Allen Eyes Green Construction Market with Fayetteville Store
by March 8, 2010 12:00 am 99 views
Natural Building Solutions
Owner: John Allen
Address: 3244 N. College Ave., Fayetteville
Phone: 479-527-0500
E-mail: Through Web site
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Web site: www.getnaturalusa.com
Startup date: April 1, 2010
John Allen and his business partner, Sam Muffoletto, realize the construction industry has seen better days. What they’re banking on is continued growth in at least one sector.
“The construction industry isn’t necessarily busy right now … but if any part of it is busy, it’s the green projects industry,” Muffoletto said.
Thus, the two are set to open Natural Building Solutions in Fayetteville. The 10,000-SF space most recently housed a Saturn dealership.
The showroom formerly filled with automobiles now will be used to showcase environmentally friendly products ranging from paints and cleaning agents to flooring and countertops. Even shoppers seeking earth-conscious toilets will be in luck.
“Nobody’s done this in Arkansas,” Allen said.
Allen’s name might be familiar from his days as president of Little Rock-based River City Materials. Allen said he sold his interest in the company five years ago, and has earned a LEED accredited professional designation while pursuing his new venture. Now he’s ready to provide “green” products to everyday consumers and construction industry-types alike.
“My research showed there is a lot of interest not just on the retail side, but the contracting side,” Allen said. “The question is, ‘Where do you find this stuff and who actually knows about these products?'”
The answer, Allen and Muffoletto said, is NBS, where they also will provide educational and consulting services.
Little Guys Movers
Manager: Joseph Barnes
Address: 2101 N. College Ave., Fayetteville
Phone: 479-582-8782
E-mail: Through Web site
Web site: www.littleguys.com
Startup date: Feb. 1, 2010
Whether you’re moving your company or your family, Joseph Barnes wants your business.
Barnes is the manager of Fayetteville’s Little Guys Movers, the latest addition in a string of stores for the regional enterprise headquartered in Denton, Texas. (Note: The company’s surprisingly amusing history is a must-read if visiting the Web site.)
Little Guys handles commercial and residential moves with equal amounts of ease, Barnes said, and with the upfront knowledge moving can be a stressful event.
“We try to make it lighter,” Barnes said, “literally and figuratively.”
Barnes currently employs a four-man crew that’s available seven days a week. He hopes to add six more workers by the start of summer, and while most of his current work is scheduled by phone, Barnes does keep some store hours at the 3,000-SF space. He plans eventually to maintain 8 a.m.-to-6 p.m. store hours.
Little Guys also bids jobs by the piece rather than charging hourly fees. The result is an in-depth consultation on the front end that’s designed to make moving day easier.
Submit tips about new businesses in Northwest Arkansas to Rob Keys at [email protected] or 479-725-0394, ext. 323.