Mahoning Valley business roundup: New openings, expansions and anniversaries
From a nail salon settling into its first standalone home to a brewery preparing to breathe new life into a historic freight depot, Mahoning Valley businesses are marking milestones this summer.
Here’s a look at four recent developments across the region.
Phoenix Nail Lounge opens in Austintown
Jessica Montes de Oca celebrated the grand opening of Phoenix Nail Lounge at 4491 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown with a June 24 ribbon cutting hosted by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The move represents a step up for Montes de Oca, who previously operated out of a rented suite inside a Girard boutique.
“Phoenix was previously located in Girard where I rented suite space inside a boutique,” Montes de Oca said.
A full-service nail technician, Montes de Oca is certified in acrylics, hard gel, custom press-ons and pedicuring and Luminary Structured Manicures. She managed the transition without a significant break in service.
“The move was a rather smooth transition where I took clients in my suite space while doing renovations in the new location,” she said. “A couple of days were taken off to move and finalize inspections. Once those were done, I started taking clients in my salon.”
Phoenix Nail Lounge operates by appointment only, and early feedback from clients has been enthusiastic.
“My clients have raved about the new salon. They love the atmosphere as well as having more room in the space itself — all while still maintaining a quiet, one-on-one experience tailored to each of their needs,” Montes de Oca said.
Appointments can be booked by calling (330) 550-0822 or through the Phoenix Nail Lounge website.
Black Diamond Brewery and Distillery heads to East Palestine
East Palestine is getting a new anchor tenant for its historic downtown. Black Diamond Brewery and Distillery plans to open a location inside the historic freight depot on West Taggart Street, with an estimated opening set for spring 2027.
Black Diamond started as a historic redevelopment company focused on revitalizing communities throughout Ohio, and its expansion into East Palestine reflects that mission. The company plans to bring its award-winning craft beer and a full-service restaurant to the depot.
Michelle Robinson, spokesperson for Black Diamond, said the community fit was clear.
“East Palestine represents everything we look for in a community — strong local pride, momentum and an appreciation for quality,” Robinson said. “We are excited to bring the Black Diamond experience to East Palestine and deliver the same level of craftsmanship, hospitality and culinary excellence that our guests have come to expect.”
Black Diamond’s craft beer and distilled spirits were first produced in Nelsonville through an incubator partnership with Hocking College in Athens County. That launch of small-batch bourbon, craft beers and Appalachian-inspired spirits led to expansion across the state. The company now operates taprooms in Marietta, Waverly, Shawnee and Greenfield, along with two Black Diamond Prime Steakhouses in Johnstown and Circleville.
Barb Herriott, president of the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation, said Black Diamond’s approach aligns with local revitalization efforts.
“The fact that Black Diamond takes pride in honoring the history of the communities they do business in and recognizes the importance of our revitalization makes them a perfect parnet for EPCIC,” Herriott said. “We look forward to seeing new life in the Freight Depot and having the excitement that Black Diamond will bring to downtown East Palestine. Thank you for believing in this village.”
Antonio Diaz-Guy, East Palestine village manager, acknowledged the technical challenges of the project.
“Transforming a historic depot into a modern restaurant is no small task, especially when you’re working to integrate today’s utilities into a building that predates them,” he said. “But that challenge makes this milestone all the more meaningful.”
Diaz-Guy thanked the Columbiana County Commissioners, the Columbiana County Port Authority and the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation for backing the project.
Bortner Shows Midway marks 10 years
A Columbiana-based traveling carnival company is celebrating a decade of bringing rides, games and festival food to communities across Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
Tim Bortner, owner and CEO of Bortner Shows Midway, launched the family-owned business in 2016 after purchasing his first Ferris wheel.
“I’ve always loved carnivals; loved being involved and going to them. It’s always been a dream of mine to own my own carnival,” Bortner said.
The company’s food trailer serves walking tacos, homemade onion rings and funnel cakes alongside its rides and games. Bortner said the business is deeply tied to the region.
“Ninety percent of our employees are local to the Mahoning Valley,” he said. “We’re locally-owned and very thankful to our customers that have supported us over the last 10 years, and to our fairs and our festivals that have supported us. We wouldn’t be where we are now without their support.”
Frank Amato, who joined Bortner Shows Midway in 2022, credited Bortner’s passion for the company’s culture.
“None of this would be possible without Tim’s passion,” Amato said. “He loves this industry, he loves what he does. It’s infectious to all of us.”
Safety is a central focus. Bortner Shows Midway is licensed under both the Ohio and Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division, with weekly ride inspections and daily employee checks. The company is also licensed with the Ohio Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for food service.
“We also drug test every employee that comes through, including the same employees that have been with us for nine years,” Amato said. “Everyone is drug tested, background checked and goes through a training every year to make sure that they know what they’re doing.”
The company has expanded its offerings over the past decade, adding inflatables, slides, games and food. In 2024, Bortner added a patriotic bounce house ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, and in 2026 the company purchased a 36-by-36 kiddie train ride believed to date to the 1940s or 1950s.
The original Ferris wheel that started it all broke down in 2019 but has since returned to service. In 2023, it was converted from gas to electric, stripped down to bare metal, repainted in high-gloss paint and outfitted with new lights.
Primanti Bros. carries Pittsburgh legacy in Niles
With the closure of the Boardman location, the Primanti Bros. restaurant in Niles is now the only one in Ohio.
Located at 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, the Niles restaurant is a featured stop on Truly Trumbull’s Italian Food Trail. Launched in March, the food trail is active through the end of the year and includes 50 stops for food enthusiasts across Trumbull County.
Primanti Bros. traces its roots to 1933, when Joe Primanti’s small sandwich cart began drawing crowds in Pittsburgh’s Strip district. The family business grew from there, eventually becoming known for its signature sandwich stacked with fresh-cut French fries, grilled meat such as pastrami, provolone cheese, coleslaw and Italian bread.
The chain expanded across Pennsylvania and into the Mahoning Valley and West Virginia. The Niles location first opened in 2016. Each restaurant uses house-made ingredients, and Primanti Bros. remains headquartered in Pittsburgh. Authentic Restaurant Brands acquired the chain in 2022, with Gerald Pulsinelli serving as CEO.