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Business
August 20-September 2, 2016
21
HeartStrings Pet Resort offers a safe respite for dogs BY ALISON STANTON
René Overleese has had a years-long passion for animal rescue groups and dogs. In early May, she began to combine her interests and opened HeartStrings Pet Resort in Chandler. The proceeds from the resort, which offers overnight boarding and doggie day care, will eventually help Overleese launch an animal rescue. “I’ve thought about doing this for over 20 years,” Overleese said. “I have wanted to build a dog resort in Chandler, but I still also want to build a rescue. At some point, a percentage of the profits from HeartStrings will go to opening a rescue.” The resort’s name reflects Overleese’s love of animals. “No one can say that animals don’t pull at our heart strings,” she said. The owner of four dogs, Overleese knows how important it is for pets to have comfortable and safe lodging. “We are an all-suite resort and do not have any kennels,” Overleese said. There are five suites—petite, junior, classic, master and luxury. Dog owners who want to make sure their four-legged friends have the ultimate boarding experience can reserve the luxury suite, which features extra treats, toys, playtime and a television. See the website,
HeartStrings Pet Resort in Chandler offers a variety of in-suite boarding options for dogs, as well as doggie day care for dogs of all sizes and breeds.
heartstringspetresort.com, for pricing. More than one dog from the same family can room together, she said, as long as they get along. For dog owners who want their canine fur babies to be kept busy during the day, Overleese said HeartStrings Pet Resort’s doggie day care is a great option. “We have an indoor grassy play area and we separate the dogs by size and temperament. We want to make sure everyone here is having fun,” she said. Overleese said she and her team are enjoying getting to know their two- and fourlegged clients, many of whom have already become regular customers. “I want to be known as the neighborhood pet resort, and I am really involved with the dogs who come here. I get to meet wonderful pet lovers,” she said. Although Overleese said she is very proud
(From left to right) Tiger, Ginger and Sadie enjoy indoor playtime at HeartStrings Pet Resort.
of the resort and pleased with the positive reaction from her clients, she was especially honored when an Arizona-based K9 unit stayed at the resort. “I felt very privileged to be selected to have the K9 unit stay with us,” she said. Overleese said she is proud to have opened HeartStrings Pet Resort.
“My clients tell me that my passion for what I’m doing shines through every day. And I get to play with dogs all day—what is more fun than that?” HeartStrings Pet Resort is located at 930 E. Riggs Rd., Suite 5, Chandler. For more information, call 480-895-4683 or visit heartstringspetresort.com.
Bashas’ names Shick director of communications
Park Place II: This schematic shows a bending Price Road splitting several buildings between Willis Road and Armstrong Place.
Development to add hotel, offices to 62 acres in Chandler BY MIKE BUTLER
Developer Douglas Allred said he can’t wait to get started on Park Place II, a massive expansion of Park Place I that will bring 928,000 square feet of new office space and a hotel/conference center to a 62-acre campus near Price and Willis roads in Chandler. “We are ecstatic to get started on Park Place II,” he said. “Over the last several years, Price Road has transformed into one of the most vibrant business corridors in the entire Valley. Park Place II will help ensure the area’s success for years to come.” The Chandler City Council greenlighted Allred’s rezoning request July 28. The property had been zoned for agriculture. A proposed hotel/conference center and a pair of mid-rise office buildings anchor the portion of the campus on the west side of Price Road. An additional four office buildings and a parking structure are planned on the east side of Price Road.
Allred’s Park Place I, southeast of the San Tan Freeway and Price Road, has six fully leased office buildings with 2,400 employees and hosts such notable companies as Infusionsoft and Healthways. Once completed, Park Place II’s total annual economic impact is estimated at $1.4 billion, according to a report from Scottsdale-based Elliott D. Pollack & Company. The City of Chandler will derive most of the benefit, but the East Valley as a whole will also share in the increased economic activity. The study said Park Place II will generate $19.4 million in annual tax revenue for the state, $6.4 million for Maricopa County and $2.5 million for Chandler. The Chandler Unified School District stands to gain $1.5 million in annual tax revenue from Park Place II. The new project will create more than 2,000 construction jobs and employ an estimated 9,691 when built.
Chandler-based Bashas’ Family of Stores has appointed Ashley Shick its director of communications and public affairs. Shick has held key marketing positions at a variety of organizations, including Meredith Corp. (KTVK/KPHO), Arizona Science Center and Kohl’s Department Stores. Most recently, during her tenure at Meredith Corp., Shick spearheaded the development and implementation of a strategic plan to grow and enhance the company’s brand through community outreach and fundraising. These initiatives nearly doubled the company’s charitable fundraising efforts. In her role at Bashas’ Family of Stores, one of the largest employers in the state, Shick will work to strengthen the company’s relationships, image and market share in one of the most competitive grocery markets in the country. No stranger to leading the strategic development and implementation of public affairs and communications initiatives, she will lead public relations and promotional efforts, as well as integrated marketing projects to increase awareness and sales among Bashas’ diverse brands. More specifically, Shick will serve as company spokeswoman and liaison to local, national and trade media representatives; business and community leaders; elected officials and local municipalities; and representatives from local schools,
Ashley Shick of Bashas’ Family of Stores.
churches and nonprofit organizations. Further, her breadth of skills and depth of knowledge in community relations will play a vital role in guiding and evolving Bashas’ deep-seated community involvement and service, which includes leading yearround fundraising initiatives, major events, sponsorships and in-kind TV partnerships. Shick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from ASU. Bashas’ Family of Stores operates Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and Bashas’ and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets.
Burklow makes America’s Best Agents list with REAL Trends Ben Burklow has qualified for the 2016 America’s Best Agents list, according to REAL Trends, a third-party magazine that looks at statistical data to compile the winners. Selections were based on
2015 transaction sides and sales volume. Burklow is with The Phoenix Area Property management, under the RE/ MAX Infinity Brokerage located in South Chandler.