Top stories, No. 7: A busy year for local entrepreneurs on the move

We're counting down Crawford County's Top 10 stories of 2022. Today, our No. 7 entry: A busy year for local businesses had many entrepreneurs on the move. New businesses opened, while existing local businesses expanded, changed hands or changed addresses.

Early in 2022, the community welcomed a long-awaited business: The Arrogant Goat, 125A E. Rensselaer St., had its ribbon-cutting on Jan. 7. It's owned by David Jones, Mark Burke and Zach Osborn.

"Finally, finally, finally, after 201 years of existence, we have a nanobrewery in Bucyrus!" Jessie Furner, who was then executive director of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, said as they prepared to cut the ribbon.

In the months that followed, local businesses announced new expansions, new locations and new owners. While a few closed — most notably the Bucyrus Lamp Plant owned by GE Lighting, a Savant Company — ribbon-cuttings kept Furner and her successor, Averee Richardson, busy.

Here are some highlights from the local business scene:

● Sarah Bessinger, owner of Scapes by Sarah Landscaping and Greenhouse, added fresh flowers to her shop's offerings early this year as she prepared for an even bigger change: The opening of a new, year-round retail location at 1380 Ohio 4 in September.

● The Pickwick Place, 1875 N. Sandusky Ave., celebrated its most recent expansion in May, with the opening of its café and a major addition to the market. Work on a roughly 3,600-square-foot expansion project on either side of its market building began in October 2022.

The Market occupies the northmost building at the site, with The Lofts event space in the center and The Stalls retail space to the south. The expansion will allow the market to remain open year-round.

● As summer arrived, several downtown businesses were part of a "storefront shuffle."

Missie Striker and her sister, Mandy Paez, were forced to move their business, Castle Coin Shop and Castle Auctions and Appraisals, from 301 S. Sandusky Ave. after the storefront was sold.

Although at first devastated by the news, the sisters were able to purchase 132 S. Sandusky Ave., the former home of Romanoff Jewelers.

In November, Paez said they've been busy ever since.

"Crazy awesome," she said. "It made a huge difference. You wouldn't think moving one block would make a difference, but it did. The best thing that ever happened to us."

The storefront at 301 S. Sandusky Ave. was purchased by Alexa Kamenik, who moved her ARK Realty into the building after renovations were completed, just in time for the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival in August.

"This is a very nice location — right downtown and on the strip," Kamenik said.

At about the same time Castle moved, Print Happy, a custom printing and gift shop owned by Striker's daughter, Rachel Striker, expanded into 238 S. Sandusky Ave.

● The owner of a Marion restaurant and food truck brought Japanese food to Bucyrus in June. Luky Kauwjono of Pataskala opened Master Hibachi at 1301 E. Mansfield St. The Master Hibachi menu is fairly simple: rice, cabbage and the diner's choice of protein — chicken, sesame chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, scallops, filet mignon or lobster. Vegetable and combination options are available.

● In early June, Abby Hocker opened Spot's Rolling Bean Coffee Company in a refurbished Airstream trailer parked in a small plaza behind 211 N. Thoman St. — the historic Shunk home that once housed the Crestline Historical Society's museum. "I've always been passionate about coffee, and I love my little town in Crestline," Hocker said. "I want to make a difference. So I'm excited."

After a successful summer, Hocker's business moved inside the Shunk home this fall.

● Also in early June, Don and Samantha Lafontaine opened Lafontaines Livewell LLC in a trailer parked outside the home at 5976 Marion Melmore Road, Sycamore — just south of Benton, in northwest Crawford County.

"Well, there's no local bait shops, so I decided, let's open a bait shop," Don Lafontaine said. "I don't know if you've even seen the movie 'Robots,' but there's a cartoon character on there, he's named Bigweld, he says 'See a need, fill a need.' We see the need, and we filled the need."

● Fit Fab Fun, 209 S. Sandusky Ave., was purchased this summer by Jeremy and Michelle Roberts, who also own Special Moments Bridal next door. Diana Shroll, who founded the business in July 2018, decided to retire to spend more time with her grandchildren.

● Chan Haldeman opened a new chiropractic care office, Pleasant Chiropractic, at 1050 S. Sandusky Ave. this summer. Haldeman said her goal has been to create an inviting space for people to feel relaxed while they receive their chiropractic care.

● Imasen Bucyrus Technology, IB-Tech, completed a capital investment project for additional welding and automated assembly equipment at its plant in the Crossroads Industrial Park in November. The project created 70 full-time positions in addition to the 230 positions the company retained.

● Advanced Fiber Technology completed a $1 million investment project for machinery and equipment at its Crossroads Industrial Park site in Bucyrus. The company employs 25 people across its manufacturing facility and two warehouses, totaling 150,000 square feet.

● Millennial Services, based in Lafayette, Indiana, opened a new training center at 1305 E. Mansfield St. in Bucyrus, in Whetstone Plaza.

● Bob and Paula Herbert took over Flour & Whisk Bakery, 416 S. Sandusky Ave., at the beginning of September.

● Behavioral Concepts of Ohio, opened an office at 109 N. Sandusky Ave. Along with substance abuse treatment, private therapy is offered along with psychotherapy services, medication assisted treatment and family education.

● The HideAway Country Inn, 1601 Ohio 4, renovated its venue space, including fresh paint, new flooring and updated lighting.

● At the end of September, Shoe Sensation marked its opening at 223 S. Stetzer Road with a three-day celebration. The store offers footwear for the entire family.

● A-1 Printing, 825 S. Sandusky Ave., completed a three-year upgrade and expansion of its Bucyrus facility, company officials announced. The total project investment of $380,000 involved new machinery, computer equipment and a transportation vehicle.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Top stories, No. 7: A busy year for local entrepreneurs on the move