WalkerEvans

Another alternative.... <b>The Express Aisle is Now Open For Business</b> By Anne | April 2, 2009 12:00pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/expressaisle.png"> One of the biggest issues usually cited for keeping people from moving to Downtown is the lack of grocery stores. Add to that, people don’t like to go grocery shopping in general. We have had quite a few conversations about grocery stores and personal shoppers on Columbus Underground. A new business venture hopes to help fill that void while saving you time and money. The Express Aisle is an online grocery delivery service that opened for business yesterday. They are based in Italian Village and will deliver your groceries the next day to anywhere in Central Ohio. Or you can schedule your deliveries to fit your schedule. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-express-aisle-is-now-open-for-business

<b>Studio 35 Expands Soccer Offerings</b> By pjguldan | April 2, 2009 4:27pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/studio35logo.png"> Soccer fans around town have had several viewing options when trying to catch a game. Fado at Easton, Claddagh downtown, and Ruby Tuesday bar just off campus have attempted to cater to the soccer viewing crowd. Since MLS Cup there has been another soccer watching spot in town. The venerable Clintonville theatre Studio 35 has added more and more soccer programming. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/studio-35-expands-soccer-offerings

<b>Ohio Statehouse Museum Will Open on June 10th</b> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ohiostatehouse.jpg"> Press Release: A new Ohio Statehouse Museum will open to the public on June 10 at 10 a.m. The Museum will be located on the ground floor of Ohio’s Capitol Building and will function as an interactive place for learning about Ohio government for more than 80,000 Ohio Statehouse tour visitors annually. The opening of the Ohio Statehouse Museum will enrich the experience of Statehouse visitors by providing stronger and more diverse orientation and education about Ohio government and history. Admission to the Ohio Statehouse Museum will be free. The opening celebration is scheduled to begin with a short ribbon cutting ceremony on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. The celebration will be preceded and followed by a cannon firing of the Ohio Statehouse’s Civil War era cannons by members of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A Civil War re-enactors group. The Ohio Statehouse Museum will include interactive, hands-on exhibits that will challenge visitors’ knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government and equip them to more fully participate as citizens. Historical artifacts and images will tell the stories of those who have come to serve at the “People’s House.” Audiovisual media and theatrical effects will transport visitors to historical events and invite them to imagine themselves as one of Ohio’s governors or legislators. The opening of Phase II of the Ohio Statehouse Museum will create nearly 10,000 square feet of updated, high-tech, interactive exhibits to enrich the experience of school children and visitors. Funding of the Ohio Statehouse Museum is the result of a public/private partnership. The Museum has primarily been made possible by private contributors through an on-going capital campaign entitled “Enriching the Experience.” The capital campaign is being managed by the Capitol Square Foundation. The Capitol Square Foundation has raised more than $2.25 million for the Enriching the Experience capital campaign. Construction of the new Ohio Statehouse Museum officially began on March 18, 2008. Hilferty and Associates, an accomplished design firm based in Athens, Ohio, completed the interpretive conceptual plan for the new Ohio Statehouse Museum. Mill’s James, Ohio’s largest media production company, is providing the audiovisual production services. 1220 Exhibits, of Nashville, Tennessee, is manufacturing the exhibits and display panels. Communications Electronic Design, Inc. is the project systems integrator. Exhibit resources have been provided by the Ohio Historical Society and the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. For more information please visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

<b>At Home: In Sixty Spring</b> By Anne | April 5, 2009 12:00pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dlivingroom.jpg"> This month we are back downtown to take a look inside Dawon Hawkins’ condo at Sixty Spring. He has been living in Sixty Spring for three years, and has been a downtown resident for quite sometime. He first lived in German Village and then moved to an apartment on East Town Street across from the Topiary Park. When he decided he wanted to buy, he looked at everything downtown. Everything. If there was a condo development Dawon knew all about it and had checked it out. When he took a tour of Sixty Spring, he saw his future home when it was very bare bones and fell in love with it. The 800 sq. foot condo had soaring windows, gorgeous views of downtown and the original floors from its former life as an electrical supply warehouse. He was the first person to rent his place and the second he was able to purchase it, he did. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/at-home-in-sixty-spring

^^^ Straight from the horse's mouth: The first floor will have a food court and convenience store open to the public: <b>CCAD’s new “Urban Facelift” is nearly complete</b> By Walker | April 6, 2009 7:30am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ccad1.jpg"> The Columbus College of Art & Design has been undergoing a bit of an “urban facelift” for the past several years. The Loann Crane Center for Design and the adjacent “quad” greenspace added a lot of new character to the downtown campus. The construction of the new five-story Design Square Apartments dorm building and the Design Studios on Broad renovation project both aim to continue adding to that vibrancy. We sat down last week with Denny Griffith, President of CCAD, to find out what these developments will mean both for students and non-students alike. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/ccads-new-urban-facelift-is-nearly-complete

<b>Fourth IT Martini Event Takes Place on Thursday</b> By Walker | April 6, 2009 10:02am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/itmartini.jpg"> If you’re an IT Professional, you most likely spend way too much time in front of a computer. When it comes to networking, your first thoughts might involve splicing cat-5 cable, or playing around with the Twitter API. But John Bishop and Aladin Gohar of IT Martini are here to remind you that networking can also mean a fun night out connecting to other like-minded individuals the old fashioned way: face-to-face over cocktails. We recently chatted with John to get some insight into this ongoing series of social events. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/fourth-it-martini-event-takes-place-on-thursday

<b>Crimson Design Group Relocates Downtown</b> By Walker | April 6, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/crimsondesign.jpg"> Tucked into Pearl Alley, just off Gay Street might seem like a location that’s a bit off the beaten path for an interior design firm, but Cheryl Beachy is exactly where she wants to be. Her company, Crimson Design Group recently relocated their office from Merion Village to Downtown when they outgrew their old space. “I wanted to be in an environment that encourages young entrepreneurship and is part of a bigger community,” said Beachy. “I love the changes that have been done on Gay Street, and it’s these changes which have really created that ‘big city’ feel in Columbus.” MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/crimson-design-group-relocates-downtown

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/top-10-chains-we-wouldnt-mind-seeing-downtown <b>Top 10 Chains We Wouldn’t Mind Seeing Downtown</b> By Walker Let me start off by saying that here at Columbus Underground, we are all about supporting our wonderful local, independent businesses. We encourage people to dine locally, shop locally, and invest money in the local economy. With that being said, we're fully aware that it's unrealistic to buy everything from a local business. There is a time and a place for everything, and many specific types of larger chain stores and restaurants can be a vibrant and essential part of our diverse urban experience. Last year, the "<a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/tag/mile-on-high">Mile on High</a>" effort was established to combat the 80,000 square feet of vacant retail space along High Street, but it's off to a slow start. A study from last June revealed that while we have 280 stores and restaurants downtown, there is an estimated spending power to currently support 450 establishments. We would love to see the majority of that gap filled in with local businesses, but we feel that there is room for a handful of chains as well. Below is our top 10 list of potential chain stores and restaurants that we would like to see fill in some of this empty retail space on or near the High Street corridor.<!--more--> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/roomboard.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#10 - Room & Board</b> <a href="http://www.roomandboard.com">Room & Board</a> is a fashionable furniture store that focuses heavily on American-made craftsmanship and social responsibility. They sell all types of home furnishings from sofas to bedding to light fixtures. And with their nearest stores in Illinois, this would make a Downtown Columbus location one-of-a-kind in the state of Ohio. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nordstrom.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#9 - Nordstrom Rack </b> <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/sale.shtml">Nordstrom Rack</a> is the discounted counterpart to Nordstrom. Originally operating as a clearance department, it has grown into its own brand for bargain-seeking shoppers and has over 50 locations around the US. The only Nordstrom location in Columbus is out at Easton, and the only Nordstrom rack in Ohio is just east of Cleveland. Placing this shop downtown would be a regional draw, and could also make the surrounding retail units more attractive for independent boutique shops to set up. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/apple.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#8 - Apple Store </b> <a href="http://www.apple.com/retail/">The Apple Store</a> is very obviously a place to purchase Apple products including computers, laptops, iPhones, iPods, software, and accessories. With Apple's consumer products surging in popularity, the Easton location is constantly overcrowded, and a secondary location would be more than welcome downtown where there is currently no place to purchase computer or electronic accessories. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cb2.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#7 - CB2</b> <a href="http://www.cb2.com/">CB2</a> is an offshoot brand from Crate and Barrel that focuses more on modern and urban style with their product range. CB2 sells all types of home decor and accessories from couches and beds to forks and spoons. Currently, CB2 only has 5 locations, all of which are in urban centers, making downtown the obvious choice for a Columbus store. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/hm.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#6 - H&M</b> <a href="http://www.hm.com">H&M</a> is an affordable yet fashionable men's, women's, and children's clothing store with locaitons all over the world. A nearby store exists at the Tuttle Mall, but it only sells the women's clothing line. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsw.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#5 - DSW / Filene's Basement </b> <a href="http://www.dsw.com">DSW</a> is actually a local company, with their first store having opened in Dublin in 1991. Their parent company Retail Ventures, owns the <a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com/">Filene's Basement</a> brand as well. DSW's large stores feature thousands of name brand shoes available at a discounted price. Similarly, Filene's offers thousands of name brand men's and women's clothing items at a discounted price. Several successful DSW stores operate near Easton, Polaris, and Dublin, with the Dublin location being a joint store with Filene's Basement. Adding a new downtown location would serve not only the central city, but also would be a closer location for the entire south side of Columbus. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/innout.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#4 - In-N-Out Burger </b> If it's possible for a fast food chain to have a cult following, then <a href="http://www.in-n-out.com/">In-N-Out Burger</a> has achieved just that. Founded in California 60 years ago, no locations exist outside of the west and south-western states. In-N-Out has often been praised for their use of fresh, local ingredients as well as their employee-centric business practices. If a Downtown Columbus location were to open, we predict that they'd have a lunch line wrapping around the block every day for at least the first year. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/target.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#3 - Target</b> Somehow, <a href="http://www.target.com/">Target</a> has mostly managed to avoid the negative connotations that typically plague the big-box corporate concept. Perhaps it's the fact that they aim to sell slightly more upscale merchandise than competitors like Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Perhaps it's their brighter stores and hipper advertising image. Perhaps it's their continuous philanthropic efforts. Whatever it is, it seems to be working, and the idea of bringing multi-story urban Target store (similar to their flagship store in downtown Minneapolis) into downtown Columbus has constantly made appearances on nearly everyone's wishlist. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/traderjoes.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#2 - Trader Joe's </b> Downtown has got a bit of a grocery problem, and <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">Trader Joe's</a> is often cited as the solution to those <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-downtown-residents-want-groceries-safety">woes</a>. While the residential population Downtown has not quite reached the critical mass needed for a full-sized Kroger or Giant Eagle, Trader Joe's offers the option of bringing a smaller store into our urban center. Trader Joe's is often praised for their environmental-minded business practices, and their health-concious store-brand products. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ikea.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#1 - IKEA</b> It's not going to happen anytime soon, but it doesn't mean that we still can't hope that someday <a href="http://www.ikea.com/">IKEA</a> will need a second Ohio store, and that it might somehow wind up in Downtown Columbus. When the <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/ikea-contemplates-an-ohio-store-potentially-in-columbus">news broke</a> nearly three years ago that IKEA was considering an Ohio store, many on CU who were tired of driving all the way to Pittsburgh for their fix were quick to cross their fingers that it would wind up in Columbus. In the end, West Chester (a Cincinnati suburb) was chosen as the site for the first Ohio IKEA, but every once in awhile you can still hear someone mentioning how much they would have loved to have it in our own back yard. What other stores and restaurants would you like to see open up Downtown?

Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 12:29pm EDT <b>Report: Columbus ‘job sprawl’ better than U.S.</b> Business First of Columbus Private-sector jobs near Columbus’ central business district have fanned out into the suburbs like most big metropolitan areas in the U.S., but a new report indicates the city continues to keep most of its jobs closer than the rest of the pack. Washington, D.C.-based liberal public-policy think tank Brookings Institution in a report titled “Job Sprawl Revisited: The Changing Geography of Metropolitan Employment” found that 21 percent of private-sector employees in the nation’s top 98 metros worked within three miles of downtown as of 2006. That was down from about 23 percent in 1998. The jobs picture for areas immediately outside of downtown is similar for Columbus. The city, like the average for all metros in the report, had 23 percent of its jobs within three miles of downtown in 1998. By 2006, that total for Columbus fell below to 19 percent, according to the report. Columbus, however, stands in contrast to the rest of the nation’s top metros in having nearly half of its private-sector employment between three and 10 miles outside of downtown. That total stood at 47 percent in 1998 and only fell to 45 percent as of 2006, meaning roughly two in three private-sector jobs in the area are within 10 miles from downtown even though more jobs have fanned outward. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/04/06/daily12.html?ana=from_rss

<b>Fleetwood and Spears and Chesney, Oh My</b> By columbusdreamer <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/concerts2009.jpg"> The 2009 Columbus, Ohio, concert season is heating up with classic rock, pop and rockin’ country at a variety of venues. The major Columbus concert venues have once again attracted major concert tours in 2009. Nationwide Arena, the Schottenstein Center and (perhaps) Crew Stadium are snagging some of largest tours of the 2009 concert season. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/fleetwood-and-spears-and-chesney-oh-my

<b>Elton John & Billy Joel Coming to Columbus</b> By Walker | February 2, 2009 6:17pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/johnjoel.jpg"> Billy Joel and Elton John will be returning to Columbus on July 14th at Nationwide Arena for a stop on their “Face 2 Face” tour. This marks the third performance for the two musicians in Columbus, as they played together in 1994 at Ohio Stadium and again in 2003 at Nationwide Arena. Tickets will range between $54 and $179 and go on sale this Saturday via Ticketmaster. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/elton-john-billy-joel-coming-to-columbus

<b>Eric Clapton Performing in Columbus This Summer</b> By Walker | February 16, 2009 8:04pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/eric-clapton.jpg"> The big national names keep rolling in for summer concert stops in Columbus, and the latest addition to the lineup is part-time-Columbus-resident Eric Clapton. Clapton will be performing alongside Steve Winwood at The Schottenstein Center on June 15th. Tickets will range in price from $67 to $153 and go on sale via Ticket Master this Saturday at 10am. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/eric-clapton-performing-in-columbus-this-summer

<b>Entertainment Lineup for 2009 Ohio State Fair</b> By Walker | February 25, 2009 3:32pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ohiostatefair2009.jpg"> What do Kenny Rogers, Kelly Clarkson, and Keith Sweat have in common? They’ve all just been announced for the entertainment lineup for this year’s Ohio State Fair. The full schedule can be found online at OhioStateFair.com, and also includes Rascal Flatts, Glen Campbell, Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Eric Benét, and a few others. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/entertainment-lineup-for-2009-ohio-state-fair

<b>Spinal Tap Coming to Columbus on May 17th</b> By Walker | March 3, 2009 9:44pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/spinal-tap.png"> Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer just announced yesterday that they will be touring the country this summer to perform “unplugged and unwigged” versions of their Spinal Tap classics along with other songs from their collaborative movie projects. The Columbus stop on the tour takes place on May 17th at the Palace Theater. Tickets go on sale Friday morning at 10am via TicketMaster.com. Tickets start at $43. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/spinal-tap-coming-to-columbus-on-may-17th

<b>Cup O' Joe Expands</b> Posted by Marla Matzer Rose on April 1, 2009 Also, in a piece of good news for regular visitors to Port Columbus, the board OK'd an expansion of Cup O' Joe to include a MoJoe Lounge (those who've been to other Cup O' Joe locations, such as the one on the Cap in the Short North, will be familiar with this concept). The move will allow Cup O' Joe, which sits right at the center of the departures level, to expand from 365 to 567 square feet and offer more food along with alcholic beverages. MORE: http://blog.dispatch.com/flying/2009/04/nwa_to_concourse_c_cup_o_joe_e.shtml

I don't think all parking lots and garages are bad news. Most of what exists in the Short North is fairly small anyway compared to some of the <A href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/tag/wasted-space">larger lots</a> that can be found Downtown. I'd much rather see those lots downtown be addressed before we start worrying about the Goody Boy having room to park 15 cars.

Oktoberfest NEEDS to be in German Village. I hope they pull it off.

<b>Sugardaddy's opens storefront</b> Wednesday, April 1, 2009 1:46 PM By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Staff Writer <img src="http://www.thisweeknews.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/thisweeknews/images/2009/04/01/0402po62377-6023dr.jpg"> Brownies in the round -- that's the shape of things at Sugardaddy's Sumptuous Sweeties. The gourmet brownies and blondies have been made in an area bakery and sold online for four years, said Tom Finney, co-founder and co-owner. This month, the business expanded, adding a storefront to the bakery at 1329 Cameron Ave., Lewis Center. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/olentangy/stories/2009/04/01/0401posugardaddys_ln.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104&title=Sugardaddy%27s+opens+storefront

<b>Rad Dog! is Back Downtown</b> By Anne | March 31, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/rad-dog.jpg"> The weather is getting warmer and that means Rad Dog! Gourmet Meatless Hot Dogs is back downtown. You can get your lunch fix at his new spot at the corner of Broad & High from 10am to 2pm. MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/rad-dog-is-back-downtown

<b>Chinese/Japanese restaurant opening in Short North</b> By ilovethiscity | March 29, 2009 The other day I stuck my head in the door located just south of The Surly Girl Saloon while some interior demolition work was being done and a gentleman there informed me that the space was going to be either a Chinese or Japanese restaurant! Great news for the neighborhood! Has anyone else heard anything more on this? MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/chinesejapanese-restaurant-opening-in-short-north

Broad & High is the dead center of our downtown business district. It's not a residential district. It's not an entertainment district. I really don't anticipate it being a thriving 24/7 hotspot anytime soon. Nor does it really need to be. Isn't there a time and a place for everything?

Yeah, I've read that the plan all along was to leave some areas open so that some people could stand and watch for free from the outside fence. Keep a bit of buzz going outside the stadium. ;)

Ha! Yeah, my thoughts exactly. ;)

<b>Ibiza Update: An Interview with Rajesh Lahoti</b> By Walker | March 23, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ibiza1.png"> The Ibiza condo development was first announced around October 2006, so it’s no surprise that some locals have grown frustrated with the fact that after two-and-a-half years of waiting, construction hasn’t started yet. With a project of this size and significance in the neighborhood, the rumors are bound to fly. Over the past few months many people have raised questions about the current status of the project. Instead of pondering though, we decided to go straight to the source and sit down with Rajesh Lahoti for an interview and an update on Ibiza. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/ibiza-update-an-interview-with-rajesh-lahoti

<b>More Coworking Space Available in Columbus</b> By Walker | March 18, 2009 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/coworking.png"> Last week we featured an article about the grand opening of a new coworking space in the Short North called Sandbox. But that’s not the only place that coworking can be found in Columbus. There are three other spaces located in and around the downtown area that have either recently opened or are opening soon for your coworking needs. Most offer similar amenities and have similar rates, but each has a few unique features, so at least one of them is likely to strike your fancy. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/more-coworking-space-available-in-columbus