What's Happening in Lancaster, OH…

Peddler's Junction, a Belpre-based family business that provides space for hundreds of vendors to sell their goods, is opening a Lancaster location.

The new venture will take over the premises of the old Lancaster Sales Building on Old Logan Road, where it will create 325 booths for vendors handling antiques, vintage items, handmade goods, and flea market finds. Businesses like this, which house many sellers under one roof, could use flyer printing to create maps so shoppers can find a particular vendor.

Nathan Tanner is the CEO of Peddler's, and says the business was first bought by his mother, who wanted to leave her sons and their families a legacy. Although Tanner was concerned about the purchase since his mother had no background in running a business, six members of the family, all with different backgrounds and degrees of expertise, stepped in and made the store, which opened in 2011, a success. Now Tanner says he wants to eventually have five stores up and running.

One reason Peddler's Junction has been successful is that the Tanners opened in an area where consumers have few choices unless they drive to West Virginia. Another seems to be that they get to know their vendors and support them; many have been selling their products at Peddler's for years.

The new Lancaster location has set an opening date of February 1, 2019 but is already signing up new vendors.