Discover Gahanna Ohio

How does a local Gahanna girl go from horticulture school to producing floral designs for floats for the Rose Bowl Collegiate Teams and companies such as Disney, Vera Wang, George Lucas/Star Wars and The Olympics? We caught up with Jody Spivey, the owner of Expressions Floral Design in Gahanna, Ohio to learn more about her story --what inspired her to open up a floral design studio in Gahanna and how she has set business apart from the competition.  

What inspired you to open up a floral design studio?
First and most importantly - I LOVE FLOWERS! I always have and always will.

I grew up in Westerville. The story goes that I locked my mother in the basement as a young girl because she told me I couldn’t pick the Peonies.

After I graduated from high school, I attended an adult education horticulture program which further sparked my love of flowers. I became an accredited Certified Florist in 2005 and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 2008. I won Ohio Florists Association Designer of the year in 2006 and have participated in many Art in Bloom exhibits at the Columbus Museum of Art, as well as being the featured speaker in 2012. 

Expressions Floral Design Studio was a fresh start up business in 2003. It was my vision to be my own employer after giving it all and feeling unappreciated at a large corporate business, followed by working in two other floral shops where it became clear that I had all the knowledge and experience to do this on my own.  I later moved to the Gahanna Area so that I could be close to the business.

Why did you choose Gahanna to open your shop?
I love this area of town and it was the perfect mid-point between my home, my parents and inlaws homes.

What sets Expressions apart from the competition?
We have a beautiful store that is easy to shop for gifts and flowers for every occasion.  We are conveniently located in the Stoneridge Shopping Center near 101 Beer Kitchen. We properly process and store our flowers providing maximum enjoyment for our customers.  Whether it is a simple bud vase, centerpiece, bridal bouquet, or a stunning floral art piece, we create every design to order. I love to shop for new trendy and unique items and save money, then pass on the savings along to our customers.




When shopping for flowers, shop local! The internet and 800 companies have caused many issues within the floral industry. One big issue they have is that the photography is only two-dimensional. They photograph their designs with all of the flowers in the front of the vase to make it appear fuller and bigger than in reality. We design at the retail level so that arrangements can be viewed from all sides. There are often service charges and/or fees are that taken out of these orders prior to those companies sending them along to the local shops for filling, making it look like the local shop is not filling the order to the value spent. When you call a local flower shop, you are our customer, not the customer of a faceless company with call center employees (who may not comprehend your special requests or know what is in season), that then deducts fees and passes your order on to us to fill.

However, with my accreditation and professional accomplishments in the industry, I do partner with other flower shops across the United States, and we can assist you if you need to send somewhere other than here in Central Ohio.

We understand that you are very involved in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA?
When I was working for another shop, I received a call from an owner of a different shop (where I  previously had been employed), who asked if I knew anyone who would be interested in going out to Pasadena to work on the Rose Bowl Floats.  After making a phone call to my spouse, a lifetime dream-come-true was in my future. This year marked the 14th year that I have participated as a designer for the Rose Bowl Parade, producing floral designs for floats for the Rose Bowl Collegiate Teams and companies such as Disney, Vera Wang, George Lucas/Star Wars, China Airlines, LA Dodgers, The Olympics and many more.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about Expressions?
My store manager, Jenny Maynard Asmo, (more like my right-hand and brain power some days), has been with me since we opened in 2003. She started at the age of 16.  Sometimes it is a small world! Her father had stopped into a car lot to buy Jenny a car from my husband. Her father mentioned that Jenny would need a job to help pay for the car. I worked for another company and Jenny’s mother had worked for me.  Jenny used to come in there, occasionally. We often get asked if she is my daughter! Unfortunately she is not, but she has great parents. I am proud to have watched Jenny grow up over the years and become a beautiful young lady, a fantastic employee (with the memory of an elephant), and an amazing mother of two adorable boys.

 

When is Expressions open?
We are officially open Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday 10 am - 2 pm; however, if you have a need and are running late just call, if we can, we will stay to accommodate you. We also take wedding appointments after hours (if needed). If the lights are on, I am usually there and happy to say hi or help you with your floral purchase. Stop in to see me and Jasmine, my Black Brindle French bulldog!

What social media platforms can people find Expressions on?
We are on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

I love to try new things - especially when those things are locally owned in my own community of Gahanna, Ohio! Ever since I moved here, I made it a personal goal to try something new each week, and my city has not disappointed. I recently tried Aerial Wine Boutique and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the entire experience.Aerial Wine Boutique offers a friendly, upscale environment where the staff makes every customer feel comfortable.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ayisha King, the owner of Aerial Wine Boutique to learn about her passion and her business!

When did you open Aerial and what inspired you to open up a wine boutique?

We opened October of 2016.  I’m an avid traveler, and I love wine. When I would travel to well-known cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta where I would go to tasting rooms, I noticed how popular they were. Eventually, I decided I wanted to do something similar in Columbus, and name it Aerial after an aerial view of the various wine vineyards.

What inspired the name of the boutique?

My inspiration stemmed from many of the vineyards that have acres and acres of vines. Our slogan is "Flights from the vineyards." We built on that and envisioned ourselves being at a 30,000 foot level, overlooking all our various partnered vineyards. That’s how we named our shop, "Aerial Wine Boutique.” 

What made you choose Gahanna to open your wine boutique?

Gahanna is centrally located to many areas in Columbus, such as Easton, Blacklick, New Albany and even Whitehall. And we felt Gahanna could benefit from the value we bring.

What can visitors expect when they walk in?

We have a retail area in the front of the boutique and a tasting room just beyond the retail walls. Our 30-seat tasting room is the prime location for a classy and elegant wine tasting experience. We typically have at least 15 different types of wines on the taste bar, ranging from dry to sweet and both red and white. All flights come with a mini-cheese platter and bottles prices start at just $11.

What sets you apart from similar wine boutiques?

What differentiates us is the fact that we have relationships with the actual vineyards.  When I was selecting vineyards to source wine from, I focused on the health benefits and the history of the vineyards. I partnered with Brotherhood, America’s oldest winery--established in 1839 in Washingtonville, NY. I also partnered with JW cellars located in Dayton, Ohio, Robert John Vineyards, located in New Albany, Ohio and Tennessee Valley Winery-an award-winning winery in Loudon, TN. Another important differentiator is that we incorporate the community. Thankfully, we discovered at an early stage the community is our heartbeat.  So, we really make sure the community is involved by having a monthly event with the community to help us select which wines to stock.

What kind of wines do you serve? Are there any food options?

We serve wines and Champagnes that are considered 90 points and above. Our wine portfolio consists of many regions throughout the world. We not only carry our partnered vineyards. But we do have a limited selection of imports for those that enjoy the great New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs or a nice sweet red from South Africa.  In addition to being able to enjoy a great quality wine, we have a full-service kitchen. We serve lite-bites, appetizers, dinners and desserts!

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your business?

Our community vendor night is March 15. Our Sushi & Wine Pairing Night is March 22. We welcome everyone to come and hang out with us!

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Aerial Wine Boutique is open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday by appointment, Wednesday and Thursday from 4-9 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 4-10 pm. The Boutique is available for private bookings by calling 614/933-3383.

Blog written by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Ohio Social Media Assistant.

The Dispatch Home & Garden Show kicked off February 17 and runs through February 25 at the Ohio Expo Center. The show features craftsmen, experts and professionals who you can talk to about home improvement ideas, decor, design and projects for every area of your home! This year, three Gahanna experts are proudly representing the Herb Capital of Ohio at the show, and will be sharing home and garden tips.

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph. D., a Gahanna resident and owner of the Universal Design Living Laboratory is a nationally known speaker, author and consultant on universal design, accessible design and green home building. She will present, Secrets to Creating Homes that Make Life Easier at 2pm on Friday, February 23 at the Home & Garden Show. Her presentation will focus on how to live better without giving up freedom, safety or peace of mind--especially for today’s boomers. She’ll discuss how to live more affordably and conveniently without sacrificing quality of life. She will share information about new and exciting options that can transform your home and garden, despite the challenges that come with a disability or aging.

Also speaking at the show are Brooke Sackenheim and Jennifer Schneller. Brooke Sackenheim, an instructor at the Ohio Herb Education Center, will present The Five Essential Herbs for the Garden. The talk will offer an in-depth look at the 5 must-have herbs you need in your home, how to grow and use them, simple cooking suggestions, and how to use these herbs beyond the kitchen. Brooke’s presentation will be offered at 3 pm Wednesday, February 21.

At 12 pm on Sunday, February 25, Jennifer Schneller, also an Ohio Herb Education Center instructor and “certified plant geek,” will present Starter Herbs to Enrich Your Garden. She will discuss the characteristics, growing tips and tricks for starter herbs.

Sound exciting? Lucky for you, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to the show! To enter to win the tickets, simply comment on our Visit Gahanna Facebook post and tag your best HGTV-loving, Pinterest obsessed, home renovation friend!

Blog written by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Ohio Social Media Assistant.

Roger Brooks is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker and change agent. But it’s the man behind all of those titles who has inspired community growth in HUNDREDS of towns and cities worldwide. He is passionate about tourism—and how it is the “front door” to economic growth. He is an outstanding speaker who motivates listeners with real-life case studies of how communities went from “flying under the radar” to becoming world-class visitor destinations. 

Visit Gahanna (the Gahanna, Ohio Convention and Visitors Bureau) welcomes Roger Brooks to its annual meeting at 8 am Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at La Navona.  We caught up with Roger to ask him a few questions about his story – and how tourism can drive business.

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What fuels your personal passion for tourism?
When I was just 12 years old I was asked to pick a place off a globe in our classroom, study it, and then report on it. I picked New Zealand. I looked at travel ads and filled out reader response cards from magazines my parents bought at the grocery store. I checked the mail every day waiting to see what I’d get. I went to the library and looked at books and travel guides (this was WAAAAAAAY before we had the Internet), and then I would call and ask for information (much to my parents chagrin when they got the long distance bill). I wonder, now, what it was like in those visitor information centers when they got a call from a kid wanting them to send brochures. When I opened up the big envelopes with the Travel Guides and tourism brochures I was wide-eyed and forever hooked. New Zealand became my first “bucket list” destination and I’ve loved the industry ever since. 

When you travel you really learn what works and what doesn’t, and you find things you’d want to emulate back home. I often get asked to assist communities with their traditional economic development efforts and my response is typically, “No way. I work in the FUN side of economic development: tourism!” At the end of the day, tourism is about people having a great time, fulfilling dreams and bucket list activities, connecting with the environment, history, and with each other! It’s the best industry on earth and I’m thrilled to be a part of it!

Why is tourism so important for local businesses and communities?
Tourism is the front door to your non-tourism economic development. A site selector, real estate agent, investor, or a family looking for a place to live or to start a business, will all come first as what? A visitor. Will they see and experience a place they (or their clients) would want to live and invest in? Would the family say “This is the place!”? I’m the first to say tourism shouldn’t be your ONLY form of economic development, but it is your front door. And for the first time in U.S. history, quality of life is leading economic development. No industry promotes quality of life better than tourism, which promotes your trails, your history, your activities, shops and eateries, festivals and events. Tourism’s job is not just marketing, but it’s to turn an ordinary place into an outstanding destination—and that extends far beyond just attracting leisure visitors.

Tourism is the purest form of economic development. People come, spend money, then head home. There’s no need for social services, a police presence (if you bring in the right type of visitor), and for most, there is very little negative impact on roads and infrastructure. I often tell businesses that the local population should provide your breakeven point, and tourism can produce your profit.

Do you see current trends in tourism? If so, what’s popular right now?
Generally speaking, people have already jumped ship from the Boomers to the Millennials, which is not where they should be. The youngest Millennials are still in high school while the Boomers—now empty nesters—have more disposable income. And travel is at the top of their list. They travel more often, and for longer periods and will pay more for quality. Perhaps best of all, they prefer to travel during the shoulder seasons.  HOWEVER, marketing should still cater to those in their 30s and early 40s (Millennials and GenXers), because Boomers go where THEY go. Boomers associate more with a younger audience than with their peers. Doing this gets you all three generations.

On that note, the fastest growing trend is Multi-Generational travel. This is a trend that will be here for the next 20 years! Families of three generations (sometimes four) are traveling far and wide for “life changing,” “life affirming” or “life enriching” activities where “connection” is key. This is fueling AirBNB, VRBO and even other lodging, where there are a variety of room and amenity options. Interestingly, the grandparents will often stay in a separate, more upscale facility, so they have some “down time” away from kids and grandkids.

What are the best and worst jobs you’ve ever had?
Back in the old days, while going to college, I was a division manager at Sears (back when it was America’s primary shopping place. And the customer was always right. I hated the fact that even when I knew the customer was dead wrong, I had to just apologize and give them whatever they wanted. It drove me nuts! After several years, I experienced retail burnout and left to go into the music industry.

For a few years I worked for Concerts West—at that time, the largest concert company in the world. I managed portions of several tours including Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk Tour; the Spirits Having Flown tour for the Bee Gees (really, the Saturday Night Fever tour), the Long Run tour for The Eagles and many others. As glamorous as it sounds, it was an extraordinarily stressful, 24-hours-a-day job that gave me ulcers. And I was just in my early 20s, playing 15,000 seat stadiums every 48 hours and coordinating everything. There were no cell phones. No Internet. Telephone booths were how we communicated and managed these massive productions and tours.

Paul Revere (no, I’m not that old), of Paul Revere and the Raiders rock ’n roll fame, got me out of the concert industry by giving me a lead to the people developing Whistler Resort in British Columbia. For ten years I helped develop, brand and promote destination resorts in the U.S. and Canada. From there, I began working with communities in the west, then across the country, and then throughout North America and, eventually, around the world. And that, to this day, is my passion and I’m fortunate to make a living doing it. 

I’ll never forget recommending that Rapid City, South Dakota take a downtown parking lot and turn it into a public plaza. When I went back after it opened and saw little kids running through the splash pad screaming in delight, watched moms and dads sitting there talking to each other while the kids played, people having lunch in outdoor cafes, I cried. The ability to change people’s lives for the better is what life is all about and, to this day, it is what drives me and our team. Really making a difference. Rapid City had to raise all the money, do all of the heavy lifting, fight the naysayers and local battles to make it happen, but just providing a recommendation that revolutionized their downtown and created a true sense of community thrills me to this day. And THAT is what tourism is all about: helping people have a great time, while importing new money into the community and making THOSE lives better as well.

 This is why tourism is the best industry on earth. 

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The Visit Gahanna annual meeting, featuring Roger Brooks, will be presented at 8 am Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at La Navona. The event is open to the public. (Tickets are $25 per person in advance and available online.)

Can you sense it? Love is in the air! Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one, with your gals or treating yourself (because after all, you deserve it), we have your non-traditional, Gahanna-inspired, local lovin’ plans that will make you think outside the box this Valentine’s Day.

Ohio Herb Center DIY Botanical Beauty Bar

Located in the heart of the city’s Creekside District is one of Gahanna Ohio’s most unique slices of history. The Ohio Herb Education Center offers great classes and even an herb-inspired gift shop - perfect for finding a unique gift or for enjoying a girls night out! This month, learn how to make herbal beauty care products at home. Instructors will focus on one product per class while discussing how to use the product properly. Using hands-on techniques, you will walk away with the knowledge to make products at home that will save you time and money!

Upcoming classes:
Thursday, Feb 15: Facial Serums
Tuesday, Feb 27: Facial Masks

To register, visit: OhioHerbCenter.org

Barrel & Boar Speed Dating Event

Single and ready to mingle? Join other like-minded people on Valentine’s Day at Barrel & Boar for speed dating! The event will feature three special brews from North High Brewing including “Filthy McNasty” “Honey Wheat Lager,” and the super limited “Stardust to Stardust” Double IPA!

Event Itinerary:
4 - 5:30 pm: Cocktail hour
5:30 - 6:30 pm: Speed dating
6:30 - 7 pm: Post-party drinks

The Great Gift & Paper Co.

Looking for a special something for a special someone? Find the cutest decor, clothing, stationery and home goods at The Great Gift & Paper Co. Everything in the store will give you those picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy vibes as the locally-owned shop is as charming as the items inside.

Lola and Giuseppe’s Trattoria

Enjoy a romantic night in a cozy, family-owned, Italian restaurant with a special Valentine’s Day menu carefully selected by Chef Anthony. Seating times will be offered at 5 pm, 6:30 pm and 8 pm. Call 614-473-9931 for reservations.

Mrs. Turbo’s Cookies

Treat your sweet tooth or surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day with delicious baked goods! Mrs. Turbo is baking up all kinds of yummy holiday treats - and did we mention, the cookies are as pretty as they are tasty?

Blank Slate Coffee

Calling all caffeine lovers - Blank Slate Coffee is stirring up Red Velvet Lattes on Valentine’s Day! Get your morning started off right and treat yourself to all of the red velvety goodness you can get in a latte. Stop by and see the airstream on Mill St!

Don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

Blog written by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Ohio Social Media Assistant.