Open for business - By John Harrington - 05/04/08

A new building for Nash Spine Rehab is taking shape on Colonial Drive.

Anna Nash said she expects the 4,000 square-building to be complete in mid-July, with her business opening there on July 21.

The building, being done by Marc Parriman Construction, is just south of the new Mountain West Bank. Ground was broken earlier this year.

"We love the location, as it is easily accessible from the hospital area and the new south Helena exit," Nash said. "It is a great location for marketing, with visible signage from both interstate and Colonial."

Nash said her practice, with two spine therapists and an office manager currently and the goal of adding an additional therapist once the new space opens, will occupy around 60 percent of the building, with the rest available for lease.

Check in the mail: Federal tax rebate stimulus payments are starting to show up, and with them the pitches from businesses who'd like to get a hold of some of that stimulus money.

The Albertson's supermarket chain recently announced they'll cash stimulus checks and turn them into Albertson's gift cards, in denominations of $300, with an additional $30 added to each.

More locally, Finstad's Carpet One sent rebate certificates to customers for an additional $200. The offer isn't tied officially to the federal rebates, though the letter does reference the stimulus payments and suggests that new flooring might be one way to spend it.

And speaking of Finstad's, a happy 60th birthday to one of Helena's longest lasting local retailers and a presence in the downtown area for decades, on Rodney Street and more recently at the intersection of Placer and Fuller.

Come around back: With most of its public tours taken care of, St. Peter's Hospital is ready to open its new four-story wing and main entrance for use.

The hospital will officially open the new southeast main entrance tomorrow, with access off Winne Street. Access to the emergency room will still be from Broadway.

Services in the new space will be phased in over the next several days. The first floor, which includes admitting/registration, diagnostic imaging and the gift shop, will also open tomorrow.

The fourth floor, which includes the Women & Children's Center, will open on Wednesday. A Saturday opening is planned for the second floor surgical unit, with the medical/oncology unit on the third floor ready for business next Tuesday, May 13.

E-mail your Open for Business ideas to john.harrington@helenair.com.