Photo | Courtesy of Deuce Drone
By Tammy Leytham
You read that headline right. Deuce Drone Inc. and Greer’s Markets have entered a partnership to provide autonomous drone delivery service.
Flights begin this month between Greer’s St. Louis Street Market and the Innovation Portal to finalize handling systems. Deuce Drone will operate drones that are in the “less than 55 pounds” category that carry a payload of up to 10 pounds.
“We are excited to partner with Greer’s Markets. Our agreement is an excellent opportunity to apply our technology in an urban setting,” Bill Haub, senior director at Deuce Drone, said. “Our previous demonstration flights have proven that we are able to overcome many difficult challenges facing drone delivery.”
He said the partnership is a great next step in Deuce Drone’s growth, providing the possibility of a seamless transition to delivery service in downtown Mobile.
Lucy Greer, corporate spokesperson for Greer’s Markets, said the addition of drone delivery adds to what the grocer already offers, such as curbside pickup and delivery.
“We continue to focus on technological advancements that make shopping Greer’s in-store and online advantageous to all consumers,” Greer said.
Deuce Drone develops technology and services to provide last-mile delivery for brick-and-mortar retailers by enabling drone shipment from existing stores.
Greer’s is a fifth-generation, family-owned business based in Mobile, with 29 supermarkets in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, and four Greer’s Ace Hardware Express locations in Mobile, Bay Minette and Quitman, Miss.
ROBERTS BROTHERS ACQUIRES MANNICH’S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
The property management division of Mannich Real Estate, a longtime, family-owned company in Fairhope, has been acquired by Roberts Brothers Inc.
With this acquisition, Roberts Brothers Property Management now manages nearly 400 rental properties in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Mannich Real Estate was started by Arthur Mannich in 1971. Led by President Bob Mannich, Mannich Real Estate is a well-known and respected brand on the Eastern Shore.
“Partnering with Roberts Brothers was a natural fit because they align with so many things that Mannich Real Estate values as well,” Derek Stillman, managing broker at Mannich Real Estate, said. “Doing business with high character, having deep local ties in Baldwin and Mobile counties, and a desire to put clients’ needs first are all apparent in the way they do business.”
Roberts Brothers CEO Daniel Dennis said they’re thrilled to welcome Mannich Real Estate’s clients and staff to the family.
“The Mannich team brings extraordinary experience and an impeccable reputation to our organization,” Dennis said. “They emphasize a people-first approach and will be a tremendous asset to our family-oriented culture at Roberts Brothers.”
In 2021, Roberts Brothers was awarded the No. 2 spot for “Best Businesses to Work for in Alabama” by Business Alabama magazine. Additionally, Roberts Brothers was recognized as the “Best Real Estate Company” in the 2021 Nappie Awards.
World War II veterans John and David Roberts started Roberts Brothers in their parents’ garage in 1946. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2021, Roberts Brothers remains the leader in the Mobile Bay real estate market with nearly 300 team members in five offices, providing brokerage, relocation, vacation rental and property management services. Roberts Brothers is owned by HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company.
BUSINESS NEWS, MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
- Ahi Seafood opened in early October at 18874 S. Section St. in Fairhope. Owner Don Rhodes stocks a variety of fish such as Chilean sea bass, Alaskan halibut and Gulf fish, along with Gulf shrimp, Murder Point Oysters, crab meat and other local seafood. In addition, Ahi Seafood offers an array of frozen side dishes like corn on the cob, hush puppies and sweet potatoes, along with fresh onions, lemons and limes, and a variety of crab boils, seasonings and hot sauces. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. They are closed Mondays.
- Joy Richardson has joined the Baldwin Bone & Joint workers’ compensation team. Richardson has worked in the field of orthopaedic care for 16 years, 12 as a workers’ compensation specialist. She is also a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant with Basic Life Support certification and has served in numerous administrative roles in the health care industry. Richardson adds to the talents of Baldwin Bone & Joint’s existing workers’ compensation team, including fellow co-coordinator Helen Wright, handling new patient information, medical records, appointments and authorizations for surgeries and diagnostic testing. Call 251-621-5381 or email [email protected] or [email protected] to set up an appointment.
- Carillon Oaks purchased 9.7 acres of commercial land at 27695 Hwy. 181 in Daphne for $629,000. The company plans to open an assisted living facility on the property. Andrew Dickman, senior advisor with Stirling Properties, handled the transaction.
- Burnham’s Vital Care leased 3,000 square feet of office/retail space in the Blue Bird Hardware building at 2724 Old Shell Road in Mobile, according to Jay O’Brien of Stirling Properties. Burnham’s Vital Care is a full-service home infusion pharmacy.
- East Group Logistics is leasing 17,400 square feet of warehouse space at 537 S. Craft Highway in Prichard. East Group Logistics is a Total Transportation Services drayage operation that uses asset-based trucks and provides service to Virginia ports, with satellite offices in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Amanda Goldman, advisor with Stirling Properties, worked closely with them on the transaction.
- USA Today named two local businesses on its list of “30 Cool Indie Bookstores.” The Haunted Book Shop in downtown Mobile was recognized for how it “hyper-categorizes its fiction so that it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.” Mr. Bingley, the resident cat who greets customers at the door, also got a shout-out. Page & Palette in Fairhope made the list as a three-generation, family-owned, memorable landmark. Congratulations to both local bookstores!
- The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the city of Mobile for a Small Business Saturday Holiday Market, scheduled noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Cathedral Square. The event will be open to the public to shop and buy local goods. Vendors interested in participating should contact the city of Mobile’s Office of Supplier Diversity at 251-208-7632.
- While home sale prices in Baldwin County continue to trend upward, the number of properties sold in October 2021 slowed compared to the prior year. October 2021 saw 675 closed sales, an 11.4 percent decrease compared to 762 in October 2020. But average sale prices for traditional residential homes increased by 19.1 percent in the year-over-year comparison, according to the Baldwin Realtors Multiple Listing Service.
- The Singing River Pediatrics team at Pascagoula Hospital in Mississippi dressed as Disney characters to make the rounds at the hospital and give out candy as a special Halloween surprise. Many staff members came in on their day off to surprise hospital guests and their families, along with other Singing River employees, making special delivery baskets of candy for every department to show appreciation for everything they do.
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