SugarOak Announces Acquisition of Spalding Exchange Office Park in Norcross, GA

Herndon, VA - October 26, 2011 - SugarOak, a Virginia based owner/developer of commercial properties, announced the acquisition of the Spalding Exchange Office Park, 55,000 sq ft, in Norcross, Georgia.

Spalding Exchange is located off of Holcomb Bridge and is comprised of eight separate, Williamsburg style buildings. 

“We see tremendous upside potential for Spalding Exchange” said John MacDonell, asset manager for SugarOak. “We will move aggressively to revitalize the property and are confident it can once again be one of the premier office parks within the area.”

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 U.S. and Canada.

Improv Group Is Back in the Funny Business

Richmond, VIRGINIA – March 25, 2011 – A local theater is getting a second chance to bring back the laughs. Christine Walters has leased 2,000 square feet in the Gold’s Gym Plaza at West Tower to revive ComedySportz, an improv comedy theater that has been out of the spotlight for two years. She’s set to open in April. ComedySportz was known for shows in which two teams of performers would compete in improv games and perform scenes. The paying audience would judge the results and award points. The business also had a little league program for budding performers ages 10 to 13, a high school league and a summer camp. “We trained so many people - kids and adults that have gone through the program - and enriched so many lives,” Walters said. The first ComedySportz location on Staples Mill Road opened in 2001 and closed eight years later after the economy slowed and spectators stop coming. “We were starting to see that people weren’t coming in like they were,” Walters said, adding that the hours and responsibilities of the business began to take a toll, too. “I was burnt out and ready to make a life change,” she said.

After they closed down the theater, ComedySportz groups performed at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for 11 months, which wasn’t entirely successful, according to Walters. “We went and performed when people called asking for entertainment, but our hearts weren’t in it. “It wasn’t the same.” Walters worked at a local marketing firm until May 2010, when she decided sales were not for her. “I realized I was in the wrong business,” she said. ComedySportz performed their last show at the center in Glen Allen in January 2010 and started hunting for a new home.

With the location about to open in Gold’s Gym Plaza on the 8900 block of Broad Street, Walters has stepped down from her position as owner and general manager and will take on the role of marketing and sales director. Susan Scovill, a former performer, is joining as the business manager. Scovill, director of the Fair Housing Concepts in Action, is glad to see it coming back. “ComedySportz offers a unique improv experience - it’s the most fun thing I’ve ever done,” said Scovill. “Improv has a ripple effect on your life.” The company began raising funds on Kickstarter.com a few months ago for the new facility and made just under $5,000 toward the $10,000 they needed to start up. Walters plans to continue all of the programs they originally had, including the Richmond Improv Festival, which brought together comedy acts from across the country. “I want to start with quality shows, quality education and a quality corporate department,” Walters said. Even though the programs will the same, Walters said she will be making some changes to how the business will operate. “We’re changing the structure of the management team to avoid the severe burnout of one.”

About Gold’s Gym Plaza

The Gold’s Gym Plaza is located on West Broad Street west of Parham between West End Drive and Homeview Drive. The center is home to Gold’s Gym, Gelati Celesti, Richmond Dance Center, Peking Restaurant, Quizno’s, Calico Corners, Richmond Dance Center, For Eyes, Pho City Vietnamese Restaurant, and many others. The center is also home to the United Artist West Tower, a 10-screen movie theater.

A BURST OF NEW BUSINESS AT GEORGIAN PLACE

Somerset, Pennsylvania – October 21, 2010 – The last few weeks have been busy for new Shopkeeper, Jessica Darr, who will open Broken Spoke Mercantile this weekend at Georgian Place in Suite 312 (formerly Van Heusen). The Grand Opening will take place this Saturday, October 23rd from 10AM to 6PM and Sunday, October 24th from Noon to 5PM. “Ideally, I was looking for a central location and well known landmark that sees both local traffic and visitors from outside the area”, Darr said. “Prior to opening, I had set up a small product offering inside Sugar Grove Shoppes at Georgian Place and quickly saw the potential for my own business. The merchants here all work together and the environment has so much energy.” The store will feature furnishings and accessories – from early American and primitive to country and rustic, Textiles, Specialty foods, Garden and outdoor items, Pottery and tableware, seasonal items, and much more. In addition to the newest retail store in the shopping & office village, two new offices recently opened at Georgian Place, The Learning Lamp and PathStone. The Learning Lamp is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing the support students need to succeed in the classroom. Melissa Rager, Assistant Education Director, said “We chose the office suite at Georgian Place because it gives us plenty of room and we love the outdoor space for our students.” PathStone recently opened in one of the newly renovated Professional Suites. They offer Training and Employment Services to seniors. “The center has a very nice, cohesive quality to it. The strategy with any multi-use center is to create a mix of businesses that will benefit each other, said Tonya Spangler, VP of Leasing & Sales at the property. Those who make an appointment with Dr. Basala may also stop by Fresh Eats Bistro for lunch, browse the new styles at BonWorth, or check out the shelves at Pages & Light Bookshop.” Over the last year some of the businesses, along with center representatives of Georgian Place, have been meeting to form a Merchants’ Association and plan popular community events such as the Scarecrow Festival and, upcoming, the traditional Safe Halloween Trick or Treat and holiday kick off. “I think everyone realizes that we can all join forces and make something really special happen,” said Barb Will, who owns SugarGrove Shoppes. “It is a unique and special property. I couldn’t be happier about my location.” 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, Factory Brand Shoes, Somerset Sewing Center, blubaughsmusic.com, Cottage Pine Antiques, Pet Boutique, Priority Healthcare, Vitamin World, Affordable Art, Somerset Co. Building Inspections, American General Finance, Neurological Institute of Western PA & Boyer Financial Planning, to name a few of the over 35 shops and businesses that make up Georgian Place. 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.

SugarOak Announces Acquisition of Crossings Centers IV & VI

Herndon, VA – April 12, 2010… SugarOak, a Virginia based owner/developer of commercial properties, announced the acquisition of the Crossings Centers IV & VI, 53,000 sq ft and 110,000 sq ft, in Norcross, Georgia. Crossings Center IV is located off of Peachtree Parkway and is comprised of five separate buildings. Crossings Center VI is located off of Holcomb Bridge Road, within the Town of Norcross, and is comprised of nine separate buildings. “We see tremendous upside potential for Crossings Centers IV & VI,” said John MacDonell, Asset manager for SugarOak. “We will move aggressively to revitalize the properties and are confident that they can once again be two of the premier office parks within the area.” About SugarOak Properties 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.