Author: Chamber Admin

Business Spotlight- The Antwerp Pit Stop

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for March is The Antwerp Pit Stop in Antwerp, Ohio.

Christy and Tony DeLong are the owners of the Pit Stop.  It all began with a phone call and the opportunity to purchase a business.  Tony and Christy discussed the idea and then set the papers aside for awhile.  Then Gene Mosier from National Oil and Gas came and asked for a chance to meet with them and discuss things in more detail.  That was the moment for Christy when faith kicked in and it felt like the right time to take a chance and things began to fall into place.

Christy and Tony began the business with zero knowledge about what it takes to run a gas station and convenience store. Previously Christy had worked as a dental hygienist for 15 years. The last 19 years of owning the business has proven to be challenging as well as rewarding and Christy is most positive of the impact they have had on the local economy and the relationships they have been able to build with their customers.

The business, originally the Shell Station, became known as the Antwerp Pit Stop.  A gas station and convenience store that is a one stop destination for fuel, a variety of snacks and even a delicious pizza emerged as a result of that decision.   The station features multiple fuel pumps for various fuel types which makes it convenient for customers that have different fuel needs.  The convenience store is well stocked with everyday essentials, snacks, beverages hot and cold and other convenience items.

Our hometown locally owned and operated gas station is best known for its beer cave and its pizza. Being locally owned the Pit Stop adds a special touch to the community, distinguishing itself from larger, corporate chains.  Customers often appreciate knowing that their purchases contribute directly to our local economy and that Christy and Tony regularly give back to the community through donations to various community functions, sports team sponsorships as well as being very active within the community. These things are what set the Pit Stop aside as our only locally owned gas station in the village of Antwerp.

The friendly and approachable staff members work hard to keep that sense of community connection alive.  They work hard to keep a clean and well maintained gas station and convenience store and that makes a positive impression within the community.   Gas discounts are available through programs that they participate in such as Marathon Rewards and Get Upside. Customers return to the Pit Stop because of the convenient location, competitive pricing and the wide range of products offered in the store. The staff does their best to make sure customers find what they are looking for.

The Antwerp Pit Stop serves the Antwerp community as well as people traveling through town and many from across the state line. The best way that a customer can improve their experience when they visit the store is if you don’t find what you are looking for, please ask the staff. Chances are that they may be able to work with any of one of their remarkable vendors to get this item into your hands.

Congratulations to Christy and Tony on serving the Antwerp Community for the last 19 years. Your dedication to the Village of Antwerp and the surrounding communities is obvious in the care that you take with your customers, your staff and the business community of Antwerp.

Ignite Dance Academy

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Ignite Dance Academy is under the direction of Antwerp native Allison Banks.

Allison has danced alongside the professional company with the Fort Wayne Ballet for 8 years. She has continued her ballet training through Grant Training Company and Ratio Dance to expand her knowledge of competition dance.

Allison offers professional quality dance classes in the following styles: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, musical Theater, Contemporary, along with Adult classes in Ballet, Tap, Ballroom, and Stretch and Tone/Spice Moms. a Parent Tot class is also available for ages 2 and under.

Check out the Academy’s Facebook page at Ignite Dance Academy

Located at 211 S. Main St Antwerp, OHio 45813

Ignitedanceacademyohio@gmail.com

Edward Jones Investments

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Edward Jones is an investment firm that believes your financial goals deserve a face to face conversation.

We can help you prepare for retirement, save for education and be a tax-smart investor.

See Financial Advisor- Bryan R Post in Hicksville, Ohio for all your investments needs.

Office Hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

117 E. High St in Hicksville, Ohio 43526

Phone 419-542-6260

bryan.post@edwardjones.com

Antwerp Mural Project Complete!

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Antwerp’s first mural is complete. It has been such an exhilarating experience for the entire village to watch as the south side of Friend Flooring building was transformed from a plain stucco wall into a masterpiece of art. In the words of an admirer of the Mural, “It’s hard to tell where the sky stops and the mural begins!”
Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and its supporting business community as well as private citizens and nonprofit organizations funded this work of public art. Chamber Mural Committee gave generously of their time to research, plan, schedule, fundraise for and oversee this worthy community beautification project.
Morrow Painting shifted their spring schedule around just to fit in this project to prepare the wall for the artist by pressure washing and priming with the base coat (that bright blue). After the Chamber rented a lift for a week for the artist, Rain Tech Seamless Gutters donated the use of their lift truck for the artist’s use — this saved a large chunk of funds for this project — thank you Steve!
Artist Tim Parsley – it was a pleasure to work with you on this beautiful mural. Your talent is magnificent and the village is in your debt for this masterstroke.
Ray Friend (Friend Flooring) — kudos to you and yours for allowing The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce to put this mural on your building.
This mural can be interpreted many ways and that is the beauty of art. No two persons who stop to marvel at the wonderful scene walks away with the same review. Some said the Eagle represented the potential growth for the village of Antwerp and the bright future it promises. Others are appreciative of the river scene which spruces up the downtown area. The painting is so realistic in its application that it looks like a movie screen — but it’s a painting. It says “Welcome to Antwerp” without saying welcome to Antwerp.
An epic wonder to elicit awe of the area while visiting Antwerp — this was the goal of the Chamber Mural committee in completing this project. A beautification for the Village residents and visitors that will last decades.
For those unfamiliar with Antwerp, this mural is located at the intersection of SR 49 and CR 424 right in the center of the village of Antwerp. If you come into town from any direction — North, South, East or West, you can’t miss it.
2023 Gem of the Year Award

2023 Gem of the Year Award

Posted on by Chamber Admin
Denise Coleman is Antwerp’s Gem of the Year 2023.

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Gem of the Year awards every summer. This summer the award recognition coincided with ACDC’s revival of Antwerp Days. 

Denise Coleman was named Gem of the Year after all the nominations that were collected were reviewed. Denise was humbled by the selection and so very grateful to all who took the time to nominate her or other deserving Antwerp citizens for this award.

Coleman is an Antwerp native having graduated from AHS in 1985. She is very proud of her three boys: Zac and Blair, Andy and Mackenzie and Jeffrey and McKenna. They have blessed her life even more with the addition of 2 grandbabies: Kaden and Lenni and one on the way.

After high schoolI she moved away from Antwerp for a time, but then came home to raise her family. Denise was a hairdresser for 35 years, then decided to take a position as the secretary at Antwerp Local School, and she stated “and my favorite jobs have been mom and Grammy.”

Six years ago on August 1st, Denise took over the local flower shop, Petals and Vines. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends (and of course those grandbabes!). “I like to go junking, reading and vacationing at the lake,” she commented.

Denise is a very generous volunteer for the village of Antwerp, being a part of Antwerp Chamber of Commerce, Antwerp Rotary Club, and Antwerp CIC.

“Thank you to those who voted for the gem this year. We have many community members and organizations that deserve this award.

It takes a village to have an amazing town like ours. I’m just glad to be a part of it. Thank you,” concluded Coleman.

Denise — you are a true gem! Enjoy your reign as Antwerp’s Gem of the Year.

Ties and Bows Shop

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for November is Ties and Bows Craft and Novelty

Shop in Antwerp, Ohio.

Marilyn Graft is the proud owner of one of the newest business establishments in Antwerp. Ties and

Bows is located at 410. E. River Street in Antwerp, Ohio, which is most recently the site of

Bragg’s chiropractic office. Marilyn has enjoyed crafting since she was very young and it has

been a part of her adult life off and on between other jobs.

She started making stuffed elephants about 5 years ago when her granddaughter was expecting and

the nursery theme was elephants. She made blankets and burp towels and then decided it was

time for toys. She started with flannel and then decided to try ties. She would deconstruct the

tie, quilt it and make the elephant. Each quilted seam is hand knotted. No two are alike. Even if

the elephants are made from the same fabric, they are still different. Each one has its own

personality. One animal led to another as customers asked for dogs, cats, pigs, sharks, and

dinosaurs.

Marilyn was doing craft shows until COVID hit. When it was slowing down, she saw an ad in The

West Bend paper to join an outside show and rummage sale at the home of Krazy Krafters on

Canal Street. It was so much fun and the Krazy Krafters adopted her into their group. She rented

a room so that she could do inside shows as the weather was getting cold. Tonya Walker of

Krazy Krafters took it over and we expanded. Each time it was time to end, Marilyn and the

Krazy Krafters were saying, “If we just didn’t have to pack up the heavy displays and store them

until the next show”.  In August of this year, Marilyn took the plunge and purchased the old

chiropractor office to sell crafts and projects that she could not do at home because of space.

Krazy Krafters and Ties & Bows will continue to collaborate on sale dates and special events.

Tonya, Vicki, Michelle, Uncle Larry, and Diane have been a great help to Marilyn and her husband,

Ralph, in getting the shop up and running. Thank you does not go far enough to express their

gratitude. It is an ever-changing shop with several rooms to explore. You never quite know what

you might find. As you enter the front door you will see a variety of unique, inexpensive

displays, including bags of locally roasted coffee beans. While best known for the elephants,

Marilyn also does hats, bags, floral, and soon will return to making glass art. She is especially

proud when she sees a child (or adult) hug an animal and smile. Her passion is making someone

happy with that unique one of a kind item that she was able to create for them.

For a special occasion or ‘just because”, she will try to make what you want in a one-of-a-kind

reasonably priced item. She can use ties or fabric that belonged to a loved one to make beautiful

keepsakes.

Marilyn is happy to be a part of Antwerp and hopes people will stop in to see the shop and let her

assist them with what they may need. She can also work with vintage baskets to make unusual

floral pieces.

The Christmas shop is open and snowmen and snow-ladies are ready for a new home. The room will

feature nativity scenes to help us remember the reason for the season. She hopes to see

everyone in the shop especially during this holiday season.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Ties and Bows in the growth of

Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling

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Our Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Spotlight for October is Hormann’s Heating and Cooling of Antwerp, Ohio.

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling have been doing business in the Antwerp community and surrounding area since May of 2002.  They offer the best HCAV installations and repairs for local residential properties.  Matt Hormann is the owner of the business along with his wife Lindsey.

Matt had worked with another area company for 9 years prior to starting his own business.   He enjoyed the work and decided to pursue the dream of owning his own business.  He saw a serious need within the Antwerp and surrounding communities so he took a chance and dove into owning and operating his own HVAC company.

Matt and his crew install furnaces, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and generators in existing homes and new construction.  They work on both commercial and residential buildings.  They also work for several major builders in the area.  They typically work within an hour of Antwerp.

During the hot summer months, the last thing you want to happen is your cooling system to kick the bucket!  Call Matt and let his team work with you for routine maintenance services on all your cooling services.  If you suspect you have a cooling unit problem, work with the Hormann team for the best detection services. Allow them to ensure it’s working like it should. Get the best services at a price you can afford!

When the rough Ohio winters take a toll on your home’s heating systems, call the team in for pre-season heating inspection services. If your heating system starts lacking the power to keep your home warm, trust in their BBB accredited team for all repairs. Feel smarter each time your home adjusts your heating temperature. With smart and programmable thermostats, your home will learn your temperature patterns. You’ll never need to adjust your heat again!

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling are known for being honest and upfront with their customers and would never try to take advantage of them.   Honesty and neatness in work are important qualities to Matt and he strives to hire technicians with those same values. 

Matt is most proud of starting this business from nothing and growing it to the successful HVAC business that it is today.

One helpful tip from Matt is to make sure your filters in your systems are changed every 30 days. That will prolong the life of your system and make repairs much easier.

Financing options are available through the business. Please email Angie Hormann at angie.hormannhc@gmail.com for more information.

So, if you’re suddenly facing an A/C or heating meltdown, call Matt 24 hours a day for emergency repair and maintenance services. 419-258-1640.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Hormann’s Heating and Cooling for the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.