Downtown Powell business owners will meet for networking and strategy at the next Powell Business Gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Annie's Wine Cottage.

The free event runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the wine bar, 30 W. Olentangy St. The City of Powell, the Powell Development Corporation and Annie's Wine Cottage are co-hosting, according to the city's event listing.

The gathering is part of a recurring series that rotates among downtown businesses. The city's invitation asks attendees to come prepared to share something positive about their business, pitch cross-marketing ideas and brainstorm ways to drive more foot traffic downtown.

The event is free.

The series has drawn between 18 and 29 registrants at recent stops. Prohibition Gastro Lounge hosted 29 in June 2025. Lohcally Artisan Chocolates drew 18 in August 2025. Other past hosts include B/ROSE and MILLIES, which welcomed 25 registrants in October 2024, along with Kimberly's Diamond Corner, Fenters Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, SoHo Luxury Exchange, Betty Jo's Boutique, Buckeye State Bank and First Citizens National Bank.

The gatherings rotate times as well as locations. Past invitations noted the events "can be at any day or time in the month," so businesses with different hours can attend at least occasionally.

Foot traffic downtown has been a frequent topic among Powell merchants. Economic Development Administrator Sean Hughes pushed for action in late August after Nocterra Brewing Company abruptly closed its Depot Street taproom. Hughes said the downtown needs to supplement business "with more visitation, more destination business" and called for working with property owners to fill every building with purpose, as first reported by Delaware Source.

Downtown Powell drew more than 900,000 visitors in 2025, Police Chief Ron Sallows said at an April 21 Operations Committee meeting. But Hughes told the same committee that "one of the biggest complaints that they have from businesses is that Powell seems to shut down at 8:00 p.m."

Annie's Wine Cottage, at 30 W. Olentangy St., is part of downtown Powell's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The Oct. 13 gathering falls on a Tuesday, when the shop is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Registration is open on the city's event page. Businesses interested in hosting a future gathering can contact Hughes at [email protected] or 614-885-5380, ext. 1043.