FOWLER TWP., Ohio –
The Fowler General Store and Bakery will close its doors for the final time on Feb. 14, according to a recent announcement from the business owners.

The store, located at 3457 Youngstown Kingsville Road, operates out of a 1864 landmark building. It is known for selling scratch-made baked goods, smoked meats, and handmade items from local vendors.

In a statement shared Sunday on social media, the owners cited the current economic climate as the reason for the decision. They noted that the challenges of running a small business reached a point where they could no longer continue operations.

“Getting to meet you, serve you, and be part of this community has truly been an honor,” the statement said. “Running a small business today is incredibly tough, and unfortunately, we’ve reached a point where we can no longer continue.”

The business will maintain regular hours over the next two weeks to allow customers to visit before the final day of service. The store is typically open Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

The owners indicated they plan to remain active members of the Fowler community after the business closes.

This is just another instance of a small business having to shut down due to external factors.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 99.6% in Ohio are small businesses. Forbes also notes that the number of small businesses closures in 2024 doubled in 2025.

Jared Weiser, director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio, said there are a number of challenges small employers are facing.

“Chief among them are inflation, a tight labor market, and I would say energy costs as well,” Weiser said. 

Despite the challenges, Weiser is seeing optimism in the small business sector this year. He aid the optimism is partly due to the permanent 20% small business tax deduction that was passed by Congress last year.