Uptown Westerville Inc., Annual Report Shows Success and Indicates Changes To Come
Uptown’s Richness Comes From Diverse Interests
From free monthly street festivals to a farmers market that serves as a neighborhood gathering spot, Uptown Westerville Inc. emphasizes creating experiences first, according to the organization’s 2025 Annual Report released this week.
The report explains how this approach, focused on community engagement rather than traditional retail, helped draw nearly 175,000 visitors to Uptown Westerville in 2025 through a variety of festivals, markets, and seasonal events.
Uptown Westerville Inc., a nonprofit Main Street organization, organized 62 events throughout the year, including Fourth Friday, the Westerville Saturday Farmers Market, Uptown Untapped, Uptown Ghost Tours, Westerville Art Hop, and various holiday programs. Total attendance at these special events reached 174,450, with 40% of attendees coming from outside Westerville, representing 111 Ohio communities and additional out-of-state visitors, according to the report.
“The malls are transactional, but when you go to something like Uptown, it’s more experiential,” said Executive Director Lynn Aventino. “You know the owners—and there’s usually something going on, too.”
That programming, the report notes, depends heavily on community involvement. UWI partnered with 26 community organizations, worked with 276 small business pop-up vendors, and employed 70 entertainers throughout the year. Aventino said Uptown Untapped alone attracts “close to 150 volunteers,” with more volunteer support distributed across other events.
While the organization receives financial support from the City of Westerville, Aventino emphasized that this funding alone does not sustain operations. The nonprofit relies on a mix of sponsorships, partnerships, and ticketed event revenue to maintain year-round programming. Uptown Untapped, the organization’s annual craft beer festival, remains UWI’s primary ticketed fundraiser and one of the few events specifically designed to generate operating revenue. “Uptown Untapped is truly just to support the organization,” Aventino said. “It’s our only pure fundraising event.” In contrast, most other events—such as Fourth Friday and the Saturday Farmers Market are meant as free or low-cost community gatherings rather than revenue sources.
City officials said Westerville plans to continue its longstanding partnership with UWI. In a written statement, the city described an “Authentic and Alive” Uptown as one of City Council’s ongoing priorities. The city has maintained a 10-year relationship with Uptown Westerville Inc. and will extend its agreement for an additional three years, providing both financial assistance and city staff support. A City Council member will also continue to serve on UWI’s board.
The Westerville Saturday Farmers Market served as both an economic engine and a community resource. The 20-week market generated over $1.2 million in economic impact for local producers, according to the report. Vendors also donated more than one ton of food to Otterbein’s Promise House, hosted over 25 community organizations, and accepted SNAP and Produce Perks, increasing access to fresh food.
Fourth Friday events, held every month from April to October, attracted between 13,000 and 18,000 attendees each time. “No matter how much income you’re making, you can bring your kids to Fourth Friday, all for free,” Aventino said.
Overall, the report estimates Uptown Westerville Inc.’s 2025 economic impact at $6.14 million, based on an average of $35 spent per visitor. “Every visit, every meal, every purchase contributes to Uptown thriving,” Aventino said.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand themed programming, add more family-focused activities at the farmers market, and refine its events to stand out amid increasing regional competition.
For Aventino, however, the impact is sometimes best seen in quieter moments. After a farmers market, she recalled overhearing a young boy tug on his father’s hand and ask where they were.
“When his dad said ‘Westerville,’” Aventino recounted, “the kid smiled and said, ‘I love Westerville.’”
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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Great edition! Love this publication!