First Look: Vida’s Plant Based Butcher

 

Vida’s Plant Based Butcher celebrates its soft opening today, Friday, October 2.

 

The doors open at 11 a.m. to the concept that’s part deli, part butcher shop, but 100% vegan. Customers can nosh on a menu of sandwiches, salads and sides that put a plant-based spin on deli classics, or purchase vegan meats and cheeses by the pound to whip up their own creations at home. Vida’s meats and cheese are house-made in their production kitchen in the building’s basement.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/first-look-vidas-plant-based-butcher-sp1

 

Preston's headed to North Market rather than planned downtown spot

 

A popular Columbus burger brand is getting its first brick-and-mortar home — just not where it expected.

 

Preston’s: A Burger Joint expects to open at the North Market this month. It’ll be serving its smash burgers and fries from the space that most recently was Little Eater.

 

Preston’s is owned by chef Matthew Heaggans, CFO Letha Pugh and CEO Reed Woogerd.

 

“We know Columbus wants to eat more Preston’s burgers and we want to make that dream a reality,” Woogerd said in a news release. “Opening in the North Market is a great first step for the expansion of our business.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/02/north-market-lands-popular-burger-joint-as-newest.html

 

Ray Ray’s Brings on New CEO with Plans for a Brick-and-Mortar Location

 

Ray Ray’s Hog Pit has a new CEO and a new location. It’s a double-dose of good news as the barbecue joint welcomes acclaimed local Chef Bill Glover on as CEO while working towards its first brick-and-mortar.

 

Glover most recently served as the executive chef at Gallerie Bar & Bistro at Hilton Columbus Downtown, previously heading up lauded local restaurant Sage.

...

Ray Ray’s will head to Granville for its brick-and-mortar location, taking over a vacant restaurant space at 1256 Columbus Rd. While details are still being finalized, diners can expect three methods for getting their BBQ fix – indoor seating, carryout and drive-through – and the signature smoked meats Ray Ray’s is known for. The restaurant will also incorporate product from nearby Anderson Farms and plans to serve beer.

 

“I’ve always wanted to open a ‘Meat and Three’ joint,” and this new site allow us to do that,” says Anderson “We want to respect the traditional fundamentals of a classic Meat and Three, but we’ll do it our way, with hometown barbecue and Bill using his genius to help build a menu of incredible sides that complement the BBQ.”
 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/05/ray-rays-opening-restaurant-adds-a-ceo.html & https://www.columbusunderground.com/ray-rays-brings-on-new-ceo-with-plans-for-a-brick-and-mortar-location-sp1

 

Another long-time restaurant is a COVID casualty:

 

https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/business/2020/10/02/la-scala-restaurant-close-three-months-after-death-owner/5886869002/

 

La Scala Italian Bistro, the iconic Dublin restaurant that served countless wedding receptions, proms and high-school reunions, is closing on Oct. 31.  The restaurant was known for its three banquet facilities, which could accommodate up to 400 guests.

 

Nick Lalli, son of former chef William “Willi” Lalli, who eventually bought the business, said COVD-19 restrictions have forced the closing of the banquet rooms, which made up a huge percentage of the restaurant’s sales.  “The restaurant can’t carry the whole place on its own,” he said.  A COVID-19 infection claimed the life of William Lalli in July.

 

Meanwhile, Mike Ciotola, whose family owns the La Scala property at 4199 W. Dublin-Granville Road, said he hopes to find another restaurateur who will maintain the heritage of La Scala.  The business was founded in 1972 by Ciotola's father, Benny, and Richard Corna.  Maria Ciotola, Benny’s wife, was instrumental in the business, having built the menu on her family’s recipes from Italy.

On 9/28/2020 at 11:30 AM, DTCL11 said:

It appears Philco in the Short North may not be reopening. There is a for lease sign on the window.

 

Confirmation from Business First:

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/02/short-north-diner-closed-space-for-lease.html

 

From the article:  "Philco Bar + Diner opened in 2013 in a space at 747 N. High Street in the Short North that long had been occupied by Phillip’s Coney Island."

 

Also from the article:  "Philco owners Tina Corbin and Randy Corbin have not yet responded to emails seeking comment.  The couple own several other Columbus restaurants as well.  The historic Club 185 at 185 E. Livingston Avenue in German Village reopened in May, while signs posted at The Little Palace at 240 S. 4th Street downtown say that business is hiring and planning to reopen.  It has been closed since March.  It is unclear what the status of the El Camino Inn at 238 S. 4th Street next door is - it also closed in March.  There has been no update on its status either in its social media or at the restaurant itself, which still has the temporary closing sign from March posted."

 

"The couple also owned The Rossi in the Short North, but sold that restaurant last fall."

California taco chain coming to the Columbus area

 

A decades-old fast food Mexican brand is coming back to Ohio.

 

California-based Del Taco plans to open up to seven Central Ohio restaurants.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/07/california-fast-food-taco-chain-coming-to-the-colu.html

 

Made-to-Order Ice Cream Sandwich Shop Coming to Italian Village

 

Customers will soon be building the ice cream sandwiches of their dreams at S’Wich Social as the Italian Village ice cream shop nears its grand opening.

 

Although an ice cream shop first and foremost, S’Wich Social is focused on one particular treat – build-your-own ice cream sandwiches. S’Wich does not take options lightly. The menu features 10 plus cookie options, over a dozen ice cream flavors and a myriad of toppings to finish the whole thing off.

 

Opening an ice cream shop in late fall in the middle of a global pandemic isn’t quite what Co-Owners Sean Whited and Addison Brown had in mind when they started getting serious about their idea last fall.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/made-to-order-ice-cream-sandwich-shop-coming-to-italian-village

 

On 10/7/2020 at 1:48 PM, ColDayMan said:

California taco chain coming to the Columbus area

 

A decades-old fast food Mexican brand is coming back to Ohio.

 

California-based Del Taco plans to open up to seven Central Ohio restaurants.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/07/california-fast-food-taco-chain-coming-to-the-colu.html

 

 

This is fantastic.  These are all over LA and much better than Taco Bell.  I've always thought about franchising these in Akron and Cleveland if I could.  Glad to see they are coming to Columbus and only a matter of time before they get to Northeast Ohio.

Big news in the local craft beer industry as Jackie-O's commits to taking the now former Elevator Brewing space on N. 4th St.:

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2020/10/07/jackie-os-brewery-moves-into-elevator-brewing-space-columbus/5907424002/

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/07/jackie-os-is-coming-to-columbus-heres-how.html

 

https://www.columbusunderground.com/athens-based-jackie-os-brewery-expanding-to-columbus-sp1

 

While I'm disappointed to see Elevator closing its door, the Dispatch article gives a lot of good backstory as to the circumstances facing the owner. It's true that Elevator was on the forefront of bringing local microbreweries into the spotlight. I always enjoyed their wares and considered them one of the finer establishments in the area. Though having Jackie-O's take the reigns is probably the best possible outcome of the situation. They have built a name for themselves up in Columbus and will certainly do well being more intertwined with the community.  Likewise, I consider Jackie-O's beers to be on the upper echelon of local brews that I've tried. Can't wait to visit the space once the transition is complete. I do hope they can do some kind of homage to the former owners, either by keeping some of the brews alive or having an Elevator spin-off brand.

Sounds like a great collaboration:

 

Why BrewDog is teaming up with a German Village deli

 By Dan Eaton  – Staff reporter, Columbus Business First

 

 

When its Short North bar opened, BrewDog thought its menu of pizzas and appetizers would stand out.

 

It didn’t.

 

“We had to stop lying to ourselves,” BrewDog Head of Retail Jon Quick said. “We’re elbow-to-elbow with a lot of great establishments here. We’re just not going to beat Paulie Gee’s for quality and Mikey’s Late Night Slice always has lines.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/09/how-and-why-brewdog-and-a-german-village-deli-te.html & https://www.columbusunderground.com/brown-bag-deli-opening-in-short-north-in-partnership-with-brewdog-sp1

First Look: Greenhouse Canteen

 

Greenhouse Canteen makes its Columbus debut tonight, Tuesday October 13 at 1011 W. Fifth Ave. in Fifth by Northwest.

 

It’s the first U.S. location for the Australia-based eatery which first opened its doors in 2013.

 

Greenhouse Canteen’s menu is not only 100% plant-based, but also gluten-free. In the small plates department, diners will find dishes like Arancini Balls and Cauliflower Wings, as well as a vegan Mac n Cheese. Moving on through to large plates, the popular Smoked Jackfruit Enchilada, Mushroom Cheeseburger and more await. There’s dessert, too, like Pecan Pie and a Snickers Tart.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/first-look-greenhouse-canteen-sp1

 

Treat to Try: Libby Lou’s Fun Factory

 

Libby Lou’s is a newish joint on the Indianola strip, just spitting distance from the immortal Studio 35. Of course in 2020, there is no “spitting distance,” as everyone is masked. Spitting is distasteful anyway.  

 

Sitting in an older building, Libby Lou’s is homespun as opposed to sleek. It is packed full of hobnob bins of candies and confections, and photos and menus; all centered on sugar.

 

Libby Lou’s happens to be a spot where you can score those big milkshakes. You’ve seen food-porn pictures of them on the internet. What starts as a humble milkshake is then loaded down with an assemblage of cakes and cookies and sprinkles, held together with skewers and whipped cream. Libby Lou’s will make those for you. 

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/treat-to-try-libby-lous-fun-factory-ma1

 

re the clintonville bareburger closing -- they had all had closed in ny i think they had big pre-'rona problems. 

 

re nancys moving downtown. the old diner downtown is a perfect spot. glad to hear that.

 

re hoggys/sisters chicken. lol that was the joints in cols late 80s-early 90s for your shikn. good luck to barrio i like that place in cle.

 

re figlios. that is a shame, my spouse and i would splurge there on payday when we were dating and lived in grandview. i remember going in one time after seeing pj o'rourke give a talk at the bookstore nearby. i heckled him a little lol.

 

and as for del taco coming that is great news. it's no zantigo's tho -- that chilito haha. i was more partial to that than white castle after a night out (bonus pts for anyone who remembers zantigo at weber and high). upon research, looks like maybe they are still around:

 

 

 

here is some more intersting fast food lore with the cols zantigo via a vintage cols fb page:

 

 

 

 

 

While I do enjoy reading the fast food history of Columbus, it takes up a disproportionately large amount of Columbus' recorded history that is easily accessed today. Like it's super easy to find out where the McDonald'ses were in 1970 but figuring out what was on a Downtown surface lot before the seventies can be really tough.

 

yeah like i wonder what was on that tract before zantigo? probably something like what was just to the north of hudson (not weber, my bad). that is, an older, intact urban stretch.  

 

if zantigo was opened and presumably built in 1973-74, then that clearly smacks of an urban renewal era block. and it looks like it too.

 

funny the location is still a taco bell today, except looks like it upgraded to a taco bell cantina.

Zantigo knew how to pick their spots I guess. Kinda like those BPs that have been the site of gas stations for 100 years now and get to charge 10 cents more a gallon for gas because the Rockefellers' location selectors were really good at their jobs.

Bake Me Happy Adds Gluten-Free Grocery

 

Gluten-free pretzel rods! Gluten-free pasta! Gluten-free seltzers and wines! Bake Me Happy has turned the seating area from their Merion Village coffee shop and bakery into the gluten-free bodega of their dreams.

 

Adding a grocery component wasn’t necessarily on the radar for Bake Me Happy, but then 2020 happened. Co-Owner Letha Pugh says the bakery completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program late last year. During the program, they ideated with other businesses about ways to boost their operations, including looking for new sources of revenue.

 

As a coffee shop, Bake Me Happy could have 10 people post up all day and order one dessert and one coffee. When the dine-in shutdown put a stop even to that, Letha thought, “How could we utilize that space to help us increase our revenue?”

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/bake-me-happy-adds-gluten-free-grocery-sp1

 

Carfagna's combining market and restaurant at new Polaris space

 

Carfagna’s next home is meant to feel like the family’s original home: Italy.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/15/carfagnas-combining-market-and-restaurant-at-new.html & https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/15/carfagnas-almost-moved-before-why-now-and-not-then.html

 

The Pit BBQ Grille, Bake Me Happy & More Joining North Market Bridge Park

 

North Market Bridge Park is slated for a soft opening in the coming weeks and four more vendors are joining the ranks.

 

The new merchants put the total number of vendors at 15, with a few additions yet to be announced. In total, North Market Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St., will house 19 purveyors.

 

The new lineup will see two established local businesses join the Market world, one Market expansion and a brick-and-mortar first.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/the-pit-bbq-grille-bake-me-happy-more-joining-north-market-bridge-park-sp1 & https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/16/pop-tarts-polish-boys-and-fresh-baked-bread-comin.html

 

Lion Cub’s Cookies Opening First Brick-and-Mortar in Grandview

 

This spring there will come a day where customers can waltz up to Lion Cub’s Cookies’ Grandview storefront and get their massive, ooey-gooey cookie fix in a matter of minutes.

 

From pop-ups to a coronavirus delivery pivot, Lion Cub’s Cookies is ready to make it permanent, taking over the former home of Peabody Papers at 1261 Grandview Ave.

 

It all started with the Googling of a pumpkin cookie recipe. Founder Brad Kaplan, while he loved to cook, had never really thought of himself as a baker. However, between a busy schedule of working as a civil engineer and attending night school at OSU to earn a business degree, he started baking.

 

Kaplan kept experimenting with that first pumpkin cookie recipe. He wanted to make a giant, baseball-sized cookie, but the traditional dough recipe just spread. The goal was a cookie that was thick and gooey, but didn’t spread. True to engineer form, Kaplan tried and tracked hundreds of test bakes to get the ratio of ingredients just right.

 

“The joy is eating them while they are still super fresh and doughy,” Kaplan says.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/lion-cubs-cookies-opening-first-brick-and-mortar-in-grandview-sp1 & https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/20/pop-up-to-delivery-to-brick-and-mortar-a-local-ba.html

 

Urban Meyer, Corso Ventures opening Short North steakhouse

 

Urban Chophouse will be the second team-up between the Ohio State luminary and the longtime Columbus operator of bars and restaurants.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/20/urban-meyer-corso-ventures-opening-short-north-st.html

 

First Look: Emmett’s Cafe

 

Emmett’s Cafe will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, October 24 at 744 S. High St.

 

Owner Ben Kelley describes the spot as an all day cafe, pairing strong coffee and food menus.

 

In the eats department, the 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. breakfast menu includes dishes like a breakfast burrito, overnight oats, avocado toast and more. Sandwiches and pitas join the lineup at 11 a.m., with The Emmything, a Matija everything roll with rosemary aioli, pulled chicken, white cheddar, crispy prosciutto, tomato confit and arugula, the Fancy Falafel Pita and the Prosciutto Press. A lineup of salads and bowls are available all day.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/first-look-emmetts-cafe-sp1

 

Treat to Try: Basic Biscuits, Kindness & Coffee

 

First and foremost, Basic Biscuits, Kindness & Coffee lives up to most of its name. It serves up a bevy of biscuits, and the counter team engages guests with warmth and smiling eyes, plus pleasant conversation that doesn’t feel the least bit canned or rehearsed. 

 

About the biscuits: They are not basic. They come in a paralyzing array of flavors, both sweet and savory (and sometimes all-in-one). It’s unclear how anyone could choose one particular flavor, but fortunately, you don’t really have to. There is an option to test-drive a variety of biscuit bites. They’re bigger and denser than doughnut holes, and provide an affordable way to figure things out. You buy them in trios. 

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/treat-to-try-basic-biscuits-kindness-coffee-ma1

 

Doughnuts, Asian bowls and a mystery restaurant coming to Hilliard area

 

One long-closed Hilliard-Rome Road restaurant is being bulldozed to make way for a trio of new eateries.

...

The new 3,575-square-foot structure will be a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. That North Carolina-based doughnut brand has three standalone shops in Central Ohio in addition to retail sales through some grocery and convenience chains as well. The space will have a patio and a drive-through.

 

The second 4,750-square-foot building is slated to have two restaurants. One will be a Bibibop Asian Grill. It will have a patio. It will be the 44th restaurant for the Columbus-based brand and the 14th in Central Ohio.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/21/doughnuts-asian-bowls-and-a-mystery-restaurant-co.html

Pizza chain coming to shuttered Ruby Tuesday space in Powell

 

Pizza Cottage is coming to Powell.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/22/pizza-chain-coming-to-shuttered-ruby-tuesday-space.html

 

Del Taco announces more Central Ohio locations

 

Del Taco isn’t wasting any time with its Columbus expansion.

 

The California-based quick-service Mexican chain (which does serve burgers and fries too) opened its first Central Ohio unit Thursday in Bellefontaine. Two more are moving forward as well, one at 4720 E. Main St. in Whitehall and one in Circleville.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/22/at-least-two-more-del-tacos-expected-to-be-near-t.html

 

New Olde Towne East restaurant offers 'Americana' food, neighborhood feel

 

Restaurant industry veterans Karrio Ballard and Victoria Hink have owned eateries of their own before, but now they finally have one together.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/23/americana-food-neighborhood-feel-at-new-olde-to.html

 

On 2/4/2020 at 1:52 PM, Columbo said:

Surprising announcement that one long-time Columbus diner will be replacing another long-time diner in Downtown:

 

Nancy’s Closing in Clintonville, Reopening Downtown

 

Nancy’s Home Cooking will serve its last meal on Sunday, March 8 at the address it has called home for five plus decades.  “We have ran our course at 3133 North High Street and we have come to the end of the road where we are going to leave that location and move to a new location,” says Nancy’s Owner Rick Hahn in a video posted on the restaurant’s Facebook Page.

 

Nancy’s will make a new home Downtown at 52 E. Lynn St., the former home of Jack’s Diner.  “In order for Nancy’s to be around, to stay, we have to move,” Hahn says.  Hahn says the old Clintonville building has become a problem, affecting their ability to operate.  He spent the last year looking for a new location in Clintonville, but whether because of rent, downtime to get into the new space or buildout costs, “Everywhere I went it fell short of our ability to move to a new location,” Hahn says.

 

The Jack’s Diner location provides an already built-out restaurant space left behind by the previous owner.  The new address will more than triple Nancy’s square footage, going from 800 square feet to 2,500 with seating for 65.

 

Hahn also adds that although Nancy’s is moving Downtown, he’ll continue to look for a way to bring the restaurant back to Clintonville.  Nancy’s Downtown is aiming for a late March or early April grand opening.

 

MORE:  https://www.columbusunderground.com/nancys-closing-in-clintonville-reopening-downtown-sp1

 

The timing for Nancy's to pick up stakes from its long-time home in Clintonville and move Downtown just couldn't have been worse.  First, the COVID pandemic closed down the dining room and emptied out the surrounding office buildings.  Then, the summer protests downtown damaged the restaurant.

 

As a result, Nancy's owner announced he is closing Nancy's and will operate as a delivery-only business from a kitchen space in the Short North.  Nancy’s menu is available through DoorDash:

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/10/21/long-time-columbus-diner-closes-space-now-deliver.html

Columbus coffee shop launches its flagship at Easton Town Center

 

Crimson Cup Coffee & tea has a new space to show off its work.

 

The Columbus coffee and tea company last week opened its new flagship shop at Easton Town Center. Called simply Crimson, the shop is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

 

The 2,000-square-foot space is more than just a coffee shop to Crimson Cup. The space isn’t just about selling pour-overs and espressos, but also about highlighting the stories of all the growers the company works with.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/02/columbus-coffee-shop-launches-its-flagship-at-east.html

 

Cameron Mitchell planning Short North Mexican restaurant in former Harvey & Ed's space

 

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is bringing a Mexican eatery to the Short North ... eventually.

 

Though the day-to-day business remains focused on surviving the Covid-19 pandemic, the Columbus restaurant company still is moving forward with a few new projects it had in the hopper when the pandemic hit, though Covid-19 is keeping the timelines in flux.

 

El Segundo is a new concept that would fill the Short North space that previously was the company’s Harvey & Ed’s deli. Founder and CEO Cameron Mitchell described El Segundo as akin to the company's upscale casual restaurants The Pearl or Marcella’s, but with Mexican fare.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/02/heres-what-cameron-mitchell-is-doing-next-in-the.html

 

Brassica Opening Fourth Central Ohio Location

 

Brassica will open its fourth Central Ohio location at Easton Town Center next year.

 

The fast-casual eatery is aiming for a summer 2021 opening at 3922 Easton Square Place East, just across the street from sister restaurant Northstar Cafe.

 

Taking over space created by J. Crew’s downsizing, the Easton restaurant will be similar in size to the Bexley and Upper Arlington locations.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/brassica-opening-fourth-central-ohio-location-sp1

 

Original Pancake House adding another Central Ohio restaurant

 

 

Central Ohio is getting a second Original Pancake House.

 

A local franchisee opened the first area unit for the Portland, Oregon-based brand in 2017 at the Shops on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington.

 

Signs are up and construction is underway on the new restaurant at 715 Worthington Road just off Polaris Parkway in Westerville. It’s also hiring.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/03/original-pancake-house-adding-a-second-central-ohi.html

New-to-market fast-casual chain opening this week at Polaris

 

A pair of brothers are bringing more fast-casual rice and noodle bowls to the Polaris area.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/03/new-to-market-fast-casual-chain-opening-this-week.html

 

Wizard of Za: Why this upcoming Clintonville pizza shop is tight-lipped about its location

 

The Wizard of Za makes his pizza with a healthy helping of mystery.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/04/why-this-upcoming-clintonville-pizza-shop-is-tight.html

 

Pitabilities, a longtime Columbus food truck, setting up shop in Hilliard market

 

A longtime Columbus food truck now has a brick-and-mortar space.

 

Pitabilities has joined the Center Street Market in Hilliard, giving the longstanding truck operator a static spot for customers to visit.

 

“We have grown to four trucks out on the road serving daily, but the next step in our evolution as a company is to become a more permanent part of the community,” the company said in its announcement. “We wanted to give you, our customers, a place to grab Pitabilities anytime you want.”

 

The expansion has been in the works for more than a year. It’s a welcome addition for Pitabilities, which, like other food truck operators, had to get creative in the spring and summer as the Covid-19 pandemic eliminated many traditional truck destinations.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/05/long-time-columbus-food-truck-gets-a-stall-in-hill.html

 

Here's when The Pit hopes to start barbecuing in Clintonville

 

The Pit BBQ Grille will double in size in the next few months.

 

The barbecue restaurant was started in 2016 by four friends: former Ohio State University football players Bryant Browning and Chimdi Chekwa and friends D’Andre Martin and Mike Johnson.

 

The first unit opened in Linden. They added a second location on Parsons Avenue early this year.

 

In the next few months two more will be added, including a stall in the new North Market Bridge Park and another storefront at 4219 N. High St. in Clintonville.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/06/heres-when-the-pit-hopes-to-be-barbecueing-in-cli.html

 

North Market Bridge Park opens: Here's who's up and running there now

 

There now is a second North Market.

 

North Market Bridge Park opened Friday for limited hours in Dublin.

 

It’ll be open Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. and Sunday until 5 p.m. Four merchants are open in this first wave: Coastal Local Seafood, Dos Hermanos, Market Bar and Reuse Revolution. More will open as construction wraps up. Bread Bakery + Cafe will hold some pop-up events prior to its space’s opening.

 

Executive Director Rick Harrison Wolfe said the remaining 15 tenants will open gradually starting in the next few weeks through January.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/06/heres-who-is-now-open-at-north-market-bridge-park.html

& https://www.columbusunderground.com/first-vendors-open-at-north-market-bridge-park-sp1

 

Creating an Experience Shapes Carfagna’s New Polaris Area Market & Restaurant

 

At Carfagna’s new location, shoppers will watch fresh mozzarella being stretched; pasta being made by hand; make a stop at the meat counter that just might seem familiar. And do it all with a glass of wine or cappuccino in-hand.

 

The new Carfagna’s is going to be about experience.

 

Synonymous with Italian fare in Columbus, family-run Carfagna’s is stepping into a new, modern phase of its business. Carfagna’s will put its market and restaurant under one roof, moving into 27,000 square feet of space at 1440 Gemini Place near Polaris.

 

“We have been looking for a new location for probably 10 to 15 years,” says Marketing Director Salvatore Carfagna. “It’s more so because of the building we were in. We wanted to do more things. We wanted to have a restaurant. We wanted to be able to expand our specialty offerings. But we were never really able to find a true location that really satisfied all of our needs.”

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/creating-an-experience-shapes-carfagnas-new-polaris-area-market-restaurant-sp1

Tea & Books Focus of New Merion Village Shop

 

Part tea shop, part bookstore, Austen & Company has opened its doors at 1530 S. High St. in Merion Village.

 

The family-run business is helmed by creator Kay Austen Johnson, daughter Alicia Zimmey, son A.J. Willey and son-in-law Leighton Zimmey.

 

“Upon leaving my job as a business manager in 2016, I found myself at a crossroads: unready to go gently into the so-called golden years, yet unsure if it was wise to reinvent myself at this point in life,” Johnson says.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/tea-books-focus-of-new-merion-village-shop-sp1

 

Local Cantina is expanding – and that might not be all its owner has planned

 

Covid-19 isn’t slowing the growth of one of Columbus’ expanding taco joints.

 

Local Cantina will be adding its 11th restaurant.

 

It has leased a 3,000-square-foot space at 20 W. Waterloo St. in Canal Winchester. It is part of a new mixed-use building.

 

According to information from Canal Winchester, construction is projected to begin in December with an April opening targeted. Owner George Tanchevski could not be reached for comment.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/13/new-local-cantina-plus-possible-german-village-re.html

Nile Vegan Opens Second Locaiton in Grandview

 

Just one year after opening its first location near OSU’s campus, Nile Vegan is doubling down with a new restaurant in Grandview.

 

As a realtor, Siyum Tefera stumbled across their first restaurant at 1479 Worthington St.

“I had to inquire about it,” says Tefera, who is owner and creative director of the restaurant. “I recognized its prime location for a take-out style restaurant and seized the opportunity.”

 

Thus in October 2019, Nile Vegan was born.

 

Nile Vegan serves a variety of vegan stews made scratch daily with fresh produced and served over traditional injera, a sour fermented flatbread made with teff, wheat and barley, popular in Ethiopian cuisine.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/nile-vegan-opens-second-locaiton-in-grandview-sp1

 

Rodos European Grill Coming Soon to Clintonville

 

Clintonville’s dining scene is getting a bit of European flair. Rodos European Grill is almost ready to open its doors at 3369 Indianola Ave.

 

Rodos gets its name and inspiration from Owner Erion Permeti’s first family vacation as a child. Permeti says he’ll never forget his experience traveling to Rodos, an island off Greece, and wants to recreate that feeling for his restaurant’s patrons.

 

Permeti owns the restaurant along with his cousin, Klaudio Pali. From Albania, Permeti says Rodos features a menu based on where they’re from and what they know. For diners, that means authentic gyros, paninis, doners and more.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/rodos-european-grill-coming-soon-to-clintonville-sp1

 

More Thurman burgers coming: Here's where

 

 

One of Central Ohio’s famed food names is getting a new restaurant.

 

Son of Thurman plans to open in Galena in February. It’s the second eatery under that name and the third bearing the Thurman moniker.

 

Chris DeVol, fourth-generation member of the family that started the historic Thurman Cafe in German Village back in 1942, expanded to Delaware in 2013. Now he’s adding the Galena location, which will take over the former Mudflats space.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/12/03/more-thurman-burgers-coming-heres-where.html

Corso Ventures Plans Trio of Concepts for Luxe 23 Building in Short North

 

Corso Ventures is partnering with Preferred Living on its next project in the Short North. Mixed-used development Luxe 23 features 113 luxury apartments as well as three new concepts from the hospitality group.

 

Urban Chophouse, Whiskey Lounge and Terrace Bar will bring a variety of drinking and dining options to the building at 1079 N. High St.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/corso-ventures-plans-trio-of-concepts-for-luxe-23-building-in-short-north-sp1

 

Hey, since I'm currently living in NEO, I was wondering what happened with Townhall at the new Moxy hotel? Did it ever open? I remember reports in might not ever open. I hope it + their rooftop bar are able to survive the pandemic :(

5 minutes ago, Zyrokai said:

Hey, since I'm currently living in NEO, I was wondering what happened with Townhall at the new Moxy hotel? Did it ever open? I remember reports in might not ever open. I hope it + their rooftop bar are able to survive the pandemic :(

It's still not open.  Whenever anybody asks about it on their Instagram, they say that they still plan to open and will have details in the future.

Out of curiosity, I was on Google Map's and saw that about 90% of the reviews are scathing. What's going on here? Sounds horrible. I was excited about this place opening as I ate at the one in Ohio City once and really liked it. I'm surprised at the reception here, although I know this isn't the best of times to be opening.

There were supposed to be a ton of rooftop bars open by now if 2019 was to be believed. 

15 minutes ago, Zyrokai said:

Out of curiosity, I was on Google Map's and saw that about 90% of the reviews are scathing. What's going on here? Sounds horrible. I was excited about this place opening as I ate at the one in Ohio City once and really liked it. I'm surprised at the reception here, although I know this isn't the best of times to be opening.

I've never had the food, so I can't comment on it, personally.  A lot of people were angry at them for non-food related issues several months ago.  Some incident with an employee and some of their social media posts that people disagreed with.  I know they had a ton of negative social media comments around that time and I would imagine that they got a lot of negative google reviews as a result.  99% of people that go to a restaurant and like it are not going to leave a google review, but somebody angry at the company will.  So, I really don't think the reviews are an accurate representation of the quality of their food.

Edited December 8, 20204 yr by TH3BUDDHA