Local couple works to bring opportunities to the community
There has been a lot of movement and momentum on Main Street in the last couple of years. Businesses are cleaning things up, making improvements to their buildings, and some new businesses have been opening. There is one couple, in particular, who love seeing Downtown Coshocton come to life more, Jason and Carly Thompson.
Jason manages Grason Construction and Carly is an agent with the HER’s Coshocton Community Office. A few years ago, the couple purchased the former Coshocton Tribune building, did some renovations and opened the Thompson Center where six businesses are currently operating out of. The newest business is Grason Tool & Equipment Rental located on the lower level. It has many tools and even heavy equipment items for rent. There is an overhead door that makes it possible to get heavy machinery out. Once it is fully finished, there will be a main entrance in the back, but for now customers can use the main entrance to the building.
With the Thompson Center at full capacity and knowing there is a waiting list of people who want office space and that there are many people who would love to open their own stores or have space to work from, the Thompson’s have decided to invest more into the community. They have obtained the former Railroad Restaurant and Saloon and are presently working on the bar, which they hope will be finished by mid February. The building will be named the Thompson Annex, and they will lease the fully furnished, turnkey restaurant portion of the building to any restaurant that wants to come to Coshocton or to anyone who desires to start their own restaurant. The space above the restaurant is executive office space that is for lease as well. There are both single and double executive offices, and a large board room with a wide flat screen and Zoom meeting capabilities.
“There are a lot of people who would love to open a business or have a place to work remotely from, but the idea of buying, renovating and doing all of the work some of these buildings on Main Street require could put some people in a hole before they even open their business, and could be too overwhelming for some,” Carly said. “We believe in Main Street, and we want to help people in the community to have the opportunity to be creative, to bring their ideas to life. We do the work of getting the buildings ready and turnkey, it allows revitalization of the community, allows people to have the opportunity to start their business, or allows the opportunity for businesses to come to Coshocton. It also affords more job opportunities and better businesses to the community, which allows money to be put back into Coshocton. We are literally facilitating people to have space on Main Street,” the Thompsons explained.
The Thompsons describe themselves as business minded and community driven. They work together as a team and work their butts off as they describe it. “We don’t know how not to work, it’s just kind of what we do, and thankfully we are equally yoked when it comes to that,” Carly said. As the Thompsons work to make it possible to allow more businesses to open on Main Street, they also want to make leasing space more practical. Therefore, they include electric, internet, and other utilities in the lease contracts. Their desire is to provide space and opportunity for others to basically pursue their passions and desires, to see their dreams fulfilled and to make it as easy as possible to do so.
As if taking on the Thompson Annex weren’t enough work, Jason and Carly also bought and are working on renovating 529 and 531 Main Street, which will become the Thompson Duplet. On the 531 side they are working to prepare it to be a general store, with the goal of having it ready in the spring. Their hope is that either they can find a manager for the store or someone who wants to open a general store where people can get a gallon of milk, buy bread, donuts, pre-made sandwiches, etcetera. The main floor of the 529 side on the other hand will be store front space where someone could open a business or where it could be used as office space.
Those individuals interested in inquiring about space or leasing, or who want to run their ideas by the Thompsons can contact Carly at 740-202-0258, extension 1001.
Category: Business
