SOUL Boutique is planning to open its doors in Downtown Tiffin this spring. Tiffin-native Amanda Byrd is excited to open her boutique and offer hemp-based health and beauty products.

SOUL Boutique will offer tinctures, topicals, CBD-infused pet treats, gummies, flavored water, in addition to facial and hair care products. Carrying a variety of Ohio based products and working with Ohio based vendors is important to Byrd. All the products sold are legal and many contain no traces of THC.

“We will work to provide safe, quality CBD products with transparency and offer community education,” Byrd said.

The newly renovated showroom has live wood edge counter tops, and cloud-like epoxied floors. SOUL features a bar area for people to sit and have a conversation with Byrd.

“The space sets the vibe. My goal is that everyone who enters feels the love that has been put into creating this space and the products we carry,” Byrd said. “I’ve always wanted to help people – this shop has given me the opportunity to make a difference in my hometown. Our ideal is to have anyone who steps into the boutique leave feeling uplifted. My vision is to provide unique, natural solutions to help people and their animals find homeostasis in the world today.”

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said, “Congratulations to Amanda Byrd on the opening of SOUL Boutique and investing in Downtown Tiffin.”

For the fifth year, Downtown Tiffin has been re -recognized by Heritage Ohio as a National Main Street Community. The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by Heritage Ohio, works with communities across the state to revitalize historic commercial areas. Based in historic preservation, it focuses on four points: organization, design, promotions and economic vitality. Each point is an integral part in the successful revitalization of a downtown area.

The Ohio Main Street program is a partner of Main Street America. Accreditation is an honor that must be earned every year by meeting the program’s high standards as determined by an annual quality audit by state officials. With this distinction, Downtown Tiffin has received accreditation for its Main Street program at both the state and national level for 2016-2020.

Downtown Tiffin’s revitalization efforts continue to be validated and recognized throughout the state. Since becoming a Main Street Community in 2015, 55 new businesses have located in Downtown Tiffin and nearly $33 million in investment has occurred in the downtown.

In October, Downtown Tiffin was presented with two statewide awards by Heritage Ohio, Best Downtown Placemaking for the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater at the East Green and National Corner and Historic Farmstead of the Year for Winterberry Farm. Since 2017, Downtown Tiffin has received six additional awards and one honorable mention from Heritage Ohio.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz was glad to see Downtown Tiffin recognized. “I’m honored that Downtown Tiffin has received its accreditation for the fifth year. Especially during this difficult year, I’m proud of our business and building owners and the hard work of Amy Reinhart, Director of Downtown Revitalization for Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership,  and members of the downtown development committees.”

Bascom Communications has announced today that it has gone live with its downtown wifi service, Community Connect, which offers anyone in the downtown wireless access to the internet free of charge. With the cooperation of the City of Tiffin, Seneca County Board of Commissioners, and the East Green Foundation, Bascom Communications has been working for more than a year to bring the service online.

Users will find the service by bringing up the wifi settings on their phone and connecting to the “Community Connect” network. Users will see an ad or watch a short video for up to an hour of free internet connectivity with no limits on renewal. Additionally, there are paid options for faster speeds and up to a month’s worth of service, with details to be found when connecting. The service has security measures in place to help ensure secure browsing.

Access points are set up in Downtown Tiffin along South Washington Street from the bridge south to Madison Street and along Madison to Jefferson Street up to the East Green. As the service gains users, more access points are to be installed to grow the footprint.

“We’re very proud to be able to offer this service to Downtown Tiffin. As Bascom Communications continues to connect Seneca County, and we’re excited to be able to make this available to those visiting, living or working in Downtown Tiffin,” said Nate Brickner, General Manager/CEO of Bascom Communications.

Bascom Communications was formed in 1906 by a group of farmers wanting to bring voice services to rural Tiffin and Fostoria. In 1953, it became a co-operative company, and since 2000, the company has returned more than $5.2 million in capital credit refunds to its membership. In 2003, they began offering a fiber optic connection directly into members’ homes and businesses and in 2018, they became a certified gig-capable provider by NTCA. Bascom Communications was the recipient of the Outstanding Business Award at the TSEP 2019 Annual Meeting March 7, 2019.

“Bascom Communications was a great partner for the project, and we’re excited for this unique service they are offering for the residents of Tiffin and visitors to Seneca County,” said Seneca County Board of Commissioners President Mike Kerschner.

“With so much going on in the downtown, this is just another service that makes Tiffin and Seneca County a destination,” said Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz. “Thank you to Bascom Communications for this investment.”

Advertisements for the service will be from local businesses, and limited-time discounts are available to members of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services or Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership. For more information, call (419) 937-2222.

Bascom Communications is a member of Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services.

Tuesday, the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approved a Façade Enhancement Grant and a Sign Enhancement Grant for buildings in Downtown Tiffin. These are the first two grants being awarded in 2021.

At the meeting, the ABR approved a Downtown Façade Enhancement Grant of $1,500 for a canopy/awning for State Farm Insurance, 179 S. Washington St., and a $117.58 Sign Enhancement Grant for Sisters in Shelter, 76 E. Market St., Suite B. Combined, the projects total a $2,944.16 investment in Downtown Tiffin.

In 2020, the ABR approved grants for the owners of seven building in Downtown Tiffin for a total investment of $221,000.

Additionally, Heritage Ohio, through the Heritage Ohio Main Street Program Grant, provided $20,000 to Downtown Tiffin for improvement projects in 2020. Those projects were for Tiffin Boutique Hotel Group LLC, American Legion Post 169 and 195-197 S. Washington St.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented: “I’m proud that Tiffin City Council again has made funding available for these important programs and that we continue to provide help to our building owners in Downtown Tiffin to improve the look of their historic structures.”

Since the program’s inception in 2014, 87 projects have been approved for a total downtown investment of more than $2.6 million.

A holiday tradition returns with the Downtown Tiffin Christmas Walk, set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the season in beautiful Downtown Tiffin, strolling from business to business gathering holiday themed treats.

To maintain social distancing, walkers may start anytime and at any stop you wish — there is no registration on the day of. Most businesses will have tables set up outside their stores the day of the walk. Tickets are limited to 200 and cost $25 and are available at Simply Susan’s, cash or check only, please. At that time, walkers will receive a map and a bag. This year, ticket prices will used to support participating businesses. The event is sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank.

Walkers are asked to wear masks when in doors and to maintain social distancing. For more information about the event, find Downtown Tiffin Christmas Walk on Facebook.

In the case of a business shutdown, the event will be postponed for a later date.

In addition to the walk, other holiday items are going on throughout November and December:

• Mix, Mingle and Jingle, Nov. Third Thursday – Nov. 19 in Downtown Tiffin. Holiday open houses.
• Holiday Window Contest – Nov 28-Dec 12 in Downtown Tiffin. Winner announced at the Holiday Movie Dec 13. Tiffin Community Foundation is asking everyone in Seneca County to “Be A Light,” and to shine lights during the holiday season. For those who do not have Christmas lights or can’t afford additional electric costs, the Foundation has purchased more than 1,000 battery-operated window candles for anyone who wants to “Be A Light.” Candles are available at Tiffin Community Foundation, 31 S. Washington St. Downtown businesses will be participating by decorating their windows in bright lights and color. Visitors are asked to choose their favorite window between Small Business Saturday thought Dec. 12, and place their votes at the red ballot box at the Seneca County Justice Center.
• Tree Lighting — 5:15 p.m. Dec. 4. This event has gone virtual to allow for social distancing. For more details when they are announced, follow Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services and Destination Seneca County on Facebook.
• Free Holiday Movie – 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec 13 at The Ritz Theatre. See a special free screening of “Home Alone” at The Ritz Theatre. Tickets are free, but are limited to maintain social distancing. For more information and to get tickets, find Free Holiday Movie – “Home Alone” on Facebook.