Chamber Admin

ANTWERP CHAMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: RAISED AT HOME

Posted on November 5, 2026 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is proud to feature Raised At Home, a locally owned business offering a unique combination of vintage treasures, refinished furniture, handcrafted goods, and natural home and body products. Owned and operated by Gabby, Raised At Home brings a welcoming shopping experience to the Antwerp community. What began as a hobby refinishing furniture has grown into a storefront filled with carefully selected merchandise. Gabby, a stay-at-home mother, initially discovered furniture refinishing as a creative outlet while raising her young family. Over time, her passion expanded into something much bigger.
The opportunity to open a storefront came unexpectedly. While driving to church one day, Gabby and her husband noticed a building for sale. Her husband suggested they take a look, and that simple conversation eventually led to the creation of Raised At Home.
Today, the shop features a variety of vintage items, refinished furniture, and handcrafted products, including sewn goods created by Gabby and other local makers. Customers can also find clean-ingredient skincare, body care, and household cleaning products, along with sourdough bread, pantry mixes, and soup mixes.
Gabby believes one of the strengths of Raised At Home is its variety. Even customers whose decorating styles differ from the furniture and home décor on display may discover something useful among the shop’s everyday essentials.
“I truly believe I have something for everyone,” Gabby explained, noting that products such as laundry supplies, household cleaners, and personal care items appeal to a wide range of customers.
Attention to detail is especially important to Gabby when refinishing furniture. Each piece receives careful consideration, reflecting the craftsmanship and dedication that originally inspired her business.
One service customers may not realize Raised At Home offers is custom furniture refinishing. Gabby accepts commissioned projects, allowing customers to bring in their own furniture for a refreshed appearance. The shop also carries an artisan paint line from a U.S.-based company, providing additional options for those interested in furniture restoration and creative projects.
Starting a business while raising a young family has not been without challenges. Gabby’s husband works full time, often putting in 12-hour days, seven days a week. Balancing family responsibilities with the demands of a growing business has required considerable dedication.
When asked what she is most proud of, Gabby pointed to the accomplishment of building something from the ground up.
“It takes a lot to start something, especially raising a family,” she shared. “I’m definitely proud of us for starting from nothing.”
Beyond the merchandise, Gabby wants customers to feel comfortable and welcome when they visit. Her goal is to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere where shoppers can browse, discover something new, and enjoy supporting a locally owned business.
Raised At Home is an example of how a simple passion, combined with hard work and family support, can grow into a new opportunity for the community.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to stop in, explore the selection, and welcome Raised At Home to Antwerp’s business community.

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Antwerp Distillery to the Antwerp business community.

Posted on September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 by Chamber Admin

Antwerp Distillery officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration on Saturday September 12, 2026, welcoming a large crowd from the community for the milestone event.

The celebration brought guests together on the distillery’s patio for an afternoon of food, live music and fellowship. Organizers said seeing the patio filled with community members made the work leading up to the opening worthwhile.

Antwerp Distillery expressed its appreciation to the team of people who worked behind the scenes and throughout the weekend to prepare for the grand opening and keep the event running smoothly.

Several area businesses and organizations also helped make the celebration possible. Clean Bone BBQ served food throughout the day, while Hold the Line provided live music on the patio. Antwerp Golf Club supplied a tent, tables and chairs for the event, Antwerp Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony, and CR Carpet provided the stage rug for the band.

The distillery also thanked everyone from the community who attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening and helped celebrate the beginning of the new Antwerp business.

“This is just the beginning for Antwerp Distillery,” the business shared following the event. “Thank you for making our opening so special—we can’t wait to welcome you back for your next pour!”

Visit the Antwerp Distillery at 107 Bourbon Street in downtown Antwerp. Visit their Facebook page at Antwerp Distillery.

Antwerp Chamber announces Cutie Pie Winner for 2026

Posted on August 25, 2026August 25, 2026 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the winner of the cutie pie contest for 2026. The award goes to CJ Foreman, daughter of Kristine Boylan, and granddaughter of Gregory Boylan and great grandaughter of Bill and Tylene Boylan. It was a very close call and we want to thank all 13 cutie pies for entering the contest. The Chamber was able to raise $630.55 for our 2027 scholarship fund. CJ will be awarded to adult tickets and two children’s tickets to the Fort Wayne children’s zoo. CJ we hope you and your family enjoy the zoo.

Antwerp Chamber Business Spotlight: Main Street Creamery & Cafe

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Chamber Admin

ANTWERP — What began as a casual conversation between husband and wife has grown into one of downtown Antwerp’s favorite gathering places.

When Christy Phillips learned that KB Scoops was for sale, she mentioned it to her husband, Dave. Before long, the couple found themselves embarking on an unexpected business adventure that would allow them to preserve a beloved community destination while adding their own personal touch.

Today, Main Street Creamery & Cafe continues to delight customers with premium ice cream, specialty sundaes and the welcoming atmosphere that has become its trademark.

“We are an ice cream shop on Main Street with specialty ice cream,” Phillips explained. “We offer small-batch ice cream that I think is pretty special. We have specialty sundaes, and we love to tweak whatever ice cream or sundae you have to your taste. We offer all of that with a smile, friendliness and hometown care.”

The business traces its roots to KB Scoops, which was established approximately six years ago by Matt and Kara Eicher. The building itself has a long history in Antwerp and has served many purposes over the years, including reportedly housing an IGA grocery store, restaurants and other businesses.

“We loved what Matt and Kara had created,” Phillips said. “We always took our friends and family there when they visited from out of state. We didn’t want it to disappear from the community. We wanted it to stay here in some capacity.”

The Phillips family purchased both the business and the historic building, which also contains a spacious upstairs apartment occupied by longtime tenants.

One of the things that sets Main Street Creamery & Cafe apart is its commitment to quality. About half of the shop’s ice cream comes from Sally’s by the Shore, a small-batch ice cream maker that creates flavors specifically for the store. The remainder comes from Guernsey Farms Dairy, a family-owned Michigan dairy known for its premium products.

Among the customer favorites is Grandpa’s Blueberry Pie, a flavor inspired by the dairy owner’s grandfather and his 100th birthday celebration.

“We feel like we’re offering high-quality ice cream,” Phillips said. “We also have a cold stone, so we can do lots of mix-ins and customize things however customers want.”

While the ice cream is a major draw, Phillips believes the atmosphere plays an equally important role.

“We’ve created a place where people can come and visit,” she said. “You might meet a family member, a neighbor or someone you haven’t seen in a while. It really has become a community place.”

That sense of community is reflected in the shop’s name. When the Phillips family took ownership, they changed the name to Main Street Creamery & Cafe to better represent the business’s role in the heart of Antwerp.

“We wanted to embody that small-town feeling,” Phillips said. “People have been very welcoming to us and to our business. I’m not originally from Antwerp, but my husband grew up here and we live on his family’s farm. Owning the shop has really allowed me to get to know people and feel like part of the community.”

Customers return for more than just ice cream. Phillips credits the shop’s success to consistent quality, fair prices, friendly service and a willingness to constantly introduce new flavors and offerings.

“We’re pretty generous with samples,” she laughed. “If we hear you ask about a flavor, we’re probably going to ask if you’d like to try it.”

The shop frequently rotates flavors, encouraging customers to discover new favorites while still maintaining popular staples.

Another hallmark of Main Street Creamery & Cafe is its homemade waffle cones. Phillips and her staff make them in-house, a labor-intensive process she believes is worth the effort.

This year, the shop added chocolate-dipped waffle cones and expanded its topping selection to include fresh strawberries, raspberries and customer-requested favorites like Captain Crunch cereal.

“We want to keep evolving and adding things,” Phillips said. “If something works, we’ll keep it. If it doesn’t, we’ll adjust. We’re always looking for ways to improve.”

Among the most cherished traditions carried over from previous generations of Antwerp ice cream shops is the inclusion of candy eyes and sprinkles.

A longtime customer reminded Phillips before opening that “you always have to have eyes and sprinkles.”

At first, she thought the tradition originated with KB Scoops. Later, she learned it dated back even further to the depot ice cream shop that many longtime residents remember fondly.

Today, it remains a favorite among young customers.

“Some kids come in and just order ‘eyes and sprinkles’ and forget to tell us what flavor ice cream they want,” Phillips said with a smile. “We know they’re important.”

Looking ahead, Main Street Creamery & Cafe has plans to continue growing. Phillips hopes to expand the cafe portion of the business with soups, salads and sandwiches while maintaining the quality and atmosphere customers have come to love.

Most of all, she hopes the shop continues to reflect the values of the community it serves.

“I love our little small town,” Phillips said. “I want Antwerp to grow in a responsible way, and I hope people feel that sense of community when they come in here.”

For Phillips, success isn’t measured solely by the ice cream sold, but by the connections made across the counter every day — one scoop, one smile and one conversation at a time.

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Names Jan Reeb as 2026 Gem of the Year

Posted on June 3, 2026September 27, 2026 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce has selected longtime resident Jan Reeb as the recipient of the 2026 Gem of the Year Award. Reeb will be formally honored during Rotary’s Day in the Park celebration in August.

A lifelong Antwerp resident, Reeb has spent 75 years calling the village home and graduated from Antwerp High School in 1969. Following graduation, she attended beauty college at Ravenscroft and later opened her own beauty shop, “The Shadow,” becoming a familiar and friendly face to generations of Antwerp residents.

Throughout her life, Reeb has worn many hats in the community. In addition to operating her beauty shop, she worked as a babysitter for numerous local families and later served for many years as a member of the town council and most recently as Mayor. Her caring personality and ability to connect with people left a lasting impact on many of the children and families she cared for over the years.

Reeb said one of the things she treasures most about Antwerp is the people.

“Your town’s only as good as the people in it,” Reeb said. “People make the town. You’ve got to have good people, and I think we do. I think we’ve got a lot of good people. It’s just a great old town, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

She also spoke proudly of the welcoming nature of the village and the way residents look out for one another. Whether visiting local businesses, attending ballgames, or simply chatting with neighbors, Reeb said she enjoys the sense of connection that comes with living in a small town.

“It amazes me when people call me by name and talk to me,” she said. “It’s a friendly little town. I love it.”

Reeb and her husband John have two sons, Matthew and the late Jason, along with grandchildren and extended family members who remain closely connected to the Antwerp area. She said she is encouraged to see younger families continuing to return to the community and is hopeful for future growth and development in the village.

Nominations submitted on Reeb’s behalf repeatedly highlighted her years of dedicated service to Antwerp and the lasting impact she made on the village through her leadership and compassion for residents.

One nomination stated, “Jan showed her long-standing dedication to Antwerp by serving on town council and as Mayor for many years. She demonstrated her commitment to the well-being and growth of our community. Jan put in countless hours to improve Antwerp by listening to residents and guiding thoughtful decisions to better our town.”

Another nomination praised Reeb’s decades of service, noting, “20+ years serving on Council and Mayor, she has given many years and time to Antwerp.”

Others pointed to her journey from business owner to village leader, writing, “She has given many years to Antwerp – first as a business woman owning a beauty salon and then for our town as an office worker and bookkeeper. She then became a council woman voted in by the Antwerp people. As Council President she replaced Ray DeLong and finished his term, then was voted in as mayor twice before her retirement last year.”

Several residents emphasized the personal care Reeb showed toward community members. “She really cared about the people and businesses of our town,” one resident wrote. “Please make her our Gem of Antwerp.”

Another nomination stated, “She has shown genuine love for our community with all of her years of service in the village. Even when faced with extreme personal challenges she continued giving the town all she could until she was no longer able. She deserves to be recognized for decades of love, loyalty and dependability to this town. She is a true Gem.”

Other nominations credited Reeb’s leadership with helping guide improvements and growth throughout the community during her years in office.

When informed she had been selected as this year’s Gem of the Year, Reeb said she was both surprised and humbled.

“I’m in shock,” she said. “I just can’t believe it. I love everybody. I try to be friendly and talk to everybody.”

The Gem of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting positive impact on the Antwerp community through their service, kindness, and dedication to others. Chamber members said Reeb’s lifelong commitment to the village and her warm, caring spirit make her a deserving recipient of this year’s honor.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join in celebrating Jan Reeb during Rotary’s Day in the Park in August.

Chamber President Lora Lyons present Gem recipient Jan Reeb with her award at Day in the Park.

Antwerp Rotary Club

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Rotary Club is a nonprofit organization working to provide Community and International service. We create fundraising opportunities and implement improvement projects within the community and abroad.

In addition, the Antwerp Rotary Club has a long-standing history of administering a Youth Exchange program, where students can spend a year abroad, both inbound and outbound. If you’re interested in hosting an exchange student or sending your youth abroad, please contact us.

Meets every Thursday at 12:05 at Antwerp Global Methodist Church, 202 E River Street, Antwerp OH

Antwerp Rotary Club

PO Box 270

Antwerp OH 45813

Email: antwerprotaryclub@gmail.com

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Awards 2026 Vantage Scholarships

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Chamber Admin

ANTWERP – The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Antwerp Chamber Vantage Scholarships, recognizing two outstanding graduating seniors for their dedication, achievements, and commitment to their future careers. This year’s recipients, Lyla Clem and Griffin Kosch, were each awarded $500 to support their continued education and career development. Scholarships were presented during Antwerp High School’s Senior Awards Night on April 29, 2026.

Lyla Clem, a Vantage cosmetology student, is the daughter of Regan and Lindsay Clem and holds a 3.615 GPA. Throughout her high school career, Clem has been actively involved in her community, volunteering at Riverside Christian Church where she assists with children’s classes and youth group activities. She has also volunteered during Antwerp’s Halloween hotdog giveaway and spends her summers working at Lake James Christian Camp.

Clem plans to pursue a career in cosmetology by working in a salon, building a strong client base, and continuing her education through additional certifications. Looking ahead, she hopes to one day own her own salon. She has expressed a passion for working hands-on with clients and helping others feel confident and valued, emphasizing that cosmetology is about more than appearance—it is about connection and care.

Her Vantage instructor described Clem as an engaged and dedicated student who consistently gives her best effort. She serves as a student ambassador and will represent Vantage in an upcoming international exchange. Known for her positive attitude and strong character, she has made a lasting impression on both her peers and instructors.

Griffin Kosch, a Vantage electricity student, is the son of Greta and Jeremy Kosch and maintains a 3.7 GPA. Kosch has developed a strong work ethic through hands-on experience working with his grandfather, Pudge Kennedy, at Kennedy Trenching & Excavating, as well as performing maintenance work at Maumee Cemetery. These experiences helped instill values of precision, responsibility, and respect.

Kosch has also been active in community service through Student Council initiatives, including village service projects and fundraising efforts for Christmas for Kids. Following graduation, he plans to attend a lineman academy in Milford, Ohio, before pursuing an apprenticeship with an electrical provider such as AEP or Paulding Putnam. His long-term goal is to earn his journeyman certification and become a highly skilled and dependable lineman.

Kosch chose the Vantage electrical program after being encouraged by his grandfather and discovering the opportunities available in the field. His instructor praised him as a natural leader who leads by example, earns the respect of his peers, and consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and strong work ethic. His ability to contribute meaningfully in both school and community settings sets him apart.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Vantage Scholarship is designed to assist graduating Vantage Career Center seniors who reside in the Antwerp Local School District and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship provides reimbursement funds to help cover initial costs associated with tools, certifications, licensure, or further education in their chosen career field.

Funding for the scholarship is made possible through the annual Cutie Pie Contest, held each summer during the Day in the Park event at Riverside Veterans Memorial Park in Antwerp.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce congratulates Lyla Clem and Griffin Kosch on their achievements and looks forward to seeing their continued success in the years ahead.

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight: Evangeline Street Boutique

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is proud to highlight Evangeline Street Boutique, a growing small-town business dedicated to helping women feel confident, comfortable, and at home.

Owned by Aria Clem, Evangeline Street Boutique offers a welcoming shopping experience for women of all ages. Built on a love for fashion and a passion for creating an inclusive environment, the boutique has quickly become a place where customers can feel seen and supported.

Evangeline Street Boutique first opened its doors in the fall of 2024 at Glenbrook Mall. In January 2026, the business made the move to Antwerp, bringing its personalized approach to a close-knit community setting. Now located on North Main Street in downtown Antwerp, the boutique shares space with Junque, creating a unique shopping destination for visitors.

What sets the boutique apart is its commitment to more than just retail. Each customer is greeted with a warm welcome and offered one-on-one service designed to help them feel confident in their style choices. Whether shopping for everyday wear or a special occasion, the focus remains on creating a comfortable and uplifting experience.

Customers continue to return not only for the boutique’s carefully curated styles, but also for the personal connections formed during each visit. Clem shared that some of the most rewarding moments come from helping customers find the perfect outfit for important life events, creating lasting memories along the way.

Clem said she is most proud of the strong sense of community that has developed around the business, along with the dedicated team that helps bring that vision to life.

Evangeline Street Boutique also extends its reach beyond the storefront through an online shop, making its offerings accessible to a wider audience while maintaining its signature personalized touch.

Clem would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the boutique. “We greatly appreciate you,” she said, emphasizing the importance of community in the business’s continued growth.

Residents are encouraged to stop in, experience the welcoming atmosphere, and discover why Evangeline Street Boutique is quickly becoming a staple in the Antwerp business community.