91 meeting attendees

Marshall Snively welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He thanked everyone for attending and encouraged them to attend regularly and bring a friend along.  These meetings are open to all small business owners and non-profit leaders in the City of Lancaster.  Marshall invited everyone to mark their calendars for June 11^, when we will celebrate the Member Milestone Anniversary Awards.  Please note this date is the second Wednesday of the month. 

Marshall Snively expressed gratitude to our Legacy Sponsors for their generous support, which enables these meetings along with our Visionary Sponsors on the agenda.

Dave Aichele extended appreciation to our Community Partners: Millersville University at The Ware Center for hosting our meetings, Discover Lancaster for sponsoring the merchant meetings, and Colonial Parking for providing parking in the lot across Prince Street.  

Tony Gorick was pleased to remind everyone that Spring Lancaster City Restaurant Week is right around the corner – March 31 to April 6.  It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new flavors and support local restaurants.  For more details and to discover participating restaurants, visit the Lancaster City Restaurant Week website!

Marshall Snively is excited to announce that the Spring Merchant Mixer will be held on Monday, April 14, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the beautiful new Stevens & Smith Center for History & Democracy, hosted by our incredible partners at Lancaster History.  Invitations will be coming out shortly.  RSVP’s can be sent to info@teamlanc.org.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to be among the first to explore this incredible historic space and world-class museum. 

Marshall Snively encouraged everyone to mark September 18 on their calendar for Velocity 2025.  Kathlene Sullivan shared that the proceeds from this annual Lancaster City Alliance fundraiser will go directly towards marketing, promotion, and support for local businesses in the City of Lancaster.  Sponsorships are available here or by contacting Colleen Wagner at cwagner@teamlanc.org.  Anyone interested in donating to the silent auction can learn more about it or arrange to donate here

Introductions

• Carole Kirchner with SoWe invited everyone to attend the Community Egg Hunt on March 29^th at 10:00 am. All the fun and activities will be happening at Culliton Park. 
• Eliel Garcia with Hamilton Watch was excited to share a collaboration with Urban Werks for an event on March 27^th from 6 pm to 9 pm at Urban Werks (105 Independence Court, Building 230) featuring wow-worthy cars and Hamilton watches.
• Sarah Geissinger introduced herself to the group. She is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Denim Coffee.  Denim Coffee provided the coffee for the meeting. 
• Dave Aichele with Lancaster City Alliance and the DID shared that posters and postcards regarding the “It’s Okay to Say No to Panhandling” campaign are available to take along and post in your business. A more effective way to help is by contributing to our partner organizations, which offer outreach programs specifically designed to assist those in need.  A QR code is included on the posters and postcards for donations.
• The Team from Drift Spa invited everyone to attend Harmonic Drift, a floating sound immersion journey, on April 14 at 7 pm. The Drift Spa pool is located in the Lancaster Marriott Hotel.  Register today here!
• Lisa Torba with J. Hilburn was excited to announce an upcoming event – Style & Strategy: An Evening of Bitcoin & Bow Ties on April 4 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the J. Hilburn Store.  Register for the Event today!    
• Heidi Castillo with Mezcla Ice Cream was pleased to share they are reopening their store at 318 South Duke Street on March 21^.
• Kathlene Sullivan with Lancaster City Alliance announced the dates for this year’s Spring Art Walk – May 3 and 4^.
• Melisa Baez with ELUME was pleased to announce registration is open for ELUME & The Green Program Experience from June 25^t to July 1^. The group will be traveling to Peru.  Find more details here.
• Katy Mauer introduced herself to the group as the new Manager at Lancaster Central Market.
• Tara Pflanz of Groovy Greens was pleased to share that they are celebrating their one-year anniversary at Lancaster Central Market.
• Jillian Wojaylz with Longevity Lancaster announced they are starting a small group fitness class on April 4.
• Annie Weeks from Lancaster History invited everyone to check out their Events Calendar at LancasterHistory.org for a variety of upcoming events.
• Luke Hoheisel with Escape on Queen reported they just opened a new experience, so stop by to check it out at 43-45 North Queen Street.
• Angela Lauer with Vision Corps announced the 2025 Eye Drop is scheduled for June 6 at the Holiday Inn. Registration is open for anyone wishing to rappel. Sponsorships are available, and donations are welcome for their basket raffle and silent auction.  Learn more exciting details.  
• Alex Piazza with Lancaster Chamber announced the State of the County meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 4^. From 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the Lancaster campus of St Joseph’s University, at 850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Visit this landing page for more information and details on how to register.
• Emma Wright from Lancaster Public Library announced upcoming fundraisers: April 2 at Bonefish Grill and April 25 at Rachel’s Café & Creperie.
• Hakim Singleton introduced himself to the group and was pleased to share Ephrata National Bank is opening a branch in Tec Centro.
• Emily Hillard and Lauren Knutson introduced themselves to the group and were excited to share that their salon, Keel Salon, is now open at 147 East King Street.
  
  

Member Spotlight:  EmBodyment Wellness Studio

Kathlene Carroll Sullivan introduced Santina Huerta, founder and owner of EmBodyment Wellness Studio. 

View the full presentation here.

Presentation: Lancaster City Police Community Engagement Team

Dave Aichele introduced Sgt. Todd Grager, Sgt. Joel Thomas, Lt. Shane Douglas Snyder, and Social Worker Grace Mentzer are members of the Lancaster City Police Community Engagement Team. 

• Sgt. Grager’s focus is to create positive engagement within the community.  He announced that this year, National Night Out will be celebrated on August 5^th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  This year, the event will take place in front of the police station, located on the 1^st block of Chestnut Street.  Anyone interested in sponsoring this event may contact Sgt. Grager at gragert@lancasterpolice.com.
• Sgt. Thomas shared that his focus is on crime prevention.  He collaborates with school resource officers and canine units. 
• Grace Mentzer shared she has been a social worker with the Lancaster Police since 2019.
• Lt. Snyder is the officer for the Downtown Investment District.
 

Included in their handouts was a flyer regarding the Lancaster City Bureau of Police Cadet Program.  Learn more information on the program here.

Special Presentation:  Unlocking Potential:  How Interns Drive Success

Dave Aichele welcomed Stephanie McConnell, Executive Director of the Center for Career & Special Development at Franklin & Marshall College; Patty Taggart, Assistant Director of the Career Center at Millersville University; and Maria Provencher, Assistant Dean of Career Development & Internships at PCA&D.  They offered a dynamic presentation on how college interns can help local small business and non-profits thrive and grow across a number of critical disciplines. They include business, public relations, marketing, social media, photography, videography, and more

To get in touch with the presenters:
• Stephanie McConnell         stephanie.mcconnell@fandm.edu  717-358-4449                     

• Patty Taggart                       patricia.taggart@millersville.edu  717-871-7658                     

• Maria Provencher                careerservices@pcad.edu
 mprovencher@pcad.edu         717-396-7833

View the Full presentation here.

Also in attendance at the meeting was Bronwyn Laughner, PhD, instructor in Business Administration at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.  Thaddeus Stevens College also offers an intern program.  For more information, contact her at laughner@stevenscollege.edu or 717-299-7579.

MIM Committee Report

Mark Your Calendars for upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies:
                Erin’s Atelier & Things   – 313 West Liberty Street – March 26^th at 12 Noon

                Keel Salon – 147 East King Street – March 28^th at 12 Noon

                South County Brewing – 26 West King Street – March 31^st at 12 Noon

                Sahara Bistro Shawarma – 245 North Queen Street – April 11^th at 12 Noon

Milestone Awards Merchant Meeting • Mark Your Calendars for Wednesday, June 11.
 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

Dave Aichele thanked everyone for their attendance this morning. He encouraged everyone to mark their calendars for the third Wednesday of each month, from January to November, and bring a friend to share in the networking connections. 

Next Merchant Meeting – April 16, 2025 – The Ware Center