​The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce would like to dedicate this month’s Member Spotlight in memory of Brenda Troutman. Brenda, a longtime employee of Rosie’s Restaurant and an active member of the New Oxford Lions Club, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2020. Our thoughts continue to be with Brenda’s loved ones. ​

If winning a million dollars in the lottery is lucky, then Rosie’s Restaurant in New Oxford must be a lucky charm for local lottery hopefuls. Since the restaurant began selling lottery tickets in the early 2000s, Rosie’s has sold not one, not two, but THREE million-dollar lottery tickets. The first winning ticket came in 2005, and the second followed in 2009.

The most recent winner comes in the midst of a year that has had few bright spots due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In late July, Rosie’s celebrated its third big lottery winner, bringing some light and excitement during a difficult time for small businesses.

If you live in New Oxford or travel through our town frequently, you may have noticed a new tenant at 208 Lincoln Way East. The building, formerly home to the Eicholtz Co. for many years, is now the beautiful new home of Scott & Co. Fine Jewelers, a family-owned and operated business. With its gorgeous showroom and endless displays of high-quality pieces, Scott & Co.’s new location is Adams County’s premier destination for jewelry and diamonds.

The new location comes from many years of hard work. With a desire to do things their own way, Scott and Karen Coyle officially opened Scott & Co. Fine Jewelers’ original location on the square in New Oxford in February 2000. Scott and Karen both had backgrounds working for chain jewelry stores. From their experiences came a desire to create a jewelry business that operates differently. At their business, Scott and Karen choose jewelry based on the style and taste of their customers and also provide custom designed options for customers who desire one-of-a-kind pieces.

Over the years, this customer-first business model has allowed Scott & Co. to thrive and build a loyal customer base. Scott, Karen and their staff take pride in getting to know their customers and spend the time needed with each customer to find the perfect piece for any occasion. They have found that the old saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated” is the key to positive customer interactions. “We build relationships, and we care,” said Karen. 

​When asked what their favorite memory is of owning their own business, Scott and Karen recalled a time when they ran between diamond offices in Antwerp, Belgium in search of a special 2 ½ carat for a customer. Good customer service doesn’t get much better or more personalized than that!

Despite all the positives and happy memories, owning a small business is not without its obstacles. Over the past 20 years, Scott and Karen have seen a lot of changes related to business promotion. Keeping up with the ever-evolving developments of technology, such as digital marketing and social media, is often the most difficult part of running their small business. Despite the challenge, Scott, Karen and their ten employees continue to adapt to the advancing technology around them.

In addition to keeping up with changing technology, the staff of Scott & Co. found themselves contending with a much bigger obstacle in 2020. After two years of planning and six months of renovating, Scott & Co. was finally ready to open its new location in New Oxford. Unfortunately, this development happened around the same time the pandemic led to a shutdown in Pennsylvania and states throughout the country. Nevertheless, Scott & Co. adapted to the shutdown to the best of its ability, relying on online sales and promotions while the physical store was closed to the public. In late May, Scott and Karen were finally able to open the doors of their new store, described as “a little bit Soho, New York done the Adams County way,” to their customers. 

With a new store, dedicated owners and a knowledgeable staff, Scott & Co. is ready to help you find your next statement piece. Come out and visit Scott, Karen and their staff at 208 Lincoln Way East. The stores current hours are:
                Monday to Wednesday - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
              Thursday – 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
               Friday - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
                 Saturday – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
               Sunday – Closed

Don’t forget to join Scott & Co. for their Annual Gem Show on Thursday, August 13. Stop in and design a one-of-a-kind piece with help from the jewelry design team. More information on the Annual Gem Show and other upcoming events can found on Scott & Co.’s Facebook page (@Scottandcofinejewelers).

After a temporary pause due to COVID-19, the “Member Spotlight” series is back in action! Each month, we will take an in-depth look into one of our Chamber members and the history of their business or organization. Look for a new spotlight in each quarterly newsletter. For the months when a newsletter is not released, you will be able to find the latest “Member Spotlight” right here on our blog and on our Facebook page.
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Sleighter’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, located at 5 Lincoln Way West, has been a New Oxford staple since 1947. Sleighter’s held its grand opening on August 21, 1947. The business was originally located in the building that now houses Martin’s New Oxford Hardware.

Sleighter’s was founded by Charles R. Sleighter and C. Robert Sleighter. Charles’ wife Elva and Robert’s wife Sarah were also heavily involved in the evolution of the business. The store is now in its third generation of family ownership. Sleighter’s is currently owned and operated by Charles’ granddaughter Sally and her husband Jerome Smith.  

Sleighter’s started when Charles and Robert decided to go into business together. With knowledge of multiple trades, Charles hoped to start a floor covering store. Charles and Robert began their search in their place of residence – York. Because of the economy at the time, store space was difficult to find. Eventually, they made their way to New Oxford, finding a prime location right on the square. 

At the time, the building that currently houses Martin’s Hardware was divided into three separate businesses. At the beginning, Sleighter’s rented one of the three spaces for $35 a month before eventually expanding to fill two of the spaces. At the time, Charles’ brother owned a furniture store in Everett, PA and suggested that Sleighter’s sell furniture in addition to floor coverings. After testing the market by putting a sofa up for sale and finding quick success, the family decided to expand their floor covering business to also include furniture and bedding. 

As the business continued to grow, the family looked for an alternate location. Sleighter’s found a new home at 5 Lincoln Way West, holding a grand opening on May 7 and 8, 1954. After moving into the new location, the business continued to expand. A back section was added several years after the grand opening, and a second floor was added in the early 1960s. The second floor served as a home for Charles and Elva as well as storage space for the store. 

With a degree in accounting, Sally worked for an accounting firm before returning to her family’s business. Before coming to work at Sleighter’s, Jerome worked in real estate. With a desire to be in business for 50 years, Robert continued to have a presence in the business until Sleighter’s 50th anniversary in 1997. At this time, he retired. Following Robert’s retirement, Jerome and Sally bought the business.

Today, Sleighter’s is the oldest family-owned furniture store in the area. The store continues to evolve to fill the needs of local consumers. Sleighter’s owners and staff pride themselves on the personalized touch they provide to customers. At Sleighter’s, customers are able to try out products and find the best fit for their needs with one-on-one assistance from the store’s staff. The store currently has six employees – three sales associates and three warehouse/delivery associates.

Sleighter’s offers a variety of furniture and sleep-related products including living, dining and bedroom furniture as well as an extensive selection of mattresses and adjustable beds with sheets, pillows and mattress pads.

Sleighter’s is proud to call New Oxford home. Sally and Jerome enjoy getting to work in the same community they live in. They also enjoy the opportunities owning your own business can provide, including flexibility, the ability to take risks and make your own decisions and being able to work with customers first-hand while also working in-sync with one another.  
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To learn more about Sleighter’s Furniture & Sleep Shop, please visit sleighters.com or stop by in person at 5 Lincoln Way West. We encourage you to support local throughout the ongoing pandemic and after the pandemic as well.
Our small businesses are the heart of our community, and they need us now more than ever. Let’s join together to support the businesses that call our community home! 

Over the past few decades, the United States has suffered a steep decline in skilled workers. While there is not one singular explanation for this trend, the tendency for high schools to steer their students toward four-year colleges and universities instead of also providing information about trades and skilled labor is undoubtedly a contributing factor. Our local community is on the front lines of combating downward trend. Conewago Valley School District officially opened the Colonial Career and Technology Center in fall of 2019 with the goal of introducing students to the trades. Students in the program will gain valuable entry-level skills, which can translate into jobs after graduation in our large manufacturing community in New Oxford and in surrounding towns.

Businesses in the trade industry, especially small businesses, are vital to our community. We are excited to share the story of one of those businesses today. For February’s Member Spotlight, we are excited to introduce you to Auchey Woodworks LLC, a locally owned and operated woodworking business based right here in New Oxford.
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Growing up, Nevin Auchey took a special interest in woodworking. During his time as a student at New Oxford Middle School & High School, Nevin enjoyed honing his skills in woodworking courses. While Nevin was still in school, his family moved to Florida, where there were less opportunities to woodwork. Despite this challenge, Nevin took advantage of any opportunities he could find.

While in Florida, Nevin found a mentor in George Cain. During his career, George owned a custom woodshop outside of Pittsburgh that specialized in high-end projects, including a project at the Houston Astrodome in Texas. Due to his health, George moved to Florida and transitioned into a lower stress position with a home builder. George and Nevin’s paths crossed around the time Nevin entered 12th grade.

Nevin reflected on his time spent with George, saying “George saw potential in me, and I wanted to learn. The knowledge and training he gave me was priceless [and] it didn’t cost me anything but my time. Because of that, I will always share knowledge and techniques to anyone who seriously wants to learn.”

After graduation, Nevin began a career in the construction industry working his way from framing houses to working on commercial properties. Ultimately, he became a supervisor. About ten years ago, Nevin lost his job in the construction industry due to the downturn in the economy.

With a now or never approach, Nevin decided to fulfill his longtime dream of opening his own business. Nevin officially opened Auchey Woodworks LLC in March of 2011. His business has grown over the past decade largely through word of mouth. Early on, Nevin completed a number of kitchen remodels. While he still works on occasional remodels and renovations, he has found his niche in specialty and custom woodworking. Nevin’s favorite projects to take on are ones he sees as “unusual, different and specialized.”

Recently, Nevin has enjoyed making furniture with concealed compartments, including jewelry boxes and coffee tables. These projects allow Nevin to utilize both his creativity and innovation. Other recent projects include a kitchen island made from black walnut and a custom maple bookshelf. (For more examples and more details on Nevin’s work, see the photo gallery at the top of this article).

Steve Martin has always had an interest in hardware. From a young age, Steve enjoyed helping out at his uncle’s hardware store in Hagerstown, MD. Those early experiences at his uncle’s business led to Steve’s dream of one day owning his own hardware store. 

After growing up in Pittsburgh and attending Walsh College in Ohio, Steve and his family decided to make that dream a reality. Steve and his father Bill, who had previously owned a machine shop business, looked at hardware stores throughout Pennsylvania before finding a store for sale in New Oxford. With its ideal living accommodations – there is an apartment on the second floor above the store – its proximity to family and its location in the heart of a small town, the store was the perfect fit for the Martin family. 

On July 1, 1974, Steve and his father officially purchased the store from its former owners Bob and Nora McEvers and became business partners. At the time, Steve was only 21 years old. The Martin family, including Steve’s mother and Bill’s wife Mary, would go on to grow their beloved family business in New Oxford. 

Over the years, Martin’s Hardware has celebrated many milestones and accomplishments. The store celebrated 40 years of business in 2014. In 2015, the Chamber recognized Martin’s as its Business of the Year. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment though is the store’s popularity with the local community. 
Because it is a locally-owned small business, the staff at Martin’s is able to provide customers with the care and attention that is rarely found at big box stores. Customers can always expect hands-on help when they visit Martin’s. 

Because of this unique experience, many of the store’s visitors are loyal customers who have shopped at Martin’s for years. Martin’s carries a wide variety of hardware items and has added many lines over the years in order to continue fulfilling the needs of its customers. In addition to the products in the store, Martin’s also offers window and screen repairing, paint mixing and color matching , key duplication, glass and screen cutting, equipment rentals and blade sharpening. 

Customers are greeted by familiar faces each time they visit Martin’s. Steve is active in the day-to-day operations of the store. Steve is joined in the store by Bill Bechtel, Ron Boring, Mitch and Wendy Diviney and Jason Smith. Originally a part-time staff member, Bill is now full-time and has been with the business for almost 30 years. Ron has worked part-time at Martin’s for almost 10 years while the Mitch and Wendy have been involved for the past couple of years as part-time staff members. Jason joined the staff in mid-2019. 

Steve and Bill agree that the best part of working at Martin’s is the customers. Steve believes that customers “become like personal friends.” That feeling of friendship is shared by many of the customers who choose to shop at Martin’s, sometimes even multiple times a day, for all of their hardware needs.  

A number of customers even prefer to drive from out of town because of the high level of customer service at Martin’s. In addition to connecting with customers, Bill enjoys meeting new business owners, staying up-to-date on community happenings and forging connections with local businesses and members of the community.

With their expertise and hands-on assistance, it is no wonder that Martin’s and its staff are the top choice for hardware in our community. Want to learn more about Martin’s New Oxford Hardware? Visit their website at martinsnewoxfordhardware.com, follow them on Facebook for fun contests and, of course, stop by in person at 21 Center Square. 
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On a personal note, the Chamber is lucky to have such great neighbors. Steve and his staff are always willing to lend a helping hand whether it be with decorating the circle for the holidays or helping put a sign up for Market Day. Small businesses like Martin’s and many other businesses around town are an asset to our community, and we are lucky that these businesses call our community their home. We encourage you to support local businesses such as Martin’s and keep an eye out for future spotlights on other members of our wonderful local business community!