DUBOIS – Several businesses have recently opened their doors in the City of DuBois, each providing services and goods across the board from dining to quilts.
“We’ve been very fortunate since not every community has been this fortunate,” said Julie Stewart, manager of the DuBois Revitalization Group.
At the time only one business had left DuBois, but six had opened or relocated to the area with more in progress. Some of the new businesses to DuBois include The Day Spa Dubois, Lauren’s Barber Shop, DuBois Ink and Toner, Frugal Corner Kilt Store, and Aussie’s Australian Steak House. Swaggert Photo relocated from near the DuBois Mall in Sandy Township to the city.
Aussie’s Steak House is a new restaurant planning to employ 15-20 people when things fully kick off. While already serving people, the steak house was waiting for approval of its liquor license before having an official grand opening.
“At this point I think [business] is very good,” said Ken Kepple, president of the DuBois steak house.
Opening an Australian steak house had been something he had been wanting to do.
Mark Wright had moved his business, Frugal Corner Kilt Store and self-described largest kilt store in North America, from Minnesota. Wright hadn’t been considering DuBois specifically. Just a location on the east-coast to make traveling to the various shows that involve kilt wearing. He had even been looking at Tennesse at one point.
“It’s close to [Interstate] 80 and it puts us close to where we want to be,” said Wright about why he eventually chose DuBois.
Most of the business for Frugal Corner is done through online transactions.
“What amazes me is we were close to Minneapolis and St. Paul. If we had one person a week it was good. We’re getting one or two people a day,” said Wright about business in DuBois.
DuBois Ink and Toner specializes in refilling used ink cartridges. Owner and sole employee, Carrie Ann Settlemyer was a partner in a similar business in Altoona. After he husband changed jobs the two moved to the DuBois area where she started up a business based on what she knew.
“It’s really picking up,” said Settlemyer about her business. It started up June 15.
Lauren’s Barbershop opened up mid June as well. Originally working in her mother’s shop in Clearfield, Lauren McDole opened up her own in DuBois.
“I practically grew up in DuBois so it felt right opening my shop in my second home,” said McDole.
The Day Spa Dubois was opened by Tammy Gaither after she moved back to DuBois.
“I grew up in DuBois. I moved back after being away for 25 years,” said Gaither.
In that time she had lived in Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa and Atlanta. After returning she wondered why DuBois couldn’t have a city quality spaw, and decided to open one herself.
“So far it’s been wonderful. People like to come get pampered,” said Gaither.
The spa is currently employing three stylists/cosmetologists and three massage specialists.
Even as these five new businesses get settled in more are on the way to open up in the DuBois area.