Biz in the Valley is a monthly roundup of business happenings in the Beaver Valley and beyond. To submit an item, email [email protected].

East Rochester’s Shop ‘n Save grocery store reopened in October following a comprehensive nine-month renovation.

Plans to upgrade the site started with St. Barnabas’ acquisition in May 2022. The remodel includes expanded grocery selections, frozen food and dairy departments, a hot-foods section, a meat department with professional butchers, a full-service deli and an in-house bakery.

Owners said the only thing that remains the same about the store’s interior are the ceiling’s cinder blocks.

“St. Barnabas and the Safran Family are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated store to the community,” said siblings Brittany and Jarrett Safran, who designed and managed the remodel alongside daily operations. “We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers for their patience and support throughout this renovation journey.”

The location is now home to a True Value hardware store, offering building materials, tools, lawn and gardening supplies, paint, electrical, plumbing materials and more. Customers can also receive Pump Perks on all True Value purchases.

The store at 750 Ohio River Blvd. will be open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Castle Toys & Games to close in December

Owners of Castle Toys & Games in Beaver are retiring and closing their downtown shop in December.

Jeff and Linda Lyden late last month announced their retirement “with mixed feelings,” telling customers that the shop will close at the end of the holiday shopping season. Castle Toys & Games’ retirement sale began last week. All items are discounted from their original price up to 75% off.

The shop is located at 682 Third St. in Beaver.

Burlington opens in Center Twp.

After months of renovations, Center Township’s new Burlington discount department store opened in the former home of Party City.

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, opened at 115 Wagner Road next to Michaels in the township on Oct. 27. New Jersey-based Burlington Stores offers discounted merchandise from retailers, touting steep price cuts on apparel, home decor and pet care items.

The Center location brings the total number of Burlington stores in Pennsylvania to 43.

“Our goal is to continue to offer communities low prices on brand name merchandise for the entire family and home,” said Michael O’Sullivan, Burlington CEO. “We’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country and are excited to be opening a new store in (Center).”

To celebrate the grand opening, the retailer donated $5,000 to the local school district through a partnership with the national nonprofit adoptaclassroom.org. Funds will be used to provide students with classroom materials.

The company is hiring approximately 65 full-time and part-time employees storewide. Those interested should visit burlingtonstores.jobs to apply.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Grocery Outlet opens in Lawrence County

Value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet opened Oct. 26 at 1700 Wilmington Road in Neshannock Township.

Grocery Outlet, an “extreme-value grocery retailer” based in California, offers discounts on brand-name products. The company, founded in 1946, has more than 450 locations throughout the country. Grocery Outlet offers fresh produce, meat, deli, dairy and an assortment of organic options.

A second store in Boardman, Ohio, will open in November.

“We are so thrilled to be a part of the community, which allows us to be closer to our family in both New Castle and Boardman,” said Eric and Sarah Senges, the store’s independent operators.

To celebrate the grand opening, the pair donated $1,000 to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley and $1,000 to the nonprofit People in Need. The new location will employ approximately 20 people.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Beaver County Chamber of Commerce president resigns

Beaver County Chamber of Commerce President Donna Lee Siple will leave her position Nov. 10.

Siple submitted her letter of resignation in late October as she and her husband plan a move to Nashville; her husband accepted a position at the Nashville Rescue Mission.

She joined the chamber as president in May 2022.

“My resignation comes with both sorrow and affection,” she said. “I am immensely thankful for the opportunity my husband has been given, yet it saddens me to leave the Beaver County community. The dynamic and talented chamber team has made each workday a pleasure as we collectively advanced our vital mission.”

The chamber’s board of directors will begin the search for a new president; information will be posted publicly once available. Anyone with questions about the transition, ideas for the chamber, or leads on qualified, interested candidates should email board Chair Lindsay Courteau at [email protected].

Hussey Copper celebrates 175 years in business

Leetsdale fabricator Hussey Copper celebrated its 175-year anniversary Oct. 10. Operators opened the facility’s doors to community leaders for a firsthand look at the copper manufacturing process.

“Hussey Copper is proud of its achievements over these years, but also proud of 300-plus team members who continually fabricate and produce the high-quality products we manufacture in Leetsdale every day,” said CEO Dale Taylor.

In addition to sharing the company’s vision, Taylor accepted a proclamation from Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Employees participated in a health and wellness fair during the celebration, which included the launch of employee initiatives designed to engage with the larger community.

Federal grant creates Lawrence-Mercer workforce development org

The Ohio-Penn Interstate Regional Collaboration received nearly $955,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to build out a workforce development coalition serving manufacturers in Lawrence and Mercer counties.

The funding is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative, which engages the Appalachian region in developing strategies to prepare workers for jobs in high-demand industries. The grant will facilitate training, connect job-seekers and manufacturers and help companies retain employees and attract a more diverse workforce.

A founding group of manufacturers, including G.W. Becker Crane, Ellwood Group and Hall Industries, are leading the formation of the coalition. The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition is facilitating the planning process.

“Manufacturers and job-seekers on both sides of the border will ultimately be the beneficiaries of this significant grant funding,” said Chris Becker, G.W. Becker Crane president. “A collaboration of local partners, all with a common goal of identifying and developing talent to fill the many good, career-oriented manufacturing jobs in our region, have outlined strategies for putting this funding to work to improve both the livelihood of our people and the competitiveness of our manufacturing businesses.”