New developments spiff-up Uptown ahead of Small Business Weekend

Shoppers visiting historic Uptown this Small Business Weekend will find a vibrant district brightened by redevelopment projects up and down State Street.

Uptown Westerville Inc. invites residents to Shop Small and Support Local businesses both Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29-30.

A number of special events are planned Sunday, with a new expansion of Small Business Saturday into a second day – and into a full Small Business Weekend. And the weekend will kick off a whole season of activity, under the Holidays in Uptown banner.

New in old Uptown

Visitors can’t help but notice recent reinvestment in the city’s historic Uptown commercial district by business owners, with three primary examples:

Fox in the Snow, 79 S. State. The popular Central Ohio café and bakery group expanded into Westerville Oct. 11, opening its fifth location in Uptown. It is located in the former Fusion sushi shop, adjacent to Fattey Beer Co., at the southwest corner of State and Park Streets. The welcome from Westerville has been amazing, said Scott Ciocca, Director of Operations for Fox in the Snow.

“It’s been a wonderful community to be in and be part of,” he said. “I’m amazed at how active it is.” Ciocca invited residents not yet familiar with Fox in the Snow to stop by, for “pastries and coffee and the best egg sandwich you’ll ever have.”

Stone and Sparrow, 31 N. State, has expanded into the former Morgan’s Treasures building, at the northwest corner of State and Main streets. Locally owned by Amy Cabilovski, the renovation of the new location included restoring its stamped tin ceilings and adding bands of bright-green paint on the brick exterior, to better blend with the Cabilovski’s neighboring Uptown business, Edwin Loy Home.

She invites shoppers this weekend to check out the new digs in the restored 1870s building. “It’s more open, it’s spacious and bright,” she said. “It’s very welcoming and you have room to browse and shop and two new changing rooms to try on clothes.”

The restoration also installed new flooring, completely rebuilt a historic transom window that was too far gone to restore, and exposed an interior brick wall. Also added is all new lighting, highlighted with chandeliers, “to make it feel cozy and warm, kind of like our old space,” she added. The former Stone and Sparrow at 34 N. State now will be transformed into Cabilovski’s third Uptown business – the Little Sparrows Baby and Pet Boutique.

Birdie Books, 79 N. State, has completed its renovation of the former Gathering Place space at the northwest corner of State and Home streets. The book and gift shop now has expanded into the entirety of the historic Culver Art and Frame building, with its original space at the east side of the building now comprising just the children’s section. A café and beverage bar in the front part of the building will open in the future.

Small Business Saturday … and Sunday

In a special themed event first launched in 2023, Uptown businesses have pulled out all the stops to create a holiday destination in the heart of Westerville. And Frank Capra’s fictional Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life hasn’t got anything on our real, historic Uptown.

Please come out to enjoy the festive decor and support our local merchants.

Through the sponsorship of RWM Wealth Advisors, Visit Westerville, Kiddie Academy and UWI, the 2025 Holidays in Uptown kicks off with Small Business Weekend Nov. 29 and 30.

Weekend events and more planned through New Year’s will include:

• 29 — Small Business Saturday— Many Uptown shops open under their extended holiday hours for the national event.
• 30 — Small Business SUNDAY— A local expansion of the event by Uptown Westerville Inc. Grab a free Holidays in Uptown tote (while supplies last) and check out the Gingerbread Obstacle Course and Snowman Bounce House at State and Home streets, from noon-3 p.m.
• 7, 14 and 21 — Good Medicine Productions present Uptown Scrooge Abridged —three performances each Sunday.
• 1-8 —Snowflake Castle at Everal Barn, two times daily.
• 2, 4, 6 — Christmas Open House at Hanby House.
• 5 — City Tree Lighting ceremony and Parade of Lights — 6:30-8 p.m.
• 6 — Return of the Westerville Christmas Parade, staged by Good For Westerville. From St. Paul’s Church to Walnut Street, 10 a.m. Pictures with Santa after the parade at COhatch, 240 S. State St.
• 6 — Santa & Mrs. Claus at Howard Hanna/The McCurdy Team (42 N. State St.)
• 7 — Westerville Lions Club 5k Rudolph Run/Walk and Winter Fest, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Westerville Sports Complex.
• 7 — Handel’s Messiah Sing-A-Longc Join the Westerville Symphony at the second annual Messiah sing-along at St. Paul Church, 313 N. State St. — 7 p.m.
• 12 — Progressive Christmas Concertfor Habitat at local churches, 5-9 p.m.
• 14 — Ugly Sweater Snack and Stroll 2025, noon to 4 p.m.
• 19 — WUMA Ice Sculpture Tour— Sculptures outside 30 historical Uptown buildings to be in place by 6 p.m.; Self-guided tour continues until they melt!

For more information on all these events and many more, check the Uptown Westerville Inc. calendar here.

Traveling or too busy? Grab an Uptown Gift Card

If you’re traveling this holiday weekend, or too busy with hosting family to shop this Small Business Weekend, consider purchasing an Uptown Gift Card instead.

Available in any amount you choose, and honored at 29 participating Uptown restaurants and shops, you can leave the shopping to your Gift Card recipient! Click here for more details.