MANSFIELD – Too often, I hear people raving about a restaurant they visited “in Columbus last weekend,” and it’s prompted a reaction.
While I too get caught up in the moment and offer exaggerated reviews about the restaurants I’ve visited in our two major metropolitan neighbors to the north and south, I find myself doing the same when I visit one of Richland County’s own hidden gems – and there are many.
When I moved to Mansfield less than a year ago from Pennsylvania, I was definitely more excited to reside so close to Cleveland and Columbus than to live in a city of 48,000. But I soon realized that I’d rather spend my weekends locally.
Mansfield has a surprising charm to it.
There were – and still are – so many restaurants to try, stores to visit and places to have fun in Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties. Ten months later, I’ve barely scratched the surface, and I didn’t have to drive an hour or more to have a weekend worth sharing with my co-workers Monday morning.
In fact, I’ve talked to dozens of businesses that attract from well outside of the area on the weekends. People come here for fun. I met one couple who honeymooned here.
Cleveland and Columbus are attractive, no doubt. I love taking advantage of the fact that these cities are so nearby and love stopping for a sandwich from Melt Bar & Grilled or taco from Barrio. Just thinking about this makes me hungry.
But have you ever had a burrito from Panchos Tacos? Or a sandwich from Doc’s Deli?
Looking for something a little more high-end? Have you ever visited Rocky’s Pub? Or ate at Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville? It’s a castle. Can’t get much fancier than that.
Fun Things to Do
It’s not just about food though.
As for fun things to do, there’s always more going on than I can fit in my schedule. During the summer, there’s dozens of festivals and weekend events. Enter fall, Malabar Farm and Mohican State Park are ideal stops to take in the scenery as the leaves begin to paint the landscape with their spectacular colors. The Ohio State Reformatory becomes a haunted attraction – for those who are braver than me — and several local families open their farms with corn mazes and pumpkin patches.
Winter has things to do, too. For those unfazed by the cold temperatures, there’s Snow Trails that offers skiing and tubing. For those who’d rather stay indoors, Ontario has a trampoline park.
Local Shopping
I work primarily as the business reporter, so I talk to many new business owners. Again and again, I hear how people want to bring something Columbus or Cleveland-like to Mansfield. They open their business … and people continue to drive an hour for their shopping? It seems like a waste of gasoline and time.
Ampersand Gift Bar & Apparel opened in December at the Appleseed Plaza after the owners heard of people traveling to Columbus for their gift buying needs. Also new to the area, the Spazz Clothing Boutique sells NY and LA-style fashions at the Richland Mall.
I am a huge fan of supporting locally owned and operated places, but there’s also something to be said about supporting local big box stores. Whether it be because of the Richland Mall’s addition of Avita Health System, luck or another reason, the mall’s Sears and J.C. Penney’s remain open.
In fact, JC Penney’s added a Sephora last May.
Between these big box stores and locally owned places, I’ve consistently been able to find everything I need and want without leaving the area.
According to USA Today, $68 of every $100 stays in your community when you shop at a locally owned business. At a local branch of a chain store, still $43 remains. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re supporting local people and local jobs.
In Conclusion
Mansfield and Richland County as a whole has so much to offer. We should appreciate what we have and take advantage of it.
Yes, we could have more. And yes, sometimes we’ll want to drive to Columbus or Cleveland because of this, but I hope that next time you’re wondering where you want to get dinner or what to do for the weekend, that you’ll consider a local option.
