Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting Matt and Brandy Gleason, the founders of the Gleason Family Adventure travel blog and the massively popular Ohio Road Trips Facebook Group, for a tour of Marion and a podcast recording. What a fantastic couple. If you’re one of the 1.3 million members of their group, you’ve probably seen their posts about things to do and places to visit around Ohio. But what you might not realize is that Matt and Brandy care just as deeply about helping small towns and local businesses thrive as they do about planning fun adventures.
They’ve been to countless communities across the state and have a keen eye for what makes a place special, and they believe, as I do, that it’s small businesses and historic downtowns that give each town its unique character.
Over the last year or two, Marion has been getting some serious love in the Ohio Road Trips group. Posts about the Harding sites, Downtown Cardinals, Marion Popcorn Museum, Attaboys, Ray Ray’s, Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, and even our own Archive Lofts have racked up hundreds of likes, comments,
and shares. One traveler from Alaska even went out of her way to visit Bucci’s specifically because of a post in the group. That’s the kind of reach, and real-world impact, I’m talking about.
As we strolled downtown, popping into shops and meeting some of our amazing local business owners, Matt and Brandy kept commenting on how big, yet charming our downtown is, especially for a city our size. They noticed the little things: the flower planters, decorated windows, updated facades, welcoming signage, lighting, public art, and easy parking. But more than that, they noticed the people…shopkeepers, restaurateurs, building owners, who are pouring themselves into this place and proudly telling Marion’s story.
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: social media, especially groups like Ohio Road Trips, can be powerful tools for community revitalization. A thoughtful post and a few well-taken photos can send hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars into a local economy. So, the next time you have a great
experience at a local shop or restaurant, here in Marion or anywhere else, consider sharing it. You never know who might see it… or how far they might come because of it.
Want to see the latest progress in Downtown Marion firsthand? Join me for a guided walking tour on August 9 from 10 am-11 am and get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the current and upcoming projects around our walkable downtown! Click the link below to register that you are attending on Facebook, and get all the details! I hope to see you there!
Brandy Gleason starting a simple travel blog in 2018, entitled Gleason Family Adventure, to chronicle a family trip for her own use. Within weeks, she was getting outreach from numerous outlets, and before she knew it, she was a sought after travel writer. Fast forward a few years, and she has written multiple books, written countless articles and social media posts, and along the way, has become a champion for local and Main Street businesses, especially in Ohio, where she resides. Brandy also started a Facebook group called Ohio Road Trips in order to share her experiences, and allow others to do the same, and that has blown up into a premier spot for all things related to Ohio tourism, with 1.3 MILLION members!
After spending an afternoon in downtown Marion sampling local fare, walking the streets, exploring shops, and meeting our local business owners and leaders, I sat down with Brandy to unpack lessons learned from all her travels, and how residents can attract more visitors to their own communities, and how that can further boost economic development and revitalization efforts. This is a can’t miss episode!
Check out the podcast here: Apple podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Click on the image below for the direct link to YouTube!
In the last two months, I have given a dozen tours to individuals or groups from outside of Marion who have heard what’s going on here and wanted to see for themselves, in person. One of the most powerful things about having visitors come to Marion is that they see our community with fresh eyes. They help us see what’s beautiful, unique, and worth celebrating, that we might overlook in our daily routines. Their enthusiasm is real, and it reminds us that what we’re building here matters, not just to us, but to others watching from afar.
That kind of outside validation gives us momentum. But even more importantly, it invites us to become storytellers of our own place. Every time you share a local experience, post a photo, or tell a friend about something great in Marion, you’re building a bigger spotlight for the businesses, people, and progress here. And you never know who might come visit, or even move here to stay, because of it!
I hope this week’s podcast gives you a deeper appreciation of how much downtowns do matter, and how we all have a role in telling that story. Because when we amplify what’s good, others take notice…and that’s how the flywheel keeps turning. If you’ve been reading this newsletter for any length of time and you have never listened to the podcast (no judgement!), this would be a great one to start with. I think you will enjoy Brandy’s story and learn about some other awesome places in Ohio in the process!
Let’s keep investing in each other, cheering each other on, and telling the story of Marion with pride.
Better Together,
Luke Henry Col 3:23
