Uptown Openings Took Time But Worth It
Stone and Sparrow and Birdie Books Open New Uptown Spaces
Two highly anticipated Uptown Westerville projects opened their doors, marking a major moment for the district after months of construction, delays, and steady community curiosity.
Stone and Sparrow’s new storefront, now finished and open, fills the former Morgan’s Treasure space, which closed last year after nearly two decades as a fixture in Uptown. The shop kept the exposed brick and historic character of the building while giving the interior a brighter, more polished feel. The remodel also brought back the original tin ceiling, which had been covered for years. It now spans the shop in full view, brightened by large chandeliers that tie the old metalwork to the store’s modern look.
The move places the women’s clothing boutique right across the street from its original shop, which is now being transformed into Little Sparrows Boutique, a new store focused on babies and pets, and next door to its older sibling, Edwin Loy Home, a home fashions shop.
Contractors spent much of the past year correcting structural issues inside the building, which pushed the opening past the original spring and summer targets. With the rebuild complete, shoppers stepped into a space that blends restored masonry with clean, modern design.
Birdie Books
Just down the street, Birdie Books reopened in its newly renovated home in the former Culver Art and Frame storefront at 74 North State Street. The new space includes fresh shelving, a full café, and a more open layout that keeps the aisles wide and the seating areas welcoming. Gooseneck lamps light a bold exterior sign, and a custom mosaic greets readers at the entrance. A restored antique door was installed, replacing the old glass door.
The bookstore now extends entirely through the building into the rear section, which was the original location of the store. It is now the children’s section.
The café is not yet open.
The bookstore first launched as a pop-up behind The Gathering Place in 2021, then steadily built a following strong enough to support a full retail build-out. The Uptown Review Board approved the shop’s new hanging sign, modeled after the one Culver once used, along with window replacements and rear patio updates.
Both openings drew steady foot traffic throughout the day, with shoppers browsing new shelves, settling into chairs with books in hand, and seeing the finished interiors for the first time.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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