The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become known across the country as “Shop Local Saturday.”
But in the Borough of White Haven, “shop local” has become a way of life.
Over the last two years, at least three new businesses have opened on Main Street in White Haven, the latest being the Soapy Bee Country Store. Owner Michele Yohey’s business has joined Circle 25 Gifts and Thimbleberry Yarn Shop to help create a new energy in the business district. Their presence has not gone unnoticed by borough officials, the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce and shoppers.
Mary and Pat Millham, who recently returned to Penn Lake after living in the Bloomsburg area for a number of years, are among the shoppers who are excited about the new businesses opening in White Haven.
“When planning our move back to Penn Lake, we knew we would have all the basic stores to shop in, including a grocery store, pharmacy, liquor store, Woods Ice Cream and two wonderful pizza restaurants,” Mary Millham offered. “What surprised us most were the specialty stores that were opening.”
Mary noted she’s shopped at Circle 25 where she found “the most wonderful selection of unique items and gifts.” The Penn Lake resident said she and her husband plan to stop by the Soapy Bee Country Store to sample their breakfast items and check out the products from local vendors.
“Learning to knit has been on my bucket list,” Mary said. “I’ll be stopping by the Thimbleberry Yarn and Craft store to see when their next beginners class is scheduled. All of these new businesses add to the charm of living so close to such a welcoming community.”
Brough Manager Linda Szoke said the community is excited to see the growth and progress on Main Street. “These new businesses have not only invested in themselves but in our community,” she pointed out.
Szoke explained that the business owners have helped organize special events that bring in visitors from all over. “They have supported the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce by creating a wonderful monthly (Main Street) market that runs from April to October. With the additional passenger trains coming by rail each weekend and the upcoming fall foliage we will have a very busy Main Street.”
She urged residents and visitors to check out the new store’s websites and social media for upcoming events.
Linda Sensebach Miller, president of the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce, a small business owner herself, recognizes how the contributions of small businesses is energizing the community.
“Each and every small business is of vital importance to our community,” said Miller. “We are united in working together via our Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce to promote and serve our community while offering our goods and services which has enabled our town to serve its customers self-sufficiently without the need to leave the community keeping local spending local.”
Miller pointed out that residents of surrounding communities such as Penn Lake and even Mountain Top visit White Haven’s downtown.
“We are fortunate to be the main hub for surrounding communities utilizing our downtown for necessities as well as entertainment, dining, contract and repair and several gift stores in which tourists as well as community members support,” she said.
As the owner of LK HairShop on Main Street in White Haven, Miller recognizes the importance of all the town’s shops and looks forward to opening of more stores.
“Each individual business brings its own clientele to the area which creates the availability for us all to meet and service new customers,” she said.
Lisa Stuart, owner of Thimbleberry Yarn has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce since she opened her shop on Main Street two years ago.
“The sign on my window says yarn and craft and then says community,” she said. “That’s very intentional. Very important to me that I’m part of a community.
Stuart, along with Joe and Karen Medvitz, owners of Circle 25 Gifts, have been instrumental in organizing and promoting the monthly Main Street Market that is held on the first Saturday of the month from April through October. She noted that Jirah’s Restaurant has provided an open space free of charge for the market which attracts as many as 15 crafters, church groups and even a couple food trucks.
“It’s a wonderful experience for a Saturday morning,” she said of the event which is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Karen Medvitz pointed out organizing the Main Street Market was not easy.
“In the beginning it was hard to attract local people,” she related.
Her husband, Joe, agreed.
“At first they didn’t see the value of it,” he said of the local response to the market. “Until they saw how many people who are coming to the open market. And once they saw that, well now it’s different.”
“White Haven never did something like this in a hundred years,” Karen added. “To get people to agree to bring a food truck into this town was like trying to get them to eat liver. It was an uphill battle. It was hard.”
“Lisa and I laughed and cried over lots of stuff.”
Their efforts, she realized, has paid off. “Going to a bar to have a drink and have someone come up to you and say ‘you guys have done amazing things this year for this town. Thank you’. That’s so satisfying,” Medvitz said. “I didn’t think anyone noticed.”
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