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Press Release: Sing for Their Supper Wrap-up (PDF)
Press Release: John Irwin House New Businesses (PDF)
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Re: Irwin Historic Home Renovation
Date: 9/9/09
Contact: Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street-724.296.8074/Lauren Whittaker, The Music Room -
724.863.7666/Andrew Sebastian, Pa. Housing Assoc.412.287.5481
Irwin Home comes alive with the Sound of Music
The Irwin Main Street program has given out several grants that have improved the facades of
buildings but the latest grant has lots of people talking. The former home at 604 Main Street has
gone from vacant to a viable live-work space in just weeks. Main Street Manager Donn Henderson
says the property has been a concern of the program since it became vacant about two years ago. “The house is one of the most charming ones in town and was starting to deteriorate causing us
much concern” he said.
Enter Andrew Sebastian of Pa Housing Associates of Murrysville. The property investment
company looked at the house with the intention of repairing and selling it. “Once we started to work
on the home I could tell by the reaction that this house was special” said Sebastian.
He soon heard of an Irwin businesswoman looking to expand her business who might also be
interested in living on the second floor. Lauren Whittaker, owner of The Music Room on Main
Street, had been eying the property for quite some time. “I really was interested in living there but it
was more work than I could take on” said Whittaker.
She approached the new owner and was quickly planning her expansion and move.
“I love downtown Irwin and was anxious to keep my business here and live here”.
Sebastian worked with the Irwin Main Street program to get approval for a façade grant to paint the
historic house. Working with Lois Woleslagle of the design committee the new owner was given
color schemes and accents suggestion which he used to enhance the architectural features of the
house. “The process was pretty easy and they really helped with some good ideas” added Sebastian.
The Music Room has scheduled their Grand Opening in conjunction with Art and Jazz Night on
Thursday, September 17th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 8/11/09
Re: Gatherings by Amanda, LLC
Ctc: Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street Manager 724.296.8074
Amanda Fisher, Party & Event Planner 724.515.7590
Gatherings by Amanda is Open in Irwin
Gatherings by Amanda, LLC is now open for business at 207 3rd Street in downtown
Irwin. Gatherings by Amanda is a party and event planning service that has the main goal
of removing the planning stress from any type of party, wedding or business event.
New owner, Amanda Fisher of North Irwin, is anxious to get started at the new site.
“I’m happy that I chose to base my business in Irwin, I want to do my by part bringing
people into town,” says Amanda. Irwin Main Street Manager, Donn Henderson, agrees.
“Amanda is already involved in helping plan some of our events in Irwin and having her
here adds to numerous services available downtown” said Henderson.
The services offered by “Gatherings by Amanda” include a large variety of events
including anniversaries, baby showers, sweet sixteen, graduations, weddings, grand
openings and more. All services are available at different levels such as full and partial.
The different levels can fit any budget according to the new owner. “I just want to help
people as much as I can by taking care of all the details and organizing. I want my clients
to sit back and enjoy their special events, while I handle anything that they may worry or
stress about” added Fisher. Amanda is available by appointment and will easily
accommodate her client’s schedule. Ms. Fisher an active member of the Norwin Rotary,
Norwin Chamber of Commerce, and IBPA. She is excited to share her enthusiasm with
clients while perusing her passion for planning.
The Norwin Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new office
on September 10th at Noon.
To find out more information about “Gatherings by Amanda” call to schedule an
appointment (724) 515-7590 or e-mail gatheringsbyamanda@hotmail.com.
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Re: The Irwin Project supports the 3/50 Project
Date: 8/10/09
Ctc: Donn Henderson, Mgr. 724-296-8074
The Irwin Project Supports the 3/50 Project
The Irwin Project works daily to improve the overall goal of keeping the locally owned businesses
of downtown Irwin prospering. Now they are teaming up with a national organization with the
similar goals. The 3/50 Project is an effort to bring the impact that locally owned businesses have
on a community to the public’s attention. The project encourages community members to shop at
locally owned businesses and is extremely touts the benefits to local economies like downtown
Irwin. The Irwin Project believes that in the current economy a movement like this would help
develop a better sense of community. Encouraging people of the Norwin area to use the suggestions
and methods suggested by the 3/50 Project can help secure the finances of local businesses.
The program asks consumers to think about what independently owned business might you miss if
it were to be gone. The 3/50 Project believes that if half of employed consumers purchased
something from three independently own businesses, spending $50 dollars collectively a month at
three businesses, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue. The project also states, that for every
$100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes,
payroll and other expenditures. If spent in a national chain, the project claims only $43 stays here.
Buy items on-line and nothing comes home according to the 3/50 web site. Consumers are
encouraged to pick three locally owned businesses, spend fifty dollars per month between the three
and start a trend that has the potential of changing the local economy.
Cinda Baxter, the founder of the 3/50 Project, was an independent stationary storeowner for
fourteen years and understands the difficulties retailers are facing. After frustration and lack of
customers for months, Baxter took action. She combined a straightforward theme, a free flyer, and a
blog as the mechanism to launch the 3/50 Project. Two months later, Baxter had approximately
5,000 registered supports on the 3/50 Project website. Baxter is now speaking nationally at
seminars, sharing her ideas and knowledge to independent business owners. The 3/50 Project has
had attention from The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, CNN Money, Consumer Reports and
more. According to the 3/50 Project website, the movement is one of the most successful, fastest
growing campaigns in small business history.
Irwin Main Street Manager, Donn Henderson, says this concept is easy for consumers or businesses
to grasp and can make a huge difference. “We are preparing handouts for our businesses, posting
links and encouraging all of our businesses to take advantage of this wave of attention being created
by the 3/50 project” he said. “Whatever we can do to promote it we will do” Henderson added.
For more information visit www.irwinpa.org and click the 3/50 Project link or call Donn Henderson
at 724-296-8074.
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 7/6/2009
Re: Irwin Isaly’s Building
Ctc: Donn Henderson-Irwin Main Street Manager 724-296-8074
Lou Botti-Developer 724-864-2222
Irwin Landmark gets new Owner
The Irwin Isaly’s building had been a fixture in Downtown for decades but over the last six years its future has been unknown. After closing several years ago the site had been for sale and deteriorating rapidly. All that changed last week when LKB Properties of North Huntingdon purchased the building and started work immediately.
The new owner brings hope to the Irwin Main Street Manager, Donn Henderson, that prospects for future use of the site have dramatically improved. “Mr. Botti showed his commitment to improving the status of the building within hours of buying it” said Henderson. “We are hopeful he can fill the apartments above in a few weeks after remodeling and the deli space in a couple of months” Henderson added.
Lou Botti of LKB Properties says he has been working with the prior owners, Borough of Irwin and the Irwin Main Street Program to acquire the site for a couple of months. “I always thought purchasing the building made financial sense if the price was right” he stated. “Downtown Irwin is going through some major changes right now but in a couple of months my tenants will be ready to take advantage of some major improvements” said Botti.
Downtown Irwin is approaching the half-way mark of a sewage separation project that has caused the closing of Main Street.
The new owner says he hopes to have all 4 apartments ready by August and he can be contacted about leasing the deli/bakery or apartments immediately by calling LKB Properties directly at 724-864-2222.
DRH
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Re: Irwin Halloween Event/Follow-up
Date: 10/27/2008
Ctc: Donn Henderson-Irwin Main Street Manager 724.296.8074
Irwin Prize Winners
Downtown Irwin held the annual Halloween festivities and parade on Saturday, October 25th. Attendees were treated to a “Wild World of Animals” show at Noon sponsored by the Irwin Lions Club. A store-to-store trick or treat was held from 1:30-3:00 at 30 downtown shops and businesses. The annual parade was then held at 3:00 p.m. followed by dancing and an awards presentation at the Irwin Fire Hall.
More than 300 participants registered for the parade and costume contest. The winners are as follows in first, second and third place of each category respectively;
Cutest-Cameron Williams, Lauren Zona, Rachel Ross
Scariest-Damien Stewart, Alex Gorr, Ethan Cromer
Funniest-Justin Drog, Ashley Baker, Ian Resnick
Most Original-Kaitlyn Tognarini, Trinity Sayers, Kailey Resnick
Additional prizes were awarded to The Bailey Family for “Best Family” and Seton Hill Day Care for “Best Non-Profit Organization”. Runner-up for best non-profit was the Daisy Scout Troop.
The events were sponsored by the Irwin Main Street program, Irwin Business and Professionals Association and the locally owned and operated businesses of Downtown Irwin.
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Cindy Kohler, owner of Killybeg’s Irish Gifts passes out candy during “store to Store” Trick or Treat. |
Family pets the alligator at the “Wild World of Animals Show” prior to parade. |
DRH
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 10/13/2008
Re: Downtown Irwin Halloween Events
Ctc: Donn Henderson, Main Street Manager 724-296-8074/e-mail IrwinPa@comcast.net
Downtown Irwin Halloween Events Announced
Downtown Irwin will hold the annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 p.m. with additional activities starting at Noon. The Irwin Business and Professionals Association will host the event.
Kids will start the day with a 45-minute show “Wild World of Animals’ that features animals like tigers, wolves, birds of prey, crocodilians and other reptiles. The show is being made possible by the Irwin Lions Club. The presentation will be held at Bell Park on Main Street with a back-up indoor location at the adjacent Irwin Fire Hall.
Following the program guests will get coupons for a variety of restaurants for lunch downtown from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 a Store-to-Store Trick or Treat will take place at 30 participating downtown businesses until 2:45. Guests can register to win 4-2009 season passes to Idlewild Park at participating stores now through the event date.
Parade line-up will begin in the parking lot on the corner of 2nd and Main Street near the post office at 2:30. The parade will start at 3:00 p.m. The parade will end at Bell Park with an awards ceremony at 3:45 p.m.
Individual registration for the parade should be made in advance on-line by clicking here. Groups, non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses must also register in advance. A $100 cash award is the first prize for eligible official non-profit organizations. Other categories include first, second and third for Cutest, Scariest, Funniest and Most Original. A “Best Family Entry-Pizza Party” will be awarded for a family group of 3 or more. The best business trophy will be awarded and business entries must provide a $20 value prize in advance to participate.
Questions can be directed to the Irwin Main Street Program offices at 724-296-8074.
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 10/6/08
The Irwin Business and Professionals Association ( IBPA ) has launched a 12-page full color magazine -- Irwin Magazine -- "Illustrating the History and Heritage of Irwin, North Huntingdon and North Irwin." It includes old photographs, old postcards, old maps, excerpts from old newspapers, sports and anecdotes as told by local residents.
"It reflects the area's rich 230-year history," said IBPA vice-president Bill Waldsmith, owner of Pamela's Cards, Gifts and Sports Gear and one of the Main Street stores selling the magazine.
The production and sale of the magazine is a fund-raiser for the IBPA events such asthe Christmas Cookie Tour. The cover price is a $4.99 donation. It is currently available at Woleslagle's 205 4th Street, Pamela's 314 Main Street and Killybeg's 209 3rd Street. It also available in the Irwin Project's Online Store.
"The purpose of this magazine is to capture, display, and share the words and moments of history in Irwin and the surrounding areas," said Mike Pochan, IBPA Secretary and Vice President of The Irwin Project Inc. " For example, how many people realize that the plot that assassinated President William McKinley was probably hatched in Guffey ? And that newspaper records show that U.S. Treasury agents came into Irwin by train to investigate." ( there was no Secret Service yet )
The inaugural issue No 1 Summer 2008 was released on a trial basis September 12 and features the old Opera House, once G.C. Murphy's and now Rite Aid. Issue No. 2 focusing on Sports going back to 1910 will debut at the Homecoming Parade Saturday October 11th.
For more information call Mike Pochan 724-864-6900
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 9/15/2008
Re: Food Bank Fundraiser
Ctc: Gail Macioce, Irwin Business and Professionals Assoc., Event Chairperson
412-877-2141 or Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street
Food Bank to Benefit from Irwin “Sing for their Supper” Karaoke Event
The Irwin Business and Professionals Association have added another unique event to their calendar of events. The Downtown Irwin based organization will set out to raise money and collect food donations for the Westmoreland County Food Bank with a one-of -a-kind “Sing for their Supper” event.
The event is being held over a two-week period starting on Monday, September 22nd and culminating with a karaoke singing event on Saturday, October 4th in Downtown Irwin.
30 downtown businesses will act as collection centers where those wishing to help can make a monetary donation or drop of non-perishable food items. Event Chairperson, Gail Macioce says the stores will pool resources to help. “With so many stores collecting we will be giving hundreds of their customers a chance to easily donate” said Macioce.
The finale of the campaign will happen in the parking lot at Third and Main Street on Saturday, October 4th. Starting at 11 a.m. people can come with donations and sing karaoke, grab a bite to eat from local restaurants or just listen. People will be asked to pay or bring a donation to sing, donate to hear someone else sing, or pay to keep others from singing. Festivities are scheduled to continue until 3:00 p.m.
To get your group or organization involved or for a list of drop off locations go to www.IrwinPa.Org or call 724.296.8074 or Chairperson Gail Macioce at 412-877-2141.
DRH
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Re: On-Line Store
Date: 9/3/08
Contact: Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street Manager 724-296-8074
Irwin Items for sale On-line
The Irwin Business and Professionals Association has developed a number of collectibles from the communities history and now they can be purchased on-line. Working with the Irwin Main Street Program the collectibles can be purchased at www.IrwinPa.org and sent anywhere in the country.
Several businesses in Irwin have spent the summer looking at numerous on-line marketing opportunities including You Tube, My Space, Facebook and Craig’s List. Main Street Manager Donn Henderson says this is the beginning of making downtown information and now products available at the click of a keyboard. “Our goal is to eventually make the majority of businesses in downtown able to network and sell product on-line to broaden their market area and customer base” said Henderson.
The items available on-line include the annual winter notecards, historic photo post cards and Irwin coffee mugs. A “Donate” option to help with the efforts of The Irwin Project and Irwin Main Street is also available. The site plans to offer more items including “Historic Downtown Irwin” clothing by later this fall.
The Irwin Business and Professional Association uses the items for sale as one of several fundraisers for the all volunteer organization. IBPA organizes numerous activities in downtown including the Car Cruise, Halloween and Light-Up night.
DRH
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 4/23/08
Re: Irwin Grants
Ctc: Donn R. Henderson
Downtown Irwin Gives First $5,000 Grant
The Irwin Main Street program has seen the first Design Challenge Grant Project completed and in turn handed out the first $5,000 grant. The grants are part of the revitalization efforts funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
The first grant was awarded to Brett and Christine Fulton who recently purchased a building on Second Street. The couple has replaced the concrete block façade with brick and added windows, doors, and aesthetic improvements on the exterior of the building. Although interior improvements are not eligible for this grant, the new building owners have been able to use the offset of costs to put toward interior upgrades. The newly remodeled building offers two new office/retail rentals of approximately 845 sq. ft. each with an additional 470 sq. ft. of basement storage space. According to owner Brett Fulton the grant program helped with his decision to take the façade improvement to the next level. “We had some ideas that were quite costly and this program allowed us to look at some permanent improvements that will enhance the value of the building for a long time to come” said Fulton.
Businesses and property owners are reimbursed up to $5,000 or 50% of the costs of façade improvements in exchange for designing improvements that enhance the appearance of the community. Community volunteers serve on the Main Street Design Committee headed by Hallie Chatfield. “We are working diligently with individual property owners and businesses to enhance our downtown appearance in conjunction with the two million dollars streetscape improvement project” said Chatfield.
The Design Committee is one of four working committees within the Irwin Main Street Program which follows the nationally approved “Four-Point Approach” structure of the National Main Street Center. The Irwin Main Street Program is part of a comprehensive revitalization effort that is funded in part the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Borough of Irwin, Irwin Bank and several small business contributors. The Irwin Main Street Program was recently named a nationally recognized “Main Street Community” by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Main Street Center in Washington D.C.
DRH
Press Release: For Immediate Release
Date: 4/19/08
Re: Art and Jazz Night in Irwin
Ctc: Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street Manager 724.296.8074
Irwin using Art as part of Revitalization: Art and Jazz night in ‘08
The Irwin Project and Irwin Main Street program are taking some preliminary steps to use art as part of their downtown improvement efforts. Recent expansion by the Norwin Art League and increased participation made it clear to Main Street Manager Donn Henderson that the town can use the growing interest as one of many tools. Henderson believes that a number of prospering venues in existence and others being planned are a good start. “With performance venues of Covenant Hall currently active and the Lamp Theater planned for opening in the forthcoming year we have quite a start” said Henderson. “We also have the expanded home of the Norwin Art League, several music and dance studios as well as shops that carry Lincoln Highway Artisan products” he added. Art has been used nationwide as a catalyst for community development.
In conjunction with expanding the creative art sector in Downtown the Irwin Main Street program will hold “Third Thursdays Art and Jazz Nights” in June, July and August. The event will feature are musicians at various curbside and restaurant venues and sidewalk Art and artisan sales throughout the downtown. The program has been funded in part with a grant from Target.
The events will be June 19, July 17 and August 21 from 5 to 11 p.m. People interested in participating can get more information by contacting the Irwin Main Street office via
e-mail at IrwinPa@comcast.net or by calling 724-296-8074. The deadline for artist applications is May 16th.
DRH
