A 30,000-square-foot building that spent nearly a century as a Cambridge auto dealership opens its doors to the public on Tuesday, September 8, as Midtown Market — a downtown venue packed with food vendors, duckpin bowling, arcade games and a full-service bar. The site at 102 Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge has been under redevelopment for more than a year, transforming a long-vacant commercial space into what backers describe as a family-friendly gathering spot for the region.
According to WHIZ, the market includes six duckpin bowling lanes, some of which use artificial intelligence technology, along with birthday party rental rooms, colorful murals, two conference rooms and nine offices available for rent. Justin Brown said Midtown Market converted the 30,000-square-foot historic downtown building for community and family use, adding that it will provide a safe, fun family atmosphere to support downtown Cambridge. Aaron Neff said the venue aims to give families different meals, arcade entertainment and a safe place to socialize.
The building itself carries a longer history than its new name suggests. Constructed in 1920 as the Sipe Chevrolet dealership, the structure at what state economic development officials list as 1023 Wheeling Avenue operated as an auto dealership for nearly a century before closing in 2018, according to JobsOhio. The building sits within downtown Cambridge's historic district, and its conversion has been treated as a flagship project for the area's broader revitalization efforts.
A $1.4 Million Bet on Downtown Cambridge
In January 2025, developers 4Friends LLC and regional economic development leaders announced a public-private partnership investing more than $1.4 million to redevelop the site into Midtown Market, with 4Friends LLC partnering with JobsOhio and Ohio Southeast Economic Development to fund the project. Architectural plans initially focused on transforming roughly 17,260 square feet of the building's original space to host food stalls, co-working offices and recreation, repurposing lower levels for entertainment and upper levels for business space, per the same JobsOhio announcement.
Project estimates at the time projected the redevelopment would generate 39 new jobs, part of an effort to foster small business growth and community gathering in the city. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly endorsed the redevelopment when it was announced, stating that revitalizing the 104-year-old building bridges a gap for in-demand commercial services while preserving local heritage. State leaders framed the project as a catalyst for broader downtown economic investment.
Food Lineup Ranges From Pizza to Sushi
The food offerings at Midtown Market span a wide mix of cuisines rather than a single dominant vendor. Per WHIZ's reporting, the market plans to offer pizza and subs, hibachi and sushi through the Chop Box, acai bowls through Bowled, Tex-Mex, Greek food and other food vending options alongside its games and bowling.
Local food vendor Delizio's Pizza, Subs & Ice Cream opened a dedicated Delizio's Midtown location inside the facility during soft-opening events this month, according to a post on Facebook. Those preview events allowed local residents to sample vendors ahead of Tuesday's official launch, and the market maintains its own Facebook page for opening updates and information.
Political Spotlight and Regional Draw
The venue's profile got a boost even before its public opening. In August, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy held a campaign town hall at Midtown Market as owners were finalizing preparations, according to YourRadioPlace.com, bringing regional business and civic leaders into the facility ahead of its debut.
The stakes for Cambridge's downtown economy are significant. Census data compiled this year shows Cambridge has a median household income of $42,946 and a poverty rate of 27.86%, according to the World Population Review, with the city's household income remaining below both Guernsey County and statewide averages. Regional development profiles note that Guernsey County sits at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 77, serving a regional workforce of nearly 104,000 people within a 45-minute drive — positioning Midtown Market to draw visitors well beyond Cambridge's own city limits.
The Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce officially lists Midtown Market as a core downtown destination designed to boost commercial foot traffic, regarding the complex as a key anchor for the area's broader revitalization. With food, games and family entertainment all under one roof in a building that once sold Chevrolets, the market opens to the public on Tuesday, September 8.
