The small strip center at White Marsh formerly known as Balloon Port is under new ownership.

Emily Allmond-Flippin and her husband, Bobby Flippin, of Allmondsville, purchased the center, located on Hickory Fork Road close to George Washington Memorial Highway, from Rene Meir, who still leases space for his Balloon Promotions there. The center is now called Shops on Hickory Fork.

Allmond-Flippin said they hope to turn the center, which has a total of 6,200 square feet, into a "small incubator," which would seek several more retail tenants.

Besides the change of ownership, Allmond-Flippin announced Valerie Kilpatrick, a stylist, is a new employee at her business located there, Bridgewater’s Salon & Spa.

Kilpatrick has 15 years’ hair care experience, having worked for the past nine years at Split Enz at Gloucester Court House and for six years at Hair Cuttery at Hayes.

Her services include dry cutting, freehand cutting and custom colors. She offers other hair c...