AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OH (WLIO) -Â As Christmas fast approaches, Santa Claus isn't the only one coming to town. On Small Business Saturday, the residents of Wapakoneta showed up in droves to support local businesses, including the beloved Winans Coffee & Chocolate. Since its opening five years ago, Winans has established itself as a community favorite and is just one of many businesses working tirelessly to serve and improve the city.
"Small business Saturday is great opportunity for people to support local, and when people support local, we're able to get back to our local community," said Amy Ambrose, franchise owner of the Wapakoneta location. "It’s a really neat opportunity to see our local customers and just be able to serve them."
For some businesses, serving the Wapakoneta community has become a family tradition. This is the case for Haehn Florist, Greenhouses, & Flower Delivery, which has been family-owned and operated since 1957.
"Here at Haehn Florist and Greenhouses, I'm third generation, and we have fourth generation coming in, so it really means the world, and shopping local is so important," said Dena Wireman, office manager at Haehn Florist. "We come in early, we stay late, and we do work from home, so shopping local is very important."
Small businesses like Haehn Florist, Greenhouses, & Flower Delivery rely heavily on their customers' support to thrive, and thanks to the community's continued support, the family has expanded into other ventures, such as H Boutique and Krave Creamery.
"Having the generational support and being open with the generations basically, we're able to continue because you, because of the local town support, so we really appreciate it," Wireman said.
And that appreciation is something all of the city's small businesses share for their customers.
