Historic Downtown Wooster Ohio.
Exploring the charming square of Wooster, Ohio.
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“Dine, Shop, Live & Play” is how “Main Street Wooster” promotes their Historic Downtown; and they couldn’t be more correct. Filled with history, charming shops, restaurants, and beautiful main street views, this Historic Downtown has much to boast about.
Wooster was named in honor of Revolutionary War Brigadier-General David Wooster of Connecticut. In 1808, Wooster would become the county seat for the county. Some of Wooster’s earliest settler’s came from Maryland, New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The first Amish settler arrived to the area in 1817.
The Wayne County Courthouse, located in the center of town, was designed by architect Thomas Boyd. The Second Empire designed courthouse was completed in 1879 and is to this day used as the county courthouse. I hope you find time to marvel at the architecture of the building and the four huge figures of Atlas located at the entranceways. To learn more about the statues, visit the Wayne County Historical Society’s website.
You will find plenty of places to shop around the square.
Coffee shops, gift stores, resale shops, books, records, breweries, restaurants, and more is what you will find in this quaint downtown. From May through December, on certain days, you can enjoy their local Farmers’ Market, concerts, a cruise-in, holiday window displays, and other special events, including a holiday Downtown Church Walking Tour.
Below, I have shared just a small sampling of the places you can explore when visiting the downtown area.
TULIPáN PASTRY & COFFEE SHOP
122 S. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691
tulipanwooster.com
Opened in 2004, Tulipan’s is a Hungarian pastry and coffee shop, which is conveniently located in the center of Downtown Wooster. Depending on the day, and if you arrive early enough, you will find various pastry favorites including Baklava, traditional strudels, various bars and cake rolls, Bishop Hat’s Pogacsa, bread, Hungarian cakes, cupcakes, scones, Kifli, tortes, and more.
The day I visited I opted to try one of their coffee flights. I choose the Mocha which included a caramel mocha, a black and white mocha, a S’mores mocha and two Kifli cookies. You have the option of ordering your flight hot or cold. For my mocha flight I selected the cold brew and it did not disappoint. And of course, I bought a scone to go. I never pass up scones.
Check their website/Facebook for closing times.
BLACKBIRD RECORDS
126 S Market St, Wooster, OH 44691
facebook.com/DowntownWooster
Classic and new vinyl’s, turntables, music merchandise and more. If you love music and love enjoy adding to your vinyl collection, this is the store for you. Make sure you watch for “Dave’s Record Store Drop” previews.
OMAHOMA BOB’S BARBEQUE
128 S Market St # 100, Wooster, OH
330.262.9871
omahomabobsbbq.com/index.html
Hours: 11:00am-7:00pm Tue-Wed-Thu, 11am-8pm Fri-Sat, Closed Sun-Mon
If you love Texas style dry rub BBQ, this is your stop. Located on the square, this family-owned business starts with certified angus beef, pork, and fresh poultry. Their menu consists of sandwiches, dinners, sides, salads, and more.
The day of my visit I sampled their ribs, mac and cheese, steer chips (freshly made potato chips) and their homemade red bean and rice. The dry rub flavoring that they add to their ribs was perfect.
WOOSTER GIFT CORNER
131 S. Market St., Wooster
330.264.6117
Located on the corner of the Square is one of the city’s oldest downtown retailers, the Wooster Gift Corner. The gift corner is filled with a wonderful selection of gifts and home items.
E&H ACE HARDWARE
115 S Market St, Wooster
330.262.8821 | ehhardware.com
The E&H Ace Hardware store had no problem filling the void left behind by Everything Rubbermaid. The flagship store and corporate offices fill four floors of their new location on Market St.
Floor 1: Grilling items, birding section, outdoor items, housewares, and gift items.
Floor 2: Power tools, lawn-care, and painting items.
Floor 3: Electrical and plumbing.
BOOKS IN STOCK
140 E Liberty St, Wooster, OH 44691
booksinstock.net
Everyone knows I love bookstores, especially locally owned bookstores. Books in Stock has been in business for over 30 years. They offer a nice selection of used rare books. Books in Stock may even purchase some of your gently used books back, See their website for details.
MOTT’S OILS & MORE
137 E. Liberty St., Wooster
facebook.com/mottsombf
Mott’s offers a nice selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I really liked their selection of infused oils.
LOCAL ROOTS MARKET & CAFE’
140 S Walnut St., Wooster
localrootswooster.com
When visiting Downtown Wooster, I always like to stop at the Local Roots Market & Cafe’. Local produce is always available and everyday a local chef serves-up a special cafe’ offering. Their weekly menu can be found on their website.
LYNCH’S IRISH IMPORTS
116 S. Main St., Wooster
Facebook page
All things Irish can be found at this charming import store. From jewelry to clothes to yard items, if you are looking to add a ‘little Irish” to your life, you will find it here.
FRIENDTIQUE THRIFT SHOP
233 W. Liberty St., Wooster
330.262.2012 | friendtique.org
All the profits generated from the stores’ revenue are donated to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare Community Care Fund. Just another reason to find time to shop this unique thrift store filled with items looking for a new home.
But wait there is more,
To view or order a Historic Downtown Wooster Shopper’s Guide visit
MAIN STREET WOOSTER
mainstreetwooster.org
The Lincoln Highway
For those who enjoy driving the country’s historical by-ways, the Lincoln Highway Historic Byway runs through Wooster’s Main Street. The history of the byway in Wayne County can be found here, as well as travel ideas and stops along the trail to enjoy while traveling the backroads of Wayne County. It’s actually quite a fascinating to read.
Every year in August, all across the Lincoln Highway, bargain hunters hit the highway for the annual “Buy-Way” of yard sales. To learn more about the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way click here. (The 2022 Buy-Way dates are August 11th-13th.)
Other notable stops around Wayne County:
East Union Bulk Foods
9089 Lincoln Way E., Orrville
330.682.2100
Lehman’s
4779 Kidron Rd., Kidron
1.800.438.5346 |website
P. GRAHAM DUNN
630 Henry St., Dalton
330.828.2105 | pgrahamdunn.com
PINE TREE BARN
4374 Shreve Road, Wooster
330.264.1014 | pinetreebarn.com
I share my visit here.
SHISLER’S CHEESE HOUSE
55 Kidron Rd., Orrville
330-682-2105
THE PINE CONE GIFT SHOP
2877 Kidron Road, Orrville
330-857-4443
THE J.M. SMUCKER COMPANY STORE AND CAFE’
333 Wadsworth Rd., Orrville
330-684-1500 |website
Enjoy hunting for antiques?
JOURNEY IN TIME
1314 Wadsworth Rd., Orrville, Ohio 44667
330-857-2009 | Facebook
Follow the Road Apple Trails of Wayne County.
Before you head out. Download Wayne County’s new Road Apple Trails mobile app.
This is your opportunity to not only see and experience all the extraordinary places in Wayne County, but also get discounts, win prizes and have fun!
My Ohio Fun Road Trip Notes
Make sure you take your camera and wear your walking shoes.
Always pack a cooler. You never know if you may purchase perishables.
Bring along cash for any roadside stops if you hit the Amish countryside.
For more visitor information contact or stop by the
Wayne County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
428 W. Liberty St., Wooster, OH 44691
330.264.1800 |800.362.6474
wccvb.com
Disclosure: I received compensation for this article from the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
Article and photos, unless noted by: D. Rock, MyOhioFun.com
Diane Rock is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com, NorthernOhioTourism.com and the Tea Cup Rescue Society. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
Editor’s note: Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***