News Clues
Just Enough News To Keep You Wondering
Three Night Clubs to Open
in Downtown Harrisburg
Once a ripple, now a wave: The downtown boom train gets another
huge push this fall with the sudden announcement of three separate,
non-identical nightclubs opening up along ‘restaurant row’ in the heart of
the city. Opening up in the same space the Vault once occupied at 236 N.
Second St. will be “Eclipse.” Much like the Vault, one level will be
designated as an upscale lounge (with room for 155) while the second level
will be an all-purpose dance club, with a capacity of 300. Live music
remains a possibility in the future. Eclipse will be owned and operated by
the team behind 5:01 Downtown, including former Philadelphia Eagles’ stars
Bill Bergey and Ron Jaworski.
Right next door at 234 N. Second Street an as-yet-unnamed nightclub
spearheaded by Judd Goodman (J.T.Croc n’ Berry’s) will offer dance space
for more than 1000 people, with dance floors on two levels, a lounge and
“public areas.” The musical format remains open, however is expected to
concentrate on Top 40.
Opening in the former space of Zephyr’s Express, will be another unique,
welcome and vital component of downtown nightlife: a fashionable New York
City style lounge with a trendy atmosphere, accentuated by dim lighting,
intimate seating and techno music. The club, which will be called “Mars,”
will be owned and operated by world-class soccer star Ben Olsen and two
partners.
All three establishments plan to offer a light snack menu. Mars and
Eclipse are slated to open in the next two months, while the
as-yet-unnamed club will open in early 2002.
Vartan Group Begins
Construction of State OVR
Ground was recently broken at the site of the new headquarters
of the state Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Located at 1521
North Sixth Street in Harrisburg, the three-story, 34,224 square foot
office is being built by the Vartan Group and is expected to open in the
Spring of 2002.
 The new site will retain the office’s 80 jobs and will provide meeting and
conference space for more than 200 visitors. The main entrance of the
building will be a segmented circular area with an exterior glass curtain
wall. Each level within the atrium will house lobbies and other common
areas. The first floor will host a 1,100 square foot media/conference room
that will be equipped with the latest in video and digital technologies.
The energy efficient building will also house state of the art electrical,
mechanical, heating, and air conditioning systems that can be remotely
controlled by the Vartan Group’s Control location.
“This is an exciting project for Uptown Harrisburg,” said Mayor Stephen R.
Reed, “and one that we expect will spur additional private investment in
the North Sixth and Seventh Street corridors. This project represents the
largest new private investment in years in what has been one of the more
challenging areas. It also helps to retain more than 80 good paying jobs
as well as provide growth opportunities for many more. Further, because
the site is privately owned, it will remain on the city’s taxrolls, even
though it is occupied by a tax-exempt agency.”
The State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides services to help
persons with disabilities prepare for, start, and maintain productive
employment. More than 620,000 Pennsylvanians have some degree of serious
physical or mental disability and are eligible for OVR’s services.
Awards Given At Chamber Function
Local individuals and businesses were recently honored at the
Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s “Celebrating Excellence” breakfast at the
Harrisburg-Hershey Marriott. Attended by more than 400 people, the event
included the presentation of such awards as the Small Business of the
Year, the ATHENA Award, Distinguished Volunteer Service Award, Ambassador
of the Year Award, and the Diplomat of the Year Award.
The 2001 Small Business of the Year Award was given to Perfect Order,
Inc., an area enterprise computing company that was founded in 1992.
Sponsored by First Union National Bank, the Award is given to an
organization in recognition of its stability, growth, innovation, and
commitment to the community.
The Chamber’s 14th Annual ATHENA Award was given to Dasher, Inc.’s Marsha
Davis. Co-owner of Dasher, Davis was recognized for her individual
achievements in the business and professional advancement of women. The
Award was sponsored by The Brenner Family of Dealerships, Inc.
New to the 2001 festivities was the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award.
Sponsored by the Patriot News, the Award was given to Charlie Vees, Branch
Manager of Tri-Starr Services, who was honored for his commitment to the
Harrisburg Regional Chamber through longevity of volunteerism, event
attendance, and committee attendance and participation.
Other honors given include the 2001 Ambassador of the Year and Diplomat of
the Year awards, which were given to Pennsylvania Association of Retired
State Employees and JAM Electric’s Allen D. Quirk, Jr. and WHTM’s Bob
Krout, respectively.
Steelton’s Mayor Starts Business
Association in the Borough
Steelton Mayor George Hartwick, III has announced the creation
of the Steelton Business Association. Formed in response to the number of
new businesses that have opened in the Borough since the formation of the
Community Downtown Revitalization efforts in 1998, the Association is
designed to work collectively with the Downtown in an effort to develop a
marketing strategy and overcome basic perception problems associated with
the Borough.
“It is only through a Business Association that we can develop a
successful marketing plan to allow residents in our region to realize the
unique offerings that can only be found in Steelton,” said Hartwick. “Our
town is known for friendly people, personalized service, and a culturally
diverse offering of businesses, foods, and services.”
The Borough intends to apply for a grant through the Department of
Community and Economic Development’s Main Street Program. If awarded, the
grant will assist the Association and the Borough in its Downtown
Revitalization efforts.
Discussing the addition of the area’s new businesses — including a dessert
deli, an upscale restaurant, a flower shop, and a women’s clothing store —
Hartwick said, “We are just starting to see the fruits of all of our hard
work by the types of business owners Steelton is starting to attract … We
need an active Business Association as our next step to making our
Downtown Revitalization efforts a success.”
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