If you are in the area, you can't skip this place. If you're from Cleveland, the Marketplace at the…read moreCooke will remind you a lot of the 5th Street Arcades in downtown Cleveland. This is a super cool public market hall in downtown Sandusky with maybe 15ish (just a guess) local businesses like a bakery, bowling alley, axe throwing game space, ice cream shop and boutiques. This is a cool place to spend an hour or two just browsing and supporting local while grabbing some dessert. The building has some type of history to it which I was unable to readily find online (boo, that is so odd). But the history is paid homage in the design of this space, with old timey photos of Sandusky and Cedar Point blown up on the walls and little stories to accompany them. The design is actually brilliant. It's a cool mixture of old school heritage meets modern rustic vibes. It makes you want to stop and look. The businesses in this building are open during the pandemic, just make sure to check with each business directly before visiting as most of the hours are likely changed. I stopped by here extremely quickly (I do not go out much during the pandemic) to pick up some pre-paid birthday treats from Bake Erie. It has a spacious, accessible parking lot and is just a joy to browse. Check it out for yourself, than continue exploring the surrounding area of local businesses... and Lake Erie :)

Neat little indoor shopping plaza with really cool decor. We need to make it back for axe throwing…read moreand maybe dinner. Definitely worth a stop-in if in the area.

I purchased a six foot Norway spruce over the phone, and everyone at North Branch was wonderful. I…read moretold them the date I would pick up the tree, and I received a reminder call three days before I was to pick up. Thirty minutes out I called to let them know I was on my way. The nursery has a large wholesale base and is huge. Lots of nursery landscapers were working the greenhouses and tree lots. The tree farm is all around. At the counter Josh had the paperwork. A forklift put the tree in the bed of my pick up. Josh secured it with the bungee cords I brought, and gave me paper instructions on watering and staking the tree. The 45-minute drive was worth it. Recommend.

I have enjoyed a great relationship with Northbranch Nursery for over 10 years, which is why I'm…read moredisappointed to say that relationship seems to have come to a screeching halt. Since Karen Himelhan joined the team in the landscape design department, her negative and confrontational communication style has overshadowed the excellent work the grounds crew consistently provides. I've used Northbranch Nursery for landscaping services at both of my homes, and anytime I've raised questions about billing or addressed concerns regarding the work, the response has felt defensive and combative rather than collaborative. When paying nearly $4,000-6,000 for a service, I believe customers are justified in asking questions or expecting concerns to be addressed professionally. Unfortunately, instead of listening and working toward solutions, Karen often appears focused on finding loopholes or excuses to avoid responsibility. The tension this creates is noticeable -- even staff members seem uneasy when she arrives on-site. That's unfortunate because everyone should be working toward the same goal: a beautifully landscaped property, a positive working relationship, and a professional, knowledgeable team that values customer service and communication. At the end of the day, successful businesses rely on customer loyalty, positive word of mouth, and strong service standards. I hope Northbranch Nursery takes these concerns seriously because the quality of the actual landscaping work deserves better representation. Mark M.