Lena looks up when others look down
By Tyson Terhune, Lena Village Administrator
During the last couple of years, we have all heard stories about challenging economic times and struggles on Main Street. Many news outlets have painted a gloomy picture of what towns like ours are going through. Happily, Lena doesn’t fit that mold. Our population has grown since the 2000 Census, and we have seen nearly a dozen new businesses open their doors, expand or come under new management in town.  
In case you haven’t visited them yet, here’s a summary of our newest stores, shops, restaurants, and industries that are keeping Lena vital and growing.
Edler Power Services: Down by Sullivan’s on Evergreen Drive, Edler Power Services has set up shop specializing in relay and control system fabrication, installation and testing. They are working all over the country and already plan to expand their operations in Lena in the coming years.
Reclaimed Treasures: Heading downtown we’ve seen Reclaimed Treasures open up on Schuyler Street across from Citizen’s State Bank. The shop offers a variety of antiques and collectibles. Originally only open on the weekends, Reclaimed Treasures has recently expanded their hours and is now inviting customers to browse six days a week.
Railroad Street Antiquities: As their name suggests, Railroad Street Antiquities opened their doors on, where else, Railroad Street! The store specializes in country store antiques and antique advertising. In addition to doing business right in the downtown, Railroad Street Antiquities has a successful web-based business that is associating the Village of Lena with quality antiques throughout the region and country.
Coins ‘N More: Last spring saw the opening of Coins ‘N More on Main Street. It is a shop run by collectors, for collectors, and specializes in collectible coins, cards, NASCAR items, knives and more. Business has been good for the shop. In fact, they have recently expanded their inventory to accommodate new items and collectibles.
Sapritos: Our new pizzeria, located downtown at the old police station, offers a new dining option in a unique setting. If you’ve been there, you know they are working hard to keep up with the orders. Indeed, they have been so busy they recently expanded their hours and their menu to provide even more tempting choices and convenience.
The Hangout: Another new face in an old building downtown is The Hangout, on the corner of Route 73 and Main. This business provides a safe and supervised place for Lena’s youth to spend time with friends and get active with sports, games and more.
The Lena Family Restaurant: Downtown on Main Street, this is a great place to visit when you’re hungry for carefully cooked daily specials, homemade soups and pies.
AJ’s Lena Main Meats:  The area’s favorite meat processing and retail store is under new ownership.  High quality meats, cut the way you like with plenty of that old country flavor are waiting at the new AJ’s Lena Maid Meats.
Home Town Trophies and More: Located on Main Street, this new business creates plaques, awards, memorials, wedding mementos, trophies and a whole lot more for Lena and the surrounding communities.
Pearl City Elevator: Our friends at Pearl City Elevator are planning to expand their facilities at their current location next to Adkins Enery in order to serve more farmers in the region.
Whole Latte Java:  We don’t only need to look to the recent past for examples of Lena’s business success.  “Whole Latte Java” will be located right off Route 20 W (you won’t even have to turn off the road) and begin serving  fresh-brewed coffee, espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, breakfast/lunch sandwiches & Panini’s, soups, desserts and more 6 days a week within the month.
Please welcome these new establishments to our town. Congratulate our expanding ones and thank them all for choosing Lena as the place to nurture their endeavors. When talk of hard times is on everyone’s lips, we feel honored to have these entrepreneurs select Lena as the right environment to achieve their goals. 
Remember, businesses like these – new as well as firmly established -- are the economic pillars of our community. As we look forward to achieving new growth in the future, the Village continues to pursue a proactive approach to business expansion and retention, and is working with the Lena Economic Development Corporation to pursue new opportunities that will keep Lena “looking up.”