MOUNT VERNON — Two local companies anticipate relocating to the former Mount Vernon News building in the first quarter of 2026.
The building consists of three units. Mount Vernon Nazarene University has educational space on the lower level (16 E. Vine St.). The Knox County Land Bank will operate Founders Food Hall in half of the upper level (18 E. Vine).
Owners Ryan Sponsler and Mark Otto purchased the third unit, a 4,000-square-foot office condominium fronting on 103 S. Gay St., from the Land Bank on Aug. 29 for $300,000.
Sponsler Automotive, the parent company of five car dealerships, will relocate its centralized accounting department from Coshocton Avenue.
The Otto Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency based in Westerville, will move its Mount Vernon location at 314 S. Main St. into the suite.
Land Bank President Sam Filkins said it was essential to find the right occupants for the space.
“To truly maximize the catalytic nature of this project, we knew it was important to find a business that was going to bring quality jobs and investment to the building,” Filkins said.
“We are excited to partner with the Otto Insurance Group and Sponsler Automotive as the office occupant to round out this vibrant community project.”
Sponsler and Otto, who have lived in Knox County for decades, emphasized the importance of community.
“It’s our home,” Sponsler said. “It’s where our kids grow up. We’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so we want to see Knox County thrive.”
Otto said, “I’m a Knox County resident, so it’s always been important for me to try to do something and have a better presence in Knox County than we have had. So when the opportunity came up with the Land Bank and this property, we jumped on it.”
Relocating means investing in the community
Otto said his company has always flown under the radar in the county.
“You can’t go into a community and just ask them for your business. You have to be able to give back to the community as well, and this is our attempt to do that. We want to be a big part of the community,” he said.
“From this standpoint, we’re kind of pushing our chips. We’re going all in on Mount Vernon.”
mark otto, otto insurance group
Otto said they have a significant financial investment in the facility.
“Obviously, we thought the opportunity to be a part of this justified us spending as much as we’re going to be investing,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a gamble on our side, too. The Land Bank is investing a lot of money into this food hall and gambling a little bit that it pays off. We need the residents of this community to support them. If not, it’s going to go away.”
However, Otto said he and Sponsler need “to practice what we’re preaching.”
“We want people to support this, so we have to support it as well. What better way to kill two birds with one stone? We’ve been looking for office space, been looking for a joint venture between Donley and Otto Insurance Group,” he said.
“Now we get to be a part of this whole thing and support it at the same time.”
“I don’t think it’s coincidence that downtowns that thrive, people want to come live in those communities,” Sponsler said.
“When empty buildings are downtown, when they’re not being taken care of or falling apart, that’s never good for anybody, never good for the community. So we’re hoping to be part of that solution.”
More than a financial investment
Otto Insurance placed an agent in Sponsler’s Donley Ford dealerships just before COVID-19 hit. Since then, the men have sought a way to deepen the relationship.
“Mark and I have been looking for space to share for years,” Sponsler said. “When this opportunity came about to have this square footage and a newer building and be part of something great like the food hall right next to it, we just thought it was a great opportunity.”
Their investment is not limited to real estate and renovation costs.
Otto said that to justify the move, his company needs to grow its business in Mount Vernon.
“That’s going to be an investment in local staff. We’re hoping to create five to six new jobs in the next three to five years,” he said.
Noting the increased cost of doing business and higher post-COVID salaries and benefits, Otto said new employees are a significant investment for the company.
“And we’re looking forward to it. We’re excited to be in a position that we could invest in Mount Vernon. At the end of the day, the whole thing is just investing in the community and being a part of it,” he said.
Sponsler said that initially, five or six employees will comprise the accounting department at 103 S. Gay St.
The accounting department currently occupies space in the Coshocton Road dealership.
“Having that extra space will provide more office space for the personnel we grow on the sales side of it,” Sponsler said.
“We’re both committed to growing our businesses in Knox County. This is just another step toward providing more jobs and more opportunities for the people in Knox County who work for us, and hopefully grow our footprint from a customer standpoint.”
