Michelle Elluinger, owner of Elluinger's Meats & Deli; Neil Weaver, acting secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development; and Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, talk in Elluinger's on Friday morning during Weaver's tour of Zelienople small businesses. Alex J. Weidenhof/Butler Eagle

ZELIENOPLE — In recognition of Small Business Week, the state’s economic development secretary toured Zelienople’s Main Street and noted the “sense of community” present within the borough’s small businesses.

“There’s really a sense of community. You don’t get that everywhere,” said Acting Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development Neil Weaver. “It’s great that they’ve pulled together through everything that’s happened.”

Weaver, along with Zelienople mayor Tom Oliviero, council president Mary Hess, council vice president Drew Mathews and manager Don Pepe, visited four family-owned stores Friday as part of Weaver’s statewide tour of small businesses.

“It was a real honor to be able to have him here,” Pepe said. “When his office asked us to consider having us be part of his itinerary, I said, ‘Why not?’ (Weaver was) able to see what we are and who we are and some of our unique small businesses.”

The walking tour began at the Kaufman Tavern, where Weaver had the opportunity to see how the business community banded together to rebuild the former hotel after the building was ravaged by a 2011 fire. He also viewed the artwork scattered throughout the tavern, noting, “you guys have to be so proud.”

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