The Uptown Market will reside at 1 South State Street in Historic Westerville occupying 4,000 square feet of retail space complete with dining room, special events room, ample parking and additional patio space for outside dining.

Open to the public six days a week, reserving Sunday for wine tasting events, catering and special event rental, the restaurant will include approximately 55 dining seats with 10 additional seats available at the newly remodeled oak bar.  The interior will feature unique hand painted walls from celebrated local artist Eric Schickel, dramatic pendent lighting, intimate seating, and walls lined with examples of the regions finest artists providing an elegant backdrop to romantic evenings, important engagements, the entertaining of clients and casual nights out with friends.  The restaurant’s Paris trained chef Emmanuel Sotondji, will be at the forefront of the menu offering seasonal lunch and dinner items featuring all natural, responsibly grown ingredients provided by regional farmer-partners of the restaurant.

The menus will be kept simple, featuring approximately nine entrees at any given time depending on the harvest season, along with unique appetizers, soups and desserts.  All artisan breads, croissants, and pastries will be made in house with fresh ground organic flours. Operations Manager John Roberson said the restaurant is committed to selecting regional, naturally and organically produced ingredients whenever possible. 

“At the forefront of our business model is a passionate commitment to providing exceptional food and service using the finest, freshest, regionally produced ingredients available,” Roberson said. 

“All of our ingredients will be produced by responsible, sustainable and natural methods.  We will strive to have 70% of our menu created with organically grown ingredients by the end of year two, and 95% by the end of year three,” he said.

Beyond supplying a home-grown harvest, The Uptown Market is also committed to creating a regionally respected wine cellar assuming a local Westerville ballot is passed allowing the restaurant to obtain a liquor permit.  If the permit is obtained, Roberson plans to employ an in-house Sommelier or wine steward who will supervise the ordering, storing, and serving of wine.  Wine pairings will be a focused component of the table service offering and will provide a strong foundation for retail wine sales, wine education and tasting events. 

In addition to their commitment to responsible and sustainable farming, The Uptown Market will expend considerable resources on supporting local charitable causes.  John’s wife and business partner Anna Cunningham-Roberson, will be developing a comprehensive community relations program which will include initiatives to support supplemental food donation programs, elderly advocacy programs, animal rights advocacy, and healthy lifestyle educational programs. 

Mike Simpson, who as an agent for NAI Ohio Equities worked closely with John Roberson on the leasing for The Uptown Market, has been working in commercial real estate for more than 18 years. He is confident the move will be beneficial to both the entrepreneurs of The Uptown Market as well as the community of Westerville.

“With over 35 years of combined restaurant development, marketing and management experience, the creative partnership between owner and Operations Manager, John Roberson and Paris trained Chef and Restaurateur, Emmanuel Sotondji is sure to bring eminent success,” Simpson said.

Operating as central Ohio’s largest locally owned commercial real estate company; NAI Ohio Equities has been serving the Columbus real estate market for more than 35 years.  Located downtown in the Columbus Brewery District, NAI Ohio Equities is comprised of a team of twenty-five agents making up an experienced Brokerage Department specializing in land, retail, office, investment and industrial real estate.  In addition to the Brokerage Department, NAI Ohio Equities has a reputable Property Management Division managing more than 12 million square feet of property. As an affiliate of NAI Global, Ohio Equities is part of a network of 5000 professionals working in 350 offices in 45 different countries. For more information on NAI Ohio Equities including available brokerage and property management services visit www.ohioequities.com or please call 614-224-2400.

Cutline: Paris trained chef Emmanuel Sotondji (pictured above) will be at the forefront of the menu for the new Uptown Market to open in downtown Westerville this fall.