Newark Arcade Redevelopment Revives a Historic Ohio Landmark
Built in 1909, the Historic Newark Arcade has stood for more than a century as a symbol of history and community pride. Once one of Ohio’s few glass-roofed shopping arcades, it remains one of only four still standing in the state. Its survival is not just a testament to architectural endurance but to the power of preservation and local vision.
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Preserving a Landmark, Reviving a Legacy
As a cornerstone of Licking County, the Newark Arcade has served as a nexus for both retail and community life since its inception.
“The Arcade was one of the biggest buildings at the time it was built and a key gathering place for a number of decades,” says Patrick Sullivan, executive director of Newark Development Partners. “The amount of older generations who come in here and still remember a lot of the stores and just everything that was in the Arcade is probably one of the coolest things to see.”
When Newark Development Partners purchased the Arcade in 2019 for $750,000, only a few of its 30 retail spaces were still occupied. The building had fallen into disrepair, requiring a 24-hour fire watch and suffering from years of flooding and sprinkler issues. Without intervention, it was at risk of being condemned.
“The state of the building was forcing a decision on its lifespan,” Sullivan says. “It was believed to have only a couple of years left before a governmental agency would have had to step in.”
The nonprofit development group was uniquely positioned to take on the $20 million restoration. Approximately $14 million was secured through private funding, with the remainder covered by historic tax credits.
A $20 Million Transformation
The Newark Arcade closed in late 2019, as the team spent years designing and renovating the structure. It reopened in February 2025.
The revitalized building stretches nearly 70,000 square feet across the block from West Third Street to West Fourth Street. The first floor houses 20 retail businesses. The second and third floors have 19 residential units, three of which are Airbnbs.
“We’ve got a really good mix,” Sullivan says. “Two restaurants will be our anchors. We also have a bottle shop, retail apparel stores, salons, an ice cream parlor, a coffee shop, craft stores and a dance studio. It’s the kind of variety that makes the Arcade feel alive again.”
A New Chapter for Small Businesses
For Jill Sheridan, owner of Vintage Grind Coffeehouse, the decision to move into the Newark Arcade was rooted in its story and potential.
This move followed the closure of her previous venture in Coshocton, Ohio, called Rust Décor, which combined retail and coffee. Sheridan relocated to the Newark Arcade, driven by the belief that the location offered significant potential for her coffee operation.
“We believe the location is a huge factor in the success of the business,” Sheridan says. “We have seen the traffic triple since moving from Coshocton. The other tenants here are wonderful. It has become like a small family.”
Revitalization and Future Growth
Another retail tenant, Doug Marmie, owner of The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor, also saw opportunity in the Newark Arcade’s rebirth. He partnered with Velvet Ice Cream, another local business, for his shop that sells hard scooped ice cream, floats and shakes. It has a 1920s-style soda fountain machine, and employees wear uniforms accessorized with aprons and old school ice cream hats.
“We have had great reviews, and folks really enjoy coming into the parlor,” Marmie says.
For Sullivan and his team, the Newark Arcade’s success reflects the city’s downtown momentum.
“Any time you have 20 new businesses in one building in one year, I think it shows there is interest in commerce in the downtown area,” he says. “It’s no longer viewed as an eyesore but as a great historic attraction that continues to make Newark a very special place.”
Learn more about the historic Newark Arcade by visiting historicnewarkarcade.com.
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