MANSFIELD, Ohio – A record five businesses of all different varieties held ribbon cuttings on Friday, Nov. 20, all hoping to revitalize the south side of Mansfield.
Steve’s Old Style Barber Shop, Hands To Serve Massage, TaraTherapy Salon & Art Studio, HomeSpun Fashions and Lotus Moon Studio all officially cut their ribbons on Friday. Jodie Perry, president of the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, said this was the first time in her career that she’d attended five ribbon cuttings at once.
“We’re always excited to welcome new businesses to town,” said Perry. “There’s a lot going on in Mansfield and I hope to spread the word about all the good things that are happening here, we’re always thankful for businesses that want to invest in this community and see the potential.”
The five businesses housed on Lexington, Sturges and Cline avenues are leased through landlord Ary VanHarling, who also owns Shaw Ott Medical on Lexington Avenue.
“I’m excited to see things happening on the south side of Mansfield,” said VanHarling. “It’s nice to have all this stuff here, and they’re all great people.”
The first ribbon cutting of the day took place at Steve’s Old Style Barber Shop, located at 270 Lexington Avenue. In the relaxed atmosphere of a “true gentleman’s barbershop,” barber Steve Rayburn offers $11 haircuts and $5 beard trimmings.
Rayburn praised VanHarling for helping to remodel the space into exactly what he was looking for in his first barber shop.
“I have the most loyal customers in Mansfield, I’m busy most of the time and sometimes the guys come in and have to wait but they do,” said Rayburn. “It makes my life easy to come to work every day and enjoy talking to people I see all the time. I always say I don’t come here for my job, I come here to hang out with my buddies.”
Right next door to Rayburn at 270 Lexington Avenue is Hands To Serve providing licensed massage therapy specializing in therapeutic and functional massage. Owner Peg DeLisle Rauscher LMT said while she does offer relaxation massage, her heart is helping to heal.
“That’s really my heart and my passion, to help people who are having problems,” she said. “It’s pretty exciting to be here.”
Also available at Hands To Serve is chiropractic services courtesy of Dr. Jasmine Craner D.C., C.S.C.S. and Dr. Erik Hensel D.C. of Active Edge Chiropractic in Columbus. Rauscher said the chiropractors hold office hours in Mansfield a few times a month.
“We do a lot more comprehensive work than your typical chiropractic,” said Dr. Hensel. “We do a lot of rehab and retraining with people so they have to see us less and we help them get back where they need to be.”
Another business focused on wellness is a short walk away at 173 Cline Avenue, Lotus Moon Studio. Instructor Tom Van Harlingen said the studio offers kettle bell fitness, Tai Chi Chuan, Tomiki Aikido, and yoga classes six days a week.
“We’ve been here about five years but we were kind of a hidden gem, and now everything is polished up in a brand-new studio,” said Van Harlingen.
Around the corner at 417 Sturges Avenue is TaraTherapy Salon & Art Studio, a place described by Mayor Tim Theaker as a “one-stop shop.” Owner Tara Flaherty said her salon offers all types of hair services plus manicures, pedicures and gel nails, while the studio offers locally made art and other gifts.
“The salon is your therapy, and the art is my therapy,” said Flaherty. “Everything is handmade or painted, we have vendors who bring their stuff as well, and an art studio in the back.”
The day’s ribbon cuttings ended with Flaherty’s neighbor at 419 Sturges Avenue, HomeSpun Fashions. Owner Cindy Speck said after more than 30 years of sewing and selling her designs from home, it was suggested she finally open a shop.
“It’s a lost art and I was definitely needed, and I’m finding that out,” said Speck. “I’m staying very busy, and it’s been a blessing.”
In addition to selling her creations, Speck also offers alterations and repairs and custom sewing. She noted she is also looking for fashion vendors to sell in her store.
