Wooster's business landscape: Bishops is back, Chipotle is coming, specialty shops thrive

Downtown Wooster's business landscape has been thriving and growing, despite economic climate disadvantages and the difficulty in hiring employees.

Although several businesses are gone, new ones − particularly specialty shops − are springing up to offer patrons a variety of shopping experiences.

Often, to combat an employee shortage, the new businesses feature owner operators, said Shannon Waller, executive director of Main Street Wooster.

Meshew and Candace Roufail are the proprietors of Worth the Squeeze, a juice bar that opened in the fall on East Liberty Street next to Mezmorize.

"This is our first location," said Meshew, who is from Cleveland, but became interested in the Wooster location because of his wife's roots.

"I fell in love with the community feel. Everybody knows everybody," he said.

Their cold press juice facility features "a bar atmosphere," said Meshew, and has generated good feedback from its inventory of wellness, immunity, and ginger and lemon product offerings − significant for building immunity.

Its fresh 16-ounce juices have "no added water, syrup or sugar," he said, comprised of "just fruits and vegetables − very refreshing."

Ivory Room customizes activities for brides-to-be

Carrolyn Salazar opened the Ivory Room on East Liberty Street a little over a year ago and is expanding into the space formerly occupied by White Jewelers.

Salazar wanted the extra space to expand on the bridal industry by incorporating added selection and wedding-related events.

"I'm really big on the experience," she said, providing customized activities for the bride-to-be with specialty appointments − highlighted by tea parties and other specialty events and featuring one-of-a kind ensembles, gowns and accessories.

Partnering with other local businesses is important, she said, for example, with Cookie Snob and Local Roots.

The new space offers a second dressing room with the same vintage 1911 setting and feel as the first one, Salazar said.

Patio parties, bands, cocktail classes, murder mysteries

The long history of the Ice House, now Minglewood Distillery, will be carried on and enhanced with its Ice House Event Center.

Many local people have a personal story connected with the evolution of the business, said event manager Jess Bush.

Now they can make more memories by taking advantage of its private venue, booking activities ranging from corporate events to wedding receptions.

It also aims to offer public events, possibly once a month, Bush said, highlighting patio parties, food trucks, bands and cocktail classes.

A gangster, Prohibition-style murder mystery is scheduled for March 16.

"We're selling tickets like crazy," Bush said.

The event center "is going to be a real asset," Waller said.

Bishops is back in February

Bishops Restaurant on Old Columbus Road will make a comeback with a redesigned setting, but the same menu, said one of its owners, Brittany Andriessen.

With an estimated reopening at the beginning of February, the remodel is a work of rebranding, Andriessen said, updating, modernizing and "making it more of a social/community spot."

Waller cited "a lot of specialty shops" in downtown Wooster.

Dream Face and Skin Bar is a new offering in Liberty Commons, Eyeglass Gallery moved into space on Market Street and a tea room will open in March in the space formerly occupied by Graham and Burns.

New World Spice and Tea already has a location owned by Doyle and Sandra Mullins in Wadsworth.

In opening additional stores, "They wanted a place with a lot of foot traffic," Waller said, pointing out, "Wooster is very walkable."

Chipotle Mexican Grill opening at Beall and East North

While Jimmy John's and Flamingo Jacks no longer operate in downtown Wooster, Chipotle Mexican Grill has broken ground for a new location at the corner of Beall Avenue and East North Street.

It is anticipated to attract College of Wooster students, Waller said.

The Lyric Theater will be reopening in the summer.

Some new businesses will look similar to former ones, said Waller, for example, Olive Lane Oils and Vinegars, which is replacing a comparable former company.

Vertical Runner, which has a new focus, has been replaced by Fleet Feet.

Other changes in downtown Wooster include Wooster Floral, which is still operating, but has relocated next to the St. Paul Hotel. Local Roots is moving to the building now occupied by Ride On and is planning a capital campaign to remodel.

"Ride On is going to rent space in their former building with a small footprint," Waller said, adding, "Boo Bears Brew will also rent space in the new Local Roots venue. They currently have a coffee shop in the existing Local Roots facility."

The former Wooster Floral space on West North Street is available for lease through Gant Realty, she said.

"The new Wooster Floral has expanded with some lovely giftware items and confections for sale in addition to its flowers," Waller said, featuring "quite an appealing array of merchandise for the Saint Paul hotel guests and locals alike."

Loyal support for Wooster businesses

"We've got a lot of fun things (going on)," said Samira Zimmerly, president of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce.

Established thrift shops, including Blackbird Records, Books in Stock, Kitschy Coo Boutique, Friendtique, Uptown Downtown, Great Finds Resale, The Nest, Operation Fandom and Jodi's Closet, round out a shopping experience Waller calls a "treasure hunt."

One of the reasons Zimmerly thinks downtown Wooster continues to thrive is the spirit of the community.

"(It is) very good about being loyal to support local businesses."

"We have a strong sense of community, a strong sense of supporting your neighbors," Zimmerly said.

"There is so much happening," she said.

On the north end of Wooster, JOANN Fabric and Craft is closing Feb. 21. According to a company spokesperson, the store is in liquidation.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Downtown Wooster's business landscape - here's what we know