Celebrating Veteran-Owned Businesses of Butler County, PA
When you visit Butler County, you have the chance to discover and support many eclectic small businesses from bookstores to breweries.
The following blog tells the story of Butler County business owners who have served our country, and are now serving our community.
Burgh'ers Brewing
Co-Owner Neil Glausier, U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant
Enjoy a crisp, refreshing beer and a burger made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients at this veteran-owned restaurant. By choosing to eat at Burgh’ers not only will you be giving back to a veteran-owned business, you will be giving back to the planet. With their no-paper napkin policy and code of ethical and sustainable food sourcing, your burger can be (mostly) guilt-free.
Burgh’ers is co-owned by Neil Glausier, who served 12 years in the United States Army, working as a civilian avionics/electronics prototype, and later worked as a field and test engineer.
As to why Glausier thinks Zelienople and Butler County is the perfect home for his business, the answer is simple. “(It) seemed like the right time and place for us.”
Glausier joined Burgh’ers Brewing in 2017. Formerly known as just “Burgh’ers”, owner/head chef Fiore Moletz brought on Glasier as his-beer expert and moved the business to Zelienople the same year. They have since expanded to a second location in Lawrenceville.
Glausier says his experience serving in the army has helped him be a better business owner, teaching him to value attention to detail and placing priority on motivating his staff. The military mindset was also essential to helping Glausier and his staff quickly adapt to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can keep up with Burgh’ers Brewing and their newest beer and menu launches by following them on Facebook and Instagram
My experience serving in the army helped me be a better business owner, teaching me the value of attention to detail and placing priority on motivating staff.
Buttercup Woodlands Campground
Owner Ed Tanski, Petty Officer 2nd Class, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War
Unwind with a family vacation at the beautiful Buttercup Woodlands campgrounds in Renfrew. The 55 acres of green space offer amenities to fit any level of adventurer ranging from tent and RV campsites to rustic cabins fitted with electricity and AC. The grounds also have a host of recreational areas including a pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a dancehall, and an arcade. The camp opened in 1977 and has been a community favorite since.
Campground owner Ed Tanski was drafted in 1967 during the Vietnam War. As part of the Navy, he attended basic training at the Great Lakes Illinois base. Tanski served as a drill instructor, then worked on a carrier ship as an engineer in Norfolk. During his two years on the ship, Tanski became a third class petty officer and was sent to Nahbe, Vietnam, where he served for a total of 23 months.
“I got to see a lot of strange things on the ship,” Ed said
However, serving in such a controversial war meant Tanski did not have the hero’s welcome home after his six years of service.
“We had to come home in civilian clothes, not let anyone know we were military,” Tanski recalled “You didn’t talk about being in the service as you came out,”
While adjusting to civilian life, Tanski worked as a truck driver and went to school in the evenings, earning himself a degree in engineering. In 1988 Tanski utilized some veteran programs to begin his own hydraulic hose business, which he ran for nearly 10 years. Tanski’s introduction to campground management came through a connection with another local veteran.
“A veteran that I had known had built a campground near where my shop was and we made a deal and I bought the campground,” said Tanski “Here I am 26 years later,”
Tanski says that his military experience directly influences how he runs his campground.
“It's the military discipline that helps you run your business a little stronger,” stated Tanski “because in military you’re not only taught the discipline side but you’re taught a little bit of administration you’re taught a little bit of finance, how to handle things personally “
As to why Tanski wanted his business in Butler County his answer is simple.
“It’s just a unique place to live,”
Keep up on the campground’s upcoming events and learn more about their camping and rental options by following them on Facebook.
It's the military discipline that helps you run your business a little stronger.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Owner Greg Billy, Captain, submarine officer, U.S. Navy
Located in bustling Cranberry Township, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa offers professional Massage, Facial and Hair Removal services tailored to your individual needs. This specialty spa is owned by Greg Billy, a Navy veteran who served for 30 years.
Billy says he chose to pursue a business in the wellness industry because it correlated with his personal interests.
“I have always been passionate about fitness and wellness.” stated Billy “Hand & Stone provides a perfect opportunity to help people improve their lives through relaxing massages and facials in a relaxing spa environment.”
Billy chose to have his business in Butler County because he saw a need in the community. “In addition to being vibrant and growing, Butler County - and Cranberry Township, in particular - is the type of community that seeks the affordable luxury services that we offer at Hand & Stone.”
Making the transition from a Navy Captain to a small business owner, Billy not only got to pursue his passion of personal wellness, he also utilized the team working skills the Navy taught him. “
The military emphasizes the power of working as a cohesive team in which everyone is treated with respect and professionalism.” said Billy “In our spas, this philosophy is the basis of our culture and guides our interactions with our clients and among the staff.”
To learn more about Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, follow them on Facebook.
The military emphasizes the power of working as a cohesive team in which everyone is treated with respect and professionalism.
Shubrew Handcrafted Ales & Food
Co-Owner Zach Schumaker, Marine Corps
Explore a variety of PA brewed craft beer and seasonal lunch and dinner menus at this Harmony brewery. Some of the innovative beer flavors concocted and sold here include a brewery take on strawberry-pretzel salad and minty-green shamrock shake. The restaurant and brewery is also known for its pop-culture-themed trivia nights.
Shubrew was opened in 2013 by Zachary and Erika Shumaker. Zach developed his interest in craft beer during his time serving in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, where he frequented a local craft brewery and eventually became a line cook.
Zach Shumaker says his passion for brewing and beer making was born from his time in the service. “If I hadn’t joined the Marine Corps I probably wouldn’t have experienced the west-coast craft beer scene which encouraged my love of brewing and craft beer.” stated Shumaker, who says his experience serving helped him to run his brewery through tough times, such as the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. “My experience in the military has taught me to react quickly and make informed, educated decisions to adjust the business. I feel like I’m able to adapt and overcome most situations based on what I was taught, which was especially helpful during the pandemic.”
When choosing where to open up their business, the Schumaker’s chose Zelienople for two reasons. “We liked the location and hometown feel of Zelienople.” said Zach “I also grew up in Cranberry Township and was familiar with the area since I graduated from Seneca (Valley Senior High School).”
Shubrew’s popularity pushed them to move to a bigger location, across the street, in 2019. In 2020 they converted their old space into an asian cuisine inspired restaurant General Shu's Chinese Fare & Taproom.
You can keep up on Shubrew’s specialty can-releases, upcoming trivia nights, and live music events by following them on Facebook.
My experience in the military has taught me to react quickly and make informed, educated decisions to adjust the business.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest
Owner Denny Quigley, Air Force
Campground owner Denny Quigley served four years as a jet engine technician in the Air Force. He says his service helped make him someone who prepares for everything, which is essential when running a campground.
“My military background taught me to be prepared, to plan ahead, to do my best, to take pride in everything I do. Military preparedness meant we had to have those engines ready for the B52 bombers, the KC 135 tankers and the C130 transports planes, no excuses, work as team and get it done.” Quigley says “You can’t do it by yourself, you have to get your staff to buy into the mission. Our mission is to serve our customers.”
Quigley grew up in Cranberry Township, lived in the Callery borough of Butler County for 22 years, and says he was lucky to find the Kozy Rest Campground. He was inspired by his children to make it into what it is today.
“When my two kids were young we started camping and we traveled all around trying different campgrounds and as I sat around campfires I thought ‘I could do this’.” recalled Quigley “I was in the auto parts industry and it was changing, so it was now or never to take the leap again into being self employed.”
Deciding to take on Kozy Park was a leap of faith for Quigley, but one he says he’s glad he took.
“I did some research, sold everything I owned and rolled the dice. Here I am 22 years later with a very rewarding business.”
Achieve your childhood dream of having a picnic with Yogi Bear™ by planning a trip to stay at Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest. Options include RV and tent sites, cabins, and “glamping” in a yurt. During your stay, there will be activities for the entire family, every weekend the campground has a new theme. Activities include an 18 hole mini-golf course, laser tag, walking trails, a basketball court, a swimming pool and so much more. Plus, daily meet and greets with Yogi Bear™, Boo Boo™, Cindy Bear™ or Ranger Smith™.
This campground has the reputation to back it up, receiving recognition as “The Park of the Year” five times in a row. They are also the nine-time winner of the Pinnacle Club Award for obtaining a rate of 95 percent and higher on the inspection of their facilities and operations by Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI) inspectors.
My military background taught me to be prepared, to plan ahead, to do my best, to take pride in everything I do.
The Tearoom On Main
Ashley Stadelmaier, U.S. Army, Apache Helicopter Mechanic
Embrace your inner-royal with a visit to the elegant and tranquil tea room in the charming and historic town of Saxonburg, located just over 30 minutes from Cranberry Township. This woman and veteran-owned business opened in May of 2021 and joined the quaint main street filled with shops, bakeries, galleries and restaurants.
Ashley Stadelmaier decided to pursue opening her own business after obtaining her business degree at Penn State, where she studied after leaving the service. As an US Army Veteran Stadelmaier said her time in the service taught her to have confidence in her leadership skills.
“It has definitely helped me to adapt to changes, to have faith in my leadership abilities and to keep going.” Stadelmaier said
From May of 2021 to today, Stadelmaier says her business has changed a lot.
“It started out as something completely different and then blossomed into what it is today.”
The tearoom menu is always changing with fresh and seasonal ingredients and delightful desserts. While things may seem fancy, The Tearoom On Main prides itself on being family-friendly, offering special tea parties just for kids.
The military has definitely helped me to adapt to changes, to have faith in my leadership abilities and to keep going.
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Related
215 W. New Castle St. Zelienople, PA 16063 (724) 473-0710 Website
854 Evans City Rd. Renfrew, PA 16053 (724) 789-9340 Website
1713 PA-228, Ste. A Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 (724) 739-3832 Website
205 S. Main St. Zelienople, PA 16063 (724) 766-4426 Website
449 Camp Ground Rd. Harrisville, PA 16038 (724) 735-2417 Website
225 W. Main St. Saxonburg, PA 16056 (724) 524-1299 Website