Downtown Shendandoah, Inc. 116 North Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 Tel: 570-462-2060
DSI website: www.downtownshenandoah.com CEBA website: discoverCEBA.com
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A Great Day For Shenandoah And Schuylkill County
Senator Casey Awards DSI $350,000 For CEBA Construction
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"This is about job creation. Today, as we stand here, we can see the future... the future of the community and the future of this county,"
Senator Bob Casey
Pictured from left to right are Eric Mica, Senator Casey at podium, Karen Kenderdine and Senator Dave Argall
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Senator Bob Casey made a special visit to Downtown Shenandoah recently to recognize the community for their dedicated efforts to make The Center for Education, Business & Arts a reality. He wanted to personally visit the future Main Street site and share why he earmarked $350,000 for this much-needed project. "The people of Shenandoah, represented by the leadership here have earned these dollars," Casey said. But this is about more than just a building and a testament to the future. This is about job creation. Today, as we stand here, we can see the future... the future of the community and the future of this county," he added.
Present were representatives from the DSI Board of Directors, Shenandoah Borough, local government officials including Senator Dave Argall, business leaders and community volunteers all who have played an extremely important role in the progress of this project. Attorney, Erik Mica, a co-founder of DSI opened the event sharing information about Shenandoah's and DSI's history. He expressed his optimism and how encouraged he was to see everything the community has accomplished since 2003 when DSI became a 501c3 nonprofit organization. To date, DSI remains the only nonprofit organization in Schuylkill County to be a designated Main Street program. He shared a comment that the late Valerie McDonald who helped him start DSI said, "Keep the faith, baby!" Mika added that CEBA could bring about the "biggest economic impact" Schuylkill County has seen in decades.
Shenandoah Borough Manager, Tony Sajone is looking forward to what the project will bring to the community. "We are thrilled to help DSI in anyway we can and honored Senator Casey provided this financial assistance, he said. "CEBA will become an important cornerstone, like a mall's anchor store to revitalizing our area," he said.
DSI Board President Karen Kenderdine shared that the goal for CEBA is to be a catalyst for positive change. CEBA will include a commercial kitchen, event center, Penn State classroom, DSI offices, co-working spaces and a coffee cafe. "What this building will bring will be transformational, not just for Shenandoah, but for the whole region," she said.
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CEBA will change the economic landscape in our area and create positive change
We're getting closer and closer to our goal.
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CEBA is for you, your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to learn new skills, create new businesses, collaborate, enjoy special events and so much more. CEBA will change the economic landscape in our area and create positive change. We're getting closer and closer to our goal but we still need your help.
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Call Out To Volunteers
The DSI promotions committee is looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks during this very busy event.
If you need hours for graduation, have a club that enjoys giving back to your community or an individual who wants to get involved, call 570-462-2060 for more information.
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Join The Parade Of Nations & Display Your Ethnic Pride
The Late "Tally" Talerico Honored as Grand Marshall
The annual Parade of Nations kicks off Kielbasi Festival at 10:00am. This year, we honor the late Tom "Tally" Talerico as the parade's Grand Marshall. Tally, a friend to everyone, founded the Coal Cracker 10K that is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022. This milestone is due to his lifelong dedication and commitment to his community.
The Parade of Nations celebrates and showcases all the different ethnicities that now call Shenandoah and Schuylkill County, home. Parade participants wear their country’s colors, decorate floats, and carry flags. First responders, The Color Guard, government officials, area musicians and 2022 Grand Marshal will parade through town. Everyone is welcome to celebrate and honor their heritage.
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Business Spotlight: OBO Trading Post and Big Mamas Cafe Is Truly A Family Affair
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Pictured are husband wife team, Jada and Emilio Serrano, owners of OBO Trading Post in Shenandoah |
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Pictured is Heredia (Daly) Martinez , owner of Big Mama'sCafe, located next door to OBO Trading Post |
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It’s truly all in the family at OBO Trading Post and Big Mama’s Cafe. Located side by side on Main Street, Shenandoah, these two businesses are examples of the American Dream, and entrepreneurial spirit.
OBO is owned by husband wife team Jada and Emilio Serrano. Big Mama’s Cafe is owned by Jada’s mom, Heredia (Daly) Martinez. Originally from New York, they relocated to Schuylkill County in 2012 to provide a safer environment for their family. “Shenandoah is a beautiful town with a lot of potential,” said Jada. “We have lived in the area for 10 years and the changes we have seen are much better than when we first moved here. I love driving through town and seeing the difference. The vibe in Shenandoah gets better and better,” she added.
OBO Trading Post stands for Or Best Offer, a creative name for a creative business model. Their doors are open to buy, sell, and trade both new and used merchandise. “We have a variety of items for everyone,” said Jada. “We have everything from collectors’ items to clothing, from DVD movies to appliances, from antiques to jewelry, and so much more,.” Jada said that OBO is here to serve the area and bring something good to their clients. She explained their business model is different from other area thrift stores and consignment shops because they are willing to trade the same value for items or offer credit to their customers. There is truly something different to see every time you visit. Frequent customer Joe Pytak enjoys shopping at OBO. “They have a good variety of movies and are always helpful and friendly,” he said. OBO has a Facebook group where they regularly post pictures of items in the store and everyone is welcome to request to join.
Big Mama's Cafe Is Right Next Door To OBO Trading Post
Next door to OBO Trading Post is Big Mama’s Cafe, offering Spanish fried food with a New York twist. Big Mama offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with generous portions that are always served with a friendly smile. Everything on her menu is made fresh daily. Jada says her mom’s bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, “take us back home.” Although most of her food is Spanish-inspired fare, she listens to her customers and goes above and beyond to accommodate them. “She didn't know what pickled eggs were before coming to Shenandoah but implemented them into her menu to serve her community,” said Jada. Big Mamas Café also has a Facebook group where menu items and specials are frequently posted.
Jada shared that there are pros and cons of working with and so close to family, but there are also perks. She said that she and her husband make a great team and work well together because they respect one another. The same is true with her mom. “Working next to my mom isn’t bad at all. When we arrive at work, she comes right over with breakfast for us.” Jada added that even if they have already had their breakfast, they take the food and thank her for her thoughtfulness. “Never say no to a Puerto Rican woman who serves food”, she said with a smile.
Always Reach For Your Dreams
Jada and Emilio are passionate about what they are building and realize that passion is an important part of a successful business. Jada explained that she worked for great people in the past helping them build their businesses. Now it’s time for her to build her own. “If I can build someone else’s brand, then it is now time for my husband and me to work as a team and build ours. We have been blessed to give it a chance,” she said. Jada shared that she and her mother have learned together that life is all about taking risks and reaching for your dreams. “Never say you can’t because when you limit yourself you will always live your life asking, what if?” she said.
OBO Trading Post is located at 34 N. Main Street, Shenandoah, PA. Big Mama’s Café is located at 36 N. Main Street, Shenandoah PA. Both businesses are vendors at Kielbasi Festival/Heritage Day. Stop by and say, "hello."
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CEBA Connects 2022
Register Now For This Online Session & Attend Wherever you Are
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Let's Talk Empowerment & How It Can Change Your Life!
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Presenter: Pinky Patel, Owner, Shenandoah Pharmacy & Shenandoah One Stop
Location: This is a complimentary Zoom session but registration is required
Pinky Patel, owner of Shenandoah Pharmacy is passionate about people, especially women taking control of their lives. She will share tips to help you be positive, stand up for yourself, follow your dreams, and achieve great things. According to Pinky, “the best warrior for a child is a mother, which shows a woman can achieve anything she puts her mind and strength to.
Pinky and her husband Kunal own Shenandoah Pharmacy in Shenandoah and other convenient stores in Bangor, Hamburg, Marietta, Ringtown, Scranton, and Stroudsburg. Register today!
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Get Your Foursome Together and Let's Play!
Friday, June 17 @ Mountain Valley
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Win $100 Cash & $100 PA Lottery Scratch Offs: Winner Drawn on May 21
3 entries for $5...Enter to Win at the DSI Office
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Volunteers Hold Clean Up Day
Thank you From DSI and The Community
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A huge shout out to local volunteers who recently hit the streets and spent their weekend cleaning up. It takes a village and we appreciate your efforts to make your community litter free. Everyone is encouraged keep our street's clean. Thank you!
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Forward This Newsletter To A Friend
We'd like to connect with more people and spread the good work DSI is doing to improve our communities. Please forward this email and share with a friend! Thank you
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