ASHLAND — Realtor J.C. Meyer originally dubbed Ashland, Ohio as the World Headquarters of Nice People when he implanted the claim on a sign after noticing the potential of the U.S. 250 corridor.
Years later, Explore Ashland has launched a t-shirt campaign as a way to showcase not only the nice people living in Ashland, but the multitude of unique businesses that call Ashland home.
Community members can purchase a shirt for $20 at the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce on Claremont Avenue. Participants are then encouraged to visit one of the several locations listed on the back of the shirt and submit a photo of them wearing one of the specified venues.
“We picked several locations that are unique to Ashland and that we are proud of,” Director of Operations at the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Amy Daubenspeck said. “I was standing in the kitchen talking to my husband about (making a new shirt) and it just kind of clicked: The World of Headquarters of Nice People.”
If participants want a better chance to win, they can post the picture on social media with the hashtag #PromoteTheShirtOutOfIt.
Explore Ashland will randomly select a winner at the end of August. The victor will walk away with a $100 Shop Local Ashland gift card.
Advantage Marketing designed the shirt that features eleven Ashland amenities including AerOhio Skydiving, Ashland Balloonfest, Ashland University, Grandpa’s Cheesebarn, Honey Haven Farm, the Largest Wooden Horse and Buggy, Masterminds Escape Room, Olivesburg General Store, the Bank Vault from Shawshank Redemption, the Thornburg Insect Collection and Tin Can Chandelier.
“We’ve done several shirts; this will be the fourth shirt we’ve made over the last several years that has to do with promoting Ashland and why it is so cool to be here,” Daubenspeck said.
For more information, community members can visit Explore Ashland’s website.
