Oberlin is known for many things from its exciting history to its college town lifestyle, but perhaps one of the most important parts to the historic downtown is its list of exquisite and oftentimes odd small shops.
In celebration of the national holiday of Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26, Mill on Main, founded by Jill Sawyer, had its own chance in the spotlight. Rep. Joe Miller, long time representative for Oberlin until recently, offered Mill on Main a commendation award for its excellence. According to a press release on the topic, “Tapping into her background in art history, change management, fine arts, and technology, Jill uncovered historic finds onsite, meticulously restored them, and then mixed them with mid-century touches, bringing the building back to its full splendor.”
Miller, a long time educator and history buff, was overjoyed by the building’s transformation as well as the possibilities it holds. “This is something really easy to get behind,” said Miller. “I have a background in architecture and as a history educator as well as have a love for small businesses so the idea of Mill of Main is just full of success.”
The building which opened its doors in September is designed as an event space in Oberlin for people to call their own for any sort of meeting they can imagine.
“It’s really a place for people to use the space in whatever way they can imagine and continue the support of small businesses that might not be able to afford their own place,” said Sawyer.
In addition to the commendation, Mill on Main also joins the list of various small businesses in downtown which celebrated Small Business Saturday. As a new addition to the festivities, Oberlin Business Partnership took a swing in the world of technology releasing their Positively Oberlin mobile app with Distrix.
The app, according to Janet Haar, executive director of OBP, has been in a soft opening stage and is filled with tons of “apptivities” and more for guests to explore. “A special treat with our Positively Oberlin app is our Holiday shopping contest in which we will be giving out prizes to holiday shoppers throughout the next coming weeks into Christmas,” said Haar.
Shoppers had the chance to pick up shopping passports and then go on to shop. “We ask that shoppers visit three stores and get their passports signed by the owners, from there they take the passport to either Ginko Gallery or Ben Franklins and turn it in for a chance to win prizes through a raffle,” said Haar.
Each passport pulled gave shoppers a chance to win $25 Oberlin gift cards which can be used in any store in Oberlin.
“We have a lot of college families that aren’t sure what to get their kids for the holidays and so we introduced the Oberlin giftcards that can be used throughout downtown,” said Haar.
