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Local News

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Owner plans to close Gaslight Gifts after 26 years in downtown Findlay
Rei Light Healing and Hypnosis
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

Gaslight Gifts, the former Ben Franklin store at 408 S. Main St., will be going out of business.

The exact closing will depend on when all the merchandise is sold, owner Jim Marckel said. The building also is up for sale.

Marckel, 65, opened the store 26 years ago to long lines of people.

Customers "wiped the counters clean," Marckel said. "I had to restock over $35,000 worth of inventory."

Marckel came to Findlay from Lansing, Mich. He was managing a Woolco store, when it and all the other Woolco stores were closed by the parent company Woolworth.

Marckel began looking for another store to manage or an opportunity to own one.

Through contacts, he learned of the Ben Franklin stores and prospective retail sites in several cities, one of which was in downtown Findlay.

A TG&Y store had recently closed at the 408 S. Main St. building, and Marckel viewed the building size and Findlay location as just right. It was nearer to family. He was from Alliance and his wife, Donna, from Akron.

It turned out to be a good move.

"People in Findlay have been supportive all these years," he said.

His recipe for success as a small business retailer is simple: "The right merchandise at the right price, the right hours and taking care of the customer," he said.

Marckel graduated from Kent State University in January 1968 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Three months later, he got a less cheery piece of paper: A draft notice to the Vietnam War. Serving in the infantry, he nearly lost his life in 1969 when he was struck by shrapnel in the chest, arms and face in a firefight near Cambodia.

"I felt like a truck hit me. I thought, 'This is it,'" he said. "But it wasn't."

He spent eight months recovering in Ireland Army Community Hospital, Fort Knox, Ky.

After he recovered, he landed a job managing a Woolworth store in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was promoted to various stores in the Woolco division over the next several years, before coming to Findlay.

For much of the time Marckel has had the downtown store, much of Findlay's retail growth seemed to be headed elsewhere, to the east side of town. But he never seriously considered following the trend.

For one thing, he could keep his store closed on Sundays, which is not an option in many locations outside downtown, he said.

He would rather be "honoring the Lord with rest on the seventh day."

"It's been well worth it," he said. "I know I could have made more money being open seven days, but that's all right."

He also simply likes being downtown.

"Downtown is where it's at," he said.

Wilin: 419-427-8413,

Send an e-mail to Lou Wilin


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3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Whopper wrote:
bummer
“ that stinks. I love that store. Very convenient location for me to stop in for a variety of things. ”
Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:57:42 AM
Debi wrote:
Sorry to see you go
“ I am saddened to hear that Gaslight Gifts will be yet another downtown business to close!! Thank you for your support of downtown all the years past. Good luck to you. ”
Saturday, November 21, 2009 9:44:38 AM
Kris Cupp wrote:
I will miss it!
“ I live out of town, but have worked in Findlay for over 30 years. I have shopped so often at this store and have always loved the inventory they carried. It had a very inviting feel to it and I found things there that many times I couldn't find elsewhere. I will miss your store! Thanks for all your many years of service to the community! ”
Saturday, November 21, 2009 8:40:54 AM
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   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
J wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Citizen........
“ Findlay is located in Hancock County..... Therefore, yes. If Hancock Co goes into a level 3 that includes Findlay.... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 9:17:27 AM
Debbie wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3
“ Weathertech09~ would you like the hospital to be closed because no one is there to care for you or a loved one due to being cite... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 9:04:12 AM
STEVE wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
LEVEL 3
“ Citizen, Is the City of Findlay in Hancock County? I believe the article ref all the cars stuck in the snow Barker specifically... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 8:55:52 AM
Interested Observer... wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":
Unknown
“ In case you've never looked into it, which you obviously haven't. You can buy a used 4WD for the same money as a lot of 2WD veh... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 8:51:30 AM
Yvonne Hendricks wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3 Snow Emergencies
“ Maybe if a Level 3 is called "before" the roads are impassable, those of us who's employers refuse to let us go before a level 3... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 7:54:17 AM
llv wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Level 3
“ Level 3 emergency: Most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 7:48:01 AM
SARA wrote in article "Four named Findlay fire captains":
SERIOUSLY?
“ First off, I think this article has been taken WAY out of context. Cograts to the guys who have received their well deserved pro... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 6:51:20 AM
unknown wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":
interested observer
“ hmm do you have any extra money to help us pay for a 4WD if so let me know so i can buy me one. ” Read More...
2/9/2010 6:50:56 AM
Citizen wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Road Level Emergencies
“ If the sheriff issues a level 3 for Hancock County, does that include the city of Findlay? ” Read More...
2/9/2010 6:14:54 AM
Weathertech09 wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Road Advisory
“ Even if you issue advisories law enforcement doesn't do a good enough job issuing citations its that simple your out on a level... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 5:52:51 AM
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State Farm Agent Holly Spann
News Briefs D.C. trip delayed
A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

Housing Authority meeting postponed
Because of an expected winter storm this week, the Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority has canceled its regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. It will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Family Center.

Fostoria library to close Monday
FOSTORIA -- Kaubisch Memorial Public Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.