Past Winners of the Comcast Small Business Salute

• Bridesburg-Lawton VFW Post 2

  MGK and Comcast Business salute local businesses that continue to serve their community despite the challenges of the last few years. This week, I’m so happy to see a VFW post chosen: Bridesburg-Lawton VFW Post 2 in the Bridesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia.

  

  VFW Bridesburg-Lawton Post 2

  The National Veterans Of Foreign Wars organization goes back to 1899, and the Bridesburg-Lawton Post 2 is one of the oldest in the country. Starting up in June, 1902, they’ve been dedicated to providing services to our local vets, whether it’s renting out their hall at 4638 Richmond Street, or holding outings and events for charity and for the neighborhood.

  

  VFW Bridesburg-Lawton Post 2

  They epitomize what it means to serve the community, and we are happy to salute William Shapiro and the crew at Bridesburg-Lawton VFW Post 2 – our small business salute of the week!

• Elder Technical Rescue Services

  We salute Bill Elder of Elder Technical Rescue Services in Springfield (DELCO!), PA.

  Ever wonder where the first responders, EMT and other rescue and safety personnel get their training? They’re done by companies like Elder Technical Rescue Services, founded in 2017 by U.S. Air Force vet Bill Elder. They are dedicated to safety on all fronts, and Bill and his team provide both training and consulting services to a variety of businesses, either in person or virtually.

  

  Since their first year of operation in 2018, they’ve conducted over 330 safety and rescue training classes and their goal is simple: help make communities and businesses safer. Their courses, which always follow NFPA, ANSI and OSHA standards, are accredited by the National Association of Safety Professionals, the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Bureau of EMS, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

  

• Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

  

  Nestled at the edge of the beautiful New Jersey Pine Barrens, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, a non-profit organization, comprises 171 acres of pinelands, an outdoor Wildlife Housing Area with nearly 60 native residents, and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Their mission is to protect the precious wildlife in the area, while educating the community as to the importance of a healthy ecosystem.

  

  The rehab facility at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.

  The rehab facility at Woodford sees, and takes care of, over 6,000 injured or orphaned wild animals every year, while their outdoor housing facility has nearly 60 resident (including owls, eagles, vultures, raccoons and turtles!) who are too injured to be out in the wild, but who enjoy life on the refuge.

  Through the various on-site and outreach programs offered at the refuge, more than 20,000 local students have visited and learned all about the important work going on at Woodford. In addition, there are over 3 miles of trails available for walkers and hikers to check out, 7 days a week. Just keep your eyes out for the Jersey Devil!

  I’m so grateful for the work they do in my old hometown of Medford! Congratulations to Lisa and her staff at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, New Jersey, our MGK/Comcast Small Business salute recipient of the week!

  

• Wilson's Secret Sauce BBQ

  

  Owner Steve Wilson started out just any other backyard barbequer, perfecting his blend of spices and sauces while grilling at home. His BBQ was so loved by friends and family that he started to enter his work in several well known BBQing contests..and won! That led to him starting a catering business in 2010 and, in 2018, he and his wife Kelly opened Wilson’s Secret Sauce BBQ.

  

  In addition to serving up delicious BBQ dishes for their customers, Steve and Kelly are very active giving back to the community, helping to raise money and working with a variety of local organizations including Philabundance, Haverford Alliance For Drug Awareness, Kids Against Hunger, and our sister station WMMR’s Campout For Hunger. In addition, they have a year round canned food drive and clothes collection that they take to Kensington every 2 weeks and setup in the streets to cook for the residents. Steve, Kelly and their team recently traveled to Florida with 200 pounds of pork and brisket to assist in hurricane relief, also raising over $4000 and loading up a 14’ trailer full of supplies.

  

  

• Paddy Cakes Bake Shop

  

  Owner Krista Rosiak is a first generation immigrant from St. Petersburg, Russia who came to the U.S. when she was 14. Her vision for her combination bakery/device repair business was simple: “if you break an electronic device, you need a cupcake to cheer you up!” That means customers can purchase and enjoy a delicious selection of cupcake treats while their phones are being repaired.

  

  The idea to continue her cupcake business came from her daughter, who tragically passed away at the age of 18, and who urged her to keep the business going. Krista joined forces with team at the Girls Fix It Cafe and, together, they have been steadily serving the community ever since. Paddy Cakes has a lovely selection of their “overly stuffed and unique creations,” and they also have adult-flavored cupcakes as well! There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, all while getting their electronics serviced. And with Thanksgiving around the corner, their crew is ready to take your special order for the big weekend.

  
  Congratulations, Krista Rosiak, and her team at Paddy Cakes Bake Shop and Girls Fix it Cafe. 115 W. Montgomery Ave, North Wales, PA.

• The Green Fork And Local Roots Market

  

  The Green Fork And Local Roots Market
  115 South Main Street, North Wales PA 19454
  (267)217-7997

  Owner Tracy N has been in business for 6 1/2 years and, although she and her team serve delicious and locally sourced food, they are not just a restaurant, they are very involved with the community.

  

  As Tracy says, “we donate to any local organization that walks through our front door.” They hold ‘Dine and Donates’ for local organizations like the fire house, local schools, dog rescues and churches. They also have an art wall where they host local artists and local musicians each month. For four-legged customers, The Green Fork And Local Roots Market even has a doggie menu where people can bring in their fur babies and dine with them outside. Tracy also says, “I am lucky that I really do have a great staff!”

  

• Main Line Pizza

  
  Main Line Pizza 233 Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
  610-687-4008

  Radnor residents and proprietors Jennifer and Robert Saionz left the corporate world in 1991 to open their pizza shop in the heart of Wayne, PA. Not only is Main Line Pizza known for their award-winning pizza, cheesesteaks and fresh-roasted turkey, but they are also recognized for their service to the community. They’ve worked with and supported local schools, sports teams, churches, synagogues and many local businesses, and they’ve generously given their time and resources to Radnor ABC House and Wayne Food Pantry.

  

  The team at Main Line Pizza in Wayne, PA.

  Next year, Main Line Pizza will be celebrating their 30th year of service in Wayne and surrounding communities, and they’re a perfect choice for our Small Business Salute.

  FULL DISCLOSURE: While I do not choose the winner of each week’s Small Business salute recipients, I am a regular customer of Main Line Pizza and can tell you their pizza is the absolute best on the Main Line!!

• Skyline Property Solutions

  

  With over two decades of experience in pest control management, Skyline Property Solutions serves the entire Delaware Valley, and when we say serves, they surely walk the walk. During the early stages of the pandemic, when businesses were temporarily closing left and right, Skyline reached out to those companies experiencing financial hardship as a result, and offered payment plans or, in some cases, complimentary pest control services until things steadied.

  

  Skyline Property Solutions is also very active in the community, participating in the Team Landens Legends for the Eagles Autism Challenge, as well as a charitable organization geared to families of Mummers, the Palandro-Ferry Memorial Foundation.

  Not to mention, they also have a very entertaining website!

   

• Madhouse Records

  

  Madhouse Records, a full service recording and rehearsal studio, was established by John Boyle right at the start of the pandemic. John and his team of musicians and engineers not only provide recording and rehearsal services at their studio in Clifton Heights, but they also have a mobile recording unit that enables you, or your band, to record almost anywhere you want, even capture one of your live performances. They’re well stocked with a great variety of microphones, outboard gear and many instruments.

  

  Lobby of Madhouse Records, Clifton Heights, PA

  Madhouse Records, a full service recording and rehearsal studio, was established by John Boyle right at the start of the pandemic. John and his team of musicians and engineers not only provide recording and rehearsal services at their studio in Clifton Heights, but they also have a mobile recording unit that enables you, or your band, to record almost anywhere you want, even capture one of your live performances. They’re well stocked with a great variety of microphones, outboard gear and many instruments.

• The Jeweled Warrior

  

  Joe Mitchell, who keeps MGK cranked in his wood shop, made us aware of his fiancé Kristin Costin’s store, which opened just this past April.  The Jeweled Warrior is not a jewelry “store” but, rather, what they call “A Gallery And Gathering Space.”

  All of the fine jewelry made by local artisans, and the art crafted by artists in the area, are ethical and sustainable, ensuring minimal harm is done to the planet and its inhabitants.  They have several “spaces” where artists and artisans can hold workshops, private events and community gatherings, in addition to tarot card readings, astrology classes, and mindful meditation.   And, 1% of all of their profits go toward endometriosis awareness.

  

  The interior of The Jeweled Warrior of Chester Springs, PA

• Bridgewater Jewelers

  

  Talk about a thriving business! According to fifth generation proprietor Mary Lenhoff, Bridgewater Jewelers is currently the oldest family-owned and operated jewelry store in the country, going back to 1883, and their building is also one of the oldest in New Castle. That is quite a lot of happy customers served over the years. Mary says the keys to their success are their fair prices, and connection to their customers. To Mary, Bridgewater Jewelers’ customers are like family. Congratulations to Mary Lenoff and Bridgewater Jewelers of New Castle, Delaware…… MGK’s Comcast Small Business Salute of the week!

  

• Cappuccio’s Meats

  
  From the heart of the Italian Market, the third generation family at Cappuccio’s has been serving South Philadelphia and beyond since 1920. They survived The Great Depression, and they’re surviving COVID-19 as well, keeping families stocked with their over 40 different flavors of homemade sausage and their prime steaks. They not only love serving their customers, but getting to know them as well, as many customers have been coming by for decades.
  

• Michael Leggerie Piano Instruction Studio

  
  Since 1988, Michael Leggerie Piano Instruction Studio has provided instruction to all ages, styles and levels across the Delaware Valley. Many students, adults and children have moved on from Michael’s instruction to professional careers in the music/TV/film industry, teaching careers and musical performance. At his studio in Northeast Philadelphia, Michael continues to educate and inspire students of all walks of life, in all genres of music, with a specialization in Jazz and Classical.

• Bas City Entertainment

  Basiliso is a Licensed Master Social Worker, and his business is focused on holistic self-care for other social workers and mental health professionals. Those dedicated to helping others don’t often get the self-care they need, and this has been particularly evident during the pandemic. Bas City Entertainment helps to fill that void with virtual sessions featuring Zumba, coupled with poetry written by Basiliso himself. It was poetry that helped him soothe his pain after the sudden passing of his mother in 2020, and now he shares his written works with others. Check out his website HERE.

  

• Affordable Car Service

  After spending time in the military, and at government and private sector jobs, Christopher decided to branch out on his own, along with his wife Jennifer, and, as he says, “be the boss that I always wanted to work for.” He quit his job, and the very next week, he and Jennifer started Affordable Car Service.

  With a fleet of 5 vehicles (3 minivans and 2 SUV’s), their goal is to give their customers a more pleasurable experience than they would have with a ride share, including the fact they don’t have surge pricing.

  Affordable Car Service is a veteran and woman-owned business.

  

• Unforgettaballs

  
  Emily is a local artist who designs beautiful, heirloom-quality works of art..on baseballs!

  She’s been in business for over 25 years, and exemplifies what it means to be customer-focused. Emily is always getting input from her customers on designs, limited edition runs and even has a select group of clients look over her work to make sure all the facts and people on the balls are represented correctly.

  Each holiday season, Emily and Unforgettaballs donate hundreds of balls to Toys for Tots and Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia.
  

• A Shade Above Hair Salon

  
  Owner Sara Kanicki is a licensed Cosmetologist who has a salon in a suite of shops in Cinnaminson, and she says she loves what she does! “It’s the smile at the end of your visit that does it for me. Self care is super important, and helping someone reach their hair goals is my way of giving back,” When you visit her suite, Sara told us, you become family. Check out the website HERE.
  

• LiFiBiFi

  
  LiFiBiFi founder Stephanie gave us some background on how her business started:

  “LifiBifi itself is born of the pandemic.  After our 14 year national business pulled the plug on us, we knew it was time to put our skills to work helping others. For customers, we did the searching and bring these heart led businesses right to them so they can spend less time searching and more time enjoying.”

  LiFiBiFi (short for “little fish, big fish”) loves promoting small business.  Stephanie says the pandemic put an unfair burden on small businesses, and LiFiBiFi’s job is to, as she says, “level the playing field.”  They work with small businesses here and across the country, helping them reach a bigger audience without breaking the bank.  They also look for businesses selling products that you might not see on one of bigger shopping sites.

  Stephanie and her team accomplish all of this hard work with good humor as well, as she notes, “we try not to take ourselves too seriously.”

  

  Stephanie Weinberger and her team at LiFiBiFi, Inc.