicians, hospitals, and facilities," she adds. "Working with a local agent may be more vital for those just starting on Medicare or moving to our area. People often say, I am not sure how to get on Medicare, or I need help with my medicine and copays," notes James.

She can also help pick up that extra help through the state Medicare savings program by applying in her office.

"I have had a walk-in office at the same location for almost 12 years, and I am here year-round. I am not just here to enroll people and up and leave." She says. "People can depend on me to guide them through every step."

James can even help reduce the stress that comes with a change in one's health status. "If suddenly a person has a new condition and needs a new type of specialist, I can guide them. Or if they have a doctor they are interested in, they don't have to call the national customer service number. They can call me here; I can help them at my office, locally!"

Above all, James says, "She takes her clients' satisfaction personally, just think of me as your local source for your Medicare needs."

Insurance Specialist is located at 402 E. Laurel Ave., Foley, across from the Foley Civic Center and Riviera Utilities.

Visit: www.insurancespecialistal.com

“I find nutrition fascinating,” says Justina Ralston, owner and operator of GNC in the Pelican Place at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores. “It’s like working a puzzle,” she says. “I know medications are important, but alternative solutions can be a tool that can help fill in those nutritional gaps in your healthy well-being.”

Justina Ralston started as a sales associate with GNC in 2007 and worked her way up into management. Eventually, Ralston wanted her own store. She took over the ownership of the Gulf Shores location six years ago, in April of 2018. 

Ralston shares her story of how she lost weight a few years ago. “I was collecting fat around the mid-section. I learned about macronutrients, which are the nutrients that your body needs in large amounts. They include fat, carbohydrates, and protein.” Macronutrients are the nutrients that give you energy and are often called “macros.” Ralston decided to explore macronutrients and the effects of macro management for her body type. She adjusted her intake of carbs, fats, and proteins.

Along with using the tools of vitamins and minerals that GNC has to offer, she was able to reap the benefits and quickly achieved her weight loss goal. Ralston said, “I’ve learned a lot about nutrition from owning my own store. It makes me appreciate what I have to offer to my customers. She said that people are becoming more aware of macro management and the role that vitamins and minerals play to maximize performance and to feel better. She loves it when her customers come into the store and tell her about the GNC products that are working for them.

During the depression years in 1935, many people were plagued with sicknesses, and diseases were running rampant. David Shakarian was concerned and dared to have a dream. He opened a small health food store in Pittsburgh, PA. He specialized in healthy foods like honey and whole grains. He introduced to Americans the benefits of a new product called yogurt. From there, his small business flourished into many stores known as GNC and is now the leading health food chain that has revolutionized the health food industry. 

At Ralston’s store, she has more than just vitamins and minerals. She carries protein and collagen powders, a variety of herbs and superfoods, and products that aid digestion, skin care, weight control, and more.  

She offers samplings of popular products for customers who want to taste them before they buy. She also offers a monthly raffle that her customers can enter to win $50 store credit. The monthly entries will then be combined, and at the end of the year, there will be a drawing for a $200 store credit.  

Although we all know the importance of exercise to go along with our healthy lifestyle, Ralston said that if you need a recommendation for a trainer, “We have connections with local trainers. We have all the tools that you need to start your new year right.”

3800 Gulf Shores Pkwy

251-948-3850

Hours: 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Sunday 12 p.m. - 6:00 p.m

Website: gnc.com

Linda Williford

Nick Bottjer, owner of Foley Custom Guns, has a wide range of handguns, rifles, and shotguns available for purchase at his store and on his website. His outdoors and sporting goods store has more than just guns. He has holsters, gun cases, optics, magazines, knives, ammo, and fishing equipment. Bottjer prides himself on the fact that with his custom-build business, he is one of the few gunsmiths who does cerakoting on guns (custom painting). Cerakote is not just paint. It is a ceramic, heat-resistant coating that comes in many colors. According to Bottjer, “You can cerakote your entire gun, and throw it in the ocean and pull it out 20 years later. Other than it being covered with moss, the finish on the gun will still be intact.”  

More than anything else, Bottjer says, much of his custom gun business is “paint jobs on firearms.” He said, “If a woman comes in and doesn't want a black gun, I can paint it pink if that's what she wants.” He added, “Sometimes a husband will come in and buy a gun as a gift for his wife. But generally, women will come in and buy their own guns.” He said, “There are times people will want special writings on their guns for a holiday or a special event. I’ve even painted names on guns.”

If you need a special gun order, Bottjer can do that too. He sells, buys, and trades guns.

He says that his business increases significantly during the hunting season. That’s his busy time of the year.

Bottjer has always had a passion for guns. He was brought up to respect firearms. He has been a member of a shooting community for years. He said, “You will find it is a tight-knit community with good and respectful people.”

Even though he does not have shooting classes at his store, he suggests a couple of shooting ranges near Foley. You may want to check out the Styx River Shooting Center in Robertsdale and Three Brothers Arms in Stapleton. “It’s a good idea to go or belong to a shooting range or club. You can keep up with the changes and new gun laws. Bottjer said that the most common guns for home defense are 20 and 12-gauge shotguns, 9MM pistols, and the .38 special revolvers.  

Bottjer and his wife moved from the West Coast of California to Foley two years ago. He opened his store shortly after. You can order a gun from his website with free shipping or come by the store. Bottjer has a Facebook page that shows off his artistic flair of different designs with cerakoting the guns. He said, “I’m not big on social media, so coming by the store is the best way to contact me.”

To learn more, visit: foleycustomguns.com  

When Dr. Ron Hayles sold his veterinary practice in Birmingham and moved to Foley full-time more than 20 years ago, he didn't plan on "trading one seven-day-a-week job for another," as he puts it. Then he noticed there were few local options for boarding dogs, not to mention cats, birds, and other pets.

"There were a couple small kennels and a veterinary hospital or two that boarded dogs. So, I thought it would be a good opportunity to start a new business without going back into full-time practice," he says. Dr. Hayles settled on the concept of creating a "pet resort," well before that term became a part of the vernacular.

He went on to build a 7,200-square-foot facility that opened in 2004, one that features 75 kennel rooms and four outdoor exercise yards where dogs can run and play. 

"We board dogs short & long term, and we do daycare and groom & bathe," explains Dr. Hayles, before noting that the facility also features private suites that include televisions and furniture. However, pet guests don't necessarily need to stay in their rooms.

"A guest that stays here gets to mingle, if he or she is a good citizen," he says. "They get to go outside and run and play and do their business and make friends. We keep pets long- or short-term, whatever the client wants," adds Dr. Hayles, who says Coastal Pet Resort also accepts cats, birds, and even some exotic animals." 

"We've got a couple clients that have pot-bellied pigs and a handful who have rabbits. We have people bring in parrots, and we've even had monkeys once in a while. I had a lady bring a clutch of squirrels one time," recalls Dr. Hayles, who says the overwhelming majority of Coastal Pet Resort's business is canine, handled by five full-time employees, one part-timer, and a contract groomer who works Monday-Friday. 

Naturally, Dr. Hayles looks to hire people who love animals and have previous experience caring for pets. "The first thing we ask them is if they have dogs," he says, "and the people we hire typically have experience at an animal hospital, kennel, or pet store." 

The staff are also trained to cater to each individual client's needs.

"We try to be as client- and pet-friendly as can be," he adds, noting that Coastal Pet Resort allows owners to bring beds, blankies, toys, and treats with them if they so desire. They also bring food for their pet, "so we don't cause digestive problems," he relates.

"A lot of that food is specially prepared, and a lot of the dogs that we board are on medication. Even though we are not a veterinary hospital, I have trained all my staff to administer pills and give insulin shots. So, we do give them their meds while they are here," confirms Dr. Hayles, who says that the typical client leaves their pet for long weekends or for a week at a time, though on occasion, a pet will stay for a month or two. Business also tends to be brisk during severe weather.

"If residents have to evacuate, we end up taking care of their pets," he says, as his facility is engineered to withstand a category 5 hurricane. 

Dr. Hayles says he expects his business to continue to expand, in part because of the growth of Foley and Baldwin County, and in part because of the growth of the pet industry.

"People will do just about anything for their pets," he says. "They will spend money, not only on the veterinary part of it but also feeding them quality diets and boarding them in good places."

That helps explain why Coastal Pet Resort has so many regular clients.

"We have a lot of repeat business, and we get a lot of good reviews," continues Dr. Hayles, who says his clients also appreciate the flexibility that Coastal Pet Resort offers.

"We charge by the night, so we are not real particular about when owners pick up their pets and when they drop them off," adds the second-generation veterinarian, who loves living and working in Foley as much as ever. 

"I had a condo here for years before I moved down here, but back then Foley was a lot sleepier. In the last 20 years, it has really matured and gotten bigger," he says. The same is true for Coastal Pet Resort, which remains his focus 24/7/365 as the business approaches its 20th anniversary. 

"When you've got people's precious pets in your care, you can't just walk away from it. We operate 365 days a year," he concludes, and "we stay pretty doggone busy." 

CONTACT:

Coastal Pet Resort is located at 20106 Richard Childress Lane, Foley, AL 36535.

Linda Williford

If you have been to every doctor in town and still live in pain, you might want to consider Restoration Health – Pain Management and Rehabilitation. Restoration Health treats various conditions from muscular-skeletal and neuromuscular conditions from injuries that could be acute problems or chronic degenerative problems. Restoration Health treats everything from the neck down, including shoulders, knees, wrists, elbows, and peripheral nerve problems. They also treat lower back pain, the 2nd most common reason people go to see a doctor. 60-70% of the patients at Restoration Health are there for lower back pain. 

Dr. Clay Rainer, who opened Restoration Health in 2012, says, "Our clinical focus is on restoring, maximizing, and maintaining normal physical functions." He further explains, "That means typically some type of barrier or multiple barriers are causing limitations to the physical functioning that generally causes pain, and we address those barriers starting with whatever is most prominent." 

Dr. Rainer says, "they do not do surgical procedures, but they treat anything non-surgical that interferes with how the body moves. Restoration Health is more than pain management. That is a big part of what they do, but not all they do. If you have weaknesses, lack of endurance, flexibility problems, or balance issues, these problems are also addressed." 

"We want people to know that at Restoration Health, we treat the whole person. We evaluate each individual and customize a treatment plan for them." But, Rainer adds, "we don't take a cookie-cutter approach to anything." 

Dr. Rainer enjoys seeing people make progress. "A person may come into my office in a wheelchair, and six months later, I see them walking in. Or someone may be doubled over in pain, and six weeks later, I will see them walking in with a smile." But, he added, "I also like teaching the patient what's going on with their body. I will tell them what their options are and that there may be more than one way to approach their problem."

Dr. Rainer has an undergraduate degree in biology from Samford University in Birmingham. He attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and completed a four-year residency program at UAB. 

"My specialty is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation," he says. 

He has been in private practice for over 15 years. He has a clinic in Spanish Fort, his main office, and a satellite office in Foley. In addition, they have just recently opened a new office in Mobile. 

While in medical school, Dr. Rainer made observations of an immense need and lack of doctors specializing in this area of medicine. "There is plenty of opportunity to improve people's quality of life," he said.

Dr. Rainer has a brother who also practices medicine. His brother is Dr. Ryan Rainer, a primary care doctor, and he is with the Jubilee Primary Care office in Foley.

Dr. Rainer said what gives him drive each day is his faith in God and his commitment to excellence. This is combined with taking care of his family. He and his wife have been married for 24 years, and they have five children. They range from a sophomore in college, a freshman in college, two 8th graders who are twins, and a 2nd grader.

In his free time, Dr. Rainer spends time outdoors hiking, biking, and going on trips with his family. He is a member of the 1st Baptist Church and enjoys spending time doing church activities.

Dr. Rainer wants to give a shout-out to his team of doctors, Dr. David Thomason, and his new addition Dr. Taylor Scruggs who are also at Restoration Health in the Foley, Spanish Fort, and Mobile clinics.

For more information, go to www.restorationdocs.com. Or call 251-626-0732.  

  By Jason Zasky

Patrick Bass and his wife Lori have been living and working in Baldwin County since 2019 and are already in love with the area.

“Foley is a great little town. It reminds me of where I grew up in Georgia in the 1970s,” offers Patrick Bass. “We moved here because of the beach and the school system, but after I opened an office in Foley, I said, ‘Wow, this area is booming.’”

Much of the growth has been driven by new residents. Bass is a broker for HealthMarkets Insurance and writes policies for health care, Medicare, life, long-term care, and disability insurance. He helps people settle into the community and find the health insurance they need. 

Few agents in Baldwin County specialize in helping clients with health and Medicare policies. 

“It’s hard to pick up the phone and find people who do what I do,” he says.

“Our phone rings off the hook,” says Bass, noting that his customers range from 19 to 92 years of age and from low-income to millionaires. He says upwards of 85% of his business comes from people who have recently moved to south Alabama, though he also serves Mississippi and the northern part of Florida. 

That helps explain why Bass recently moved to a bigger office in Foley, despite having been in business for less than four years. 

“Anyone that needs affordable health insurance, we’re available,” adds Bass, referring to himself and his wife, who works with him at their office on North McKenzie Street. “Anyone that has questions about Medicare, I can answer most of those questions.” 

In fact, much of Patrick’s job is providing advice and helping clients make the best decision for themselves. 

“I educate people about individual plans and try to direct them to the right insurance plans based on income and needs—and to the right Medicare plans based on health needs,” he says, reminding that health insurance, and Medicare in particular, can be very confusing.

“I see a lot of smart, smart people, but they have no idea what to do about Medicare when they turn 65,” he says.

But it’s the opportunity to help others that makes the work so rewarding for Bass—personally and professionally. 

“I just got a touching thank-you letter from a lady and her husband, the latter of whom is battling cancer. They were on Medicare and in poor financial shape, and I helped them get into a Medicare savings program that saved them the part B premium, and I also got them into a plan with no co-pays. I saved them a lot of money, so they can now afford to go to Atlanta to get the cancer treatments that her husband needs,” he says.

Beyond that, Bass—who lives in Orange Beach and is a proud member of a local church—has been known to go above and beyond to see that his clients are looked after, going so far as to take his elderly clients shopping—and to doctor’s appointments, as needed. 

It’s that level of personal attention—and attention to detail—that seems certain to help his business thrive and grow in the coming years, right along with Foley and the rest of Baldwin County. 

“You have so many people moving here, and it’s the fastest-growing county in Alabama. And with so many people from California, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan, it’s becoming kind of a melting pot,” he concludes. “More growth is coming. It isn’t slowing down at all.”

To learn more about Patrick Bass HealthMarket:

Or visit: https://www.healthmarkets.com/local-health-insurance-agent/pbass 

Virtual Playground
Foley’s home for premium virtual reality entertainment  
By Jason Zasky
 

“This could become a thing,” James Denley said to himself, after he experienced multiplayer virtual reality technology for the first time six years ago. Fast-forward to today, and Denley, 38, owns and operates Virtual Playground, a business specializing in room-scale, multiplayer virtual reality entertainment. 

“We provide our customers with access to premium virtual reality equipment, apps, and a play space, and we strive to provide an active lifestyle experience. The physical movement is low impact, but it really gets your body involved,” says Denley, who grew up in Foley and graduated from Foley High School before attending the University of Southern Mississippi on a football scholarship and ultimately moving back to his hometown. 

“We have virtual reality escape rooms, virtual reality arcade games, seated experiences, fitness apps, and a whole lot more,” he adds, which gives customers ample opportunity to explore virtual reality in a family-friendly environment. 

If you’re someone who has only heard of virtual reality but has never seen a virtual reality headset and doesn’t understand the technology, Denley will be happy to educate you and show you all that Virtual Playground has to offer. 

“We do have walk-ups, and I give demos where you can put on a headset and look around in 3D space,” offers Denley. “You may not understand virtual reality before you come in, but before you leave, you’ll have a pretty good concept of what it is.”

Denley says those individuals typically come back with family or friends to experience Virtual Playground’s virtual reality escape rooms and its competitive multiplayer games, the latter of which include shooter games like Archer and the sci-fi-oriented ARVI Arena.

As for the escape rooms, there are 12 in all, including Survival, Signal Lost, House of Fear, Sanctum, Cyberpunk, Jungle Quest, Chernobyl, and Christmas. 

Denley says his personal favorite escape room is The Prison.

“It’s a six-player escape room where you’ve been wrongly accused, and you and your team have been locked away, and you have to escape while the prison is crumbling around you,” he explains, noting that it’s one of the more challenging experiences.

“But our library has a range of experiences that cover just about every demographic,” he says, from teenagers to grandparents. And more and more, customers have begun reserving the facility for hours at a time to host birthday parties and team-building events.

“You can lease the facility and get access to all our workstations,” explains Denley, not to mention all the other amenities on hand, including a retro arcade, a boxing machine, and mini virtual reality experiences that can be had using a desktop PC, headset and gamepad. 

Virtual Playground has also established a competitive virtual reality e-sports tournament league (VR Knights Academy) and expects to compete in e-sports-type events in the very near future.

“There’s already an e-sports industry,” reminds Denley, who envisions a day when something similar develops around the best virtual reality sports athletes. 

A lot of the games get you “smiling and sweating,” as Denley puts it, before noting that the first time he nocked a bow and arrow was in virtual reality. 

“After a while, it’s really strenuous. You play 15 minutes, and you have worked up a sweat shooting at nothing in space,” he says with a laugh. 

Likewise, Virtual Playground’s other offerings have players doing a lot of squatting, crouching and ducking, and generally getting physically involved. 

“We’re going to try to encourage the community to get involved (with virtual reality e-sports teams),” he adds, calling them “a fun and affordable way to stay engaged and involved with virtual reality.”

 A full-service concierge real estate brokerage where ‘it’s not about the transaction, it’s about the relationship’

EXIT Landmark Realty in Foley has been open less than a year but co-owners Diane Martino, and Jenny Carr already have a clearly defined approach and philosophy, one built around establishing and maintaining relationships.

“It’s not a transaction for us,” begins Martino. “It’s about the relationship and really finding ‘the one.’ It’s like a marriage; I guess you’d say. For whatever state of life someone is in, we want it to be the best situation for them.”

Both Martino and Carr became realtors six years ago, with Martino transitioning from working as a registered nurse and Carr making a career change after 18 years in corporate human resources. They were working at another EXIT Realty brokerage in Fairhope, Alabama, when they decided to strike out on their own, grabbing the opportunity to open up shop in Foley in 2021. 

“We’re a full-service concierge real estate brokerage,” explains Carr, before noting that they service all of Baldwin and Mobile counties. “In other words, we help a buyer from the moment they decide they are interested in purchasing until the contract is closed. That includes helping them find a lender and getting through all of their due diligence, like home inspections. We just don’t go out there and sell a house. We sell a lifestyle,” she concludes. 

That said, they derive the most satisfaction from working with first-time home buyers.

“Those are the families that touch our hearts in a very special way. Last week we closed on a $2.61 million home, which was a record for Jenny and I,” says Martino. “It felt good, but I don’t think it felt as good as when you get that family that has been in an apartment or a mobile home or an R.V., and you get them into a house they can afford, and they can start setting down roots.” 

As for their team, Martino and Carr currently have ten people working alongside them, and hope to add more realtors as soon as possible.

“We’re looking for those that have a big heart and understand people and have good communication skills,” says Carr.

“We can teach anybody the ins and outs of being a realtor,” adds Martino. “We can teach them the law and the contract work and the technical piece, but that heart—that passion—that’s what we’re looking for. And again, communication is huge.”

As for the future of Foley and the surrounding area, Martino and Carr say they expect to see continued rapid growth in the coming years, thanks in part to Foley’s readily accessible location and proximity to the beach. They also expect to see a continued influx of people from out of state, including folks from California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri—states where the cost of living is much higher. 

“A lot of people have been snow-birding down here for several years, and they are finally ready to take the plunge,” notes Martino. “Remote working is also playing into that. They can move here and still work for the same company.”

The strong sense of community is also attractive to those moving from elsewhere, and newcomers typically begin devoting their time and energy to local causes and organizations. That’s not unlike how Martino and Carr have become involved with the Foley Main Street project, which is committed to preserving the downtown area’s history while facilitating continued economic growth. Their brokerage is also a sponsor of the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, has hosted several Red Cross bloodmobiles, and serves as a Toys for Tots drop-off center. 

Of course, Martino, Carr & Co. are spending most of their time working to build the business. 

“The growth in Foley is huge, and on a holiday weekend, every single one of us is working, so we need more agents to better serve our clients,” concludes Carr.

CONTACT:
EXIT Landmark Realty
316 S. McKenzie St., Ste. 100, Foley, AL, 36535
Phone: 251-232-7702
Email: exitrealtylandmark.dnj@gmail.com
Web: exitlandmarkal.com  

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Jayme and Mike Barthse have experienced more than their share of challenges since opening The Brick Oven on Miflin Road in October 2019. First came the pandemic, which forced the proprietors to temporarily shut down the dining room. Then came Hurricane Sally in September 2020, which resulted in tree damage to the building. 

“We reopened the doors and got back on our feet again, but then there was a staffing shortage, so we couldn’t find anybody to work,” recalls Jayme, yet another challenge that the couple had to overcome to get where they are today.

Fast forward to 2023, and The Brick Oven is very much on the upswing, serving up authentic old-world style brick-oven pizza — with dough made from scratch — as well as a diverse array of appetizers, salads, calzones, and pastas, plus a handful of gluten-free options. 

“The wood-fired brick oven is one of the things that makes us stand out,” says Jayme. “You see it as soon as you walk in the door, and you can see your food being cooked. We also use Bacio® cheese. It’s the most expensive, high-quality cheese you can buy, and it’s got a kiss of buffalo milk, so it’s got a richer flavor,” she adds.

That helps explain the popularity of The Brick Oven’s weekday lunch specials, one of which includes: a five-inch pizza; salad or cannoli, and a fountain drink or sweet/unsweet tea. Not to mention pizzas like ‘The Big B,’ ‘The Meatza,’ and ‘The Brick Oven,’ the first of which is akin to a supreme, the second of which is for meat lovers, and the latter being their signature hot and spicy pizza.

Jayme says The Brick Oven has always benefitted from having a healthy number of regular customers, but is also generating a lot of new business, thanks to word-of-mouth and the influx of new residents into Foley and the rest of Baldwin County. 

“We hear a lot of ‘We’re new to the area, and we’ve heard you’ve got good pizza,’” relates Jayme, who says the local community has been very supportive of the business from the get-go. 

“We have had a ton of help and support from the community,” she says. “After the hurricane, our customers were stopping by, and they said, ‘Is there anything we can do to help get the doors back open?’”

In turn, the Bartshe’s are big supporters of the local schools and community events, with a local wrestling team, basketball team, and pickleball tournament among the past beneficiaries of their assistance. 

“We like to support the school system,” she says. “We’ll buy a banner; we’ll donate food. Whatever they need, we’re happy to help,” says Jayme, having noted that she and her husband have four kids, who can sometimes be found at The Brick Oven, washing dishes or handing out menus and generally contributing to the family-friendly atmosphere.

“We have had so many struggles we’ve had to overcome to get where we are today, but we’ve been able to keep the doors open,” concludes Jayme, who is happy to report that the staffing shortage issue has been solved and that The Brick Oven’s brightest days are ahead.

 

CONTACT:
The Brick Oven – across the street from OWA at 21040 Miflin Rd. in Foley
brickovenfoley.com

Future Physical Therapy
A specialty clinic offering Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
By Jason Zasky
 

When Kayla R. Mowdy opened Future Physical Therapy in August 2020, she had several goals in mind. One was to increase the availability of Pelvic Health services in the region. Another was to educate about the benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy.
 

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board Certified Orthopaedic Physical Therapist, Mowdy is well-suited to further both of those goals. With the help of two other treating therapists and two support staffers, the clinic treats disorders of the bowel, bladder and sexual function, as well as pain associated with pelvic region musculature dysfunction.
 

“Part of this specialty is working with pregnant women and new moms to combat the effects of pregnancy on the body,” says Mowdy, who is herself a mother of two young children.
 

“Treating pregnancy-related pain can have a huge impact on a woman’s life. To be able to continue to be active during pregnancy is important for her health and the health of her baby,” she says.
 

More than that, Mowdy and her team can also help with recovery after delivery.
 

“Recovery after delivery is so neglected by our current medical model and I am trying to change this,” she says. “We work on hip, back or neck pain a mom may be experiencing, as well as scar healing for either C-sections or perineal tears, and of course helping mommas find their abs again.”
 

And while stress urinary incontinence, or urine leakage with coughing, sneezing or lifting is what most people associate with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, “what most people don’t realize is that we help people with so many other things that are very private issues like painful sex or chronic constipation,” says Mowdy.
 

That said, it’s during the “initial evaluation” that Future Physical Therapy’s treating therapists assess movement to find possible sources of dysfunction.
 

“This is usually a muscle being too tight or too weak,” says Mowdy. “We prescribe exercises and manual therapy techniques to bring these muscles back into ‘balance.’ We also provide education on how the body should work, which helps patients address habits they may have that are contributing to dysfunction of the bladder and bowel systems.”
 

That said, she recognizes that these kinds of issues can be difficult for patients to discuss.
 

“Many people who struggle with the conditions we treat are embarrassed to talk about their problems. As an exclusively Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy clinic, we see these things all day and talk openly about these ‘embarrassing’ things with no judgment. We want people who are struggling with these private problems to know they are not alone.”
 

Not surprisingly, Mowdy and her colleagues find the work incredibly rewarding.
 

“We love hearing the birth stories of our moms who come here while they are pregnant. Most times, things go smoothly and they credit the success of their birth and recovery to being prepared, at least in part, by participating in physical therapy while they were pregnant,” says Mowdy, who says she really enjoys working in Foley and serving the residents of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and the towns of south Baldwin County. In addition, she spends much of her free time volunteering with local organizations like Junior League of Mobile and the Pleasure Island Junior Woman’s Club.
 

“Myself, my husband, my four-year-old son and infant daughter love living in Foley because there is always something to do here. We love going to see the model train exhibit, taking walks in the park, going to special events at OWA and of course eating out,” she concludes. “Working here has been such a great experience because I get to meet so many people from all over the U.S. and even the world.”
 

Contact:
Future Physical Therapy LLC
Palm Plaza Shopping Center
1117B N. McKenzie St.
Foley, AL 36535
251-215-4900
futurephysicaltherapy.com

B & B Pecan Company is gearing up for its busiest time of the year. Their new harvest of shelled pecans is ready for those holiday pies, cookies, and candies. The B & B Pecan Company store has a variety of pecans, including natural or roasted and salted, chocolate covered, rum pecans, mini pecans pies, candies, gift tins, and many ideas for the holidays and gift giving.  

Clarence and Sandra Bishop started their pecan business in 1956 with 120 acres of 1100 pecan trees. Although Clarence and Sandra aren't so active in the day-to-day operations anymore, they still make their rounds at the store daily, visiting their family and long-term employees. Their son, Doug Bishop, is a partner in the business, and their grandson, Brett Bishop, does the day-to-day operations. Brett works in retail and mail orders. This year, the Bishops are celebrating their 67th year in business.

In 1982, the pecan was named Alabama's official State nut. Pecan trees are grown across the southwestern part of the state. According to statistics, Alabama ranks 8th in pecan production in the United States, with the highest concentration in Baldwin and Mobile Counties.

Hurricane Sally in 2020 delivered a devastating blow to the pecan farmers, including B & B Pecan Company. Brett can attest that their family orchard lost 338 trees to Sally. He says, "Sally has changed it all for us. Our volume will never be the same." Brett said that Sally has cut their volume by almost half. He continued, "At one time, we had an orchard of 1100 mature trees. We have replanted our loss, but replanted trees will take 10-15 years to start producing." He said, "We went from a mature orchard to now a young orchard."

Brett stated that many pecan farmers who have lost their trees during a bad storm or hurricane decide not to replant because of the wait time involved. Unless they have a next generation in the family who wants to continue the pecan business, they usually sell their property. 

The harvest season in the Baldwin County area is generally from October 1st to November 1st. Brett said, "We harvest them, grade them, put them in sacks that will be loaded on an 18-wheeler, and then ship them to a shelling plant."  After the shelling process, the pecans are shipped back to B & B Pecan Company fresh and ready for the customers. 

The pecan orchard has always been the center spot for the family. They have all their family gatherings there at the homeplace on the farm. "This is where we all grew up." He added, "We have a big family, totaling 30, including grands and great grands." 

The weather does play a big part in the pecan trees and their production. Brett said that this year has been way too dry. As a result, the trees produce less, and the nuts are smaller. One year, Brett recalls a season of snow. "We had enough snow to build snowmen, which melted the next day. But no harm to the trees."  

B & B Pecan Company specializes in gift-giving for corporations and businesses. "You just call us, tell us what you want, and we do everything else. We do the "Christmas shopping" for our customers," he said. During the holiday season, the company store is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm at 16151 Greeno Rd. in Fairhope. You can also place an order online at www.pecangifts.com. 251-928-9031 or 1-800-732-6812.years