March 18, 2009 – More than 100 people were in Orange Grove Wednesday evening for a look at the location and floor plans for the new headquarters of Business World.
Frank and Mary Sluss, owners of Business World, hosted the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce business after hours at a celebratory groundbreaking of their new, environmentally friendly headquarters at 18 Orange Grove.
“There is opportunity and potential of this business to grow and make a large contribution to the community,” said Raymond Williams, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis. ”It is great for the environment too.”
Williams dug in at the groundbreaking along with Frank and Mary Sluss, and contractors Paul Stewart, Carlos Burgos, Owen Johnson and Billy Weatherwax.
According to Frank, the contractors will employ 35 local people during the construction of the additions to the existing building, which formerly housed the Animal Welfare Center flea market next to the Caribbean Community Theater. Frank said construction will be complete by June.
“The contractors are the best on the island,” Frank said. “When they say they will get it done they do.”
Mary Sluss said Dr. Stacia Boswell was an influence on the plans for their decision to make their new headquarters as green as they can. Boswell is the owner of the eco-friendly Sugar Mill Veterinary Center that is receiving the V.I. Energy Office “Light the Way Award” this year.
“We will use environmentally friendly air conditioning, lighting and plumbing,” said Mary Sluss. Frank said they will use LED lights, heat-sync air conditioning, low-flush toilets and other energy efficient systems.
Frank said they had been at their Princess location since 1999 and they were happy with the location but not the layout of the building.
“Here all the showrooms will be connected and access to the second floor will be better,” Frank said.
According to Mary, they will move merchandise this weekend from Princess to the existing building that they have already fixed up. They have owned the building since 1999. The remaining construction on the building will include a new roof. Mary said within six months they will have an open house when everything is completed.
“Our 22 employees have been real troopers in the transition and move,” Mary said. “We couldn't do it without them.”
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