At the heart of Carbondale Township in Lackawanna County, the newly opened Elements Cafe offers a cozy atmosphere with unique features like a water wall, a fireplace, and mushroom-themed décor. Owners Nicole and Jack Curtis have dubbed their patrons the “fifth element,” emphasizing the community aspect of their establishment.
Despite economic uncertainties that have led consumers to tighten their purse strings, the Curtises launched their cafe on Main Street just two months ago. Jack Curtis expressed the need to provide exceptional offerings to attract customers, saying, “You pretty much have to step it up to where people want to come for good food and good bakery items and good coffee.”
Having closed a previous cafe and dollar store due to rising overheads, the Curtises found a smaller but promising location for their new venture. Known for its Detroit-style pizza, Elements Cafe has seen a warm reception from returning customers. Nicole Curtis described the atmosphere as familial, noting, “It’s like family.”
Boosting Small Businesses
Across the nation, small businesses like Elements Cafe are being celebrated on Small Business Saturday, an initiative launched in 2010 by American Express to support enterprises affected by the 2008 financial crisis. The event encourages consumers to shop locally, bypassing larger chains in favor of community-focused businesses. Since its inception, over $200 billion has been spent at small businesses on this day, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In Scranton, the organization Scranton Tomorrow is leading the charge as the local neighborhood champion, orchestrating events that highlight the importance of small businesses. This year, 55 businesses are part of the initiative, marking the highest participation to date. Business Development Director Liz Baldi remarked, “It just signifies how much downtown has grown truly and how everybody really does they see the value in participating.”
Baldi emphasized the financial significance of the event, stating, “Saturday now is a bigger day financially for the small businesses than Black Friday has ever been.” This pivotal day helps small businesses plan for staffing, expansion, and improvement projects.
Scranton Tomorrow covers a vibrant area from Jefferson to Mifflin avenues and from Lackawanna Avenue to Pine Street. Other organizations, such as the United Neighborhood Centers, play a similar role in different parts of the city.
Special Promotions and Community Engagement
In Wilkes-Barre, the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Diamond City Partnership are spearheading Small Business Saturday efforts. Chamber director Ahmad Ali reported that 54 businesses are participating, surpassing their initial goal. Ali emphasized local pride, saying, “We want to encourage people to shop local, support local first.”
These organizations are promoting various deals and discounts and hosting a Holiday Vendor Market in the downtown area. Additionally, a trail of giant candy canes will direct shoppers to eateries offering special holiday menus.
Ali noted the interconnected nature of small businesses, explaining that visiting one often leads consumers to explore others nearby. This collaborative environment encourages the sale of each other’s products, enhancing the local economy.
Embracing Local Connections
Elements Cafe, along with other small businesses, is adapting to shifts in consumer behavior, with a noticeable trend towards supporting local establishments. Nicole Curtis highlighted how their partnership with Moka Origins, a local coffee and chocolate business, has helped manage costs, particularly amid recent tariff increases on imports like coffee.
Reflecting on the changing landscape, Jack Curtis mentioned, “I think people are small business minded now, like people will come here instead of going to Dunkin, right? They’ll come here for a sandwich instead of going to Burger King or some fast food place, because they know it’s fresh.” This shift highlights a growing recognition of the importance of supporting small businesses to sustain the local economy.
