61  meeting attendees

Marshall Snively welcomed everyone and thanked them for joining us for this monthly meeting.  He encouraged everyone to attend our monthly meetings which are held on the third Wednesday of each month, except for December, and invite other merchants in your neighborhood and network to attend also.   

In memory of Harry Monahas, owner of Fine Tailoring by Harry on West Chestnut Street for 42 years, who passed away May 13^th, we paused to remember his impeccable skills as a tailor and his warm personality and kind words he had for every customer that entered his shop.  Harry is an irreplaceable member of our merchant community and will be missed by many. 

Marshall challenged each attendee to invite a guest to our June meeting, especially ones new to our small business community.  We want to ensure that our message of welcome to all small business owners, professionals, and non-profit leaders reaches all corridors in the City.  The June meeting will be a celebration of our Milestone Anniversary Awards being presented to 42 City of Lancaster businesses. 

Marshall thanked our Legacy Sponsors for their generous support, which makes these meetings possible, along with our Visionary Sponsors listed on the agenda. Dave Aichele thanked our community partner Millersville University at The Ware Center, for providing this wonderful meeting space and Colonial Parking for providing parking vouchers for free parking in the lot across from The Ware Center.    

Member Introductions

• To begin the introductions, Kathlene Sullivan shared a pre-recorded video message from Anne Williams, Director of Communications with Lancaster City Alliance encouraging everyone to get involved and spread the word that May 23^rd is 143 Day in PA and share acts of kindness. To view the video, click here.
• Pocket Book Shops is excited to be part of this year’s Art Walk on Saturday and Sunday.
• Chandra McCombie with OWL Chiropractic reported they are the only chiropractor to use digital technology (infrared thermography) to help pinpoint areas in your nervous system needing help. If anyone is interested in learning more, please email her at chandra@owlchiropractic.com.
• Megan Fessler-McCarthy with Tread House shared that they offer corporate rates and if anyone is interested in learning more, please email her at megan@treadhouse717.com.
• Kevin Molloy with the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority reported that the Convention Center continues to be busy hosting events. Scheduled events are listed on their website along with being provided in an email report from Lancaster City Alliance on a regular basis in an effort to keep merchants informed of events taking place. 
• Carol Gifford with Vision Corps was excited to share they have over 100 people planning to participate in this year’s Eye Drop Fundraiser on June 9^th and will be rappelling over the side of the Holiday Inn. The event begins at 8:30 am. For more information, check out the EyeDrop 2023  website.     
• Chris Dreisbach with Blueprints for Addiction Recovery shared that members of their team join the city police on Tuesdays and Thursdays to assist with providing help to those in need.
• Jesus Rodriguez with Three Legacies Wrestling provided flyers announcing the next live pro wrestling event on May 19, 2023 at Brightside Opportunities Center. This is their 8^th event at Brightside Opportunities Center.  For more information go to threelegacieswrestling.com.
• Karen Budusky with the Demuth Foundation shared they are in need of volunteers. Anyone interested, may contact her at kbudusky@demuth.org.
• Mark McCollom introduced himself to the group – he is the CFO at Fulton Bank and serves on the Lancaster City Alliance Board of Directors. He congratulated all of the businesses for making it through the pandemic and figuring out ways to continue to thrive in our City.  As more of the bank employees return from remote working, his goal is to get his employees connected to the businesses here. 
• Michael Chiodo with Ville+Rue was pleased to invite everyone to the Spring Merchant Mixer on June 29^th. Mark your calendars from 5 pm to 7 pm and plan to attend at Decades.  More information will be shared in the future.
• April Koppenhaver with Mulberry Art Studios was pleased to announce she is celebrating her 35^th year in business next month. She is excited to welcome the new residents at Landis Place on King and is planning events geared for seniors.  The 5^th Annual We Love Our Pets Art Show is running through the end of May at the studios at 21 North Mulberry Street. 
• Bethany Smith with Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery reminded everyone that this Saturday and Sunday is the Spring ArtWalk.
• Joel Sims of Sims Architects and Lancaster CoWorking was pleased to share they will have an electric vehicle charging station installed soon. They also have a conference room available for rent.  If anyone is interested, contact Joel at joel@simsarchitects.com.
• Larry Keating, is a volunteer with SCORE, and offered their mentoring services to any business owner. Services are provided free of charge.  Contact Larry at keating@scorelancaster.org for more information or visit the SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon website.
• Alan Friedland, owner of Ream Jewelers, shared he has been in business since 1935. The success of the City businesses is due to all of the hard-working people and encouraged everyone to support each other.
• DJ Ramsey with LOOP reported that the new mobile app will launch on First Friday in June. He provided everyone with a postcard with information on how businesses can participate.
• Officer Nick Nolan with the Lancaster Police introduced himself to the group. He is one of the two officers assigned to the Downtown area.   
• Dave Aichele with the DID was pleased to have Officer Nolan at the meeting this morning, along with Lt. Mark Radmore. Along with Officer Nolan serving the Downtown area, Officer Ben Rothermel will also be covering the area.  To reach the Officers, please email both of them:  nolann@lancasterpolice.com and rothermb@lancasterpolice.com.
• Kate Wright with LOOP was excited to share the Red Rose Run will take place on June 3^rd and Celebrate Lancaster is being planned for June 16^th.
• Rich Bowen with Fulton Theatre announced plans are underway for their 170^th One Night Only Benefit Concert and Gala on Saturday, July 15^th on the Fulton Mainstage.
• Colin Fry with Music for Everyone was pleased to announce the city pianos are hitting the streets today. Music Fridays will be returning this year.  Any band wishing to play during Music Fridays, may contact him at colin@musicforeveryone.org. 
• Matt Ramsay and Tony Diehl introduced themselves and their company Denim Coffee Company. They are looking forward to being part of the merchant community.
• Jeremy Young, Lancaster City Alliance Director of Community & Economic Development, reminded those businesses within the City Revitalization & Improvement Zone (CRIZ) to report by June 15. If you need assistance filing your report, have questions about the CRIZ, or to determine if your business is in the CRIZ, contact Deana Zosky, Lancaster CRIZ Authority Compliance Contact at deana@four-score.com or call (484) 951-1289. Find more details here.
• Ryan Finger and Tim Hill introduced themselves and their company Let’s Roll. They sell and rent electric bikes at both their locations at 23 East Walnut Street, Lancaster and in Columbia. 
• Courtney McConnell-Fleming with Holiday Inn Lancaster was pleased to share the new name of the Imperial Ballrooms as being Imperial Event Center. There popular Sunday Brunch Buffet on the Terrace will begin again this Sunday.
• Amy Banks with The Arts at Millersville shared a flyer about Arts Smarts Summer Camps on June 19-23 and 26-30. She encouraged everyone to share the information within your network.  Scholarships are available.  Find more information here.
• Zach Johnson-Medland introduced himself to the group and his company Gumption Design Co. that provides graphic design services.  Visit Gumption Design for more information.

Member Spotlight

Kathlene Sullivan introduced Marie Cleaves Rothaker of Move It Studio who opened the first boutique fitness studio in 2014.  Marie led the group in an opening movement exercise.  View the full presentation here.  

Presentation: Lancaster Penn Square Rotary Club’s Hearts for Lancaster Campaign

Marshall Snively took pleasure in introducing Gary Davis, President-Elect of Penn Square Rotary and the Group Sales Manager at Holiday Inn Lancaster. Gary provided an informative presentation on the annual Hearts for Lancaster fundraising campaign and shared the positive impact the club has made by distributing thousands of dollars to benefit local projects and non-profits from the funds raised by the campaign. View the full presentation here

Special Presentation – Creating Community on East King Street

The arrival of residents to The Intel at 8 West King Street and Landis Place on King at 239 West King Street offers excellent opportunities to discover new customers for our small business merchants.  Marshall Snively was pleased to introduce:

• Theresa Zamagias, Operations & Marketing Manager at Zamagias Properties
• Jason Girvin, Property Manager & Associate Broker for Zamagias Properties
• Evon Bergey, Vice President of Operations/COO of Landis Communities
• Ed Kaminski, Director of Landis Quality Living

View the presentation on The Intel here

View the presentation on Landis Place on King here.

MIM Committee Report

Kathlene Sullivan provided the following report:

The June 21 Merchant Meeting special presentation will be celebrating 42 local business’ milestone anniversaries.

The July 19 Merchant Meeting special presentation will be entitled “Are You Leaving Money on the Table” examining the economic benefits of the events at the Lancaster County Convention Center and the value of the Convention Center Calendar Updates as a marketing tool to leverage events.

Closing Comments

Marshall Snively thanked the presenters for today’s informative presentations and everyone for their attendance and encouraged everyone to come next month. 

Next Merchant Meeting –June 21, 2023 – The Fulton Theatre │ Castagna Hall

The position of Economic Development Manager is now open. Full description and a link to apply are available on our website. Please share and help spread the word to Join Our Team!