January 2023 Business of the Month: Country Friends

​Article by Heather Chamberlain, Owner and CEO Theresa’s Gingerbread House and WLBA President
Walking into Country Friends takes you into a beautiful, warm, inviting store where you can find unique gifts, antiques, fabulous home décor, lights, gifts and candles to decorate any area of your home! You are always greeted with a smile and a helpful hand from the owner, Tami Cox, or one of her employees who love to see you stopping in to shop! Tami purchased the old Graystone building in June of 2018.  She did a complete renovation and opened the doors of Country Friends on November 2, 2018.  Tami is a member at large of the West Liberty Business Association and serves our community in numerous ways through giving her time, energy, and money to making West Liberty a great place to live, work and be!
 
We asked Tami some questions about her business to get to know her better:
When was your business established?
I started Country Friends 38 years ago.
 
How long have you owned the business?
I have owned Country Friends since the beginning, so 38 years.
 
 How many employees do you have?
It varies with the time of year, between 2-7 employees.
 
What does your business offer residents of West Liberty?
I am a local place for the residents to purchase antiques and home decor for all their decorating needs throughout the season.
 
What is something unique about your business or its owners?
I make it my goal to make everyone who enters feel like family. I have made many great relationships with my customers over the years.
 
Do you offer classes, specials, or any other service that your town may not know about?
We have a website and can ship anywhere in the USA. We offer a military discount everyday!
 
How are you involved with the community in West Liberty?
I am currently the Member at Large of the WLBA. I sit on the events committee and help plan and oversee the events put on by the WLBA. I help the WLBA make the Village of West Liberty a place everyone likes to come to.
 
What do your customers love the most about your business?
The fact that the items I carry are so unique and different from what other stores carry. I take the time to procure items I know my customers will want to add to their homes. They also like the fact that I make them feel right at home and ask about their families.
 
What are your hours of operation?
We are open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm Saturday 10am-4pm
 
When you aren’t at your business, what are you doing? (Hobbies, etc)
I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, my kids and grandbabies. I also enjoy gardening, swimming in my pool and riding my Harley.
 
What is your favorite thing about owning a business in our small town?
My favorite thing about owning a business in West Liberty is the small town feel and that my customers become friends and more like family.
 
What is your favorite thing about West Liberty?
When it snows in the winter, it makes you feel like you're inside a snow globe.
 
Is there anything else you’d like your customers to know?
I am so thankful for all the support and friendships over the many years of my small business. It truly is a blessing to be able to share my passion with my customers.
 
Country Friends is open Tuesday-Friday 10 A.M.-5 P.M and Saturday 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. They are located at 216 N. Detroit St. West Liberty, OH 43357
(937) 465-0580
www.countryfriendsofohio.com