Eddie and Sharon St. Clair relocated to Franklin in late November of 1999. After Eddie had been working as a physical therapist in Atlanta for six years, the couple decided they wanted to raise their children in a smaller community and be closer to their families. They moved to Venango County, bought their first home, and opened a new business, all while expecting their first child. Whew!
The couple is originally from Hubbard, Ohio, and were familiar with Franklin as they used to go to the Allegheny national Forest on a regular basis as teenagers.
“Franklin always seemed like a really cool stopping point on our way to the forest. Then when we were looking for a place to raise our family, Franklin was on the top of our list. The opportunity arose and we planted our roots in Franklin.”
The St. Clair family has truly embraced the Franklin community as an ideal place to live, work and play. In their spare time, they enjoy the outdoors hunting, hiking, kayaking and just taking in the natural beauty of northwestern Pennsylvania.
Those who enjoy the live music scene in Franklin are no doubt familiar with Eddie and Sharon’s musical duo, 2B40. They play about once a month at local venues like FoxTales Pub, Bella Cucina and TrAils to Ales Brewery, just to name a few…they have even graced our Applefest stage! During the quarantine, they even launched a Friday night quarantine café where they played live music on Zoom to help lift people’s spirits. When they aren’t performing, they enjoy listening to other local musicians.
Eddie had been employed at some places that were run first and foremost as a corporation and not like a place where patient care was the priority. But he believed that physical therapy could be delivered in a manner that put the patient first and could still survive as a business. “That was my belief then and even though the business of health care has become more complicated, I still believe that now,” he said. He started West Park Rehab in a space in the Franklin YMCA building before moving the business to its current location on Pone Lane. Franklin has been an ideal home for the physical therapy business, which has been steadily growing over the past 10-plus years.
“Hands down, I still relish the opportunity to help hurt people get physically better. So often an injury or illness impairs someone’s ability to do the things that they need to do or really want to do. Their quality of life is damaged. As a doctor of physical therapist, I have received the training and over 25 years of experience as a clinician that helps me know how to help hurt people. But more than just for myself, the practice, West Park Rehab, has become a place that employs some of the most exceptional, devoted and compassionate therapist that I have ever known. Together, I think that we serve a vital role in the health, wellness and quality of life for so many people in Venango County.”
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