The owners of Cambria City Flower Shop are working to revitalize the neighborhood by redeveloping vacant properties in the historic area.

 

Steven Biter and Chad Pysher, owners of Cambria City Flowers said that in the past few years, they’ve not only expanded their business, but they’ve also been buying up vacant properties around Cambria City and turning them into spaces the community can enjoy.

 

“Some of the revitalization we’re doing is taking some of the old lots that have been in the city sometime, and putting them back into use somehow,” Biter said. “Making them something pretty, sprucing it up does a lot for moral.”

 

While Johnstown city leaders have said addressing these blighted buildings is a priority, Biter and Pysher are taking a hands-on approach as local business owners.

 

They bought the Saint Casimir Church on Power Street and plan to turn it into a cultural center.

 

“The building will come to life throughout the year,” Pysher said. “We really want people to be able to enjoy the space again as soon as possible.”

 

Once Saint Casimir is open, it will be a destination for community members featuring things like concerts, art galleries and a restaurant.

 

Biter and Pysher grew up in the area, and want it to continue to grow economically and maintain its cultural history.

 

“All those years ago, this was sort of the incubator of the economy of Johnstown and I think all of us are working to make it like that again,” Pysher said. “When people see them being beautified and reused and repurposed, they see the change happening. For years people .. that’s the difference because when they see it happen they want to be apart of it.”