Worthington Chamber 2024-2025 Business Directory and Community Guide
FARM TO TABLE
Enjoy delicious meals made in our Cotter Kitchen prepared Farm to Table style Our special focus is on locally sourced, seasonally fresh goods that support brain health and healthy living.
SECURE
659 High St., Mailbox #21 Worthington, OH 43085 (614) 888-3040
Publishers of: CityScene Magazine, Dublin Life Magazine, Healthy NewAlbany Magazine,Tri-Village Magazine, Pickerington Magazine, Discover Grove City Magazine and Westerville Magazine
Kathleen K. Gill President/CEO
Gianna Barrett Vice President, Sales
Jamie Armistead
Vice President, Operations
Dave Prosser Chief Creative Officer
Maisie Fitzmaurice, Rachel Karas Editors
Megan Brokamp, Rae Moro, Laura Pappas Advertising Sales
The Worthington Area Chamber has increased its impact on greater Worthington and the businesses of north central Ohio over the past year.
Through fully revamped business resources, increased programming and a greater focus on business advocacy, our Chamber has set a course on serving as magnetic leaders for our community. Attracting like minded servant leaders, we have been able to include more voices and reach more pockets of our community.
Our Chamber serves as a connector of business, civic and community, but even more so we serve as a change agent as we prepare for the developments and growth throughout our region.
As we look ahead in the year ahead, we have our bearings set as we make progress on our three pillars of progress and prepare for whatever challenges our community may face. We are here and we stand ready to help our community grow.
Matt Lofy
President/CEO
Matt Lofy President/CEO
mlofy@worthingtonchamber.org (614) 888-3040
Crystal Evans Director of Operations
cevans@worthingtonchamber.org (614) 888-3040
Julie Saviano
Community Events Coordinator
jsaviano@worthingtonchamber.org (614) 888-3040
Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
Lori Godorhazy, Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center – An Ortho Alliance Partner Practice, Chairwoman
Matt Gregory, NAI Ohio Equities, Incoming Chairman
David Polakowski, The Harding-Buller Foundation of Worthington, Secretary
Mack Hanna, FCBank, Treasurer
Derek Voytovich, CFP®, Edward Jones
Investments, Immediate Past Chairman
Board Members At Large
Jamie Barlett, PolyPay
Jeff Bell, HHH CPA Group
Jill Bookhout, Worthington Enterprises
Jamie Cleverly, Cleverley + Associates
Sara Dunn, OhioHealth
Scott Green, Park National Bank
Melanie Huffman, I Am Boundless
Jeri Lucco, ATD Business Consulting
Ty Nisthauz, Allure Realty
Carlyn Pitterle, Inkline Printing
Adam Sammons, First Merchants Bank
Adrian Sullivan, Worthington Enterprises
Welcome to Worthington
The earliest planned community in Ohio, the city of Worthington boasts a timeless beauty hard to find anywhere else. The following information will help you contact the right places for local resources.
Business Resources
The Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for more than 550 businesses in 170 different industries throughout the greater Worthington area. In addition to its advocacy efforts, the Chamber also provides businesses with a range of resources. For more information on ways the Chamber can help promote your business, visit www. worthingtonchamber.org.
Utility Services
The City of Worthington manages and oversees public utilities including fire hydrants, sanitary sewers and storm sewers. Electric, gas and water are offered by the city as well, though residents may opt for utilities provided by private companies. For more information, visit www. worthington.org/313/Utilities.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community. Volunteers in Worthington help coordinate and set up community events and programs, as well as assist in the upkeep of the city’s 16 parks. Volunteering opportunities are available through the Worthington Community Center, Griswold Center and Parks Department. To get involved, visit www. worthington.org/619/volunteer
Tax Information
Worthington levies an income tax of 2.5 percent on income earned within the city.
Residents working outside Worthington pay income taxes to the community where they work. If a resident works in a city with a tax rate less than Worthington’s, the difference between 2.5 percent and what they paid their workplace municipality goes to the City of Worthington. For more information, visit www.worthington.org/103/income-tax
Voting
Located in Franklin County, Worthington residents register to vote through the Franklin County of Board of Elections. For information on voter eligibility and to register, visit www.vote.franklincounty.ohio.
Award Winning Leader
Worthington Area Chamber President and CEO awarded honors for leading
change
Over the years, the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce has evolved greatly, especially under the new leadership that joined roughly three years ago.
President and CEO of the chamber, Matt Lofy and his team have helped the chamber grow not only in numbers but also in the programs and connections cultivated within the Worthington community.
In recognition of this work, Lofy was named a 40 under 40 honoree by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), an honor that recognizes 40 of the industry’s top leaders who have not only seen success in their own careers but have contributed greatly to the communities they serve. Lofy was also named the 2023 Professional of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio (CCEO).
“To get those recognitions, although they have my name on them, I think it’s just a testament to what the board has allowed me to do and the vision that they bought all in on” Lofy says.
Lofy started his marketing career while he served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He made the jump to the world of local leadership when he saw what he could do for others.
“It’s been my mission to serve the communities in which I live, work and play,” Lofy says. “I was interested in some sort of civic role. … So, to be able to support local businesses and impact the community, the chamber just seemed like a wonderful industry to be a part of.”
Before joining the Worthington Chamber in 2021, Lofy spent eight years at the Westerville Area Chamber where he worked in nearly every role including Manager of Marketing Communications and Director of Marketing and Community Outreach.
Settling into his role at the Worthington Chamber, the first challenge he and his team had to work through was to reignite interest and passion in the chamber members and the community as the world was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The first six months that I was in this role, we were under a mask mandate,” Lofy says. “So although it’s been three years, it feels like it was probably five or six years. But we were able to bring back nearly all of our programming within the first six months.”
Lofy and his team were not only able to bring back the momentum the chamber had in years past but also built on it as they introduced new programs and initiatives to help carry the chamber and community into the future.
These programs include a workforce development initiative called Worthington Works, a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, as well as the reinstated program Leadership Worthington, which will welcome its first class in 15 years on October 1.
The chamber also reconnected with its community by putting a new focus on business advocacy within the chamber by hosting various events.
One such event was a candidate forum with the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus which created a space for the community to get to know the school board and city council candidates who were running in the local election.
Through all of these changes and awards recognizing the efforts that helped see them through, Lofy says the Chamber has grown in numbers and recognition not just in the business realm but in the community as well.
“I want our chamber to ignite positive change and not serve as a resource to cope with change,” Lofy says. “And so
these awards were kind of nice in the regard that now people who haven’t bought in and people who have now are like, ‘Alright, let’s see this through and see what could happen next for our community.’”
Over his three years at the chamber, Lofy has seen 175 businesses join and he has watched many of the chamber members become more involved with the initiatives and programs it offers.
One such program is the Women’s Business Network which went from being inactive to having 225 join since returning January 2022.
“I think people are now seeing where their passion intersects with our mission,” Lofy says. “They’re seeing that because all of those are reasons why our chamber got recognized.”
With much excitement about how far the chamber has come in recent years, Lofy and his team continue to look to the future for the possibilities of what the chamber can create and do with its members and community.
“At our core, we’re magnetic leaders, bringing together business, civic, and nonprofit champions to drive positive change,” Lofy says. “We’re not just here to cope with change; we’re here to ignite it...and we can only do it if we’re all in!”
Matt Lofy (center) with Lori Godorhazy, Crystal Evans, Jill Bookhout and Ty Nisthauz, holding one of his awards.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Recruitment/ Retainment Resources
Take part in member exclusive resources that can play an essential part of your benefits plan to help grow and retain your team.
Develop Your Team
Any employee of a member business has unlimited access to newsletters, resources and business networks like our Women’s Business Network, Young Professionals of Worthington and more.
Connections
Connect with more than 550 businesses and attend one of our more than 60 events and workshops we host annually.
Cost Savings
From credit card processing to group rated healthcare, along with a substantial list of FREE member only resources, we’ve got you covered.
Major Events
Groundhog Day
Every Groundhog Day your Chamber hosts an informative luncheon featuring forecasts of the year ahead from our City Manager, Superintendent and Library Director. With more than 150 business and civic leaders, this is your all access event to learning about what’s to come from our community leaders.
Reds, Whites & Desserts
Springtime is extra sweet in Worthington. Enjoy an elegant evening featuring decadent desserts and fine wines from area businesses, while taking in a silent auction and live entertainment. See the best of our business community as more than 150 businesses and organizations represent the best of what we offer.
Annual Chamber Golf Outing
Each summer we take business to the green, providing community and Chamber members an opportunity to golf with clients and colleagues. This outing is a scramble format including meals, prizes and more.
Monday,Aug.5,2024atYorkGolfClub
Old
Worthington
Market Day
An event so epic we close High Street all day. Take in more than 200 artisans and vendors, food and tons of family fun all day with 18,000 friends and visitors coming to our community.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, 9-4 p.m.
City of Worthington
Quick Facts
Population: 14,629
household income: $119, 408
degree or higher: 70.2 percent
rate: 64 percent
City Directory
All numbers are (614) area code
Government
City Manager
Appointed by city council, the city manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the City of Worthington.
Robyn Stewart .......... (614) 436-3100
City
Council
Worthington City Council members elected in November for four-year terms take office the following January. The seven council members are responsible for appointing a city manager. The president, selected by the council, presides over City Council meetings. The president pro tem assumes the duties of the president in their absence. Both positions have two-year terms.
Worthington City Council Members
• Katy Brewer
• Pete Bucher
• Rachael Dorothy, President
• Rebecca Hermann
• Beth Kowalczyk, President Pro Tem
• Amy Lloyd
• David Robinson
Worthington City Council meets at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building the first, second and third Monday of every month except August.
Louis J.R. Goorey Worthington Municipal Building, 6550 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085
Parks and Recreation
The City of Worthington Parks and Recreation Department manages the programs and facilities located at both the Community Center and Griswold Center, as well as more than 200 acres of parkland within the city.
Community Center
345 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. (614) 436-2743
Griswold Senior Center 777 High St. (614) 842-6320
Visiting Worthington
Worthington is located at the northern crossroads of I-270, I-71 and State Route 315 with easy access to, from and around the central Ohio region. The Columbus Airport is about a 20-minute drive, or about 15 miles, from Worthington.
Worthington Area Hotels
Econolodge
50 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. Worthington, OH 43085 (614) 888-3666 www.choicehotels.com
Near Worthington
Courtyard by Marriott 7411 Vantage Dr. Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 436-7070
Crowne Plaza Columbus North 6500 Doubletree Ave. Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 885-1885
Days Inn by Wyndham 7474 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 431-2525
Timbrook Guest House 5811 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 634-2166
Photo by Ray LaVoie
The Worthington Way
Experience all the city has to offer
History, Arts and Community
In 1803 a group of New England proprietors led by James Kilbourne founded Worthington on 16,000 acres of land, making it the earliest planned community in Ohio. As families began to settle into the pioneer village during the early 19th century, it acquired a post office in 1805, an Academy in 1808 and a newspaper and manufacturing company in 1811.
The population growth remained relatively steady until the electric street railway connected Worthington to Columbus in 1893. Following this advance, residents were able to live in Worthington while still working and shopping in the city of Columbus.
The village then acquired a telephone exchange, public water system and mail delivery. As the area quickly progressed, the population surpassed 5,000 residents in 1954, earning Worthington the designation of city.
The city’s population continued skyrocketing through the post-war years, reaching 15,326 by 1970. From there, the city began creating subdivisions, building schools and developing recreational activities that transformed the area into the Worthington we know today.
Now providing a home to an estimated 14,629 residents, Worthington provides its residents with one-of-a-kind events, community initiatives and local businesses.
Worthington Historical Society
The Worthington Historical Society (WHS) in Ohio was founded in 1955 by Worthington citizens in order to preserve the history and heritage of the community.
Photos courtesy of City of Worthington, Elizabeth Dekker and Ray LaVoie
The WHS is dedicated to creating experiences that inspire and promote public interest in Worthington’s history.
Properties such as the Orange Johnson House, the Old Rectory, the Jeffers Mound and other acquisitions, were made through donations from the community, and are being maintained by the Society for the benefit of Worthingtonians and all those who come to visit the city.
The Old Rectory houses a Doll Museum and an Antiques Shop which are open Wednesdays through Saturdays, as well as the Society’s archives which are available by appointment. The Orange Johnson House museum is open for tours with reservations through the Society’s website, worthingtonhistory.org. Special events are held throughout the year, including the Ghost Tour, Tour of Homes, Historic Bus Tours and other various programming.
Old Worthington
Old Worthington is the city’s Historic District where visitors can find charming retail shops, delicious restaurants and exciting community events.
Experience Worthington, a part of the Worthington Partnership, an umbrella organization that also includes The Worthington Green Team and USA Today’s #1 Farmers Market in America: The Worth-
ington Farmers Market, ensures there’s always something going on in Old Worthington. It offers events such as the Chocolate Walk, Fall Crawl, Sunday Fundays, the Third Thursday Night Markets, Holiday Open House and Illuminated Shopping.
Sunday Fundays are held from June through November, each featuring themed food and entertainment, and Thursday Night Markets are held from March through August, showcasing unique artwork and crafts. The area’s businesses stay open later and offer specials during the Night Market.
Partnering with the City, Experience Worthington ensures that Worthington is the place to be during the holidays. The City installs a generous amount of festive lights throughout the town, while the organization installs four festive photo spots, including a Gingerbread Alley and Candy Cane Lane. Their Holiday Open House hosts live music and festive cheer, horsedrawn carriage rides and a photo opportunity with Santa.
One of Worthington Partnerships’ hallmark events is the Worthington Farmers Market. The Market is held year-round, taking place in Old Worthington May through October, and indoors at The Shops at Worthington Place November through April. It features more than 100 local vendors offering fruits, vegetables, cheeses, jams, soaps, plants and much more.
For more information and a complete listing of restaurants and shops in
Old Worthington, visit www.experience worthington.com.
Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington
There’s no need to drive downtown to experience the arts!
The McConnell Arts Center is a contemporary, multidisciplinary facility presenting and promoting the performing and visual arts. Featuring a 20,000 sq. foot building with a 213 seat theatre, gallery spaces, four classrooms, a dance studio and a ceramics studio, the MAC is a nexus of creativity, culture and community.
The MAC’s 213 seat Bronwynn Theatre offers an exciting musical performance series featuring jazz and chamber music groups, while the visual exhibition gallery is always bringing in new exhibits by local artists. The MAC’s classes cover a range of artistic disciplines for both adults and children including ceramics, painting, drawing and sculpting. Whether it’s through a moving performance, an inspiring exhibition, or an engaging class, our aim is to spark curiosity and unleash creativity in Worthington and beyond.
The MAC also hosts the Worthington Arts Festival, one of central Ohio’s premier fine art festivals.
For more information, visit www.mcconnellarts.org
Empowering Learners to Change the World
The Worthington City School District aims to empower a community that will change the world by providing its 10,700 students with nothing short of a top-notch education.
Curriculum
In grades K-8, students receive a well-rounded education in English language arts, math, science, social studies, art, health and music. Comprehensive guides on each grade level’s curriculum are accessible on the school’s website for parents to better understand and support their child’s academic growth.
At the high school level, students have the opportunity to earn college credit through International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students may also enroll in the Delaware Area Career Center, The Worthington Academy, Linworth Experiential, or engage in Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities in order to gain workforce readiness skills.
Extracurriculars
Worthington Schools offers a range of extracurriculars to develop passions, and more than 60 percent of students participate in those activities.
The high schools give students the opportunity to get involved in 45 different clubs, from Jazz Band to Pizza Club. All clubs can request funds from the district by creating a detailed plan supporting the request.
The high schools also offer 32 different sports to its more than 1,450 student athletes. The middle schools offer 15 sports.
Facilities
With 11 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools, Worthington Schools’ range of properties provides students with more than enough space to learn.
Always striving to maintain the gold standard for its facilities, the district is
engaged in phase 2 of its Master Facilities Plan to provide students with optimal learning spaces.
Construction has begun on both Thomas Worthington High School and Worthington Kilbourne High School. Both schools will see significant improvements in science labs, student dining and arts spaces. Both buildings will be complete by the winter of 2026.
Also included in this phase is the construction of a new natatorium, located on the grounds of Thomas Worthington.
The district values the participation and feedback of community members when addressing facility needs. Community members are invited to attend Community Coffees, participate in online surveys, and attend school board meetings to voice concerns or suggestions.
Technology
The schools boast a 1:1 technology ratio, where every student is given a Chromebook to use throughout their education.
The 1:1 technology ratio initiative aims to enhance students’ learning by creating a personalized student-centered learning environment. The ability to bring their Chromebooks back and forth between school and home allows students greater access to classroom content and relevant tools.
The devices also utilize Securly, a content filter that blocks access to inappropriate websites and materials. Parents have the ability to adjust the filtering levels to what they feel is appropriate for their child.
Social Emotional Learning
Worthington Schools considers establishing a safe and supportive learning system to be of the utmost importance.
The district employs school counselors, mental health specialists, intervention specialists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists and psychologists.
Students are regularly surveyed on their relationships with teachers and feelings of belonging. With this, the district can make informed decisions on creating the safest learning environment for its students.
A culture of empathy and support is consistent with the district’s mission of empowering its learners to change the world.
Worthington Schools proudly sends 90 percent of its graduates to college.
Photos courtesy of Schorr Architects, Inc. and Don Taylor
Books and Beyond!
Worthington Libraries emphasizes core values of service, innovation, collaboration, leadership and fun throughout all of its locations. The library system’s mission is to connect people to a world of ideas and to each other, and it’s been doing so in an award-winning way for decades.
The library’s newest way to increase community connection is its version of a bookmobile, which launched in April 2024. Funded by the organization’s Friends group, the Pop-Up Library takes books, programming and more to community events as well as daycares, preschools and other locations in the library’s service district.
Worthington’s library system was named National Library of the Year in 2007, labeled a Top Ten American Library 20092010 and earned the John Cotton Dana Award in 2011.
Worthington’s oldest library, Old Worthington Library, was established in its current location in 1978. However, Worthington Libraries has existed in some capacity since the community’s founding in 1803.
Northwest Library is the first library in Ohio – and only the second in the nation – to be built and operated by two library systems, as the location is a cooperative project between the Columbus Metropolitan Library and Worthington Libraries. Since opening in 1996, Worthington Libraries has managed the location.
Worthington Park Library, located in Worthington Park Shopping Centre, opened in 2008.
Northwest Library 2280 Hard Rd. Columbus, OH 43235
Old Worthington Library
820 High St. Worthington, OH 43085
Worthington Park Library 1389 Worthington Centre Dr. Worthington, OH 43085
Hours at all locations
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
Talk to a librarian: (614) 807-2626
Library administration: (614) 807-2600
Business Resources
Computers and software: Anyone with a library card from Worthington Libraries, or from participating Central Library Consortium member libraries, may use library computers. Computers in the adult areas of each library and Digital Media computers may be used in one-hour sessions, which may be extended if others are not waiting, for up to three sessions per day.
Copying and printing: Photocopy machines providing black and white as well as color copies are available at all library locations at no charge. Printing in black and white as well as color is available from all computers equipped with Microsoft Office at all library locations at no charge. Wireless printing is also available.
Faxing and scanning: Fax services and scanning services are available at all library locations at no charge.
Notary service: Worthington Libraries offers free notary public service. Appointments are required for notary services and are available weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Meeting room reservations: Nonprofit groups looking for meeting space may reserve a meeting room at the library.
Passport services: Library staff can process passport applications for U.S. citizens who have never before had a passport or who are ineligible to renew. Appointments, which are required, are available weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Wireless access: Free Wi-Fi access at all locations.
Northwest Library is a cooperative project between the Columbus Metropolitan Library and Worthington Libraries.
Photos by Ray LaVoie and Sophia Tobias
Old Worthington Library
Worthington Park Library
Amplify Worthington Podcast Partnership
The Amplify Worthington podcast is your go-to source for the latest in business and economic development in the vibrant community of greater Worthington. Co-hosted by David McCorkle, Assistant City Manager, and Matt Lofy, Executive President/CEO of the Worthington Area Chamber, this podcast brings you into the heart of Worthington’s economic pulse.
Available in both audio and video formats on all major platforms, each episode dives deep with local business owners, engages with community questions, and connects you with regional leaders who are shaping our future.
Recorded at Worthington’s own Boxland Media, part of the Boxland Podcast Network, Amplify Worthington is not just a podcast –it’s the resource for all things Worthington!
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Keep Well in Worthington
Worthington is within 10 miles of some of the top medical centers in the state, in addition to offering access to several urgent cares and satellite facilities directly within the City of Worthington.
Satellite/Urgent Care
Nationwide Children’s Westerville Close to Home Center with Urgent Care 433 N. Cleveland Ave. (614) 355-8300
A large variety of testing, treatment and care for newborns, children and young adults is available, including urgent care, an ENT clinic, physical therapy, sports medicine and primary care.
Ohio State Outpatient Care
Worthington
160 W. Wilson Bridge Rd. (614) 293-9704
The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center’s Outpatient Care Worthington include family medicine, mammography outpatient care (a department of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute), obstetrics and gynecology and same-day care.
Worthington Urgent Care Arlington Urgent Care, Inc.
2245 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Ste. 101 (614) 516-0184
Offering treatment for minor illness or injury, whole family care, digital X-rays, occupational medicine, immunizations and laboratory services.
Major Hospitals
Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 500 S. Cleveland Ave. 380-898-4000 www.mountcarmelhealth.com
Nationwide Children’s Hospital 700 Children’s Dr. (614) 722-2000 www.nationwidechildrens.org
Staybridge Suites by IHG www.ihg.com/staybridge/hotels/us/en/reservation (614) 785-0001
Human Resources
CMax Advisors www.cmaxadvisors.com (614) 638-8126
HVAC - Manufacturer Representative Boiler Tech, Inc. www.herbertandconway.com (614) 846-5801
Ice Skating Facilities
The Chiller Ice Rinks www.thechiller.com (740) 549-0009
Independent Living
Melbourne Village FLP www.worthingtonmelbournevillage.com (614) 888-1413
The Bristol www.thebristolseniorliving.com (614) 886-2818
Individuals
State Sen. Stephanie Kunze www.stephaniekunze.com (614) 466-5981
A Fulfilling Future
At Wesley Glen, our continuum of care has everything you need with Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Support, Skilled Nursing, and Hospice.
“Continuum of care is a top priority, I don’t know what could be more important. I can stay healthy and maintain my independence thanks to all the intellectual, spiritual, and exercise programs!”
When you have an illness or injury that can’t wait, trust the experts at Ohio State Urgent Care. Our seven central Ohio locations offer walk-in care, including orthopedic urgent care and advanced urgent care for more serious illnesses and injuries.
