After being an educator for 30 years, Linda Mann knows what supplies teachers need.

With her husband, Steve, their School Stuff business now delivers.

The Manns, of South Point, have taken their business, School Stuff, on the road selling classroom decorations and supplies to teachers out of their converted school bus.

"There really isn't many places teachers can go for supplies," said Linda Mann, a retired teacher in the Ironton school system. "If you order stuff, you can't see it."

The Manns started School Stuff three years ago. They would set up at the schools and haul everything in their van. It grew to a cargo trailer and, this year, they upgraded to the school bus that serves as their mobile store.

"We couldn't ask for a better reception," Linda said. "We never thought it would get this big."

Yesterday, they visited Burlington, Deering and the South Point schools. Today, the bus stops at Rock Hill and Ironton schools.

Many teachers like having the store come to them.

"This is great because you don't have to go to the stores and worry about getting there before they close," said Debbie Webb, a second-grade teacher at South Point Elementary School. "There are always things you need at the last minute."

First-grade teacher Donna Buckley agrees that it is wonderful that they can get things at the last minute.

"I wanted something I couldn't find anywhere else and they had it," she said. "By she being a retired teacher, she knows what we need."

The Manns hope their service continues to grow. They have ordered a cash register and will be able to accept Visa payments next week.

Plans have already been made to return to the schools later in the fall and to expand their coverage.

"We are hoping to branch out a little more in Scioto County to some of the schools that don't have stores nearby," she said. Michael Caldwell/The Ironton Tribune