Category: Business Spotlight

September Antwerp Chamber Business Spotlight: Kim Kemerer - Independent Consultant for Norway & L'BRI

September Antwerp Chamber Business Spotlight: Kim Kemerer – Independent Consultant for Norway & L’BRI

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for September is one of our Independent Consultants in Antwerp, Ohio. 

Kim Kemerer is an independent consultant for two businesses which she manages out of her home. 

Norwex provides sustainable cleaning products and a clean without chemicals style of home care. Explore safer options with advanced microfiber cloths, mops and plant- and enzyme-powered cleaning solutions. Norwex uses microfiber which is densely woven, superfine and physically removes up to 99% of bacteria from a surface using only water when following proper care and use instructions. The company has been in the business for 30 years and contains products from cloths to mops to skin care products. Removing harmful chemicals can mean less long-term impact to your health. It also means less chemicals going into the ground, our waterways and the planet.

L’BRI is a pure and natural skin care based company that has been in the skin care business for 26 years. Our Aloe-First philosophy makes a real difference to your skin, hair, body, and overall wellness. Aloe Vera attracts and locks in vital moisture to Rebuild, Regenerate and Restore from the inside out. Nature’s healer, Aloe Vera, has been proven for centuries to strengthen cellular integrity, increase collagen production and nourish the whole body with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiseptic protection. We believe natural beauty lies within the power of Aloe Vera, and your success lies in putting Aloe First. 

Kim was motivated to start this journey due to health issues she had and the need to turn to a better, safer way to clean her home and help her skin in a more natural way. She honestly is not as interested in selling the products but in teaching the benefits of the item. This attitude has allowed her to build relationships with her clients and to help them solve their problems both men and women alike. 

Kim is always available. She is open 24 hours a day to help answer questions about products and to inform her customers in the many benefits both of her companies have to offer. Customers keep coming back because of that personal touch and of course the new items and tips that the companies offer. She truly cares about helping people.

Both of her companies operate in all 50 states. Kim stands behind both Norwex and L’BRI. She is proud that she is upfront and honest with people. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I wasn’t upfront with my people”, states Kim. She is most passionate about changing lives, one face at a time. Making friendships is very important with each lady that she talks with. Whether you join her, host a party or place an order, she is very grateful for the support. 

L’BRI is the only company in Direct Sales that offers a 10 day supply, FREE sample program. They have a 60 day money back guarantee once you purchase the product and Kim is there to help you every step of the way. After using L’BRI for several years, her skin feels so soft that she wonders why she did not try L’BRI sooner. L’BRI products combine the best time-tested, proven science and nature’s purest benefits. We are committed to formulating products as naturally as possible to ensure stability and performance, including fragrance blends that gently enhance the L’BRI customer experience.

Norwex believes in a safer, cleaner and better way to live and their mission statement supports that belief. “We believe that all of us need to be more mindful of the presence of chemicals in our everyday lives and the potential impact these harmful chemicals can have on our health, environment and planet. We believe that we all can take small steps to protect our health and the health of future generations by reducing exposure to chemicals in our daily lives. By staying true to our Norwegian heritage, we believe we can all take small steps to create a cleaner, safer and better way to live. We offer more than cleaning and personal care products; we advocate a simpler, more natural and sustainable way of living, free of unnecessary toxins and waste.”

You can trust Kim to advise you on the best products for a cleaner and healthier approach to purchasing products for yourself and your home. You can contact Kim via her personal Facebook page at Kim Polter Kemerer. To place an order for L’BRI- www.lbri.com/kkemerer. To place an order for Norwex www.norwex.com/kimkemerer, You can also email Kim at kemerer@paulding-net.com.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Kim Kemerer with Norwex and L’BRI in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community. 

Business Spotlight- Hometown Speech Connections

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for August is Hometown Speech Connections in downtown Antwerp, Ohio. The business can be found at the new Main Street Business Center at 112 S. Main Street. 

Hometown Speech Connections is a child-led play based speech therapy clinic that provides comprehensive speech/language/fluency evaluations and treatment sessions for children of all ages and abilities.  The business is owned and operated by Jennifer (Womack) Smith, MS, CCC-SLP.

Jennifer previously worked as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist at Community Memorial Hospital for 8 years. When the hospital closed in early 2024, Jennifer was devastated for her patients and their families as there are not many options for speech services in our area without experiencing a long wait time.  Jennifer seeing the need for these services made her dream a reality as she sought to provide a convenient option for families in the Antwerp and surrounding communities. Her concerns of running her own business were overcome and she pushed out on her own and made the best of a sad situation not only for herself but for the children and families that she had grown so close to while working at Community Memorial Hospital.

Jennifer is known for building strong and meaningful relationships with her clients and their families.  She truly believes that children will take more communication risks and are more motivated to work on difficult tasks if there is a strong relationship foundation. She uses a child-led and play based approach to her task and many times she finds herself on the floor the entire session so her clients feel as if they are equals.   She loves to see them having fun and working toward goals in a way that just feels like playtime for them.

Flexibility is a key word in today’s society.  Jennifer is determined to make each treatment plan fit the needs of the child and their family.  Sometimes there are boundaries that must be overccome, but she will try to find a creative way to use in person treatments and home programs to allow the child progress.   Her clients continue to seek her out because their children enjoy the sessions and they see them making progress in expected and unexpected ways.

Hometown Speech Connections provide services for Antwerp and all surrounding communities. Convenience is key and a willingness to drive for quality speech sessions for children in need.   Jennifer is most proud of the time, thought and work she has put into opening her business and making it a space that is comfortable and inviting for children.

When a customer walks into her business they can expect to be greeted with a smile first and then asked about life outside of therapy. “I want to them to know that I care about more than targeting our goals” states Jennifer.   One of the unique things about Hometown Speech Connections and Jennifer is her “away from the table” approach to speech therapy.  She seriously spends more time seated or crawling on the floor than she does sitting in a chair.

What stands out about Jennifer is her approach to her craft.  She is not a traditional “clinic” setting.  She wants her clients to feel like they are in a play room instead of at the doctor.  She tries to accomplish this by dressing more casual and making sure that there is a variety of easily accessible toys and games.

Jennifer is most passionate about giving children a way to communicate better with ones they love by whatever communication method suits them best.  She is very encouraging and has been known to
cheer very loudly during a session when a child does something new.  Be prepared to hear some noise!

To prepare for a visit with Jennifer, prepare a list of questions and concerns for that first appointment. It can be very easy to forget things when you are having a long discussion about a child’s strengths and areas of need. You can reach Jennifer at 419-210-1822.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Hometown Speech Connections in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.   

Spotlight on Business- West Bend Printing and Publishing

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for June is West Bend Printing & Publishing, Inc. …publishers of the West Bend News in Antwerp, Ohio.

Bryce and Angel Steiner are the owners of West Bend Printing & Publishing which was established in July 2005. West Bend News published its first edition on August 31, 2005. Bryce’s motivation began in 1995 when he was working for Courier Printing Company in Grabill, IN. He found that he enjoyed printing on the presses, doing prepress design work, and working on the layout for the East Allen Courier newspaper. He had been working there for about 10 years when he and his wife Angel were convicted to move to Antwerp to live in the community in which they went to church. They also thought it would be the perfect time to branch out and start a business of their own. They attended church at Riverside Christian Church (known then as Antwerp church of Christ) then, and started talking to some friends who live in Antwerp (Steve and Sue Knapp) about starting a business. Knapp’s were thinking of ways to spend their retirement. It seemed like a good fit for the two couples to partner together to start a printing company and newspaper in Paulding County Ohio – Antwerp in particular. Steve decided to retire from West Bend in 2010, and Sue followed him a few years later. Angel and Bryce bought out their portion of the business as well as the building. Angel has been writing and reporting since high school where she was on the newspaper staff for four years as a staff writer, feature editor, and editor-in-chief.

West Bend Printing & Publishing can fulfill all of your business and personal printing needs. They use several different mediums to print on – paper, waterproof paper, metal, corrugated plastic, ACM, and PVC, among others. WBPP also prints banners large and small including the popular outdoor wind mesh banners. Need letterhead, business cards, fliers, notepads, invitations, envelopes, carbonless forms, brochures? WBPP has you covered. The design team and production department can get you what you need and get it done fast. West Bend Printing & Publishing is also the publisher of the West Bend News weekly newspaper. West Bend News is among the last of the locally owned newspapers in the tri-state area. WBN publishes approximately 4,500 newspapers a week that is distributed to over 200 pick up locations in NW Ohio and NE Indiana – as far north as Bryan, OH as far south as Van Wert, OH, as far west as New Haven and Fort Wayne, IN and as far east as Continental, OH.

West Bend Printing is known for getting custom print job back to customers in a quick turnaround time. They believe in customer satisfaction which includes a timely completion date. West Bend News motto is “Good News for Good Communities”. They are a community-driven newspaper that encourages businesses, schools and organizations to submit their news to us and we will publish it to the public. Bryce states that  “It is important to keep our focus on the Good this world has to offer, there’s enough bad news everywhere else, we will let the other news outlets cover that.”

What makes West Bend different from many other news and printing businesses in the area is that it is a family-owned and operated small business. There are 5 full-time employees, 3 free-lance photographers, and 5 free-lance newspaper writers. The owners and employees work and live in the community it serves. “We are your neighbors, we are your friends. Having this level of personal touch is paramount in an age that is becoming remote and AI influenced.” states Angel. If you want quality work, done with quality care, completed in a timely manner and affordable in an ever-challenging economy see the staff at West Bend Printing.

What keeps customers coming back to West Bend Printing is their dedication to striving to work to perfection for the customer.  Sometimes this doesn’t happen, but if the customer isn’t completely satisfied with the completed product, WBPP will do everything they can to make it right for the customer. When you walk into the business you can expect a warm welcome.  WBN is the only commercial printing company that is locally owned in Paulding County Ohio and the only locally owned newspaper in the NW Ohio area.  The staff at West Bend can make your idea come to life, help you market your business, provide office essentials and essentials for events.  If they are unable to serve your needs, they will point you in the right direction to get your job done.  

One anecdote about the business that many people don’t know has to do with inserts in the newspaper. Going back to this is a family-owned business… occasionally there are inserts in the newspaper, and in the early days of West Bend News, they had to insert each newspaper by hand. Bryce and Angel have four children, so they would enlist each of them to help insert into the newspapers before school (at that time 10,000 newspapers were printed each week). They would be paid 25 cents for every bundle they inserted (bundles have 100 newspapers in them). The kids made it a competition. Oh, and Steve bought donuts, that was their favorite part of insert mornings. 

Bryce and Angel are most proud that they navigated through the hardest part of owning a business, the treacherous waters of the first 5 years. Those years were hard for a young family – especially the weeks when there wasn’t a pay check to go around. But with their prevailing faith that God is good all the time, they persevered and kept attending community events and school functions, and volunteering in their community and donating to local fundraisers and organizations, and now 19 years later, West Bend Printing has become a staple to many local businesses and organizations for designing and printing, and news publication.

The Steiner’s are most passionate about is keeping business local.  WBPP sources all of our supplies as locally as possible because we understand the importance of supporting small business. Shopping online may save a few pennies here and there, but that kind of thinking is what turns thriving communities into ghost towns. Shop local, support your neighbors.

A little know secret is that the papers is not printed here in Antwerp. A newspaper press is as large as the existing building! All other printing projects are done on the many machines housed in our building here in Antwerp. There are probably more options than you think about your printing project you have in mind. There are numerous paper options, color of paper options, fonts, and sign mediums to choose from, so be ready to deliberate and ask questions.

In July 2024, WBPP will have completed 19 years in business. Look for some upgrades to the website coming soon focusing more on the West Bend’s printing division. Commercial printing is the majority of the business, and West Bend News completes the business triangle – Print – Advertising – Design.

Owning a small business, especially one that was created from nothing, is not for the faint of heart. It takes ambition, a positive attitude, faith, perseverance, aka the good old “blood, sweat and tears”.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with  West Bend Printing & Publishing in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.  Congratulations on 19 years in business.

Business Spotlight- The Antwerp Pit Stop

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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.

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.

Puckerbrush of Antwerp

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for April is Puckerbrush Pizza in Antwerp, Ohio.

Brian Martin is the owner of Puckerbrush Pizza of Antwerp.  He also owns Puckerbrush Pizza in Payne, Ohio as well as Puckerbrush Brewhouse also in Payne, Ohio

Brian began working in the industry in 1995 starting out at his father’s bar (The Getaway Again) in Woodburn, Indiana.  When he turned 19, he moved to Tampa, Florida where he worked for the Lavarone family in an Italian restaurant. He also worked at Michael’s Grill employed as a Chef,  Hops Bar and Brewery where he worked as a Brewmaster and won 3 gold medals in the state of Florida and a bronze medal in the Great American beer festival.  While living in Tampa for 13 years he also opened and operated several Tijuana Flats restaurants. 

Puckerbrush Pizza is best known for their delicious pizza. They also offer a verity of mouthwatering items. Everything is prepared fresh and made in-house. Not in the mood for pizza? They also offer delicious sandwiches, soups and salads.  He even offers an off sight BBQ catering service for weddings, corporate meetings, graduation parties and more.

One thing that sets Brian and his crew apart from other pizza places is the quality of employees.  All of them work hard keeping up with quality food and operations on a daily basis.  Unique food, friendly service and a fun atmosphere are a few of the things you can expect from Puckerbrush Pizza. The experience you get at Puckerbrush is one you cannot find anywhere else in Paulding County.

Puckerbrush has been serving the community since 2011.  First in the town of Payne and recently they opened up a second shop in Antwerp in 2022.  When a customer walks into the pizza shop the smell of quality pizza and other foods that are unique to Puckerbrush assail your senses combined with well-trained local kids working and serving within their community make this a unique dining experience.  For many of these kids, this is their first venture into the world of work.

One thing that sets Puckerbrush apart from other pizza shops are the ceiling tiles that have been designed by local artists, interesting stickers, and the crew is always jamming to music while they work.  All of those things combined create a great atmosphere.

Brian is most passionate about developing people that are truly interested in working within the food industry.  He mentors these young men and women and encourages them to put out a quality top notch product.

One little known secret about Brian and Puckerbrush is that his original plan was to be open in the winter time and then travel in the summer… he never envisioned on being this busy in such a sparsely populated geographic.

He encourages people to step out of their gastric comfort zone and try a new and delectable dish specifically created by Brian himself.  “Not only was it a great excuse to get away and savor a peaceful evening in a small Ohio town away from the hustle and bustle, it was also a great place to get some really tasty pizza.” – Journal Gazette

Check out Brian’s website www.puckerbrushpizza.com and find him on Facebook at Puckerbrush Pizza of Antwerp, (419-506- 2002) Puckerbrush Pizza (Payne Location 419-263-2626) and the Puckerbrush brewhouse.  The brewhouse has a nice selection of coffees, smoothies, frappes, beer, wine and donuts.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Puckerbrush of Antwerp in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Five Star Deck Building and Fencing

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for March is Five Star Deck Building and Fencing based in Antwerp, Ohio.

Bob Bragg is the owner of Five Star Deck Building and Fencing. He and his wife and children reside in Antwerp.  In 2019 as Covid was ramping up he was managing a family business which everyone knows was a very difficult time for small businesses. Bob felt compelled to strike out on his own and pursue something for himself.  He began doing a few projects here and there for people that he knew.  What began as a side gig with just himself and an extra pair of hands here and there turned into a thriving business which employs 8 people today.

Bob’s company can do a variety of construction jobs.  Their main focus is building decks and running fencing. They have also built pergolas, gazebo, and poured concrete and built pole barns.  In the winter they do interior remodeling jobs. They create functional, appealing outdoor spaces where you can enjoy the beauty of nature comfortably.

Bob is an entrepreneur.  He has that type of personality that thrives in the customer service industry.  He has always enjoyed talking to people and people enjoy discussions with him.  This has been a great adventure so far and Bob and his crew hope to continue down the same path for years to come.

What sets them aside from others in this type of business is the fact that his crew, the job site foreman, himself and the person they are doing the work for are all closely involved in the project.  Bob and his crew sincerely care about the work that they are doing. They treat their customers like family and in return they use that energy to put out the highest quality of product available. They strive to be the best and Bob will vouch for each and every one of them.

When a customer chooses Five Star they are making an investment in a long term and typically expensive project. Bob wants them to get the best out of the products and services they are providing.  You can hire someone for less money and get an average job done.  That is not who Five Star Deck Building and Fencing is.  They want to build something that is going to last and exhibit the quality of materials and workmanship that they are known for.

Customers will often call Bob back after a job to ask him to complete another project for them.  They know who he is and know that they are getting the best people in the area. They know that the customer service will always be there for them long after the job is completed.

Bob and his crew serve a geographic region roughly around a 50-55 mile radius of Antwerp.  When asked about a funny or strange anecdote about his business, he declined to elaborate but did say that it is nice that people can joke and have a good time about what they do but still keep it on a professional level.

Bob started his business from the ground up. He had an idea and he turned that into the thriving business he has today.  He is proud that he did it on his own and takes responsibility for that.  The business relies on him to do his job day in and day out and he is beholden to no one. People have helped him along the way and he appreciates the support of his family and friends.

Customer service and quality are the two main things that a customer can expect from Bob and the unique thing about his business is that while it is a small business they are competing in a big world.  Their quality, customer service and building relationships make them stand out in a crowd of similar businesses.

Bob has worked many jobs in his young life. He has worked in a factory, construction, worked in a family business, worked retail and several jobs doing outside work.  Each one of those jobs taught him things about how to structure my workplace.  He values each of his employees and when they need a day off, they get the day off. Their families and lives come before work.  That was something he hated about the factory life, being treated like a number in a system, being penalized for things out of your control, no vacation time until you have been there for awhile.  Bob prides himself that he does not treat anyone on his crew like a number.  They have health insurance, retirement options, vacation, and time off work when they need it.  They know that they are valued and that their job will be there tomorrow.  Thankfully he was able to work in places that taught him what he didn’t want to do with his own business and that is why he is able to keep such a great group of people around him.

One tip he would give to a prospective customer is to do a little research on the project that they are wanting completed.  While some people may not know what something is going to cost, it is beneficial to check out online prices and get a rough idea of costs.  Bob hates to disappoint people that thought their job would cost $5,000 and the quote ends up being quite a bit more. 

If you are interested in talking to Bob about a project, you can reach him at (260) 444-7678 or by email at bob@fivestardecksandfencing.com. Check out the website at https://fivestardecksandfencing.com Follow them on Facebook. The company is now partnering with Hearth to offer financing for your project up to $250,000.

Bob is proud to employ local people and he wants to remind everyone to SHOP LOCAL.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Five Star Deck Building and Fencing in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Pin-a-Rama bowling and dining

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The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for February is Pin-A-Rama bowling alley, located in downtown art 207 West Daggett Street Antwerp, Ohio.

The owners of this newly purchased and remodeled business are Reggie and Brandi Clem.  Regan and Lindsay Clem.  If you want to take a step back in time, visit this uniquely renovated bowling alley/diner/pizza establishment.  Pinball machines, 50’s retro dining look,  craft bottled sodas, milk shakes, hamburgers and hot bologna sandwiches made on Bob and Virg’s magical grill, Ruth’s famous cole slaw and a variety of pizza make this place a must go to for friends and family events.

When the Hogan family decided to sell the bowling alley, Reggie and Regan and their father Rollie Clem, hated to see the bowling alley disappear. Without the bowling alley, there really wasn’t a place outside of church, bars and school activities for people to get to know one another and have a good time.  There wasn’t a place for a family to have a fun night out in our little town.  The Clems wanted to continue to make that happen, so they took a chance and are bringing the place back to life like we all remembered about it from our childhoods growing up.

The Pin-a-Rama was built in 1957 by Bob Johnson and Virgil Meyers.  Many Antwerpians remember time spent at the bowling alley. Friday night bowling when there were no ballgames, birthday parties with friends, bowling in leagues both in high school gym classes and then later as adults. The famous fried bologna sandwiches.   Bob and Virg sold the business in the 90’s and it has changed many hands and business names as well. The Clems are determined to bring back the wonderful burgers and fun that Bob and Virg had created.

The bowling alley is the only one in Ohio west of Defiance.  It is a great place to have parties and the benefits is you don’t have to clean up the mess.  One of the best things they love to hear is about how the burgers bring back memories of when they were growing up and spending time at the bowling alley.

Reggie and Regan are most proud of the support the business has received from the community.  While this has been a huge learning curve for them, the community has been awesome and supportive through it all.  They are looking forward to serving the community for years to come. Pin-a-Rama is more than just a bowling alley.  It is a place to grab a good burger, shake or malt.  It’s a place to get a pizza and share with friends. It’s a place to play pinball and have a good time.  It’s a place to have a party with friends. It’s a place where friendships are made and grow.  In fact, they have already had several couples who have had their first date at the bowling alley.

When you walk into their business you can expect to travel back in time to a place where the burgers are fresh, the shakes are great and friendships are made. What makes them unique is the taste of the burgers, the large variety of craft sodas and just a fun 50’s diner feel.

Reggie has several bowling leagues organized including one during the daytime and a kid’s league on Saturdays.   Monday afternoons from 3-5:30 there is unlimited bowling and a free craft soda for $5.

Regan and Reggie commented “Here is our commitment to all of you though. We will strive to get better and better. We will be better next time than we are this time. We want Pin-A-Rama to be one of your favorite places in the whole world, just like it was for us when we were growing up. We want to be a place where people build friendships and our community is made better.”

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Pin-A-Rama in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

More Than Boutique LLC

More Than Boutique LLC

Posted on by brycesteiner

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for January is More Than Boutique, located in downtown Antwerp, Ohio. 

The owners of this quaint little boutique that resides just across from the H2O Water Store is Summer Allen and Dana Garmater. These two have been lifelong friends and they share a love of fashion. Starting a boutique has been a dream of both of them for years and last year they were able to start their business in the Antwerp community. 

They love the community and wanted a place where women, friends, mothers and daughters would be able to come and feel accepted. The boutique represents a place where women can share moments together. Regardless of your past, size, title or choices you have made, More Than Boutique is a place that will remind you that you are more than your situation or the time that you are in right now. 

Clothing boutiques have been around for a long time. More and more boutiques are opening up in small towns and providing a more local feel than the big box stores and they also have the opportunity to foster an environment of closeness. The boutique offers clothing, accessories, home décor and small gifts. The staff loves to support other small businesses and they have several local vendors featured in their shop. 

Summer and Dana hope that their friendship and encouragement will be what most people will remember from visiting their boutique. They realize they cannot offer everything to everybody but they do want to offer as much style variety and sizes as possible. They offer a place where they too can shop with their daughters, who have all different styles and body sizes. Their focus is an atmosphere where everyone can feel confident and enjoy themselves. 

The more the staff has gotten to know the women in the community, the more they find themselves getting glimpses into the lives of the ladies that come into the boutique. The connection when they see a familiar face, get to meet and hear about grandchildren, hear about newly engaged couples and hear about kids’ sporting events helps to build these connections. Occasionally a husband will stop in and ask for help to shop for his wife. These connections are extremely important and they love the relationships they are building. 

What keeps customers coming back to the boutique? Well, they hope that you come back not only because you enjoy what product is offered in the store but also that you enjoyed the experience of having a place to shop with close friends. Maybe it was a quiet break for a young mom or even a place a grandma can bring their grandchildren to share a moment. While they enjoy serving the ladies in the community they also offer online shopping via Facebook and soon they will have that option on their website. 

One funny anecdote about the businesses was when Dana realized that she was road tripping with a car full of undressed mannequins and imagining what that looked like rolling down the highway. Dana is most proud of the compromising relationship that she and Summer have, learning to build on both of their strengths and also being able to teach her girls about hard work and commitment and what it takes to make a dream come true. Summer is most proud of how she and Dana have grown as friends over this adventure. They are really able to succeed and grow in strength and confidence from learning from each other. There have also seen so many times women will just stop in to chat with a friends and that is what makes them smile, knowing they are offering them this moment. 

When a customer walks into the boutique they can expect to feel welcomed and valued and to leave encouraged. They also want you to know that they are truly thankful for your presence in their store. What makes the business unique is that Dana and Summer run the business along with their teenage daughters and love that they are able to teach them through this experience. “We are who we are. You get the real us when you come in.” states Summer. “All of the different personalities make the boutique unique. They do not put on a front, you get our true selves”. Dana adds, “We want to be real! This is who we are, no filters, you get mistakes and all. We hope to inspire others to be real too!” 

Passion for the business is evident when you walk in the boutique. Dana is most passionate about adding wholesale clothing to her “cart” and then spending way too much time narrowing it down when it is time to actually put in an order. Summer pretty much loves all fashion things. She is passionate about this entire adventure. One little known secret about the business is that dressing and undressing the mannequins is not an easy job and it probably looks as awkward as it feels. 

A few tips to help improve your experience include taking a break for yourself, come in and just browse. If you need some girl time, reach out to a friend and spend some quality time together at the boutique. Also, don’t be afraid to ask them for help or for their opinion. They want you to feel confident in the outfit that you chose and want you to feel recharged as you leave the boutique. 

Summer and Dana would also like to thank the two amazing men in their lives that have supported them along the way. They are often the safety bar to this roller coaster of a ride. 

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with More Than Boutique in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.