Daystar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Blog / About Us

Welcome to Malvern, Ohio: A Local's Guide

Welcome to Malvern, Ohio: A Local's Guide

Welcome to Malvern, Ohio: A Local's Guide

Oct 30, 2026 · By Bruce Fisher, Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Hi, I'm Bruce Fisher, and I sell cars and trucks at Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram here in Malvern, Ohio. One question I hear almost every week from out-of-town customers is, "So where exactly is Malvern?" Fair question! We're a small village, but we've got a big story, some great places to explore, and we're easier to reach than you might think. So grab a cup of coffee and let me give you the local's tour.

Where Is Malvern, Ohio?

Malvern is a village in the northwestern corner of Carroll County, in Brown Township, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Canton. It sits right along Ohio State Route 43, with the Big Sandy Creek winding through town. We're officially part of the Canton–Massillon metro area, but trust me, it feels a world away from the city.
We're small: about 1,100 people lived here at the 2020 census, and the whole village covers well under a square mile. Even so, Malvern is the second-largest village in Carroll County. Just outside town is Lake Mohawk, a 507-acre private lake community that's home to over 900 families and shares our Malvern ZIP code (44644).
One more local tip: it's pronounced MAL-vern, not "Mal-VERN." Say it right and you'll fit in on your first visit.

A Little Malvern History

Long before there was a village here, the Great Trail (also called the Tuscarawas Path) passed right through this valley. It was the main overland route into the Ohio Country from the east, used by Native Americans, fur traders, missionaries and armies. Colonel Henry Bouquet marched 1,500 men through in 1764. And on November 13 and 14, 1778, General Lachlan McIntosh's Continental Army camped here on its way to build Fort Laurens, the only Continental Army fort in Ohio during the Revolution.
Here's how the town itself came together:
  • 1806 â€“ Moses and Mary Porter settle the area. (That's where Porter Street gets its name.)
  • 1834 â€“ Rev. William Hardesty plats a village called Troy. Two years later, a neighboring village called Lodi is laid out next door.
  • 1840 â€“ Troy is renamed Malvern, after the Malvern Hills in England.
  • 1845 â€“ The Sandy and Beaver Canal opens through town, with a basin, toll station and Locks 19 and 20 nearby at Lodi. Floods and the coming of the railroad shut it down after 1853.
  • 1845 â€“ Theodore Newton Vail is born in Malvern on July 16. He went on to lead AT&T and helped build America's nationwide telephone system.
  • 1869 â€“ Malvern is incorporated as a village on May 31, and Lodi is eventually annexed into it.
  • 1893 â€“ The Malvern Clay Company makes some of the first paving bricks in Ohio. By the early 1900s, Malvern is a busy clay and brick town, drawing immigrant workers and shipping brick that paved streets across the country.
  • 1962 â€“ 2,300 acres of farmland are bought to create Lake Mohawk and its surrounding lake community.
Not bad for a village of about 1,100 people, right?

Local Spots to Visit and See

Malvern is the kind of place you explore at an easy pace. Here are a few of my favorite stops:
  • Malvern Village Park. Grab a bench along the Big Sandy Creek and just listen to the water. The park is also an outdoor history lesson: you'll find the Great Trail historical marker, the Sandy and Beaver Canal marker (it sits on stones from the old canal's Lock 19), and the Malvern Veterans and Vietnam War memorials. You'll find it off West Canal Street (Route 183).
  • Theodore Newton Vail birthplace marker. At 104 E. Porter Street, a marker put up by the Telephone Pioneers of America in 1945 honors the Malvern native who helped connect the whole country by telephone.
  • Downtown Malvern. Stroll Canal Street and Porter Street, check out our local shops and restaurants, and stop by the Malvern Public Library at 710 E. Porter Street.
  • The Great Trail Festival. Every late summer, the festival grounds at 6331 Canton Road (State Route 43, about 1.5 miles south of town) turn into Ohio's biggest French and Indian War–era celebration. Expect craft villages, live music and clog dancing, a daily 1 p.m. battle reenactment, a live buffalo herd, and the State of Ohio Tomahawk Throwing Championship. The 2026 festival just wrapped up its 45th year, so mark your calendar for next August.
  • Lake Mohawk. Just outside the village, this 507-acre lake is one of the largest privately owned man-made lakes in Ohio. It's a private community, but it's a big part of what makes the Malvern area feel like home.
  • Fort Laurens in Bolivar. Want to finish the story McIntosh's army started here in 1778? Head west to see where they built Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort.

How to Get to Malvern

The key road to know is State Route 43. It runs from Canton down through Waynesburg and Malvern to Carrollton and Steubenville, and through town it shares the road with State Route 183 along Canal Street and Alliance Road. Daystar sits right on that stretch at 7157 Alliance Rd NW, so once you're on Route 43, you've basically found us.


Coming from


About how far


Easiest route


Canton


20 miles, ~30 min


Take State Route 43 south out of Canton through Waynesburg. Stay on 43 and it brings you right into Malvern.


Cleveland


80 miles, ~1 hr 30 min


Take I-77 south to Canton, then US-30 east to State Route 43. Follow 43 south through Waynesburg to Malvern.


Columbus


130 miles, ~2 hr 15 min


Take I-70 east to I-77 north at Cambridge. Head north to Dover, take State Route 800 north, then State Route 183 north through Magnolia and Waynesburg into Malvern. (Or stay on I-77 to Canton and pick up Route 43 south.)


Pittsburgh


85 miles, ~1 hr 45 min


Head west on US-30 into Ohio and follow it to Minerva. In Minerva, turn south on State Route 183, and it's just a few miles to Malvern.


Wheeling


75 miles, ~1 hr 30 min


Head north along the Ohio River on State Route 7 to Steubenville. Pick up State Route 43 north through Carrollton, and it'll take you straight into Malvern.
Times and distances are approximate. Your GPS will know about construction and detours, so plug in "Malvern, OH 44644" before you leave.

Come See Us

Malvern may be small, but it's got history on every corner, friendly folks, and some of the prettiest country drives in Ohio. If you're making the trip, stop by Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram at 7157 Alliance Rd NW, Malvern, OH 44644. Ask for me, Bruce Fisher. I'll be glad to show you around our lot and point you to a good place for lunch in town. Give us a call at 330-863-1144. Our customers like to say we're worth the drive, and I think once you see Malvern, you'll agree.

Sources





















Posted in:

Related Posts

More than just a dealership: Driven by Faith.

More Than a Name: The Meaning of Daystar and the Faith Behind Our Dealership

More Than a Name: The Meaning of Daystar and the Faith Behind Our Dealership By Matt and Wendy Leeders, Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram When you drive past our dealership in Malvern, Ohio, you see the name Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram proudly displayed on our building. To many people, Daystar is simply the name of a place to buy a new truck, find a reliable used vehicle, or have their car serviced. But to us, the name Daystar represents something much greater. It represents our faith, our purpose, our responsibility to others, and the values we believe should guide every decision we make. We didn't want to build just another car dealership. We wanted to build a business that stood for something. A place where employees felt valued, customers were treated with dignity, and success was measured by more than the number of vehicles sold. The name Daystar is a reminder of who we are called to be, not just what we do. What Does the Name Daystar Mean? The word Daystar has deep biblical significance. It is often associated with the morning star, a symbol of light, hope, and the beginning of a new day. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus says: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." — Revelation 22:16 (KJV) In 2 Peter 1:19, Scripture also speaks of the day star arising in our hearts. For us, these biblical references represent something powerful. Just as the morning star announces the coming of daylight, our faith reminds us that light can overcome darkness, hope can replace uncertainty, and every new day presents an opportunity to make a positive difference. That is the spirit we want the Daystar name to reflect. We know that a car dealership may not be the first place someone expects to encounter Christian values. But we believe faith shouldn't be limited to Sunday mornings or the walls of a church. Faith should influence how we treat people, how we conduct business, how we respond to challenges, and how we serve our community. A Faith-Based Business Built on a Servant Mentality One of the most important principles we believe in is servant leadership. In Mark 10:45, Jesus teaches that even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. That teaching challenges the traditional way many people think about leadership and business. In the automotive industry, it's easy to become focused on sales goals, profit margins, market share, and performance reports. Those things matter. A successful business must be financially responsible to continue supporting its employees, customers, and community. But we believe the greatest measure of success is how we treat the people who make that success possible. At Daystar, our philosophy is simple: We are here to serve first and sell second. That means approaching every customer interaction with a genuine desire to help. It means listening before speaking, understanding before recommending, and treating people fairly regardless of their circumstances. Not everyone who walks through our doors is in the same financial position. Some customers are purchasing their first vehicle. Others are working through credit challenges, recovering from difficult situations, or trying to find dependable transportation for their families. We believe every one of those individuals deserves respect, honesty, patience, and compassion. A person's value should never be determined by their credit score, income, or the vehicle they can afford. Our Employees Are People First A servant mentality must begin inside our own organization. We believe that if we want our employees to take exceptional care of our customers, we must first make a commitment to taking care of our employees. Our team members are more than salespeople, technicians, service advisors, office personnel, and managers. They are mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors. They have families to support, personal challenges to navigate, and dreams they are working toward. We want Daystar to be a workplace where people are treated with respect, encouraged to grow, and reminded that their work has meaning. That doesn't mean we don't have high expectations. We absolutely do. We believe hard work, accountability, discipline, and excellence are important. But we also believe leadership is about helping people succeed rather than simply demanding results. A true servant leader doesn't ask, "What can my employees do for me?" A servant leader asks, "What can I do to help my employees become the best versions of themselves?" When we lead with that mentality, we believe we create a healthier workplace, stronger relationships, and ultimately a better experience for everyone who trusts us with their business. Doing the Right Thing, Even When Nobody Is Watching The automotive industry has not always enjoyed the strongest reputation when it comes to consumer trust. We understand that. Buying a vehicle is one of the largest financial decisions many families make. Customers deserve clear communication, honest information, and the confidence that the people helping them have their best interests in mind. Our faith challenges us to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Proverbs 11:1 teaches that dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. We believe that principle applies just as much to a modern automobile dealership as it did to business thousands of years ago. Whether we are appraising a trade-in, presenting financing options, recommending a service repair, or helping someone choose a vehicle, our goal should always be to operate with integrity. Sometimes doing the right thing means having a difficult conversation. Sometimes it means admitting a mistake, making something right, or advising a customer against a purchase that doesn't fit their needs. We won't pretend that we're perfect. We're human, and like every business, we will make mistakes. But our commitment is to be accountable, to learn, and to continually work toward doing what is right. Serving Malvern and the Communities Around Us We are proud to call Malvern, Ohio, home. One of the blessings of operating a dealership in a smaller community is that the people we serve are often the same people we see at school events, local restaurants, sporting events, churches, and neighborhood gatherings. Our customers aren't just transactions. They are our neighbors. We believe a dealership should contribute to the community that supports it. That means looking for opportunities to encourage local schools, support charitable organizations, recognize veterans, help families in need, and participate in events that bring people together. Not every act of service needs to be accompanied by a photograph, a press release, or a social media post. Sometimes the most meaningful things a business can do happen quietly, when someone needs a helping hand and there's nothing to gain in return. Matthew 5:16 reminds us to let our light shine before others so that our good works may glorify our Father in heaven. That is the kind of impact we hope Daystar can make throughout Malvern, Carroll County, Stark County, and the surrounding Northeast Ohio communities. Faith Is Our Foundation, Not a Requirement for Our Customers We also want to make something very clear. Although our business is guided by Christian principles, we are here to serve everyone. You do not have to share our faith, attend a particular church, or hold the same beliefs we do to feel welcome at Daystar. Our responsibility is not to judge the people who walk through our doors. Our responsibility is to love our neighbors, treat people fairly, and demonstrate our values through our actions. We believe the strongest expression of faith in business isn't necessarily what is written on the wall or printed in an advertisement. It's how a customer is treated when something goes wrong. It's how an employee is supported during a difficult season. It's how a manager responds when nobody is watching. And it's whether our actions consistently reflect the principles we claim to believe. We hope people recognize something different about Daystar because of the way they are treated, not simply because of the words we use. Every New Day Is an Opportunity to Make a Difference The beautiful thing about the name Daystar is that it also reminds us of new beginnings. Every sunrise is another opportunity to improve, to serve, to forgive, to encourage, and to make a positive impact on someone's life. Some days in the car business are exciting. Other days are difficult. There will always be challenges, changing markets, unexpected problems, and moments when things don't go according to plan. But our purpose shouldn't change with the circumstances. We want our employees to arrive each morning knowing they have an opportunity to make someone's day better. Maybe that's helping a family find a safe, affordable vehicle. Maybe it's a technician taking extra time to ensure a customer's car is repaired properly. Maybe it's a manager encouraging an employee who is struggling. Or maybe it's simply treating someone with kindness when they need it most. Those moments matter. And when those moments become part of a company's culture, we believe something special begins to happen. A dealership becomes more than a place of business. It becomes a place where people can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The Daystar Promise: More Than Selling Cars At the end of the day, we understand that Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram is a business. We sell vehicles, service automobiles, employ people, and work hard to remain successful. But we never want to lose sight of the bigger picture. We believe God has given us an opportunity to use this business as a platform for something greater than ourselves. We want to build a company where integrity matters, where people come before profits, where leaders serve their teams, and where our community is stronger because we are part of it. We know we won't always get everything right. But we can always strive to be better tomorrow than we were today. That is what the name Daystar means to us. It's a symbol of light, hope, faith, service, and new beginnings. And it is a daily reminder that our greatest responsibility isn't simply to sell more cars. It's to serve more people. Thank you for supporting our dealership, believing in our team, and allowing us to be part of this wonderful Northeast Ohio community. We look forward to continuing to earn your trust, one relationship and one act of service at a time. With gratitude and faith, Matt and Wendy Leeders Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Malvern, Ohio Daystar Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram — Driven by Faith. Committed to Service. Dedicated to You.

Sell Your Vehicle Without The Hassle

Sell Your Vehicle Without the Hassle: Consignment at Daystar Auto Group

Sell Your Vehicle Without the Hassle: Consignment at Daystar Auto Group By Dan Millat, Chief Operations Officer, Daystar Auto Group Hi everyone, Dan Millat here, Chief Operations Officer at Daystar Auto Group. If you've ever sold a vehicle on your own, you know the drill. You snap a few photos, write a listing, and then the phone starts ringing. Lowball offers, no-shows, folks who want a "quick test drive" at 9 p.m. It can wear you out fast. On the other end, trading in is easy, but you often leave money on the table. That's exactly why we offer something a little different here at Daystar: vehicle consignment. I'd love to tell you how it works and why so many of our customers have fallen in love with it. So, what is consignment? It's simple. You still own your vehicle, and we do the selling for you. We put it in front of real buyers using the same marketing and advertising we use for our own inventory. When it sells, you get paid, minus a small, affordable fee. Here's how it usually goes: We talk. You tell us about your vehicle and what you're hoping to get for it. We take a look. Our team inspects it and helps you set a smart, realistic price based on the market. We get it ready. Professional photos, a detailed write-up, and a spot where buyers can see it in person. We market it. Your vehicle goes out through our online listings, social media, and advertising channels. We handle the buyers. Calls, questions, test drives, negotiating, financing, and paperwork. All of it. You get paid. Once the deal closes, we send you your money. That's it. No strangers in your driveway. No sorting through scam texts. Just a sale handled by people who do this every day. Why you won't find this at most dealerships Here's the honest truth: most dealers simply don't offer consignment. Their business is built around buying your car as cheaply as possible, then reselling it. Spending their own advertising dollars to help you get top dollar just isn't part of the plan. We see it differently. At Daystar, we think of ourselves as your neighbors first. If we can help you get more for your vehicle with less stress, that's a win for you, and it builds the kind of trust that keeps people coming back to us for years. So when you consign with us, you get the full weight of a professional dealership behind your sale. Our marketing team, our online reach, our sales staff, and our showroom traffic all go to work for you. That's a pretty rare thing to find, and we're proud to offer it. The kinds of vehicles that shine with consignment Consignment works for all sorts of vehicles, but it really comes into its own with the special ones. The cars and trucks that need the right buyer, not just any buyer. Classic trucks, like a 1968 Chevy C10. A '68 C10 isn't just a pickup. It's a piece of American history, and the folks who want one are passionate and specific. A typical trade-in appraisal rarely captures what a truck like that is really worth to the right enthusiast. Through consignment, we can tell its story, show off the details that matter, and put it in front of collectors and classic truck fans who will truly appreciate it. High-end sports cars. Think Porsche 911s, Corvettes, BMW M cars, Audi R8s, and other performance machines. Buyers in this space do their homework. They want clean photos, documented service history, and a seller they can trust. Selling a six-figure car through an online listing on your own can feel risky for both sides. With Daystar in the middle, buyers get the confidence of working with a dealership, and you get a smoother sale at a stronger price. And everything in between. Low-mile daily drivers, lifted trucks, weekend convertibles, custom builds. If it's a vehicle you care about and want to see go to a good home at a fair price, consignment is worth a conversation. Our marketing, your benefit, at a very affordable cost When you consign with Daystar, your vehicle gets the same treatment as the cars on our own lot: Professional photography that makes it look its best Listings across our website and major online car marketplaces Promotion on our social media channels Exposure to the steady stream of shoppers who visit our dealership every day A sales team that knows how to answer questions and close the deal If you tried to buy that kind of reach on your own, it would add up quickly. With us, it's all included for a very affordable fee. We keep it simple and transparent, so you'll know exactly what to expect before we ever list your vehicle. We also take care of the parts of selling that can feel intimidating: title transfer, paperwork, and helping buyers line up financing. That last one is a big deal. Buyers who can finance through a dealership often have more room in their budget, which can mean a better price for you. Let's sell it together Selling a vehicle should feel exciting, not exhausting. Whether it's a cherished classic like a '68 C10, a sports car you've loved for years, or simply a great vehicle that's ready for its next owner, we'd be honored to help. Stop by Daystar Auto Group, give us a call, or reach out online, and ask about consignment. We'll walk you through everything, answer every question, and give you an honest take on what your vehicle could bring. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon! Dan Millat Chief Operations Officer, Daystar Auto Group