REGION — According to the Cambridge Dictionary, success is defined as “the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for.” I had the opportunity to speak with four local business owners and interview them regarding their business’ success. 

Each one—Gravity Ice Cream Shop, Three Hammers Winery, Soon’s Orchard and Art’s for Him and Her Too—won in Best of 2023 for 2024, our readers’-choice competition.

When you want the best ice cream in the region, head for Gravity in Honesdale, PA.

Gravity Ice Cream Shop

Nestled in the heart of downtown Honesdale, PA is the readers’ choice best ice cream at Gravity Ice Cream Shop. Jenny Young, the owner of this shop, bought the building back in 2000 when it was merely an abandoned grocery store with a small ice cream store attached. 

After lots of hard work and perseverance, Young launched Gravity in 2001, and it has been open for business ever since. 

It is no secret that there are many ice cream places in the area, especially during the summer when tourism is at a peak, so I wanted to know what made Gravity stand out. 

When I asked Young what made her shop different, she said, “I’ve been here a long time, so there’s a lot of tradition that goes on, you know? Like, ‘Hey, let’s go down to Gravity to get an ice cream after a National Honor Society meeting,’ or ‘Let’s go down for somebody’s birthday.’ I think the location is really good too.” 

Young also credited the quality product and friendly service. “I’ve got a real good group of kids here,” she said. “Some of them have worked here since day one.”

Young gave tips on how to become a successful business as well, which included working hard, troubleshooting quickly, being timely, communicating efficiently—and most importantly, making sure you get feedback from every single customer.

Soons Orchard

Located in New Hampton, NY, this fourth-generation family farm was voted Best Farm (Pick Your Own). At Soons  Orchard, customers can pick apples, pumpkins and peaches at various times throughout the growing season. The farm also includes a farmers’ market packed with fresh produce and homemade goodies, and a tap room located at the Orchard Hill Cider Mill.

There is no shortage of orchards in the Northeast, so I asked owner Sharon Soons what made Soons Orchard special. “Four generations of family and tradition, and all of our fantastic customers who are super loyal,” she said.

Asked about the most enjoyable part of running a business, Soons cited the customers. “We have a small enough place where we start to learn people’s names, and we know a little about their lives… And we love meeting new customers.”

However, running a business also comes with its fair share of challenges. “The hardest part is trying to do everything. It’s usually like one person has to do the work of three or four, so you’re always on, you’re always working… At least I am,” she laughed.

Three Hammers Winery

Voted Best Winery/Vineyard, this gorgeous winery can be found just off Welcome Lake Road in Hawley, PA. Husband-and-wife proprietors Rob Kobrzynski and Christine Pucciarello own Three Hammers, which is named after the three brothers in the Hammer family who originally built the farmhouse in 1820. 

When asked which factors led to the business’ success, Kobrzynski said, “Firstly, our focus on crafting bold, expressive wines using Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux-style grapes… we prioritize a welcoming and educational experience for our guests. Our knowledgeable staff, beautiful grounds, comfortable seating areas and welcoming tasting room create a memorable atmosphere.” 

He emphasized how the winery’s success is because of his dedicated team, which includes both skillful winemakers and passionate, friendly staff. “Everyone at Three Hammers plays a vital role,” he said. 

Another crucial aspect of running a successful business is planning for its future. Having a clear vision is key. “Our main focus areas include expanding our production capacity to meet growing demand for our wines,” he said. “We’re also exploring new markets through partnerships with regional restaurants, breweries and participation in national wine competitions.” 

He also pointed out the rise in e-commerce. “We understand the dynamic nature of the industry and are constantly evaluating new techniques and market opportunities.”

Art’s for Him and Her Too

Also located in downtown Honesdale, just a few blocks down from Gravity Ice Cream Shop, you will find the Best Local Dry Cleaner. In addition to dry cleaning, the store also provides a variety of other services, including tuxedo rentals and alterations. 

Tom Fasshauer entered the business in 1980 and became the store’s full-time manager. 

When I asked him what made Art’s so successful, his answer was simple. “Obviously, it is our customers,” he said. “And we are totally focused on making our customers happy. Whatever it takes.”

What did he think made his business stand out? “Well, I hope it’s our service!” he exclaimed. “When a person comes in, we kind of spring into action to satisfy their needs and take care of what they need as far as cleaning goes. We have a good company that we are working with that does the cleaning, and they are also very customer-oriented.”

Want to start a local business?

Finally, I asked each of the four what advice they would give to new business owners. Each owner had their own take, but the bottom line was simple. Be passionate, work hard, and surround yourself with good people.