Firefly Cafe Opens In Boyertown

Photo by Ashraf Khalil

Photo by Ashraf Khalil

Photo by Firefly Cafe

The Firefly Cafe has opened in Boyertown offering vegetarian/vegan breakfast and lunch options.

The cafe, owned by Michael and Loriann, uses the best locally sourced ingredients to prepare their delicious and healthy food.  So far, the reviews are very positive from folks around the area.

The hours of operations are:

Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. ’til 2 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. ’til 4 p.m.

Closed Monday

Phone: 484-415-5066

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fireflycafeboyertown/

Website: http://fireflycafeboyertown.com/index.php

Their menu is found on the website so you can peruse their selections.

We hope you get the opportunity to check them out and support a local business who uses locally sourced ingredients!  We hope they succeed!

SUPPORT Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014

Happy #SmallBizSat Eve! Tomorrow, head over to your favorite local shops and celebrate small businesses!

Suburban Life: County Farm Markets, Stands Offer Variety Of Gourds For Carving, Baking

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fall is here, and that means its time to begin thinking about the season’s fruits, vegetables and decorations.

Fresh-picked apples are available from mid-August through mid-November. And while pears and watermelons should be around through the first part of October, you probably won’t find corn, beans and tomatoes after the middle of September.

Pumpkins and gourds are now out in full force, along with other fall decorations including Indian corn, hay bales, corn stalks and mums.

York County has a wealth of locally owned markets and stands where you can find fall fruits, vegetables and family activities.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/community/ci_26583752/suburban-life-pumpkins-gourds

Downtown York Boutique Owners Look To Offer A Unique Shopping Experience

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When Alex Chiaruttini was looking for the perfect little black dress to take with her on an overseas trip, she found it at Indigo Bleu, a recently opened boutique on York’s West Philadelphia Street.

The 43-year-old environmental attorney and Springettsbury Township resident said she doesn’t shop at malls and prefers shopping at downtown York boutiques because their owners know Chiaruttini’s style and what she might like.

“It’s more fun than shopping online,” Chiaruttini said Wednesday evening while shopping with a friend at Elizabeth & West Fashion House, another downtown York boutique.

Wednesday was the second day of York’s annual Boutique Week. Downtown Inc. and a committee of downtown merchants launched the event in 2012 to give shopkeepers a chance to show off their merchandise and attract new customers. The week includes a fashion show Friday evening at Central Market. Boutique owners like Zarah Brooks, owner of Indigo Bleu, say they offer their customers a more personal experience and different merchandise than can be found at a mall.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/yorkcity/ci_26462981/downtown-boutique-owners-look-offer-unique-shopping-experience

Customers Welcome Return Of Downtown’s Market Square Farmers Market

English: Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh, PA, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Downtown resident Janie Robinson and her friend Donna Farmer, of Westwood, stop by the Market Square Farmers Market almost every Thursday to see “the honey man” after their morning silver sneakers class at the PNC YMCA.

For years, the friends have looked forward to the weekly summer market showcasing local vendors. For Ms. Robinson, the market is walking distance from her home on Stanwix Street. “The honey man’s” wildflower honey, Ms. Farmer says, is one of the best treatments for the nasal allergies that plague her during the spring and summer.

“We come here all the time, and will drop by to see him,” Ms. Farmer said today. “(The honey) is so fresh and good, straight from the beehive.”

Produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the farmers market runs every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 30. About 30 local vendors offer a variety of goods, selling everything from produce and pierogies to vegetarian dog treats.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/05/22/Customers-welcome-return-of-Market-Square-Farmers-Market/stories/201405220311#ixzz32YhKESyx

ANNUAL POTTSTOWN FAMILY FEST TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN, PA — The Annual Pottstown Family Fest will be held on Wednesday, March 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Pottstown Senior High School, 750 North Washington Street, Pottstown.

This free family-focused event will feature information/resources from more than 30 area organizations, activities for the entire family, roving entertainment, mini sandwiches, drinks, Rita’s water ice, and a variety of door prizes.

Informational booths will be open from 5-7 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m. (must be present to win). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

“Family Fest was developed to enhance, celebrate and explore family dynamics, development, growth, and unity,” said Jenn Brown, director, Pottstown Family Center. “This year’s theme, Stay Healthy, Play More, focuses on buying local and encourages families to find volunteer opportunities they care about so they can ultimately give back to their community.”

This annual event is sponsored by Family Services/Pottstown Family Center, Pottstown Parks & Recreation, and the Pottstown School District with funding support from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation.

For more information on Family Fest, please contact Jenn Brown, director, Pottstown Family Center, at 610-326-1610 ext. 347 or jbrown@fsmontco.org.

Bill Would Promote Products ‘Made In PA’

Map of Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HARRISBURG — Would you be more likely to buy a product if it were labeled “Made in Pennsylvania?”

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has introduced a bill to create a “Made in PA” program, complete with a logo and website to encourage consumers to purchase products made close to home.

A similar program, to identify and promote Pennsylvania agricultural products, began in 2004, called the PA Preferred program.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2013/12/16/Bill-would-promote-products-Made-in-PA/stories/201312160060#ixzz2neriTSq7

Racine Sets Down Roots In Pottstown

Greg Vassos has traveled a long road from his native Massachusetts to Pottstown – Providence, R.I.,, Barcelona. Grand Cayman, Palm Beach.

Now he’s a first-time solo act, 20 minutes up Route 422 from King of Prussia.

The Johnson & Wales-trained chef has been getting great notices in the early going of the fine-dining Restaurant Racine, a 30-seat BYOB that took over earlier this month for Funky Li’l Kitchen in Pottstown (232 King St., 610-326-7400).

It’s sustainable, locally sourced cuisine prepared with French technique and artful presentation.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/Racine-opens-in-Pottstown.html#6iRm0DMv2PJGZEZq.99

Small Business Day – November 30, 2014 In Pottstown

Get your raffle and a chance to win $1,000 or $500 in time for the holiday bills!

Raffle tickets are $25 each.  You must spend a minimum of $100 between November 30 and midnight December 20, 2014 in the DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, (High Street from York to Evans Street), or at any recognized “BUY LOCAL” shop in the borough.  Raffle sales will begin on Small Business Day, November 30.  Receipts must be dropped of attached to your filled out ticket at the PDIDA Office, (17 N. Hanover Street)no later than midnight on December 20, 2014.

SO, BUY LOCAL AND WIN!

Small-Business Owners Trying To Do Part In Revitalizing Clairton

Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For the past three years, Wandra Sparks has been walking in and out of an old Italian club along Waddell Avenue in downtown Clairton.

She watches as her husband Gus Sparks installs new plumbing and electrical systems or paints warm colors on expansive walls and a cathedral ceiling, and what seemed to be piecemeal improvements in a never-ending struggle now are part of a vision that others can see.

The Sparkses transformed a club that sat vacant for at least a decade into the Ribbon Room.

“It’s a mixture of old and new furnishings,” Wandra Sparks said. “It’s cozy and quaint. There’s such a warm feeling that you don’t even know you’re in a banquet hall.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/4983262-74/clairton-businesses-business#ixzz2jPfS5b5I
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Boyertown Landmark Pharmacy Bauses Closes

Editor’s note:  This is why buying local is important.  Very sad!

BOYERTOWN, PA– A fixture in the Boyertown community for 77 years, Bause’s Super Drug Store abruptly closed its doors for good Monday.

Bauses’s issued a joint announcement with CVS on Tuesday stating that effective immediately CVS had purchased Bause’s pharmacy business and transferred all prescriptions to the CVS/pharmacy at 801 E. Philadelphia Ave., less than a mile from the now-closed Bause’s Super Drug Store, 42 E. Philadelphia Ave.

Bause’s owner Jane (Mellott) Beauchamp said “every single full-time employee” of Bause’s was hired by CVS in Boyertown. She noted that these employees were hired on their own merit “as well as the fact that they were part of the BSDS team.”

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-mercury/story/boyertown-landmark-pharmacy-bauses-closes/1

Meet Captain Buy Local And Trusty Sidekick Small Biz

 

Monday, May 21st – 7:00 to 8:00 PM

Pottstown

Visitor’s Center / PDIDA Office

17 North Hanover Street

Shop Smart. Buy Local. Shop Pottstown!

Sustainable communities thrive on local support.

 Think community first, and buy locally.

 Say “Yes” to creating thriving small businesses and buy locally.

 The Shop Smart. Buy Local. Shop Pottstown Initiative is open to all employees of the Pottstown School District.

 The Shop Smart. Buy Local. Shop Pottstown Dates are Wednesday, 5/1 to Thursday, 5/31

 Map of downtown merchants, list of names, addresses & hours is included so you have everything at your fingertips to shop & buy local!

 Each merchant will place a sticker on your receipt for every purchase made for the initiative – be sure to ask for this!

 Save stickered receipts and drop them into the jar located in your school’s office.

 Each week, we will tally the total dollar value of the receipts and there will be a graph in the office so you can track your progress and check out how you’re doing against the competition!

 During the month of May the five Pottstown elementary schools will be competing against one another, and the Pottstown High School, Middle School and Administration will be competing against each other to win:

 The first school to spend $250 wins their staff a Buy Local insulated Lunch Bag!

 Students of winning schools – no uniforms for the entire last week of school, uniforms can be replaced by school appropriate attire of choice for the entire week!!

 Teachers/faculty of winning school – the option to wear school appropriate jeans or shorts and sneakers for the entire last week of school!!

Shop Smart. Buy Local. Shop Pottstown!

Pottstown School District May 2012

For further information contact:

Your Buy Local Committee:

Amy Francis 484-256-7678

amyfrancis@verizon.net

Mary-Beth Lydon 215-528-2753

flyeredup8831@gmail.com

PDIDA Office: Sheila Dugan

610-323-5400

sheiladugan@comcast.net

  Take the WBZH Pledge

go to: www.wbzh.net

Because I want to help my local community thrive and become vibrant, I pledge to:

 Think local first when seeking out a business to meet my shopping needs for goods or services.

 whenever I can suggest local shopping or dining alternatives to family and friends.

 Purchase local produce and other foods from local vendors whenever possible.

I make this pledge because I understand that buying locally allows more of my hard earned dollars to circulate in my community. As a result, locally owned businesses in my community can survive and grow, which in turn can attract new residents and industry helping make the entire Tri-County area a vibrant and affordable place to live, work and play!

Downtown Pottstown Merchant Directory and Map