From his 25,000-square-foot Mechanic Street storefront, Rohman Taylor is continuing his family’s legacy of service in Allegany County, albeit in a less traditional manner. Rohman owns Reptilian Arts, a pet supply store that, as the name suggests, specializes in reptiles and insects. He plans to expand further with the recent receipt of $15,000 from the state’s Senator George C. Edwards Fund. Rohman has had a passion for reptiles since childhood. He grew up with fire-belly toads, green-eyed tree frogs, and other snakes and turtles. As a teenager, he began breeding leopard geckos in the basement of his family home.

Owning and operating a brewery was not something initially in the plans for her family, says Terri McCagh. However, since the family opened 1812 Brewery less than a decade ago, they’ve experienced a lot of success and enjoyed the process, she says. Soon, they’ll expand with help from a $750,000 state grant.Located outside of Cumberland’s city limits, 1812 Brewery sits off the beaten path on a historic farm owned by the McCagh family. Visitors can sample beer brewed in the converted barn — which was first built in 1812 and is the brewery’s namesake — while enjoying the farm’s views of the county’s sprawling green mountains.