Small Business Assistance Corporation

RANDY’S BAR•B•Q
RANDOLPH FRAZIER
750 WHEATON STREET
SAVANNAH, GA 31404
(912) 412-2671

If you travel by 750 Wheaton Street between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays, you will most likely see a line of people waiting to receive a BARBQ dinner from Randy’s BARBQ. Randolph Frazier, the proprietor of this establishment has discovered the secret to a simple and profitable business, “plenty of good food with limited choices that is reasonably priced.” Day after day customers come from miles to enjoy their choice of tender ribs, juicy chicken and delightful seafood served with a side of the day, usually baked beans or potato salad and bread.

Randy primarily targets the lunch crowd and he has mastered the secret of accommodating his customers so that they can get a savory lunch and return to work on time. His simple and efficient system results in a constant flow of 300 repeat as well as new customers daily.

Mr. Frazier found the perfect location which positions him to attract both walk-by and drive-by traffic. He is strategically situated to appeal to individuals traveling from downtown to the frequently traveled Truman Parkway. He is also right across the street from the Department of Family and Children Services, walking distance from three public housing complexes and within two miles of the Housing Authority of Savannah, four elementary schools and several residential communities.

Realizing his desire to expand his business, Mr. Frazier requested a loan to purchase an additional grill with wheel. He plans to use it on location as well as moving to other target areas at nights after he closes on Wheaton Street. SBAC approved his request which allowed him to enhance his business.

For Mr. Frazier’s delicious food, just stop by 750 Wheaton Street, Tuesdays – Fridays 12:00pm to 3:00pm, “just look for the line.”

ALL I’s INCORPORATED
Dba A & L AUTOBODY
DANIEL J. RIBICH, PRESIDENT
7206 WHITE BLUFF ROAD
SAVANNAH, GA. 31406
912-355-2750
912-355-1922 (fax)
docribich@aol.com

Daniel Ribich has owned and operated A & L Autobody since 1999. Prior to opening his own body shop he worked for many years for J C Lewis Ford of Savannah. Dan was leasing the space since opening and the owner offered to sell him the land and building. The location is excellent, at the corner of Eisenhower and White Bluff, just a short drive to all the major automobile dealerships. This is where Dan gets a lot of his work, as well as, the usual insurance jobs. It is not unusual to see the entire parking lot of his business filled with wrecked cars waiting his magic touch to making them look like new. You never see a customer’s car there for more than a week.

Now that Dan owns the shop and the adjacent property, he now wants to expand the operation. Adding another paint booth to the rear of building is one solution. He also picked up additional parking. So if you are in need of auto body work stop and see Dan Ribich at A & L Autobody.

RED CLOVER, INC.
OWNERS: LEAH LANCASTER & THU LE TRAN
53 MONTGOMERY STREET
SAVANNAH, GA 31401
(912) 236-4053

Leah Lancaster and Thu Le Tran teamed together to open Red Clover, Inc. This quaint women’s boutique is located at 53 Montgomery Street between Broughton Street and Franklin Square.

They decided to bring a new type of shopping experience to Historic Downtown
Savannah: fashionable, yet affordable clothing for young women. They possess the knowledge and skills needed to reach this goal. For example, Leah has worked as an Associate, Manager and Buyer for Belk and Macey’s for over eight years. She is also a Fashion Design graduate from the University of Georgia. She is armed with the wherewithal needed to buy, mark-up, arrange and mark down inventory. Thu, a designer herself, will display many of her pieces in the store. Leah and Thu will allow other local designers to feature their fashions as well.

In addition to their experience, these ladies fall within the age of their customers, thus making it easy to buy for them. They offer stylish clothes and accessories for women between the ages of 18 and 35. Their inventory covers both business and casual wear that can be worn by the locals, SCAD students and tourists.

The location which was a residence at one time needed to be reconstructed into a retail spot. Leah’s father made many of the fixtures and a construction crew did the major renovations. However, these two resourceful ladies rolled up their sleeves and did most of the cosmetic work to make this a cozy establishment in which to shop.

Their hours of operations are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm – Mondays through Saturdays and 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on Sundays. They can accommodate all shopping needs. If you know what you want and just need to pick it up, Red Clover Inc can help. If you desire to buy for that special someone and don’t know where to start, stop by Red Clover, Inc. If you want to be fashionable but need help putting the styles together, go to Red Clover, Inc. The ladies are always there to assist you with your shopping needs.

RECOVERY PLACE, INC.
E. WAYNE BLAND
835 E. 65th STREET
SAVANNAH, GA 31405
(912) 355-1440

Recovery Place, Inc., an alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitative facility serving Savannah and the Coastal Empire, was started by Mr. Wayne Bland in 1985 with three patients, a wing and a prayer and a lot of hope and determination. Mr. Bland’s intent was to provide treatment and assistance to addicts and their families, regardless of insurance, residency and financial status. Recovery Place, Inc. focuses on the desperate need for help of the addict and the people willing to stand by that person as treatment is received.

Recovery Place, Inc. began operations seeing patients and providing group therapy in a small rental unit on the Southside of Savannah. Mr. Bland has grown the business to over 7,000 patients and to include the oversight of Drug Court Programs, DUI Court Programs and the Savannah Behavioral Health Collaborative. With the addition of patients and programs, Recovery Place, Inc. has also tripled its staff and still has a need for addition staff to successful oversee the Health Collaborative Program. This increase in staff and services posed a problem for the business – a shortage of space.

Mr. Bland contacted his bank, The Savannah Bank, with a request to purchase a new building into which he could move his current and expanded operation. The Savannah Bank suggested an SBA 504 loan to minimize the amount of the down payment and to provide 20 year fixed rate financing. Mr. Bland worked with SBAC to obtain SBA approval – which was received in October 2002. Recovery Place, Inc. purchased three condominium units in the heart of the medical district and immediately began renovating the units to suit their purposes. Construction on the new facility was completed in the late Spring, early Summer of 2003. The new facility opened with an expanded staff of professionals offering their expertise to individuals, the court systems, and the health collaborative.

Recovery Place, Inc. stands ready to help addicts and their families lead healthy fulfilling lives. If you want a life affirming experience, stop by the new facility and talk with Mr. Bland about his successes – they are truly inspiring!

UPCHURCH THERAPY & WELLNESS, PC
APRIL UPCHURCH
P.O. BOX 3743
SAVANNAH, G 31414
(912) 598-8557 / (912) 220-9569

April Upchurch started Upchurch Therapy & Wellness, PC in 1999 in order to provide physical therapy services in the fitness club of one of the premier golf clubs and communities in Savannah – The Landings Club. April succeeded in opening her business and becoming established as a provider of physical therapy services. April’s success at The Landings Club has led to other golf communities seeking her business services for their patrons.

April, excited about the possibility of opening satellite locations in other golf communities, contacted her bank, BB&T, and the local SCORE chapter to begin the process of expanding her business. Through SCORE, April prepared an expansion plan and projections for the existing operation and the satellite office. BB&T referred April to SBAC for packaging of the loan request for SBA.

April worked with SBAC and BB&T to get the Low Doc loan packaged and submitted to SBA. The loan was approved and funded by the bank. April has taken on a partner - Hollye McAdams – to assist in providing the physical therapy services to The Landings Club members as well as the new members of other golf communities. The ability to expand the business has given April the room to spread her wings and begin flying.

Watch for Upchurch Therapy & Wellness in the golf communities around Savannah – at the rate she’s going, April will be providing physical therapy services at all of them (and Florida and South Carolina, too!) in no time!