Staff writer
After 4½ years in Marion, a custom hat-shaping and western wear merchandiser is moving her business from Marion to Canton.
Johsie Reid, who operates JR Hatters at 308 E Main St., said moving the business to Canton would bring her closer to “her people.”
Canton has 10 events a year at its rodeo arena north of town, Reid said. A majority of her clients are involved in rodeo and horsemanship sports.
“We get to be part of things,” she said.
Canton also sponsors a street dance, which will make Reid’s life a bit easier, she said. She won’t have to plan and organize a street dance in Marion as she has the last three years.
“I’m just making life easier and simplifying, and spending more time with my son,” she said.
Reid markets her custom hat-fitting business at trade shows outside Marion and at rodeo and horsemanship events. She has spent a lot of time traveling to other locations and thinks her building on Main St. could be better used by someone else.
“I’m always on the road. I just can’t sit still,” Reid said. “I just need to be able to move about freely.”
She also said the move also will lighten the load for her employees.
“My employees live in Canton,” she said. “The people who come help me with my events live in Canton.”
She looks forward to traveling more with her son, who often accompanies her on weekend and summer trips to rodeos and trade shows.
“We’re really just a hop, skip and a jump away,” she said.
Reid’s 3,000-square-foot Main St. building is listed for sale. Asking price for the 1882 Italianate style native limestone building is $74,500. It has two upstairs apartments that could be renovated for living space.