"The open-sidewalk model had become too congested and created conflicts between attendees and vehicle traffic." City Manager Paul Brake wrote that in a July 7 letter to Main Street Delaware Executive Director Courtney Graf. The letter explained why the city would keep North Sandusky Street closed between William and Winter streets during Saturday Farmers' Market hours for the rest of the season.
The closure began as a one-month trial. This is the first year Main Street Delaware has moved the market off the sidewalks and into the street, and the city's decision runs through Oct. 31. From today, Sept. 30, that leaves five Saturday mornings: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
Look at a map of where October's events happen and where the newest downtown businesses opened, and nearly everything lands within about a block of the corner where North Sandusky meets William. October is the last month of the first season built around that corner.
The Block That Changed Shape This Year
The market runs 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, with produce, baked goods, flowers and artisan products set up in the middle of North Sandusky. The city gave two main reasons for keeping the full closure. Main Street Delaware is a nonprofit focused on promoting downtown, and the city found that closing the whole block improves pedestrian safety. Brake noted that police had received no negative feedback that would call for a change, and that officers would keep making minor operational adjustments as needed.
"Seeing so many people enjoying Saturday mornings together is exactly what Main Street Delaware is all about," Graf told Delaware Source.
Sandusky Street's longer-term shape is a separate and slower question. The city's Sandusky Street study found a three-lane road diet feasible. In late August, though, the Delaware Gazette reported that no construction or streetscape plan was moving forward, and that more preliminary engineering and public outreach come next. So the Saturday closure is the only change to the street that residents can actually see right now, and it has an end date.
What Opened Within a Block of the Market
Three businesses have opened in the blocks around the market since Aug. 12. Each one adds a reason to stay past noon.
Espresso Air, 34 S. Sandusky St. The cafe opened quietly on Aug. 12. It's the second location of a brand Talip Kucuker started in Uptown Westerville, and his sister Eslem Kucuker runs the Delaware shop. She has worked at the Westerville cafe since she was 17. She bought the storefront in January, expecting to open within three months, and spent seven months renovating. At opening, only the front seating area was ready, with a back area to follow. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Those Saturday hours start an hour before the market opens and run well past it. "You don't come here just to get a coffee and leave," Kucuker said.
Hallihan's Irish Pub, 12 W. William St. Hallihan's had its grand opening on Monday, Sept. 14. It took over the space that was home to 12 West, which closed in 2020, and later Lazy Dawg. The pub comes from John Cordas, co-owner of Shorty's Pizza, and Mike Barker, whose family crest is in the logo. The menu includes shepherd's pie, boxty and fish and chips, plus giant soft pretzels from an Ohio baker. The second floor works as a sports lounge with two 75-inch TVs. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Sip n Spice Indian Bar and Grill, 12 S. Sandusky St. The owners of the Two Fatt Indians food truck planned this full-service restaurant and bar. A July report targeted an opening at the end of July. A later report from NBC4 said the first week of September. The restaurant now takes online orders. Its posted hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. It's closed Tuesdays.
Betty's Cupcakes, at 38 S. Sandusky St., was reported open in June and sits two doors from Espresso Air. Open Btl, at 39 E. William St., announced a rooftop patio meant to run year-round with fire pits, weather permitting, and targeted an opening in the last week of August. It's worth checking with the bar directly before planning around the rooftop.
The October Calendar, Mapped to the Same Corner
The month's Main Street Delaware events start and end at the same intersection. The Welcome Center at 20 E. William St., where the Fall Flavor Stroll checks in, is a short walk from Hallihan's on the other side of Sandusky.
Date | Event | Time | Where it centers |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri., Oct. 2 | October First Friday, "Stop, Drop, and Dance!" | 6 to 9 p.m. | Downtown, with businesses open late |
Sat., Oct. 3, 10, 17 | Farmers' Market in the street | 9 a.m. to noon | N. Sandusky between William and Winter |
Sun., Oct. 4 | Delaware County CROP Hunger Walk | 2 p.m. start | OWU's Hamilton-Williams Campus Center |
Sat., Oct. 24 | Farmers' Market, then Fall Flavor Stroll | 9 a.m. to noon; 2 to 7 p.m. | Market block; Welcome Center, 20 E. William St. |
Sat., Oct. 31 | Final market with Trick or Treat Down Main Street | 9 a.m. to noon | Market block |
Oct. 2: First Friday comes two days from now
This month's First Friday pairs fire prevention with Hispanic Heritage Month. Expect fire trucks and rescue vehicles, live music from "Rocktober," the rock school program at Delaware Music Center, and salsa dancing. DJ Lani G., an Afro-Latin and social dance mixer who regularly spins and teaches Kizomba, Zouk, Bachata and Salsa at Columbus events, will play. Many restaurants and businesses will stay open late with special deals.
You can also leave the car at home. Delaware County Transit's FLEX service runs until 10 p.m. on First Fridays for door-to-door rides to and from Delaware City locations. The fare is $2 each way, or $1 for riders 65 and older and 18 and under, and the late service continues for the rest of this year's First Fridays. For anyone who wants to try Hallihan's upstairs lounge or a late dinner at Sip n Spice after the music, the 10 p.m. cutoff gives you an hour past the event.
Oct. 4: A walk that starts on campus
The Delaware County CROP Hunger Walk starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. Routes of 1 and 3 miles start and end at Ohio Wesleyan's Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.
Oct. 24: The one day with two downtown events
Oct. 24 is the only October date with both the Saturday market and a ticketed Main Street event. The Fall Flavor Stroll is new this year. Participants taste fall flavors from downtown businesses between 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.
The schedule has one catch. The event runs until 7 p.m., but registration happens only from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Delaware Welcome Center, 20 E. William St. Ticket holders need to arrive by 4 p.m. to check in and pick up a wristband, the list of participating businesses and a bag for treats. Sponsors are Converse & Associates LLC, The Modern Maid, Innopak and Richwood Bank.
On a day planned around the corner, it might look like this:
- Market on North Sandusky between 9 a.m. and noon
- Lunch close by, with Hallihan's and Sip n Spice both opening at or before 11 a.m.
- Check-in at the Welcome Center before 4 p.m.
- Tasting downtown until 7 p.m.
Oct. 31: The last Saturday in the street
The 2026 market ends on Oct. 31 with Trick or Treat Down Main Street, from 9 a.m. to noon. Delaware Pediatric Dentistry and Kemba Financial Credit Union are sponsors. The Gazette suggests watching Main Street Delaware's social media for the latest list of participating businesses. That morning is also the last scheduled Saturday of the street closure under the city's current decision.
After the Street Reopens
November's First Friday, "Community Harvest," is listed for Nov. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. It includes booths from nonprofits and service groups, a city Paint-a-Plow display, a Fresh Start pie-eating contest and a food drive among businesses. Home for the Holidays weekend follows Dec. 4 to 6, with the First Friday Christmas tree lighting and the Annual Christmas Parade.
A few blocks away, the pipeline keeps moving. On Sept. 28, City Council unanimously approved handing the Spring Street hotel site to the county's community improvement corporation. That moves forward a proposed 120-room hotel of 6 to 6.5 stories with a 280-space garage. Separately, three owners are aiming for March 2027 to launch peDel, a 14-passenger pedal bar. Both are still proposals. Through Oct. 31, the market, the three new spots and every Main Street event this month stay close to the corner of North Sandusky and William.
If Saturday mornings on North Sandusky are part of why you love downtown Delaware, Megan would be glad to help you find a home within an easy walk of the market block, or talk through what your current home might be worth this fall. Reach out to Megan S Bell any time. Let's Connect.
