Dozens of new businesses have officially opened their doors in Licking County this summer, with new coffee shops, ice cream parlors, handyman companies and dentists joining the community. Meet some of the entrepreneurs starting new companies in our community.
The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor at 29 N. 3rd St., Newark
Newark native and current city council member Doug Marmie wanted to do something to benefit the community that raised him and his two kids. Marmie though, how about an ice cream parlor?
Newark is no stranger to ice cream. Tiffany’s, located in the old Sullivan Building from 1984-2007, was a well-known ice cream shop in Newark for years. Marmie hopes to increase Newark’s sense of community through sweet treats, old-school uniforms and friendly customer service at the parlor’s new home in the Newark Arcade.
“(My daughter) really liked the theme of an old school ice cream parlor,” Marmie said. “We encourage our team to interact with folks and just give them that friendly hometown feel and make them feel good, as well as enjoying the ice cream.”
The parlor is partnered with Utica-based Velvet Ice Cream, selling favorite flavors like the Buckeye Classic and Mint Chocolate Chip. The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor puts a spin on those flavors by turning the ice cream into a sundae or affogato.
“(The affogato) is two shots of espresso with vanilla bean and then a waffle cone chip to top it off,” Marmie said. “So that is definitely one of our biggest sellers.”
Customers can also order an old-fashioned root beer float with the help of the parlor’s soda fountain. The parlor staff mix the cola or root beer syrups with soda water.
“It isn’t like your regular sodas,” Marmie said.
The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor opened at the start of June.
Village Grind Coffeehouse at 24 N. 4th St., Newark
Jill Sheridan did not want to be a barista. Sheridan made that decision after attending a learning workshop in Indiana to become a volunteer barista at the coffee shop opening in her church.
“I was like, ‘I will never do this again,’” Sheridan said. “I hated it.”
Ironic coming from the owner of Vintage Grind Coffeehouse, a new coffee addition to the renovated Newark Arcade.
Sheridan originally owned a home decor and ceramic shop in Coshocton called Russ Decor. She opened a coffee shop in the space as well, and the coffee was a hit. So when Sheridan spotted an open space in the Newark Arcade, she knew what she wanted to bring there.
The Vintage Grind Coffeehouse offers drinks named for iconic places in Downtown Newark, such as the Canal Market Espresso and Newark Nutty Brew.
“One of my favorite things that we do here that’s different from some other places is that we try to make sure you can have pretty much all (drinks) sugar free as well as regular.”
Sheridan said it is often a challenge for diabetics to find coffee drinks that are sugar free, that taste as good as sugar-filled coffee drinks. That’s why she works to ensure nearly every drink on the menu has a sugar free option.
The Vintage Grind Coffeehouse opened at the beginning of July.
Handy Andy’s Handyman Co.
Newark native and roofing specialist Andrew Conn wants to bring prices down without sacrificing repair quality for Licking County residents, no matter how big the repair.
“A lot of bigger companies either don’t have time or they charge a lot for smaller jobs,” Conn said. “People that have smaller jobs need their jobs done too, because if you don’t take care of smaller jobs, it causes bigger issues.”
Some of the services Conn provides include gutter cleaning, roofing repairs, siding repairs, decking, yard work and landscaping. Having one repairman who can do it all prevents having to call multiple companies for different jobs. It also cuts down on costs of repairs according to Conn.
“I just like helping people out, because I know I’ve had issues at my house to where I’m like, okay, it shouldn’t be that much, and then I get a price for it. I’m like, oh, man, that’s gonna have to take some weeks to save up,” Conn said. “And who knows what the damage in these couple weeks that I’m taking to save up is gonna cost.”
Conn learned everything he knows from his father. After Conn graduated, he started working for his father’s roofing company getting hands-on experience. Now after years of experience, Conn wants to use his skills to help out residents in need of repairs without breaking the bank.
Conn launched a facebook page for his repair business at the start of July. Those in need of repair can reach out to his Facebook Page at Handy Andy’s Handyman Co. or call at (740) 877-6064.
The Charmed Cafe and Catering at 31 W. Church St., Newark
Pre-school teacher and home baker Melissa Drummond decided she needed a little bit more on her plate. Drummond is now filling that plate up with baked goods and healthy treats at her new cafe: The Charmed Cafe and Catering.
After running her home baking business for four years, Destination Wellness Owner Beth Bobinski encouraged Drummond to make use of the commercial kitchen sitting above the workout studio. Now, customers can pick up cafe goods with a healthy twist just above the large ballroom where aerial yoga and bungee fitness classes take place.
“(Bobinski) kind of gave me the push, like, you can actually do it. And I was like, Okay, let’s go,” Drummond said.
While still providing her custom cakes and cookies, Drummond’s intention is to curate healthy breakfast and lunch options to help Destination Wellness goers meet their goals.
One of the most popular treats so far? A protein-packed twist on an iconic sweet treat: protein poptarts.
“I add protein powder to the dough and collagen and chia seeds to the filling to just make it a little more healthy,” Drummond said. “But it may still be like you’re getting a treat.”
Other items Drummond will sell include egg bites, greek yogurt parfaits, salads and turkey and cheese snack boxes.
A goal Drummond is striving toward is to rely on local farmers and artisans for her ingredients. Drummond gets her eggs from local farmers, and hopes to expand to more ingredients to support the community around her. The Charmed Cafe opened on July 28.
Fairway Dental Group at 530 S. Main St., Granville
Dr. Paul Johnson, a golf-loving dentist, has always wanted his own practice. Now that dream is becoming a reality in Granville.
“I saw that retail spot opening up, and decided, ‘Hey, that’d be a great place for a dental office,’” Johnson said.
Fairway Dental Group will provide typical dental services for children and adults, in addition to services most dentists don’t offer, Johnson said. Johnson performs emergency treatments such as extractions, root canals, endodontics and dental implants. The practice will also offer IV sedation for more nervous patients and for wisdom teeth surgery.
The dental group will utilize the latest technology to provide same day crowns, a procedure that usually takes longer.
“We’re going to have the technology to make the permanent crown all in one visit,” Johnson said. “So it’s really convenient for the patient, a really smooth process and very comfortable for the patient.”
Johnson and his spouse Liz both grew up in smaller towns, which drew them to Granville and made it the ideal place to start a new business. Dr. Johnson hopes to get to know the community and the patients he will treat.
For customers without insurance, Johnson wants to make quality dental care readily available. Fairway Dental Group will offer savings plans for customers without insurance with no waiting periods, pre-authorization requirements or yearly deductibles.
The walls of the office will display black and white photos of downtown Granville with help from the Historical Society, and old photos of Denison’s golf course.
“If you golf or not, everybody knows the fairway is the place to be,” Johnson said.
Johnson is working to open Fairway Dental Group by October 1. To learn more about Fairway Dental Group, visit their website at fairwaydentalgroup.com.
Soul Tide at 224 E. Broadway, Granville
When asked why she opened Soul Tide, Jennifer Rush will tell you she felt like she was just meant to start it.
“As soon as I started I loved all the back end, the website building, the marketing, branding,” Rush said.
Soul Tide is a Granville based boutique that originally began online. Rush sells the latest trends for fashion lovers, including all kinds of clothing, jewelry and accessories. The store’s walls are decorated with floral dresses, sporty track pants, striped makeup bags and dainty gold necklaces.
The Granville native and former elementary school teacher was going to work, teaching, then coming home and running her online business for a long time. Rush realized out of the two, she liked running her business much more.
But running her business can mean working all day, according to Rush.
“I’ll go to bed at night looking for inventory or trying to make a post for Instagram,” Rush said.
Rush chooses most of her inventory using a simple method: would she wear it? If something catches her eye or Rush believes it will sell, she’ll order it. Customers have told Rush that her store gives off a colorful bo-ho vibe.
The hardest part of running her business? Navigating social media according to Rush.
“I didn’t get a degree in marketing, so I’m trying to figure it out,” Rush said. “Making the content is fun, but I would say I’ve struggled with that the most.”
But it’s all worth it to Rush when she hears feedback from her customers.
“Since I’ve started the storefront, just seeing all these people come in and hearing their comments like, ‘this is exactly what Greenville needed,’ and ‘you did such a great job with the space,’ it just means so much to me,” Rush said. “I’ve poured into this business for a year, so (that’s) definitely been the most rewarding.”
Soul Tide held its two day grand opening on July 25 and 26. Shoppers can visit in person or shop online at shopsoultide.com.
Maddie Luebkert writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.