Opening Volley
JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief
A Little Love
In one sense, the idea of talking about your own accomplishments is a little bit like laughing at your own joke: You can do it, but someone is probably going to judge you.
In another, being able to praise yourself in a way that isn’t overbearing or too self-serving is a cornerstone of anyone’s emotional well-being.
So where’s the line at?
I don’t know, but I think we could all benefit from the normalization of a little self-love. (I was going to say “public self-love,” but decided against it, because, yeah). Jokes aside, we live in a world where we’re bombarded by advertisements that play on our insecurities, polished social media accounts of our friends jetsetting to foreign countries and finding perfect adventures, and a whole lot more. Because of this, being able to assert what we like about ourselves is probably more important than it’s ever been. At least, I find for me it is.
And this also extends to the places we live.
Part of finding happiness personally is finding happiness where you’re at currently. Wherever that is. In the same way that it’s uncouth to go on about the things you love about yourself, it might be frowned upon to go on about the things you love about the place you live.
But why is that? Clearly, human civilization valued modesty a lot 200, 100, even 25 years ago. And that’s not to say that we don’t now, but if we’re posting shirtless selfies at the gym every other day, clearly the needle has shifted. And that’s cool. If I was ripped, I would take shirtless selfies too. For some reason though, it’s still not cool to be overly vocal about the accomplishments of ourselves, our families, and the places we live.
If you ask me, it’s cool to tell a stranger that you just broke a speed-run record for “Super Mario 64,” that your car is super cool (I drive a mini van, so this one’s out for me), or even if you just think you’re the shit today.
Maybe not strangers, but you get the point.
In this issue of (614) Magazine, as we kick off a new year, we’re doing the same, but for our city. Because, every city has made unique contributions that we all use and enjoy daily. And why shouldn’t we celebrate them? Why shouldn’t we celebrate that Dave’s Doubles and Nickelodeon came from Columbus? Why shouldn’t we tell everyone that Central Ohio helped lay the groundwork for the internet as we know it today, or that Rascal Flatts, 21 Pilots and Randy Savage are all from here? Why shouldn’t we?
You know what? We’re done with the questions. We’re just going to do it. And should you too. Happy New Year, Columbus. You’re the shit.
� STAFF PICKS
Columbus Through Our Eyes
We asked our team what the first thing that comes to mind would be when they think of Columbus. Some of us here at (614) Magazine were born & raised in The Arch City, while others transplanted here during or even after college.
Can you guess who’s native here just from our answers?
The World’s Largest Gavel.
— Tori Smith, Creative Designer
You can’t think of Columbus without thinking of (614) Magazine!
— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive
CCAD.
— Andrew Thomas, Creative Coordinator
I always heard Columbus was a test market because we’re so diverse, and I always think about that.
— Austin Black, Video Producer & Editor
The Buckeyes.
— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor
The Scioto Mile or COSI!
— Meg Rhoads, Creative Designer
The art we have here! A lot of people from around the world come Downtown to go to school for our art programs. Such talented creativity comes from Columbus!
— Lizzy Saunders, Events Coordinator & Brand Manager for (614) Lager
When I think of Columbus I think of Home.
— Bryce Patterson, Creative Designer
ANSWER:
Austin, Meg, Lizzy, and Bryce are all native to Columbus.
ON the WEB
Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’ top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!
Here’s where you can get that hard-to-find, viral Korean ice cream in Central Ohio
There’s a reason this Korean ice cream has been going viral on Tik Tok for an entire year. The ice cream, shaped like the fruit its flavored after (lemon, mango, or peach), has a hard, white chocolate crunchy coating, and a soft, fruity inside.
Two Columbus eateries named along the nation’s 20 best new restaurants in ‘USA Today’ poll
A Hilliard bagel shop and a Polaris pasta place are two of the country’s best new restaurants, according to USA TODAY voters.
Ohio lawmaker introduces bill to make planting a flag at Ohio Stadium midfield a felony
Just in case you forgot how seriously Ohio takes Buckeyes football, an Ohio lawmaker recently proposed a bill that would make it a felony to plant a flag at Ohio Stadium’s midfield on game days.
FOOD & DRINK
FOODIE FAVORITES
HOT TOPICS
PRES S PLAY
614 VIDEO
Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Scan the QR code to watch our newest videos, and keep an eye out for more!
A Toast to 2024 SIP & STAY #5
With Columbus riverfront eatery Milestone 229 closing its doors after 14 years, “Whiskey” Pete sends off an old favorite with a new (year’s) cocktail.
Cannabis for Christmas THE GREEN ROOM #9
From vapes to honey, Kristina and Morgan bring you 6 must-have stocking stuffers for the holidays for cannabis enjoyers from beginner to experienced.
(614) Survives Krampus FEAR COLUMBUS
We sent Jack McLaughlin, Editor-in-Chief of (614) Magazine, to Fear Columbus' infamous Krampus haunted house. We believe he had a great time...
Mom's Guide To Cannabis THE GREEN ROOM #8
Kristina and Miranda talk parenthood and marijuana - from postpartum depression to THC cocktails and breaking through in entrepreneurship.
Columbus historian John M. Clark chronicles the worst winter storm in Ohio history
By John M. Clark
Great
‘78 of
Story Design by Meg Rhoads
The temperature was about 40 degrees (above zero), it had been raining, and snow was beginning to melt when Central Ohio residents prepared for bed on January 25th. If they were able to sleep through the gale-force winds that whipped up, they woke up the next morning to a blinding blizzard with gusts up to 69 miles an hour and wind chills approaching 60 degrees below zero. This became known as the “Great Blizzard of 1978” – the worst winter storm in Ohio history. A freak collision of two lowpressure areas 800 miles away drove the storm north from Texas like a speeding freight train. As it approached Central Ohio, temperatures dropped, and so did barometric pressures–so low that in Cleveland, it equaled that of a Category 3 hurricane. And though no more than five inches of new snow fell, it landed on top of a previous 17-inch snowfall. The temperature, which had risen briefly, created a solid inch of ice between the two layers.
Ken Prater and his wife Flo were living in a subdivision near Darby Creek. He remembers the biting cold. “We woke up about 5 a.m. to find that the power was out, the wind was howling, and the snow was blowing almost sideways – right toward us.” Ken soon discovered that a neighbor at the other end of his development was firing up his wood-burning stove – one he had bought for mostly decorative purposes. “About 10 a.m., Flo and I joined 25 other neighbors, all lining up in front of Ed Parsons’ home, hoping to get warm,” Prater recalled. “Ed burned all the firewood he had and then brought up lumber he had planned to use for a basement project and burned that, too.” Ken and Flo later learned that the temperature had dropped that morning by 21 degrees in just one hour.
The fierce winds drove those five or so inches of new snow into banks and walls up to 15 to 20 feet high. The Ohio Turnpike was closed. Thousands of Central Ohio residents lost electricity, and most streets and highways were impassable. About half of the 51 Ohioans killed by the storm either froze to death in their cars or froze to death after ditching their cars and trying to walk to safety.
Andy Thresser, at the time a student teacher finishing his studies at Ohio State University, remembered trying to open the front door of his northside apartment. “I couldn’t do it,” he said. “Snow was piled up to the top of the door. I could get, out from the side of my apartment, but not the front.”The storm prompted a statewide emergency, as officials struggled to find shelter space. Beth Ervin and her husband, who lived in a west-side apartment complex,first tried staying warm by piling on more and more blankets. “But when this big, covered truck pulled up in front,” she said, “I went out into the wind and snow and climbed in the back. We were taken to Doctors Hospital West, where we were given watery chili and blankets and slept on the floor of what must have been the cafeteria.” Ervin’s husband had decided to stay home with their dog and keep an eye on the place. “He later told me it was so cold inside the apartment that our dog’s water bowl froze,” she added.
These Columbus residents and thousands of others throughout the area had no idea when the storm would stop, the roads would be cleared, the power would come back on or even how they would make it back home. Schools, retail stores, offices and other businesses closed. Ohio State University called off classes for the first time in its history.
Ervin’s downstairs neighbors had also been taken to Doctors West. “They contacted friends of theirs in Lithopolis, who were able to get through to us and take us to their home for the night,” Ervin said. “The next day, they drove us back to our apartments. The parking lots had been cleared, and I remember walls of snow that must have been 10 to 12 feet high.”
But the “Great Blizzard of ‘78” wasn’t confined to Ohio. The “bomb cyclone,” as we would call it today, picked up intensity from Georgia, roaring through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia and more.
Back in Ohio, near Mansfield, a truck driver sat helplessly as he became stuck on the highway and his rig was quickly covered by blowing snow. He remained trapped in his cab for five days with nothing to eat but a package of crackers. A rescue helicopter finally spotted a radio antenna peeking above the two feet of snow atop his cab.
Of course, emergency declarations couldn’t keep first responders and hospital workers from their jobs. Dee Debenport was 25 at the time and living with two girlfriends in a condo on Columbus’ far west side. “I remember waking up that morning and thinking, ‘Yay! A snow day! No work!,’” she said. “But I soon learned my reverie was a bit premature. My phone rang, and I was told to pack an overnight bag, that the National Guard would be picking me up within the hour.” And that wasn’t the worst of it for Debenport. “We learned along the way that this was a one-way trip. We would have to find our own way home. But I was lucky. I had to work for only 16 hours and was able to catch a ride home with the husband of a nurse I worked with.”
Once the snow stopped and the winds died down, it took about a week for things to get back to normal. Air travel resumed in most Ohio cities in about two days. Most schools and businesses reopened within a week. And many families considered themselves lucky. Because the storm hit so early in the morning, school officials were given time to call off classes for the entire day. If the snow had started falling later, countless children, teachers and administrators would have been stranded at school.
While the blizzard was considered a disaster for most, some were still able to smile and do the best they could with a very bad situation. Ed and Barb Elberfeld, of East Beck Street, watched in wonder as the snow piled to the top of their six-foot fence. On one of the first evenings of the disaster, they decided to take a little walk. “We were a lot younger then,” admitted Ed. “So, we struck out for Livingston Avenue from our German Village home. Right as we turned the corner onto Sixth Street, we spotted the only sign of life – the lights of a little ice cream shop.” Standing behind the walk-up window of the local “Tastee Freez” was the store’s manager. Ed said, “I’m sure he was trying his best to sell just one more ‘Freezee’ before he called it a night!”
How a local carpentry studio turned six months and mind-boggling attention to detail into one of the coolest—and most expensive— tables you’ve ever seen
By Lindsey Escaja
What costs $30,000, weighs 800 pounds and is inspired by The Knights of the Round Table? You probably don’t know the answer, so we’ll help you out: it’s the latest masterwork from Worthington woodworkers A Carpenter’s Son (ACS), and it’s a single table.
The story behind it starts with a very specific vision from its owner, a businessman who moved from Columbus to Cleveland and, for reasons of personal privacy, requested to remain anonymous. What he did share was his desire for a table that not only fit his home but also spoke to his deep admiration for the medieval and Renaissance periods. With stained glass, knights, horses, and elements of the era throughout the home, the task was clear: create a piece of furniture that would tie the space together in a way that felt timeless, grand, and rich in history.
"He's a massive entertainer, so this table needed to be as functional as it was beautiful," A Carpenter’s Son owner Josh Scheutzow shared. "He wanted something that would resonate with his love for the Middle Ages, a period of grandeur and artistic flourishes." But this wasn’t just about fitting into a decor theme. The design elements also carried deep significance, as they represented important aspects of the owner’s family lineage. It was about creating something deeply personal and sentimental. The owner had a strong connection to the era and wanted his table to embody those historical values while serving as the centerpiece of countless dinner parties. →
And that, the table does. At its core lies a solid brass patonce cross,
Photos By Jen Brown Story Design By Bryce Patterson
an element of both spiritual and historical significance. "The cross has flared, ornamental ends that are associated with the spreading of faith. Its three prongs symbolize the Holy Trinity," Scheutzow explained. "This wasn’t just a design choice; it was a piece that brought both meaning and balance to the table, elevating it beyond just a functional object."
Surrounding the table's band are quatrefoils, a shape with rich Christian symbolism, representing the four evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. "These motifs would have been found engraved in castles and churches during the 1600s," Scheutzow said. "The owner was adamant about incorporating these elements to honor that history."
The challenge for Scheutzow and his team—who has done work everywhere from private homes to Lower.com Field—was no small feat. From the very beginning, they knew they had to create something that went beyond typical craftsmanship. "The client kept asking if we could do it," Scheutzow shared with a laugh. "The design kept getting more complex, but with over a decade of experience, there was never any doubt. It was an exciting proving ground for us."
Scheutzow worked closely with lead designer Brad Hosfeld, who spent months with the client fine-tuning every detail. "It was a massive collaborative effort," Scheutzow said. "Every member of the team played a part in making this vision come to life. From the intricate carving work to the finishing touches, this was a team effort."
These motifs would have been found engraved in castles and churches during the 1600s, the owner was adamant about incorporating these elements to honor that history
↑ The Miller Table from A Carpenters Son
Lead craftsman Cain Lackey oversaw the fabrication, while skilled craftsmen Rich Holtz, Em Neighbarger, and Luke Egan contributed their expertise. The finishing work, which was a massive undertaking, was completed by Sadie Baumker and Michael Brereton, whose meticulous attention to detail brought the table's design to life. "It took a village," Scheutzow emphasized. "We even worked nights and weekends, sanding intricate pieces by hand for over 60 hours. But the results speak for themselves."
The process itself blended traditional woodworking techniques with cutting-edge tools. "We combined handcraft with modern tech, using 3D rendering and computer-numeric control machines," Scheutzow said. "Watching the pieces come together, seeing everything from the hand-carved details to the precision of modern tools—it was really cool to witness."
The effort and dedication to perfection were evident, and Scheutzow believes this is what gives the "Miller Table" its timelessness. "A true work of art not only lasts but serves a purpose," he explained. "Our tagline has always been, ‘building pieces that bring people together,’ and this table is a perfect example of that. It’s a piece of art, yes, but it’s also a gathering place, a centerpiece for the owner’s home that will witness countless stories over the years."
The "Miller Table" was delivered just in time for the holidays, and it’s already seen its fair share of entertainment. The owner has hosted multiple dinner parties, each with over 30 attendees, and the table has become the gathering point for these memorable events.
For Scheutzow, being able to build pieces that last for generations is what makes the work meaningful. "I want people to look at our furniture and know it’s something that will stand the test of time," he said. "This table will be here long after we’re gone, and the life that will happen around it—that’s truly meaningful."
As for the team, Scheutzow credits them with the success of the project. "The investment we’ve made in our staff is a big part of why we can do work like this," he said. "We’ve built a team that’s passionate about what we do, and that makes all the difference."
Looking ahead, ACS is already envisioning its next challenge. While the "Miller Table" may be a hard act to follow, Scheutzow’s passion for craftsmanship and excellence is unwavering. "If King Arthur himself were to sit at this table, I’d want him to think, 'This suits me and my knights well,'" he said with a smile.
And with that, A Carpenter’s Son continues to craft the kind of furniture that doesn’t just fill a space—it transforms it. ♦
↑ The A Carpenters Son team, with owner Josh Scheutzow (second from left)
choice Chef's
↑ Yudi Makassau, Executive Chef at HARU
Launching an Omakase concept in Columbus was not on Jason Lam’s 2024 bingo card. It wasn’t until the Creative Director of Fukuryu Ramen (and now HARU Omakase) got an unexpected call from his CEO Jeff Tsao that he knew a new sushi venture was truly in the works.
“I got a call from Jeff to come to our Polaris location to discuss preliminary design points and menu structure, and when I arrived – they were already knocking down fixtures and walls!” Jason laughed. “That’s when I knew this was going to be an all-hands on deck, quick turnaround type of project.” Five weeks later, HARU Omakase was open.
You may recognize CEO and owners Jeff and Yenny Tsao from their other popular Columbus food brands, like Fukuryu Ramen and Meanie Konbini, where Yenny is a co-founder. Before opening his own restaurants, Jeff Tsao was brought up in Columbus’ iconic Kahiki Supper Club. His father was an owner who later launched the Kahiki frozen food company, which Jeff took over before eventually selling.
Jason Lam is also the creative mind behind Milky Way Matcha Bar, where you can grab a variety of matcha blends and Japanese street treats within the Dublin Fukuryu location. After growing their ramen brand throughout Columbus and launching the matcha bar, the Tsaos were planning to branch out and offer other types of Japanese cuisines, while still setting themselves apart from other brands.
Takowasa kanpachi
It wasn’t until Jeff and Yenny Tsao went to check out an omakase concept in Dayton called Dozo, located within Dayton’s Tender Mercy Bar, that they knew Columbus needed a similar experience. There, the Tsaos met Chef Yudi Makassau, a sushi chef with over 20 years of experience and a vision of opening his own sushi restaurant.
Jeff and Yenny instantly knew that working with Chef Yudi was the next step in making different types of Japanese food accessible for Columbus, in an elevated way that the city hadn’t seen before – like omakase.
In Japanese, the term “omakase” translates to “I’ll leave it up to you.” The root word of omakase is the Japanese word for trust, meaning that you trust your chef to take you on a culinary journey. The chef picks out pieces of sushi for diners and serves it, instead of guests choosing. In the 1990s, omakase gained popularity in sushi restaurants as chefs began thinking of new ways to interact with their guests.
Not only does HARU differ from other sushi restaurants through this authentic Japanese experience, but they provide thought-provoking techniques and flavors that go above & beyond, like offering hand-selected sake and wine pairings with each tour, specially chosen by Jeff Tsao to better highlight the texture of the fish.
“Our flavors are more on the contemporary side, which differ from traditional omakase,” Jason said. “It’s interesting to see Chef Yudi’s process because he incorporates ingredients I have never come across in my research.”
The location of HARU is ideal to both the larger Columbus community and visitors. Due to its proximity to the airport, large hotel brands, and luxury shopping, Polaris has become a destination. Converting the Polaris Fukuryu location at 2720 Polaris Parkway into HARU Omakase was a seamless transition due to its more intimate footprint, and the opportunity to become a part of the growing community around Polaris Fashion Place.
HARU Omakase’s atmosphere is a blend of traditional Japanese and elevated, modern design. There’s a space for 35 guests, creating an exclusive experience that allows diners to have an open dialogue with Executive Chef Yudi and his team. The available counter seats give guests an opportunity to see the food preparation up close, becoming a part of the artistry and going a step beyond just consuming the sushi. Guests become a part of the journey, which is at the core of HARU’s mission and Chef Yudi’s curated dining experience. In HARU’s marketing, you can expect words like “experience” and “journey,” which is intentional, like every other detail offered throughout the restaurant. This is why instead of courses, HARU uses the word “tours.”
“Our wording is very thoughtful and deliberate because we want to create that elevated experience for guests,” explained Jason. “We want to demonstrate different flavors and techniques that make us stand out from other restaurants of our caliber.”
Each week, Chef Yudi goes to John Glenn International Airport to personally pick up fish that’s delivered from their Japanese suppliers on ice, meaning that HARU’s fish is always fresh. Multiple, whole fish are delivered at once, and HARU’s Instagram followers can usually catch a sneak peek at what the fish of the week looks like.
Based on seasonality, sushi trends, and as a service to guests, HARU Omakase has a menu that rotates every six weeks.
“If you come to a restaurant and experience the same things over and over, it gets tiring,” said Jason. “If guests catch us at the right time, they can experience a completely new menu with different fish and toppings the next time they dine with us.”
This winter, guests can expect to see sushi that uses sea grapes, a type of Japanese seaweed with a distinctive taste that feels like caviar, and dishes utilizing monkfish liver and ponzu jelly, giving guests new flavor and texture combinations.
After all, the relationship with guests is an essential part of the HARU dining experience.
“Having an ongoing open dialogue with our guests is important. We classify ourselves as a fine dining restaurant. Because of that, there is a heightened sense of interaction with our chef and staff,” Jason explained. “This connection is expected and experience based. We want to maintain and grow that connection with our guests, while keeping them engaged with new menus.”
Try these sushi tours at HARU Omakase on ThursdaysSaturdays, 5pm-10pm. Reservations are recommended. Follow @haru.omakase on Instagram for updates.
“
HAVING AN ONGOING OPEN DIALOGUE WITH OUR GUESTS IS IMPORTANT. WE CLASSIFY OURSELVES AS A FINE DINING RESTAURANT. BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE IS A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF INTERACTION WITH OUR CHEF AND STAFF.
”
↑ Offerings from HARU Omasake
for a
Classic
The Peanut Shoppe, one of Columbus’ oldest establishments, has officially reopened with new owners, giving the legacy store a new twist
By Jordan Abbruzzese / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Meg Rhoads
Greeting cars and pedestrians on East Broad Street is a dapper gentleman with stylish shoes, a blinking monocle, and a classy cane. Oh, and did we mention that he’s a 500 pound, 88 year old peanut?
That’s right, Mr. Peanut is officially restored and has found his new home at the newly reopened Peanut Shoppe in Downtown Columbus. After originally debuting in 1936, Mr. Peanut hasn’t been a stranger to change, having been moved up and down High Street many times over the decades. When new owners Matt and Kate Powell decided to take over ownership of the iconic storefront and move the location to another street, they knew that Mr. Peanut needed the utmost respect and care. The Powells worked with Columbus Sign Company to restore the antique sign as well as the city of Columbus to coordinate permits, heavy equipment, and road closures for his installation.
“We are no longer Planters Peanuts affiliated and have been running independently for a while,” Kate explained. “But he has been around for so long that we were excited to bring him back. Columbus Sign has cared for him over the years. They have been thoughtful throughout the project and he looks just as good as he did in 1936!”
Mr. Peanut isn’t the only classic piece of this updated snack destination. The new shop owners have kept the original line-up of snacks that customers love, and are even working to bring back candies and nuts that have been discontinued or have dropped off over the years. If you’re lucky, you may even wander in on a day where their peanut butter machine from the 1970s is hard at work pressing fresh peanut butter.
“We have the same offerings, and even the same scales, with a fresh feel in the shop,” said Matt. “The interior is a little different, which makes it more cozy, but we have many original items like the peanut roaster with Mr. Peanut on top. We roast peanuts in-shell for customers to see as they shop. We keep things as close to classic as possible.”
The new location at 4 East Broad Street has an updated configuration, with a clear front of house where visitors can browse cases and offerings. The kitchen is in the back, but the delicious smell of cooking nuts is still ever-present.
“The shop always smells like fresh, warm roasted nuts,” laughed Kate. “That’s the first thing everyone says: ‘It smells so good in here!’”
The Peanut Shoppe is in good company, placed within the Broad & Gay corridor with other thriving small businesses. Neighboring shops include Black Kahawa Coffee, Three Bites Bakery, and Ringside Cafe, among others. After many street level retailers closed during the pandemic, The Peanut Shoppe is thrilled to be part of the growing area.
“Visitors no longer have to make a quick stop into one store, but can park and walk around,” Kate said. “We will also be open during show nights at The Ohio Theatre and The Palace Theatre to be available for people who want to visit us later. We are the same ol’ Peanut Shoppe. Just a different location.”
While paying homage to the original store, Matt and Kate are creating traditions of their own. Each month, customers can try a new, rotating “flavor of the month” for cashews and peanuts. Dark chocolate espresso beans are also available, quickly becoming a new customer favorite. Kate and Matt’s love of food helps fuel their monthly flavor ideas.
“Taking in our experiences of the sights, sounds, and flavors we see as we travel around Columbus or outside Columbus helps us think of new ideas,” said Kate. “It has been very well received and we have already seen repeat customers asking for the new nuts.”
The Peanut Shoppe also continues to cater to long-time fans by keeping certain traditions alive. The shop has always sold buckeyes from Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes out of Perrysburg, Ohio, and continues to offer them today.
“People have put them on charcuterie plates, on cakes, or in candy dishes for game days,” Kate said. “It’s so much fun to see what Buckeye fans do.”
Matt and Kate are looking forward to providing the same excellent service and snacks to customers, while making small updates to add modern conveniences to the store. Besides updating their logo and brand colors throughout the shop, the Powells are working to launch a website where customers can place an order online, then come to the store to conveniently pick it up.
But if you’d like a custom order, and have the time to spare, walk-ins can request any fresh roasted custom nut mix with a variety of flavor profiles. The owners are hoping to bring some special mixes to nearby restaurants and bars in the near future as well, offering niche snacks to neighbors.
“Our biggest thing is focusing on the customer coming through the shop every day and providing them with a quality product.
As we learn, adapt, and bring on more staff, we will be able to venture out further, like offering bar mixes,” Matt said. In the near future, visitors to Black Kahawa Coffee will be able to try Peanut Shoppe nuts at their bar.
As the new location continues to evolve, previous owners Mike and Pat Stone have been supporting the Powells by working alongside them. After carrying the torch with The Peanut Shoppe for decades, the Powells feel fortunate to have Mike and Pat Stone as mentors and teammates during this next chapter.
Shop visitors in early 2025 may have the opportunity to visit with Mike and Pat, while trying the new flavors and candy offerings the updated location brings.
← The iconic Mr. Peanut statue, on display in The Peanut Shoppe
“You
Visit The Peanut Shoppe at 4 E. Broad St., and follow Peanut Shoppe Columbus on Facebook for news and shop events.
← Kate Powell, The Peanut Shoppe Co-Owner
Tea Party
A unique new eatery and hangout is offering custom craft teas and global bites in Old Hilliard
By Chris Alexis / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Meg Rhoads
If you’re in Old Hilliard, give your spirit a tease.
Teas Your Spirits is an eatery that emits a laid-back vibe for sipping craft teas, cocktails, noshing on quick bites, or enjoying a cozy brunch.
Founded by Mayra Betances and her partner, Ernesto Villegas, it’s already become a community favorite in Old Hilliard since opening in June 2024 with its handcrafted teas and globally inspired cuisine.
When Betances began mixing herbs and spices in her kitchen during the pandemic, she never imagined it would evolve into a popular business that’s become a local favorite for its teas, global flavors, and bohemian charm.
“My journey started during COVID, blending teas at home,” Betances said.
“I realized the process of creating my own blends was therapeutic. It wasn’t just the drinking—it was the mixing itself that brought me peace.”
Her friends and family encouraged her to sell her creations—and Betances found herself convinced.
The name Teas Your Spirits was a team effort between Betances and her daughter, Ella.
They wanted something fun but meaningful, and "tease" just felt right.
"Tease, like you're teasing someone," she said. "And then spirits, it was because I was looking for something spiritual for me to get involved in.”
The logo, which they also designed together, has become a hit with customers. The design features a crown made from star anise, with ginger and cloves hanging from it.
"It's a creation of what I was going through—trying to create blends that would calm my thoughts and help me meditate."
She got her start participating in farmers' markets and hosting pop-ups around the city, eventually leading her and her business partner, Villegas—a chef with over 23 years of culinary experience—to open a brick-andmortar location.
Teas Your Spirits officially opened its doors last summer at 5286 Center Street, a space formerly home to a vegan Puerto Rican eatery. Betances, who moved to Hilliard from New Jersey in 2015, always dreamed of opening a business in Old Hilliard, where she’s called home since 2015 after moving to the Buckeye State from New Jersey.
Giordano’s Catering
“Hilliard has such a welcoming, community-oriented vibe,” she said.
“I fell in love with its charm and always envisioned creating something special here.”
When the opportunity arose to take over the location, the duo jumped at the chance, transforming it into an inviting space with two indoor rooms, a backyard, and a side patio.
The eatery reflects Betances’ Caribbean roots (she moved to the United States when she was 12) and her love of bohemian aesthetics—complete with hammocks, soothing music from around the world, and a laid-back yet upscale vibe.
Their signature teas, such as the hibiscus and berry blend with cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, are as much about taste as they are about helping customers feel calmer.
“Our butterfly pea flower lemonade is another standout,” she said, describing the purple beverage made with house-made lavender syrup and fresh lemon.
She also highlighted what’s known as “The Alchemist.”
“It’s brewed by the customer at their table in a siphon,” she said. “Everyone loves this experience.”
Villegas’ culinary expertise shaped the menu’s fusion dishes, which reflect the couple’s diverse backgrounds— Betances hails from the Dominican Republic, and Ernesto is from Bolivia. The pair ensures every dish and drink stays true to its origins.
“This space is about finding inner peace and enjoying an experience that goes beyond the food.”
"The Alchemist," a siphon tea brewing mechanism →
House-made cinnamon bread french toast →
In January, they’re expanding their hours and introducing monthly themed events. To kick things off, every Friday in January will feature a Burlesque night, bringing a fun and lively vibe to the space.
And it all ties into the experiential nature of the Teas Your Spirits. For Betances, the goal isn’t just about serving delicious food and drinks. It’s about creating an environment that legitimately helps customers.
“We want people to remember how they felt when they were here,” she said.
“This space is about finding inner peace and enjoying an experience that goes beyond the food.”
She said Teas Your Spirits reflects everything she’s “loved and sought.”
“It’s about connection, comfort, and a little bit of magic in every cup,” she said.
Visit Teas Your Spirits at 5286 Center St. in Hilliard, or check out their menu at teasyourspirits.com.
↑ Fall Manantial Salad with Salmon
SCOTT A NTIQUE M ARKETS
Attention treasure hunters and vintage lovers! One weekend a month from January to March, the Scott Antique Markets will be live from the Ohio Expo Center just north of downtown Columbus. Step into a one-of-a-kind experience, where a vast selection of antiques, vintages, and collectibles await you curated by vendors from across the region for your discovery and enjoyment. You never know what hidden gems you’ll uncover at Scott’s, so don’t miss out — join us this winter for an unforgettable adventure!
JAN 25 - 26 FEB 22 - 23 MARCH 22 - 23 SATURDAY : 9am - 6pm S UNDAY : 10am - 4pm
By Sav McKee, Jack McLaughlin, & John M. Clark
Section Design by Tori Smith
Ispy a pizza, square and neat, thin-crust, a universally-loved tasty treat. Not far, a place where wings are fried, Buffalo-style, the flavor’s wide.
I spy a woman, brave and bold, flying solo, a story untold. Oh, the entire world she’d see, the first woman to fly around the world, wild and free.
I spy a cookie, crisp and round, with a sweet, cream-filled center found. The Oreo was born right here, in Columbus, it’s been loved for years!
I spy a gold medalist shining bright, who never gave up the good fight. From Columbus, she reached the stars, with medals and dreams, she’s gone so far.
I spy a flag, a rainbow bright, marching through the streets on June days and nights. Pride in Columbus, shining through, celebrating all, both me and you.
But wait! There’s more – the story’s not done. There’s countless ways Columbus’ spark has just begun. In every corner, there’s more to find, how Columbus changed the world, in ways combined.
From science and sports, to dreams that soar, Our January issue’s just the start – there’s so much more!
- SAV MCKEE
Columbus-founded fast food
Sure, Columbus is home to Columbus-style pizza, but it’s also launched a small army of fast food concepts that are now scattered across the nation (and some even beyond).
Wendy’s, everyone’s favorite fresh, never-frozen beef was created in Central Ohio, and while White Castle wasn’t founded in Columbus, that’s where it’s currently headquartered. Bibibop is from Columbus, as is Max & Erma’s, O’Charley’s and more.
Although Buffalo Wild Wings is based in Atlanta today, the chain was actually founded here in 1982, after founders James Disbrow and Scott Lowery were unable to find an eatery that served the Buffalo-style chicken and chicken wings that they craved.
No, we did not forget about pizza. Don’t worry. The actual origin of Columbus-Style pizza (and its distinction from Chicago tavern-style pies) is up for debate, but the fact of the matter is, no matter what you want to call it, people love it. Donato’s, founded in Columbus in 1963, has now shared their thin, crispy square-sliced pizzas in more than 30 different states.
Nation’s first junior high school
In the early days of the 20th century, only about seven percent of students in Columbus graduated from high school. So, the superintendent of the public school system here worked with Ohio State University President William Oxley Thompson to develop a new curriculum to help students in grades seven through nine transition more easily to high school.
In the fall of 1909, Indianola Junior High School on East 16th Avenue became the first junior high in the nation. (Another benefit of junior highs was to provide more room in existing high school buildings for vocational classes and other specialized teaching.) The new school was a success, and today there are 5,000 junior high schools across the nation.
The towering history of Columbus’ most iconic building
When it was first completed in 1927, the 555 foot-tall Art Decco Leveque Tower was the tallest building in Columbus, and the 5th-tallest building in the entire world. Yes, you read that correctly.
It was also originally known as the American Insurance Union Citadel, and housed the American Insurance Union.
Its reign as Columbus’ tallest building lasted until the 1970s, when it was replaced by the 624 foot-tall Rhodes Tower. Today, the Leveque Offers apartments, a chic hotel, office space and a whole lot more to the Arch City.
It remains as Columbus’ second-tallest building, but retains its claim as the most iconic skyscraper in the skyline, and it’s not particularly close, either.
↓ Leveque Tower, photo courtesy of Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus sports fill the state sheet
THE Ohio State University, Wide Receiver U, multiple-time national champion. No matter how you say it, the fact of the matter is the Buckeyes are a college football powerhouse, and have helped shape the landscape of the sport now for decades.
Aside from regularly making a run into the College Football Playoff and attracting many of the nation’s top high school players, did you know that, as of the beginning of the 2024-2025 season, Ohio State had the third-most former players in the NFL (64), behind just LSU and Alabama?
It’s not just on the gridiron that Columbus’ impact on the world of sports can be seen, either. The Columbus Crew was not only one of the charter teams in the MLS, it has also won the MLS trophy three times, and Historic Crew Stadium (which was replaced by Lower.com Field), was the first soccer-specific stadium built for an MLS team in the country.
Columbus’ surprising contribution to the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons as we know them today
Perhaps surprisingly, our popular November holiday initially had little to do with Pilgrims and Native Americans. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1789 to honor the creation of the U. S. Constitution. As the focus shifted to family, feasts and football, the date often moved – usually at the whim of the president. But as Thanksgiving became associated with the start of the Christmas shopping season, retailers bemoaned the fact that the number of shopping days could vary widely. In 1939, Lazarus Department Stores head Fred Lazarus Junior began lobbying President Franklin Roosevelt to permanently set the date for Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November. Roosevelt agreed; and with this change, the holiday never occurs later than November 28th.
Columbus bodybuilding, fitness show attracts celebs, top pros for decades
Fans of bodybuilding and strongmen contests likely have early March circled on their calendars every year, since The Arnold Sports Festival is now seen as one of the most prestigious events in the industry.
It originally started as a bodybuilding show that came about from a partnership between Arnold “Get to Tha Choppa” Schwarzenegger and Worthington Mayor Jim Lorimer in 1989. What began as just a bodybuilding contest has blossomed into, well, a whole lot more. Now dubbed The Arnold Sports Festival, the event has a convention atmosphere and features everything from weightlifting and bodybuilding to combat sports, dance, gaming, strongman and more.
And if we’re being honest, part of the fun of The Arnold is watching out for The Governator himself. An Austrian native, Schwarzenegger stops by Schmidt’s Sausage Haus every year, and he even has a booth named after him where he always sits in the German Village eatery.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage came from Columbus
Nearly all of us have, at one point or another, snapped into a Slim Jim. And whatever your feelings about the iconic gas station snack are, there’s no denying that the face of Slim Jims, even to this day, is the late Randy Savage.
In case you don’t remember, though, I’ll set the scene: A ripped Randy Savage (Stetson and all) takes a huge bite of out the meat stick in his hand, looks straight into the camera and unleashes a:
“SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM.”
Legally Randall Mario Poffo, Randy Savage was born in Columbus in 1952 (he passed away in 2011), and was also a professional wrestler and Hulk Hogan’s longtime tag team partner. He was also an actor and, apparently, a rapper, releasing an album in 2003 titled Be a Man.
The famous kids-focused TV network got its start right here in Columbus
Rugrats. All That. Legend of the Hidden Temple. Spongebob Squarepants. The list of classic kids shows goes on and on and on. And while today Nickelodeon has a series of shiny skyscraper offices in New York City, would you believe it if we told you the network began as an experiment of sorts right here in Columbus?
It had its first test broadcast in 1977 as part of QUBE–an experimental cable broadcasting system based in The Arch City–with the show Pinwheel. It launched on a new network, named Nickelodeon, in 1979, gained its first advertisers in 1984, and, as the kids say, the rest is history.
Or the rest is green Gak? I forget exactly how that saying goes.
How a little-known Columbus company helped pave the way for the Internet we know today, all the way back in the 1970s
Before many Americans had even heard of the internet, a Columbus-based company was connecting computer users around the globe – sharing emails, news, online chats and the ability to download files from others.
That company was CompuServe, which got its start in 1969. It started as a computer time-sharing service, offering data processing power to businesses that didn’t have their own mainframe computers. Later, company officials had the idea to give access in the evenings to enthusiasts who were using new devices called microcomputers. A historical marker in Upper Arlington reads, in part, “(CompuServe) was the first major online information provider.”
Increasing competition and a succession of corporate owners spelled the end of CompuServe. But it will always be known for laying the foundation for the widespread use of the internet.
Bexley’s
Jerrie Mock
became the first woman ever to fly across the globe solo
One day in the early 1960s, Bexley woman Jerrie Mock looked up at her husband and uttered, “I’m bored.” Russell Mock is said to have replied by suggesting his wife get in the little, singleengine Cessna plane the couple shared with another and fly around the world. No doubt, he was kidding. But Jerrie, the mother of three who had studied aviation in college and had held a pilot’s license since 1958, thought it was a pretty good idea. With a lot of planning, and funding from the Columbus Dispatch, Jerrie climbed aboard her re-dubbed “Spirit of Columbus” on March 19, 1964, and flew out of sight. Twenty-nine days and 23,000 miles later, she returned to Port Columbus Airport and stepped out to a crowd of cheering fans. She had done what no woman before her had ever done; she had circled the globe in an airplane – all on her own.
Where both Oreos & Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream gained their fame
Two of America’s favorite sweets were born here, but about 90 years apart. In 1912, The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) opened its first Oreo factory here in Columbus, and the cookies quickly gained notoriety for their black-cocoa dough that was baked firm & crisp, with cream filling adhered to both sides. It still remains the best-selling cookie in the entire world.
Decades later, Jeni Britton-Bauer was experimenting with chocolate & cream herself, just in a different format. In 2002, She opened the first Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in the North Market, selling her wildly popular flavors like Queen City Cayenne (chocolate ice cream with cayenne pepper), Salty Caramel, and Wildberry Lavender. Now, you can find pints of this Columbus-based ice cream at over 3,000 groceries and markets nationwide, and at scoop shops in 28 other cities.
↑ Jerrie Mock, photo courtesy of Columbus Metropolitan Library
More than two dozen stops along the Underground Railroad were situated in Central Ohio
More than almost any other state, Ohio seems to be weirdly situated in both the Northern and Southern sectors of the country, spanning the crest of Appalachia to the heart of the Great Lakes. And during a time in our nation’s history when the division between North and South was perhaps the most important it’s ever been, the Columbus area had a role to play.
According to the Friends of Freedom Society, more than 20 Underground Railroad “stations” existed in Central Ohio. While many of these are located at residences that are private today, there are still ways to learn more. The Westerville History Museum has an in-depth exploration of local “stations,” where they are, and what their impact was.
↑ RailroadOhioUnderground station , photocourtesyofColumbus MetropolitanLibrary
Two famous writers were born & raised in the Arch City
Maybe something really is in the water here – or maybe it’s in the walls. Hailing from our great city of Columbus are two of the most prolific writers across centuries, both known for their otherworldly stories.
James Thurber grew up at 77 Jefferson Avenue in Columbus, now called the Thurber House, and is known for his whimsical yet poignant stories and cartoons. In his 1983 novel The Night the Ghost Got In, Thurber recounts an eerie childhood incident that took place in his Columbus home on the night of November 15, 1915. He and his family mistakenly thought his grandfather was a ghost, triggering a series of chaotic misunderstandings. And while Thurber’s story humorously resolves “the ghost” as simply his grandfather, he often claimed that his childhood home truly was haunted. Some even say that he altered the ending of his novel to spare the residents of the house from being too frightened. Ironically, now that the house is a museum, visitors have reported their own paranormal experiences within its walls.
Another literary legend with ties to Columbus, R.L. Stine, explores the darker side of Columbus too, with his wildly popular Goosebumps series. Growing up in Bexley on the last block of North Columbia near the railroad tracks, Stine was deeply influenced by the atmosphere of his hometown. He spent many of his afternoons at The Drexel Theatre, watching classic horror films that sparked his lifelong long for the genre. In fact, if the setting of Goosebumps seems a little familiar, Stine admitted that it was influenced by his own childhood on Columbus’ East Side.
Columbus hosts one of the nation’s biggest Pride Parades year after year
The first Columbus Pride march, way back in 1982, saw only about 200 participants. Fast forward decades later, and the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade and March has blossomed into one of the largest, and most vibrant Pride Parades in the nation. With a significant (and still growing) LGBTQ+ population in Columbus, Stonewall Columbus was established in 1981 to advocate for the right and visibility of the local LGBTQ+ community. Each June, hundreds of thousands of people – both locals and visitors – come together along High Street for a jubilant celebration of gay liberation and equality. Expect a lot of rainbow flags, and a lot of hugs as the city embraces diversity and Pride each year.
Central Ohio still houses many historic Lustron homes, which were (literally) mail-ordered and assembled on location
A first-time home buyer in the late 1940s (and there were many) could choose to have a new, Lustron-brand house delivered to his lot in pieces and assembled atop a pre-poured concrete foundation.
The small Lustron houses, whose 3,300 parts were crafted at the former Curtiss-Wright airplane factory at Port Columbus, were truly remarkable. Invented by industrialist and inventor Carl Strandlund, these highly durable, low-maintenance houses were fabricated from enamel-coated steel. But production delays, rising costs and the inability to repay federal loans doomed the company almost from the start. Still about 1,500 Lustron homes remain in existence – several in Central Ohio. Lustron taught the manufacturing industry important lessons in construction, maintenance and the role of government in the housing market.
With flame shirts and spiky hair, Guy Fieri comes from Columbus
Columbus is known as Flavortown for a reason. It’s not the great dining scene, or the fact Cameron Mitchell Restaurants was born here. It’s all because of one man: Guy Fieri.
Now a cornerstone personality of Food Network, “the Mayor of Flavortown” was born in Columbus in 1968. And while he grew up in rural California, Columbus continues to serve as a touchstone for the spiky-headed hometown hero. After attempting to launch Flavortown Fest last summer, Fieri opened his first local brick and mortar eatery, Guy’s Trattoria, last spring. He’s also the host of multiple popular Food Network series, including Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and Guy’s Grocery Games.
The “Columbus Experiment” helped pioneer treatment regiments to purify drinking water
When a prominent Ohio politician died from typhoid fever in 1904, Columbus’ contaminated drinking water was blamed. In that year, alone, the city’s tainted water supply had killed 200 and caused another 1,800 sicknesses. City officials were prompted to act.
Two brothers named Hoover who had studied chemistry at Ohio State University worked with a prominent New York engineer and a team of scientists to design and build the first system to filter, purify and soften river water. They also designed new methods of wastewater treatment. The city built a new water plant four years later, near Grandview. Soon, sicknesses due to contaminated drinking water fell to almost zero. Experts came from around the world to study “The Great Columbus Experiment of 1908” and learn to do the same in their own cities and towns.
Columbus serves as the home of the world’s largest chemical substance
database
Formerly known as Chemical Abstracts Service, the Columbusbased organization now known as CAS provides the world with the most up-to-date chemical information. As a division of the American Chemical Society, CAS began operating in 1909 from offices on the campus of Ohio State University. In 1965, CAS moved to a 50-acre site along the west bank of the Olentangy River and was known for years as the site of annual ‘Picnic with the Pops” concerts. In 1965, CAS developed a system of unique registry numbers to identify chemical substances. It is the largest chemical substance database in the world and is used by agencies around the globe. Today, CAS catalogs about 8,000 journals, dissertations, technical reports and more – in at least 50 different languages – empowering scientific discoveries.
This small piece of steel invented a century ago by a Columbus doctor is still used by veterinarians today to spay and neuter
No, this has nothing to do with catching fish. Nor does it involve everyone’s least-favorite character from Jersey Shore. Today, about 85% of all dogs and cats in the United States have been spayed or neutered. This has been made possible, in part, by a simple device invented by a Columbus man a hundred years ago. Dr. James Snook was a veterinarian and head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University.
As such, he saw the need for a simplified surgical instrument to assist in the spaying and neutering of small pets. The “hook” is in a small, curved, “hook-like” piece of steel that is used for precise tissue manipulation in procedures. It's not known whether Snook ever applied for a patent for his tool; but today, hundreds of versions of the Snook Hook are sold to veterinary clinics around the world.
For nearly two decades, Columbus served as the headquarters of
the NFL
Columbus is known, of course, for having one of the most successful college football programs and one of the largest football stadiums in the country. But a hundred years ago, as football fans began filling that new stadium, the city was also known as the original home of the National Football League. Football became a professional sport in 1892. But it took almost 30 years for the various teams, leagues and circuits to coalesce into a single organization – one which quickly became known as the NFL. In 1921 Columbus native Joseph Carr became president of the organization that would later become the NFL. And in 1922, he moved the new league’s offices to the New Hayden Building at 16 East Broad Street. Over the next 18 years, Carr developed many of the professional football standards that are still in use today. Upon his death in 1939, the NFL headquarters moved to Dayton.
Award-winning musical artists got started in Columbus
Was the top-charting hit “God Bless the Broken Road” written about High Street? Quite possibly, considering Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts are both natives to Columbus. And speaking of streets, if you’ve ever come across Joe Walsh Way in the Arena District, it’s aptly named after Joe Walsh, the famous Eagles guitarist who, although was born in Wichita, didn’t learn to play guitar until he adopted Columbus as his hometown at the age of 9, living on Summit Street, after his stepdad took a job at Nationwide.
Also growing up in Columbus, Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph of the Grammy nominated band Twenty One Pilots features Columbus staples, like Lavash Cafe, in their music videos. Their hit single “Stressed Out” was even filmed at Dun’s childhood home in Columbus, and Dun and his wife, actress Debby Ryan, currently reside here, embracing the entire Columbus community and all that it has to offer.
How Columbus’ German Village laid the groundwork for, and showed the value in, preserving and revamping historical neighborhoods
When a wave of German immigration began in the early 19th century, thousands of Central Europeans located to the near south side of Columbus. Land and building materials were fairly cheap, and there was room for these new Americans to build an entire community with breweries, churches, schools and social clubs. The South End thrived until just after the start of the 20th century, when Prohibition and anti-German sentiment surrounding World War I caused many residents to leave.
In the late 1950s, a small group of preservationists formed to promote the old neighborhood as the new “in” place to live. Their plans were successful beyond anyone’s dreams; and today, German Village is not only one of the most desirable Central Ohio neighborhoods in which to live, but also one of its top tourist destinations – proving the value of historic preservation on a community-wide scale.
Intel is bringing semiconductor plants, thousands of jobs and $28 billion in investment to Central Ohio
Northern California may be home to hundreds of hightech firms in its Silicon Valley. But here in Central Ohio, we are witnessing the birth of the Silicon Heartland. In early 2022, Intel announced that it had selected land near New Albany for two state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Combined investment - $28 billion. Boosted by $1.5 billion in federal funding and millions of state dollars for road improvements, the facility is expected to be operational by 2030.
Semiconductors are the basic electronic components behind cars, computers, social media, e-commerce and just about everything else that involves digital technology. The new Intel plants are expected to create thousands of new jobs and help keep America at the forefront of technical advancement.
An olympic gold medalist, a two Heisman Trophy winner, and a world-class golfer all called Columbus their home
Although Simone Biles didn’t start practicing gymnastics until she moved to a suburb of Houston, a star was born right here in Columbus on March 14, 1997. The Olympian gymnast has won 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals.
And the accolades don’t stop there for Columbus natives. Archie Griffin, also born in Columbus, led Eastmoor High School to the championship game against Linden-McKinley High School in 1971. The Buckeyes noticed, and he signed at Ohio State in the 70s, starting as the tailback for four years, and leading OSU to a 40-5-1 record and four Big Ten titles. In addition to two Heisman Trophies, Griffin also was a two-time pick as National Player of the Year. After graduation, he was a first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals, playing for eight years before returning to Columbus to serve as the President and CEO of the OSU Alumni Association.
None other than Mr. Columbus himself, AKA Jack Nicklaus, became golf’s greatest star thanks to the Scioto Country Club. Born and raised in Upper Arlington, he eventually moved on to play college golf at Ohio State, winning the 1961 NCAA Division 1 title.
He then turned pro after 2 years of playing in college, where his title as the greatest golfer in Ohio State’s history turned into “the greatest golfer to ever play the game.” The five-time Player of the Year won an unprecedented 20 Major Championships, including six wins at the Masters. Today, a museum honoring him sits on Olentangy River Rd., and the 220-acre Muirfield Village Golf Course in Dublin was designed by Nicklaus himself.
The American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame is located in Central Ohio
While it’s likely everyone knows the NFL Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio, fewer realize that the American Motorcycle Association (AMA)—and its Hall of Fame & Museum—is located just East of Columbus in Pickerington.
Like its NFL counterpart, the AMA’s Hall of Fame & Museum features a “hall” of former riders who made an enormous impact on the world of motorcycles, from racers like Giacomo Agostini to pioneers like the recently-passed Mary McGee, who was widely known as Motorcycle Mary, and ushered in a new era for women enthusiasts and racers.
Visitors can also check out a variety of Machines from across the ages (the AMA is celebrating its 100th year in 2024) when they stop by. You can find the Hall at 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Tickets are $10.
Starting A Revolution
Through giving back and a philosophy of service, Revolution Mortgage and CEO Tony Grothouse hope to change the mortgage game for better
By Jack McLaughlin
Revolution Mortgage CEO Tony Grothouse and his wife, interior designer Deborah Grothouse, are invested in (614) Restaurant Week, and not just because they love eating at their favorite spots together, like Valentina’s in Dublin or The Avenue in Grandview.
“Well, with younger kids, it’s hard to actually go out too often,” he added with a laugh.
When Grothouse founded Revolution–right here in Columbus in 2018–he did so in part out of a commitment to community, and to giving back. Ever since 2020, the now nationally-reaching mortgage company has served as the title sponsor to Restaurant Week twice a year, which always contains a charitable component.
Since 2020, Revolution has helped raise a total of more than $20,000, distributed to deserving local groups like Family Mentor Foundation, Rescued Ohio, Franklinton Farms and many more.
“We’re from Columbus, and this community really means something to us. Any time there’s a chance to give back and help people, it's important for us to do that,” Grothouse said. “Our mission statement is to be kind and authentic, and our philosophy is about serving. How do we serve others? Giving back is one of those ways.”
While Revolution began in Central Ohio, today, the company is now located in 49 states. While the scope is larger in 2024, the Revolution team is constantly reminded about the importance of giving and service, as their business–unlike many others in the digital age–is and will always be about personal relationships.
“It’s been a long journey in the mortgage business, but what strikes me still are the relationships you make, and how quickly some of those can form,” Tony said. “Sometimes, you even become friends and there’s a bond there. Ultimately, what you learn is that everyone’s situation is different.”
Every day, Revolution is helping families find homes, an experience Grothouse said is hugely fulfilling, and sometimes incredibly emotional, whether it’s by assisting a couple land their first-ever home, or helping a family finance the house they’ve been dreaming about for decades.
“I have one in particular that I always wear close,” Tony recalled. “She was a first-generation home buyer, a single mom and finances were tough. And I was in a place where I controlled every aspect of the loan. I decided to help her make some of the payments myself.”
While Revolution operates on a national level, helping families from Tuscan and Toledo alike land their dream, their first home, and everything in between, Grothouse said the band’s presence in a rapidly-expanding Central Ohio demonstrates the necessity of giving back, in whatever form it takes.
“We’re raising our families here, we’re shaping and seeing how the communities are planned,” Tony said. “Just being able to help mold this future and what it will look like for our kids and our neighbors, that’s really what we’re called to do.” ♦
Giving Back
Since 2020, Revolution has helped raise the following amounts for the following local non-profits:
2nd and 7 - $2974.75
Franklinton Farms - $2102
A Kid Again - $2000
Stop the Suffering - $2000
American Pie Party - $2000
Children's Hunger Alliance - $2042
Family Mentor Foundation - $2000
On Our Sleeves - $2000
Rescued Ohio - $3025
Total: $20,143.75
Photos by Aaron Massey
Story Design by Bryce Patterson
↓ From right, Dr. Dimple Kotwani with Captial City
Dental team member Marley Shutts
From Gujarat to German Village, the serendipitous story of how Dr. Dimple Kotwani became one
Wof the top dentists in Columbus
By Sav McKee
Photos by Alissa Ohashi Story Desgin by Bryce Patterson
ith a first name like Dimple, it almost seems as if Dr. Kotwani was destined for dentistry. “Well, I do believe in serendipity,” Dr. Dimple Kotwani smiled, reflecting on the path that led her to become one of the most respected dentists in the Columbus area.
Fate, serendipity, or just really hard work? “Whatever you want to call it,” she emphasized.
The German Village-based dentist with a rare specialization in orthodontics, smile design, and cosmetic dentistry indeed worked very hard to operate her own practice, Capital City Dental, located at 79 Thurman Ave. While her journey might seem guided by fate, it’s clear that behind her success is a story of dedication, resilience, love, and maybe some twists of fortune, too.
Born and raised in Gujarat, India, Dr. Kotwani’s early interests spanned art, architecture, and the sciences. In high school, she found herself sketching Van Gogh’s Sunflowers alongside portraits of humans and their anatomical structures. “I loved biology, but I also loved to create,” she recalled. It makes perfect sense that she made her way into a profession that blends the two.
Her mother played a pivotal role in her decision to pursue dentistry. Since high school graduation was coming soon, her mother often reminded Dr. K that she was intelligent enough to be a doctor. One day, while accompanying her mother to the (female) dentist for a denture fitting, her mom asked Dr. K, “Why don’t you be a dentist? You could be like her.”
“And I thought,” continued Dr. K, “‘Yeah, actually, I could.’”
In 1990, Dr. Kotwani started dentistry school in India, eventually specializing in orthodontics and earning her degree(s) in 1998. At the time, the dental profession, especially for women, was still developing in many parts of the world. Yet, being a woman actually opened doors for her.
“I moved to Dubai, and they absolutely loved that I was a female dentist and orthodontist,” Dr. K explained. “In their culture, women and girls can only be seen and treated by other women. I would get offers all of the time asking me to move, just because I was a woman in this field. It was nice. It felt wonderful.” →
MAR 8, 2025 - 7PM Catalyst Quartet & violist Jordan Bak JAN 18, 2025 - 4PM Ariel Quartet MAY 3, 2025 - 7PM
Mnozil Brass
Everything was working out for Dr. Kotwani –she was thriving, well respected in her field, highly sought-after, and she was in love with her career. But something was still missing: her future husband. She laughed, “I really wanted to get married! I’m very traditional, and I wanted to marry within my own Indian culture.”
After meeting her now-husband, someone who shared her values, culture, and background, there was one cavity – oops, we mean caveat – she was in Dubai with her growing, successful career, and he was all the way in Ohio.
“My family told me not to move. They reminded me that I would have to start my career all over again if I did,” she recalled. “But I’m so thankful I did.” She took the leap, followed her heart, and had to rebuild her career from scratch.
Her dental and orthodontics degrees from India weren’t valid in the U.S., which meant Dr. Kotwani had to restudy, retrain, and retake the national board exams when she made the move to Ohio in 2003. “I thought I’d just maybe change my profession and do something else,” she admitted. “But I learned I couldn’t. I love dentistry.”
Despite the challenges, she persevered. She eventually went back to school at Ohio State University while one month pregnant, with an 18 month-year-old at home. “When I graduated, again, in 2012, my husband and my two little kids were waving at me this time,” she said. “It was beautiful. Whatever I had to go through, it was all so worth it.”
And now here she is, with her own successful practice, which too, feels like fate. After her OSU
graduation, Dr. K’s senior mentor from OSU, who owned Capital City Dental, asked her to fill in while she traveled abroad. Dr. Kotwani’s patient care and gentle demeanor quickly won over the staff and clients at Capital City Dental. When the mentor and owner of the practice returned, she had a proposal.
“You’re going to buy my practice,” she told Dr. Kotwani. It was more of a demand, or a prediction, and less of a question. “You are meant to be here.”
"I thought I’d just maybe change my profession and do something else. But I learned I couldn’t. I love dentistry."
Initially, Dr. K had some reservations. “I thought, ‘No! That’s too far from my house,’” she recalled. “But my mentor came to the office I was working at in Powell and told me this wasn’t for me, and told me
I should buy her practice instead.”
Dr. K eventually saw the potential, both in herself and at Capital City Dental. In September of 2015, she joined the German Village practice, and by early 2016, she quite literally owned the place. “And we still celebrate every February 5th,” she said.
At Capital City Dental, Dr. Kotwani offers an impressive array of services, ranging from traditional dentistry work and check-ups, to braces, Invisalign, teeth extractions, and even cosmetic procedures. Her extensive training and experience in both dentistry and orthodontics sets her apart from most dentists. And by next year, Capital City Dental plans to offer Botox solutions for TMJ Dysfunction and for creating more balanced smiles.
For Dr. Kotwani, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing her patients’ transformations, both physically and emotionally. “When they smile with confidence, it makes me so happy,” Dr. K emphasized.
Whether it’s the name she was given, her mother who encouraged her to take this career route, her peers in Dubai, her suppporting husband, her mentor at OSU – we can call it whatever we want, sure – but it’s clear as day that this is exactly what Dr. Dimple Kotwani is meant to be doing, and exactly where she’s meant to be. She knows it too. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” ♦
↑ Capital City Dental team
(BLACK) Diamond in the Rough
Cast aside your disbelief and strap on your boots, here are five spots where you can actually downhill ski in the Buckeye State
By Laura Hennigan / Story Design by Tori Smith
Ohio’s modest hills are definitely no match for the massive mountains of Colorado or Utah, but we can still hold our own when it comes to hitting the slopes for some winter fun.
While you’re never going to mistake any of them for Breckenridge or Jackson Hole, there are multiple spots around the state that offer downhill skiing opportunities, all of which are an easy drive from Columbus, and none of which are too shabby, if you’re taking into consideration the fact that these are smack-dab in the middle of the Midwest. Each location offers options for every level of skier, as well as equipment rentals, changing facilities, and on-site food selections. So don’t spend a cold, gray Saturday sitting at home. Dig out your snow pants, find a pair of waterproof gloves and head out for an adventure.
MAD RIVER Mountain
Located near Bellefontaine in Logan County, about an hour northwest of Columbus, Mad River is Ohio’s largest ski resort. With more than a dozen trails, everyone from a novice skier to a black diamond expert will find a path to enjoy.
Boston mills + Brandywine
Nestled near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Boston Mills and Brandywine are two separate resorts, but only located three miles apart. The two ski areas are linked by a shuttle and offer more than 19 trails on 70 skiable acres, plus the Tiger run, which is the steepest slope in Ohio.
SNOW Trails
Snow Trails, just outside Mansfield, is an easy drive up 71 North. Opened in 1961, the familyowned resort prides itself on its massive state-ofthe-art snowmaking system, which allows it to extend the skiing season for as long as possible.
← Brandywine Resort, photo courtesy Brandywine
↑ Mad River Mountain, photo courtesy Mad River Mountain
↓ Snow Trails, photo courtesy Snow Trails
ALPINE Valley
Situated in the heart of the state’s snowbelt, Alpine Valley is a smaller resort that offers the gentle pitches and varied terrain that are ideal for those trying skiing for the first time. Trails range from a beginner bunny hill, to the expert terrain park which boasts Ohio's largest half-pipe.
While technically in Indiana, Perfect North is right over the border from Cincinnati and is well worth the trip. This premier ski area showcases five chairlifts, seven carpet lifts, 23 trails and two terrain parks, plus a double black diamond run for the adrenaline junkies.
Looking for more downhill winter fun? Check out these Ohio spots for skiing's more-approachable cousin, tubing!
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