Biz Briefs
All in Good Taste
Butternut Squash Ravioli is a favorite at the The Circle Restaurant on the downtown square.
The dining scene in downtown Crown Point got a little more trendy in July 2005 when The Circle Restaurant opened on the east side of the square, across from the courthouse. “A lot of people have said Crown Point needed a restaurant like this,” says Cathy Flores, manager at The Circle Restaurant. “It’s classy family dining. We have a kids’ menu, and we cater to kids, but it’s a step up from most family restaurants.” Some of The Circle’s signature dishes include Butternut Squash Ravioli with mascarpone cheese sauce, the Circle Filet – stuffed with blue cheese and topped with golden onion rings – and Tommy’s Meatloaf, named for executive chef Tommy Forbes.
Tiratini, or tiramisu served in a martini glass, is a favorite dessert at The Circle. The décor is very contemporary with dark wood and royal-blue walls around the bar, Flores says. Smile – and Say ‘Apples’ Valuable family photos don’t belong in a dusty attic.
That’s why Stephen Martin, owner of Stephen Martin Photography, creates his Family Film Productions. “People can bring me their priceless imagery – vintage photos, film, slides or negatives – and I make it into a DVD production. We can add music, or people can narrate over the slides,” Martin says. “Our heritage is something we all have in common. Instead of leaving it in a box in the attic, I can bring it up to speed.” A self-proclaimed family man and father of three, Martin has been a photographer for 16 years. His business was based out of his home until he opened the Orchard Portrait Studio in spring 2006 at Clark Family Farms, a pick-your-own apple orchard on East 129th Avenue. “The new studio offers a wide array of natural-looking portrait settings that reflect the feel our community has always had,” Martin says. “Families can be photographed in a pumpkin patch or strawberry patch, or with a bushel of apples. They can also be photographed indoors for a more high-fashion look.” Century of Success Pangere Corp. knows how to celebrate – and the commercial/industrial contractor did just that in 2005 in honor of the company’s 100th birthday.
“We had several events, including an open house at our office where a trolley took people for rides to see our facilities. We also had a barbershop quartet, a jazz singer and Greek food and pastries, because we’re of Greek descent,” says Steve Pangere, third-generation owner of Pangere Corp. and a resident of Crown Point.
The company, now headquartered in Gary, also celebrated by sponsoring an outing to a RailCats baseball game for all 200 employees and their families.
The festivities wrapped up with a black-tie gala for long-standing customers and distinguished guests. So what’s the secret to Pangere’s century of success? “I’m the third generation in the business, so there are strong family ties,” Pangere says. “And we’ve established a culture where we treat people right – both employees and customers. We had one employee who didn’t retire until age 83, and some of our corporate customers have been with us since 1905.” Coming to the Rescue
After Hurricane Rita thundered through Beaumont, Texas, in September 2005, Crown Point’s Superior Petroleum was one of the many businesses that came to the rescue, providing vehicles and manpower in the storm’s aftermath. “Some of our products come out of Beaumont, which the eye of the hurricane went through, and one of our drivers is from there,” says Rick Schweitzer, vice president of operations for Superior Petroleum. “We were recently recognized by our peers – the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association – for our efforts with Hurricane Rita and our services we provided to the Gulf Coast.” Superior Petroleum is an ExxonMobil full-line distributor with a growing number of delivery points, from Georgia to the Great Lakes. The company also operates a small chain of Smart Stop convenience stores and is one of only a handful of lubricant/grease carriers in the United States. One-Stop Shop When it comes to printing, there’s not much that Kwik Kopy Printing on North Main Street can’t do. “We offer anything that has to do with business and communications, from letterheads and envelopes to banners and ceramic mugs,” says Tim Koedyker, owner of Kwik Kopy Printing. “We’re a friendly and professional shop. Our biggest concern is making businesses look better to their clients and giving them a quick turnaround.” The company prides itself on being a one-stop shop that produces a high-quality product. “You can get whatever you need by stopping in here just one time,” Koedyker says. With just 14 employees, Koedyker describes Kwik Kopy as a “family shop.” “My dad, Dart, started it 21 years ago, and I joined in ’89. My wife, Lisa, works here, and so does my cousin Debbie,” he says. “Crown Point is a nice town. We know 90 percent of our customers by name when they come in the door.”
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Brian McCord
‘T’ for Tourism
History Repeats Itself
Butternut Squash Ravioli is a favorite at the The Circle Restaurant on the downtown square.
The dining scene in downtown Crown Point got a little more trendy in July 2005 when The Circle Restaurant opened on the east side of the square, across from the courthouse. “A lot of people have said Crown Point needed a restaurant like this,” says Cathy Flores, manager at The Circle Restaurant. “It’s classy family dining. We have a kids’ menu, and we cater to kids, but it’s a step up from most family restaurants.” Some of The Circle’s signature dishes include Butternut Squash Ravioli with mascarpone cheese sauce, the Circle Filet – stuffed with blue cheese and topped with golden onion rings – and Tommy’s Meatloaf, named for executive chef Tommy Forbes.
Tiratini, or tiramisu served in a martini glass, is a favorite dessert at The Circle. The décor is very contemporary with dark wood and royal-blue walls around the bar, Flores says. Smile – and Say ‘Apples’ Valuable family photos don’t belong in a dusty attic.
That’s why Stephen Martin, owner of Stephen Martin Photography, creates his Family Film Productions. “People can bring me their priceless imagery – vintage photos, film, slides or negatives – and I make it into a DVD production. We can add music, or people can narrate over the slides,” Martin says. “Our heritage is something we all have in common. Instead of leaving it in a box in the attic, I can bring it up to speed.” A self-proclaimed family man and father of three, Martin has been a photographer for 16 years. His business was based out of his home until he opened the Orchard Portrait Studio in spring 2006 at Clark Family Farms, a pick-your-own apple orchard on East 129th Avenue. “The new studio offers a wide array of natural-looking portrait settings that reflect the feel our community has always had,” Martin says. “Families can be photographed in a pumpkin patch or strawberry patch, or with a bushel of apples. They can also be photographed indoors for a more high-fashion look.” Century of Success Pangere Corp. knows how to celebrate – and the commercial/industrial contractor did just that in 2005 in honor of the company’s 100th birthday.
“We had several events, including an open house at our office where a trolley took people for rides to see our facilities. We also had a barbershop quartet, a jazz singer and Greek food and pastries, because we’re of Greek descent,” says Steve Pangere, third-generation owner of Pangere Corp. and a resident of Crown Point.
The company, now headquartered in Gary, also celebrated by sponsoring an outing to a RailCats baseball game for all 200 employees and their families.
The festivities wrapped up with a black-tie gala for long-standing customers and distinguished guests. So what’s the secret to Pangere’s century of success? “I’m the third generation in the business, so there are strong family ties,” Pangere says. “And we’ve established a culture where we treat people right – both employees and customers. We had one employee who didn’t retire until age 83, and some of our corporate customers have been with us since 1905.” Coming to the Rescue
After Hurricane Rita thundered through Beaumont, Texas, in September 2005, Crown Point’s Superior Petroleum was one of the many businesses that came to the rescue, providing vehicles and manpower in the storm’s aftermath. “Some of our products come out of Beaumont, which the eye of the hurricane went through, and one of our drivers is from there,” says Rick Schweitzer, vice president of operations for Superior Petroleum. “We were recently recognized by our peers – the Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association – for our efforts with Hurricane Rita and our services we provided to the Gulf Coast.” Superior Petroleum is an ExxonMobil full-line distributor with a growing number of delivery points, from Georgia to the Great Lakes. The company also operates a small chain of Smart Stop convenience stores and is one of only a handful of lubricant/grease carriers in the United States. One-Stop Shop When it comes to printing, there’s not much that Kwik Kopy Printing on North Main Street can’t do. “We offer anything that has to do with business and communications, from letterheads and envelopes to banners and ceramic mugs,” says Tim Koedyker, owner of Kwik Kopy Printing. “We’re a friendly and professional shop. Our biggest concern is making businesses look better to their clients and giving them a quick turnaround.” The company prides itself on being a one-stop shop that produces a high-quality product. “You can get whatever you need by stopping in here just one time,” Koedyker says. With just 14 employees, Koedyker describes Kwik Kopy as a “family shop.” “My dad, Dart, started it 21 years ago, and I joined in ’89. My wife, Lisa, works here, and so does my cousin Debbie,” he says. “Crown Point is a nice town. We know 90 percent of our customers by name when they come in the door.”
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Brian McCord
Additional Business Articles
‘T’ for Tourism
History Repeats Itself