Members in the News

"An Ohio Main Street Community"

Members in the News

Leander Walker– Small Business Person of the Year

Economic Development, entrepreneurship and growing new businesses are terms we hear tossed about frequently in the media. Actually having the opportunity to see a local business person generate an idea for a new business, develop a business plan and then put that plan in successful action is one of the greatest aspects of the Chamber.

We are pleased to recognize an individual (and his family) for having the courage to step up and launch their own small business. Having a great idea for a needed service in the greater Kent region, Leander Walker approached the Small Business Development Center for help with getting his business off the ground. Through a solid business plan they developed and tremendous hard work and dedication, Leander first opened a small, one-room barbershop, on the second floor at 136 E. Main Street.

It didn’t take long for Leander’s hard work and charisma to build a following. His early success allowed him to take over a store front that became vacant directly on East Main. Once again, hard work and determination kicked in, and in July, the ground floor space at 124 East Main Street was converted into Leander’s Barber Shop. The event was witnessed by friends and family at the grand opening on July 17.

Leander can often be seen greeting his fellow businesses on Main Street or giving a quick wave as he tends to his many customers. It is our pleasure to present the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year award to Leander Walker of Leander’s Barbershop.

Business of the Year– Moneypenny Realty & Mgmt.

The owners of Moneypenny Realty & Management, Rillis & Anne Moneypenny, have worked in the real estate industry since 1983. Rillis worked for a prominent real estate developer in Akron. His extensive background in property management covers residential properties, office buildings and warehouse buildings. Anne joined the business as Accounting Manager in 1986 with an extensive background in that field. In 2004 she became a REALTOR® in order to oversee more of the property management duties. Rillis and Anne’s success over the years has been built on customer service. Service is the cornerstone of their business.

Currently they have four (4) REALTORS®, in their Real Estate Division, who are experienced in every aspect of the buying and selling of real estate.

Their Property Management Division is second to none. Their inventory of rental units runs the full spectrum of single-family homes, multi-family residential rentals, apartment complexes, student rooming houses and apartments, condominiums, office and retail space. There are two employees in the Property Management Division, a Maintenance Supervisor and a Bookkeeper.

Not only have Rillis and Anne worked together, in Kent, for 21 years, but also this December they will be celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary. They have 2 adopted children and 6 grandchildren.

2007 Kent Immy Awards

KSU Franklin Hall

Ray's Place

Riverside Wine & Imports

Schlabig & Associates, ltd

SAVE-A-LOT OPENS in University Plaza!

Unique, Edited Assortment Grocery Format Saves Consumers Up to 40 Percent

December 12, 2007 – Save-A-Lot, the nation’s largest edited assortment grocery chain, announces it will open a store in Kent, Ohio, located at 1416 South Water Street, on Thursday, December 20. The company, headquartered in St. Louis, operates more than 1,150 stores nationwide.

“We are very excited to open a store in Kent,” said Jaime Powers, company spokesperson. “Save-A-Lot’s edited assortment retailing model and nationwide buying power allows us to offer the best quality groceries at a significant savings to shoppers. We are committed to offering local shoppers high-quality groceries at a savings of up to 40 percent.”

The new Kent store will carry fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, canned goods and packaged items, multi-ethnic food items, frozen foods and more, plus non-food products like health and beauty care items. Save-A-Lot also offers a selection of unique general merchandise items, including houseware and hardware items.

The store will employ approximately 15 to 20 employees.

About: Save-A-Lot, the nation’s leading extreme value, edited assortment grocery chain and the nation’s fifth largest grocery banner, operates more than 1,150 value-oriented stores in all types of neighborhoods: urban, rural and suburban, and delivers up to 40 percent of savings compared to conventional grocery stores. Save-A-Lot is a wholly owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE: SVU), a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel. For more information and a list of store locations, visit www.save-a-lot.com.

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