Keep Ohio in the State House Gift Shop!

By
Toby Boyce
– March 8, 2007Posted in: Toby's Take

During Statehood Day (which I still owe you a post on) one of the places I was most impressed with was the State House Gift Shop. I have been receiving e-mails from them for a while, and enjoyed the area focused on Ohio products.

However, much to my dismay, I received an e-mail from manager Becky Wildman on Wednesday. I have elected to reprint it here, hoping that those reading will be willing to step-up and contact their state congressman and make their opionons known.

 Statehouse Museum Shop may be moving!

I am writing to ask for your help.  An exhibit company was hired to create fresh exhibits for the Statehouse.  They have proposed a plan that involves moving the Statehouse Museum Shop to the current education center, which is located off the map room across from the restrooms.   Currently we are visible to visitors who enter through the two garage entrances and the Third Street entrance.  If the shop were to be moved, we lose this visibility.  This move would cut our space, anywhere from 20-40% (the architects are still working on that figure).  The cost of relocation could be as high as $200,000. Our back stock and office space in the proposed plan has been reduced by almost 75%. Downsizing would also necessitate concentration on souvenir and children’s merchandise. These products are mostly imported and would take the emphasis off Ohio products which are our “claim to fame”.  There are many other drawbacks to this move which I would be happy to discuss with you. 

Although the current space is perfect for our needs, the new plans call for the current shop to be turned into a museum.

It is my belief that the proposed plan would adversely affect sales by limiting our exposure and downsizing our space.  I may be a bit prejudiced but I feel this is the premier shop owned and operated by the State of Ohio. This status may be jeopardized by relocating.  Tourists consistently tell us we are the leading shop in state capitol buildings throughout the country.  Your help in keeping our current location would allow us to maintain our reputation as a premier shop.

I am including a list of our board members.  I have provided contact information for the elected officials and the CSRAB leadership.  I hope you will contact them with any thoughts you have on this move.  The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board will be voting Tuesday, March 13 to move (or not move) the shop, so time is of the essence.

I would also appreciate you taking the time to contact your state representative and state senator on our behalf.  Please let them know your feelings on the proposed plan and encourage them to get involved.  If you have further questions about this, I would be happy to answer them.  If you need contact information for your state senator and representative, please email me with your home address and I can send you the names, email addresses, addresses and phone numbers of your legislators.

Becky Wildman, Manager

Statehouse Museum Shop

The Statehouse

Columbus, Ohio 43214-5-4210

(614)728-9234

(888)OHIO-123

Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board

Hon. Richard H. Finan, Former Senate President and CSRAB Board Chair

rfinan@calfee.com

Hon. Bill Harris, Senate President

Hon. Joyce Beatty, Minority Leader, House of Representatives

Hon. Teresa Fedor, Assistant Minority Leader, Senate

Hon. Chris Widener, House of Representatives

Hon. Jo Ann Davidson, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives

Laura Clemens, Clerk of the House of Representatives

David Battocletti, Clerk of the Senate

Sandra Drabik, Representing Ohio Building Authority

Susan R. Sofia, Representing Ohio Arts Council

Larry C. Sowers, Representing Public-At-Large

Marian J. Vance, Representing Ohio Historical Society

Keeping Ohio products in the Statehouse Gift Shop is very important. With all the negatives floating around our state — we need these reminders of our state’s great heritage.

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About Toby Boyce

Toby Boyce, MBA, is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Ohio under the Keller Williams Consultants Realty brokerage. Boyce, propietor of the Ohio Home Team, has been a full-time real estate agent in Central Ohio since 2006.