Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? Zakes Cafe: We opened as Zakes Cakes in the East Falls Section of Philly in December 1979. We rehabilitated a beautiful Victorian era storefront, opened the bakery on the first floor and lived above! UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? ZC: Our customers come from all over the area. Many started as customers of ours in Philly. UDP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? ZC: Zakes Cafe is unique in many ways. Very few fine restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and fewer still also have an award …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? mAke the grAde: mAke the grAde was established in 1993 as a full service tutoring and academic support company… and the online division was started in 2010 and has expanded greatly in the past year. UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? MTG: Any student who is in need of academic support or tutoring for Math, Science or Test Prep.. or any education related matter really… who may find it difficult to travel to a tutor or is time limited.  Online work is very convenient in terms of time and location.  At MTG online, we work with many …

Ambler Patch: Who is your ideal client or customer? Flour Pot Cookies: Anyone throwing a party—women, brides…  We also sell a lot to businesses having events. AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? FPC: All of our cookies are custom—we don’t charge any design fees and the minimum is only a dozen pieces for custom cookies.  AP: What made you decide to open a business? FPC: We were making cookies for friends and family and everyone raved about them and of course, the timing was perfect. AP: What’s your most popular item? FPC: Our Will You Be My Bridesmaid cookies. AP: …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? The Painted Home: hmm...Probably about 15 years ago. I started as a decorative painter, then transitioned into decorating, and most recently have concentrated on my blog which specializes in showing the average person how to make their own DIY decor, mostly out of up-cycled and re-purposed items from flea markets, yard sales, or the side of the road. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? TPH: Anyone who is willing to put in a little elbow grease to get the job done! AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? TPH: I try to …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Ambler Skate Shop: The business was started originally in the 80's. We took over 2 years ago and moved to our new location in May 2012. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? AS: People interested in the skateboard and snowboard lifestyle between the ages of 10-35 AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? AS: We don't just sell our products we use and test them on a regular basis. We also try to bring in other aspects that go along with the lifestyle such as art and music. AP: What made you decide to open a business? AS: …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? Family Stages: My wife and I began performing together as Duet Productions in 1980. In 1996 we incorporated as Family Stages UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? FS: We love families. Our goal is to provide families with plays that entertain everyone from the preschooler to great-grandma UDP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? FS: We specialize in two actor productions that require a unique blend of skills. The performers must be able to convey many characters in a fast-paced, broadly comic production. UDP: …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? Beth Jacobsen School of Dance: I opened my business in 1982- and I just celebrated my 30th year in business UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? BJSoD: my ideal customer or client are children teens and adults and pre school--really every family we work with are great and they are all ideal in my opinion UDP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? BJSoD: There are no commitments,all of our teachers have degress in dance eduacation and some are presently working as professional dancers in the industry UDP: What made…

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Fireside Bar and Grille: The Fireside opened in October of 2006. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? FBG: Our ideal clientele is everyone looking for good food and a great atmosphere for great prices.  We have been voted best Pub/Bar in Montgomery County, Best Family restaurant in Montgomery county, and have been in Philly Magazine in an article called "9 Bars in Nine Innings: The best places around to catch a game".  So our clientele are families, sports enthusiasts, night life pub crawlers, happy hour office workers, lunchtime corporate …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Rosey's BBQ: The business opened in 2009 in Jenkintown. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? R-BBQ: Our ideal customer is anyone who has the taste for that true Southern BBQ experience. AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? R-BBQ: What makes my business different from the others is that we pride ourselves on being "true" Memphis BBQ AP: What made you decide to open a business? R-BBQ: My love for food, cooking and my passion for BBQ lead me to open Rosey's in 2009 AP: What’s your most popular item? R-BBQ: our most …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Salon Esperanza: We recently bought Salon Esperanza on July 7, 2011, when the previous owners wanted to sell it. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? SE: Well, we have a wide range of clients from a child getting their first haircut to someone who's been getting their hair done for years. We service a wide range of clients AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? SE: We care about the client's hair! Consultations are a must. Our staff keeps up with all the latest styles, cuts colors etc. AP: What’s your most popular …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Chamaeleon Boutique: Chamaeleon Boutique opened its doors on February 3, 2008. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? CB: Our ideal customer is someone who wants a friendly,  personal shopping experience to find unique gifts and accessories for themselves, their friends and their loved ones. AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field?   CB: We pride ourselves in a warm, inviting and personal shopping experience.  We take the time to find our favorite and most unique gifts and accessories that currently in trend and in style …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? Udder Delight!: May of 2009 UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? UD!: Families/children UDP: What makes your business unique from others in your field?  UD!: we make our ice cream on the premises.  Also the gumball machines that dispense the toppings and prizes are unique UDP: What made you decide to open a business?  UD!: Baskin and Robbins was closing and my partner and I decided that it was a business the neighborhood needed. UDP: What’s your most popular item?  UD!: Homemade ice cream.  We come up with different concoctions like …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business?  Cantina Feliz: January 2011 UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? CF: Someone who enjoys contemporary Mexican cuisine and a good bar in a friendly, colorful atmosphere. UDP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? CF: Cantina Feliz, 424 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, is a festive restaurant serving contemporary Mexican cuisine. It has a full bar and many private dining spaces for 16 - 55 people. Cantina Feliz is family-friendly and has a unique menu for Little Amigos.   UDP: What’s your most popular item?  CF: …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Essenza Day Spa: I opened in August 2010.  Although we opened in Aug., 2010, offering Custom Airbrush tanning and Cosmetic Teeth Whitening, we only added our Spa services around March 2011.  AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? EDS: I believe that our exceptional customer service, unique service menu and very affordable prices make us stand out from the rest.  Most all of our services are customized to meet the needs of the client. Essenza is also an Oncology Massage provider. We are a small spa with a very warm and …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Main Street Vintage: Our business opened November 2011. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? MSV: Our ideal client is looking to add one piece to a room or to redecorate an entire room. They work with us while we find and paint that perfect piece of furniture for their home.   AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? MSV: Our business is unique because we find vintage furniture, make it beautiful at great prices. Most of the furniture is made in America. We then, help you accessorize your home. AP: What made you decide …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Green Street Luxuries: We opened our 2nd location in Ambler on August 15, 2011 AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? GSL: The person who wants natural, healing organic skin care AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? GSL: We make all of our own skin care, products using natural ingredients and essential oils which are Paraben, SLS & Gluten free as well and being vegan and vegetarian friendly. Our vendors have to live local and make their craft as well . . . we have a wonderful selection of handmade cards, handbags, …

Upper Dublin Patch: When did you open your business? Danielle’s Espresso Café: I opened my business on June 27, 2007 UDP: Who is your ideal client or customer? DEC: The ideal customer: appreciates great coffee/espresso prepared by a talented barista; someone who is community oriented and looking to meet a friend/run into a neighbor while grabbing "their fix"; someone new looking to breaking away from the big corporate chains and support a locally owned business; the dedicated mommies and daddies they need a "break" in their morning hustle and bustle; and everyone that wants to enjoy quality …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? From the Boot: Our flagship location in Lafayette Hill has been open since 1999. The summer of 2009 saw our Ambler location opening its doors. This spring we opened in the Whitpain Shopping Center in Blue Bell and are currently working on an expansion. AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? FTB: We like to think that we have something for everyone. With well over 100 menu items we feel that anyone could be our ideal guest. We are a great place for an early dinner with the kids, a date night with that special someone or just having a drink and …

Ambler Patch: When did you open your business? Trax Restaurant: 1998 AP: Who is your ideal client or customer? TR: Someone who enjoys good, fresh food in an inviting indoor atmosphere or garden dining. AP: What makes your business unique from others in your field? TR: Trax Restaurant & Café is a cozy BYOB in the old Ambler Train Station. A neighborhood gem serving tastefully American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, organic ingredients. Trax has 45 seats inside the old frame station, which sits alongside the R5 tracks. The cozy space has several intimate window-side nooks. When the sun is …