Too often, claims of greatness are vastly exaggerated. Main Street, Old Forge, is a clear example that greatness is within our reach, and, there is little concern that the title of "'Pizza Capital of the World" will remain on the Old Forge mantle for the foreseeable future. The Old Forge Pizza brand has remained consistent and resilient in the face of hard economic conditions.
     Across the country, Pennsylvania is renowned for its quaint main street neighborhoods. The Borough of Old Forge, with a population of 8,800, is a traditional immigrant community replete with ethnic and family traditions and an abundance of warmth and charm. Main Street, Old Forge, serves as the backbone and foundation for this tight-knit community.
     As Main Streets face a formidable challenge in today’s economic downturn, Old Forge has been able to maintain a healthy economic outlook. Italian restaurants line Main Street, providing a level of pedestrian activity that many other communities could only pray for. These restaurants form a magnet area that attracts thousands of visitors on a weekly basis.  Independent business owners know that competition from other small businesses is often a key catalyst in creating demand for their establishments.
     Old Forge Borough Manager Mary Lynn Bartoletti expressed great confidence in the future of the Borough’s commercial corridor.
     “Old Forge Borough Main Street restaurants have been here for many years and have made it through previous difficult economic times," she said. "Even in this difficult economic climate, on any given Friday and Saturday evening, the streets are lined with pedestrians, resembling a Boardwalk-like atmosphere."
     One of the more well-known and successful Old Forge Italian Restaurants, Arcaro & Genell, was established in 1962 by the family of current owners, Angelo and Mark Genell.
     Angelo explained the simple recipe for the success of his family’s business and of the continuing success of the Old Forge Pizza brand, versions of which are sold by various restaurateurs along Main Street.
     “We are proud of the tradition of hard work passed down to us from our parents, and we work tirelessly every day to assure our customers that we appreciate their loyalty and their patronage," he said. "We know to never take our customers for granted and we realize that we must consistently meet the standards that our clientele expect."
     Although Arcaro & Genell has been in business for more than half a century, the Genell brothers do not believe that their business is not subject to a changing world.
     "We cannot anticipate that the world of our parents will be the world our children encounter; therefore, the business plan that has been successful for our family in the past may not be the correct plan for the future," Angelo said.
     Because of that vision, the Genell brothers are currently exploring a change to their Main Street establishment. At a recent Old Forge Planning Commission meeting, they unveiled a plan for a 5,000-square-foot addition, adjacent to their current restaurant.   
     According to Angelo, the new addition will serve primarily as an expansion of the restaurant's take-out business and an expansion of the banquet facility.
     “Unlike the past, where it was common for there to be only one income earner per household, the demands on families today often require both parents to be employed. This creates an additional need for take-out business, and we are confident that because of the quality and cost effectiveness of our product, we have the opportunity to expand this part of our business,” said Angelo.
     Arcaro & Genell is only one of many successful restaurant ventures on Main Street. Russell Rinaldi, of Café Rinaldi, located across the street from Arcaro & Genell, discussed the cooperation between all of the Main Street restaurants. Rinaldi and Genell spoke of how the restaurants, when filled to capacity, will direct customers to the “competition.”
     “More competition on Main Street is a welcome development, as it would bring even more diners to the neighborhood on a nightly basis,” said Rinaldi.
     One of the weak areas in sales for some restaurants has been a noticeable decline in corporate business. Because of the economy, corporations have cut their entertainment budgets, directly impacting restaurants like those in Old Forge.
     According to John Sumansky, Ph.D., chairman of the Misericordia University Business Department, one of the most difficult challenges faced by small business owners is “the ability of small shops to withstand the pressures of paying fixed costs when sales are slow." Until the time that consumer spending rebounds, small businesses will continue to struggle and consumer spending will not be able to rebound until there is a turnaround in the employment picture.
     “In general terms, it seems every small community wants to emulate other successful ones, and often that just does not work," said Sumansky. "To be successful, places like Old Forge need to examine their strengths and turn them into actions that clearly identify themselves as something different."
     Because of the current economic conditions, Bartoletti said that discussions among borough officials regarding any possible improvements to the street scape of Main Street, such as lighting, banners, and crosswalks have been placed on the back burner. Because of the state budget crisis, there is concern among many local government officials, including those in Old Forge, that grant money will not be as available.   
     While funds for aesthetic changes are non-existent, the Borough was recently notified that it's been approved for a $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED).
     “The grant funds are to be utilized to fund Phase One of a park development in an area adjacent to the Old Forge High School complex," Bartoletti said. "The park plan includes an all ages playground, a walking trail with lighting and exercise stations, tennis and basketball courts, a pavilion, and picnic area."
     The focus of borough officials will be on the implementation of these programs for the short term.
     Certainly, there is more that could be done to improve Main Street, but through the efforts of the local independent businesses, in partnership with borough officials, Old Forge continues to enjoy the fruits of the labor of its hard-working restaurateurs.
     Throughout Old Forge, all local businesses - whether pizza or other notions - enjoy serving the hundreds of customers that visit each weekend. Following is a look at a few of those businesses, including insight from each of their owners.
     For 85 years, Salerno’s Café has been in Michael Lettieri’s family. Prior to his coming aboard in 1970, the restaurant was run by his stepfather, Anthony Salerno, and Salerno’s parents before him. Located at 139 Moosic Road, the eatery serves up award-winning red and white pizzas, along with other traditional Italian specialties. It also offers a full-service bar to its customers.
     “Old Forge-style pizza is a different pizza than the traditional Mediterranean style, and people like the style,” Lettieri said. “It caught on years ago, and because it was so successful, people kept coming to Old Forge for it. It’s the different blend of cheeses we use, the rectangular shape that makes it just a little bit different than everyone else’s.”
     “The people in Old Forge have been great,” Lettieri added. “They’re loyal, they all love our pizza, and they treat us very well. They are appreciative of the product, and they keep coming back. That’s a very good thing.”
     Hair at 731, at that address on South Main Street, has been a go-to hair salon for a quarter century, and as such, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of serving the Old Forge community. The small, intimate salon provides cutting-edge technology for cuts and colors and every hair service in-between. Owner Jane Kuniegal believes that professionalism is the key to good business.
     “We have a tagline– The professional, friendly salon,” she said. “A lot of times, you go to a salon and they’re professional, but not friendly, or the other way around. We try to keep a balance of the two. Our customers know we keep up on the current trends, we continue attending classes, and I think that helps us get their anxiety levels down as soon as they enter the front door.”
     “The people in Old Forge are loyal, and they have good morals,” Kuniegal added. “It’s a strong, close-knit community. They say people don’t leave Old Forge, or if they do, they come back.”
     Rossi’s Market, at 431 Lawrence St., first started serving up homemade specialties like gnocchi, ravioli, red and white pizzas, sausage, and porketta in 1988. After expanding into a supermarket, it still remains a local favorite for the same homemade comfort food that made it famous more than 20 years ago.
     “Old Forge has a strong Italian base, and we do a lot of homemade Italian cooking,” said owner Tony Cusumano. “We offer homemade entrees each day, and I think a lot of the seniors really appreciate that they can get a good homemade meal on the days they just don’t want to cook. We offer a full chain of products, but I think it’s the home feel that sets us apart.”
     “I think the customers feel like they want to support a local business that has been at the heart of Old Forge for years,” Cusumano added. “I don’t think people just want the big Wal-Mart all the time. We have our saying that’s been true since we opened- 'If it feels just like home, you’re at Rossi’s.’”

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