Who won Kidpreneur Day, and a 75-year eye shop says goodbye

The Digest

Meet the Kidpreneur Day winners

Photo by Janelle Putrich Photography

Lancaster Kidpreneur Day filled Binns Park on Saturday with 36 kid-run businesses, run by kids from age 4 to 14 selling everything from firewood bundles to crochet animals and iced lattes. Seven judges scored every booth, and shoppers cast 319 votes for People's Choice.

In the 6 to 10 group, Pokémon Cafe, which served Pokémon-themed iced lattes, won Most Original Business Idea (sponsored by JK Mechanical). Wesley's Harvest, with pumpkins, gourds and corn grown at home, won Highest Business Potential, and Glitter & Goodness Co., which sells calming glitter jars and kindness goods, won Best Presentation. In the 11 to 14 group, Carnival Corner, with carnival games where you play to win a prize, won Most Original Business Idea. Sandy's Bones, with homemade dog treats and 3D-printed accessories, won Highest Business Potential, and Backyard Blaze, selling firewood, kindling and campfire starters made from recycled materials, won Best Presentation. People's Choice went to Zy's Pit Stop, Zyair's lemonade and cotton candy stand. Each winner took home a trophy and $75.

Thank you to Shirk Pest Solutions, JK Mechanical, Hinkle Insurance Agency, fix (IT) chix and Signarama for making the day possible. See photos from the day →

Read more at thelancasterledger.com →

Miller Optical closes after nearly 75 years

Miller Optical, the Columbia Avenue opticianry Lloyd Miller started in 1951, is closed for good. His son Glenn, now 65, started working there after school in 1973, went full time after graduating from Penn Manor in 1978 and bought the business from his father in 1998. He listed it with a broker in 2023, never found an independent optician to take it over, closed the doors in December and filed in September to dissolve the company. "I was just hoping to find somebody that wanted to be an independent optician like I was all these years, and it's a dying breed," he says.

The building is listed for sale or lease, and the city zoning hearing board is scheduled to consider a request later this month to allow a small grocery store or restaurant there. Seventy-five years is a heck of a run.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

What's happening

Monday

Tiny Tots Story Time | Stories, bubbles and music for toddlers 12 to 24 months, register by 10:15 | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM | Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia | No admission listed

Wheatland Tours at LancasterHistory | Guided tours of James Buchanan's home on the half hour, and schools are off | 10 AM to 5 PM, tours 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM | LancasterHistory, 230 North President Avenue, Lancaster | $20 adults for museum plus Wheatland ($18 online), $10 museum only, kids 10 and under free with an adult

Design Your Own Tote Bag: Lino Cut Stamps | Carve your own lino stamps and print them on a tote, materials included | 6 PM to 9 PM | The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster | $25

Puppies with a Purpose | Learn about The Seeing Eye's puppy raisers, then meet the puppies | 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM | Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia | No admission listed, registration required

Tuesday

Root's Country Market | The Tuesday-only market with over 200 standholders, most vendors cash-only | 9 AM to 9 PM | Root's Country Market, 705 Graystone Road, Manheim | No admission listed

Read Philosophy with Me! | A small lunch group reading Simone Weil, and newcomers can just listen | 12 PM to 1 PM | Prince Street Cafe, 15 N Prince St, Lancaster | No admission listed

Owl Pellet Dissection | Feathers, talons and skulls from Lancaster County Parks, then dissect a pellet | 1 PM to 2 PM | Manheim Community Library, 547 N Penryn Rd, Manheim | No admission listed, registration required

Outdoor Halloween Story Time | Halloween tales outside at sundown with flashlight games and a glow bracelet for every kid, ages 5 to 9 | 6:30 PM to 7:15 PM | Ephrata Public Library, 550 South Reading Rd., Ephrata | No admission listed

Lancaster Real Estate Summit | Second-Tuesday meetup for real estate investors at every level | 7 PM to 9 PM, doors 5:30 PM | The Hive, 800 New Holland Ave, Lancaster | No admission listed

Live music

Monday

Tom Pontz Trio | Live music at the Southern Italian spot on Main Street | 5:30 PM | Beccafico, 27-31 E Main St, Lititz | No cover listed

Tuesday

Old Time Jam with Danny Mulligan | Old-time and folk jam, bring an instrument | 6:30 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster | No cover listed

Inspiration! featuring Perfect Harmony | The vocal trio with a live band, folk to Broadway to gospel | 7:30 PM | The Barn at Paradise Station, 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks | No price listed, tickets sold online