Kristen Coffin
As students attending a college in the small town of Wooster, we often find it difficult to find something to keep us occupied in our free time. However, many students are unaware of the vast number of unique, locally owned shops and restaurants just minutes away in downtown Wooster.
In today’s society, we enjoy possessing something that no one else has. We like to say that the shirt we own is vintage from a thrift store or that the picture frame we have on the wall was a rare find at an antique shop. Downtown Wooster offers many different items and experiences. Walk into any of the many locally owned restaurants, and you’re guaranteed to be impressed with the delicious food options that aren’t available at any of the chain restaurants on the north end of town or in your hometown. Take a walk through the used bookstore to find unusual, aged books. Explore an antique shop to find furniture that only you will own, or check out one of the art and gift stores for one-of-a-kind jewelry. Downtown offers so many rare and exclusive shopping and dining services that you can’t find anywhere else.
These locally owned mom-and-pop businesses benefit the community of Wooster in many ways: they help with job growth, attract other businesses to the area, and are more likely to be committed to the community than a large chain corporation. In other words, not only can you enjoy shopping downtown, but you can also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping the local economy.
It is extremely easy to find a way downtown from the College. If you’re not up for the short walk downtown, there is a free shuttle service that runs throughout the day on Monday through Saturday and goes downtown as well as to the north end of Wooster. Just show your school ID and enjoy a short, free ride!
Next time you’re craving a sandwich from Panera, try checking out one of the many sandwich options available downtown at Muddy Waters Café and Grill, Broken Rocks or The Market Grill. Join students downtown this Saturday, Oct. 25 from 4-6 p.m. for the perfect opportunity to promote local businesses at the event “Get Down for Downtown Wooster.” A shuttle van will be running between 4 and 6 p.m. from the Lowry circle to the gazebo in the square downtown. There will be a student band playing, a cappella groups performing, and you will have the chance to win two $40 gift cards from Spoon and Lucky Records, so be sure to catch a shuttle and join us!