82  meeting attendees 

Marshall Snively, President of Lancaster City Alliance, kicked off the meeting with enthusiasm, noting how wonderful it was to see the room filled for the October Merchant Meeting. He thanked everyone for taking the time to participate in the conversation and encouraged continued involvement throughout the year. Marshall reminded attendees that the Merchant Meetings are open to all Lancaster City small business owners and nonprofit leaders — and invited everyone to spread the word by bringing a colleague or friend to future gatherings.

Marshall also recognized and thanked the Legacy Sponsors and Visionary Sponsors, acknowledging their consistent support and emphasizing the essential role of their contributions in advancing the Lancaster City Alliance’s mission.

Dave Aichele expressed gratitude to community partners: Millersville University at The Ware Center for hosting the meetings, Discover Lancaster for sponsoring the Merchant Meetings, and Colonial Parking for providing parking in the lot across Prince Street.

Elspeth Moffatt reviewed the Great Meeting Guide with the group to ensure the meeting was successful.

Special Announcements

Marshall Snively opened the meeting by welcoming Kristen Simon, the newly appointed Bureau Chief of Tourism for the City of Lancaster. He noted that many attendees may recognize Kristen from her 17-year career with the Lancaster Stormers, where she played an integral role in strengthening community connections. Marshall shared that Kristen would bring that same enthusiasm and dedication to her new position—promoting Lancaster as a premier destination and helping visitors discover what residents and business owners already know: Lancaster is one of the most remarkable cities around.

Kristen thanked Marshall and the attendees for the warm welcome. She shared that one of her priorities is updating the list of Lancaster City-based businesses and distributed a form to collect key information. Those who were unable to return the form at the meeting—or who could not attend—are encouraged to complete the business information form online here.

Cara Cherry and Carly Machoqui were excited to tell the group about the Fig Retail Guide Campaign, designed to promote independent retailers in the City of Lancaster! Special thanks to their sponsors: City of Lancaster, Discover Lancaster, Lancaster City Alliance, Willow Valley Communities, and Zamagias Properties.

 Lee Lovett, Gallery Manager at Red Raven Art Company, told the group about the upcoming Lancaster Fall ARTWalk, taking place on Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19. She encouraged everyone to explore all the beautiful details on the Lancaster Art Collective website. Please scroll down to discover the virtual map of all participants.

Kathlene Carroll Sullivan, Digital Marketing & Engagement Manager for Lancaster City Alliance, announced that the MIM Committee is once again creating custom ShopSmall tote bags to be distributed throughout the city on Small Business Saturday. Each tote will be filled with marketing materials from Lancaster City retailers, offering a fun and engaging way to promote local businesses during the holiday season.

Merchants are invited to contribute value-added materials such as small product samples, holiday coupons, invitations to in-store events, flyers about seasonal sales, or information on how they will participate in City Holiday Magic promotions.

Participants should package their materials in sets of 50, 100, 150, or up to 250, and clearly label each bundle with their name, business name, and contact phone number. Materials should be dropped off at the Lancaster Chamber Building (115 E. King Street, 2nd-floor reception desk). Deadline for drop-off is Friday, November 14.

Member Introductions

• Carla Good, LNP Media Group, announced the details for the 2025 Lancaster City for the Holidays Window Decorating Contest! The contest begins on Monday, October 24. Email a photo of your display to digitalads@lnpnews.com. It’s FREE to be included in the Photo Showcase on LNP. Voting takes place from Friday, November 28, through Monday, December 18, 2025. QUESTIONS – contact Carla Good at cgood@lnpnews.com or at 717.468.9034.
  • Luke Hoheisel, was excited to share that Escape On Queen at 43 N. Queen Street has a popular new escape experience. Grab some family & friends to try out “Home Alone!”
  • Austin, Julie, and Jessica, from Pocket Books Shop, were delighted to return to announce that they now have a second location in downtown Lancaster. Everyone was invited to visit Pocket Books on Prince at 23 N. Prince Street! Remember – they will find you a great book to love!
  • Ryan Bainbridge, Business Relations Manager, invited all to the Small Business Summit, powered by the Lancaster Chamber, and open to members and non-members. With three dynamic tracks tailored to different phases of business, you’ll leave with actionable insights, expert guidance, and meaningful connections to fuel your journey. Find more details and a link to register here.
  • Ondra Haywood, Director of Living the Experience, announced that the next “Living the Experience” events – a powerful and interactive spiritual reenactment of the Underground Railroad will take place on Saturday, November 1, and Saturday, December 6 (always the first Saturday of each month) in Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (512 E. Strawberry Street) at 11:00 a.m. Learn more and reserve tickets here.
  • Nichole Mussa Sabil, Director of Events and Arts & Culture with the Trust Performing Arts Center, invited everyone to check the Trust’s upcoming event calendar for November and a dazzling Holiday Season! Make your plans and purchase tickets here.
  • Michele Littrell, Travel Consultant at the City of Lancaster Welcome Center, reminded the group that it is now located in the lobby of the Marriott at Penn Square, where thousands of tourists, visitors, and convention groups pass through each week. She is eager to promote small businesses in the City of Lancaster, but needs rack cards or marketing materials to do so. Anyone interested in increasing their walk-in business should reach out to Michelle at mlittrell@CityOfLancasterPA.gov
  • Anne Warfel, Discovery Map of Lancaster, told the group about the practical marketing possibilities for the small business community. Discovery Map^® produces illustrated paper maps that highlight the best places to shop, eat, and stay in many top tourist destinations across North America. These maps are unique because they are created by local business owners and operators who live and work in the area, ensuring that you receive authentic, insider recommendations. To learn more, contact Anne at annew@discoverymap.com
  • Mardia Gibbons, the new owner of Reology Studio, an event center at 315 West James Street, introduced herself to the group at her first merchant meeting and was greeted with a warm welcome.
  • Jon Heinly, Director of Donor Advising at the Lancaster Public Library, was excited to invite everyone to The Librewery on Friday, October 18, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., an adults-only celebration of free expression at the Lancaster City Branch! Enjoy liberations from Spring House Brewery, Thistle Finch Distillery, and Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery. Local food trucks, Halo’s Eatery, Extra Rice, and Lancaster Soft Pretzel. All proceeds from the evening will benefit Lancaster Public Library. Free to attend and open to booklovers over the age of 21. 
  • Sara Gallo reminded everyone gathered that this is a good time to round up old jewelry that you no longer wear. Gold is at an all-time high, trading at 4K per ounce. Harvest your gold at Sara Gallo Custom Jewelers (226 N. Arch Street)  for a fair price from a trusted source. Phone: 717.842.0845
  • Carole Kirchner, SoWe board member, invited everyone to attend the SoWe Business Mixer on Thursday, November 13, from 5 – 7:00 p.m. at Nauman Kitchen & Bath (570 S. Water Street). Please RSVP at 717-358-9358. Deadline to RSVP is Thursday, November 6.
  • Lori Johnson reminded the group that The Candy Factory has space for co-working, meeting rooms, etc. There are also some offices available in their new coworking location – 812! Reach out to Lori for more information and coworking details at lori@thesweetcore.com
  • Emily Hess was delighted to introduce herself as a new small business owner who is celebrating her one-month milestone as owner/founder of Markit
  • Cheila Huettner, Partner at Lancaster Distilleries, was delighted to say that their classic and wildly popular Eggnog will return this holiday season. Follow their social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram- for the debut!
  • Olivia Schmids, Event Coordinator at Decades, let the group know that she is currently booking holiday parties for groups of 20 to 300+! Remember that the calendar fills up fast, so grab a date while you can. Visit www.decadeslancaster.com/events 
  • Zach Wilson, from The H&H Group, noted that once again, The H&H Group is the print partner for the 2025 ExtraGive. They customize any order to help mobilize the community for this extraordinary day of generosity!

Member Spotlight: Denim Coffee

We were delighted to celebrate Denim Coffee and to welcome Sarah Geissinger, Director of Strategic Development, into our Member Spotlight at the October Merchant Meeting. In a city celebrated for its coffee culture, Denim Coffee is making its mark as a standout destination. Known for its dedication not just to great flavor, but to the craft and community behind each cup, Denim Coffee blends passion and purpose in every roast.

From its humble beginnings (fueled by a $65,000 loan and a bold dream) to becoming one of the Susquehanna Valley’s go-to specialty roasters, Denim Coffee has stayed true to its mantra: “Make Better Coffee.” Here in Lancaster, at their W. King Street location, they bring local coffee lovers new single-origin offerings, a thoughtfully curated space, and a commitment to quality that rivals the best.
 View the full presentation here.

Special Presentation: Catching Up with Discover Lancaster 

Jeff Vasser, President & CEO of Discover Lancaster, shared how the organization continues to drive tourism and economic growth across Lancaster County. He highlighted that in 2024, the county welcomed over 10 million visitors who generated $3.5 billion in total economic impact and supported more than 26,000 jobs, underscoring tourism’s role as a major local employer.

He also previewed upcoming initiatives, including enhanced storytelling, digital advertising, and the 2026 Marketing Summit, designed to help local businesses capture visitor attention. Overall, his message emphasized collaboration: when local merchants engage with Discover Lancaster, the whole region benefits.
View the full presentation here.

Presentation: ExtraGive 2025: Small Biz Partnering for Positive Impact

Lancaster County Community Foundation team members shared how local businesses can take part in Lancaster County’s largest day of giving on Friday, November 21, a community-wide celebration that has raised over $110 million for more than 500 nonprofits since its start in 2012. The presentation emphasized that even small contributions—starting at $10—make a difference, especially since all donations are boosted by nearly $500,000 in stretch pool funds and prizes, thanks to sponsors like the High Foundation and Murry Foundation.

Businesses were encouraged to partner with nonprofits to strengthen community impact while benefiting from the energy, media attention, and foot traffic the event generates across Lancaster City. Overall, the message was clear: by joining ExtraGive, businesses not only uplift local causes—they also build positive connections and visibility that fuel Lancaster’s vibrant community.
View the full presentation here.

Presentation: Lancaster City for the Holidays

The presentation highlighted the City’s lineup of festive events designed to attract visitors downtown and boost local shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. Merchants were encouraged to participate in signature celebrations such as the Mayor’s Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday, December First Friday, and Lancaster Shops Late—all part of a coordinated effort to make Lancaster a premier holiday destination. The campaign focuses on citywide collaboration, inviting businesses to share promotions, host events, and decorate storefronts to add to the seasonal atmosphere.

Overall, the message was one of partnership and community spirit: by joining the City’s holiday promotions, small businesses can help create a magical downtown experience that supports local commerce and spreads joy throughout Lancaster. Register your small businesses’ participation in the City of Lancaster’s Holiday Events HERE!
View the full presentation here.

MIM Committee Report:

Once again, our Merchant Committee is spreading the Small Business Saturday spirit with custom ShopSmall Tote Bags—set to be distributed to shoppers across Lancaster City on Saturday, November 29!

Our amazing MIM volunteers will fill the totes with festive marketing materials from small business owners in the City of Lancaster. If you’re a City of Lancaster retailer planning to participate in Small Business Saturday and would like to include value-added promotions—such as free samples, holiday discounts, special event flyers, or free shipping offers = please bundle your materials in quantities of 50, 100, 150, to 250.

• Clearly label your bundle with your business name and contact info, and mark it “Attention: Lancaster City Alliance.”
  • Drop off your items at: Lancaster Chamber Building- First Floor Reception Desk
  115 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 🗓 Deadline for drop-off: Friday, November 14.

Closing Comments:

Marshall Snively expressed his appreciation for everyone’s attendance and encouraged participants to mark their calendars for the final and largest merchant meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, November 19 — and to invite a friend to join. He emphasized that Lancaster’s business community thrives when we show up, share ideas, and grow stronger together. He reminded everyone that the November Milestone Awards Meeting is a special one, honoring 40 local businesses and community partners. It will be held in the third floor Atrium. We hope to see you all there.

Next Merchant Meeting – November 19,  2025 – The Ware Center