Gettysburg entrepreneur Phil Letendre, owner of Gettysburg Print and Frame, Gettysburg Performance Gym (GPG), and Gettysburg Smoothie Company (GSC), has watched his successful businesses grow over the past five years.
Since opening in 2018, Gettysburg Print and Frame has moved from its initial location on York St. and now operates at 16 Deatrick Dr. off Fairfield Rd. The shop offers high-quality printing, low prices, and fast turnaround, all with a personal touch.
Gettysburg Performance Gym has recently moved from its location in Gettysburg to the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. The workout space has doubled in size, from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet.
Letendre said that when he and his team first opened the gym, they had a modest membership but as time went on the membership outgrew their space. “Our members are incredible, and we continued to grow, which justified looking at an even larger location,” he said. “The new location has allowed us to provide more space, equipment, and offerings.”
The location near Route 15 is also more accessible for many clients.
Gettysburg Smoothie Company is also growing into new locations. The original shop, at 48 York St. in Gettysburg, remains open on weekends. Its newest location at the Gettysburg Outlet Mall, has allowed the addition of new offerings including specialty coffees. In addition to a wide variety of 24-ounce smoothies, GSC also offers açaí bowls.
“We have always wanted to expand our operations to access more of the community. We’ve worked very hard to deliver something healthy and delicious with quality ingredients,” said Letendre. “The response has been overwhelming and we have really tried to dial in our processes and efficiencies to continue growing.”
The response to GSC’s offerings has been so positive that a new shop has opened on the Gettysburg College campus and another will open shortly in Emmitsburg, MD.
Letendre dedicates his success to his family and his team. “My entire motivation is my family,” he said. “My wife, Nicole, is my partner and best friend and supports all of the businesses whether by supporting me on large endeavors, being my sounding board on any other wild idea I have, or going to the locations and working on site. My children were raised going to the gym and smoothie shops. They love being part of it all and none of these businesses mean a thing without them.”
Letendre said he began his business ventures when he stepped out of the corporate law bubble. “My new businesses give me a greater purpose than the corporate path,” he said.
Since then, he has been trying to fill voids in the community with the gym, a passion of his, and a healthy, high-quality smoothie company.
“My managers at each business are incredible. I cannot appropriately articulate the appreciation I have for our managers and teammates taking pride in what we are doing. Because of them, I can keep pushing forward with the growth we are seeing.”
“Success indicates we’ve achieved our goals,” said Letendre. “And I think we have so much further to go. I am proud of what we’ve been able to achieve so far, and I have an amazing team and a wonderful wife and children supporting me. But there is still so much more for us to accomplish.”
Though the businesses are expanding outside of the borough, Letendre says Gettysburg will always be home. His family lives in Gettysburg, and he has developed solid relationships with his team members, customers, and elected officials.
Letendre feels that this is only the beginning.
Savannah Waligore, Gettysburg Connection Intern, has lived in Gettysburg for the last five years. She am a high school junior at GHS and is on Student Council, in the Photography Club, and a part of our school paper, the "Maroon and White."
A fine article Samantha. Just in time for holiday shopping trips. Such a treat to have a specialty coffee shop at Gettysburg Outlet Mall. Look forward to reading more of your articles.