ELS to open Milford office

ELS Staffing Services will open an east-side office Feb. 1.

The company, part of ELS Human Resource Solutions, provides temporary and temp-to-hire workers for light industrial and general labor needs. ELS Human Resource Solutions maintains locations downtown and in Norwood and Covington. In addition to industrial and general labor, it supplies workers for the hospitality industry.

"We will specialize in the areas of pick and pack, light assembly, general janitorial, special event cleanup, construction laborers and moving laborers," Milford manager Marcus Weldon said. "However, if clients need hospitality workers, we can facilitate that as well."

ELS was founded in 1984. Its president is Ron Heineman.

The new office is at 777 Main St.

Information: 576-1012.

Taxes can go SwifTax

Another regional staffing company has announced plans to offer electronic tax preparation and filing services to the public.

SwifTax, a division of WillStaff Worldwide Inc. has established a center at its WillStaff office in Edgewood. Taxpayers can file their taxes electronically between now and April 15.

A growing number of people choose to file electronically because these returns are processed quickly and refunds normally are issued within two weeks.

In addition to helping customers prepare their tax forms, the company provides a drop-off service for those in a hurry.

WillStaff, based in Monroe, La., operates in 11 states. The Edgewood office is at 3027 Dixie Highway. Information: 331-8200.

Canine care is special in Loveland

Play dates for pooches are the specialty of Puppy Daycare in Loveland.

The new canine care center is managed by Gloria Napier, a registered animal technician who volunteers as a canine handler for a local search and rescue team.

The center itself, at 8920-B Glendale-Milford Road, has a large inside play area as well as a fenced yard. Dogs have free access to the outdoors.

"While your dog is at Puppy Daycare, staff members can attend to many of his basic needs such as combing, bathing, trimming toenails and brushing teeth," Ms. Napier said.

"Owners are free to drop in and visit any time during the day."

The center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Information: 241-0999 or www.puppydaycare.com

Marble puts down its Milford slab

Ice cream lovers can concoct their own frozen flavors at Marble Slab Creamery, which opened its first Cincinnati-area store this month.

The Milford shop offers a range of specialty ice creams into which are blended the customer's choice of fruits, nuts or candies.

The result is served on a waffle cone.

According to franchise owner Gary Culbreth, the most popular combination currently is Marble Slab's Cheesecake ice cream with either raspberries, strawberries or chocolate chips mixed in.

Marble Slab also offers frozen yogurt, personalized ice cream cakes, fresh fruit smoothies and made-from-scratch cookies and brownies.

Marble Slab Creamery, based in Houston, has developed more than 270 franchise locations in 26 states and Puerto Rico. Milford store owners Ken Stambaugh and Mr. Culbreth plan to open additional locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

The new creamery is at 187 Rivers Edge Drive at Milford Parkway, in the Shoppes at Rivers Edge center.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Information: 248-0222

Vinyl signs show the way

Vivid Vinyl Signs is not only a sign company; it is a sign of the times, as more downsized workers consider working for themselves.

Last spring, Shawn Patrick was laid of from his job as an information technology manager and was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.

Working with wife, Kasi, Mr. Patrick launched the company in his basement. Soon, the business also took over a barn on the property.

This month, Vivid Vinyl Signs moved to its new location at 370 Loveland-Madeira Road in Loveland.

The company creates a wide range of signs, banners, vehicle lettering, window lettering and magnetic signs for automobiles.

It's open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and on weekends by appointment.

Information: 697-9936.

E-mail jcallison@cinci.rr.com or fax 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about neighborhood businesses.