Business Observer 03.10.11

+ River Club mom launches new business
River Club resident Misty Pope last week announced the opening of her new business, Ladybug Bakeries. The business specializes in boutique diaper cakes and other custom baby gifts.

A diaper cake is a gift of diapers in the form of a single-layer or multi-tiered cake.

“It’s a very beautiful and clever way to give a practical gift to the new parents,” Pope said.

Other offerings at LadybugBakeries.com include custom collegiate diaper cakes, new diaper cupcakes and custom baby blankets and throws.

Delivery to local hospitals to welcome the new addition, and nationwide shipping is available.

For more information about Ladybug Bakeries visit www.ladybugbakeries.com or call 405-4634.

+ United Electric partners with Crestron
East County-based United Electric last week announced its partnership with Crestron Electronics.

Crestron Electronics offers control and automation systems for homes, offices, schools, hospitals, hotels and more.

For more information about United Electric, visit www.unitedelectric.biz.

+ Neal signs 39 contraacts in February
Neal Communities signed 39 contracts in the month of February at an average home price of more than $300,000, the company announced last week.

That total represents an increase of 85% over last year and the best month for sales since February 2004. Also noteworthy, there were 950 potential buyers who visited the community, representing a 95% increase over last February and the highest number of visitors since March 2008.

“Things have changed since 2008,” said Pat Neal, president of Neal Communities. “Activity in our country club communities is reaching levels we haven’t seen since the mid 2000s. In fact, 20% of our contracts this month were in the luxury market.”

Sales are still solid in Central Park with 11 contracts signed for the month. Other activity for the month of February includes nine contracts signed in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch, four in Country Club East, and four in River Sound. Wisteria Park, Sawgrass, Forest Creek and Miramar in The Country Club each had two contracts signed. Additionally, there were three contracts in the Belleisle neighborhood, Neal’s newest community in Country Club East.

For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.