Small Business Week is being celebrated in Hazleton, Luzerne County, with state and local leaders visiting downtown Hazleton to highlight the impact of small businesses on the community. Hazleton Food Super Market, a family-owned business that has been a community staple for 18 years, was a focal point of the visit.
The store, based on a Dominican culture, offers products from various countries, mainly from South America and the Caribbean. Manny Bisono, the clerk and store manager, shared that the store was one of the first bodegas in downtown Hazleton, opened by his father and uncle.
State Representative Dane Watro, representing the 116th district, emphasized the importance of investing in downtowns and main streets to foster community growth. He highlighted the significance of supporting all types of small businesses, from ice cream shops to grocery stores.
Manny expressed gratitude towards the loyal patrons who choose to shop locally, emphasizing the strong community bond they have formed with customers who visit the store regularly.
Governor Shapiro has proposed a $25 million Main Street Matters program in his 2024-25 budget, aimed at modernizing the Keystone Communities program and boosting economic development in the state. The program is seen as a critical component of the governor’s economic development strategy, emphasizing the importance of supporting small businesses to drive community growth.