Joomla

LINESVILLE – Since the beginning of the summer a number of individuals in Linesville have been slowly coming together to form Linesville Community Business Alliance as a way to cause growth.(From Dec. 29 edition).

According to President Travis Crytzer, who is the main florist at Blossoms and Blooms Boutique, the organization began through a conversation from business owners Tammy Bell from Twin Pies and Brittany Wheeler from Treasured Gifts who saw a need for an active and energized group in the area.
“It started with maybe three to six people gathering together at the beginning of the summer to see how to further promote the town,” said Crytzer. “At first we met at Twin Pies but it didn’t take long before word got out. Then in August we started holding meeting in Linesville Borough Building with about 50 people. It was really a welcomed response and surprising to see such a strong interest.”
Initially Crytzer said that he thought that the alliance would consist of mainly businesses in the area that were new or wishing to gain more recognition but over time has become more than that as they have partnered with community members and organizations as well.
“I think it’s a win-win partnership,” said Crytzer. “Businesses can’t pull off events without community support and dedicated volunteers.”
In order to join everyone together Crytzer said businesses and community members often promote and communicate over their Facebook page, as well as meet monthly either on a Monday or Tuesday night to go over upcoming events or plans for Linesville.
“The group we have now includes a board of directors and will be a non-profit,” said Crytzer. “The focus is to bring business to community through a wide range of movements.”
Of some of the members besides himself he said includes Co-Secretaries Brittany Wheeler from Treasured Gifts and Jaime Koontz from Forestview Restaurant, Peter Coulter who is the owner of Coulter Hollow Farm, as well as soon will include a Vice-President as well, as Crytzer recently moved up to President after their current one stepped down.
So far some of this movements with the group Crytzer said has included a few events in right in Linesville, beginning with a Trunk or Treat event at Linesville Little League ballfield around Halloween, as well as their recent Field of Trees weekends throughout December in conjunction with Linesville’s lighted tractor parade and Mickles Barn which houses Christmas trees.
In the future Crytzer said he would also like to see Linesville Community Business Alliance coordinate an outdoor boat expo in the spring, partner with Linesville Chamber of Commerce’s Waterfowl Expo in September and help expand Linesville’s lighted tractor parade to be the largest in the country next year.
They also hope to support Linesville Little League and their fire and ambulance volunteers, partner with Spillway Bicycle Trail Extension, as well as partner with other any aspects of the community that need assistance.
Since beginning Crytzer said the alliance has really morphed into an active group interested in bettering the community which he said in turn can trickle in the businesses so that they too can help others.
“I think I just enjoy seeing the excitement on all levels and the community with young entrepreneurs opening businesses and lifelong residents of the town excited to see a flower shop, a pie shop, a local pharmacy and a gift store as it brings them back to when they didn’t used to have to travel far. And having just moved back the energy is really contagious for me. Everyone’s working forward with the same goal and that’s pretty exciting.”
For further information about getting involved with Linesville Community Business Alliance please contact Travis Crytzer by calling him at Blossoms and Blooms Boutique by calling (814) 818-0600.

Pictured: A view of one of the trunk or treat exhibits that was setup around Halloween by Linesville Community Business Alliance, which formed this past summer through several business owners in Linesville.