Business and Organization Profiles

Owners Cindy and Mark Fox are celebrating the 9th anniversary of the opening of Sweeet! The Candy Store in downtown Gettysburg. “Everyone loves candy,” said Cindy Fox. “It’s my husband; it’s all his crazy brain. Mark was his own motivation. He gets an idea in his head and he’s committed to it. He’s going to see it through. Maybe Willy Wonka was his motivation. His plans turn out great most of the time. He’s the front end and I’m the back end. We’re perfect partners. He runs ahead and I pull back. So, we balance each other out.” Cindy said the couple chose Gettysburg because her parents have been living here for around 25 years. When she and Mark were visiting from Arizona Mark said to her, “You know what this town needs? A candy store.” Cindy said Sweeet!’s goal is fun, and that they had drawn inspiration from the movie “Dude, Where’s My Car?” when naming their business. When they first opened, they started with 1,000 items. Now, they have five times as much candy and have added 500 types of soda and 50 types of root beer. “We wanted to make sure we had 1,000 types of candy because that was a big thing for Mark,” said Cindy. “He had this vision in his head and he built and designed everything. We rented our space. Then, he built all of those shelves. He learned how to weld plastic and make little boxes. He worked nonstop when we first opened. He had the business open that first summer from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. He put all of his energy into it to make sure it was a success.” The couple had originally had not planned to close for more than two weeks when the pandemic started; however, they ended up closing for two months. One positive addition is that they were able to expand to online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery. “I’m the kind of person who hopes for the best and plans for the worst,” said Cindy. We learned a lot about the history of candy and what’s available.” “We’re outgrowing our space. We might look at opening a second store in town. We want to get bigger and better,” said Cindy. Currently, three fulltime employees in addition to Mark, and Cindy work at the shop. “We’re doing well right now since it’s spring break and people are off. Because we’re a candy shop, we are fun and not very expensive. We have candy ranging from a nickel to high end candy. We’re glad we can bring a little sunshine and fun into everyone’s lives,” said Cindy. Fox feels a sense of pride when reflecting on her business. “We’re so happy to see happy people. But Mark had a vision and he was right. When we first opened, a lot of people gave opinions. A lot of people said we should have a Civil War theme. But we just wanted to be fun. We just happen to be in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We’re the last stop after the tours.” Cindy Fox advises, “Don’t spend more than what you can afford, but commit to what you decide to do. Go all in but with an amount of money you can live with. Keep evaluating as you go along. You never know how things are going to work out. That’s what the successful businesses in town have in common. They’ve trusted their gut and done what they think will work well going forward.” She mentioned how receiving advice from others can be crucial.  When traveling, “We look around at other candy stores to get an idea. You have to make it your personality, but listen to what others like and want.” “We’re proud that everyone is welcome in our store. Sometimes we see groups of people that might not get along who come into our store. But everyone acts pleasant and polite because everyone is welcome. Customers are happy to talk about their favorite candy. Sweeet! Enforces wearing a mask while in the store.

Gettysburg National Golf Club, previously Mountain View Golf Club, is a bucolic 18-hole golf course located at the corner of Fairfield Rd. and Bullfrog Rd. in Fairfield. The layout, designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, LTD has been a staple for Adams County residents and beyond since it opened in 1980, and has been rated by Golf Digest with 4 out of 5 stars. In October 2020, the club was sold, and in addition to the new name , the new owners are already making some other big changes. In the first few months that they have owned the course, new sand has been added to the bunkers, and the hole sequence was reconfigured. The tee markers and tee placements were changed, and a new John Deere fairway mower was purchased. This spring, there are plans to bring on a brand new fleet of golf carts, and updates to the clubhouse are already underway. The new owner, Jordan Chronister, said the club is aiming to “bring out the character and history of the clubhouse with the pro shop renovations. Additionally, the course is expanding its food menu, adding draft beer lines, enclosing the patio to include new roll-up garage doors, and adding new seating areas and benches around the course.” Similar to other clubs, Gettysburg National offers a variety of tournaments and special outings. The new owners are looking to add more events in the future, but as of now there are still a number of classics, for all ages and skill levels. Chronister is  especially happy with the success of events like “Glow Golf,” “The Turkey Shoot,” and “Saturday Junior Shootouts.” While these amenities are part of what makes Gettysburg National popular, what has really given the club an influx of members is the discounted price tag. Longtime course player Thomas Gibbon said, “I have been an on and off member since the 1990s, but with the deal that was introduced with the new owners, I took advantage of the huge discount and joined along with many others.” The deal Gibbon is referring to, which has now ended, offered a two year, unlimited golf  membership and play at only $398 (carts not included). For reference, the preceding price was over $2000 for the same benefits. Even after the deal, the seasonal price is only $298 for unlimited golf through October 31, 2021 (carts not included), which is still a bargain and is available for purchase anytime. Chronister said the club remained busy throughout 2020.  “Golf has seen a huge uptick because of the pandemic…people want a safe way to be outside. We know a lot of people are out of work and struggling, so by offering inexpensive memberships we can give golfers a safe way to enjoy the outdoors while playing the game they love.” “My favorite part about the course is just having a fun way to exercise with my friends. COVID isn’t really an issue, even with the rise in memberships, because we all just get our tee times and observe safety guidelines with each other and can have a fun day together as friends,” said Gibbon.   

Adams County resident Becca Muller is bringing her floral arranging skills and her love of natural and sustainable products to a new shop called LOCAFLORA Design in downtown Gettysburg. The shop is located across from the Rabbit Transit Center at 201 Carlisle St., Gettysburg. The warm and inviting boutique carries local flowers, plants, soaps, candles, and many other botanical gifts. On display now are a variety of plants that can cheer up a household during the holidays, including Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Island Pines, and Lemon Cyprus. “The plants allow people to get a bit of cheer in their homes.  Something living that doesn’t have to be thrown away. It’s especially good if you have a small apartment,” said Muller. “We’re all paring down a bit.  These decorations will last you the whole year long and hopefully beyond.” Muller said she has been providing event and wedding floristry for the past year and half. “I was getting a lot of requests for individual bouquets and I didn’t want to have to say no. I’m really looking forward to sharing local sustainable floristry with everyone, and not just wedding couples. This is a great way to form relationships within the community.”  Muller said her flowers are all from local growers located with 100 miles of Gettysburg. LOCAFLORA specializes in internet ordering from their website at http://LocaFloraDesign.com. Curbside pickup is available Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The shop itself is open Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with no more than four people allowed at a time in the store.  Facemasks are required. Muller says she has been stepping up to the difficulties created by the pandemic. “It’s a challenge to figure out how to open a beautiful shop that you don’t want people to spend too much time in,” said Muller. “My goal is to make the best online opportunity I can.”

With the holiday season approaching, Adams County’s two Christmas Haus shops are busy bringing the authentic spirit of German Christmas to locals and tourists alike. The two shops are located at 13 Baltimore St. in Gettysburg and at 110 Lincoln Way W., on the New Oxford Square. Shop owner Roger Lund said the first shop in New Oxford opened in 2002 and the business then expanded into Gettysburg in 2018. “What started out as a small general store in the Washington D.C area has evolved into this gem in Gettysburg,” said Dylan Rabold, the Gettysburg store manager. Rabold said the Gettysburg shop had a wide variety of customers. “People from all over the country come to see us regularly because we are what they consider to be one of a kind. We have a certain flair for uniqueness,” said Rabold.  This “flare” that Rabold touches on can be seen in the quality products that are either locally-made or imported from small towns in Germany. The ornaments are made by small family owned businesses that have been practicing glass blowing methods since the early 1500’s.  The focus on authentic German decorations goes hand in hand with the shop’s dedication to making sure that everything they sell is of the highest quality.  “Suppliers started taking their manufacturing out of Europe and into China and the quality started to suffer,” said Rabold. “But the one thing that remained the same was the German Christmas items so it kind of blew up into kind of a Christmas niche and has been that way for 18 years now.” The two shops are working to maintain and even expand their customer base during the pandemic. “Both locations are doing great. Customers feel comfortable coming in. It’s been a win-win for us to face the COVID situation head on,” said Lund. We have hours for seniors and an enormous online business.” Rabold said the Gettysburg shop is dedicated to making sure the Christmas spirit is just as present in 2020 as it has been in any other year and is working hard to plan events for locals and visitors in a safe manner.  “With the current Gettysburg Christmas festival being in a different set up this year, we are planning events that we can hold every weekend,” said Rabold. “My favorite part about Christmas is not so much the decorations but that it turns people into better versions of themselves.”

By 2013, Ben Kishbaugh and Troy Lehman had grown tired of the Detroit auto industry where they were working together. They wanted to create their own business that focused on top-tier customer service and meeting the needs of their customers, both wholesale and retail. And they each had dreams of owning and operating a farm. Leaving the Midwest, the pair entered the “brew world,” starting with home brew and eventually creating Big Hill Ciderworks where they make cider from their dream farms in the apple country of Adams County near where they each grew up. “It was a hope and a dream to make it all work, and it’s come together so far,” said Kishbaugh.  “The soil, the micro-climates, all of that goes into the quality of the fruit that comes out of it. Really, this is such a great fruit-growing region.” Big Hill Ciderworks uses all natural flavoring without any use of added sugar or sweeteners. The partners each grow their fruit on their own farms, and use this fruit for their business, where they process the fruit and sell it as hard cider. Kishbaugh and Lehman taught themselves to grow fruit, operate a farm, and make cider. When discussing the learning process, Kishbaugh explains,“We learn every day.” Their methods include a lot of reading, experiments, and trial and error. They also have learned a lot from the local community of farmers and growers. Kishbaugh says, “We’ve been very fortunate. A lot of the growers around us are willing to help us out and give us an opinion if we ask for it.” They continuously learn, as the fruit changes with the climate and the environment from year-to-year. Big Hill Ciderworks has recently expanded to include a taphouse on the Gardners, PA farm at 388 Georgetown Road. The partners  have created an outdoor space that follows all current COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. They want their guests to experience the beauty of the orchards in space where the fruit is grown. Business hours are Fridays from 4:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m, Saturdays from noon to 10::00 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 7:00 p.m. There is currently limited outdoor seating, but there are food trucks and guests are also encouraged to bring their own food and snacks. In the future, they hope to grow their business to include a fruit stand, bar service, a tasting room, and including a “pick-your-own” area on the farm. Although the pandemic has shifted how they can operate their taphouse, Kishbaugh and Lehman hope to keep expanding and growing their business. Big Hill cider can also be found around Pennsylvania and at two locations in Washington D.C.

Timbrel Wallace is the owner of Lark Gifts at 17 Lincoln Square in Gettysburg, a business she started in 2011 and which she has grown over the years. “We primarily sell gift items from small U.S. companies,” said Wallace. “I worked for Crate and Barrel for about six years in Atlanta. That was where I got my interest in retail.” Wallace said her family lives in Pennsylvania and she appreciated having the opportunity to relocate here. “We moved here and purchased a store that was an ongoing business in Littlestown; we ran that for about six years,” said Wallace. After that store closed, she started her business in Gettysburg. “I really wanted to get back into owning another store and starting a new business. I have always been interested in things that are visual in nature; I really like design and art. These concepts are all wrapped up in retail,” Wallace said. “I have always been about embracing change in terms of bringing in new products and trying out new marketing ideas. I am always looking forward to the next thing.” Wallace said dealing with the pandemic was difficult, but the store was surviving. “When COVID-19 came along I was stunned. However, I realized that if I wanted to keep moving forward, I would need to quickly pivot in order to keep my business going and to serve the customers. We got our website more fully populated; we started offering free contactless delivery and free shipping for orders over fifty dollars. Seeing people wave to me from their front porches when I dropped off their orders was the height of my day,” Wallace said. “We are following all of the recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We do temperature screenings every day. All customers and employees must wear masks. We clean the employees’ back spaces just as often as we clean the public spaces.” Wallace said customers who are unable to follow mask guidelines may sit in a waiting area and can use a tablet for a contactless shopping experience. Wallace said her businesses are not at risk of closing at this time and no one has been laid off during the pandemic. Wallace said she was surprised by the number of weekend tourists that pay her shop a visit. Wallace said serving the Gettysburg community with her unique gifts holds great significance to her and that she does not plan to expand outside of Gettysburg. “The biggest challenge in starting a new business is getting your name out there and finding people who are willing to give your business a try,” said Wallace.  “These relationships should never be taken lightly.” “My husband was a supporter of me then and now. He was always, in every way, supportive.” Wallace also own Nerd Herd Gifts and Games at 10 York Street and would like to open still another store in Gettysburg.  “I enjoy the concept of having an idea and then being able to see it through; that’s what I’m proudest of.  If you have an idea just make it happen. You can always learn from your failures,” said Wallace. Wallace recommends that following to anyone who would like to start a new business: “Do your research. Find any kind of small business association and listen to what they have to say to you. Know who your customers are and what they want.”

Jack’s Hard Cider is much more than your typical cider brewing company, and Its story is like none you have heard before.  “It was a bit of a surprise that I ended up buying Jack’s Hard Cider out of bankruptcy in late December 2018,” said owner, Donald Hoffman. “Once I realized I had it I decided that if we were gonna do it, we were gonna do it right.”  From what seemed to others a business with nothing left to give, Hoffman made his own while also ensuring the legacy of Jack Hauser, the original founder of Jack’s Hard Cider, would not fade.  When asked what makes Jack’s Hard Cider so distinguishable from the rest, marketing manager Polly Patrono said “Our hard cider is made from local fruit, first of all. A lot of bigger hard cider companies use concentrate, but we get bins of apples in daily and press them on site.” The popular and original hard cider was only the beginning for Hoffman. What began as a small brewery soon took on more than a couple projects and has plenty more coming in the near future.  “Atomic Dog LLC owns three entities: Atomic Dog Winery, Jack’s Hard Cider, and Mela Kitchen” said Hoffman.  Hoffman said these three pieces of the company have demonstrated to locals and tourists that Jack’s Hard Cider is the place to be if you are looking to enjoy the finest of spirits and entertainment.  Hoffman said rebuilding Jack’s Hard Cider was not an easy or quick job, especially during a pandemic.  “It’s been really neat to see what could happen. I never imagined in a million years that you could take an old movie theater and make it into this beautiful light and airy restaurant,” said Patrono.  With the dedication and commitment of the employees at Jack’s Hard Cider the company was also still able to continue shipping its cider along the West Coast as well as delivering online orders to those in the area during the COVID-19 outbreak.  “During the height of the pandemic one of our chefs even volunteered to deliver online orders” said Patrono.  “We are here to give back as much as we are to deliver our service,” said Hoffman when asked how his company has impacted the community of Adams County.  Patrono said Hoffman named the company because he had rescued pitbull dogs. “You are able to see the personal commitment that Jack’s Hard Cider has to the community by simply looking at their name!” “Most of my colleagues that have worked with me and most people I knew were asking me if taking on Jack’s Hard Cider was my mid-life crisis or if I was going off the deep end. I would have never guessed this would be my career path, but now that I’m doing it and working with all the people I’m working with, I’m excited as heck for not only what we are today, but what we are going to be,” said Hoffman.

The Hauser Hill Event Center celebrated its grand opening on August 23 with a gala catered event at their hilltop location at 410 Cashtown Rd. in Biglerville.  The new business will operate as an event center for weddings, banquets, corporate retreats, as well as fundraising and charity events.  The spacious building on 172 acres was built in 2007 by Jack and Helen Hauser, who owned the land and apple orchards. The couple also opened the Hauser Hill Winery in Gettysburg in 2008. Both businesses closed recently. The new owners, Melinda Davis and Hannah Hauser, took over in January with the help of Davis’ daughter and Hauser’s niece, Mindi Wood, who manages the center. Although the purpose of the new business is different, the breathtaking views and gracious ambiance that drew people to the old location remain the same. The center is located in a private and peaceful setting, which makes it the ideal location for private and public events.  The owners have been cleaning and renovating the property, and the long road leading up the hill to the event center has been paved. “You can see almost forty miles of farmland, forest, and orchard. And it’s just gorgeous,” said Wood. In the newly-renovated building, there is a plaque with the pictures of Jack and Helen to honor them and the history of the land.  The original building, designed with vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows, includes an attached deck and patio with outdoor seating. Hauser Hill also has the ability to hold larger outdoor events under tents. “It’s perfect for birthday parties, bridal showers, weddings, class reunions, and more,” said Wood. “The possibilities are endless.” Wood said the business also plans to host public music events that will include a door entrance fee, to which guests can bring their own food and enjoy live music.  Wood has 25 years of experience as a wedding photographer, and she plans to make Hauser Hill the ultimate wedding destination. The location has a pre-civil war guesthouse that serves as a private place for a bride to get ready and take photos, and which has been newly renovated and remodeled.  Other hopes for the business include making beautiful and rustic spaces within the property to create more photo destinations for events. There are plans to plant a field of wildflowers as well. Although the business is no longer making wine, they have not ruled out that possibility for the future. Hauser Hill still grows and sells fruit and plans to expand and grow as a business in the Adams County Community.

If you, your child, or another member of your family or your community is struggling with substance abuse or other psychological problems, or if you are hoping to enroll in programs that might prevent these issues from developing, the Adams County Center for Youth and Community Development (CFYCD) may be able to help out. CFYCD is celebrating 20 years of working with partner organizations, volunteers, and other community members to develop the positive potential of youth within safe, supportive families and communities. The nonprofit center is home to a collaborative board of community members and organizations, Collaborating for Youth (CFY), that focuses on developing the potential of youth & families by inspiring positive life choices. CFYCD Staff, Members, and Volunteers CFYCD, housed at 233 W. High Street in Gettysburg, coordinates community offerings including after school programs and substance abuse prevention efforts. “We are a group of citizens and volunteers sitting together at the table. Our mission is youth development and safe communities,” said CFYCD’s Executive Officer Andrea Dolges. We’ve reduced the risk factors for substance abuse over the course of our 20 years and increased the protective measures in our children’s lives.” Collaborating for Youth provides a sense of community,” said Michelle Kern, CFYCD’s Development and Coalition Coordinator. “It’s interesting to see how people help each other.” After School Programs The 21st Century After School Program Director Sami Slusser coordinates the CFYCD after school program. This evidence based program helps supplement the school day by allowing students to explore different topics and get homework help. “Every middle and elementary school in Adams County offers a free after school program,” said Kern. “There are 19 sites, with over 500 kids.” A focus of the program is on STEM subjects, but children can also do their homework or just read a book. There are no income requirements to attend this program.” “The program keeps kids busy in those in-between hours. That’s a dangerous time for potential juvenile delinquency,” said Kern. The CFYCD program is funded in part by a Nita M. Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Overdose Awareness Task Force Kern coordinates the Overdose Awareness Task Force that coordinates activities with the goal of reducing overdose deaths in the county. The task force provides support to these community members, letting them know they are not alone. Formed to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic in the area, the task force’s vision is “Education. Support. Saving Lives.” Kern said CFY’s programs are based on data collected about Adams County children through the PAYS PA Youth Survey, which is administered every other year in each county school district to 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. The data gathered in PAYS provides information concerning changes in use and abuse of harmful substances and assesses risk factors related to these behaviors and the protective factors that can help guard against them. Youth Coalition The CFCDY Youth Coalition works to reduce substance abuse and create a healthy environment for youth in Adams County. This year, the students are working on positive messaging campaigns in their schools. Supported by a team of adult mentors, and directed by CFYCD staff member Nate Sterner, the Youth Coalition carries out strategies to reduce underage drinking and prevent medicine abuse. Other CFYCD Projects Other ongoing projects at the center include the Strengthening Families Program 10-14 that helps parents protect and empower their children through communication of family values, standards regarding substance use, and hopes for their child’s future. The program is a two-hour skill building program for families with children between 10 and 14 that is held in Gettysburg and Biglerville. For more information on how to get your family involved, contact Annika Kelly annika@cfygettysburg.com The program is recognized as evidence based program by many national agencies, including the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, the US Department of Education, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Familias Fuertes is a Spanish language version of the Strengthening Families Program 10-14. Collaborating For Youth also partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Incredible Years, TrueNorth, Youth Advocate Program, Gettysburg College, Healthy Adams County, and local businesses to provide evidence based programs and support. CFYCD hosts town hall meetings, participates in national youth leadership seminars, and works with local legislators on youth and substance abuse prevention issues. Collaborating for Youth was founded 1999 by founding director Sharron Michels out of a desire on the part of community residents and leaders to make community-wide changes to improve the lives and futures of youth in Adams County. The coalition includes members from schools, churches, government, not for profits, health care, parents and interested citizens. Most importantly, CFY includes youth voices. “It’s super fun. I don’t think I’ve ever loved doing anything so much. We have a great community here in Adams County, said Dolges. “Collaborating for Youth is making Gettysburg a better place to live,” said Kern. CFYCD is always interested in matching volunteers with ways to make a difference in the community. Contact CFYCD: Email: office@cfygettysburg.com Phone: 717-338-0300