Business

The next time you order a margarita with your carnitas at Prescott’s El Gato Azul, ask for one made with Scorpion mezcal and be sure to check out the bottle.

While some mescal comes bottled up with a worm, the Scorpion Silver Mezcal at El Gato Azul will have a real scorpion inside and a tiny Mexican sombrero on the outside of the bottle. For this novelty that surely will make the experience memorable for your visiting East Coast relatives, thank Bob Pike and Bill Peryer.

The difference between mezcal and tequila, as Pike explains, is that mezcal agave is cooked with hard wood charcoal and tequila agave is steamed. The plant is cooked in the ground to create a smoky flavor. Mezcal that has been aging for seven years in oak can cost $300 a bottle. “We don’t sell very much of that,” said Pike.

But they do sell a lot of Scorpion Mezcal to places like AJ’s, BevMo, Total Wine and restaurants throughout the state.

Pike and Peryer delight in finding, importing and distributing unique spirits, wine and beer of superior quality through their boutique wholesale company, Piper Premium Beverages.

They started the Prescott business in 2005 with one product, a brand of tequila. Slowly, the business partners added a cognac and other spirits. Four years ago, they started including premium beer and French wine.

“Phuket is a very good beer. It’s the only Thai beer we sell,” said Pike. “It is the premium Thai beer and it doesn’t cost any more than the most exported Thai brands like Singha or Chang that are made with formaldehyde.”

Phuket is a Piper Premium Beverages bestseller and can be found locally in stores such as Lloyd’s Liquors and Park Plaza Liquor & Deli.

“We don’t add a product just to have an offering in a particular category. Our products have to meet our standards for quality and uniqueness,” said Pike. “We serve a small cadre of people who like different things. Most people are into California wines. We only sell French wines and you don’t find a lot of those.”

The most popular wine Piper Premium Beverages distributes is a French Purple Malbec. The company’s best-selling scotch, Deerstalker Highland Single Malt, is aged 10 years. Also from Scotland is Hutchison Spiced Ginger Wine, which is sold mostly to Asian restaurants.

Before becoming a fine beverages distributor, Pike had an executive search business. There was a lot of travel involved and the search business started slowing down with the economic downturn. What he has found with the premium beverage industry is, even in difficult economic times, people will allow themselves certain luxuries. In this case, fine spirits.

It is also a business that allows him to live in Prescott. Peryer lives in nearby Dewey-Humboldt. “The Prescott area is like Flagstaff without a bitter winter,” said Pike. “I’m not going to live anywhere else.”

“People start businesses in Prescott for a variety of reasons,” said Prescott Chamber of Commerce CEO Dave Maurer. “Some of the primary reasons include our central location in the state, the size of our metropolitan area, and the overall quality of life. Prescott is very much a small business community with a good variety of businesses. Gone are the days where you had to make a weekly trip to Phoenix to do your shopping. Most goods and services can be found here.”

Piper Premium Beverages contracts with six salespeople who cover various regional areas of Arizona. Also, the company is expanding its import business by adding distributors in California, Hawaii, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas.

“Our aim is to cut through the overwhelming marketing that occurs with name brand products and simply be the best small, boutique-type distributor of the highest quality products available to the on-premise and off-premise trade,” said Pike. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens

Quad Cities Business News

Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) held roundtables in Prescott, Cottonwood and Prescott Valley yesterday to discuss the government slowdown, the debt ceiling, Obamacare and other issues with local business leaders. The events were attended by business owners, leaders from local Chambers of Commerce and government officials.

After the roundtables Rep. Gosar said, “People are fed up with the gridlock and partisanship in Washington. They are sick of feeling like pawns in a political chess game. Their families and businesses are hurting.”

“Hardworking Americans want an environment where they can thrive,” Rep. Gosar continued. “I will remain focused on solutions that get government out of the way and spur private-sector growth and job creation.”

Prescott: More than 30 business leaders came out Monday morning to the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott to discuss the small business issues impacting them. These business leaders are concerned that Obamacare will stifle economic growth and limit their ability to grow their companies.

Cottonwood: Business Leaders throughout Cottonwood and the Verde Valley joined Rep. Gosar at the Cottonwood Recreation Center for a Business Roundtable. Special thanks to Lana Tolleson, Andrea Harless and Casey Rooney for taking the time to share the developments of the growing viticulture industry in the region and the small business growth they are experiencing as a result.

Prescott Valley: Rep. Gosar listened to local business leaders share their thoughts concerning the economy and the pressures the business community is facing. Special thanks to Mayor Harvey Skoog and Marnie Uhl from the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce for their leadership as Prescott Valley continues to grow as a result of the pro-business attitude within the community.

A visit to Frontier Village on Highway 69 provides a stark comparison to the region’s shopping scene a couple of years ago. A new McDonald’s, a 3,000-square-foot Starbucks, the new 20,000-square-foot Planet Fitness facility and the much-welcomed Picture Show Entertainment provide a sign of the improved economy.

And when you visit Frontier Village’s website, you can watch a video titled, To Think They Called us a Ghost Town, complete with a Ghost Train song and messages including, “alive, well, ready and waiting.”

Prescott’s Chamber of Commerce CEO David Maurer is enthusiastic about Picture Show Entertainment, saying the additional movie screens at Frontier Village are an improvement for area residents. “There are 14 movie screens at the Harkins in Prescott Valley, so between the two, there will be a lot of movie opportunities,” he said.

Frontier Village Marketing Manager Amber Hudson is enthusiastic about the theater, too. “It has brought jobs into the area, and there are all kinds of networking things they have the opportunity to do there in the theater. As far as the different movies, different features, they can host events and movies,” said Hudson. The entire theater was rehabilitated, she said, including the carpet, the walls, screens and chairs.

For people who want to grab a bite to eat either before or after the show, the list of options keeps growing: Zeke’s, Fujiyama, Burger King, a new McDonald’s, Peter Piper Pizza, Applebee’s, Golden Corral, Subway, Red Lobster and others.

Planet Fitness has a tentative opening date of Nov. 11.  Co-owner Steve Thomas has another Planet Fitness in Yuma and is opening the Prescott facility with his two sons and daughter-in-law.

Of the nearly 700 Planet Fitness centers across the United States, 50 percent of members have never belonged to a gym or workout facility. “Some members have been working out all their lives, but for many, this is a new experience,” said Thomas. Planet Fitness has a philosophy: it is a judgment-free zone. Thomas says people regularly comment on the comfortable environment, which is very important to people wanting to make a life change and become more healthy.

In addition to the shopping center newcomers, Hudson says owners of many stores in Frontier Village have renewed their leases. “Our ultimate goal is to refill the center. We’re working hard to do that. The more stores you have, the better the shopping experience will be for the community,” she said.

The owner of Top 4 Nails agrees. Anna Hoang Le says the addition of new retailers is good for her business. “Things are very good and I will stay here for a long time,” she said.

Auraly Hollingsworth is looking forward to a robust future in Frontier Village. The general manager of Rack on Cue Family Billiards says they opened in July and things are going well. “People are embracing the family friendly message,” she told Quad Cities Business News. The local businesses are giving a lot and we are giving back to other businesses,” Hollingsworth said. She wants to see more people, including high school groups realize they can come and hang out. “There is not a lot for people under 21 to do in the area after the sun goes down.” Rack on Cue Family Billiards is open from 11 a.m. until midnight.

The bustling shopping area is just one sign of the region’s economic turnaround, says Maurer. “For the last couple years now, little by little, you begin to see the improving economy, new stores, new opportunities.” As you look around each of the cities in the area, he adds, you can see signs of the turnaround in the economy. QCBN

For more, visit www.frontier-village.com.

Written by Theresa Bierer

 Some groups that think purposeful business attraction will create a stronger Quad Cities area are working together on GPREP, or the Greater Prescott Regional Economic Partnership. The nascent effort has been slow to gain a foothold, but the group has plans to stimulate the local economy by attracting new businesses to the region.

One of the groups supportive of economic development is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Bryan Dougherty serves as dean of enrollment management. “Philosophically we’re on board, if there is anything we can do to help the region grow. And I think the region understands that we are part of that as a leading educational institution that could potentially open up industry connections, whether it is a research park or internships or just certain industries that want to be located close to the source of some of their employees,” said Dougherty.

The director of the Prescott Valley Economic Development Foundation is Gary Marks. While he is not an official member of GPREP, he’s been in the economic development business for 25 years, 15 in Prescott Valley. He has been supportive of the idea of a greater Prescott regional economic development initiative. “It could make the region stronger as a whole with more to offer as a whole than what we can offer individually,” said Marks.

A new player to the GPREP discussion is Jeff Burt, the City of Prescott’s new director of economic initiatives. Quad Cities Business News talked with him right after he relocated to the area from Indiana. “I was looking for an economic development opportunity that offered leadership and creativity, in a community committed to economic health,” Burt said in a phone interview. He looked forward to learning more and participating in the GPREP initiative.

The business of economic development is a competitive one, with municipalities across the country working to lure businesses. “So the types of jobs that every community wants: high paying, high tech manufacturing jobs, there is a chase that goes on all around the country for these types of companies,” said David Maurer, president of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. “And the Prescott area by and large has not been a part of that effort.” The chamber CEO thinks marketing the greater Prescott region nationally could work to attract businesses looking to relocate. Maurer thinks this part of central Arizona has a lot of qualities that would be attractive to employees, namely outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

Maurer also thinks a cohesive economic development effort could discourage competition between the Quad Cities when attracting retailers to set up shop in the area.

Embry-Riddle’s Dougherty calls coordination between various entities good business. “It is good politics and ultimately you have people not only limiting competition but an environment of collaboration and being able to put resources and work toward a common goal.” He also thinks different people bring unique problem-solving abilities to collaborations, which would benefit all communities in the Quad Cities region.

And while Dougherty, who has been in the area for 34 years, thinks attracting quality businesses to the Quad Cities would be a good thing, he recognizes not everyone agrees. “There are a lot of people who frankly don’t want to see the area grow. They moved here because of its size, they moved here because of its small town feel and they don’t want it to develop beyond that,” he said. Dougherty recognizes bringing new businesses and new money to the area would bring more construction and more people. “The more vibrant a community atmosphere, I think, the better experience for the [Embry-Riddle] students. On the other hand, I understand people have retired and invested their life savings and themselves into the community and they like it a certain way,” he added. “Maybe there is a measured growth, maybe there is compromise in between, a way to grow prudently and measuredly.” QCBN

Written by Theresa Bierer

A visit to Frontier Village on Highway 69 provides a stark comparison to the region’s shopping scene a couple of years ago. A new McDonald’s, a 3,000-square-foot Starbucks, the new 20,000-square-foot Planet Fitness facility and the much-welcomed Picture Show Entertainment provide a sign of the improved economy.

And when you visit Frontier Village’s website, you can watch a video titled, To Think They Called us a Ghost Town, complete with a Ghost Train song and messages including, “alive, well, ready and waiting.”

Prescott’s Chamber of Commerce CEO David Maurer is enthusiastic about Picture Show Entertainment, saying the additional movie screens at Frontier Village are an improvement for area residents. “There are 14 movie screens at the Harkins in Prescott Valley, so between the two, there will be a lot of movie opportunities,” he said.

Frontier Village Marketing Manager Amber Hudson is enthusiastic about the theater, too. “It has brought jobs into the area, and there are all kinds of networking things they have the opportunity to do there in the theater. As far as the different movies, different features, they can host events and movies,” said Hudson. The entire theater was rehabilitated, she said, including the carpet, the walls, screens and chairs.

For people who want to grab a bite to eat either before or after the show, the list of options keeps growing: Zeke’s, Fujiyama, Burger King, a new McDonald’s, Peter Piper Pizza, Applebee’s, Golden Corral, Subway, Red Lobster and others.

Planet Fitness has a tentative opening date of Nov. 11.  Co-owner Steve Thomas has another Planet Fitness in Yuma and is opening the Prescott facility with his two sons and daughter-in-law.

Of the nearly 700 Planet Fitness centers across the United States, 50 percent of members have never belonged to a gym or workout facility. “Some members have been working out all their lives, but for many, this is a new experience,” said Thomas. Planet Fitness has a philosophy: it is a judgment-free zone. Thomas says people regularly comment on the comfortable environment, which is very important to people wanting to make a life change and become more healthy.

In addition to the shopping center newcomers, Hudson says owners of many stores in Frontier Village have renewed their leases. “Our ultimate goal is to refill the center. We’re working hard to do that. The more stores you have, the better the shopping experience will be for the community,” she said.

The owner of Top 4 Nails agrees. Anna Hoang Le says the addition of new retailers is good for her business. “Things are very good and I will stay here for a long time,” she said.

Auraly Hollingsworth is looking forward to a robust future in Frontier Village. The general manager of Rack on Cue Family Billiards says they opened in July and things are going well. “People are embracing the family friendly message,” she told Quad Cities Business News. The local businesses are giving a lot and we are giving back to other businesses,” Hollingsworth said. She wants to see more people, including high school groups realize they can come and hang out. “There is not a lot for people under 21 to do in the area after the sun goes down.” Rack on Cue Family Billiards is open from 11 a.m. until midnight.

The bustling shopping area is just one sign of the region’s economic turnaround, says Maurer. “For the last couple years now, little by little, you begin to see the improving economy, new stores, new opportunities.” As you look around each of the cities in the area, he adds, you can see signs of the turnaround in the economy. QCBN

For more, visit www.frontier-village.com.

Written by Theresa Bierer, QCBN

When the notion of gluten-free diets first emerged, it seemed like a New Age food trend or the latest fad diet. But, its popularity didn’t fade. In fact, when it hit the mainstream, manufacturers took notice and began spending millions on research, development and marketing a variety of more tasty, gluten-free products. Stores like Trader Joe’s, New Frontiers and Wal-Mart added gluten-free selections to their stores.

New Frontiers in Prescott began experiencing a demand for gluten-free items several years ago. Chris Larson, marketing manager for the store, said the deli, frozen and grocery departments have seen a “huge” increase in the availability of new, gluten-free items.

“Being the kind of store we are, we were getting requests from people shopping for information. In the last year or two is when manufacturers really got on board,” he said.

“Just about every day we have the opportunity to get a new product. The category has grown. The deli has been key in gluten-free movement and making sure there are choices out there for people with gluten issues.”

He said, in the past, out of 25 items in the deli’s fresh case, there may have been one or two gluten-free items. Now there are six or seven.

Restaurants also began offering gluten-free items on their menu or whole separate gluten-free menus.

Bill’s Pizza not only offers gluten-free pizza, but gluten-free beer. “It’s been trending for quite a while,” said Michael Perner, kitchen manager.

He said the company just wanted to offer the alternative to those with serious gluten allergies and for those who are practicing the lifestyle for better health. And business is booming.

“At first we didn’t sell very much, but now we go through cases and cases of gluten-free crusts,” he said, adding that the crusts are one of the few things not made on site.

As for gluten-free beer, it has not caught on as much as the pizza.

“Once again, we went out and found the best gluten-free beer we could,” he said.

The owners of Sweet Anne’s Café in Prescott are very serious about offering a gluten-free menu to their customers. “We have a strict policy of cleaning everything to avoid cross-contamination and make sure the condiments we use are labeled gluten-free. We use separate toasters for our bread,” said Valerie Haugh, who owns the café with her sister, Chalinda Wilkerson. “If you are going to do it, you want to do it right.”

She estimates about a third of their customers come for the gluten-free menu. “That is growing as word gets around that we are serious.”

Even in restaurants that do not offer a special menu for those going gluten-free, there are menu items that they can eat.

Dawn Foster of Emmanuel Café and Bakery in Prescott Valley said the business has been open only about two months and they are glad to cater to those on gluten-free diets. “We have items such as salads and lettuce wraps or meat and cheese platters,” she said. “I would never send anyone away hungry. It’s like going home to your Mom. They keep nagging at you until you eat something.”

In the past, people knew that grain products were in their bread, pizza and beer, but today it is sometimes hidden – used as a binder or filler in such products as ice cream, blue cheese, soy sauce and curry powder. It is even used on dried fruit to keep slices from sticking to each other.

The federal government has gotten into the act by setting new standards, which go into effect next year. The new regulations demand a food product cannot be labeled “gluten-free” unless it does not contain any type of wheat, rye, barley or crossbreeds of these grains.

That is good news for the estimated three million Americans who suffer from Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disease that causes the small intestine to become inflamed when they consume wheat and other grain products. Those who suffer from the disease can have persistent indigestion, chronic diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain or a number of other symptoms. Those with sensitivity to wheat can suffer similar symptoms.

Gluten-free products have turned into a $2.6 billion a year industry, which has increased 30 percent during the past five years and is growing.

But a gluten-free diet may not be for everyone according to doctors, because cutting grains out of a diet may dangerously reduce needed vitamins, minerals and fiber. Eating a balanced diet including grain products can lower the risk of heart disease, Type-2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. QCBN