Comings & Goings: Valley Mall Diner closes; counseling business moves in Hagerstown

Valley Mall Diner in Halfway suddenly closes

After four years, the Valley Mall Diner in Halfway has closed.

Broker Jim Mackintosh, with Mackintosh Commercial Brokerage, said Tuesday that the people running the diner "packed up and left" about two weeks prior.

"I guess you could say they walked out," Mackintosh said.

The restaurant was going through a major cleaning job this past week and the property is ready for lease, he said.

The restaurant building at 17276 Valley Mall Road is about 5,300 square feet and has bar space. It has the potential for 120 seats and has kitchen equipment that includes a walk-in freezer and refrigerators, he said.

Mackintosh could not immediately confirm whether the lessee was the same person who opened the restaurant around the start of spring 2019.

The space housed at least two other restaurants before Valley Mall Diner opened.

Stone Wall Tavern opened in 2015.

Family Meal, an American diner co-owned by celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio, was there for less than a year in 2016.

Then Stone Wall Tavern reopened in the space before closing in February 2018.

Rise Counseling & Wellness unveils new office

Rise Counseling & Wellness Group has a new office.

Established in 2021 by Jessica O’Neil, the business used to occupy a space on North Potomac Street, but a June 6 grand opening showcased its new digs at 1140 Professional Court in Hagerstown. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony and some sweet treats at the event, O'Neil said.

The new space offers amenities such as a yoga studio and a space for children who make appointments with Rise Counseling & Wellness, said O’Neil, who owns the business and also takes on a full client list.

In the summertime, there is not as much rush in terms of clients, but O’Neil said overall, she has seen an uptick in clients as more people are feeling comfortable receiving assistance with their mental health.

Currently, Rise Counseling & Wellness has eight employees, one of which is an administrative assistant, but O’Neil expects the business to have around 10 down the line.

“I sincerely believe meaningful personal and professional growth occurs when we feel safe to be our genuine selves,” O’Neil wrote under her profile on the business’ website. “Whether we are working through past traumas, current life circumstances, or future goals you can expect our meetings to be full of personal reflection, support, relief, and some humor/sarcasm when appropriate.”

Horizon Goodwill recognized for employer-sponsored health program

Horizon Goodwill Industries recently received the 2023 Health Plan Hero award in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., according to a news release.

Horizon Goodwill leadership was recognized for its outstanding employer-sponsored health program by national healthcare industry professionals.

David Shuster, president and CEO of Horizon Goodwill, was honored alongside 10 other winning businesses, and participated in expert roundtable discussions with employees, human resource representatives, patient advocates, CEOs and healthcare benefit design experts in Washington.

The program, developed by the national nonprofit organization Patients Rising, recognizes companies with innovative health plans that expand patient access to care, lower out-of-pocket costs, lower employer spending, and are competitive due to increased workforce health, productivity and savings. Horizon Goodwill was recognized for its health plan that created an open-access network, added direct primary care and redesigned their pharmacy cost containment program while still reducing per-employee annual spend by 26%.

More details on Horizon Goodwill’s Health Plan Hero award are available here.

Peterson joins Valley Mall, Francis Scott Key Mall as marketing & administrative coordinator

Jennifer Peterson has joined Francis Scott Key Mall and Valley Mall as the marketing and administrative coordinator, according to a news release from mall owner PREIT.

She will be responsible for the development and implementation of both malls' marketing programs, managing their websites and social media platforms, the execution of community-based programs, visual merchandising, and retailer and community and media relations, according to the release.

Peterson graduated from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She also received her Master of Science degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla.

Peterson was born and raised in Hagerstown. After pursuing her master’s degree, she relocated back to Hagerstown with her family. She has more than 17 years of experience in retail management and several years in marketing. She is also a wife, and mom to four kids.

Opening? Moving? Got a new hire or promotion? Let us know

If you have details on a business coming or going in Washington County, Md., or Franklin County, Pa., email us at news@herald-mail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Halfway diner space looking for new tenant