Downtown Shendandoah, Inc. 116 North Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 Tel: 570-462-2060
DSI website: www.downtownshenandoah.com CEBA website: discoverCEBA.com
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Shenandoah In The Local Spotlight!
Senator Argall and Representative Tim Twardzik Visit Shenandoah for A Walking Tour
"I'm Excited To See The Progress"
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Senator Dave Argall (left), Brad Oravitz, Oravitz Home For Funerals and DSI Board member (middle) and Representative Tim Twardzik enjoy a walking tour to view facade progress |
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Representative Tim Twardzik and Joe Anczarski, owner Mark's Supply and DSI Board member discuss the future of Shenandoah and the positive outcomes of the grant award |
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DSI had special visitors on August 15. Senator Dave Argall and Representative Tim Twardzik joined members of the DSI board on a walking tour through the Shenandoah Borough. Last year, thanks to the ongoing support of both government officials , DSI was awarded $100,000 in special grant money from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economical Development (DCED) to use for facade improvements. Senator Argall explained that the grant money represents competitive dollars and that he is confident the money will improve the downtown. "I'm excited to see the progress," he said. The tour included stops at Catizone's Barber Shop, Oravitz Home For Funerals, Expressions, Nature's Way Emporium, Mark's Supply, and Mulligans.
The Application Process Started in 2021
An application process including guidelines and deadlines was announced in 2021 and all Shenandoah businesses throughout the business district were invited to apply. The facade projects must be completed and approved by DSI's Design committee before payment is issued. Facade improvements range anywhere from replacing a damaged sign, adding an awning, to redoing an entire storefront. Businesses submitting complete applications and approved for funding include:
- Betty Ann Bugden's Total Image & Hair Replacement Center
- Catizone's Barbershop
- Expressions
- Greater Shenandoah Historical Society
- Mark's Supply Co,
- Merengue Cakes & Deli
- Mulligan's
- Nature's Way Emporium
- Oravitz Home For Funerals
- St. Stephens's Hall
- Two West Hair Salon
- Williamson Friedberg & Jones
Sprucing Up Storefronts Newspaper Coverage
In an August 16 Republican Herald article, "Sprucing Up Storefronts," Representative Twardzik referred to the national trend of downtown revitalization as, "a wheel of retailing." He said that much like Shenandoah's heyday when every Main Street storefront was filled and busy, changed when shopping malls came to communities. "And then the shopping malls came, and then the shopping malls left," he said. "And so now we're coming back to small towns where we have specialty shops and we have changing demographics.
Creating A Visually Appealing Experience
People are looking for experience shopping," said Susan Williams, spokesperson for DSI. "We are committed to creating a business district where visitors can spend some enjoyable quality time, shopping, dining and taking in the sights. We are continually working with other community members, business owners, and area leaders to take time and effort to clean up their store front areas to create an improved curb appeal." She explained that Shenandoah has an interesting mix of retail stores, specialty shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks that make the Borough unique.
"When the outside of a business looks clean and inviting, new customers are curious and more likely to stop in and shop. This includes an attractive business district with, litter free, clean streets, colorful flower boxes, welcoming signage, beautiful landscaping, and other visually appealing effects. "This facade improvement grant money helps us move us one step further in the right direction. Tim Twardzik commented, "It takes awhile for such work to happen, but its nice to see the improvements. And once you get somebody to fix up a little bit, it kind of inspires a neighbor to keep up," he said.
Williams agrees. "It seems that it starts with one project that leads to another, then another."
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Patty Betlz, owner Nature's Way Emporium poses with Senator Argall and Representative Twardzik |
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Karen Kenderdine, DSI Board President, browses Nature's Way Emporium's unique product mix. |
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Republican Herald's Schuylkill Living Features "Today's Shenandoah"
Northern Schuylkill Borough Changing, Growing Community
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Pictured above is the article, Today's Shenandoah that appeared in a recent Republican Herald Monthly Snapshot series that showcases different Schuylkill County communities. |
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Pictured below is an article that appeared in the Republican in April that showcased volunteers planting shade trees along Shenandoah storefronts as part of a joint community effort by the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission. |
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Shenandoah is in the spotlight these days and it's for a very good reason. Good things are happening and people are noticing. Most recently on Sunday, August 21, The Republican Herald's staff writer, Hyun Soo Lee visited the Borough to learn why so many new businesses are opening. He also joined the recent walking tour with Senator Argall and Representative Twardzik. The article is the paper's series of "monthly snapshots of a Schuylkill County Community" and shared interesting information about our past, present and future.
Did you know that Shenandoah is the site of the first and oldest Ukrainian Green Catholic Church in the country? It's St. Michael's on South Chestnut St. Or that Shenandoah is the location of the impressive Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial that was dedicated in 1996? That's located along Washington St. Or is the home of Lyric Bar and Restaurant that used to be a theatre frequented by A- Lister Hollywood stars and celebrities? It's under newer ownership and located on West Centre St. As a matter of fact, national brand, Mrs. T's Pierogies is celebrating their 70 year anniversary this year.
This is just a sprinkling of the tidbits that make Shenandoah special. The list goes on and on. It's also interesting to note that many of the long time businesses and landmarks in the Borough are being complemented with new businesses and specialty shops. Take a look at DSI's Business Spotlight articles featured in past newsletters and learn more.
The, Today's Shenandoah article shared how the business landscape is growing and changing. "In the past few years, several area entrepreneurs have opened new ventures, including eateries, convenience stores, thrift stores, notaries, and a pharmacy along the main strip," the article shares. Shenandoah Pharmacy owner, Pinky Patel was quoted as saying, "in her 13 years as a business owner in the area the town has improved." Shenandoah Borough Manager Tony Sajone was quoted as saying the boom of new residents is a positive change and he believes Shenandoah is on the right path to revitalization. "People should start focusing on adapting to the changing times," he said.
The Center For Education, Business & Arts Will Boost Economy
"It takes a village to make a town stand out and Shenandoah has what it takes to move the community into a bright thriving future," said Susan Williams of DSI. A catalyst for change is the future Center for Education, Business & Arts (CEBA) a community center/entrepreneurial hub that will include a commercial kitchen, Penn State classroom, event center and co working spaces. DSI is spearheading this project and is very close to the financial goal to begin outreach for requests for proposals for construction. Williams explained this center is for the entire Schuylkill County and surrounding region to visit, learn and find the resources they need to improve their careers and skill sets.
"Shenandoah as a tight knit town with an interesting personality," said Williams. She continued to explain that residents volunteer their time and expertise to one another without a second thought, further cementing Shenandoah's reputation as a friendly and community-oriented environment. "I think this is very impressive," she added.
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Two Ways To Win & Help DSI
Buy One For You and One For Someone Special
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Picture Perfect Lottery Tickets & Cash
One lucky winner will take away a beautifully framed picture that includes $100 bill and $100 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery Scratch Off Tickets. Whether you keep this beauty for your self or give it as a creative gift, its a win, win! Three entries for $5.
Fall-Tastic Gift Calendar
Get in on the fun! Our popular Fall-tastic Gift Calendar is in full swing!. There are 30 awesome gift cards and gifts on this calendar and a $200 value bonus drawing. All you have to do is buy one calendar for $5 and you could win! Buy 4 calendars and you get a free entry into the November 1 Bonus drawing. We start drawing winners on Facebook Live October 1.
Contact DSI at 570-462-2060 or stop by our office at 116 N. Main Street, Shenandoah.
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CEBA Connects 2022
A Few Spots Remain for this Awesome Class
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Paper Quilling with Marky
Learn how to create a beautiful sunflower shadow box.
Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Presenter: Marky Barto, Artist
Sponsored by: Schuylkill Area Community Foundation
Location: Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976
Please note: This class is limited to 10 students 14 years of age and up.
DSI invites you to Paper Quilling with Marky. Artist Marky Barto will instruct students on how to create a Paper Quilled Sunflower in a shadow box. This is a great introduction class to quilling that includes all the materials and a shadow box so your artwork will be ready to display or to give to a loved one.
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Please Forward This Newsletter To A Friend
We'd like to connect with more people and spread the good work DSI is doing to improve our communities. Please forward this email and share with a friend! Thank you
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