By Sandi Latimer
Staff Writer
The Westland Area has a wealth of businesses that will be showcased Sept. 8 in a Discover Westland event at the Prairie Township Community Center.
The event is sponsored by the Westland Area Business Association and will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
“WABA wanted to know what we could do to promote area businesses,” said event chair Nancy Day-Achauer. “We have more businesses than residents may be aware of.”
Numerous businesses will be set up and representatives will be available to speak with area residents about their services and products.
Such an event is important since several vacancies dot the area, especially on West Broad. Open spaces used to house a restaurant, and the Prairie Township Senior Citizens which moved to the Community Center. And across the street the Walgreens store became vacant Sept. 3.
“If anyone wants to start a restaurant, that open space in the Lincoln Village Plaza has all new equipment,” Day-Ahauer pointed out.
In addition, she said, businesses that front West Broad Street have been hampered by the construction. That work, which includes the installation of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street lights, street furniture and a grassy median, is to be finished by October 2016.
Neighboring communities of Grove City and Hilliard have held similar programs,
Day-Achauer said. “They started small and worked their way up.”
That is what WABA wants to do. They went to Grove City to get tips on how to set one up.
Visitors to this fair can gather information about the businesses as well as sample food from the eateries that will be set up. Drawings will be held for door prizes, one of which includes a Heritage Golf Course outing valued at $400, Day-Achauer said.
Businesses that have signed up early as participants include Angel Animal Hospital, Ohio Health, Before 3 Pediatric Dentistry, Gary Bast Insurance Agency, Havenwood Townhomes, Homes on the Hill, KL West, Wilson Printing and Graphics, McGuire Driving Academy, National Church Residences at Lincoln Village, PNC Bank, Prairie Township Fire Department, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and Childs’ Garden, Walgreens, Westland Area Library, York Steak House, Flyers Pizza and Subs, and Papa Johns.
Other businesses that wish to participate can contact Day-Achauer at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
