In this edition of local business news, the PA Liquor Control Board plans to auction a restaurant liquor license in Berks County. Also, Fromm Electric has named a new vice president of operations. Additionally, the Shapiro Administration has appointed a Montgomery County representative to an advisory commission.
Top photo by Curated Lifestyle for Unsplash+, used under license
Berks County Restaurant Liquor License Up for Auction
HARRISBURG PA – An expired restaurant license available in Berks County is one of 25 licenses being put up for auction by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, it reports. Sealed bids for any of the 25 must be submitted to the board by Oct. 6 (2025; Monday) at noon, it adds.
The board announcement did not identify the Berks restaurant that previously held the license. None of the 25 were attributed to Montgomery or Chester counties.
The minimum bid for any license is $25,000. Each bid must be accompanied by a bid surety of $5,000 or 5% of the total bid amount, whichever is higher. The requirement intends to avoid frivolous and underfunded bids, the board states. Bids will be opened Oct. 9 (Thursday), and auction winners will be determined soon thereafter, it also says.
The board notes the upcoming auction is the 14th held since August 2016. To date, revenue from previous auctions totals $37.9 million. An additional $1.2 million remains in escrow, pending license approvals.
The Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania. It licenses more than 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers.
News ID photo by Oleg Ivanov on Unsplash+, used by Travels With The Post under license
Fromm Names Magda Vice President of Operations
READING PA – Kurt Magda, who previously held senior leadership roles in manufacturing, distribution, and e-commerce businesses, has been named vice president of operations at Fromm Electric.
Fromm, founded in 1923, is an independent electrical distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Reading, it operates supply centers in eight Pennsylvania locations, including one in Pottstown.
Company President and COO John Hanna says Magda will lead its operations strategy, and oversee warehousing, order fulfillment, and logistics. He also will focus on optimizing inventory management, logistics efficiency, workplace safety, and accuracy, the company indicated.
Magda holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Temple University.
Magda photo provided by Fromm Electric
MCCC Dean Porter Appointed to Governor’s Commission
HARRISBURG PA – Dr. Isabelle Porter, PT, DPT, dean of health sciences at Montgomery County Community College, was among individuals named Monday (Aug. 11, 2025) to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office announced.
The appointees make up the commission’s 2025-27 advisory board. It gathers information on, assesses programs for, makes recommendations regarding, and suggests programs or services that help determine and meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Pennsylvanians.
The commission consists of representatives from Philadelphia, Allegheny, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lehigh, Centre, Luzerne, Westmoreland, Erie, Lebanon, Cumberland, Blair, Montgomery, Juniata, Bradford, Lycoming, and Northampton counties. None were appointed from Berks or Chester counties.
“Local Business News” is a feature of The Post Publications and its Travels With The Post edition. It covers news specifically about businesses within Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more business stories here.
Adventure Grove Progress Continues on LPT Playground