Ashland Town Center Serving the Community With Joann Building Space

Ashland Town Center Serving the Community

With Joann Building Space

Rebecca Hemlock

The Ashland Beacon

In a move that underscores the growing importance of local entrepreneurship, the Ashland Town Center opened its doors to a thriving array of small businesses this season, offering dedicated space for crafters and artisans across the tristate area. The goal is simple but powerful: give local creators a bigger stage to reach more customers, while giving shoppers a chance to discover one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by their neighbors.

At the heart of the program is Angie Hudnall Caudill, the creator and manager of the center’s small-business and vendor initiative. A longtime advocate for small businesses in the tristate region, Caudill has built a platform that helps artisans transition from hobbyist tables to steady storefront exposure. “There have been more than 75 different businesses set up and sell during our shows, so we’ve been able to offer new vendors to shoppers every weekend,” she said, highlighting the program’s ongoing rotation and its commitment to fresh finds for weekend visitors.

The recent season also marks a strategic shift in space usage at the center. As Christmas approaches, the Joann Fabrics building has opened its doors to offer optimal space for even more local enterprises. This expansion enables vendors who already had a presence in the mall to relocate into the now-unused building, creating a more vibrant and accessible marketplace for both artisans and shoppers. With holiday crowds in mind, the larger footprint provides room for more displays, hands-on demonstrations, and personalized customer service—elements Caudill believes are key to helping small businesses thrive in a competitive environment.

One notable newcomer who has benefited from the expanded space is Drift Creek Apothecary, a South Point, Ohio-based enterprise started by Sandy Ashworth. The line features all-natural skincare products made with local ingredients, a selling point that resonates with consumers seeking cleaner, more sustainable options. Ashworth explains the motivation behind her craft in simple terms: “I started making all natural soap when I got tired of using the average soaps at the stores with all their harmful chemicals.”

Her statement speaks to a larger trend driving holiday shoppers toward artisanal, locally sourced products that tell a story beyond price points. “There’s something in me that has a need to create,” she adds, describing the creative impulse that fuels her popular skincare offerings. Her products can be purchased by contacting her through her Facebook Page.

With the final Craft and Vendor fairs for 2025 scheduled for December 12-14 and December 19-21, the center is inviting residents to mark their calendars for what promises to be a festive, community-driven close to the year. Shoppers can anticipate a wide range of handmade goods, from heirloom-quality crafts to natural skincare products, all crafted by neighbors and friends who pour their passions into every creation.

As the doors swing open to more vendors and the holiday rush intensifies, Caudill emphasizes the broader mission: to celebrate ingenuity, support small businesses, and bring the tristate region closer through the shared joy of unique, handcrafted gifts. For anyone seeking meaningful presents that tell a story, the Ashland Town Center’s expanded vendor program offers an inviting corridor of creativity right in the heart of town."