Uptown Westerville, Inc.
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​UPTOWN BLOG

Meet Our Market Vendor - Bake a Difference

8/31/2020

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Bake A Difference
Located in the City Hall Section of the WSFM, stop by and pick up a great selection of sweets every Saturday from 9am-12:00pm.
How Many Seasons have you been at the Market? 
The 2020 Summer Season is Bake A Difference's first season at the Westerville Farmer's Market.
 
Describe (Your Business) in 3 Words? 
Unique Flavored Desserts
 
What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday? 
We really enjoy interacting with customers and other vendors. It is a great opportunity to showcase some of our existing products as well as get feedback from people on potential new items to sell. We really enjoy repeat customers stopping by to ask, “What’s new this week?”  
Each week we try to bring different products to sell.  Additionally, each month we select a charity to promote and support: Nina West Foundation, Pelotonia Cancer Research, Luv4K9s, Largest Table, etc... We have a mission to give back to the community and to encourage change. It is enjoyable to see the reactions and support from customers.
How can people find you on the internet?  
www.bakeadifferenceohio.com
​
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Meet Our Market Vendor - Healthy Pup Stuff

8/17/2020

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Healthy Pup Stuff. 
Located on the East Side of the WSFM, Candace and Arwen make sure that the Market is a weekly destination spot for our canine companions as well.
 
How Many Seasons have you been at the Market?
This is the first season that Healthy Pup Stuff has been at the Westerville Market and we are loving it! It is fun to see familiar faces each week and form connections with vendors and customers alike. Arwen loves seeing everyone on Saturdays and getting all the treats and pets from people that stop at our booth! 

Describe (Your Business) in 3 Words?
Natural Dog Supplements

What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday?
We love seeing the same people each week as well as many new faces. Having people become regulars in such a short time and stop to say hi makes my day! I love how excited and generous people are that come to this market. It can be pouring down rain and you all still come out to support these local businesses. The atmosphere is unmatched to any other market that we vend at. The live music, helpful staff and friendly vendors make all the difference. Since we sell all natural dog supplements, having dogs allowed in this market is amazing. It’s great to actually see some of our actual beneficiaries of the supplements. Arwen loves making new friends too! 

How can people find you on the internet?
You can find us at healthypupstuff.com. You can order online and have our dog supplements shipped right to your door or can also save on the shipping and have them ready for pick up at any markets that we stop at! We also have Instagram and Facebook pages that you can check out and we are always looking for reviews so please let us know how we are doing :)
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Meet Our Market Vendor - Veggy Dog

8/11/2020

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Westerville Saturday Farmer’s Market Spot Light
Veggy Dog
Located on the West side of the WSFM. Arnold and Sonya Ramsey are the proud owners of Veggy Dog LLC. Veggy Dog is based in Pickerington, OH and is a new entrant into the healthy pet market place. Arnold and Sonya met and married 34 years ago while they both served in the US Marines Corps. After a 28 year career with a global chemical corporation, Arnold was downsized on July 10, 2020. “When life gives you lemons, you make healthy dog treats”. Sonya on the other hand was the owner of a home-based Digital Marketing Business. She is also a 16-year Docent at the Columbus Art Museum. Veggy Dog was started at the request of a local pet groomer. Their combined skills, passion for baking and love for dogs was a natural catalyst for this business.
 
How Many Season have you been at the Market?
This is my first year at the Westerville Farmer's Market. I started my business this year.
Our goal is to help doggie parents provide healthy snacks for their fur babies. Our hand-baked treats are made with nutritious ingredients that you know, love, and trust. We make it easy for pet owners to add a variety of healthy options into their dog’s everyday diet. We developed Veggy Dog treats to be tummy safe therefore, our products are wheat, corn, and soy-free. To ensure the safety and validity of all ingredients, our treats have been tested by a certified laboratory and we’re committed to sustainable practices.
 
Describe Veggy Dog in 3 Words?
Healthy dog treats
 
What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday?
My favorite part about selling at the market is the interaction with the customers, their dogs, and vendors. It's a nice, friendly way to spend Saturday mornings.
 
How can people find you on the internet?
facebook.com/veggydog 
Instagram: @veggydog
Email: sonya@veggydog.co
​
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Meet Our Market Vendor: Knife and Fork Farms

7/23/2020

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​Westerville Saturday Farmer’s Market Spot Light
Located on the West Side of the Market, Knife and Fork Farms is a veteran vendor with the WSFM.  Stop by and say hello to Kelsey and her sister, Lauren, and shop for some of the season’s freshest produce every Saturday from 9-12.
 
How Many Season have you been at the Market?
We have been full season vendors at the market since the beginning, so three years now. Wow that’s gone fast!
Describe Knife and Fork in 3 Words?
Quality Homegrown Produce.
What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday?
Our favorite part has to be our customers. Over the seasons we have gotten to know them and their families, we have shared recipes and tricks for in the kitchen, and together we have built a community. This market, as soon as you step foot in feels like a small-town community. This season we all have been thrown a major curve ball, but that hasn’t stopped our customers from showing up, buying our produce and supporting the market. We are grateful for our customers and this community that have become our family. We are there every Saturday, smiling under our masks…COME SEE US SOON!
How can people find you on the internet?
Social Media:
Instagram @knifeandforkfarms
Facebook @knifeandforkfarms
Website coming soon!
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Meet Our Market Vendor - Tier Three Heritage Products

7/14/2020

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Tier 3 Heritage Products 
A Westerville Saturday Farmers Market Original, Tier 3 is located in the Back Lot Section of the Market.
Stop by, pick up some farm raised products and enjoy some good cheer with Nelson and Meredith Every Saturday from 9 am-12pm.
 
How Many Season have you been at the Market?
3
Describe (Your Business) in 3 Words?
 Local | Family-Owned | Wholesome
 
What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday?
We love to share our story about our love of agriculture and all things farming.   It is so much fun to meet new people and visit with friendly faces each week.  We've made many new friends at the market both with our fellow vendors and our repeat customers.  We believe that the good things in life are better when shared with others.
 
How can people find you on the internet?
www.facebook.com/tier3heritageproducts
​
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Meet Our Market Vendor - Chile Dean's Pepper Scene

7/7/2020

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Chile Dean’s Pepper Scene. 
Located on the west side of the WSFM, Chile Dean can be found on Saturdays from 9-12 with a variety of plants to spice things up. Stop by, purchase some plants, and be sure to chat with Dean (and Chile Grandma!) on Saturday Morning!
 
How Many Season have you been at the Market?
This is our second season at the Westerville Farmers Market
 
Describe Chile Dean's Pepper Scene in 3 Words?
Education, Unique-Plants, Fun
 
What’s your favorite part of being in the Market every Saturday?
My favorite part about being at the market is the opportunity to interact with all of the locals. After two years I actually have people that rush up to my stand first just so they can get a compost tea or grab some plants before they sell. I even have a summer intern that was a customer last year. He is the reason why I do what I do. Teaching the young and old that gardening is fun and rewarding.
 
My goal in starting this business was to bring unique and rare plants to the public. Most nurseries only put out what I like to call "Burbee varieties". So I have close to 600 varieties of chile peppers and close to 300 varieties of all my other vegetable seeds. I love customers coming up wanting certain plants and I have to say sorry I don't have that "boring jalapeno" but have you ever heard of the orange, black. purple, yellow jalapenos? And then the look on their faces when they realize that they've never heard of any of what I have. It’s entertaining and humbling at the same time.
 
To me in this time that we are living in, being able to grow your own food has never been more important. My unofficial slogan is "I'm going to give you the plants for free but sell you the education". So whether you're a customer or not I always want them to feel they can approach me or contact me at any time if they ever have questions. Gardening and growing food is so important to me and I want to share my knowledge with them.
 
How can people find you on the internet?
https://www.facebook.com/ChileDeans
​
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Ten Things to Know About Uptown Untapped 2019

10/8/2019

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Entering year three, Uptown Untapped is Westerville’s first-ever beer festival, recognizing both the city’s rich history as a hub for the temperance movement and celebrating its bright future in the heart of the city’s unique Uptown district. 

Let’s face it - it’s our biggest party of the year. And we want members of our community and visitors to our great city alike to join us for the festivities.


We are a week away, so here’s ten things to know about Uptown Untapped in 2019:


Breweries

Let’s start with the most important part - the beer. We are thrilled to welcome 13 local breweries offering up their unique and tasty brews to attendees. For a full list, visit
UptownWestervilleInc.com/Uptown-Untapped.html.


What’s New?

Every year we’ve introduced new enhancements to the experience. This year we are offering both full 12 ounce pours and 4 ounce tasting options. Tickets will be mailed for quick entry at the door for those who preorder, and an affordable $10 day of the event entry tickets will be available. 


Stay and Play

Also new this year is the
Untapped Stay and Play Package that includes one standard room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Polaris Parkway, just a couple miles from Uptown. The Package includes transportation to and from the event (until 11 p.m.), complimentary breakfast at the hotel, two early event entry tickets, and four 12 ounce pours.


Volunteers

This event wouldn’t happen without the countless volunteers leading up to and during event day. We still need amazing individuals to help pour, so sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b4aadaa23a2fc1-pouring.


Who Else Helps

Our presenting sponsor is
Amish Originals Furniture Company. We owe so much to our local sponsors as well: Middlefield Banking Company and Heartland Bank. Thanks for supporting our work.


Need Some Grub

Nothing goes better with local brewed beers, like amazing food. Some of Uptown’s finest restaurants,
Asterisk Supper Club, Barrel and Boar, Old Bag of Nails, Tosatadalicious, Cardinal Pizza, and Shirley's Popcorn will all be there offering up delicious grub.


Listen to the Music

Three new bands will play throughout the night, including
JR Roth Band, Topher James and the Biscuit Brigade and Whiskey Would.


The Merchandise

Want some Untapped gear? We offer not
one, but two t-shirt options to purchase. Get yours before the event!


Our History

Westerville had long been known as the “The Dry Capital of the World” and the birthplace of prohibition. Uptown Untapped is our way to pay homage to this history on the same streets that once connected the Anti-Saloon League with the rest of the country.  


Why We Do This

Uptown Westerville Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening and beautifying our unique Uptown by fostering revitalization, historic preservation and a sense of community.​ Uptown Untapped is one of our major fundraising activities, and the bonus is it’s a ton of fun!


See you October 12!

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Green Haven Living Recognized For Sustainability

8/14/2019

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One Uptown business is being recognized for its efforts toward a more sustainable environment.

Last year, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) launched the Wood Furniture Scorecard, which serves as a comprehensive assessment of publicly available information on virgin wood sourcing policies for the largest furniture retailers in North America. It also evaluates company use of recycled and reclaimed wood. 

2018 was the inaugural year, with seven top scorers including ABC Carpet & Home, Williams-Sonoma Group, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, City Furniture, and Target.

In 2019, all members companies of the SFC big and small were notified by the SFC that their businesses would be evaluated. Uptown’s own Green Haven Living is a top scoring company in 2019 and will be recognized in August.

“When it comes to sustainability, we can't just talk about it -- we have to find ways to live it,” said Angie Scheu, owner and manager of Green Haven Living. “We are always looking for unique, clever products utilizing alternative, natural or vintage materials, otherwise those that are repurposed, reclaimed and recycled.”

The Wood Furniture Scorecard was developed to promote sustainable forest management given that the furniture industry may be using, knowingly or unknowingly, illegally logged and otherwise unsustainably-produced wood within complex supply chains. This is alarming, as the furnishings industry ranks as the third largest consumer of wood after construction and paper products. Deforestation and poor forest management are threats to wildlife species throughout the world as well as to clean water and climate security. 86% of furniture consumers described themselves as “very concerned” about global deforestation in a recent survey by SFC.

Green Haven Living’s sourcing is conducted in a way that combats deforestation. A strict wood sourcing policy that sets standards for selecting all of its furniture, decor and artwork for sale in its showroom has allowed Green Haven Living to avoid illegally harvested timber or timber that is otherwise harvested in an unethical way. 

“I'm really proud of this recognition,” Scheu added. “It's validating the work and the goals that Green Haven Living has set out to accomplish." 

“We are honored to celebrate this recognition with Green Haven Living,” said Lynn Aventino, executive director of Uptown Westerville Inc. “Uptown is home to so many businesses that are committed to doing right for their communities and the environment.”

To learn more about this recognition, please click here.



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Uptown Recognized as Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places

4/8/2019

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Westerville’s history is a point of pride for many residents. Between the Hanby House, Otterbein University and the former home of the Anti-Saloon League, few cities boast the historic landmarks Westerville does - and nowhere in Westerville embodies this rich history better than Uptown.

Now our community’s historic recognition has gone national.


On March 22, 2019, Uptown Westerville’s recognition as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places was unanimously approved as meeting the National Register criteria at the
Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Meeting.


The National Register of Historic Places defines historic districts as having a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development
.


“One of the three pillars of Uptown Westerville Inc.’s mission is historic preservation, and Uptown being recognized as a Historic District is a momentous accomplishment worth celebrating,” said Lynn Aventino, executive director of Uptown Westerville Inc. “Our organization will continue to honor our past, but we will use this momentum to continue to build on Westerville’s legacy of being an amazing community to live, work and visit.”


Uptown Westerville Inc. spearheaded the nomination process, with collaboration from the
City of Westerville, community residents and elected officials. Special thanks to members of Westerville City Council for their resolution of support, the Westerville Historical Society for their letter of support for the nomination and State Representative Mary Lightbody for her advocacy.


The next step is for the State Historic Preservation Officer to forward the nomination to the National Park Service (NPS). Once the nomination is received by the NPS, a 45-day review period begins.


The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties recognized by the federal government as worthy of preservation for their local, state or national significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Although the National Register is a program of the National Park Service, it is administered at the state level by each respective state. For more information on the process and other historic districts and places, visit
OhioHistory.org/NationalRegister.


Stay tuned to
UptownWestervilleInc.com. for more updates.


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4th Fridays in Uptown: What to expect and where to park!

7/26/2018

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Summer is flying by, so don’t miss the remaining 4th Friday celebrations Uptown. Led by the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau (WVCB) for the last 15 years, these events get bigger and better and serve as open invitations to residents and visitors to explore our great community.

Coming themes for the remaining events:

  • July 27, 2018 - World Bazaar
  • August 24, 2018 - Dog Days of Summer
  • September 28, 2018 - Farm in the City

Most notable in 2018, State Street (State Route 3) is now closed to vehicular traffic between Park and Home Streets from 5:30 until after 9 p.m. for every 4th Friday, giving attendees plenty of space to move thru and a better sense of safety.

Attendees will not only enjoy extended hours in the Uptown shops and restaurants, but street vendors and food trucks along State Street as well as the side streets featuring all manner of products, services and food truck fare to celebrate the coming of spring.

The streets of Uptown will adorn art displays, children and family activities, live music, street performances, and other entertainment.

Getting around Uptown during 4th Fridays is easy:

  • Streets and parking lots normally used for 4th Friday activities will close at 4 p.m. and include:
    • East Home St. and the parking lots on the northeast and southeast corners of North State and East Home Streets
    • East College Ave. from State Street to Vine Street
    • West College Ave. from State Street to the City parking lot
    • Winter Street to the parking lot entrance. Access to the Union Savings Bank drive-thru will be maintained via Winter Street
 
  • Attendees can park at The Point at Otterbein University (60 Collegeview Ave.) and ride the free shuttle Uptown to enjoy the festivities. The shuttle will run every 15 minutes until 9 p.m.
 
  • For cyclists, the Westerville Bicycle Club will sponsor a free bike corral adjacent to Jimmy V’s (1 South State St.), sponsoring short maintenance checks and keeping bikes secure while their owners enjoy the event


All closures can be viewed at VisitWesterville.org.

We hope that everyone gets an opportunity to experience the vibrant atmosphere of our Uptown during a 4th Friday this summer!

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