Page 12 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – January 2019

Continued from page 9
Rammell built Brewfontaine to bring craft beer
to a town that didn’t have the same opportunities as larger craft beer cities. This unique setting offers craft beer and eclectic food options that are sure to delight.
Bellefontaine also has seen growth in downtown housing for those seeking smaller spaces than the big land plots that come to mind with small Ohio towns. More than 24 loft apartments have seen development and renovation in recent years, thanks to Small Nation and its passion to grow the downtown of Bellefontaine. Rivaling the amenities found in luxury apartments, these lofts maintain the charm of living in a town that knows its roots, with the conveniences of living in a small downtown.
Luxury living is not complete without shopping destinations within walking distance. There are several boutiques and shops, with more opening soon, to be found in the heart of the downtown area. These shops vary from fashion boutiques to antique shops and an educational store.
Local business in general has thrived in downtown Bellefontaine, with “coming soon” signs and new signage throughout Main Street. Each corner has a sign directing visitors to the many businesses found throughout town, declaring their presence in a way that invites exploration.
Just around the corner from Main Street on Columbus Avenue is Native Coffee Company, a coffee shop with an eye-catching wall mural. Founded by Braydon Campbell, Native Coffee was another brainchild of Duff. Native Coffee offers more than coffee, however, as it serves as
a center for two other businesses – an accounting firm and, on the second floor, a yoga studio.
As the efforts of Duff and Small Nation continue, Bellefontaine is sure to continue to see growth. The historic Canby building is one of the latest to be undergoing renovations, promising to bring even more life into what was, until very recently, a very tired downtown.
Abby Newman is brand manager of Travel and Discounts & Rewards at AAA Ohio.
Bellefontaine is not the only small town seeing big revitalization in Ohio. Towns across Ohio, and the United States, are seeing major revitalization efforts as the communities around them continue to thrive. If you travel the state extensively, or if you’re lucky enough to call one of these amazing centers of community “home,” you know exactly how far these efforts have come.
Here are just a few to visit:
• Heritage • Lisbon • Lowellville • Marysville • Newark • Urbana • Vermillion
For travel planning assistance, stop by your local AAA store or visit AAA.com/travel.
10 | AAA MAGAZINE
Photo: Willie Petersen
Photo: Willie Petersen