Up & Coming Weekly

September 26, 2017

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 3, 2017 UCW 43 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Hope Mills News & Views T-shirts and Family by ERICA WALLS Luis Cordova and his family took a leap of faith in 2014 and opened a small print- ing business in Hope Mills off Highway 301. It's not your ordinary print shop. When one walks in, he or she automati- cally notices the relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere. e Cordovas believe in building relationships and helping the customer feel at ease throughout the pro- cess. With pictures of Paris and Venice lin- ing the walls of a small sitting area, T-Shirt Printing Express allows for relaxation while you wait. "I mainly grew up in Bladen County," Cordova said. "(I) went to West Bladen. My brother began working in a print shop in Elizabethtown, and he was really good at it." His older brother, Otto, is the second of three brothers who own the business. He, along with Luis and their older brother Jose, meticulously manage every detail to make sure customers receive exactly what they ordered. Otto runs the press and designs the graphics while Luis and Jose answer the phone calls and emails for orders. However, each brother is trained to do all the tasks. Jose is stationed in Ken- tucky with his wife who is in the Army. He works every day, answering calls and emails from customers, new or exist- ing. Each brother is dedicated to helping one another and the business to grow. Worldwide "I see us growing to the point to where we have to get a bigger building," Luis said. "But I know that will take time. Our biggest client is the military. But we do a lot for businesses around Cumberland County." e brothers also service places in Japan and the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Our name is being seen across the globe," Luis said. Process to Perfection "We don't just print T-shirts; we do promotional and business items as well," Luis said. e shop prints pens, koozies, banners, tents and more. It all begins with a request from a client. e pro- cess can take anywhere from two to five hours from beginning to end. e turn-around time is a week or less, depending on product and quantity. Family Ties Felix Cordova is the kind and humble patriarch of the family. An immigrant from Guatemala, he moved to Connecticut along with Otto in the early 2000s while his wife, Carmen, stayed behind and took care of Luis and Jose. Because of living expenses in the north, Felix decided to relocate to Bladen County. Once settled, he moved his wife and other two boys to North Carolina. Because of the long drive from Bladen County and back every day after the shop opened, the family decided to move to Cumberland County. "It was too much money for gas and too much time wasted in cars," Luis explained. Felix is retired now and helps by folding shirts and doing other light activities around the shop. "My dad worked hard all his life. He raised us, and he deserves to relax and enjoy his retirement," Luis said. "We even hung a hammock back there for him." "Mama Carmen," the loving matriarch of the family, cooks every day for her husband and boys. "We never have to eat out," Luis said. "She makes sure we are fed. She cooks it and brings it to us every day." In return, the sons look after Mrs. Cordova by help- ing with house repairs and other things requested. e family is close and takes care of one another. is carries through in their business with the quality of service, warmth and professionalism. OPINION What's 'Up & Coming' in Hope Mills? A STAFF REPORT • Oct. 1 Cruise – Into – Paradise at Paradise Acres, 1965 John McMillan Rd. Come out and bring your shiniest car, motorcycle, truck or even tractor to display while enjoying BBQ, fried chicken and the fixins. Kids will love the train ride, jumping castle and playground. Free admission, food prices ranging from $2-8. Details: www.paradiseacres.biz or (910) 424-2779. • Oct. 5 Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Commu- nity Event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 5770 Rockfish Rd., featuring BaBann's Southern Fried Chicken, Straight Drop Seafood, Big T's and the Blind Pig. Music will be live streamed from an internet radio station. • Oct 7. Peace, Love and Walk Meet at 3770 Rockfish Rd. Contact ALMS HOUSE at (910) 425-0902 for details. • Oct 9. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, 5770 Rockfish Rd. $10 per guest. • Oct 13. Kiwanis BBQ Fundraiser in the grassy area between the Hope Mills Main Street Wal-Mart and Food Lion across from gas station. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monies raised will go toward ALMS House, Shop-with-a-Cop, Bicycle Presentation for Terrific Kids, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County, Boys and Girls Homes of Lake Waccamaw, and many other community services. Call (910) 426-7256 for more information. • Oct. 20-21 Ole Mill Days Festival Celebrate the Mills Way! Ole Mills street dance from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Saturday, Oct. 21 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Municipal Parks 1 and 2. Family fun to include: tractor pull, kids' corner, movie night, food, vendors, craft vendors, and a Mills workers reunion. Details: (910) 429-4109. • Oct 21. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce's Chili Cook-off as part of Hope Mills Ole Mills Days from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Municipal Ball Park. • Nov. 4-12 Heroes Homecoming V at the Hope Mills Public Library. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 4 is the first day of a nine-day ceremonious event to honor veterans. On this day, the focus will be on Vietnam Veterans. Visit www.heroeshomecoming.com for more information. e event is free and open to the public. • Nov. 5 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony and Flag Display hosted by e Hope Mills Veterans Advi- sory Commission at the Hope Mills Veterans Memorial from 3-4:30 p.m. Special guest speaker will be retired Lt. COL Walt Brinker. Free and open to the public. Luis, Felix and Otto Cordova

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