“Support Us”: Facing a tough landscape, Harrisburg’s small businesses ask for your understanding, your patronage

October 31, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

Chantal Nga Eloundou

Counting Parmesan scoops. When Burger Yum owner Milan Naramcic first made the hard call to raise prices, this is what it came to—measuring and costing out the price of every ingredient used to make his burgers and fries.

“We literally broke it down to every single ingredient, including how much the sauce would cost us per bun,” said Naramcic.

As Small Business Saturday approaches, Harrisburg’s small biz community wants you shop local-ers to know that they love you. Plus, running a small business is exacting and draining. Costs? Through the roof. Margins? Razor-thin. But they love what they do and do what they love. With resilience and spunk, they keep quality up and prices down.

Many people dream of the leap from passion to business. They’re experts at brewing beer, roasting coffee or making pottery. But then come “all the things you’re supposed to know,” said Andrea Grove, owner of Elementary Coffee Co. Accounting, budgeting, supply chain, HR, competition, marketing, licensing, taxes, signage, product mix.

“The business aspect always takes people by surprise,” Grove said. “Most people are very shocked by the amount of endless, endless work that’s involved.”

Starting and scaling up a business “takes a different kind of personality,” agreed Jay Jayamohan, executive director of Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “It’s not like a job with regular pay. It’s a rollercoaster up and down.”

There are unexpected economic disruptions to manage (pandemic, anyone?), technology to keep pace with, and skilled, reliable people to hire, he said.

Then again, Jayamohan added, small businesses benefit from the trends launched and nurtured by the corporate ecosystem’s big fish—athleisure wear, pumpkin spice.

“You are riding the wave and marketing dollars of somebody big,” he said.

Prices Up, Profits Down

Without prompting, small business owners will share what their basics cost a year or two ago—and what they cost now. Potatoes, from $20 a case to $60. Chicken breasts, from 89 cents a pound to $3.99. Gloves for food handling, from $30 a case to $100. Gloves!

Business owners respond by raising prices, but only when they have to, they say. Otherwise, they’d price themselves out of business.

“We can’t just keep notching it up,” Grove said. “We really try to provide stability with our products and what we offer and what people can rely on, and that includes pricing.”

What’s left, they agree, is absorbing the increases without sacrificing quality.

“The portions never changed,” said Burger Yum’s Naramcic. “I learned that people won’t care if the price is higher, but they’ll notice if the portions are smaller and the prices are higher.”

Supply chain disruptions have turned small business owners into scroungers. Abdul Moosa, owner of 717 Tacos, has had to scramble for paper boats, diced tomatoes and mayonnaise. Any old alternative won’t do because customers expect consistent quality.

“Every day right now, when you go shopping, it’s a challenge,” he said. “You can’t even plan for it. You don’t know if this little cup is going to be there tomorrow. Then you begin hoarding.”

The costs of getting those pricier supplies also skyrocketed.

“My shipping went up 40%,” said Chantal Nga Eloundou, owner of Nyianga Store in Midtown Harrisburg, retailer of African-made and sourced clothing, jewelry, décor and lotions. For the sake of her customers and for sending her stock home with them, she hasn’t increased prices.

“I want people to come in and not just have inventory sitting out,” she said. “What am I going to do if everything is stuck here? I just have to take it in my little profit margin.”

Eloundou spends her days inspecting the quality of fabric samples sent from her supplier in Africa—and these are not flimsy Joann Fabrics cottons. She chooses designs. She coordinates with sewists in Africa who make dazzling skirts, dresses and dashikis. Her niece gathers the finished products and ships them to Harrisburg.

“All the time, I’m on the phone,” said Eloundou with a laugh. “Over there at 6 o’clock in the morning, over here it’s midnight, and that’s when they start their seaming. I love doing it, until I’m tired. I don’t sleep. I don’t get enough of it.”

And unlike restaurants where regulars order the same dish every time, retail must be constantly restocked with new items to entice customers back, she added.

“My mind is constantly thinking of, ‘What next? What next?’ that is a little bit different from what I have now,” said Eloundou.

People Part

People. They cost money to hire and time to manage. In a buyer’s market where job candidates have choices, business owners say that respect is the key to retention.

Moosa gives his staff the autonomy to implement their ideas, because they can “absolutely make a difference” just by streamlining the kitchen layout or serving salsa from a squeeze bottle instead of a tub.

“They take ownership,” he said. “They want to serve a good product.”

Just like the boss, employees want predictable hours and time with family, Moosa noted, so he doesn’t take jobs on most Sundays and Mondays, and holidays are removed from the schedule well in advance.

“That gives them a better quality of life,” he said. “If you talk to anybody in the restaurant business, that’s what they’re looking for.”

At Burger Yum, Naramcic’s staff of 15 includes people who have been with the cozy, comfort-food restaurant since it opened in 2016. Employees are “happy with the pay,” he said, and with the camaraderie he tries to build through events and trips.

“They like the job,” he said. “They like the environment. It’s fun. I try to keep it fun.”

And, he added, “If the employees are happy, the customers will be happy.”

Still, small business owners have their people struggles. Tiny profit margins might not accommodate such perks as health insurance, making state government and healthcare companies hefty competitors for talent.

Eloundou wants to beef up her online sales capabilities, but there’s no room in the budget for a reliable web master.

Grove worries about a future where small business owners simply “wear out.” Jayamohan advises that owners pivot to capitalize on the business trends shifting around them.

“People talk about experience more than buying things,” he said. “Can you create an experience? The keyword I would advise small businesses to think is innovation. How do you compete against a bigger player? The biggest advantage a small business has at the end of the day is they are nimble.”

Here’s what small business owners want you to know.

Supporting small business through a social media shout-out and a friendly greeting is free, said Grove, who maintains a Broad Street Market stand and her North Street shop.

“There’s always the ‘spend your dollar there,’ but I also think a lot of places want to be remembered and recognized,” she said. “At the market, something we all love is when someone comes by and waves hi.”

“It’s all about people,” said Naramcic. “The costs are very high right now. Labor’s worth it 100% because, if it weren’t for the employees, we wouldn’t be here. So, that’s definitely something I’ll never complain about. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but as long as the customers are happy, it’s worth it.”

The artwork Eloundou commissions for her store depicts happy African families and individuals going about their days, showcasing “that part of African culture I want to take wherever I go and be authentic.” The bills are always coming in, but she loves her work for the business impact, the cultural impact, and “a challenge that comes with a reward.”

Now that the holidays are looming, shop local before you go online, she added.

“Any type of business, support us, support us, support us,” she said. “Harrisburg and the surrounding area, we have enough small business that we can really do amazing things.”

Shopping Local

This holiday season, we urge you to support Harrisburg’s small, independent shops, restaurants and other businesses. The businesses mentioned in this story include the following:

717 Tacos
Various places in central PA
www.717tacos.com

Burger Yum
400 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
www.burgeryum.com

Elementary Coffee Co.
Broad Street Market and 256 North St., Harrisburg
www.elementarycoffee.co

Nyianga Store
1423 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
Facebook: Nyianga Store

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Books & Boutiques: Women-owned businesses in Linglestown offer unique, custom experiences

October 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Ashley Bailey

Berks County native Janine Kline never pictured herself back in Pennsylvania after moving to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. On top of that, she never imagined herself working at a bridal shop, let alone owning one.

But when her dad got sick years ago and she decided to come home to help take care of him, Kline began working at a bridal boutique. Two years ago, she opened her own, Unveiled Bridal and Formal, in Linglestown.

“If 15-year-old me met 30-year-old me, I’d be like, ‘what are you doing?’” she said. “But it doesn’t surprise me I’m here playing with clothes.”

Unveiled Bridal offers customers a personalized experience to shop for wedding gowns, mother of the bride dresses and bridesmaid dresses. When a bride books an appointment, she can try on dresses from the shop’s collection in a private suite. Kline is always busy, working with hundreds of brides each year, as Unveiled is one of the few bridal boutiques in the area.

“I love the customers,” she said. “I love making them happy and making them feel pretty. It’s like Disney princesses every day.”

Unveiled Bridal is one of several women-owned businesses located in Linglestown that have recently opened. Small businesses line Linglestown Road, some having become establishments in the community and others still making a name for themselves. But take a short stroll down the street, and you’ll find plenty of places to shop.

Last year, Kline opened her second business, The Edit HBG, this time with a special partner—her mom, Debbie Kline.

While running Unveiled Bridal, Kline realized the need for a local boutique where people could buy wedding guest dresses, bridal and baby shower gifts and gifts for other occasions. She also wanted to find a way to involve her mom, who was ready to retire from her long career in insurance.

Debbie now manages The Edit HBG, which is attached to Unveiled Bridal, with Kline. The shop offers women’s and children’s clothing, accessories and home items. They specialize in unique items that can’t be found at big box stores, Kline explained.

“Sometimes, I can’t believe she opened a boutique for me,” Debbie said. “I had no doubt that we would work well together.”

Community Space

Just down the road at Heart & Soul Books, owner Ashley Bailey is selling good reads in her homey storefront.

The cozy shop opened in February on the second floor of the building, but she has since moved downstairs. The space, which used to be a house, has several rooms filled with couches, chairs and, of course, shelves of books for children, teens and adults.

Bailey sells new and used books, with a focus on representation. She strives to offer a collection of literature that is relatable for a diverse customer base. One wall features a Black history display with children’s books on the topic.

“I try to showcase all stories,” she said. “There are people of color in the area that need to be represented.”

As a kid, Bailey read to help her get through her time spent in a juvenile detention center. It was therapeutic for her, she said. She rediscovered that love for reading as an adult and began selling books online in 2020, before opening her brick-and-mortar shop.

In the past few months, Bailey has added a new experience to her store, hosting bookstore dates for couples looking for a unique way to spend an evening. She has also held a poetry event and an author meet and greet with Harrisburg novelist Steven Williams.

All of this is part of Bailey’s desire to make Heart & Soul a community space.

“I want it to be more than selling books,” she said. “I want it to be a place where people can come and feel safe.”

Unique & Authentic

This past summer, Heart & Soul got an upstairs neighbor, as a new boutique focused on sustainability moved in.

Just a quick walk up to the second floor and you’ll find Rhyme & Prose, which opened in June.

When you walk into the small, one-room shop, you won’t see rows of clothing in various styles, colors and sizes. The room holds just a few racks carrying a very limited selection of handmade pieces—flowy blouses, floral dresses, soft linen shirts.

While the in-store collection is small, the options are endless, as Orth custom makes women’s and children’s dresses, tops, pants and skirts. The items on the racks are meant to serve as an example of what she can make, but are also available for purchase.

When Orth was pregnant with her first child 12 years ago, she took up sewing to pass the time and to make baby clothes for her daughter.

Over the years, the hobby stuck and Orth would make clothes and cloth diapers for her kids, including a special birthday dress for her daughter each year. Making clothes, she realized, was economical and eco-friendly.

At her shop, Orth offers others the chance to learn the craft with beginner sewing classes for children and adults.

All of the pieces at Rhyme & Prose are made with natural fiber fabric, which contains no plastic, is biodegradable and, ultimately, more sustainable. She’s passionate about providing an alternative to the “fast fashion” industry, which constantly churns out new trendy looks and consequently sends more clothing to landfills, she said. Orth encourages more intentional and minimalist purchasing practices instead and views her shop as a great place for those interested in exploring sustainable fashion to start.

At Rhyme & Prose, clothing items are meant to last and become wardrobe staple pieces.

“You can leave with something unique and authentic to you,” she said.

Unveiled Bridal and Formal and The Edit HBG are located at 5913 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.unveiled-bridal.com and www.theedithbg.com.

Heart & Soul Books is located at 5970 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.heartandsoulbooks.com or their Facebook page.

Rhyme & Prose is located at 5970 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.rhymeandprose.com.

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November Editor’s Note

October 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

In late September, I had the honor of sitting on a panel that addressed a subject near and dear to my heart: newspapers in Harrisburg.

For over an hour, my fellow panelists and I chewed over the history of the news industry here—the many buildings that have been home to newspapers and the colorful journalists who worked in them.

There was a ton of information, lots of memories and plenty of nostalgia during the lengthy program, which was organized by Historic Harrisburg Association. If you haven’t seen the video, I strongly encourage checking it out via HHA’s website and Facebook page.

I’ll admit, though, that I left the event feeling a little sad.

This was an HHA forum, so, the focus, of course, was on history. Nonetheless, I couldn’t help but think that so much had been lost and, unfortunately, would never return.

There was a time when reporters, editors, salespeople, pressmen, etc., were crawling all over this town. Harrisburg newspapers employed hundreds of people, and out-of-town statehouse correspondents packed the Capitol newsroom.

Over the years, I’ve spoken with old-timers who fondly remember this vibrant, often crazy, time and profession. News people worked hard and played hard, packing local bars after work to tell colorful (and off-color) stories, crack jokes and share tips. By the time I got to Harrisburg, this culture was mostly gone, and the pandemic has taken what little remained.

On the brighter side, TheBurg is most certainly still here!

When I co-founded this publication, I felt it was important for us to have a physical presence in the city. I continue to feel that way. Most days, you’ll find us in our office right here on 3rd Street. And, if we’re not in, you can be certain that our small but mighty team is somewhere on the streets, like the many hard-working, local journalists who came before us.

I hope you’ll find our current issue up to the high standards set by our long-gone predecessors. In it, we have a vibrant mix of community news, features, happenings, profiles, etc., and, as has become a tradition each November, extensive coverage of local businesses as they begin to gear up for the busy holiday shopping season.

I also hope that you’ll patronize the retailers, restaurants and other businesses featured in our issue and that advertise with TheBurg. We rely on their (and your) support to carry on the long legacy of quality journalism in Harrisburg.

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Click here to read the digital version of our November issue.

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Sweet Space: Harrisburg bakery Raising The Bar serves up scratch-made treats at a new, second location

October 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Casey Callahan & Timishia Goodson

“I feel like an almond croissant can cure anything,” said Casey Callahan.

That’s kind of the philosophy at Harrisburg bakery Raising The Bar—that everything’s a little sweeter when you stop and savor.

The business, which opened in 2016 in the Broad Street Market, has lived up to its name over the years, with owners Callahan and Timishia Goodson taking traditional baked goods and putting their unique twist on them.

In October, they cranked it up another notch, expanding to their first stand-alone storefront a few blocks from the market on N. 3rd Street.

The new shop is tucked on the first floor of the “Carpets and Draperies” building, which was recently renovated by Harrisburg developer Nate Foote after decades sitting vacant. Above Raising The Bar are new apartment units, and the exterior of the building features a vibrant mural by local artist Tara Chickey.

October marked the 100th anniversary of the building, which once housed a department store. It now has something sweeter in store.

The minute you set foot in Raising The Bar, you’re enveloped by the luscious smell of fresh croissants, almond cake, focaccia bread and a kitchen full of other tasty delicacies. It’s impossible not to get something to eat.

“I love to see people enjoy our food,” Goodson said.

On top of the yummy smells, the aesthetic of the shop is equally inviting. There are lots of green, brass, wood and rattan accents, giving off a warm, boho-modern feel.

The menu has all the same staples as the market stand—the bars, brownies and croissants. But, the owners also plan to switch things up, offering new baked goods and, eventually, sandwiches.

As always, everything’s made from scratch, and the menu is constantly changing.

“We like to keep people on their toes,” Goodson said.

Rising Up

Callahan and Goodson started baking together while working at the former Ciao Bakery in downtown Harrisburg, which closed in 2020.

As their relationship as co-workers and friends grew, they decided it was time to leave Ciao and start their own business together.

“We decided when we left that we were never taking a step back,” Callahan said. “We’re not going to fail.”

Even when the pandemic threatened that, Raising The Bar kept baking, reverting to deliveries and takeout window service. Even with the worst days of COVID behind them, they still face challenges with the rising costs of food. Additionally, there’s the hurdle of being a women-owned business.

“It’s still very hard to operate a business in 2022 as a woman,” Goodson said. “We are trying to make sure people know who’s behind the business and to just encourage other women. It was definitely a pipe dream and takes quite a bit of work.”

The owners described how they’ve had customers make assumptions that their business is supported by their husbands (Callahan is married, Goodson is not). At other times, Callahan’s husband has stopped by the shop, and people have automatically assumed he is the owner, even though he can’t tell a brownie from cheesecake, Callahan joked.

On top of that, Goodson has also faced the added stigma of being a Black woman in business.

“Yes, women can own a business, and they can be successful and can expand,” she said.

Try Everything

A few years ago, Phyllis Mooney first visited Raising The Bar, nudged by a recommendation from her daughter. She’s been a regular ever since.

“Their product is really fresh and good,” she said. “Whenever they change the menu, I joke that I want to try everything.”

Mooney visits the market stand weekly for croissants, scones and other treats. She’s excited about the new location, which offers an extended menu and hours. The market stand will remain open, even with the expansion.

“I’m happy for them,” she said. “It’s like a reward for being a great business and great bakers.”

For another customer, Aaron Eshbach, the high-quality, unique items keep him returning regularly, as does the positive environment. Over the years, he and his family have gotten to know the owners well, he said.

Callahan and Goodson hope to foster that sense of community even more in their new location.

“We both still love to bake and see people enjoy our food,” Callahan said.

The pair wants the new shop to be a place where people unplug. It’s not meant to be a workspace for customers to use their laptop for hours or chat on the phone. Instead, they’d like to see guests savoring a confection with a cup of coffee or having a conversation with a friend.

“We want people to come in and enjoy a croissant and relax,” Callahan said.

It’s taken Callahan and Goodson a lot of work, early mornings at the market and long days baking to get where they are. But they love what they do and the community they serve.

“We are just trying to make people happy with a little treat,” Callahan said.

Raising The Bar is located at 1507 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, and inside the Broad Street Market’s stone building. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Style Street: Take a stroll down Apricot Lane for a unique boutique experience

October 31, 2022 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

These past few years have been tough for all, but especially for nurses.

Jillian Tompkins can attest to that, having worked in the nursing profession for 18 years.

“I loved being a nurse,” she said. “I made lifelong friends as a nurse, but I also wanted to be a business owner, and it just felt like the right time for me to try to do something new.”

In this case, “something new” was a local franchise of the California-based Apricot Lane Boutique. The 1,700-square-foot shop, which opened in July, is conveniently located near Camp Hill’s new Trader Joe’s, which has turned into an unexpected blessing.

“Most of our customers come from Trader Joe’s,” Tompkins said. “We ask at checkout.”

The franchise aspect appealed to Tompkins, in part, because of its autonomy.

“Each boutique is individually owned and operated, so each store is completely different from the other,” she said. “The cool thing about the franchise is that they are there for the front end. They helped me build out the store, the ADA fitting room and the computer system.”

Tompkins was on her own picking the furniture, rugs, light fixtures and everything else that went into decorating the space. She also had the opportunity to meet the president of the company, who joined her to choose the location.

“He spent the entire day with me, and we had a list of locations that we visited before settling upon this one,” she said.

The Camp Hill resident said that she felt confident to embark upon the venture when her husband Brian threw his support behind her.

“He’s my biggest cheerleader,” said Tompkins, who’s also busy raising two small children, 3-year-old Isaac and 5-year-old Lucas.

Something for Everybody

Tompkins said that she always loved fashion, but is learning so much more about it as time goes on.

“In the beginning, age 25 to 55 was my main demographic, but that’s changing a bit as I get to know my customers,” she said, adding that her goal now is to dress nearly any woman.

Tompkins ticks off a list of brands that she carries: BuddyLove, Good American, Spanx, Dear John Denim, Another Love Clothing, Flying Monkey, KanCan and Promesa.

“I aim to have a little something for everybody,” she said. “Right now, I am seeing quite a number of students joined by their mothers due to homecoming.”

What Tompkins enjoys the most about the business, other than interacting with customers, are the trade shows. Apricot Lane helped set up her first buying trip.

“Representatives from headquarters took me and two other franchise owners to some of the top brands and showed us six styles that we needed to pick for our stores in the next few months,” she said.

Tompkins values those trips because she likes to touch, look and feel, rather than order online.

“I will probably go three times a year and transition later to online once I become more familiar with the quality and brands,” she said.

There’s also a charitable side to Apricot Lane, according to Tompkins.

“We’ve partnered with Noble Venture to sell bracelets that help provide sustainable job opportunities for survivors of human trafficking,” she said.

Good Mix

Kari Fite of Enola is a regular customer who enjoys the ever-changing inventory.

“You can go twice in one week and see new stuff each time,” she said, adding that most shoppers will find something that aligns with their budget.

Sherri Breneman from Mechanicsburg said that she’s shopping for apparel for both her daughter and herself.

“I like that she has trendy, on-point clothing for the younger generation and things mixed in for older women, like beautiful blouses and soft sweaters,” she said.

Breneman said that she views the selection as a good mix for a wide range of ages, describing it as “a boutique without boutique prices.” She said that it fills a niche in the area, an assessment that Tompkins agrees with.

“For me, right now, it’s about learning who my customer is and pushing the envelope a little bit,” she said. “I know that the women who shop here love beautiful sweaters, but I want them to wear a sequin dress once in a while.”

As a people-person, Tompkins said that she’s really enjoying this new chapter in her life.

“For me, fashion is fun, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this journey in helping customers find exactly what they need to make them feel their best,” she said.

Apricot Lane Boutique is located at 3541 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.apricotlaneboutique.com/store/camphill or their Facebook page.

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November News Digest

October 31, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

2nd Street Project Complete

After nearly seven decades, a main Harrisburg roadway has been returned to a two-way city street.

Last month, the first car made its way southbound down N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg, a historic drive as the road had been a three-lane, one-way urban highway since the mid-1950s.

With the opening to traffic, N. 2nd Street is now officially a two-way street between Division and Forster streets.

“I’m excited to see this take place,” said Percy Bullock, project manager for the city. “2nd Street is finally open.”

The project came to a close after years of planning and over a year of construction, with several delays to the timeline. The goal was to make the roadway safer and more walkable for pedestrians as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate pedestrian fatalities.

Bullock said that he expects the two-way street to redirect traffic from the corridor, which cuts through residential neighborhoods, to other roadways in the city, such as N. 7th Street.

The road now has three roundabouts where traffic lights once were at Verbeke, Reily and Kelker streets. There are also raised pedestrian crosswalks and speed bumps at intersections, and the speed limit has been lowered from 35 to 25 mph, Bullock explained

Within the hour after N. 2nd Street made the switch to two ways, cars headed down the road, maneuvering the new roundabouts, speed bumps and raised crosswalks. One large truck made a tight turn at an intersection, partially running over the roundabout and medians, but that’s why the roundabouts were built low to the ground, Bullock explained.

One long-time N. 2nd Street resident, Joel Burcat, stood at the N. 2nd and Division streets intersection waiting to see the first cars make their way southbound on the road.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” he said. “I think it will make a positive impact in our neighborhood. It’s a big improvement for the city.”

Bike Returns to Harrisburg

Bikes are back in the Burg.

Last month, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) unveiled its new bike share program, SusqueCycle, which is now open for bike rentals in Harrisburg.

“It’s exciting to have it ready to go,” said Lauren Weaver, a planner at TCRPC, at the unveiling. “This will make it easier to get around.”

The bike share is operated by Michigan-based Tandem Mobility, which will maintain the bikes.

The city had a bike share from 2017 to 2020, organized by Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania and operated by Boston-based Zagster. That ended when Zagster ceased operations in 2020 due to the pandemic.

TCRPC decided to take on the project, announcing in April that the bike share would return. There are now six locations around the city to rent a bike, with 36 bikes available between them.

The SusqueCycle pickup/drop-off locations are as follows:

State and N. 2nd streets, downtown
City Island, near the Walnut Street Bridge
Market Square Transfer Center, downtown
Harrisburg Transportation Center (Amtrak station), downtown
Strawberry Square, downtown
Broad Street Market, Midtown

To rent a bike, cyclists must download the Movatic app and create an account. They can then scan a QR code on a bike to unlock it from the docking station. Once they are done riding, they must return the bike to any location, lock it and select “end rental” on the app. Yearly memberships for SusqueCycle are available for $25, or bikes can be rented at $1.50 for half an hour.

“Whenever an area is more inviting for biking and walking, it’s a better place to live, work and play,” said Dick Norford with Bike Harrisburg. “This is a great way for people to ride bikes without needing to have one.”

Norford hopes that, with the increase of bikes in the city, local and state officials will make updates to bicycle infrastructure, such as building more bike lanes.

According to Weaver, TCRPC plans to expand SusqueCycle, starting with the addition of 13 more locations in the city in the spring. In the future, they may expand outside of the city, as well, she said.

Steele School Slated for Reopening

The Harrisburg School District soon will move forward with a plan to renovate and reopen a shuttered school building.

At a recent board meeting, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved the revitalization of the long-vacant Steele Elementary School as an elementary school, serving pre-K through fifth grades.

“I’m so excited to have this started,” school board director Danielle Robinson said at a prior meeting. “I have wanted this for so long. I’m happy this is the start of opening this school.”

The $21.6 million proposed project includes restoring the three-story building, which is located on the 2500-block of N. 5th Street. The school closed more than a decade ago.

According to the district, funds for the project would come through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) dollars that the district received during the pandemic.

A preliminary design by Mechanicsburg-based architects Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates proposes demolishing much of the interior of Steele School, as it has become dilapidated over the years. Engineers have also proposed building an addition onto the back of the school to house a new cafeteria and extra classroom space. They would also renovate all classrooms, the gym and administration and nurse offices.

The current plan would place pre-K and kindergarten classrooms on the first floor, first and second grade on the second floor and third through fifth grade on the third floor.

As part of the project, outdoor play areas would be updated, as well. Engineers plan to preserve the historic nature of the building’s exterior.

Catalyst Award Winners Named

M&T Bank and the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University have been named 2022 Catalyst Award winners, leading a list of people and organizations regarded as positive forces in our area.

The recipients are among eight awardees for one of the area’s most prestigious annual honors, selected by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

“We are incredibly proud to honor this group of visionary and dynamic individuals and businesses for their commitment to our region,” said chamber president and CEO Ryan Unger. “This diverse group has demonstrated the characteristics and values of being true catalysts for change and opportunity in our region.”

In addition to the Catalyst Award itself, the chamber and CREDC announced the winners of additional awards under the Catalyst framework to honor others in the Harrisburg area. They are:

Athena Award: Kathleen McKenzie, Highmark Blue Shield
Corporate Diversity Champion of the Year: The GIANT Company
Diversity Influencer of the Year: John “Ski” Sygielski, HACC
Entrepreneur of the Year: Derek Dilks, Dilks Properties
Government Leader of the Year: Nathan Silcox, Hampden Township Commissioner
Small Business of The Year: Cornerstone Coffeehouse
Volunteer of The Year: Davis Holliday, Searcher Films

Each year, a panel of local business and community representatives selects the recipients, according to the chamber. In 2018, TheBurg received the Catalyst Award.

The Catalyst Awards ceremony will take place on Dec. 7 at the Hilton Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org.

Homes Sales Down, Prices Up

Home prices in the greater Harrisburg area ticked up in September as sales dipped, according to the most recent report on previously owned houses.

In the three-county region, 685 houses sold, compared to 757 houses in September of last year, as the median sales price rose to $254,900 from $231,000, according to data from the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

For Dauphin County, GHAR reported 317 home sales, a decline from 356 during the year-ago period, while the median price increased to $230,500 from $205,000.

In Cumberland County, sales totaled 324 units, a decrease from 347 last September, as the median price rose to $275,000 versus $255,000 last year, according to GHAR.

Perry County had 40 houses exchange hands, an increase of six from September 2021, as the median price was unchanged at $217,450, GHAR said.

Houses continued to sell relatively quickly in the area, as the “average days on the market” was 21 days, as opposed to 20 days the prior September, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Alexis Zeno Torres, a HACC student, last month received the $1,000 “How We Found Our PRIDE” scholarship from the Harrisburg-based American Literacy Council. This scholarship is an outgrowth of the 2021 ALC release of “How We Found Our PRIDE: Letters to a Young Queer.”

Chockablock Clock last month was disassembled and moved to a new home in the student union building at Shippensburg University. Harristown Enterprises arranged for the move after deciding to use the space, occupied by the clock since 1988, for a larger stage and a cantilevered meeting room in Strawberry Square.

Chris Dawson Architect has been recognized with four American Institute of Architects “Design Excellence” awards. At a ceremony at the King Mansion, the Harrisburg-based architectural firm was honored for projects including the West Shore Theatre renovation in New Cumberland, the Zeroday Brewing Co. taproom in Harrisburg, the 260 Boas Apartments in Harrisburg and the Hershey Medical Center’s Care Center.

Midtown Tavern last month closed after more than four decades in business on the 1100-block of N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg. Restaurateur Adam Sturges, who owns both the Sturges Speakeasy and McGrath’s Irish Pub in Harrisburg, bought the business with plans to re-open under the name Mad Moose Tavern.

Tanis Monroy last month was named the new executive director of the Broad Street Market, responsible for the historic market’s day-to-day operations. Monroy is a long-time Carlisle resident and community activist, having served as chair of the Amani Festival, a multicultural festival, and co-founder of the Bridge community space in Carlisle.

Urban Churn announced plans last month to open a scoop shop at 248 Westminster Dr. in Carlisle, the small-batch creamery’s third retail location. In addition, owner Adam Brackbill said shoppers now can find Urban Churn ice cream in Giant Food Stores in Linglestown and Mechanicsburg, with plans to expand to Wegmans.

In Memoriam

M. Camille Erice, a long-time community activist in Harrisburg, passed away on Sept. 20. A renowned flamenco dancer, she helped found and served as the executive director of the Danzante Latino Community Arts Center in Harrisburg. In addition, she held leadership positions with numerous community-based organizations, including Planned Parenthood, the Harrisburg Spanish Center and Hamilton Health Center. She also served the city of Harrisburg, focusing on civil rights issues. She was an active volunteer and was a representative on numerous nonprofit boards. The family requests that donations in Camille’s name be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center.

Changing Hands

Bellevue Rd., 1954: E. Alcantara to 417 Shamokin LLC, $105,000

Berryhill St., 1954: R. Perrin & D. Rallo to W. Jimenez, $129,900

Berryhill St., 2314: D. Smith to M. Monium, $102,000

Berryhill St., 2340: T. Nguyen & T. Dao to R. Heilman, $124,900

Boyd St., 648 & 650: City of Harrisburg to U.S. General Services Administration, $41,000

Brookwood St., 1929: Inoma Properties East Shore LLC to R&K Realty Group LP, $72,500

Brookwood St., 2611: S. Byrd to M. Dinatale, $169,000

Camp St., 533: G. & L. Neff to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $49,500

Capital St., 903: E. Orazi to S. Bronner, $187,000

Catherine St., 1510: D. & D. Gooding to N. Tull, $57,000

Chestnut St., 1624: M. Hagmusa to R. Lantigua, $93,000

Chestnut St., 1930: G. Williams to F. Ortiz & J. Bartolon, $86,000

Crescent St., 420, 422, 426, 434, 436, 439, 441, 447, 451: MLP LLC to Saintelia Properties LLC, $319,000

Dauphin St., 638: Cleaves Property Group LLC to D. & D. Tack, $65,000

Derry St., 1603½: J. Gomez & N. Yulisa to M. & W. Gomez, $40,000

Derry St., 1625: D. Boyle to A. Almonte, $49,000

Derry St., 2208: R. Krehling to Derry Car Wash LLC, $1,250,000

Green St., 1006: C. Wehrman to T. Sanderson & J. Dubelle, $166,000

Harris St., 437: L. Teck to Hoffman Properties LLC, $185,000

Harris Terr., 2449: Inoma Properties East Shore LLC to T Wy Enterpris LLC, $72,500

Herr St., 1712: S. Longia to E. Arriola, $99,999

Hoffman St., 3301: R. Camarco to Skulsky Properties LLC, $565,000

Hummel St., 316: D&L Development to J. Torres, $105,000

Jefferson St., 2719: G. Vazquez to H. Ortiz, $90,000

Kelker St., 205: J. Schiller to D. Mouzon, $162,000

Lexington St., 2740: Adonis Real Estate LLC to M. Ortiz, $140,000

Locust St., 119: G. Rhoads & M. Beamer to Sierra Real Estate LLC, $120,000

Locust St., 126: JKZ Properties LLC to M. Heckmann, $185,000

Logan St., 2141: Neidlinger Enterprises to PLP Investment Trust, $135,000

Logan St., 2212: SPG Capital LLC to A. Stevens & M. Pippins, $50,000

Maclay St., 324: J. Elias Holdings LLC to Aljo Properties LLC, $85,000

Manada St., 1901A: J. & D. Dundoff to E. Fajardo & N. Cobos, $102,000

Market St., 317: N. & G. Cotsarelis to EA&G Real Estate LLC, $97,500

Mercer St., 2464: T. & J. Knaub to E. Suero & C. Feliz, $104,250

Muench St., 211: M. & H. Hess to T. Flanchraych, $236,277

N. 2nd St., 308: Peleton Investments LLC to Fernandez Realty Group LLC, $331,000

N. 2nd St., 403, Unit 2 & 4: Vinculum Inc. to F. Clark, $550,000

N. 2nd St., 2415: S. McCurdy to C. Stratton, $238,000

N. 2nd St., 2725: G. & C. Patterson to A. Syal, A. Barrett & D. Stolnik, $300,000

N. 3rd St., 914: Paxton Street Investors Ltd. to WCI Partners LP, $210,000

N. 3rd St., 2331: S. Morton & R. Bushner to Eco Builders PA LLC, $139,500

N. 4th St., 2336: Neidlinger Enterprises to E. Samuels, $154,900

N. 4th St., 2442: Graevel Holdings LLC to NA Capital Group LLC, $80,000

N. 4th St., 3015: F. Gresson to T. & W. Myers, $165,000

N. 5th St., 2324: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $65,000

N. 6th St., 910: J. Tuzzato to S. Tolomeo, $250,000

N. 6th St., 1000: Vice Capital LLC to Third Street Realty Co., $415,000

N. 6th St., 1332: R. Williamson & K. Nischalke to A. Bednar, $141,125

N. 6th St., 2253: SCM Properties LLC & S. McCourt to Leventry Real Estate LLC & Wolf Pac LLC, $45,000

N. 6th St., 2532: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to G&W Rentals LLC, $62,000

N. 6th St., 2604: M. Baltozer to Zion Management LLC, $92,000

N. 6th St., 3212: G. Ajakaye to A. Nova, $165,000

N. 6th St., 3133: K. Williams to J. Rogers, $77,000

N. 12th St., 38: J. Wright to H. Vorbe, $126,000

N. 14th St., 229: L. & V. Jones to S. Banks, $100,000

N. 16th St., 1103: J. & J. Izurieta to A. Sandino, $116,500

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 313: BXF Real Estate LLC to Nye & Golub Rentals LLC, $115,000

Paxton St., 140: 1524 Cedar Cliff Dr LP to Above Da Rim LLC, $150,000

Paxton St., 1728: Crazy Nail LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

Penn St., 2113: Gold Key Properties LLC to B. Ketz, $115,000

Pennwood Rd., 3133: BP Real Estate Investment Group LP to D. Winch, $192,500

Radnor St., 413 & 415: Elevation Properties LLC to Moxie Properties LLC, $95,000

Revere St., 1615: S. Wolfe to D. Thea & Y. Gilot, $139,850

River St., 406: 1524 Cedar Cliff Dr LP to Above Da Rim LLC, $150,000

Seneca St., 542: D. Hazard to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $42,000

Showers St., 603: C. & M. Cenkner to Doyen Management Group Inc., $177,620

S. 17th St., 33: T. Nguyen to S. Reyes, $79,995

S. 18th St., 1000: M. Goldberg to JCMJ Holdings LLC, $340,000

S. 18th St., 1319: J. Nguyen & T. Phan to H. & H. Guzman, $160,000

S. 26th St., 706: M. Cedeno to F. Guzman, $42,000

S. Cameron St., 147, 157, 205: H. & M. Henry to D&S Cameron Bridge LP, $750,000

Spencer St., 1857: R. Alejandro to B. Gonzalez, $52,000

State St., 231, Unit 703: S. & Y. Yates to J. DiGangi & J. Hu, $209,900

State St., 1418: TKO Rental Properties LLC to J. Morvens, $160,000

State St., 1516: M. Jiminez to H. Gonzalez, $100,000

State St., 1628: Evangelical Memorial Lutheran to B. Smith & Premier Community Services, $500,000

State St., 1941: L. & E. Keefer to Straight A Realty Holdings LLC, $155,900

Swatara St., 2049: J. & L. Krum to J. Tejada, $119,000

Vernon St., 1545: T. Nguyen to Inaya Real Estate LLC, $52,000

Walnut St., 1207: T. Johnson to Williams & Williams Properties LLC, $68,000

Walnut St., 1732: R. Garcia to A. Lovo, $53,000

Whitehall St., 2017: C. Henderson to D. Boyle, $65,000

Woodbine St., 235: J. & S. Compton to S. Halterman, $187,000

Woodbine St., 323: Y. Perez to I. Martinez & D. Reyes, $75,000

Zarker St., 1425: P. Williams & Habitat for Humanity of Greater HBG Area to M. Posey, $45,000

Harrisburg property sales, September 2022, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Homemade for the Holidays: Get hooked on North Hollow Threads

October 31, 2022 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Meghan Eirkson purposely named her growing online fabric craft business, North Hollow Threads, after “my very favorite place.”

Why? Because to Eirkson, of Hershey, the two are synonymous.

Her one-of-kind, handmade crafts are inspired by life at North Hollow, her family’s Vermont getaway home.

“To that end, North Hollow Threads has been created to bring the joy of something handmade to both the everyday and special,” she writes on the online store’s website, whose tagline is “Handmade Goods for the Modern Home.”

Eirkson “started out small” in October 2020 following the pandemic’s first wave. She previously worked in politics and law until the birth of her second son in 2019 but now wanted a job that allowed her to stay home with her family. As a result, she began selling her home-sewn goods online and at The Shoppe on Chocolate in Hershey.

“I love to sew,” she said. “It’s always been an outlet for me.”

And two years later, business continues to grow for Eirkson.

“Last year, it was twice as busy during the holidays as it was the year before,” she said. “This year, it looks like things just might be twice as busy as they were last year.”

Although Eirkson notes that “it’s always a challenge to work with small children,” she cherishes time spent with her two sons, ages 7 and 4, who help out with selecting fabrics and making deliveries.

“I like to buy my supplies from other small businesses run by women with families, too,” she said. “It’s been important to me to help them out in the same way that they help me.”

This holiday shopping season, North Hollow Threads offers an expanded range of handcrafted napkins, coasters, table runners, placemats and stockings, to name just a few items. Holiday-themed fabric also is available for sale, and all merchandise is available for custom orders.

Then, of course, there are plenty of gifts or everyday items available for sale at North Hollow Threads. For children, there are baby quilts and wall hangings, fabric crowns, pencil cases, Halloween bags, and, of course, toys.

For grownups, there are zipper bags and totes, tablet cases, travel bags, key rings and pillows and even flannel bandanas for the family canine.

Eirkson said that she plans to hold online holiday sales throughout November, as well as a brick-and-mortar open house sale for family and friends.

Julie Webb, of Hershey, is not only Eirkson’s friend and neighbor but one of her first customers. She became hooked on North Hollow’s goods after noticing a mutual friend’s fabric napkin set that was crafted by Eirkson.

“Meg is my go-to anytime I need a special gift for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays or whatever it may be,” said Webb, who noted that a North Hollow keychain and catchall bag currently sat inside her purse. “I tell all my friends and family to buy from Meg.”

She also loves that Eirkson will tailor an item specifically for her.

“I’m a big fan,” Webb said. “She does such a great job with everything she does, and I love to support her.”

North Hollow Threads merchandise is sold online at www.northhollowthreads.com.

On Nov. 9, Meghan Eirkson and Julie Webb plan a launch party for a new PA Capital Region Chapter of Women’s Business League, a national networking group for female business owners. For contact information, visit www.womensbusinessleague.com/chapters.

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Scent-sational Experience: New Mechanicsburg shop offers candle-making workshops, chance to learn a new hobby

October 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Bianca Facendo

“Good vibes only.”

It’s a mantra that fits well with the mood at The Gleeful Candle Co., but it’s also a scent—one that you can mix into a candle if you want to take some of those good vibes home.

Choosing a scent during a workshop at the Mechanicsburg shop is only one part of the process of crafting and pouring a homemade candle. For many customers, it’s the hardest part. Choosing just a few fragrant oils from the lineup of bottles with labels reading “cinnamon cider,” “peach” and “warm vanilla sugar” is near impossible for most, explained owner Bianca Facendo.

Facendo opened The Gleeful Candle in June, wanting to offer the area a creative experience and introduction to a hobby that she fell in love with over the past few years.

“The main reason I wanted to do this is because I’m a creative person, and I wanted to bring that passion to others,” she said.

The cozy shop, located on W. Main Street, is painted with soft neutral pinks, browns and ivory. Facendo wants it to be a place where people feel welcomed and comfortable. Music is always playing in the background—it’s all about the experience, she said.

When you book a class at The Gleeful Candle, Facendo will walk you through the entire process of making your own personalized candle. Each guest gets a tray full of all the supplies, including a glass jar, a wick and small tools. First is the difficult task of choosing your scents. Next, you melt your wax chips and mix in the oil scents. Once you pour the wax into the jar, you can add small decorative flowers into the mix and, of course, the wick.

Facendo offers candle-making workshops, private events and the occasional BYOB or themed parties. So far, she’s hosted bachelorette parties, daddy-daughter dates, groups of friends and surprise date nights, among other events.

“You’d be pleasantly surprised by how much you’ll enjoy learning the basics of a new skill and activity,” she said.

Facendo was looking for a new creative endeavor during the pandemic when she discovered and taught herself candle-making. She began regularly making them for herself and for friends before realizing the potential for a new business idea.

“The candles were smelling amazing, and I thought, ‘I could really get into this,’” she said. “I’ve always been good with my hands.”

From a young age, Facendo remembers attending craft fairs with her mom, who was very creative, she said. The pair would work on projects together, Facendo working the hot glue gun. It was a learning experience, but also a time of bonding, she said.

She quickly developed a “hustler mindset,” working her first job at 14. That later grew into a bug for entrepreneurship, and she started several small businesses around gourmet food. Once she got into candle-making, she knew she’d found something that others would enjoy, as well.

“I love being able to create something out of nothing,” she said. “I want other people to be proud of what they’ve made here.”

The first few months of business have been great, with lots of community members and groups booking classes, and some even returning for more, Facendo said. She sees the shop as filling a void of experience-based businesses in the area and giving locals something fun and unique to try. She also hopes it creates a way for customers to bond, just like she did while crafting with her mother all those years ago.

“I had a vision, and the vision is here,” she said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling seeing people enjoy it.”

The Gleeful Candle Co. is located at 62 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.thegleefulcandle.com.

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On the Rise: Hattie’s Bread Box Bakery opens in Mechanicsburg—part of a rising trend of home-based cottage bakeries born out of pandemic bread-baking

October 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Harriet Willis discovered the key to happiness during pandemic lockdown: bread-baking.

“During lockdown, people wanted to find comfort, and what’s more comforting than fresh-baked bread? It just soothes the soul,” said Willis, 56, of Mechanicsburg. “I found my passion. I feel really calm and happy when I bake, and it gave me the idea that maybe I could make a living doing this.”

Willis knew what it took to launch a small business—she previously owned a mortgage-broker business. And her background is in sales. Most recently, she worked as a Harrisburg-area restaurant server at Char’s Tracy Mansion and Tavern on the Hill. Willis never prepared the food she served, but the pandemic prompted her—along with many of us—to rethink career choices.

“We learned that jobs are not secure,” Willis said. “I decided that I’m going to do what makes me happy and not be reliant on working for a corporation.”

Harriet Willis

Self Starter

Microbakeries, Willis learned, are the biggest trend on the baking scene. They’re also called cottage bakeries, referencing their place as a cottage, or home-based, industry. In Pennsylvania, there’s a procedure to follow, including permits, inspections and licensing, in order to become a cottage-licensed bakery.

It took Willis about 18 months to convert her garage into her bakery, gather baking pans and equipment. Another Round Lemoyne’s secondhand restaurant shop provided nearly everything she needed at half the cost, and then she found herself in a pandemic-induced supply chain holding pattern for more than a year until her brand-new oven arrived.

And she really needed that oven in order to produce her style of bread—artisan sourdough loaves of buttermilk, harvest grain, rye and cranberry walnut breads, plus focaccia, English muffins and biscuits.

“I fell in love with sourdough baking,” said Willis. “It has very beneficial probiotic qualities that come from the starter.”

Sourdough starter, through fermentation rather than yeast, is what causes sourdough bread to rise.

“Once you make bread with it, you always keep some of it to maintain your bread-baking,” Willis said. “My current starter is two years old, but some people have starters that are over 100 or 1,000 years old. In fact, my starter originates from a starter that came from San Francisco—I ordered it online.”

As she waited for her oven’s arrival, Willis developed a completely unexpected side hustle.

“The Simply Bread Oven was founded by a Belgian man who lives in L.A.,” Willis said. “He missed his sourdough bread, and he couldn’t find any bread ovens in the U.S. made for micro-bakeries, so he decided—being a product developer and engineer—to build one. Myself and 23 other bakers across the country became early adopters before his prototype, and we bought into the company.”

She was such a believer in the company that she took a part-time sales job.

“I get to talk to other bakers all day,” Willis said.

Her very own oven arrived a year and three months after she placed the order.

“It was worth the wait,” she said. “It’s a commercial oven with steam-injected decks. You can inject steam, and you don’t have to open the oven door to do it. The steam helps the bread to rise and form a nice big belly, or ear, in the bread.”

Bread and Butter

Hattie’s Bread Box Bakery launched on Oct. 1 through a pop-up shop at Mechanicsburg’s Route 174 Roadside Market. Even though it was a rainy weekend, with the remnants of Hurricane Ian saturating central Pennsylvania, her bread sold out in three hours.

“She didn’t even have it out on the table and people were buying it,” said Steve Paulus, market owner and third-generation farmer. “Harriet’s bread fits in with what our store is all about—giving space to a lot of small business owners who don’t have a storefront or the location we do.”

Over the past 10 years, Paulus has built up relationships with about 50 small family farms and small businesses like Hattie’s Bread Box Bakery.

“I believe in Hattie,” Paulus said. “After that first weekend, I told her, ‘You hit a home run with your bread. Now, can you keep up?’”

Customers can also order bread online and pick it up directly from Willis’ home-based bakery. In front of her garage is a custom-built, fully insulated pickup station—like a large breadbox—hence the name, “Hattie’s Bread Box Bakery.”

While her initial customer base is primarily through word-of-mouth (or maybe it should be called taste in the mouth), Willis is gearing up to hit her goal—300 loaves of bread, weekly. She plans on offering sourdough pumpkin and sweet potato breads through the holiday season. And she’s developing recipes for sourdough cinnamon rolls, sourdough chocolate chip cookies and sourdough brownies.

Baked into Her DNA

Discovering her love of baking also reconnected Willis to her childhood home—in one of America’s “foodie” meccas, New Orleans.

“My great-grandmother was a baker, and, as a kid, I liked to bake,” Willis said. “All my family would say, ‘You’re a good baker,’ and I would sort of scoff it off’”—until now.

And working from home is something she’s grateful for, every day. She’s called central Pennsylvania home since 1987.

“It’s wonderful, very cool to get up in the morning, get my coffee, and start baking right here in my home,” Willis said. “I also really like that my house was built in 1950 by a man named Harry Pence, and I’d like to think that Harry would like the idea that I’m self-employed and working in the garage that he built. My son’s name is Harry, my grandfather was named Harry, and there’s a beautiful continuum of things.

For more information, visit hattiesbreadboxbakery.com.

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Sneaker Feature: Jawns on Fire opens in Linglestown with a deep selection of designer sneakers

October 31, 2022 | by Rachel Lindsley

Photo by Rachel Lindsley

A subculture of shoppers—known as “sneakerheads”—has been admiring the fabled sports shoe since the boom of basketball and hip-hop culture in the early 1980s.

While basketball legend Michael Jordan represents the rise of sneaker fashion, most shoes purchased by sneakerheads are rarely worn. These fanatics research, shop, collect and resell high-end sneakers based on style, brand and exclusiveness.

One local sneakerhead, Brian Dein, is using his three decades of retail experience to turn his childhood hobby into a small business.

“I’ve always been fascinated by sneakers and was looking for a change of pace from my corporate job,” he said. “I wanted to start a business that would be purposeful, fun and inspiring to others and my family.”

Jawns on Fire, located on Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Township, sells sneakers, street wear and more for men, women and children. A large screen TV plays hip-hop music throughout the store, inviting people inside. In-store kiosks and iPads allow shoppers to scroll through a wide selection of more than 700 new and gently used sneakers.

The walls are filled with floor-to-ceiling displays, exhibiting designers from Air Jordans to Yeezys, Nike and more. Each shoe has a QR code that customers can scan with their smartphone to view description, price and size availability. Shoppers can buy, sell or trade in sneakers with authenticity guaranteed.

“We understand the investment our customers are making in our selections,” Dein said. “We encourage everyone—no matter their age—to take care of their shoes and bring them back to trade in for a new pair down the road.”

Dein’s first pair of upscale sneakers, the OG Jordans, sit in a display case at the front of the store to remind him of his Philadelphia “jawn” journey.

“When I was 10 years old, the first Air Jordan sneaker came out, and I remember visiting a store in Philly for three weeks just staring at them,” he said. “My parents could not afford them, but told me, if I worked hard to make honor role, I could get them. These sneakers are now the centerpiece of this store and how I found my style.”

Dein’s story continues with customers like Aiden Harman, a Harrisburg resident who has visited the store for months, searching for the right pair before making a purchase.

“I’ve been coming into the store since they opened in August to check out their inventory and learn about the shoe culture,” Harman said. “It is hard to find my shoe size at other stores, so I finally pulled the trigger and purchased my first pair.”

Unlike many shoe stores, Jawns on Fire sources sizes for men, women and children from 2C to men’s 18. When browsing online or in person, customers can look up their size to view available inventory and size conversions for unisex options.

Dein and his associates, affectionally referred to as “Jawn-Noisseurs,” take pride in fostering an inclusive environment where new and old sneakerheads can get to know one another and create emotional connections. Their #BeJawn culture has welcomed more than 3,000 customers into their store with a 33% customer return rate.

Alongside sneakers, the store also sells clothing from popular brands such as the Anti Social Club, Vlone and Essentials. In addition, Jawns on Fire supports local vendors by providing a space for them to sell merchandise like wood art, candles, custom rugs and more. In the coming months, Dein has plans to expand his selection of apparel and offer special deals for the holidays, such as layaway options for Christmas.

“I took the best of the sneakerhead world, my retail experience and added some pixie dust to differentiate our brand from others,” Dein said. “Since opening our doors, we have been able to meet and help our local community find and source designers that were previously not available to them—and that feels good.”

Jawns on Fire is located at 2302 Linglestown Rd. (Blue Mountain Commons), Harrisburg (Susquehanna Township). For more information, visit www.jawnsonfire.com, their Facebook page and Instagram at @jawns.on.fire.

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