As students return for the new semester, they may notice something a little different about their frequent Uptown stops.

Both Heavenly Cup and Blue Turtle Tea and Spice Co. have been 0sold into new management and the new owners are making a few changes.

For eight years, Cheri Stearns, previous owner of Heavenly Cup, has been selling coffee drinks and smoothies, and providing a comfort spot for the people of Westerville. She felt that it was time to move on, and has decided to sell her café.

Students do not have to worry about losing the local source of coffee as new owner, Jonathan Fulton, and manager, Ashley Woodard have taken over.

Woodard and Fulton loved how the place was and did not want to change a lot. “The only thing is just some décor, some new faces and a new breath of life into something that is already good.” Woodard said.

Fulton knew Woodard through CenterPoint church and knew that she would be able to manage the shop while he took care of the business.

Both Fulton and Woodard have previous business experience. Fulton has been owner and president of Building Control Integrators, a technology support and installer company for the past 12 years. Woodard has two years of experience at Starbucks Coffee.
Otterbein students like the new manager and the changes that have taken place.

Eric Allen, a sophomore biochemistry major, said it feels more clean and organized. “The seating is much improved. The owner seemed like a nice guy and really helpful and wanted to know if there were any other changes we would suggest. I thought it was fine just the way it was,” Allen said.

Kriss Rogers, head of the Uptown Westerville Merchants Association, said that even with the change of ownership, it’s still the same coffee store on the corner.

The Blue Turtle Tea and Spice Co. has also changed ownership. Though the storefront is empty, the new owner, Elaine Reid, has taken the store online. With her experience with Marketing Galore, a business that creates personalized apparel and promotional products, she is able to keep up with Blue Turtle’s customers.

The previous owner had to sell because of personal reasons, but she knew Reid as a customer and friend and knew that she would take good care of the business.

Reid said that she was glad that she was able to provide Otterbein students with Blue Turtle items.

Reid also said that students would be able to order any of the teas or spices that they had previously by ordering through the Blue Turtle website.

There are still empty storefronts in Westerville but Rogers said that even with the empty storefronts, it does not mean things are not happening. She said “I think Uptown is alive and well and even though things may not be moving quickly, behind the scenes they are and there are good things to come.”