Shaw Kuester has always had his eye out for the right people to launch a commercial real estate brokerage office in Pinehurst for the Kuester Cos.

“Until you find those people, there’s no reason to do it because you’re going to waste your time,” said Kuester, vice president of Kuester Cos. in Fort Mill, S.C.

Kuester has apparently found the right people in Holly Bell and George Manley, who set up shop last month at Central Park South, the 31,600-square-foot office and retail development in Olmsted Village formerly called Camellia Parke Shoppes.

“Holly and George give the Kuester Cos. established and recognizable presence in this part of the state,” President Faison Kuester said. “As we further Kuester’s brokerage and development through the eastern part of North Carolina, we will have local representation in Moore County to look after business here as well as expand the area.

“We are fortunate to have commercial real estate professionals like Holly and George, who know the area and have excellent insights for the local market.”

Kuester Cos. has offices in Charlotte, Davidson, Boone and Wilmington in North Carolina, as well as one in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Shaw Kuester said the company took a measured approach in establishing its Pinehurst presence.

“We always knew that we would need somebody local. But we were careful. We didn’t want to make a wrong move,” he said. “Holly and George are go-getters, just like us. It’s their name and reputation on the line as well as ours.”

Bell, a New York state native and Yale University graduate, has lived in Moore County for 18 years. She has worked in sales, marketing and public relations in the golf resort business, but has focused on commercial real estate for the last three years.

“The move is a smart one because Kuester is all commercial and they reach all of the Carolinas,” Bell said. “There’s a lot of momentum at Central Park South since The Market Place restaurant and Hot Asana Yoga came on board earlier this year.

“We’re currently negotiating with three other potential clients. We’ve got lots of people looking right now.”

The Kuester Cos. would like a tenant mix at Central Park South that includes retail, food and professional.

Bell said she has known the Kuester family for years through golf, but didn’t start talking about this opportunity until January.

“We got more serious in March and April, and it all started coming together in May,” she said.

Manley lived in Cape Town, South Africa, for 15 years, working in commercial real estate before moving to Moore County with his wife four years ago.

“This new venture with the Kuester Cos. was attractive because of the reach that Faison has within North and South Carolina, and certainly because of the company’s corporate identity,” Manley said. “It’s a respected family business and a logical step for growth and expansion north to Raleigh and east to Wilmington.”

Bell and Manley, who previously worked at HSP Realty, brought most of their listings to Kuester.

“We had to call all of our clients and 90 to 95 percent came with us. In a transition, the first thing you want is your clients to be taken care of,” Bell said.

She and Manley foresee an awakening in Moore County for retail, the growing medical markets, and even some industrial and small business.

“The way we work together as a team is a bit different than other companies, but our clients are getting two people whenever they come to list or talk with us,” Bell said. “We are also happy to have folks call just to find out what’s happening in the market or to just ask for our advice.”

Manley agreed, saying, “We’re not here just because you want to sell or lease. Sometimes you may just want to know what’s going on. We can be viewed as a resource.”

The Kuester Cos. also manages Fairway Village on U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines, which is anchored by Hickory Tavern and currently has three vacant spaces.

“It’s all Job One,” Bell said. “We’ve got to find tenants and buyers for our current clients, fill these two centers and look for new opportunities in Moore County and beyond. It’s all good. We’re excited.”

Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at (910) 693-2474 or by email at tnatt@thepilot.com.