Spotlight on SCORE Clients

Recycling Services – A Success

November 2005

Over 50 customers a day, and increasing, bring bottles and cans to the Keuka Redemption Center, 17 Commercial Avenue, corner of Henry Street, in Penn Yan. Lisa Smith, assisted by her husband Jeffry, accepts almost all NY 5-cent returns: soft drink bottles, beer and wine cooler containers. They will count your empties or you can do it. This saves customers a great deal of time they could otherwise spend looking for a store that will accept their brand. They are now open Monday through Thursday 10AM to 5PM and Saturday 10AM - 1PM

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Lisa Smith

The recycling business started March 2003 in a barn. Business increased so fast that, some days, Lisa had to close early before she ran out of capital. She didn't expect such a rapid increase. Her customers now include local charities and non-profit companies: the Fire Departments of Penn Yan, Benton and Potter, Literacy Volunteers of Yates County, Shelter of Hope, Keuka Comfort Care Home, Dundee Central School and the Isaac Walton League. Most of the money customers receive is spent in the Penn Yan community, helping the local economy.

Lisa says "SCORE helped me step by step to start my business". SCORE, operating through the Yates County Chamber of Commerce since 1988, helps small businesses get started or expand. A SCORE counselor, Bill Crain, advised Lisa to contact the village code officer and negotiate the cost of improvements to the barn with her landlord before startup.

Lisa Smith
Keuka Redemption Center, 17 Commercial Avenue, Penn Yan.

For SCORE appointments in Penn Yan, call 315-536-3111.

See archives of past Spotlights.

If you have an existing business or are starting a new one, consider how your company may benefit from SCORE’s counseling. Call for a free counseling appointment at one of our many locations. While you are there, ask your SCORE counselor how you might tap into our 60-plus membership knowledge bank to further address your particular business and industry concerns.