TOLEDO, Ohio — A south Toledo gardening shop was on the brink of closure late last year after being in business for 135 years. But after community fundraising thousands of dollars, the owners of Titgemeier's say they're in the clear.
The legacy business on Western Avenue is known for selling a wide range of items from fertilizer to brewing supplies.
"They actually expanded the property," said James Myrice, who has lived next door to Titgemeier's for 45 years with his wife, Diane.
The couple often shops at the store because of its convenience. But when they learned it was at risk of closing, they were worried.
"I kind of was devastated," Diane said. "I told people to go over and shop there."
WTOL 11 spoke with the co-owners in December of last year when they said they had money troubles after a major electric repair and buying a large amount of grass seed that was difficult to sell.
"A lot of debt and out of money," said co-owner Kip Nickerson.
So, they set up a GoFundMe to try to save the business from shutting its doors.
"We had a lot of support," said co-owner Nick Stambaugh. "A lot of people coming in the store and buying stuff saying, 'what are we going to do without you?' I'm like 'well, let's not find out!"
Through the GoFundMe and in-person donations, Nickerson and Stambaugh were able to raise about $25,000, get out of debt and stay open.
"Without that, we'd be done," Stambaugh said. "I hate to say it but without the GoFundMe and the support we got from that, so thank you. Thanks, everybody. You know who you are."
The owners say the brush with potential closure was a learning experience for them when it comes to ordering inventory.
"It kind of worked in the past, and you think, 'oh, it's not working so let's kind of refigure some stuff out," Stambaugh said. "There's always a learning curve to this. No matter how long you've been in business."
The Myrices said they've seen the building change over the years and have family members who work at Titgemeier's. So, they hope the store stays.
"I'd like to keep them as a neighbor," Diane said. "Until I'm not here."
The co-owners said after WTOL 11's original story last year, they saw an increase in customers, including some businesses making large purchases to help out, which would usually happen later in the year.