BUSINESS PROFILES

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Stan Policka has been a woodworker for 35 years. His wife, Cheryl, is the designer half of a team that has been changing the way homeowners think about updating their kitchens and bathrooms. It’s called "refacing." The Polickas take off old doors, put a new wood veneer over the fronts and the ends of the cabinets, put on new doors, new hardware, new door fronts and new trim. It looks like a whole new kitchen, saving the quality construction of the old cabinets. Add new countertops and custom woodwork and you have Stan and Cheryl, the perfect team for the job. Stan is a cabinetmaker with a degree in Woodworking and Metalworking from Western Michigan University who also builds custom furniture and antique reproductions, does furniture repair and can match finishes to existing pieces. Free estimates are available from Stan and Cheryl by calling (231) 798-4195.

Quigley Draperies has been helping homeowners decorate for over 80 years, keeping up with trends in fashion and technology and pleasing generations of customers. Greg Kroeze and his sister, Carol Beatty (above), assumed ownership of Quigley Draperies and the showroom building in downtown Roosevelt Park from their parents in 1992. The showroom was recently renovated. "It’s an exciting time to be making window treatments for people, said Carol. “There are such a variety of things that people are interested in today. They want their homes to reflect their personal styles and interests, and be their own, special place.” Quigley Draperies, on Broadway in downtown Roosevelt Park, offers details that make their window coverings unique: a local, custom workroom, a consistent staff that has devoted their lives to decorating, and experienced decorating and installing from the owners themselves.

Dr. James R. Donley is a 1967 graduate of the University of Detroit School of Dentistry. He is a native of Muskegon, and returned home after graduation to begin his dental practice. He firmly believes in the practice of preventive dentistry and tries to educate his patients so that they will have no cavities. Dr. Donley has long been an advocate of stressing techniques to prevent gum disease and with his hygienists have attended seminars to develop his “People Without Perio” program. His three children are good examples of his teachings, as not one of them have ever had any cavities and they are now adults. He enjoys the high tech side of his profession and loves to create great smiles. He and his staff maintain an informative website at drdonley.com and they can be found at 166 N. Causeway in North Muskegon, (231) 744-6661.

When Louise Hopson began Art Cats Gallery at 1845 Lakeshore Drive in 1999, the Lakeside area was beginning to take shape as a unique shopping community, with a real downtown to encourage walking customers. Opened as a showroom for Louise’s fanciful, bright clay pieces, Art Cats has grown to include the work of over 45 talented artists, with an ever-changing selection of jewelry, pottery, blown and kiln fired glass, sculpture, furniture, works on paper and accessories. The gallery has been nominated repeatedly by Niche magazine as one of the year’s top 100 retailers of American Craft. “My studio space is small…and I work unassisted,” wrote Louise in her Artist’s Statement. “Mine is NOT a production studio. Each piece, from the smallest tile to the largest mosaic, is handmade. Retaining my artistic integrity is important to me. I want each piece I make to be unique and to carry my artistic handprint.”

Ann Welbes, CURN, BSN, through her Continence Clinic at West Shore Urology, uses behavioral therapy, diet modification and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to help customers regain control without surgery or medication. Ann is concerned urinary incontinence sufferers aren’t talking to their family physicians, and when the problem is addressed, it’s treated with medications with side effects, or with surgery patients don’t understand they can avoid. Embarrassed patients come to feel comfortable in Ann’s care – she was born with a birth defect and, early on, had to deal with incontinence. “Everyone progresses at a different rate. But we always have options we can help them along with. And that’s what I’m there for, to give them hope that they can do something about it, that they can be in control.” More information at (231) 739-9492, westshoreurology.com and awelbes@westshoreurology.com.

Sherry Albertie Becker became a client of Waddell and Reed in 1980, when she taught at Muskegon Public Schools. She was interested in saving for her retirement during her 28 years as a teacher. She continued to work closely with her financial advisor towards that goal. She met with her Waddell and Reed financial advisor in 1995 to see if it would be feasible to retire from teaching. He suggested Sherry consider a second career as a financial advisor. "I have been able to use my teaching skills and my love for learning to succeed in this career for 13 years," said Sherry. "This is what I love, helping people attain their financial goals." Locally, Waddell and Reed chose to be a part of the rebirth of the city of Muskegon and when the business outgrew its former location, moved downtown into the new Hines Building at Third and Western. "There was no question as to where we wanted to be," said Sherry. "As a company and as individual financial advisors, we all chose to be a part of the new Muskegon." Sherry encourages the community to stop by to see Muskegon's new space for Waddell and Reed. For more information call (231) 727-8176.

Lange Flooring Center Owners Scott and Sonia Gilbert took the business' reputation for helpful expertise and experienced installation and moved it to a large, customer-friendly showroom and value center in 2006. Scott, who had worked for previous owner Joe Strandberg since he was 14, bought the business 10 years previous to the move. Joe himself worked as an installer when he purchased the business from founder Bob Lange over 25 years ago. Lange Flooring Center's huge value center features in-stock inventory. The 5,000 square foot showroom is a comfortable, well lighted design area with a selection of carpet, laminate, vinyl and popular designs of tile installed on walls and floors. "That helps customers visualize what can be done." said Sonia.

Julie Swanson, MA, is goldsmith, designer and co-owner at Krautheim and Swanson GemWorks, 4851 Harvey St., just north of Lakeshore Marketplace. Julie combined her expertise with four generation family jeweler Karl Krautheim and opened the business in 2008, carrying hand made jewelry by artists in the U.S., fine jewelry and color stones, and crystal and hand made glass. Julie earned a Master of Arts in jewelry making at the University of Iowa and has been working with Karl since 2003. GemWorks fabricates and casts custom jewelry in gold and silver. “Someone may come in with a large dinner ring that grandma had. They tell me, ‘I would never wear this anywhere, but it has a lot of nice diamonds on it. What can we do with it?’” Julie then helps design rings, earrings, necklace or pendant that better reflects the customer’s style.

The Corner House of Gifts has been open for over 20 years, since a house on Mears and Colby in Whitehall was converted into a gift shop. Today it truly is a unique shopping experience, said Owner Jean Corsi. Customers wander from room to room, enjoying nooks and crannies filled with items from local Michigan artists and name brands collectibles, apparel, home decorations, linens, cookware, garden accents, whimsical ceramics and more. In addition to new collection pieces, customers can often spot "retired" collectibles as well. Christmas decorations may be available at the store year 'round, but this time of year the Corner House becomes an explosion of red, green, silver and gold.

Northshore Dental Associates has been a North Muskegon business for 12 years. During that time, Dr. Monica Lakatos and Dr. Michelle Matheson have expanded the staff to include five hygienists, four dental assistants, two administrative assistants and a lab tech. Each has an integral role in the success of the office and patient service. The mission of Northshore Dental Associates is to provide optimal care in a relaxed setting. The recent addition of a massaging dental chair and television in all the operatories help patients relax. Dr. Monica explained that a nervous patient has the option of using nitrous oxide along with headphones to help them through their dental visit. Not-so-nervous patients also like the option of watching the Food Network, Sports Center or Nickelodeon while they are visiting the office.

The Martin J. Nolan Agency is a local, independent business working with friends and neighbors for over 45 years. “The most important consideration when you buy insurance is choosing an agent with the knowledge and experience to offer you the best coverage at a fair and reasonable cost,” said owner Bob Nolan (above), who started at the agency in 1976 and bought the company from his father in 1983. Bob insures life, car, home and business insurance only through the most highly rated companies, including Auto-Owners Insurance Group, among the largest in the nation. Auto-Owners enjoys the highest possible ratings assigned by nationally recognized independent rating authorities and has issued, and renewed, over 4.1 milllion personal, commercial and life policies.

Dale and Jodi Clock are part of a family that has taken care of Muskegon families’ funeral needs for over 115 years. In 1897, Tiede Clock operated a store on Jefferson St. across from the Muskegon City Hall that sold paint, wallpaper and artists’ supplies. His uncle, Del Clark, a police officer, asked Tiede if he would be interested in becoming an undertaker. With $125 and youthful enthusiasm, Tiede established what was to become Clock Funeral Home. In 1920, a building designed specifically for funeral service was erected at the corner of Sanford St. and Grand Avenue – its present location. Today, Clock Life Story Funeral Homes offers personalized funeral and cremation services.“We believe that people, in a time of loss, should talk about the life lived and share stories, not focus so much on cost, etiquette or what we think you should do,” said Jodi. “Its all about what’s right for your family!”

Lana Carson, BS Exercise Science, owns and operates the Omni Fitness Club. “I love helping people become physically active because it literally changes their lives! We have a unique opportunity to help our community by promoting exercise as a way to improve healthy lifestyle choices. (Exercise) has become a factor in overall health care and disease prevention – it is no longer considered just a luxury for people to join a fitness center.” The Omni Club offers a variety of exercise options for members and non-members alike. “Members enjoy the quality and quantity of our equipment. We literally have something for everybody.” Non-members can participate in select classes for only one dollar per visit. “Our Senior Energize class is extremely popular. We also offer exercise classes for Diabetes, Weight Loss and Kids Fitness.” Information about exercise and the Omni is online at omnifitnessclub.com.