Recently, we had the opportunity to interview three participants in the Commercial Subsidy Lease program from the Slate Belt area. These small business owners have been able to keep their businesses afloat and continue growing, thanks in part to Community Action Lehigh Valley’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Slate Belt Rising. Led by Director Brian Fenstermaker, Slate Belt Rising offers approved businesses substantial financial support, covering 100% of their lease (up to $1,500) for the first three months and then 50% (up to $750) for the following three months.
This program is incredibly valuable, especially in an area like the Slate Belt, where the community faces challenges in achieving economic prosperity, boosting tourism, and filling vacant rental spaces. Our goal is to help the entire community reach economic success.
Meet John from Broadway Games: Rebuilding with Determination
11 S Main Street, Bangor
John has been a board game enthusiast since childhood, and when he and his business partner found the chance to open Broadway Games in Bangor, they jumped at it. Their store became a community hub for board games, card games, and more. But after two years, disaster struck in 2023—a fire from an upstairs apartment caused massive damage, leaving the store condemned and destroying over $1,000,000 worth of inventory. Due to an insurance oversight, only a small portion of the damage was covered.
Despite this setback, John was determined to stay in the Slate Belt area. By chance, he found an abandoned American Legion building for lease. The owner agreed to renovate it, setting the stage for the new Broadway Games location. Soon after, John discovered the Slate Belt Rising Commercial Subsidy Lease program, which provided crucial financial support during the transition.
John stated the program was incredible for him, it granted him financial freedom as he set up his new store after the devastating loss and allowed him not to stress about paying his two employees that help greatly when it comes to running and setting up the store. John said, “It’s not just the money, it's having the help and the support from the town level. Brian was right in the local offices. So any questions you have, about signage or how to get permits and everything else, I found out about those processes from him.”
Broadway Games isn’t just about games; it’s about community. “It's great because we have kids who will come in and play a Disney game, and we have their parents coming in playing Magic, which is the same game they've been playing since the mid 90s. We’ll have teenagers at a table playing a game with 50 year olds, and everybody is getting along. It's really a beautiful thing; games cross generations and fosters interaction. You're sitting at a table with one to six people, and you're having conversations.”
Meet Selena from Just Dance: A Studio on a Mission to Elevate our Youth
490 E. Main Street, Pen Argyl
In the heart of Pen Argyl in the Slate Belt, Selena, the passionate owner of Just Dance Dance Studio, has seen her dream flourish thanks in part to the Commercial Lease Subsidy Program provided by Slate Belt Rising. This program has been instrumental in allowing Selena to expand her studio and continue nurturing the community's love for dance.
Selena’s journey with dance began at the age of seven in New York City, where she grew up immersed in the vibrant world of competitive dance. Her passion for dance continued through adulthood, and eventually, she decided to start her family in Pennsylvania. After relocating, Selena noticed a lack of dance studios in her area and began brainstorming how to bring dance to her new community. In 2016, she opened Just Dance, a single-room dance studio, to share her passion for dance and provide local kids with the opportunities she had as a child.
The studio started modestly, with only ten students in its first year. However, under Selena’s dedicated leadership, it has grown to serve over 80 students by the end of its eighth season. This success of the studio highlighted the need for a larger space, prompting Selena to look for expansion opportunities.
The search for a new location came with its own set of challenges, particularly finding a space in the Slate Belt that met the studio's specific needs for adequate parking and a relatively open floor plan. Selena discovered Slate Belt Rising’s commercial lease subsidy program through their website. Designed to support local businesses by providing financial assistance with leasing commercial spaces, the program caught Selena's interest. She reached out to SBR’s Director, Brian Fenstermaker, to see if her second location, previously Anderson’s Formals, was eligible. "I spoke to Brian several times throughout the process, before we even signed the lease, about whether we would be eligible and what it would look like. He did a lot of the footwork and got a lot of those questions answered for me before we even started," Selena shared. This hands-on assistance was crucial in easing the mental and financial burden of opening a second location.
The commercial subsidy lease program not only offered financial relief but peace of mind. Selena explained, "The subsidy program gave me a little bit of a breather because I knew I could take a month or two to get everything exactly how I needed it to be before we started taking students in and not having to completely stress over the fact that I need to pay two rents now. It was a huge relief for us.”
The support from Slate Belt Rising has allowed Selena to focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment for her students. She stated, “I always wanted our studio to be a community; a second family. I wanted it to be a place where kids, especially young girls, know that it's OK for them to be themselves and accepted the way they are. The kids know that within my walls, everybody is equal.” Selena takes pride in fostering a family-like atmosphere, where everyone is treated with respect and kindness.
Selena’s commitment to her students and her community is evident in her plans for the new location, which officially opened in July 2024. The expansion will allow Just Dance to offer more classes, including musical theater and an upcoming pom pom program, providing even more opportunities for children to explore their interests.
Selena's story highlights the importance of neighborhood revitalization programs like Slate Belt Rising. These programs not only help small business owners survive but enable them to thrive, significantly contributing to their surrounding neighborhoods. They contribute to overall economic development, boost community morale, and enhance the quality of life in a region that has faced financial hardship. Selena also plans to collaborate with the Marketing Coordinator from Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, our fellow business startup and development program, to receive free marketing assistance and further enhance her business plan with professional support.
Meet Fran from Pilates and Wellness: Fostering Physical and Mental Well-Being in Our Community
34 Market Street, Bangor
Fran's journey to opening her studio is driven by her palpable passion for Pilates and wellness. Inspired by the desire to share the transformative power of Classical Pilates, Fran saw an opportunity to not only teach physical fitness but also promote holistic well-being in a community where this might not always be a priority. Her studio is more than just a place to exercise; it’s a space where people can embark on a journey toward inner strength, mental clarity, and overall wellness.
Fran, originally from Hawaii, was motivated to open her studio by a strong belief in the principles of Pilates and their power to improve lives. Her studio offers a unique blend of Classical Pilates and additional wellness practices, providing a comprehensive approach to self-care. It’s a place where community members in Bangor can find the tools and support they need to enhance their physical and mental health.
The path to opening the studio wasn’t without challenges. Like many new business owners, Fran faces uncertainty about how her niche fitness program will be received in a small community. However, a chance encounter at the Bangor Borough office became a turning point. While paying for a quarterly parking pass, Fran met Brian Fenstermaker, who introduced her to the Commercial Subsidy Lease program. Brian explained how the program could provide much-needed financial assistance to new business owners, helping them cover rental costs and stay afloat during the critical early stages.
This support was a game-changer for Fran. It gave her the confidence to move forward, knowing that she had a safety net. The program's financial assistance allows Fran to focus on building her clientele and establishing a presence in the community without the immediate pressure of covering all operational costs.
Fran hopes her studio will become an integral part of the Bangor community, offering a space for healing, growth, and connection. Her personal experience as a parent who lost a son to a drug overdose fuels her commitment to making the studio a place of resilience and renewal. It’s a safe space for those who have faced their own battles, whether through addiction, the challenges of a pandemic, or other crises. Fran shared, “I want to be an example of how to survive and be able to thrive.”
Looking ahead, Fran continues to grow and evolve her studio, with plans to expand its offerings and reach even more people. She is working closely with Lynn Schoof, the Marketing Coordinator at Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, on new marketing strategies to share her story and attract a wider audience. This collaboration exemplifies how our Commercial Subsidy Lease program goes beyond financial support, providing ongoing mentorship and resources to help small businesses succeed.
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