Apr. 28—POTTSVILLE — Never mind the mayor, state representative and head of the Chamber of Commerce, 2-year-old Madison "Madi Jo" Doran stole the show Friday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Arrow Studio and Events.

In her yellow Princess Belle gown, kicking her shoeless "Rapunzel" feet, Madi Jo snipped the ceremonial ribbon marking the formal opening of the wedding and event venue.

She had a little help from mom and dad, Allie and Jared Doran, owners of the new business in the former Nathan's Furniture Store at 316 N. Centre St.

The accent of the event was clearly on youth, though not as young as Madi-Jo.

The Dorans, both in their 30s, are part of a new wave of young entrepreneurs in downtown Pottsville.

Included are Savas Logothetides, owner of the new TRES restaurant; Bobby Weaver, owner of Black Rock Brewing Co.; and Joe Drasdis, a partner in Drasdis & Son clothing store. All are under 40.

Drasdis, who heads the Pottsville Business Association, lent his congratulations to the Dorans.

"This building sat vacant for too long," he said. "And now it has been brought to life by two young entrepreneurs."

Mayor Dave Clews sounded a similar theme.

Noting the tradition of planting a tree on Arbor Day, which was Friday, the mayor referred to the Dorans as "young troubadours" planting entrepreneurial seeds in the downtown.

Robert S. Carl Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said the event marked the 36th ribbon-cutting this year at new businesses in the county.

The Dorans, who live in Pottsville, turned the former store's main gallery into a 5,000-square-foot space for weddings, reunions and conferences.

"Our vision was to create a space where people could gather for a luxurious experience in downtown Pottsville," said Allie, 31, author of the "Venison Every Day" cookbook.

Jared is the owner of JMD Contracting in Pottsville, which worked with subcontractors on the $500,000 renovation of the store.

Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess, owner of Hess Catering in Schuylkill Haven, was reminded of when he and his wife started their business in a kitchen about 40 years ago.

"Congratulations on taking this step," Hess said. "It's good to see young people going into business."

State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, Butler Twp., who was on hand for the event, offered congratulations, while state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Twp., and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman offered their felicitations through representatives.

Daniel Rodriguez, DJD-Rod, of Pottsville provided music for the event.

Kim Lorimer, vice president of the Evans Network of Companies in Schuylkill Haven, called the Dorans a "dynamic duo" who brought about total restoration of a vacant downtown building.

"You made your vision come alive," she said. "You made your dream come true."

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007