By Jennifer Hoegg
NovaNewsNow.com
Real estate dip
Homes sales were up in September and then down again in October.
According to statistics from the Annapolis Valley Real Estate Board, overall residential sales activity was down from Oct. 2011.
Residential sales tracked through the MLS numbered 86, down two per cent from the same month last year, while it was up seven per cent provincially. The value of home sold during October was $13.5 million – two per cent higher than Oct. 2011.
Total home sales are still higher up over last year, the board said in a release, with 1,124 homes selling between January and October – four per cent higher than 2011.
“Resale housing activity fell back in October following a marked improvement in September,” board president Cynthia Black stated. “That said, as we head into the final two months of the year activity in the region is still running ahead of 2009, 2010, and 2011.”
The Annapolis Valley Real Estate Board represents approximately 180 Realtors from Windsor to Digby.
Cancer fighting with air
Milne Court Petro-Canada has launched a year-long breast cancer fundraiser.
With the “Cap it for Cancer” promotion, customers can donate $2 to receive four pink valve caps for their tires when they have their vehicle’s tire pressure checked. The New Minas service station, bakery and café promises 100 per cent of the donation will go to breast cancer initiatives. Stop by until Sept. 2013 or order online.
Weblink capitforcancer.ca
Erase that tattoo
There’s a new spa in town and it can rid your skin of bad decisions.
Kentville’s Webster Court is now home to Eterno Laser and MediSpa. Owned by Linda Scott, the business offers “exclusive” laser tattoo removal, along with “clinical skin therapies, non-surgical skin rejuvenation, laser and light treatments, aesthetics and light treatment.”
Eos changing hands
Wolfville’s longstanding natural food retailer will have new owners in the New Year.
Amanda Vaz, owner of Wolfville’s Hip Rose Catering Company, will take ownership of Eos Fine Foods on Jan. 2.
Eos has been open for 39 years – originally as a co-operative. Current owners Carole Allain and Janet Finer have headed the store for 27 years.
Vaz, who has also worked as a manager in retail and hospitality businesses, promises to continue the Eos traditions and to add more local products to the store.
Finer will be staying on through the transition period and Allain will be a consultant for the new operation.
“Amanda’s love of good food combined with a great deal of experience and knowledge gives us great confidence in the future of Eos,” she said.
Top company
A local marketing company, Maverick Communications, has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s fastest-growing companies by Progress Magazine.
In the category “Less than $1 million in revenue,” Maverick ranked fifth on the list, which was selected based on the growth rate of 162 per cent over the previous three-year period.
On the total list of the Top 40 Fastest Growing Companies, Maverick ranked seventh overall.
“This recognition for Maverick has been a long time coming,” president and founder, Greg Whynot of Kentville, said in a release. “We literally carved out this business from nothing and have created a niche in the marketplace that is hard to compete with – no one can do what we do in Atlantic Canada and we are very proud of that.”
