Customers, friends and associates, along with members of the local government in Stafford, Va., joined employees gathered at Glass Concepts, a commercial and residential custom glass specialist retail company headquartered in Fredericksburg, Va., for a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate its recent showroom opening.

The ribbon cutting took place shortly after 9:30 a.m., and after introducing members of the Glass Concepts staff, owner Margaret Hall-Smith addressed the crowd.

"We're excited about all the growth Stafford is having and now about having expanded into the new section of the building," Hall-Smith said.

The company, which began approximately 14 years ago with one employee, moved into its current location six years ago, but was only able to expand its use to include the whole building in which its offices are housed at the first of the year, explained Danielle Bryant, administrative assistant.

"We love it here and Margaret is really great to work for," Bryant added.

Now with 20 employees, the expansion is the most recent step in the company's growth.

"When we first moved in we had just the two bays," said Dale Sherry, commercial manager who was discussing the expansion with guests who were touring the facility.

After the ribbon cutting, door prizes that ranged from golf balls and company apparel from both the Glass Concepts and suppliers such as Milgard Windows to a home DVD/CD stereo system.