Author: Bryce Riggs

The Meshech Frost Charitable Trust has provided a grant to Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership for the City of Tiffin to purchase 18 box planters for Downtown Tiffin. The grants provides 50 percent of the funding toward the overall cost of $10,446.96.

The $4,644.78 grant allows the city to continue to install black, self-watering planters along South Washington Street to the south at the five points intersection by St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funds are to be used for planters as well as for hanging basket liners and flowers.

In 2019, the City of Tiffin was the recipient of a $5,388 grant from Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District for the initial purchase of 25 planters in Downtown Tiffin. These replaced the decades-old planters that previously were there. The planters are made of 70 percent recycle material.

Tiffin Public Works is to install the planters in the early spring and volunteers maintain the flowers, which are supplied by the city. These new planters will bring the total to 80 planters in Downtown Tiffin.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said he is pleased to have received the grant: “We are grateful that Meshech Frost Charitable Trust has provided these funds to the City of Tiffin and allowed us to expand the number of planters as we continue to invest in the beatification of downtown Tiffin.”

Today, a Tiffin tradition is coming under new ownership. Dave Spridgeon, owner of The Renaissance of Tiffin and Barrel 51, has announced that he has purchased Jolly’s, which is celebrating 74 years of business.

Co-owners Dave and Amber Spridgeon have been working with previous owner Diane Hassinger for a while to finalize the sale of the business that has been with her family for three generations. Dave Spridgeon said he has no plans to make any changes to the menu, which will continue to feature Jolly’s family recipe ketchup, sloppy joes, chicken, chili, pulled pork and root beer. They hope to add donuts in January.

Hassinger’s grandparents, Roy and Vivian Jolivette, opened Jolly’s in 1947 as an A&W Root Beer stand. Known for its root beer and Coney dogs, the drive-in was a staple on West Market Street for more than 70 years. In 1980, Diane took over from her parents, Gene and Colett, who had succeeded her grandparents. In 2017, Diane had moved into the historic Laird Building in Downtown Tiffin, after having been selling Jolly’s staples out of a food truck following the sale of the original property.

Hassinger is looking forward to retirement and spending time with her grandkids. “I want to thank the community for supporting my family for 74 years by coming to Jolly’s. I’m proud that we were able realize my dream to make our food available year-round and offer indoor dining,” she said. “I believe that Dave will continue to honor the Jolly’s tradition.”

In addition to the Renaissance, Dave Spridgeon introduced the Renaissance on Wheels and the Pink Lady food truck in 2020. The Renaissance and Barrel 51, which opened its doors in 2017, recently was named the Heritage Ohio 2021 Main Street Business of the Year.

Dave Spridgeon is excited about the opportunity to keep Jolly’s in Tiffin, and hopes to eventually add some of the Jolly’s sandwiches to the offerings at his other businesses. “The Tiffin community has been so welcoming since I opened my business in 2017, and I’m excited to now be part of the history of Jolly’s. I’m not only looking forward to continuing the legacy of the Diane’s family, but to make new memories with Jolly’s for years to come.”

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said, “Congratulations to Amber and Dave Spridgeon on yet another positive announcement for their businesses and continued investment in Tiffin. It is exciting to see a long-time Tiffin staple being preserved for future generations to enjoy. I also want to wish Diane Hassinger a happy and well-deserved retirement.”

Jolly’s is located at 66 E. Market St., Tiffin. For more information, visit www.jollysdrivein.com or find them on Facebook. Jolly’s is a member of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The owner of a small business is taking his love of music to the next step, by moving up from the back of another business to his own storefront in Downtown Tiffin.

Jacob Wheeler, a Tiffin native and graduate of Columbian High School, had been selling records in the back of Line Drive since July, but plans to soon open his own underground record store, Under the Surface, in October at 16 E. Market St. The store will specialize in independent label releases and demos.

Wheeler said his friends from high school introduced him to music, and they then in turn spent time bringing bands into Tiffin in his youth. He wants to have a way to reach youth about this genre and style of music.

“I love being in Downtown Tiffin and wanted to give people a reason to stay here and appreciate the strong sense of community in this town. I’m excited to be able to expand my offerings and have a home here in Tiffin for independent and underground music,” Wheeler said.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented, “Congratulations to Jacob Wheeler on expanding his business to a storefront in Downtown. I’m excited to see people investing in our community.”

For more information, call (567) 268-9278 or email underthesurfacerecords@gmail.com.

Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership hosted the 2021 Main Street Celebration and Downtown Summit Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at the Chandelier Community Event Center, 151 S. Washington St. The program included award presentations, celebrated the success of 2020 and 2021 – including the resiliency of the community amongst a global pandemic – and gave a look forward to the next year.

During the event, Joyce Barrett, Executive Director of Heritage Ohio, announced this year’s recipient of the Main Street Business of the Year award is Dave Spridgeon with The Renaissance and Barrel 51. The Renaissance and Barrel 51 opened its doors in 2017 to bring the roaring 20s back to Tiffin. The bar incorporates 1920s style drinks, uniforms and furniture. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Spridgeon and grew his business, by opening a food truck and purchasing a party bus, which was converted into a speakeasy on wheels.

Spridgeon will be recognized during the annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference, taking place Oct. 18-20 in Springfield, Ohio.

The Celebration included the 2021 Downtown Tiffin Main Street Awards ceremony. Winning awards were:

• Tony Consolo, Anne Gase Achievement Award.
• Hempy Water/Jeff Knedler, Development Award.
• Jam’s Monthly Markets/Jami Fadley, Entrepreneurial Award.
• Bear’s Den/Dennis Wickert, Business Legacy Award.
• Dale Depew, Main Street Director Award.

The night also featured:

• Ohio Sen. Kirk Schuring gave the keynote speech about downtown revitalization, introduced by Ohio Sen. Bill Reineke.
• Year in review by Director of Downtown Revitalization Amy Reinhart.
• No Eileen gave a live performance, accompanied by a slideshow of projects and events.

Company receives maximum grant amount for roof replacement

During a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 7, the City of Tiffin Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approved a façade grant for UIS Insurance & Investments for roof replacement.

During the meeting, the board approved a $10,000 Façade Enhancement Grant for UIS Insurance & Investments for their location at 51 Washington St. to replace the current roofing material with new EPDM roofing material. The $28,983 project was approved for the maximum grant amount.

Mayor Aaron Montz said, “Downtown buildings are expensive to maintain and I’m pleased to see that the City can support this investment by UIS Insurance to preserve their historic building.”

The 2021 Façade Enhancement Program continues to be successful with 11 building project approvals for an investment of more than $215,000. Since the Façade Enhancement Program’s inception in 2014, 98 projects have been approved for a total downtown investment of more than $2.6 million.

After graduating from college and living in Europe for several years, Tiffin area native – Kate Hade is back home and excited to start a new venture in Seneca County by opening Rose and Co. Mercantile, a general store featuring locally-produced, handmade and planet friendly items including home goods, lifestyle and body care products. The newly renovated shop is at 134 S. Washington St. in Downtown Tiffin and plans to open Sept. 10, just in time for the fall season this September.

Owner Kate Hade, said she named the store after her grandmother, Rose Ann. Hade said, “My grandma was really my role model, she instilled in me a knowledge and passion for cooking, designing, and hosting and entertaining, all of which are inspiration for the types of items I will be sharing with the growing community of Tiffin, the name was obvious from the start.” Examples of items on display include hand-poured candles and soaps, hand-woven baskets, Ohio crafted teas, syrups and spice blends, and other hand selected luxury gifts and housewares.

“I wanted to open this business because it has always been a goal of mine to be part of something to better our community and share my style with others. My grandma was always very involved here in Tiffin and she would be so proud of me for doing something I love, she always pushed me to keep working. It’s such a rewarding feeling to be able to offer this type of shopping experience to the people of Tiffin and the downtown atmosphere is the perfect place to do that,” said Kate Hade.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said, “I’m happy to welcome Rose & Co. Mercantile to the Downtown Tiffin business community and wish Kate Hade luck on this unique store.”

For more information, find Rose and Co. Mercantile on Instagram @roseandcomercantile.

Tuesday, Aug. 17, the City of Tiffin Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approved a façade grant for the American Legion, as well as approval to have the awning at the building replaced.

During the meeting, the board approved a $10,000 grant for American Legion Post 169, 280 S. Washington St., to replace the current fabric awning with a metal standing seam roof to be LED lighted. The $29,991 project was approved for the maximum grant amount.

The 2021 Façade Enhancement Program continues to be successful with 10 building project approvals for an investment of nearly $240,000. In 2020, the ABR approved façade grants for the owners of seven building in Downtown Tiffin for a total investment of $227,188.12.

Since the Façade Enhancement Program’s inception in 2014, 97 projects have been approved for a total downtown investment of more than $2.6 million.

During a meeting on Aug. 3, 2021, the City of Tiffin Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approved Façade Enhancement Grants for two Downtown Tiffin buildings.

The Board approved a $10,000 grant for roof replacement at 130 S. Washington St., where the Tiffin Art Guild is located. They also approved a $3,100 grant for roof repairs at 27 Court St., where Lange Gordon Rannigan & Claus are located. Combined, these projects total nearly $50,000 in investment in Downtown Tiffin.

The 2021 Façade Enhancement Program continues to be successful with nine building project approvals for an investment of nearly $190,000.

Yours With Every Stitch has announced today that it has opened a storefront location in the historic Laird Building in the heart of Downtown Tiffin. The store specializes in alterations, mending and custom seamstress services.

Owner Danielle Park is a recent Calvert High School graduate who started sewing when she was 8 years old and has maintained a passion for sewing through her involvement in 4-H. She started the business in her second semester of senior year at Calvert, and has now decided to open a physical location in Downtown Tiffin to better serve her current clients and grow a new customer base. The shop features a lounge area to help customers and guests feel comfortable while getting fitted.

In addition to alterations and mending, Danielle enjoys making custom clothes, which includes children’s clothing that she has been selling at JAM’s Monthly Markets. She hopes to one day expand her clothing line to include women’s clothing.

“I love downtown so much. The Laird Building is the coolest place and I’m excited about being part of the Downtown Tiffin community,” Danielle said.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented, “Congratulations to Danielle Park on the opening of your store and being part of the Downtown Tiffin retail community. It’s exciting to see young people invest here and bring their unique talents to Tiffin.”

To make an appointment, contact Danielle or stop in at the store, 114 S. Washington St., Suite B. To contact Danielle, email yourswitheverystitch@gmail.com, or call/text (567) 230-6450.

Yours With Every Stitch is a member of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce.