9 Local Businesses Owned by GCS Grads
Businesses owned by GCS graduates bolster our local economy and broaden our options for dining, shopping, services, health care, and more. Here are just some of our homegrown ventures.
We highly recommend the turtles.
A chef hard at work at Olympia Candy Kitchen in downtown Goshen.
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Families enjoy a fall day at Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard.
Photo by Lynne Zehr
Family-owned and farmed since 1922, Kercher’s Orchard is a beloved southside landmark. The market brims with locally grown and made produce, maple syrup, baked goods, and much more. In the fall, school and group tours are led by “Mrs. Apple” (aka Maureen Kercher) herself!
Goshen High School graduates owning and/or working at Kerchers include Tom (Class of ’75), Janet Kercher Dudley (‘79), Laura Kercher Blough (‘06), Bill Kercher (‘01), and Mollie Kieffer (‘03).
In addition to their businesses, the Schmuckers are active in their community. Michael has helped coach wrestling at Goshen Middle School for nearly 20 years. Harold volunteered with the sheriff’s department for 20 years and has been a 4-H leader for 15.
“All things that give back to the community that we live and work in to try to make it a better place here,” Harold said.
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Aaron Nafziger at the Constant Spring bar.
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Delicious dining and flavorful brews make Constant Spring a destination spot. Owned by Aaron and Kendra Nafziger, the Spring makes use of locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. It’s notable for the variety of craft beers on tap, and for scrumptious entrees such as the International Oval Plate Special, served up every Wednesday.
Is your brain bursting with random factoids? Head to the Spring on Tuesday for Trivia Night and match wits with like-minded folks.
Dr. Danielle Stutsman received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2001 from Indiana University School of Dentistry, along with her husband, Chad.
Chad and Danielle are proud to raise money for Smiles for Life. Through that initiative, they’ve raised more than $200,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen!
Chad Stutsman talks with patients at Stutsman Family Dentistry.
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Eby Ford has earned numerous accolades over the years, including nine Ford Motor Co. Distinguished Achievement awards and the North American Customer Excellence Award. Eby Ford is proud of its corporate and charitable organization ties, and its community involvement includes supporting the Elkhart County 4-H Fair and Goshen High School activities.
“Four Generations of Hard Rock” reads the website, which does not happen to be about a band. It refers, instead, to the Sorgs.
Sigmund Sorg founded Sorg Jewelers in 1900 in Illinois, and his sons Sidney, Earl, Nelson, and Richard ran the business for decades. These days, Sidney’s son John Sorg is president and Darin Sorg (John’s son) is vice president of the business, which has locations in both Goshen and Elkhart.
“They carry on the tradition and legacy of trust, high ethical standards, knowledge, fair pricing and value through their two stores,” reads the Sorg site. “It is a simple, yet crucial formula for the stores’ success. Everything else builds from those five important keys.”
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The eye care business was handed down to John’s songs Jim, Bob, and John Jr. Dr. Jim Wellington Jr. took over the business in 1996. He was joined by Dr. Brett Weddell, a 1994 Goshen High School graduate and current elected member of the Goshen City Council, in 2001.
President Steve Fidler was raised in the concrete business and joined Kuert Concrete in 1991.
“As a third-generation (concrete producer), it’s more about reputation and helping our communities be stronger and better than business growth,” Fidler says on the company website. “I live by that belief. I run the company by that belief.”
A Kuert Concrete truck pours cement at the Goshen Boys & Girls Club.
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