Historic charm, great schools and job growth keep Minster thriving
A short drive through the small town of Minster reveals its red brick buildings and German heritage, as the cross-tipped towers of St. Augustine Catholic Church pierce the village skyline. Manicured lawns, tidy streets and well-kept green spaces showcase the pride residents take in their town, and the highly rated school system is a community connector. Families often stay for generations, but new faces continue to arrive, drawn by a strong labor market. “The cost of living is very reasonable,” says Minster native Todd Weigandt, owner and broker of Weigandt Real Estate. “One thing people notice is how safe it is. You can take your kids to the park or the swimming pool, and you can be pretty confident that they’re going to be in a safe atmosphere.”
Minster schools win in academics and athletics
Minster Local Schools District receives an A rating from Niche, which ranks it in the top 20 Ohio school districts for athletes and overall. “A lot of people move to Minster because it has an excellent school district,” Weigandt says. “All the small towns in our area have great school districts, but we’ve got great school programs. And for whatever reason, Minister has a tremendous sports history, and we have people who move here for the sports.” In fact, the Wildcats have won more than 40 state championships. High schoolers can also earn college credit through Advanced Placement classes and College Credit Plus courses.
Mix of 20th-century homes with new subdivisions in progress
Minster’s well-maintained streets are lined with sidewalks, streetlamps and single-family homes built across the 1900s. Bungalow, Colonial Revival, National and ranch-style homes in the center of town sit on compact lots with landscaping. While some towns in Auglaize and Mercer counties are landlocked with limited room to expand, Minster has ongoing residential development. “Our company has two subdivisions in Minster that we’re developing right now,” Weigandt says. The village has a median single-family home price of $200,000, about the same as St. Marys. “There’s always been a higher demand than supply, so the prices are somewhat elevated, but you’re going to get your money back — and plus some — when you sell,” Weigandt says.
Local companies and short commutes make work-life balance easy
Minster is an agricultural and industrial hub with major employers like Precision Strip, Machine Concepts, Nidec and Danone North America. Danone’s 60-acre campus makes yogurt and dairy products for brands like Dannon, Activia and Oikos. New Bremen and Crown Equipment Manufacturing are about 5 minutes away. Other employment and service hubs like Sidney, St. Marys and Celina are within a 20-minute drive. It’s about an hour's drive to Dayton, while Cincinnati and Columbus are less than two hours away. Walkers, joggers and bikers use the Miami-Erie Canal towpath for exercise and transportation to New Bremen.
Outdoor recreation includes state parks, golf and green spaces
Residents can bike or drive to Lake Loramie State Park for boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Four Seasons Park spans 50 acres and has ball fields, shelter houses, pickleball courts, and walking paths around a small pond. In the heart of town, Centennial Park is a serene green space with a gazebo and a veterans' memorial. The tranquil park comes to life during Oktoberfest, when thousands of visitors descend on the square for German eats, drinks and music. Just outside of town, Arrowhead Golf Course offers 18 holes of golf to the public.
Historic Wooden Shoe Inn anchors a mix of local dining spots
The Wooden Shoe Inn is a true Minster institution that dates back to 1933. The bar and restaurant pays homage to The Wooden Shoe Brewing Company, which was once so successful that it paid for all of Minster’s operational expenses from 1935 to 1937. The current iteration puts a contemporary spin on American and German fare while staying true to its roots with items like fried chicken made with the original 1930s recipe. Locals head to the Dutch Mill Café for burgers, wings and beer, while Bud’s Pizza Parlor is a laid-back spot for a sit-down meal. Wagner’s IGA has groceries in town.
Oktoberfest celebrates Minster’s German heritage
Minster’s population swells from 3,000 to more than 80,000 during Oktoberfest weekend. “Oktoberfest is a celebration of our heritage. There are a lot of German people in Minster and the surrounding area,” Weigandt says. “The German heritage comes with a good work ethic and goes way back many generations, and I think Oktoberfest celebrates that. It gives a sense of community and pulls everyone together.”
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
