(Chillicothe)- The Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce will host their “2022 Community Outlook” event, featuring four speakers to give perspective on local, state, and national influences on businesses:
Keynote speaker Ryan Kane of John Hancock Investment Management will discuss the economic outlook for the country and how it will impact local business.
Kevin Shimp will discuss the approach of the Ohio Chamber to promote and protect business interests at the state level.
Tammy Eallonardo leads Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development to promote the region as the perfect mix of work, life, and legacy.
Tiffany Baldwin, program manager for Downtown Chillicothe Inc., will explain working with existing city groups to help revitalize historic downtown Chillicothe.
To register go to the Chamber’s website to get a virtual link to the free event, 8am to 9am on January 28th.
Chillicothe’s first effort of hosting a Downtown Tour of historic churches is being called “a great success” by organizers.
Organizer Charlie Frazier told Litter Media’s Mike Smith they had over 200 people buy tickets for the December 4th evening event, which was considered a sell-out.
Several churches participated in the event, which allowed the host churches to share the history of their congregation and the impact they have played in developing the City of Chillicothe.
The inaugural Chillicothe Christmas Church Walk included St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Walnut Street United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Wesleyan Church and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
Frazier said they are hoping to host the event again next year after receiving such tremendous feedback in their first effort.
A few thousand people stood on Water and Paint Streets in Downtown Chillicothe Friday evening as the City’s Christmas Tree was lighted along with several other displays in Yoctangee Park, during the Chillicothe Downtown Holiday Open House and Lighting Ceremony.
(Downtown Chillicothe 2021 Open House & Lighting Ceremony- Litter Media/Mike Smith)
Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Throne introduced Santa, as the jolly old elf pushed the button that lighted the Christmas Tree at the head of Yoctangee Park.
Throne also told the crowd that more than $90,000 was raised through private and business contributions to light the park, compared to $15,000 raised a couple of years ago.
There was no lighting ceremony and open house last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chillicothe’s downtown merchants are hosting a Downtown Trick Or Treat, just prior to the Annual Chillicothe Halloween Parade.
While the regular residential Trick Or Treat Night is on Thursday, October 28th from 6pm-7:30pm, this downtown event takes place Saturday between 4pm-6pm at more than two-dozen business establishments. Children will need to go to the participating merchants in order to receive their treats.
See the list of participating businesses below:
The Annual Chillicothe Halloween parade, sponsored by the Chillicothe Jaycees and Chillicothe Evening Lion’s Club, gets underway at 7pm.
Waverly and Circleville will both conduct their trick or treat on Saturday.
The Chillicothe Transit System began its experimentation of a Trolley car on loan through the Bloomberg-Harvard Innovation Track Thursday and Friday.
Asti Powell, Director of the CTS and David Fishel, Director of Utilities share the story behind the project which began eight months ago.
The trolley began its way through the First Capital District Thursday morning, continuing through 6:30pm Thursday and again Friday from 12:00pm-8:00pm.
Chillicothe is one of eleven cities across the country participating in the program as part of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
There’s no fee to ride the trolley and those sharing the roadway should give the same caution and courtesy as to a regular CTS bus.
The stops the Trolley will be making and the route for those looking to ride. Photo courtesy City of Chillicothe
A sample of the trolley which will be on the street of Chillicothe’s downtown Thursday and Friday. Photo courtesy City of Chillicothe
Could it be the missing piece of Downtown Chillicothe’s revitalization?
The Chillicothe Transit System will be experimenting with a Trolley car on loan from the Bloomberg-Harvard Innovation Track this Thursday and Friday.
In a statement on the city’s website, the trolley will make snake its way through the First Capital District from 10:30am-6:30pm Thursday and from 12:00pm-8:00pm on Friday.
Chillicothe is one of eleven cities across the country participating in the program as part of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
There’s no fee to ride the trolley and those sharing the roadway should give the same caution and courtesy as to a regular CTS bus.
While the two-day trial may present itself as a novelty, some may remember the days street cars roamed the streets of Chillicothe. While it may be new, it’s also a bit reminiscent to the First Capital’s past.
The City of Chillicothe’s announcement regarding the trial run for the trolley.The stops the Trolley will be making and the route for those looking to ride. Photo courtesy City of Chillicothe
(See Dan Ramey’s interview with Tiffany Baldwin of Downtown Chillicothe as she promotes the August 28th Sand On The Streets Volleyball)
NOTE: Since our original interview, Baldwin tells Litter Media due to an overwhelming response, the tournament format has been modified to only recreational teams. Get more details on the links below.
The Chillicothe Outdoor Volleyball Association (COVA) in conjunction with Downtown Chillicothe will be hosting a co-ed sand volleyball tournament August 28th in front of the Ross County Courthouse.
Tiffany Baldwin of Downtown Chillicothe spoke with Dan Ramey of Litter Media about the “Sands In The Street Tournament”.
300 tons of sand will be used for the tournament, including some from the Yoctangee Park courts, which will also allow for the underlying area of the Yoctangee Park courts to receive needed drainage repairs. The rest of the sand will come from Covia Corp.
Baldwin says many of the downtown businesses take part of the event with sand covering much of Paint Street between Main and Second streets.
The tournament will host 24 recreational teams teams of 4-on-4 action, requiring at least one female player being on the court at all times during competition.
Each court will have play going between 9am-6pm, along with other activities through the downtown that go through the evening.
Chillicothe’s downtown will be turning green Saturday, March 13th during the Saint Patty’s Day Downtown Dash Bar Crawl & Shop Stroll. The DORA will be active during the event, according to the Chillicothe/Ross Chamber of Commerce website.
PICK UP YOUR SWAG BAGS AT 50 WEST, 1 N. MAIN ST., CHILLICOTHE, Wednesday, March 10, thru Friday, March 12, 11 am to 10 pm.
The Cost is $25, which includes an event t-shirt, a 50 West swag bag, and a passport that gives you access to exclusive deals throughout downtown. Have your passport stamped at the destinations to be entered in the drawing for a downtown Chillicothe gift basket.
The proceeds benefit the See Chillicothe Bloom! Flower Fund.
Participating Businesses:
Fire & Stone Pizza
Steiner’s Speakeasy
The Old Canal Smokehouse
50 West Brewing Company
Old Capital Brewing Company
Hometown Hibachi
R Kitchen
The Cozy Inn
The Pour House at Machinery Hall
The Dock at Water
Hatch Boutique
High Five Cakes
Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
Chillicothe Antique Emporium
Ivy’s Home & Garden
Nellie Dog Pottery & Paints
Bunstine Law Offices
Brick Haven Spa & Salon
Alpha Femme Boutique
Exit Realty
Buckeye Engraving & Design
Wheatberry Books
Southern Ohio Axe Throwing
Horizon Telephone Company
Downtown Chillicothe
The Chillicothe Visitor’s Bureau
Discover Downtown Chillicothe
First Capital Nutrition
Maggie & Me Candle Co.
Globe Furniture
To register, following our link to the Chillicothe/Ross Chamber of Commerce website. CLICK HERE:
Because some businesses have elected to delay their restart, it’s suggested to call ahead or check the business’ social media pages or website.
Tuesday during Governor DeWine’s daily news conference, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced Massage Therapy, Acupuncture and Cosmetic Therapy business are permitted to restart May 15th. Those sectors had been delayed due to the State Medical Board decisions.
While permitted to reopen, not all businesses will be.
The Green Tree Restaurant announced on their Facebook Page they will not be reopening. The post Sunday reads “It’s with great sadness that we are announcing the closing of Greentree. We would like to Thank the community for their support over the last few years.”
Another business restart will only temporary. Tecumseh Trading Company, operated by The Scioto Society as a downtown venue for the outdoor drama Tecumseh, will open in early June fo a clearance sale, but will then close thereafter. In the announcement on Facebook, Brandon Smith stated the closing was emotional, but necessary “as we concentrate all of our resources and efforts on getting Tecumseh back on the stage in 2021.”
In early April, The Scioto Society was forced to cancel its 2020 season of Tecumseh (see the interview with Brandon Smith below)
Meanwhile, many businesses have opened requiring customers to maintain social distancing, limiting the number of those permitted in their stores at a time and the wearing of face coverings.
Social distancing remains an important part of restarting Ohio. This sign is posted on the door of The Rost Coffee in Downtown ChillicotheSocial distancing remains an important part of restarting Ohio. This sign is posted on the door of High Five Cakes in Downtown ChillicotheWheatberry Books reopened May 12th, while neighboring Totem Supply Co. announced on Facebook they’re looking at the first week of June to reopen.Highland’s Ice Creamery was among those businesses who reopened May 1st and have posted these guidelines for customers.Ivy’s announced restarting in a Facebook Live posting Tuesday afternoon.Most restaurants like Hometown Habachi have been offering take out service during the pandemic.Restaurants like The Pour House at Machinery Hall will be permitted to serve outdoor dining beginning May 15th. They and many restaurants have been offering carry out service since May 1st.Beginning May 15th, restaurants like R Kitchen on Paint will be permitted to serve outdoors. They’ve been offering carry out service since May 1st.
