Banking and Baking Between Chicken and Cars
The Westerville Planning Commission will review a conceptual plan for two outlots between the still-under-construction Chick-fil-A and Germain Volkswagen on Polaris Parkway.
A proposed plan for a 1.8-acre site in the Zumstein North development would include two new buildings—a bank and a fast-food restaurant with drive-thrus. A conceptual review at the Westerville Planning Commission allows a future applicant to hear non-binding feedback from the commission before offering final construction plans.
Northwest Bank is the proposed business for the west end of the property, and Dunkin Donuts will be its neighbor. The bank is a full-service financial institution headquartered in Columbus and operates branches across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. In 2021, the bank relocated its holding company headquarters to Columbus to be more centrally located within its operating footprint.
Dunkin Donuts has two franchise-owned stores in Westerville, one on South State and the other on County Line Road. This would be the franchise holder's third store.
City staff raises concerns about site layout, circulation, and building placement, suggesting combining the two structures to reduce pavement and improve access. Architectural adjustments and enhanced pedestrian connections will also be recommended to better align with the city’s planning goals for the area.
The work session begins at 6 p.m. in Mayor’s Court at the Justice Center on Huber Village Blvd., and the regular meeting will follow.
Qargo Coffee Opens
After a protracted series of hearings before the Westerville Board of Zoning Appeals, Qargo Coffee opened last week. The commission approved allowing illuminated signs for its shop on Polaris Parkway, the first of their kind permitted in the building.
Qargo Coffee, established in 2020 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a coffee shop franchise offering Italian Lavazza coffee, pastries, and baked goods. Since its inception, Qargo Coffee has expanded to various locations across the United States, including California, Colorado, and Florida.
Qargo Coffee in Westerville is located next to El Vaquero and at the opposite end of the building from Rusty Bucket. The shop features a drive-thru window and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication led by a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, its influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community. Support local journalism and stay informed—become a paid subscriber for access to exclusive news, in-depth features, photography, commentary, and obituary notices.
Westerville From The Air
One in a series of drone photos of Westerville. Today’s shows Hoover Reservoir and Dam.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Westerville News to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.