Booming Business in the Countryside

Take note: the countryside is no longer just about pretty scenery.

The townships of Newton and Ransom, commonly known as agricultural communities in the Abingtons, are seeing a boom in business, thanks to the opening of several new specialty stores, restaurants and Rossi's Supermarket in the Red Barn Village on Newton-Ransom Blvd.

Eryn Stiltenpole and her mother, Barb Richter, recently celebrated the grand opening of their restaurant, Bella on the Boulevard. Richter explained why having her business in Newton Twp. was so important to her.

"We have a lot of family up here because my husband is originally from this area, so we see family we haven't seen in years and we make new friends from this business," she said. "The Abingtons are a wonderful area for families. Our customers are like an extended family for us. They are very supportive."

Williams Pies originally operated from Dunmore, but closed in 1988 when original owners, Roy and Ann Williams, retired. Their son, Richard, recently reopened Williams Pies and Country Store in Ransom Twp.

"My thought always was to give it a shot here," he explained. "I grew up in the Endless Mountains and just love this area. It is worth the ride to come out here and see our businesses in Newton and Ransom. We get a lot of people who make the trip, who want to take the ride out here to see what we have to offer."

Stiltenpole said one of the best parts about being a business owner in a community where local business is still growing is that business owners all support each other.

"None of us are in competition with each other," she said. "Rossi's is a grocery store, the Willow Tree sells crafts, Williams Pies is a bakery. We all complement each other and we all support each other as businesses."

For Amy Jones, owner of the Willow Tree Shop, bringing her business to the area allowed her to come home and preserve a historic building, a former church, in the process.

"It has always been our goal to establish a second location in our hometown," she said. "The church was an absolutely perfect location for us. There is nothing out here like our business and we thought it would be well-received here."

Part of the appeal of the growing business community is that people have the opportunity to meet their neighbors, who are often the business owners.

"I've met so many people from the Newton-Ransom area here," said Joan Scandale, who owns Retro Décor. "Even though you live here, sometimes you don't get to meet your neighbors. Having a business here allows you to do that. People are appreciative of having the businesses locally-based. We all hope more businesses come to Newton and Ransom."

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