News Briefs - The Learning Experience Announces Plans for State and County Line - Little Sparrows Gets Two Window Signs - Marzetti Buying Bachan's BBQ Sauce

Westerville Part Of Learning Experience Expansion

The Learning Experience, a Florida-based child-care chain, plans to open a new Westerville daycare at North State Street and County Line Road as part of a four-location Central Ohio expansion announced by the company. The new centers are expected to open over the next two years.

The Westerville location recently received approval when the Westerville Planning Commission accepted revised development plans for the site near. The changes kept the previously approved daycare building in place, removed a proposed office building, and revised stormwater management, allowing the project to move forward at the State Street location.

The Learning Experience already operates four Central Ohio centers, in Hilliard, Lewis Center, New Albany, and Powell, and plans additional sites in Pickerington, Lewis Center, and Columbus alongside the Westerville project. Each location will be a new build of about 10,000 square feet, with a 5,000-square-foot playground, and will typically employ about 30 people, adding roughly 120 jobs across the region.

The company, owned by private equity firm Harvest Partners, operates both franchised and corporate-owned centers, though all four new Central Ohio locations will be franchises.

Little Sparrows Signs Approved

The Uptown Review Board on Tuesday approved a small variance for Little Sparrows allowing two window signs at 34 N. State St., with little discussion or questioning.

The approval covers new window graphics and updated awning valance signage. The new design introduces additional colors, including yellow and black, replacing the previous all-white signage. The awning valance will retain three elements but feature smaller lettering and repositioned logos, while the two window signs will differ in size to match the storefront windows. Staff said the signage remains within allowable window coverage limits and is compatible with recently approved paint colors.

Little Sparrows is the third Uptown shop operated by Amy Cabilovski, who also owns Edwin Loy and Stone and Sparrow.

Marzetti To Buy Bachan’s Barbecue Sauce Brand

The Marzetti Company of Westerville has agreed to acquire Bachan’s, Inc., the fast-growing maker of Japanese barbecue sauce, in a deal valued at about $400 million, the companies announced. Bachan’s, founded in 2019 and known for its clean-label sauces based on a family recipe, reported roughly $87 million in net sales for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2025.

Marzetti said the transaction is expected to close before the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The acquisition adds a high-growth, globally inspired brand to Marzetti’s portfolio of dressings, dips, and sauces.

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