Henrico graphics firm accentuates the positive

Steve Samuel is mad as hell and he wants to let everyone know.

Samuel, founder of Graphics Gallery in Henrico County, is frustrated and fed up with all the negative talk about the economy.

"There's tons of doom and gloom in business and in your personal life, but you can't let it get you down," he said.

To combat the negativity -- and help boost sales -- Samuel created a sign that his salespeople are passing out to clients and Graphics Gallery is giving away.

The sign, about 11 inches by 7¼ inches, reads: "We heard about the recession, and we decided not to participate."

The words are flanked by piles of money.

"The whole point was to come out with something that people can identify with," Samuel said.

Graphics Gallery, a printing company that has done work for the Library of Congress, the National Archives and the Washington Nationals, is giving the signs away to anyone who asks. They only charge for larger orders or companies that want their logo on it.

The message has led people in some quarters around town to refer to Samuel as the "recession buster."

But the message behind the sign is more than a slogan.

Samuel said he's always been a positive person, and in these times with the economy in the dumps and consumer confidence even gloomier, he's trying to spread the word of optimism.

"You can't ignore it completely, but we have everything [positive] in front of us," he said.

hhgregg to Richmond?

Electronics and appliance retailer hhgregg could be coming to the Richmond area and taking over several old Circuit City locations.

The Indianapolis-based chain was looking in the area several months ago. It is said to be interested in several of the old Circuit City locations, including the Short Pump Town Center and Colonial Heights stores.

There are six former Circuit City stores available in the area.

If hhgregg decides to expand into the Richmond market, it would be looking to open at least three stores.

The chain has about 109 stores in nine states from Indiana to Florida. There are none in Virginia.

Westchester eateries

The Shoppes at Westchester, adjacent to Westchester Commons on Midlothian Turnpike in western Chesterfield County, will begin filling up with tenants in the next several months.

Palermo's, an upscale Italian restaurant, is scheduled to open in the center earlyto mid-summer, according to Amy Berryhill of Rebkee Realty. Rebkee is developing the center.

Berryhill said the space has been handed over to Palermo's owners, who are in the process of preparing for customers.

The center also has leases with Subway and a nail salon. Construction is under way on buildings where the shops will be housed and should be handed over early next month, Berryhill said.

The two should open about the time Palermo's opens.

Rebkee has also inked a deal to bring Chopstix Sushi & China Bistro to the center. The restaurant is waiting on permits and is scheduled to open late this summer.

And Burger King has broken ground on a restaurant that will be on an outparcel facing Watkins Centre Parkway. It is scheduled to open in June.

Carytown sale

The Carytown Merchants Association will host a sidewalk sale the day before Mother's Day as part of its effort to bring more families to the shopping district.

Thom Suddeth, the newly installed president of the association, said he hopes make the sale an annual event.

It will be on Saturday, May 9.

"This is a great opportunity to bring all the merchants together and get people out here shopping," he said.

Suddeth, who owns the Road Runner Running Store, hopes to get more than 200 shops in the district to participate in the sale. To make that happen, the association will begin reaching out to merchants this week.

Suddeth said he intends to put together more events throughout the year that will bring families out.

In addition to the sale, the association will collect food donations for the Central Virginia Foodbank. Suddeth said there will be collection bins on every corner during the sale.

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