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Aloha means hello at new plaza

Shown untying a traditional Hawaiian lei to mark the grand opening of the new Madison Plaza, 45875 Bell School Road, East Liverpool, are Scott and Teresa Wright, surrounded by others involved in the venture (front, from left): Brittany Ross, Michael Ross, Morgan Heffner, Randy Heffner, Madison Township fiscal officer Tiffany Chetock, Susan Wain, Sherry Desarro, Sheena Wain and (rear, from left): county commissioners Tim Weigle, Jim Hoppel and Mike Halleck, Madison Township Trustees Wayne Chamberlain, Gary Williams and Roger Walker and contractor Nelson Witmer. (Photo by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert)

EAST LIVERPOOL — What started out as a leap of faith in the middle of nowhere for several people is going to be the beginning of somewhere for the Madison Township community.

That was the message shared this week during grand opening ceremonies for the Madison Plaza, 45875 Bell School Road, located just off state Route 7 and adjacent to the new Beaver Local Schools complex.

Owners Scott and Teresa Wright undertook the project after Teresa woke up her husband one morning and said, “I was told (by God) what I was supposed to do.”

Scott’s grandfather, George Dunn, who owned the property previously, had always wanted to establish a business on the corner, and Teresa said to the crowd gathered at this week’s opening, “At one time I’m told he wanted a small grocery store or a market stand. This is a little bit bigger than that, but I’m hoping he’s looking down from heaven and is happy with what he sees.”

Scott contacted Michael Ross of Hill, Barth & King, who he had heard was looking for a place to start a business, and they set up a meeting.

Before leaving for the meeting, Ross wrote at the top of his journal, “What Do You Want?”

“I got to Scott’s office and he said, ‘What do you want?'” Ross related, saying he is “so grateful to live in a nation where we can step out with our dreams in hand and very little money and make things happen.”

Madison Township Trustee Wayne Chamberlain welcomed the new enterprise, saying, “We’re glad to have you in the township. I hope this opens the door for more.”

Trustee Gary Williams added when Scott Wright came and asked if there were any zoning regulations for the new building, “I said, you’re out in the middle of nowhere. We (trustees) said we hope he makes it. Now, I think this is going to be the beginning of somewhere.”

Built by Witmer Construction, the building houses Ross’ business, HBK, where he offers classes in sales, marketing and leadership, helping people develop “great systems.”

His wife, Brittany, said the center meeting area of the business will also be utilized for community events such as movie and karaoke nights and will be rented out for activities.

Two Smart Cookies relocated its full-service restaurant from Calcutta to one end of the plaza, bringing its menu filled with breakfast fare, salads, sandwiches, burgers (which have developed into an already-popular burger night), and their signature cookies, doughnuts and sweets.

Owners Sheena Wain and Susan Wain also offer catering as well as the small occasions room that seats 50, with the mainstream room seating 106.

Their business started on Facebook and they received so many orders, they had to open up a storefront, according to Ross, who exclaimed, “This is America.” They now employ 40 people.

On the other end of the plaza is RAM Fitness, a full-service gym owned by Randy Heffner, also relocated from Calcutta, which offers 9,800 square feet of equipment, workout rooms and classes.

Among the classes offered are spin, TRX (body training), total fitness, jump stretch, zumba and core movement such a yoga, pilates and ballet. Spray tanning is also offered, with plans in the works to incorporate tanning beds.

Heffner employs eight, including three instructors.

The grand opening was highlighted with a ribbon cutting ceremony in which a lei made and sent from Hawaii by Scott Wright’s uncle David Dunn, a 1972 Beaver Local High School graduate who once lived on the property, was untied, rather than cut.

Two Smart Cookies is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 330-385-0990.

RAM Fitness is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 330-932-0702.

Hours of operation for HBK are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 330-932-0499.

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