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Treasure Hunting in the Heritage Circle
Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of art, hard-to-find antique or a designer outfit, there’s a variety of destinations in the Heritage Circle to meet all of your shopping needs. Choose from the rows of quaint shops and boutiques lining the streets of one of the many historic towns or head to a nearby mall to peruse up-to-the-minute selections. There’s truly something for everyone in the Heritage Circle,where shoppers can enjoy the best of both worlds.
One of Central Ohio’s newest and most
popular shopping destinations is Polaris
Fashion Place in southern Delaware
County. With more than 150 shops and
dining options, Polaris has something to
satisfy all tastes.
North of Polaris, Historic Downtown Delaware offers antique malls, gift shops, vintage clothing, unique art finds, Early American rustic and country home décor, a candy store and a variety of specialty shops in a setting that exudes small-town charm. As you walk from storefront to storefront, you’ll surely work up an appetite that can be satisfied by a number of restaurants located in the district, including the Brown Jug and Bun’s Restaurant and others specializing in American and Mediterranean foods.
Powell’s historic district is yet another haven for gift and home décor shoppers and antique hunters, while also offering many dining options. The nearby village of Shawnee Hills sells a variety of highquality handmade goods. On Delaware County’s east side, you’ll discover Sunbury, where the charming Village Square is lined with more than a dozen shops featuring vintage glassware, broken China jewelry, antique and vintage furniture and other intriguing artifacts.
Shopping in Pickaway County is an
experience worth the drive. There are
antique and specialty shops, unusual
farm markets or, for something on the
unique side, stop by the oldest family
owned and operated confectionery in the
state of Ohio, Circleville’s own Wittich’s
Candy and Ice Cream Shoppe. If you
desire the finer things, shop one of the
many upscale clothing stores like
Christopher’s Don Boutique or As We
Grow Children’s Boutique, then sample
some of the county wines at Slate Run
Vineyard and Winery.
Along the tree-lined sidewalks of Uptown Westerville, you’ll discover a wide array of specialty shops in wonderfully restored 19th century buildings. If you’re searching for imported Irish goods,Amish reproductions or that proverbial needle in the haystack, Westerville is an ideal place to look.
Like Westerville, nearby Worthington features another collection of locally owned businesses set in meticulously restored structures in a section of town along High Street known as Olde Worthington. Just north of that district and south of Interstate 270, you’ll find the Worthington Square – an upscale shopping center specializing in clothing stores for women, men and children.
More antiques are in store in the historic uptowns and downtowns of Marysville, Plain City and Richwood in Union County. In Marysville, turn-of-thecentury consignment shops, bakeries, bookstores and even a Victorian tearoom are conveniently situated in a three-block area. A few miles from Uptown Marysville is Weeping Willow… and her four branches, with galleries filled with Amish furnishings, gift baskets, candies, primitives and lots of decorative house items.
In search of a bargain? Head to
Reynoldsburg, home of the JCPenney
Outlet. There, you’ll find deals of up to 60
percent off overstocked items. Old Town
Reynoldsburg, the city’s historic shopping
district, is another hot spot for antique
hunters. After a day of shopping, be sure
to stop by Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, a
long-time Central Ohio favorite for cool
treats. Farther down Main Street, don’t
miss the unique finds at Just Because Gifts
&
More specialty shop that specializes in
Boyds Bears.
Shop in a setting similar to a small New England town in Licking County’s Village of Granville. Visitors to Granville will find more than 25 unique shops and 15 restaurants, several historic homes and museums, an arboretum and a variety of lodging options ranging from a resort style luxury lodge to an inn that has been in continuous operation since 1812. An enjoyable stroll along a treelined street will get you to and from most of these offerings.
From June through October, Mount Vernon’s quaint Public Square is energized on every Saturday morning and some Tuesdays by a vibrant farmer’s market full of fresh vegetables, baked goods, meats, cheeses and much more. Mount Vernon is also home to the oldest general store in Ohio. The Woolson Co. was founded in 1897 by Civil War veterans William A. and Alvin M. Woolson, and continues to be operated by the Woolson family. And if it’s antiques, collectibles, fine dining, and the like that you’re after, a visit to one of Ohio’s finest historic shopping districts is a must. There are also Amish furniture stores, bulk goods and other great and unique shopping experiences in Knox County.
The Fairfield County communities of Lancaster, Pickerington and Lithopolis boast a variety of places to find the finest antiques, crafts and furniture.Additionally, Lancaster’s River Valley Mall houses a large food court and is anchored by Elder- Beerman, JCPenney, Lazarus and Sears.
For an interactive shopping experience, visit Art & Clay at one of the two locations on Main Street in Lancaster and Second Street in Newark. Both stores give visitors the opportunity to paint pre-made ceramic items or throw their own clay on the wheel. Either way, the finished product will be something uniquely original.
Shopping Events
May–September
Fourth Friday Celebrations,
Westerville, 1-800-824-8461
First Fridays, Mount Vernon,
1-800-837-5282
Saturday Farm Market Days,
Marysville, 1-877-473-4314
First Fridays, Historic Downtown
Delaware, (740) 362-6050
May–October
Olde Worthington Farmers Market,
Worthington, Saturday mornings,
(614) 891-6293
June
Heisey Collectors National
Convention and Show, Newark,
(740) 345-2932
Street Scenes, Granville,
(740) 587-4490
July
Haggler Day, Worthington,
(614) 885-8237
August
Arts and Sidewalk Sales,
Marysville, 1-877-473-4313
September
Blackhand Gorge Festival, Toboso,
(740) 763-2342
Market Day, Downtown
Worthington, (614) 888-3040
Downtown Circleville’s Arts & Crafts Festival, Circleville,
1-888-770-PICK
October
Granville Antiques Fair, Granville,
(740) 587-4490
Midnight Madness, Uptown
Westerville, 1-800-824-8461
November
Holiday Open House, Uptown
Westerville, 1-800-824-8461
Holiday Open House, Circleville,
1-888-770-PICK
Holiday Open House, Olde
Worthington, (614) 885-8237
Mount Vernon Christmas Walk,
Mount Vernon, 1-800-837-5282
Holiday Parade and Open House,
Historic Downtown Delaware,
(740) 362-0650
December
Christmas of the Towne,
Reynoldsburg, (614) 866-4888
Christmas on the Square Festival,
Sunbury, 1-888-DEL-OHIO
Christmas Tree Celebration,
Uptown Westerville,
1-800-824-8461
Christmas Candlelight Walking
Tour, Granville, (740)587-4490
Shop Around Union County,
1-877-473-4313
January
Worthington Antique Show,
Worthington, (614) 885-1247