Downtown Wooster celebrates local shopping and fall fun with annual Shop Hop Oct. 18

Grab a sweater and head downtown for Main Street Wooster’s annual Fall Shop Hop on Saturday, Oct. 18. The event began a few years ago with the idea of having a fun day dedicated to Wooster’s downtown retailers.

“It is crucial to shop local and dine local because we want to keep the money local and support local businesses and their dreams," said Kerri Manley, Main Street Wooster’s project manager. "If you shop local, you can support someone's dreams and potentially help others live out their dreams. Within small businesses, decisions are made locally, which is also critical. These business owners love and believe in our downtown, so we should reciprocate that love back to them.”

Some downtown businesses are offering Fall Shop Hop specials with deals listed online at www.mainstreetwooster.org/fall-shop-hop-2025. There also may be other in-store specials the day of the event, shopkeepers in costume, and/or special sweet treats or refreshments. It’s all up to individual businesses. Manley suggests checking retailer and restaurant social media channels for updates.

And as fall settles in, Manley said the Shop Hop is a great time to start shopping for the holidays.

“It’s right around the corner,” she said.

Along with retailer specials, the day includes the annual Scarecrow Showdown — each year is a new theme. This year participating stores will dress their scarecrow like a famous Halloween movie character. Everyone is invited to vote and get entered in a drawing for $100 in Downtown Dollars.

Participating retailers include the following:

—Friendtique at 233 W. Liberty St.

—Nest by Friendtique at 132 N. Walnut St.

—Heartland Title Agency at 121 N. Market St.

—New World Spice & Tea Traders at 142 E. Liberty St.

—Wooster Recreation Department at 210 S. Bever St.

—Flex Yoga Wooster at 151 S. Market St.

—Apple Creek Banking Company at 155 S. Market St.

—Wayne Center for the Arts at 237 S. Walnut St.

Find the QR code by each scarecrow and scan it to vote. Voting began Oct. 3 and will end Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. Last year’s winner was Friendtique.

“We invite folks to come down and shop with us and check out all of the wonderful stores that our quaint downtown has to offer,” Manley said. “From clothing to tools to records and spices/tea and so much more, our downtown has so many incredible stores that are looking to serve you.”