79 meeting attendees 

Marshall Snively welcomed attendees and thanked them for joining. He reminded everyone that Merchant Meetings are designed to connect Lancaster City’s small business community—providing a space to share ideas and support one another—and encouraged making these gatherings a regular part of their schedules. Attendees were also invited to bring a fellow business owner or colleague to future meetings. Marshall noted a new column on the spreadsheet and asked participants to complete it so Kathlene can ensure they are subscribed or resubscribed.

Marshall Snively recognized our Legacy Sponsors for their consistent support that sustains the mission of Lancaster City Alliance – events like these and monthly merchant meetings would not be possible without their generous commitment. 

David Aichele thanked our community partners. Appreciation was expressed to Millersville University at The Ware Center for their continued support of Lancaster City’s small business community and for hosting the monthly meetings. Thanks were given to Discover Lancaster for sponsoring the gatherings. Gratitude was also extended to Colonial Parking for providing free parking vouchers for attendees. 

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

Special Announcements

• Lancaster City Spring Merchant Mixer – Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Colleen Wagner noted that spring is almost here—and with it comes a welcome chance for all of us to connect and unwind at the Lancaster City Spring Merchant Mixer. Join us at Decades, 438 N. Queen Street—with convenient parking right next door—on Wednesday, April 22, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This event is free for all small businesses and nonprofits located in the City of Lancaster. Expect delicious small bites, great networking, a few fun surprises to help spark connections—and your first drink is on LCA. Register for this event here.

• Milestone Awards – Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Colleen Wagner shared some exciting changes for this year’s June Milestone Awards Meeting. We will be hosting this celebration of the legacy & resilience of our small business community on the SECOND WEDNESDAY of the month, Wednesday, June 10, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  NEW this year is a change of location to the exciting new venue of Commons on Vine, recently opened at the Lancaster County Convention Center. Look for more details and descriptions from us in the weeks ahead, but in the meantime, SAVE THE DATE for this meeting on your calendar – it is one of the largest of our year!

Member Introductions

• Olivia Schmids from Decades invited all to one of the Events Open Houses on March 28 or 29 – register here!

• Shade Foreman from PPM Real Estate shared that they have a prime retail space with a very attractive rent available on the corner of W. King and Water Street. Contact Shade if interested at shade@ppmproperties.com
• Carol Gifford of Vision Corp shared that Eye Drop 2026 will return on Friday, June 5, to the Holiday Inn Lancaster from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Choose your Eye Drop Adventure and learn more here!
• Chris Ballentine, Community Relations Manager, Willow Valley Communities, was excited to announce that Southern Market Lancaster has been nominated for USA Today’s Top Ten Best Food Halls. Voting is open through April 13, and everyone is encouraged to support the campaign by voting daily!

• Chris Ballentine changes hats to discuss his role as co-presenter with Anne Kirby of the Candy Factory for the special presentation at the April Merchant Meeting on “Reclaiming Your Time with AI: Marketing Basics for Small Businesses & Organizations.” Chris and Anne are preparing for this session and would value your input. Please take a moment to complete this short survey to help tailor the presentation to your needs and ensure it’s as relevant and impactful as possible. Complete the survey here.

• Michelle Litrell, from the Lancaster Welcome Center, urged all small business owners present to drop off their info at the center, now located in the lobby of the Penn Square Marriott.

• Freiman Stoltzfus, of Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery, will be stepping outside of Gallery Row to add his talents as scenic art director for Ephrata Area Performing Arts Center’s production of Into the Woods, running April 9 through 25. Learn more here.
• Maian McCauley, the new CEO at ASSETS, introduced herself to the group and offered valuable information about the Business Essentials Loan, which provides $500–$2,500 at 0% interest to help entrepreneurs plan for and cover essential business expenses. This loan is designed for practical costs such as equipment, tools, supplies, certifications, insurance, or short-term workspace needs, while also helping establish or improve credit history. Explore all of the details here.
• Jason Alligere, Development Manager & Certified Fundraising Executive at ASSETS, shared an essential workshop coming up – Separating Personal and Business Finances will be held on March 26 from 6:00–7:30 p.m., focusing on the importance of keeping finances separate and offering practical steps to simplify bookkeeping, protect assets, and strengthen overall business operations. Register here.
• ASSETS will also begin their online Idea Incubator Info Session on April 1 from 6:00–7:30 p.m., providing an overview of the program, how it supports entrepreneurs in building purpose-driven businesses, and expectations for participation. View details here.

• Joe Howanski, Convention Chair for Zenkaikon 2026, shared that this year’s event has exceeded expectations, with attendance now projected to reach 10,000 as they celebrate the 20th anniversary from March 20–22. He noted with pride that all vendors are Pennsylvania-based, with $6,000 already invested in supporting local restaurants for volunteer meals and an additional $3,500 in Downtown Dollars. Last year’s event generated just under $3 million in revenue for the City of Lancaster.

• Rachel Skye was excited to share two Sexy Somatics on Saturday, April 4. Learn more here. Also, Fierce Woman’s Circle on the third Wednesday of each month, starting April 15!  Learn more here.  

• Ed Kaminski, Landis Communities, shared that Rendezvous Pizzeria & Steakshop, located on the ground level of Landis Place on King, is now licensed to serve wine—adding a new amenity to enhance the dining experience.

• Lisa Anderson introduced her new business, Link and Lift Media, which creates a network of small indoor digital signs (TVs). She will sell advertising space on this multi-venue network that reaches people where they eat, play, and spend time. This cross-networking platform is designed to appeal to small and medium businesses seeking more community. Learn more here 

• Julie Ndge, co-owner of Gourmet Market Lancaster, announced that the location at 101 N. Queen Street has closed. She will be transitioning the business to focus on dynamic cooking classes, private dining experiences, and continued online sales of Gourmet Market-branded products.

Member Spotlight: Shumaker PDT

The Member Spotlight was postponed and will be rescheduled for the May Merchant Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Special Presentation: Vision Zero in Action – Designing Lancaster’s Streets for Safety and Prosperity

The March Merchant Meeting Special Presentation highlighted the City of Lancaster’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes by 2030. City representatives shared updates on street redesigns, traffic-calming strategies, and the evaluation of two-way street conversions, particularly along key corridors such as King and Orange Streets.

The discussion also addressed business community concerns, including speeding, delivery congestion, double parking, cyclist behavior, and pedestrian safety. Attendees gained insight into the complexity of multi-year infrastructure improvements, including curbside management, utility coordination, and accessibility considerations, as well as the City’s ongoing efforts to balance safety, mobility, and economic vitality across Lancaster’s streets.

Presented by Cindy McCormick, Deputy Director/City Engineer, Department of Public Works, City of Lancaster, and Emma Hamm, Transportation Planner, City of Lancaster Department of Public Works.

View the full presentation here.

MIM Committee Report

Kathlene Carroll Sullivan thanked Jason Konopinski for graciously offering to move his Member Spotlight to the May Merchant meeting to allow time for our special presentation.
  

 If you would like a “COMING SOON” sign for a City of Lancaster small business, you can request one here.
 If you are interested in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for your City of Lancaster small business, please complete the request here.

Closing Comments

Marshall Snively thanked everyone for their attendance this morning. He encouraged all to mark their calendars for our April Merchant Meeting. 

Next Merchant Meeting – April 15, 2026 – The Ware Center for the Arts│Binns Room

Our monthly merchant meetings are open to all small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in the City of Lancaster.