WebTek's Kornel Kurtz, second from left, is one of three new business owners at Jemson Cabinetry Commercial Center on Route 272.
As an EMT and part-time employee at Ephrata Community Hospital, Joan Swayze knows how important convenience is to hurried first responders.
That's why she chose to set up a store front for her Web-based business on Route 272 at Parkview Heights Road this June. RescueStat, located at 1060 S. State St. in Suite D, specializes in BDUs, uniforms and scrubs - both for individuals and companies.
It is the third business to open at the Jemson Cabinetry Commercial Center in a space formerly occupied by a chiropractic office. Swayze's neighbors include the Take It or Leave It Thrift Store in Suite C at the building's rear, and WebTek, a Web design and Internet marketing company in Suite B.
Like RescueStat, WebTek is a physical extension of a successful Internet-based business. President Kornel Kurtz started the company more than 10 years ago while holding another full-time job.
"Eventually the demand for our website services forced me into this full-time, and I am so thankful it did as it has been a wonderful ride," said Kurtz, who has more than 250 active clients. "We get to meet wonderful people from great companies and develop long-lasting business relationships with them."
WebTek opened June 1. The firm specializes in design, search engine optimization and e-commerce. Kurtz offers free initial consultations, though appointments are recommended. Walk-ins with general questions are also welcome.
Owner Aretta Vallozzi is hoping customers who stop by Take It or Leave It will walk out with plenty of her high-end women's clothing. The New Jersey transplant decided to open a second-hand store focusing on upscale, contemporary clothing, much of it provided by large-scale consigners. She has more than 50 formal dresses in store.
Vallozzi said her stock often includes dresses and skirts from designers like Gucci, Talbots and Sag Harbor. She also carries a limited line of vintage items. About 25 percent of the store is devoted to home goods. She does not sell clothes for men or children. By targeting women, she wants to make her business stand out in thrift store-laden Lancaster County.
Before moving to Ephrata with her fiancée, Vallozzi was a paralegal in a town with just two thrift shops.
"It seems like there are 200 here," she said. "It's a huge difference."
Vallozzi does not sell clothes that are donated at her store, but she has started a free clothing giveaway. Anyone can take clothes from a closet near the front door, no purchase required.
At RescueStat, Swayze is focused on helping those who help others.
"People who get into emergency medical services are not in it for the money, so we really try to keep our prices low," she said.
Swayze carries a wide selection of EMT items with the state Department of Health logo, and customers can make special orders through catalogs. If a potential customer can't shop during her scheduled hours, Swayze said she will try to set up a personal shopping time.
The details:
RescueStat
466-6200
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.
WebTek
859-3250
Hours by appointment. An open house is scheduled for Friday, August 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take It Or Leave It
466-4406
Open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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