All up in your business for Aug. 17, 2015

‘Fresh-eteria’ opens in Carr Mill

A new, fresh cafe has opened its doors in Carrboro. Located in Carr Mill Mall in the space previously occupied by Panzanella, Cafe Symmetry is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a focus on freshness.

Cindy McMahan, co-owner of Cafe Symmetry and Elmo’s Diner — also located in Carr Mill Mall — said things have been going well since the June opening.

The “fresh-eteria,” as McMahan said one customer called the restaurant, prides itself on using only organic greens, wild-caught seafood and natural meats without antibiotics or hormones.

McMahan said that unlike restaurants that let food pile up before serving, Cafe Symmetry gets through all of what it prepares before cooking more. “That distinguishes us from a lot of places that serve quickly,” she said.

The restaurant incorporates indoor seating with a full bar, as well as a fire pit on its outdoor patio.

“We’re doing a lot of unique flavors,” McMahan said. “We’re giving you fast food with very chef-driven recipes.”

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Chapel Hill gets animal hospital

Another locally owned and operated animal hospital is seeing fluffy and fuzzy patients in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Ashley Robertson, veterinarian at Park Veterinary Hospital in Durham, had the opportunity to open another animal hospital in her hometown of Chapel Hill and could not refuse.

“Working at the other hospital in Durham, the owner approached me to see if I wanted to open my own,” Robertson said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for me to do my own thing.”

Meadowmont Animal Hospital offers full service; they are able to do radiographs, dental imaging, limited ultrasounds and bladder stone checks. The hospital’s full, in-house lab also allows them to do blood chemistry.

Cameron Ulmer, a veterinary assistant for Meadowmont, said the hospital is fully equipped.

“More and more hospitals are becoming corporately owned,” Ulmer said. “We’re locally owned from someone who’s actually from Chapel Hill, and it makes us different and more appealing to others.”

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Coffee shop opens in brewery

Nestled within YesterYears Brewery on Main Street in Carrboro, Gray Squirrel Coffee Co. is roasting and serving finely crafted drinks.

The coffeehouse opened a few weeks ago, but Shaw Sturton, the owner and coffee-roaster, has already gotten to know some of the regulars.

“We’re offering something different,” Sturton said. “Being housed in a brewery and actually having parking is a bonus.”

The espresso bar and roastery has a simple menu that includes espresso drinks, drip coffee and a small assortment of locally made baked goods.

“We’re roasting on different equipment — we have different people, different roasters,” he said. “The same coffee taken from the same place can taste different in different coffee shops.”

For Sturton, consistency is key.

“Not many people around here do the same thing as us,” Sturton said. “We have our own recipes, and I’m very specific about what goes into each drink.”

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Digital agency moves to the Hill

Originally from New York, a public relations, social media and digital marketing agency has moved its headquarters and focus to Chapel Hill.

Steele Rose Communications moved its offices here about seven years ago but has finally opened a headquarters to focus on its primary industry: agency business.

President Karen Barnett said she moved the company primarily because they are UNC fans.

“It’s pretty much the DNA of the family,” Barnett said.

The company is known for two basic concepts: “rethink the box” and “don’t just think smart, think different.” “Rethink the box” came about because the company thought the phrase “think outside the box” was outdated. Barnett said this doesn’t reflect today’s digital era.

She said “don’t just think smart, think different” came about from companies thinking about great ideas — but without having a strategy to back those ideas up.

“‘Don’t just think smart, think different’ is a concept that basically says strategy first and tactic second,” she said.

city@dailytarheel.com