On Saturday, September 23 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Market Day festival. On Market Day, Worthington's largest one-day festival,  artisans will gather to sell hand-crafted goods. Community and local charitable groups also have fundraising and informational booths on display, and a host of food vendors provide meals, snacks, and concessions ranging from signature local restaurant dishes to carnival-atmosphere snacks. High Street between 161 and South Street will be closed for the event.

This long-standing event will be made fresh this year by many of Old Worthington's merchants will be having specials and activities to interest visitors. Here is a list of all the things our merchants have happening that visitors and locals have to check out on Saturday:

DORA: This event is a DORA-designated event, which means any of the establishments can serve an alcoholic beverage in a to-go cup, so patrons can enjoy the festivities within the district boundaries. For more information, please visit http://www.experienceworthington.com/dora

Worthington Inn: Bloody Mary's on the patio

AR Workshop: We will be officially opening on Sept 28th, but come get a sneak peek of our space and see us in action...Enjoy acoustic guitar music and don't miss out on your chance to be entered into a raffle to WIN a FREE class on us!

Balance Beauty Spa (In the Snow House): Stop by for samples & one-day-only sales on natural & organic beauty.

Igloo Letterpress: Market Day While-You-Wait Make-and-Take Poster
Choose from several backgrounds and personalize your very own 8x10 letterpress poster. You can choose from our antique wood and metal type to display the last name, monogram, date, child's name, address, or inspirational word. $25

Swoonful Gifts at Igloo Letterpress: Branchline Leather Company Trunk Show
You're invited to come meet the Elaine from Branchline Leather Company during our Market day trunk show. Their quality leather tote bags are just one of our unique, locally sourced goods offered in our handmade shop.

House Wine: We'll have a tailgate party in House Wine's parking lot with Land-Grant Brewing, Junior's Tacos, and a big screen so you can watch the OSU/UNLV with your family and friends. Festivities will kick off at 11 am.

For more information on Market Day, and street closures and parking restrictions, visit www.worthington.org.

Old Worthington has nearly any type of service you could want or need, including an elegant spa. Balance Beauty Spa is run by Kelly Walton, and has recently moved into the historic Snow House at 41 W. New England Avenue. Balance Beauty Spa is a relaxing loft-styled spa where licensed esthetician & manicurist, Kelly, is dedicated to bringing you the healthiest choices when it comes to your beauty.
Kelly believes that when women feel good about themselves they are more likely to go out in the world and do good things. Get to know Kelly and Balance Beauty Spa by reading on!

Why did you choose to open a business in Old Worthington? 
I chose to open Balance Beauty Spa in Old Worthington because of the historic charm and the amazing, supportive people in the community.

What do you love most about having a business in Old Worthington?
Old Worthington has become home to me. The community is so supportive and kind.

Describe what is special about your business.
Ther is a lot of "scare" in the beauty business. I have been dedicated to offering healthy choices when it comes to beauty by using natural & organic products--without compromising professional results. I also believe in boosting a woman's confidence so they can go out in the world and do great things.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business right now?
Sifting through deceiving beauty brands to find the ones that are not just safe and natural, but offer great results as well.

Tell us a funny story about a customer experience? 
One of my guests went into labor within an hour of leaving the spa...I suppose she was just that relaxed! (don't worry, she was full-term!)

What did you do before you had a business in Old Worthington?
I worked at another spa.

What do you do with your time when you're not at work? 
Spending time with my family is my favorite thing to do. I enjoy reading, gardening and sewing.

What is your dream for your business success? 
For my guests to have a blissful spa experience every single visit and to be an asset to the community that has been so supportive over the years.

https://www.balancebeautyspa.com/

Something for everyone at the market!

1987. 30 years. Three decades. That’s a significant time period.

There aren’t many folks who remember a time before The Worthington Farmers Market graced the sidewalks of Old Worthington. The Worthington Farmers Market has become a local institution. If you ask, most residents will likely note the market as their favorite Worthington activity. It’s the event you take out-of-town visitors to, and a major reason many of us moved here to begin with. Did you know that the market started out as a project from some students at OSU, doing a graduate program in sustainable agriculture? It became established, then nurtured and managed by the local businesses, and from there, a business association, The Old Worthington Business Association (OWBA) was born and has produced the market ever since. Those are the roots from which our current organization, The Old Worthington Partnership have grown. Because the market continues to be a major economic driver for the local businesses and the community, the reasons for the market's continued existence and vitality remain even more important.

Most people don’t know that The Partnership is the parent organization of the Farmers Market. We often say The Partnership “runs” the market. But the heart and soul of the market is the dedicated volunteers who show up in the early Saturday morning hours to make the market come to life--they are the ones who run it. Our indomitable market manager, Jaime Moore, has taken the market to new heights in recent years. The changes she has instituted, both large and small, often go unnoticed by the average market shopper. However, it is worth noting, that the pride we feel in our market is due to the many hours and hard work Jaime and her volunteers put into the market each week.

The brains behind the operations.

Not only do we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Worthington Farmers Market and all the good it does for our community, but we do so during the annual National Farmers Market Week. It’s a great time to share your your gratitude for the work the farmers do to produce our food. We are lucky to have such talented farmers bring their goods to Old Worthington week after week, year after year.

So, join us as we celebrate all farmers, and the 30th Anniversary of the Worthington Farmers Market this Saturday, August 12 from 8am-12pm. There will lots of fun activities, including a Farm-to-You petting zoo, zucchini car time trials and guacamole demonstrations by Chipotle Mexican Grill. Check out the schedule of activities on the Worthington Farmers Market website. Cheers to 30 more years!

Come shop with us!

Business Name: Swoonful Gifts at Igloo Letterpress

Business Owner(s) Names: Miriam Chon + Allison Chapman

Contact information: www.swoonfulgifts.com /  info@swoonfulgifts.com, 
www.Iglooletterpress.com / info@iglooletterpress.com

What is the history behind why and how you started your business? I owned a similar gift shop in Uptown Westerville in 2015. I worked in design for many years and wanted a space to share both mine and other local artist works. When Igloo Letterpress started a move to our current location, Allison proposed a partnership in their retail division. The creative collaborative environment of Igoo was a huge draw for me as a designer and a perfect opportunity for me to return home. So we merged our retail shops and opened together in November of 2015 in the old Worthington Hardware space.

Why did you select downtown Worthington for your business location? We’re both long-time residents of Worthington, both have had businesses here and our kids attend elementary, middle and high school in Worthington. Everything we love is here! It’s home and we wanted to be a part of building and contributing to our community.

What makes your products/service unique? Although gift shops and print shops are ubiquitous, we differentiate our business by focusing on handmade, craftsmanship of the products in our shop. Our staff is made up of working designers and artists so we bring a level of artistry to everything we offer. I try to focus on the quality of makers and promote makers from Ohio in the shop, many artisans are from right here in Worthington. I’ve been told I have a crusty sense of humor and I try to add a line of quirky products to the mix. Igloo Letterpress designs and prints the cards and art right here on site too. 

Clientele you cater to? We really have a multi-generational clientele from our community. I’ve seen young families, young professionals, grandparents with grandchildren and our own children’s friends come in to visit. We’ve been very pleased to connect with such varied clientele, it tells me our products resonate with our customers. When is the store open? Current hours are Tuesdays-Fridays 10-6, Saturdays 9-4 and Sunday 12-4. Any special events or “must do” things people should know about? We often have guest makers on Saturdays for special shopping opportunities and Igloo Letterpress has fantastic letterpress classes for novices and designers alike. 

Any funny stories or original experiences as a business owner? We often have customers trying to purchase items not for sales such as window display pieces or decor we’ve made for the shop.

What do you enjoy in your personal time? I enjoy designing and making my own crusty products and sometimes they end up in the shop! I also fully enjoy harassing my kids.

Anything else you want to share with the old Worthington supporters? Although I’m a long time resident of Worthington, I don’t think I realized just how committed Worthington is of their own community. The welcome to our new location has been amazing and we truly appreciate our customers for their business and kind words! It’s been very encouraging in our death defying adventure.

Here is everything you need to know about Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce's annual event, A Taste of Worthington. Be sure to check out the participating restaurants and what they will be offering.

Great tastes and family fun await guests at A Taste of Worthington, the Chamber’s annual food sampling festival, on Friday, July 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., in the parking areas near 450 W. Wilson Bridge Road, in the OfficeScape Corporate Center.

From 3,500 to nearly 5,000 people have attended recent "Taste" events to enjoy more than 50 dishes from 20 area restaurants. 

Admission is $3 per person (or $5 for two persons); children under 6 are admitted free. Parking is free in the convenient adjacent lots. Guests enjoy affordably priced ($1-$7) appetizers, entrées and desserts in a festive block party atmosphere. They vote on their favorite restaurant dishes in the "Peoples Choice Awards."  Soft drinks, bottled water, beer and wine are sold by the Chamber.

Family fun also is on the menu, including live music from four bands and performers, supervised children's games, a caricature artist, a "bounce house" and other activities. Sponsoring businesses have giveaways, product information and games.

Thanks to these sponsors and supporters:

Event (presenting) sponsors:
The Shops at Worthington Place
Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc.

     

Corporate Sponsors:
AAA Ohio Auto Club  
Anthony Lordo, D.D.S. LLC
Bath Fitter
Chingle Investment Management Co.
First Commonwealth Mortgage
First Financial Bank
First Merchants Bank
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Gutter Helmet by Harry Helmet
Heiser Staffing Services
Infinity from Marvin
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty, LaBuda Advantage Team
Kitchen Saver
LifeSpring Church
Mount Carmel St. Ann’s
PNC Bank – Worthington
Worthington Jewelers

Event Supporters and Partners:

Albright & Schnulo Family Eye Care
The Blue Jays
Blue Level Acoustic
City of Worthington
Coach Quarters and Evidia Ltd.
Cologix
First Merchants Bank
Goddard School of Worthington
Hypersounds Entertainment
The Mason Jars
Next Day Signs
Outreach Promotional Solutions
Paradigm Properties of Ohio
Quikrete Companies
Sam’s Club
Stylie Studios LLC and Matt Steidle
Sunpics Productions
ThisWeek Community News
Tilton’s Automotive Service
Undercover Tent Rentals
Wesley Glen Retirement Community
Worthington Schools

Participating Restaurants and Menus:

Aladdin's Eatery –Hummus, $3; Mujadara, $4; Hot Sauce, 50 cents; Baklava, $1
Borgata Pizza Café – Spicy Sausage Stuffed Peppers, $6; Cavatelli with Meatball, $6; Mini Chocolate Chip Cannolis, $2
Cameron's American Bistro – Heirloom Tomato Salad, $3; Braised Beef Short Ribs, $5; Red Velvet Cake, $2
Dairy Queen – Assorted Blizzards, $3
Graeter's Ice Cream – Big Scoops, $5; Chip Wheelies, $5
J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood – Shrimp Durango, $6; Baby Back Ribs with Bleu Cheese Chips, $7
J. Liu Restaurant & Bar – Lettuce Wraps, $5; Jason's Spicy Chicken, $5
Jet's Pizza – Assorted Pizza Slices, $1
Kona Ice Little Buckeye – Shaved Ice, $3 - $5
Marcella's Italian Kitchen – Heirloom Caprese Salad, $2; Braised Veal Meatball, $2; Vanilla Panna Cotta, $2
Molly Woo's Asian Bistro – Chicken Lettuce Cups, $2; Firecracker Chicken, $2; Asian Donuts, $2
Sbarro - Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza, $3; Chocolate Chip Cookie, $1
Star Lanes Polaris – Ahi Tuna Poké, $1
Sunny Street Cafe – Pork Carnita Taco, $3; Mini Bananas Foster Pancake, $2
Tandoori Grill – Chicken Samosas, $2; Boneless Grilled Chicken with Rice, $4; Garbanzo Beans with Rice, $3; Gulab Jamun Dessert, $2
The Whitney House – Watermelon Soup, $4; Chicharrones (Seasoned Pork Rinds), $3; Porketta Sandwich, $6
The Worthington Inn – Summer Gazpacho, $4; Watermelon & Feta Salad, $4; Strawberry Shortcake, $5
Wesley Glen Retirement Community – Farmhouse BLT, $5; Southwestern Quinoa Salad, $5
Willow Brook Christian Home – Seared Beef Tenderloin with Mac ‘n’ Cheese & Salad, $4; Cashew Turtle Blondie, $2

More event info:

Admission fees are collected at the gate. The event is held rain or shine. For more information about the event, call the Chamber office at (614) 888-3040.