OHIO CITY, Ohio — Driving through W. 25th today, it’s hard to imagine how far it’s come in the last decade.
“It was a different day 10 years ago,” laughed Market Garden Brewery Co-Owner, Sam McNulty.
Back then, he walked these streets and only saw potential.
Back in 2003, he opened his first restaurant on W. 25th, Bier Market. But he and his partners continued to look across the street.
“From day one we were looking at this building here at Market Garden,” said McNulty. “Our thinking was it was a tragedy that this vacant, boarded up, graffitied building was right next door to the historic west side market.”
They ended up buying that dialogues building and turned it into what it is today.
“Just needed some love and some beer to reawaken it,” he laughed.
A reawakening that had a ripple effect on the whole neighborhood.
I look back at Market Gardens opening,” said Tom McNair, Executive President of Ohio City Inc. “That was a moment that a lot of people took notice of what was happening. That seemed to be a project that really captures a lot of people’s eyes and imagination.”
Capturing the imagination of other business like Mitchell’s Ice Cream who set up shop in 2013 continuing momentum.
10 years ago, the neighborhood once had a 34% commercial vacancy rate. Now it’s a thriving community with over $1 billion invested into it.
“The neighborhood has really come to life,” said McNulty. “Now you see construction cranes.. development happening everywhere. Going vertical. I think that’s in large part because people first came down here to play.. then came down to work and now people are choosing to live down here.”
Progress spurred by the success of local businesses.