We are excited to introduce the “Member Spotlight” series to our readers. 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! For our first edition of this new series, our featured member is Martin’s New Oxford Hardware, Inc. a long-time staple of the New Oxford community. Read on below to learn more about this beloved local business. 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. 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!
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The Chamber would like to congratulate United Hook & Ladder Company #33 (UHL) on their 10th anniversary. UHL held a celebration on Saturday, August 17 to commemorate the anniversary.
UHL is the result of the merger of New Oxford Fire Company and the Abbottstown Fire Company. Over the past 10 years, Bonneauville and Hampton Fire Companies have also become part of UHL. The event included an open house featuring a facility tour as well as the dedication of Engine 331 and a memorial wall for two New Oxford firefighters who died in the line of duty. The dedication was followed by an “old-style convention party” at the New Oxford Social & Athletic Club. Congratulations to UHL on their 10th anniversary. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our community safe! Thank you to Chamber board member Michele Sheets for snapping some great photos of this event. Since it is Thursday, we thought we would post some pictures of our old Market Day posters for a fun throwback blog post.
Market Day, also known as the Annual Antique Market & Craft Show, started in New Oxford in 1956. The pictures below are some examples of promotional posters and advertisements that were distributed throughout the 1960s. In the 1960s, the event featured apple butter boiling, a quilting party, an art contest and arts and crafts demonstrations in addition to antique vendors. Music, including the New Oxford High School Band, an organ player and roving accordionists, was also a big part of the event in the early days. An antique car display was part of Market Day as well. If the cars were considered antiques then, imagine how valuable they would be today! The promotional poster art from Market Day in the 1960s is especially interesting. Notice the bright colors and the detailed illustrations on the posters in the gallery above. Do you have a favorite out of the posters and advertisements? Let us know in the comments! The 2Q edition of the Chamber's quarterly newsletter "The Circle" is now available!
This issue includes:
Thank you to our Chamber Champion of the Quarter - Treysta Technology Management. Also look for ads from: Adams Electric Cooperative, UPMC Pinnacle, Furs by Susan, DL3 Systems LLC, HD Entertainment and Primerica Financial Services - Marc Weber. Pick up a copy at the Chamber office during business hours or look through the latest issue digitally at newoxford.org/newsletter. All Chamber members receive a copy of the newsletter via mail. Conewago Valley School District exchange students (from L to R) Cimberley, Vera and Hannah with breakfast speaker Superintendent Dr. Russell Greenholt. The Chamber hosted its biannual New Member breakfast on Tuesday, March 12 at Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community.
The breakfast is open to all members and celebrates the Chamber’s newest members as well as New Oxford High School’s 2018-2019 exchange students. The Chamber would like to welcome its newest members: ◆ Essis & Sons, Inc. ◆ Len Dick Signs Inc. ◆ New Oxford Social & Athletic Club ◆ Primerica Financial Services - Marc Weber ◆ RLH CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC. The Chamber also welcomed its newest honorary member, Kerry Prutzman. Kerry is an employee of the New Oxford Borough and has always been willing to assist the Chamber with events and projects. In addition to honoring the Chamber’s newest members, the Chamber presented Conewago Valley School District’s three foreign exchange students with plaques. The students in attendance were Cimberley Conen (Germany), Hannah Schneider (Germany) and Vera Traas (Netherlands). After the exchange students were honored, Conewago Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Russell Greenholt talked about the Colonial Manufacturing Program, a new opportunity for students to receive hands-on training for skilled jobs in manufacturing including welding and construction. College is not the only option for students after high school and the new addition to the school district will allow students to explore other avenues for employment after graduation. There is a need for more skilled laborers, especially in our region. South Central Pennsylvania is home to an impressive manufacturing base, which is evident in New Oxford and the surrounding communities. With the support of local manufacturing businesses, the Conewago Valley School District will be able to provide a unique educational opportunity to its students as well as students from other local school districts. The program is slated to begin in late 2019. The Chamber is thankful to all who attended the breakfast. Special thanks to our breakfast sponsor PCI Insurance and our host Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community. Additional thanks to Dr. Greenholt for serving as our speaker, Michele Sheets for emceeing and Dot Robinson for organizing the breakfast. The 63rd Annual Antique Market and Craft Show will be held on Saturday, June 15 on the historic Center Square and surrounding streets in New Oxford.
Interested quality antique, vintage, repurposed, shabby chic and handmade craft vendors may download an application from our events page at www.newoxford.org. Food vendors should contact the New Oxford Chamber of Commerce office at 717-624-2800 or email info@newoxford.org to register before April 1 to receive the early bird rate. Vendor costs are as follows: $85 for antique vendors; $60 for handmade craft vendors; $85 for food vendors; $55 for non-profit food vendors. Additionally, there will be LIMITED spaces open to direct sales vendors for the first time in the event's history. Direct sales spaces are $60. Applications submitted after April 1 will be charged an additional $5, and after May 31 will be charged an additional $25. This popular, public event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with ample parking available nearby. This is the longest continuous running antique show in the country and has one of the largest attendances of street shows in Pa. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, which exists to advance, promote and attract interest in and around the Borough of New Oxford. New Oxford is located 9 miles east of Gettysburg on Route 30. The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the members of the 2019 Board of Directors.
At the General Meeting in October, four members were elected to the board. Mindy Becker (Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community), Mike Deshong (Quality Eicholtz) and Ashley Hershey (RLH CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC) were elected to three year terms. Vicki Heller (PNC Bank) was elected as an alternate (one year term). At the November board meeting, nominations and elections were held for the chaired board positions. Congratulations to the 2019 Board chairs: President - Rose Lansing (Redbud House), Vice President - Ashley Hershey, Secretary - Mindy Becker and Treasurer Tina Palermo (M&T Bank). Rounding out the 2019 board are: Dot Robinson (Borough Liason), Brent Toomey (New Hope Ministries), David Laughman (DL3 Systems), Laura Becker (Doceo) and Mariah Robinson (individual member). Congratulations to the 2019 Board of Directors! New Oxford will hold its annual Old Fashioned Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 24. This well-loved New Oxford tradition, started in 1922, is always held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Come out for an evening of hot chocolate, cookies, caroling and Santa! The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to support this amazing event each year. We hope to see you on Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. in the New Oxford circle for the tree lighting and fun festivities!
While you're in New Oxford, don't forget to visit our wonderful local small businesses throughout town. Small Business Saturday falls on the same day as the Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown New Oxford. This annual holiday shopping tradition is a great way to support your favorite small businesses and check off plenty of gifts on your shopping list! Come shop with us and enjoy the festivities in the circle. Wonder how all those beautiful decorations end up in the circle each holiday season? It wouldn't be possible without the support of the local community volunteering their time to help decorate. If you are interested in helping decorate the circle for this year's holiday season, please meet us in the circle at noon on Sunday, November 18. Any help is greatly appreciated! We hope to see you on Saturday, Nov. 24 for Small Business Saturday and the Old Fashioned Tree Lighting! On Tuesday, September 18, the New Oxford Chamber held its biannual New Member Breakfast at Cross Keys Village.
The breakfast is open to all members and celebrates the business of the year as well as new members that have joined the Chamber since the Spring New Member Breakfast. This year the Chamber was proud to present Feiser Funeral Home, Inc. with the Business of the Year award. Feiser Funeral Home has been a part of the New Oxford community since 1949. Feiser Funeral Home is a family-owned and operated business currently headed by Marty and Mikki Wheeler. In addition to celebrating the Business of the Year, the Chamber also welcomed ten businesses and three individuals as new Chamber members. Welcome to the Chamber: ◆ Allied Plaster & Construction ◆ Auto Glass Guyz ◆ Carma Industrial Coatings ◆ Eichelberger Performing Arts Center ◆ HD Entertainment ◆ Holistic Harmony ◆ Live.Work.Play ◆ Rosie’s Restaurant ◆ Shores Marketing & Printing ◆ Sigafoose Chiropractic Life Center, Inc. ◆ Mr. Bryan Smith ◆ Mr. Alan Stock ◆ Mr. Patrick Sullivan To learn more about our newest members and membership opportunities, please visit newoxford.org. Due to the hiring of new Marketing/Membership Coordinator, Michaela, the Chamber has new office hours. They are as follows: Monday (Closed), Tuesday (10:00am-3:00pm), Wednesday (10:00am-3:00pm), Thursday (12:00pm-6:00pm), and Friday (9:00am-12:00pm). Make sure you stop in during these new hours and meet Michaela!
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NOACCBookmark this page for the latest updates, upcoming events and member news! Members who wish to have upcoming events posted on the Chamber’s website should contact Michaela with event details at 717-624-2800 or email: info@newoxford.org. Archives
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