Rachael Kehler: Turning Creative Ideas into Opportunities for the Community

Ed. This article was developed from the first "B Inspired" podcast episode I recorded with Rachael well over a year ago. Back then, I was truly inspired by her creativity, work ethic, and community spirit. Today, of course, she's made giant strides in each of those areas--the latest of which is opening Peppermint Stick's Ice Cream Parlor. An article based on her second B Inspired" podcast is "coming soon," yet I wanted to offer the earlier episode: getting to know her is too good to miss!

by Jane Stahl

Watching the revitalization of the Boyertown community over the last 20 years, I’ve noted that there are certain individuals connected to organizations undergoing a resurgence of energy and creative ideas.

One of those individuals at the center of renewed energy is Rachael Kehler, owner of Boyertown’s Peppermint Stick Candy Store, president of Boyertown Area Historical Society, and [former] Berks-Mont Business Association Board member.

Rachael creates ideas non-stop—seemingly in her sleep--and her ideas bring people to the streets of Boyertown to have fun while enhancing the lives and success of fellow business owners and non-profits. I was curious about what “powers” her whirlwind energy.

Rachael credits her entrepreneurial spirit to growing up among entrepreneurs and her interest in history with living on a historic property. Her own renaissance began, she admits, “When my kids could handle themselves fairly well. At that time, I decided I’d either go to work fulltime or try something crazy on my own.”

The Peppermint Stick Candy Store
“And so, one day, I just watched folks get off the Colebrookdale Railroad and look around to see what else they could do in town, and I knew in that moment that I’d need to build a business that tourists and locals would want to visit,” she continues. “And since every town has a candy store, bringing one to Boyertown became my goal, and my husband and I started researching.”

“My business is a happy place,” she laughs. Watching children choose what candy to buy is a joy, and listening to stories from adults about the candies they enjoyed as children—candies that she offers in her store—brings back warm memories and loyal customers.

Rachael credits her husband with researching vintage candy stores and building whatever she needed to decorate the store and display the candy. “He can do anything,” she allows.

“For myself, I love inventing ways to attract people to explore the town.” Trivia games, contests, collector items, scavenger-type hunts that involve maps, puzzles, clues, and riddles are her specialty as is her role as the unofficial “Welcome Wagon” in town.

The Leprechaun Hunt, an annual popular event, typically attracts 2,000-3,000 people to town. Creating special confections like the “Screaming Eagle” sundae during the weekend of Super Bowl Sunday and specialty candy for Valentine’s Day showcase her talent, energy, and ability to tap into people’s interests to get them excited about what she’s offering.

“I enjoy the camaraderie among the business owners who are passionate about wanting their business to succeed. I love connecting them with one another. And I especially enjoy telling tourists about the other shops and museums and eateries they may be interested in visiting in and around town,” she adds.

“One gentleman who was new to the area shared his interest in record collecting. I knew just where to send him. And weeks later I met him at the place I told him about, and he was so grateful I sent him there,” she offers. “He spent over $100 that day! I was pleased for him and for the business that served him.”

The Boyertown Area Historical Society
In addition to the candy store, Rachael serves as president of the Boyertown Area Historical Society that has experienced a renaissance in recent years by adding fun, interactive, and unusual events to its annual catalogue of programs.

Metal detecting, Soul Strolls, Wreaths Across America, a Truck Rodeo, Concerts and Comedy Shows, the Opera House Anniversary Service, a Soup-er Bowl fundraiser are just a few recent events that have revitalized the community’s interest in their local history.

“We have a great team, a great Board of Directors, and we have fun at meetings. I’m proud today that we have people who want to become involved with the society as volunteers at our events. I count that as a win for everyone.”

Bahr’s Mill
Her current passion is the Society’s acquisition of Bahr’s Mill. “The owner of the Mill wanted the mill to remain a historical property, but he was getting older and less able to maintain it,” she explains. “The mill features its original wheel; it’s been well-maintained. It is part of Boyertown’s history.

“And so, he offered a deal we couldn’t resist and we now look forward to holding events at the mill to help us raise the money to purchase and maintain it,” she explains. “We have some events planned and others we’re considering—a Benefit Dinner, a candlelight concert, an art exhibit, for example. We want the mill to be accessible for tourists—we don’t want to charge them to visit.”

Heritage Day
Working together with Building a Better Boyertown, Rachael and members of the Historical Society are looking forward to Heritage Day to celebrate Boyertown’s history and to bring people together to town.

And Rachael is excitedly planning a special event—it’s a mystery—to involve tourists and locals into learning about the town’s history and into visiting the non-profit museums and venues that have a shared history.

Art and Wine Walks
One of Rachael’s early ideas was to resurrect Art Walks. The idea involved artists setting up exhibits inside businesses around town; the idea duplicated an effort facilitated in the charter years of Building a Better Boyertown’s Arts and Activities Alliance.

“The Art Walks, sponsored by the Berks-Mont Business Association (BMBA), gave people a reason to come to town and allowed them opportunities to get to know artists and to come inside businesses that they may never have visited before,” Rachael notes. After a few years, the Art Walks became Wine Walks that continue today in which tickets are sold and an ounce of wine is offered inside 10-15 participating businesses.

BMBA’s profits from the Wine Walks are shared with the community’s non-profit organizations allowing participants to feel good about their ticket “donation” while having fun around town.

Today, with other organizations creating events in town, the number of Wine Walks has been limited to 3-4 per year during the most popular months, allowing Rachael to focus her energy on other projects. Happily, other dedicated volunteers carry on the popular project.

Rachael’s efforts in initiating Boyertown’s Art and Wine Walks provide insight into the determination that drives her. “As a new person in town, I had to prove myself. I had to demonstrate that I was able and willing to do the work to get this new idea accepted and then up and running,” she admits.

“It can be a little tough as a newcomer, but I’ve learned not to be discouraged, not to take negativity personally, and to let a lot of things roll off my back,” she shares. “I think today folks know that if I’m involved in a project, it will get done!”

The world is full of people with great ideas. What’s rare is the person who has an idea, who clears the path to making it happen, who inspires others to help, and then works to make sure it’s done…and done right. Boyertown is lucky: Rachael's on it!

More News from Boyertown

• "B Inspired" Takes a Tour of Peppermint Stick's Vintage Ice Cream Parlor In her second "B Inspired" episode, Rachael Kehler shares the research and work that she and husband Gene accomplished in creating their vintage ice cream parlor.
• 212-214 North Reading Avenue 212-214 North Reading Avenue