BIZ BUZZ COLUMN: Web site helps with head counts for events

Whoever came up with the concept of the RSVP didn't account for the people who lose their mail and are so busy they don't know what's going on from day to day. Let alone months in advance.

While there are self-help books to get these peoples' lives in order, there's not much relief for the person who needs a head count for an event.

Casey Burke is trying to broker a peace between the two.

Burke is the owner of RSVPhere.com, an interactive Web site for people planning for, or invited to, weddings, graduations, birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers and corporate events.

The site was set to launch yesterday.

Burke, who lives in Richmond, said she came up with the idea for the business one morning when she realized she hadn't RSVP'd for a wedding.

"I thought, there should be a resource for people to do this," she said.

The site allows users to post their event information, with links to registries and travel accommodations. Invitees log on and RSVP, as well as get information they might need.

For the planner, the site even allows them to tally necessities such as how many people will drink and what dinner orders to place.

To build a customer base, Burke is approaching stores that sell invitations. She hopes to partner her services and can customize a user's page to match the color and style of the invitation. The invitation would include a user name and password for the RSVP site.

Beyond the RSVPs and other event-related information, the site includes picture share, blogs and video responses.

Burke believes creating such an interactive site will cut down on the number of people who don't RSVP.

"I figured if I had a site that was entertaining, people would want to use it," she said.

In order to get the site running, and show customers how it works, she needed a guinea pig to be the first user. She found one.

Burke is her own first customer.

She's getting married in August.

Cavanna still kicking

Cavanna Pasta has not closed its western Henrico County store despite saying last year that it was going to shut down.

"Our landlord reduced our rent, allowing us to stay in the same spot," said Martha Cavanna, who owns the shop along with husband Gianni.

The shop, which sells handmade pastas, is in the John Rolfe Commons Shopping Center at John Rolfe Parkway at Ridgefield Parkway.

Citing a drop in store sales, Cavanna Pasta had decided to close and focus on selling at farmers markets and expanding its wholesale business. But the drop in rent has allowed it to keep the store open, though it has changed how it operates, Martha Cavanna said

"In a nutshell, we didn't close -- we just changed our business model on its head," she said.

While the company used to focus 90 percent of its attention on its storefront and 10 percent on farmers markets, it's now the opposite, Martha Cavanna said.

Cavanna Pasta is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The rest of the time, it works farmers markets around the area and as far north as Annapolis, Md.

On the wholesale side, Cavanna Pasta is planning to approach restaurants locally and in Northern Virginia as well as small grocers.

Dogma moves

Dogma has moved into its new store at 3501W. Cary St. in Richmond.

The groomer and pet-supply store is one block west, and on the opposite side of the street, from its old store.

Owner Beth Nesbit said the new location, the old Growers Exchange building on the corner of West Cary and Nansemond streets, gives her much more space to work in.

It's about the same size as the previous store, but the layout makes a big difference.

"We can spread out a little more," Nesbit said. "The old building was long and thin and had no windows."

The added space could lead to more services, but for now Nesbit is settling in.

Dogma was at its previous location for 22 years.

Lacoste outlet

Lacoste has opened a 3,500-square-foot store at Prime Outlets-Williamsburg.

The store opened Friday.

Lacoste, known for the embroidered alligators on its clothing, is a high-end men's, women's and children's clothier. It also sells accessories, including watches and belts.

This is the fourth new store this year at the Prime Outlets.

The Lacoste store is across from the Polo Ralph Lauren Store.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or .