(614) February | 2024 by 614mediagroup

← Tom Parr, inside of his oversized trap sculpture

TaKorea owner Kevin Kim embraces his Korean roots—and a childhood love for Mexican fare—in new Clintonville kitchen By Bella Czajkowski / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Emma Quinn

t’s 32 feet long, 9 feet high, and weighs around 4,000 pounds. And while the Guinness Book of World Records hasn’t officially named it the World’s Largest Trap, it is undoubtedly the biggest one you will ever see. Tom Parr, owner and curator of the Trap History Museum in Galloway, has over 4,000 traps in his collection, but the towering steel structure sitting outside is what captures people’s attention first. Don't worry: It’s not functional, so snapping a selfie from the jaws is perfectly safe. “A gentleman in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan made it, and then brought it to the fairgrounds during our yearly National Trappers Association meeting in 2008,” shared Parr. “It was on display at the entrance, but no one realized it was for sale. He put a price tag on it on the last day, and when my friend let me know about it, I ended up buying it.” It arrived at his museum on a flatbed truck and has been the signature attraction ever since. But there’s far more to see once you venture inside Parr’s museum, including over 4,000 animal traps, memorabilia, trapping tools, baits, and an entire library, along with a man who has spent most of his life studying the history of the fur trade and loves sharing his knowledge with others. →

After a decade working in the restaurant business, Kevin Kim has reached a critical moment in his career, with not one, but two ventures as owner/operator. →

"I SAW THE NEED IN MY COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE AUTHENTIC, GENUINE MOMENTS..."

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CONTENTS

41 24 35 59 10

(614) MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2024 614NOW.COM

C O V E R PA C K A G E LOVE IN THE DIGITAL AGE

THE MOST FAMOUS DIVORCE IN COLUMBUS

MAKERS SPACE: INTERVIEW WITH LINDA KASS

BY HAND

KOREAN FRIED COLUMBUS

PIAZZA DEL SHORT NORTH

DOWN THE AISLE

IN TRENDY MATRIMONY

ON THE COVER:

Photo by Tyler Jamison

Coming soon in Gahanna, Ohio to serve you the complex depth of South Indian food flavors.

1307 Stoneridge Dr., Gahanna OH 43230

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack McLaughlin

S AV M C K E E Assistant Editor

ASSISTANT EDITOR Sav McKee

Love Bytes A private plane to St. Barts, home-made cocktails at his penthouse in Chicago’s West Loop, someone to show me around the new city I moved to (while paying for it all) – I already envisioned my life with Matt, solely based off his pictures on his Tinder profile. I matched with him on the dating app almost a decade ago with much encouragement from my then roommate to “get out there and meet new people,” after I spent too much time sulking around our apartment, thinking about my ex-boyfriend. Matt wasted no time, messaging me for a rendezvous that involved oysters and overpriced champagne at a fancy restaurant I’d been dying to try (pinch me!). When I told him I had a flight to visit my family that morning, he told me to change it for the next day instead. I took that demand as a sign that he was actively pursuing me, and again, thinking about that private plane to a tropical island he bragged about on his online dating profile...I quickly canceled my cheap seat that was right next to the airplane’s bathroom. Some may call that “stupid,” but I like to rephrase it as “being a hopeless romantic.” You know the saying…if it sounds too good to be true…well, yup. Unsurprisingly, I was ghosted that night. He vanished into the digital abyss, leaving me alone at the restaurant. To make matters worse, I had to book a Greyhound bus from Chicago to Dayton because there were no more flights available that weekend. On the 20 hour Greyhound odyssey back home to see my family (the driver took an astonishing amount of cigarette breaks), I ran out of cell phone data (I was a broke grad school student), and I had to resort to already downloaded playlists that my ex-boyfriend made for me in college, plus one episode of the The New York Times podcast called Modern Love, which focused on a couple getting back together again after a long break. I sat there for hours with love serenading me in all its forms, and my thoughts inevitably drifted to my ex. Every cloud outside of the window was somehow shaped like him (see, I told you I was a hopeless romantic). Throughout my long journey, both literally and figuratively, I convinced myself that we were destined to reunite. It sounds cheesy, I know, but that ex is now my husband. And while I don’t want to give a jerk like Matt any credit for my very successful love story, that excruciating bus ride and my failed dating app experience brought me a lot of clarity

– my intentions on the dating apps weren’t pure. I was trying to distract myself from someone I knew I was meant to be with but too stubborn to admit it, essentially by using a guy I met online who appeared to have a lot of money. I’m still unsure how I feel about online dating, and truly, I feel like an outsider, considering I’ve only had a handful of online dating app experiences almost 10 years ago, and I’m married to someone I met in-person. I do feel that I have a unique perspective as a third-party spectator though. You see, many of my incredible, fascinating friends, who are an absolute catch, are actively searching for a partner via dating apps, and I have the privilege of being the one they ask to scroll through their profiles to proofread and check their thoughtfully selected images, charming bios, and amusing answers to Hinge’s pre-set questions. Somehow, after following all of the extensive “dating app rules,” and curating an alluring profile, a lot of my friends still haven’t found anyone worthwhile, and some of them have been searching for their matches for years. It makes me wonder if dating apps are meant to build strong relationships at all, or if they’re really just designed for fast, casual, fun, distractions and hookups. Nevertheless, I’ve witnessed countless love stories blossom from the realms of online dating, too, which my friends and I have nicknamed “Tinderella Stories.” Even enough of these successful love stories and moments of selfawakening to make me question if dating apps are truly the villains they’re often made out to be. What all of this really means is this: We don’t have the final verdict on digital dating. No one does, but like The Bachelor, it’s both good and bad at the same time. Because of this, we’re dedicating this issue to the nuisances behind Love in the Digital Age. Ultimately, whether found through swipes or chance encounters, I’ve learned that it’s not how you find love – really, the journey lies in the sincerity behind the pursuit. Love, it appears, is as diverse as the means through which we discover it, and in this digital age, intentions reign supreme. So here’s to finding love, Columbus – whether that be in line at a local coffee shop, or online discussing your favorite movies. Just look out for guys named Matt with private planes, please. Questions about advertising? Scan here!

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Pfeifer, Alissa Ohashi, Tyler Jamison, Aaron Massey, Leonardo Carrizo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jack McLaughlin, Laura Hennigan,

Sav McKee, John M. Clark, Dylan Ecker Chris Alexis, Matt Mahoney, Taylor Dorrell CREATIVE DESIGNERS Bryce Patterson Tori Smith Atlas Biro VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Austin Black DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Justynne Pride SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Julia Attanasio MARKETING ASSISTANT Zoe King ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite SALES MANAGER Paul VanHorn ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Anna Gerhard BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER Lizzy Saunders EVENTS COORDINATOR Lizzy Saunders

Created by

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� S TA F F P I C K S

Our staff picks Love is in the air. Or maybe we mean on the internet? Either way, with Valentine’s Day quickly-approaching,

ON the WEB Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s 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 suscribe to our daily email!

and our February issue dedicated to dating in Columbus, we asked our staff: What are the beige flags of your significant other or yourself?

More than one person said my love for ‘divorced dad rock’ and the fact that I love white Monster is my beige flag. — Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

My bf's beige flag is when we're watching a movie and he falls asleep and I ask, “Were you asleep?!” and he says, “No, I was just thinking,” or, “No, I was just resting my eyes.” — Justynne Pride, Marketing Director

SPONSORED

→ BTTS Holdings presents The Dream Wedding Giveaway Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 14th! BTTS Holdings and 16 other top-notch local wedding vendors have teamed up to present a once-in-a-lifetime giveaway. One lucky couple will get to plan their $50,000 dream wedding!

According to my friends, my beige flag is that I have to have a new outfit for every occasion (it was actually my New Year’s resolution to work on this, so I’m trying out renting clothes from Nuuly to shop less and be more sustainable). — Tori Smith, Creative Designer

I need to listen to true crime documentaries to fall asleep. Probably a red flag now that I really think about it. — Jack McLaughlin, Editor

I asked my husband what my beige flags were, and he said “None. You’re perfect.”

→ These local chefs are 2024 James Beard Awards Semifinalists The 2024 James Beard Awards Semifinalists are officially in, and both Avishar Barua and BJ Lieberman were nominated for Best Chefs in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, OH).

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

My boyfriend and I both can’t handle caffeine because we’re both anxious as [heck], but we still like coffee, so we split a cup most mornings (and usually never finish it). — Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Lager

My wife has OCD about cleaning the house. Too many arguments happen because, while I'm clean, I do not mind if the house looks lived in. — Paul VanHorn, Sales Manager

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→ Sleep inside of a spaceship at this UFO-themed getaway Galactic Getaways, a new UFO-themed vacation rental, will allows guests to stay inside of a gigantic green “UFO” with a 30-foot diameter.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@loverileycakes

@cottonsugarco

@need.want.wear.share RE

SS PLA

@itsashnails

614 V ID E O 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.

• Lebanese Cuisine Arrives: Tasting Columbus

Lebanese is finally on the menu! With dozens of appetizers and mouthwatering entrees, add Habibi Grill to your list of Must Try’s!

• Freshest Oysters in Columbus Colo Oyster Bar is bringing big ocean flavor to our land locked paradise. Oysters, fish, and more right in the heart of North Market.

• El Vaquero Meets New Years

• Snack Attack Ep. 4

El Vaquero does NOT mess around when it comes to flavor, but these delicious entrees will satisfy your taste buds AND meet your healthy eating goals.

Spicy. We all have different tolerances. We love a good kick in our foods around 614 and these snacks are bringing a heat you don't want to miss out on.

Resolutions

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Long before the days of celebrity gossip and tabloid websites, the salacious story of circus-owner Peter Sells' split from his wife, Mary, shook the Arch City By John M. Clark Story Design by Bryce Patterson

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erhaps the most famous divorce in Columbus history played out in a courtroom here 124 years ago. The case of Sells vs. Sells had everything a newspaper publisher and an inquisitive public could hope for – celebrity, wealth, sex, deceit and intrigue – enough to keep readers on the edge of their seats. And it wasn’t just local residents who followed the tawdry details. In an age before television, or even radio, frequent reports of the Sells case made headlines in papers across the country – from Los Angeles to Buffalo, New York. Peter Sells was one of the wealthiest and bestknown businessmen in Columbus. Along with his three brothers, Sells owned and operated the second-largest traveling circus in the country – one which bore the family name. In 1871, the brothers staged their first “Sells Brothers Circus” show near High and State Streets in Downtown Columbus. It consisted of some used equipment, a handful of exotic animals, a horse-riding act and a man named “Cannonball George,” whose death-defying act needs no further description. Within a few years, the Sells Brothers Circus – known for a while as the Sells Brothers World Conquering And All Overshadowing Three Ring Circus, Real Roman Hippodrome, Indian Village and Pawnee Bill's Famous Original Wild West Show, consisted of 47 rail cars, seven tents, 322 workers and 64 performers, along with elephants, camels and all manners of other exotic wildlife. It traveled coast to coast and once, even, to Australia. The show’s winter home, west of the Olentangy River, in the vicinity of Lennox Town Center, gave rise to an entire community known as Sellsville. Peter was the front man, or “router.” He spent much of the year on the road, planning the circus’ next stops, making complicated travel arrangements and handling most of the show’s marketing. In 1878, Peter married 20-year-old Mary Luker, of Canton, Missouri, in her hometown. Peter, then 32, returned with his bride to Columbus, and two years later, Mary gave birth to the couple’s only child, a daughter they named Florence. As lucrative as Peter’s job was, it meant leaving his much-younger wife and their daughter alone for weeks on end. Mary was never keen on the circus business, and over the next decade or so, she began to sour on the couple’s lifestyle that kept them separated so much. Rumors swirled that she had begun seeing other men. To placate Mary, Peter built one of the mostmagnificent homes in Columbus – directly across from Goodale Park, at Dennison and Buttles. The famed architect team of Yost and Packard designed the three-story, 7,400-square-foot Romanesque brick home, adding steep roof lines to resemble a circus tent. A similarly styled carriage house was built at the rear.

↓ The Sells Circus House, 755 Dennison Ave.

“In 1895, the Sells family moved into their new home, decorating parts of it with furniture and other items from their worldwide travels. Still, it wasn’t enough to make Mary happy. ” In 1895, the Sells family moved into their new home, decorating parts of it with furniture and other items from their worldwide travels. Still, it wasn’t enough to make Mary happy. And in 1899, with continued talk of his wife’s supposed infidelity, Peter concluded the marriage could not be saved. He began drawing up papers to ensure he retained the rights to property the two had shared. (Mary would later say she was tricked into signing them.) He hired lawyers to begin working on a divorce suit and to sue one of his wife’s alleged suitors, William Bott, for alienation of affection. Peter’s most daring move was to employ private detectives to follow Bott and Harry Lyons, one of Peter’s acquaintances, to try to catch them with his

(614) MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2024 614NOW.COM

wife. At least one of the detectives could always be found at night in Goodale Park, keeping watch on the Sells home. The investigation proved a success. One evening, in late 1899, while Peter was away with the circus, private detective John Mahoney saw William Bott, himself the prominent co-owner of a billiard parlor and bar on North High Street (now Elevator Brewing Company), ride his bicycle to Mary’s door. Leaving it outside, he knocked and entered. From there, it was a simple matter for the detective to retrieve the bike, take it home and store it in his attic. This was all the evidence Peter Sells needed. And the ensuing divorce case played out like a modern-day soap opera.

The much-anticipated trial opened on Monday morning, November 12th, 1900. Everyone who could squeeze into the courtroom was allowed to attend. And it was standing-room-only for the next five weeks, as attorneys for the husband and wife traded blistering accusations. Peter’s attorney questioned witnesses about accusations that Mary had been seeing William Bott and trading love letters with him for the past 16 years. A next-door neighbor who had been the contractor on the Sells mansion testified he saw Mary Sells receiving Harry Lyons as a visitor on several evenings when Peter was away from home. Mary’s lawyer raised allegations that Peter had been unfaithful to his wife on numerous occasions while on the road. Peter’s lawyers countered with accusations that such testimony and depositions came from drunks and criminals who had been paid to lie under oath. And on it went – Mary’s side accusing Peter of beating her; Peter’s side alleging that Mary kept a secret cabinet of expensive liquors for entertaining men. On one occasion, Mary watched her daughter Florence, now 20 years old, as she testified on behalf of her father. Florence read from a diary she had kept of her mother’s male callers – names, dates and times. Upon leaving the witness stand, father and daughter shared an embrace. The climax of the trial came when detective John Mahoney was called to the stand, and William Bott’s bicycle, which he had taken from the lawn of the Sells home, was entered into evidence. Mutters filled the courtroom. Finally, on December 20th, newspapers across the country trumpeted the news of the judge’s decision. In its reporting, the New York Times got right to the point: “Peter Sells, the circus man, was today granted a divorce from his wife on the ground of gross neglect of duty.” A lawsuit brought by Peter against Bott for “alienation of affection” was set aside, as was one by Mary, in which she accused her husband of tricking her into signing the papers that gave him full control of property they had shared. The settlement was not disclosed. But several newspapers claimed that Mary was awarded $20,000 in real estate (including two houses) and $10,000 in cash. Eleven days later, on the last day of the century, lawyers for both sides met in the furnace room of the Franklin County Courthouse. Peter and Mary had agreed that all love letters and depositions entered into the divorce suit should be destroyed. On that day, attorneys are said to have burned 10,000 pages. In January, 1901, Mary moved out of the mansion on Dennison, and Peter and his daughter moved back in – but only for a short while, before selling it. Peter then got out of the circus business, selling his portion to investors whose show eventually became known as Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey. In 1904, Peter – only 59 years old – suffered a stroke and died six weeks later. Mary, whose mother had died in 1902, moved to Kansas City, married a car salesman and relocated with him to Colorado. Daughter Florence married a Columbus businessman and moved to New York. But they divorced a short time later, and she died in 1939, aged 60. She is buried near her father in Green Lawn Cemetery. Today, the Sells mansion is more glorious than ever, having been completely renovated in 2022, along with the carriage house. They are, perhaps, the lone, physical reminders of a man who once led the second-largest circus in America…and whose tragic personal life continues to enthrall the public 120 years after he died. ♦

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↓ Inside of Gramercy Books

Columbus novelist and Gramercy Books owner Linda Kass talks bookstore culture and keeping family history alive through writing By Taylor Dorrell Photos by Leonardo Carrizo Story Design by Bryce Patterson

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Linda Kass is a Columbus-based novelist and owner of the Bexley-based Gramercy Books. TD Well, let's talk about your earlier years. You went to OSU for journalism. Can you talk about your early writing career in Columbus? LK I got my master's in journalism at Ohio State. I was in graduate school there. Back when they had a unique department. My interest was in writing for consumers, but about medically oriented kinds of stories. As I started working in this kind of world, I ended up branching out into everything. TD Tell me about how Gramercy came into being. KJ So Gramercy is right on Main Street here in Bexley and when buildings are on Main Street, typically the first floor is retail. When I realized that this building was going to be a reality, all I could see was a bookstore, being someone who reads all the time and is a writer and loves bookstores and libraries—in fact, we're right smack across the street from the Bexley Library. It wasn't a lifelong aspiration, I hadn't thought, you know, hey, someday I'm gonna own a bookstore, that's not the way I go about my life. But I've always loved books, I've loved spaces for books, whether they be bookstores or libraries. It took about three years of planning and visiting bookstores, talking to bookstore owners, visiting websites of bookstores, and putting together a team of people who knew things that I didn't know. I really had a clear idea of what I wanted this bookstore to sort of look like and feel like. I wanted it to be a place of discovery where people could discover books, discover authors, you know, be a place of community. So all those things kind of ran through my head as I was planning the store. We opened on December 12, 2016. →

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TD Can you talk about yourself, not just as a bookstore owner, but as a reader? LK Gosh, I must read 50 plus books a year, at least a book a week. I read a lot of the books by the authors that we're going to bring in, and I have this whole pile that I'm going to be going through. There's so many books that I want to read; I can't read them all. I happen to probably weigh heavier on the fiction side in terms of reading, and there's just so many wonderful books out that it's hard to look at the shelves at the store with so little time and too many books. I'm always amazed at these pockets of books that are gaining a lot of popularity. Like the romance books have taken off, and the fantasy, sci-fi – there's books for everyone. TD Talking about you as a writer, could you discuss the genre of historical fiction that your three novels float within? What drew you to that genre? LK I love that when I read a fictional book, I learn something, that it teaches me something I didn't know besides just the development of the character. I think historical fiction takes you into a time period that we know less about. I'm sure it comes from my journalism background as well, because obviously, as a journalist, I was interested in knowing about what's going on and learning. I think a journalist is often a learner. You can agree or not agree as a journalist about that, but I think that people who get into this genre are people who are curious and like to learn about things. That's why historical fiction is very appealing to me as a reader and as a writer. And it's not like I'm saying, “Oh, I want to read a book of historical fiction,” but it's funny how those books just sort of jump out at me. TD And it seems like at least with your first two novels, Tasa’s Song and A Ritchie Boy, that your personal life was also tied into the historical angle as they both were about your parents. Can you talk a little bit about that? LK Growing up, I didn't know all the details, particularly for my father's story, but you know, as the journalist in the family, I became sort of the family historian. So, back in my late 20s, I interviewed both my parents just so we would have a record of this history. They were both from Europe, they both had different experiences directly relating to World War II with persecution at that time, and so I had all this on audio tape. Back then, I typed it up on my IBM Selectric typewriter and

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it went in a drawer. Later, as my parents are getting older, and more precious in a way, I put together something for the whole family about them. That got me sort of engaged in that whole world of creative writing. The magazine writing I did and learned about in journalism school actually was more creative writing. Back then, we were studying the new journalism of Tom Wolfe, for example. That was actually journalism, but using techniques of fiction or of creative writing, I mean Joan Didion is a perfect example using nonfiction dialogue and scene setting that are really techniques of a fictional story. I went to Europe to visit our daughter who was in college sometime in 2011 in Berlin, and we went to Poland and Vienna. My mother was from Poland, my father from Vienna. Those trips, I'm certain, triggered my desire to dig back into the stories that were their lives and look at the history. And that's sort of how I ended up first telling a fictional story inspired by my mother's life, and then later, the fictional story inspired by my father's life. TD Can you talk about your latest novel, Bessie, and why your three novels gravitate around WWII? Do you feel like that historical time has relevance today? LK I actually felt that that book was similar to my first two books in process. This was a real character, and my first two books were inspired by real characters. It's just that they weren't famous characters. Bess Meyers was someone who was known to a certain audience. She was named Miss America in 1945, just days after the official end of World War II. She was a Jewish woman, and when I realized the date, I found that to be kind of unusual, and I wanted to explore more about her life and how this came to be. It was a story that allowed me to explore a whole lot of things through this character in terms of being able to talk about identity, to talk about bigotry, frankly, in every way. As a writer, I follow my interests, and I was just curious and interested in exploring World War II out of the eyes of individuals, telling human stories and stories of survival. So as I look towards writing a fourth book, for example, I have to think about something that I'm curious about, because if I'm not curious about it, I can't commit myself to the amount of time it takes to research and write a good story. If I had to think about it, I guess community drives so much of what I do, in many ways, you know, family and community. So whether it's with my bookstore, or whether it's in writing my novels, or whether it's just in how I conduct my personal life, family and community are at the core. ♦

To learn more, visit: gramercybooksbexley.com

↓ Inside of Gramercy Books

↑ La Plaza Tapatia's house salsas

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By Hand By Maddie Schamer / Photos by Alissa Ohashi / Story Design by Atlas Biro

Powell’s newest chocolatier, Lohcally Artisan Chocolates, embraces artisan ethics by providing top-quality truffles that are–believe it or not–each hand-painted 24

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← Selection of truffles from Lohcally Artisan Chocolates

he City of Powell welcomed a sweet addition in 2023 when Lohcally Artisan Chocolates opened its doors. Passionate about sharing sourced-at-origin chocolate from around the world with her community, Denise Steele is serving up her hand-painted cocoa confections to not just Columbus locals, but patrons across the U.S. as well. Previously, Steele led a successful career as a business analyst for thirteen years, working with managers to help their operations succeed. “I always thought I might have a business of my own someday,” recalled Steele, “I didn’t know exactly what kind of business back then, but I knew I wanted it to be something very community-focused.” Denise fondly remembered a time when her mother worked in a chocolate shop in the small town of Hartville, Ohio. “She loved working there. They always made people so happy – everyone went there for their gifts, and it was just a really community-oriented business,” said Steele. After stepping away from the corporate world, spending time volunteering, and sending her children off to college, she decided it was finally time to make her dream of owning her own business a reality. She credits her husband for his enthusiastic encouragement of her idea and, following in her mother’s footsteps, she dove into the chocolate industry. Denise attended a chocolatier school in late 2018 to learn everything she could about the chocolate world. “I learned everything there is to know about confection-making, the industry, history, chemistry, and processes,” said Steele. “Going there also connected me with other professionals across the country who were trying to do the same thing and provide high-quality chocolate to their local communities while educating them about the industry.”

“I always thought I might have a business of my own someday...I knew I wanted it to be something very community-focused.” With her business savvy and newfound chocolatier skills, Denise founded Lohcally Artisan Chocolates in 2019. Lohcally offers two sizes of truffles, including the larger, multi-layered “duos” and single-filled “solos,” all of which are hand-painted with naturally colored cocoa butter. “One fun thing is to hear customer quotes,” said Denise, “We’ve heard a lot of people say that they look like marbles or that they’re too beautiful to eat.” The caramel cashew with sea salt is Lohcally’s best-selling truffle, which uses a homemade vanilla caramel followed by a layer of sea salt and a crunchy cashew croquant, a sugary nut candy layer resembling a classic peanut brittle. →

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↑ Lohcally Artisan Chocolates in process

“Wherever we can find a local partner that's producing here in Columbus, we love to do that.” The signature s’mores is also a huge hit, which is layered with marshmallow cream, caramelized white chocolate ganache and a graham cracker layer. “Anything peanut butter is also always popular in Ohio,” said Steele. “We originally just wanted to sell to coffee shops, wineries, breweries, and places like that,” said Denise, “It was a good way to get started.” While the new business thrived with this model in its early days, many of Lohcally’s carriers were hit hard by the pandemic and forced to temporarily close their doors. A natural businesswoman, Denise quickly adapted to the unique circumstances of late 2020, revamping the online store and leaning into other methods of reaching customers. “We started doing pop-ups, mostly at the North Market downtown. They gave us a ton of pop-up space because we were some of the few people who wanted to do it during that time,” said Steele. Lohcally quickly gained popularity with local patrons, who not only looked forward to getting their hands on these specialty confections every week, but began shipping the sweets to friends and relatives across the U.S. With a growing fanbase and high demand, Denise decided it was time to find a permanent home for Lohcally. After searching high and low, she stumbled upon a unique, charming space in the City of Powell that was impossible to pass up. “We found this cute little older building in Powell that

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really fit our vision of having a community space. It was quaint and had an atmosphere that we knew would draw people in,” explained Steele. The shop officially opened its doors in February 2023 and has since become an integral part of the local community. “Wherever we can find a local partner that’s producing here in Columbus, we love to do that,” said Denise. “Annie’s Wine Cottage across the street has carried our products for years, and we’re in talks with Nocterra about a partnership for some chocolate and beer pairing events with them,” said Steele. Lohcally engages local partnerships whenever possible, using Watershed Distillery’s bourbon in their maple bourbon truffle and Hemmick Farm and Brewery’s oat stout for their oat stout caramel. On top of their year-round staple selection of truffles, Lohcally offers a wide variety of seasonal flavors. A special Valentine’s Day merlot truffle is a seasonal favorite, and the blackberry basil truffle is a summer hit. “Sometimes I even grow the basil myself,” said Denise, “We try to use locally grown ingredients as often as possible.” Denise’s care for local communities extends beyond Columbus. “One thing we have learned from going through the education process is the history and evolution of chocolate,” said Steele, “It comes from the cacao bean which only grows 20 degrees north and south of the equator, normally from very small countries.”

Happy Hour According to Steele, cacao beans are often shipped to the U.S. or Europe for mass chocolate production, causing cacao farmers from these small countries to lose out on the financial benefits of manufacturing chocolate locally. “We value the sourced at origin story of the chocolate world,” Steele said, “We are currently purchasing from a manufacturer in Columbia that employs around 3,000 local families who are harvesting and processing the cacao beans. It makes for a better bean for them to work with since it’s fresher, and it turns more profits for those families as well.” Not only does this practice benefit cacao farmers, but it allows Lohcally to serve the highest-quality chocolate to its customers. “The Columbian company we purchase from is considered to have the top 8% of beans in the world which is an exclusive grouping called ‘Fino de Aroma,’ meaning fine flavored chocolate,” said Steele. “We feel like we are offering some of the finest quality chocolate in the world.” But Denise doesn’t stop there when it comes to giving her customers the best. Lohcally offers chocolate tastings every month or so, allowing customers the chance to try samples of the best chocolate from all around the world. “Columbia cacao beans are grown near coffee, while some from Nicaragua are grown near bananas, and the chocolate will take on those flavors,” said Steele, “We love to educate people about the chocolate industry and history – you’re tasting your way through around 8-10 samples from Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and are picking up those different flavor nuances from different countries.” Lohcally Artisan Chocolates continues to impress customers with beautiful chocolate confections, going above and beyond to bring the very best to our local Columbus communities. ♦

Monday-Friday • 3pm-6pm $4 off Growlers $3 off Draft Beer $2 off Wine, Mead, Sangria $1 off Liquor

Visit Lohcally Artisan Chocolates at 77 W. Olentangy St. in Powell, OH, or check out their website, lohcally.com Scan the QR code to watch a bonus video taking you inside Lohcally Artisan Chocolate

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← Fried chicken from CM Chicken

From gochujang to soju on the side, Korean fried chicken has made a home throughout the city of Columbus, and it’s here to stay By Dylan Ecker / Photos by Heidi Oliver Story Design by Atlas Biro

o fry food is to amplify its deliciousness factor— that’s common knowledge. Humans have been doing it for a long, long time. Thousands of years ago, in Ancient Mesopotamia, the ubiquitous frying pan appeared on the culinary scene. Fast forward (a lot), and the method of “deep frying” has taken off worldwide. It’s easy to see why. Drop it in hot oil then watch as it sizzles and bubbles and transforms whatever it is into a more tantalizing version of itself. Red potatoes, green tomatoes, blue cheese stuffed olives: all great in their own regard when dredged and dipped and given a golden sheen. But there exists a tasty sensation so perfectly balanced between savory and salty, greasy and delicate, crunchy and succinctly succulent, nothing else even comes close. We’re talking about fried chicken. Specifically, Korean fried chicken. The past few years, Columbus has seen growth in the number of eateries specializing in, or serving up a variant on, the beloved poultry dish. There’s a trio of CM Chicken locations, a bb.q Chicken on Bethel and another on Lane. There’s Mashida Chicken in Delaware. The entrance to the monumentally underrated Restaurant Silla is situated in the alleyway between buildings at the Northwest Center. Open 7 days a week! Karaoke!! Then, at the East Market, Koso evokes the vibes of a pojangmacha (Korean street food stall) while serving up their twist on wings and other contemporary renditions of classic recipes. TaKorea, beside Gateway Film Center, is the Columbus spot for Korean-Mexican fusion—unsurprisingly, this combination of cuisines is something to applaud. And remember to grab some stellar dak-gangjeong from Koshi the next time you visit Saraga International Grocery on Morse Road. So, you might be thinking, What makes Korean fried chicken different from its American counterpart? →

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Fried chicken from CM Chicken →

from

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Dae Kim, franchisee of the international chain CM Chicken’s location on West Henderson Road (plus restaurants in Westerville and Pickerington), said one of the secrets to doing things Korean-style is the process of double-frying. “It rests after the first fry,” explained Kim. This allows excess water to evaporate and results in a crispier “crispy layer that stays crispy,” Kim emphasized. Other distinguishing aspects are the sauce profiles. Yangnyeom chicken is famous for a full coating of gochujang, a fermented red chili paste. Other flavors emphasize soy and garlic, or a sweet heat that lingers. Beyond the reality that Korean fried chicken is irresistibly delectable, is there a reason for its swift and triumphant rise in popularity across the city? Dae Kim opened the first central Ohio CM Chicken in the fall of 2021. Now, just two years later, he operates a total of three locations around the area. He attributes success, in part, to the notion that, “Columbus is a family city… and chicken is a family meal.” In Korean culture, sharing food with loved ones is an essential activity and nowhere is that association more pronounced than with chicken. If you were to add up all the McDonald’s in the world, it would be less than the total number of fried chicken establishments across Korea.

“Columbus is a family city... and chicken is a family meal.” Before getting into the restaurant business, Kim and his brother-in-law had a long-running tradition of consuming a basket of chicken wings every Tuesday night. It makes sense why such a familial practice was cogent when it came to helping decide his next professional move. Moreover, Kim considered the increasing global popularity of Korean cinema and K-pop and believed the same enthusiasm would translate into people being hungry (literally) for fresh gastronomic experiences. Judging from the community’s collective esteem for CM Chicken, Kim’s idea worked out wonderfully. Korean fried chicken is not a trend—it’s a historically important, cross-cultural main course that’s making its way to a mouth near you (preferably, your very own). However, our story would be misrepresenting the truth if a key detail was left out… alcohol. →

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← Dae Kim, local CM Chicken franchisee with libations

In fact, the Korean language has a whole subset of foods designated as good to be eaten alongside alcohol: anju. Eating fried chicken and drinking beer is called chimaek (interjection to say sorry I’m a linguistics nerd and I love that this is a smashing together of the individual words for chicken and beer, which is further evidence to the pair’s inseparability). The concept is profoundly reliable. The slightly bitter suds of a can of chilled Cass cuts right through the salty fattiness of fried chicken. Somaek is another infamous pairing, except not of food with alcohol, but alcohol with well, alcohol. A splash of soju mixed with a good pour of beer. Soju is a distilled spirit made from white rice and sweet potatoes. Jinro Chamisul, a brand of soju, is the best-selling alcoholic beverage on the face of the Earth. You can see how the link between drinking and eating embodies a kind of reverence. So, whether it’s reminiscing in the company of family, or enjoying a night out with new and old friends, plan on Korean fried chicken imparting a satisfying (pun intended) nostalgic comfort with each bite. And plan on Korean fried chicken sticking around in Columbus for a long, long time. Oh, and don’t forget to say cheers—“Geonbae!” ♦ To learn more about the Columbusarea locations of CM Chicken, visit cmchickenohio.com

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Perkie Prints D

evoted pet parents often have to choose between functionality and design when shopping for anything pet related. This is where Jonni Perkins, a former textile designer turned innovative entrepreneur, found her inspiration. Like many, Jonni cherishes her three dogs as family, not just pets. When decorating her new home, she wanted to honor her girls without sacrificing her personal style. Faced with the less-than-obliging nature of her three dogs, getting them to sit still for the camera together posed quite a challenge. This marked the serendipitous beginning of Perkie Prints. It emerged as a creative solution for the elusive “perfect pet photo,” transforming everyday cell phone photos into personalized apparel, home decor, and sentimental pieces. “Everyone has 100,000 photos of their pets, but they have a weird uncle or something in the background, so you’re not

going to use them in any real way,” Perkins said. “We remove the background and digitally enhance your pet to make them the star of the show.” She noted their Pocket Tees–which depict your pet playfully popping out of the breast pocket on a white t-shirt–are one of Perkie Prints’ most popular items. The process for ordering is simple: head to Perkieprints.com/614, upload a photo of your pet, and choose from a variety of high-quality products. Jonni assures that the team is there to guide you through photo selection after checkout if you want support on choosing the best picture. "A job that involves helping fellow pet lovers sort through adorable photos of their pets while sharing stories is truly a dream come true," Perkins said. →

↑ Pictured is Jonni modeling the Classic Crew Sweatshirt featuring Hallie, her 12 year-old fur-child

↑ Products Showcase: 11x14 Black Frame & Coffee Mug featuring Perkins' other two pups, Rue and Miley

A few short months after opening–and following a social media endorsement from a former Bachelorette contestant–the business grew by word of mouth from a one-off hobby, to a passion project, to a fully-fledged business and a full-time job, and Perkins was all in. Shortly after its inception, Perkie Prints expanded from Perkins’ attic, to her closet, then into a spare bedroom in her house and then finally her kitchen, before the company settled into the Brewery District office it calls home today. At first an operation of one, the company has now grown to a total of 13, each of whom is as pet-obsessed as the last. Jonni perfectly sums up the ethos: “We’re here not just because we love pets, but because we understand people's profound connection with their animals and how that bond brings creates a community who all speak the same language of pet love. Together, we give back to help animals in need as a portion of every purchase goes back to our charity partners. Our pets are our family, and we’re not shy about that. We’re here to help you express that pride and love in the most beautiful, stylish way possible.” ♦ To join our celebration of pet love and to create your own Perkie Print, visit us at Perkieprints.com/614

↑ Piazza Pelino owners Christina and Vincent Pelino

After making a name for themselves via Pelino’s Pasta, Vincent and Christina Pelino are offering a new Italian-inspired dining experience, one scoop of gelato and one sandwich at a time By Chris Alexis Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Bryce Patterson

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↓ Umbrellas hanging from Piazzo Pelino’s ceiling

incent and Christina Pelino want to make your Italian experience at Piazza Pelino as authentic as possible. They even keep traveling to Italy to make it a certainty. They recently opened Piazza Pelino, a new sandwich and gelato shop located in the Short North, which draws its inspiration from the heart of Italian culture—the piazza. "Piazzas are gathering spaces at a town square or, as we get to larger cities, they’re in front of important buildings or any place of gathering," Vincent explained. Piazza Pelino is the sister concept to Pelino's Pasta, the original venture where the creators immersed themselves in the artistry of Italian cuisine, making hand-pulled pastas with high-quality Italian ingredients. Pelino’s Pasta opened in August of 2021, whereas Piazza officially opened on November 29, 2023, at 772 N. High Street. "We meet all of the suppliers in Italy, and we meet every winery we carry," he said. "So all of this means that we're constantly going to Italy. In our travels, we are interacting with people, seeing things, and wanting to share." And sharing Italian culture with Columbus is exactly what they do. Every trip to Italy allows them to make the experience more immersive for their customers. And when they're back home stateside, they live and work in nearly the same place. "It's a dangerously close walk from our place to Piazza Pelino, which means I've had quite a bit of gelato recently," Vincent said with a grin. "We're residents here, and so when the Short North Piece of Cake space became available, we were excited for the opportunity to expand what we offer and share some of these things with our neighbors in a more casual setting."

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↓ Piazza Pelino sandwiches ↑

The Pelinos gave the space a new soul while retaining the structural integrity of its predecessor. The interior now offers an ambiance designed to make patrons feel the Italian spirit, with colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, resembling the famous street in Pietrasanta, Italy. And while the space features some tables and chairs, it's not meant to be a hub where many people just sit for long periods. A piazza in Italy is all about enjoying the community, and Vincent wants to bring the same opportunities to his customers. "It's designed so that you can take your food with you, enjoy it, and walk," Vincent said. "The Short North is such a walkable neighborhood. There are tons of great shops to go to and places to eat and drink. And so it's this great ability to get a gelato or get some sandwiches and be able to enjoy the neighborhood." One of the standout offerings is the Della Casa sandwich. It features prosciutto di parma, burrata cheese, and basil pesto. “All of these sandwiches are inspired by or directly related to sandwiches we've consumed in Italy," he said. The gelato, crafted with milk from Ohio's Snowville Creamery, stands out as another draw for customers. The Pelinos imported ingredients directly from Italy, including indulgent Italian chocolate and sweet Bronte Pistachios. Piazza Pelino uses real Italian flour for their bread, too, keeping things simple with basic ingredients like yeast, salt, water, flour, and optional extra virgin olive oil. The great taste comes from fresh yeast and letting the dough sit for over 24 hours, making the bread not only delicious, but easier to digest. Vincent remembers his great-grandmother, who hailed from the Abruzzo region in Italy, making delicious focaccia bread when he was younger. "Whenever I'm watching it rise in the oven, it's like I'm 10 years old again," he said. "It just brings her to life." And through Piazza Pelino, he hopes to bring new experiences to life for his customers, who can enjoy this Italian cuisine 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. ♦ Stop in for a sandwich or gelato at 772 N. High St. and follow along on their Instagram, @piazzapelino.

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Dr. David Caldwell ↑

Breaking Through Combining ketamine infusions with patient-focused psychotherapy, MiNDSET is leading the charge in cutting-edge ketamine therapies, and redefining the possibilities of depression treatment along the way. By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Aaron Massey

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↑ Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips and Dr. David Caldwell

↑ MiNDSET Inegrative Ketamine Care Interior

uring a challenging trauma surgery in the midst of the pandemic, Dr. David Caldwell faced a critical decision. He had to choose between temporarily adjusting his biohazard face covering, which was obstructing his vision, and potentially exposing himself to the COVID-19 virus or keeping his mask in place while his patient's life hung in the balance. Today, Dr. Caldwell is still saving lives. The way he goes about doing so may be a bit less cinematic, but in a way much more impactful. Following the pandemic and an introspective stretch for him personally, Caldwell—alongside psychotherapist Dr. Melissa Briggs-Phillips—have launched MiNDSET Integrative Ketamine Care, a specialty clinic a stone’s throw from the Scioto River, that specializes in a whole-patient, therapeutic approach incorporating both ketamine infusion therapy and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Ketamine, originally used in anesthesia (where Dr. Caldwell first encountered it nearly 25 years ago), has gained popularity for its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression among other mood disorders, thanks to its action on the NMDA receptors that block the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate.

After opening last summer–and following a recent appearance on NPR’s “All Sides”–MiNDSET is one of the Columbus clinics leading the charge with ketamine therapies.

“The bottom line is the way we do ketamine therapy here is really safe and really effective,” Dr. Caldwell said. “The results are above and beyond anything you’ll read in the literature. Where medical journals report around 20 percent of people as non-responsive, here, we’re at about five percent.” Dr. Caldwell believes that MiNDSET's success is due in part to the clinic's holistic approach. At MiNDSET, clients are required to undergo two components of treatment: intravenous ketamine infusions and psychotherapy. This means that everyone receiving ketamine infusions also engages in counseling, either at the clinic with Dr. Briggs-Phillips or with their own therapist.

“The impact of severe depression is absolutely debilitating, and the real truth is, especially postCOVID, we all know someone who is struggling to find relief from depression,” said Dr. David Caldwell, MiNDSET Founder and CEO. “People don’t need to suffer in silence. We’re stepping outside the traditional realms of medical and psychological treatments because this is where recovery is possible.” Dr. Briggs-Phillips noted that ketamine temporarily helps "dissolve" patients' egos after infusions, enabling them to address problems from a fresh perspective, form new neural pathways, quiet that voice in their head and break free from longstanding negative behavior patterns. "Often, clients know the right path but struggle to take that first step. It's as if they're trapped in a glass box," she observed. "Ketamine dismantles that barrier, allowing individuals to finally follow their own best path." Dr. Caldwell agreed, stating, "We're liberating people who often feel incapacitated in their daily interactions, freeing them from these negative constraints." To learn more, visit mindsetketamine.com

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Clintonville • Graceland • Easton • Powell

Love

IN THE DIGITAL AGE Section Design by Tori Smith

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In today's day and age, you can fall in love with a stranger online just as easily as you can order a pizza. Well, almost as easily. Because we now live in a digital world, we wanted to really get a handle on what this meant for our city's dating scene. That doesn't mean we're exclusively fixated with online dating (although we do feature a collection of dating app diaries that are equal parts touchingly sweet and hilariously awful), since we sat down with a local matchmaker and looked toward local events that are deliberately in-person as well. We're simply interested in how Columbus gets together in an age inundated with beeping phones and smart refrigerators, and we hope you are, too. →

JUMP IN!

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(Digital) Love Stories From Pizza Hut dates to drunken fistfights, with a sprinkle of positive endings and some self-reflection along the way, (614) readers share the highs, lows, and the “Did that really just happens?” of online dating in Columbus By Sav McKee

e asked our Columbus audience to give us the inside scoop on their own dating adventures. And sure, while most seem pretty exhausted by the concept of online dating and being ghosted, others have found a silver lining, using these apps to gain a better understanding of themselves, building connections to the community along the way, and yup – even finding a spouse via Tinder. Whether you’ve had horrific times or heartwarming moments, these tales are here to remind us that we’re not alone in this age of digital love.

I Should Have Known When He Suggested Pizza Hut I wish this could be a positive story about online dating, but alas, after a couple of years of on-and-off swiping left and right, my last online date was indeed my last—you'll soon understand why. I met a guy on Bumble. He was seemingly "normal" and overall was average in looks and personality when chatting with him. We got on the topic of food, specifically cheesy bread and we decided our first date is what we called “tour de Columbus, best cheesy bread edition.” I let him pick the first place which ended up being Pizza Hut – I should have known we were doomed. An hour before the date, he texted me, asking if we could push it back an hour. I didn't think much of it, considering it was a lazy Sunday afternoon, so my response was, "Sure, no problem!" The Pizza Hut he suggested turned out to be closed. Right before I left, I received a text: "Oh, this Pizza Hut isn't open. Want to go where you suggested, and I can pick you up since I'm near your place?" [Insert this is where I would be the girl who gets murdered in a scary movie.] All jokes aside, for some reason, I let this man pick me up. We went to Yellow Brick in Franklinton—THE BEST

CHEESY BREAD IN THE 614. When we sat down, he was telling me about how hungover he was, and how he needed to get a drink ASAP, during which he was extremely rude when ordering. Fast forward an hour into the date, and this dude had already told me about five professions he claimed to have, lived in his parent's basement and did not ask me a single question about myself. At this point, I'm working on an exit plan, but he wants to go to another spot, thinking this is the best date of his life, I guess? I made him take me home, even though the whole way there, he was begging me to keep hanging out with him. The next few days went by, and I didn't hear from him, so I thought I was off the hook. But I was wrong; he ended up texting me. I have learned that I don't like ghosting culture pretty quickly in online dating, so I try to give that same respect, even though I guess some of these men don't deserve that. I texted him that I felt like he needed to focus on himself, as it seemed like he was a little all over the place, and he responded that I was brash. I blocked his number and haven't online dated since.

A Tender Tinder Moment

A 12/10 Experience

How to start? It was the summer of 2018, and in fact it was my birthday! I had just turned 19, and during that time, I had decided I wanted to have a casual summer as I have a bad habit of rushing into relationships. Well, that was going so great (sarcasm), but you know, I was still trying when one day I had matched with this really cute guy who had an anime picture on his profile (an anime I didn't like but not the point!). I had swiped right and talked to him for a few hours and he was really sweet and funny, but that day, I was going to a concert with a good friend, and I had completely forgotten to text this really cute guy back...but uhm, for 3 months.... Oops. One day, I was going to delete Tinder because it wasn’t as fun as I had naively hoped. I noticed I had never texted him back and in a thought process of "screw it,” I messaged him again and gave him another way to contact me and apologized profusely for forgetting to text back. 15 minutes later, I received a notification from him and well...5 years later, we now share a last name and are working towards getting a home together!

I’m a 30 year old gay man and my online dating experience has been pretty magical honestly. A big part of dating for me is experiencing the world and trying new things. I've gotten to meet a lot of cool guys from all over the country/globe and learn a lot about the different cultures here in Columbus. In addition to the friendships I’ve made and the fresh local homestead produce I regularly receive, online dating has also provided me with a plethora of stories which I have in screenshots and note pad memos so I don't forget their hilarity. Some of my favorite chaotic highlights were a guy singing Shania Twain to me loudly in public on a first date despite my insistence he not. There was also the time I wanted to leave a threesome but couldn't turn the door handle due to the lube on my hands. Waiting it out was very awkward. Another time a guy was crying at a packed Roosters on our second date because he found out I was still using Tinder and accused me of cheating. We understandably never spoke again. But all in all, 12/10 experience!

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Ghosted There was one experience I had that I believe made me completely lose any faith I did have in dating apps. Around this time last year, I matched with someone and we actually made it off of Hinge. We texted for a couple of days and planned a date. He was sweet and funny over text and I was actually excited for the date. We grabbed coffee at a local coffee shop and really seemed to hit it off. The conversation flowed super well – we both were very engaging and charismatic, had some things in common, laughed a lot, the vibes were great (or at least I thought they were). After the date, as we walked back to our cars, he asked if I was free on Sunday afternoon for another date, and said he’d text me with the plan. I loved this initiative, and it was clear to me that he was interested. He texted me later that day and told me he had such a nice time meeting me and we made plans for lunch on Sunday at Forno. I never heard from him after that. We didn’t set a time, so on Saturday I texted him to ask what time he wanted to shoot for lunch the next day, and he never responded. He completely ghosted me! I was mostly just confused because he had been the one to initiate the second date and went out of his way to make plans. I had never been ghosted before and honestly was worried something happened to him. I didn’t send another text after my message asking what time we would meet for lunch because I didn’t think there was anything else to say. My friend and I ran into him at Target the following Monday (the day after we were supposed to have our date). He was in line directly behind us and used the self-checkout next to us, so I knew he saw me, but I just ignored him. The next time I made a Hinge after that, he was still there, with an updated profile.

8OZ SIRLOIN $23 Your Neighborhood Dining Destination

Not Your Bail Out A person I met online got arrested for drunkenly punching a cop and later called me to bail her out. We were only together for 3 months at that point. Bye girl!

The D Word I recently started dating again here in the city and if I thought it was hard before, it’s nothing like it is now, being a divorced 20-something year old. I find that having gone through those major life events at a young age is another barrier to finding a compatible partner. And whether I’m dating casually or looking for a serious relationship, it feels as though The Divorce is something that I have to quickly disclose. Sometimes it comes up naturally, sometimes I intentionally withhold the information, and sometimes, just for fun, I’ll let it slip on a first date if I feel like it’s likely not going to go any further. I once dropped The Divorce Bomb on a guy and he knocked over his full margarita all over the bar counter. Most don’t react so dramatically, but for many people, it clearly makes them pause and, if even for a brief moment, look at me differently. And while they say it doesn’t matter to them, I’ve been ghosted by enough people who have used that line that I think, deep down, The Divorce really does matter.

dublin

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Let’s Get Political – or Maybe Not Working in politics is generally something that I hate to discuss when meeting new people, and it presents a real challenge on the apps. I’m 29 and I know I want to get married, so as I approach 30, I’m less tempted to spend evenings with someone who is not compatible. In the past, I’ve almost always entered a first date with some sort of an understanding of the person's voting history by using a software I have access to for work purposes. It can be insightful; it aggregates public voting information using the first and last names I plug in of my Tinder dates. In many ways, it tells a person's story. It tells me where they were during COVID. It tells me if they know the importance of a midterm. It tells me if they’ve moved five times in three years in the same city. It tells me if they’ve never voted. I used to enter dates armed with this secret knowledge. I wanted to glean as much as I could from these data points in hopes it would lead me to someone who I want to spend the rest of my life with. It hasn’t. Last week, I went out with someone without looking into his background, but based on what he said on his profile, I had high hopes about where he would land politically. He was lovely; sweet, accomplished, attractive. He suggested a great restaurant. In some ways, it feels embarrassing that I’ve never given someone a chance who wasn’t aligned with me. What does that say about me? I have been asking that question myself. I’ve considered lately that maybe I need to be less rigid in the way I label people off the bat. Maybe I can give someone a chance who saw the world differently than me in the past, but can share a vision now. I know this means potentially going on a date with someone who will end up being politically misaligned with me, but maybe it could also mean that I can get to know someone who is kind, and be a part of their journey. We all have one. I said yes to a second date with him – maybe this means that I can grow, too.

↓ Photo by Tyler Jamison

Not So Open After All One woman I matched with last year on Hinge made it known on our first date that she was in a committed relationship with a man, but both of them were on board with her dating outside of their relationship to explore her curiosity with women. We hit it off really, really well - drinks at a local cocktail bar, and a goodnight kiss that turned into her coming home with me. We hooked up at my place, and as one of my first experiences with a woman, I found it incredibly freeing. It was so, so fun and I was definitely into her! I was excited at the possibility of seeing her again and getting more comfortable with my sexuality after coming out in my mid-twenties. She was beautiful, smart and mesmerizing. I was psyched. The next day, though, I got a text I wasn't expecting to see. Her boyfriend, after hearing that we'd gone through with hooking up, was not so happy. She explained that he no longer felt okay with her doing such things without telling him first – he'd prefer she called him to specifically ask if we could sleep together, though he was aware we'd gone out for a first date. It sounded like this was their first time opening up their dynamic and it might have been too much, too soon. This left me feeling confused and disappointed - and unsure of where to go next. We had a few more texts back and forth, and even met for coffee, but I couldn't shake the feeling that her boyfriend seemed upset at her because of me. It left me with a vague sense of guilt that really wasn't mine to feel. I haven't explored things with dating people in open relationships since then, and while I'm still open to it, I'll be extra sure to ask if my matches have already figured out their boundaries, do's and don'ts before we go for anything!

Bad Aim M., that’s what I’ll call him, and I technically met in the basement of a dive bar, but we matched a few weeks later on a dating app. We’d get together and then drift apart, then reconnect, then drift a bit, living somewhere between “seeing each other” and a fling. I would’ve kept floating back and forth for longer than I’d like to admit as I was in a lull with the apps, until came the fateful night that I woke up to him drunkenly urinating in the corner of my apartment bedroom. My takeaway from that story? Anytime I’m jittery about meeting someone new on the first date, my friends remind me that hey, it can’t be worse than the time M. peed on your parka and slippers.

My First and Last Hinge Date My partner and I met on Hinge, and I like to joke that he was my first and last hinge date. Not looking for anything serious at the end of my senior year at OSU, I downloaded Hinge as a way to cure my boredom as my friends were drinking and playing video games one Saturday night. I agreed to meet a guy at Brewdog the next week. We stayed there talking for hours, and moved our way down the street to Oddfellows, where we stayed until they closed and were forced to remember we have school and work in the morning. Four years, three apartments, two cities, two kittens, and one giant dog later, we’re engaged, and I’m so happy I found my best friend and forever life partner on Hinge all those years ago.

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Online Dating Glossary

Beige flag (n.) a characteristic/ behavior that’s kind of weird, but isn’t too much of a cause for concern

Breadcrumbing (v.) talking to a person just enough to make it seem like there’s interest, but ultimately, it never goes past flirtatious texts and Instagram likes

Cobwebbing (v.) purging any texts, pictures, conversations, and numbers in an effort to move on from someone

Cookie Jarring (v.) seeking a relationship with someone else as a backup plan

Ghosting (v.) cutting someone off without a warning or explanation

The Ick (n.) a phenomenon where an action or behavior is so “icky” that someone can’t see their date the same way ever again

Love Bombing (v.) giving overwhelming, excessive attention in order to later manipulate

Orbiting (v.) continuing to interact with a person on social media, usually through views and likes, when all other communication has been cut off

Situationship (n.) an undefined, confusing, unsteady romantic and/or sexual relationship

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Cupid of Columbus Rachel Joy Barehl, a Columbus matchmaker known as the “City’s Superconnector” and the “Dating Doula,” is giving singles the skills they need to find love, all without a bow and arrow By Sav McKee / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

↑ Rachel Joy Barehl, Columbus Matchmaker

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f only finding love was as easy as a cute, little cherub named Cupid aiming a heart-shaped arrow at us. Now, in this digital age of love, we’re surrounded by catfishing, ghosting, roaching, cobwebbing, love-bombing, orbiting, beige flags, situationships, and the dreaded “ick.” If these terms happen to just be a part of your daily lingo now, it might be time for a reassessment. And no, this doesn’t mean you have to delete all of your dating apps and resort to scrawling your number down on a bar napkin (although that sounds like a great way to meet someone, too). Enter the modern Cupid of Columbus, sans arrow of course. Rachel Joy Barehl is a certified matchmaker based in central Ohio, and she’s known as the "City’s Superconnector" and "Dating Doula." Initially a skeptic of online dating, Barehl, after mingling with and learning from some of the best matchmakers globally, realized it’s not necessarily the apps themselves, but how we use them that contributes to the loneliness epidemic. Dating profiles should be authentic, but many are using them incorrectly. Notably, Barehl still advocates for face-to-face connections and meaningful, in-person conversations. “I’m not anti-dating app anymore,” Barehl laughed. “But I also see the value of in-person dating. Deep conversations usually don’t happen through texting or messaging on an app. But that being said, there are ways to show yourself fully online that will help you meet a better match. People just need some guidance! There’s not a class in life that teaches online dating norms,” she emphasized. There may not be a class that teaches us how to choose the perfect online dating photo, or what to write in the bio section, but there is now Rachel Barehl here in Columbus, who thrives at being the middle-man. “I love helping people think outside the limits they have. I’m a sounding board and a reflection of their best selves. I can’t promise love – I’m promising support, but I do promise that I’ll work all day and all night to find someone the type of love they deserve,” said Barehl. As an established photographer in the Columbus community, Barehl’s knack for capturing romance enhances her matchmaking skills. She empowers clients to embrace their quirks, to value those qualities within themselves, and ideally, find a partner who appreciates them, too. As one of her clients put it, “Our conversation was pivotal in me seeing my value and being unafraid to ask for it to be seen. That means more to me than you know.” Barehl has invested significant time attending the Global Love Institute’s matchmaking courses, where she studied the science of building successful partnerships. Additionally, she’s received a validated matchmaking seal through relationship coaching by the world-renowned Love Doctor, Dr. Terry Orbuch. Plus, she’s learned the secrets of the love trade directly from famous matchmaker and dating coach, and NYT bestseller, Rachel Greenwald. And through these various matchmaking conferences, she’s established databases with other matchmakers around the country. Columbus’ Cupid is forging her own path in the field of matchmaking, though. “A lot of matchmakers are just for the wealthy and beautiful, but I want to make this accessible – I’m looking beyond the beauty standard, and I’m helping people of all different backgrounds, ages, sizes, sexualities, and shapes,” Barehl explained. Her ideal client? Someone who’s serious about finding a connection. Someone who’s compassionate, kind, and open to meeting new people. Someone who’s okay with restructuring their dating approach. “Really, it’s someone who’s willing to be stretched in different ways,” Barehl emphasized. →

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Upcoming Matchmaker Events...

Sunday, February 11 11am-1pm @ Zurie Studio Picture Day! Better photos get you better dates, period.

Saturday, February 17

Barehl offers diverse matchmaking services, from photography sessions for your online dating app profile (the next one is on February 11th, by the way) and dating profile refreshes, to traditional, app-less matchmaking. Her Deep Dive & Dating Strategy service ($350) involves an indepth conversation, where Barehl and her client discuss where they’ve been, where they’re heading, and what exactly they’re looking for. They’re then added to her VIP Database, which provides the client access to robust dating profiles, making it easier to match them with her other clients, or with other matchmakers around the country (if they’re open to long distance or relocating). Then, there’s her actual Matchmaking & Date Concierge service ($5,500+) that outsources the countless hours people have to spend searching for dates (statistics show it’s 10 hours for every one date!), and instead, Barehl plans, coordinates, and vets individuals for her client. She collects date feedback and supports the client until they’re no longer needing her one-on-one services. “This one is a very hands on approach for those looking to make dating a priority,” Barehl explained.

6-7pm @ Virtue Salon in the Brewery District Five Strategies for Daters (Be Your Own Matchmaker)

Sunday, March 10 3-5pm @ Virtue Salon in the

“ Deep conversations usually don’t happen through texting or messaging on an app. But that being said, there are ways to show yourself fully online that will help you meet a better match. People just need some guidance! There’s not a class in life that teaches online dating norms.”

Brewery District A Cozy, Juicy, Real Game about connection

Sunday, March 10 3-5pm @ Virtue Salon in the Brewery District Matchmaker Mad Libs & Open Mic. Come play mad libs and then we’ll have the opportunity to share our mad lib dating profiles. You’ll have a room full of people who are cheering you on (and maybe introducing you to your match)

@racheljoybarehl

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She also curates niche dating events, workshops, group experiences, and provides dating coaching. Plus, she offers a completely free database, which she says is a passive way to be included in the dating pool of people she reaches out to when looking for matches for her paying clients. Barehl is also well-versed in what makes a great date and fantastic partnership. After all, she kind of manifested her own husband Adam on Valentine’s Day of 2013, when she told her friends that she really wanted a guy with a man-bun in particular. “Then, I showed up to a party wearing heart shaped glasses, and, well, there was a guy with a man bun there. The next week, he came to this talk I was giving about matchmaking. I asked him a lot of engaging questions after the event, and he thought I was matchmaking for him or for a friend, but I was matchmaking for myself,” she giggled. Although some people would rather be shot with an arrow than have to go on one more terrible date, luckily, you don’t have to do either anymore. Barehl’s gentle approach might be exactly what you’re looking for. She enjoys doing the dirty work for you, saving you from a lot of wasted time, heartbreak, and sore thumbs due to the endless swiping. Check out Rachel Joy Barehl’s website, racheljoybarehl.com/matchmaker/ and Instagram, @racheljoybarehl, to get the inside scoop on future events by signing up for her newsletter, and don’t forget to be added to her free dating database if you’d like to be included!

The one and only Cbus matchmaker gave us some excellent dating advice, for both online and in-person dating.

What are some online dating tips? Good photos are everything – a picture is the cover page of your personal marketing plan. The first photo you have on your app should be a clear photo of you smiling or laughing. The second should be a full body pic, and pics 3-5 should show you doing interesting things that would spark conversation. Your photos should be what you look like now and not adventures from several years ago. Meet people sooner – don’t spend too much time becoming pen pals. You’ll fall in love with the idea of them instead. Get coffee or cocktails or go on a walk immediately! Give them second chances – it’s okay if you don’t feel in love after immediately meeting them in-person. Be open minded! Compromise – it’s crucial, and it’s okay to have to do it. Don’t text before the first date – texting kills the date. People have different communication styles while texting and it won’t help you know them more! What are some in-person dating tips? Go places alone – and while you’re there, be approachable, wear your favorite outfit, and get out of your comfort zone. Change a small thing in your life – you could meet someone new if you turn left to go to work instead of right, take a walk at lunch instead of stay in the office, go to a coffee shop every day for a week and sit in a new place. See what happens! Expand your network – people meet through other people. Go to events where you’ll meet new people who will then introduce you to more new people. Refresh yourself – get a new haircut or color, buy a new outfit, or change something that will make you feel good. Don’t wait until it’s “the right time” – get out there now! Flex your bravery muscle. Send

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Columbus is for Lovers Matt “The Man About Town” Mahoney hits the streets of the Arch City to explore Columbus love, lust and dating By Matt Mahoney / Photos by Alissa Ohashi

“O

hio is for lovers,” or at least that’s what the members of Hawthorne Heights told me back in my emo days. While it might seem absurd on the surface, my observations have led me to believe that there might be some truth in such a statement. To be clear: as a man in a loving, committed relationship, I have not been involved in the dating market in some time now, and even when I was single and ready to mingle, I was more of an observer on the outskirts of the game than an active participant. Growing further and further removed from my time as a semi-eligible bachelor, I begin to wonder: What has changed since the Man About Town last wandered the bars and apps of Columbus in search of love? The answer to that question—I soon find—appears to be “quite a lot.” Taking a survey of people around my age, I would guess that a sizable portion – perhaps even a majority – met their long-term partners on a dating app. Some people might find this embarrassing, but you have to remember that dating has always been a wholly cringetastical affair. For a bulk of human history, marriages were borne not out of true love, but of practicality and politics; and even when humanity did escape these outdated mores, people were still attending “sock hops” and asking prospective mates if they wanted to “go” with you. That romantic “love-at-first-sight” story you got from grandma was almost certainly a lot more awkward and uncomfortable than she initially let on. It’s all cringe – it always was. At the end of the day, we’re all just apes that have developed a capacity for self-reflection (some of us, anyway). If you want to get a grasp of the dynamics of dating and courtship in Columbus, you are best served going to a professional on the matter. The sting of a particularly nasty breakup can linger on one’s mind for years, if not forever, and as a result of this, I am hesitant to approach the average layman on the topic of dating over fears of the inherent biases that most, if not all of us have towards romantic life. With this in mind, my undying quest for knowledge brings me to a collective of professionals on the topic. Who you gonna call? DateColumbus. Whatever your personal feelings on dating apps might be, a conversation with the ladies of DateColumbus — a Columbus group that eschews online dating for the in-person affairs it organizes — reveals a growing frustration towards swiping right. Mercedes McElley, Rachel Kerr and Roula Labbad conceived the idea of DateColumbus through a combination of their own 50

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↑ 614's "Man About Town" Matt Mahoney Photo by Sarah Pfeifer

business acumen, experience in event planning, and, of course, a healthy dose of subpar app dates themselves. “Our intentions are pretty straightforward,” remarked McElley. “We want singles in Columbus to have an environment that allows them to meet other singles, form new connections in a fun — less pressure — environment. Everyone is in the same room for the same reason!” It sounds simple on the surface – put single people in a room, shake ‘em up, and wait for connections to form. In all honesty, though, I don’t believe this format could work everywhere anymore. As Roula Labbad contends, “I think people are really open here in Columbus, unlike some other cities. We actually just started in Cleveland and I feel like it's a little harder in Cleveland when people aren’t willing to get out of their comfort zone.” This observation from Labbad, a fellow native Clevelander, rings particularly true to me. Most of my friends back in Cleveland still occupy their time surrounded by other Clevelanders, and yet here in a city with a decidedly larger transplant population, you are forced to get out there and mingle. →

↓ DateColumbus action from a January 2024 event

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I also believe that the Arch City is a great place to date as a result of the cultural affectation of our beloved town. “This kind of surprised me,” McElley noted before continuing. “We get so many comments about how friendly and nice everyone was when they came.” This only serves as further evidence of the classic “Midwestern Nice” trope that has been discussed and dissected so often in American media, and I can’t say I mind such an association. You will notice that I have taken steps to avoid the use of gendered pronouns with regards to relationships within this article, and for good reason, as Columbus appears to be a great place to date regardless of what floats your boat. Ohio’s Capital City is special among others in the Buckeye State in the sense that it exists as a relative sanctuary for LGTBQ individuals, and in a state that is, at least politically, growingly hostile towards such folk. But don’t listen to me (seriously sometimes you really shouldn’t), instead listen to someone who knows what they’re talking about. Taking my own advice, I connected with Hannah Robinson, an attendee at one of DateColumbus’ events who talked about her experiences on the dating scene as a transwoman.

“ I think people are really open here in Columbus, unlike some other cities. We actually just started in Cleveland and I feel like it's a little harder in Cleveland when people aren’t willing to get out of their comfort zone.”

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“It does feel like there’s an underlying tension or pressure and you’re not quite sure how people can feel,” Robinson observed of her time dating in places like San Diego and L.A. “Violence can break out because there’s a very Machismo culture out there. We have our safe spaces out there, but they really don’t want you to venture out from them or people will say stuff to you. In Columbus, I have not had that happen once in the two years that I have been here.” My consecration with Hannah suggests that Columbus can be a great place for queer folk to intermingle, and this brings a smile to my face. Regardless of the name you take, the clothes you wear, the place you call home, or the god(s) you pray to, there’s room for you in the Columbus dating scene, you just gotta get out there. And let me be clear: as is the case in virtually any other urban area with a sizable dating pool, you have to put yourself out there if you want to find a partner (or partners if you’re into that). You will (probably) get your heart broken once, if not several times, but don’t let that twist you into a neurotic mess. There’s no right way to love, but there certainly are a few wrong ways to do it, and they all begin with sitting on your butt at home and not putting any effort into finding love. Put down the apps and head on out to a DateColumbus event. Get out there: make a wish, take a chance, make a change and maybe you too will break away. I can’t vouch for the state as a whole, but after writing this dispatch I can confirm that Columbus is in fact, a city for lovers. <3 To learn more about DateColumbus and hear about upcoming events, head to @DateColumbus on Instagram.

↓ DateColumbus action from a January 2024 event

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The ‘We Met Online’ Date Guide A collection of real-life date ideas for those dabbling in online dating By Sav McKee / Photos by Tyler Jamison

o, you’ve spent the past couple of days (or let’s be real, weeks?) talking to a potential romantic partner online, maybe getting the courage to finally meet the person IRL (in real life, for those who aren’t chronically online). You want to pick the perfect first, second, or even third date spot – one that’s cool, impressive, safe, low-pressure, and still fun despite the chilly temperatures and dull, gray skies. One thing’s for sure – if you’re the one to initiate the date, you should try to make it special. Maybe you don’t drink? We have date suggestions that don’t revolve around alcohol! Prefer romance over adventure? We have you covered. Want a spot that automatically makes you both fall head over heels for each other and you both delete your dating apps right there and then? Well…we have some ideas, but can’t make any promises.

For the Adventurous A Frame-worthy Night This isn’t your average bowling date. Sequoia Pro Bowl still looks preserved from the 1960s, and the ambiance is immaculate. They also serve excellent pizza and cheap pitchers of beer. Bowling is a perfect way to connect with each other – there’s no time to be distracted on your phone, and some competition can be flirty and fun. Plus, you can keep your eye out if they wear dirty socks or not.

Break the Ice There’s an outdoor ice rink at Dublin Crossing that runs until mid-March. Grab a hot chocolate, warm up by the fireplaces in the pavilion, and don’t be scared to embarrass yourself. It’s charming! Plus, you might have to hold hands if you both can’t stay up on your skates…

Experiment Together Once a month, COSI opens after-hours for cool adult events called COSI After Dark. From wizard school to superheroes, you and your partner can mozy about this award-winning science museum and get playful together. The drinks help llighten up the mood, too.

Get Playful What better way to discover if your partner is a sore loser or not than by challenging them to some vintage arcade games at 16 Bit Bar + Arcade? There’s a full bar at both locations in Dublin and Columbus, and food right next door at both, too, in case things are going well and you want to make the date last a little longer.

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For the Foodies Try Tensuke Is there anything more unattractive than a really picky eater that’s not down to experience new things (dietary restrictions and allergies aside, of course)? If you and your Hinge match are craving something a little more unique than your average restaurant, check out Tensuke Market. This Asian grocery store with a restaurant and bakery attached offers unique snacks and imported sake, and the adjacent Japanese restaurant boasts some of the best ramen in the city. If you’re not ready to end the date, finish off with some matcha ice cream next door at Belle’s Bread.

Let the Love Sizzle It’s a universal experience that diners make everyone feel like they’re in a movie, right? Plus, going on a diner date automatically tells you what your potential partner likes for breakfast and how they take their coffee, which you can then note for future sleepovers. Coffee, pancakes, good conversation over the clinking of forks and the sizzling grill – it’s romantic in a way that’s not trying to be too romantic, which is somehow even more romantic. Try Beechwold Diner in Clintonville, Stav’s in Bexley, German Village Coffee Shop (take a walk around Schiller if the wait is too long!), or Tommy’s, located Downtown.

A Market Success Grab a variety of small bites from the various food vendors at North Market Short North and share them on the second level of the market, overlooking the hustle and bustle of it all. Or opt for the freshly shucked oysters from COLO, sitting right at the oyster bar. After all, they do say oysters are aphrodisiacs. This way, you can get a better idea of what kind of food your date likes! If you still have room for dessert, grab some Jeni’s or a cappuccino and take a walk around the Short North or Goodale Park.

For the “Let’s Grab Drinks?” Crowd Olive Juice If I were to go on a first date, I’d probably impress my partner with ordering a filthy martini or another classic cocktail. The Avenue makes some of the best martinis, Manhattans, and Brooklyns in the city, and their brass and wooden bar oozes romance.

Keep it Low-Key If you really wanna play it cool (or should we say, play it pool), take your date to Johnnie’s Glen Ave. Grill, one of Columbus’ best dive bars with cheap gin & tonics, complete with dim lighting and a pool table. Charming dive-bars are rare to find these days, and they’re always really fun.

Raise a Glass (or bottle)

For the Super Romantics The Secret Ingredient First comes dating, then probably living together. And living together means cooking together. You might as well find out right away if you’re compatible in the kitchen – at Quinci Emporium, you can sign up for romantic cooking classes for two, where you learn how to make a traditional Italian dish, complete with hand-pulled pasta. Cooking together could just be the secret ingredient to a successful first date.

Go Over (to) The Top A restaurant that hasn’t changed since 1955, complete with a fireplace, white linen tables, a leather bar, and a live pianist every evening exudes romance. The Top, located in Bexley, is one of our top picks for a restaurant that will impress any date.

The Bottle Shop is easily one of the coziest cocktail bars in Cbus. You can pick out a bottle of wine together at the adjacent shop and drink it in the dark bar area (with cool, vintage videos projected on a wall), or order delicious, hand-crafted cocktails straight from the bar. The music here is always on-point – let’s just say, they know what they’re doing with that playlist of theirs.

Coffee over Cocktails A latte is still considered a drink! If you’re more comfortable with coffee rather than cocktails, the cutest coffee shops that would be perfect for a first-date include sitting by the fireplaces at both Parable Cafe and Stauf’s German Village, dressing up for the cold weather to sit on the patio at Pistacia Vera (like they do in Europe!), listening to vinyl records together at The Roosevelt, or taking in the downtown views at Brioso.

A Blank Canvas The Columbus Museum of Art is incredibly romantic and beautiful in its own way. Browse classic and contemporary pieces of art and ask your date their own interpretations of the pieces, which can spark thoughtful conversations. Plus, on Sundays, the museum is completely free.

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Sara & Stella

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Photos courtesy of Amy Ann Photography

ara and Stella met in 2018 while both working part-time at The Kitchen. Stella loves to cook and Sara loves to bake. During this time, Sara was steadily dropping hints to Stella that she was interested in getting to know her more. After Stella finally picked up on it, we went on our first date at Studio 35 on Halloween to see Halloween. Stella nervously presented Sara with a grape Kit Kat from their recent overseas travels. Little did she know though, Sara also had a love of interesting flavored Kit Kats! We chatted the night away after the movie and before we knew it, the bar we had stopped by was closing. We’ve been inseparable, and have cooked many meals and gone on many adventures since. Sara and Stella got married this past summer on August 5, 2023, and it was a gorgeous day. We both thought it was perfect to have The Kitchen as their wedding venue. Our good friend officiated our

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ceremony in front of around 100 family and friends. It was heartfelt and sweet – we both reading vows to each other. The food menu was so fun to craft and important to us both. We decided to have a buffet of all of our favorite dishes from The Kitchen, and desserts were also very important to us (especially Sara). Our wedding cake was Almond Raspberry made by Isabella Bonello, who owns Three Bites Bakery. In addition, we had assorted desserts from our favorite bakeries in town – Italian Lemon and Almond cake by Three Bites, Rainbow Unicorn cut out cookies by Pattycake, Macarons by Mijomi, and even wife cakes (a traditional Chinese pastry filled with winter melon paste in a thin flaky crust) from Chiu Quon Bakery in Chicago. All around the room, guests also could snack on assorted Kit Kat flavors that we collected for the occasion as a throwback to our first date.

Dorothy & Nick

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Photos courtesy of Amy Ann Photography

ur love story began six years ago – at the last stop of a bar crawl, and there was an instant connection. So much so that just a few months later, Nick suggested to Dorothy that we take a road trip to New Orleans by way of Nashville. Up to that point, we hadn’t even been beyond 270 together, let alone hundreds of miles away. But it turned out that trip was just the beginning of our adventures together, from multiple countries overseas, to weekends at Woodland’s Backyard, and even opening our home to more than 20 foster dogs through RESCUEDohio. In December 2021, Nick proposed in the parking lot of a Taco Bell after volleyball at Flannagan’s. Down on one knee, he told Dorothy that four years ago she said she loved him for the first time in that Taco Bell parking lot, and now, in that same parking lot, he was asking her to love him forever. If you ask us why we decided to get married, we’ll give you the same answer – because we’re teammates. We’re not referring to being teammates on the volleyball court or during trivia, but in life: how we support and respect one another, balance one another’s strengths and weaknesses, and push each other to be our best. For our ceremony at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, we had two close friends officiate and chose for our family and friends to form a circle, surrounding us with their love. In turn, we wanted them to experience an evening of happiness – one that was inclusive, meaningful, and communityoriented. From Dorothy’s custom-designed gown by Elarose Sweet Weddings to our favorite desserts from the Chocolate Cafe and Bake Me Happy, to Travis Hoewischer’s trivia hosting during the reception, to dancing the night away with Arch City Lights, our wedding was a peek into our life together.

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From on-site floral designs and antique barns to an expanse of idyllic natural beauty, White Willow Meadows emerges as one of Ohio’s premier wedding and event venues By Laura Hennigan / Photos Courtesy of White Willow Meadows

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elcome to White Willow Meadows, an extraordinary wedding and event facility tucked into the rolling green acres of Orient, Ohio. Just a short drive from Columbus, this property is a sweeping locale that features three distinct structures, each designed to provide an exceptional and unique experience for your big day. The Main Barn Features a classic white interior, with a wall of windows that overlook two spacious dance floors, boasting 35 foot ceilings that are accented with exposed heavy timber beams sourced from Douglas Fir trees in Oregon, and complete with crystal chandeliers. Accommodating up to 350 guests, the Main Barn also houses a state of the art sound system which provides incredible, highquality sound throughout your event. Owner Angela Norman shares that the Main Barn was designed knowing that couples enjoy having multiple spaces to gather with their guests. "Our lounge is the ideal area for after your ceremony is complete. It includes a large, sophisticated fireplace and bar, and leads out to a large covered patio, which has a 24 foot stone outdoor fireplace. Both of these spaces are perfect for cocktail hours, buffets, or simply relaxing with friends and family." In addition, the Main Barn offers a generously sized suite for the wedding party to get ready before their grand entrance. Complete with a beauty bar, full bathroom with shower, and dressing rooms, there is plenty of space for everyone. Just a few steps from the Main Barn you'll discover the Dairy Barn, a historic structure from the early 1800s that has been transformed into a luxurious AirBnB. Sleeping up to 14, this renovated farmhouse includes four bedrooms, four full baths, multiple bar areas, a full kitchen, and an expansive

upstairs lounge which opens onto a large deck. "Every detail of the Dairy Barn is thoughtful and unique," says Norman. "From the custom made table which seats 20 and was created by an artisan in Tennessee, to the reclaimed hardwood floors, we wanted this building to offer a truly elevated experience. It can be used to stay on-site both before and after your wedding, as well as providing a fun and intimate location to host your after party." White Willow Meadows seeks to take the stress out of wedding planning, offering couples a truly all-inclusive venue, where every element has been carefully curated. For those who prefer to bring their own libations, White Willow offers a BYOB policy. They also offer a hand-selected list of preferred vendors for both food and drinks, but outside vendors are allowed as well. The third and final charming building, called Willow - A Floral Design, serves as both a space to host a bridal shower or wedding brunch, as well as a working florist and gift shop. There's no need to worry about transporting bouquets and centerpieces they create stunning, one-of-a-kind arrangements on-site. White Willow Meadows, along with its sister venue Stone Valley Meadows in Franklin, are proud to offer some of the most exceptional and unique wedding locales in Ohio. "We want couples to have the event of their dreams, which is why we offer plenty of options and flexibility," says Norman. "We work with you so that you can relax and enjoy your day knowing that every detail has been taken care of." To learn more, visit whitewillowmeadows.com

Tavishi & David

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Lauren Lee Photography

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Photos courtesy of Rachel Joy Barehl

ewind to December 4th, 2021. Our wedding was not at all what we had originally planned. In between meetings with venues, florists, and planners, we decided to stop having all these meetings all together, and instead, we called it off and found a local chapel that would allow us to get married with our close friends & family only – without the extravagance that comes with traditional weddings. We had the ceremony on our four year anniversary (mostly so we only had to remember one day). Our families are usually never together at the same time, and we were so grateful to have them all there at once. The chapel we went to was able to livestream the whole ceremony so my family abroad was able to “be there” – a very special moment for me. As Tavishi’s dad walked her down the aisle, she was making small talk and cracking jokes because she forgot to send in music. She thought perhaps that would be the end of the surprises, but the universe had other plans. We got assigned a random officiant that insisted on a traditional religious ceremony even though my whole family is Hindu, and my husband’s family is not very religious. It ended up being a core memory – we couldn’t stop cracking up at the altar thinking about the absurdity of it all. Afterwards, we went to our apartment’s community room and had a blast eating, drinking & celebrating with each other. Our first dance was "Lose Yourself to Dance" by Daft Punk, and our delicious cake was from Golden Delight Bakery on Bethel Road (a family favorite). We ended our night at our usual dive, Oldfield’s, where our friend and owner, Dan Starek, was quick to celebrate with us. Our most special memories were beautifully captured by local photographer Rachel Joy Barehl, and we couldn’t thank her enough!

The only thing you should have to worry about the day of your wedding is saying “I do”.

With extensive catering expertise encompassing much more than traditional services, we strive to make your special day as beautiful and effortless as possible. Be sure to check out our list of venues as well as our event space The Jessing Center, located on the exquisite and historical grounds of the Pontifical College, Josephinum 7625 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43235.

boscandbrie.com | 614.985.2215

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Mary & Eric

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Photos courtesy of Amy Ann Photography

ary and Eric met while they were both studying at Ohio State in the same major. Eric knew quickly that Mary was the one, but it took him a year or two to convince her to give him a chance. Once she did, though, there was no turning back. We have been together for over 8 years now and are excited to soon be relocating back to Columbus from Chicago (which means living not far from all their wedding festivities!). Our wedding day was incredible, and lived up to everything we’d hoped. We did not do a first look, so the first time Eric saw Mary that day was as she walked down the aisle in the beautiful atrium

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at the Columbus Museum of Art. The ceremony was very important to us, because we felt it was the time to celebrate our love and express what their relationship means to one another. Eric's sister gave a magnificent ceremony, and the bride and groom each fought back tears (unsuccessfully) as they delivered their vows to one another. Pictures at Schiller Park immediately followed the ceremony, and we made a quick stop at Jeni’s Ice Cream for a picture with Mary’s favorite food. The night culminated with a wonderful night of celebration and dancing at the Vue, our reception venue. It was the perfect night celebrating with all of our friends and family!

“I d o! ”

Say to the home of your dreams. Ready to purchase your first home? Our First-Time Homebuyer program may be the perfect option for you. First-Time Homebuyer Program Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is not required Minimum of 3% down payment

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BMI FCU is open to everyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Franklin, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, Union, Delaware or Morrow County. First-Time Homebuyer Program for owner occupied properties in Ohio only. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change and may vary based on creditworthiness, qualifications and collateral conditions. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID #410831 614NOW.COM

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Ashlee & Jesse

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Dublin | Gahanna/New Albany | German Village | Polaris | Short North

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Photos courtesy of Amy Ann Photography

ur story begins just like many millennials nowadays: We met online through the dating app Hinge during the start of 2015. We are a Hinge Success story! Both Ashlee and Jesse swiped right, and from there began to chat and learn more about each other. This finally led to their first date at Three Dots & A Dash in Chicago. Over the years, Ashlee & Jesse quickly noticed just how much of a difference we make in each other’s lives, and how important we are to each other. From attending the NFL Draft (which Ashlee would never do), surviving COVID together in a small apartment, exploring Chicago & more together, we both created so many memories and moments that truly showed our love, care and passion we have for each other. Jesse proposed to Ashlee on her 30th birthday in Palm Springs, California. Ashlee & Jesse moved to Columbus, Ohio (Ashlee’s hometown) in the summer of 2022 to begin a new chapter of our lives and continue their joy of creating new and fun memories together in a new home shared with our two cats, Mama and Cheddar.

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The wedding took place at The Athletic Club of Columbus on September 3rd, 2023, and was the perfect sunny day! It was great to have so many friends and family travel from Chicago, and many other places across the country. There was not a dry eye in the house during the ceremony, which was officiated by Ashlee's brother Joe. Ashlee had a nontraditional "man of honor," her best friend Greg since 6th grade. Jesse's family is Mexican, and per tradition we had to hire a mariachi band for cocktail hour—this was something none of our vendors had ever seen before, and it really got the party started. Other unique details from our wedding include: cocktail napkins with our cats' pictures on them, cupcakes that looked like the flowers used for centerpieces, and Ashlee and Jesse getting behind the DJ booth during dancing! We ended the night with an after party in the bowling alley bar located in the basement of the Athletic Club, with the truest of Columbus nightcaps, Donatos pizza.

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In Trendy Matrimony By Ashley Stephan

Story Design by Tori Smith

Columbus wedding planner Ashley Stephan breaks down six wedding trends to keep an eye out for in 2024

f you’re looking to tie the knot this year–or if you just want to stay on top of what’s hot–we have just the thing for you. Columbus wedding and event planner Ashley Stephan breaks down six wedding trends that she thinks are here for 2024, so you can ditch the donut wall and really put your finger on the pulse.

Wow Statement / High Impact Pieces

Smaller Bouquets & No Boutonnières

Whether it’s a hanging installation, head table design or seating chart board, having a “wow” item will be memorable to your guests. For example, many of my clients are choosing to do a big and bold seating chart, as it’s the first thing guests see when they walk into a cocktail hour or reception.

I’ve been seeing more brides choosing smaller bouquets vs. the lush ones that show more than the dress. Another trend over the past year and continuing is no boutonnières for the groomsmen and/or groom. Grooms are opting out of this traditional floral piece and showcasing more of their attire instead.

Black & White

Welcome Parties & Fewer Brunches

A chic and classic color palette is making a push for popularity this year. You can’t go wrong with the classic black and white color combo, and it goes great with film photography, which is also trendy right now. Whether it’s in the linens or table-top such, the flowers or a checkered dance floor, the color combo is sure to help a wedding feel timeless.

More of my clients are choosing to do a larger welcome party after a smaller rehearsal dinner to be able to talk to more guests than just the night of the wedding. Couples are also choosing to do more fun themes or locations for their welcome parties. With more welcome parties rising, couples have also chosen to forgo the brunch the day after the wedding.

Smaller Wedding Parties & Guest Counts

Prints

More intimate affairs have stayed on trend since the pandemic and are here to stay. Couples are deciding to have less people in their wedding parties and less guests at the wedding in general to truly enjoy everyone’s company and their own wedding.

Fun prints and patterns have made a splash into the wedding world in bridesmaids dresses, linens, stationary, cocktail napkins and accents around the wedding to match, such as a custom bar front or dance floor decal.

To learn more about Ashley Stephan or book her services, visit ashleystephanweddings.com, or follow her on Instagram, @Stephanweddings.

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