Author: Bryce Riggs

Reineke Family Dealerships to Host Car Show in Downtown Tiffin

TIFFIN, OHIO – Reineke Family Dealerships (including Reineke’s Tiffin Ford Lincoln, Reineke Collision Center, Reineke RV, and Eclipse Auto Care) will host a car show on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, in downtown Tiffin at the East Tower (109 Jefferson St.).

“We’re excited to host this annual car show and look forward to spending the day in downtown Tiffin!” said Dan Reineke, Reineke Family Dealerships.

The Motors And Music Car Show will run from 3pm to 7pm at the East Tower property. After the car show (approximately 6:45pm), commemorative trophies will be awarded before the start of the evening’s concert. Following the awards, everyone is encouraged to attend the free concert at 8pm with Stolen Silver at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheatre on the East Green, which will be the season finale for the East Green Summer Concert Series.

You can pre-register your vehicle for $10 (and the first 50 get a free t-shirt) or register your vehicle the day of for $15. General admission is free to the public.

The Dave & Glenn Duo will provide entertainment and a special Bronco Bullpen will be reserved for all Ford Broncos who attend the show (both modern and historic).

For more information, please reach out to Greg Dell.    greg.dell@drivereineke.com   419.618.2167

COLUMBUS, Ohio – July 22, 2024 – Historic building owners looking to preserve and rehabilitate buildings in their communities can begin the process to apply for state funding available through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. Administered by the Ohio Department of Development, the program provides tax credits to incentivize the preservation of historic buildings in Ohio.

“It’s important we continue to preserve Ohio’s rich heritage,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program honors our state’s past, while providing opportunities for the future. By preserving these irreplaceable landmarks, we are fostering economic growth, community pride, and a deeper appreciation of our shared history. Whether you have one small building or a large historic district, the tax credit program can help.”

Applicants can start the application process with the Intent to Apply, open now. The Intent to Apply is due by 4 p.m., Aug. 15 and is available online at development.ohio.gov/historic. Interested applicants must submit an intent to apply to be eligible to submit an application. Applicants must also request a pre-application meeting with the State Historic Preservation Office by 4 p.m. July. 31.

Round 33 will be administered on the following schedule:

• SHPO Pre-App Meeting Request Deadline: 4 p.m., July 31
• Intent to Apply Submission Deadline: 4 p.m., Aug. 15
• Deadline to Hold SHPO Pre-Application Meeting: 4 p.m., Aug. 15 (Must contact SHPO to arrange this meeting no later than Aug. 9, 2024).
• Historic Documentation (Part 1 and 2) Deadline: 4 p.m., Aug. 30
• SHPO Documentation Review Period: Aug. 31 – Dec. 1, 2024
• Application/Fee Submission Deadline: 4 p.m., Sept. 30
• Development Application Review Period: Oct. 1 – Dec. 1, 2024
• Approved Applications Announced: On or before Dec. 31, 2024

The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered in partnership with the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office. The State Historic Preservation Office determines if a property qualifies as a historic building and that the rehabilitation plans comply with the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. A building must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contribute to a National Register Historic District, National Park Service Certified Historic District, or Certified Local Government historic district, or be listed as a local landmark by a Certified Local Government to be eligible.

Building owners or developers looking to nominate a building or district to the National Register of Historic Places can apply for assistance through the Historic Preservation Pipeline Initiative. Funding opportunities and application information are available online at development.ohio.gov/HistoricPipeline.

Through 32 rounds of the program, tax credits have been approved for 706projects to rehabilitate more than 960 historic buildings across 91 Ohio communities. The program is projected to leverage more than $10.4billion in private development funding and federal tax credits directly through the rehabilitation projects.

Questions about the program can be directed to Lisa Brownell at Lisa.Brownell@development.ohio.gov.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

The Ohio History Connection is a statewide history organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered in 1885, the Ohio History Connection carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the State Historic Preservation Office and the official state archives and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio. For more information, go to ohiohistory.org. The Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation provide support for Ohio History Connection programs.

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The Ohio Department of Development is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact the ADA Coordinator as soon as possible.

TIFFIN, OHIO – July 1, 2024 –Downtown Tiffin is preparing for its 3rd Thursday Christmas in July event to be held on July 18th from 5-8 pm. This event will feature a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages.

City Parking Lot 5 will be the venue for the “Touch-a-Truck” event, featuring Santa’s Heroic Heroes as well as Tiffin City’s police, fire, and rescue vehicles. Additionally, there’s a chance Buddy the Elf will make a special appearance. Kids can have fun with a North Pole obstacle course bouncy house, generously provided by Tiffin Inflatables. Enjoy delicious treats from Glaze’Em Gourmet Funnel Cakes. Keep an eye out for “Summer” Santa strolling around Downtown.

Local merchants will get into the holiday spirit with Christmas in July sales and exclusive discounts including a “Naughty or Nice” scratch off game with a chance to win Chamber Cash. Operation Hallmark Inc. will organize a scavenger hunt featuring a display of over 50 Nutcrackers, each uniquely painted by Downtown merchants, businesses, and organizations. To add to the festive atmosphere, the City of Tiffin will illuminate Downtown by turning on the holiday lights for the evening.

Tiffin City Mayor Wilkinson expressed his excitement by saying, “Join me for a day filled with holiday-themed activities and fun for the whole family. It’s never too early to spread a little holiday cheer. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

The 3rd Thursdays in Downtown Tiffin are made possible with the generous support of event sponsors Reineke Family Dealerships, Destination Seneca County, and UIS Insurance and Investments.

TIFFIN, OHIO – June 28, 2024  The Downtown Tiffin Development Committee (DDC) is pleased to announce the 2024 Main Street Celebration and Downtown Summit. This event will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Chandelier Community Event Center, located at 151 S. Washington St., Tiffin.

Community, business leaders, and supporters of the Main Street initiative are invited to join in commemorating a year of success for Downtown Tiffin. The evening will feature networking opportunities, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, and a series of presentations. The evening’s presentations will cover the significance of downtown revitalization and economic growth, followed by a 2024 growth recap, and conclude with the 2024 Downtown Tiffin Main Street Awards ceremony.

Greg Dell, DDC Board Chair stated, “We’re looking forward to a celebration of Downtown Tiffin!  We’re very fortunate with so many folks working together to make Tiffin a destination!”

Early Bird Tickets are available for $25 until July 31, after which the ticket price will increase to $30. A cash bar will be available.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit Eventbrite here.

[PHOTO CAPTION: The crowd at the 2023 Main Street Celebration and Downtown Summit]

TIFFIN, OHIO – June 20, 2024  The Secret Seamstress, a local business specializing in alterations, tailoring, and sewing lessons, is thrilled to announce its relocation to a larger space in Downtown Tiffin. The shop will open its doors at 184 S Washington Street next month, with a grand re-opening celebration scheduled for Thursday, July 11th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Owner Jenny Hale recently received a $10,000 small business loan from the Economic and Community Development Institute during Women’s History Month. This funding has allowed her to expand her business and move to a larger location. The new space will enable The Secret Seamstress to offer a wider range of new and consignment formal wear for both women and men, specializing in PLUS sizes and men’s Big & Tall.

“I’m incredibly excited about my move to 184 S Washington Street,” said Jenny Hale, owner of The Secret Seamstress. “I often think of the quote from the movie Field of Dreams ‘If you build it, they will come’. This new location will allow me to offer a selection of formal wear and provide enhanced services to my valued customers, including a dry cleaning drop off. I am interested to hear what people are looking for and to do my best to provide it for them.  I welcome any suggestions and feedback to improve my formal wear offerings.  In fact, several men who come in for tailoring have expressed interest in having a place where they can purchase a quality suit and like attire locally. They will be able to shop for a suit, shirt & accessories, try on, and have tailoring done as a 1 stop shop. We are grateful for the support of the Tiffin community and look forward to welcoming everyone at our grand re-opening.”

Mayor Wilkinson said, “Congratulations to the Secret Seamstress on the remarkable expansion of your services. Your growth is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. We are proud to have you as a vital part of our local economy and look forward to witnessing your continued success. Here’s to many more years of serving our community in your new location.”

For more information, please contact:

The Secret Seamstress

Phone: 419-608-8074

Email: Thesecretseamstress2023@outlook.com 

Website: Thesecretseamstress2023.com

[pictured: Jenny Hale, owner]

TIFFIN, OH – June 7, 2024 Two businesses in Downtown Tiffin are excited to announce that they are switching locations to better accommodate their respective needs. Mood Hair Studio has relocated to 6 Sycamore Street, and Paradise Nails is now situated on the second floor of the Laird Building at 120 1/2 South Washington Street.

Mood Hair Studio, owned by Nick Moody and Kendall Stone, originally opened its doors in November 2023. The studio offers haircuts and styles, nail services, spray tanning, and waxing. Kendall Stone brings 15 years of industry experience, while Nick Moody is known for his special barber skills, including the old-school hot towel straight razor shave.

“We are excited about moving to a larger location with more room for our services and a first-floor entrance,” said Kendall Stone. “Being part of the Downtown Tiffin community and events is very important to us.”

Paradise Nails, opened by Brittany Chapman 10 years ago, sought a smaller space that better suited her business needs. The Laird Building provides an ideal fit for her nail services, which include acrylic, free-form, GelX, and nail art.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Laird Building community in the heart of Downtown Tiffin,” said Brittany Chapman. “This move allows me to continue providing exceptional nail services in a wonderful new setting.”

Greg Dell, Chair of the Downtown Development Committee Board, added, “The relocation of these two businesses within Downtown Tiffin demonstrates the dynamic and supportive nature of our business community. We are pleased to see Mood Hair Studio and Paradise Nails continuing to thrive in new spaces that meet their evolving needs.”

For more information on Mood Hair Studio, please call 567-230-1863, email kstone2236@gmail.com, or visit [https://www.facebook.com/mood.HairStudio23].

For more information on Paradise Nails and Hair Salon, please call 567-938-6100 or visit [https://www.facebook.com/tiffinsparadisenails].

FROST KALNOW AMPHITHEATRE, Tiffin OH – May 30, 2024 – The East Green Concert Series is excited to announce concerts are back for their Sixth Season and are excited to present their entertaining and diverse lineup of artists from around the country and around the corner. Concerts Begin June 15th will consist of six free concerts that will begin at 8 pm and are presented every other Saturday evening at the Frost Kalnow Amphitheater in downtown Tiffin. Concerts are free and family friendly.

June 15th – Hubb’s Grove

June 29th – Aquaducks

July 13th – “Her”story

July 27 – Motor City Josh

August 10th – The Together Band

August 24th – Stolen Silver (Motors N’ Music – Reineke Car Show)

To kick off the 2024 season, they welcome Cleveland band Hubb’s Groove on Saturday, June 15th in Tiffin’s second annual Juneteenth Celebration. Hubb’s Groove fuses together a large range of genres including soul, jazz, gospel, and R&B. The band is headed by acclaimed drummer Robert Hubbard Jr., who helped found the group in 1995. Hubb’s Groove, formerly known as Moment’s Notice, maintains a faithful following in Northeast Ohio and has performed alongside celebrated vocalists such as Angela Bofill, Roger Smith, Markus Johnson, and many more. They have also opened for Earth, Wind & Fire, Yellowjackets, Randy Crawford, among others. Hubb’s Groove holds the title of Cleveland’s Band of the Year in 2019 and Cleveland’s Best Jazz Band in 2022 by the Cleveland Music Awards.

The full season is sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships and this concert is brought to you by Five Star Maintenance and Construction along with the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce.

Like @TiffinEastGreen on Facebook for updates and learn more on the website at www.EastGreenConcerts.com

Park rules and regulations are posted on the website. Applications to book the Amphitheater for your events are through Tiffin Parks and Rec.

The East Green Summer Concert Series, a 501(c)(3) was organized to promote fine arts, the performing arts and music education while engaging the community as determined by the Board of Directors.

The 501(c) (3) will manage, promote, and run all aspects of the summer concert series. The park will be managed in conjunction with the Tiffin Parks and Recreation Department. Tiffin Parks & Recreation manages the grounds and the day-to-day operations of the East Green Amphitheater including the events schedule outside of the summer concert series.

The East Green Summer Concert Series is a local non-profit arts organization whose mission is to build an enduring legacy of art and beautiful music in the Tiffin-Seneca County area by encouraging artists and musicians with grants, scholarships, and performance and teaching opportunities. The main purpose of this not-for-profit entity is to promote fine arts, the performing arts and music education while engaging the community.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions:

John M. Kerschner

East Green Summer Concert Series johnmkerschner@gmail.com

Bryce Kuhn

Tiffin Parks and Recreation

bkuhn@tiffinohio.gov

TIFFIN, OHIO – May 23, 2024 Downtown Tiffin will start the summer season with Fête de la Musique (also known as “Music Day”) as part of its Third Thursday event series. On Thursday, June 20, 2024, the streets of downtown will feature live music performances as part of this global celebration, which originated in France.

From 5 to 7 p.m., local musicians will perform on downtown street corners, sidewalks, and other public spaces, offering a range of acoustic music from various eras and genres. This free, family-friendly event invites community members to explore downtown, enjoy live music, and visit local shops and eateries.

The Tiffin Community Foundation will host a music-making experience for children in Cherry Alley, where kids can try different types of musical instruments.

Tiffin City Mayor Wilkinson stated, “I hope that everyone in Tiffin can come downtown for this event to help Tiffin come alive with music and fun activities. There will be something for everyone.”

At 7 p.m., the East Green Amphitheatre will host a performance by Paul Grover “No Eileen” as part of the Tiffin Park and Recreation Summer Concert Series. Earlier in the day, the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library will host ‘Adventure Thursday’ from 2 to 4 p.m., where preschool and elementary-aged children can make pan flutes to prepare for the evening event.

Musicians interested in performing may complete this form https://tinyurl.com/5evr7vtc or contact Vickie Wilkins at wilkinsvm@tiffin.edu.

TIFFIN, OHIO – May 17, 2024  The Downtown Tiffin Design Committee announced the initiation of its “Best Foot Forward” program to encourage building and shop owners to maintain attractive storefronts within the downtown historic district. Starting in June, the initiative will include “secret shoppers” to evaluate storefronts based on specific criteria, utilizing a point system to assess cleanliness, presentation, and aesthetic appeal.

Participants will have the chance to earn points by keeping outdoor areas clean, including doors, windows, entrances, curbs, and sidewalks. Additional points can be earned by incorporating seasonal decorations, outdoor plantings, and enhancing the appearance of second floors of buildings.

The highlight of the program will be the presentation of a traveling “Golden Broom” trophy to the winner with the highest accumulation of points, signifying exemplary commitment to storefront beautification.

Mike Pinkston, chair of the project, stated, “We have so many businesses who take pride in their storefronts, and I think they should be celebrated.”

Greg Dell, board chair of the Downtown Development Committee expressed his gratitude saying, “Thank you to Mike, Dustin, and the entire Design Committee for their continued efforts in downtown Tiffin!”

For those interested in volunteering as a “Secret Shopper,” please contact Mike Pinkston at pinkstonmichael@hotmail.com.

[pictured, Todd Steen, The Social Cigar]

TIFFIN, OHIO – May 10, 2024 Downtown Tiffin is excited to announce the return of the popular Barking Lot Party on May 16, 2024. The event will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm throughout downtown and in the parking lots behind the Laird Building and Croghan Bank.  The 3rd Thursday event will feature activities for the entire family, including pet friendly specials, experiences, music, and giveaways from over 60 local businesses.

At the event, downtown businesses will provide various dog-friendly activities, including a tutu crafting session, a contest for pet costumes, ceremonies for dog weddings, photo booths for pets, an obstacle course for dogs, special pup-cup treats, exclusive D.O.R.A. offers for adults, outdoor dining options on pet-friendly patios, and auditions for the role of “Toto” in The Ritz Players’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz.

Mayor Wilkinson stated, “The Barking Lot Party is back, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see our downtown community come alive with furry friends and family fun. Join us on May 16 for a tail-wagging good time!”

Admission to the Barking Lot Party is free, and all well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring their furry friends on a leash and to clean up after them.

Tiffin, OH May 3, 2024– Downtown Tiffin has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

In 2023, the Main Street America programs generated $5.68 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,630 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 35,162 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,556 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,664,763 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $18.03 of new investment back into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.

“We are incredibly excited to celebrate this year’s 800 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their remarkable efforts to reenergize their local economies and public spaces,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “Main Street leaders are visionaries that see things that no one else can see and create the future world we all want to live in. The size and impact of our network demonstrates that great things happen when visions are realized through strategic, grassroots collaboration.”

Downtown Tiffin’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Heritage Ohio, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.

These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.

In 2023, Downtown Tiffin organized 28 events, attracting approximately 12,500 visitors. This boosted downtown businesses by bringing in an estimated $250,000 in economic impact.

Greg Dell, Board Chair of the Downtown Development Committee, expressed his gratitude, “Thank you to the many folks that support downtown Tiffin! This accreditation reflects the synergy in place to make Tiffin a destination year after year!”