Written by Olivia Peabody & Kayden Blinn, Dutch Ridge Elementary School Students
Through the years, our town has hosted many special businesses that have become integral parts of our childhoods, providing happy and fun memories. Those businesses have evolved over time, and we have learned the importance of capturing them. This article seeks to explore the current businesses, learn about their owners, and to help understand our towns’ history. Two 6th grade students from Dutch Ridge Elementary created the idea for this article, researched all aspects of the project, contacted, and interviewed each business. They wrote, edited, and created a snapshot of our town. I applaud their efforts! A job well done. – Pam Learn, Dutch Ridge Elementary School Teacher
Our names are Olivia Peabody and Kayden Blinn. We are from Dutch Ridge Elementary School, and we are 11 and 12 years old. We interviewed multiple store owners in downtown Beaver to learn about the history of the store and got to check out lots of interesting things, too!
Soup-Herb Sproutz | Owner/Manager: Julie Arena
When you think of Sproutz, what’s your favorite meal on their menu? I know my favorite meal is their Turkey Cobb Salad! Have you ever been to Sproutz before!? If not, you must!
Olivia: What was the hardest part in starting your business?
Julie: The permit and license processing is the hardest part.
Olivia: How did you come up with the idea to start this business?
Julie: Growing up in the restaurant industry, and I was working in the health field, and wanted a fast healthy lunch.
Olivia: What’s the busiest part or time of your day? Julie: Lunch time is definitely the busiest time of my day. Olivia: How long has your store been in business?
Julie: 6 years!
A little bit about Tina Lanctot and Julie Arena
• Their favorite wraps are the cran-turkey and the buffalo chicken wrap!
• This is a family-owned business.
• They were working as a nursing home administrator and a Pre-K teacher before opening Sproutz.
Kathleen’s | Owner/Manager: Jody McKay
Did you know you can customize your own tee shirt, sweatshirt, bag, pillow, etc!? There’s a wide variety of art you can buy there to spaz up your home and even yourself!
Kayden: What was the hardest part in starting your business? Jody: Being in a new town was probably the hardest. Kayden: Is this a family-owned business?
Jody: Yes, I own it with my husband.
Kayden: What’s your favorite item you sell?
Jody: We sell anything from rugs to birthday cards, which are all my
favorite items.
A little bit about Jody
• She’s owned the business for 6 years, but before she came the store was open for 9 years with a different ownership.
• She used to live in Texas.
• In Texas, she owned a dressmaking shop.
• She prays for more creative movement.
• “Home decor and gifts with a personal twist,” is their tagline.
Philly Originals | Owner/Manager: Mitchel Green
Have you ever been to Philly Originals? On December 13th, we had the pleasure to interview the store owner, Mitchel Green. Here are some questions that we were quite interested in.
Olivia: What was the hardest part in starting your business? Mitchel: I would say finances are probably the hardest part. Olivia: How did you come up with starting this business?
Mitchel: Well, I was born and raised in Philly, and I practically grew up with sandwiches. When my wife and I moved to Beaver, I knew I wanted to bring them here.
Olivia: What’s the busiest time or part of your day? Mitchel: Lunch time is definitely the busiest time of my day.
A little bit about Mitchel
• He was a salesman before his job now.
• He believes at Philly Originals they make sure to “Keep everything real.”
• Before his store in Beaver, he had his own store in Philly.
• His first store in Beaver was where Miller Shoes is now.
• The current lot he is in used to be a Sheetz.
Cafe Kolache | Owner/Manager: Kristi Harper
In Texas, Kolaches are one of the most famous breakfast and lunch snacks
and now we get to enjoy them in PA!
Kayden: What was the hardest part in starting your business?
Kristi: Finding the location is the hardest part. I knew that I needed to be on the Main Street of Beaver.
Kayden: How did you come up with the idea to start this business? Kristi: I used to live in Texas where Kolaches were very popular and I wanted to bring it here with me.
Kayden: What’s the busiest time or part of your day? Kristi: Usually early mornings are the busiest.
Kayden: How long has your store been in business? Kristi: My store turned 19 years old on February 7th, 2022
Interesting Facts About Cafe Kolache
• Cafe Kolache is located where a Sheetz used to
• Kristi was working in the corporate world and wanted to get out of it after 11 years.
• Kristi’s favorite breakfast Kolache is sausage and cheese. Traditionally her favorite is cherry and coconut crème. Lastly, her favorite lunch Kolaches are classic pepperoni and cheese
• Kolaches are as popular as bagels and donuts in Texas!
• Her favorite part about work is the community, her staff, and the people!
• A couple celebrities that have been to Cafe Kolache are Lynn Swann, and Amber Brkich! How cool is that!?
Jeppie | Owner/Manager: Jesse Arrington
Have you stopped by Jeppie? This young store owner sells many different items
that you can’t find anywhere else!
Olivia: What was the hardest part in starting this business?
Jesse: Just the nervousness on whether or not it was going to be successful. Olivia: How did you come up with the idea to start this business?
Jesse: I really enjoy gifting to people.
Olivia: What’s the busiest time or part of your day?
Jesse: Usually around lunchtime. It’s also really busy on Saturdays.
Olivia: How long has your store been in business?
Jesse: 7 years.
A little bit about Jesse
• He used to work in retail.
• Jeppie is actually one of his nicknames as a child.
• Right now, his favorite item he sells are his glass ornaments.
• Before he opened the business, Jesse was happy, but now he has a different type of fulfillment.
I learned so much from this experience and the owners! They were so kind and generous, and I hope that I will get to experience this trip again. I learned a lot about how hard it is to start the business, and their idea to come up with the business. I got to see a lot of older parts of the buildings, and I got to see old bowling alley paintings! This trip was an awesome experience, and I am very grateful that I was allowed to do it! –Olivia Peabody
Mario’s | Owner/Manager: Mario Fratangeli
When you think of Mario’s, what do you think of? I know I think about the creamy
wood fired pizza! What is your favorite meal at Mario’s?
Kayden: What was the hardest part in starting your business?
Mario: Taking the first step was the hardest.
Kayden: How did you come up with this business?
Mario: I’m originally from Italy, and the first pizza I ever had was my grandma’s wood fired pizza. When I came to Beaver, I knew that’s what I was destined to do!
Kayden: What’s the busiest time or part of your day? Mario: I would say dinner time probably.
Kayden: How long has Mario’s been in business? Mario: Around 19 years!
Interesting Facts About Mario’s
• His first restaurant was in the spot where Biba is now
• GC Murphy’s and an art gallery were in the building before Mario’s.
• The Mario’s building is over 100 years old
• He had to use a forklift to get his wood fired oven into the building. Half of 3rd street was closed down during the procedure!
Union Skate Supplies | Owner/Manager: Jordan Taylor
Have you ever wanted to learn how to ride a skateboard? Well, at this store, it’ll be your DREAM!! There are dozens of unique skateboards you can choose from!
Olivia: What was the hardest part in starting your business?
Jordan: Starting the business is the hardest part.
Olivia: How did you come up with the idea to start this business?
Jordan: I grew up skateboarding. I am really into it, and I just want to share it to everyone in Beaver.
Olivia: What’s the busiest time or part of your day?
Jordan: Mostly later in the day when kids get out of school. Olivia: How long has your store been in business?
Jordan: Around 6 years.
Interesting Facts About Union Skate Supplies
• Jordan loves the pants he sells. “We have the best pants, to anyone who likes pants, they should buy them here!”
• The back of the store used to be part of a bowling alley. We managed to get back there to take a few photos of the paintings from it on the walls!
Stay tuned for the Second Edition of Olivia and Kayden’s interviews with downtown Beaver businesses in the Summer 2022 issue of Beaver Life!
