(614) August | 2024

Clintonville • Graceland • Easton • Powell Clintonville • Graceland • Easton • Powell

Ohio Made. Ohio Grown. Ohio Proud.

OHIO PROUD MONTH

Celebrate local food through August!

From locally grown fruits and vegetables, to artisanal cheeses & handcrafted jams, there is an abundance of locally made products waiting to be discovered in every aisle of the grocery store.

Look for the Ohio Proud logo, and you’ll know you’ve found a product made with fresh, quality ingredients-- right here in Ohio.

Opening Volley

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

Style Revival

Time is a flat circle.

Whether or not you think existentialist philosopher Freidrich Nietzsche or the gas mask-wearing antagonist in the first season of True Detective delivered the line better, the fact of the matter remains that, well, time is a flat circle.

While Nietzsche typically used it to reference his belief that our lives are static and linear, repetitions of the same actions and emotions for eternity, my interpretation is a little less ambitious: it always makes me think of JNCO Jeans. And vintage t-shirts.

Let me explain.

As a millennial, I am all too familiar with both of these things. As a high schooler in the mid-aughts, my wardrobe consisted primarily of t-shirts from the 70s and 80s either plucked from a Chicago-area Goodwill or unearthed from a box of my dad’s old shirts in our attic.

And as a middle schooler in the late 90s, you weren’t cool enough to get invited to a birthday party at the trampoline park unless people knew you owned at least one pair of JNCO Jeans or Lee Pipes wide enough to stuff both legs into.

Like most people, I’m still naturally attracted to styles that were popular during my formative years, my teens and 20s. Because of that, it’s difficult for me to forget that a form-fitting Chicago Planetarium shirt from 1982 is no longer cool.

It’s even more difficult for me to accept the fact that JNCO Jeans are popular again, but it just sounds

to me like I’m becoming a crotchety old person. Maybe–probably–I am.

The important part is that styles return in this weird, cyclical way. I always think of that Nietzsche quote when this comes to mind, but—for me, at least when we’re talking about fashion the idea of a circle is probably a little too reductionist.

Style is also massively subjective, and often means something totally different depending on who you ask, but no single era or trend defines a contemporary style. It’s an impossibly blurry collection of new and old and in-between, with styles spanning decades, skipping some, and embracing others in this weird, scattershot way.

For me, fashion offers a unique grounding in our (collective) past, both physically—through the garments themselves, especially vintage ones—and otherwise.

Even if we’re not thinking about a real, singular person or place from the 70s while we’re wearing bell bottoms, and if Michael Jordan in Space Jam doesn’t come to mind when we’re wearing a chunky, neon 90s windbreaker, we still feel a connection to the past, and we still have a (however fleeting) awareness of the fact that, as people in 2024, we’re all just a weird amalgamation of different times, places, cultures and people.

And I think that’s pretty cool, even if my sense of style isn’t.

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

Some of us here at (614) smile nostalgically when reminiscing about the era of bell bottoms from the 70s, while others still cringe at the memory of wearing a pink & turquoise chevron dress to school in 2011. Fashion, in every era, is a reflection of our evolving society and cultural influences, so we posed the question to our (very fashionable) staff: which era is your favorite or least favorite for fashion?

I can’t shake the early 2000s “Adam Sandler baggy everything” look. It’s a bit of me for sure.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

I’m currently obsessed with the low rise jeans and baby tee style, so I’m gonna say Y2K! Also love how fun and colorful it is.

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

My least favorite is probably 2010s chevron and crazy prints – looking back at pictures makes me cringe every time!

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

Late 70s/early 80s hands down! One day dressed disco or hippie, and the next like you were straight out of the Official Preppy Handbook. A style for every mood!

— Mindy Wilhite, Senior Account Executive

Maybe it’s just the millennial in me, but I can’t say no to any vintage t-shirt from the 70s.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

The mall goths of the 90s-00s always hold a special place in my heart. Y'know, like the peak of things like Hot Topic and Myspace.

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

90s for sure! Specifically Carrie Bradshaw’s style in Sex and the City, like slinky dresses and kitten heels, or even Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy, with more simple, classic, minimal silhouettes.

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’ top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

→ Guy Fieri, the mayor of Flavortown himself, has a new clothing collab with HOMAGE

Guy Fieri recently opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Columbus, and now he has a new venture in store for Ohio’s Capital City: T-shirts...Read more by scanning the QR code.

→ Local ice cream maker releasing new “Spice Cream,” topped with hot chili sauce

A Columbus-based ice cream maker is adding some heat to their cold treats. Late last week, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams introduced Spice Cream... Read more by scanning the QR code.

→ Columbus’ first beer vending machine lands at local craft brewery

We’ve seen charcuterie vending machines, cake vending machines and even pizza vending machines in Columbus. So how about one for beer? Read more by scanning the QR code.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@marriott_osu

@thurberhouse

@hairstyles_by_brienna

@renwesterville

PRES S PLAY

614 VIDEO

Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Keep an eye out for more on our (614) Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, scan the QR code to check out our newest videos.

• Flower Child

The spot for vintage fashion, decor, and tchotchkes in Columbus. Find everything from 1930s-80s clothing, furniture, and much more at Flower Child!

• Snack Attack: The 21+ Edition

This 21+ edition of Snack Attack features 4 locally made vodkas that we are eager to share! (614) Vodka makes its debut appearance, plus the rest of them are definitely worth checking out!

• The Green Room (614)’s inaugural podcast, The Green Room, is here to discuss all things cannabis related, from use, science, and legal perspectives.

• Tasting Columbus: Jalisco Mexican Ice Cream Summer is heating up and Jalisco's is the best place to cool down. Featuring dozens of flavors and an array of frozen treats, you don't want to miss this!

From COTA buses to Insane Clown Posse and Epic Records, the story of Columbus band Watershed involves a handful of “almost made it moments,” in addition to new music and lively live shows more than three decades after the band formed

By Taylor Dorrell

Photos by Taylor Dorrell

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

← Watershed's Colin Gawel performing

It was eight o’clock on a warm summer evening and I was “feeling out” the crowd at Rumba Cafe, waiting for a band called Watershed to perform their first of two sold out shows promoting their tenth studio album, Blow it up Before it Breaks—released almost forty years after the band’s inception and long after their songs were featured in TV shows and performed as openers for bands like Hootie and The Blowfish and the Smithereens. I discovered through years of trial and error that it’s always necessary to “feel out” a crowd, or to make an assessment as to how loose or rigid one should act in the amalgamation of bodies (like the time a group of concert-goers better dressed for a golf tournament tried to book me from a Kooks show for starting a mosh pit).

That June night at Rumba, after studying the Watershed crowd—also middle-aged, although not exactly dressed for a golf tournament—I concluded that moshing would be inappropriate, although not as unwelcome as the Kooks show.

Watershed is an integral piece of Columbus’ historic yet underappreciated music scene, even though they never really “made it” economically or on the charts.

Watershed is an integral piece of Columbus’ historic yet underappreciated music scene, even though they never really ʻmade it’ economically or on the charts.

The band was signed to Epic Records in 1994, the label that released music from The Clash, Ozzy Osbourne, and Cheap Trick. “We were [recording] at the Powerstation, that album [Twister] cost like a quarter of a million dollars,” Colin Gawel, the band’s guitarist and singer (who many may know as the namesake of Colin’s Coffee) reminisced. “We were rolling around with Rick Rubin and AC/DC and Aerosmith and all this stuff, that's back in the day of the big studios,” he said. →

↓ Colin Gawel

When they got back from recording in New York, they played the Germain Amphitheater at Polaris. “We had about 12,000 people there,” Gawel said. Watershed was, retrospectively, one summer away from “making it.” The Worthington kids were about to go on a huge tour promoting their new album, but their optimism didn’t last. Before the tour started, they got dropped by Epic Records. “Our whole summer tour got taken away and given to Silver Share,” Gawel told me. Without a big label backing them, their future became unclear. Then they became what Gawel characterized as a “touring band.”

One night in the mid-1990s, Watershed was opening in Scranton for an up and coming band when they heard the crowd chanting their name, not the headliner’s. They wondered if one of their songs was playing on the radio locally or maybe Watershed maintained a cult following in Pennsylvania. When the band members went out of their greenroom to get a better listen, they discovered the crowd was actually chanting “Watershed sucks.”

When the band members went out of their greenroom to get a better listen, they discovered the crowd was actually chanting ‘Watershed sucks.’”

The band they were opening for was no other than Insane Clown Posse, an act whose fans are far from the rigid suburbanite golfers. Gawel said that, “The reason we got the show was because the crowds were so brutal that nobody had taken it.” The drummer at the time, Herb Schupp, left after the ICP tour.

The conception of Watershed is, according to Gawel, credited to two sources: COTA and the Columbus Dispatch. That Columbus’ public transit system had a line (the 2 line) going through Worthington meant that Gawel and Joe Oestreich (Watershed’s bassist and singer) could take their paper route money down High Street to purchase various rock and, until their music taste became

↓ Watershed's Bassist Joe Oestreich

refined, other genres. “I bought a Bob Dylan album and a Cinderella record on the same day,” Gawel remembered. The band spent much of their formative decades living off High Street, connected to the music scene pulsing around OSU’s campus.

In Oestreich’s book commemorating the band’s history, Hitless Wonder, he recalls the charged bus ride home on the 2 line from his first concert—Cheap Trick at the Ohio Center when he and Colin were in eighth grade. On the bus ride home, Colin said, “We have to start a band.” Gawel decided the band would be called Sudden Shock! and immediately began writing SS styled like lightning bolts, unaware at the time of the Nazi parallel. (They instead went with the name The Wire until eventually changing it to Watershed.)

Oestreich’s Hitless Wonder assumes an authoritative account on the history of the band and the internal debates on prolonging the life of a minor league rock band. “If you read the book, it's all in there,” Gawel kept assuring me. “As you read Joe's book, the big question Joe grapples with is should he quit? Is it admirable? Like [the local rock legend] Willie Phoenix can keep going or is it sad? At the end he says that it's admirable, but it's close.”

Watershed is unique in two ways: their unapologetic Midwesternism—unlike other bands, they were never tempted to make the permanent move to LA or NYC to get in front of big labels—and their longevity—decades without large commercial success, they’re still booking shows and recording albums. While famous musicians often reflect that even if they didn’t get rich off their music, they’d still be out there recording and playing shows because it’s in their blood, the members in Watershed don’t have to address this hypothetical unprofitable venture, because they live it. “We lose money every time we go on the road,” Gawel told me after getting off the phone with a venue in Minneapolis. (Although they do shows in NYC, they much prefer the more down-to-earth venues and crowds in the Midwest, Gawel assured me.)

As it happened, the crowd that night at Rumba included individuals from places much further than the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. It was the first show the band had played as Watershed in years, and, it attracted fans from Nashville, Florida, Montana, Minneapolis. The crowded venue, although there was no moshing, saw its fair share of audience members singing along and at least one individual with a mohawk throwing his fist up at a chorus or two. When Gawel told me about a show with 25 people in the audience, reflecting about how one guy in the back was singing along to their song, “Sad Drive,” he saw it as a sign. “With different Watershed eras, people say, oh, it's a bummer you got dropped and I'm like, ‘well, that's one way to look at it.’ The other way to look at it is if you get to go to New York City, put out two albums that get distributed in every record store in the country, tour with The Smithereens, and then after two years, you just have to go home like, what's so bad about that? If I told you, ‘Wouldn't that be fun?’ You'd be like, ‘fuck yeah.’ ♦

Multiple Columbus eateries come forward to discuss the one—still unapprehended— man who has been prolifically skipping out on restaurant tabs across the city over the past year

By John M. Clark

He’s well known to wait staff across the city – the jovial, older man who dresses casually, enjoys a nice lunch at the bar, has a few drinks and engages bartenders in light conversation. He would be a great customer … except he never pays.

Meet Columbus’ own serial dineand-dasher, who has been terrorizing Columbus restaurants for the past several months – perhaps up to a year or more. No one really knows how long. Skipping out on a tab is nothing new to the restaurant industry. It’s been done for as long as people have been dining out. But this man has turned the crime into an art form. →

Sundays at Scioto

40TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SERIES 5-7 p.m.

Dublin’s Scioto Park dublinarts.org

SEPT 15

OSU ALUMNI MARCHING BAND GEORGE BARRIE

SEPT 22

FLEETWOOD GOLD ANDY SHAW

SEPT 29

ANGELA PERLEY & THE HOWLIN MOONS DEVI + LIZ

OCT 06

HODOO SOUL BAND LILY BLOOM

FREE CONCERT | OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE | FOOD TRUCKS

A special thank you to our 2024 sponsors:

Photo by Jen Brown

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

← Tablesetting at Lindey's

OPEN OPEN

DOWNTOWN

PAR K IN G

IN T H E V INE S T G A R A G E

At the mere mention of “dine-anddasher,” the hostess at Third and Hollywood in Grandview laughed out loud. “Oh, yeah,” Virginia said. “I think he’s visited us a halfdozen times.” Another employee spoke up to say he comes in every couple of months and that Reeve, the day bartender, had served him just a few days earlier.

Reeve was all too willing to talk. “I had heard about the dasher,” he said. “But this man was just too slick. I never had any reason to suspect anything. He was outgoing, very friendly, very talkative, like ‘Hey, buddy, how are you?’ He asked about our regional manager, by name, and said one of his daughters used to work here. He introduced himself to me – said his name was Patrick O’Rourke.”

“Everything he said seemed legit,” added Reeve. “He was a little sweaty and said he had just played 18 holes of golf. He had on a pink, pinstripe golf shirt and wore a hat with a golf insignia on the front.”

“Patrick” stayed at the bar from noon to about 1:30 p.m., starting with two Tito’s and cranberry juice, followed by a plate of smoked salmon and two glasses of wine. During the course of their extended conversation, Reeve mentioned to “Patrick” that he was interested in a career in construction. “Patrick” told him he was vice president of a big construction company in town and suggested Reeve might be a good fit for it. “Once he was finished with his salmon,” Reeve recalled, “he said he was going to his car to get a business card for me and that when he came back he would be ordering a hamburger. That was the last I saw of him.” →

I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE DASHER... BUT THIS MAN WAS JUST TOO SLICK. I NEVER HAD ANY REASON TO SUSPECT ANYTHING.

“Patrick” always leaves something behind, as if to say, “Don’t worry; I’m coming right back.” Usually, it’s an empty cell phone case and sometimes a pair of sunglasses or reading glasses. And that’s what he did on that early June afternoon at Third and Hollywood. “Eventually, when he didn’t come back, I became a little suspicious,” Reeve said. “I turned the phone case over and saw that it was empty. I knew right then that he had pulled the wool over my eyes.”

Ajay is the beverage manager at Lindey’s in German Village. He witnessed a very similar scene –also in early June. “I was taking inventory. This man came in and sat at the bar near the front door,” he said. “He ordered two double Tito’s and cranberry juice, two glasses of wine and two appetizers from our bartender.” Ajay recalled that the man had started a conversation with the bartender, that he was very casual and that he seemed to be in no hurry. “I was working nearby. After a while, the bartender called out to me and asked if I knew where the guy was. I looked up and, sure enough, he was gone.”

I TURNED THE PHONE CASE OVER AND SAW THAT IT WAS EMPTY.

I KNEW RIGHT THEN THAT HE HAD PULLED THE WOOL OVER MY EYES.

As he had done in Grandview, “Patrick” left behind a cell phone case. “I had seen the posts on Reddit,” Ajay said. “As soon as I saw the case, I realized what had just happened. I said to the bartender, ‘That’s going to be empty.’ And, of course, it was.”

On June 5th, a Redditor on the Columbus subreddit with the username of “ColdManufacturer9482” asked if any other workers in the service industry had encountered this man. The poster said he worked at a restaurant on the West Side and that the “dasher” had hit his place about 10 times.

That post opened a floodgate. Within 24 hours, more than 200 comments were registered – many from other workers at restaurants and bars that had been victimized by this man. Among them: “I witnessed this at Old Bag (of Nails) in Worthington. The sunglasses (are a) calling card.” Another: “Pulled it twice at Brio when I worked there.” And another: “This dude has 100% done this to my friend that works at a bar in UA.”

One Redditor asked, “So, why do you keep serving him?” The answer seems to be tied to “Patrick’s” disarming nature and the fact that there is a lot of turnover in the bartending business.

Bee, the manager of Old Bag of Nails in Worthington, also laughed when asked about the dasher. She confirmed that he has hit her place but was reluctant to give more information without corporate approval. Aly, at Tucci’s in Dublin, also laughed when asked about the dasher. “I know it’s happened here at least once,” she said. “But it could have been more.” Aly said “Patrick” hit her place on May 23rd, leaving behind a hat and glasses. And a waiter at Hank’s, in Downtown Columbus, believes his staff turned away a man of “Patrick’s” description as recently as the last week in June.

Bryce Westerhold is the general manager of Brio, at Easton. He recalled a recent visit by “Patrick.” “He left without paying,” Westerhold said. “Then, our bartender watched him cross the street in front of our restaurant, get in his car and stiff the valet.” He said this happened a few months ago.

What stands out the most to restaurant workers is that he is so good at what he does. Reeve, the bartender at Third and Hollywood, was completely taken in. “My girlfriend also works here,” he said. “When this guy visited us last week, I walked over to her and said, ‘See that man at the bar? He’s the serial dine and dasher.’ But I was just kidding. I was convinced this guy was legit. Then he walked out without paying. I was totally surprised,” he said. “But they’re gonna find him,” Reeve added. “I know they will.”

Until then, wait staff across central Ohio would be well advised to keep a close eye on their smoked salmon and Tito’s. ♦

COASTAL COLUMBUS COASTAL COLUMBUS

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ newest Columbus venture, Del Mar, aims to transport diners from a space in Easton Town Center straight to the Almalfi Coast

With consistent hot weather and sunny days, many of us yearn for a tropical getaway. If that’s not in the cards, a new culinary experience may help boost your imagination by surrounding you with succulent oceanic flavors and a daydreamy ambiance.

Del Mar, the latest restaurant from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR), has opened its doors at Easton Town Center. Located at 4089 The Strand East, CMR’s new dining experience delivers cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean coast.

Led by General Manager Jill Armstrong and Executive Chef Mitch Brumels, Del Mar at Easton is the concept’s second location, following the success of the original in Naples, Florida. A third is slated to open in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2025.

Originally, CMR operated a Short North Del Mar, but later rebranded this spot and its more casual atmosphere as SoCal Kitchen + Bar.

“Del Mar was inspired by the vibrant and diverse flavors of the Mediterranean coast,” Armstrong said. “The concept was first created in Naples, Florida, focusing on fresh seafood, high-quality ingredients, and the bright flavors of the region.”

She described the experience as “sophisticated but approachable, providing a distinctive culinary journey throughout the Mediterranean.”

The menu offers made-from-scratch selections, including fresh seafood, seasonal produce, cheeses, olive oils, and aromatic spice blends. →

By Chris Alexis

Photos by Emma Mortellaro Story Design by Bryce Patterson

↓ Del Mar's Loaded Hummus

↓ Interior of Del Mar

↓ Interior of Del Mar

For those new to this type of food who might be a little unsure where to begin, Armstrong offers guidance.

“Our Loaded Hummus is a perfect showcase of our breadth of Mediterranean cuisine while still being very approachable,” she said. “Our variety of dips and spreads, including our hummus, are made fresh inhouse, along with fresh house-made pita. The Loaded Hummus is topped with pomegranate-braised lamb and green tahini, which provides the extra oomph that wows guests.”

She described their Lamb Rack Tagine as one of the restaurant’s “most indulgent dishes,” prepared in the hearth with seasonal squash, apricots, green olives, and a roasted chili lemon relish.

“This dish is beautiful and feels very fresh,” she said. “Our Branzino is also a gorgeous dish with a coastal Mediterranean flavor profile, served with olive oil-crushed potatoes, radicchio, frisée, and lemon caper vinaigrette.”

Our Loaded Hummus is a perfect showcase of our breadth of Mediterranean cuisine while still being very approachable

Looking to unwind with a drink? The menu offers thoughtful selections to underscore the experience.

“Our beverage program offers classic cocktails with modern twists that pair beautifully with our menu,” she said. “For example, our Dirty Martini is made with fat-washed vodka and olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean cuisine that adds an extra layer complementing our dishes.”

She highlighted their Beach Party cocktail, a Juicy Spritz with pineapple Aperol, lemon, strawberry, and sparkling rosé.

It’s more than food that will transport you to the coast, as well. The restaurant’s design is meant to create an impactful ambiance. Armstrong hopes guests will feel transported to another time and place when they set foot in Del Mar. →

We

want guests to feel like they’re on the Amalfi Coast, sipping a cocktail and enjoying a dream Mediterranean vacation

“We want guests to feel like they’re on the Amalfi Coast, sipping a cocktail and enjoying a dream Mediterranean vacation,” she emphasized. “The restaurant uses elements of European architecture, accents of greenery, and terracotta to recreate that setting, especially within the secondlevel open-air terrace.”

There is also a private dining room accommodating up to 22 guests, while the upstairs dining room is available for events before 4 p.m., seating up to 90. A private table on the first floor is also available for up to six guests.

When asked why the team chose Easton as their ideal pick in the Capital City, she called it a “nobrainer,” citing the beautiful view of Central Park Foundation, which adds to the “coastal ambiance” of the restaurant.

“We added the second-story terrace because it’s such a staple of Del Mar, Naples, that we wanted to recreate it in Columbus, and it fits beautifully within Easton’s North District,” she said.

Del Mar is open for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and nightly dinner. Guests can enjoy Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring half-off Turkish Flatbreads and select dips and spreads, as well as $5 beers, $5 off signature cocktails, and 6 oz. glasses of wine. ♦

Book your table at DelMarMediterranean.com.

↑ Exterior of Del Mar

Del Mar’s Loaded Hummus and Charred Octopus offerings →

Moonshot Moonshot

What

began as a daydream from owners Candice and Eric O’Neil has now become a reality, and one of Columbus’ coolest new coffee concepts, operating out of a vintage trailer

By Kyrie Thomas / Photos by Emma Mortellaro

Biro

Moonbird started as a moniker. It was a second name, an alias that Eric O’Neill used for his projects while working in the music industry. Crafting and singing his own songs–and primarily at night–the name quickly found a purpose he never originally intended.

Now, it’s the name behind one of Columbus’ most unique coffee shops–Moonbird Coffee–which operates out of a retro trailer and is quickly becoming a mainstay in Ohio’s Capital City.

It was a coincidence that Eric happened to frequent the cafe that Candice worked at. The two met and immediately bonded over their shared love of music and caffeinated drinks. So, when they received an opportunity that would allow them not only to work together, but to share their interests with others, it was a coincidence they couldn’t pass up.

“I sort of always had this daydream of owning my own shop, but it seemed unattainable,” Candice recalled. “I had all these ideas and things, so when the opportunity came out of nowhere, it was godsent.”

And their own coffee shop is exactly what they got–although maybe it’s not quite a “shop.”

After two years of planning and creating a business, the couple’s hard work came to life, but in a less traditional form. Nestled near the corner of Holly Avenue in an open parking lot, they launched their cafe out of a vintage sage green trailer–the name Moonbird in white block lettering on the front. →

← Drink offerings from Moonbird Coffee

Story Design by Atlas

↑

“I sort of always had this daydream of owning my own shop, but it seemed unattainable...so when the opportunity came out of nowhere, it was godsent”

“I sort of always had this daydream of owning my own shop, but it seemed unattainable...so when the opportunity came out of nowhere, it was godsent”

Starting a business from scratch was uncharted territory for Candice and Eric. So while Moonbird successfully opened in January, it was not without initial difficulties.

Beginning business in the winter, the chilly days got the best of the trailer. Pipes froze, and business ran cold as Moonbird was forced to temporarily close. For some, this could seem like a point of no return, but for Eric and Candice it was a learning experience.

“Growing up doing jobs, you’re working under the direction of someone else, and working alone you’re like, ‘No one is telling me what to do,’ and you have to be a self–starter in a way that's uncomfortable,” explained Eric.

In no time, Moonbird reopened and as word spread, the line outside the trailer seemed to add new faces each day.

Despite not having a physical space for diners to sit, the couple was determined to create an atmosphere that people would want to return to, with their menu playing a huge part.

Pulling from their favorite movies and songs, Moonbird rotates different menu items seasonally. The goal is to recreate the feeling a certain passion or memory gives, allowing the customer to associate a similar feeling with the treat.

Their signature drink, The Moonbird, a matcha that incorporates fresh mint, was created with those memories in mind.

“I’ll start with some little memory, something I’m trying to feel again that I want to share,” said Candice. “When I was a kid I loved mint chocolate–chip ice cream. I would go to UDF with my dad and it was our little treat.”

Even on the days when things are less than ideal, it’s the founding couple’s mentality and desire to share with others that keeps the business going.

“We both really care about other people and taking care of other people, and it’s a really cool zoom out when you get to care for other people. Then your day gets better because you care,” Candice stated.

As Moonbird continues to grow, so does the community that supports them. With music remaining a passion for Candice and Eric, they hope to one day create a “community hub” where drinks, music and a welcoming environment combine.

Recently hiring their first employee, the couple plans to allocate more time to expanding Moonbird. And they’re embracing the fact that they plan to figure things out day-by-day.

“There’s nothing different about me and Candice, we’re no different than anyone else,” Eric reiterated. “There’s nothing different about us that gives us the grit to make a business. We’re both really messy, we’re lazy, we don’t know what’s going on half the time. Running something like this is just like — we’re going to figure out every day as it comes.” ♦

To learn more and stay updated on all things Moonbird, follow @moonbirdcoffeeco on Instagram

Candice and Eric O'Neil, Moonbird Owners

From a West Side food cart to a cottage kitchen baking up spooky brownies and a homemade bagel pop-up, a trio of Columbus concepts chronicle their growth into brick-and-mortar homes

By Chris Alexis / Photos by Tyler Jamison Mills

Story Design by Atlas Biro

Ăs you walk down the street and see a brand new culinary option, do you ever wonder how it started?

You’re in luck because we’re exploring the origins of three new hot spots that just opened up in our city, all of which first started as a home kitchen, food cart, or market pop-up.

Columbus, meet your new favorite brick-and-mortars: Bite

This By Annie, Blasian Grill, and Bears Bagels.

Bite This By Annie Bite This By Annie

Annie Dickson, the eatery’s owner, admits to leaning toward “the weird.”

“When I was working out of my home, my business was called Mama Bat Bakes. But that was not something that I wanted to have on the side of a building one day,” she said. “I had to brainstorm, playing around with a Dracula vampire vibe.”

When she thought of the common term, “Oh, bite me,” it clicked as both “sassy and out there,” she said.

So, what can you bite into exactly?

They offer homemade bagels known as “bagel bombs,” which are stuffed with various fillings. They’re crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, creating an explosion of flavor. Savory options like brisket and mac and cheese are popular, but they occasionally offer sweet ones.

In the mood for brownies? You’re in luck because they always have an original brownie available and a rotating specialty brownie each month.

Their menu changes monthly, but you can always count on their original brownie and Pub Grub, a snack mix that comes in multiple varieties.

When her husband was deployed, she started making layer cakes and charcuterie boards for friends and family to keep busy. Sharing her recipes and creations on social media led to referrals from people she didn't know.

Since charcuterie boards require approved food preparation, she sought a brick-and-mortar location for catering. By spring 2022, she was searching for a property and realized she needed something to attract daily customers. →

Inspired by Bantam Bagels, a NYC-based coffee chain known for their stuffed bagel bites, she created her versions with unique fillings like sausage, egg, and cheese. Her bagel bombs became popular among her friends.

“As soon as I put it on Instagram, the Columbus foodie community just picked it up and ran with it,” she said.

She started baking from home until the manager of the Clintonville Farmers' Market invited her to join. From April 2022 to April 2024, she baked at Sunny Street Cafe in Upper Arlington after they closed for the day. Her business grew organically, focusing on creating a supportive community rather than just a typical bakery.

She moved into the old Patty Cake Bakery at 3009 North High Street and officially opened for business on July 13.

When you set foot into Bite This by Annie, you’ll notice everything is black, which injects that spooky vibe. Even her logo features a spider.

Annie worked with Columbus-based ST Designs to achieve an atmosphere that feels something like a Gothic Boo Ridley’s House meets Tim Burton.

“Everything's weird and off the wall, but not in a tacky way,” she said. ♦

“As soon as I put it on Instagram, the Columbus foodie community just picked it up and ran with it”

“As soon as I put it on Instagram, the Columbus foodie community just picked it up and ran with it”

↑ Bite This By Annie owner Annie Dickson (Middle) flanked by Tyler Jamison Mills and Shawn Mills of ST Designs

← Tom Parr, inside of his oversized trap sculpture

Blasian Grill Blasian Grill

It all began when brothers-in-law Kosal Long and Joe Russell were laid off from their jobs in 2017. Despite the timing, they both worked in different fields: Long had spent the past 11 years working at a Japanese steakhouse, while Russell was working in business sales.

After an initial food truck foray into gyros garnered an underwhelming response, the duo decided to stick with what they knew: Hibachi.

“We sat down together and said, ‘What are we going to do?’” Long said. “We decided to go into the food truck business, starting with a food cart.”

“It was extremely successful,” Russell said. “People were just amazed at the food.”

As their popularity soared, they moved from a cart to a food truck. And people continued to clamor for it.

“The next step after that was just obvious once we got the food truck,” Russell said. “Now we need to get into a brick-and-mortar.”

Long, the head chef, said they needed a bigger kitchen to create shorter wait times. They also expanded the menu to include offerings like egg rolls and scallops. The menu also features local craft cream soda, root beer, pink lemonade, fruit punch, cola, and lemon-lime soda.

“People were just amazed at the food” “People were just amazed at the food”

When deciding on where to land their brick-andmortar, they wanted to keep it on the West Side of the city, where their food cart and food truck first gained its popularity.

“That’s where we started it; that’s who supported us,” Russell said.

They would settle in at 801 Harrisburg Pike, Suite C, open Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 to 9:30. Fridays they’re open from 11:30 to 10:00, and then Saturdays are from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and they’re closed Sunday and Monday.

“We knew we could turn it into what our vision was and had the square footage to do it,” Russell said. “We're right off the freeway.”

They opened Blasian Grill on June 7 and have been continuing their popularity. As for their name, the family is a mix of Black and Asian (Cambodian, specifically). And so their Blasian culture became the brand. ♦

↓ (From Left) Joe Russell and Kosal Long, Blasian Grill owners

Bears Bagels Bears Bagels

Charis and Lo Yost own Bears Bagels, but there are no claws behind this new bagel shop.

Charis sounds like “Care-iss” and he had the nickname “Care Bear” as a toddler. As he grew older, he wanted to shake off the image of a cute cartoon character with a heart or star splashed across his chest. And soon enough, he just became “Bear.”

“My parents and siblings would call me that, but I'm a huge fan of alliteration,” Charis said. “Bears Bagels, it just kind of rolled off the tongue, too. So we took my nickname and turned it into a namesake.”

He reflected on the “renaissance” the name has taken in his life. “Bear was very seldomly used except for very intimate people. And now I'm in this new era where even strangers, not even just friends, are calling me Bear. So it's funny,” he explained.

And while that answers the question behind the “Bear,” how did the “bagels” part begin?

“Both Lo, my wife, and I have been in the food industry for a while,” Charis said. “I would say between us we have 20 years of experience.”

After beginning as a pandemic passion project, the two kicked off a successful farmers market season last year, attracting growing interest and a loyal customer base.

“We started picking up our steam and getting a lot of interest and a lot of involvement, seeing a lot of regular familiar faces come back to all of these weekly farmers markets,” Charis said. “And we're like, ‘OK, yeah, this might have some legs.’”

While the Yosts originally anticipated a brick-and-mortar space coming in 2025 or 2026, their success accelerated the process at a rate they didn’t see coming.

They found the right location for a storefront at 4142 Main Street in Hilliard and officially opened their doors on June 7.

In addition to bagels and schmears, they’re leaning into the fun and unusual, such as a bialy (open-faced bagel sandwich) and a “Funky Brunch" on Sundays.

“We play soul and funk in the restaurant,” he said. “We turn the music up just a little bit louder, just to have a vibe.”

Their bagels are actually a blend of three different styles of bagels: New York, Montreal, and L.A. Sourdough.

“We blend all three of these styles and have created a unique bagel that showcases the best of these styles,” he said. “Our 24-to48 hour slow fermentation process provides a bit of that 'tang' from sourdough as well as the exterior crust to create 'bubbles' on the skin of the bagel which is called oxidization. Lastly, the bagels still have that signature chew and are boiled, then baked.”

Their take on bialys (BEE-ah-lee) is a twist from the classic method of boiling traditional bagels. A bialy is like a flat bagel, made with their signature dough and topped with various toppings, like onion, poppyseed, and even buffalo chicken and peach berry pie.

Stop into Bears Bagels soon and bear witness to this popular eatery’s success. ♦

↑ (From Left) Lo and Charis Yost, Bears Bagels owners

scoop of mango ice cream at Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream

After 25 years, there are new owners at the helm of Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream, but the Patel family plans to keep the Columbus spot business as usual

By Chris Alexis / Photos by Evan Frere

Story Design by Atlas Biro

Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream may feel the same as it always has. But there’s something different.

Mita and Dilip Shah, the owners of the shop at 1947 Hard Road, sold it in May after serving delicious treats with international flavors for a quarter century. Its new owners, the Patels, promise the same great flavors and community-centric atmosphere, although the team is adding some new tastes of its own.

“We stand out for our distinctive flavors,” said Ragin Patel, who owns the concept alongside Pratik Patel, Dishil Patel, Dhruv Patel, and Viral Patel. “Two of our very popular flavors are rajbhog and kesar pista. Rajbhog is a mix of dry fruits, giving it a royal, rare taste, and kesar pista combines saffron and pistachio. These flavors are very popular in India but are not widely available in the United States.”

In other words, Mardi Gras is a hot-spot destination for unique, sweet experiences that you won’t find at other ice cream shops. Additionally, they offer some tropical fruit flavors like guava, jamun, chikoo, and anjir (fig).

“We also have classic flavors like Oreo cookies, cookie dough, and strawberry,” he said. “For those looking for dairy-free options, we recently started offering sorbets. This summer, we have introduced mango sorbet, strawberry sorbet, and passion fruit sorbet.”

Often heralded over the past two-plus decades for its variety of internationally-inspired ice cream flavors, the shop has also served up kulfi, a sweet, rich frozen dessert hailing from India.

And while their new additions are sure to be popular, Ragin is betting no one will feel impacted by the recent hand-off.

“Customers won’t realize the change,” he said. “Our plan from day one has been not to change any of our existing flavors or the ingredients the previous owners were using. We want to ensure the taste and flavors remain the same, so the customer doesn't notice any difference.”

About 70% of the people who set foot in Mardi Gras are repeat customers, and many knew the former owners. →

↑ Ragan Patel, co-owner of Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream

"We're not a corporate giant with bulk production, so every batch is unique"

“When I was being trained, I was introduced to some of these customers,” he said. “We posted on our Facebook page that we were taking over but assured our customers that nothing would change except the owners.”

Ragin said they have even had to reassure social media followers that their favorite unique flavors weren’t going anywhere.

Here’s what else is staying put: the casual, welcoming atmosphere.

“We are a homemade ice cream place,” he said. “We're not a corporate giant with bulk production, so every batch is unique. In our stores, we have friendly staff who welcome customers and help them choose flavors.”

Due to the international choices, some patrons may be uncertain about what to try. After all, it’s a gamble to spend money on something that may or may not be to your liking. And this is something Ragin completely understands.

“We encourage our customers to try samples because some may not be familiar with certain fruits and can't visualize the taste,” he said. “We allow them to sample as many flavors as they want.”

And coming soon: a sampler pack. “It will include small scoops of five or six different flavors,” he said. “This way, people can try multiple flavors without hesitation.”

One flavor patrons should be sure to try is gulab jamun, a traditional Indian treat, like a donut ball soaked in sugar syrup. “This flavor has become very popular,” he said.

There’s no pressure to purchase anything, either. Ragin and his team just want you to know what’s now available to you.

“Even if you don’t buy anything, come and taste our international samples,” he said. “They showcase some of our unique flavors. For example, we have pistachio ice cream with a touch of saffron and some Indian spices. It's amazing. We also offer salt and chili as toppings you can add on top of guava.”

“Or try mixing flavors, like ginger and guava, or rose and kesar pista,” he added. “These combinations are fantastic. We invite everyone to come and enjoy our ice cream.” ♦

Stay up to date on all things Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream by visiting facebook.com/mardigrasicecream

Nicole Davis, model and owner of Found Goods Vintage, with some of her sourced vintage clothing ↓

By Sav McKee / Section Design by Tori Smith

when we think of the Columbus fashion scene, some might imagine scarlet & gray jerseys, overalls, and pitchforks as our accessories. But we’re here to shatter the stereotype that Ohio has no sense of style.

Take a stroll through the streets of Columbus, and you’ll see local store owners rocking vintage ensembles you thought you’d only find in L.A or NYC. Notice stylish physical therapists swapping their scrubs for chic, second-hand leather jackets, sipping wine with friends in outfits you’ve pinned on Pinterest, local DJs defying old school gender norms through their not-so-old school shoe choices, and familiar faces from the service industry showcasing their fashionable flair once they change out their starchy button-down for a crop top and 1980s parachute pants instead.

And no, our local fashionistas aren’t just ordering everything online. The plethora of vintage stores, flea markets, and local boutiques are single handedly ensuring that our city stays up to date on timeless trends that never go, and never went, out of style.

Slip into that treasured vintage t-shirt you found at Flower Child, button up those classic 90s Levi’s you bought from Found Goods, lace up those sneakers from Sole Classics, strap on your belt from Atomic Shop, and discover why Columbus still proudly holds its title as “The Fashion Capital of the Midwest.”

↓ Sole Classics store interior and a selection of merchandise

Mixing function and fashion, Sole Classics in the Short North has helped define the Columbus footwear and fashion scenes for nearly two decades

By Lindsay Escaja

Photos by Aaron Massey

“Sole Classics introduced me to who I am, and I am forever grateful for that."

Located in the heart of the Short North at 846 N. High St.,

Sole Classics has had a hand in shaping High Street’s streetwear scene since 2006. When Dionte Johnson took over the reins in 2010, he brought more than just a fresh perspective; he infused the store with a dynamic energy that continues to shape Columbus' fashion landscape.

"Taking over Sole Classics wasn't about finding my calling; it was about discovering myself," Johnson reflected. "I bought the store when I was 23, and it has been a pivotal part of my journey as a man, husband, and father."

What sets Sole Classics apart is its impeccably curated selection of modern yet vintage-inspired apparel and footwear. Anchored by top-tier brands and constantly on the lookout for the next big thing, Sole Classics ensures that Columbus residents don't have to travel far to find cutting-edge fashion.

"We pride ourselves on our brand roster," Johnson said. "From high-end names like Marni to local talents like General Public, we mix global trends with local flavor. It’s about pushing the industry forward while staying true to our roots."

When it comes to fashion, Johnson has his finger on the pulse. "I love what Kody Phillips is doing in Cincinnati, and globally, Supervsn is making waves. We’ve been mixing high-end brands into our collection thanks to our Apparel Buyer Rio Hairston. Plus, we're bringing in Rhude soon, which is really exciting."

At Sole Classics, you’ll of course find trendy sneakers and even sandals, often inspired by vintage streetwear. But their selection of high-end apparel, featuring everything from rare denim to chic shirts for both men and women, gives them their notorious edge in the fashion scene here in Columbus.

Sole Classics isn't just about shoes and clothes though; it's about creating experiences, too. Community events like Klink! Live! offer a refreshing break from its routine, allowing the store to give back to the community that supports it.

"These events are a breath of fresh air," Johnson admitted. "They’re fun, engaging, and they keep us connected with the people who keep our lights on."

Columbus is part of Sole Classic’s soul. Johnson credits the city's vibrant culture and supportive community for shaping the store’s identity.

"I grew up in this city, and Sole Classics grew up with me," he shared. "Shops like Milk Bar [Boutique] and Brigade helped establish the culture on High Street, and we’re proud to be a part of that legacy."

So, what's next for Sole Classics? Johnson is excited to share a teaser, and it involves a brand new location far from the store’s Ohio headquarters. “We’re opening up in Inglewood, CA, later this year. The Midwest Coast prophecy is finally coming to fruition." With its roots firmly planted in central Ohio, and branches extending to the West Coast, Dionte Johnson and his team at Sole Classics continue to shape the city’s style scene, one curated collection at a time.

In a city that's constantly evolving, Sole Classics remains a steadfast symbol of style, community, and innovation. And as Dionte Johnson leads the way —his eyes on the future and feet firmly rooted in the classics of the past—there's no telling just how far this Columbus staple will go.

Check out some of Sole Classics’ apparel at their Short North shop, or by visiting www.soleclassics.com.

DALTON WILLIS

Graphic & Clothing Designer + Owner of Vintage Store Hometeam Advantage

PRINCE SHAKUR

Author + Artist + Educator

Personal Style:

Trying hard to look like I'm not trying. My family thinks I look homeless while my close friends that are super into fashion probably think I’m pretty basic and boring.

Style Inspo:

I really like the way my girlfriend dresses, which is a lot cooler than me in my opinion. I always try to get as funky as she does but it never really feels like me when I look in the mirror so I change into a dumbed down, white male version of that.

Favorite local shops:

Fera, Street2Vintage, Found Goods, More Music For Films, and my own shop, Hometeam Advantage

Fit Details:

I actually just opened up a vintage shop in Grove City, so currently living out of the inventory of the shop at the moment!

Personal Style:

A mix of 90s, punk, Caribbean, and a little gay. Style should be fun and experimental, but also have nods to things that matter to you.

Style Inspo:

I either am dressing out of what will make me feel good that day or what I think will make me look good. But on a basic level, I try to have one item that’s a staple piece, like a leather jacket or nice pair of jeans. Then using my other elements to add in something a bit more unique, like a colorful mesh tank top or 70s style pants or a chunky boot.

Favorite local shops:

The suburban Ohio Thrifts and Volunteers of America.

Fit Details:

Pants are Dickies, medium wash, straight leg, shirt is Havana Shirt Co., shoes are brown Paragon loafers.

We hit the streets to take a peek at some of the city’s most fashionable icons

By Sav McKee

Personal Style:

Sexy, comfy, girly, etc. It’s driven by my energy.

Style Inspo:

I get inspiration from people I love and admire. But really anywhere…sometimes in art, sometimes grandmas, dads, their babies – whatever I can imagine myself putting together. If I like the energy, it might just be something I try to find for myself.

Favorite local shops:

I frequent our local thrift stores most. My newest obsession is The Atomic Shop in Clintonville.

Fit Details:

The shoes are Vagabond and one of my favorite purchases ever. The pants are Ganni, the top is Zara, but I’m wearing it completely wrong, which is why I think it looks good. And the jacket is thrifted leather – nothing compares. My rings are the most important – I feel naked without them on. They are all made by my sister Kayla or Hannah Jewitt. And my go-to necklace (it hasn’t come off in years) is full of acquired charms from people and places I love.

KERIANN FANELLI Physical Therapist

@keriannfanelli

@daltonwillis

Columbus boasts some serious style, filled to the brim with individuals who effortlessly express their individuality – you just need to know where to look. And luckily, you don’t have to look too far. We’ve asked some of the city’s most fashionable icons to dish on their own personal style, what inspires their outfits, and where they prefer to shop here in the city, all proving that the Midwest isn’t tasteless.

@rio_hairston

Personal Style:

A good mix of proper & street.

Style Inspo:

I look at clothing almost as a costume. When I get dressed, I think about what I have to do that day and how I want to feel while I'm doing it. Some days, I’m walking in the room like an Italian mob boss with a good pair of Dries Van Noten loafers, flared trousers and a flat collar Bode shirt, and others I'm a soccer dad in full Nike and a pair of running shoes.

Favorite local shops:

Sole Classics is pretty much my closet. My job is picking out everything you see in the store and overseeing the output of all consumer facing assets.

Fit Details:

Recycled cotton crew neck from Everybody World, a pair of Pleasures Blessed shorts from Sole Classics, and a pair of Travis Scott Air Max 1s gifted from Nike. The upcycled military bag from Maharishi is one of my favorite accessories, also purchased from Sole Classics.

But when you donate and shop at our retail stores, you’re actually helping to create opportunity for people right here in Central Ohio.

MARIO HAIRSTON Fashion Buyer + Creative Director for Sole Classics

@lifeofleisureshop

BITNA KIM Service Industry

Personal Style:

My aesthetic is basic cool girl with a little risqué factor.

Style Inspo:

I get inspired by my surroundings! I like to know all the details of an event I’m attending so I can plan my outfit.

Favorite local shops:

Vamp Official is my favorite place to shop locally. They’re the definition of cool girl vibes.

Fit Details:

The crop top is from Urban Outfitters, parachute pants are from PrettyLittleThing, bag is from Dylan Kain, and Puma white sneakers.

Personal Style:

Brett: Y2K surfer bro meets office siren.

Rusty: Sporty, playful, gay.

Style Inspo:

Brett: Menards meets Miu Miu. I'm a big fashion nerd so it’s a lot of references mixed up.

Rusty: Vintage inspired.

Favorite local shops:

Brett: Street2Vintage, Smartypants Vintage, Ladybird and every thrift store in Franklin County. Rusty: Smartypants Vintage, thrift stores, local vintage Instagram dealers, eBay.

Fit Details:

Brett: Hat from Barragán, boots from Goodwill, Nike socks for that masculine touch, white shirt from Express (I’ve been obsessed with finding every iconic 1MX stretch button down I can), and the shorts are thrifted Wrangler/ Riggs workwear. I’m butch too, honey!

Rusty: A vintage “Westland Mall” hat from Ohio thrift, vintage George Michael “Faith Tour” tank-top from eBay, sheer printed button up from Brett’s closet via thrift store, 90s Calvin Klein thrifted jeans, and vintage Bill Blass loafers from the thrift store.

SHAYLA BOYD

Owner of local vintage store, Street2Vintage

Personal Style:

The 90s have an influence on how I dress, and I’m big into quality, vintage pieces.

Style Inspo: Life inspires my outfits. How I grew up, my experience, the people I observe, heck, even the clothes themselves give me inspiration.

Favorite local shops: Thrift stores around the city. But when I buy other clothes, they’re from businesses that you can only catch at random pop-ups.

Fit Details: Everything is thrifted outside from the shoes which are off-white “Muslin” Jordan 5s, and my bag is from Cos.

Style Inspo:

Definitely 1990s to early 2000s looks, and definitely Carrie Bradshaw. I love a classy mini skirt with a little kitten heel or a simple silhouette dress with a classic heel.

Favorite local shops: Vamp Official!! Their pieces are so curated and perfectly selected. They truly are a store that sums up my style, and the jewelry is outstanding!

Fit Details:

My top is from Aritzia, skirt from Peppermayo, shoes from Princess Polly, and my bag is a vintage Valentino shoulder purse from an open house auction!

BRETT JONES (left) & RUSTY BAKER (right)

Brett: Hair stylist + DJ • Rusty: Vintage Furniture Dealer + owner of Life of Leisure

@brett_casey_

Personal Style: Trendy & classy.

IVY MCGLONE Model + Style Advisor

@ivyylauren

ERICA KENTOSH

Wardrobe Stylist + Founder of styling business, Kenni

Personal Style:

Timeless, classic, minimal, and comfortable. I say less is more!

Style Inspo:

Instagram/Pinterest/Travel. I love checking Vogue Runway and specifically the brands The Row, Saint Laurent, Khaite and Celine. Always inspired by the 90s and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Favorite local shops:

Ladybird and Truluck Boutique in New Albany.

Fit Details:

The skirt and top are Helsa by Elsa Hosk, the ballet flats are Miu Miu, the headscarf is Etsy, the bag is The Row. My necklace is from Are You Am I from years ago.

ALEC FRASER

Manager of sneaker authentication for Grailed

@jawn_mayer

ZELETTA CLARK Model + Owner of Zeletta’s Bakery + Account Manager

Personal Style:

A mix of girly and tomboy! I love to mix things that “don’t” go together and make it work.

Style Inspo:

My inspiration for my outfits comes from a vault of planned outfits from childhood that my mom would not let me wear! I always wanted to dye my hair and wear cool sneakers with dresses. As an adult I’ve been able to dye my hair crazy colors and express myself.

Favorite local shops: Vamp Official! I love their jewelry!

Fit Details:

My dress is from Abercrombie, shoes and earrings from ASOS, necklace from Vamp, purse from Telfar, and watch from Fossil.

Personal Style:

MICHAELA MASON

Vintage reseller and stylist for her shop Nu Nu Vintage

Personal Style:

A blend of hyper-feminine streetwear and vintage. As I’ve gotten older I’ve embraced that I’m a girly girl at heart. I love all things silk, lace, and frilly.

Style Inspo:

My outfits are heavily influenced by my mood that day. I like to reflect how I feel on the inside… outside.

Favorite local shops: I love hitting up local thrifts like Ohio Thrift and Volunteers of America. I also really like browsing at the markets I attend, like Ohio Vintage Fest. I know there’s always gonna be something special waiting for me.

Fit Details: All secondhand vintage that I sourced on my own!

I used to be into streetwear and sneakers all day, but as I’ve gotten older and been around fashion more, I’d have to say my style is vintage with a modern twist.

Style Inspo:

Whether it be friends, random people out and about, social media, just taking things I see and committing them to memory about what I liked or how I would wear something I saw is where it comes from. I also love history so being able to take inspiration from old photos of Hollywood, musicians, sports figures, military photos…I like taking inspo from those classic styles and adding my spin to them.

Favorite local shops:

Sole Classics is like family, and I also love the pieces that Fera offers. Also vintage sellers like Found Goods and More Music for Films.

Fit Details:

My hat is from a very cool brand called Stockbridge Sewing Works, and my jersey is a childhood dream come true. It’s a blank jersey customized and turned into one of my favorite players growing up. I cropped it myself to give it that classic 80s/90s look. My pants are just a pair of Dickies 874s from Amazon actually! And for my shoes, Sole Classics all day.

@ericakentosh

@by.kenni

@nunuvintage_

@zelettaaa

Gorgeous dresses that would be the envy of any party, leather jackets that would impress everyone, furniture that becomes the focal point of any room, and statement accessories to tie together any outfit all await you at Flower Child. Without truly realizing it, I had taken a pair of patent leather slippers out of their display, thrown off my shoes, and began to slip them on.

The heels slid on perfectly, and I dreamed of all of the events, parties, and dates that laid before me with my new retro footwear. The purchase was made, the shoes were mine, and the magic of Flower Child once again had been cast. What seems like a simple clothing store from the exterior, quickly transforms to become the caretaker of incredible stories.

Located at 233 E. 5th Ave., Flower Child has been creating vintage fashion magic (like my own encounter) since 2009. Owner Joe Valenti first opened the store in Cleveland in 1999, and then expanded to Columbus a decade later.

After a career as a talent agent, Joe began collecting mid-century modern furniture and fashion and was then diagnosed with lung cancer and given one year to live in 1998. After informing his employer about his diagnosis, he was told to go to the bathroom and not come back, as no one wants to “see ugly.” That moment became one that defined his life, as he decided to reinvent himself and create the person he is today.

Valenti began selling vintage fashion and furniture in a small antique mall, while discovering the passion and love he had been missing from previous careers. The store’s name pays homage to his parents, two hippies of the 60s who came together after leaving their previous lives.

It aims to offer a space where patrons can feel free to try on and play around with new styles from a huge variety of eras, regardless if they make a purchase or not.

Flower Child will always be a place that will continue to grow and encapsulate those principles that many believe have been lost to time. “I’m 5’7 and nothing is big enough,” Valenti joked.

The 5th Avenue spot has become a destination for many who visit Columbus, including celebrities and notable personalities. Joe recanted stories of having Twenty-One Pilots, Alice Cooper, Scarlett Johansson, The Black Keys, Bette Midler, The B-52’s, Cyndi Lauper, and many more stop in. While hosting these famous personalities is amazing, Valenti focuses on making sure he creates a welcoming environment for all – a place where people are just free to shop.

“This is the best place for a first date, because if you meet someone here and they cannot find one thing in here to talk about, lose them because they are a dud,” he said with a laugh.

Additionally, the store’s impressive following is all thanks to their customers. The business has always relied upon word of mouth referrals from its patrons, which has grown it into a staple of the Columbus shopping scene.

The one negative review that floats around is about the cost of the items within the store. Yes, Flower Child’s prices are more expensive than those of other vintage stores, because their prices reflect the level of care and work that goes into each piece. Everything in the store has been properly cared for, cleaned, and styled to make sure that you, the customer, are getting a truly unique and like-new piece.

Joe and his team of 16 vendors consider themselves more caretakers than retailers; the bridgepoint between an item’s previous owner and its new one. He has a large network of people calling in looking to sell clothing and fashionable pieces from a variety of sources. As he searches through the pieces belonging to that person, Valenti asks them about the pieces and how or when they were worn. Nothing to him is more important than hearing the life and stories behind each piece.

← A model shows off some of Flower Child's vintage offerings, inside the store

“I’ll never say no– instead, I’ll find a way. It’s a big world and there is a lot of flavor out there."

“It’s all about the story,” Joe emphasized. “Everyone has one, so share your story.”

As Columbus has been going through a revitalization, and its neighborhoods are swiftly changing, Joe looks to maintain Flower Child as a destination. With all of the housing going up all around the store, Joe feels that Flower Child will very much become a hotspot for those visiting from out of town as well.

No matter what the future holds in store, however, Joe will be here to continue to create and curate a vintage store that does it right. As he put it, “I’ll never say no – instead, I’ll find a way. It’s a big world and there is a lot of flavor out there.”

Get a sneak peek of some of Flower Child’s incredible offerings on their Facebook.

↑ Flower Child Owner Joe Valenti, outside his storefront

Mother, model and business owner Nicole Davis aims to share the history of retro garments through her shop, Found Goods Vintage

By Melinda Green

Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

← Nicole Davis, owner of Found Goods Vintage

For the past eight years, Nicole Davis’ online resale shop, Found Goods Vintage, has brought some seriously cool vintage clothing to Columbus, and across the nation alike.

Found Goods Vintage focuses on unique pieces, mostly from the 1970s and earlier. Jeans, athletic wear, t-shirts, and sweatshirts are the most popular items. “I'm really into old sweatshirts particularly. Anything all cotton is really great,” Davis said.

“I love the history behind garments,” she continued. “I love to know who was wearing them, and what they did on a daily basis. I have a pair of jeans right now that have passed through maybe six other women's hands. They're from the 1950s. And I really don't even want to let them go because I'm like, ‘This is so, so cool to have them for this history.’”

The most special pieces she’s had are the ones that have endured the longest. She explained, “Like distressing in a t-shirt, you can tell someone really wore it and really loved it. [And] anything with someone's name on it. It's so special to be able to look at a garment and be like, ‘This is a hundred years old, and it's still here.’”

She added, “And when I catch myself thinking about a garment like that, and really ruminating on it—why are we making so much more clothing? It's heartbreaking, kind of.”

She sources items from estate sales, friends, even abandoned houses, as well as trading with other online and local resellers (which she jokingly compares to trading Pokémon cards).

Her inventory is in her house in Olde Towne East. She estimates she has thousands of pieces in bins, on racks, on walls, and in the basement. “My house is a store,” she joked. “It’s a ton of organizing—and a ton of laundry.”

She explained, “Sometimes the garments that I find are completely destroyed, and I have to revive them by soaking them and mending them.”

The vintage resale business actually is extremely competitive, particularly at estate sales. “People are getting there five, six hours before it starts in order to get their number and stand in line,” Davis said. “In this ‘industry,’ if you will, you find your people who will hold something for you, your little community. But sometimes you hop up to an estate sale and there'll be someone who doesn't know you at all.”

Davis grew up and fell in love with vintage clothes in Los Angeles. “I grew up not very wealthy at all. I spent my allowance at Goodwill, and I would go to school, and people would say, ‘Oh, my God, where'd you get that?’ They'd be so mad because they couldn't find it anywhere else. And I'd be like, ‘This is cool. I can find pieces that no one else can access.’”

She was 22 years old and living in Seattle when her first son was born. She recalled, “I was working as a receptionist at a barbershop, and I was so miserable. My partner at the time was like, ‘Quit your job. I got this; stay home.’ And upon staying home for maybe a month, I was like, ‘I could start selling clothes.’ I started modeling clothes. I started mending clothes. I started finding cool stuff. So I tapped into what I love the most and have been doing it ever since. It's a rare thing to be able to do what you love and be able to make a living off of it.”

She models at events around town and to promote her shop’s items in eye-catching Instagram photos. “There's a lot of people out there that don't know how to dress themselves,” she noted. “Often, people lay a garment on the ground and take a

A selection of clothing at Found Goods Vintage →

“Anyone can resell clothing and make a living for themselves instead of working for someone else if they really want to, which I think is incredible.”

picture of it and sell it. But I think it's really important to show people how to wear it. And so that's kind of how I stepped into the modeling aspect of things. And Columbus is so tight knit; I've linked up with photographers and other creatives and been able to really intertwine myself in other outlets, which has been a good time.”

Now in Columbus for 7 years and a proud mom to sons ages 8 and 5, Davis is grateful for the opportunity to work for herself.

“With the kids in grade school, [I’m] bouncing around a lot. They are my absolute priority over anything,” she emphasized. “Again, I am extremely grateful to be able to work for myself and be able to be like, ‘Oh, you don't want to go to school today because you're not feeling good,’ or ‘You need a break, you need rest. I'll come home. I'm here for you.’ Or ‘You want me to be at your class party, I'll be there.’ Having the ability to do that is something I do not take for granted.”

Selling online, she cautions, is not for the faint of heart. She explained, “In the sea of resellers, you have to stick out and you have to be consistent, and you have to want it badly enough. I will say for anyone that is interested in getting into reselling, being ready is a decision, not a feeling. Whether it's reselling or taking that next step in your career, I think it's important to remember that it's fully in your own control and no one else's.”

Continuing, Davis added, “Back when you just had the paper, you felt like you were the only one doing anything. Now you're on the internet, and you're like, ‘Everyone is doing it,’ but it's all perspective. The truth is, in your general community, like, you are doing it. You just kind of gotta put your blinders on, you know?”

Sustainability is the heart of this vintage clothing industry, she noted, especially among younger buyers. “A lot of people think that there's still a lot of clothing being made. I think even just from seeing empty storefronts, you can tell people are turning the other way, especially the generations below me. They only want to buy used clothes. No one shops at H&M anymore. And I hope that it continues to happen.”

Her favorite part about reselling, though, is the community. She said, “I think that for a while there, it was really hard to go from being the only person selling vintage to everyone selling vintage. But in the grand scheme of things, I'm so happy that people are wearing garments that have already been made. And I'm so happy that the underdog is winning in that way. Anyone can resell clothing and make a living for themselves instead of working for someone else if they really want to, which I think is incredible.”

← Tom Parr, inside of his oversized trap sculpture

Clintonville-based The Atomic Shop establishes a transportative atmosphere while curating clothing and homegoods from all eras

Story and photos by NV Gay

← The Atomic Shop owners and sisters Temple and Marek Miller, outside their Clintonville storefront

“We grew up in flea markets, nothing we owned was new. We learned to appreciate and to find the value in toss offs that others just gave up on.”

when you first set foot inside the Atomic Shop in Clintonville, you do not walk into a clothing store—rather, you are transported into a meticulously curated home. From the deer head mounted on the wall, to the retro 614 lamps, to the beautiful collected and preserved black and white photographs; it all welcomes you into a bygone era that you can’t place your finger on, but still feels familiar.

Owners and sisters Temple and Marek Miller have created a vintage utopia, styled directly after who they are. “We grew up in flea markets, nothing we owned was new. We learned to appreciate and to find the value in toss offs that others just gave up on,” Temple Miller said.

These sisters have always had a love for the past, thriving in the search for incredible vintage treasures. Growing up within the Atomic family, Temple and Marek have sought out to expand the Atomic brand by adding to the ever popular vintage threads establishments that make Columbus a truly beautiful and diverse city. It is what they have created though that sets them apart from the rest.

Opening on March 1st of 2024, The Atomic Shop opened after the success of the Atomic on High Markets that have been gracing the streets of Clintonville for years. The success of this market led Temple and Marek to create a brick and mortar location, a place where all vintage threads and patrons are welcome. Their goal was to create a home for their vintage items, while always having the mindset of providing a welcoming and comfortable place for their customers. “We treat our customers well, treat our vendors well,” Temple emphasized. “The one thing we want everyone to take away is that they are welcome here, always.”

As well, they are driven to support the community that has given them so much. They have done this by giving space within their store for artisans to display

and sell their work. They allow eight of these artists to sell their work for a 90-day period. These items are prominently displayed for patrons to easily find in the store, as they want to make sure they uplift the local artists that make Columbus truly remarkable.

To find their items, they travel all over the country, searching through estate sales and yard sales, as well as having people contact them looking to sell their relatives' wardrobes. “On trips and vacations, we always pack one bag for ourselves, and multiple bags for all the amazing unique items we find along the way,” said Temple.

They also have created a trade-in program, where people can come in and sell vintage threads and receive store credit to purchase a new item for their wardrobe. The idea behind The Atomic Shop is to give their customers an easy and comfortable place to find their next statement piece, as well as upcycle items that would otherwise be lost to the sands of time. Temple remarked, “I change all the time, I change everyday. All of my fashion is different, from antique 1930s to the 1990s; basically whatever I believe someone can make into a fantastic outfit.”

Having love for the past is great, but it is always key to understand the impact you wish to make on the future. For Temple and Marek, it is all about their community. Temple emphasized, “The plan for the future is to continue to build our community, not just with our vintage sellers, but with our vintage lovers. Columbus is an outdoor and vintage loving city. People love to shop outdoors, get their coffee and tote bags, and find those unique pieces that will become statements of their wardrobe.”

As with other vintage stores, Temple and Marek have to struggle against the narrative that vintage items should be priced at thrift market prices. Their advice to

patrons is this: “Remember the hard work and care that goes into finding these pieces. These pieces are paid for fairly, cleaned and cared for, and given the love that they deserve.” Their goal is to provide shoppers with the experience of finding the perfect piece without having to dig for it. Very much, their store is set up to display each piece and let it shine. Temple explained, “I am a merchandiser, I need to see everything I own. I want each piece to be seen and to have its moment.”

One of Temple’s greatest loves comes from the design of the store. She spends much of her time making sure that the store reflects her mindset, and also welcomes her patrons. It is not so much that items are easy to find; but rather, that each item is curated to fit in perfectly with the home-like vibe of the store. Recently, Temple has worked to help design and curate other businesses, working with Honey Cup Coffee to design their new storefront, which opened on July 5th. Together, she and her sister Marek, are setting out to bring new life to vintage items, and create truly incredible places where these items can live once more.

The Atomic Shop is located at 3274 N. High St., open everyday 11am to 6pm. Their Atomic on High market happens every third Saturday of the month now through November from 12pm to 5pm, located next to their store. Also, they have partnered with South Winds Motels to create a summer night market, the last which will take place on August 8th, 5pm to 8pm. They are looking to create a Halloween market too, so stay tuned for more details.

Back from the Brink

Dr. David Caldwell and Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips at MiNDSET are using ketamine and therapy to give treatment-resistant depression sufferers their lives back. Here’s what their patients had to say:

By

Jack McLaughlin / Photos by NV Gay

↑ From Left, Dr. David Caldwell and Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips

A“pit of despair” is how David described his treatment-resistant depression. His anxiety: a “constant, negative feedback loop.”

That is, until he found ketamine adjacent psychotherapy (KAP) at MiNDSET Integrative Ketamine Care.

A 56 year old CPA practicing in the Columbus area, David has dealt with anxiety and depression for his entire adult life, yet in the span of just weeks, has experienced staggering improvement following KAP (the combination of ketamine infusion therapy (KIT) with regular psychotherapy sessions) at MiNDSET.

Like many other patients, David is a longtime sufferer of depression, and had turned toward regular therapy, vigorous exercise and antidepressant medication throughout the years. Some worked, others didn’t.

After embracing ketamine adjacent psychotherapy with MiNDSET—and after having currently completed four of six total sessions— David’s progress is enormous. He describes his outlook today with one word: “peace.”

“The constant, negative feedback loop in my mind called anxiety is quiet. The pit of despair in my stomach called depression is gone,” he said. “This peace-of-mind is bringing more enjoyment to all aspects of my life, along with increased enthusiasm for my future.”

According to MiNDSET owner and founder Dr. David Caldwell, this patient testimonial isn’t an outlier either.

“If you look at the literature, they describe the success rate at about 70 percent,” he said, noting that this is measured by an at least 50 percent reduction in patient symptoms. “At MiNDSET, because our philosophy is combining ketamine infusion therapy with psychotherapy, we’re right around 90 percent.”

While many other clinics will offer standalone infusions without followup or integration, MiNDSET is likely the only local ketamine clinic embracing regular psychotherapy alongside KIT as part of its standard treatment.

Dr. Caldwell—who boasts decades of first-hand experience administering medicines—oversees all six ketamine infusion sessions that make up a typical treatment, and all patients follow up their dose with a psychotherapy session. They can either opt to meet with their own third-party therapist if they choose, or with MiNDSET’s resident psychotherapist, Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips.

It’s this holistic focus—the combination of KIT and psychotherapy to maximize positive outcomes—that truly sets MiNDSET apart from other clinics.

“Under ketamine, the defenses we build up to get through our day are eliminated. They fall to the floor like ash,” she said, adding that when infusions are paired with psychotherapy, patient improvement often skyrockets. “The timeline of getting people from now to where they want to be can be long, and arduous, and a lot of work. Ketamine is an accelerant to that process.”

And while patients like David experience considerable short-term benefits before the entire course of their treatment has been completed, others who have finished a full cycle of KAP with MiNDSET are adamant about its long and short term benefits alike.

Another patient, a local attorney, has been seeing Dr. Briggs-Phillips since 2015. In response to a particularly difficult time in their life in 2023, they opted to undergo KAP with MiNDSET.

They described it as “epiphanic.”

“The immediate impact was the experience of feeling connected to everything. Not a spiritual connection, but the tangible, literal, physical connection of everything that exists. The experience was epiphanic, profound, and deeply moving and it remains my understanding of reality,” they said.

“The more gradual impact has been the arising of a quiet, ever-present, and confident sense that everything will be okay. That it is good to exist. That it is better to exist than to not,” the patient said. “That way of viewing the world has and continues to manifest in my life as a resilience to adversity or, maybe more accurately, an aversion to negativity—

or maybe those are two sides of the same coin. As a result, I am better at life. I am happier. Things are good.”

For another patient, the immediate effects of KAP–which were performed last fall–have lasted to the present day.

“From my first treatment with MiNDSET I could feel a difference. The negative self talk slowed down almost immediately. I went from saying (typically out loud to myself) ‘I hate my life’ at least 25 times a day to maybe once a day, if that,” they said. “There was a calmness that developed where I felt things did not impact me so much. The best word I can use to describe how I felt is, ‘free.’ I felt a freedom to just exist without trying to justify my existence to everyone I encountered.”

To learn more, visit mindsetketamine.com

Break Through Pain

While much ado is (rightfully) made about ketamine’s efficacy addressing mental health and emotional pain, did you know that it’s also used at MINDSET to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)? As one of—if not the—only Columbus clinic that utilizes ketamine infusions for pain, patients regularly travel from across Ohio, and some from other states.

Dr. Caldwell notes that KIT is not a cure for CRPS, as patients will need to return, but it can provide the relief that’s often sought by patients for years or decades.

“The patients we’ve had come through, they go back to work, when some of them haven’t in months,” Dr. Caldwell said. “It can break the cycle of chronic pain, and when it does, it’s life-changing.”

↓ Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips

↓ MiNDSET interior

Falling Forward Falling Forward

Looking ahead to autumn with five picturesque fall foliage tours within driving distance of the Buckeye State

By Laura Hennigan / Story Design by Atlas Biro

while the idea of summer drawing to a close always feels bittersweet, the shorter days and cooler temperatures also mean the arrival of another glorious Midwest autumn. From Hocking Hills to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio boasts some incredible shows of changing leaves, all of which are perfect for day trips. But heading a bit further afield will reward you with even more dramatic displays of color, including areas you can drive through, hike up, and camp in.

Start your road trip playlist and pack the good snacks — here are our top picks for fall foliage weekend getaways. →

Tunnel

oF Trees

Michigan

Known as the Tunnel of Trees, the historic M-119 is a 20 mile scenic drive way up North. On a bluff that skirts around the Lake Michigan shoreline, the route takes you through stunning tree canopies with picturesque views of the water. Be prepared for a leisurely drive, with a two lane road and a speed limit of 40. You’ll pass charming small towns, including the tiny villages of Harbor Springs, Good Hart and Cross Village, each of which are full of local shops and restaurants that are perfect for stops along the way.

Where to Stay: Legs Inn, a quirky restaurant that is open through late October and offers lakeside cottage rentals within the Shurtleff Nature Preserve.

Plan your trip and learn more at legsinn.com

Parke counTy indiana

Known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” Parke County, Indiana is home to 31 of these unique overpasses. And there is no better time to explore the bridges than during the fall months. For peak viewing, plan a visit during the annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, which is held over the course of 10 days every October and features a plethora of food and artisan vendors. Don’t leave the area without a stop at Turkey Run State Park, where you can explore sandstone ravines and miles of aged forest.

Where to Stay: Turkey Run Inn, a woodsy lodge that offers rooms, onsite cabins and pet friendly accommodations, plus indoor pool and game room.

Plan your trip and learn more at in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/ turkey-run-inn-at-turkey-run-state-park/lodging-and-amenities.

red river gorge

Kentucky's brilliant fall foliage season starts as early as September, providing stunning pops of red, orange, and yellow that will reach their peak during mid to late October. A weekend spent in the Red River Gorge area, particularly a drive along the scenic byway, is truly an event not to be missed when autumn rolls around, especially when you make time for a drive on the scenic byway. Starting in Stanton, you’ll make your way through 45 miles of incredible scenery along the river, with views of huge natural stone arches, waterfalls and extensive forests.

Where to Stay: Natural Bridge State Park Resort, which features rooms, cottages, restaurants, nature center, skylift and miles of hiking trails.

Plan your trip and learn more at parks.ky.gov/parks/ find-a-park/natural-bridge-state-resort-park-7796

greaT allegheny Passage Pennsylvania

Starting in downtown Pittsburgh and stretching into Maryland, the Great Allegheny Passage offers 150 miles of spectacular scenery for hiking, running, and biking. While the rail trail is enjoyable year-round, fall is the ideal time to plan a visit. For optimal foliage viewing, spend some time in the leg that winds through Ohiopyle State Park. Opt for a moderate hike, such as the Great Gorge and Ferncliff, or try the more challenging Baughman Trail, which ends at an incredible overlook.

Where to Stay: Historic Summit Inn Resort, a mountaintop resort built in 1907 with panoramic views, 94 guest rooms and a full service restaurant.

Plan your trip and learn more at summitinnresort.com

seneca rocks

One of the best ways to view the vivid fall colors is from above, and it’s impossible to beat the scenery from the top of Seneca Rocks State Park. This area is a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts, and its remote location offers breathtaking scenic drives over mountainous, curvy roads. Part of the Monogahela National Forest, the Seneca Rocks rock formation rises up nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River and features a walking trail with an observation platform at the top of the north peak.

Where to Stay: Smoke Hole Caverns, a rustic resort with log cabins and cottages is set in the Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Plan your trip and learn more at smokehole.com

The Great Indoors

Beat the heat this summer at these 5 indoor family-fun spots peppered throughout central Ohio

By Chris Alexis / Story Design by Atlas Biro

many of us spend much of our summers outdoors, soaking in the sunshine. But for those who aren’t too keen on the constant layer of sweat on their skin, we’re offering five indoor alternatives to some good ol’ fashioned (and air conditioned) family fun. These are the perfect spots to visit when your kids claim, “I’m boooooooored!” or their sunburn needs a break.

No one has to melt in the dog days of summer. Enjoy these new experiences instead!

Get Air Trampoline Park

This Hilliard destination at 3708 Fishinger Blvd. features wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and a ninja obstacle course. If parents need somewhere where their kids can burn off all that excess energy, then this is the place to wear them out.

There are foam pits to dive into, dodgeball courts for friendly competition, and even a ninja obstacle course to test agility and strength.

Get Air also features special areas for toddlers, ensuring safe fun for the youngest jumpers. (Definitely a relief for parents!)

If you want a fun cardio workout that will satisfy and exhaust your kids, then get to Get Air!

Scene75

Who needs to be outside in the heat to enjoy an amusement park?

Scene75 is an indoor entertainment complex inside the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, offering a variety of attractions including go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, mini-golf, bumper cars, and more. Whether it’s the thrill of their indoor roller coaster, competing in one of their many interactive games, or even celebrating a loved ones birthday party here, your family is sure to have a blast.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center

Located at Easton Town Center, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is an outright oasis for LEGO® enthusiasts of all ages. It features interactive rides, a 4D cinema, building workshops, and MINILAND®—a miniature replica of Columbus built from LEGO® bricks! (Can you identify all the landmarks?)

This is the spot for kids and adults alike to reach deep into their creativity, bond with their families, and have a lot of fun with one of the most famous brands in history. After all, you’re never too old for LEGO®!

COSI (Center of Science and Industry)

Since opening its doors in 1964, COSI, at 333 W. Broad St., has been a staple of family fun across generations.

The science museum offers hands-on exhibits, live shows, a planetarium, and special exhibitions such as "TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition," currently running until September. Let’s not forget “Farm Days,” where you can learn about how the food we eat every day is harvested!

Despite its years of existence, COSI remains a go-to for families looking to explore the wonders of science in an engaging environment. They also host events like COSI After Dark for adults looking to rediscover their inner child.

Columbus Museum of Art

If you think this is just a stuffy, boring museum, you’re in for a big surprise. The Columbus Museum of Art, at 480 E. Broad St., is a great spot for family fun.

The Wonder Room is a unique, interactive gallery designed specifically for kids that encourages creativity and exploration through hands-on activities and imaginative play. The museum also offers Family Adventures tours.

Adventures? In an art museum? Believe it or not, it’s true! And wouldn’t it be incredible if your kids end up thinking Monet or Picasso are kind of cool?

and operated for 77 years