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Ohio Coin has continued to provide service to regular customers since it first opened in the late 1970s, but Smith said it’s time to decide what the future of the small business will look like. That will include a new marketing push, and soon a redesigned website, among other improvements.
It’s been in its current location at 1628 E. Main St. since 1979.
“Over the last few months, we decided we need to try to move forward and grow this thing,” Smith said.
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Although Smith and Stuckey serve as co-owners, the business would have closed down long ago without employees like Loren Rittenhouse, who’s been with the business since 1987.
That kind of experience is critical when determining the value of some of the rare coins and other items the business buys and sells on a daily basis. And it’s important for longtime customers, who buy everything from classic baseball cards to gold bars and silver coins.
“We have guys that come in here that have been doing that every Saturday for the past 25 years,” Stuckey said.
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The business also has a steady online business, where it sells to customers throughout the U.S. But Smith said it’s likely many customers in Springfield aren’t aware the business exists.
“We’re not naive that there’s a segment there we’ve not reached yet,” he said of local customers.
One of the business’ goals is to provide a local option for residents who otherwise might have to look online for collectible items.
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“You’ve got different people that buy for different reasons,” Stuckey said. “Some people buy real estate, but some people would rather buy gold and silver.”
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