New businesses in Summerdale have you covered

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 8/31/16

SUMMERDALE, Alabama — Driving down Highway 59 in Summerdale, it’s hard to miss what appears to be a woman in a walk-in tub on the side of the road.

“Her name is Bama,” said business owner …

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New businesses in Summerdale have you covered

Posted

SUMMERDALE, Alabama — Driving down Highway 59 in Summerdale, it’s hard to miss what appears to be a woman in a walk-in tub on the side of the road.

“Her name is Bama,” said business owner Larry Kendrick. “She might be the best investment I ever made.”

Bama is actually a mannequin that, Kendrick says, cost him $150, but has paid dividends beyond just bringing in business.

“People are constantly stopping and asking to have their picture made with her,” Kendrick says.

He is all too happy to oblige, along with showing them what his businesses have to offer on the north end of the strip mall on the busy highway.

“Just getting people to stop is half the battle,” he said.

Kendrick, a resident of the Gateswood community of Central Baldwin, has nearly 30 years’ experience. He and his son Chris have been licensed by the Homebuilders Association in the Pensacola-area for more than 15 years.

“We just choose to work in a specific area of the construction business. In Florida they call it ‘specialty construction,’” says the elder Kendrick.

The father and son team own a pair of businesses, Southern Patio & Screens, which specializes in pool and patio enclosures, and Alabama Walk-In Tubs and Showers Inc., which specializes in custom-fit, made-to-order products.

“We have the only complete indoor and outdoor showroom from New Orleans to Tallahassee,” Chris Kendrick said.

About six months ago, they moved from Florida to Alabama, changed their name to reflect the move and set up shop at the Summerdale location, completely renovating the empty office space.

Kendrick also bought the business next door, which is now All About You Massages, staffed by licensed massage therapist Jeanne Blake, along with Laura Scott, a licensed esthetician or facial specialist.

“This is a great location,” said Scott. “I am very passionate about what I do and about helping people feel better about themselves. We just need people to know that we are here.”

Blake, a licensed therapist for 15 years, comes to the new business from Blue Cliff in Mobile.

“We offer a variety of massages,” she said. “It really all depends on what the client wants and what best suits their needs.”

Most clients start with a relaxation massage, Blake said, more commonly referred to as a Swedish massage. If the client is looking for, or needs something a little more intense, she also offers a deep tissue massage or an acupressure massage.

“For a lot of our clients, their needs are stress-related,” she said. “Through massage we can deal with a variety of issues.”

Scott also studied at Blue Cliff, graduating in 2015.

“The lady who runs Blue Cliff said she was the best they had,” Kendrick said.

As a licensed esthetician, Scott said, she specializes in deep-cleansing exfoliating facial scrubs ranging from a 30-minute mini-facial to a 60-minute deluxe facial and a body salt scrub.

“I personally had problems with acne when I was younger and these products really helped me,” she said. “There is a lot of medicinal applications with this beyond just looking good.”

In addition to acne, the treatments are also good to repair damaged skin from sun exposure, and getting rid of signs of age, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Scott also offers a full range of waxing, from a simple eyebrow, lip or chin wax, to a full-body wax.

Kendrick said the three businesses recently joined the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and will host a ribbon cutting and open house in the near future.

You can get more information on Southern Patio & Screens by visiting souothernpatioandscreens.com or call 251-504-3146. For more information on Alabama Walk In Tubs and Showers, visit alabamawalkintubs.com or call 251-554-1931.

For more information about All About You Massages, call 251-989-2012.