Kids cut ribbon at new Oberlin speech clinic

OBERLIN — KidSpeak is all about helping children, so it's only fitting they got to cut the ribbon Tuesday morning for the new business located at 23 Eric Nord Way. "I have always wanted to create a space for children to have right here in Oberlin," said speech-language pathologist Laura Slocum, a graduate of both Oberlin High School and Oberlin College. Her business was just about to get off the ground last year when the coronavirus pandemic hit and her long-in-the-works plans had to be put on hold. Slocum has now opened a nationally certified and state-licensed clinic where children can find professional speech and language services. KidSpeak specializes in developmental disorders of communication and early intervention. Slocum said she hopes it will be a welcoming environment for children to receive individualized therapy services, but also a place where they can gather to play, learn and grow with each other. Helping do the honors Tuesday was Oberlin City Council President Linda Slocum. "As her mother, I can assure you that kids do speak," she quipped. While watching her daughter prepare to open Kidspeak, Linda Slocum said she has seen "the dreaming, the visioning, the planning, the execution that has gone into putting this business into reality." That front-row seat opened her eyes to the care every single business owner in Oberlin has put into the community, she said. Janet Haar, director of the Oberlin Business Partnership, said she also is excited to see KidSpeak and other businesses open their doors this summer after several others were forced to close during the pandemic. "You know it makes me happy when another business comes to Oberlin," she said. Willow Jewelry and Repair recently opened on West College Street, and Bistro Bella Luna has a grand opening Thursday on East College Street. Now Haar and company are hoping to see tenants move into the former Oberlin Kitchen and Black River Café spaces on South Main Street. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.