The mission of the Olde Worthington Business Association is to promote, support, educate and develop the city, schools, libraries, tourism and business in Worthington so as to make it a desirable place to live, work and raise a family and conduct business.

The vision of the Olde Worthington Business Association is to be a unified and cooperative body, to speak as one voice, to develop a strong positive working relationship with the community and thereby becoming more successful at our individual businesses.

The Olde Worthington Business Association is composed of businesses located in the historic downtown area. This coalition of services and the retail merchants work together with the city to promote economic growth and heighten awareness of the city’s historic business district through collaborative initiatives that maintain and enhance its customer base. OWBA sponsors events, in cooperation with the city, that carry on traditions of the 19^th century.

Every Saturday morning from May through October the sidewalks are lined with farmers marketing their produce, plants and foodstuffs during our traditional Farmers Market.  The third weekend in June the green is crowded with artists exhibiting their original handiwork during the annual Worthington Art Festival.  In July we have an Antique, Collectible and Flea Market Event and the Saturday following Thanksgiving is our traditional Holiday Open House which is followed by the city's annual Christmas Tree Lighting event.

Three new events have be in add to our schedule.  They are the Fall Festival in October, Illuminating Shopping following Thanksgiving and our New Winter Farmers Market during November through April.

The specialty shops and eateries with outdoor dining which line the downtown sidewalks benefit from the participants and visitors who attend these much anticipated events. 

Special initiatives and ongoing programs of the Olde Worthington Business Association include:

• Maintaining a web site advertising all member businesses with linkage to individual web pages and the Worthington community web sites.

• Using the web site to promote OWBA special events.

•  Planning and implementing OWBA special events to bring people downtown and create media opportunities.

• Printing and distributing a visitor brochure including a historic walking tour map.

• Placing stories, listings and paid advertisements in media outlets including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, calendars and direct mail.

• Providing an opportunity for greater impact through group advertising during special event publicity in newspapers.

• Hiring a downtown manager to manage events, organize meetings, devise public relations and participate in collaborative initiatives with the city, library, CVB, Historical Society, Chamber and other non-profit organizations seeking to improve the business climate and quality of life for the Worthington community.

• Member dues and profits from special events and Farmers Market support OWBA.

The city of Worthington has maintained the historic ambience of the early village by preserving the village green and renovating the downtown streetscape.  It is easy to imagine that earlier time when visitors see homes and buildings of that period still standing and attend events that are celebrated on the village green in the 21^st century.

Benefits of Membership

OWBA can help your business grow by......

• Maintaining a web site advertising all of our members businesses with links to individual web pages and the Worthington community web site

• Planning and implementing OWBA special events to bring people to the downtown area and create media opportunities

• Providing an opportunity for greater impact through group advertising thru newspapers, TV, radio and select magazines.

• Having a visible presents advertising our events on the web sites of Discover Ohio, WOSU, NBC4i, local public radio and many other web sites and community calendars.

• Working cooperatively with the City, Chamber, Library, Convention and Visitor Bureau, Historical Society, Arts Council and other non-profit organizations seeking to improve the business climate and quality of life for the Worthington community.

Membership Levels

• New Business Membership - $125 for the first year

• Regular Business Membership - $250 per year

• Individual Membership - $75.00 per year

• Associate Membership - $75.00 for persons outside of the downtown business area who want to help support the downtown business district.

• Sustaining Memberships -
        $375 - Silver
        $500 - Gold
  Recipients of silver or gold membership decals and special recognition in publicity when appropriate.

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                                  Cassie Showe Lucks - President
                                  614-885-2600

                                  Julie Davis - Festival Coordinator
                                  614-523-2180