With the holiday shopping and entertaining season in full swing, the Golden Buckeye program reminds Ohioans that you’ll find some of the most unique gifts, party supplies, food and more for your holiday celebrations and gift giving at locally owned small businesses.
Make your holiday gathering the talk of the town with unforgettable eats. Locally owned businesses have what you need for the perfect party. Some Golden Buckeye participating businesses to check out include:
- For a taste of Amish Country, shop Cookie Express, Frontier Fruit & Nut, Ohio Dairyland Cheese in Norton, Ohio.
- For delicious meats, try Cooper Farms Country Turkey Store in Oakwood and Summit Fine Meats in Cincinnati.
- Treat your guests to delicious baked goods like those at Mooney’s Bakery in Conneaut.
- For something trendy, check out local coffee shops like Sabaidee Coffee & Crepes in Tiffin.
- And, for all your holiday entertaining needs, be sure to stop into your local grocers, like Prather’s IGA in West Union or West Milton IGA in West Milton.
Treat your host or hostess to a unique gift to show your appreciation. Some Golden Buckeye businesses that can help you say “thank you” include:
- Who doesn’t love gourmet candies and desserts? Check out the selection at local specialty shops like Metropolis Popcorn and Desserts in Cuyahoga Falls or Supreme Nut & Candy in Cincinnati.
- Add a splash of color with a beautiful centerpiece from local florists like Mary K’s Flowers in Mt. Gilead, or try something that is both beautiful and delicious, like a fruit arrangement from Sweet William Blossom Boutique in Chillicothe.
- Add to your host’s holiday decorations with unique collectibles from specialty shops like Hixson’s Inc. in Lakewood.
Wrap up the perfect present with gifts purchased at local merchants specializing in everything from clothing to crafts, to toys and games, to electronics, pets and more!
- Have an antique lover on your list? Don’t pass up your local antique and collectible shop, like The 530 Shop in Lorain or The Carriage House of Lafayette.
- Help your loved ones show their local pride with team gear from local sportswear shops like Ernst Sporting Goods in Minster, Sidney, and Versailles.
- Help that special guy or gal in your life look their best with gifts from local menswear stores like Lion Clothing in Delphos and dress shops like Papillon Boutique in Findlay.
- Make her year with a special gift from your local jeweler, like Weiland Jewelers in Logan.
- For the animal lovers in your life, check out local pet specialty stores like Belpre Aquarium in Belpre and Captivating Canines in Westerville.
- Have a do-it-yourselfer on the list? Hook him or her up with something from the local hardware store, like Orme Do It Best Hardware in Arcanum, Berlin, Cadiz, Cambridge, New Concord, Newark, and Newcomerstown.
- Support your loved ones’ favorite hobbies with local hobby and specialty shops like Puzzles Plus in Beavercreek, The Fabric Shop in Pomeroy and The Train Station in Columbus.
- Thrill the techie in your life with electronic gifts they won’t find in the big box stores, like the unique selections at local resellers like GadgetEase in Columbus and Portage Electronics in Ravenna.
- Give something nice for the home by shopping local furniture stores like Terry’s Furniture Showcase in North Lima.
- For those last-minute gifts, check out Par Mar Stores in Southeastern Ohio.
- For unique gifts you can only get in Ohio, try the gift shops at Ohio State Parks.
There’s a locally owned business for almost every need this holiday season, including:
- Looking for a great day trip for the family? Try a local attraction like the Toledo Museum of Art.
- Time to update the family portrait? Give a local photographer, like Pollack Studio in Cleveland a shot.
- Buying for a snowbird? Some out of state businesses, like ARTWare in Hilton Head, S.C., honor the Golden Buckeye Card.
- When it’s time to pack everything away for the season, check out a local container store like Everything Rubbermaid in Wooster.
These are just a few examples of the types of locally owned and operated businesses that are the backbone of the Golden Buckeye program. Ask wherever you spend money if they honor the Golden Buckeye Card or offer another discount for which you qualify. If they don’t, encourage them to visit www.GoldenBuckeye.com to join the program. Follow the Golden Buckeye program on Facebook for daily posts about participating businesses and other ways to save money.
The Golden Buckeye program has been making community connections for more than four decades. All Ohioans age 60 and older, as well as any Ohioans age 18-59 with a total and permanent disability, are eligible for the Golden Buckeye Card, which is honored at thousands of small and locally owned businesses around the state. Visit www.GoldenBuckeye.com or call 1-800-422-1976 for more information.