WalkerEvans

I haven't watched this video yet. Did he say anything new?

Yeah, that's bad news for the casino folks. Personally, I'd much rather see that whole site developed with housing and mixed use office/retail.

I agree that Grandview Yard isn't going to hurt Grandview Ave much. Might even strengthen it with increased spending in the area. I do think Grandview Yard is going to draw any sort of potential for national chain retail away from Downtown though. And local retail analyst guru Chris Boring agrees (about a third of the way down): http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-retail-in-columbus <i>Chris says - "Well, I thought that they had a chance to redevelop and reposition City Center in the market to be more of a local shopping center rather than a regional shopping center… but I think the opportunity disappeared when we saw the plans for Grandview Yard. I think that’s going to end up being the retail vehicle that serves the central part of the city. I think the future for downtown retail, not only in Columbus but in a lot of downtowns across the country, is going to be entrepreneurship. I think we are going to see a surge of retail start up businesses for a number of reasons."</i> It doesn't bother me too much that chains/bigbox are headed to GY while Downtown is ripe for the independent businesses, but the bigger stores are the ones with money to spend on new builds and higher rents. And there are specific chains that I'd love to see downtown... Target, Apple, Crate & Barrel, etc. And at the end of the day, it's still a good thing to have a company like Nationwide (via NRI) investing so much money into core neighborhoods such as Grandview. They could be building New Albany Yard or Pataskala Yard or Grove City Yard. But instead they're turning a wasteland of half-empty industrial and manufacturing buildings into something that will serve a much greater function to people who live in the downtown core.

Anyone here headed to the open-house event on Monday? Great opportunity to take a tour through the entire building! I'll be there! :D

<b>Five Guys Opens South Campus Gateway Location</b> By Walker | May 15, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/five-guys.jpg"> Five Guys Burgers and Fries continues their expansion into the Columbus market with their second location opening today at the South Campus Gateway. The DC-based chain announced plans last summer to open 20 stores in Central Ohio over the next three to four years. Two more locations have been announced as “coming soon” on the Five Guys website including one at Easton and one on Stringtown Road in Grove City. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/five-guys-opens-south-campus-gateway-location

<b>Chile Verde Cafe – Revamped, Revisited….Refreshing</b> Posted by cmhgourmand on May 11, 2009 <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3524415760_0e0ec8d357_m.jpg"> During my formative dining days in the early 1990’s, Chile Verde was a standard destination. Over time as my options grew my visits decreased. Not much has changed in nineteen years of business at this location and that is a very good thing. Chile Verde has always been known for good, personable service; good margaritas and signature Southwestern entrees. MORE: http://cmhgourmand.com/2009/05/11/chile-verde-cafe-revamped-revisited-refreshing/

Friday, May 15, 2009 <b>Redeveloper of Franklinton's B&T Metals site lands grant</b> Business First of Columbus - by Brian R. Ball <img src="http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/241665-0-0-1.jpg"> A Los Angeles developer has dusted off plans for 132 condominiums and artists’ lofts in Franklinton after landing a grant to clean up an industrial site. The Ohio Department of Development awarded $750,000 in Clean Ohio Assistance Funds to Smart Urban Growth LLC to remediate the B&T Metals Co. and neighboring Eickholt Glass Inc. properties. Principal Lance Robbins said demolition of the buildings in the worst condition will begin this summer as part of a cleanup that could take a year. Pending a thaw in credit markets, construction on the first 30 units could begin in mid-2010. “We want to make it the funky arts district that the Short North was before it became gentrified,” Robbins said. “This project will serve as a catalyst for the rebirth of the once vibrant Franklinton area of Columbus,” Mark Barbash, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development, wrote in a letter to Columbus City Council, which will funnel the money to Smart Urban Growth. The grant is the second for the project. It qualified for a $174,800 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant two years ago to subsidize testing for industrial contaminants. READ MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/05/18/story2.html?b=1242619200^1829124

Thanks again for the link. ;)

The Brewery District Kroger is a half-mile 10-minute walk south of here. I agree that a Trader Joe's would be nice. I even photoshopped their logo on the Lazarus building <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/top-10-chains-we-wouldnt-mind-seeing-downtown">here</a>. I do think it has potential somewhere in the middle of downtown, but there's got to be a little bit more of a critical mass before it's going to be economically feasible for them to open up. And like it or not, they're going to want to have some sort of parking available. You haven't seen the construction to the ground-floor of the Lazarus building going on along High Street? They're working on it pretty quickly! Originally I heard that they'd be <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/lazarus-building-storefronts-ready-by-spring-2009">ready by Spring 2009</a>, but that leaves them only one more month until we're officially into summer. I've heard from a fairly reliable source that Tim Horton's has been scouting one of the new spaces. I'd imagine that if they reopen a downtown location it will be one of their new Tim Horton's/Coldstone Creamery combo stores.

Thanks Walker. That was a great interview with Columbus retail guru Chris Boring. I found this much more informative than the usual sound bite/brief quote you usually find from the local TV or print news. Great job! Glad you liked it! I've always wanted to hear more indepth answers from him on some of the topics he regularly is asked about. Very interesting to hear his opinions on what the future could hold.

I don't know if it's the same group, but I'm sure there's some overlap. The main contact I have in the area is a friend who moved over there about a year ago.

Nice photos! I'm liking the development more every day. And while I'm bummed that the parking garage has no ground floor retail, the Lazarus Building right on the other side of these new residential units will, not to mention a variety of other retail opportunities within a two-block radius. It won't be hard for people living in these units to find places to eat, get coffee, view art (at the awesome OSU Urban Arts Space) or do some light grocery shopping at the CVS around the corner. Perhaps the influx of new residents might be enough to start getting some hours extended at these places as well. I'm also a fan of the wide swath of greenspace along the north side of Town Street, although I'm worried it might end up being used as a dumping grounds for dogs. Better make sure there are some dog baggie receptacles out there. ;)

That's what these new initiatives are for. To bring some new and exciting things to the area. A group of residents over there are leading the way and working on having a coffee shop and gallery/performance space opening soon on Broad. I'll post more details as I get them.

You should open a business over there! :D

<b>The Past, Present and Future of Retail in Columbus</b> By Walker | May 5, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/chris-boring-s.jpg"> If you’ve read any article about retail development in Central Ohio in the past decade, then Chris Boring is a name already familiar to you. Chris is the President of Boulevard Strategies, a local market research company that focuses on retail development in the Columbus region. We recently sat down with Chris to talk about the the history of retail development in Columbus, his thoughts on current projects and proposals, and what he thinks the future can hold for retail development throughout the region. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-retail-in-columbus

PASSED!

I've lived in Central Ohio since I was 4 years old. Does it still count as being a "transplant" when you have few early childhood memories of life outside of Ohio? ;)

Ha! Thanks for the props. It was my wife Anne that did the Undone story. ;) But yeah, I agree that was a great Business First article! I love the map and I love that they're willing to look at the neighborhood as a whole and see that the openings are outweighing the closings. So many business news stories lately want to focus on stores getting closed, and pay little attention to the businesses that open in their place a month later. ;)

I dunno... a focus on Light Rail sounds pretty kickass to me. ;)

<b>Undone Moving to Short North & Opening May 2</b> By Anne | April 27, 2009 8:24am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/undone1.jpg"> Leigh-Ann Houchin opened her upscale lingerie and shoe boutique in Grandview on July 27, 2007. After a successful two years, the opportunity came available in the Short North to move to a bigger store. Undone Lingerie and Shoe Boutique will reopen at 772 North High Street just in time for May’s gallery hop. The store will be having a private preview party on Friday May 1st, and will be having a grand opening on Saturday May 2. The move is allowing them to increase their lines, add new inventory and work with local designers. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/undone-moving-to-short-north-opening-may-2

<b>Taste of Belgium Coming Soon to the North Market</b> By Walker | May 1, 2009 2:30pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/flechet.jpg"> Press Release: Belgian waffle and crêpe lovers rejoice! Belgian native Jean-François Flechet will open Taste of Belgium at the south end of the North Market in May. The tale of how Jean-François came to be a waffle-maker is as intriguing as his crispy caramelized waffles are delectable. Jean-François moved to the U.S. more than a decade ago to pursue a doctorate in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. He eventually ended up in Cincinnati working for a market research company. After working for 5 years and receiving his green card he decided to start his own enterprise developing a vending machine that dispensed hot food. He was back at home visiting family in Belgium and attending a trade show when he was enticed by the familiar smell of Liège waffles. He discovered an older gentleman baking up fresh waffles according to a family tradition some 100+ years old. Jean-François was mesmerized by the process, struck up a rapport with the man and was invited to visit the production facility a few days later in Brussels. Convinced by what he learned (and tasted) Jean- François immediately purchased one of the waffle irons to bring back to the U.S. with him and so began his foray into waffledom. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/taste-of-belgium-coming-soon-to-the-north-market

<b>Pizzeria has right elements for future career, chemical engineer says</b> Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:49 PM By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Staff Writer <img src="http://www.thisweeknews.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/thisweeknews/food/stories/2009/03/25/0326me62281-3699tn4c.jpg"> Orin Hemminger talks with architect Paul Woodruff inside the building at 892 Oak St. Hemminger plans to open a restaurant, Fozzie's, which will specialize in wood-fired pizzas. If nothing else, Orin Hemminger will have a job when he graduates from college. Studying for his doctorate in chemical engineering at Ohio State University, Hemminger plans to open Fozzie's, a pizzeria, this June in Olde Town East. He didn't expect to open a pizza joint - he really wants to own a microbrewery - but simply saw a need and wanted to fill it. "I can't get a pizza near my house," Hemminger said. "I have to drive to German Village or the Short North." MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/food/stories/2009/03/25/tabletalk.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104

<b>Jeni’s Ice Creams Now Available at The Hills Market</b> By Walker | April 27, 2009 8:30am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jenis-hills.jpg"> Starting today, The Hills Market becomes the first grocery store in Ohio to carry Jeni’s Ice Creams. 24 different flavors will be available in individual pints, and the flavors will feature a mix of year-round favorites and some seasonal selections. “We’ve been admirers and shoppers of The Hills Market for years,” said Charly Bauer, co-owner of Jeni’s. “They have a strong commitment to high quality local foods. When they called us to ask about carrying Jeni’s, we said ‘of course!’ We love the Hills Market!” MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/jenis-ice-creams-now-available-at-the-hills-market

<b>Crimson Cup Still Growing Strong After 18 Years</b> By Walker | April 26, 2009 3:15pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/crimsoncup.jpg"> The Crimson Cup store in the Clintonville/Beechwold area has only been open for about a year and a half, but this local company’s roots are actually spread out all across the country and their story goes back nearly 20 years in Columbus. We recently sat down with Anna Harper-Hess of Crimson Cup to learn more about them. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/crimson-cup-still-growing-strong-after-18-years

<b>Sandella’s Flatbread Café Coming Soon to Columbus</b> By Walker | April 24, 2009 11:00am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/sandellas.jpg"> Sandella’s Flatbread Café, a Connecticut-based casual restaurant chain, is scheduled to make their Columbus debut by the end of the year. Franchisees Chris Kavalieros and Michael Czarnecki have announced plans to open three stores in the region. The locations have not yet been finalized, but areas under consideration include Easton, OSU, and the North Side of Columbus. “We want to bring Sandella’s to Columbus because it’s not just health conscious food, it’s healthy and delicious,” says Kavalieros. “People today are more health conscious than ever before and Sandella’s is the perfect place for people who want a delicious and fast meal without sacrificing their health or their wallet in the process.” MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/sandellas-flatbread-cafe-coming-soon-to-columbus