This edition of The Business Beat, I invited local businesses to share with our readers their goals and plans for the new year. The response was overwhelming as it seems almost every business has a story to tell. To include every business would be impossible so for the next couple of installments, we will share what businesses have planned for the new year.

Jim Fain at Wilkinson Insurance Agency said that the group is excited about 2010 and has added A++ rated carriers. A big push at the first of the year is the processing of tax returns by Carl Wilkinson, who has been providing the service for 40 years.

Karin Smith with Sew K Designs is offering free in-house digitizing to members of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce. Sew K is able to customize almost any material product with names and logos and Smith invites potential customers to come observe her work at the business located at 144 Old River Bridge Road or by visiting her Web site at www.sewkdesigns.com.

ExtraordiNailry Salon and Spa will offer 20 percent off for January appointments. The spa has added mini-facials, Glamour Girl parties for ages 5 and up as well as group events such as wedding events, birthdays, sorority parties and ladies’ lunch dates.

Tent-Sational Events managed to have its best year yet in 2009, even with the economic downturn. Owner Nancy Buchanan said that the company is staffed to handle rental needs for any-sized event and can even coordinate the entire event. She said the company’s goal is to make the new year even more sensational than the last.

Kathie’s Tax Service will open for tax filing Jan. 4 and will be open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The services offers electronic filing, paper returns, direct deposit returns as well as refund anticipation loans. The scope of service ranges from individuals, sole proprietorships and partnerships. The business is celebrating 20 years and offers drop-off service with returns being ready in 24 to 48 hours.

Auntie Bellum’s Attic would like to wish a happy New Year to customers and would like to remind customers that the store is a destination for unusual and unique items for all occasions. The business will hold several estate auctions in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for the rare opportunities to find great deals on antiques, furniture and collectibles.

Dent Tricks said the year that saw a tough times for others, was kind to them and even allowed an increase in their workforce of 25 percent. The group provides paintless dent repair and hopes to again rank number one in the International Dent Olympics, increase the frequency of visits within their service area and to encourage friends, families and customers to buy local and use local companies for their service needs. The group has increased its web and social networking presence and hopes to continue that trend through a web site overhaul and the increase in social networking through sites like Facebook.

A new addition to downtown, Metropolis Cafe, is now open at 138 North Wayne Street. The restaurant specializes in Greek food and is open now, but will celebrate a grand opening in January.

The site will also offer a hookah bar, the only one in the area.

Michael Williams with Mohawk Industries said that the caliber of employees helps the facility remain one of the leading yarn producing facilities in the Mohawk family.

As the company works together to improve efficiencies and deliver quality products, Williams said, exceptional employees make it natural to greet each new year with optimism about the potential for driving process improvements and challenges the group to deliver product of the highest quality. Williams wished all members of the Milledgeville Mohawk family a healthy and happy new year.

Dr. Anne Sanchez will welcome a partner at her practice beginning Jan. 4. Her stepson, Matt Culberson, will join the practice after time spent in Texas as an electrical engineer and graduate of Southern Methodist University. A hometown boy will return to his roots to follow in the family business.

As always, please share your business news with our readership and feel free to contact us regarding newsworthy events happening at your place of business. Send pictures, announcements and news about events to jjackson@unionrecorder.com.