Development

Town Center Businesses Keep Legacies Alive in Harmony with Redevelopment

By Kyle Rauch, Development Director for the City of Grove City.

Weather is warming and the community is taking advantage of Town Center’s walkability and dining options while noticing both new and established businesses in a glance. As Grove City continues to grow, recognizable redevelopment will occur. But rest assured, as breaths of new life weave through Broadway, there is a continued commitment to preserve Town Center’s iconic small-town feel.

A 2019 community survey revealed “dining out” was a top activity citizens enjoy while visiting Town Center. It’s no surprise our community holds dear the restaurants that have been Grove City staples for decades. Local spots that hold a special place in the hearts of our residents continue to do so even through ownership changes. Over the years, restaurants like Jolly Pirate Donuts, Tammy’s Pizza, Lilly’s Kitchen Table and Memories Food & Spirits have changed hands and continued operating with their same names and beloved business models. This devotion to maintaining Grove City’s character is what makes our community and Town Center so unique.

In addition to the commitment to preserve, the survey also surfaced a

An addition to Blu-Willy’s restaurant complements the historic small-town character of Town Center.

Lilly’s Kitchen Table is one of Grove City’s iconic Town Center diners.

popular desire for more dining options in the heart of the community. In recent years, the growth of Grove City has attracted many new restaurants and the redevelopment of underutilized Town Center space holds the promise of more to come. The former Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services and Fifth Third Bank spaces, as well as the Columbus Street Plaza, are attractive for prospective restaurant locations.

Grove City will continue to see familiar shop windows neighboring reimagined spaces, and the Town Center will grow as a meeting place of old and new, traditional and revival.