A few local businesses have closed their doors. All In One Accounting and Taxes and Vat’s, Vines, Beer & Wines, located at the Shops at Woodmen Hills, have a “writ of restitution in unlawful detainer” posted. Sergeant Don Allison, the civil unit supervisor for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, said the posting is an eviction notice. Both businesses are located at the Shops at Woodmen Hills.In a phone call to Julie Johnson, one of the owners of the accounting and liquor businesses, she said the accounting and tax business is open and the liquor store is just closed for remodeling.However, the posted information says something different.When a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord can go to court to have an eviction ordered, Sergeant Allison said. The owner is ordered to “pay up and get out by the date the eviction is scheduled,” he said. If no monetary terms are reached between the business owner and the landlord, the possessions are placed outside of the leased space.Mike Heritage, the president of the London Real Estate Group, which is the property management company for the stores, declined to comment on the current situation with the businesses located at the Shops at Woodmen Hills.He is optimistic about the growth in Falcon, though. “Falcon has a great business environment,” he said, “There is tremendous interest in the Falcon area for retail businesses.” Heritage said a lease is under negotiation for the Coffee.Net space, which Johnson also owned and closed months earlier.Information from the Service Corp of Retired Executives estimates that 80 percent of small businesses fold within five years and 99 percent of businesses in El Paso County are small businesses.”Businesses fail for any number of reasons,” said Ralph Peters, a SCORE volunteer. “They could be under-financed, the owners don’t know how to market their business or they just don’t know what they’re doing.”To avoid the heartache of failed business venture, SCORE counselors offer free advice to budding entrepreneurs.”It (the name SCORE) really is a misnomer because SCORE was started 40 years ago by senior business executives, but now a lot of baby boomers who are in business are volunteers at SCORE,” said Peters, who has a marketing and business background and worked for AAA for 42 years.He said SCORE, a nonprofit agency, offers free seminars and individual business counseling regarding risks and the types of activity involved in owning a small business.Several hundred people have attended the “Should You Start Your Own Business?” seminar sponsored by SCORE, Peters said. The two-hour seminar is held at East Library and Penrose Library. He said SCORE counselors address the steps, financial considerations and processes to successful business ownership.SCORE and the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce jointly offer additional free business seminars.Peters advice to potential business owners is “go to one of our workshops and schedule an appointment with a SCORE volunteer.” Volunteers work in teams to help people, and he said SCORE offers a great network for asking questions.To contact SCORE, call 636-3074.The SCORE/Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce seminar schedule:Sept. 29: Business PlansOct. 26: Team BuildingNov. 30: Building ProcessesJan. 26: Business ContractsFeb. 23: Beyond the NumbersSCORE “Should You Start Your Own Business?” seminar schedule:Aug. 31, Penrose Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Sept. 20, East Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Oct. 10, Penrose Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Nov. 1, Penrose Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Nov. 22, East Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Dec. 15, Penrose Library, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
