Courier has long helped support its advertisers
Editor's Note: As the Daily Courier nears its 100th anniversary on Nov. 10, reporter Amy Fauth talks to new and old advertisers about the newspaper and its importance to the community.
Since the very beginning, newspapers have provided a number of services to the people and communities they serve, including an economical and effective way for local businesses to reach their customers.
As the Daily Courier prepares to celebrate its 100th year as a daily newspaper, it is apparent that several different businesses in the Fay-West region have found that to be true of this publication.
Businesses with a history as long or sometimes longer than the Courier's, have been advertising in the paper since its beginning. DeMuth Florist, with locations in Scottdale and Connellsville, is one of those businesses.
The business is currently owned and operated by Charles Edward DeMuth III, who prefers to be known by his middle name.
DeMuth, who never thought he'd go into the flower business, started working at the floral shop in 1973 when his father, Charles Sr., who was experiencing health problems, asked him to help out.
He's been there ever since.
The business was actually started by DeMuth's great-great-grandfather Peter R. DeMuth. Over the years, the business has moved several times. In 1892, DeMuth's greenhouses were located along South Pittsburgh Street and the business' original retail floral shop was located along what was then West Main Street (now Crawford Avenue).
At the turn of the century, the business relocated to a building at 811 Pittsburgh St., where it remained until 1985. In that year, a fire destroyed that building forcing the operation to move to its current location at 302 N. Pittsburgh St.
Although he isn't sure when exactly the business began advertising with the Courier, DeMuth believes it was prior to the time when the newspaper became a daily publication.
According to DeMuth, advertising in the Courier is a good fit for his business.
"It is because of our market area, Mount Pleasant, Connellsville and Scottdale. The paper also covers that area," said DeMuth.
Although DeMuth said he has tried advertising in other newspapers, on cable and through direct mail, he is happy with the results he gets from advertising in the Courier.
"I find our advertisements are most effective in the Courier," said DeMuth.
DeMuth said through the years, the Courier has been very supportive of his business and he has tried to return the favor through advertising and supporting various local activities.
Although it has only been a Courier advertiser for more than a year, Ike's Deli in Connellsville Township has been positively impacted by the advertisements.
In addition to traditional convenience store products and services, Ike's also offers catering services for weddings, funerals and parties, fund-raising opportunities, and delivery to businesses and its handicapped customers.
Manager Stacey Spicola, who makes all of the advertising decisions for the deli, said she and owner Regis DeCarlo are very pleased with the results the ads in the Courier have produced.
"Our business has picked up significantly since we started running daily ads in the Courier," said Spicola.
Spicola believes the key to the ads' success is the consistency of running on a daily basis.
"I think that's been the best," said Spicola.
Although she has tried advertising in other newspapers, coupon publications and team sponsorships, Spicola said the Courier ads have been the most effective because the Courier helps Ike's reach the bulk of its customers.
Reaching customers and potential customers is one of the reason's a Uniontown-based car dealership chooses to advertise regularly in the Courier.
Gus Palmar, president of the Superior Automotive Group, said the Courier gives him the opportunity to reach potential customers that are just a 15-minute drive from his dealership.
"I feel obliged to let the businesses and consumers out there know we are here and what we can offer them," said Palmar.
The dealership, which features Ford, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products, has one of the largest selections of new and pre-owned vehicles in Fayette County, said Palmar.
"The purchase of a car is an emotional experience. Those decisions are triggered upon daily occurrences," said Palmar.
Palmar, who describes advertising as "a necessary evil," said he believes the most important thing is consistency. He aims to get Superior's name out there on a consistent basis, so that when a customer decides to purchase a car, they will immediately think of Superior.
Palmar accomplishes this by placing a full page advertisement at least one day per week in some newspaper in the area, including the Courier.
"My philosophy is to be in the newspaper every day and to be the lowest price out there," said Palmar.
