By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Alabaster is continually growing by leaps and bounds.

We have everything one can imagine from the finest upscale stores to budget value stores, restaurants that run the gamut from burger joints to special occasion sites, bakeries, car repair, car dealerships and one of the finest hospitals around, which is surrounded by every branch of medical care.

Surgical and medical supplies, many doctors with different specialties, massage therapy, podiatrists, shoe specialties, cancer centers­ — you name it and Shelby Baptist is trying to cover it.

I am proud of each new business and individual pursuit that helps Alabaster grow. Whether it’s a self-owned and operated consignment shop or an appliance repair business, the competition is growing in our area.

Now at Suite 100, 400 Colonial Parkway North (next to American Family Care) we have two lovely female family dentists.

Friends from UAB School of Dentistry, Kelli Albritton and Ann Ardovino had joked for a long time about opening an office together and merging their talents. At a dental conference in Atlanta about 13 months ago, they put that joke into affirmative action.

After searching from one side of Birmingham to the other, they shifted their search to Shelby County.

Ardovino has a friend who lives near the Promenade, and she thought this area was fast-growing and full of potential. On October 18, 2010, the practice officially opened.

Albritton, originally from Tallahassee, Fla., did her undergraduate work at the University of Florida then came to the UAB School of Dentistry. She is engaged to Michael Murphy, an attorney.

The wedding is set for October 29. Albritton is a runner who hopes for some travel time to Europe and Australia and a life of “balance” and children.

Ardovino, Italian through and through, finished dental school and then worked in research at UAB.

Soon she missed the communication of doctor-to-patient, and got organized to do what she loved. A lover of the theater, arts and an avid tennis player, Ardovino is a John Carroll grad and attends St. Peter’s church.

These ladies look enough alike to be sisters. Their office is top-of-the-line advanced technology. The décor is lovely and relaxing and one feels welcomed and comfortable. They have several “extra” rooms in which to grow.

Sheila, Pepper and Debra are their staff members. Their family dentistry covers all ages and all services including mini implants, implants, crowns, root canals, extractions, fillings, partials, dentures, cleaning and whitening.

Their dream is to build a thriving business and network of patients in Alabaster and someday own their own building. Right now they are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

I hope these young ladies will find just what they are looking for in our growing city of Alabaster.

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached by email at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.