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Here’s a look at some business news in our community: 

Corey Real Estate recently purchased the decaying home on Sycamore Drive and allowed the Decatur Fire Department to use it for training purposes. Photo by Ellie Ritter

– Early this week, the City of Decatur Fire Department partnered with the local Corey Real Estate group to perform live training exercises at an in-town property.

Corey Real Estate recently purchased the decaying home on Sycamore Drive, which is set to be demolished later this year. Before it’s torn down, though, the firefighters took an opportunity to practice their skills in real time.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, the firefighters went to the house to run drills including incident command and search and rescue.

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“[The exercises were] an opportunity for the firefighters to train and use their skills as they would in an emergency,” City of Decatur Deputy Fire Chief Vera Morrison said.

Alan Corey, who runs the real estate group, was excited to work with the department and hopes to continue working with them in the future.

“I’m happy we got the opportunity to give the department a space to practice firefighting in such a realistic setting,” Corey said.

– Renewal Design-Build, a local home remodeling company, is becoming Alair Homes Decatur. 

“To better serve their clients in the future, Renewal Design-Build is proud to announce they are becoming Alair Homes Decatur,” the company announced in a pres release. “Alair Homes is the largest and fastest growing premium construction management franchise in North America. Alair Homes Decatur is locally owned and operated by brothers Peter Michelson and David Michelson.

“The Michelson brothers have developed an impressive reputation in metro Atlanta,” the press release says. “As fourth generation builders, they have a long and proud history of helping families realize their dreams. Their drive to continue improving and growing the family business is what brought them to Alair Homes.”

The company said by the end of 2018, the Michelsons will become Regional Partners of Alair. Their territory will include all of metro Atlanta and all of North Georgia. The company says it will be on the look out for “the best remodelers and custom home builders in their region who are also looking for the incredible opportunity to grow their businesses with the systems and support of Alair, while thrilling their clients and having a greater balance in their personal lives.”

“At Alair, we are vigorous and highly selective as to whom we invite into this opportunity,” David Michelson said in the press release. “We will be looking for quality companies, for 20 of the very best leaders, with proven track records, who want to transform their lives and their company’s future. We will not compromise. But for those that make the cut, the opportunities are endless.”

– A local entrepreneur is planning to open an independent kids’ bookstore in Decatur near Kirkwood.

Bunnie Hilliard said the store will be located at 722 College Avenue and will be called Brave and Kind Kids Bookshop.

“Brave and Kind Kids Bookshop will be a mainstay of great kids books offering enriching workshops for kids and families rooted in community and connection,” Hilliard said. “Decatur native and local Emily Saliers of the Indigo girls is supporting and set to perform at our grand opening as well!”

The company set up an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to help defray some of the start up costs. So far, the book store has raised almost $9,000.

– A new GEICO Insurance office has opened at the Decatur Crossing development.  

The new office will be located at 2512 Blackmon Drive and is near Thai Express and Zoe’s Kitchen.

Kim Dao will lead the team of agents at the new office, according to a press release from the company.

“Joining Kim, who has worked in the insurance and financial services industry for more than 25 years, are staff members Travis Csere, Ashley Hamilton, Aaron Charles and Mohammed Islam,” the company aid. “They are a multi-lingual group, offering assistance in English, Vietnamese, Spanish and Bengali. In addition to auto insurance, the team can assist with arranging coverage for homeowners, renters, motorcycles, RV’s, boat, personal umbrella insurance and more.”

According to the press release, “Weekday hours for GEICO’s Decatur local office are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.’ For more information visit www.geico.com/decatur or call (404) 799-4282.

Got business news? Let us know at [email protected]. 

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