Striving & Reviving

Sharon, PA is a small Rust Belt town being given a second chance at life. Our mission here at JCL Development is to lead the charge to restore and reenergize our town. Every day we are collaborating, creating, striving, and reviving to help polish this hidden gemstone.

The Art Coach: Meet Bobbie Fertig

She’s not much of a talking teacher — far more likely to give you a nudge or “What if you tried it like this.” And while she might not be chatty like Bob Ross of PBS fame, painting with Bobbie Fertig promises to be a joy-filled experience.

By Lynn Dula | June 12, 2023

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…

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The Flats: Reimagined Living

Soon, the spirit of this neighborhood will live again at The Flats, North Sharon with apartments and wellness amenities to transform your passion.

By Lynn Dula | May 15, 2023

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…

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Miss Nina is Bringing Elephant #8 to Sharon

When the new Elephant #8 opens in the Applegate Building on North Sharpsville Avenue, you’ll be transported right to Thailand.

By Lynn Dula | May 15, 2023

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…

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Courtney Costa: In Sharon, It Takes a Band

Meet Courtney Costa, a community member with a passion for transforming properties who believes in hard work and working together.

By Lynn Dula | May 15, 2023

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…

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Introducing: Sharon City Eyeworks

The City of Sharon is now home to an exciting new venture... a state-of-the-art optical studio.

By Lynn Dula | May 15, 2023

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…

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Thyme In Your Kitchen's cooking class space

Thyme In Your Kitchen

Part five of the Independent Retailer's Month interview series featuring small businesses here in Sharon, PA.

By Lynn Dula | July 26, 2022

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…

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Haitian Sensation

Part four of the Independent Retailer's Month interview series featuring small businesses here in Sharon, PA.

By Lynn Dula | July 21, 2022

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…

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Dave Pegg’s Barbering and Shave Parlor

Part three of the Independent Retailer's Month interview series featuring small businesses here in Sharon, PA.

By Lynn Dula | July 19, 2022

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 Dave Pegg, the owner of Dave Pegg’s Barbering and Shave Parlor, 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 Dave Pegg’s Barbering…

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Eyes of Faith Optical

Part two of the Independent Retailer's Month interview series featuring small businesses here in Sharon, PA.

By Lynn Dula | July 15, 2022

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 Jim and Amy Schneider, the owners of Eyes of Faith Optical, to learn more about their business and their role in the revitalization of downtown Sharon, PA. Here’s what they had to say… Tell me a bit about Eyes of Faith.…

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CycleLife Studio street view

CycleLife Studio

Part one of the Independent Retailer's Month interview series featuring small businesses here in Sharon, PA.

By Lynn Dula | July 13, 2022

Photo Credit: Amy Javens/Brandon Baroni (CycleLife Studio) 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. For my first interview, I met with Amy Javens. Amy is the owner of CycleLife Studio. I learned more about her business and her role in the revitalization of downtown Sharon, PA. Here’s what she had to say… Tell…

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