Business Observer

+ Kiddie Academy earns company awards 
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch recently earned recognition during the company’s 2011 Kiddie Academy Annual Conference.

The East County branch earned the Customer Service Award, Best Practice Award, Academy Achievement Award and the Life Essentials Award.

The awards were presented to the academy for its high level of parent referrals, ongoing dedication to provide superb experiences to the families enrolled at its academy and recognition from the community for excellence in the field of Early Childhood Education. The Life Essentials Award is given in recognition of excellence in the representation and implementation of the Kiddie Academy curriculum.

+ Fast n Fresh opens on Main
Another restaurant is coming to Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Lakewood Ranch residents Lesley and Michael Harb, owners of Fast n Fresh, today signed a lease for a roughly 2,800-square-foot space in the shopping center. The new Fast n Fresh location, which occupies a section of the space formerly operated by Good Earth, is slated to open Nov. 1.

“At our current location (in Cooper Creek), we’re getting near capacity, especially in season,” Michael Harb said.

The new space on Main Street will be larger, with about 60 seats inside and another 25 or so outside. The restaurant also will expand its food offerings with at least 10 to 15 more topping options for salads. For more, visit www.eatfastnfresh.com.

+ Neal announces new mortgage venture
Neal Communities has entered a joint venture to create First Continental Mortgage Ltd. As an affiliated business, First Continental will offer mortgages first to Neal new homebuyers and then to other new and resale buyers.

The company hired its first loan officer, Todd Boese, a veteran of more than 12 years in the mortgage industry. For more, visit fcm-neal.com.

+ RE/MAX agent selected to FGBC
 RE/MAX Alliance Group’s Peggy Christ has been elected to the Florida Green Building Coalition.

New board members will begin their three-year terms at the FGBC Board of Directors meeting scheduled during the FGBC GreenTrends Conference June 1 at the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach.

 The FGBC is an independent, non-profit organization that was established in 2000 to promote green building in Florida through the development of voluntary green building standards.

For more, visit www.peggychrist.com or email [email protected].