Urbana’s Sweet Spot: Carmazzi’s

Exterior of Carmazzi's Candy and General Store, Urbana Ohio

No secret where the candy is on Urbana, Ohio’s Monument Square.

Downtown Urbana, Ohio, has been undergoing an impressive renaissance. New restaurants and retail businesses. A brewery. Loft apartments.

And building owners who are taking risks, creating new development and stripping away 1970s facades to reveal Urbana’s past glory – before chain stores lured commerce and people from the city center.

When the pandemic put life on pause, change brewed beneath the surface. Then emerged, accelerating before our eyes ever since.

Back in 2014 there was renewed hope when the Urbana United Methodist Church bought the shuttered Urbana Twin Cinemas and started returning the theater to economic, cultural, social and spiritual vibrancy as the Gloria Theatre. And in 2021, when the old Douglas Hotel on Monument Square was saved from years of neglect to become Legacy Place, the home of senior apartment living, along with the former Urbana North and South elementary schools.

Burgeoning signs of progress in Champaign County nudged me to restart this blog, which I originally launched in 2010.

A Constant Presence

In this post, however, I feature a business that has endured for decades amidst an everchanging downtown, Carmazzi’s Candy and General Store, at 100 S. Main St., Urbana. The shop has satisfied our community’s sweet tooth for generations on the southwest corner of Monument Square in a Federalist-style building. Constructed in 1811, the building served a brief stint as military headquarters during the War of 1812.

The iconic gold lettering on the shop’s window proclaims: “Carmazzi’s Serving You Since 1893.” Above that, in tantalizingly large letters, “CANDY” calls kids and kids at heart to a wide assortment of sweets, like my favorites, Baby Ruth and Bit-O-Honey. And other products, like another personal favorite, locally roasted coffee from Hemisphere Coffee Roasters.

John Carmazzi at Carmazzi's in Urbana, Ohio

John Carmazzi

Sam Bianchi opened the business in 1893 as Bianchi’s Fruit Store. In 1931, Mr. Bianchi’s niece, Victoria, and her husband, Frank Carmazzi, bought the shop from him and gave it their name. One thing stays true to the original store. To this day, Carmazzi’s still sells fruit baskets.

The Carmazzis’ children, John, Bob and Rosemary, worked alongside them. John, who started waiting on customers before he could see over the counter, bought the store from his mother in 1952.

In 2014, John sold Carmazzi’s to Jeff Donay, as featured in this past Champaign Uncorked post. And after Donay, Pat and Patsy Thackery, owners of Café Paradiso, became owners of Urbana’s cherished candy store.

Not Owners, But Caretakers

The current owners, Jay and Kate Johnson, in August celebrated their first anniversary at Carmazzi’s. But, as Jay says, “Nobody really owns Carmazzi’s. We’re just the caretakers. It belongs to the city of Urbana.”

Kate and Jay Johnson, owners of Carmazzi's Candy and General Store, Urbana, Ohio

Kate and Jay Johnson: how sweet it is to own — or caretake — Urbana, Ohio’s candy store, Carmazzi’s.

Each iteration of ownership has brought minor tweaks to Carmazzi’s, while retaining the original charm and nostalgia, keeping it real for people who grew up here and want to cherish the memories.

Despite being newcomers to town themselves, Jay and Kate quickly came to appreciate the timeless allure of Carmazzi’s. (They moved here in December 2020. More about that, in a moment.)

“The best part is all the people who come in and want to share their stories,” Kate says. Many of the posts on the store’s Facebook page feature customers who drop by to buy candy – many also to reminisce while back in town to visit friends and family.

“We took over right before fair week last year, and I was amazed by all the people who came from everywhere, and I’m not talking just Ohio. I’m talking, Arizona, Chicago … they would all come back to Champaign County just to go to the fair. I thought that was amazing.”

Jay and Kate moved to Urbana from Dublin. They’d lived there since 2016 when Jay became a lecturer and director of the George V. Voinovich Academy for Excellence in Public Service at Ohio University’s Dublin campus – a job he still holds and easily commutes to.

Prior to that he served 30 years in the U.S. Marines, retiring as a colonel. In that span, they moved 22 times around the world and country.

“You can see how that would segue right into candy,” Kate jokes.

Finding Their New Home

About their move to Urbana, she explains, “when Covid hit (and she and Jay had lived in one place – Dublin – for four years) I took it upon myself to decide where we were going to move next. We gave ourselves a parameter: an hour out of Dublin.

“We like Dublin. It’s very nice, but we like small towns.”

Jay and Kate Johnson, owners of Carmazzi's Candy and General Store in Urbana, Ohio, with employee JD Knopp.

Jay and Kate Johnson with employee JD Knopp, behind the counter of Carmazzi’s.

Jay grew up in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta. And Kate in Zanesville, in Muskingum County.

They met as students at Ohio University, living in a co-ed dorm. Kate was Jay’s resident assistant.

In their search for a new home, Kate first explored Urbana on her own. Jay stayed home to watch football.

“I went to the Depot and had a cup of coffee. Then I looked around. I liked this place, and here we are.”

Jay joined her on a return trip. That led to finding a real estate agent. “We didn’t know anyone in Urbana,” Kate recalls. “We had a fantastic realtor, Patrick Hamilton. He’s as welcoming as they come, his entire staff, so it felt like family when we moved here (in December 2020). It’s been a great decision.”

After buying their Urbana home, they shared with Hamilton the one shortcoming they had discovered in Urbana. “Urbana didn’t have an ice cream shop,” Kate says. (More on that later.)

“Then a few weeks later we got wind of something about Carmazzi’s, not that it was for sale, but would we be interested, instead of ice cream?”

Hamilton arranged for them to talk with Pat and Patsy Thackery.

“The main thing we all agreed on is it would have to remain Carmazzi’s,” Kate remembers. “That’s the whole reason we would want Carmazzi’s, because it’s Carmazzi’s!”

Next, the Thackerys and Johnsons went out to the Dragonfly Vineyard. “It was a chilly spring day,” Jay says. “We passed a couple of napkins back and forth on the table and closed the deal.”

Jay and Kate’s transition to retail business owners was relatively easy. Says Kate, “The store was ready to go. It was turnkey, as they say. They (the Thackerys) had done such a fabulous job, that one day I showed up and took over.”

 

And now about Urbana’s lack of an ice cream shop….

Welcome to the Cool Spot!

Ribbon cutting at Cool Spot, 124 S. Main St., Urbana, Ohio, October 13, 2023.

Jay and Kate Johnson, in the center, cut the ribbon in front of their new ice cream shop, 124 S. Main St., Urbana, on October 13.

Problem solved, thanks to Jay and Kate, who just opened the Cool Spot, at 124 S. Main St., down the block from Carmazzi’s. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at noon Friday, October 13, so the shop was open in time for the last of downtown Urbana’s Second Saturdays of 2023, on October 14.

The Cool Spot offers 28 flavors of Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream. The menu includes cones, cups, milkshakes, floats and pie à la mode. (Carmazzi’s had been offering a limited selection of Hershey’s ice cream, which it will replace with a selection of ice cream novelty treats.)

Sign in front of the Cool Spot ice cream shop, 124 S. Main St., Urbana, OhioCool Spot hours:

Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 7 p.m.

Sundays, 2 to 5:30 p.m.

They’re open year round.

By the way, Jay named the new ice cream shop in fond memory of the many times his mother took him out for ice cream at the Cool Spot (since closed) in Coolville, Ohio.

Celebrate Fish and Shrimp, with a Side of Music

2023 Ohio Fish & Shrimp FestivalMake plans with family and friends to get out to Freshwater Farms of Ohio, a mile north of Urbana on U.S. 68, for the 21st annual Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival. On three consecutive Saturdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23, the festival offers a delicious selection of food, including seafood, from the farm and other vendors, a rich variety of live music, and fun activities for the whole family.

Scroll down for links to more happenings in Champaign County.

A total of 12 bands – four each day of the festival – represent a wide variety of genres … blues, country rock, folk, pop, reggae, Celtic and jazz. They include familiar names like McGuffey Lane and local favorites like Eleyet McConnell and Meridith Evans, who started her vocal career in Urbana.

Where: Freshwater Farms of Ohio, a mile north of Urbana at 2624 N. U.S. 68

When: Three consecutive Saturdays, September 9, 16 and 23, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: Free parking; gate admission $5, ages 13 and up; $2 for kids ages 3-12; free for age 2 and under. You can get in free, though, if you come dressed as a mermaid, pirate or sea creature. (Secret judges will award cash and game ticket prizes for costumed adults and youth 16 years and under, in each category.)

Admission covers live music, the farm’s sturgeon petting zoo, fish and critter displays, bounce houses, art and craft vendors and the kid’s play zone.  There will also be games like the ever-popular Battling Water Balloon Catapults.

The outdoor stage and dining area of the Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival, Freshwater Farms of Ohio, Urbana, Ohio

This year’s festival will offer three times more vendors, including local merchants and many local artisans.

Food selections include Freshwater Farms’ pan-fried rainbow trout, jambalaya, grilled and coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and a full dinner menu, as well as food trucks and vendors serving bourbon chicken, pizza, shrimp and fish dishes, sushi, tacos, barbeque, pastries and coffees.

Charlies Bar will serve wine, beer, margaritas and cocktails. Feisty Brood Meadery will serve mead pours at the bar from 1 to 9 p.m.

New this year:

  • Overnight self-contained RV and tent camping, Friday and Saturday night each weekend. Reservations (not required, but recommended) may be made at eventmanagerffo@gmail.com or 937-652-3701.
  • Additional areas for small groups to gather to enjoy meals and drinks: the farm’s fountain display area and the Rainbow project, which features a wisteria dome and wildflower meadow maze. Seating also is available around the outdoor stage.

Visit the festival website or Facebook page for more information.

More to Celebrate in Champaign County! 

Balloon Fest, September 8 and 9, at Grimes Field Municipal Airport

Second Saturdays: Johnny Appleseed Celebration, September 9, in downtown Urbana. Extended shopping, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., food trucks, sidewalk vendors, kids’ games and activities, and live entertainment.  

23rd Annual Simon Kenton Pathfinders Bike Tour, September 10, starting at 8 a.m. from the Depot Coffee House

16th annual Simon Kenton Chili Cook Off and Hoopla Parade in downtown Urbana, September 23 

Madden Road: A Micro Music Fest That’s Big on Talent

Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band at the 2014 Madden Road Music Fest

Madden Road Music Fest hosts Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band wrapped up the 2014 festival on the Pine Stage. They’ll take the stage at 8 p.m. this year.

Champaign County’s in a great location—a short drive from two metropolitan areas. For instance, just 45 minutes to Columbus’ Jazz and Rib Fest, which I enjoyed two weeks ago with my son Andy, who lives in Columbus.

Of course, the roads run both ways. And Champaign County has much to offer our urban neighbors—and those of us who live here.

A case in point: the Madden Road Micro Music Fest, which is only micro in size and duration—not in talent.

In its sixth year, the festival is a fun, relaxing escape to the Dye family farm, 1791 Madden Rd., Cable. It’s just about a mile and a half north of Mutual, eight miles east of Urbana, or about 40 miles west of downtown Columbus.

Madden Road Music Fest: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Madden Road Music Fest poster 2016The festival offers nine performances on two stages, delicious food and coffee served by local vendors, three free music and dance workshops, a campfire, walking trails and a mural you can help create.

Hosts Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band will share the stage with Hebdo, Bob Lucas and Family, the WillowWacks, Jill and Micah, Kurtz, Sweet Betsy and Zach Whitney. And Daniel Dye will be joined on stage by sister Sarah Kelly, the driving force behind the festival.

Workshops include Folk Tunes with Bob Lucas and Family, Folk Dancing with the Millers and Banjos with Paul Race.

Vendors include Hemisphere Coffee Roasters of Mechanicsburg;, Oakview Farm Meats and Cosmic Charlie Breads of Urbana, who will serve pizza and sandwiches; and Madden Farm Food.

For the complete schedule and details, visit the Madden Road Music Fest Facebook page.

Here’s an audio preview of the festival, broadcast on WYSO radio, including a few tunes performed in the studio by Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band.

And here’s a video from Joey Hebdo, who will perform at 9:15 p.m.

And “Can’t Stop This Love” by Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band

And Other Events to Enjoy in August

2016 Champaign County Ohio Fair175th Champaign County Fair, Aug. 5-12

One of the best, if not the best county fairs in Ohio, August 5-12.  Here’s a link to the 2016 fair book and schedule.

The Great Gatsby at Piatt Castles, Aug. 5 and 6

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s epic story of love and lust performed by Sansami Creative Works at Piatt Castles10051 Twp. Rd. 47, West Liberty. Doors open at 7:30 and the show begins at 8 p.m., August 5 and 6. All tickets $10.

Rock the Lake 2016, Aug. 6 and 7

Crowder headlines this annual Christian concert started by Shine FM in 2015 at at Old Field Beach at Indian Lake State Park. New this year, a triathlon on Saturday morning and a community church service Sunday morning.  Also the Logan County Art League is hosting an art show on the beach Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.  Visit Shine FM for more information.

Concerts in the Park

Two performances remain in the Champaign County Arts Council’s free summer concert series. Both shows will begin at 6 p.m. at Harmon Park in St. Paris:

August 14 – The Average Wright Band

August 28 – Trombones Plus

Your Champaign Bucket List for June

My wife, Kay, mentioned at dinner the other night that she heard someone complain there’s nothing to do in Urbana and Champaign County.

Obviously, it’s time for another Champaign Uncorked! Bucket List. June will be busting out with all sorts of activity.

Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Moving Wall exhibit in Camden, Tennessee.

Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial, June 9-13

If you’re in Urbana the morning of Thursday, June 9, there’s little chance this event will slip by you unnoticed. I’m imagining Urbana will sound a bit like Sturgis, S.D. During rally week.

The throaty rumble of hundreds of motorcycles will move up Main Street, south to north, beginning at 10 a.m. About 10 veterans motorcycle groups will escort a semi tractor-trailer carrying the Moving Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from Freedom Grove, on the south end of town by the Champaign County Community Center, to the old armory, on the north end of town at 1412 N. Main St., just south of Grimes Field. It will be on public display there through 5 p.m. Monday, June 13.

I hope you can take a few minutes Thursday morning to stop somewhere on Main Street to watch the procession. And stop by the armory over the weekend to see the wall and pay respects to those who sacrificed for our freedom.

The Vietnam Memorial honors the more than 58,000 American soldiers who died in Vietnam, including 10 from Champaign County.

Check out the details here.

Military Appreciation Day, Grimes Field, Urbana, Ohio

A scene from last year’s Military Appreciation Day.

Military Appreciation Day, June 11

The Moving Wall will be in town in conjunction with Military Appreciation Day, Saturday, June 11 at Grimes Field airport, 1636 N Main St, Urbana. This event drew 5,000 people to the airport last year. Event planners are prepared for 8,000 this year as more military aircraft will be flying in and more than a dozen aviation museums, including the Champaign Aviation Museum and Grimes Flying Lab at Grimes Field, will set up displays for the public. Also planned:

  • Nine helicopters, 21 fixed wing aircraft and 50 military vehicles from the Vietnam era
  • Rides on Huey and Cobra helicopters and other aircraft
  • Pancake breakfast hosted by the Champaign County Pilots Association starting at 7 a.m.
  • The Military Appreciation 5K run starting at the armory at 8:15 a.m. Register here.
  • Parachute jump at noon
  • USO show at noon. Music by the Wright Brothers, featuring Pinups for Patriots.
  • Parade of military vehicles starting at noon
  • Beer garden with live music and food starting at noon·
  • The Ohio Valley British Brass Band, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Grimes Field hangar

Second Annual Rock the Monument Four Miler, June 10

I’m registered to run this event, a fundraiser for Monument Square District, which promotes Urbana’s historic downtown business district. The race, at Urbana’s Melvin Miller Park, starts at 7 p.m. with check-in beginning at 5:30 p.m. With your registration you’ll get a free weekend pass to the next item on the Bucket List, the second annual Rhythm & Foods Festival. Register at Speedy-Feet.com.

2016 Rhythm and Foods Festival, Urbana, OhioRhythm & Foods Festival, June 10 & 11

So, after the race, here’s my next stop. This second annual festival at the Champaign County Fairgrounds offers a very satisfying recipe of live music and delicious food: 10 bands, including seven of the region’s top country rock bands, and about 30 food trucks and vendors—including several local favorites. Camping available. Visit the festival website for the line up of bands and food vendors. And prepare for a fun weekend.

Freshwater Farms of Ohio Drum Circle, Urbana, OhioFreshwater Farms of Ohio Drum Circle, June 18 & 19

What’s a drum circle?

Clearly, something new to Champaign County.

I’ll provide a more complete answer in an upcoming post. But for now:

It’s a free event to be held at Freshwater Farms of Ohio, 2624 N. U.S. 68, Urbana. Hours: June 18, 6-9 p.m., and June 19, noon-5 p.m.

Freshwater Farms encourages guests (like you, your family and friends) to bring drums, cowbells, a pair of sticks, spoons or other percussive instruments. The idea is for all to join in a fun, rhythmic jam session. There’ll be dancing. And hula-hooping to the ever-changing beat. As well as storytelling and kids’ activities that include drum and hula hoop making.

And there’ll be good food and drink for purchase. Fish and chips, jambalaya, brats, soda, wine, beer and more.

Freshwater Farms has invited some special guests, indigenous peoples from Ontario and the U.S., whose traditions include drum circles, such as the Asunameekw Singers Drum Group of Bucktown, Ontario, Canada.

Home & Garden Tour, June 25 & 26

The Champaign County Preservation Alliance’s 24th Historic Home & Garden Tour will feature more than half a dozen Urbana homes that range from 61 to 177 years old. And they include a solar-powered house and a surviving example of the prefabricated enameled steel houses—Lustron homes—built to ease the severe housing shortage that met GIs when they returned home after World War II.

The tour also includes:

Hours of the tour: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. Tickets available day of tour in tent behind the Urbana Municipal Building, 205 S. Main St. Tickets also available after June 1 at supporting local businesses. For more information, call 800-791-6010.

Concerts in the Park Begin June 25

The Champaign County Arts Council’s Concerts in the Park series begins with vocalist Pam Noah and her nine-piece swing band. 7 p.m. at Urbana’s Melvin Miller Park. Noah’s band is an offshoot the Queen City Big Band in Cincinnati. Singing professionally since 1986, Noah has performed across the U.S. and in USO shows. Her band members’ credits include performing with Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Ruth Lyons and the Bob Braun Show.

Urbana University will be the rain site.

Here’s the complete Concerts in the Park schedule, to get you through the summer.

So, there’s nothing to do in Champaign County?

Did I miss anything that you’re looking forward to in June?

It’s Strawberry Time. Get Picking!

Rachel Klingler, sister of The Berry Patch owner, Steven Klingler, gets us started.

Gretchen Klingler, sister of The Berry Patch owner, Steven Klingler, gets us started.

Local strawberry picking is upon us. Beware, the season is brief. About three weeks.

So, Champaign Uncorked! visited two local strawberry patches on Memorial Day to help blaze your trail to the sweet freshness that awaits. (By the way, I have a bowl of strawberries in front of me as I write this. Soon to be just a bowl. Good news: Plenty more in the kitchen.)

First Stop: The Berry Patch, LLC 

Location: 2451 St. Rt. 245 W., West Liberty

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (season ends about June 18)

Product: Pre-picked and U-pick strawberries by gallon bucket or quart

Contact: 937-441-0248; TheBerryPatchLLC@live.com; TheBerryPatchOhio.com; Facebook

The Berry Patch, LLC, West Liberty, Ohio

Steven Klingler in front of The Berry Patch, the strawberry business he started four years ago.

The Story: Steven Klingler, a 2014 Urbana University accounting graduate, started The Berry Patch, LLC four years ago. It’s sort of an offshoot of a berry farm of another variety—a raspberry farm. Specifically, the Champaign Berry Farm of Mike and Cathy Pullins, just outside Mutual. Steven worked seven summers for the Pullinses, from seventh grade through freshman year of college.

By his sixth season with Champaign Berry Farm, Steven knew he wanted to go into the berry business himself. The Pullinses recommended strawberries. Raspberries take two to three years to fruit after planting. Strawberries, just 12 months. Steven has 23,000 plants in fruit. With the help of a crew of 20 he planted 24,000 new plants this spring—for even more bountiful picking next year.

Steven also has received encouragement and support from his family and Jason Wish of Wishwell Farms of Bellefontaine. His father, Scott Klingler, loaned him money for equipment and is expecting Steven to get back to work, at the end of strawberry season, to support his business, Countryside Heating & Cooling. (We have, indeed, entered the cooling season also.)

Strawberries at Folck Family Farm

Cindy and Bob Folck of Folck Family Farm.

Second Stop: Folck Family Farm

Location: 6842 St. Rt. 54, Mechanicsburg

Hours: Call the farm at 937-869-2240 for hours and updates

Product: Strawberries (pre-picked and U-pick) in season now through June 21. Other produce: peas, red raspberries (to be ready mid-June), blackberries, Vidalia onions, tomatoes and sweet peppers. Also honey, jams, as well as pork products from pasture-raised purebred Chester White pigs. (The Folcks had the 2015 Champion Chester White Gilt at the Ohio State Fair Junior Show.)

Contact: 937-869-2240; folckfamilyfarm.net

The Story: Bob and Cindy Folck have operated their family farm for about 15 years. Bob describes himself as “a stay-at-home farmer” since a job layoff. He also breeds and sells show pigs. Cindy is program manager of The Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program.  And their daughter, Amanda, studies sports turf at Ohio State. Bob said their produce business began with pumpkins, “and one thing led to another.” They’ve become one of Ohio’s largest grower of peas, picking and shelling about two acres a year.

How Sweet It Is….

Locally grown strawberries, Chammpaign County, Ohio

Some of our day’s delicious bounty.

As I wrap up this post, my wife, Kay, just set down in front of me a slice of toast spread with strawberry jam she made from some of today’s pickings. Ummm … now, what was I writing about?

Anyway, get out and discover for yourself the locally grown goodness that is all around us in and around Champaign County. We’ll be sharing more finds as the growing season progresses.

And please share: What are your favorite locally grown and produced foods?