Cleveland-based Visconsi Companies, Ltd. just announced late today that the Pat Catan's Craft Centers will open a new 27,000 square foot store at the Westgate Shopping Center in Tiffin, Ohio. This is exciting news and is further confirmation of the retail momentum that Tiffin continues to see develop. Here is Visconsi's press release today - Pat Catan's to Open Store at Westgate Shopping Center. Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz was thrilled by the news: "Retail is an important component of the quality of life here in Tiffin, and Pat Catan's is a fantastic addition to our retail offerings on the west side." Seneca Regional Chamber President & CEO John Detwiler likewise greeted the news with enthusiasm,"Our business base continues to strengthen. It's great to see." Seneca County Commission President Holly Stacy agreed, "We appreciate new businesses coming into our community. They bring jobs and keep retail sales and sales tax here in Seneca County." A slightly smaller store in Boardman, Ohio, which opened last year, is estimated by Manta to have $5 to $10 million in sales and employ 20 to 40 workers. Started in 1954 by Cleveland-entrepreneur Pat Catan, the floral supplies store has blossomed into a full service craft retail business, offering everything from "floral decorations and wood turnings, along with art and jewelry making supplies." Now, over 20 stores dot Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The company also announced this month that they would open a new store in Monroe, Michigan. The closest store for Seneca County residents is located in Sandusky, Ohio, so this adds a much needed component to the community's retail options. This project is also a great positive for retail mall developer Visconsi, who developed the Westgate Shopping Center. Visconsi is now the fifth largest developer of shopping malls in the US, and Westgate is the anchor of Tiffin's west side retail district, with almost 250,000 square feet of retail space. Other tenants include Kroger's, TJ Willie's, Peebles, Sears, Shoe Sensation, Sherwin Williams, Sally Beauty Supply, and many others. Also on the city's west side are the Tiffin Mall and Cinemark stadium-seating movie theatre. , the Wolf Creek Shopping Center, as well as numerous stand alone retailers including Lowe's, Rural King, WalMart, ACE Hardware, several car dealers (Reineke Family of Dealerships, Coppus Motors, Baumann Chevrolet Buick GMC), and several dining options (Bob Evans, Asian Grill Buffet, Xcaret Mexican Restaurant, TJ Willie's, etc.) New recent openings on Tiffin's west side include Ag Credit, Superior Auto, JEM Network Consulting.