Author: Jeff Coleman | June 7th, 2023 Painting an identity outside of the x’s and o’s of a husband’s success as a collegiate basketball coach isn’t a goal for Bobbie Fertig, but talent as an artist and teacher is quietly earning attention in Sharon. Her new teaching studio is in the glass and concrete space of the basement at 49 South Sharpsville Avenue—The Armory Apartments that once housed the Julia F. Buhl Girls’ Club. The sunlit room is somewhat spartan…

Author: Jeff Coleman | June 12th, 2023 When Walt Disney willed 27,000 acres of Florida swamp into America’s premiere kingdom of escape, a few generations of dreamers have taken notes on the audacity of his success—including Walt Novosel. The ex-baseball pro, engineer, husband, and father of four, has been imagining—and creating—ways for families to stay connected and have fun for some time now. He has dreams—lots of them—and has a reputation for delivering.  Is he intimidated by the sheer size…

Author: Jeff Coleman | April 17th, 2023 They called the space between Shenango and Penn avenues, “The North Flats,” and for generations of families it was home. Workdays whistled the soundtrack of opportunity, as breadwinners marched from frame houses to posts at factories and stores. Families made their lives in the neighborhood. Before sundown, streets came alive with play, and on weekends, bells signaled the arrival of rest. The North Flats welcomed every good neighbor, and it was a wonderful…

Author: Jeff Coleman | March 30th, 2023 Narintra is “Miss Nina” to fans who’ve fallen in love with her mothering charms. But it’s the homestyle recipes from her childhood in Northern Thailand that have attracted a cult following. Nina’s first restaurant, “Elephant #8” in Slippery Rock, is a showpiece for the cuisine and culture of the young woman who arrived in Butler from Bangkok in 1999. When Nina left for America, the eldest of 12 children was alone as the…

Author: Jeff Coleman | March 20th, 2023 Courtney Costa has roots in Sharon, but the decision to buy a home and anchor a property management business here wasn’t nostalgia. It was the city’s welcome and vision for the future that made the difference. “Sharon is business friendly. They seem interested in getting unsightly businesses and properties cleaned up. And they’re helpful but hands off. They let you do it,” she said. Courtney doesn’t brag, but she could. Maybe it’s the…

Author: Jeff Coleman | February 7th, 2023 Mara and Chris Palipchak knew it was time for their “small but mighty” brewing operation in New Castle to make the leap (excuse the pun) to downtown Sharon. Croaker’s Brewing Company has been the passion project of the mental health specialist and IT security guru. Now, it’s grown into a thriving enterprise with a bona fide fan base. The frog had outgrown the pond. A New Home in Sharon, PA “We’ve been looking…

Author: Jeff Coleman | January 24th, 2023 The skies are looking clear in the City of Sharon… but that’s probably because of Jim and Amy Schnieder’s new venture: Sharon City Eyeworks. The new state-of-the-art optical studio now offers eye exam services, in addition to the existing “Eyes of Faith Optical” eyewear boutique. Amy and Jim Schneider’s company has grown from a “crazy, middle-of-the-night idea,” to an industry leader. Their faith-fused enterprise, headquartered in the Applegate building in Downtown Sharon, has…

In celebration of Independent Retailers Month, JCL Development reached out to several small business owners here in downtown Sharon, PA in hopes of highlighting all the wonderful and unique things we have to offer. This week, I met with Leanne Ekis, the owner of Sugar Magnolia Merchandise, to learn more about her business and her role in the revitalization of downtown Sharon, PA. Here’s what she had to say… Tell me a bit about Sugar Magnolia. What products or services…

In celebration of Independent Retailers Month, JCL Development reached out to several small business owners here in downtown Sharon, PA in hopes of highlighting all the wonderful and unique things we have to offer. This week, I met with Pat Evans, the owner of Thyme In Your Kitchen, to learn more about her business and her role in the revitalization of downtown Sharon, PA. Here’s what she had to say… Tell me a bit about Thyme In Your Kitchen. What…

In celebration of Independent Retailers Month, JCL Development reached out to several small business owners here in downtown Sharon, PA in hopes of highlighting all the wonderful and unique things we have to offer. This week, I met with Joseph Altenor, the owner of Haitian Sensation, to learn more about his business and his role in the revitalization of downtown Sharon, PA. Here’s what he had to say… Tell me a bit about Haitian Sensation. Where did the inspiration for…