Businesses Worth Visiting in Franklin
The Venango Republic spends a lot of time poking fun at the county for it's lack of appeal. What you might notice however is that we do very little negative publicity surounding Franklin. This is because, unlike Oil City, Franklin actually manages to maintain a charm that sets it apart from the rest of the region. They do not claim to be some major tourist trap like Oil Dump, and for that reason, somehow attract businesses worthy of praise.
Once again, we're stepping slightly away from the satire to give a semi serious perspective on the local community. This article will highlight what actually is good about Franklin and specific businesses that give it the charm that Oil City lacks. These businesses are the kinds that are absolutley worth stopping by if you are driving through. They may not be Time Square tourist traps, but that is exactly why we love them. They are just simple businesses that are better than you expect in a place like Venango County.
West Park Guitar
This is arguably the most unexpected businesses to have a foothold in the county. Not just for the fact that Venango is a far cry from Nashville, but also for the fact that the quality of this stores instruments are fairly decent. The shop owner is well versed in guitar rig setups and very resourceful to his customers. Despite his walls always being full of instruments, they are always changing indicating that people shop here frequently. If he doesn't have what you're looking for, he has resources to get what you need to his store. The best part is, he is a great business man and well knowleged in everything pertaining to performance, sound, music, and whatever else you can think of. The store is small, but has an appealing layout unlike other local businesses that look like a trash heap. This guy actually puts a lot of effort into making this shop look professional and appealing. It is definately worth checking out!
Bella Cucina
Once again, we have to ask how in the world is a business like this existing in Venango County? No, it is not an 81st floor Marriot Hotel kind of experience. But it certainly could be 5th floor Pittsburgh dining experience. The food is not super expenive, but the layout of the restaurant would make you think this was for formal attire only. I walked in and immediately feared I would get thrown out by some bouncer for not wearing a tux. The interior is incredibly pleasant, and if you are trying to get a romantic date night without having to drive an hour and a half, we do recommend this place. Your girl doesn't even have to know you spent the same as you would have at Pizza Hut.
What makes this experience so thrilling is that the layout looks formal. At the same time, you have menu items that are unique. When I ordered, the termonology was completey unfamiliar to me. I happen to be one of these regular guys who says "I'll take a cheese burger with some mayo." The menu was more like "I'll have this highclass sounding food I have never heard of before." Ordering was a step of faith because I actually did not know what I was getting. All I knew was that I felt like I was getting a rich mans experience with a 15 dollar meal. It was really cool!
To add to the class of the restaurant, they also have a fancy bar area with a huge selection of drinks. The table clothes and silverware contribute to the formal appeal. When summer weather rolls in, there is also an outdoor seating area with the same charm as inside the restaurant. We highly recommend this restaurant and consider it another honorable mention for Franklin.
Iron Furnace Coffee
Something nice about Franklin is that along the same stretch, there are a number of businesses with varying traits helping to give the town its charm. One of those businesses is the Iron Furnace Coffee. Personally, I was not able to verify if they actually use an iron furnace to make their coffee. The coffee was made behind the corner out of sight which seemed very suspicious as to whether they really use an iron furnace or just a keurig. What can be determined however, is that this coffee shop has a young vibe to it. That is something that many businesses in the county lack. When you walk into the Iron Furnace Coffee shop, the immediate sensation is that it feels modern. Almost like the person running it knew what a coffee shop in 2025 should look like.
They have seating areas in the back with records to play. Yeah... That technically is not modern, but that's exactly what young people like in a modern coffee shop. They want something vintage and classic to accompany the experience. It makes the atmosphere unique which is appealing in it's own right.
The food is fantastic at this location. I've stopped by twice in the last week and ordered their cinamon rolls. They taste fresh and delicious. As for the seating, they have this really long table that takes up half a football field. This way, you can experience game of thrones dining with a coffee shop breakfast.
Crosswalk Retail Shops
The Crosswalk Retail Shops consists of two stores in the same location. The Boho Daisy Botique and the Home Town Hype Custom Apparel. What is most impressive about this location is the professional appeal of the stores layout. Interestingly enough, the Home Town Hype is only one store but comes across as if it could be a part of a chain of stores. Sharing the same building on the left when you walk in is the Boho Daisy Botique which is primarily women's clothing but will soon feature childrens as well.
Both shops are highly invested in community fund raisers and other causes. Between the two you will find a custom apparel shop that offers screen printing, abroidery, and laser engravings as well as retail items ready for purchase. On the other side you will find fashion designs to peak womens interests. We typically try to finish these descriptions with a punchline but can't think of anything so..... Make up your own joke here.....
Smoke Cantina
Smoke Cantina is another example of a restaurant with a young vibe. The restaurant is narrow but has a decent seating capacity. Menu options are unique with reasonable pricing. Rather than this being a super formal experience, it presents itself as a cozy hangout restaurant possessing a modern cafe vibe minus the cafe. The bar is small but has a good selection to choose from. We will also mention the weed growing from the ceiling is legal.
The Olive Vault
The Olive Vault is a really cool feature to the downtown Franklin experience. The interior is well presented with a flashy kind of look. Again, our biggest praise to Franklin is the fact that they make their businesses look modern. The interior is very appealing with lots of different options in olive oils, balsamic vinegars, sauces and other culinary essentials. The business features a tasting area where visitors can sample the various options in their product line. The only thing this store does not feature is the oversized carts people use at Cosco.... You know, like those mothers who grab the cart the size of a dump truck but tell their kids "put that back! We're only here for the samples!" Oh yeah... This is Venango County.... You people probably don't know what a Cosco is....
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