A Community Connection

By Shana Karn, Owner, The Second Knob & TSK Warehouse Vendor Mall

279 Rte. 13, Cortland
Open Tues-Sat 9am-6pm and Sun 10am-4pm

As 2026 kicked off, we set some big goals for TSK Warehouse this year including strengthening our connection to the communities we serve with special events that will help us bring more attention to our little mall, the small businesses inside and all that we offer!

Each month throughout 2026, TSK Warehouse will offer a special event. This month, we look forward to our “Cabin Fever” event on Sat. 2/28 with Booth Bingo (until the prizes run out), Local Teacher and Children’s Author, Kristy Buchalla, signing copies of the first book in her Working at the Zoo series from 1p-4pm, and a free “Write Your Own Story” activity for kids 4-12yrs. Watch our Facebook and Instagram accounts for additional information on our monthly events. Each monthly event is carefully planned with “community” in mind and will be an opportunity for us to promote new/guest vendors, businesses and services. The 3rd Saturday of the month, May thru November, our free monthly flea markets are an incredible opportunity for new small business to showcase themselves as well! 

Community connection is one of the most important and, often, most overlooked building blocks of a healthy, small business. TSK Warehouse should be more than a place to shop; we should be a living part of the community we are in and those around us.  Moving to Cortland last year gave us a chance to build stronger relationships within the Cortland community. This is what distinguishes us from large corporations and will give us a lasting impact beyond our day-to-day sales. 

When customers feel personally connected to us, we hope that it fosters a sense of loyalty which encourages you to return and to tell friends and family about us. This sense of belonging turns our customers into advocates for our small business; helping us to succeed and hopefully have an impact on community well-being.

As an owner, this connection offers me and our vendors invaluable insight. Through conversations, partnerships and special events, we gain a better understanding of needs, wants and preferences. This allows us to adapt authentically, offer products and services, and promote new small businesses that genuinely serve the community rather than blindly following impersonal market trends. 

Most importantly, community connection creates a cycle of positive impact.  We support local causes, promote and collaborate with other businesses. In return, the community supports us through patronage and word-of-mouth referral.  It is a reciprocal relationship that strengthens not just us, but the social and economic fabric of our communities—a win for all of us!