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Ohio Business Spotlight - August 2022
Throughout its history, Ohio has been home to virtually every business imaginable -- entrepreneurial enterprises that have put Ohioans to work, bolstered our economy, and made our communities stronger and more prosperous. Over time, these businesses turned our state into an economic powerhouse that is envied for its strength across an array of industries, services, and sectors.
In 1803, Jonas Seaman traveled to Ohio, a newly established state, hoping to become an entrepreneur. Jonas paid $4 to license and operate a ‘house of public entertainment’ in Lebanon, which became the Golden Lamb.
With nearly 220 years of hosting and entertaining, the Golden Lamb has seated countless notable guests such as Neil Armstrong, Charles Dickens, Annie Oakley, and endless others. The Golden Lamb has also had 12 different U.S. Presidents dine there, including John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush.
Over time, The Golden Lamb became a staple destination for the Lebanon community on all occasions. The Golden Lamb’s ‘Thanksgiving feast’ serves nearly 1,500 community members each year. Because of the community’s continued and incredible support, the Golden Lamb was able to expand its restaurant as it stayed in business during the pandemic.
5th Avenue Floral Company has been serving the Columbus metropolitan area with beautiful flowers since 1901. The company began by growing its own flowers and then making them into bouquets for customers. Some of the company’s most popular and well-known items were poinsettias and Easter lilies. Today, 5th Ave Floral Company continues to be one of the only ‘truly’ locally grown florist shops in Franklin County.
Some of the array of services the floral shop offers are gift baskets, flower delivery, wedding arrangements, birthday arrangements, and more. One of the business’s recognized strengths is that company has several expert floral arrangement designers on site for any occasion you might need.
George Morris immigrated to America in 1817 and settled in Marietta, Ohio. He and his four sons built their home and tinsmith shop, officially opening Morris Hardware in 1845. Morris Hardware is a six-generation family-owned business, currently owned by Tom Schanken, who is George Morris’s sixth great-grandson.
With such a rich history of over 177 years, Morris Hardware has several things inside its store that share its story. There are public tours available that highlight the history, architecture, and family owners of the business. Something Morris hardware is particularly proud of is that its store has been there for the people of Ohio through several historical and challenging periods, including the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, a pandemic, and the ever-changing world of retail services.
Morris Hardware is greatly supported by its community and looks forward to another 177 years of service. The company recently expanded its storefront so it can enhance customer service and have room for larger inventories.
Celebrating its 100th year anniversary, WHK Radio was the first radio station born in Ohio. Since it began in March of 1922, the station has broadcasted a wide variety of entertainment for the Cleveland area. Over its century of continuous operations, WHK’s format has evolved over time to meet the interests of its listeners, including classical, top 40 hits, rock, country, sports, and currently, news talk radio.
Throughout WHK Radio’s history, it has served in many roles for the Cleveland community. In 1964, it sponsored the Beatles to play at the Cleveland Public Auditorium. WHK was the flagship station for the Cleveland Browns from 1968- 1984. WHK Radio also broadcasts local high school sports to the appreciation of sports fans across Northeast Ohio.
J.M. Smucker Co. products have been household staples across the country for over 125 years. The J.M. Smucker Co. started in Orrville, Ohio, with hopes of creating quality products at a fair price for their community; and over the course of one and one quarter century, it remains the quintessential family run organization. Since its start, the company has added countless household name brands underneath the J.M. Smucker Co. label, and today employs more than 6,700 workers.
A J.M. Smucker brand product is likely to be in everyone’s home. Its products include Smucker’s jellies and jams, JIF Peanut butter, Uncrustables, Dunkin’ at home coffee, Folgers Coffee, Milk Bone Dog treats, and countless others. The company has continued to evolve over the years as its consumers’ needs change and it remains an indelible source of pride for its community and a cherished economic powerhouse for Ohio’s economy.
Scioto Sign Company has been serving Ohio and other states nationwide since 1897. Arnold Lange wanted to pursue a career as a business owner and purchased Scioto Signs, making Toledo its hometown. He and his son, Lance, went on to make this manufacturing business for paper, cardboard signs, muslin banners, aprons, novelties, and more. Scioto Signs continues to be a family-owned business. It is under the current ownership of Arnold Lange’s grandchildren, Shawn P. Moore and Shawn A. Moore.
Scioto Sign Company has seen several challenges and successes over their 125 years of business. Despite new technologies, new trends, and employee turnover, Scioto Signs has remained a national leader for indoor and outdoor signs and related point-of-sale products. One of Scioto Sign’s favorite memories was when they celebrated their 100th year anniversary, and also when Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose stopped by for a visit and tour of their facility.
Siegfried Schachne moved to Chillicothe with his wife and young daughter in the year 1905. He came to Ohio for the opportunity to purchase a furniture store, which he named ‘Globe Furniture’. Globe Furniture has now been selling furniture and mattresses to the Chillicothe community for over 117 years.
Globe Furniture has seen several challenges and successes as a business. As times change and different needs arise, Globe Furniture has adapted while maintaining their company’s mission of providing ethical and quality products to their consumers. Globe Furniture says that their customers and community are what are most important to them today, just as it was back in 1905.
If you find yourself in the Chillicothe area, you can stop by Globe Furniture and see their display of historical artifacts from the business over the years.
Grant F. Northrup wanted to start a business that would provide high quality tickets for festivals, carnivals, and theaters at a reasonable price. He then went on to start the Toledo Ticket Company in 1910, and the business has grown immensely since. Some of Toledo Ticket’s most popular products are event tickets, raffle tickets, parking passes, envelopes, a Digital Ticket Payment Platform, and many more.
One of Toledo Ticket’s favorite memories as a business was when they celebrated their 100th year anniversary. At this point in their business career, they were a five-generation family-owned business. Current owner Tom Carter said this was a particularly special moment for him and his family as three of the five generations were there to celebrate and appreciate the successes of the business.
As years have gone by, Toledo Ticket Company has seen many worldly challenges. Some include world wars, the Great Depression, stock market crashes, multiple pandemics, and also the ever-changing world of technology. However, the Toledo Ticket Company has overcome these challenges and has supported the Toledo community throughout it all.