Earnhardt family opens Maserati dealership in Gilbert
The Earnhardt family recently opened a Maserati dealership in the San Tan Motorplex at the Loop 202 and Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. Earnhardt Maserati is one of only two dealerships in Arizona that sells this Italian high-performance luxury car.
Earnhardt Maserati has initially stocked about 30 vehicles in three models, the four-door salon Quattroporte, the twodoor coupe GranTurismo and the Ghibli, priced in the low $70,000s.
“Maseratis are among the most exciting cars sold in America today and give an unforgettable driving experience,” says owner Hal Earnhardt.
He explains that a large inventory is unnecessary because customers are able to order a car to their own specifications and have it built by the factory.
Earnhardt Maserati is housed in a temporary site next to its Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership. This year, it will build a boutique-style 12,000-square-foot facility on a 1.5-acre site in the San Tan Motorplex.
The general manager of the new store is Frank Armani, who is a longtime manager within the Earnhardt organization. Maserati, which was developed in Bologna, Italy, 100 years ago, is headquartered in Modena, Italy.
CORPORATE CHRONICLES
Moyer earns NAR’s Military Relocation Professional certification
James Moyer with HomeSmart has earned the nationally recognized Military Relocation
Professional (MRP) certification. The National Association of Realtors confers the MRP certification to Realtors who want to help military personnel and veterans find housing solutions that best meet their needs and allow them to take full advantage of their military benefits.
“Homeownership is an important part of the fabric of America, and having a stable home environment is vital when men and women of the military are called away to serve their country,” says NAR President Gary Thomas. “Working with a Realtor who understands specific needs and timetables related to military service will help make their transfers easier, faster and less stressful. The Military Relocation Professional certification will help Realtors hone their knowledge and skills for working with veterans and active-duty military buyers and sellers to ensure that home ownership remains affordable and accessible to them.”
The certification provides NAR’s members with resources to accommodate current and former military service members at any stage of their military career, and is an approved elective for NAR’s Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) designation. To earn the MRP certification, Realtors are required to be in good standing with NAR; complete a one-day MRP certification core course; complete a pre-class reading to learn military background information and better understand important acronyms and military culture; and complete two webinars. For more information about the MRP certification, visit www.militaryrelocationpro.org.
The Kid to Kid Store of the Month for November was given to the Gilbert store and owner Erica Gentile. The store of the month award is given to a franchise store that has shown outstanding performance and customer satisfaction. The store, located at 1652 N. Higley Rd., was selected from more than 100 stores because of a 56-percent increase in sales over the last year, as well as a significant increase in the amount of product bought from customers.
Gentile, who also owns the Chandler store, credits much of the increase of sales to having a great selection of merchandise available.
“We have really focused on keeping our racks organized and full of high-quality merchandise so our customers have a variety of items to choose from,” she says. “By offering more choices, our shoppers have a much better experience.”
Luxury Treehouse Realty knows the local area
BY ALISON STANTON
When East Valley newcomers want to buy a home in the area, but are not really sure which subdivision is best, they can seek the expert advice of Valerie and Charlie Randall, Realtors at Luxury Treehouse Realty in Mesa.
The Randalls are lifelong Arizona residents, and as Valerie states, this means that the two of them know Gilbert and Mesa like the proverbial backs of their hands.
“We know when all of the homes were built, and we can tell them about the previous owners of the homes, and the history of the homes and subdivisions,” Valerie says.
The Randalls started Luxury Treehouse Realty in March; Danny Perkinson serves as the broker. Charlie Randall entered real estate development in the 1970s and residential real estate in the 1980s. He has been a top-producing agent in Arizona since he began working in the field.
“I got into real estate in the early 1990s. We handle residential buying and selling, and we do everything from $50,000 homes up to $5 million,” Valerie says.
In addition to being exceptionally knowledgeable about Gilbert and Mesa, Valerie says she and Charlie are very careful in the way they market the homes that are for sale.
“We pride ourselves in using highquality photos, and we make sure videos help to make the home appealing to see,” Valerie says.
They will not shoot footage of dirty and disorganized closets or other parts of the home that might not look their best.
Valerie says she and Charlie also believe in the power of advertising to continue to get the word out about Luxury Treehouse Realty and their work.
“During the recent short sales season, when everyone else was closing, we were still advertising. We know that it is what it takes to stay open,” she says.
From using social media to ads in magazines, they are sure that the houses they are representing look as nice as they can.
Charlie enjoys people—getting to know his clients and helping them through the entire transaction process. Valerie, however, says she enjoys “connecting the dots” and putting together the deal.
“I just love helping to find a home for people and helping them get on with their lives,” Valerie says.
She and Charlie have noticed an increase in buyers from Canada, as well as from oil-rich states like North Dakota, who are interested in buying a property with cash.
No matter who they are or what they are looking for, Valerie says, she and Charlie are happy to show them around and work with them on buying the home of their dreams.
“It’s fun to take somebody out to do a tour in Mesa, Gilbert and Las Sendas and say, ‘This is what’s good about this neighborhood, and this is who lives here.’” Luxury Treehouse Realty is located at 1733 N. Greenfield Rd., Suite 101, in Mesa. For more information, call (480) 325-1000 or visit www.charlierandall. com or www.facebook.com/ Luxuryrealestatespecialists.
WELL-VERSED: Realtors Valerie and Charlie Randall are lifelong Arizona residents and they enjoy sharing their vast knowledge of the East Valley. Submitted photo
Gilbert Kid to Kid franchise wins award
James Moyer
Everybody Loves Fondue owners smitten with eatery
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Living in Switzerland while on a mission, Bill Dixon indulged in Swiss fondue, dipping various vegetables, breads and meats in cheese.
His Canadian-born wife, Celine, who lived in France for a time, knew a thing or two about fondue as well.
“They did a lot of fondue when she was growing up,” Bill says.
Since the end of summer, the duo has been living their dream of owning a fast and affordable fondue restaurant, aptly named Everybody Loves Fondue.
“Who doesn’t love cheese and chocolate melted?” Bill asks rhetorically when asked about the name of the Gilbert restaurant. “We do things like large soft pretzels dipped in cheese. You can’t go wrong with that. We have angel food cake dipped in chocolate. You can’t mess that up.”
Guadalupe roads. Bill, who worked in machinery for Empire before opening the restaurant, adds that he gets a thrill out of watching first-time customers discovering fondue.
“I love seeing people the first time they take a bit of our chocolate or cheeses and light up,” he says. “They’re surprised at how good it is. When you get fast fondue at a reasonable price, nobody expects Ghirardelli quality or the cheese quality that we use.”
As Bill states, Everybody Loves Fondue uses only the freshest ingredients. Celine elaborates.
“We have a Swiss and cheddar fondue,” she says with her trademark smile. “You get French, wheat or focaccia bread. Then with everything else you pick your sides. The meat—turkey, chicken or ham—is already cooked.”
says Celine, a former physical education teacher.
“With the chocolate, it’s the same things—dark and white milk chocolate. We have strawberries and pineapple. Everything’s fresh.”
Bill admits that Everybody Loves Fondue has a “secret” menu as well as its posted list of dishes. He revealed one item—a peanut, dark chocolate and marshmallow, rocky road-like dipping sauce.
The prices are affordable. Each serving is $1.49; while a meat serving is $2.99. Chocolate, cheese and peanut fondue range in price from $3.99 to $6. Sandwiches are $4.99 to $6.99. The large soft pretzel—which is heavenly with cheese fondue—is $2.99.
Apparently, the recipe is working. Everybody Loves Fondue has found success at its location at Higley and
The all-white-painted restaurant also offers fresh vegetables, such as raw broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, pickles, jalapenos and celery.
“We have pretzels, crackers, chips, whatever else you can dip in the cheese,”
Not only does Bill and Celine feed the community, they support it as well. Daughters, Ryan, 15, and Sierra, 13, play sports and participate in performing arts at Highland High School and Highland Junior High School, respectively. Everybody Loves Fondue makes it a point to advertise in the programs.
“It’s neat to be involved in the community,” he says. “It’s a charitable
thing for us, to support the girls. That’s the main thing.”
Unlike chain fondue restaurants, Everybody Loves Fondue doesn’t serve raw meats for diners to cook.
“We don’t do raw meats. We don’t deal with hot oils,” he says. “Fondue means ‘melted.’ We melt. That’s what we do. We do fondue.”
Everybody Loves Fondue is located at 3244 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (480) 268-9284 or visit www.everybodylovesfondue.com.
DELECTABLE: Bill and Celine Dixon serve up affordable, fun fondue at Everybody Loves Fondue in Gilbert. GSN photo by David Karasinski
SWISS BLISS: Since the end of summer, Everybody Loves Fondue has been bringing the joy of Swiss fondue to Gilbert residents. GSN photo by David Karasinski
Businessman, Businesswoman of the Year nominees announced
The Gilbert Chamber recently announced nominees for the 2015 Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year awards and will host a luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 28, to honor each nominee and reveal the award winners. Individuals are nominated by the business community and the winners are selected by chamber member peers serving on nomination review panels.
Nominees for 2015 Businessman of the Year are Tim Bricker, Dignity HealthMercy Gilbert Medical Center; Andrew John, John’s Refrigeration; JW Rayhons, Rayhons Financial Solutions; Ralph Willett, Ralph Willett CPA; and Tony Yantos, Walmart at SanTan Village.
Nominees for 2015 Businesswoman of the Year are Jasmine Holmes, 910 West; Elaine Kessler, Elaine Kessler Photography; Joan Krueger, RE/MAX Solutions; Alissa O’Neil, Paradise Bakery & Café; Shanna Tingom, Edward Jones Investments; and Stacey Waddell, 20 Volume Salon and Spa.
The 2015 Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year Luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert/SanTan Elegante Conference & Reception Center. General admission is $50; member admission is $35. For more information, contact Sarah at (480) 941-6322 or register online at www.gilbertaz.com.
Sponsorship provided by National Bank of Arizona and Employee Benefit Exchange Corp.
The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 630 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 42,300 employees. The chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the chamber, call (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.
Send in your business profile for ‘Doing Business’
The Gilbert Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers.
Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 25,000 homes, racks and boxes the fifth of each month.
Please include all of the following items: name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website and email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo.
Email this information to info@gilbertsunnews.com or visit www. gilbertsunnews.com and click on the “Doing Business” form at the top of the page to submit.
Doing Business
Rebellious Addiction Tattoo & Piercing
Owner: Doug Esteves
How long in business: Four years
Specialty: Rebellious Addiction tattoo and body piercing studio specializes in custom tattoo artistry. The contemporary studio has six professional tattoo artists and a full time piercer.
Address: 1111 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert
Hours: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Phone: (480) 343-3513
Website: www.rebelliousaddiction.com
Formal dresses and personalized service glitter at Sparkle
BY ALISON STANTON
Stylish and sparkly prom dresses. Colorful Quinceanera gowns. Beautiful baptism dresses for babies.
These are just a few of the many types of formal dresses available at Sparkle at SanTan Village.
“We are a destination dress shop, and we offer all types of women’s formal wear as well as jewelry and accessories,” says co-owner Dev Gupta, who opened Sparkle about five years ago with his wife Suprit. “Everything from newborns to women ages 60-plus.”
work with brides-to-be and their attendants.
At one time, the couple had three locations throughout the Valley including stores in Fiesta Mall and Arizona Mills. Now, Gupta says, they are focusing on the SanTan Village shop, which they opened last June.
Unlike some other dress shops that might carry a limited selection of sizes and styles, Gupta says he and his wife pride themselves on offering a variety of sizes.
“From a size standpoint, one of the things that separates us is that we can get plus-sizes dresses and other sizes and all of the styles in whatever color,” Gupta says.
It usually takes roughly 10 days to receive a special order at Sparkle, as opposed to upwards of two months at major dress stores.
If a woman loves a particular dress but it is a bit too long or needs other alterations, Gupta says an on-site seamstress is available to help. Store employees are also happy to offer advice on which dress is best.
“Sparkle is a family-owned store, and there is always a family member there who can offer that one-on-one experience. Everyone who comes in our store will get someone who knows the products and understands the business and wants to help,” Gupta says.
In addition to teenage girls who are looking for the perfect prom or Quinceanera dress, he says they also
“A lot of bridal customers come to us, including the maids of honor and the mother of the bride. We really get the full spectrum,” he says.
Gupta says he and his wife are passionate about helping their customers get the best deals.
“The economy has changed, and we understand that it’s not feasible for the average person to spend a couple hundred of dollars on a prom dress,” he says. “We offer dresses with very low price points, and can help teenage girls find a dress for $60 to $70.
“We also contribute to charities that help disadvantaged kids who can’t afford the prom.”
One of the most enjoyable parts of owning Sparkle, Gupta says, is working with repeat customers and getting to know them and their families. In one case, a customer bought all of her prom dresses from them over the years and then returned to pick out a dress for when she was competing in the Miss Arizona pageant.
“Then she came back again to buy her wedding dress, and her mom came too to pick out a mother-of-the-bride dress,” Gupta says. “Customers come in who are generations apart, and it’s very interesting to see the same faces coming back to see us.”
Sparkle is located at 2218 E. Williams Field Rd., Suite 235, in Gilbert. For more information, call (480) 820-2257.
ALL-OCCASION DRESSES: At Sparkle, females
SPECIAL ORDERS WELCOMED: Sparkle can order dresses and gowns of any color and size. Submitted photo
