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MetroAction Helps Fryer’s Continue 80 Year Legacy

The thought of a five-and-dime store conjures up an image of aisles of toys, penny candy, holiday decorations and an era gone by.  And though many variety shops have gone out of business, the tradition is alive and well in downtown Orwigsburg thanks in part to MetroAction.

Fryer’s 5&10 Store has been holding the interests of shoppers for over 80 years with its vast collection of unique items.  George W. Fryer founded the original store in 1929 Hamburg and opened a second store in Orwigsburg in 1954.

But George’s daughter Joyce Frantz and his grandson Glenn knew they needed additional financing to continue his legacy.  When traditional lending institutions couldn’t help, they turned to MetroAction.

A $25,000 loan will allow Fryer’s to maintain its hometown mom and pop store charm while offering hard to find items that most chain stores don’t carry.

“In today’s changing economy, small businesses are finding it harder to obtain bank loans.  We are pleased to be able to assist Fryer’s in continuing their long-time tradition,” says Kristine Augustine, vice-president of business and community development for MetroAction.

MetroAction provides small business loans up to $200,000 to start-up and existing businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania.   The organization specializes in helping small businesses that may not be eligible for traditional bank financing.

MetroAction is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to providing small business financing and training throughout nine counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Since its inception in 1997, MetroAction’s small business loan programs have contributed to the economic development of the region by providing loans and counseling to small businesses that do not have access to traditional sources of credit.  To date, MetroAction has provided over $3 million in small business loans to more than 250 entrepreneurs and business professionals.

MetroAction’s clients range from child care providers to restaurants and retail business to manufactures and agricultural businesses.  These entrepreneurs have transformed capital into local economic development, positive community change, jobs and self-sufficiency.  For more information on MetroAction visit www.MetroAction.org or call (570) 341-0270.

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