Zelienople businesses recently celebrated the openings, expansions and relocations of businesses in the borough, featuring both group and individual ribbon-cuttings.

Zelienople businesses recently celebrated their collective successes despite the scourge of COVID-19.

More than a dozen businesses either opened, expanded or relocated to Zelienople since March 2020, according to Eva Bryn Shoetique owner Kelly Carney.

Carney, who is responsible for membership with the Zelienople Area Business Administration, said she wanted to not only celebrate these businesses, but also give them a chance to experience a pre-COVID-19 opening experience.

“When I opened my store three years ago, I had a big event with ribbon-cutting,” she said. “I really wanted to do that with all the businesses in Zelie that were opening.”

And Carney got her wish, with all 14 businesses that ramped up, began or moved operations in the borough participating in two ribbon-cuttings: One with all the owners together, and one individually for each business.

Among the businesses that opened, moved or expanded operations during COVID-19 are Haute Designs, a kitchen and bath remodeling business; Stony Run Winery, which now operates a location on Main Street; and Palmer Law Group, also on Main Street.

Carney said it was impressive to see the number of businesses that thrived during COVID-19 in Zelienople, especially with restaurant and similar food establishments opening or expanding despite the industry taking the brunt of the COVID-19 hit.

She attributed the success of such businesses in the borough to the residents.

“We have an incredibly supportive community, and Zelienople's really growing,” she said. “There's obviously so much building going on around Zelienople, and the community has been so incredibly supportive.”