Gee Gee’s Kettle Korn sold out! They said they had a great day.

The East College Street Courtyard was a very busy gathering place for family activities:

Three musicians played at various times in various locations during the day – helping to create a welcoming environment downtown.

Representatives from the new Willow Jewelry store opening Tuesday, June 15 where Herrick Jewelry was on W.College St. introduced people to the new store. They said they really enjoyed getting to know so many friendly people.

Jessa New from Slow Train Café  reported a 20% increase in business from last Saturday.  The Slow Train Story Telling was attended by 30 people who heard Pastor David Hill’s story and raised $50 for Oberlin Weekday Community Meals.

Evie Lou Oberlin and The Hope Collection had the best sales day since being in Oberlin!

The Arb at Tappan Square had a 27% increase in sales.

Friends of the Oberlin Public Library sold $400 in DVD’s and CD’s.

Signs were installed in the downtown cement gardens acknowledging the volunteer sponsors of people and businesses that have agreed to maintain them. The downtown garden project is a program of OBP’s Keep Oberlin Beautiful initiative.  Be sure to thank the garden volunteers when you see them.

Many thanks to Maureen Simen, Event Coordinator; Eli Chambers, OBP Summer Intern; and Elizabeth Elrod, OBP Administrative Assistant for all the work they did to make the June 12^th 2^nd Saturday a success.

July 10:  Family Activities and Music Theme.  Do you know a musician who might be interested in playing/singing?  If so let us know so we can ask them to share their talents on July 10^th.  Do you know of a community organization that would be willing to perform? (singers, dramatists, baton twirlers, bubble makers, balloon shapers, jump rope teams, etc.)  If so let us know or have someone contact us.

August 14:  Art Theme.  Do you know artists who would like to share their work – maybe demonstrate how their work is done? Let us know or have them contact us. They can also sell their work. 

WHO TO CONTACT about 2^nd Saturdays in Oberlin:

GO HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE JULY 10^th 2^nd Saturday:  2nd Sat - July 10

2nd SATURDAYS IN OBERLIN. OBP is initiating a return to a ‘happening downtown’ with 2^nd Saturdays in Oberlin. Each summer month on the 2nd Saturday the town will come alive with activities.

Get more info here: 2nd Saturdays Information

Follow our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute info about 2nd Saturdays: OBP Facebook Page

2021 LEADERCAST EVENT. Save Thursday, October 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day you will not forget! This year’s theme is SHIFT and it couldn’t be more relevant! It will be a jam-packed day with networking, presentations from nationally recognized speakers and a panel of local business people who have ‘shifted’ because of COVID, learned important lessons, and been successful. SAVE THE DATE – REGISTER HERE: Leadercast SHIFT

Tell us about your business. The fun thing about Ben Franklin is the long history and having been revolutionary in the way that it approached retail in the 30s. Ben Franklin was part of the whole change away from shops where ladies helped you by bringing items out of the case. Shoppers went around from station to station and made their little purchases. Then it was open displays and whole thing was really revolutionary. Retail has continued to change with the move to malls and online sales. Ben Franklin is here doing pretty much the same thing, serving the community, and providing basic goods at fair prices. We try to provide merchandise that will be of interest to our community. That’s what I really love about Ben Franklin. As we clean out the basement, I keep finding stuff such as old ads, materials or old ways things were done. It’s fascinating to see how things have changed.

Tell us a little bit about you – what are your interests, passions, etc.? I play the piano and cello. I love tiny things, especially if they’re natural. I have a collection of shells and driftwood and I love plants. I like to sit outside and listen to and watch birds. I am fascinated by ants, namely because there are tons of them around my property. I don’t use any poisons. They’re fascinating to watch and they’re tiny. 

Why did you choose to open your business in Oberlin? My career was working in the Co-op Bookstore as a book buyer and then working for other booksellers in Cleveland as a book buyer. I came back and worked for NACS (National Association of College Stores) as a book buyer and then got laid off from there because of transition problems they were having. This was in ’99 and I had two small children and no job. I had applied for a job in publishing which would have meant uprooting these kids. I was single by then and I thought I might as well give used books a try so I opened MindFair Books where Lupita’s is today. I was there less than a year when I learned that the Cochran’s were looking to sell Ben Franklin. At the time, the area where the books are today was lightly merchandized, so it made sense to move MindFair Books there. I didn’t want to uproot my family or leave Oberlin.

Why did you join the Oberlin Business Partnership? I was on the Main Street Board when the Chamber and Main Street were merging. I’m really committed to the ideas that came out of the Main Street Program--keeping downtown shopping districts, preservation of historic buildings, economic development, and beautification. Those are the things that motivate me to continue supporting OBP to the extent that the activities are focused on downtown and keeping it a vital healthy district for all the visitors who come here and for all the employees. Collectively downtown businesses are really quite an economic generator; some people don’t recognize that because we’re all kind of small, kind of independent. The work of supporting our downtown is really important and we need to stay on top of it and OBP is going to be the organization that can do that and I’m going to support it for those reasons.

Would you encourage others to join OBP? If so, why? Yes. It’s a way of showing support and being involved. The support helps the organization and gives members a voice to share what they think needs to be happening.

What is one piece of advice or input you would like to share with our readers? Be involved in your community and help to move forward the things that you’re passionate about. Don’t sit back and criticize and decry the lack of change or the way things are. You have to get in there and advocate for the things are most important to you in order to make a difference.

Good Morning Oberlin will be on vacation in July but we look forward to seeing you at our August 12 meeting!

To receive monthly invitations, send your email address to obp.org@gmail.com or just register below.

REMINDER 

CoWork Oberlin’s Resident Business Advisor, Megan Apple, is available to offer support and advice. She can be reached at megan@avirtualcertainty.com.

Profit Joyfully Business Network for Women

Register here.

The health, safety and well-being of Oberlin employees, residents and businesses is our highest priority. Although City buildings are still closed to the public, Oberlin services are still operational. Please visit www.cityofoberlin.com/coronavirus for how to contact City offices, and information on services, state of Ohio orders/advisories, assistance options, etc. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date information!