DONE DEALS: GEORGIAN PLACE SIGNS NEW LEASES

Somerset, Pennsylvania – January 11, 2012 – Georgian Place Shopping & Office Village is pleased to announce they have signed a wide variety of new deals to ring in the New Year on a positive note. “The fourth quarter had strong activity, involving over 30,000 SF of space, which so far generated over 15,000 square feet of leases and purchase agreements, said Tonya Spangler, Vice President of Leasing and Sales for the center. “We are pleased to be working on details to solidify the remaining deals.”

The new leases are a mix of office and specialty retail, which continues to follow the strategic direction set forth by the owners of Georgian Place. Among the signed deals are, Fastenal, opening in February in Suite 403, Penn Highlands College Somerset Center, opening this month in Suite 315, Insurance Services, now open in suite 405, The Sewing Box Quilt Shop, now open in suite 311, and So Let’s Sew, opening later this month in suite 307. The Sewing Box Quilt Shop carries high quality cotton fabric for quilting, craft, and sewing projects, among other related accessories and gifts. So Let’s Sew will be the area’s Viking sewing machine dealer and both stores will conduct a variety of classes and work together to offer the best in sewing expertise and supplies in the entire region. Insurance Services, under the management of Mary Seng, will offer Somerset additional insurance choices. Fastenal will move their retail store in February, expanding the inventory to accommodate their customer base, while Penn Highlands is very excited to be able to offer a brand new space and amenities for their students. “This move is precipitated by our growth in Somerset County, said Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Walter Asonevich. “This move will increase our number of classrooms from 2 to 3 and will also provide improved parking for our students.” Penn Highlands will seek additional location approval from Middle States Commission on Higher Education which will allow the College to offer degree completion at its’ Somerset site.

While new businesses were moving in, two existing specialty retailers expanded at the center. Pages & Light Used Books expanded to suite 314 to provide room for greeting cards, jewelry and gifts, and It’s New To You quality consignments moved to suite 415 and will expand the business to include even more items, including women’s clothing and accessories. In addition, a purchase contract was executed for the sale of an additional business condominium space to Michael Boyer, for the expansion of Boyer Financial Planning; and another condominium purchase agreement for a 5,000 square feet unit is planned to close in the first quarter. Also, formal letters of intent have been issued to “lease up” an additional 10,000 SF. This new activity will bring the facility to over 85% occupied.

“The center brings together many of the best businesses in the area, all in one convenient place, said Spangler. “It has been really exciting to see it evolve in the way we had planned.”

About Georgian Place:

In 2005 SugarOak Properties converted the 182,000 square feet former Outlet Center at Georgian Place into a full-service business condominium -- providing office, retail, medical and service users with an opportunity to purchase or lease ready-to-use space at below market prices.

The new retail and office Tenants join Precision Fitness, Famous Footwear Outlet, blubaughsmusic.com, Cottage Pine Antiques, Broken Spoke Mercantile, Interim Healthcare, Vitamin World, Springleaf Financial, Laurel Arts Education and Dance Center, Pediatric Care Specialists, & Family Behavioral Resources, to name some of the over 35 shops and businesses at Georgian Place.

About SugarOak:

SugarOak is a full service real estate company offering investment, management, and construction services across multiple property types. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, SugarOak has ownership interests and management portfolios across the US and Canada.

Come for Fall Family Fun at the Scarecrow Festival

The cooler weather and brilliant colors of fall blanketing the Laurel Highlands once again welcomes the annual Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place. Scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10AM to 6PM, the event, held rain or shine, comes to life through the collective efforts of the various merchants of Georgian Place, Laurel Arts and the Somerset County Farmers’ Market vendors. Admission and parking are free of charge.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy the popular Scarecrow Contest, the heart of the festival. Strolling through the courtyard, festival guests can take in nearly 50 handcrafted scarecrows on display and competing for over $1500 in cash prizes in three categories: 1. Business (open to all for-profit organizations); 2. Non-Profit (including youth groups, schools, churches, etc.); 3. Individual and/or Family. In addition, visitors are encouraged to cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout the day. Winning entries will be announced near the end of the Festival, though all scarecrows will be on display through Saturday, October 2. Groups interested in entering a scarecrow may obtain an entry form and details by calling 814-443-3818. Entry forms due by September 5.

A full schedule of family fun, guests can expect to be delighted throughout the day with festivities including a scarecrow making workshop, pumpkin painting, wandering live scarecrows, a quilt show and sale, a petting zoo, live entertainment and the opportunity to design your own carved gourd. Visitors may also indulge their taste buds in the flavors of the season at one of the onsite food vendors. Another new feature for 2011 includes the addition of crafters demonstrating and selling their wares throughout the festival. Also new to the festival this year, guests may pose for a memorable photo with a giant 200 pound pumpkin!

The scarecrow making workshop, hosted by Laurel Arts staff and volunteers, teaches participants how to create a unique, life-size scarecrow to take home just in time for the autumn season. All scarecrow building materials are included at a nominal fee, with proceeds to benefit Laurel Arts. No reservations are needed for this first-come, first-served activity. Laurel Arts, a local non-profit organization, works to foster the visual and performing arts in Somerset County.

Pumpkin painting will take place on the courtyard from 11AM until supplies run out. Brushes, paint and pumpkins, locally grown by vendors of the Somerset County Farmers’ Market, will be provided free of charge for children 12 and under. The Farmers’ Market will also be open during the festival between 9AM and 1PM, where you’ll find quality, farm fresh goods at reasonable prices, including beef, pork and lamb, vegetables and fruit, plants, honey and maple products and baked goods.

Meadowbrooke Gourds, specializing in raising, drying and crafting gourds for all seasons at their farm in Carlisle, PA, will be joining the festivities for the first time this year. Visitors will have a chance to select a dried gourd of their choice and then come up with a one-of-a-kind design, limited only by imagination. Meadowbrooke’s very best craftsmen will be on hand to carve the design into the gourd. All ages and levels of artistic skill are encouraged to try this activity! Gourd prices range from $5 and up.

The 2011 Scarecrow Festival is co-sponsored by Somerset Trust Company and Georgian Place. For more information or a complete schedule of the day’s events, call 814-443-3818. Check out the 2011 Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place fan page on Facebook for regular updates and news about the event.

Currently seeking vendors—crafts, pottery, jewelry, folk art, metal & wood, florals, textiles, food and more. Please call 814-233-9959 or 814-701-2064 for details and to reserve a space.

TAKE A TRAIN TO THE GEORGIAN PLACE HERB AND CRAFT FESTIVAL

The Laurel Highlands Model Railroad Club (a 501 C 3 non-profit charitable organization) is “kicking – off” its “Trains for Tots” Christmas campaign in conjunction with the “Horseradish Festival” being held at the Georgian Place in Somerset, Pa on June 25 and 26. So dig out your old model trains, especially the rusted and broken ones, and deliver them to the Railroad Club at 209 Georgian Place during the festival. The club will repair and make serviceable all model trains received and give them to our local Somerset Kids And Countians in Need Organization who in turn will award these train sets to their needy clients during the Christmas season. Also, those delivering model trains to the club during this event will receive free admission for the day to enjoy the areas largest multi-scale display and a receipt evidencing your possible tax deductible contribution. For more information call 814-445-8922