Article by Heather Chamberlain, Owner and CEO Theresa’s Gingerbread House and WLBA President
The village of West Liberty is home to one of the most knowledgeable and successful realtor’s in this area. Malia Hughes has been licensed since 2008 and she has been fundamental in one of the largest decision making processes people ever make in this community, buying and selling homes! She is the 2022 Pinnacle of Performance Sales Award Winner and has been for the past 9 years! The Pinnacle Performance of Sales Award winner is the highest award given by Ohio Realtors and Malia Hughes has once again proven that honesty, hard work, ethical treatment and integrity continually bring people back to her beautiful office located at 102 Zanesfield Rd. in West Liberty for all of their Real Estate needs. 
 
What type of business do you own?
A Full - Service Real Estate Office.  I am a Licensed Realtor, Agent/Branch Owner, Powered by Fathom Realty.  I also hold the title of District Director for Fathom Realty which is a Managing Broker Level, I serve and mentor 48 additional agents, from Lima to Dayton.
 
What are your names and occupations if you do anything besides this business?
Malia & Tom Hughes, Licensed Realtors.
We also own several rental properties in West Liberty and very soon will offer an Air B&B called Red Hawk Ridge Retreat that will be able to host a large family for gatherings. This will be located in a country setting near our residence.
 
When was your business established?
Malia was licensed in 2008 and Tom licensed in 2004.  We work Full-Time together.
 
How long have you owned the business? 
In 2018 I had the opportunity to purchase 102 Zanesfield Road, West Liberty and open my own office.  We are mobile agents, but this space is used for meetings, closings, etc.  Our professional assistant works from this location and it is an easy location for clients from Logan and Champaign Counties to pick up our moving truck.
 
How many employees do you have? 
At this time there are 3, myself, my husband Tom and our assistant Julie Bodenmiller.  I am working to start a professional Real Estate Team and looking to hire agents that want a place to grow their business.

What does your business offer residents of West Liberty?
Full Time Full Service Real Estate Office.   Specializing in Residential, Farm and Commercial Real Estate Services. Update to date knowledge of our local real estate industry, housing stats, long and short term housing.  Malia is also certified as an SRES The Seniors Real Estate Specialist®   She has the knowledge and expertise to guide homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50 through major financial and lifestyle transitions. Start gaining the resources that will help you better serve seniors.

What is something unique about your business or its owners? 
Malia and Tom are invested in the West Liberty Community.   We love our community and work to support the village and kiddos in many ways.

How are you involved with the community in West Liberty?
Malia is an active member of the West Liberty Lions Club and the West Liberty Business Association.

What do your customers love the most about your business?  
Integrity in business.  When you choose us to assist you with your real estate needs, you will always be treated with respect and treated as we would treat our family members.

What are your hours of operation?
Malia and Tom are both available Monday-Saturday by appointment.

When you aren’t at your business, what are you doing?  
We love spending time with our middle schoolers, Bell & Blaine, and our family/friends.   We also enjoy being outdoors and visiting Indian Lake.

What is your favorite thing about owning a business in our small town? 
We love our little community.   It may be small, but there are a lot of BIG hearts in our little village.   We love serving alongside the others that serve. "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant." Matthew 20:26

What is your favorite thing about West Liberty? 
Our parks are pretty special, we love seeing the community come together enjoying the beautiful scenery and abounding beautiful nature.  We enjoy our walkable and friendly hometown community.

Is there anything else you’d like your customers to know? 
We are here for you!  Call us, get to know us and we will work hard for you. We have a high regard for customer service and willingness to help those in need.    

Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
 
Malia Hughes is one of the most giving individuals in our community. When there is any need to be filled there is always someone we know we can call on that will fill in the gap, and that is Malia Hughes! Philanthropy calls to Malia and it shows in many ways throughout our community and we are all very blessed she and Tom are a part of our amazing village. If you are in need of a realtor, Please call Malia at 937.935.8008!

Article by Heather Chamberlain, WLBA President and Owner and CEO Theresa’s Gingerbread House Childcare Centers
One of the most popular destination sites in all of Logan and surrounding counties, and the cornerstone of retail shopping experiences in the village of West Liberty is the incredible candy store Marie’s Candies which has been in business since 1956! When you walk through the door you are greeted with a friendly face, a sample of candy, the overwhelming incredible smell of chocolate, and one of the most beautiful retail spaces you will ever see! Each season you are welcomed with a new theme and elaborate decorations to go with the season!  The staff are helpful, kind and willing to make sure you have the very best experience you possibly can, and they go the extra mile to make sure you leave with all the incredible and tasty candies you could ever want!   The candy store is an original train depot which was built in 1926 and was originally located in the southwest corner of the village. According to their website, Jay and Kathy King purchased the Depot in 1992, moved it through town in 1993 to its current location and renovated it for 3 years until they opened the newly renovated space Thanksgiving weekend in 1996.
 
Rebecca Craig, a third generation co-owner with her brother Shannon King explains the history of Marie’s Candies and how their family came to open and operate this incredible candy store.
Husband and wife Winfred and Marie King dealt with paralyzing polio for Winfred.  They gave gifts of homemade candy to helpful friends and neighbors.  Marie’s Candies officially opened its doors in 1956 and provided a living for the Kings.
Husband and wife, Jay (son of Winfred and Marie) and Kathy King took ownership in 1977 and had the vision and creativity for the growth of Marie’s Candies.  They dedicated their lives to improving candy production, increasing candy options, and designing candy gifts.  They also moved and restored a train depot that became the business’s retail space in 1996.
Brother and sister, Shannon King and Rebecca Craig (children of Jay & Kathy) became co-owners in 2016 and continue the legacy of their grandparents and parents.
 
How many employees do you have?
25-35, depending on the season.
 
What is the history of your business in West Liberty?
Winfred and Marie first sold candy from their farmhouse kitchen on State Route 507.  Ten years later, they needed more space, so they built a house and candy shop combination at the present location on US Highway 68.  That building is now completely devoted to candy production. 
 
What does your business offer customers?
We like to greet our customers with a sample.  We make over 100 different kinds of chocolates and candy.  We have fun creating seasonal displays and gifts.  We also offer a great selection of products from other candy makers.
 
Do you offer classes, specials, or any other service that your town may not know about?
We send a monthly email newsletter that includes a coupon.  You can sign up on our website www.mariescandies.com or by texting MARIESCANDIES to 22828. Our website has almost all the products we carry in our store with the option of ordering online and picking up in the store.   
 
How are you involved with the community in West Liberty?
We enjoy supplying candy and prizes for Easter egg hunts, coloring contests, trick-or-treating, pictures with Santa, and more. 
 
What are your hours of operation? 
10am-6pm Monday-Saturday
 
When you aren’t at your business, what are you doing? (Hobbies, etc)
When Shannon isn’t at work, he’s spending time with his family.
When Rebecca isn’t at work, she’s spending time with her husband and enjoying her kids’ sporting events.
 
What is your favorite thing about owning a business in our small town?
Rebecca’s favorite thing about owning a business in West Liberty, is being able to give back to the community who was such a big help to her grandparents. 
 
Maries Candies gives so much to our community and we are so very thankful and blessed to have them as part of our community.  We are honored to name them November’s Business of the Month for the Village of West Liberty!  Please stop by and visit them today!
Local: 937-465-3061
Toll Free: 866-465-5781
Fax: 937-465-3336
Email: service@mariescandies.com
Hours: 10am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday

Written By: Heather Chamberlain, President WLBA and Owner and CEO Theresa’s Gingerbread House, LLC Childcare Centers
As you head North on US HWY 68, across from Thoman’s IGA in to the bustling village of West Liberty, you are greeted by the local full service automotive garage that provides everything from fixing a leak in your tire to full service diagnostic testing and repairs on every make and model car you can possibly think of! From makes and models ranging from Asian, European to Domestic Vehicles, Solomon’s Garage is the Go-to place to care for your vehicle far and wide!  Behind the desk you will find the smiling face of a well-known native, Katie Neer, and hard at work on the cars in the garage you will find her husband, native Dave Neer. Together they have owned and operated the garage since Jan 1, 2012 when they moved back to West Liberty, and they have been at their current location since 2016 when they purchased it from the Hostetler’s, who owned and operated the former Liberty Oil & Gas.  Dave and Katie also own Neer and Farm, a home décor and Fashion Boutique next door at 114 S Detroit St. They have 2 beautiful children, Levi, a 7th grader and Sadie, a kindergartner and they have a brand new baby boy on the way! 
​

How many employees work at Solomon’s Garage?
Solomon’s Garage currently employs 2 full-time technicians in addition to Dave. Katie is the full-time service writer. There is also a part-time maintenance technician and a couple of on-call parts runners.
 
What is the history of Solomon’s Garage in West Liberty?
The location has operated as an auto repair shop / service station in this location since the 1950s (as far as the owners know).
 
What does your business offer residents of West Liberty?
Solomon’s Garage offers dealer quality services and expertise at a fraction of the cost right here in a small town. Solomon’s Garage saves customers the hassle of driving all the way to Columbus or Dayton for service on high line and foreign cars.  Solomon’s Garage also offers pickup and delivery and the occasional house call when necessary.
 
What is something unique about the business or its owners?
Dave & Katie both grew up here. They were high school sweethearts and graduated from WLS in 2000. Dave went to Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis for their automotive program and worked 10 years at Dreyer & Reinbold BMW in Indianapolis. Dreyer was the very first BMW dealership opened in North America and was and continues to be a nationally ranked facility. Katie attended Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2005. She worked for 4 years as a Civil Engineer designing highways and storm water systems and then “retired” from that career path in 2009 to be a stay at home mom to her son, Levi. When presented with the opportunity to sell their home in Indiana and move back to be closer to the grandparents, the Neer's jumped at the chance. Dave had always wanted to open his own shop and serve his hometown in that capacity. In 2011, he “retired” from Dreyer & Reinbold and started his own place in the end of his father’s machine shed. The rest is history…

Does Solomon’s Garage offer classes, specials, or any other service that customers may not know about?
Solomon’s Garage occasionally offers car care clinics to anyone, especially teen and women drivers, educating people on how to find a good used vehicle, how to maintain that vehicle and how to change a flat tire, check your fluids and tire pressures on your own, etc. Pre-purchase inspections are also a great service that we provide. For just about $60 you can have a vehicle you are interested in purchasing thoroughly checked out. We have saved several customers thousands of dollars avoiding a lemon!
 
How is Solomon’s Garage involved with the community in West Liberty?
Katie has serviced as a member of the West Liberty Business Association, often as secretary, for the past 7 years. The business also tries to sponsor ball teams and local events as much as possible. Solomon’s Garage has also been involved in Street Market events, the Christmas parade and car shows.
 
What do customers love the most about Solomon’s Garage? 
Most of our customers love that they can trust us to provide good quality services and sound advice. We train all of our employees to look at customer cars as if they are working on their own grandmother’s car or their wife and kids’ car. Most people appreciate that.
 
What are the hours of operation? 
We are open Monday thru Friday 8-5.
 
When you aren’t at your business, what are you doing? (Hobbies, etc)
Dave is a huge gun enthusiast, so you will often find him target shooting, competing, or teaching CCW courses. Katie loves home décor so in 2020 she opened up a home décor store next door, and she enjoys helping other people organize their homes in her rare spare time haha!
 
What is your favorite thing about owning a business in a small town?
We love being a part of the community that raised us! We like to use our technical skills and abilities to serve our friends and family and neighbors.
 
What is your favorite thing about West Liberty? 
What’s not to love? Being part of a small town where you know your local grocer, your daycare owner, your coffee shop and pizza and ice cream parlor owners, you can’t beat it! We love the relationships that we have built since we moved back to the area.
 
Is there anything else you’d like your customers to know? 
Typically, we book out about a week, so if you want something done before you go on a road trip, etc. schedule accordingly. We can usually accommodate emergencies, but if you can ever plan ahead, please do!

Solomon’s Garage is located at 122 S. Detroit St. West Liberty, OH 43357 and their phone number is 937.887.0029.

​Article by Heather Chamberlain, CEO, Theresa’s Gingerbread House, LLC Childcare Centers and President of the West Liberty Business Association
 
For 132 years, The Village of West Liberty has been faithfully served by The Peoples Savings and Loan Company, located at 110 North Detroit St, in a beautiful building that has been a bank since 1890.
 
When you walk through the doors you are greeted with familiar faces, the feeling of knowing you are going to be taken care of, and that your money matters.  No matter what you need, you can talk to your hometown bank and they are there to help you with the small and large purchases in life.  

What type of business is The Peoples Savings and Loan Company?
We are a state chartered federally insured savings and loan association. Our main office is located in downtown West Liberty at 110 N. Detroit St. Our full service branch is located in Jackson Center, Ohio at 707 East Pike St. That location opened in September of 1998.
 
When was your business established?
1890
 
How long have you owned the business?
The Peoples Savings and Loan Company is mutually owned by its depositors. There are no stockholders.
 
How many employees do you have?
11 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees
What is the history of your business in West Liberty?
This is our 132nd year in business in West Liberty so we have a very lengthy history in this community.
 
What does your business offer residents of West Liberty?
The Peoples Savings and Loan Company offers a full range of loan and banking products supported by knowledgeable personal service.
 
What is something unique about your business or its owners?
Our building was built in 1895 and has always been a bank in West Liberty.
 
Do you offer classes, specials, or any other service that your town may not know about?
We offer very competitive interest rates on both loan and savings products.
 
How are you involved with the community in West Liberty?
We support our schools, the village, the fire department and EMS. We sponsor softball, soccer, little league teams, Green Hills Community, the West Liberty Lions Club and many other worthy causes.
 
What do your customers love the most about your business? 
Our staff. They genuinely care about our customers and their business.
 
What are your hours of operation? 
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 9-4
Fridays from 9-5
Wednesday and Saturday from 9-12 
 
What is your favorite thing about doing business in our small town?
Personally knowing who we do business with and being a part of them achieving their financial goals.
 
What is your favorite thing about West Liberty? 
The people who live and work here.

The Peoples Savings and Loan Company is located at 110 N. Detroit St. West Liberty, OH. Stop in soon or give them a call at (937) 465-4931 and to learn more about all they have to offer!

Article by Heather Chamberlain, CEO, Theresa’s Gingerbread House, LLC Childcare Centers and President of the West Liberty Business Association
Nostalgia best describes the feeling that you are overwhelmed with when you are walking through the door of Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor, located on the corner of 68 and W. Baird St in the heart of the village of West Liberty.  The Ice Cream Parlor boasts 40 flavors of ice cream, food, milkshakes and a variety of other desserts. They also offer the beloved pup cup for your dear 4 legged friend.
 
Behind the counter you will see a line of hard working high school students who are hand dipping your ice cream, and serving you delicious memories with a smile! You are transported to your childhood, and all the joy that comes simply from the anticipation of picking your flavor, and they are proud to serve the very best, Perry’s Ice Cream from New York. Perry’s has been in business for over 100 years and Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor is proud to be the top seller of Perry’s hand dipped ice cream in the state of Ohio! Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor is a family affair, owned by Jeff and Kelli Stoner, and their daughter Shae, a Senior at West Liberty Salem, is a familiar face you will see working all the time!
 

Article by Bailey Kolb, Beighliebird Photography LLC
If you live in West Liberty, you’ve shopped at Thoman’s IGA. Your grandparents and parents have shopped there too. Local families have utilized the store to supply a variety of special occasions and everyday needs for years. From BBQ’s before the fireworks and waking up the house with delicious donuts, to filling our fridges with high-quality meats and produce, the Thoman family has been there for every generation of shopper since 1951.

Thoman’s grocery store has always been a family owned business. Richard and Joe Thoman started the store in 1951 and became a part of the IGA Organization just one year later. Ten years following, they secured the lot where the store stands today. Richard and Joe’s children all worked in the store over the years which paved the way for Stan to step into a leadership role with his sister Marilyn, who still serves as the produce manager. In 2000, Stan’s son, Anthony, continued the next generation of family to work in the store, serving as assistant manager.

How did the business start and how long have you been in charge?
Stan: I’ve been here since back in ’75, and took over my dad’s duties in 1999.
Anthony: After college for me, the summer of 2000.

Do you guys have a management team or do you sort of do it all?
Anthony: We have a team. Marilyn is in charge of the produce and deli departments. Geneva is the pricing coordinator.  And then the two of us as well.

Can you describe the culture of Thoman’s IGA?
Stan: It’s fun! I look forward to everyday. The last couple of years haven’t been much fun, of course, because of covid, so it has been more challenging everyday, but I still look forward to it.
Anthony: It’s fun, but we get work done. We treat everyone like they’re family.

How many employees do you typically have?
Anthony: It varies a lot, but we try to keep at least 17-20. The work force is really a challenge right now. The ages of our employees range from high school students and college kids home for the summer, all the way up to the semi-retired.

What are the most important aspects of maintaining good relationships with your suppliers and customers?
Anthony: We use the golden rule. Treat them how we want to be treated. We make sure that the store is a fun place to shop, have exclusive items, be convenient, add that personal touch and keep the store clean.

What do you love most about business?
Stan: Seeing customers now, and older customers that were once young. We get to see entire family’s grow.
Anthony: I love the history of customers that worked in high school and come back to shop with family. Some are retiring now too. People have been working for Thoman’s since 1951, so I love to see that the relationships transcend over time.

How does your business give back to the community?
Anthony: We sponsor local sports teams and donate items to charity. We can’t do everything, but we always do what we can. We try to support non-profit groups, help supply concessions for sports events, and other local special events.

What kind of professional systems do you use that are essential for your business?
Anthony: A lot of Microsoft. A lot of excel. We use that to keep reports, update daily spreadsheets. It’s essentially how we communicate. Excel can interface with our pricing system as well.

What’s unique about your company?
Anthony: We’re a small town grocery store. We know customer’s by name, and offer a clean shopping environment. We pride ourselves on not being a 2 hour shopping trip. We are convenient and high-quality, always having what people need. It’s sometimes hard to beat supply issues with covid, so we make sure to have some kind of option out there for everyone. We do the extra leg work to make it happen for customers.

What are the company’s next goals and the future of the business?
Stan: Continue to provide quality service, competitive prices, local meat and produce, but with a personal touch. It is what we have always done and will continue to do in the future as well.

The Thoman goal is to be, “Big enough to serve your needs and small enough to know you,” and local residents would agree that our grocery store is essential. Between the shopping environment and smiling faces that greet you, it’s easy to see why they have earned June’s Business of the Month for West Liberty.

Article by Bailey Kolb, Beighliebird Photography LLC
​Nestled in West Liberty’s downtown, next door to the best slice of pie around, is our very own graphic design team, Elle A Design. Lindsey McGlone, the owner and Creative Director, started business in 2008 after graduating from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and a specialization in Graphic Design. After working from home for 8 years, she purchased the store front space at 105 N. Detroit Street in 2016, which we now know to be a completely renovated and absolutely stunning workspace. That same year, Chelsea Bray joined the team as Lead Designer and Lane Yoder was brought on a few years later in 2019 as their Designer/Photographer. 
 
Tell us about you:
Lindsey: I’m married to Trevor, Beckett and Judah’s mom, an amateur macaron baker, and avid concert goer.

Chelsea: I’m married to Ethan. We live with our pets Leo and Moira, and we are always DIY-ing. We love making things, gardening, going to the Farmer’s Market, and buying local.

Lane: I was born and raised in West Liberty, where I happened to stay for Elle A Design. I like to travel, do digital media and drawing outside of work as well.

How would you describe what you do:
Lindsey: I would say, we’re the ultimate story-tellers. First and foremost, we’re artists. From the start of our communication with a client, they teach us about their business. We know everyone’s evolution, so to speak. Clients have a story to tell about what they offer and we make that message unique between copywriting, photography, videography and digital media.

Chelsea: Problem-solving. Clients have a ideas about what they want and they say, “I just can’t make it happen,” so we step in.

Lindsey: People don’t always understand that we truly do it all. If we didn’t have roots in art, it wouldn’t be the same.

Lane: We all were interested in art already, and graphic design became the outlet for that. It was the way to make our interest in art into an actual career.

Tell us about a normal work day:
Lindsey: Someone reaches out or gets referred to us, and we welcome them, hear them out, listen to their vision and needs. We always ask, “what’s your ultimate goal?” Sometimes they want more clients, to expand, or just have us make their life easier. That’s what we want to do. We discuss details and see if they have current branding or if they’re starting from scratch. We create concepts for logo design or proofs for digital media and print.

Describe your work style:
Lindsey: Very collaborative.

Chelsea: There isn’t a single project that at least two hands haven’t touched. From conception to completion, we work together.

Lindsey: We all understand the hierarchy of organization. We depend on each other as a family for feedback.

What are some essential technologies for your work:
Lane: We use the Adobe Suite, and exclusively Apple products. A task managing program is also essential. We used to just write things down, but the task management software lets you enter each job with set deadline, notes, and helps us all distribute work,

Chelsea: The best part is that it’s all viewable anywhere, so we can work from home or the beach.

How do you recommend setting goals:
Lindsey: We are very list-oriented. Writing things down, crossing them off, it’s gratifying. We sit down after the 1st of the year to discuss what went right and what went wrong. We are constantly talking about what our ideal client looks like and how to attract them.

Chelsea: We are always aware of each other’s goals as well.

Lindsey: Chelsea might say that she wants to get more into XYZ as far as design goes, so we go about it that way too, and make sure that when leads come in that align with each person’s individual goals, we get those jobs distributed appropriately.

What are some significant challenges that small businesses are facing today:
Lindsey: Work force issues. Hiring. I feel also, issues surrounding pride and dedication toward the work. I can say confidently that we do not have that problem. I think it’s hard to find dedicated and trusting employees. Bringing outside people in can really disrupt the whole balance in the workplace environment. We actually just hired our intern from last summer, Kate, who we are very excited to welcome to the team permanently.

So, how do you measure success then:
Lindsey: For me, I consider success as having a client that is over-the-moon happy. hen they express gratitude and refer us to others, that’s the most direct way that I feel fulfilled.

Chelsea: It’s a little hard to describe because my personal success fits into the business, but a huge thing for me is being part of the community. They know they can reach out to us. Maybe it’s not always immediate, but we’ve made an impression that lasts and people come back to us as clients.

Lane: Everything they said. But also, doing projects that we’re excited about. Obviously we have to make a living, but some of the pro bono work that is strictly for fun, fills our cup in a different way, and helps us to appreciate the other types of work.

What do you like most about what you do:
Lindsey: I’d say, literally, we walk in the door and no day is like another. We might work with 15-20 different clients in one day. From photographers, lawyers, restaurants, roller skating rinks, things are always interesting,

Chelsea: We never know who’s going to walk through the door.

Lane: I agree with that. I feel like there are people and businesses I never imagined we’d work with. One day its Chick-fil-A, the next it’s Cedar Point. A lot of times it doesn’t feel like work. I couldn’t picture myself in a corporate environment, I love it here.

Lindsey: We genuinely love working with each other. The fact that we get to do something so unique, in a in little town in Ohio, is something we never though would be possible. It means that meaningful work can be done in West Liberty.

Tell young entrepreneurs your advice on starting their own business:
Lindsey: For me, I never envisioned having a physical space, let alone needing other employees. I was working out of my home and this was never part of the plan. I would say to always be open to changes and trust yourself to take the next step. 

Chelsea: Lindsey is great about trusting her gut feeling.

Lindsey: Be open to your own evolution. Scary things happen, of course, but you should always have faith. If you do what you do best, and stay unique, you will succeed.

Elle A Design has been a staple in creating digital media and printed content for all things West Liberty. The town has depended on their artistry for years now, to communicate town events, display art for special occasions, curate custom media for small businesses in the area, and simply, enrich our lives with their outstanding ability to support the community. It is for these reasons, and many more, that they have been awarded Business of the Month by peers and friends alike.