October, 2011:
Dairy Queen

Members of the Stratigos family along with GRC board members gathered for the grand re-opening of the North Belle Vernon Dairy Queen on Fayette Street Owners, Harry and Becki Stratigos recently purchased the NBV Dairy Queen and completed many renovations. The store includes a drive-thru window, extensive lunch and dinner menu and is now open year round! They also own on the Rt. 51, Rostraver Dairy Queen location as well.

In attendance at the ribbon cutting were family members, George and Eva Stratigos, Owners, Harry & Becki, Denise Shrader, Chrisan and Jim Olah, Officials from DQ included Lou Lynn, Judy Lynn Craig, Jordan Craig, Jamie Hoff and Roileen Schimmel. The DQ Staff, GRC Board Members and NBV Council Members were also in attendance. DQ lunch and ice cream cake were served to all afterwards, compliments of the Stratigos Family!

October, 2011:
Back to the Rack Consignment and Gift Shop

A grand re-opening ribbon cutting was recently held Back to the Rack Consignment and Gift Shop. Shop owner, Tami Puckey has relocated the store to a larger space, located at 303 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. In addition to men's, women's, children's and infants consignments the shop now offers floral arrangements, jewelry, Avon products and candles. Back to the Rack is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 12 to 6pm and Friday and Saturday 12 to 5pm. Consignment items are accepted regularly. For more information call 724-243-3095   

Photo, left to right – Kim Redman, Bernie Zunic, GRC Board Members, Tami Puckey, Owner, Charla Peters, Sales and Debby Puglia, GRC Board Member.

August, 2011:
Trinity Garage Door and Awning

On Tuesday, August 30th a ribbon cutting was held at the new storefront location for Trinity Garage Door and Awning, located at 208 W. Main Street, Monongahela.  For sales and service of new garage doors, repair or replacement of existing doors and retractable awnings, call Trinity at 724-258-6900.   

August, 2011:
Internet Sweepstakes Café

On Thursday, August 11th a ribbon cutting was held at the Internet Sweepstakes Café located at Broad Avenue and Don Street, Belle Vernon.  The Internet Sweepstakes Café is a concept new to this area, but is popular in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and other states.  Based on a sweepstakes formula, participants can play over 30 games using internet time.  The Internet Sweepstake Café is open Monday through Saturday, 11am to 8pm.  As business grows, hours of operation will expand.  Free drinks and snacks are available to players.  For information call 724-930-7711. 

Photo, left to right –Kim Redman, GRC Board, Dorothy Basile, Bill Basile, Debby Puglia, GRC Board

August, 2011:
Rostraver Township Sewage Authority

A ribbon cutting and open house was held on Friday, August 5th at offices of the Rostraver Township Sewage Authority located at 1744 Rostraver Road, Belle Vernon.  The Sewage Authority moved from the Rostraver Township Municipal Building in to this new office space in August of 2010.  The space which previously housed AAA, has been updated and modified to fit the needs of the Authority.  The Sewage Authority holds monthly board meetings in the new facility and sewage development meetings throughout the year.

Attending the ribbon cutting and open house, Sewage Authority Board Members, Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce Board Members, State Representative Ted Harhai,Tom Aikens of State Senator Kim Ward’s office, Elaine Phillips, Rostraver Township Treasurer and Tax Collector and Authority Solicitor, Vince Tucceri.

The current board of directors for the Sewage Authority includes, Dennis Manown, Gary Dilmore, John Kosco, William Callaway, and Walt Johnson, Manager.  Former member, Gerald Smith, who passed away last year, was very instrumental in obtaining the building and having the Authority maintain their own office space.  A proclamation in honor of Gerald Smith has been named. 

Photo, left to right – Tom Patterson, William Callaway, Dennis Manown, Gary Dilmore, John Kosco, Walt Johnson

June, 2011:
The Sweet Spot Bakery

A ribbon cutting was held recently for the opening of The Sweet Spot Bakery located at 1731 Rostraver Road, Belle Vernon, in the Sweeney's Shopping Plaza. Kim and Tim Zalac operate the bakery Monday – Saturday, 5:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, 6:00am to 3:00pm.

The bakery serves breakfast and lunch daily, with set weekly lunch specials. Tim encourages everyone to stop by for a "quality, inexpensive lunch, in a jiffy." Lunch orders for one or for the entire office may be called in advance. In addition to breakfast and lunch, The Sweet Spot also does custom cakes for all occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, wedding and baby showers, retirement parties or for any event you may be celebrating. Donuts and pastries are available for morning business meetings and cookie trays for weddings and parties are also available, All cakes, cookies, donuts, pastries and pies are made fresh, never frozen. Belgian Waffles have recently been added to the menu and are available plain or with cherry or apple topping. Be sure to follow The Sweet Spot Bakery on Facebook and "like" them to receive postings on daily lunch specials. For all you bake good needs, The Sweet Spot Bakery is the spot to go! For more information or to place a lunch order call 724-243-3358.

Photo, left to right – Debby Puglia, GRC Board Member, Kim and Tim Zalac, and Bernie Zunic, GRC Board Member

April, 2011:
Back to the Rack

A ribbon cutting was held recently to announce the opening of a new business on Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. Back to the Rack, owned and operated by Tami Puckey is a consignment shop specializing in name brand items for infants, children, teens, men and women.

Located at 601 Broad Avenue, Back to the Rack is open daily Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In additional to clothing items, Back to the Rack also has a variety of accessories, shoes and handbags. Stop in today!

Photo, left to right – Kim Redman, Tami Puckey, Debby Puglia

March, 2011:
Allstate Langlois Agency

Allstate Insurance, Langlois Insurance and Associates, LLC  is located at 790 Tri County Lane, Belle Vernon.  Allstate Insurance can handle all of your insurance needs for home, auto, business and life. 

For more information, give Scott and his team of professional agents a call at 724-243-3291.

Photo, left to right – Bernie Zunic, GRC Board Member and Candace Davis, Agent Shannon Falcone, Agent, Cyndi Walker, Financial Rep, Ron Kesten, GRC Board Member, Lori Bankston, Sales Producer, Mary Esther Antal, GRC Board Member, Scott Langlois, Agency Prinicipal 

March, 2011:
Snapshot 47 Photos

Snapshot 47 Photos located at 529 Broad Avenue is your place for professional photography services.

Jennifer is currently taking appointments for senior portraits and in addition can handle your needs for sporting teams, family photographs, pets, and weddings.

For more information call Snapshot 47 at 724-929-3566.

Photo, left to right – Rachel Willson, Ron Kesten, Kim Redman GRC Board Members, Wayne and Joyce Ray, Jennifer Codeluppi, Owners, Deb Puglia, GRC Board Member

March, 2011:
Primerica Financial

Primerica Financial Services is now located at 523 Broad Avenue, Suite A. They recently moved down the block on Broad Avenue to a larger office space. 

Beverly and Gerald would be happy to help you with any financial needs or questions you may have.  Give them a call at 724-929-4301.

Photo, left to right – Rachel Willson, Ron Kesten, GRC Board Members, Gerald Stasicha, Beverly Belczyk, Cynthia Morris, Primerica, Deb Puglia, GRC Board Member

February, 2011:
Approach Advisors

Approach Advisors is a business consulting company specializing in the evaluation of small to mid-size companies. 

Approach Advisors is located in the Willow Pointe Plaza, 800 Plaza Drive, Suite 260, Belle Vernon.  For more information call 724-379-5905 or visit www.approachadvisors.com.

Photo, left to right – Ron Kesten, Kim Redman, Bernie Zunic, Deb Puglia, GRC Board Members, Thomas Kinsey, Jr., Owner, Ellen Kinsey and LeAnn Bujdos, Researchers and partner, Brad Bujdos. 

January, 2011:
Belle Vernon Door Sales

A ribbon cutting was recently held for re-opening of Belle Vernon Door Sales, now located at 1228 Rostraver Road, Belle Vernon.

Belle Vernon Door Sales offers installation of new garage doors, service repairs, replacement parts, garage door openers and free estimates. 

Stop by the showroom for new garage door ideas for your home. The showroom is open Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm or call for more information, 724-930-1100.

Photo, left to right front – Deb Puglia, Bernie Zunic, GRC Board Members, Terri Battung, Office Mgr., Tom Mimidis, Owner, Matthew Ivill, Rachel Willson, GRC Board Members, Back – Tom Mimidis, Ron Kesten, GRC Board Members, Darron Main, Eddie Cunha, Installers, Kim Redman, GRC Board Member