Guest Column from Representative Theresa Gavarone
Wood County, and the city of Bowling Green in particular, is home to an array of small businesses. Simply take a walk down North Main Street in Bowling Green and you’ll be struck by the variety of local restaurants and bars, and you might even walk past the resident tattoo parlor in the area. One of my favorite places to stop in for a pick-me-up is Flatlands Coffee, fulfilling my need for caffeine and my desire to shop and spend locally.
Flatlands Coffee is relatively new to the area, having officially opened in October of 2015. Owned by husband and wife duo Ben and Cassy Vollmar, the endeavor took eight years to plan and fund, and more than an additional year of construction! Their goal of creating a one of a kind, quality coffee shop was made possible because of their relentless dedication—a necessary component of opening and owning a new business.
What makes Flatlands Coffee so unique is their commitment to giving their customers an experience, not just an average cup of coffee. From sampling coffees from all around the country to using a proven technique and state-of-the-art equipment to brew their coffee, the company’s top priority is to ensure that customers receive only the best. The shop also occasionally hosts coffee tastings, a great opportunity for coffee novices and connoisseurs alike to try new blends and pinpoint their individual tastes, while learning more about the wide world of coffee.
Spending local is such an important component of Ohio’s economy—by spending your money at local establishments, you invest directly back into the state’s economy and into the community itself. By supporting small businesses in this way, our communities have a better chance to thrive and continue to grow. The state legislature has been striving to make Ohio’s small business community a priority. In the past two years, the state has reduced the filing fee for new small businesses and increased income tax deductions, putting more money in the hands of our small business owners and allowing them to reinvest in their companies and create more jobs.
Our communities are the backbones of Ohio’s success, and small businesses make up an important part. The next time you’re in downtown Bowling Green, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit Flatlands Coffee and sit down for a cup of joe. The coffee is some of the finest, but it is the customer service that will keep you coming back, and I’m glad to see companies like this investing in northwestern Ohio.