The Small Business Spotlight Is On…
Cooper’s Seafood House, Inc.
Scranton, PA
Member since 1975
www.coopers-seafood.com

When it comes to having a successful restaurant, Jack Cooper, co-owner of Cooper’s Seafood House, will tell you that, above all else, the main ingredient is quality. Having been in business for more than 70 years, Cooper’s has become a staple in the region’s culinary scene and has welcomed a variety of customers from all over, including former President Bill Clinton. In this month’s Small Business Spotlight, Mr. Cooper shares his recipe for success…

Cooper’s has been an institution in NEPA for the past 70 years, why do you think your business has been so successful?

We have been successful because we stress consistency in our business. From the quality of the food, the wait staff and the cleanliness of the property, we never stop trying to improve. We take every recommendation we receive to heart and act on it if needed. We also have a wonderful staff that has become family over the years.

What are some specialties that patrons can’t get anywhere else?

Our homemade soups, especially the Maryland Crab Bisque, are our signature item. Since it was published in Bon Appétit Magazine, it has become our biggest seller. Our other specials are mostly seasonal, but our New Orleans jambalaya, whole crawfish, crawfish étouffée, blackened redfish, smoked Finnan haddie with lobster sauce, scallop risotto, and Rhode Island little neck wild clams are very popular with customers.

What are some of the ways you give back to the local community?

We give to every charity that requests donations. On the last Friday of every month we sponsor a charity “Firkin Friday” where we sell a special one-of-a-kind beer, brewed specially for the event, for $6 a pint and all proceeds are given to the charity. We recently raised $25,000 for St. Joseph’s Center during our 70th anniversary celebration.

How has your business changed over the past 70 years?

From a small restaurant that employed 12 people in 1948, to our current staff of well over 100 people, we have really grown since our opening. We are constantly updating equipment to help us keep up with current customer demands. We are currently in the process of installing a whole new kitchen.

How do you see your business evolving in the future?

We intend to keep on improving our business—the third generation of the Cooper Family will be running the show and will bring new innovative ideas to the business.

How has the Chamber helped your business?

We are thankful for the constant support provided to us by the Chamber over the years. The Chamber is always sending us new customers, and they are always available when you need them.

Rudy Roediger was recently announced as head coach for the Lackawanna College men’s and women’s soccer programs. With more than 16 years of experience as a coach, scout, recruiter, and administrator, Mr. Roediger spent part of 2017 and 2018 coaching and consulting in Eastern Europe, where he became the first American ever to coach professionally in Lithuania.

Mayur Amin, M.D., a musculoskeletal and wound care specialist, has joined the medical staff of Geisinger as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Dr. Amin will see patients at Geisinger Community Medical Center (GCMC)’s Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine in Scranton and Geisinger Medical Center’s Wound Care and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Danville.

Lackawanna College recently announced that Edward Delaney will serve as the College’s first-ever eSports Administrator and Head Coach. Also joining the coaching staff will be Robert Eskra, Lackawanna College Criminal Justice Instructor, as eSports Assistant Coach. Mr. Delaney and Mr. Eskra are building Lackawanna’s eSports program in preparation for competition in the 2018-2019 academic year and are actively recruiting athletes for Lackawanna’s inaugural team.

The Sustainable Energy Fund recently hired Holly Edinger as the Director of Special Projects. Ms. Edinger will execute the Sustainable Energy Fund’s annual conference, Energypath, and other special programs.

Marywood University recently named Christina R. Brundage, M.S., Ph.D. student, to the role of career engagement specialist. Ms. Brundage began her career at Marywood University working with students, staff, and faculty in the role of technology trainer, where she was instrumental in helping students achieve their goals.

The Career Development Center, formerly the Career Services Office, works with various student clubs and organizations, holds live webinars, and uses software that enhances student, alumni, and employer engagement, as well as showcasing alumni achievements.

The Honesdale National Bank announced that Catherine Ferraro has joined the bank as a Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. Ms. Ferraro brings 24 years of banking experience with her to HNB, most recently as a Commercial Branch Manager at another financial institution.

The Honesdale National Bank announced that the Board of Directors approved the promotions of Elizabeth Hazen, Linda Miller, Donna Rineheimer, Melissa Rushworth, Nick D’Alberto and Brian Wilken to Assistant Vice President.

Ms. Hazen is the bank’s Loan Review Officer. She joined HNB in 1999 as a teller. Before her tenure inloan review, she also held the positions of Customer Service Representative, Head Teller, Portfolio Loan Processor and Branch Manager.

Ms. Miller is HNB’s Collection Officer, managing delinquencies, foreclosures, bankruptcies and acquired properties. She started her career in banking in 1992 as a teller before moving to the Collection Department. She was named as the Collection Manager in 2002 and was promoted to Collection Officer in 2012.

Ms. Rinehimer is the Residential Mortgage Underwriting and Processing Manager for HNB Mortgage. She is responsible for reviewing residential mortgage files as they are processed for completeness, accuracy and adherence to the standards established by various investors. Additionally, her departments review all completed files to ensure that borrower’s income, credit history, assets and collateral are acceptable security for the type of loan requested.

Ms. Rushworth is celebrating her 20th year in banking and presently serves as the Manager of HNB’s Forest City Office. Since joining HNB in 2008, she has held the positions of Teller, Head Teller and Customer Service Representative (2010) and Assistant Branch Manager (2013), prior to her promotion to Manager in 2015.

Mr. D’Alberto is the Manager of HNB’s Main Street Office in Honesdale. Since joining the bank in 2013, he was a Consumer Loan Specialist and Branch Manager of HNB’s Kingston Office.

Mr. Wilken is the Business Development Officer for the bank, having joined HNB in 2009. After completing the Management Training Program, he was named as a Business Development Specialist and was promoted to Business Development Officer in 2015.

Wayne Bank was recently honored with several awards from the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, including the Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Award.  This award is presented to organizations who demonstrate exemplary commitment to the people of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by service above and beyond the normal campaign. Wayne Bank was also recognized with The Pillars Award, The Rising Star Award, the Platinum Hand Award and the Award of Excellence.

Wayne Bank recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly relocated Clarks Summit Community Office.