Biz buzz:
Arby’s site to become Bank of Broadmoor branch

       The Bank of Broadmoor recently bought the former Arby's property at 3216 W. Colorado Ave., with the goal of making the Westside location the bank's fourth branch in Colorado Springs.
       Development plans are still conceptual, but the board of directors hopes to have the branch open for business within a year, according to Ed Sauer, Bank of Broadmoor president and chief executive officer. One decision still to be made is whether to use the existing Arby's building or tear it down and start afresh, he said.
       In any event, he pledged that the bank will “try to make it (the new branch's building style) fit in” with the neighborhood. Located across Colorado Avenue from the Red Rock Shopping Center, the site is near an older neighborhood, including several homes on Colorado Avenue that pre-date 1900.
       The branch will be full-service, including teller windows and loan officers inside and drive-up lanes outside. One goal for the drive-up is to have wide lanes with landscaping, in response to the high number of Bank of Broadmoor customers (60 to 70 percent of the total) who bank that way, Sauer said.
       Other bank branches are in the Broadmoor, downtown and Briargate. The Arby's has been closed for at least two years. Sauer said the location choice stemmed from his growing up on the Westside and, from a business standpoint, wanting a site near major streets and in an area that is “going through a rejuvenation.” He added that the bank, which started 25 years ago, will try to make itself known to the Westside and Manitou Springs by supporting area schools and other civic needs.
      
       Karol Brown, a watercolor artist, will be painting and signing prints of her work in the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Wednesday, August 3 from 8 to 11 a.m. She is best known for her Colorado landscapes, especially those in the Garden of the Gods, and was commissioned by Governor Bill Owens to paint the “Millennium Tree” from Pike National Forest.
      
       Greccio Housing, a non-profit, Westside-based company which provides discounted rental quarters to low-income and disabled people, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. A major upcoming fund raiser is the Sept. 17 Fall Fiesta.
       Greccio Housing is at 1808 W. Colorado Ave. The phone is 475-1422.
      
       The fifth annual Cycle for SET, including a 20 to 32-mile alternate route through the Garden of the Gods, is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 6.
       The bicycling event will begin at 8 a.m. in Monument Valley Park. Proceeds will go to SET, which provides health services and basic medical care to the low-income and uninsured.
       For more information, call 328-0908, ext. 1001.
      
       An opening reception with August's featured artists will be Friday, Aug. 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Squash Blossom art gallery, 2531 W. Colorado.
       Squash Blossom is spotlighting a different sculptor and painter each month this summer. Those for August are sculptor Robert Deurloo and painter Bunny Oliver.
      
       Cottage Style is opening its doors Saturday July 30 at 1706 W. Colorado Ave. The owner is Meg Nisbet.
       Open Monday through Saturday, the shop will offer a collection of old to “nearly old” home décor, funiture, china, collectibles, art, lighting and whimsy items. The phone is 205-1234.
      
       All That Glitters Fine Jewelry has produced a custom necklace to be auctioned at the upcoming Pasta in the Park benefit for TESSA, a local organization that focuses on domestic violence and sexual assault.
       According to All That Glitters owner Cretee Nemmer, the piece is a replica of the TESSA logo, with a 14-karat gold circle and a star of diamonds.
       Pasta in the Park will be at the Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Ave., Aug. 13 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
      
       Westsider Victor Shepard, owner of Shiloah Fine Carpentry, is hosting a picnic August 1 (Colorado Day) at the picnic grounds just north of the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Hours are from 11 am to 3 p.m. Bring a side dish and a friend. For more details, go to www.shiloahfine.com.

Do you have any news about your business? Call the Westside Pioneer at 471-6776.