Three area businesses were showcased by the Feasterville Business Association in a special reception
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It was nearly 5 p.m. and traffic was bumper-to-bumper along East Street Road as workers journeyed home after a long day. But for several businesses at Stockade Plaza in Lower Southampton, the party was just getting started. This was the Feasterville Business Association’s Spotlight on Business reception held on Thursday, Nov. 9, which recognized the work of Select Jewelers, Edible Arrangements Feasterville and Autocrafters CARSTAR Collision.
Spotlight on Business has been an ongoing program of the FBA for the past four years. According to FBA president Karen Madotto, the sole purpose is to showcase area businesses and their services to both the business community and community at-large. The Spotlight initiative takes place periodically throughout the year, and is advertised at each FBA monthly meeting to encourage members to support their industry peers.
This month, special recognition was given to three local businesses and FBA members — Select Jewelers, Edible Arrangements Feasterville, both of Lower Southampton, and Autocrafters CARSTAR Collision of Bensalem.
Representing Select Jewelers was owner Joe Mortimer. Surrounded by balloons, desserts and other refreshments, the longtime business professional proudly reminisced on the store’s vast history. Created by his father in 1961, Select Jewelers has been family-run ever since. It’s also one of the few mom and pop shops to not become part of a larger conglomerate.
For Mortimer, being recognized by the FBA has brought him full circle. He was a former member in 1970, but due to time constraints with work and family, he was forced to put the association on the backburner. Now, with his children grown, he’s been able to rejoin and reap the benefits of being part of a supportive business community.
As Mortimer continues to serve both new and longtime customers, he prides himself on the unique and speedy services offered. Most watch adjustments and ring measurements are done while the customer waits, and engagement rings can be altered on the same or next day.
“There’s very little we can’t do,” he said.
Mortimer explained that 90 percent of Select Jewelers’ revenue comes from service and repair, which is all done by his son. Just as his father intended, the business is staying in the family, with Mortimer running the business end of things while his son specializes in repair work behind the scenes.
Next door, Sharon Lindley and her Edible Arrangements Feasterville team were all smiles as they prepped samples of chocolate-covered bananas and other goodies for the evening. Lindley opened the store 11 years ago and serves as president and CEO. Edible Arrangements is now a national brand, but according to Lindley, wasn’t widely known in the local community…until she came along.
“We made Edible in the area take off,” she said.
Specializing as an “Edible To Go” shop, customers are able to pick up varieties of chocolate-covered fruits without having to order in advance, and even enjoy an all-natural smoothie before they leave.
Whether it’s because they work with chocolate all day or because they genuinely love what they do, Lindley said her staff, which she described as a “tiny family,” maintains a fun, energetic atmosphere, even during the stress of the holidays.
“We take great pride in our work,” she said.
Like Mortimer, Lindley is getting her children involved in the business. Her daughter Emily, 16, started working at Edible recently and a younger son and daughter were in attendance at the reception handing out pamphlets and samples.
The third Spotlight business, Autocrafters CARSTAR Collision, was represented by its vice president of marketing and business development, Dianna Yurko. Autocrafters, owned by Frank Slack, has been in business for more than 40 years and specializes in full service collision and auto body repair. For Yurko, the highlight of the reception was the ability for the three businesses to network and share all that they offer with the community.
“Small businesses can have such an uphill battle,” she said.
In addition to information about the businesses and their services, there was a 50/50 drawing and raffles for baskets, with proceeds going toward Lower Southampton’s pictures with Santa event on Dec. 9. Food and spirits were provided by Cheese Dawgs Restaurant and Naked Brewery, both of Feasterville, and Wit or Witout of Northeast Philadelphia.
For information on Select Jewelers, visit select-jewelers.net. For more on Edible Arrangements Feasterville, visit ediblearrangements.com/stores/252B-East-St-Rd-Feasterville-Trevose-PA-19053. For more on Autocrafters CARSTAR Collision, go to autocrafterscarstar.com. The Feasterville Business Association can be reached at 215–436–9768 or FeastervilleBA@gmail.com. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
