Robert Layman (2014, ©Andrew Hutchins)
But the work ethic extends to employees, too. “They see my mom in here giving 110 percent, and she’s 68. She keeps the place immaculate. She cares about it like it’s her own. So does everyone. And they’re a great example for other employees.”
ARTISTIC EYEWEAR
artisticeyewear.com
For Artistic Eyewear owner Robert Layman, there’s a reason customers get the best service from family businesses. “When you come in, you’re being treated as part of the family, because you’re coming into the family.” Robert’s mother started the original store in Israel 30 years ago, adding Doylestown when she came to the United States. When she was ready to retire a decade ago, Robert took over the business in Doylestown, and five years later opened the West Chester location. Today, cousins help out at both locations, and his sister still runs the store in Israel. Customers make their way to Artistic Eyewear from all over Pennsylvania and beyond. “I send frames to Europe and all over the world,” he said. “Somebody will see a person on the subway in New York
City, and they’ll stop that person and ask where they got their glasses. Then they’ll come in one day and say ‘I saw these on somebody,’ and they end up becoming part of the family.” And family means socializing. “This weekend, four different longtime customers came in, and we ended up ordering pizzas. It became kind of a communal day, with everyone giving their opinion on what looked good or what didn’t.” “We get to sit and enjoy our clients’ company, and hopefully they enjoy ours,” Robert continued. “We can put a smile on somebody’s face and help them feel confident in a new look. That makes us all happy, and we enjoy doing it.”
AVANTÉ SALON & SPA
avantesalon.com
Styling hair is an art, and like all artists, if you want to make it, you need to have passion. Frank Gruber has had that passion since day one, opening his first salon, Klip Joint, in 1978 at the age of 23. But, one business wasn’t enough for Frank. “After finding success at Kilp Joint, I opened Avanté Salon & Spa in 1991,” Frank says.
It wasn’t until a decade later that the next generation of Grubers joined the family business. “It was probably around 2000 when my daughter Amanda started working for me,” he remembers. “She started out doing some tracking for us and worked her way up to receptionist and front desk coordinator.” She even played a role in opening the family’s third salon, designing the front desk when Avanté launched in Main Street at Exton. Although Amanda chose not to stick with the family business, Frank’s sons Shane and Kevin followed in his footsteps. “Shane studied and is now a barber, and Kevin is the front desk administrator,” Frank says. “They’ll be taking over for me eventually.” Frank believes that continuity is good for everyone. “It brings stability for the customers and for the staff,” Frank says. “And, for me? I get to talk to my kids every day.”
BRANDYWINE VALLEY HVAC
bvhvac.com
Since 1993, Brandywine Valley HVAC has been providing their customers with consistency, excellent customer service, and a 100% guarantee. It all started when
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