February 2026 - Downtown Tipp City Partnership

Downtown Tipp City Partnership Celebrates 2025 Excellence Awards and the Heart of Downtown

Tasha Weaver | Categories News | February 12, 2026

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership gathered February 9 at the Tipp Center for its Annual Meeting and 2025 Excellence Awards. The evening reflected what downtown Tipp City is truly about. People who love their community, serve generously, and support one another’s dreams.
Past President Lisa Santucci emceed the evening, and DTCP expressed gratitude for her leadership and dedication. Mayor Logan Rogers opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation from Rob Brown of Main Street Financial Group–Thrivent.
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Throughout the night, one theme was clear. Downtown success is built on relationships.
One of the evening’s special recognitions highlighted a project that began with a simple idea and grew into something meaningful. After noticing city pride stickers at a Heritage Ohio training, Executive Director Tasha Weaver brought the idea home to Tipp City. Promotions Committee member Liz Robbins suggested involving local students. Tipp City Middle School art teacher Heather Combs incorporated the project into her classroom.
Students created original designs representing Tipp City through the themes Past, Present, and Future. Weaver visited the classroom to share DTCP’s mission and brand. Submissions were reviewed anonymously to ensure fairness. Winning artists Makayla Utz and Bryce Westfall, with Bryce earning recognition for two designs, were honored at the annual dinner and will appear on the Downtown Lowdown podcast. The stickers were produced locally by Repacorp and will be distributed at downtown events and in teacher reward boxes. What began as inspiration became a collaboration connecting students, educators, and downtown leadership. It honors the past while building the future.

DTCP shared measurable results from the past year:
• 35,000+ people attended downtown events
• $700,000+ estimated economic impact
• 2,965 volunteer hours valued at $96,125
• $23,000 returned directly to the community
“These numbers represent people,” said Executive Director Tasha Weaver. “They represent volunteers, business owners, and a community that continues to show up.”

Awards throughout the evening were presented by community leaders including Reed Spencer, Jessica Echols, Mike McDermott, Carli Amlin, Logan Rogers, Kayla Buehrer, Andrea Hoover, Corey Vaughn, and Amanda Carl, each sharing personal reflections about those being honored.
Two milestone recognitions were presented:
Midwest Memories, celebrating 25 years in business
Monroe Federal Savings & Loan, celebrating 150 years in Tipp City

DTCP then presented its 2025 Cheers to Excellence Awards.
Downtown Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Coldwater Café. Owner Nick Hoover spoke about the strength of his team and the support of the community. Downtown Business of the Year was presented to Bodega Market. Hoover reflected on how the business has evolved over time and how community support has shaped that journey. Best Downtown Libations Spot was awarded to Harrison’s Restaurant, recognized for its strong participation during downtown events and positive community feedback. Best Downtown Shopping Spot was awarded to Living Simply Soap. Owner Tanya Brown also received the Heart of Downtown Award, one of two write in honors. Nominations described her shop as welcoming, joyful, and community focused. In her remarks, she thanked DTCP for giving her confidence early on through the downtown farmers market in 2009. Best Downtown Salon was awarded to The Hair Barre. Owner Hillary Ellingson shared gratitude for a community that supported her decision to build her business downtown. New Downtown Business of the Year was presented to Seven Sisters Apothecary & Art. Owner Angela Smith reflected on growing up in Tipp City and returning to open a store serving the community she loves. The Cheers to Service Excellence Award was presented to Yoga Barre & Co.. Owner Sarah Gillenwater spoke about growing up locally and learning the value of service from her father. The Nonprofit of the Year Award was presented to the Tipp City Public Library, with Dee Bair accepting after 22 years of service. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Joanna Pittinger for her steady commitment to serving the community. In addition to receiving her award, she reminded attendees she was raising funds for the new Miami County Animal Shelter, reinforcing that service continues beyond recognition. DTCP also donated $500 to the Tipp City High School Softball Team in appreciation of their volunteer support during the event.

DTCP’s work is driven by four active committees made up entirely of volunteers. The Promotions Committee tells the story of downtown through media, storytelling, and the Downtown Lowdown podcast. The Design Committee enhances downtown’s appearance through beautification, facade improvements, and public space initiatives. The Economic Development Committee is building a sustainable Small Business Grant program funded through Tippopoly proceeds. The Operations Committee provides the planning and structure that supports every event and initiative.
Together, these committees represent thousands of volunteer hours and a shared commitment to strengthening downtown Tipp City.
DTCP expressed gratitude to its 2025 Community Event Sponsors and Presenting Sponsors, including Troy Country Club, Monroe Federal Savings & Loan, Main Street Financial Group–Thrivent, Sibcy Cline Realtors, Abbey Credit Union, and Mauk Cabinets by Design
Along with Vision Partners such as the Tipp City Foundation impACT, and the City of Tipp City.
The evening closed with a reminder of DTCP’s mission: To enhance, preserve and promote Tipp City by honoring our past and building our future.
More than awards, the night celebrated something deeper. A downtown built by people who followed a dream, and a community that chose to support them.

It Was Never Just About Bourbon and Chocolate

Tasha Weaver | Categories News | February 7, 2026

In the middle of Friday night’s Bourbon and Chocolate Experience, I overheard something that reminded me of why it all matters.

A local student was asking professionals in his field about upcoming internship opportunities. They leaned in. They offered advice. They talked about funding, leadership pathways, and next steps.

And I thought, this is why we do this.

Yes, there was bourbon.
Yes, there was chocolate.
Yes, there were speakeasies, sundaes, hidden rooms, and even puppies.

But what really happened that night was connection.

Downtown is still shoveling out from the recent snowstorm that blanketed our community. Even so, Zach McCarroll of Miami Valley Hauling and Charlie Waughtel of Waughtel Land Cleaning and Excavating cleared major pedestrian walkways and crosswalks to make sure guests could safely move throughout downtown. It was not about recognition. It was about community.

Behind the scenes, volunteers worked for months gathering supplies, assembled check-in materials, secured sponsorships, created graphics, promoted the event, and worked the welcome table. Merchants stayed open late and created unique experiences inside their storefronts. Sponsors invested in making the evening possible.

None of this happens without partnership. Presenting sponsor Koverman Staley Dickerson Insurance, along with check-in sponsor Mauk Cabinets by Design, our bourbon sponsors Tony’s Bada Bings, Tipp City Eagles Aerie 2201, and Edward D. Martino Memorial VFW Post 4615, and our chocolate stop sponsors RD Holder Oil, Coldwell Banker Heritage Brian Bensman, Bodega Market, RE/MAX Reed Spencer, Hawk Homes, and Eat Sweets and Treats chose to invest in this experience. Their support allows events like this to activate downtown during slower seasons and create meaningful economic impact for our community.

And people showed up.

Only 20 percent of attendees were from Tipp City. Eighty percent traveled here from outside our community. That means outside dollars were spent in our restaurants and shops during a traditionally slower winter month. It means new visitors discovered businesses they had never stepped inside before. It means downtown Tipp City continues to strengthen its reputation as a regional destination.

But numbers alone do not tell the full story.

We welcomed four new Friends of Downtown that evening. Ryan Liddy, Rob Brown, Carli Amlin, and Scott Honnold chose to invest in the long-term vitality of our downtown. That kind of support matters more than most people realize.

Events like this are not accidental. They are thoughtfully planned and intentionally designed to support small business sustainability, build regional visibility, and create opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.

This is what downtown work looks like.

It is volunteers giving their time.
It is business owners opening their doors.
It is professionals mentoring students.
It is sponsors investing in their hometown.
It is guests choosing to spend their evening in a walkable historic district instead of somewhere else.

It is strategic growth.
It is community vitality.
It is neighbors supporting neighbors.

And it is happening right here in downtown Tipp City.