Lots of grocers coming downtown now...

55 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

Lots of grocers coming downtown now...

Too many? We were at Boston’s after the Crew game Wednesday and they’re still so dependent upon events. Haley says they’re dead on non-event nights. She also mentioned that there’s been no events at Nationwide because of renovations and they would have had a huge day for Crew vs Miami if the owners hadn’t decided to reward themselves and Cleveland businesses (who, last I heard hadn’t invested $100MM on the team , but I digress). Then Nada closes this week.

All this just to say I can’t help but wonder if there’s enough downtown population to support multiple groceries. And also to complain again about the money grab by the Haslim’s and Dr. Edwards families and how much that hurt Columbus.

5 hours ago, cbussoccer said:

An 11k square foot grocer is only about a third the size of what is planned for the peninsula right? I wonder if it will be something like a Walgreens, which would still be a really good addition for this area.

I just looked it up, and the average Trader Joe's is between 10k-15k sq ft. Wouldn't that be awesome!

Edited June 1Jun 1 by sono4315

5 hours ago, Bryan2Cbus said:

Too many? We were at Boston’s after the Crew game Wednesday and they’re still so dependent upon events. Haley says they’re dead on non-event nights. She also mentioned that there’s been no events at Nationwide because of renovations and they would have had a huge day for Crew vs Miami if the owners hadn’t decided to reward themselves and Cleveland businesses (who, last I heard hadn’t invested $100MM on the team , but I digress). Then Nada closes this week.

All this just to say I can’t help but wonder if there’s enough downtown population to support multiple groceries. And also to complain again about the money grab by the Haslim’s and Dr. Edwards families and how much that hurt Columbus.

That’s more of a Boston’s problem than anything else though. I don’t know anyone who ever has Boston’s as a dinner recommendation unless they are going to the area for a game or something. You put the right restaurant there and people will make it a point to go.

1 hour ago, sono4315 said:

I just looked it up, and the average Trader Joe's is between 10k-15k sq ft. Wouldn't that be awesome!

Trader Joe’s would be awesome, and people outside of downtown would make it a point to go if they could get some type of parking deal at the garage across the street.

Also, we have to consider the working population and even the hotel population when considering whether a grocery store can work in a certain area. I work about a block from this spot and would definitely be willing to stop by to pick up a few things before heading home as opposed to driving out of my way to stop at a different grocery store.

13 hours ago, Bryan2Cbus said:

Too many? We were at Boston’s after the Crew game Wednesday and they’re still so dependent upon events. Haley says they’re dead on non-event nights. She also mentioned that there’s been no events at Nationwide because of renovations and they would have had a huge day for Crew vs Miami if the owners hadn’t decided to reward themselves and Cleveland businesses (who, last I heard hadn’t invested $100MM on the team , but I digress). Then Nada closes this week.

All this just to say I can’t help but wonder if there’s enough downtown population to support multiple groceries. And also to complain again about the money grab by the Haslim’s and Dr. Edwards families and how much that hurt Columbus.

You sound like an ungrateful child. If it wasn't for the Haslams, there wouldn't be a Columbus Crew or a Lower.com Field.

15 hours ago, Bryan2Cbus said:

She also mentioned that there’s been no events at Nationwide because of renovations and they would have had a huge day for Crew vs Miami if the owners hadn’t decided to reward themselves and Cleveland businesses (who, last I heard hadn’t invested $100MM on the team , but I digress). Then Nada closes this week.

I agree that it’s crap they moved that match, but that isn’t what is slowing business. Wario’s seems to do just fine even with a decrease invents. bostons is your run of the mill suburban restaurant and most people are going to choose to go somewhere local in the same area. I have zero desire to ever try it. If there was an interesting restaurant that took its place someday, I would 100% go down there. Nada closed for similar reasons, why spend $20+ for tacos when I can go to a local taco truck and get better and cheaper tacos? These businesses aren’t interesting and aren’t pulling most locals away from other places.

The downtown population is now at 12,500 and will continue to grow with new housing. Not to mention the people that will come from OTE area, German village and even parts of the short north to get groceries. If they are opening I’m sure they have done the research and see that it’s worth it. They weren’t going to risk opening just to close a year later.

24 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

Nada closed for similar reasons, why spend $20+ for tacos when I can go to a local taco truck and get better and cheaper tacos?

According to the employee who broke the news on Reddit, Nada did not close due to a lack of business.

3 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

According to the employee who broke the news on Reddit, Nada did not close due to a lack of business.

I did see that, someone else said it was their highest earning restaurant, so I’m sure it’s something shady.

5 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I did see that, someone else said it was their highest earning restaurant, so I’m sure it’s something shady.

Why would you immediately assume it’s something shady?

10 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

Why would you immediately assume it’s something shady?

It seems odd to close down your best performing restaurant, obviously there could be many factors, but just seems weird. I guess I should have used weird instead of shady

2 hours ago, cbussoccer said:

According to the employee who broke the news on Reddit, Nada did not close due to a lack of business.

That’s so interesting. Wonder if it was rent increase, or maybe some kinda personal issue for the owners.

Either way, I’m bummed. I finally tried them out this May and liked them, and now they’re gone. Maybe it’s my fault lol

Either lease buy out or embezzlement is what I'd think

15 hours ago, sono4315 said:

I just looked it up, and the average Trader Joe's is between 10k-15k sq ft. Wouldn't that be awesome!

While that would be awesome I think we can assume it won't be TJs: the article says it will be "a grocer with bar and dining area"

However, if Littleton's is interested in downtown they would seem to fit the bill

39 minutes ago, NW24HX said:

While that would be awesome I think we can assume it won't be TJs: the article says it will be "a grocer with bar and dining area"

However, if Littleton's is interested in downtown they would seem to fit the bill

Yeah that space seems way more logical for a littletons style than the peninsula one

Wouldn't The Hills Market (which previously was downtown) also fit that bill?

7 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

Wouldn't The Hills Market (which previously was downtown) also fit that bill?

That’s exactly what I was just thinking.

20 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

Wouldn't The Hills Market (which previously was downtown) also fit that bill?

Man, that would be a tough one. They would have them selling their established location to Charmy's and then trying to open a new location just three blocks away. I mean sure, you'll have some name recognition going in, but your old location is still right there, and they appear to have maintained the exact same inventory and vendor relationships (local bakeries, etc). And as if they needed one more layer, the owners of Charmy's used to run the dining part of Hills downtown location too.

I mean all that said, I'll take as many retail locations downtown as they want to open. One of the biggest shortcoming of Columbus is the lack of places to stop in and grab a snack or a drink if you're out walking around.

1 hour ago, Zordon Shumway said:

Man, that would be a tough one. They would have them selling their established location to Charmy's and then trying to open a new location just three blocks away. I mean sure, you'll have some name recognition going in, but your old location is still right there, and they appear to have maintained the exact same inventory and vendor relationships (local bakeries, etc). And as if they needed one more layer, the owners of Charmy's used to run the dining part of Hills downtown location too.

I mean all that said, I'll take as many retail locations downtown as they want to open. One of the biggest shortcoming of Columbus is the lack of places to stop in and grab a snack or a drink if you're out walking around.

All valid points, although I will say that this location would be better than their old location (ignoring any rent increases). The old location is too far for most of the corporate office population, but this new location would be within an easy walk range for a good number of office workers. Additionally, it's still an easy enough walk for all the residential population along Long and Gay and will also have the residential units above, at the Preston and Gilbert, and the future residential units along 4th, plus Renaissance and Residence Inn visitors.

4 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

All valid points, although I will say that this location would be better than their old location (ignoring any rent increases). The old location is too far for most of the corporate office population, but this new location would be within an easy walk range for a good number of office workers. Additionally, it's still an easy enough walk for all the residential population along Long and Gay and will also have the residential units above, at the Preston and Gilbert, and the future residential units along 4th, plus Renaissance and Residence Inn visitors.

All good points that track with my experience being a downtown office worker in the past, and I can see the upsides of the new spot. My biggest concern is really whether that area has enough demand to keep two groceries alive. If it does, that's amazing and I'm all for it. But selfishly, if it doesn't, I would rather Charmy's be the winner because they're only three blocks away from my place versus the six or seven of the new place.

Now if the Estrella goes forward and gets a grocer as well, that would be the best possible outcome for me, but we're still a good ways away on that even in the best case scenario.

Toro Supermarket submitted permits for the Continental Center.

Toro. That's a plot twist. And I love it. Without them, there would be more food deserts in the city where IGA may have finally pulled out. Plus they are better than IGAs with more international foods too.

If anyone doesn't know, its also the same owner as LA Michoacana Supermarkets.

I think we are at a point where there's a couple factors.

I think developers are playing with chicken and egg. I think for too long the question has been 'are there enough people for a grocer' (other than Hills) and growth has been modest. Now, that multiple grocers may be available, that may drive more growth, particularly if there seems to be a sudden potential oversaturation.

I think downtown is also at the point for the feasibility of an additional grocer and multiple developers are vying to be the first and last one standing even if its a little early for 4 downtown grocers. Plus pulling from surrounding neighborhoods, particularly the east and west sides.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by DTCL11

7 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

Toro. That's a plot twist. And I love it. Without them, there would be more food deserts in the city where IGA may have finally pulled out. Plus they are better than IGAs with more international foods too.

If anyone doesn't know, its also the same owner as LA Michoacana Supermarkets.

I think we are at a point where there's a couple factors.

I think developers are playing with chicken and egg. I think for too long the question has been 'are there enough people for a grocer' (other than Hills) and growth has been modest. Now, that multiple grocers may be available, that may drive more growth, particularly if there seems to be a sudden potential oversaturation.

I think downtown is also at the point for the feasibility of an additional grocer and multiple developers are vying to be the first and last one standing even if its a little early for 4 downtown grocers. Plus pulling from surrounding neighborhoods, particularly the east and west sides.

I have been wanting to hit up a Toro, do they have food stalls like Saraga? I think something like that would do really well downtown. Charmys has prepared food, but I think something with a few small spots for shops to open in would be cool, and those spots should be the little window bump outs along the east side of the building.

3 hours ago, VintageLife said:

I have been wanting to hit up a Toro, do they have food stalls like Saraga? I think something like that would do really well downtown. Charmys has prepared food, but I think something with a few small spots for shops to open in would be cool, and those spots should be the little window bump outs along the east side of the building.

Walked down to the one on Parsons across from Planks a couple times. No food stalls at that one at least, but I was really impressed with their butcher section. The house made tomatillo salsa was incredible --- I should really head back down for another tub and a bag of chicharrones.

More retail coming to the gay st area. AJ Soseby is opening across from the Nicolaus in the retail spot next to atrium lofts.

On 5/31/2025 at 4:48 PM, Bryan2Cbus said:

Too many? We were at Boston’s after the Crew game Wednesday and they’re still so dependent upon events. Haley says they’re dead on non-event nights. She also mentioned that there’s been no events at Nationwide because of renovations and they would have had a huge day for Crew vs Miami if the owners hadn’t decided to reward themselves and Cleveland businesses (who, last I heard hadn’t invested $100MM on the team , but I digress). Then Nada closes this week.

All this just to say I can’t help but wonder if there’s enough downtown population to support multiple groceries. And also to complain again about the money grab by the Haslim’s and Dr. Edwards families and how much that hurt Columbus.

Boston's is literally the place you end up at because all the places you actually wanted to go to are way too busy. It's a mediocre chain, of course they aren't busy.

Edited June 4Jun 4 by TIm

Concerns Raised About “Hostile Takeover” of Downtown Organization

A battle of words continues between representatives of the City of Columbus and backers of the two Downtown Special Improvement Districts (SIDs). Marc Conte, Executive Director of the Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs, sent out an email last week saying that the two districts “will cease operations by December 31, 2025…this outcome stems directly from the City of Columbus’s interference in the renewal petition process.”

Michael Stevens, Director of Development for the City of Columbus, called that a “mischaracterization,” and insisted that the two boards that govern the SIDs will remain intact and that the work they oversee to keep Downtown clean and safe will continue.

The crux of the conflict is about who manages those operations going forward. The city wants Downtown Columbus Inc. (DCI) to take over the work that’s been done for over 20 years by the independent non-profit organization led by Conte. The first step in that transition could happen June 4, when the boards meet and will vote on the city’s framework for the transition. Conte and five other employees would lose their jobs, and the city would then take over the work of gathering signatures from Downtown property owners to reconstitute the organization (the 28 workers currently under contract to patrol the streets and perform other services could potentially be rehired under the new arrangement).

More below:

http://columbusunderground.com/concerns-raised-about-hostile-takeover-of-downtown-organization-bw1/

Elevate 340 on Fulton- from the freeway below

'It’s kind of seeding the area’

For 15 years, Michelle Brandt operated a gallery in the Short North, a local hub for the arts.

But this year, at the end of her lease, she moved her Brandt Gallery a mile south near the intersection of Gay and High streets, where a series of similar moves by gallery owners has created a burgeoning new arts hub.

Brandt’s gallery is in the Edwards Cos.’ restored brick apartment building, The Madison.

...

Edwards is banking the art scene in the Gay and High corridor will attract other retail tenants looking for a certain vibe.

“We haven’t had them existing long enough together to know for sure. But I think it’s kind of working again,” he said. “It has definitely captured people’s imagination.”

Edwards said he’s noticed an uptick in traffic at the restaurants in the area and has high hopes for the retail spots he’s curating.

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/06/12/gay-high-arts-district-jeff-edwards.html