56 meeting attendees

Marshall Snively welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for attending. He encouraged everyone to mark their calendars each month, plan to participate in this meeting, and invite fellow merchants to join you. 

Marshall Snively invited everyone to join the Lancaster City Alliance as we celebrate our 10^th Anniversary on Friday, June 28, with a special breakfast and keynote speaker at the Lancaster County Convention Center.  Mark your calendars!

As noted on the email meeting announcements and agenda, our meeting time has been extended to 10:00 am due to the consistent attendance growth and rising demand for valuable presentations. 

Our June Milestone Award Merchant Meeting will occur on the second Wednesday of the month – June 12, so we can observe the Juneteenth holiday.  We are preparing for over 50 small businesses to be recognized for one-year through 100-year milestones. 

Marshall thanked our Legacy Sponsors, listed on the agenda, for their generous support, which makes these meetings possible, as well as our Visionary Sponsors. 

Dave Aichele thanked our Community Partners – Millersville University at The Ware Center for providing the meeting space and Colonial Parking for providing parking in the lot directly across Prince Street.  He also reviewed the Great Meeting Guide to allow for the best possible experience at our Merchant Meetings.

Special Announcements

U.S. Women’s Open – May 30 through June 2

Bryan McGee, Assistant Director, U.S. Women’s Open, was excited to share that they are returning to Lancaster Country Club and expect the event to be even bigger than the 2015 event.  He reported that construction began this week at the golf course.  He thanked everyone for their support and looks forward to returning for a full presentation at next month’s meeting. 

RegenAll – 2^nd Annual Climate Summit

Eric Sauder, founder and Executive Director of RegenAll, shared that the organization works to unite households, businesses, community organizations, and local governments to identify and implement local climate solutions for a thriving, regenerative future.  The 2^nd Annual Climate Summit will be held April 27 at The Ware Center.  If anyone is interested in sponsorships, tabling, or attending, please contact Eric at eric@regenall.org.
Learn more here.

Lancaster County Community Foundation – One Year to Change Next 100

Tracy Cutler, Executive Vice President of Lancaster County Community Foundation, was excited to share how they plan to celebrate their 100^th Anniversary by partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities to invest in Lancaster County for the next 100 years.  One of these partnerships is producing a special event schedule that will dynamically impact the merchant community called Summer for Lancaster.  Events are being planned in partnership with the City of Lancaster to be held in Binns Park and Ewell Plaza.
Learn more here.

Member Introductions

• Lori Johnson with The Candy Factory mentioned the flyers on the table listing rates for renting their event space at The Candy Factory. If anyone is interested in renting their event space at The Candy Factory, contact her at lori@thesweetcore.com.  They are planning for an Open House on First Friday, April 5. 
• Carol Gifford with Vision Corps announced a new bowling event, Eye Bowl Fundraiser, supporting this year’s Eye Drop. The Eye Bowl will occur on March 28 at 6 pm at the Elks Lodge #134. 
• Kathlene Sullivan invited everyone to participate in the “Strike Out Homelessness A Night of Games” fundraiser for Tenfold’s TLC/Veterans Victory House on March 26 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Decades. Go to wearetenfold.org to purchase tickets. 
• Carla Good with LNP Media Group reported that LNP will create a special section for the U.S. Women’s Open. If anyone is interested in ad opportunities, please email her at cgood@lnpnews.com or call her at 717-468-9034.
• Brooke States introduced herself to the group. She is the owner of Be Socially Inspired. 
• Carley Bilindabagabo with Ingoma Films reported they are offering special rates for merchants interested in creating 30-second commercial videos for Discover Lancaster, websites, or social media. Contact her at carley@ingomagroup.com.
• Aaron Spangler with YWCA shared they are gearing up for the 26^th running of the Race Against Racism on April 27. They are also making plans for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. 
• Nichole Mussa Sabil with Assets Lancaster shared that they are offering a webinar entitled “How to get certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise” on March 26.
• Melissa Houser with The Urban Farmhouse shared that they are supporting A Concrete Rose by offering a drop-off spot for prom attire. Anyone who drops off prom attire gets a free slice of cheesecake!
• Todd Grager introduced himself to the group. He is the Community Engagement Office with the Lancaster City Police.  They are planning an awards banquet on May 17 and are asking merchants to consider donating a raffle prize for the event.  Anyone interested in donating can email Todd at gragert@lancasterpolice.com. 
• Megan Fessler-McCarthy with Tread House shared that they offer community partnerships and will work with your staff to provide fitness classes. They have a team registered to participate in the Race Against Racism.
• Andrew Silvius with ESOArts shared that they are planning their first Art Market and Beer Garden on April 14. This Sunday, they are offering flash specials for tattoos. 
• Jean-Marie Merkle with Happy Happy Joy Joy shared that she will have a pop-up store on April 13 at the Pop-Up Shop on North Queen Street.
• Michael Lynn Wherley with Keystone Claws Nail Salon introduced himself to the group.

Member Spotlight

Kathlene Sullivan introduced Rachel Skye, owner of Studio Spin, which opened in 2013.

 View the full presentation here.

Special Presentation: Business Fire Safety:  Protecting Your Assets and Community

Marshall Snively introduced Lancaster Bureau of Fire, Chief Todd Hutchinson.  Chief Hutchinson shared that he has been with the fire department since 2005 and was appointed Chief in January 2022. 

View the full presentation here.

The following questions were asked:

• Alex King asked why clear details on where CO detectors should be located aren’t provided on the City’s website. DJ Ramsey replied that while they can’t publish the code on the website, they can provide where to find it.
• Sam Wilsker reported that fire alarm companies are transitioning landline phones to cell phones due to landline phones being discontinued. He suggested working now to transition your fire alarm phone line to your cell phone numbers.
• Carol Gifford inquired about how to dispose of lithium batteries properly. Chief Hutchinson answered the proper method is to take the batteries to the transfer station and dispose of them free of charge. He also cautioned that when charging units, only use the charging cord that came with the unit.  Do not try to rebuild batteries.  Do not charge items at your front door or near an egress.  And do not charge items while you are sleeping.

Presentation: Lighting Up Lancaster for Mental Health Month  

Marshall Snively introduced Kim McDevitt, Executive Director, and Dave Krahling, Program Director, with Mental Health America of Lancaster County. To bring attention to Mental Health Awareness Month in May, local businesses in Lancaster will be asked to join others nationwide to light up their storefronts green. 

View the full presentation here.

A fundraising event is being planned for April 9 at Southern Market beginning at 5:30 pm – “Noodles Around the World.”  There will be a silent auction.  Any merchant interested in donating a basket for the auction, please let Kim know at kmcdevitt@mhalancaster.org. 

Kim McDevitt was excited to announce that a new Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center will open in cooperation with Penn Medicine.  The center will be located Downtown and will be opening in October.  This Center will provide much-needed services to those requiring mental health support without the need to go to a hospital Emergency Department.

MIM Committee Report

Marshall Snively invited everyone to mark their calendars for the Spring Merchant Mixer on Thursday, May 16, at Little Mutants at 841 North Prince Street.   

Kathlene Sullivan reminds all that the June Merchant Meeting has moved to Wednesday, June 12 due to the usual date falling on the Juneteenth Holiday. 

Closing Remarks

Marshall Snively thanked everyone for their attendance this morning and encouraged everyone to return for the April Merchant Meeting! 

Next Merchant Meeting – April 17, 2024 – The Ware Center