(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
RIBBON CUTTING … Red Rambler has returned to Wauseon and now has new owners. Megan Smith and Alex Cook (the shop’s new owners) cut the ceremonial ribbon on Friday, September 20th. The ceremony was put on by the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce and was attended by numerous local business owners, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and city officials.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Red Rambler is back and open for business in the City of Wauseon. The shop has reopened recently, which has been happy news to many in the community.
Everything came to a sudden and abrupt halt back in July when the shop closed for the Fourth of July and never reopened.
Fast forward to more recently, a message was posted on the Red Rambler Facebook page informing everyone that the shop had obtained new owners. Megan Smith and Alex Cook purchased the company and began working to bring Red Rambler back to its former glory.
“We really wanted to stay true to the original Red Rambler. We felt as though the community wanted stability from us right now so, we kept the menu the same and have worked hard to bring everything back to the way it was,” said Megan Smith.
Megan also spoke about what she thought when she first heard the store was closing. “When we heard about the closing it shocked us and I think the entire community as well. People were devastated.”
“Not just the employees but the community view this as much more than just a coffee shop. Being from around here, we understand what the weight of this place is. We know what it means to bring the heart and soul into the place it deserves.”
Cook followed up with, “We would like people to know we’re here to stay. We poured the concrete, so to speak, and were here. We’re not going anywhere.”
The couple also explained that they have received the full support of some of the previous owners. These owners include Mel and Jo Michelson along with Brooke and Brent Shea.
Some of the brewers are also returning, such as Chris Doug and Sarah Behnfeldt. With all of this support and hard work, the two plan to add to the menu as time goes on and to expand the store’s hours sometime in October.
Hard work although might be somewhat of an understatement. Owners Megan and Alex explained that they hurried to get the store open just three days after receiving the keys.
The two were bringing in staff, sleeping on the couch inside the shop, and working as hard as they could to get everything ready.
Family, friends, and some of the original owners were also in to help the two get everything back up and running.
Another important item to highlight is the staff at Red Rambler. 100% of the staff that was present when the shop was closed has been retained, as well as some staff that had worked prior to the closing.
All of this hard work paid off. The shop had its soft opening on Wednesday, September 11th, and saw a good response from the community.
“We expected the community to receive it very well, but we didn’t know they would be as happy as they were. People were bringing us things, baking us food, hugging us, and crying.”
“People were stopping us when we were out at the grocery store thanking us. People poured out their hearts to what this place meant to them.”
So, if you have not yet been back over to Red Rambler, make sure you head on over sometime soon and enjoy all the offerings the shop brings to the City of Wauseon.
