Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Sweetheart of Ohio

“Junebug” Delivers The Memories for Those Looking for a Loveland Airbnb Getaway

Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland.

Loveland, Ohio – As you enter the City of Loveland the first thing you expect to experience is Love, hence the sign when entering Loveland says “The Sweetheart of Ohio,” but what a lot of people don’t expect to experience when visiting Loveland for the first time is all of the history, the nature and the one of a kind businesses. For the longest time Jean Kresge, who has resided in Loveland since 1993, wanted to keep Ohio’s little slice of heaven a secret, but as new living establishments, restaurants, unique shopping spots and nightlife were added into the historical city people couldn’t help but notice that Loveland was quickly becoming the ideal vacation or staycation destination. So what do all vacation destinations need? A perfect getaway spot and well, Jean Kresge just couldn’t ignore the opportunity to introduce “June Bug” to those looking to make everlasting memories.

Kresge moved from Atlanta to the Loveland area and began working as the President of The Creative Worx Inc, which was a family-owned business that featured creative designs made by her mother, June Kresge.

“My mother designed jeweled dog collars, leashes, and horse halters. We patented, licensed, and took products to market with a major distributor,” Kresge explained.

Kresge eventually began working for Cisco Systems, where she has now worked for over 11 years as a Project and Program Manager. Though Kresge admits her job has been demanding throughout the years, as she has led the build-out of hundreds of high-end Video Conferencing Studio and TelePresence solutions for fortune 100 companies across the Globe, nothing could have prepared her for the hard work that she put into making “Junebug” what it is today.

A photo of Jean and June Kresge is in the “Junebug” cottage.

“After my mother, June Kresge passed away with complications from frontal lobe dementia in late 2015, I saw a ‘for sale by owner’ sign on the bike trail pointing to the cut-through street just past the bridge crossing over to the trail from Nisbet Park. I met the owner, Jen Gruber, and agreed to a quick purchase the very next day,” Kresge explained, “I wouldn’t recommend making major decisions or purchases like this for at least a year after experiencing a death, but the whole process was a cathartic and healthy way to deal with the immense grief. I wanted to honor the memory of my mother. The house was built in 1908 by a nurse who made home visits to tend to the sick in Loveland. She was a single mother with two kids and purchased the property next door for her parents using the same basic footprint. There are 2 other very old farmhouses on the street that have been in their families for generations,” Kresge said.

When purchasing the historic cottage, Kresge, of course, knew there would need to be some renovations, as the property was extremely old, but she had no idea how both physically, mentally and financially demanding it would be to renovate the cottage from the ground up. Kresge reflected on what her mother had once predicted, which was Loveland was going to grow exponentially. With that in mind, Kresge decided to make the cottage an Airbnb and name it “Junebug” in memory of her mother June.

“I had not intended to make ‘Junebug’ an Airbnb, it was a financial necessity to cover a two-year-long renovation. I had stayed at an Airbnb before in Cape Cod and thought it might be a good and affordable way for me to supplement income in retirement, and not put all my eggs in the stock market,” Kresge said.

After Kresge made the decision to make “Junebug” an Airbnb, she wanted to be sure that every part of “Junebug” represented a piece of her mother.

“My mom liked to go ‘junkin’ for treasure’s, so every piece of the cottage was either purchased at antique auctions or was one of my Mom’s hand me downs,” Kresge said, “My mother would have been proud that ‘Junebug’ is a refuge and a healing space, as she was a bit of a physic healer who loved opening her house to friends, family, and even strangers on holiday’s. She said ‘everybody hugs a fat lady,’ before they crossed the front door. ‘The more the merrier,’ she used to say,” Kresge added.

Luckily, Kresge extended the offer to me to stay at “Junebug,” for a weekend so I could experience the historic cottage myself. I packed up my belongings, my 2 dogs and my boyfriend and made the short journey from Loveland Station Apartments to “Junebug!” As I approached the cottage I immediately noticed the whimsical charm Kresge had told me about. The porch was covered in colorful rustic antiques along with 2 signs that read, “Junebug sold here.” Walking up the path to the cottage I not only felt a sense of warmth but also happiness. Kresge had told me she had hosted guests from all over the world and that they always left the cottage with stronger bonds because of the feeling the cottage gave them. That ambiance continued as I walked into the cottage. As soon as I opened the door it was hard for my mouth not to drop at what I saw. Original wooden floors, wood panel ceilings, stained glass windows, quality vintage furniture and of course beautiful pieces handcrafted by June Kresge herself. The cottage was also fully equipped with anything and everything I could possibly need! Cooking supplies, coffee, wine glasses, toiletries, books, games, food, Wifi as well as a computer and of course if you’re into binging on Netflix, Kresge had that set up on a gigantic flat screen TV along with Hulu, Prime Video and Apple TV. The added bonus for me? The spacious backyard for my dog children! I felt such happiness watching my dogs run around with my boyfriend while I relaxed on the elevated wooden porch that overlooked the backyard. Although I didn’t get to use every amenity because it was raining and cold the weekend I stayed at “Junebug,” the shed in the backyard had bicycles and fishing poles that guests could use! With Downtown Loveland and the Little Miami Bike Trail being within walking distance to “Junebug,” I loved the idea of being able to hop on a bike to go enjoy all Loveland had to offer. I could definitely see why people that had experienced “Junebug” kept returning. The weekend at “Junebug” was everything I had imagined it to be and everything Kresge had promised it would be. Oh, and did I mention “Junebug” had a massage chair?! I don’t want to spoil all the surprises “Junebug” holds, but I will say that I couldn’t have asked for a better getaway.

The house was built in 1908 by a nurse who made home visits to tend to the sick in Loveland. She was a single mother with two kids and purchased the property next door for her parents using the same basic footprint. There are 2 other very old farmhouses on the street that have been in their families for generations,” Kresge said.

I asked Kresge what her favorite part about opening “Junebug” to the public was and after staying the weekend I wasn’t surprised by her answer.

Jean invited me to bring my family to Junebug and Nala enjoyed her “staycation” 2-minutes from the Loveland Bike Trail, Nisbet Park, Historic Downtown, and the State and National “Scenic” Little Miami River. Nala also enjoyed her freedom and playing in the fenced-in back yard.

“I like to go the extra mile with southern hospitality to make people feel extra special. I love it when people relax to the point that they spend more time in the cottage than they anticipated. I often notice guests invite friends and family to come to visit the cottage versus going to their place,” Kresge said, “I especially like their first and lasting impressions. Many times I’ll get an immediate text about how awesome the cottage is and at the end of their stay I’ll get personal notes about their magical experience which really warms my heart and makes all the hard work worth it. I’ve been blessed with awesome guests who have all provided 5-star ratings for the overall experience which is ranked by accuracy, cleanliness, communication, check-in, location, and value! The guest comments provided afterward help me realize I’ve created something really special and I already have a lot of repeat customers,” Kresge said, “Guests really love seeing their names on the blackboard, the warm and cozy bed and comfortable studio feel, chefs kitchen, luxury bathroom, high tech amenities, fenced in backyard, outdoor seating areas, hammock, and access to bicycles and fishing poles in the shed. They love it that they can walk to the end of the street and be in complete nature or historic downtown in just a couple of minutes. My next door neighbor is Woody ‘the Norm’ of Loveland, a retired postman, and native that volunteers at the Farmer’s Market. He is an awesome neighbor. It’s really impossible to pick a favorite guest, but I guess the most memorable was hosting a young newlywed couple who celebrated their wedding night here. Thanks to guest referrals, the cottage is now being recommended by several downtown businesses, like Schildmeyer’s funeral home,” Kresge added.

Read the full list of amenities found at Junebug.

“Junebug” has definitely made its way into the hearts of many. Kresge says since Memorial Day last year she has hosted over 35 guests with 70 percent occupancy for peak season. So just what does Kresge see for the future of “Junebug?” Well besides filling people with the joy and healing spirit of her mother when they stay at her Airbnb, she has quite the vision for “Junebug.”

“I would like to promote more guest discounts with local businesses, provide low-cost alternatives to guest hosting daytime events and parties, and accept donations to help organizations like battered women heal at ‘Junebug’ and get back on their feet,” Kresge said, “I would like to add a private master suite off the back deck, finish the loft to open this cozy space to guests and install a major storm drain system to protect this historic home from the next big flood.”

If you would like to spend the weekend at “Junebug,” or treat your out-of-town relatives or friends to the Loveland experience visit https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25107720?guests=1&adults=1 to rent out the cottage.

Mar 9, 2019
There’s no obstacle this local retired Pastor can’t overcome

Our continuing search for Loveland’s kindest, sweetest people and what they’re made of. What is our DNA match?

Loveland Magazine columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland

Loveland, Ohio – Life presents opportunities in the most unexpected ways. The opportunity could display itself at work, in nature, through another person or while you are simply enjoying an intense session of Netflix. What’s important is when an opportunity presents itself, you run with it because that opportunity may never present itself again. This is one of the many life mottos, former Loveland Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (POP) Pastor, Tom Stroeh lives by.

Tom Stroeh became very active in a church congregation at a young age as he was growing up with his sister in Wisconsin.

Cassie Mattia interviewing Tom Stroeh at the Loveland Magazine office.

“My parents were very important. Hospitality was really important to them. They were very welcoming. All of that kind of carried over into my involvement with the church congregation,” Stroeh explained.

Both of Stroeh’s parents went to church on a regular basis, but his pastor at the church he attended took a particular interest in Stroeh telling him on multiple occasions that he was going to be a pastor when he grew up.

My hometown pastor was very influential in getting me to where I wanted to be as a pastor,” Stroeh said, “At the congregation, when the choir was singing or the offering was taken up, the pastor would leave after the sermon and go visit Sunday school classes. The next thing that would happen would be the prayers of the church. One Sunday I was the acolyte and I was sitting near the organist and the pastor didn’t come back! I said, ‘The pastor’s not here yet,’ and they said, ‘Well then you go lead the prayers!’ I was 13 at the time. It was what I call an ‘Isaiah’ moment. So with a quivering voice, I led the prayers from the service book.”

That one moment inspired Stroeh to follow his heart and work towards becoming a part of the Ministry. After graduating with an English degree from St. Olaf College, a small Lutheran college in Minnesota, Stroeh went to the Northwestern Lutheran Seminary in Minneapolis. He then conducted his internship in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he met his wife Joan, who was a member of the church congregation Stroeh was interning at. Shortly after meeting the love of his life, the couple married and moved to Northern Texas, where Tom got his first opportunity to start a congregation.

“We started a ministry in Denton, Texas of basically knocking on doors! There were two universities in town so there was definitely a ministry to students,” Stroeh said.

As Stroeh and his wife worked hard, using their church congregation to unite a divided community that was affected heavily by racism, another opportunity arose. The Stroeh’s took in an African American boy named Alan and raised and nurtured him for 6 months.

“There was no one to take care of him at the time,” Stroeh explained, “So we took him in until they found good care for him. We didn’t think we could have any children, then we had 3 in 18 months!”

During The Stroeh’s time in Texas, they had twins, Dave and Kristen and their son John. In 1971, unfortunate events brought some very fortunate opportunities for Stroeh in the “Sweetheart of Ohio.”

“My wife and I were having health problems at both ends of our family. Joan’s dad had serious heart problems and my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer,” Stroeh said, “I felt the need to try and get close to both parents so we could travel to see them when we needed to. Turned out there was availability in greater Cincinnati. We took John and the twins, who were at the time 1 and 2, and drove through the night from Denton, Texas to Loveland, Ohio. We moved into Loveland Heights in a fairly small house, but with an expanding family, we moved a year later to another subdivision. Things in Loveland were really quite different then! Loveland was a great town to raise our kids in,” Stroeh added.

Immediately upon arrival to Loveland, Stroeh was welcomed by the POP congregation as their new pastor and by the Loveland community as their newest family member.

“I knew I was a welcomed member of the community back in the summer of 1971 when Mayor Viola Philips invited me to ride with her in a red convertible in the 4th of July parade and throw out candy to the kids along the parade route,” Stroeh said, “One time I even got the opportunity to play the part of Reverend Kemper. It was the bicentennial for Loveland. I came riding in on a horse in a reenactment of Loveland’s first wedding!”

As Loveland and the POP congregation welcomed Stroeh with open arms he began to give back the love and support to the community in more ways than anyone could have ever imagined. Stroeh, the POP congregation, and other Loveland area churches formed Loveland Inter-Church Youth. Every Thursday at 6:30 AM the group would meet at POP for breakfast, listen to a speaker, worship, then the group would walk down to the high school. Stroeh and the POP team also led Bible study, tutoring, and parent support groups at subsidized housing

complexes in Loveland as well as lead worship at the Loveland Health Care Center. Stroeh continued the trend of always taking advantage of opportunities given to him by surveying the neighborhoods that surrounded Loveland and asking those people how he could serve them. By doing that, POP Kids School, a Christian Pre-School, was established. Stroeh and the POP congregation, along with St. Columban Church and Loveland United Methodist Church, also sponsored a family with 6 children from Laos.

While doing so much for the Loveland community and POP, the Stroeh’s added a 4th child to the family and the Loveland Community. Joan then returned to her passion teaching. She taught first grade at Loveland Elementary School and retired in 2005. “Joan made quite the impact on the Loveland school system,” said Tom Stroeh.

“Our youngest son Dan has quite a story. When he was freshman at Wittenberg University he was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, which is where tumors form around the nerves. Sometimes the tumors are external but his were internal. We were told they were inoperable.

One of the things about Loveland that I appreciate so much is that we are close to a lot of things especially medical facilities. Dan was a participant in a drug test through the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital was instrumental in getting him accepted into the program, hoping that maybe it would decrease the size of the tumors and decrease the amount of pain. Along with the tumors against nerves you can imagine what it would do with the pain level. He went back to school and was on this drug for 28 days, then would be off it for 2 weeks and come back to get examined. He continued that cycle for a whole year.

Dan was a creative writing and drama major. For his senior thesis he decided to write a play and he called it ‘‘it is no desert.’ He performed it himself as it was a one person play. By this time he has a brace on both legs and walked with a cane. Every once in a while he had to use a wheelchair but now he is mostly in a wheelchair.

His theater professor called him over summer break and said ‘I think we should enter your play into the Kennedy Center Theater competition.’ It’s a national competition for student playwrights. During Homecoming weekend for the school he performed his play and the judges for the competition were there. We found out a few weeks later that he made the next round. He performed his play again in Milwaukee and then after Christmas that year he found out he won the competition.

He performed his play at the Aronoff Center a couple of times. Again I appreciated the support from the Prince of Peace congregation the Loveland Community. He also to perform it at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. People came all the way from Loveland to the Kennedy Center!

The play is about him being an athlete on the soccer team and then he got this disease – and the whole diagnostic process and sort of what he had to do to adjust to it. It was sometimes gut wrenching but other times it was actually really funny. One of the rewards for winning was that he got his play published by Samuel French.

It’s quite something for a parent to watch something on stage that’s a story you know all too well.”

“My wife Joan went through cancer in the ’80s. She was a real inspiration to me,” Stroeh said. “She also inspired a lot of her students, so when she got sick, the Loveland community was great. The Loveland teachers brought us food and of course, the POP congregation was there too.”

Stroeh retired after being a pastor for 34 and a half years at POP. During that time Stroeh gave everything he had to his church congregation and to the community of Loveland.

Stroeh said, “I think one of the needs we have these days is that we need to truly listen to what drives a person and what has shaped and molded that person. What value system do they have? What gives them joy or a sense of accomplishment.

“I loved to hear people’s stories,” Stroeh said, “I think one of the needs we have these days is that we need to truly listen to what drives a person and what has shaped and molded that person. What value system do they have? What gives them joy or a sense of accomplishment. We don’t hear each other enough. I remember one story in particular about a Vietnam veteran. He would come to my office at night usually drinking. When he was drinking he would often reminisce about his experience in Vietnam,” Stroeh explained. “Unfortunately he had a friend in Vietnam who would take pictures of the people this guy had killed. So he had this stack of pictures that when he would drink he would go through and become filled with guilt. There were adults and children in those photos. It was terrible. We talked many times about it and finally one night when he came in and it was obvious he had been drinking, I said ‘Come to the sanctuary with me.’ We knelt at the altar and we prayed. Then I said

“Will you give those photos to me? I want to put them on the altar and after you leave I’m going to destroy them.”

‘Will you give those photos to me? I want to put them on the altar and after you leave I’m going to destroy them.’ And he did. Every time he looked at those photos he was reliving the experience. It was destroying him. He probably had those photos for 6 years. Eventually, the family moved from Loveland and I haven’t heard from them since, but it’s my hope that by letting go of the past he was able to find some peace.”

If you ask those around the community about Tom Stroeh many will say that during his career as a pastor he was instrumental in helping those less fortunate and in welcoming diversity into the community of Loveland.

“One of the things that came out of the ministerial association when I was still working was the Loveland food pantry. It was one of the things that I felt was very important for those less fortunate in the community,” Stroeh explained, “It was important to me that the church provided a space for the food pantry and so now the life food pantry is still at Prince of Peace. Loveland has always had a variety of incomes. It’s my hope that we could continue to become more diverse and anything that I can still do to encourage that I want to do,” Stroeh said.

Since retirement Stroeh has been staying heavily involved in the Loveland Community as well as the Prince of Peace congregation.

“I am still singing in two choirs at church. Music is a ministry to me. The fellowship of singing in a group is beyond words. We just started an all men’s choir a year ago that goes to a nursing home once a month and it’s just a really fun experience,” Stroeh said, “I also go to a senior group where we talk about our medications. I also visit retired pastors and their spouses and that’s really fun visiting them. A couple years ago I got involved in local politics as well. My two biggest passions are teaching and preaching,” Stroeh added.

Just last year the Loveland community got their turn to show Stroeh their appreciation for what he has done for them.

“Last May, I had a stroke and when I was at Good Samaritan Hospital I went blind. The next day I was able to see and when I woke up my family was surrounding me. All of my kids were there so I knew that what happened had to have been serious,” Stroeh explained, “I stayed a week in the hospital and then I was told I would need bypass surgery. In July, I had quadruple bypass surgery. It gave me the opportunity to reappropriate the gifts that I have been given. What was truly amazing was what the Loveland community and POP congregation did for my family and me. The church brought us food and of course prayers. They visited and just did everything they could to support Joan and me.

“Gratitude is a prominent theme and motivator for me.”

Gratitude is a prominent theme and motivator for me. I don’t take things for granted like I used to because it could be gone,” Stroeh said.

Stroeh successfully recovered from his bypass surgery and is now focusing on living every day like it’s going to be his last.

“I now take every opportunity that I can to get outdoors and enjoy creation,” Stroeh said.

Stroeh family photo around Christmas dinner table

A note from Pastor Stroeh:

Of course, after I got home from our interview, I thought of some things I wished I had said. For what they’re worth here they are:

• I knew I was a welcomed member of the community back in the summer of 1971 when Mayor Viola Philips invited me to ride with her in a red convertible in the 4th of July parade and throw out candy to the kids along the parade route.

• Prince of Peace Church has a long history of outreach and service to the community:

a. Back in the 1970s as an alternative to the prevalent drug culture in the area, we and area churches formed Loveland Inter-Church Youth (ICY — Cool Christians!) — the group would meet in our building for breakfast, a speaker and worship every Thursday at 6:30 a.m. and then walk down to the high school which was on Lebanon Road at that time.

b. A.A. and Al-anon have been meeting at POP since the sixties.

c. We once housed the Hamilton County Well-baby Clinic.

d. For many years: a team from POP would lead worship at the Loveland Health Care Center; a team would lead Bible study, tutoring and parent support groups at the subsidized housing complexes

e. After surveying the surrounding neighborhoods and asking people how we could serve them, it was decided to establish POP Kids School – a Christiian pre-school.

• In the 1980s we helped (with St. Columban and Loveland United Methodist) to sponsor the Sinanthas – family of mother, father and six children from Laos.

• In the 1990’s we established a partnership with a Lutheran congregation in the state of Mecklenburg, in the former East Germany, just after the wall came down.

• Now POP supports the Haitian TImoun Foundation. Each year a number of our members spend time in Haiti.

• Among the things I like about Loveland is the school system.

• A watchword for me in life is “Where God guides, God also provides.”

• We have on our front lawn a sign (which was distributed by our church) that says: “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE.”

If you think you know someone in the community that has made a huge impact on Loveland and would be a great candidate for our Loveland’s DNA segment feel free to email us at lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com.

Read MORE about the people who make up Loveland’s unique DNA…

Feb 28, 2019
Loveland Students aim to inspire through Student of the Year Campaign

After Kyle Beasley’s grandfather, David M. Mabee (In Photo above), died in July of 2017 of multiple myeloma, he knew that the Student of the Year campaign was something that he wanted to support in memory of his grandfather.

Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and can be reached at cassiemattia@lovelandmagazine.com

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – The people of Loveland have always been known for being advocates for a great cause. Whether it’s helping a new local business succeed or supporting a local non-profit, the “Sweetheart of Ohio,” ALWAYS lives up to its reputation.

Two seniors out of Loveland High School, Kyle Beasley and Frannie Cornett have made it their mission this year to fight for the greater good through a campaign called “Student of the Year,” sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

“The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society typically nominates a student each year that is adequately able to involve their peers, community, and family in a campaign that builds them as human beings and supports an organization that is putting forth their efforts into a fantastic cause,” Beasley explained, “The Student of the year receives a $2,500 scholarship that, if running alone, is taken in full. Or, in my case, is split in two with their partner(s).”

After Beasley’s grandfather, David M. Mabee, died in July of 2017 of multiple myeloma, he knew that the Student of the Year campaign was something that he wanted to support in memory of his grandfather.

Frannie Cornett and Kyle Beasley have made it their mission this year to fight for the greater good through a campaign called “Student of the Year,” sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“My grandfather was a person who always brightened a room with his smile. His charisma was unparalleled and he always enjoyed meeting new people and being with my sister and me,” Beasley said, “Whether it was on stage directing shows, attending church, or celebrating holidays with my family, David Mabee made every single day better for every person he was around.”

Beasley and his partner, Frannie Cornett, will tag team a 7-week fundraiser in which they will solicit sponsorships, receive donations and sell ads that will be a part of their grand finale program.

“Our plan is to reach out to local businesses and community members for donations to LLS,” Beasley explained, “We are also doing our best to set up corporate meetings in which we present our cause and try to lock down corporate partnerships with LLS for our Grand Finale Gala on March 2nd.”

Beasley and Cornett’s goal is to raise $50,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an added bonus being that Beasley would also be awarded the privilege of naming a research grant in his grandfather’s name.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma society is an integral part of blood cancer research and without it, my grandfather wouldn’t have had the life he did the five years following diagnosis.

“The Leukemia and Lymphoma society is an integral part of blood cancer research and without it, my grandfather wouldn’t have had the life he did the five years following diagnosis,” Beasley said, “Out of the 25 FDA approved treatments in 2018, 20 of them were backed by LLS’s efforts. Saying that, it should go without saying that LLS is making a difference across the nation and revolutionizing how we approach blood cancers.”

Although Beasley admits Cornett and himself are little far off their goal of 50,000 dollars, they are not giving up as they have a plethora of fun and exciting fundraisers coming up.

“We are holding a spirit night at Chik-fil-A at Deerfield Crossing in Mason from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on January 29^th and we are also holding a ‘Minute to Win it” fundraiser at the Loveland boys varsity basketball game against Milford on February 7^th,” Beasley said, Minute to Win it is a minute long event held at halftime of a sporting event in which they run the stairs of the stands and attempt to collect as much money as they can.

Beasley, of course, wants to remind those interested in donating that if he and his fundraising team don’t have the chance to get to you during the Minute to Win it challenge they will have a table set up outside of the gym to collect donations.

Whether it was on stage directing shows, attending church, or celebrating holidays with my family, David Mabee made every single day better for every person he was around.

If you would like to be a part of Beasley and Cornett’s Student of the Year campaign you can of course attend the event at Chik-fil-A, in which you would let the cashier know that you’re supporting the Student of the Year campaign so that Beasley and Cornett’s cause receives a 15 percent kickback towards fighting cancer.

You can also make donations directly through the fundraising link at https://events.lls.org/soh.tristatesoy19/kbeasley, or you can write a check. All checks must be written out to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.*

Cash donations can put into an envelopment addressed to:
Kyle Beasley/Frannie Cornett and taken to Loveland High School, #1 Tiger Trail, Loveland, Ohio 45140

*The Leukemia Lymphoma Society:

4370 Glendale Milford Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242.

Checks should be made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS and include the Student of the Year names that are being supported (Kyle Beasley/Frannie Cornett) in the memo line.

Join Loveland Magazine and root for Beasley and Cornett for Students of the Year in memory of Grandfather Mabee.

Jan 28, 2019
Local Sweets Shop Celebrates Life’s Simple Pleasures

“Because chocolate calls the shots.”

Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland

Loveland, Ohio – Unicorn Bark, Penny Candy, Salted Caramel Chip Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Banana Bark, Berry Berry Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Covered Race Cars are just a few of the unique delicacies Loveland Sweets offers that keeps guests all across Ohio coming back for more.

Loveland Sweets started its delicious adventure in 2006 when resident Gloria Wilson opened its doors.

“I had always had a dream in the back of my mind that involved opening a candy store,” Wilson said, “Every time I went on vacation I always searched for a candy store and when I moved to Loveland I realized it had that same vacation feeling with the bike trail, the restaurants, the beautiful scenery – the only thing missing was a candy store so I thought why not open a candy store!”

Gloria Wilson (center) said, “I want to celebrate a simple pleasure with those that visit my store.”

Although Wilson’s background was in Environmental Science and Biology that did not scare her away from the idea of owning her own business.

To be quite honest I had no business plan I just had a dream and at that moment in my life it was time to pursue it.

“I didn’t have a business background but I learned a lot from the landscaping business I was in before as a landscape designer. To be quite honest I had no business plan I just had a dream and at that moment in my life it was time to pursue it,” Wilson said.

Loveland Sweets is not only known of course for its novelty sweets but it’s also known for its unique chocolates and ice cream combinations. Loveland Sweets uses high quality fine chocolate and only the best ingredients when creating the fillings to their chocolates and ice cream blends.

“A lot of businesses use cheaper chocolate, but I don’t do that. I know it reduces my profit margin, but I don’t want to do less than the best chocolate,” Wilson explained, “The chocolate I use is Callebaut and I make all my fillings from scratch. We don’t necessarily use a certain process when creating our chocolate because chocolate calls the shots. We temper the chocolate. Our combinations are where we use our creative side. They are sometimes inspired by something else like our Unicorn Bark! Sandy my co-worker saw this in a magazine and we thought why not try it out! We did a new one today called Peanut Butter Banana Bark. I was at Trader Joes saw the dehydrated bananas and I was like we can do something with this,” Wilson said.

So just how did Gloria come up with the Loveland Sweets name? It’s simple everyone just loves the Loveland name on their candy! I mean Loveland is the Sweetheart of Ohio!

So just how did Gloria come up with the Loveland Sweets name? It’s simple everyone just loves the Loveland name on their candy! I mean Loveland is the Sweetheart of Ohio!

“When I was trying to figure out a name for my candy shop I got out a notebook wrote lots of names and settled on Loveland Sweets not realizing people love the name Loveland. People want to be sure that the name Loveland is on their box of candies or sweets. It’s especially big with weddings,” Wilson said.

The obvious reason for going to Loveland Sweets is to of course experience its handmade chocolate creations, create your own goodie bag for the kids full of sweet and sour gummies or get a warm cup of their custom blend coffee, but another reason to stop by is to take a look at the old fashion candy store décor.

Gloria Wilson said she loves the penny candy and the race cars and of course the old fashion drawers of the old fashion candy store décor.

“When I was first opening the store I wanted it to look old fashion with a modern twist but not too modern. I love the penny candy and the race cars and of course the old fashion drawers,” Wilson said, “When people come into my store I want them to see my creative side that’s my favorite part of this it’s the creativity aspect of owning my own business. I want to celebrate a simple pleasure with those that visit my store. Candy makes people happy. It’s a celebration of happiness, like my ice cream castles in my front windows. I want my guests not only to enjoy my candy but also enjoy the experience they have when visiting my store,” Wilson said.

Loveland Sweets is now known as one of Downtown Historic Loveland’s top go to spots for both travelers and residents when exploring the Downtown Loveland area.

There are not a lot of people making their candy and ice cream on site anymore.

“I think what really keeps people coming to my shop is that it’s not a chain. So many places are chains all across America. It’s homogeneous. Loveland Sweets is unique. We make our stuff in house where as a lot of places do not do that. There are not a lot of people making their candy and ice cream on site anymore. This is what keeps out of towners and locals coming back,” Wilson explained. “You really get to know people! I find myself saying things like ‘Oh is the dark chocolate almond guy coming in!’ You know people by their favorites!”

One of the “Tricks” to Loveland Sweets’ success is they always have seasonal “Treats”.

Though Wilson has dedicated her life to sweetening her guest’s day she hasn’t forgot about her environmental background trying to bring that passion to the sweets business as well.

“Plastics are a nightmare so I have brought in pink paper bags that are paper made from a bi product of sugar cane. Our ice cream cups, paper straws, plastic cups and spoons are made from corn. My transition into being completely plastic free is not perfect yet but I’m trying to minimize the use of it as much as I can,” Wilson said.

“Plastics are a nightmare so I have brought in pink paper bags that are paper made from a bi product of sugar cane. Our ice cream cups, paper straws, plastic cups and spoons are made from corn. My transition into being completely plastic free is not perfect yet but I’m trying to minimize the use of it as much as I can,” Wilson said. “The young people that work for me reinforce my environmental friendly ideas and I want to make an impact on them. We recycle and we compost our coffee grounds as well.”

There are not a lot of people making their candy and ice cream on site anymore. This is what keeps out of towners and locals coming back,” Wilson explained.

If your wandering around Downtown Loveland and are looking for something unique to satisfy that sweet tooth skip on over to

Loveland Sweets to visit Gloria and her team of confectionery geniuses! Loveland Sweets is located at 124 West Loveland Avenue and is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day. If you would like to contact Loveland Sweets or check out their beautiful products, visit Loveland Sweets on Facebook or Instagram or call 513-583-8305.

Loveland Sweets is in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio.

Oct 15, 2018