New vet: A new veterinarian practice is under construction in the Woodcroft area that will provide acupuncture and holistic medicine to animals.

Southpoint Animal Hospital, a practice by two vets from Raleigh and Chapel Hill, is expected to open in April at 5601 Fayetteville Road, the corner of Fayetteville and Woodcroft Parkway.

Brian Lapham is currently practicing at Hidden Valley Animal Hospital in Raleigh, where he provides acupuncture to small animals for pain management and disease control. He is also a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Lisa Farling, who was a CPA before becoming a veterinarian, has worked at Quail Corners Animal Hospital in Raleigh and most recently at Falconbridge Animal Hospital in Chapel Hill. Farling has an interest in senior pet companions.

The new practice will be the two vets' first business together. It will be housed in 4,800 square feet in a standalone building designed by Bobbitt Design Build, a Raleigh contractor for commercial construction.

For information, e-mail info@southpointanimalhospital.com.

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Changes at Northgate: The new year is bringing some new businesses and expansions at Northgate Mall.

- Kids Foot Locker is expanding with an extra 100 square feet from the space formerly occupied by Lady Foot Locker. The new store should be open by mid-February.

- EKO Wireless, a new cell phone accessories store, is expected to open in April across from Häagen-Dazs. This store is owned and operated by David Mollinedo, who now owns and operates the Wireless Additions kiosk, and will sell unlocked phones, accessories and provide service repairs.

EKO is expected to open by April. For information, call Mollinedo at (919) 236-1395.

- Broadview Security, a home security systems provider based in Texas, has opened an office in the mall next to John Elkins Photography.

The company has won J.D. Power and Associates’ “Outstanding Customer Service Experience” award six years in a row.

For information, call (919) 880-8494.

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Difficult moves: TechShop Durham, a DIY shop for mechanical hobbyists, has hit a sizable obstacle in trying to locate a new space.

Toward the end of December, owner Scott Saxon had announced to shop members that the business is looking for a smaller, less expensive space. TechShop opened in the spring of 2009 in 25,000 square feet at 4022 Stirrup Creek. Saxon said they hope to find a new space for about 15,000 square feet.

On Friday, Saxon alerted members that with about a week to go on their lease at 4022 Stirrup Creek, the business has yet to locate new space. A verbal agreement on a Glenwood Avenue location fell through Friday.

The business will re-open negotiations with other property owners. “We will make a deal here very soon and be back into moving mode,” Saxon wrote.

To contact Saxon, call (336) 460-7373 or e-mail him at scott@techshopdurham.com.

What’s the Buzz? Call Business Writer Monica Chen at (919) 419-6636, send a fax to (919) 419-6889 or e-mail mchen@heraldsun.com.