Business/Economy

Life’s stresses can weigh people down, as can chronic pain, fatigue and other ailments.
Carlos Casias is a Los Alamos entrepreneur who will be opening Float Los Alamos in 2015 and he hopes to help local remedy those problems.
Casias’ float studio will have at least two float tanks.
A float tank is a light- and sound-free environment where a person can float atop a solution of about 10 inches of natural Epsom salt.
While reducing external stimuli, the benefits of a zero-gravity environment can reducing muscle tension, joint pain and discomfort.
Casias’s business, which is still in the planning stages, will make it possible for people to experience floating in a safe and clean environment.
Casias had several ideas for businesses that he would like to bring to Los Alamos, but decided to go with the float tank idea because he personally loves the physical and psychological benefits of the overall experience.
“I started floating in Albuquerque. Once you float, you just want to float all the time,” Casias said.
He has been working with Ted Lopez at the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Small Business and Development Center to develop his business plan and market analysis projections needed to raise startup funds and secure a loan.

Despite the woes of RadioShack, local franchisee Bill Cabral said he’s not going anywhere.
Cabral, who has operated the local RadioShack store at its current location on Central Ave. for more than 10 years, said his store won’t be affected by the current sell-off of stores around the country.
“We have no plans of shutting down,” Cabral said. “We have a number of companies trying to get us to buy from them. We have other resources to buy merchandise.”
Last week, RadioShack announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and had plans to sell between 1,500 and 2,400 company-owned stores nationwide.
That sell-off won’t necessarily affect franchisees like Cabral, however.
As for locally, Cabral said everything should operate at near-normal capacity, although he said it was unknown how long the RadioShack designation would be sustained.
The only problem he envisioned, he said, might be getting some of the smaller electronic components the store carries, but he’s “working on other methods of getting supplies from other suppliers.”

There is a new place in Los Alamos where children can play and parents can take a break.
Los Alamos Atomic Play is a new indoor playground for children 10 and under.
Along with providing a safe recreational environment that is protected from outdoor elements, the business provides the space for private birthday, seasonal and holiday parties.
Owner Barbara Kaldi was inspired to start an indoor playground while living in Orlando, Florida. There was a facility that had indoor bounce houses.
After moving to Los Alamos in August 2013, she observed that there was not a place like the one she saw in Florida.
“There was nothing like that for kids so I figured I would do it myself,” Kaldi said.
Kaldi is the mother of two boys, Simon, 4, and 15-month-old Alexander. “They are my little helpers,” she said.
Her husband Nicholas Marshall, works at the Los Alamos Laboratory.
Kaldi has yet to schedule a grand opening and the business is still in its infancy, having opened at its current location — 1650 Trinity Dr. — Jan. 16.
She has had a regular stream of customers so far.
“It is a good place for kids to interact and something out of the routine,” Kaldi said. “The toys aren’t yours so it is fun and different.”

Three New Mexico wineries have combined efforts to become “Unquarked.”
The winery serves vino from Black’s Smuggler winery, Anasazi Fields and Vivác winery.
All three wineries have the collective attitude of bringing their wineries from smaller New Mexico communities to reach out to a larger audience and expand business.
In fall 2013, The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation called out to wineries across the state for interest in becoming part of joint tasting rooms.
“These wineries are from smaller, remote locations,” said Jim Fish, owner of Anasazi Fields, which operates out of Placitas. “It is an opportunity to bring wine to a larger, untapped market.”
The owner of Unquarked is Tony Black, CEO and president of Black’s Smuggler Winery in Bosque. He said since the soft opening on Nov. 24, business has been positive and the customer base has been substantial.
“We already have regular customers,” said Veronica Black-Stepp, manager and Black’s sister. She moved from Albuquerque in November to help with the business venture.
In addition to a large selection of wines, Unquarked serves food catered from local businesses such as Pajarito Brewpub and Manhattan Project.