YIR: Plenty of change on the business front

The business realm is ever changing.

Clovis and Portales has seen multiple businesses — some small, some large — open their doors in 2016, while businesses also put together initiatives to reach out to the community.

Businesses were in transition as well, with businesses changing locations, expanding or finding new management — or in a few notable cases transitioning out.

In March, the entertainment center Red Arrow Bingo opened its doors in Clovis. The center donates its proceeds to Matt 25 Hope Center, a nonprofit Christian ministry.

In May, Portales saw the start of a new winery called Enchantment Vineyards. On May 17, city councilors approved annexation of the property, making it a part of the city's jurisdiction.

The vineyard is owned by Max Merrick, but his business ventures didn't stop there.

Merrick and his family purchased what used to be the Twin Tower Theatre and turned it into the Tower Loft Apartments, which had its grand opening early August.

Clovis and Portales residents are also getting more options to satisfy their taste buds.

In October, it was announced Buffalo Wild Wings and Chipotle Mexican Grill were expecting year-end openings, in the same building no less.

It was announced in November the community-oriented Sweet Cakes Bakery made its way to Portales. Owners Mary Newell and Julie Rooney said they collaborated to open a bakery and candy store while also catering (no pun intended) to community members wanting a peaceful hangout. The store also offers knitting classes.

While businesses were growing in the area, some rougher news came in July for the agriculture business.

The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional for farm and ranch workers to not provide worker's compensation. Farmers said it was tough to manage prices because of their own insurance policies offered to workers and the price-taking model of the industry.

"The problem is we don't set our prices," farmer Allen Deen said. "The government sets our prices. The imposed tax makes it harder for us. It's just another expense that keeps dwindling our income away."

New Mexico Center for Law and Poverty Legal Director Gail Evans said roughly 90 percent of agriculture workers would be covered.

"It's making a small group of large farms provide coverage to its employees," said Evans. "It does not impact small family farms in our state, and it doesn't impact farming practices."

In other regional business news:

• Coca-Cola Refreshments announced consolidation of its production when they announced closure of the Portales plant. The plant's services were sent to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and El Paso and Abilene, Texas.

• In February, the Citizens Bank of Clovis received the citizen of the year award from the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce. The bank also celebrated its 100th anniversary in November.

• Other award winners weren't so lucky. Less than three weeks after the Clovis chamber named it business of the year, Paradise Market announced its closure after about four years of operation. The Llano Estacado grocery store, which expanded in 2014 when Bill and Rhonda Bargman bought Bruce Gray's share of the Roden-Smith building, didn't "generate enough revenue to continue in business." Bill Bargman wouldn't say if any competitor made the difference — 2015 saw a new grocery store, a renovation at another and a butcher's shop — but that it gets tougher, "when the pie gets smaller."

• Suzi Webb, owner of Webb Direct 2U, was honored with the Star Client award from Clovis Community College's Small Business Development Center in February.

• Hastings filed bankruptcy on June 13. The Clovis store was one of 126 which permanently closed this year. The building gained a new tenant, Harbor Freight Tools, before the close of the year.

• Multiple businesses in eastern New Mexico experienced transitions during the year.

In March, beauty supply store T-Mart moved across Hilltop Plaza in line with the Twin Arrow renovation, while Target Sports had its grand opening in June at what used to be Cannon Federal Credit Union.

• This year also saw businesses embrace new ownership, as the Clovis Depot and Model Train Museum went to new owners Jordan and Tate Nichols from Farwell, sold by former owner Phil Williams. Watson Motor Co. shifted gears as the Watson family sold their business to Steve Shorter, who said would upgrade the dealership to include more inventory and the new name of RB Toyota.

• Optical Source opened new doors in Portales after expanding from its Clovis location in July. T

• Landall's Box Office in Portales relocated from 401 South Avenue C to 421 South Avenue C and expanded its movie rental store to include Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea. A location for Sweetwaters also opened in Clovis. The Portales store also retained its cell phone repair business.

• In August, Plateau Chief Executive Officer Tom Phelps announced his retirement after 20 years with the company.

• The Clovis Civic Center hosted the second annual High Plains Women's expo in August, which allowed women in the area to promote businesses.

• Leal's Mexican Restaurant owner Laura Leal was honored with the Restaurateur of the Year award in September by the New Mexico Restaurant Association.

• Raintree Thriftway in Clovis began a call-in service allowing residents to place grocery orders via phone, fax or email. The services comes with no extra cost and allows busy residents to pick up orders once they are ready.

• In October, Roosevelt General Hospital CEO Larry Leaming announced his resignation to move closer to family in Colorado. It was announced in November that Presbyterian Health Services Vice President of Regional Administration Bo Beames would step in as interim CEO for the hospital in January.

• Officials with the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce engaged in friendly competition to recruit new members to the chamber. A total of 213 new members were recruited with $47,000 raised with membership sales, a state record.

• Tres Amigas announced its electrical superstation connecting the Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection and Texas Interconnection would potentially conclude work in three to five years.

• Damsels in Distressed, a family-owned home decor business, opened its doors early November. The business, according to co-owner Lezlie Privett, repurposes furniture and was created out of a hobby.

• The donut market expanded in Clovis, as Donut City opened its doors in November. In the meantime, new Daylight Donuts Manager Megan Martinez is carrying the torch from previous manager Matt Acker, while Muleshoe Donuts is opening My Time Donuts in February or March.