Petra Stana and Garrett Raney, co-owners of Allegheny Store Fixtures in Bradford, were the big winners of the fourth annual Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition on Thursday evening.
Allegheny Store Fixtures has manufactured custom interiors and fixtures such as shelving, tables, cabinetry, displays, counters, doors, perimeter and other millwork for years in Bradford. The prize money, owners said, will be used to purchase new equipment including a case clamp and dowel machine. The equipment will create new casework capabilities and products, allowing them to diversify their customer base.
Stana and Raney stated, “It is very gratifying that the judges and the community validated our vision for the business and selected Allegheny Store Fixtures with this great honor. It was also a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the broader community. We remain committed to manufacturing here in Bradford, Pa., and creating gainful employment opportunities.”
The fourth annual Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition started with initial applications and business plan outlines due in early September. This year saw a record response with 48 total applications. Thursday’s Live Pitch Event showcased the six finalists.
Other finalists included Eric Haynoski, Shawn Mosier, Steve Peterson and Brian Steen with Pine Acres Golf & RV Resort (second place). The group acquired the local golf course and have plans to turn the grounds into a four-seasons destination. Leanna Cameron Franchina finished third with Levitate Float Spa, a new business that provides sensory-deprivation float tank therapy and oxygen bar services. The other finalists were Kristina Luzzi and Stephanie Weinberg with Small Town Girl Boutique, a new, inclusive women’s retail clothing storefront and eCommerce business; John Kelley with Alleghany Wood Moldings, a manufacturing facility specializing in custom woodworking; and Dustin Coles with North Country Gear Works, an early stage startup manufacturing high-quality outdoor equipment designed specifically for eastern and midwestern hunters.
Carolyn Newhouse, Bradford Area Alliance executive director, said, “We were thoroughly impressed by the exceptional group of finalists who participated, and it was such a pleasure to work with them throughout the process. The scoring was incredibly tight, which was to be expected with a quality group like these six finalists. The biggest winner this evening was the Bradford community in seeing these entrepreneurs grow their businesses locally.”
The Bradford Area Alliance named its competition the Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition in honor of and in recognition of the illustrious career and tremendous impact Harvey Golubock had in the Bradford region. Janice Golubock shared a message, stating, “The Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition is a wonderful way to honor him and continue his goal of helping others advance.”
A Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition fund has been set up through the McKean County Community Foundation to seed future competitions for anyone who would like to further honor Golubock’s memory.
The prize money for this year’s event is a result of support from the Blaisdell Foundation, Halloran Philanthropies and Northwest Bank. Other key sponsors for the evening included the McKean County Community Foundation, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, My Benefit Advisor, the Northwest Industrial Resource Center and Southern Airways Express, commercial carrier at Bradford Regional Airport.
