Beaver: A Picture-Perfect Small Town
- Hilary Daninhirsch
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
People who live and work in Beaver often describe the borough, which is the seat of Beaver County, as reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. Or maybe Stars Hollow, the fictional town in which Gilmore Girls was set, will come to mind, or even Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. Strolling on a sunny Saturday afternoon on Third Street, it is easy to see why: it is walkable and bikeable, with aesthetically pleasing storefronts, a brick streetscape, and well-preserved houses on the side streets.
Beaver, which lies at the confluence of the Ohio and Beaver rivers, is proud of its history. Midge Sefton oversees the archives of the Beaver Area Heritage Museum and is a fount of information about the borough. For example, she can tell you that Beaver was founded in 1802; that it was the site of Fort McIntosh, the first fort west of the Ohio River; that the town was laid out in a grid; that because of the 13 brickyards that had been in the area, the yellowish color of the bricks in town is called Beaver Brick; that there are four central parks and four parks on the corners of the town’s main district, plus River Road Park along the riverbank; that the clock tower bell, which almost burned in the 1932 courthouse fire, was saved and is now displayed in the center of town; and that Beaver has a thriving business district with no empty stores.
“Beaver Area Heritage Foundation is a volunteer organization that handles many of the monthly events held in the town — often in the central parks, such as a huge craft and art show, Memorial Day parade and program, the Veterans Day parade for the county, Fort McIntosh Day, Beaver Tales storytelling, etc.,” she said. She added that the borough hosts the biggest car cruise in the entire area, as well as a wine festival. An event center is located in the former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad station, which has become a popular venue for weddings and parties.
The majority of businesses in Beaver are located on Third Street. Because of the wide variety of stores, residents and visitors from neighboring counties can spend a whole day on Third Street, shopping and eating.
Cirelli Jewelers is one of the oldest businesses in town, having opened 40 years ago. Founder Michael Cirelli wanted to open a shop in Beaver because it had a lot of car traffic going through town, including people traveling to the airport. “We have a lot of unique offerings in Beaver. It’s a quiet town and well-kept,” he said, something that out-of-towners seem to notice. He said that Beaver has undergone a revitalization of sorts over the years, pointing out that there are very few chain stores. Cirelli said that the businesses are all supportive of each other, which is good for the economy and the individual businesses. “Whenever one cash register rings, they all ring,” he said.
If you’re in the market for a wedding dress, Jessica Caudill, owner of La Belle Bridal, has you covered. “La Belle Bridal Boutique was originally founded by Katie LeChêne in 2021 and has quickly become a beautiful gem nestled in the heart of downtown Beaver. When the opportunity arose to continue the legacy Katie built, I knew it was something truly special. I’ve always dreamed of being part of a community-oriented town — somewhere warm, welcoming, and rich with charm — and Beaver embodies exactly that,” she said, adding that the business community fosters a spirit of collaboration.
“Beaver is the town you think only exists in Hallmark movies — except it’s real,” she
continued. “In fact, several Hallmark films have been shot here! Picture children riding their bikes to the ice cream shop, tree-lined sidewalks, seasonal festivals, beautifully kept homes, and a true sense of community pride. It’s charming, picturesque, and filled with heart.”
Wags on Third is a dog and cat bakery and boutique that offers made-from-scratch treats along with kibble and raw food. “Beaver is a beautiful, quaint little town with a lot of independent business owners. From boutiques to diners and ice cream shops, it has something for everyone. There aren’t many towns left that are full of brick-and-mortar businesses where you can take a stroll and keep occupied for the day. Beaver is definitely one of them. I have been surprised when people tell me how far they’ve traveled just to come to our little town,” said Owner Jamie Leheny.
One relatively long-time business on Third Street is Café Kolache. Opened 23 years ago, the café is known for its kolaches, which founder Kristi Harper describes as “fresh-baked, slightly sweetened yeast dough filled with meats, eggs, cheeses, fruits, or veggies.” The café offers other homemade menu items as well, including a coffee bar.
“Beaver is a wonderful, historic community with a thriving and quaint main street (including a grocery store!) within walking distance from three parks, the post office, and library, as well as the elementary, middle, and high schools, and a community theater. It’s a great place to raise a family,” added Harper.
Don’s Deli is another popular eatery in town. Owner Kristin Stanzak is from Beaver and said about her hometown, “It is a super cute, super small town; everybody kind of knows everybody. There are lots of mom-and-pop shops; chains aren’t really big. Everything you need is within walking distance in a four-block main street.” She added that it’s a safe place to raise children, as there’s a very low crime rate.
One newer business is Blackbird Market, a specialty marketplace that focuses on allergen-friendly sweet treats and ice cream, as well as gifts and locally made artwork. Co-owner Denise Muiter, whose family is from Beaver, returned to her hometown in 2019 after living in Wexford to raise her family.
Connected to the market is a boutique wine shop that focuses on entertaining essentials — from wine bottles and glassware to curated art pieces. “The store highlights two local Pennsylvania wineries,” Muiter explained. “We wanted to support small craft wineries that don’t get exposure through the state store. Since Beaver is a dry town with BYOB restaurants, we also hoped to provide something that complements and supports our local dining scene.”
Becky Sabo, owner of the art studio Artsy Doodle, who also lives in town, noted about Beaver, “It’s definitely thriving and growing. It’s very family-friendly; that is what I love about this town, from the variety of unique shopping and dining experiences to the beautiful parks, our school, and the amazing library.” Sabo also serves as the art teacher at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, adding, “We have a community that feels like family.”
Dan Madgar, who serves as both the town manager and chief of police, said that Beaver is home to just shy of 5,000 residents. “Houses do not stay on the market too long; they will sell for over asking price,” he said, which reflects the well-regarded Beaver Area School District. And even though it technically is in the neighboring town of Bridgewater, the Beaver River is active with boating activities, marinas, and restaurants and bars on the river.
With so many happenings all year, the vibrancy of the town, and the many amenities and green spaces, it is no wonder that so many businesses have opened up shop. “Young couples are moving here to make it their forever homes. A lot of people who have left are moving back; it’s where they want to reconnect with family and friends,” said Madgar.