Two Bellefonte businesses have been honored for their contributions to growing nature tourism in the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds.
Belle Mercantile received the 2022 Business of the Year Award and The Gamble Mill won the Great Design Award.
The Champions of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards honor individuals, organizations, businesses and communities “that in the last year have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds in a way that creates jobs, diversifies local economies, inspires stewardship and improves quality of life,” according to the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.
The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that includes northern Centre County. The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship promotes the region as an outdoor recreation destination with the aim of boosting jobs, economies, stewardship and quality of life.
Belle Mercanitle, 135 S. Spring St., is a collective marketplace for artisans and entrepreneurs opened by owners Andrea Skirpan and Brian Bonner in 2020 with the goal of providing a unique shopping destination and providing a brick-and-mortar shop for small local businesses searching for a permanent space.
“In addition to providing a cost-effective space, Belle Mercantile promotes the businesses within through its own advertising efforts while also acting as a customer service representative to handle customer orders and requests,” the awards announcement stated. “Not only has Belle Mercantile brought new business into the downtown Bellefonte area, but Andrea and Brian also act as leaders within the business community.”
Brothers Jonathon and Chris Virgilio brought new life to The Gamble Mill, 160 Dunlop St., when the historic mill reopened in 2021.
“The owners had to find the right balance in the design to preserve the historic nature of the building while incorporating modern amenities,” according to the PA Wilds Center. “Today the mill operates as a small inn, incorporating uniquely different suites with contemporary touches. As part of the brothers’ business model, they have also utilized the additional space by adding a restaurant (The Creekside), a cocktail lounge (The Republic), a speakeasy (private event space), and a boutique (Smith & Front).”
Other 2022 Champion Award winners included:
• Artisan of the Year Award: Carol Cillo (Lock Haven, Clinton County)
• Best Brand Ambassador Award: Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival (Cross Fork, Clinton County)
• Conservation Stewardship Award: Dale Luthringer, environmental education specialist for Cook Forest State Park (Cooksburg, Forest County)
• Event of the Year Award: Groundhog Day (Punxsutawney, Jefferson County)
• Great Places Award: Twin Lakes Recreation Area (Wilcox, Elk County)
• Inspiring Youth Award: Lu Potter, founder of Project Coffee House (Clinton County) and Project Nature C.A.M.P. (Pennsdale, Lycoming County)
• Outstanding Leader Award: Meredith Hill, Pennsylvania Wilds conservation landscape director for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
“The 2022 Champions are a slate of outstanding community members and organizations that make an enormous contribution to the vitality of our region,” Beth Pellegrino, PA Wilds Center Board member and Outreach Committee chair, said in a statement. “We are so proud to be able to honor these deserving individuals and organizations for their efforts at the first PA Wilds Dinner & Awards banquet to take place in nearly three years,” said Beth Pellegrino, PA Wilds Center Board Member and Outreach Committee chair.”
