Category: family

Founders Food Hall Brings Dining, Entertainment, and New Energy to Downtown Mount Vernon

After nearly five years of planning, renovation, and preparation, Founders Food Hall is ready to open its doors in downtown Mount Vernon.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently spoke with Sam Filkins, President of the Knox County Area Development Foundation and the Knox County Land Bank, about the project that has transformed the former Mount Vernon News building into a new community gathering place.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Filkins says the journey began in 2020 when the Knox County Land Bank purchased the vacant newspaper building. What started as an effort to revitalize an underutilized property quickly evolved into a much larger vision — creating a destination that would bring more people downtown while supporting surrounding businesses.

The project required extensive work, including clearing out the former newspaper operation, renovating the interior, restoring the building’s exterior, and creating the HW Hub partnership with MVNU. Along the way, Filkins says he and his team found themselves learning everything from demolition and construction to restaurant operations.

Today, Founders Food Hall offers a variety of dining options under one roof. Visitors will find hand-dipped Velvet Ice Cream, pizza by the slice from Slice Mount Vernon, Mediterranean cuisine from Tabbouleh Café, a chicken-focused restaurant, and a Southeast Asian rice bowl concept. Filkins says the goal was to create a place where families, friends, and coworkers can gather while everyone finds something they enjoy.

The building also preserves pieces of its history. Portions of the original flooring and chimney remain, blending the structure’s past with its modern renovation. Guests will also find duckpin bowling and an indoor-outdoor seating area created through large retractable windows.

Filkins says Founders Food Hall is also an example of the broader mission of the Knox County Land Bank. While many people associate land banks with vacant homes and abandoned properties, he says the organization is involved in a wide range of economic development projects across the county. Those efforts include Heartland Commerce Park, new housing construction along Columbus Road, and other initiatives designed to return underutilized properties to productive use.

The official grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 30th at 11 a.m. Vine Street will be closed for a community event that includes tours of the food hall, the HW Hub, and office spaces throughout the building.

Filkins says Founders Food Hall represents what can happen when a long-vacant building is given a new purpose. The hall will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Future plans include mobile ordering, duckpin bowling reservations, live entertainment opportunities, and filling the remaining vendor spaces.

Click HERE to find out more about Founders Food Hall!

0

WNZR Staff Shares Summer Bucket List

WNZR shared their summer bucket lists on The Morning Thing! Check out the conversation HERE!

We shared some examples from Happy and Ordinary that gave us 100 ideas to choose from. Check out the full list HERE!

Here are some ideas to make your summer more fun!

  • Fly a kite
  • Go fruit picking
  • Go to a water park
  • Have a spa day
  • Watch the sunrise
0

Have you encouraged your adult children today?

Today on The Morning Thing, we shared some advice for empty-nest parents. Did you know that your adult children really need your encouragement?

Here is a list of 10 ideas on how you can start encouraging your kids today!
Click HERE for the full article from CrossWalk.com

Thanks to the author Karen Whiting for this article. Karen is an author of 25 books, an international speaker, and former television host. She’s a mother of five and a grandmother. Her book 52 Devotions for Busy Families makes it easy to practice faith at home. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

1. Encourage their life as an adult.

2. Affirm them.

3. Show approval.

4. Invest time.

5. Encourage with assurance.

6. Ask about their future.

7. Encourage their adaptability.

8. Appreciate them.

9. Coverse on an adult level.

10. Encourage them with questions.

0

June First Friday is coming to downtown Mount Vernon tonight!

The Morning Thing shined the spotlight on June First Friday today. We are excited to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for this special event.

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon shared all the details of tonight’s event with us.
She gave us highlights on the schedule, parking, food, family activities, bike valet and the theme.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the link below.

Come enjoy a fun summer evening with WNZR. It’s time to “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in downtown tonight!
For more details, go to https://www.experiencemv.org/
You can see a map of the event, list of exhibitors and parking information below.

0

The BEST Zoos to Visit in Ohio!

The month of June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month!

Zoos and aquariums are not only an experience, but wildlife preservatives for endangered animals, and serve as a great educational opportunity for the entire family!

To learn more, click HERE!

Today on The Morning Thing, we discussed the best zoos you can visit in Ohio!

Here are some zoos we talked about:

  • The Columbus Zoo (You can vote on the name of their new baby giraffe on their website HERE!)
  • The Cincinnati Zoo
  • The Cleveland Zoo
  • The Toledo Zoo

To find more great zoos in Ohio, and their websites, click HERE!

0

Journaling is an Excellent Tool to Show God’s Love!

Journaling is a simple yet powerful way to record what God is doing in your life and reflect on your spiritual growth.

That is one of the reasons we selected journals as Lifeline 2026 gift (which are starting to be delivered).

The good news is there are no rules—write daily, weekly, or only when inspiration strikes.

According to Croswalk.com, whether you prefer a handwritten notebook, a computer document, or notes on your phone, journaling creates space to capture prayers, lessons, and moments of God’s faithfulness.

It can remain a personal record or become something you share with others. With so much flexibility and so many benefits, journaling is a meaningful practice that can help deepen your relationship with God and preserve the story of your faith journey.

Here are some of the topics Marcy and Eric discussed Wednesday:

  • Journaling teaches you how to converse with God.
  • Journaling helps you maintain focus during your Bible reading.
  • Journaling teaches you to be a person of gratitude.
  • Journaling makes you more aware of answered prayer.

Click HERE to read the full article from Crosswalk!

0

Be an Encouraging Spouse, not a Destructive One

Tuesday on The Morning Thing, we spent some time encouraging married couples. Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts, but if you’ve been married for any length of time, you know it also takes work, commitment, grace, and a whole lot of prayer.

Throughout the morning, thanks to Crosswalk.com, we shared Scripture verses you can pray over your marriage.

Two of the most powerful tools God has given us are His Word and prayer, and we looked at how both can help strengthen our relationships and draw us closer to Him and to one another.

Here are a few of the scriptures Marcy and Eric Shared:

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Prayer: Lord, make us STRONG for YOU.

Psalm 1:1-3

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Prayer: Lord, may our delight be in YOU, may we meditate on Your law day and night. When we do so, our marriage and our family will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields FRUIT in its season and whose leaf does not wither.

Click HERE for the entire article from Crosswalk.com

0

Beyond the Cornfields: Knox County CVB Showcases Ohio Golf’s Hidden Gems

WNZR’s Eric Brown recently spoke with Olivia Toth, executive director of the Knox County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, about the growing opportunities for tourism across Ohio and right here in Knox County.

Click HERE for the complete conversation!

Toth highlighted the Ohio Golf Trail, which showcases public golf courses across the state and encourages travelers to experience the diverse landscapes Ohio has to offer. She explained that many people picture Ohio as nothing more than flat farmland, but the state offers much more — including rolling hills, forests, scenic countryside, and unique small-town experiences.

She also discussed how different communities throughout Knox County offer completely different tourism experiences. Areas like Centerburg and Howard provide distinct settings for golf outings, weekend trips, and outdoor recreation, making Knox County an ideal destination for a long weekend getaway.

Toth emphasized that tourism does not always mean traveling far from home. She encouraged local residents to become “tourists in their own town” by exploring attractions, restaurants, trails, and experiences they may not have considered before. She said affordability and accessibility make local tourism especially appealing for families and residents looking for something new close to home.

Another featured attraction was the Knox County Coffee Trail, which includes eight coffee stops throughout the county. Many of the locations are accessible from the Heart of Ohio Trail, creating an opportunity for visitors to bike between destinations while experiencing local coffee shops and small businesses along the way.

Toth also highlighted several summer events coming to Knox County, encouraging both residents and visitors to take advantage of the many outdoor activities, festivals, and attractions happening throughout the season.

Click HERE for the Ohio Golf Guide!

Click HERE for the Knox County CVB!

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑