Our Favorite Shops, Restaurants, and Places to Explore
“Oh The Places You’ll Go!”
— Dr. Seuss
We’re very excited to launch our new blog! Shawn and I hope to highlight the shops and restaurants around us and the new places we discover in our travels. From State Parks to quirky shops to the best Mom & Pop restaurants that everyone should get out and see! So subscribe below to get notified when we post new updates on must see locations near and far!
Hello, neighbors! It’s time for me to come out of hibernation and start promoting our little town and the wonderful business community we have here again. Hard to believe it’s been over 3 years since I really wrote about anything other than passing on other businesses posts. So, let’s shake off the dust and reboot this page we call ‘Round Here!
We’re going to start with a business spotlight on an obscure little building right in the heart of Main Street in Zelienople. Some might remember the inconspicuous building being a bank. And then, in May 2022, a new sign appeared: New Health Solutions.
But…what is it? To be honest, we had no idea until March of this year when, for full disclosure, my husband was offered a contract there. We’ve lived here for over 6 years now and if we didn’t know what the business was, how many other neighbors didn’t either? So, we recently asked around and were surprised by how few people knew what this business is. Some thought it was a home health care agency (I was one of those people). Others thought it was, maybe, a credit union for health care workers. One, surprisingly, thought it was a funeral home! What…?? The answer is…none of the above! The office is owned by local Chiropractor Mark Fleming, D.C.
Dr. Fleming, who has been a Chiropractor in our community for over 40 years, renamed and relocated his business to the building on Memorial Day 2022. This new space has given him the room needed to add a nurse practitioner and a naturopathic provider. To paraphrase the New Health website, Dr. Fleming has created a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to helping people live a pain-free life without invasive surgery or drugs.
Dr. Fleming offers a full range of modern chiropractic services and natural healthcare, including chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, hyperbaric oxygen, laser therapy, ChiroThin weight loss program, and NAET Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques. Dr. Erin Jones is the naturopathic provider at New Health, offering LENS Neurofeedback therapy and is certified in Bioscan MSA analysis.
Shawn Greenlief, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), is the newest additional to New Health Solutions. Shawn recently retired from over 30 years in emergency and critical care medicine, contracting at New Health Solutions in March 2023 (yep, my spouse). Shawn brings medical options to the practice, including natural regenerative medicine through platelet rich protein (PRP) and stem cell therapy injections for conditions including, but not limited to, joint restoration, neuropathy pain, and hair restoration. The newest therapy, launched in August 2023, is Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), treating menopause, low testosterone, and thyroid management.
I was one of the first patients to receive Biote HRT pellets for my menopausal symptoms, which we don’t talk about enough (neither did my regular doctor). I can honestly say that it’s been life changing! Hot flashes? Gone! Exhaustion? Gone! Menopausal depression? Gone! I’m sleeping better and just plain feel 100% better. It’s pretty amazing! We never knew it was right here in our little town until Shawn was sent a part-time job posting from his friend, completely changing his and my life for the better. What an amazing little office that has the potential to help so many of us. If you’re looking for answers to your own health questions, consider our neighbors at New Health Solutions. You can find more information and their contact information here: 
To learn more about Biote, please follow this QR code:
We are very proud to introduce our first small shop spotlight, our #1 favorite shop in Zelie: Serendipity!
Like Shawn & I, Leigh Kamarec had always wanted to start her own business. (Obviously, Shawn & I still haven’t found our niche! Haha!) Leigh and her husband looked at different franchises, but none seemed to fit. A few years ago, Leigh and her daughter were browsing through a small gift store and had the pleasure of talking with the store’s owner. It was such a great experience that Leigh realized a gift store would be a perfect endeavor! She says, “I can open a store and make it whatever I want! I can sell whatever I want, decorate it however I want, and make the hours whatever I want. No franchise rules to follow.” Leigh acted quickly so she wouldn’t talk herself out of it (I can SOOO relate to that! Overthinking is my specialty!) and a few months later the lease for Serendipity was signed and she was on her way to building the store we love!
I asked Leigh what her favorite or most memorable moment has been with the store. She says it was opening day, “My daughters and niece were working and running the register. Seeing their excitement behind the counter after the first sale was so much fun!” As for the best part about her day-to-day time in the shop? US! The customers! Leigh says, “I love hearing what is going on in [customers’ lives and helping them find something meaningful for someone else. I also love it when I hear people saying how cute the store is!” And we feel the same about Serendipity! I know how much Shawn & I love stopping in and saying hi, talking about the house remodel, and how things are going for Leigh.
Leigh, who has a background in Social Work, found it important to carry meaningful gifts by international and local artists, as well as items that reflect her faith. For example, this last Christmas we purchased a Cuddle & Kind doll (https://cuddleandkind.com/) for our adorable little neighbor. The purchase of that single doll not only provided 10 meals to fight child hunger in the U.S., but the company itself employs over 750 artisans which are comprised of rural working mothers to ensure they have access to flexible hours and fair pay.
One of our favorite gifts to give (including to ourselves!) are the amazing small totes and large shopping bags made by Apolis Global Citizen (https://www.apolisglobal.com/about/). The bags, made in Bangladesh, provide fair trade wages, annual profit dividends, and a retirement fund for 106 women. The bags are made from heavy burlap with leather carrying handles and are lined to be waterproof. Shawn & I both take our lunches to work every day in our small Zelie bags and take the large bags to the grocery store. For our Harmony friends, Serendipity is now carrying HARMONY bags too! I love the small black ones!
Leigh perfectly named the store Serendipity. She says it was based on the meaning of the word, “Luck in finding something good without searching for it.” Leigh has done a remarkable of making this shop unique! From baby shower to wedding shower and every event in between, you can find something for everyone (including yourself!). We frequently walk down to see what’s new and to by my favorite soap – Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap in Honeyed Grapefruit. (https://beekman1802.com/collections/bar-soaps) It smells amazing without being overpowering!
For someone who has never worked in retail prior to opening Serendipity, Leigh has knocked it out of the park! Even though her shop is just off Main Street, on the corner of Spring and Main, which creates a visibility challenge, she has built a local following by creating a business that speaks to everyone. She admits that she is learning as she goes and gives credit to Angie Dawson, the owner of Boutique 16063, for helping her get started and for answering her numerous questions. Leigh says, “[Angie] has helped me immensely!” And as the town continues to grow, Leigh says she and the shop are growing too! No, really! Serendipity is GROWING!!
I’m proud to reveal that Serendipity will be moving to Main Street!! Leigh shared that in late 2020, the shop will be taking over half of 201 S. Main Street next to ShuBrew in Zelienople – the current location of One Enchanted Evening formal shop. “I am very excited about this and believe that it is going to make a great difference with people finding my store. This will give Serendipity greater visibility and room to grow!”
Since Leigh already carries a wonderful selection of bath soaps and bath bombs, Shawn is hoping he can talk Leigh into carrying men’s products…specifically BEARD products! Haha! Leigh, we are so excited for you and can’t wait to see the new digs! Your shop is a HUGE part of the Zelie charm that brings people into the area and will only add more to the town on Main Street! Thank you for helping put Zelienople on the map with your wonderful gifts! May 2020 be your best year yet!
As many of those in the local area may have noticed, Kauffman Tavern at the old Kauffman House has opened for business!
As we walk town we also see the old bakery with plywood on the front and storefront near The Strand that used to be a pizza place has new plywood on the front. The anticipation of what these places may become! Our cute little town is growing and, as the crowds at all of our favorite eateries proves, Zelienople has become a destination. Who ever thought we would need a reservation for any place in town? Now we need one almost everywhere!
Have you tried any of the new restaurants? Tell us about your favorite new meals, drinks, and what you think of the changes around town!
When my job first moved me to Pennsylvania from Vermont, my kids and I immediately got out and explored the area. One of the first places we wanted to check out was that little town to the north of Cranberry Township; the town with the name we couldn’t pronounce – Zelienople. We rolled over the hill and dropped down Route 19 onto Main Street and I was immediately smitten! It was like driving into the small Vermont towns our family had become so familiar with. It was this day that we stumbled onto what would quickly become our favorite breakfast spot.
Like so many places in Pennsylvania, Zelienople is filled with history. The Kountry Kitchen restaurant has transformed over the years from a tin shop to a bakery to an iconic Isaly’s from 1041 to 1979. Pittsburghers know Isaly’s for their famous chipped chopped ham. In 1985, not long after Isaly’s closed the Zelie location, Ronald Adams opened what we now know as Kountry Kitchen. Ron owned the restaurant for almost 10 years before selling it to the current owner – his son Kevin Adams.
Kevin and his wife Charlene (Char) have owned this traditional cash-only local favorite for nearly 30 years and they continue to serve some of the BEST homemade, reasonably priced, breakfasts and lunches around. Kevin and his son (also Kevin) can be seen every day at the grill. Char and her sister Karen serve tables, along with Kevin and Char’s daughter, Megan. Charlene says, “Currently, five family members work there, but there have been at least 10 more that have worked periodically for us in the past to fill in.” It is truly a family business that has employed siblings, a brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews over the years.
I remember the first time my daughter and I were at Kountry Kitchen. We bellied up to the lunch counter where we met Karen, our waitress. When she found out it was our first visit, she brought us a Mickey Mouse shaped pancake with our order. The pancakes, biscuits & gravy…EVERYTHING…is fantastic and the true definition of comfort food! Hint: If you order hot chocolate ask for whipped cream. Karen doesn’t skimp!
Char and Karen seem to know everyone who walks through the door and, if they don’t, they’ll treat every new customer like an old friend. Locals agree that Kountry Kitchen is a staple in the community and it shows. On any given Saturday or Sunday morning every booth and counter seat will be taken and folks will be waiting at the door for a seat.
I asked Charlene if the growth of Zelie and the plethora of new restaurants that have moved into the immediate area has affected the restaurant either positively or negatively. Charlene says, “The town growth has had a huge positive impact on the business! We are busier than ever since the town has been growing and becoming more popular.”
The regular customers are fiercely dedicated and consider the Kountry Kitchen crew to be extended family. When Shawn and I come in, Karen or Charlene will take a seat with us and catch up on our life – How is the house renovation going? How is Bea? How is your daughter? And we’ll pass around picture for them to see. The Adams and their family truly care about their customers and the community and it shows.
Next time you’re up in the area, I encourage you to stop by, say hi, and have a bite. Tell them Shawn & Pam sent you!
Kountry Kitchen – 111 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063 https://www.facebook.com/kountrykitchen111/
Restaurant Spotlight: SHUBREW
There are many reasons we love Zelienople that played a role in our decision to move here. What’s not to love? A small, walkable town with beautiful old homes, shops, restaurants, and only 26 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA. But there are two establishments that played a HUGE role in our history as a couple and love for this town. This week we want to spotlight one of them – ShuBrew. https://www.shubrew.com/
The first time we went in, Shawn and the guy behind the bar, Zachary Shumaker, hit it off right away. I think all Marines have some weird radar to find each other. Of course, everyone who knows Shawn knows what a shy, introverted guy he is. *Cough!* It wasn’t long before we knew the whole crew – Zach, Erika, Patrick, Nate, Isaiah, Deanna, Steve, and Jim (just to name a few). Their original space was small, the menu was limited, and they had their small brewing area set up in the tiny kitchen. But everything they served was good and the people were awesome, which was reason enough to return!
As regulars from the early days its been exciting to watch ShuBrew grow and change. In 2016, they moved the brewing side of the house to Harmony which allowed the food menu to expand at the restaurant. Every regular customer has their favorite menu item. From the ShuNodle bowl with pork belly to the Notorious P.I.G., you can’t go wrong with anything on their eclectic menu that has flavors from around the world. Patrick also comes up with amazing specials, such as the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, which it truly HOT! Sunday brunch has also been added, which includes a delicious Hakuna Frittata, Chorizo Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, and my favorite…the Chicken & Biscuits with Sriracha-Maple Glaze. If you are a Bloody Mary fan, Shawn swears ShuBrew’s house-made recipe is in his top 3 favorite Bloody Mary’s of all time!
In the summer, people from our around the greater Pittsburgh area look forward to new beer releases at the Harmony ShuBrewery. Patrons can bring their families and their dogs to meet friends around the fire, listen to live music, and enjoy a variety of food trucks including one for the dogs! Shawn & I love to bring our dog, Izzie, down!
Zach and Erika Shumaker, along with their business partner Patrick Wyman, are growing the business at thoughtful yet steady pace. In 2019, the Brewers Association named ShuBrew #23 of the 50 fastest growing breweries in the U.S. The marketing of the business has exploded with more than 60 locations in the Pittsburgh area carrying ShuBrew’s beers. https://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/fastest-growing-craft-breweries-2018/
ShuBrew was also the first restaurant in Butler County to earn platinum designation from Sustainable Pittsburgh. With the growth in popularity, ShuBrew was outgrowing its tiny storefront. In November 2019, ShuBrew moved across the street from their first location to 205 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA. The new space provided much needed additional seating, a larger kitchen, and a banquet room for private parties and Wednesday night Geeks Who Drink Trivia.
We talked to Zach to find out more behind how ShuBrew came to be. Like most people, we assumed brewing was a garage hobby that turned into a business. But Zach set us straight!
“To be truthful, everybody always assumes that brewing was a hobby that turned into a desire to open a brewery. What actually happened, is that I worked part time for a brewery in San Diego while I was stationed there in the Marine Corps. I was just a prep-cook and dishwasher for them and had nothing to do with the brewing side of their operation. At the time, and probably still, they were considered by many to be one of the best breweries in the world. I became awe struck with their operations, ideology, and culture. It was at this point in my life that I knew I wanted to own a brewery. From there I decided that I’d better learn how to brew.”
Zach credits the decision to open a brewery to his wife and business partner, Erika.
“I talked a lot about having the desire to open a brewery and she was supportive of this from day-one. It was really her who started the whole process. She had a conversation with me one night and basically told me it was time to make a decision as to whether or not we were going to do this. Knowing that I had someone in my corner really got the ball rolling.”
Getting to know the Shumakers and Patrick over the years, you can see the business dynamics in each person. Zach and Patrick have credited Erika with being the grounded money manager. I recall a conversation several years ago, not long after the new brewery location opened, when the guys said that they would’ve wasted the money on huge flat screen televisions at the brewery for gaming if they were left to their own devises. But Erika quickly shot them down and put the money toward more reasonable purchases.
Zach admits that he is a risk taker who makes quick decisions. Erika is his counterbalance, bringing the longer-term picture to the table. Zach describes their differing approaches:
“I’m sure in many ways [risk taking] has bit me in the ass as many times as it has paid off. This is why being on a team with Erika back then was so valuable to ShuBrew’s success. She was and is a lot more calculated than I am. She worries when I don’t. She thinks about five years from now, while I spend a lot more time thinking about five days from now. She gets me to stop and think.”
Zelienople is also growing rapidly with restaurants and breweries moving into the area in close proximity to each other. We were curious about how the growth in town & the microbrew industry has had a positive or negative effect on ShuBrew.
Zach says, “ We got into this knowing that this industry was growing at a rapid pace. The statistics were there to prove that back when we opened in 2013. Competition has never been something that we considered a threat. I’m personally stoked to have other breweries close to us. ShuBrew has gained so much by building relationships with so many of the other talented people who do what we, too, love to do.”
The relationships between the brewers can be seen in the beer collaborations ShuBrew has released over the last few years. One of our favorites is Shoots Like a Girl – a Pink Boots collaboration. Pink Boots Society is for the women of brewing, which Erika is a member of. As the number of women in the brewing industry grows, the Pink Boots Society brings these women together and provides a platform to learn from one another as they become more prominent in the industry.
Craft Beer Spotlight: Pink Boots Society – Western PA Chapter
ShuBrew has also collaborated with Millie’s Ice Cream for the London Fog Ale, a blend of Earl grey tea, vanilla, and milk sugar. The perfect late fall/early winter blend!
We asked Zach if they ever saw themselves in the early days of ShuBrew where they are today?
“I believed that “we could do it” so to speak. I just didn’t fully see the path in which everything would take. This sort of goes back to one of our strengths is being adaptable. We try setting ourselves up to be able to take advantage of good opportunities as they arise. A lot of opportunities have come and gone. Some, we didn’t want; some, we couldn’t get. We learn from all of these experiences and eventually we have the ability to do great things.”
As for their favorite moment on this epic journey?
“Picking a favorite moment is like picking a favorite beer. As my friend Bob McCafferty from North Country always says, “whatever one is next.” Last year it would have been the first Magic Mushroom release. This year could have been a number of things. My proudest moment has to be that we were able to open our new restaurant in less than three months. That says a lot about the amazing people that we get to work with every day. But yeah.. my favorite moment is whatever one is next.”
If you haven’t been to ShuBrew or the ShuBrewery yet, YOU SHOULD! They are more than beer and food. The establishment is a gathering place; a community table where you meet someone new every time you visit. Where politics are set aside over the love of libations and conversations about the happenings in town. Its seasonal changes and celebrations. And for Shawn and I, its part of the place we call home.
Listen – we had THE BEST day today! Ice sculptures, a very young bagpipe player, cocktails, shopping, more cocktails, and more shopping all while meeting and talking to people that aren’t from here. We were amazed that so many people we talked to aren’t from the area, but love the area enough to go out of their way to shop & eat in Zelienople! VERY cool!
As we talked about how we want to kick start our blog, we decided that its important for our readers to understand the town’s history and growth, so you understand the current vendors and every single business owners desire to grow the town while maintaining the historic feel of the community. As we go on, we’ll get more in depth with each establishment and their history and goals. For today, a brief history of the area and the places we visited!
Let’s start with Harmony, PA, which was founded in 1806 as a religious commune. It was founded by a Germany Lutheran Separatist named George Rapp. We’ll take a visit to Rapp’s Seat on another day. For now, Mr. Rapp believed that the end was near and preached celibacy. Obviously that wouldn’t grow a community! The community sold the town to Abraham Zeigler in 1814, a Mennonite who had 13 children. Some of the original buildings still remain, such as one of our favorite restaurants The Harmony Inn. You can read more about the history of Harmony, PA here: https://worldfootprints.com/early-american-history-in-harmony-pennsylvania/
In 1802, a man named Baron Detmar Basse from Germany bought 10,000 acres in Butler and Beaver counties. He named the town of Zelienople in honor of his oldest daughter, Zelie. He used the Greek word for city, “polis,” to make it Zelienople. Locals continue to call the area Zelie today. You can read more on the history here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ellwoodcityledger.com/article/20141218/News/312189945%3ftemplate=ampart
We’re going to give a brief overview of the places we visited today. As time goes on, we’ll talk to the owners and give a more detailed view of our favorite places around town.
For our Small Business Saturday we visited our favorite breakfast spot, cocktail & dinner spot (which recently moved to the heart of town!), shoe boutique, eclectic shop, brewery/restaurant (which also moved to a larger location this week!), clothing boutique, and Main Street ice sculptures.
We started today with breakfast at Kountry Kitchen. https://zelienoplekountrykitchen.webs.com/about-us
What are you craving? Pancakes? Biscuits and gravy? A BLT with curly fries & ranch dressing? Hot chocolate? Coffee? They’ve got it and at a price and serving size you’ll love! Plus, Char and Karen make you feel like they’ve known you forever! The entire staff is so friendly and the food is mom-made-it good! If you love a mom & pop diner with old fashion booths and lunch counters, this is the place for you!
Next we strolled across the street to the new location for Della Terra. http://www.dellaterrapgh.com/
Run by Chef Fiore Moletz, who started in the food industry at age 15 and eventually trained under Chef Lidia Bastianich. You PBS fans will know Chef Lidia! Fiore (pronounced “Fury”) now runs Della Terra and two Burghers restaurants – one in Zelie and one on Lawrenceville, PA. For today we’ll focus on Della Terra! Fiore recently moved the restaurant to the heart of Zelie and hired a new bar manager, Chris Mears, from Florida. I can’t begin to describe how good the food is! And the drinks? Chris has brought the bar side of the house to a whole new level with the Lavender Sage Martini and Tequila Mockingbird!
After a few cocktails, we strolled on to Eva Bryn Shoetique. http://www.evabrynshoetique.com/#portfolio
The owner, Kelly Cartney, spent several years in Scotland and learned all about the shoe business from her dear friend while there. Kelly’s son played the bagpipes in front of the store today, which he started to learn 4 years ago while in Scotland. The shoetique carries Dansko, Vionic, Sofft, Sperry, and so much more! Pam walked out with a limited edition pair of Sorel boots and Sofft embroidered boots.
After a splurge at Eva Bryn, we made our way down to Serendipity. https://www.serendipityzelie.com/
Serendipity is an eclectic shop with heart that you don’t find very often. Carrying items that help single mothers in developing countries to items that help shelter animals, Serendipity has it all! One of our favorite shops in the area! We walked out with a Zelie tea towel, pillow, and Christmas ornaments. Its hard not to buy one of everything in the shop!
Next on the list is one of our FAVORITE places in Zelie…and a huge reason we were drawn to this awesome little town…Shubrew! https://www.shubrew.com/
Opened in 2013 by Zach & Erika Shumaker, Shubrew serves up craft beer and farm to table food that draws people in from miles around. The restaurant recently outgrew its humble beginnings and moved across the street to a larger location just this week. Friendly staff and AMAZING food, beer, & cocktails make this one of the fastest growing breweries around!
We’ll be highlighting each place more in depth as we go, but wanted to give an overview of our top places in town to start. It never ceases to amaze us how many people travel to Zelie-Harmony just to hang out for a day! Then again, we used to be one of those people! Fell in love with the town and moved here as soon as the opportunity arose!
Shop small. Shop local. Support your neighbors!
We are Shawn & Pam Greenlief of Zelienople, PA. We met almost 30 years ago when Shawn was a young Marine at Camp Pendleton, CA and Pam was a nanny in Irvine, CA. We immediately connected as friends, but Pam was dating someone else and we never dated back then.
Life took us separate ways and other relationships for many years to come. But in 2010 Pam located Shawn on Facebook (ahhh, the magic of social media!) and sent him a message. The relationship grew from messages and emails to texting to phone calls…to the first visit in two decades! Shawn was living in West Virginia and flew to Vermont to see Pam. He caught the last flight out of Pittsburgh before flights along the east coast were shut down due to Hurricane Irene.
After two years of long-distant dating Pam was offered a job in Pittsburgh and moved closer to Shawn. To make a long story short(er), we eloped on a trip to San Antonio, TX on September 29, 2017. We’ve spent the last two years remodeling our 110 year old four-square in the amazing little community of Zelienople-Harmony, PA. As we settle into our new hometown, we want to promote our neighbors’ endeavors and let the world know the magic of this small corner of the world! We also love to travel, so stay tuned for the places we find on our travels!
'Round Here 