News Release

 GOSHEN — Three downtown Goshen retailers are taking the concept of pivoting very seriously.

“Pivot” was a small business buzzword when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in closures, social distancing and changes in the way retail customers made purchases. The owners of downtown Goshen’s Soapy Gnome, Menno Travel and The Imagination Spot have experienced a full spectrum of emotions since mid-March last year when they were challenged to develop strategies to keep their businesses viable.

Now, all three are implementing moves that will help each of them right-size their operations and continue to thrive in the post pandemic environment.

The travel industry has been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. Most of Menno Travel’s employees have been working from home for more than a year and owners Liz Gunden and Geof Landis realized they no longer needed as much space for in-person operations when their vacation advisors return to the office. 

“Making operations more efficient was one way we could address the drop in revenue,” Gunden says. “We learned that the ‘Famous’ building at 203 S Main St. was available and, after 34 years in our current location, we decided it was time for a move.”

Menno’s move from the larger 210 S. Main St. space on Feb. 1, couldn’t have come at a better time for Soapy Gnome owner Jenny Frech. Determined to keep her business running during the pandemic, the Soapy Gnome team pivoted to serve customers through new products like masks, curb side pickup and expanded online offerings. The payoff was an increase in business that resulted in the need for more space and the former Menno Travel space was perfect.

According to Frech, “We’re really excited to serve our customers in a larger, more accessible space. We’re majorly expanding our workshop and retail space to better serve the community and become a bigger attraction for tourists.” 

The final domino that will fall is The Imagination Spot’s move from their current space to Soapy Gnomes’ vacated space, just across the street. Owner Jasmine Wall says she’s excited about what will be an expansion for her. 

“My new space has room to add the art workshops I’ve been planning,” Wall says. “I’m excited to add more stationery products and art supplies as well as add these workshops at the same time people are venturing out and connecting more.”

To celebrate the moves and changes, The business owners are teaming up to share a grand opening of each location from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, June 26.

According to Wall, “It will be a fun day to visit downtown Goshen in general, and The Imagination Spot, Soapy Gnome and Menno Travel in particular.”

The businesses have collaborated to host a giveaway where you can enter to win a “Be a tourist in you own town” gift package. This gift package will consist of four tickets to numerous local attractions along with gift certificates to eat at local businesses. 

More details on how to enter the Giveaway and their Grand Opening can be found on their Facebook pages.