143  meeting attendees 

Marshall Snively was pleased to welcome everyone to our final merchant meeting of the year. The November Merchant Meeting brought together Lancaster’s small business, professional, and nonprofit communities for a morning of connection and celebration. This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as Mayor Danene Sorace joined Lancaster City Alliance to help present the 2025 Milestone Awards.

As the final meeting of the year, LCA reflected on a season of strong engagement: in 2025, eleven Merchant Meetings welcomed more than 900 attendees, each one fostering collaboration, sharing information, and strengthening the network of leaders who fuel Lancaster’s economic and cultural vitality.

The highlight of the morning was the celebration of 40 exceptional small businesses and community partners marking milestone anniversaries. These recognitions honored years — and in some cases decades — of dedication, resilience, and contributions to the vibrancy of downtown Lancaster.

Mayor Danene Sorace shared how pleased she was to join the Milestone Awards once more — and for the final time as Mayor — with just one month and sixteen days remaining in her term. She reflected on how these gatherings have been a highlight of her eight years in office, offering her a front-row seat to the resilience, history, and heart that define Lancaster’s merchant community. Before closing, Mayor Sorace encouraged everyone to continue supporting local businesses, especially as the holiday season begins with Small Business Saturday on November 29.

Marshall Snively expressed gratitude to our Legacy Sponsors for their generous support, which enables these meetings and the mission of Lancaster City Alliance.  He recognized Joe Lee and Mark Wetzel from Franklin & Marshall College; John Lines from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; David Hanson from Fulton Bank; Robin Stauffer from High Real Estate; Lauren Frick from The Steinman Foundation; and Matt Cristino from M&T Bank, who were present at the meeting.    

Elspeth Moffatt, LCA Director of Communications, extended heartfelt appreciation to community partner The Ware Center for the Arts for their steadfast support of Lancaster’s small business community. Throughout 2025, The Ware Center generously hosted every Merchant Meeting, providing a welcoming space that helped these gatherings thrive. The LCA team also celebrated The Ware Center as one of this year’s Milestone Award recipients, recognizing their fifteen years of meaningful contributions to the vibrancy of downtown Lancaster.

Elspeth also acknowledged Colonial Parking for managing the surface parking lot across Prince Street and for providing free parking vouchers to all meeting attendees. Their support is invaluable to these monthly meetings.

Special Announcements

Dave Aichele, Executive Director of the Downtown Investment District (DID), took a moment to recognize National Veterans Month and honor the men and women whose service, courage, and sacrifice have strengthened both our nation and our local community. Attendees reflected on the vital role veterans play in the City of Lancaster — as residents, leaders, and contributors to the small business community. In a moving gesture of appreciation, veterans in the room were invited to stand and be acknowledged for their service, receiving heartfelt thanks from all present.

Colleen Wagner, LCA Vice President of Administration & Relations, highlighted the upcoming Lancaster City for the Holidays season and invited attendees to experience the festive celebrations throughout downtown. The holiday lineup begins November 28 with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in Penn Square, followed by beloved retail traditions including Small Business Saturday on November 29, December First Friday on December 5, and Lancaster Shops Late on December 13. Attendees were encouraged to explore local shops, support small businesses, and enjoy the vibrant holiday spirit that fills the city each year.

Small business owners were also reminded to register their holiday offerings so the City of Lancaster can include them in its seasonal marketing campaign. REGISTER HERE

Kathlene Carroll Sullivan, LCA Digital Media & Engagement Manager, reminded everyone to invest in their own success during the 2025 ExtraGive. Supporting the Lancaster City Alliance helps to fund events like these monthly Merchant Meetings. In 2025, LCA hosted 11 merchant meetings with over 900 attendees and looks forward to increasing that number in 2026!

Member Introductions

•  Tony Gorick, Marketing Manager at Decades Lancaster, let the group know that Decades is hosting an #ExtraGive Happy Hour featuring eight nonprofits on Friday, Nov. 21, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a Holiday Market with 12 vendors on Saturday, Nov. 22, from Noon to 4 p.m.!
• Timm Wenger with Neighbors Community Center was pleased to share that they are hosting an Indoor ExtraGive Block Party at their location at 450 North Prince Street on Friday, November 19, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. Also, the Neighbors Welcome Desk is your link to help people who are seeking assistance. Learn where to find: Food – Legal Services -Housing – Clothing – Healthcare – English Classes – Transportation. Visit 450 N. Prince Street – call or text 717-203-9878.
•  Julie Ndjee from Neilly’s Gourmet Market & Beyond was delighted to introduce Marquise, who will be leading the weekly Friday food-themed Trivia Nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They are a great time – so come and test your foodie knowledge!
• DJ Ramsay, Communications Manager with the City of Lancaster, called attention to the Red Rose Alert cards at each table. As winter approaches, it is essential to sign up for these vital alerts. The City uses them to send important information and emergency alerts to residents, businesses, and utility customers. SIGN UP HERE.
• Emily Gonzalez, founder of GEMs Caterer and owner of Inna’s Pierogis, was excited to announce that she will be opening GEMs Bodega Café in 2026! Stay tuned for more details.

Connecting Millersville University Students to Lancaster City

Joni Klopp, Ed., Senior Director of Admissions at Millersville University, shared how the University is helping the incoming fall class engage more deeply with the City of Lancaster. Through Millersville’s accredited Lancaster Immersion Teams program, students work with Peer Mentors and Student Ambassadors to explore the city, participate in a structured scavenger hunt, and complete activities that encourage interaction with local businesses — including taking selfies at participating locations.

Students earn points throughout the course, and the winning team is rewarded with Downtown Dollars, which they can spend at businesses they’ve gotten to know over the year.

Businesses interested in participating in next year’s program can contact Joni Klopp, M.Ed., at joni.klopp@millersville.edu.

Milestone Anniversary Award Presentations 

Mayor Danene Sorace joined Marshall Snively on stage to honor each City of Lancaster business celebrating a Milestone Anniversary. Together, they recognized an extraordinary range of achievements, presenting awards to businesses marking anniversaries from One Year to an inspiring One Hundred Years of service, resilience, and impact in our community.
Explore the complete Award List Here!

Special Recognition Award

At this year’s Milestone Awards, Lancaster City Alliance presented a special honor to Mayor Danene Sorace in recognition of her unwavering support for Lancaster’s small business community. For eight years, Mayor Sorace faithfully attended the bi-annual Milestone Award Merchant Meetings, celebrating entrepreneurs, championing their successes, and showing genuine commitment to the individuals who power our city’s economy.

Her presence was never ceremonial — it was consistent, intentional, and deeply valued by business owners and community partners alike. As this gathering marked her final Milestone Awards before completing her mayoral term in January, the LCA team and those in attendance took a moment to reflect on and appreciate her steadfast partnership.

To commemorate her eight years of leadership and dedicated advocacy, Mayor Sorace was presented with a special recognition: her own Eight-Year Milestone Award, offered with heartfelt gratitude from Lancaster City Alliance and the entire business community she has so meaningfully supported.

Closing Comments:

Marshall Snively closed the event by thanking attendees for their continued participation throughout 2025 and for the energy they bring to the Merchant Meetings each month. He extended warm holiday wishes on behalf of the LCA team, highlighting this season of gratitude and the importance of supporting Lancaster City’s small businesses. Guests were reminded that shopping small is vital to sustaining the independent retailers, restaurants, and service providers that make downtown so vibrant.

Marshall also shared that there would be no Merchant Meeting in December and invited everyone to reconvene on January 21, 2026, for the first gathering of the new year at The Ware Center for the Arts.

Next Merchant Meeting – January 21, 2026 – The Ware Center for the Arts│Binns Room