Michelle Mikitish, executive vice president, and Brandi Bartush, administrator and events coordinator, get ready for the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce s upcoming 100th anniversary celebration which will include a roaring 20s-themed event planned for April 17 in an airplane hangar at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Mark Moran cv031421pittstonchamberp2
While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many businesses, one local car dealership has managed to not only survive but grow.
Barber Ford, which has locations in Exeter and Hazleton, has been family-fun for four generations and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The business began in 1920 when the late Michael Barber started the Barber Motor Car Co. selling Willyâs Overland cars that are now Jeeps and Dort Motor vehicles.
In 1932, Barber secured a Ford Franchise on West Oak Street in Pittston. The dealership moved to its present location at 962 Wyoming Ave. in Exeter in 1952 after acquiring the land when it needed space to grow to add a larger showroom and repair shop.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many businesses, one local car dealership has managed to not only survive but grow over the last 100 years.
Barber Ford, which has locations in Exeter and Hazleton, has been family-fun for four generations and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The business began in 1920 when the late Michael Barber started the Barber Motor Car Co. selling Willyâs Overland cars that are now Jeeps and Dort Motor vehicles.
In 1932, Barber secured a Ford Franchise on West Oak Street in Pittston. The dealership moved to its present location at 962 Wyoming Ave. in Exeter in 1952 after acquiring the land when it needed space to grow to add a larger showroom and repair shop.
Leaders of area chambers of commerce have written letters imploring Gov. Tom Wolf and state and federal legislators to pass stimulus packages to help small businesses, workers and industry sectors impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
âAbsent such federal and state action, we fear the network of small businesses that make up the foundation of our local economy is at risk of collapse,â the letters said.
The letters point out that the pandemicâs impact in Northeast Pennsylvania has been unprecedented and it has been dramatically impacting small businesses, restaurants, taverns, boutiques, travel, accommodations and service sectors.
While some economic and job improvement occurred in the second and third quarters partially because of federal and state stimulus programs, unemployment assistance and the lifting of business restrictions after the first wave, the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases âhas brought dramatic cooling in the overall recovery,â the letters stat
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Lindsay Griffin, vice president and COO, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce; Mary Malone, president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Hetro, executive director of the Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce and Michelle Mikitish, executive vice president of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce are among the area chamber leaders who signed letters urging Gov. Tom Wolf and legislators to pass stimulus packages. They are shown in a file photo with Luzerne County Manager David Pedri.Â