* The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.net Wednesday, October 23, 2013 iu DAVE BLANTON | dave.kmherald@gmail.com Martin’s Electric, a Shelby company that thrived in the 1980s and 1990s wiring houses and then weathered the lingering re- cession by adapting to changing market conditions, has moved its home base to Kings Mountain. “When the economy took a dive in 2008 and 2009 — especially in the construc- tion business — we knew we had to expand the scope of the business,” said Dean Martin, who started the busi- ness in the early 1980s and has watched it grow over the years with the help of his two sons and a staff of more than a dozen. The company currently has a large crew working on a mammoth project in Char- lotte, a senior housing com- plex with 86 units. That job started in November of 2012 and expectations are that it will be finished around Christmastime of this year. The brothers — Nathan and Chris — looked over a broad sheaf of blueprints in their offices Friday and talked about some of the complexities of the job and how the business has changed over the years. It’s moved from doing mostly residential wiring and service calls to include retail establishments, restau- rants and apartment com- plexes. And these days the company is able to grab up jobs from deep in the N.C. mountains to the coast and into South Carolina and Georgia. Martin’s Electric is licensed in all three states. They also provide computer networking and service to clients who are in the market for that. Despite its growth, Mar- tin’s is still a family business with deep roots in the com- munity. “We’re not too big to do small jobs,” Dean said. In .fact, the move to Kings Mountain is the result of a consolidation of two of the Martins’ businesses — one in Gaston County and one in Shelby — so it could be one entity and better serve its varied customers. The Martins said they’re excited about their new digs downtown and look to a bright future in a new loca- tion just one town over from where the dream began more than 30 years ago. Hound’s Grill now open in KM Mike Brown, his son Pre- ston and Preston’s wife, Lynn, have opened a new restaurant — Hound’s Grill at Hounds Campground on S. Battleground Ave., the old Park Yarn Mill property. “We have sandwiches and most anything you like to eat at lunch from 11 am.-2 p.m., and supper from 5-8 p.m.,” says Mike. Friday’s special is a hot dog plate: a hot dog with fries and drink for $2.25 for those who dine in. Carry-outs are also available for other menu items by calling 704-739- 4474. And there is plenty of space to dine-in at bar stools at the kitchen area and also at small tables and chairs in the dining room. “This dining area is per- fect for banquets, class re- unions, or a dance and we welcome those who may want to rent the ballroom and kitchen,” said Preston Outdoor Faucet Covers - 2 for atte S 3-00 rE Bridges TaaVatue Hardware (4 wie301 W. King Street e Kings Mountain 104-739-3461 Monday-Friday 8-8; Saturday 8-6 Preston and Mike Brown are pictured in Hound's Grill, a new family-owned and operated restaurant at Hound’s Camp- ground. Brown. Other events at Hound's Campground & Park LLC: The spooks and goblins will be cavorting about this weekend and next on the. haunted hayride that opens at dark on October 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31. Admission is $5. “The crowds are coming and this is something you and your children don’t want to miss,” says Preston. Ghouls and goblins will be dressed up along the haunted hayride route that take groups for a scary ride into the old mill. This weekend — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — a huge craft fair will be at Hound’s Park. There is no charge for admission and the hours are 10'a.m.-7 p.m. Hound’s first annual Toy Run to benefit North Shelby School and No Child Left Behind will be on Nov. 16 and will start at 10 a.m. from the Campground, 114 Raven Circle. For more information about the events call Lynn Brown at 704-473-4599. Hotdog, Fries, and a Drink only $225 One Pay Special’ Friday, October 251" Celebrating the opening of Hounds Grill LLC Check out our varied menu of sandwiches, salads, and more! Hounds Grill, LLC 114 Raven Circle » 704-739-4474 At Hounds Campground & Park, LLC (old Glen Raven-Park Yarn Mil) ARATE # *Dine in only ¢ - ectric The principals of Martin’s Electric, from right, Chris Martin, Nathan Martin and Dean Martin talk about how their business has changed over the years as employee David Humes sits Photo by DAVE BLANTON A familiar Mountain Street bank recently changed hands from First National Bank to The Bank of the Ozarks. This new sign now graces the entrance. Is your home pest proofed? Pest-proofing is what Kim Reynolds does best. Region Technical Director/Mid Atlantic for Home Team Pest Defense, she travels in various areas of the state counseling home- owners on how to protect their homes in the fall from “invaders” like rodents and insects who enter homes when the weather cools. Reynolds has been working in the pest control industry for 12 years and came to her present job in 2005 from Florida. “I really like the Piedmont section of the state,” she says. : Reynolds says the reason that rodents enter homes in the fall is because they want to find a sheltered place for the winter. “Be sure your windows don’t have any cracks or crevices because insects congre- gate in places where it is hard to reach and if you vacuum them up be sure the vacuum is taken outside and there are no bugs left in- side,” she points out. Reynolds reminds to look for mice drop- pings in storage areas or where there is moisture and particularly where food is kept. “Keep firewood away from your house and clean out all debris piles from outside the house to avoid mice and other insects,” she say. Reynolds says that rats can get into any hole a quarter of an inch and where weather stripping is broken or in the foundation of a house. There are also pests that pest control . companies get calls about in the spring when the intruders have suddenly reappeared in- doors and are trying to sneak back outside. Unfortunately, the time to control those overwintering pests was the previous fall — it’s important to take steps before the pests begin to migrate indoors Reynolds reminds that now is the time to schedule fall perimeter treatments and pest- proofing jobs. Some pest-proofing tips: caulk cracks around doors and basement or ground floor windows; make sure windows and door screens fit securely and screen outside vents; install thresholds, sweeps and weather stripping on ground-level doors, including garage doors. Inspections Five Kings Mountain area facilities were among those inspected by the Cleveland County Health Department on Sept. 19 and the week of Sept. 23-27. They are: Ingles 147 Deli, 95.5; Food Lion 2654 Deli, E. King St., Washington El- ementary School, 99.5 and Food Lion 2654 Meat Market, E. King St., 99.5. 118 an Old-fashioned Fall Festival Tuesday, October 29 ¢ 6-8pm Kings Mountain YMCA gym FREE Admission with a donation of 2 canned food items for the KM Crisis Assistance Ministry Games 2 Candy 2 Cake Walk © Costume Contest & More! he ~ ie FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTH LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBRITY Arise 4