MODE @ Work - Biographies of New and Established Small Businesses

MODE @ Work
Biographies of New and Established Small Businesses

Pennsylvania Cheesecake Co.
Pennsylvania Cheesecake Co.

Business Name:
Pennsylvania Cheesecake Co.

Business Address:
100 Brown Street
Middletown, PA

Phone:
717-948-0400

Hours:
Mon.–Fri., 10am–6pm;
Sat., 10am–3pm;
Closed Sun.

Owners:
Jimmy McRedmond
Bill Marin

Years In Business:
<1

by Jaimie Linsday

Cheesecake. Just the mention of the word conjures up images of creamy desserts with delicate toppings. It may send one into an instant craving that needs to be fulfilled — craving that can easily be satisfied by stepping into the Pennsylvania Cheesecake Company.

Since its opening in April 1998, this shop has increased its business five-fold, a true testament that you cannot go wrong with offering cheesecake, especially cheesecake of so many varieties. Pennsylvania Cheesecake Company offers no less than 80 flavors of cheesecake, making it possible to eat a different cheesecake each week for almost two years. Hello! Line forms to the right!

Owners Jimmy McRedmond (known as Jimmy Mac) and Bill Marin grew up together on Long Island. While Bill toiled away at work in the Long Island area, Jimmy Mac became a pastry chef in Pennsylvania. After several years as pastry chef at the Acamac in Wrightsville, he convinced his buddy Bill to move to Pennsylvania and go into business with him. It has been a great partnership: Jimmy Mac with his authentic New York cheesecake recipe, and Bill running the business end of things. The ability to do great business together has earned them accounts as far away as Pittsburgh. They plan to expand by developing franchise opportunities and wholesale accounts. In the meantime, Pennsylvania Cheesecake Company offers the best, authentic, New York-style cheesecake you can find around here.

For those looking to get their hands on a cheesecake, there are whole cheesecakes available at the shop or by ordering ahead. You can also stop by the shop and sample cheesecakes by the slice. The Company even has a great fund-raiser program (come on, who can resist a cheesecake?). Beginning March 1st, you can check the place out online at www.pacheesecake.com.

Joseph A. Rosi Jewelers, Inc.

Business Name:
Joseph A. Rosi Jewelers, Inc.

Business Address:
4636 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA

Phone:
717-652-8477

Hours:
Mon.–Sat., 10am–5pm;
Thursday until 8pm

Owner:
Joseph Rosi

Years In Business:
>50

by Jaimie Lindsay

All that glitters at Joseph A. Rosi Jewelers is definitely gold. And diamonds. And rubies. And emeralds. For the best in high quality jewelry and personal service, one need not go further than this store. When entering the establishment, you will quickly be greeted by Meagan, a slender lady wearing an attractive set of pearls. One of Mr. Rosi’s highly trained salespersons? No, Meagan is a retired greyhound (as in dog), and has been a regular at the store for years. It is the first evidence of the relaxed, people-oriented atmosphere that prevails here.

Joseph A. Rosi Jewelers was opened in 1949 by Mr. Joseph Rosi, Sr. He wasted no time in apprenticing his son, Joe, Jr. into the business. Joe has been officially part of the business since 1971 and runs it today. Joe credits the longevity of the store to his father’s initiative for starting his business and to the excellent standards he set. To continue the tradition of these high standards, the business keeps up with current trends by taking advantage of the available continuing education. When asked what sets his store apart from the rest, Mr. Rosi stated that they are the oldest individually owned jeweler in the area. A skilled jeweler is always on staff. The business is a member of the American Gem Society; Mr. Rosi himself is a past president of the local guild. To become a member of this society, businesses must meet certain standards of knowledge and ethics and be elected by their peers in the industry. Only 350 businesses in the world have been awarded this membership.

The biggest change that Mr. Rosi has experienced was the death of his father. He admits it was a difficult adjustment to working without him. For a year after his father’s death, he ran the business as his father would have. Accepting that the business was now his to carry on, he maintained the traditions set forth by his father, and added the necessary means of modernization to carry the business forward, such as computerizing the store and bringing in more high fashion merchandise. What hasn’t changed is the level of service he insists upon for his customers. I observed a few of these regular clients come in, yell a “Hello, Joe,” and spend a good ten minutes lavishing affection on Meagan the greyhound.

Asked what the he likes least about owning a business, Joe immediately replied, “The hours!” He stated he is not married, except to the business. Yet what he loves best is seeing the expression of happiness on a clients face when they have been satisfied by their experience at the store. Evidently Mr. Rosi and his staff have managed to meet their customers needs; they are serving a second and third generation of customers to this day.

Publisher’s Note: If you would like your business (or a friend’s) featured in MODE@Work, the business must be under one year old or over ten. Send vital statistics and contact information to MODE@Work; fax: 236-0886, or e-mail: MAW@MODEweekly.com.

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