New business had to be in Zanesville

ZANESVILLE - Tia Thomas lives in Virginia but she had to start her business in Zanesville.

U.S. Senior Suppliers opened Aug. 15 on Brandywine Boulevard. They sell a variety of products to help seniors, including about 30 different lift chairs, scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, grab bars and diabetic supplies.

Thomas, a Zanesville alumni, was born to be an entrepreneur. Her family previously owned and operated Bintz Brothers Department Store on the corner of Third and Main streets in downtown Zanesville.

"I came from a long line of entrepreneurs," Thomas said. "I'm from here, so I wouldn't want to open a store anywhere else. These are my roots, I love it here."

Thomas said she previously worked for a company that sold the same products but she didn't think they were doing enough to help the seniors. She said the prices were too high and they didn't accept Medicare. Thomas said she hasn't been approved to accept Medicare yet, but she expects to be in the future.

She also is passionate about her business because she has seen the benefits that come from using a lift chair. Her grandma recently broke her back and had trouble getting out of bed or chairs. Thomas gave her grandma a lift chair and it helped relieve her grandma's pain.

"I'm doing this to help people just like my grandma," Thomas said.

The lift chairs are designed to help a senior in various way. The chair raises and leans forward to help someone stand. Some of the chairs can elevate the legs and feet above the heart to help increase circulation in the body while releasing tension in the lower extremities.

"The reason for starting this company was to help people," Thomas said. "I want to help seniors."

hkull@gannett.com

740-450-6772

Twitter: @haydenkull5

If you go

What: U.S. Senior Suppliers 

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, closed Saturday through Monday.

Where: 1206 Brandywine Blvd., Zanesville. 

Phone: 877-430-5611 ext. 700