👀Westgate’s $75M Comeback: From Empty Parking Lot to Retail Revival

For nearly seven years, the corner of Central and Secor sat empty, the ghosts of Sears and Elder-Beerman lingering in a half-vacant lot that felt more like a reminder of what was than what could be. That’s about to change.

Developer Abbell Associates, the same group behind Westgate Village (hello, Costco), is teaming up with the Nikki Group to drop a $75 million retail redevelopment at the high-traffic intersection. The plan includes four new buildings:

• One big-box retailer

• A second for smaller shops

• A third with two restaurants

• And a standalone drive-thru restaurant

If all goes according to plan (which we know everything looks better on paper), site prep could begin late this year or early 2026, with the first stores opening doors by summer 2027.

The Toledo City Plan Commission has already weighed in, green-lighting the concept while asking for tweaks like more green space. The next hurdle: City Council approval. In the meantime, residents are being invited to weigh in at community meetings, a sign that, yes, what happens at this corner is seen as a citywide conversation.

Why this matters for the region:

This isn’t just a facelift for a tired retail lot. It’s a chance to anchor West Toledo’s economic corridor with a mix of national brands and new restaurant options that keep local dollars circulating instead of leaking to suburbs or online giants.

Abbell already has a proven track record across the street, where Costco ranks as one of Ohio’s strongest performers and a mix of tenants (TJ Maxx, Starbucks, Chipotle, Jamba Juice) have made Westgate Village one of the most reliable draws in the city.

With more than $75 million on the table, the project signals real confidence in the Toledo market and that kind of bet tends to attract follow-on investment. Translation: expect Central & Secor to stay hot.

Garmin Brings the Miles, Toledo Brings the Magic 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ 

Downtown Toledo looked more like Boston than the Glass City on Sunday; at least if you counted the sea of bibs, spectators, and hotel coffee lines. Nearly 3,000 runners laced up for the inaugural Garmin Marathon Series stop, a national brand partnering with Dave’s Running to put our city squarely on the endurance map.

And it wasn’t just locals pounding the pavement. I met runners from out of state who came for one reason: this race qualifies them for bigger stages, including the Boston Marathon. That kind of draw doesn’t just fill streets; it fills hotel rooms, restaurants, and vendor cash registers. Downtown was buzzing, and yes, the after party was worth the sore quads.

The course itself was a showcase. We cut through neighborhoods with stunning old architecture and corridors of North Toledo begging for reinvestment. (Though, let’s be real, the high-level bridge at mile 12 was a cruel joke.) My wife even spotted a TikToker with 20 million followers crossing the finish line seconds before me; proof this event had star power, too.

Why this matters for Toledo

• Visitor Economy: Out-of-towners were here, spending freely, and seeing potential in our city.

• Sunday Surge: Thousands downtown on a weekend, breathing life into restaurants and storefronts.

• National Recognition: Garmin doesn’t show up by accident; they see Toledo as an addressable market with runners willing to pay.

Momentum like this doesn’t just happen; it’s earned. Credit to the organizers, Dave’s Running, and Garmin for putting Toledo on the marathon map. The announcer promised they’ll be back next year. Our city should be ready to match the energy.

See you at the start line?

🤜🏼 Money Confessional | From Side Hustles to Center Stage

She once balanced multiple side hustles: bartending, tutoring, even reselling sneakers just to keep bills paid. Now, she’s stepping into a career in digital marketing at a Toledo based startup, where her creativity and strategy fuel campaigns that reach thousands. For her, it’s more than ads and clicks: it’s storytelling, impact, and the chance to grow alongside an ambitious company carving its niche.

“Marketing used to feel like smoke and mirrors. Now I see it as connecting the dots-between ideas, brands, and people. That’s real influence.”

📈 Career Roots:

“I worked every gig I could find, sometimes three in a week. The turning point was realizing I loved building brands, even if it was just curating a side hustle’s Instagram. That curiosity pushed me back to school, and now I’m part of a team shaping something bigger than myself.”

💵 Growth So Far:

“That first direct deposit hit different it wasn’t just survival money, it was career money. For the first time, I could plan beyond next month.”

📚 Mentorship Magic:

“My manager calls it ‘learning by doing,’ which basically means I get tossed into real campaigns and figure it out fast. The feedback has been priceless, and I feel like I’ve grown two years’ worth in six months.”

☕ Favorite Splurge:

“Local concerts. Doesn’t matter if it’s a jazz trio at a coffee shop or a bigger act at Huntington Center, I’ll pay for live music every time.”

💡 Biggest Worry:

“Burnout. Marketing moves at 100 miles an hour, and I worry about losing steam. I’ve learned to block off time for workouts or long walks, otherwise I just keep grinding until I crash.”

📊 Current Standing:

“I’ve paid off my credit cards, started a rainy-day fund, and set up auto-investing for retirement. It’s baby steps, but it feels like I’m finally playing offense instead of defense.”

💵 Financial Tip:

“Treat savings like a non-negotiable bill. The moment my paycheck lands, a chunk goes straight into a separate account I don’t touch.”

🌱 Inspiration:

“My dad worked in a factory for 30 years, never complained, just showed up. That consistency taught me everything. If I can combine his work ethic with my creativity, I’ll be unstoppable.”

🗣 Toledo Tip:

“Check out the coworking spaces popping up around downtown. They’re not just desks, they’re where connections, collaborations, and new ideas happen.”