East Palestine Today: Businesses Strive to Get Back on Track | News, sports, jobs

Donna Heitzman of Syracuse, New York, left, and Mindy Juliana of Fairbanks, Alaska, shopped for “Eastern Palestine Strong” merchandise from Manetta Furniture & Decor earlier last week. Pictured with them is owner Melissa James, center. (Photo by Amanda C. Davis)

EAST PALESTINE – Prayers, well wishes and donations continue to pour into the community, but Mindy Juliana and Donna Heitzman wanted to support the city in a different way.

The two walked downtown Tuesday, lending their wallets — and hearts — to local business owners. The story doesn’t seem unusual until you consider where they came from.

Juliana, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Heitman, of Syracuse, New York, are friends who haven’t seen each other in 10 years. Juliana flew to Cleveland this week for a work conference and the two met, with the specific goal of visiting a community still reeling from the Feb. 3 rail launch.

People around the world know what happened here, and we as American citizens are concerned. Juliana said. “It’s a beautiful city.”

The two visited a station near the railroad crossing, ate at Sprinklz on Top, and headed out to North Market Street.

A customer orders lunch at Peggy’s Deli food truck, which will be available this week at McKim’s Honeyvine & Winery, 735 E. Taggart St., not far from the train tracks. (Photo by Amanda C. Davis)

“We’ve been shopping all day.” Heitzman said. “We want to buy something in every store.”

The friends at Manetta Furniture & Decor, 77 N. Market St., said owner Melissa James of the sign, appreciates the compliment, because foot traffic has been slow this year, so the friends bought three shirts.

Weekly shopping

Heidi Shiderly, of Enon Valley, Pa., who lived in East Palestine for 30 years, said she knows many shop owners and worries that people will avoid the area because of negative press, negative rumors or fear.

Shiderly usually shops with her mother. They start from one end of the city and stop for food, to buy things or to talk “hello.”

Mindy Juliana of Fairbanks, Alaska, sits quietly near a train derailment, Feb. 3, as cleanup continues. (Photo courtesy of Donna Heitzman)

The evacuation order was lifted on February 8, and since then Shiderly and her mother have shopped East Palestine 27 times.

“It’s a nice city with nice people.” She said. “Always has been and always will be.”

The residents and business owners are warm and friendly people, Shiderly said, adding that East Palestine has it. “Small Town Feeling” What many people miss. She thinks it would be great if families living outside of East Palestine could drive for a day to support the shops and restaurants.

Business owners, some hurt, like that, too, she added. “They’re beautiful, nice people… drive and see for yourself.”

Spring Fling

The East Palestine Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Fling on April 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and a Chinese auction will be held at the Community Center, 31 Park Ave. Medical bags will be given to the first 100 children to participate. Most businesses in town will have discounts and sales, and officials hope to boost business and draw people back into the community. Manetta will host an adult Easter egg hunt and prizes will include discounts that can be used in store.

East Palestine Council officials and Mayor Trent Conaway did not respond to requests to discuss the economic impact of the collapse.

But Guy Covillo, president/CEO of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber foundation is planning events to help East Palestine retail businesses. “Buy East Palestine Days”. To make an appointment in a short time from April.

“We want to do what we can to help retail establishments in East Palestine.” Coviello said.

UPTICK

The eastbound Norfolk Southern train was loaded with hazardous chemicals and a controlled burn was started to prevent an explosion, officials said. The city was evacuated and businesses were closed for several days.

The company promises to make things right in the community, and James said she bought 20 shirts from a company representative.

Joy Mascher, owner of Flowers Direct, 99 N. Market St., Norfolk Southern, buys flowers and vases from her and donates them to nursing homes. She said she missed a lot of Valentine’s Day business, but hopes to bounce back by prom and Mother’s Day.

“We hope we will not be forgotten.” She said.

John Myers, manager of T&M Hardware & Rental, 193 E. Taggart St., has seen a lot of business for cleaning from residents and workers in the city. Patty Zoccolo, coordinator of Our Lady of Lloret in the city, stopped by T&M last week to buy five-gallon buckets and planned to fill them with cleaning supplies donated by a Michigan company.

She said Rich Ferris, a grand knight with the local Knights of Columbus, will be handing out buckets of supplies on a first-come, first-served basis, and the two are happy to buy local. “I know these people must be hurting a little.”She said.

hope

Brittain Motors owner Tom Brittain, 57, grew up in East Palestine, where his grandfather founded the company 98 years ago. He said he sees hope in the community and believes Norfolk Southern is keeping its promise. All negative and even good things are happening in the city “sensitive” He explained that he received the newspaper when he was a journalist from national and overseas news organizations.

“Okay, we’re doing it.” he said. “I have no doubt that everything will return to normal.”

Juliana and Heitzman said the purpose of their visit was to reflect on the devastation and send condolences to the community. They showed up to thank Fire Chief Keith Drabik and his crew for their work after the derailment.

“Many lives have been affected by this.” She said. “This is any city, America.”