SEED Ventures</h1> <article> <h1>SEED Ventures</h1> <p>2015-06-17T17:40:04+00:00</p> <p></p> <p>SEED Ventures (SEED) is growing local entrepreneurs for financial, social, and environmental success. SEED, a new Oberlin Project initiative, is a pop-up marketplace and incubator aimed at developing sustainable business models, increasing foot-traffic and business activity in Lorain County, and promoting economic growth through innovation. SEED works with local entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of development, targeting those entrepreneurs with a prototype with sales up to $10,000 in annual revenue.</p> <p>Visit <a href="http://www.seedventuresoberlin.org/">www.SEEDVenturesOberlin.org</a> for the application to participate and more information.</p> <p>A pillar of The Oberlin Project (TOP) is sustainable economic growth. Growth results as entrepreneurs innovate and produce a better and/or new product for the marketplace. SEED Ventures is one of the tools to create an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem. SEED will support emerging entrepreneurs through business coaching, student-driven marketing and graphic design support and most importantly, free retail space in downtown Oberlin to test the marketplace. Six entrepreneurs will be featured in SEED's inaugural run who have a commitment to the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit.</p> <p>The initiative will operate from September 2015 through January 2016. Entrepreneurs will participate in business education workshops designed to assist SEED entrepreneurs identify goals and business needs, as well as transition their ventures after the completion of the program. In October, a pop-up (ie: temporary) downtown marketplace will open for SEED entrepreneurs to test the market through sale of their product/service and will close at the end of December. SEED aims to work with entrepreneurs in Oberlin’s four target markets: agriculture/local food, arts/tourism, energy efficiency, and resource recovery, althoughwe(delete we) will accept applications from entrepreneurs in any sector.</p> <p>The Oberlin Project invites all emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners to submit an application. A review committee will invite the top 12 applicants for in-person interviews. The application is due at 11:59pm on July 15th, 2015. Entrepreneurs will be notified of their acceptance by August 14th. </p> <p>SEED is also currently seeking partnerships to support the initiative. For more information on how to become a partner with SEED Ventures, please visit our partner page <a href="http://www.seedventuresoberlin.org/partners.html">here.</a></p> <p>You can follow SEED on Twitter @SEED_Oberlin to get updates about all of their deadlines and opportunities. Questions should be directed to <a href="mailto:seed.ventures.oberlin@gmail.">seed.ventures.oberlin@gmail.</a> com or at <a href="file://localhost/tel/440.503.3748">440.503.3748</a>. There will be an information session about the SEED Ventures for applicants at 7pm on June 25th in the Community room at the Oberlin Public Library.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Entrepreneurism, Oberlin and Sustainable Economic Growth</h1> <p>2015-01-14T16:06:08+00:00</p> <p dir="ltr">In Oberlin, sustainability is more than a buzzword, it is a tool that drives innovation—that transforms community by changing behavior and promoting sustainable economic development. Sustainable economic development generates economic wealth that is based on the triple bottom line, balancing impact and opportunity to people, profit and planet. Market solutions are generated that produce improved economic opportunity (reduces the growing income disparity between the rich and the poor), accounts for impact to the environment and value of ecosystem services in financial accounting, and finally and most familiar, creates flows of dollars at the local, regional and global scales. As you know, Oberlin isn’t afraid of doing something a little different.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Oberlin Project is challenging individuals in and outside of Oberlin to use the triple bottom line to generate solutions that change the way we create, deploy and do business. Oberlin is home to a wealth of human resources representative of many demographics including age, experience, socioeconomic status, race and educational attainment. This diversity is key to the wealth of ideas generated in our community. Of course, not all of these ideas are market ready, or even market worthy, but they do represent the seeds of economic development to be further evaluated and supported by technical service agents in Oberlin and northeast Ohio. </p> <p dir="ltr">Support comes in the form of capital, technical assistance, mentorship and entrepreneurial communities.</p> <p dir="ltr">Going forward, you’ll hear more from The Oberlin Project about entrepreneurism, particularly as it relates to our four target economic markets: local agriculture, energy efficiency, resource recovery, arts/tourism and any possible intersection thereof. Entrepreneurial ecosystems flourish because communities are supportive of big thinking, using information to evaluate the changing world and are open to a new and different future. We are committed to this in Oberlin.</p> <p dir="ltr">Interested in the entrepreneurial ecosystem? Consider these call to actions:</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Have an idea? Need a partner for a business venture? Join Oberlin’s first entrepreneur gathering to meet other local entrepreneurs, learn about regional entrepreneurial resources and think big. Tuesday, January 20th from 5:30-7:30pm at Slow Train.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">If you’re currently pursuing a business venture in Oberlin and need assistance contact Cullen at <a href="mailto:<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1c2cfc0d4cccec7c7e1cec3c4d3cdc8cfd1d3cecbc4c2d58fced3c6">[email protected]</a>"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c3808da2b6aeaca5a583aca1a6b1afaaadb3b1aca9a6a0b7edacb1a4">[email protected]</a></a>.<a href="resilient-economy/entrepreneurism-oberlin-and-sustainable-economic-growth"></a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr">Outside of Oberlin and considering a move or start-up relocation? Ohio and Oberlin have some interesting things to offer, including an electricity portfolio that’s soon to be 87% renewable. Contact Cullen at <a href="mailto:<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d7e735c4850525b5b7d525f584f5154534d4f5257585e4913524f5a">[email protected]</a>"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="185b56796d75777e7e58777a7d6a747176686a77727d7b6c36776a7f">[email protected]</a></a> for more information.</li> </ul> <p> </p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: The Feve</h1> <p>2012-10-30T12:39:16+00:00</p> <p></p> <p>The current Feve location has been a local landmark for so long that it slipped my mind that Matt and Jason’s first location was across the street from Oberlin City Hall. The Feve began as a coffee shop and has evolved into “the place to go” by many locals and others who know about Oberlin.</p> <p>About 20 years ago, Matt and Jason realized that Oberlin was in need of a coffee shop and “night-life.” It was about 12 years ago when the Feve obtained a full liquor license. As many residents are aware, The Feve is a restaurant and full service bar that also offers catering services. They are very well known for their tater tots, burgers, and cold beverages. While many are aware of the Sunday brunch, The Feve also provides brunch on Saturdays too!! Drinks and food range in price from $1 - $11.</p> <p>The Feve is partially under construction at this time. The new construction area will provide more room for cooking, preparation, and catering. In addition a private party/meeting room is being constructed to better accommodate meeting space requests. This expansion will also allow The Feve to offer lunch on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor since it can quickly become crowded on the first floor any given day of the week.</p> <p>Matt and Jason were also proud of their work to replace 90% of the light bulbs with LED bulbs. They decided on this project, in association with other energy upgrades, because they believe it’s the “right thing to do.” As a result of changing their bulbs to LED they may reap a savings of 75% on their energy costs. </p> <p>Matt also saidThe Feve uses many local product and food sources. The maple syrup and eggs are from the Amish not more than 25 miles away. Their brunch menu includes locally gowned food such as tomatoes. In fact, during season, their tomatoes and tomato-based soups are from their own gardens. In addition, they attempt to recycle as much as the City allows, and their food waste is extremely low because of composting. One cool fact is The Feve uses a van to transport items and food that is fueled by used vegetable oil from the fryers onsite. </p> <p>Matt and Jason said they spend their money virtually everywhere in town. However, some of the specific places they mentioned are Slow Train Café, Oberlin IGA, Cowhaus Creamery, Lorenzo’s, Agave, and the Oberlin Farmer’s Market.</p> <p>The Feve is the “Cheers” of Oberlin. It a great place to talk with students, Oberlin College faculty, and other Oberlin residents. In fact, it’s a great place for conversation as well. To view menus and other information, go to <a href="http://www.TheFeve.com">www.TheFeve.com</a> or visit them on Facebook to view construction updates or hour changes as a result of the construction. I am looking forward to the completion of the renovation project, how about you?</p> <p><strong>The Feve<br></strong>30 South Main St.<br>Oberlin, OH 44074<br>(440) 774-1978<br><a href="http://www.thefeve.com"><strong>www.thefeve.com<br></strong></a><em><strong style="color: #1c21f2;">Find us on Facebook!</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Downstairs</strong>:<br>11am - midnight Monday - Friday<br>3pm - midnight Saturday and Sunday<br><strong>Brunch</strong>: 9:30am - 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday<br><br></p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: Magpie Pizza</h1> <p>2012-09-18T21:33:56+00:00</p> <p>Living in a college town offer residents the opportunity to be a connoisseur of pizza. I believe that small and locally owned pizza places have a better taste than their chain-owned competitors. In fact, Magpie’s my pie Tex-Mex pizza is what my taste buds crave on a regular basis. It is my favorite specialty pizza (just ask the servers there, I don’t even have to tell them my order because when I show up they know what I want as soon as they see me walk in - LOL!)</p> <p>Magpie Pizza is located in the East College Street Complex at 65 East College Street. Jim and Rachael Strader, residents of LaGrange, are the owners of Magpie Pizza. Rachel and Jim opened up Magpie Pizza because they liked the sustainable building complex and are encouraged by the resident’s desire for local foods. In addition, they have a family history of relatives that are restaurant owners. One family member owns a restaurant in Lorain County and another family member owns a restaurant in New York. Magpie Pizza offers specialty pizzas, salad, and sandwiches. Prices range from $4.50 for in individual sized pizza to $18 for a large pizza.</p> <p>Magpie pizza makes an effort to use local ingredients in the menu items they serve. They use healthy and fresh ingredients in food items. For example, they use olive oil as an ingredient in their pizza, which makes it less greasy as compared to others. Another reason their pizza is so good is because they do not use pans, instead they bake their pizza on a stone, which makes their pizza crust light and crispy. Some of ingredients in the food they offer come from Oberlin Farmer’s Market, George Jones Farm, and West Side Market in Cleveland. </p> <p>In addition to pizza Magpie Pizza offers six (6) different sandwiches and in the winter they serve soup. This is more than your average pizza location. They offer a family friendly atmosphere. Check in on foursquare and show it to your server to receive a discount! You’ll find me checking in on foursquare there about once a week, so see you there soon!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>Magpie Pizza<br></em></strong><em>65 East College Street, Suite 2<br></em><em>Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br></em><em>(440) 774-2470<br></em><em><a href="http://www.magpiepizzaoberlin.com">www.magpiepizzaoberlin.com</a></em></p> <p><em><strong>Hours of Operation</strong>: </em></p> <p>M-W: 11:30 am – 8:00 pm<br>Thurs: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm<br>F-S: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm<br>Sun.: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm</p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: Cowhaus Creamery Artisan Ice Cream</h1> <p>2012-09-10T20:37:10+00:00</p> <p>Eating ice cream at Cowhaus Creamery is like the taste of beautiful art in your mouth. Eating at this local creamery is a great experience any time of year because the menu is constantly changing. Cowhaus Creamery Artisan Ice Cream located at 55 East College Street, Suite 4 in downtown Oberlin, next to Slow Train Café.</p> <p>The owner of Cowhaus Creamery is Joe Bomback and he is an Oberlin College Alumni from Lorain County. He and his wife Debbie (who is from Shaker Heights) love Oberlin and it was their goal to be involved in the community and so they decided to open up Cowhaus Creamery. </p> <p>Tracy Calabro, General Manager, explained that Cowhaus Creamery is local artisan ice cream. Unlike store bought ice cream, their products are mostly handmade except for the machine used to create the variety of ice cream flavors. While store bought ice cream is anywhere from 2 months to a year old by the time it reaches the shelves, Cowhaus always serves fresh ice cream, with some made within a few days of being served to customers. In addition, Cowhaus ice cream contains only 7 – 12 ingredients, while grocery store ice cream has as many as 18 – 50 ingredients of which many are very difficult to pronounce. Prices at Cowhaus Creamery range from $3.50 a scoop in a cone or cup to $8.50 for a pint of ice cream. The pints are all hand packed as well.</p> <p>All of the employees in the store have contributed to the ice cream served at Cowhaus Creamery. The employees assist by either helping make the ice cream or suggesting a new flavor. In fact, Joe and Debbie will consider new flavor suggestions from customers as well. Isn’t that cool?</p> <p>All new flavors are introduced on their Facebook page so stay tuned. Cowhaus Creamery is one of the finalists for the “Best of Lorain County.” The winners of this countywide competition will be announced in the Fall Edition of Pulse Magazine. Everyone should visit Cowhaus Creamery on a regular basis because there are always new flavors, especially with the changing of the seasons. So stop by and say “hello” to Tracy and ask for a free tasting sample of flavors so you can decide on which flavor that week is your favorite! And if you don’t see it, perhaps suggest something and maybe you’ll walk in and see your suggested flavor featured that week!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>(Photo by Eat Drink Cleveland @ <a href="http://eatdrinkcleveland.blogspot.com/2012/06/guest-post-eatdrinkoberlin-by.html">http://eatdrinkcleveland.blogspot.com/2012/06/guest-post-eatdrinkoberlin-by.html</a>)</em></strong></p> <p style="color: #0a0a0b;"><strong>Cowhaus Creamery<br></strong>55 East College Street, Suite 4<br>Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br><strong>Phone</strong>: 440-774-5425<br><strong>Email</strong>: <strong><a href="mailto:<a href="><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d61646e6661626e6c614d6e627a656c787e6e7f686c60687f74236e6260">[email protected]</a></a></strong><br><strong>Website</strong>: <a href="http://www.cowhauscreamery.com"><strong>www.cowhauscreamery.com<br></strong></a>Find them on <strong>Facebook!</strong><strong style="color: #ffffff;">Facebook!</strong></p> <p><strong>Store Hours</strong>:<br> Monday-Thursday - 12:00 to 10:00<br>Friday-Saturday - 12:00 to 11:00<br>Sunday - 1:00 to 9:00</p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: Swerve Bike Shop</h1> <p>2012-08-30T14:29:51+00:00</p> <p>Linda Arbogast interviewed Rethink Your Ride business sponsor Chris Robinson, owner of Swerve. Swerve is a local bike shop and has prices that range from $1 to over $7,000. Chris said that Oberlin has had a history of having more bikes than cars and upon noticing that a bike shop was missing from this equation, it was an easy decision to start a bike shop business.</p> <p>Oberlin has many people who enjoy biking around town, it is also a town located along the <a href="Linda%20Arbogast%20interviewed%20Rethink%20Your%20Ride%20business%20sponsor%20Chris%20Robinson,%20owner%20of%20Swerve.%20%20Swerve%20is%20a%20local%20bike%20shop%20and%20has%20prices%20that%20range%20from%20$1%20to%20over%20$7,000.%20%20Chris%20said%20that%20Oberlin%20has%20had%20a%20history%20of%20having%20more%20bikes%20than%20cars%20and%20upon%20noticing%20that%20a%20bike%20shop%20was%20missing%20from%20this%20equation,%20it%20was%20an%20easy%20decision%20to%20start%20a%20bike%20shop%20business.%20%20Oberlin%20has%20many%20people%20who%20enjoy%20biking%20around%20town,%20it%20is%20also%20a%20town%20located%20along%20the%20North%20Coast%20Island%20Trail%20(http:/www.ohiobikeways.net/ncit.htm)%20and%20downtown.%20%20In%20addition,%20Oberlin%20serves%20as%20a%20spur%20Route%20along%20the%20Backroads%20to%20Beaches%20trail%20(http:/www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com/route-map/map.shtml).%20%20Last%20but%20not%20least,%20Oberlin%20is%20also%20a%20hub%20along%20the%20Underground%20Railroad%20ride%20for%20bicyclists%20traveling%20to%20Canada%20by%20way%20of%20Detroit.%20%20For%20more%20information%20on%20the%20alternative%20route%20visit:%20http:/www.adventuretravelnews.com/new-cycling-route-brings-underground-railroad-alive.%20%20Chris%20says%20their%20bike%20shop%20is%20unique%20because%20it%20is%20not%20chain.%20%20And%20he%20is%20not%20just%20a%20locally%20operated%20business%20but%20an%20avid%20bike%20rider%20as%20well.%20%20Swerve%20focuses%20on%20good%20bike%20service%20and%20repair%20for%20their%20customers.%20%20In%20fact%20half%20of%20their%20business%20is%20fixing%20flat%20tires%20and%20adjusting%20breaks.%20Swerve%20is%20proud%20to%20be%20a%20sponsor%20for%20the%20Oberlin%20College%20cycling%20team.%20Also,%20many%20of%20you%20may%20not%20be%20aware,%20Swerve%20recently%20started%20a%20bicycle%20renting%20business.%20%20A%20person%20can%20rent%20a%20bike%20for%20$8%20and%20hour%20or%20$25%20for%20the%20day!%20%20A%20customer%20shopping%20at%20Swerve%20stopped%20to%20tell%20Linda%20that%20he%20supports%20Swerve%20100%.%20%20This%20customer%20said%20he%20has%20called%20Swerve%20over%2015%20times%20in%20the%20past%20few%20weeks%20for%20advice%20and%20the%20employees%20are%20always%20friendly%20and%20super%20service%20oriented.%20%20This%20customer%20will%20no%20longer%20support%20the%20bike%20shop%20chains%20he%20has%20been%20going%20to.%20%20Other%20places%20in%20Oberlin%20where%20Chris%20shops%20is%20Oberlin%20IGA,%20Oberlin%20Market,%20Gibson’s%20Bakery%20and%20Ben%20Franklin.%20%20He%20also%20gets%20his%20hair%20done%20at%20Adeva%20because%20he%20doesn’t%20mind%20paying%20a%20little%20extra%20for%20a%20haircut%20and%20scalp%20massage,%20where%20he%20also%20is%20served%20tea%20and%20cookies.%20The%20places%20he%20likes%20to%20eat%20is%20The%20Feve,%20Black%20River,%20Lorenzo’s%20Pizzeria%20and%20Slow%20Train.%20%20Swerve%20Bike%20Shop%20Owner:%20%20Chris%20Robinson%2023%20S.%20Main%20Street%20Oberlin,%20Ohio%20Phone:%20%20440-774-7978%20Email:%<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89bbb9fafcf9f9e6fbfdc9fafeecfbffecebe0e2ecfae1e6f9a7eae6e4">[email protected]</a>%20Find%20them%20on%20Facebook:%20%20http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Swerve-Bike-Shop/281943428491842?ref=ts%20%20">North Coast Island Trail </a> and downtown. In addition, Oberlin serves as a spur Route along the <a onclick="window.open(this.href,'','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,location=yes,menubar=yes,status=yes,toolbar=yes,left=0,top=0');return false;" href="Linda%20Arbogast%20interviewed%20Rethink%20Your%20Ride%20business%20sponsor%20Chris%20Robinson,%20owner%20of%20Swerve.%20%20Swerve%20is%20a%20local%20bike%20shop%20and%20has%20prices%20that%20range%20from%20$1%20to%20over%20$7,000.%20%20Chris%20said%20that%20Oberlin%20has%20had%20a%20history%20of%20having%20more%20bikes%20than%20cars%20and%20upon%20noticing%20that%20a%20bike%20shop%20was%20missing%20from%20this%20equation,%20it%20was%20an%20easy%20decision%20to%20start%20a%20bike%20shop%20business.%20%20Oberlin%20has%20many%20people%20who%20enjoy%20biking%20around%20town,%20it%20is%20also%20a%20town%20located%20along%20the%20North%20Coast%20Island%20Trail%20(http:/www.ohiobikeways.net/ncit.htm)%20and%20downtown.%20%20In%20addition,%20Oberlin%20serves%20as%20a%20spur%20Route%20along%20the%20Backroads%20to%20Beaches%20trail%20(http:/www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com/route-map/map.shtml).%20%20Last%20but%20not%20least,%20Oberlin%20is%20also%20a%20hub%20along%20the%20Underground%20Railroad%20ride%20for%20bicyclists%20traveling%20to%20Canada%20by%20way%20of%20Detroit.%20%20For%20more%20information%20on%20the%20alternative%20route%20visit:%20http:/www.adventuretravelnews.com/new-cycling-route-brings-underground-railroad-alive.%20%20Chris%20says%20their%20bike%20shop%20is%20unique%20because%20it%20is%20not%20chain.%20%20And%20he%20is%20not%20just%20a%20locally%20operated%20business%20but%20an%20avid%20bike%20rider%20as%20well.%20%20Swerve%20focuses%20on%20good%20bike%20service%20and%20repair%20for%20their%20customers.%20%20In%20fact%20half%20of%20their%20business%20is%20fixing%20flat%20tires%20and%20adjusting%20breaks.%20Swerve%20is%20proud%20to%20be%20a%20sponsor%20for%20the%20Oberlin%20College%20cycling%20team.%20Also,%20many%20of%20you%20may%20not%20be%20aware,%20Swerve%20recently%20started%20a%20bicycle%20renting%20business.%20%20A%20person%20can%20rent%20a%20bike%20for%20$8%20and%20hour%20or%20$25%20for%20the%20day!%20%20A%20customer%20shopping%20at%20Swerve%20stopped%20to%20tell%20Linda%20that%20he%20supports%20Swerve%20100%.%20%20This%20customer%20said%20he%20has%20called%20Swerve%20over%2015%20times%20in%20the%20past%20few%20weeks%20for%20advice%20and%20the%20employees%20are%20always%20friendly%20and%20super%20service%20oriented.%20%20This%20customer%20will%20no%20longer%20support%20the%20bike%20shop%20chains%20he%20has%20been%20going%20to.%20%20Other%20places%20in%20Oberlin%20where%20Chris%20shops%20is%20Oberlin%20IGA,%20Oberlin%20Market,%20Gibson’s%20Bakery%20and%20Ben%20Franklin.%20%20He%20also%20gets%20his%20hair%20done%20at%20Adeva%20because%20he%20doesn’t%20mind%20paying%20a%20little%20extra%20for%20a%20haircut%20and%20scalp%20massage,%20where%20he%20also%20is%20served%20tea%20and%20cookies.%20The%20places%20he%20likes%20to%20eat%20is%20The%20Feve,%20Black%20River,%20Lorenzo’s%20Pizzeria%20and%20Slow%20Train.%20%20Swerve%20Bike%20Shop%20Owner:%20%20Chris%20Robinson%2023%20S.%20Main%20Street%20Oberlin,%20Ohio%20Phone:%20%20440-774-7978%20Email:%<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="241614575154544b565064575341565241464d4f41574c4b540a474b49">[email protected]</a>%20Find%20them%20on%20Facebook:%20%20http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Swerve-Bike-Shop/281943428491842?ref=ts%20%20">Backroads to Beaches trail</a>. Last but not least, Oberlin is also a hub along the Underground Railroad ride for bicyclists traveling to Canada by way of Detroit. For more information on the alternative route visit: <a href="http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/new-cycling-route-brings-underground-railroad-alive">http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/new-cycling-route-brings-underground-railroad-alive</a>.</p> <p>Chris says their bike shop is unique because it is not chain. And he is not just a locally operated business but an avid bike rider as well. Swerve focuses on good bike service and repair for their customers. In fact half of their business is fixing flat tires and adjusting breaks. Swerve is proud to be a sponsor for the Oberlin College cycling team. Also, many of you may not be aware, Swerve recently started a bicycle renting business. A person can rent a bike for $8 and hour or $25 for the day!</p> <p>A customer shopping at Swerve stopped to tell Linda that he supports Swerve 100%. This customer said he has called Swerve over 15 times in the past few weeks for advice and the employees are always friendly and super service oriented. This customer will no longer support the bike shop chains he has been going to.</p> <p>Other places in Oberlin where Chris shops is Oberlin IGA, Oberlin Market, Gibson’s Bakery and Ben Franklin. He also gets his hair done at Adeva because he doesn’t mind paying a little extra for a haircut and scalp massage, where he also is served tea and cookies. The places he likes to eat is The Feve, Black River, Lorenzo’s Pizzeria and Slow Train.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">(</span><a style="text-align: center;" href="Linda%20Arbogast%20interviewed%20Rethink%20Your%20Ride%20business%20sponsor%20Chris%20Robinson,%20owner%20of%20Swerve.%20%20Swerve%20is%20a%20local%20bike%20shop%20and%20has%20prices%20that%20range%20from%20$1%20to%20over%20$7,000.%20%20Chris%20said%20that%20Oberlin%20has%20had%20a%20history%20of%20having%20more%20bikes%20than%20cars%20and%20upon%20noticing%20that%20a%20bike%20shop%20was%20missing%20from%20this%20equation,%20it%20was%20an%20easy%20decision%20to%20start%20a%20bike%20shop%20business.%20%20Oberlin%20has%20many%20people%20who%20enjoy%20biking%20around%20town,%20it%20is%20also%20a%20town%20located%20along%20the%20North%20Coast%20Island%20Trail%20(http:/www.ohiobikeways.net/ncit.htm)%20and%20downtown.%20%20In%20addition,%20Oberlin%20serves%20as%20a%20spur%20Route%20along%20the%20Backroads%20to%20Beaches%20trail%20(http:/www.backroadsandbeachesohio.com/route-map/map.shtml).%20%20Last%20but%20not%20least,%20Oberlin%20is%20also%20a%20hub%20along%20the%20Underground%20Railroad%20ride%20for%20bicyclists%20traveling%20to%20Canada%20by%20way%20of%20Detroit.%20%20For%20more%20information%20on%20the%20alternative%20route%20visit:%20http:/www.adventuretravelnews.com/new-cycling-route-brings-underground-railroad-alive.%20%20Chris%20says%20their%20bike%20shop%20is%20unique%20because%20it%20is%20not%20chain.%20%20And%20he%20is%20not%20just%20a%20locally%20operated%20business%20but%20an%20avid%20bike%20rider%20as%20well.%20%20Swerve%20focuses%20on%20good%20bike%20service%20and%20repair%20for%20their%20customers.%20%20In%20fact%20half%20of%20their%20business%20is%20fixing%20flat%20tires%20and%20adjusting%20breaks.%20Swerve%20is%20proud%20to%20be%20a%20sponsor%20for%20the%20Oberlin%20College%20cycling%20team.%20Also,%20many%20of%20you%20may%20not%20be%20aware,%20Swerve%20recently%20started%20a%20bicycle%20renting%20business.%20%20A%20person%20can%20rent%20a%20bike%20for%20$8%20and%20hour%20or%20$25%20for%20the%20day!%20%20A%20customer%20shopping%20at%20Swerve%20stopped%20to%20tell%20Linda%20that%20he%20supports%20Swerve%20100%.%20%20This%20customer%20said%20he%20has%20called%20Swerve%20over%2015%20times%20in%20the%20past%20few%20weeks%20for%20advice%20and%20the%20employees%20are%20always%20friendly%20and%20super%20service%20oriented.%20%20This%20customer%20will%20no%20longer%20support%20the%20bike%20shop%20chains%20he%20has%20been%20going%20to.%20%20Other%20places%20in%20Oberlin%20where%20Chris%20shops%20is%20Oberlin%20IGA,%20Oberlin%20Market,%20Gibson’s%20Bakery%20and%20Ben%20Franklin.%20%20He%20also%20gets%20his%20hair%20done%20at%20Adeva%20because%20he%20doesn’t%20mind%20paying%20a%20little%20extra%20for%20a%20haircut%20and%20scalp%20massage,%20where%20he%20also%20is%20served%20tea%20and%20cookies.%20The%20places%20he%20likes%20to%20eat%20is%20The%20Feve,%20Black%20River,%20Lorenzo’s%20Pizzeria%20and%20Slow%20Train.%20%20Swerve%20Bike%20Shop%20Owner:%20%20Chris%20Robinson%2023%20S.%20Main%20Street%20Oberlin,%20Ohio%20Phone:%20%20440-774-7978%20Email:%<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3705074442474758454377444052454152555e5c52445f58471954585a">[email protected]</a>%20Find%20them%20on%20Facebook:%20%20http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Swerve-Bike-Shop/281943428491842?ref=ts%20%20"><strong>Swerve Facebook page photo</strong></a><span style="text-align: center;">)</span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>Swerve Bike Shop</strong></em><br><strong>Owner</strong>: Chris Robinson<br>23 S. Main Street<br>Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br><strong>Phone:</strong> 440-774-7978<br><strong>Email</strong>: <a href="mailto:<a href="><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6a5a3a6a6b9a4a296a5a1b3a4a0b3b4bfbdb3a5beb9a6f8b5b9bb">[email protected]</a></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Store hours</strong></span>:</p> <p>Mon - Fri 10am - 7pm<br>Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm</p> <p><strong>YOU CAN ALSO FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK!</strong></p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: Simply Elegant Candle & Gift</h1> <p>2012-08-24T17:41:22+00:00</p> <p>Oberlin Community Services Executive Director Linda Arbogast interviewed Chris Heinebrodt and Amanda Heinebrodt about their local business called Simply Elegant Candle & Gift. Their store is located at 29 South Main Street, Oberlin (former location of Infinite Monkey.) Chris Heinebrodt is the owner and President and his wife Amanda is the Vice President of this Oberlin business.</p> <p>Chris and his wife Amanda consider their store a boutique of candles and gifts. Their store items price range from 99 cents to $120. The reason Chris and Amanda opened up a store in Oberlin is because they grew up in Lorain County. After college they moved to Oberlin because they loved the downtown. They waited for a spot to open up downtown and then the perfect spot became available.</p> <p>The items in their store come primarily from Ohio. They also sell many items made right in Oberlin or in the County. There are often coupons and special deals on their Facebook page, so check it out. They love Oberlin as believe there is no other community in the County that would care about locally made products and gifts.</p> <p>Like many of the other business owners and managers, the money spent at their store is turned around and spent at other stores within the community. Other places they like to shop in town include Watson’s Hardware, the antique store (next door to them,) and the Workshop Art Gallery, which is located across the Street. They work 6 days a week and eat out for lunch everyday. They favorite lunch spots include Black River Café and the Mandarin.</p> <p>Simply Elegant Candle & Gift is one of the weekly sponsors of the Rethink Your Ride Alternative Transportation Challenge. We encourage everyone to and stop by to say “hello” to Chris and Amanda at Simply Elegant Candle & Gift and support our local small businesses in Oberlin</p> <p> <strong><em>(<a href="http://simplyelegantcandle.com/">Simply Elegant Candle & Gift website picture</a>)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Simply Elegant Candle & Gift</em></strong><br> Owners: Chris & Amanda Henebrodt<br> 29 South Main Street<br> Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br><strong>Phone</strong>: 440-775-1980<br><strong>Website</strong>: <a href="http://www.simplyelegantcandle.com">www.simplyelegantcandle.com</a></p> <p><strong><em>They are also on Facebook</em></strong> <strong><em>and offer specials there!</em></strong></p> </article> <article> <h1>Rethink Your Ride Sponsor Spotlight: Ben Franklin & MindFair Books</h1> <p>2012-08-21T14:43:58+00:00</p> <p>I was walking toward Ben Franklin and noticed that I was 20 minutes late according to the downtown clock as a result of another interview. I underestimated the enthusiasm of business owners to want to talk to me about their business. I quickly rushed in to Ben Franklin and asked for Krista who was already standing there appearing to be a bit out of breath herself. She said she had also rushed thinking that she was late for her appointment with me. This is the camaraderie that takes place in Oberlin when a person spends time shopping in downtown and involved with community events.</p> <p>Krista told me that each Ben Franklin store is independently owned so the setup and displays are different. There are some Ben Franklin stores that have turned into a craft store so many younger people are surprised to learn that the Ben Franklin in Oberlin is a variety store filled with books (new & used), office supplies, health & beauty items, household goods, fabric, custom framing, fair trade gift items, snacks, and candy. Krista says that her store is ever evolving to adapt to the needs of her customers, which is the reason people should visit often.</p> <p>I asked Krista how she became the owner of Ben Franklin and MindFair Book store. She said that she had been a bookseller all her life and had been working at NASCORP for about 10 years when she was laid off in 1999. While considering leaving the area to pursue other book industry jobs, she said it just didn’t feel right to be leaving Oberlin. Since the Co-op Bookstore had closed, she realized there was an opportunity for a new bookstore, selling used books this time and so decided to start one—MindFair Books. It was on S. Main Street where Lupita’s is now. Not long after, she learned that Ben Franklin was up for sale and worked with the Cochrane family to purchase it. The combination of variety store and books seemed a natural. </p> <p>One of the treasured items that tourists love about Ben Franklin in Oberlin is the selection of Melissa and Doug toys. It can be a challenge to find non-battery operated and durable toys at big box stores. Another unique characteristic about Ben Franklin is the fantastic fabric and yarn shop. Last year I also learned that Ben Franklin has a custom frame shop. My fiancé and I drove all the way to Avon to get some picture framed because at the time I didn’t know where else to go. So as a result, when I needed pictures at the Oberlin Project framed I made sure to get it done locally at Ben Franklin. MindFair inside of Ben Franklin is also one of the few independent bookstores left in Ohio. A person can buy just about any book desired. Also her store is wheelchair accessible and she even allows dogs in her store!</p> <p>Krista says the places she likes to shop in Oberlin include Ben Franklin (go figure), Ginko Gallery, Watson’s Hardware, Bead Paradise and Oberlin IGA. She also loves to eat in Oberlin and spreads the love all around. A few of the places she rattled off were Black River Cafe, Tooo Chinoise, Weia Teia, Agave, The Feve, Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant, Lorenzo’s Pizza, and Magpie Pizza.</p> <p>From this interview you have learned that Ben Franklin is an original “variety” store with quality, fair trade, and sustainable/natural items. Also, when you spend money with a local merchant like Ben Franklin the money is spent with other local businesses and the money spent is circulated again in our local economy! As a result of her living in Oberlin and owning a variety store that also sells books, she truly believes that she offers superior service to that of the big box stores and from my personal experience I agree.</p> <p>(picture above from Ben Franklin Oberlin website)</p> <p><strong>Ben Franklin & MindFair Books</strong><br> <strong>Owner</strong>: Krista Long<br> 13 West College Street<br> Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br><strong>Phone</strong>: 774-5711<br><strong>Email</strong>: <a href="mailto:<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17557279516576797c7b7e7957787572657b7e7939797263">[email protected]</a>"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1250777c5460737c797e7b7c527d7077607e7b7c3c7c7766">[email protected]</a></a> or <a href="mailto:<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c38eaaada785a2aab183aca1a6b1afaaadedada6b7">[email protected]</a>"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="115c787f7557707863517e7374637d787f3f7f7465">[email protected]</a></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Store hours<br></strong></span>Monday - Thursday: 10am–6pm<br>Friday: 10am–8pm<br>Saturday: 10am–6pm<br>Sunday: 12pm–5pm</p> <p> </p> </article> <article> <h1>Local Business Spotlight: Ginko Gallery & Studio</h1> <p>2012-08-16T12:28:28+00:00</p> <p>It was a rainy and somewhat cold Friday morning as I waited outside the door for Liz Burgess to open the door to begin our interview. As any normal business owner is, she approached the door looking as though she had something on her mind but as soon as she saw my face she began to smile. She quickly started her computer and turned on music on low as it to set the atmosphere for the day before we sat down in front of the glass case that she recycled from possibly another store that operated in Oberlin.</p> <p>Liz Burgess is the Owner/Manager of the Ginko Gallery & Studio. Ginko Gallery & Studio specializes in art made by individual from smaller studios. Most of the art are considered contemporary crafts with an emphasis at times on local resources, which may be wood, glass, trash metals, etc. None of the artists are from big companies or studios. Ginko Gallery also has artist studios and has a large variety of art supplies. The items in her store range from 50 cents to $2,500. For the most part the artists try to keep some items at $20 or under, keeping in mind that people desiring to find affordable gifts.</p> <p>I asked Liz why she opened her business in Oberlin. She said she lived in Oberlin and admired the local artists in the area. Liz had a career in healthcare before starting Ginko Gallery and she started to create artwork in her spare time. She also noticed that people in the Oberlin area appreciated locally made art and this is the reason why she decided to open up Ginko Gallery & Studio.</p> <p>What makes Ginko Gallery special is that 80% of the items in her store are made by local individuals. Also the store items are constantly changing because artists do not make the same item over and over again. The artists are the ones that set the price and they are very mindful of trying to make their items affordable to the general public. </p> <p>People may not realize that Ginko Gallery also has a significant art supply sections. Art students, art teachers and members of FAVA receive a 20% discount off these supplies everyday. This was news to me so I plan to shop her store for items the Oberlin Project can us for their booth at the Oberlin Community Block party event on Saturday, August 29<sup>th</sup> in Tappan Square.</p> <p>Liz said it is a myth that stores in downtown Oberlin are closed on Sundays. Ginko Gallery, along with several other stores, are open from Noon to 5 pm each Sunday. She is closed on Mondays but willing to open up for special events or people if she has enough notice. This is one of the great things about being a local shop owner who also lives within the community.</p> <p>Liz said that she recycles a lot! Many of the display fixtures were from other stores or were built but local people. In fact, she has not had to purchase any packing items for 12 years. She takes all sorts of packing material, with the exception of packing peanuts. She said people should taking packing peanuts to the UPS Store in Oberlin. However, if people have bubble wrap or boxes, even the styrofoam boxes, she will take those too! Also if anyone has any left over art supplies, she encourages people to bring those to her and she will make sure they get donated to the local schools because they are in need of art supplies.</p> <p>Last but not least I asked Liz where she likes to shop and eat in Oberlin. She said she loves to eat at Black River Café because it’s next door but there are many other local places she eats at as well. She shops all the time at Ben Franklin but also The Carlyle Shop, Watson’s Hardware, Ade’s Place and Oberlin IGA.</p> <p>The interview ended with Liz allowing me to explore as she eagerly showed me around her store and told me where all the various items came from. I planned for a 15 – 20 minute interview but was drawn in to enthusiasm for the artists and the work she has put into creating a landmark business in Oberlin.</p> <p>(Above photo from Ginko Gallery & Studio Facebook page)</p> <p><strong style="font-style: normal;">Ginko Gallery & Studio<br></strong>19 South Main Street<br>Oberlin, Ohio 44074<br><strong style="font-style: normal;">Phone: </strong>440-774-3117<br><strong style="font-style: normal;">Website: </strong><a href="http://www.GinkoGallery.net">www.GinkoGallery.net<br></a><strong style="font-style: normal;">E-mail:</strong> <a href="mailto:<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1057797e7b7f57717c7c756269505f7275627c797e3e7e7564">[email protected]</a>"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="16517f787d7951777a7a73646f56597473647a7f7838787362">[email protected]</a></a> <br><strong>Regular Hours</strong>: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, 12 noon to 4 p.m</p> </article> <article> <h1>'I told you so,' shop, live local</h1> <p>2012-07-17T15:30:18+00:00</p> <p>We realize that our town is in its own little bubble, don’t we?</p> <p>It’s like we have our own ecosystem; a way of life that differs greatly from surrounding communities. Oberlin is certainly not perfect. But, it does have advantages. For example, I like living in a town that is trying to be “local.” In general, there’s a real effort to shop and support our own community. I used to run in the mornings (before P! 90! X!, that is. More on that later.) On trash day, I saw way more Lorenzo's pizza boxes than others. Of course, it's no surprise. It's good pizza. (Full disclosure: my son works there. I’m disclosing this fact so that you’ll tip Jake when he hands you the next pizza box.)</p> <p>Still, even here, it’s a challenge to be local, isn’t it? Billions of dollars have been invested to condition us to think we can trust the uniformity of the chain better than independents. The Golden Arches look the same everywhere. Marriott is my choice while traveling, because I can count on a consistent false sense of hospitality. We just never know about local mom and pop places. (Side note: I wonder what “Psycho” did in this regard. Have people ever thought the same about family-run motels after that movie? Eeesh.)</p> <p>It's not that you can't get good service at chains. After all, you’re always reminded that places are "locally owned and operated." But there's just something special about being unique to a place…one of a kind. It takes courage to be on your own. Here in Oberlin, we recognize and support that.</p> <p>It’s summer, and I’ve been playing old Michael Stanley Band songs these days. Back in the day, it was an annual summer pilgrimage to see MSB at Blossom. Michael was a local boy who never quite made it as big as he deserved. I wish I knew why. I got to see the band in New York City when I was in college. It was during their big push to make it nationally. I even got to hang out with them backstage. What a cool feeling to be in New York City with the local band from Ohio! Michael, if you’re reading this, I hope you’re proud of what you accomplished.</p> <p>But being local isn’t just about buying Lorenzo's versus a national brand or listening to old MSB instead of some misspelled hippy-hop person. It’s about what we gain by doing it. At Slow Train, I get a personal greeting as well as awesome coffee. At The Feve, I get to see people I know as I eat my tots. At Lorenzo’s, my kid gets an awesome first job experience. At Dr. Petrill’s, I trust his commitment to the patient instead of the System, and I have an enjoyable time (well, not enjoyable. He is a dentist, after all.)</p> <p>If you listen to people like David Orr, “local” is going to be increasingly important in the near future—vital, even. But you already know that. Much of the rest of the world is still behind on this. We’re all transitioning into an unknown future, whether it’s acknowledged or not. And I personally love the thought that, when everyone else wakes up to being local, you and I will already be here, showing them by example. And when that day comes when we ALL are local, you and I can humbly look at the others and say, “I told you so.”</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Originally published on July 5, 2012 in the Oberlin News Tribune.</em></p> </article> <article> <h1>Going Local: Just Makes Sense</h1> <p>2012-06-27T20:07:54+00:00</p> <p>After being in Oberlin for a full school year now, I’ve been fascinated by the local businesses and restaurants in town. All offer many goods and services at reasonable prices and still do very well, despite a Wal-Mart and several fast food restaurants located less than two miles away from downtown Oberlin. Sometimes, however, I wonder why I don’t just go down to Wal-Mart for convenience or their “low low prices.” And now, after listening to Michael Shuman’s passionate elegy for local investment, I no longer have that question to answer. And if I were a business owner, I’d listen up too. On April 10th, Michael Shuman, economist and prize-winning author, spoke at Oberlin College with the purpose of debunking myths about investing in your local community and promoting ways that Oberlin can get in on the action of supporting local business.</p> <p>These myths actually seem credible at first glance. For example, one popular myth is that local businesses are not as profitable as their larger counterparts. As Shuman stated, “If it were true that local, small businesses were less competitive. . .then we would have seen a dramatic drop in the small business economy.” In fact, there has been no drop in the economy of home-based and local business compared to larger corporations. As Peter Buffett writes in the introduction to Shuman’s latest book, locally owned businesses have “maintained their share of the US GDP since 1990”. Another myth is that local businesses lack a competitive edge, which, again, is false. This can easily be seen with a concern for everyone: oil prices. Rising oil prices means that local production of oil for consumption in the immediate area will become more competitive as foreign imports become more expensive. Shuman argues similar consequences with durable products as well. And one just has to walk down Main Street of Oberlin to see local competitiveness in action.</p> <p>Now, if these supposed cons are actually wrong, what are the pros of such an investment in local business? The first is more money in the community. An example of that was illustrated by comparing a local bookstore in Texas to Borders, a national chain bookstore. Shuman showed that in spending $100 at both of these establishments, the local bookstore would return $30 more dollars than Borders to the local community. Secondly, we would see an explosion of jobs in the community. Lorain County currently has approximately 13,800 people who are unemployed. Smart local economic growth through using <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/leakage.asp">leakage</a> analysis, forming <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing_cooperative">purchasing co-ops</a>, eliminating policymaking with big business biases, and connecting people with local investment opportunities has the potential to create four times this number of new jobs.</p> <p>So, now that those myths have been erased and you can see the possible benefits, you’re probably wondering (whether as a consumer or business owner) how you start the local investing process? Shuman said, “I would say that as I talk to communities around the country. . .the biggest issue that comes up again and again is the capital issue. The money issue.” As an illustration, let me ask you a question he asked the audience. Do you use a local bank for your day-to-day banking needs such as checking and/or savings? The answer is probably yes. Now, do you place long-term investments into local businesses or the local economy? If you were like the audience, the answer is probably no. Shuman states that where our capital goes is what really matters and the shift from Wall St. to Main St. must begin now. If just half of the money from Wall St. went to local business and the local economy, that would be a $15 trillion dollar shift. That’s $50,000 per capita! Just imagine, even if just a small percentage of this shift was made, the consequences not just for Oberlin, or even Lorain County, but for the entire state of Ohio!</p> <p>But what about those pesky <a href="http://www.seclaw.com/seclaw.htm?welcome">security laws</a>? How can I, as a business owner, accept or, as a consumer, invest locally without violating these laws? Shuman gives a handful of ways that we can still go through with these investments. This can be accomplished through sponsorships (through sites like <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com">www.kickstarter.com</a> or <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com">www.indiegogo.com</a>) or interest-free lending (with programs similar to <a href="http://www.kiva.org">www.kiva.org</a>), both of which are not considered securities. For businesses, pre-selling is a viable option where large quantities are sold upfront (like in an example from Shuman, a café in California pre-selling $1,200 worth of “future” coffee for $1,000). Local currencies, much like Oberlin College’s “<a href="http://new.oberlin.edu/office/housing/forms-and-policies/obie-dollars.dot">ObieDollars</a>” are also excellent ways of stimulating local businesses and earning rewards.</p> <p>And these are just a few of many ways that we can begin local investing. Other intriguing options include working with local banks to issue specialty certificates of deposit that fund local ventures, creating a local stock market, and taking advantage of the newly signed <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2012/04/05/jobs-act-to-jumpstart-the-job-market/">JOBS act</a> which pushes back some security laws. As Shuman said, “the treasure is in our backyards.” This is not a discussion that will die down, as could be seen by the full room in attendance at the talk. The only question remaining isn’t “Are we going to start investing locally?” The real question is “What are you going to do to start putting money into our local economy?”</p> <p>Want more information or still want to get a better grasp of local spending? Check out Michael Shuman’s book Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity for sale at your local bookstore. Or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRwnx9wLEAE">watch his talk online</a>!</p> </article> </main></body></html>