NATIONAL CERTIFICATION: Iron City Wood Products, located at 900 Albert St., Youngstown, has earned national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. The council is a leading advocate for women entrepreneurs as the nation’s largest certifier of women-owned businesses. It recognizes businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by women.

Founded as a family business, Iron City Wood Products is a regional supplier of recycled, new and combination pallets serving the grocery, manufacturing and industrial sectors. The company said it demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and local service by offering pallet recycling, custom crate design, boxes, heat-treating services for export, as well as natural and colored mulch made from reclaimed wood.

“We’re proud to be officially recognized as a woman-owned business,” said Tina Yanssens, the company’s owner and president. “Our company has always focused on hard work, dependability and building lasting partnerships.

“This certification not only validates our history, but also strengthens our ability to compete, collaborate and grow with companies that share our values.”

The council’s certification supports Iron City Wood Products’ continued commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the advancement of women in manufacturing and logistics.”

SUMMER SCHOLARS: Akron Children’s is accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Pediatric Research Scholars program, a 10-week opportunity for college students interested in exploring careers in pediatric medicine and research. Applications are open through Nov. 28.

Hosted by the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, the program invites college sophomores and juniors considering careers in a range of health care professions, including physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, therapists, nurses, medical scientists and researchers, to gain hands-on experience in clinical research while working alongside experienced clinical investigators at Akron Children’s.

Each scholar is paired with a hospital clinician or scientist and contributes to a specific research project focused on topics such as improving patient outcomes, enhancing safety and quality of care or evaluating innovative clinical interventions. Scholars work a minimum of 24 hours per week beginning in early June.

At the end of the program, students present their research findings to an audience of peers, mentors, hospital leaders and family members.

A paid scholarship is awarded to each student’s college or university to help offset participation costs. Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and accommodations.

Applicants must submit an essay, resume and two letters of reference by Nov. 28. No prior research experience is required.

To learn more or apply, visit www.akronchildrens.org/sprs.

ZIDIAN DONATION: The Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center at Akron Children’s opened Tuesday, offering comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered services for children, teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

to create the center was in hopes of improving access to care and helping families navigate services after a child’s diagnosis.

Located at 130 W. Exchange St., Akron, the 11,020 square-foot center is on the Akron Children’s main campus.

“We are very excited to be opening a visible center for autism here on the Akron campus that can serve as a hub to help autistic patients and families along their journeys,” said Dr. Jessica Foster, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and medical director of the center.

The Zidians are best known for their family’s Gia Russa pasta and sauce distribution company that began in the 1940s.

“We hope the new center will allow kids to get the care they need sooner,” Tom Zidian said. “Part of the gift is also funding an autism navigator position in Boardman. The navigator will support families and connect them to the resources they need.”

SUZIE’S BACK: Suzie’s, the bar and restaurant known for its gourmet hot dogs, toppings and live music, is returning to downtown Youngstown — this time inside Penguin City Brewing Company — on Nov. 26.

Suzie’s is being revived by Ashlea Duck and Bradley Miller, two local entrepreneurs with deep roots in Youngstown’s food and nightlife scene. Miller helped open the original Suzie’s in 2014, developing its creative menu and signature style, while Duck managed the bar for four years during its heyday. Together, they’re bringing the spirit of Suzie’s back to life in a modern, brewery-friendly format.

The new Suzie’s will serve up fan-favorite gourmet hot dogs and outrageous toppings — think Spaghetti O’s, crunchy peanut butter, and even crickets — paired perfectly with Penguin City’s locally brewed beers.

“We’ve been rotating food trucks for a while,” said Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-founder of Penguin City Brewing. “But we’ve been looking for something more permanent that fits our energy and community vibe. Suzie’s is the perfect match.”

Suzie’s will operate during Penguin City’s taproom hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday; 2 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Penguin City Brewing Company is located at 460 E. Federal St.

GIVING TUESDAY: DeSalvo Construction has partnered with the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation for this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Through Dec. 5, DeSalvo Construction will match every donation to the Federation up to $25,000, doubling the impact of community contributions.

The Federation supports people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. Programs include early learning, after-school care through JCare, senior services and JMeals meal delivery, ensuring children, families and older adults in the Mahoning Valley receive the care, support and connection they need.

“Giving Tuesday is a perfect time to come together as a community,” said Joe DeSalvo, president of DeSalvo Construction. “We’re proud to support the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and help their programs reach even more local families and seniors.”

All of the funds raised will remain local, directly benefiting programs and services across the five counties the Federation serves–Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Mercer and Lawrence.

Community members can donate to the campaign by visiting JewishYoungstown.org and clicking the Giving Tuesday tab.

7 17 AIDS FOOD BANK: 7 17 Credit Union has donated $10,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank in sponsorship of Second Harvest’s fifth annual Autumn Splendor Plant-Based Dinner fundraiser this week.

The donation benefits Second Harvest directly and provides nearly 55,000 pounds of food for those in the Mahoning Valley. The contribution helps provide nutritious meals and resources for those in need.

Each week, more than 18,000 people receive food assistance through Second Harvest’s 160 partners in the Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. In 2024, the Food Bank distributed over 10.6 million pounds of food.

“This $10,000 donation is going to go a long way,” Second Harvest Executive Director Mike Iberis said. “We can provide five meals for $1 – so that’s 50,000 meals they’re going to be provided with this generous donation. That’s going to help a lot of people.”

Have a business story you would like to share? Email it to business@tribtoday.com.