business
The Paper | Thursday, May 8, 2014
Community & Southern Bank completes purchase of Verity Capital Group
What you knead at Lizzie’s Pantry By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
A focus on health is becoming more and more popular these days, which is the case for one of Jackson County’s new business owners, Liz Carter. Carter says she is passionate about health and what goes into the foods she eats, so she decided to open her own store in Hoschton to share her love for healthy foods with the community after 25 long years consulting industry. Lizzie’s Pantry is the name, and it is located in Merchants Walk on Highway 53 in Hoschton behind the Kawasaki dealership. Carter’s sister owns the popular “Alison’s Pantry” on the West Coast and has provided her with a wealth of knowledge about owning and operating a specialty foods store. “Today, you never know what is really in the food we eat. We also don’t know what isn’t in our food. Flours have been stripped of nutrients and ‘enriched’ with synthetic ingredients that spike gluten and sugar levels,” said Carter. “Foods with genetically modified organisms (GMO) are causing health issues that we didn’t experience years ago. Lizzie’s Pantry’s focus is on providing the highest standards of quality and service to our customers.” Carter said she also believes that healthy eating should be affordable. Her products are cheaper by a fraction of the price of organic, non-GMO products in large chain grocery stores. She offers high quality pantry basics such as grains, flours and spices as well as fresh mixes, spices, and kitchen tools and gadgets. Some of her most popular items are Wheat Montana whole grain pancake mixes, cookie and brownie mixes and her fresh taco seasoning. Carter has formed a close relationship with Wheat Montana, a GMO-free company based out of Montana that offers high quality products for a reasonable price. “I want to bring high qual-
By Zac Taylor
Regional staff Farah Bohannon The Paper
Liz Carter is meeting food needs of the community. ity, healthy and delicious ingredients to the community. It seems that simple, good food and baking has almost become a lost art. It’s time to get back to basics, cook with our family and friends, and realize the health benefits of what we eat,” said Carter. This is an important dynamic for Carter -- she says she values health and family and believes those are two things that are required for a fulfilled life. She enjoys spoiling her husband and two sons with good food and loves the fact that what she makes for them comes from wholesome ingredients. Balance is important to Carter -- her heavenly basic cookie mix, fudge brownie mix and muffin mixes are easy and delicious to make, so they can be enjoyed in moderation. “Balance is important to me,” said Carter. “Even though the indulgent mixes aren’t exactly health foods like my flours and whole grain mixes, it’s OK to enjoy them from time to time. At least they have all-natural and recognizable ingredients.” Carter’s fresh spices, flours, grains and whole grain mixes are indulgent and delicious as well -- even though they are considered health foods. The texture and taste is gourmet, and people of all ages hardly notice how healthy everything is due to the restaurant quality taste. “Families love the fluffy texture and taste, while parents love the nutrition. The all-natural, GMO and chemical free flours are also high in demand. You can taste the difference in your baking and be happy about the nutrition you receive,” said Carter. Hoschton was the ideal place for Carter to open Lizzie’s Pantry because of
her love for small towns and how everyone cares for one another. This goes for both residents and business owners. The city is close to the interstate as well, which is convenient for orders that ship from the store. Carter’s success is just beginning and she says she cannot wait to see how far Lizzie’s Pantry takes her. She is shocked at the number of people who have come to her with success stories -- stories about how health and overall well-being has improved since switching over to whole grains. Customers are constantly sharing their delicious dinner ideas that use Carter’s freshly made spices as well. To her these success stories are the most rewarding part of owning and operating Lizzie’s Pantry. “By helping others incorporate all-natural basics into their daily lives, I feel like I am truly serving and giving back to the community,” said Carter. Lizzie’s Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Knowledgeable sales representatives deliver Carter’s products to families. Products can be ordered online at www.lizziespantry.com and are available through local food co-ops as well. Visit Lizzie’s Pantry on Facebook or call 404-431-6787.
The acquisition of Winder-based Verity Bank by Atlanta-based Community & Southern Bank is complete. Community & Southern Holdings, Inc., the holding company of Community & Southern Bank, recently announced the completion of its acquisition of Verity Capital Group, Inc., after receiving all shareholder and regulatory approvals, according to a CSB release. With the addition of the two Verity Bank branches in Winder and Cornelia, CSB’s footprint will expand to 40 branches across metro Atlanta and North Georgia. CSB, which entered the market in 2010 with the acquisition of Barrow-based The Peoples Bank, was already the largest holder of deposits in the county and has now expanded the gap between the second largest bank with the purchase of the former second largest in Verity. “The completion of the acquisition of Verity marks an important milestone in our bank’s history as we complete our first open-bank acquisition. We are very pleased with the quality of the people and the bank we have combined with,” said Pat Frawley, Chief Executive Officer of CSB, in the release. “Upon completion of the operational integra-
tion in the near future, the customers of Verity Bank will be able to use any of our locations across North Georgia.” Verity Bank began in Winder in 2008. With the acquisition now complete, Hamilton Bank, based out of Braselton but without a presence in any other county municipality, is the only bank based in Barrow. “It was very important to partner with a financially strong organization that shared our community banking values,” said John Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Verity Bank. “Community & Southern has proven to be an excellent match. Their commitment to our customers and the markets we serve was apparent from the beginning.” According to the agree-
ment, C&S Holdings has acquired all of the outstanding common stock of VCG for $11.80 per share. As of June 30, 2013, Verity Bank had $170 million of total assets, $114 million of loans and $144 million of deposits, according to the release. “We are delighted to welcome the customers and employees of Verity Bank to Community & Southern Bank,” said Mark Abernathy, President of Community & Southern Bank. “We look forward to working with Steven Smith and Bronson Lavender, two highly respected community bank leaders, and the entire Verity Bank team as we continue to build deep customer relationships in these markets.” Verity locations will take on the Community & Southern Bank name.
Mother’s Day Brunch May 11, 11-2:30
Please join us for our 1st Sunday Brunch (every Sunday through the summer) *All entrees are $10*
Crispy Chicken Thighs, Brick Grilled Lox Platter Eggs Benedict, Fried Green Tomatoes, House-made Boursin Cheese, Hollandaise Puff Pastry Personal Quiche with Crème Fraiche Shrimp & Saffron Grits Walnut & Banana Bread Pudding FRENCH TOAST with Hard Sauce Duck Confit Hash with Poached Eggs & Cherry Demi Waffles with Fresh Berries & a Grand Marnier Sabayon Mothers Receive a FREE Dessert (TBD) Signing up for “Preferred Seating” is recommended for parties over 4
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39 City Square, Hoschton, GA
With so many great community board members, it’s no wonder we’re one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals.
Live Music Wednesday Nights! Open Sun – Thur 11am-10pm: Fri & Sat 11am – 10:30pm
Tuesdays - $1.00 12 oz draft beer Wednesdays - $2.75 12 oz Margaritas Mixed Drinks, Beer & Wine Served Everyday 55 Freedom Parkway, Hoschton 30548
In fact, Northeast Georgia Medical Center is one of only 20 Large Community Hospitals to make this year’s list. So thank you to the more than 170 community members who lead our Health System in the right direction by giving of their time to serve on our more than 20 boards and committees.
706-824-0209
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Buy 1 Lunch Combo with 2 soft drinks and get 1 FREE No substitutions Mon. - Sat.Cannot be combined with any other offers.
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9A
1 FREE Small Cheese Dip with the purchase of 2 Dinner Entrees and 2 soft drinks Cannot be combined with any other offers.
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www.nghs.com/doctors 2014