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STUDIO B POWER YOGA under new ownership

Rachel Burns is the new owner of STUDIO B POWER YOGA – Photo by Aubrey Weimer

Harrisburg’s STUDIO B POWER YOGA is under new ownership.

The studio at 5717 Linglestown Road was bought by Rachel Burns from Brittany Holtz on Thursday.

“I am so thrilled to take the helm of this amazing studio that Brittany created eight years ago,” said Burns, who learned to teach yoga from Holtz. “I’m looking forward to implementing special events and community offerings that I hope will continue to interject energy and excitement into STUDIO B’s latest chapter.”

The deal was finalized Feb. 1 and Burns said the studio will continue to operate with business as usual, with a focus on connection, collaboration, community and play.

STUDIO B POWER YOGA has brought its power vinyasa yoga offerings to three different counties in the mid-state since Holtz founded the studio in the original Annville location.

After the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Holtz was forced to consolidate four locations down to one, which is where STUDIO B lives today in Linglestown.

“After several challenging years in the fitness world, we were forced to be flexible — pardon the pun — in order to keep our studio and business alive,” said Holtz. “I am thrilled to say we are thriving in our new space, and Rachel will do a wonderful job taking the reins and continuing what our community has built together.”

Burns herself is a graduate of STUDIO B’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program, established by Holtz. In the collaborative transition into new ownership, Holtz will be leading one final teacher training beginning in April with Burns at her side.

“I’m excited to celebrate the culmination of my time with STUDIO B with one final farewell during my last teacher training, and I hope anyone who has debated joining a YTT class joins me for my final training,” said Holtz.

PRworks managing partner takes full ownership

Jason Kirsch has taken full ownership of PRworks, a branding, marketing and public relations firm in Harrisburg.

Previously a managing partner, Kirsch recently acquired the shares of his silent partners, he said.

“I am tremendously excited to take on full ownership of PRworks,” Kirsch said. “During the past five years, we’ve reached new heights thanks to our deep expertise, broad capabilities, high degree of versatility and collaborative approach.”

Kirsch said the firm has partnered with clients in healthcare, human services, financial services, arts and entertainment, education, government, agriculture and law. “The absolute best part is the close relationships we’ve developed with so many clients and partners. I am thrilled to take PRworks even further,” he said.

Kirsch, who first joined PRworks in 2017 as senior counselor, has more than 27 years of experience building brands, leading campaigns and providing strategic communications counsel.

Under his leadership, PRworks has been recognized with industry awards for its work with national, statewide and regional organizations including AAA Central Penn, Dave & Busters, Gamut Theatre Group, The Guardian Life Insurance Company, Voce, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, and WITF, the company said.

Before joining PRworks, Kirsch was a marketing executive at Capital Blue Cross. He also formerly oversaw marketing and public relations for Metro Bank before it was acquired by First National Bank.

Prior to Metro Bank, Kirsch conducted media relations and served as spokesperson for two Pennsylvania governors and was director of communications and press secretary at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Kirsch holds the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential. He also developed, and is a lead instructor for, the Public Relations Society of America accreditation coaching program at the national level and is an adjunct professor in the School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies and the Graham School of Business at York College of Pennsylvania.

He received the Ernest R. McDowell Award for Excellence in Public Relations awarded by the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society and the Frederick E. Leuschner Award for Excellence in Public Relations awarded by the Public Relations Society of America’s Central Pennsylvania Chapter.

Kirsch earned his bachelor’s degree in communication/journalism with a concentration in public relations from Shippensburg University and his master’s degree in communication studies from Bloomsburg University. He also is a graduate of Leadership Harrisburg Area’s Community Leadership Series.

Mowery Construction is under new ownership

Mechanicsburg-based Mowery Construction is under new ownership.

Seth Hughes, who is currently the president of Mowery, bought the company from former owner, David Cross, who has led the company since 2015, and who will continue to support the company’s strategic development in the role of chairman.

“Since I joined Mowery’s leadership team in 2016, I have had the honor of working side-by-side with David to set the company up for future success, including launching a new brand; developing a new management team; creating new internal processes and procedures; implementing technology; and so much more,” said Hughes.

“Our relationships are strong, our sales are unmatched in company history, and our team is rock solid. Today’s announcement is the next step in a continuous evolution of Mowery to position for the future. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” he said.

Hughes has over 27 years’ experience in the construction industry. At the age of 16, he began working as a laborer and since then has worked in a wide variety of positions in the office and field, at all levels. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.

In his role as owner and president, Hughes will continue to be responsible for day-to-day operations of the company including contract negotiation and management; quality control; customer relations; and more, the company said.

In addition, as Mowery’s owner, he will now be responsible for overall asset management and strategic advancement of the company.

“As a builder at heart, I wanted to be a part of crafting something that would continue well beyond my time and positively impact those it reached,” said Cross. “As president, Seth served as my righthand man, and played a critical role in helping develop the vision for Mowery’s future. I have total confidence that Seth will take advantage of the great opportunities we have strategically developed for Mowery’s ongoing growth as well as continue to guide this team and company on the path we created together.”

Over the past seven years, Cross has set the strategic vision for the company resulting in more than quadrupling its historic revenue as well as many noteworthy recognitions. He has also helped lead the company through a global pandemic.

“I care deeply about the success of Mowery, the team, and clients. Since 2015, I have strategically focused on building the company to a position where it can effectively and seamlessly move through this transition and into the future,” said Cross.

In fact, he said the company has seen exponential growth and is on track for its best year to date.

“As we move towards the future, we are committed to maintaining the same values upon which Mowery was built and carrying forward the legacy David created,” said Hughes. “Business will continue as normal with our team offering superior services through remarkable client experiences on every project. That aspect of this company will not change.”

Lancaster’s Pressroom restaurant to reopen under new ownership

Pressroom bartender Brenton Sollenberger manages the spirits and cocktail offerings at the downtown Lancaster restaurant before it closed due to the pandemic – PHOTO/PROVIDED. – Amy Spangler

The Pressroom restaurant on West King Street in downtown Lancaster will reopen this summer under new ownership.

York-based O.N.E. Hospitality announced this week that it is taking over the longtime eatery, which has been closed since April.

The newspaper-themed bar and restaurant debuted in 1995 and underwent a renovation and expansion in 2016. The original owners decided to close it this spring after a difficult pandemic and focus on their core business: operating Lancaster Newspapers and its affiliates.

This location will be a new service area for O.N.E. Hospitality, the umbrella restaurant group behind more than a dozen brands across the region. After opening its flagship farm-to-table restaurant Tutoni’s in York in 2014, the group has produced several more eateries and food trucks. Most recent was Presto Fast Italian, a quick-service restaurant with five locations in Lancaster and York.

Earlier this year, O.N.E announced plans to open Andonia’s Chophouse, an Italian seafood and steakhouse in The Crossings at Conestoga Creek off Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster.

 “When we saw that The Pressroom was going to close its doors, we didn’t want to see this institution go by the wayside,” owner Toni Calderone said in a release. “We’re excited to breathe some new life into the space while honoring the history and customer base that was developed over time. We’ll keep the menu an approachable American bistro style with a few new refreshing twists. We’ll have plenty of light and healthy options making it perfect for lunch meetings.”

Other plans for the space include a jazz music series called “The Beat” and a rebranding of the outdoor dining area in neighboring Steinman Park to be called the “Park Bar,” featuring oysters and prosecco on tap. The restaurant will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

The historic building that houses The Pressroom was originally Steinman Hardware Store, which opened in the 1740s and shut down in 1965.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Haines Acres Shopping Center under new ownership

Haines Acres Shopping Center on Haines Road in York is under new ownership. PHOTO/PROVIDED

Haines Acres Shopping Center, York, has been sold and will undergo renovations.

J.C. BAR Properties, Inc. Senior Commercial Advisor Broker Frank Messina recently sold the shopping center on Haines Road, just off I-83 to an undisclosed buyer.

The center is anchored by Ollie’s Bargain Market. Other tenants include Dollar Tree, Sherwin-Williams, J&J Nails Spa, Big Apple Bagel, Parma Pizza, Uller’s Outdoor and Steinmetz Coins & Currency.

“Large number of residents, strong traffic count, and proximity to I-83 makes this shopping center a key location in York County. I am excited to be part of this project as we start the marketing process this spring,” Messina said.

Development plans for the shopping center include facade renovations, signage upgrades and a possible pad site on the parking lot, he said.

Major road improvements have been completed, allowing additional traffic access to the shopping center, Messina said. Haines Acres Shopping Center has tremendous visibility and traffic counts with approximately 14,666 vehicles per day on Haines Road.

Messina will be handling the leasing for the shopping center and redevelopment.

New owners of River Wealth Advisors partner with Merchant to grow assets

Rebecca Stevenson McClure and Edward O’Gorman PHOTO/PROVIDED

River Wealth Advisors (RWA), one of the largest independent registered investment advisory firms in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, has entered a partnership with investment group Merchant as part of an ownership succession.

Since September, the ownership succession has grown the company’s assets to more than $1 billion.

Chief Executive Officer Edward O’Gorman, who assumes this new role after 11 years at the firm, and Chief Client Officer Rebecca Stevenson McClure, who joined the firm in 2018, have taken these expanded leadership roles along with Merchant making a minority investment to support their growth plans.

The change happened in September after majority partner, Robert Caplan transitioned his ownership shares to O’Gorman and McClure to focus soley on his clients, a RWA statement said.

“We have seen other firms in our region give up their independence through roll-up mergers. We saw an opportunity with Merchant to uphold our promise to our clients and our team members by maintaining majority ownership and day-to-day operational control at the local level,” said O’Gorman, who also serves as chief investment officer of RWA. “This strategic partnership provides growth capital and resources to galvanize the future evolution of our firm.”

RWA’s partnership with Merchant sets the stage for the firm to build on its client experience, implement formalized career development tracks for the firm’s team members, and pursue organic and inorganic growth, the company said.

Merchant’s firsthand understanding of wealth management and its long-term commitment of resources have already yielded results for RWA, according to a company statement. Since September, RWA has surpassed $1 billion in assets and has formalized a team-based service model that offers clients access to RWA’s expertise at all levels, including investment strategy, financial planning and ongoing relationship management.

“RWA has been uniquely supportive of the advisor-client relationship, working with advisor teams in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley to grow in a way that adds value well beyond the traditional wealth management offering. Also, a woman-owned, independent firm of its size is well-positioned to stand out as an attractive place for other advisors to bring their business. Our partnership is designed to help Ed, Becky and their team fully and truly capitalize on the future opportunity,” said Tim Bello, managing partner at Merchant.

Harrisburg flooring entrepreneur sells stake in company to focus on manufacturing

The owner and founder of a Harrisburg-based flooring company has sold his 19-year ownership stake in the company to focus on another flooring venture.

Scott Appel co-founded Touch of Color Flooring in 2002. The company currently employs over 210 people and has ten locations across seven states.

Touch of Color sells flooring solutions to home builders, property management companies and commercial general contractors.

Appel announced this week that he has sold his stake in the company for an undisclosed amount of money to focus on Frontier Surfaces, a global sourcing agent and flooring manufacturer he founded in 2019.

“We founded Touch of Color in my best friend’s mom’s garage in the summer of 2002,” he said. “It’s a story of American entrepreneurship, opportunity, hard work, and grit. Today is a new chapter, and I’m very excited to invest my full energy and creativity into designing the future of flooring with Frontier Surfaces.”

Appel’s focus on Frontier was part of a desire to have more ownership over his company’s supply chain, said the area entrepreneur.

“If you’re not changing the game, the game will change you,” said Appel. “This ‘new frontier’ is a disruptor in the traditional flooring space. We focus on the customer first and have built a lean supply chain that eliminates excess layers of markup and passes these savings onto our customers. I was tired of overpaying for brands made by others, so I traveled the world to source, develop, and manufacture our own products.”

Frontier’s home décor offerings include brands such as CoreLogic Flooring and SmartSoft Carpet which are created and distributed from Pennsylvania.

Frontier is headquartered at 3525 Walnut Street, Harrisburg. It has manufacturing capabilities in China, Turkey, India, Germany, Indonesia, Brazil and the United States.

Warehaus AE moves headquarters, but stays downtown

After being purchased by two long-term employees last month, York-based architecture, engineering and design firm Warehaus AE plans to open its newest headquarters next week.

Citing an employee survey that showed 97% of team members were interested in continuing part-time remote work following the pandemic, the firm announced it is leaving its former office for a smaller, more efficient location on the first floor of the W. Latimer Small Building in downtown York.

“We designed (our current LEED Platinum office space) to be a shining example of adaptive reuse, and we transformed a historic space into an effective, modern workspace that reflected our collaborative work style,” said Troy Bankert, Warehaus’ CEO. “But as our company evolved and remote work became more prevalent, it became much more space than we needed. What was once the picture of sustainability became an inefficient workspace following changes brought to light by the pandemic.”

The new location on North George Street is just steps away from Warehaus’ former office and allows the firm to continue operating in the city’s downtown, which was critical during the decision making process, the firm wrote in a press release.

Warehaus, formerly known as LSC Design, was originally founded in 1980 as Land Survey Consultants. The firm has since grown to offer architecture, civil engineering and land planning, interior design and more.

The move comes shortly after former owner, Kinsley Enterprises, sold the firm to Bankert and David Koratich, Warehaus’ COO, in late March. Together the two leaders have 55 years of tenure at the firm.

Bankert has held a number of roles at Warehouse, including project manager and director of architecture, and continues to lead the architectural team along with serving as the firm’s lead representative.

Koratich acts as director of engineering and also leads the firm’s internal operations.

“Our leadership team is committed to our success as a high performing, multi-disciplinary firm serving our local community,” said Bankert. “Our legacy in York for more than four decades has been a commitment to building and sustaining local relationships – to be the choice for our community’s architectural and engineering needs.”

Correction: The story’s headline previously referred to Warehaus as a real estate firm.

Pennsylvania Motor Trust Association hires new president, CEO

Rebecca Oyler joins the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association as its new president and CEO on Monday. PHOTO PROVIDED.

Camp Hill-based Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) welcomes its newest president and CEO on Monday.

Rebecca Oyler, the former legislative director for the National Federation of Independent Business, was appointed by the state association’s board of directors last week.

Oyler replaces Joe Butzer, who acted as interim president since May of last year. Butzer was formerly the association’s chairman of the board of directors but took the role of interim president after the death of former president Kevin Stewart.

Oyler has over 20 years of experience within several state agencies, serving as director of policy for the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“The PMTA Board of Directors is very pleased to have Rebecca join the team,” said Mark Giuffre, PMTA board chairman. “She is the right person to lead our organization into the future.”

Oyler said that she is excited to take the role at a time where the trucking industry has been front and center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m anxious to lead PMTA’s members as we continue to tackle the recovery, along with other critical issues for the industry,” she said.

The association was organized in 1928 and operates in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and 2,560 municipalities. It works with its membership to identify key issues in the trucking industry.

York Navy veteran opens home care business

Curantis Home Care moved into its new headquarters in downtown York earlier this month. PHOTO PROVIDED.

Roy Hughes lost his grandmother 15 years ago after she passed away by herself in her home.

For years, the Navy veteran has thought that if someone had been at her home that day, things could have ended differently.

Those thoughts acted as the catalyst for Hughes to found Curantis Home Care.

Roy Hughes, founder of Curantis Home Care, stands with his family before cutting the ribbon to his new downtown York business. PHOTO/ IOANNIS PASHAKIS

Curantis, a home care company in downtown York, is set to work with area seniors and disabled veterans after officially moving into its headquarters earlier this month.

Hughes graduated last year with his Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus and is currently a pharmaceutical sales representative, specialized in cardiovascular disease and hypertension. When in the military he served in a pharmacy dispensing and compounding medicines.

“My entire adult life has been about caring for people,” he said. “I’ve just always had this sense of helping people and I always wanted to do that.”

Through market research and competitive market analysis, Hughes said he realized how lucrative home care businesses could be. He said he also found that a lot of home care organizations lack consistent, quality caregivers– something that he said he thinks he could do better with Curantis.

“The quality of caregivers I hear about is madness,” said Hughes. “They don’t show up on time, they are dressed inappropriately. They really don’t give quality care.”

Curantis is looking to hire 15 caregivers. Hughes said that his staff will need to adhere to a uniform and will be let go from the company if they are late to a client’s home twice.

The home care company currently only offers non-medical care, such as basic house cleaning and meal prep, but Hughes said in the future he would like to offer medical care as well.

The Navy veteran said that his new venture also looks to tackle a problem he has seen among disabled veterans.

“A benefit for veterans that isn’t well known is that they can receive $2,000 for care (through VA programs such as Veterans Pension),” he said. “Most don’t know that.”

Curantis’ grand opening at its headquarters on 46 East Philadelphia Street may not have happened without help from the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center, which Hughes said helped him conceptualize the project and build a business plan.

The center’s business consultants work with entrepreneurs and small business owners through its Business Assistance Program. Hughes worked together with Martin Brill, the center’s program manager specialized in international trade and agribusiness.

Brill said that Hughes’ drive, determination and focus as well as his background in patient care were crucial in his path to opening the business.

“Financially he was in stable shape and could launch the business,” he said. “He had a lot of the fundamentals in place and we thought he was talking to the right people and had the right process.”

Curantis will be operating in York, Lebanon Cumberland, Adams, Lancaster and Dauphin counties. Hughes said that in the near future, he would like to grow the brand to bring on franchisees.

“I envision in the next three to five years that we could start franchising,” he said. “I’m looking for longevity and the support and networking to build it. We can go national.”

Land preservation nonprofit opens headquarters in historic York County building

The former Western Maryland Railway Freight Offices in downtown York will be the new headquarters for local nonprofit the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County. PHOTO PROVIDED

A historic office building in downtown York is getting its first tenant since being renovated by a local developer.

York-based land preservation nonprofit the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County is moving its headquarters to the Western Maryland Railway Freight Offices on the corner of North George Street and the Codorus Creek. The 2,684-square-foot railroad office building was built in 1896 and was most recently used as a transfer station for grain.

Real estate developer Kinsley Properties began a preservation project last year to restore the space using drawings from its original design, the firm wrote in a statement on Monday. Renovations included restorations to the building’s exterior, arched windows and masonry, including stone sills and brick.

“The Western Maryland office project showcases our company’s ongoing commitment to community investment and historic preservation projects,” said Timothy Kinsley, president of Kinsley Properties. “ We hope it sends a message that the momentum of revitalization in York remains alive and well.”

The building’s new tenants, the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County, currently operate from their headquarters at 156 N. George Street. The nonprofit specializes in conservation easements, or deed restrictions that restrict and limit development on private property. Sean Kenny, the organization’s executive director, said they are on pace to protect 1,500 acres of land in York county this year.

“This new office will only enhance our downtown visibility to attract new partners and do more to advance our long term mission,” Kenny said.

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Tag: new ownership

Harrisburg flooring entrepreneur sells stake in company to focus on manufacturing

Warehaus AE moves headquarters, but stays downtown

Pennsylvania Motor Trust Association hires new president, CEO

York Navy veteran opens home care business

Land preservation nonprofit opens headquarters in historic York County building

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