American Beauty
Syzygy's artisan tiles go from Silver City to 130 showrooms far and wide. Plus Internet disconnects, hot springs do-over, Sun-News move and still more Walgreen's news.
Spotlight on. . .
Syzygy Tileworks
Lee Gruber smiles when she talks about her company's first big break. She and husband David del Junco had just started up Syzygy Tileworks and were making the rounds to trade and industry shows. Gruber laughs a self-effacing little laugh when she recalls the big "tile party" at one such show.
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David del Junco and Lee Gruber, owners of Syzygy Tileworks, with some
of their product sample boards. (Photo by Donna Clayton Lawder) |
"It was a very big deal. The top players in the market were at this event, and we wanted to make the most of it," she recalls with a smile. "They told us we could only bring one board of our samples," she says, and holds up a typical sample board — a foot or so wide, maybe a couple of feet long, a small grouping of coordinated tiles affixed to the front.
"So we brought our one board," she says, the laughter growing. "It was about four feet high and six or eight feet wide, and we had crammed on as many sample groupings as possible!"
Creative interpretation of the rules — and their impressively creative tiles — got Syzygy noticed. "We picked up 20 showrooms from that one event," Gruber recalls.
Today, 14 years down the road, Syzygy Tileworks' wares are shown in and sold through 130 showrooms "from LA to Chicago," Gruber says, smiling.
Syzygy produces high-end, hand-made, hand-glazed artisan tiles, all produced in its one facility — a combination showroom and manufacturing plant on Bullard Street in downtown Silver City. The tiles are tradition-inspired while having the modern flair of del Junco's unique artistry. He has created all of the company's designs and proprietary glazes.
Walking around the manufacturing part of the operation, Gruber points out the shelves and shelves of hand-made custom molds from which the tiles are produced out of high-fired terracotta clay. She shows how some of the molds create a single four-inch-by-four-inch tile. Others pop out groups of much smaller ones. Some are plain, while others are embossed with a design from a hand-carved template.
Syzygy employs more than two-dozen employees these days, from a handful of designers and salespeople to the numerous tile-makers who press and cut and glazers who hand-paint the miniature works of art. The company has its own electrical transformer to run its many kilns.
"People may move from one department to another because they want to try their hand at something else," Gruber says of her employees. "And we also have apprentices, from the high school and from the (New Mexico) Works Department, that come and go, or sometimes stay."
Gruber sits down with del Junco at a table in the opulent showroom, a space that the company moved into in March 2006. The massive renovation to the building took six months.
"We wanted a business of our own, and we thought we could do this," Gruber says simply.
Del Junco puts in, "Nobody was doing this at the time."
Gruber nods. "Our timing turned out to be just perfect," she says with a smile. "Really, we never thought we'd be this successful."
"And we've grown internally, reinvesting into the business," del Junco adds. "We didn't take more and more loans."
Not growing too fast was a concern, the two agree.
Del Junco says, "You've got to keep up the supply. . ."
Gruber puts in, "Keep things in the pipeline. . ."
"You can't just take orders and then leave people hanging for the product," del Junco finishes.
His best estimate is that Syzygy produces some 700,000 tiles per year these days, crafted from around 160,000 pounds of that rich red terracotta clay.
In talking about the dollars and cents, del Junco says, "Local customers are gravy. We realized very early on that we couldn't count on that being our bread and butter." Hence all the showroom exposure in metropolitan areas — fancy places, too, like Vail and Aspen. Their wares also show in Vancouver, Canada, and Gruber adds that they are "trying for Montreal now."
But with new folks relocating to the Silver City area — and some chi-chi new home construction and renovations going on — del Junco admits that Syzygy has sold more product locally than in years past.
Gruber and del Junco point out the ways customers lacking a bottomless budget can integrate some of Syzygy's wares into a kitchen or bathroom renovation to create something special. In addition to producing their own handcrafted originals, the company imports unique tile products that blend with Syzygy's — which can save the consumer a heap of money.
"They could start with just 10 of our decorative tiles," Gruber says of a hypothetical consumer. These can run 50 bucks a square foot. But filling in with saltillo tiles from Mexico — running as low as $2-$4 a square foot — can make a Syzygy Tileworks kitchen-sink backsplash an affordable reality, she explains.
"The majority of our orders are about $1,000 to $5,000 (retail)," she estimates. "That means there are higher ones and lower ones, too."
Del Junco nods and smiles. "It's an investment, but it's not just some utilitarian thing," he says. "It's like art. And you do it once and then you have something you'll love for life."
Syzygy Tileworks, 106 N. Bullard St., Silver City, 388-5472, www.syzygytile.com.
Updates
Silver City-ites are perhaps a step closer to their Walgreen's drugstore on Hwy. 180. Now that the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Silver City Public Works Department have announced that there will be a traffic signal installed at the intersection of Rosedale Road and Hwy. 180 as part of the projected year-long, $9 million improvement project, things are looking rosier. Last month, Claiborne Gallagher of El Paso-based RJL Development confirmed that the site adjacent to the current commercial construction has Walgreen's potential and that "a preferred Walgreen's developer is looking to do a build-to-suit for them on our site." But we reported that the deal was hanging in the balance due the traffic-light issue. That "preferred developer" is Colorado Springs-based BenCor, which has a satellite office in Albuquerque. The highway project, however, is not set to commence until this winter. When asked if the confirmed stoplight means a green light for the deal, a spokesman at BenCor (who asked to remain anonymous) responded, "Not quite yet." He promises to say more than the company-mandated "no comment" next month.
After failing to sell at auction in June, Faywood Hot Springs will once again be put on the block by specialty real-estate firm Higgenbotham Auctioneers International. The property's owner, Wanda Fuselier, confirms that the hot spring is closed to the public for renovations until at least mid-August, as listed on their Web site (www.faywoodhotsprings.com). No details were available at press time regarding terms of the sale of the 1,300-acre property, or the new auction date.
Server Not Found
Chip Morrish, general manager of Silver City-area Internet service provider Signal Peak, sent a company status report and lengthy letter of apology to "valued customers" last month. The email confessed to "poor network performance" and "system-wide, long-duration (outage) events over the prior weeks." Morrish went on to identify problems the company has recently faced, a list that reads like the plagues of Job: AC installation to fix an overheated router problem, new link radios (three-quarters of which failed, but were subsequently replaced), channel interference due to an outside company putting up a couple of transmitters, problems from a rogue server, a UPS/power supply "catastrophically" failing and more. He then systematically detailed the measures undertaken by the beleaguered provider to restore services. In his note, Morrish said the problems are not an indication of problematic infrastructure. As for the corruptions of the company's backbone routers that are causing problems "at random throughout the day," he said the causes are not known but could be the result of "a random attack by net-bots, a targeted attack by an individual or group or just a plain, old-fashioned human screw-up." One thing's for sure: With cable competitor Comcast introducing high-speed Internet to Silver City this summer, Signal Peak's "unprecedented" run of bad luck could hardly be worse-timed. One Comcast installer commented recently that he'd switched over three Signal Peal customers that week — and this was on a Tuesday.
It's also a peculiar time for long-time area Internet provider ZiaNet to be cutting back its local marketing. But the formerly Las Cruces-based ZiaNet has seemed to change focus since its April 2006 acquisition by Albuquerque-based OneConnect IP, a leading Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) company. Calls to phone numbers once answered at ZiaNet's Foothills Road office in Las Cruces are now routed to a general tech-support line shared with OneConnect IP. And business affairs for the company are now handled out of Albuquerque.
On the Market
Bruce Helmig confirms that he and his business partners, Bob Rowland and Dale Harned, will be putting Isaac's Bar & Grill on the market this fall. Helmig says the trio has taken great pride in restoring the historic building (which also will be for sale) at the corner of Broadway and Bullard Street in downtown Silver City. "We've had a great run and the place is successful," Helmig says, adding that he and his partners are ready to hand the reins over "to someone else who wants to run a great restaurant and bar, so we can do other things." Helmig says he wants to travel.
On the Move
The Silver City Sun-News newspaper will be moving into digs on Broadway in Silver City by early August. General manager Wayne Bernard says he's been searching for a suitable downtown location for about a year, and decided the old Sun West Bank spot was ideal. "It'll put us in the public notice. . . and we'll have bigger, more open space," Bernard says. The space, which Bernard called "charming," still has the old teller windows and an old safe and vault. Final touches on the renovation were being completed at press time — Desert Exposure's press time, that is.
Xian Antiquities in Deming was forced to move to a new spot after the back of the shop suffered damage from heavy rains. Owner Tim Webber says he was in China, scouting out ancient artifacts and rare decorative items, when the shop was damaged. Xian is now located at 121 E. Spruce St., just a few doors up from its old location. 546-9223.
And "on the move" in a different sort of way. . . Parkview Metal Products, a metal fabrication company, is closing its doors and opening a smaller operation across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. CEO Nels Leutwiler told local economic development groups that declining sales and competition from Juarez-based competitors forced the decision, made after months of deliberation. The Las Cruces plant opened in 1998, and its closing will cost about 80 jobs.
Going, Going, GONE
After announcing in June the arrival of Mariposa Hospice & Palliative Care at 1315 N. Pope St., in Silver City, Business Exposure was given a tip that office furniture and equipment were removed from the building last month and that the business is no more. Over the past few weeks, sticky notes on the door indicate attempted-delivery failures by UPS and FedEx. A phone message for the company says it is no longer taking new patients and that people in need of hospice care should call Gila Regional Medical Center's hospice program. Messages to the business have not been returned and repeated calls to proprietor Misty Gonzalez' home have not been answered. It seems the only conclusion is that the mariposa has, indeed, flown away.
And a creature of another type has bounded off into the sunset. Antelope Alley antiques and gallery in Deming has closed. Former owner Janie Sherman confirms that she has moved to Santa Fe.
New in Town
Silver City-ites have no excuse for not being well coiffed, thanks to a recent surge in salon activities. Cosmetologist Yolanda Cook has returned to town and is back at Shear Reflections, 1874 Hwy. 180 in the strip shopping center near the Balloon Store and Rough Country. 538-5860.
And Margie and Joe Zamora have opened Ego Trip Salon at 1307 N. Pope St., Suite A, across from Lusk Flower & Gift Shop and next to USA Cleaners. Cosmetologist Margie used to own a shop in Albuquerque and has been cutting hair for 17 years, until recently at Cienega Spa & Salon. Another up-until-recently Cienega stylist, Michelle White, has joined Margie at her new salon. 534-1411, www.egotripsalon.biz.
Likewise, Las Crucens have one less reason to go around shaggy. Judi Tarr, a recent relocator from Philadelphia, is running her one-woman show, Hair Wizard salon, at 2341 Entrada Del Sol (in Gym Magic), specializing in precision haircuts and offering hot lather shaves on sideburns and necks — a must in the bare summer months! 571-9187.
Jeff Gorum now offers area home-sellers and -buyers another option for those needing home inspections through his new business, Southwest Home Inspections, in Silver City. 574-8402.
Gary S. Smith has opened My Tech Smith, a Silver City-based business that services computers and offers system set-up consulting and Web site design. No Macs or laptops, please. 388-4164, www.mytechsmith.com.
Need a big truck? Craneworks New Mexico, a new Silver City-based company owned and operated by Keith Ayers, offers sales and rentals of construction equipment. (281) 219-7779.
Already got a big truck? Jef (yes, one "f") C. Hubbell and Michelle R. Pierce have opened Latigo Logistics at 111 W. College Ave. in Silver City, a transportation brokerage firm that hooks up shippers and carriers of freight. 748-5183.
Victoria Armijo has opened Completely Pampered by Victoria, a "direct sales" business for the "Pampered Chef" product line. Kitchen tools are sold through in-home demonstrations called "cooking shows" — think "Tupperware," but with graters, spatulas and pots. 313-7451, www.pamperedchef.biz/VIKKISPC.
Pardon the spelling, but Anazazi Traders has opened its doors at 2339 Calle de Guadalupe on the Mesilla Plaza, upstairs from Stahmann's. "Anasazi" already was taken by another business, so owners John and Marita Terrell got creative with an extra "z." The store carries hand-woven rugs and wooden carvings in traditional 19th and 20th century Native American style. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday, 12-5:30 p.m. 523-1645, www.anazazi-traders.com.
Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity has opened a new ReStore facility in Las Cruces, the better to spread its good works and raise funds for the non-profit's building program. Individuals and businesses are invited to donate surplus building materials, gently used furnishings and appliances, and more to the ReStore, or to buy said items at deeply discounted prices. 2301 S. Main St., 202-4508.
Good Strokes
Certified massage therapist Kathy Gorum has opened Healing Touch Massage in Silver City, offering sessions at her home studio at 1503 W. 6th St. or traveling to clients' homes as far away as the Mimbres. 574-6874.
Carol Christine, a health practitioner certified in a number of modalities, has opened White Signal Visions at 106 W. College Ave. in Silver City, across the street from Silver Imaging Photo Lab. In her healing center and art gallery, Christine offers massage and colon hydrotherapy and more, and sells paintings, art cards and soon silk clothing as well, in her business' gallery and gift shop. 534-4288.
Coming Soon
Fun Rental and Resale will open its doors early this month at The Hub plaza on Bullard Street in Silver City. Owner Jeff Schadel, of the Schadel's Bakery family, has returned to his roots, opening a business he says will serve both locals and visitors alike. The store buys and sells all manner of recreational equipment — think "Play It Again Sports" for campers and outdoor enthusiasts — and sells new goods, too. Of special note are baby strollers and cameras for touristas who left goodies at home because they forgot them or didn't want to fight with the overhead compartment on the plane, and folks who may have tents and bedrolls but need a few cook-pots or lanterns for an outing in the Gila. The store also will rent costumes and sell kites and other instruments of recreation. 388-2897.
And another Hub tenant, Luipta's Tortilleria, is still waiting in the wings, a sign in the window proclaiming, "Coming soon!"
Las Crucens will soon have a brand-new Walgreen's drugstore on El Paseo Road, near Samons Electric and Plumbing Supply. Construction is set to begin soon on the new facility, which will have a drive-thru. The new outlet will replace the current Walgreen's up the street at 1300 El Paseo.
Wesley and Kristi Lane are hoping for an early-August opening for their new Wild Birds Unlimited store at 2001 E. Lohman Ave., Suite 130 in the Arroyo Plaza in Las Cruces. "There is a big variety of beautiful birds in Southern New Mexico, and we hope to provide people with the knowledge and products to help them enjoy the hobby of feeding backyard birds," Kristi says. The store will sell nature gifts and goods for backyard bird-feeding hobbyists. www.wbu.com.
Bigger and Better
HMS has opened a mental-health office at 301 College Ave. in Silver City, taking over space vacated by Southwest Advocates for Kids (SWAK). 388-1511, www.hmsnm.org.
Stacey Austin, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, is now practicing at Louise Cash's Red Hat Healing Center, 309 E. College Avenue in Silver City. Austin completed her residency in Texas and practiced in California. 934-4439.
Stormy's Game Central has opened at 810 N. Bullard St. in Silver City, near the intersection with College Avenue, operating in the front room of Kent Featheringill's Five Star Tattoo space in downtown Silver City. Stormy Kazanis deals in all manner of video games, adding "something for the kids," says Featheringill, who does the tats and offers musical-instrument sales and repairs in his part of the establishment. The whole place is undergoing a major renovation, and Featheringill says to look for a grand re-opening party in the near future.
Staybridge Suites, the extended-stay hotel at 2651 Northrise Drive in Las Cruces, is getting ready to expand. The facility has one- and two-bedroom suites with cooking facilities and plans to add 28 suites in the near future.
Citizen's Bank will add a new Las Cruces branch near the corner of Motel Boulevard and Picacho Avenue by next summer. The 10,000-square-foot bank will have an ATM and is projected to cost $10-$15 million to build.
Celebrating!
Document Center, formerly Mouse of All Trades, will host a ribbon cutting and open house Aug. 17, 2 p.m., at its new location, 1004 N. Pope St. (across from Ridgewood Motors) in Silver City. The celebration will be bittersweet, however, as manager Kim Dibble will be moving on after 11 years; her husband has taken a job out of state.
Ben Sine, owner of the new Ace Hardware in Silver City, threw open the doors on hardware heaven late last month. Look for the official grand opening Sept. 7-9.
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