Latest Chamber News

Women's History Month Feature - Jennifer Barnasevitch of Smith Floral

March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. In honor of this designation, we at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce are featuring women in business throughout the month!

Today we are featuring Jennifer Barnasevitch, owner of Smith Floral Co in West Hazleton.

Jennifer started working at Smith Floral when she was only 16 years old! The Smith family started the business in 1896! When they decided to retire and sell the business in 2014, Jennifer took leap a of faith and decided to purchase it. She has never looked back!

She is a small business owner, a leader of a team of ten employees, a creator and a designer! The passion she has for what she does shines through! When asked what her favorite part of the business is, she said, "I love it all!" She loves the changing of the seasons and that there is always something different to look forward to, whether it's Christmas or Easter, preparing or breaking down the greenhouse and everything in between!

Through the eyes of Jennifer, owning a floral shop is a unique opportunity to deal with every major event in someone’s life. From celebrating a birth to celebrating a life and every milestone in between, whether that’s an anniversary, a job promotion or a birthday!

Women's History Month Feature - Theresa Long of MMI

March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. In honor of this designation, we at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce are featuring women in business throughout the month!

Today we are featuring Theresa Long, Head of School at MMI Preparatory School in Freeland.

Theresa began her journey as Head of School at MMI in the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year. Theresa made history as THE FIRST woman Head of School for MMI!

As an NEPA native, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from College Misericordia and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University and she has a served in a number of leadership roles throughout her 35 year career in healthcare.

There are so many things to love about Theresa but what we love most is HER love and dedication to MMI and their students! She has deep roots and a unique connection with the school, not only as a long-time Board Member, but as a parent of former students who both graduated from MMI!

Theresa says, “I have seen firsthand the amazing, positive effect the faculty and staff have had on my two sons. They are impressive young men who have made the transition to college life with ease.

Chamber Meets New Standard-Speaker Leadership

The Chamber organized a meeting yesterday with Dave Janoski, Managing Editor and Jim Reeser, City Editor of the Standard Speaker.

The meeting provided a productive roundtable discussion for the new team at the Standard Speaker to better understand our community and all the positive initiatives happening right here in Greater Hazleton!

A special thanks to the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo Esq. for hosting the meeting in their beautiful space in Downtown Hazleton.

Women’s History Month Feature - Carmens Bakery & Deli and Carmen's Country Inn and Gardens

March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. In honor of this designation, we at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce are featuring women in business throughout the month!

Today we are featuring sisters, AnnMarie DeLese and Cathy Kutchi, who operate not one, but TWO businesses in Greater Hazleton!

Carmen's Bakery & Deli on Broad Street in Downtown Hazleton AND Carmen's Country Inn and Gardens in the beautiful Drums Valley!

AnnMarie and Cathy's parents, Carmen and Marie, opened the bakery & deli in 1957 and about 20 years later expanded with the beautiful Inn & Gardens!

The family is very proud of the way they incorporate their artisan bakery breads in their made-to-order deli sandwich's and their cakes and pies for desserts for events at the Inn & Gardens.

The DeLease family is a long-standing, family owned business in Greater Hazleton who prides themselves on treating YOU like family!