Retail news

Apricot Lane: The California-based national fashion boutique reopened its store in Birkdale Village in Huntersville on March 1 under franchisee Alpha Astra LLC. Led by George and Carol Toulas, Alpha Astra opened stores in Raleigh and Cary in late 2012. The franchisee overhauled the Huntersville location, which closed in early February, and is working on real estate for two other Charlotte stores. The boutiques feature styles from the L.A. fashion district.

16845 Birkdale Commons Parkway; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. Sundays; 704-896-7800; and on Facebook.

Thorlo: The Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the company as the Industry of the Year in Iredell County. Thorlo Inc. is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The company manufactures “made-in-the-USA” engineer-padded and clinically-tested sock products . It is a Statesville-based, family-owned company headed by Jim Throneburg.

Free tax workshop: Mary Langhorne of MGL Financial LLC will hold a free income tax workshop for area seniors titled “I’m retired, do I still need to file taxes?” at 11 a.m. March 11 at the North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 16601 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. Registration: 704-875-1270; walk-ins are welcome.

Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture: Owners Katy and Greg Law of Mooresville recently opened their fourth Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture store, at 20647 Catawba Ave. in Cornelius, across from Acropolis Restaurant near Interstate 77 Exit 28.

The couple also has two stores in Mooresville and one in Denver. Sweet Dreams Mattress carries top name brands such as Tempur-pedic, Beautyrest and Serta, as well as futons, linens, pillows, lamps and living room and bedroom furniture.

Details: 704-799-0048; law@sdmattress.com; www.sdmattress.com.

Pediatric feeding clinic: Heather Yarnot, president of Carolina Speech Therapy Inc., recently announced the opening of Lake Norman’s first specialized pediatric feeding clinic at 13420 W. Reese Blvd., in the Daetwyler Plaza behind Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville.

Founded in Statesville in 2007, Carolina Speech Therapy provides speech-language and occupational therapy to children ages birth to 3, preschool age and school age in the Lake Norman area, Statesville, Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Certified feeding specialist Meghan Herrington will head the clinic’s feeding therapists. She works with neonatal intensive care babies transitioning to home; tube-feeding dependent children; and children of all ages who have mild to severe disorders with underlying medical conditions that require speech, language or feeding intervention. Yarnot, the clinic’s owner, is a practicing speech-language pathologist.

Details: 704-380-0799; www.CarolinaSpeechTherapy.com.

Lake Norman Realty: Eric Taylor of Lake Norman Realty Inc. has earned the certified luxury home marketing specialist designation in recognition of his experience, knowledge and expertise in the luxury home market. Taylor specializes in the Lake Norman luxury market. Contact Taylor at the firm’s Denver office, 704-483-15148, or email EricT@lakenormanrealty.com. Compiled by Joe Marusak