Business briefs

Regional Vendors’ Expo is March 3 at NBHS
The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce will have its first Regional Area Vendors’ Expo (RAVE) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at North Brunswick High School, highlighting the best of this area in an endeavor to introduce the community to local businesses and emphasize the importance of shopping local.
The event will feature three exhibit areas with local vendors providing demonstrations, hosting “how to” sessions and displaying the best products and services in business and retail, health and fitness, and home and garden.
Lunch will be available for purchase from on-site food vendors. Activities for children will be provided by Kids at Play and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Live music will be provided by Life Community Church of Wilmington and various door prizes are being donated by local businesses.
Admission is free. For more information, or to register for a booth, contact the North Brunswick Chamber at 383-0553.

Andy’s Burgers changes name to Highway 55
Andy’s Burgers Shakes & Fries, a ’50s-style restaurant chain, officially changed its name to Highway 55 as of Feb. 24.
Although the name is changing, the restaurant chain’s concept will stay the same as it’s been since its establishment in 1991. Highway 55 will continue to deliver the brand’s traditional American classics in the same family-friendly, ’50s diner setting.
Patrons can expect to see the new Highway 55 signs at the local Shallotte restaurant as of March 1.
The name change was sparked by a potential legal battle over the federal trademark for the name Andy’s that arose as the company prepared to expand outside of its home state. After being known as Andy’s for 20 years, founder and president Kenny Moore decided that a system-wide switch to Highway 55 was the most cost effective way to grow the brand, and would mark the beginning of its next 20 years of success.
“We’re looking at the name change as a positive opportunity to start new and fresh,” Moore said. “Customers will see we’re the same Andy’s they’ve always known, the only difference is the new name. What we’ve built for the past 20 years isn’t going to change at all.”
To celebrate the new name, a mural map of Highway 55, a 192-mile highway stretching across North Carolina from Durham to Oriental, will be painted on the walls of each location. A timeline painted above the map will give patrons a glimpse of Highway 55’s history from 1991 to the present.

Home and Garden show is March 24-25
The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce 10th annual Brunswick Islands Home & Garden Show will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24-25 at 101 Stone Chimney Place in Supply. This is a new venue for this two-day event packed with exhibitors, demonstrations, an interactive kids’ area, plants, herbs, door prizes, food and much more. Admission is $5 per person; children 8 and younger are admitted free.
Sponsorships, vendor and exhibitor applications are now available on the New Events website at www.brunswickcountychamberevents.com. Click on Brunswick Island’s Home and Garden. For additional information, contact Kelly Mathews at 754-6644.

Warner becomes sales director
Mary Kay Inc. and its subsidiaries provide more than 2 million women around the world with an unparalleled opportunity for business ownership and personal fulfillment. The Mary Kay opportunity provides the sought-after advantages of running your own business: financial independence, flexibility, dynamic business incentive, and an innovative,
premium-quality product line.
Martha Warner of Sunset Beach is among the women enjoying economic and personal growth with her independent Mary Kay business, and recently achieved the status of independent sales director. Mary Kay independent sales directors build successful businesses with the income potential, freedom and flexibility that accompanies an entrepreneurial business opportunity.
“Martha’s extraordinary vision and enthusiasm has enabled her to achieve the position of independent sales director,” said Darrell Overcash, president of Mary Kay Inc. U.S. “We are always thrilled to be able to recognize this kind of achievement which comes from hard work, professionalism and determination.”
In preparation for the next phase of her business, Warner was invited to attend a business and leadership development seminar in Dallas, home of the Mary Kay Inc. world headquarters, where she received valuable information and education regarding business management, marketing strategies, sales techniques and personal development.
To learn more about Mary Kay, visit www.marykay.com.