Back on the map

Several local businesses have new addresses following a recent move from the former Newton Country Club building. The Gingerbread House, Spinal Solutions and DeVyne Solutions all recently moved into separate spaces near the town’s square.

The move was initiated when the City of Newton accepted a donation of the former country club building in April. The fast-paced move has brought on new changes to the day care center, The Gingerbread House, which is now located at 315 W. Third St. N.

Director of the day care, Lariann Overbay, said the business was temporarily located at Grace Church this summer before they moved into the Third Street location last month.

It’s easy to feel comfortable when walking in the door as a gingerbread man wearing gumdrops is the current focal point of the building. Overbay said the transformation of the new location is in the works and will be better than ever before.

The space is being leased to the day care until one last move transpires to an even bigger space on the south side of the building, according to Overbay.

“They’re going to renovate it and specifically make it for day care, which we are really excited for,” Overbay said. “This location is fantastic, and we are really excited to be here.”

The current location allows for double the space compared to what was allowed in the country club.

“The space over there allowed us to be licensed for 30 kids and we have 53 on roll now,” Overbay said. “We have been able to grow now and we only had two classrooms before.”

At the current space each age group has its own classroom or play area and the day care provider was even able to add a school-based program.

Overbay, a Newton native, has been with the business since April and has 20 years of experience working with children in daycare and preschool settings.

“My vision for the center is to produce a very high-quality service for the Newton community,” Overbay said. “I want every child who comes through our doors to feel validated and loved and that they are receiving the highest possible early childhood education that they can get.”

To further the children’s’ experiences, the new location has prompted many outings since it sits in the center of town.

“We got the fire station right down the road ... Cardinal Corner and the movie theater, and we have everything on the square,” Overbay said. “For Christmas, we are walking down to Park Centre and doing a program with them.”

Other field trips the preschoolers and school-aged kids have ventured on include the Newton Public Library every Thursday and the Centre for Arts and Artists, where children will begin a clay project.

Overbay said it takes a village to run the day care center. There are currently seven full-time employees and two part-time employees who are giving children their full attention.

“Meeting a person I feel like I have a pretty good judge of character,” Overbay said. “’I look for education, experience and if someone has a good balance of both they are definitely a good candidate.”

Overbay said the day care’s prices are pretty comparative to other local day cares and she hasn’t had to raise her prices despite the move.

“We have parents who have said they are so glad we are here after the whole country club ... because we weren’t sure if we were going to have a location, so I think our parents are very happy,” Overbay said.

Next on the map is DeVyne Solutions, which is now located at 335 W. Fourth St. N., a DMACC building, which was a former Maytag building. The modern style salon is making progress even despite some construction projects that are being completed.

Misty Henderson said she and fellow stylists have continued to maintain their clientele following their move. Stylists include Brooke Breckenridge, Wendy Cannon and Lori Osborn.

Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred as each stylist takes their own appointments. DeVyne Solutions also plans to offer tanning, hair accessories, Tyra makeup and skin care.

“We like the new location and we feel like it will draw people in,” Henderson said. “Our clientele has remained the same, and we have been busy with several weddings.”

Owner of all three businesses, Dr. Connie Ertl, can now be found at Spinal Solution’s new location inside the Courthouse Mall at 101 First Ave. E. Dr. Matt Cross is also a chiropractic physician at this location.

“Spinal Solutions is continuing to serve their patients at the new location,” Ertl said.

Contact Kayla Singletary at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or ksingletary@newtondailynews.com