Southington family turns hobby into sweet business
It's maple syrup season once again, and the weather's been kind this year to all the sugar houses around our neck of the woods.
SOUTHINGTON, Ohio - It's maple syrup season once again, and the weather's been kind this year to all the sugar houses around our neck of the woods.
For the McDivitt family in Southington, it's been another year of carving out their unique spot in the business.
Craig McDivitt spends a lot of time keeping the fire going this time of year. What started as a hobby a few years ago is now a constantly-growing family business.
"This is our second evaporator. Our first one was 18 inches by 36 inches long. It was tiny," said Craig McDivitt.
Craig is a fourth-generation maple syrup maker but had no idea his skills would be put to the test right away.
"Our first year we just kind of tinkered around with it, just kind of learning the ropes a little bit. He was just getting his feet wet. That same year my son was diagnosed with autism," said Stacy McDivitt.
Suddenly, the family needed an extra source of income and quickly turned this little seasonal hobby into a year-round business. Stacy took some classes, experimented with some recipes, and a year and a half ago pushed the program into overdrive.
"In the fall of 2017 I went to the Youngstown Business Incubator and took the WE Launch class, and that's kind of the part that really catapulted my business," said Stacy McDivitt.
She won a $5,000 grant which she used to get a commercial kitchen and shop in Southington, now fully stocked with far more than just syrup.
One of the ways they've been able to stand out is a wide variety of maple-flavored products, including things you might not expect to see like a maple salad dressing.
"I have my maple hot pepper jam, maple balsamic vinaigrette, maple pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds, granola," said Stacy McDivitt.
Now, they're donating back to a local autism organization and other causes, while growing the family business with "family" still the most important part.
"The best part is definitely the boys, bringing the boys out here, taking them to gather sap," said Stacy McDivitt.
"My kids are pretty little right now, so they're kind of fair weather fans. They can't come out when it's real cold, but they do enjoy coming out and helping when they can," said Craig McDivitt.
A true family business, trying to make the world a little sweeter for everyone.
Stacy McDivitt sells her wide variety of items at various local markets, including the Youngstown Flea, farmer's markets in Warren, Howland, and Garrettsville, and the Cleveland Flea.
The store is open from 11 am-5 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, along with 10 am-3 pm on Saturday at 3528 Parkman Road in Southington. You can learn more about the family and their maple products at mcdivittfamilymaple.com.
