(614) June | 2024

INNOVATING FOR YOU

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INVESTING IN CONNECTIVITY

At Breezeline, we know how important it is to stay connected to the things that matter. Whether you're working, streaming, gaming or staying in touch, we're committed to providing you with the speeds you need to keep up with your busy life.

In the last two years, we've invested $400 million in our Fiber network to give our Ohio customers the best experience possible.

We’ve also unveiled a new state-of-the-art Data Center – delivering even faster Internet speeds, performance and reliability to our Ohio customers.

Learn more at Breezeline.com

SIP INTO SUMMER

BIG PICTURE

Marchers take to the Short North in the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade

Opening Volley

ATLAS BIRO Creative Designer

Better Together

When I was in college, my mother and stepfather moved two states away. Leading up to the big move, my mom was very worried about leaving me on my own. Yet, deep down, I think she knew that a lifetime spent teaching me the importance of community would pay off.

Community and mutual aid are a core part of my identity as a queer person, and that fateful summer set me on a path of surrounding myself with folks I love–and who love me–unconditionally. Life is much more colorful and rich when we share our experiences, celebrate our successes, and support each other’s journeys with each other.

Being a Columbus native, I’ve got deep roots and a tight-knit group of friends across a variety of subcultures here. Still, regardless of which band of buddies I’m with, there’s always friendly faces and open shoulders to lean on. I thank all of them daily for inspiring me to embrace my quirks and use my talents to better the world around me wherever I can.

LGBTQIA+ history is teeming with examples of community solidarity. The formation of The Society for Human Rights in 1924, the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, the support and mutual aid during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, and even modern day activism and organizing within the LGBTQIA+ community–we’ve never stopped caring for each other. And I don’t think we ever will.

Sure, there’s a myriad of courageous individuals who paved the way for us to proudly live as our real selves. Names like Henry Gerber, Marsha P. Johnson, Colevia Carter, Liaam Winslet, and many, many more come to mind. More than I could ever write in a

single page. But their work isn’t in a vacuum–it’s real, tangible, and means a lot in the community.

To this day, LGBTQIA+ solidarity remains as important as ever. Each year as we celebrate Pride, the LGBTQIA+ community, and our true selves, we also celebrate years–decades, even–of hard work and living authentically together

We also owe it to ourselves to celebrate the places we find community in. The sports teams, crafting groups, bars, book stores, salons, coffee shops, and plethora of other inclusive spaces throughout Columbus make for a vibrant, thriving city that I’m proud to call home.

There’s comfort and power in numbers–we all know that. My mom knows that, too. She knows I’m never all alone here in Columbus. We both know my friends all have my back, will be an emergency contact, and generally cheer me up when she’s too far to reach me.

Simply put, she knows a simple truth: together, we’ll be alright.

I won’t claim to have the same level of bravery as those who stood before me. But I will claim to know the importance of supporting the folks who do, some of whom are featured in this Pride Issue. I will also encourage you, dear reader, to steep yourself in the community here, whatever that means to you. Bake your neighbor some cookies, go to happy hour with your coworkers, attend concerts for local bands, shop at small businesses, or just make time to goof off with friends. I think you’ll be surprised at how lovely life becomes when you do.

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

One aspect that deeply resonates with the staff here at (614) is our profound appreciation for the Columbus community and its unwavering support. After all, we’re better together. Here are some of the communities that make us better as individuals, and ones we’re proud of being a part of:

The beer community here is awesome. Such talented brewers (shoutout Gwen from Wolf’s Ridge Brewing) and a supportive community of taproom staff, sales reps, producers and consumers across all breweries! We all support each other and in turn it drives success for all of us!

— Lizzy Saunders, Events Coordinator & Brand Manager for (614) Lager

The Goth and DIY scenes here are full of the most genuine, weird (positive), and welcoming folks I know. It’s like a second family to me.

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

I've met so many friends at art classes through The City of Columbus Recreation & Parks!

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

The rock climbing community is incredibly fun and supportive, especially to beginners. That goes a long way. As a close second, I'm also a proud member of the Chicken Wing Connoisseurs of Columbus Facebook group.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-in-Chief

The Columbus Girl Gang community on Facebook!! As someone who moved here right after college, not knowing anyone in the area, it's been a great way to connect with people and meet new friends. There's also community group chats for all kinds of topics.

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

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!

→ Columbus sandwich concept bringing smash burgers and more to Budd Dairy Food Hall

Less than a year after launching a brick and mortar space for the first time, McGinnis’ Grill is headed to Budd Dairy Food Hall.

→ Dave & Buster’s teases betting on Skee-Ball, arcade games; but Games Commission has “serious concerns”

With the legalization of sports betting in the Buckeye State, Dave & Buster’s recently released a bold new plan to potentially introducing betting on classic arcade games.

→ New restaurant concept featuring stuffed French toast, jar cake and boba coming to Grandview

An exciting new concept from Epic Brands, the parent company behind Agave & Rye, is coming to Grandview.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@delmarcolumbus @germanvillagefarmersmarket

@socalcolumbus @icedbyaus

PRES S PLAY 614 VIDEO

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

• Snack Attack: Caffeine Edition We tried a lot of caffeinated snacks to give you the run down—so you know what to pick up the next time you're jonesing for a kick.

• An All American Diner The All American Jenny's Diner sports one not so well kept secret. It's a menu full of mouthwateringly delicious food!

• Tasting Columbus–NEW episode! Parable has some truly delicious coffee (and let's not sleep on those incredible alcoholic beverages) but it's the community that really shines.

• Littleton's Littleton's is challenging traditional norms by making a communal style market where customers and venders can and often do meet face to face.

THANKYOUCOLUMBUS #1MEDSPATWOYEARSINAROW!

Clintonville • Graceland • Easton • Powell

The untold story of Columbus shop owner Helen Winnemore and her unique relationship with Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin

By John M. Clark

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Three months ago, the Academy Awards shone its spotlight on a little-known civil rights activist named Bayard Rustin, played in the movie, Rustin, by the multi-talented Colman Domingo.

Many theater-goers had walked away from the film dazzled not only by Domingo’s performance, but also by the story of an openly gay Black man who organized Martin Luther King, Junior’s history-making 1963 March on Washington.

Left out of the movie was Rustin’s close relationship with a woman who not only shared his dream of civil rights for all, but who befriended him in his darkest hour and helped him with the confidence he needed to become the Civil Rights Movement’s unsung hero.

That woman was Columbus shopkeeper Helen Winnemore.

From an early age, Rustin, from West Chester, Pennsylvania, showed superior intelligence and a natural proclivity for organizing. And his Quaker upbringing instilled within him a strong desire for both pacifism and racial equality. He could have gone far. Except he was Black and openly gay, during a far less welcoming period of our country’s history. His sexual exploits – unaccepted by the law – often led to short stints behind bars.

As a young man in the 1940s, Rustin became acquainted with Helen Winnemore, a white woman who had been raised as a Quaker in Iowa. Exactly how the two met appears to have been lost to time. But their frequent letters to one another paint a close and common bond. On occasion, Rustin would even travel to Columbus to visit his friend in the Grandview home she shared with her mother and sister, who would become a doctor in the early Planned Parenthood movement.

At age 31, Rustin found himself serving a threeyear sentence for draft dodging in the Ashland Federal Correctional Institution in Kentucky. While there, in 1944, he received word that his grandfather was gravely ill. Surprisingly, given the various prisoner protests for equality he had led behind bars, Rustin was given permission to visit the man who had raised him. Accompanied by a guard, Rustin’s train ride from Pennsylvania back to Eastern Kentucky brought him to a scheduled stop at Union Station. Here in Columbus, his guard allowed Rustin to spend a few hours with his friend, Winnemore.

In the short time they had together, Winnemore told Rustin that she loved him and wanted to marry him. She suggested that even if the two were not destined to live life as an ordinary married couple, she could at least give him “cover” so that he could continue his fight for equal rights, unencumbered. →

↑ Columbus shopkeeper Helen Winnemore

↓ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bayard Rustin

In a letter Rustin later wrote to his longtime lover, Davis Platt, he summarized the 33-year-old Winnemore’s words to him: “I tell you without shame of the love I have for you, of my desire to be with you through light and darkness, to give all that I possess that the goodness within you shall live and flower.”

Rustin told Platt, “Never had I heard such unselfish love speak in a woman. Never had I sensed a more simple and complete offering.” After a long silence, Rustin turned down Winnemore’s proposal; but he regarded it as a sign from God. And the memories of their conversation, he said, brought him “a joy that is almost beyond understanding – a flash of light in the right direction, a new hope, a sudden re-evaluation, a light on the road I know I should travel.”

Rustin later opted to be more secretive about his sexual experiences. This allowed him to play an everlarger role in the national Civil Rights Movement. In 1956, he assisted and advised Dr. King in the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. A Supreme Court ruling against bus segregation catapulted Rustin to an advisory role within King’s close circle.

Privately, King treated Rustin with the respect of the right-hand man he was; but given Rustin’s wellknown past, he refused to allow Rustin to step out from the shadows.

So, Bayard Rustin, using the intelligence, cleverness and organizing skills he had honed for years, continued to work behind the scenes – even planning the Civil Rights Movement’s biggest demonstration yet – the 1963 March on Washington. A crowd of 250,000 listened as King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. It was a defining moment in the push for equal rights. And it was one of Rustin’s proudest moments.

For her part, Helen Winnemore soon went from selling handcrafted items on consignment in her living room to operating a successful Downtown arts and crafts store, and then to establishing one of the finest American handcrafts shops anywhere in the country – Helen Winnemore’s – at the corner of Mohawk and Kossuth, in German Village.

History doesn’t record whether she and Rustin ever met again. And even if she isn’t remembered for her small contribution to the nation’s Civil Rights Movement, Winnemore’s legacy as a preeminent curator of American arts and crafts lives on, 30 years after she passed away.

Siblings Julie and John Jenkins, who took over the business four years ago, were surprised to discover the connection between Winnemore and the fight for equality. “We admire Helen Winnemore and her courage as she strived to advance civil rights,” Julie recently said. “Knowing what I’ve learned about Helen and her character, it makes sense that she would befriend Bayard Rustin in this way. It’s also a testament to the inclusiveness so many of us embrace as German Villagers, to this day.” ♦

Columbus native Hanif Abdurraqib details his journey from the Arch City’s East Side to New York Times bestselling author. And back.

By Melinda Green

Photos by Kate Sweeney

Story Design by Tori Smith

His website proclaims, “Hi.

I’m Hanif,” and a photo of the old James Road Super Duper sign against a charcoal sky flings you back to a bygone era. Hanif Abdurraqib is known as a poet, essayist, and cultural critic, but those descriptors barely scratch the surface. He’s been no stranger to violence, growing up on Columbus' East Side. He’s been an honor roll student. He’s been unhoused and spent

time in jail, and he’s received a MacArthur Genius Grant.

Hanif is soft spoken, introspective, as thoughtful in conversation as he is in writing. His work has sometimes been called “raw” and “violent,” but beneath his unflinching vignettes of inner-city life is a deep underpinning of emotion.

As the youngest of four children in a busy family, Hanif often spent time alone, which meant he got to explore and learn on his own.

“I was very lucky, I think, to get to grow up around artists and get to watch people make things, be it Aminah Robinson or Tony West. I grew up in a house that was musical, and I took

music lessons with Roger Parish. So there's a very good corridor of East Side artists who informed my childhood—I got to understand the city as a place where people could create things,” he explained.

“I loved the neighborhood I grew up in, and I felt like I was lucky to have access to people who were translating that love through the making of things,” Hanif continued. “I spent a lot of time just with records and a lot of time with music and thinking about sound.”

Teenage Hanif had no aspirations to be a writer—and, really, no aspirations at all. “My first year of high school, my mom had died the summer before. So I was really in bad shape. I nearly flunked out,” he recalled. But his English test scores were high enough that a teacher pushed to put him in an AP class.

“AP English was really the thing that turned my high school life around,” Hanif admitted.

“I grew up in a house where we read. [My parents] really wanted us to read widely, and read thoughtfully. And to have these AP English classes in high school was the first time I felt like that was replicated for me outside of my home.”

He started writing professionally in the mid-2000s, at first contributing album and show reviews for local punk ‘zines, then progressing to local and regional papers. In 2011, he decided to try his hand at poetry. “That was a different creative outlet for me,” he recalled. “It was

a good example of how I could find an artistic community in a city that I didn't even know existed.”

His quest for knowledge drove him to read liner notes and acknowledgement pages, tracking down the musicians, lyricists, and authors whose work inspired those he appreciated. “I don't know if I would say ‘self taught,’ because I think a lot of people had a hand in pushing me along gently, but I did the bulk of it,” he said. “I read for a year, kind of alone in my bedroom, and learned to read poems as I learned to write them.”

His subject matter is expansive, sewing together such topics as basketball, punk rock, police violence, barbershop chatter, and relationships. The titles of his poems are often darkly hilarious.

“I'm always trying to wrap my head around some pretty big ideas, multiple ones at once, usually,” he admitted. “I try to think about my corner of the world as expansively as possible, and I think that requires having multiple tracks through which I'm considering that thought. A lot of times, I'm just trying to build a very wide, multiple lane highway through which all of my interests can travel in as many directions as they need. And that's worked for me.”

Hanif continued, “It shows up in my writing, I think. But it also shows up in my thinking about the world. I'm a person of many excitements and many interests, and I believe that all of them deserve an equal space, an equal shot at not just showing up on the page, but showing up in how I live my life.” →

We’re hosting multiple events this summer at Vineyard Columbus Church. Check out what we have going on in June, July & August for everyone!

Hanif Abdurraqib, author of New York Times Bestseller There’s Always This Year ←

He writes, in large part, to seek his own revelations, not only about his own history but about deeper philosophical concepts. “This year, I was trying to figure out something really large about time and mortality, and whether or not I figured it out, who knows? I don't know if I'll be able to say for a while, but I don't mind sharing the process,” he explained. “I think sometimes it's hard for me to reconcile my old work and present work, but I don't even know if it's reconciliation that I need.”

“I really try to honor the reason my work is so steeped in memory,” he said. “It's deep in nostalgia to rebuild infrastructures, be it buildings or people, bring people back to life, because I think there's a world where I will not always remember these people and places. And so I'm operating against the clock I can't see, and attempting to archive what I can remember now, because I know it won't always be like this.”

In Hanif’s New York Times Bestseller, There’s Always This Year, he writes, “I love all manner of homecoming, all manner of coming home.” And, although a marriage took him to New Haven for a while, he now chooses to ground himself in the community he grew up knowing and caring for: Columbus.

“Having a place to come back to, for me, was important,” he said. “I didn't want to have to rebuild an emotional infrastructure anywhere else. It takes so long to do that, and it takes real commitment to do that after you move—to restructure not just your routines and your rituals, but an emotional infrastructure. I've been lucky to have a community of people here who just ask more of me, ask me to be a better person and almost demand me to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

“And also, there's a familiarity and an understanding here that I'm operating again in a lineage of creators of people who made things,” he continued. “That was a part of being young in Columbus and being raised around art makers. And I wanted to come back and see if I could find my way to slide into that lineage really effectively.”

Although he sees the poetry scene as suffering a bit in Columbus these days, he recognizes the broadness of the arts community overall. “Architecturally and infrastructurally, I think [Columbus] always is becoming more hostile to its residents,” he continued. “But I think what's acting in opposition to that is, certain pockets of the city are becoming more innovative and more creative about how to combat that and how to build communities independent of the harshness of the city's architecture and infrastructure.”

Hanif explained, “I live in Bronzeville now, and it's like a village unto itself. It's a place where people are finding a way to connect with each other and make things, and be in a very real community with each other. And that was something that I did not find as easily before I left. Coming back, I found it so much easier. And I think some of that is just like, I wasn't really looking, but now I feel like I can't help to look even if I don't want to.”

In some ways, he’s still very much working on the recentlyreleased There’s Always This Year, “giving it a good life,” he said. And as for the long term, he admitted, “I guess my biggest aspiration is to see the world in such a way that allows my imagination to turn some corners that I don't know are there yet.”

You can grab your own copy of Hanif’s new book, There’s Always This Year, at local bookstore Two Dollar Radio, or online.

On the heels of a whirlwind year for Sexton’s Pizza, owners Joey and Jamey Sexton join forces with OSU legend Braxton Miller

to launch one of the city’s hottest

Bnew burger spots

By Chris Alexis Photos by Tyler Jamison Story

raxton Miller has traded the pigskin for patties.

The famous OSU quarterback-turnedwide receiver is a partner in Sexton’s Burger Bar—a culinary spin-off from the popular eatery Sexton’s Pizza, which opened in March at 921 E. Johnstown Rd.

Joey Sexton, founder and co-owner of the burger bar, said he and Miller had been tossing ideas back and forth on a business to open together. One of their original ideas was a concept called Dive Bar Burgers. But the potential location wasn’t a fit, nor was Miller’s family-friendly image.

Adjustments were made—retro vibes and a chic bar were added—and the burger bar concept came to life.

Joey, along with his brother Jamey (who is also involved in Sexton’s Pizza), brought designer and stylist Stephen Jordan onto the team to co-own the business. And they had an interesting hook:

The lace burger.

“It’s a smashburger on steroids,” Joey Sexton said. “You smash it really thin. When you press it onto a hot grill, the edges caramelize and become crispy, while the center stays juicy. It falls apart in your mouth.”

The name comes from the edges, which are said to have a “nice lace.”

“We’d seen it around in some hot food cities, and we fell in love with it,” he recalled. →

Design by Bryce Patterson

↑ Interior of Sexton’s Burger Bar

And that’s not the only item on the menu, which features locally-sourced beef burgers, fresh-cut fries, soft-serve ice cream and plenty of alcohol.

Sexton described the atmosphere as “an old retro diner with a modern vibe.”

“It has a bar where Dad can grab a drink and then the kids can play video games,” he said. “We’re cooking burgers right behind the bar, so you can hear it sizzling while you’re watching a game or whatever.”

The full bar offers a variety of booze in just about whatever form will hit the spot.

“It has a bar where Dad can grab a drink and then the kids can play video games”

“You can get root beer floats with alcohol and creamsicles with vodka, or orange soda and ice cream,” he said.

Or maybe you’re in the mood for an Old Fashioned or a beer. The options are vast.

What if the mood strikes for pizza… but you’re at a burger joint? No worries, just bring one in while sitting at the bar. They don’t mind.

“I just want that nostalgic neighborhood feel,” he said. “Everyone is welcome.” →

A CASE OF THE MONDAYS:

June 3, 7 pm - The Wizard of Oz

June 10, 7 pm - Hedwig and the Angry Inch

June 17, 7 pm - Hairspray (2007)

June 24, 7 pm - Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

TUESDAY FILM PARLOR:

Coming in June - Vertigo

VOICES:

June 12, 7 pm - Milk

NOT QUITE MIDNIGHT:

June 1, 9:30 pm - The Craft

June 8, 9:45 pm - The Room

June 15, 9:30 pm - The Hunger

June 29, 9:30 pm - Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker

For tickets, and to receive our newsletter, visit www.drexel.net

linktr.ee/drexeltheatre

Not only do the owners of Sexton’s Burger Bar work hard to make their guests comfortable, but they go all out on every detail.

“If we’re doing pizza, we create a unique crust that, in my opinion, isn’t available anywhere else,” he said. “We’re the only ones making 48-hour dough in a very old-fashioned way. We learn from the best and apply that to our burgers. We’re doing something that takes a lot of effort, and we skip no steps in the Sexton brand.”

That dedication has accounted for the Sextons’ success, harking back to the pizza trailer they started in Tampa Bay back in 2016.

“We learn from the best and apply that to our burgers. We’re doing something that takes a lot of effort, and we skip no steps in the Sexton brand.”

Joey and Jamey Sexton opened that sixfoot, $8,000 trailer to be close to their mom, who has been living in the area. This was after they transitioned from military service back to civilian life after both serving in the Army.

They eventually outgrew the cramped trailer and wanted to open a brick-and-mortar eatery. But their resources were stronger back home in central Ohio, so they returned to the Buckeye State.

And in 2019 Sexton’s Pizza opened its doors. Little could they know their brand would extend in popularity and concepts.

As for Miller? Pop in, and you might just see him.

“It happens all the time,” Sexton said. “Once a week, once every couple of weeks, he’ll be hanging out and you can run into him.”

Come for a chance to see a famous athlete. Stay for the top-tier food and drinks. ♦

To learn more about Sexton’s Burger Bar, follow @sextonsburgerbar on Instagram.

Midwest meets

↑ Seared Sea Scallops from Hank’s

The renowned Charlestonbased seafood joint, Hank’s, is bringing their signature Carolina charm to Columbus

By Chris Alexis Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Columbus is diving into new culinary depths—in the most delicious way.

After a quarter-century of serving succulent seafood to the people of Charleston, South Carolina, Hank's Low Country Seafood & Raw Bar debuted in our Capital City on April 23, situated in the heart of Downtown at 6 W. Gay St.

“We felt that it was a no-brainer to do the sequel to the first restaurant after having many opportunities to expand throughout the years,” said Chef Frank McMahon, one of Hank’s founding chefs.

McMahon recognizes a “definite relationship” between the two cities as many people from Columbus travel to Charleston for vacation.

“We thought we would bring the Low Country to Columbus, and so far it's worked out really well,” he said.

The land from the Southern coast of South Carolina to the Georgia border is known as “the low country” because it sits at sea level.

“We've got these intercoastal tidal waterways that are teeming with local shrimp, grouper, and snapper,” he said. “We also use their local ingredients, like emphasizing okra and corn. Our whole menu and design is based on those regional cuisines and ingredients.” →

The Columbus location replicates the ambiance of the original Charleston restaurant, with some bonuses to boot –marble bars, cozy sage green walls, and gorgeous Downtown Columbus views await guests from the moment they step inside.

“When you walk in the door, there's a beautiful lounge, which we don't have at Hanks in South Carolina,” he said. “Then you walk into the main dining room, and there's a beautiful world that exemplifies what the Low Country is.”

After taking in the restaurant’s spirit, it will be time to peruse the menu.

Highlights include Hanks’s Signature Seafood Platter, which comprises a Southern crumb fried or old bay broiled seafood platter. Enjoy grouper, shrimp, scallops, and flounder. On the side, delight in the coleslaw, hush puppies, red rice, tartar and of course, a cocktail, like the Buttered Pecan Sour.

You can start your culinary adventure with a Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail or Lump Crab Cocktail. Dive into soups and appetizers like the creamy Charleston She Crab Soup or Hank's Signature Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes.

For Chef's specialties, relish options like Roasted Salmon, Seared Sea Scallops, or the Seafood A ‘La Wando, which is their daily selection of fish & shellfish served on top of a fried grit cake, topped with a light saffron cream and finished with fresh crab.

But what if seafood isn’t to someone’s taste? Landlubbers rejoice! You can choose Seared Beef Tenderloin, complemented by whipped potato, rainbow Swiss chard, and a flavorful Low-Country pimento butter. You could also go for the Seared Bone-in Pork Chop paired with creamy whipped potatoes, hearty collard greens, and a tangy andouille mustard sauce. And for vegetarians, the Chicken-Fried Tofu served with Low Country succotash and house vinaigrette offers a flavorful option.

For an inland seafood restaurant, one question typically rears its head again and again: How fresh are these meals going to be? →

↑ Rare Seared Blackened Tuna

↑ A peek into Hank’s main dining room

“Everything can be flown in,” McMahon said. “Even at Hank’s Seafood in South Carolina, we fly in our seafood. We've built a partnership in Columbus to ensure we have top-quality products. We work with Michael’s Meats and John Block, and they can deliver fresh seafood within 24 hours. We wanted to offer the same quality in Columbus as we do in Charleston. I've been blown away by the quality.”

For McMahon and everyone at Hank’s, the customer experience stands above all other details.

“You’ve got to get everything right, and it takes time to get everything right,” he said. “I hope that everyone leaves with a great experience, from the front and the back end, from being greeted at the door to leaving the restaurant, it's the same experience. The food was great, and the ambiance was great. They felt they got value for money. That's our job.”

And it’s not just about taking care of customers.

Hank’s is also committed to sustainability. The phrase, “There are other fish in the sea” takes on another meaning.

“Certain species are endangered or overfished, so we give them a break,” he said. “We look for substitutes and strive to maintain balance.”

He offered up the example of grouper, which is wildly popular at the Charleston location. But that mass appeal can cause their numbers to dwindle a bit in the sea.

“Sometimes, when grouper isn't available, we inform customers about the situation and offer alternatives like corvina or snapper,” he said. “We’ve never gotten any backlash from that.”

If you were to speak to McMahon, you might expect a Southern accent. After all, this is Low-Country seafood we’re talking about here. But you might be surprised by his Irish accent, spoken in the warmest of tones.

“I'm from Ireland originally—Irish dad, Austrian mother,” he recounted. “Both of them

were chefs, so I grew up in the restaurant industry. I've worked in Austria, Germany, Ireland, the US, you know, LA, New York. It's in my bones.”

His love for seafood was born after reading about it in a gourmet magazine. He saw Gilbert Le Coze, a famous chef who worked in Le Bernardin in New York. The article featuring the chef’s “pristine seafood” mesmerized the young McMahon.

“I looked at that and it inspired me,” he recalled. “I said, ‘I have to work there.’”

He called Le Bernardin and was able to procure an interview. Before long, he was an employee and his destiny was laid out in front of him.

“It was just that that made my bones,” he said. “Those were the instrumental, defining moments for me as far as seafood is concerned.”

Step into Hank’s and you may just have your own defining moment. ♦

Make sure to reserve your table by visiting hanksseafoodrestaurant.com.

↑ Hank’s dining room

What's the Tea?

With boba tea shops popping up at every corner in Columbus, we’re giving you the rundown on some of the best places to find these delicious drinks

By Sav McKee Story Design by Tori Smith

Boba tea, pearl shakes, bubble tea, milk tea, or “that really good colorful drink with squishy balls at the bottom” – regardless of its moniker, its allure is undeniable.

These delightful concoctions are a fusion of Taiwanese tea, often infused with milk, though the option for just the iced tea base exists, too. These teas are then blended with fresh fruit juices, yielding a spectrum of hues from vibrant pinks to tranquil blues (you’ve had to have seen them on social media).

More indulgent flavors, such as caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla offer a decadent twist, if you prefer that. Additionally, you can elevate your boba experience by incorporating playful add-ons, like tapioca pearls, fruit flavored popping bubbles, chunks of fruit jelly, a velvety mousse topping, or even petite taro balls. Truly, when it comes to making the perfect milk tea for your taste, the world is your oyster – or should we say, tapioca pearl. →

Originating in Taiwan during the 1980s, these teas made their way to Los Angeles in 1990 courtesy of Taiwanese immigrants. However, it’s only recently that they’ve surged in popularity here in Columbus. Take a stroll down High Street, and you’re bound to see someone holding a bright, colorful drink, with those distinctive tiny dark spheres nestled at the base of their cup. It’s hard not to find yourself craving one as well.

If you’re eager to sip and savor on some boba tea yourself, we know just the spot(s):

Little Cat Boba

212 KELTON AVE.

Founder Raymond Kim runs this quaint cafe inside of The East Market, serving innovative bubble tea concoctions, using Korean-inspired ingredients like Yuzu, Misugaru, and Gochujang, which is a spicy red pepper paste, but also creative traditional sauces to create drinks like PB&J Boba.

Tiger Sugar

876 BETHEL RD.

This viral, international chain, first founded in Taiwan, opened their first-ever Columbus location last year, and it’s already proven to be a boba hotspot. The boba here is poured by hand, creating unique patterns that resemble a tiger’s stripes once the signature brown sugar syrup is added. Definitely add the Cream Mousse!

↑ Little Cat Boba

Kitty Bubble Café & Bar

5568 N. HIGH ST.

Sip on a Taro Coconut Milk Tea all while watching adorable & adoptable cats roam around in the kitty lounge! Their mission is to bring love and happiness to both cats and humans, and it’s impossible not to smile while there.

Kung Fu Tea

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

It feels wrong to discuss bubble tea without mentioning America’s largest bubble tea brand, with over 350+ locations across the U.S., and four here in central Ohio. Each drink is made with the art of ‘3T’ Kung Fu –1) selecting the best tea leaves 2) brewing the tea at the right temperature and 3) steeping the tea for the perfect amount of time. Their must-tries include the Winter Melon Milk Tea and the Oreo Wow Milk Strike.

ZenCha Tea Salon

2396 E. MAIN ST. | 982 N. HIGH ST.

In a world that seems to value efficiently, ZenCha embraces intentional leisure instead. The tea salon has been serving high quality teas to Columbus for over a decade, and although many flock to the parlor for hot tea service, their bubble tea is delicious, too. Choose from Coconut, Lychee, even Sweet Cinnamon milk teas, plus so much more, loaded with tapioca pearls.

PLUS:

Cuppa Cha

262 W. Lane Ave.

What to Order:

Purple Taro Boba Milk Cha

Teamoji

5227 Godown Rd.

What to Order:

Roasted Crème Brûlée Milk Tea

Vivi Bubble Tea

6375 Sawmill Rd., Dublin

What to Order:

Pineapple Mango Jelly Tea

Racha Tea

561 S. Hamilton Rd.

What to Order:

Cookies & Cream Milk Tea

Paris Banh Mi

6195 Sawmill Rd.

What to Order:

Genmaicha (roasted brown rice)

Milk Tea

Bubble & Crepe House

5500 Hall Rd.

What to Order:

Honeydew Milk Tea with Passion Fruit Popping

Boba Pearls

Darshan Bubble Tea

7522 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg

What to Order:

Banana Bubble Tea with Lychee Jelly

First Corner Bubble Tea

2408 E. Main St., Bexley

What to Order:

Blue Butterfly Matcha Milk Tea

Bee Bubbly

4013 Main St., Hilliard

What to Order:

Cotton Candy Milk Tea

Sweet Station

2750 S. Hamilton Rd.

What to Order:

Hokkaido Milk Tea

Millions of Milk Tea

1990 N. High St.

What to Order:

Honey Oolong Milk Tea

Wali Dessert

1440 Bethel Rd.

What to Order:

Pink Snow Cheese

Bubbles Tea & Juice Company

Multiple Locations

What to Order:

Papaya Milk Tea

Little Moon Café

2899 N. High St.

What to Order:

Rose Jasmine Milk Tea

Tsaocaa

4740 Reed Rd.

What to Order:

Cloud Mist Milk Tea

By Sav McKee

Photos by Emma Mortellaro

Story Design by Tori Smith

With construction seemingly a permanent fixture on every street here in Columbus, maybe it’s time to just embrace the humor in our constant battle with potholes and traffic cones.

Our way of doing that is creating an entire ice cream flavor out of the roadwork woes.

(614) has teamed up with local favorite CRMD to create an ice cream flavor that’s not just creamy and delicious – it’s a tribute to Columbus itself, complete with its notoriously bumpy roads.

Meet (614) Rocky Roadways: a marshmallow base with chewy marshmallow chunks, plus dark chocolate bark laced with Celtic sea salt, and crunchy, salty pretzel pieces. The ground Oreos and pieces of Oreo Thins mimic the city’s cracked asphalt and potholes, just in a much tastier way. It’s the ultimate combination of sweet, salty, and satire.

For those who really want to lean into the joke, top off your scoop(s) with the limited “construction cone” sprinkles!

“Knowing this flavor was going to be a very limited thing, and with us being able to partner with (614) to make this even more unique, we had to bring the heat. We used the best products to make it, and tested multiple variations until we landed on our final rendition,” explained Ben Stoyka, founder & owner of CRMD.

“KNOWING THIS FLAVOR WAS GOING TO BE A VERY LIMITED THING, AND WITH US BEING ABLE TO PARTNER WITH (614) TO MAKE THIS EVEN MORE UNIQUE, WE HAD TO BRING THE HEAT.”

Grab a scoop for yourself anytime between June 1-30 at either of CRMD’s locations. There’s a shop in the Short North, located at 1190 N. High St., and out in Lewis Center at 5915 Evans Farm as well.

↑ Entrance to CRMD's Lewis Center speakeasy

↑ Exterior shot of CRMD's Lewis Center location

↑ Ben Stoyka, founder & owner of CRMD

OHIO MADE. OHIO GROWN.

OHIO PROUD. OHIO PROUD.

HARTVILLE KITCHEN SALAD DRESSINGS

HartvilleKitchen.com

(330) 877-9353

1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632

OhioProud.org

@OhioProud

@RealOhioProud

From locally grown fruits and vegetables, to artisanal cheeses & handcrafted jams, there is an abundance of locally made products waiting to be discovered in every corner of our state.

Next time you’re dining at a local restaurant, browsing the shelves of a specialty shop, or navigating a bustling grocery aisle--keep an eye out for the Ohio Proud logo & those special gems that showcase the flavor and craftsmanship of Ohio.

Embrace the essence of the state’s food and agricultural heritage and support local producers as you embark on a delectable journey through the heart of Ohio.

Discover Hartville’s Finest — Ohio-made salad dressings proudly crafted in Hartville. Made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, each bottle bursts with flavor. Elevate your salads with our range of zesty vinaigrettes, creamy classics, and tangy blends. Taste the difference of artisanal quality. Explore our collection at HartvilleHardware.com/HartvilleKitchenDressings

PIERRE’S ICE

CREAM COMPANY

Pierres.com Cleveland, OH

Family-owned Pierre’s Ice Cream Company began in 1932 as a neighborhood shop in Cleveland. All of our ice cream flavors are NEXT LEVEL! Each ingredient, from Midwest cream to delicious cookie chunks, thick chocolate fudges and peanut butter swirls, earns its place in a Pierre’s recipe. Get your spoons ready. Discover your new favorite flavor today!

TRI STATE CHEESE LLC

TriStateCheese.com

Tri-State Cheese LLC (419) 542-8788

For Cheese that tickles your Taste buds, Try Tri State Cheese in Hicksville, Ohio.

Check out our whole variety of cheese!

• Black Pepper

• Colby

• Colby Bacon

• Colby Jack

• Dill

• Full Cream Cheddar

• Garlic & Chive

• Garlic & Herb

• Green Onion

• Habanero

• Horseradish

• Jalapeno Bacon

• Pepper Jack

• Muenster

–and more!

ADDITIONAL OHIO PROUD PROGRAMS

Ohio Proud (614) 728-6206

OhioProud@agri.ohio.gov

SNACK SIZE!

THAT DAM JAM

Order online or use our jam finder map! ThatDamJam.com @ThatDamJam Milford, OH

That Dam Jam is a woman-owned pepper jam producer from Milford, Ohio! Specializing in unique and versatile pineapple flavors, these jams add a burst of flavor to your salmon, grilled chicken, or burgers! Try it with cream cheese for an irresistible appetizer. Choose from our four flavors ranging from sweet to hot! It’s not a party until you serve That Dam Jam!

Created in 1993, Ohio Proud has been helping companies promote their products to consumers for more than 30 years! In addition to the program’s traditional marketing offerings, Ohio Proud supports Homegrown by Heroes — the official farmer veteran branding program of America, Ohio Proud on the Menu, and Ohio’s Farm to School programs. If you produce a food or agricultural product that is at least 50 percent grown, raised, or processed in Ohio, you can become an Ohio Proud partner.

For more information, visit OhioProud.org.

PRODUCE PACKAGING, INC.

PPIFresh.net (216) 391-6129

27853 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, OH 44092

Produce Packaging is a family-owned, fresh produce processing, repack, and wholesale facility in the Cleveland area. Innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction are our main concerns. Our customers are retailers, food service distributors, school systems, and food manufacturers, and we serve a multi-state region. Visit our website to learn more about PPI and the products that we offer.

imagebyFreepik

Better Better Together Together

No matter who you are, where you come from, or who you love, we’re better together. This year, with the help of KEMBA Financial Credit Union—who is proud to recognize and celebrate the many contributions that the LGBTQIA+ community has made to central Ohio—we want to turn an eye towards not only the Columbus LGBTQIA+ community, but also the communities it fosters. Instead of honing in on our differences, our conflicts and what keeps us apart, we want to embrace unity in our city’s thriving LGBTQIA+ scene.

Our cover package in this issue is composed of four unique Columbus queer communities, the people within them, what they do, and why they do it.

We’re taking a look at Stonewall Sports, an inclusive sports league meant for anyone and everyone; the Ghost Hunting Gays of Ohio and their quest to uncover evidence of the paranormal here in central Ohio; Cavan Irish Pub, a unique High Street spot where the local LGBTQIA+ community intersects with European culture; and the Pride Gamers of Columbus, who look to defy stereotypes, and have a ton of fun doing it.

So come together, Columbus, and enjoy.

Section Presented by

Section Design by Atlas Biro Section Design by Atlas Biro

Photo by Mx. Gay Photography

Photo by NV Gay, Mx. Gay Photography

TheThe Ghost Hunting Gays of Ohio are here to discover proof that there’s life after death, and not all of it is straight

Other Other Side Side

By Taylor Dorrell / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

The sound of footsteps filled the home of twenty year old James Thurber. It was a quarter past 1 a.m. in the contentious year of 1915 and the youthful OSU student had just exited the bathtub.

The sound of a man walking rapidly on the dining-room table downstairs shifted to the stairs as he and his brother fled in fear. This sparked what Thurber later characterized as a “hullabaloo” in his notorious short story titled “The Night the Ghost Got In,” which resulted in the breaking of their neighbors window with a shoe and the shooting of a police officer.

The cause of the hullabaloo was conclusively attributed to a visitor from another world—so to speak—a ghost. The Thurber House, now a museum and writing center, is also considered one of Columbus’ premier locations for ghost hunters (it was once visited by the show Hunters and is often avoided by the cleaning staff at night). The haunted home joins a handful of the cursed Columbus canon—along with the Gates of Hell behind Lucky’s, Fort Hayes, Walhalla Ravine, and Greenlawn Cemetery—visited by a unique group of paranormal investigators: The Ghost Hunting Gays of Ohio (GHGO).

“I think the scariest experience I've had in Columbus is still at Greenlawn,” GHGO founder Nick Post told me. “One time all our phones quit working in the middle of the cemetery and it was bizarre because my friends had a completely different network than me.”

Post started the Facebook group Ghost Hunting Gays of Columbus (now expanded to Ohio) during the pandemic as a grounds to socialize outside of the then-closed-down LGBTQIA+ bars and clubs, and has now become a social space and stereotype-defying beacon for Arch City ghost hunters. →

Thank you to those who recognized our salon as the best. Your support fuels our passion to continue providing personalized beauty experiences that empower and uplift every individual who walks through our doors. Come experience what all the hype is about!

"People might not understand...when you've historically been left out of spaces, the bar is like our church"

“What a lot of straight people might not understand about the queer community is that when you've historically been left out of spaces, the bar is like our church,” he said in both a consolatory and disheartened tone. The pandemic coincided with Post’s turn towards sobriety, a state that is often challenged in the late-night environment of bars and clubs. Ghost hunting became an alternative for queer folks longing for social interaction outside of the security of the bar.

“I think that a lot of queer people like horror because it's like cognitive behavioral therapy,” Post explained. “Because when you grow up your entire life you experience something very realistically scary, it makes it easier to handle when you're seeing it unfold in a more mysterious way.”

Ghost hunting shows have become a genre in recent decades, attempting to, if not explain the unexplained, at least show it to an audience. But the medium, even in its striving for objectivity, isn’t devoid of certain biases. On the side of both the hosts and ghosts, heterosexuality is the norm. For those progressive-minded and queer ghosts observing society throughout the centuries, there has to be a certain degree of disappointment when, on the rare occasions they’re gifted curious visitors, they happen to be the same heteronormative guests as was expected in their time. One of the aims of the Ghost Hunting Gays is to give inspiration to those underrepresented in the afterlife. →

"In a weird way, we're probably affirming the dead. They could see us and be like, 'Wow, things have changed since our time'"

“In a weird way, we're probably affirming the dead,” Post speculated. “They could see us and be like ‘Wow, things have changed since our time.’”

Believing in ghosts, however, isn’t a prerequisite for membership in the collective. It’s not uncommon to find on the faces of some participants a temperment of skepticism. (The late 19th century Ohio writer, Ambrose Bierce, was skeptical of the existence of ghosts and argued that if ghosts were real, they’d only be seen in the nude since ghosts wearing clothes would imply an afterlife for fabrics too.) “We do a seance at the end of each outing and you can definitely tell some of them are taking it more seriously,” Post said.

Post is currently working on his Marketing degree at Columbus State. His hope is that the Ghost Hunting Gays will snowball into a larger “third place,” a meaningful space between home and work. His plan is to start a business and 501c3 called

Fluid, a location that would act as a community space in the daytime and a bar at night. “With something like Fluid, what we're trying to create is a space that is almost like a cultural rec. center for the queer community during the day then at night as a functioning business so when you buy a drink at the dance club, we take that money and put it right back into things that directly help the community.”

Until then, the Ghost Hunting Gays of Ohio will continue visiting Midwestern ghosts, bringing representation to the side of ghost hunters—Post imagines a gay ghost hunting show where the hosts respond with “sassy” anecdotes—and inspiration to the queer spirits—whether they be clothed in fabrics of the afterlife or not. ♦

If you’re interested in joining along on this inclusive ghost hunt, follow The Ghost Hunting Gays of Ohio on Facebook.

↑ Abandoned house in central Ohio, photo courtesy of Shutterstock

League League

Their Their Own Own of A

By

The Columbus chapter of Stonewall Sports has created an inclusive local sports league for LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies—no matter where you were picked in gym class

Laura Hennigan / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

It’s a beautiful spring day at Sammons Park in Groveport. The sun is shining, people are spread out with blankets enjoying their picnics, and they’ve brought their families and their dogs. They’re all here to watch and participate in the incredibly popular kickball league hosted by Stonewall Sports, which had 36 teams registered this season.

Yes kickball, the sport both loved and loathed by school aged children everywhere. Turns out it’s even more fun as an adult, especially when you are playing with over 600 of your friends.

Founded in 2017, the Columbus chapter of Stonewall Sports exists for one reason: to offer safe, welcoming, and inclusive experiences for LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies. “We use sports to create a sense of belonging and inclusion for everyone,” shared Marie McConnell, who serves as Communications Director for the non-profit. “We want Stonewall to be a place to meet new people and try new things. Folks show up and have a great time, and the sports are secondary to that. Community and sports save lives, and the more queer people we can get involved in organized sports at any level we consider a win.” →

Stonewall Sports kickball game

"Stonewall Sports gives us an opportunity... to invite an entire community of queer individuals and allies into a space that is uniquely our own"

The group provides seven sports seasons throughout the year, including kickball, dodgeball, bocce, yoga, billiards and cornhole. The goal is to present as many opportunities for recreation and wellness as possible, in environments where participants can show up as their authentic selves, regardless of athletic ability. Around 2,600 players participate annually, a number that continues to increase. “When I think about the future of our league, I picture Stonewall Sports being an integral part of the population growth in Columbus,” shared the league’s President Adam Pulskamp. “We will provide a welcoming place for people to meet others and show that Ohio can be a place for the queer community to thrive.”

Entirely volunteer-driven, Stonewall Sports also promotes events, socials and fundraisers, as well as partnerships with other local queer organizations. The group is especially excited to host the national kickball tournament in July 2025, which will bring teams from all over the country to central Ohio for a weekend of play. “Growing up, I played sports and never felt fully comfortable. I think about some of my queer peers and how they did not feel comfortable even trying to participate in sports,” said Mitchell Payne, Director of Kickball and Field Sports. “Stonewall Sports gives us an opportunity to not only reclaim that comfort, but to invite an entire community of queer individuals and allies into a space that is uniquely our own.” →

↓ A Stonewall Sports kickball game →

"There is absolutely something life changing and lifesaving knowing that... you have found your community"

Accessibility is a key to the group's success, which keeps costs down through affordable registration fees and seasons supported completely by volunteers and sponsors. “We’re open to anything for anybody and we want everyone to be able to see themselves in our leagues,” continued McConnell. “Most of us are not athletes and nobody is here to look cool. We’re here to have a great time and play outside with our friends. There is absolutely something life changing and lifesaving knowing that this many people want to spend time with you every week and that you have found your community.” ♦

To learn more or register to join Stonewall Sports, visit stonewallsportscbus.org.

Pride Gamers of Columbus provides a space for culture, inclusivity, and community through tabletop games

By Molly Hammond / Photos by Samuel Chase

Gaymers Gaymers

The world of gaming can be a fantastic escape, offering strategic challenges and thrilling friendly competition. Founded in August 2021, Pride Gamers of Columbus has quickly grown into a vibrant community, fostering friendships and inclusivity one roll of the dice at a time. The nonprofit creates a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ gamers and allies to come together and build community over games.

The group boasts an impressive turnout, with their two regular open-gaming events attracting 25-35 attendees, sometimes more. The beauty of these game nights lies in the variety. From light, party-style games perfect for newcomers to complex adventures that span hours, there's something for everyone. Their Storytelling Saturdays delve deeper, featuring role-playing games of varying complexity.

While Pride Gamers is still young, it's already making a big impact. Pride Gamers of Columbus plays a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging within the Columbus LGBTQIA+ community. "Pride Gamers has given me a community," shared Robert Boyd, secretary and founding member of the organization. "I've made new friends and felt more connected to the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole."

This sentiment is echoed by many members, who find a safe space to express themselves and develop their identities within the welcoming environment cultivated by the group. The city itself plays a role in fostering this welcoming atmosphere. "Being in Columbus, for me, means being free to develop into myself," said Boyd. →

← A Pride Gamers of Columbus tabletop game event

"Pride Gamers has given me a community. I've made new friends and felt more connected to the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole"

Pride Gamers of Columbus brings the fun with quirky favorites like Becoming Banana Bread at their Storytelling Saturdays. "It's a hilarious game where you play a sentient banana on a quest to become the ultimate banana bread offering," laughed Boyd.

Inclusivity is more than just fun and games, and the young group is aware of this. Pride Gamers of Columbus takes creating a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community very seriously. "The vast majority of attendees and all of the board members identify as an LGBTQIA+ member or an ally in some way," explained Boyd. "That shared experience allows us to create a space where everyone feels safe and respected."

Their events, spread across various venues in Columbus, cater to different schedules. The focus is firmly on games, but Pride Gamers goes beyond the board. "We host Murder Mystery events at the annual Origins Game Fair," said Boyd.

This year, they'll be at the Columbus Convention Center from June 19 to June 23, offering a dedicated open gaming space, running games and hosting a raffle to raise money for QYou, a vital LGBTQIA+ youth organization in Cleveland. →

↑ A Pride Gamers of Columbus tabletop game event

"The vast majority of attendees...identify as an LGBTQIA+ member or an ally in some way. That shared experience allows...everyone to feel safe and respected"

So, whether you're a seasoned roleplayer or a board game newbie, Pride Gamers of Columbus is here to welcome you with open arms and a friendly dice roll. Find them at the Origins Game Fair or join one of their regular events:

• Forging Friendships: Forge Tavern, Second Wednesday of every month, 6 p.m.

• Storytelling Saturday: Westerville Public Library, Third Saturday of every month, 2 p.m.

• Tabletop Together: Tabletop Game Cafe, Fourth Sunday of every month, 12 p.m

You might just find your new favorite game – and a supportive community you never knew you were missing. ♦

To learn more about Pride Gamers of Columbus, follow along on Instagram, @pridegamersofcolumbus.

↑ A Pride Gamers of Columbus tabletop game event

↑ Detail shot of tabletop game

SPRING COCKTAIL COMP WINNER

HARU NO HI / SPRING DAY

Roku Gin, lemon & mandarin oleo saccharum, Japanese passionfruit syrup, lychee liqueur, yuzu juice, garden & herb bitters

BY OSCAR LEYVA

What is your history at Lindey’s?

I’ve been working in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years. I started super young, at 16 years old, being a host and busboy at a Japanese steakhouse that has since shut down. Eventually, I started working at Lindey’s in 2017 and have held every front of house position they had available. I moved to the bar with zero experience and quickly became enamored with cocktailing.

What inspires you to create new, exciting drinks?

After a short time behind the bar I went out and tried a Naked and Famous, a cocktail that was created at the famed Death and Co. bar in New York. It completely opened my eyes to a whole new world of craft cocktails. I became obsessed and started a nice little collection of bartending books. Some of my inspiration comes from the knowledge I find in these.

The other half comes from food and the culture that I grew up with. I’m an immigrant from Mexico and have always loved my mothers cooking. I draw huge inspiration from her and the flavors and ingredients she has used my whole life. Her tenacity, work ethic, and kindness has helped me become a bartender that not only loves creating new creations, but also creates a welcoming and warm environment for all my bar guests.

Where did your idea for the winning cocktail come from?

The Haru No Hi was inspired by Japanese flavors.I took inspiration from Masahiro Urushido’s book called “The Japanese art of the Cocktail”. He’s an award winning mixologist who is from Katana Kitten in New York.

How is the drink made?

I used a technique called “milk wash” to clarify the base of the cocktail. This helps the sustainability of the drink. Working in the industry I see how much goes to waste due to spoilage or due to the fact we want to have things as fresh as possible. Doing this technique helps reduce any waste and makes the cocktail base be shelf stable for months even though it has fresh ingredients included.

By

Cavan Irish Pub features the unique intersection of Columbus’ LGBTQIA+ community and the Irish pub scene

Pint Pint Pride Pride of

Laura Hennigan / Photos by Aaron Massey

After Matthew Mefferd returned from a trip to Ireland with his partner in 2009, he was inspired to introduce a new establishment concept to Columbus: a beer-focused, Irishthemed bar for the queer community. Having already spent a decade in the business, Mefferd was aware of the downward trend that was occurring. “At that time we were losing a lot of the LGBTQIA+ bars that were in the area and I wanted to be sure there was still someplace for people to go,” he shared. “Community is such a big part of the gay bar experience and we knew we needed to create something that was very inclusive.”

Cavan Irish Pub opened that same year and is modeled after bars in Europe, which serve as neighborhood gathering spots to grab a drink, boost camaraderie, and talk about everything under the sun. Named after a county in Ireland, Cavan took over a space in Merion Village on the south side of the city. “The location had been a queer bar back in the 80s and 90s,” Mefferd continued. “When the spot became available, I really wanted to see it go back to being an LGBTQIA+ bar because it was sad to see how many Columbus was losing at that point.”

Since the beginning, the focus of Cavan has been to provide an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone. It does this by offering a warm, come-as-you-are attitude and a wide variety of activities happening nearly every night of the week. “It honestly just feels like home almost immediately when you get here,” shared general manager Heath Roland-Davis, who has been part of the team from the start. “The staff is very friendly and it’s the perfect place to hang out with friends and enjoy a cocktail.” →

← A drink being served at Cavan Irish Pub

"Community is such a big part of the gay bar experience and we knew we needed to create something that was very inclusive"

↑ Cavan Irish Pub patrons

↓ Cavan Irish Pub employees

When it first launched, Cavan was ahead of its time when it chose to focus on craft beer, which was still in its infancy in Columbus. “15 years ago I saw the local craft beer market really taking off and knew that we needed to do something that included that,” said Mefferd. “When you are traveling in Ireland you will see all these wonderful taps of products that are local. We decided to put in a large tap system, which at the time wasn’t the norm for a bar. It was fun to introduce these options and encourage people to try them.”

Featuring an interior with plenty of Irish paraphernalia, along with a patio area reminiscent of someone’s backyard, Cavan prides itself on being the perfect spot no matter what kind of mood you are in. Mondays feature show tunes, there is karaoke on Wednesdays and Fridays, Thursdays and Saturdays shine a spotlight on male revue shows, and on Sundays you can play the popular Ballz bingo. Just want to chill with a drink? Check out happy hour from 5-8 p.m., or stop by on a Tuesday, when things are a bit quieter. Grab a draft beer from one of the 12 on tap, sip on a boozy slushie, or choose from one of the many NA options available. →

↓ Drinks being poured at Cavan Irish Pub

"We believe in working towards bettering our community and helping our fellow human beings"

There are also many annual events, including summer cookouts and car washes, and Oktoberfest in the fall, a festive weekend that includes drag shows, lederhosen and a special seasonal beer collab with Parsons North Brewery. This September, Cavan will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a giant party sure to draw plenty of regulars and newbies. “A bar should not only be a space not only to come in and enjoy yourself, but should also help the community around them and not be a detriment,” says Roland-Davis. “We believe in working towards bettering our community and helping our fellow human beings. We try hard to create a space where everyone can feel safe and enjoy themselves.” ♦

Visit Cavan Irish Pub at 1409 S. High St., or visit their website CavanIrishPub to learn more.

Columbus After Dark

By Kyrie Thomas /

Don’t let sundown stop the fun – check out these eight p.m. adventures around the Arch City

COSI AFTER DARK: PROM

June 13, 7-10 p.m.

COSI, 333 W. Broad St.

Regardless if you loved your highschool prom, wished you’d never gone or simply just didn’t care to attend, COSI is presenting the opportunity to relive the night – this time in a more “adult” manner. Tickets range from $20 per person in advance and $30 at the door. Those looking for an elevated prom experience and early admission can pay $90 to nominate themselves on prom court. With spiked punch that you won’t get detention for plus sciencethemed activities you can’t get a failing grade on, this event invites those 21+ to dress up and dance the night away.

WINE AND ARTS FESTIVAL

June 14, 5-10 p.m.; June 15, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

3359 Park St., Grove City, OH

Nothing says “I’m an adult with my life together” more than sipping wine and gazing at fine art – which is exactly what the Wine and Arts Festival invites you to do. This year marks the 14th annual celebration of the event featuring more than 20 Ohio wineries, alongside Grove City’s local Plum Rum Winery. Attendees can pair their wine tasting experience with food and dessert vendors, fine art, local artists in various mediums and several other fun activities. Tickets start at $30 for 8 tasting tickets, with any additional tickets being available to purchase at 3 for $10.

Story Design by Tori Smith

↓ Photo courtesy of COSI

COLUMBUS, OH JUNE 19-23

300+ EXHIBITORS SELLING GAMES, ARTWORK AND GEEK SWAG

THOUSANDS OF GAMES AND EVENTS TO ENJOY PLUS CELEBRITY GUESTS INCLUDING

KEVIN SUSSMAN THE BIG BANG THEORY

EVIN ADRIAN PAUL HIGHLANDER, ARROW, SWAT

BOARD, CARD, PUZZLES AND ROLE-PLAYING GAMES EXHIBIT HALL OPEN THURSDAY - SUNDAY

COSPLAY CONTEST, CONCERTS, FILM & BOOK FESTIVAL

ADRIANNE PALICKI THE ORVILLE, JOHN WICK

SCOTT GRIMES THE ORVILLE, FAMILY GUY

COCKTAILS AT THE CONSERVATORY

June 20, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St.

CREEKSIDE BluES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

June 14, 5-11 p.m.; June 15, 1-11 p.m.; June 16, 12-5 p.m.

117 Mill St., Gahanna, OH

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Blues and Jazz Festival is an all-ages event to experience the lifestyle and culture that inspire the artform of Blues and Jazz. The festival is complete with food, vendors and three stages - Blues Stage, Community Stage and Jazz Stage - that will feature artists throughout each day. Day passes can be purchased online for $10-15, along with weekend passes for $20-30; those in the military (retired or active) and children 10 and under can receive free admission.

The Franklin Park Conservatory hosts a 21+ event almost every month, with a fun, timely theme. This month, embark on a nostalgic journey to “Camp Conservatory” and relive those summer camp days. This time though, with cocktails. Drew Allan Music will be playing an acoustic set, and fun activities like log rolling, ax throwing, giant checkers, bar bingo, and a DIY friendship making bracelet station will be included in your ticket! And of course, fire pits will be there too in case you want to purchase your own s'mores making kit.

WATER PARK AFTER DARK

June 21 & 29, 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Zoombezi Bay, 4850 Powell Rd., Powell, OH

All of the fun without all of the kids. Enjoy some of Zoombezi Bay’s most popular attractions after the sun sets, with minimal wait times, on-site DJs spinning cool tunes, and delicious drinks. This event is for adults only, 21+ years old.

FRANKLINTON NIGHT MARKET

June 21, 6-9 p.m.

188 McDowell St.

This inaugural night-market will feature over 40 vendors, food trucks, and live music within the neighborhood of Franklinton. Along the pavement of McDowell St. and Walnut St. and with free admission, the event has activities and sites for individuals of all-ages. At the heart of the market, Wild Goose Creative will open its doors for an exhibition of local art, live music and a pop-up beer garden whose profits will be donated to charity.

MOVIE NIGHTS AT TOPIARY PARK

June 27, trivia starting at 8 p.m; movies starting around 9:15 p.m.

Topiary Park, 480 E. Town St.

Free movie nights under the stars, anyone? On the fourth Friday of every month from May-October, Topiary Park hosts free movies on their beautiful lawn. Bring your own chair, blanket, pillow, and popcorn! The night starts out with activities and food trucks, then around dusk, a movie is displayed on the big screen. In honor of Pride month, the park is playing “Rent” to celebrate LGBTQIA+ icons.

COMFEST 2024

June 28-30, 12-8 p.m.

Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.

Returning for the 52nd year, ComFest 2024 is set to be a three-day celebration with music, art, local vendors, food, workshops and other exciting activities for attendees of all ages. Although the event will run for the larger part of the day, festivities run well into the night with local beer and live music. Non-corporate and volunteer-driven, the event is free for the public - inviting everyone to experience their self-proclaimed “Crossroads of Community.”

↓ Photo courtesy of Franklinton Night Market

↓ Photo courtesy of Topiary Park

↓

Photo courtesy of ComFest

THE GRANDVIEW HOP

June 29 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

On Grandview Avenue

With over 200 pop-up shops and food trucks, live music and community vendors, The Grandview Hop is an open-street night market that is free for all ages. Building upon previous years, the event also plans to expand the road closures down to 5th avenue, providing attendees with an endless amount of vendors and businesses to “hop” to-and-from. Organizers also encourage the public to come explore the charity beer garden and surrounding businesses, restaurants and boutiques that may offer specials and deals in participation with the event.

↑ Photo courtesy of The Grandview Hop

Often overlooked, Appalachian Ohio offers a unique personality—and a quietly mysterious allure—all to itself

By Jack

With the sweeping farm fields and immersive flatness of central Ohio, and the industrial Rust Belt sprawl in the north of the state, it can be easy to forget that a portion of the Buckeye State is nestled firmly in Appalachia.

For better or for worse, few areas in the country convey quite the same sense of quiet mystery, of wild intrigue and, ultimately, of untapped adventure.

This summer, we’ve picked out seven Appalachian Ohio Adventures to embark upon, whether it’s a day trip or a long weekend away. →

McLaughlin Story Design by Emma Quinn

↓ Ravenwood Castle

Arc of Appalachia

Bainbridge (Geauga County)

This local non-profit is not only dedicated to preserving local Appalachian forests and wildlife, but it also offers a wide variety of hiking trails and rentable cabins, each tucked away in a pristine natural setting. Arc of Appalachia Bainbridge outpost offers a beautiful nature center for the little ones and sprawling boardwalk trails winding through a pristine Appalachian valley.

Ravenwood Castle

New Plymouth (Vinton County)

While southeastern Ohio is, in many respects, a world away from medieval Europe, if you can stay in a castle, you should probably stay in a castle. This getaway spot offers a truly unique lodging a stone’s throw away from Hocking Hills, complete with Repunzel’s Tower and Duke’s Dungeon rooms. An entire fleet of (also medieval-themed) cabins are available for rent on the property as well.

Great Stone Viaducts

Bellaire (Belmont County)

While the largest portion of Ohio’s Appalachian Country is situated in the south and southeastern portions of the state, a thin band of counties extend Appalachian Ohio all along the state’s eastern border. Located in the village of Bellaire, along the Ohio River in east-central Ohio, is a massive series of nearly 50 stone arches. The 150 yearold attraction also features a free walking trail that’s open year-round.

City of Marietta

Washington County

Located at the confluence of the Muskegon and Ohio Rivers, Marietta is a river city, through and through. Named one of the best places to live and one of the best “adventure towns” by National Geographic, Marietta offers a historic downtown with brick-lined streets, elaborate Victorian houses, plus stunning river views and waterfront recreation.

The Mothman Museum Point Pleasant, West Virginia

This one is technically located in West Virginia, but it’s directly across the Ohio River (which doubles as the state boundary) from the Buckeye State. If your interests tend toward the weirder side of things, this might be the perfect day trip for you. The city boasts the Mothman Museum, which is worth a trip for the merch alone, in addition to plenty of still-accessible sites that played a prominent role in the Moth Man saga.

Lake Hope State Park

McArthur (Vinton County)

Whether you visit for the day to hike, fish or paddle, or spend a few days in one of the park’s isolated cabins on a ridge overlooking Lake Hope, this park is a true hidden gem. And if you come for the nature, feel free to stay for some of the uniquely Appalachian sites in the area, like the Hope Furnace Ruins or the urban legend-rich ghost town of Moonville.

Appalachian Amish Adams County

While most of us think of eastern Ohio when we think of Amish Country—and this is certainly the Amish hub of Ohio—Adams County holds a sizable contingent as well. About two hours south of Columbus stands a Murphin Ridge Inn, a quaint, Amish-inspired bnb located on a sweeping farm property. Within several miles of the bnb sits not only countless other Amish farmsteads and farm stands, but also Miller’s Furniture, an Amish-owned campus of storefronts offering custom furniture, groceries, toys, and a bakery. Keim’s Family Market and Yoder’s Bakery Gifts also offer a similar array of Amish-made goods and more.

Once a one-man team churning out shirts in a basement, Ohio Against the World has exploded into a brand with national pull and strong Buckeye roots

Strolling through the streets, you may have seen people wearing apparel bearing the slogan “Ohio Against the World.” But it has nothing to do with picking a fight. →

By Chris Alexis Photos by Sarah Pfeifer Story Design by Bryce Patterson

↓ Senay Semere (middle), MADE Reese (left), and Ryan Ransom (right)

It has more to do with bringing people together than tearing them apart.

“Ohio Against the World came about as this moniker for not necessarily us versus them, but elevating us into the spotlight,” said Senay Semere, who oversees the clothing brand. “It was a battle cry that started in Cincinnati and quickly caught on throughout the state. Ohio has always been known as fly-over country to the people on the coasts. Ohio Against the World was a way to show our pride.”

But no one knew what it would grow into when it all started with Floyd Johnson in 2013.

Semere called Johnson a “true creative” and a “bootstrapper.”

“He just started doing this on his own and wearing it just for himself and his community,” Semere said. “Then it turned into an underground sensation. And people from all over, people from the region started to reach out about where they could purchase it, where they could go.”

“Then it turned into an underground sensation. And people from all over, people from the region started to reach out about where they could purchase it, where they could go.”

Before long, Johnson was cranking out “Ohio Against the World” shirts in his basement. And during that process, he realized this could be culturally impactful.

And the online clothing brand was born. When Ohio State’s iconic football team rose to national champions in 2014, the brand grew into the stratosphere.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s about to be reborn. Johnson recruited Semere, owner of Group Project Creative, to inject the brand with a new life. A new heart. A new spirit. →

↓ Senay Semere

↓ Ryan Ransom

“I had been working with multiple creatives in this industry for the past year or two,” Semere said. ”He got my name and reached out. It started informally as simply a safe place to brainstorm and give feedback.”

But things quickly changed.

“Then next thing you know, he was requesting me to co-captain the ship and help him set the new course,’” Semere continued. “And that's how the partnership started last October.”

With Semere in the driver’s seat, the brand soon partnered with the official NIL Collective of OSU, The 1870 Society, and was featured in Sports Illustrated

But what Senay is most proud of is growing the brand here in Columbus.

He partnered with FreeLunch crew of Ryan Ransom, MADE Reese, Devin Snyder & Tyler “Tron” Harris to create an experiential retail experience. The company selected certain pieces of merchandise that could be customized on the spot—like customers being able to have any number printed on a football jersey. Other pieces were given out for free.

An Ohio native, Semere was excited for the opportunity.

“I’m just a kid from Ohio who wants to see us win…all the time,” he said. “I grew up in Dayton

but called Columbus my second home, where I eventually made my way to OSU. I made my career as a business consultant empowering athletes, brands and creatives from Toronto to LA and now back to Ohio.”

Ohio Against the World has long been a streetwear brand, but he’s helping pivot it to a lifestyle brand.

“Ohio is one of the rare places that has rural, urban, city lifestyles and everything in between,” Semere said. “Ohio should embody the people, and it should resemble what that looks like. Let's take this into a lifestyle brand that's customizable for people. It’s not one broad brush stroke, but something that everybody can feel proud of as one.”

Semere wants to champion Ohio's creative scene, particularly in Columbus, to rebuild pride in the community. His mission? To inspire and uplift Ohioans by collaborating with local creatives and organizations.

Today, they’re expanding their efforts to seek out the right partnerships. But there’s one partner more important than the rest: The community.

“We're building a collective, aiming to inspire creators, entrepreneurs, and locals to join us,” he said. “It's like a community-driven project where we

want everyone to contribute. We're still evolving, not a finished product. Our goal is to use the brand’s power to lift the local creative community.”

Everyone is encouraged to keep a lookout for the brand’s 2024 Yearbook, highlighting local talent actively building the city’s culture. (Stay tuned!)

“I believe that Ohio Against the World is more than just a motto but a lifestyle that aims at breathing pride into Ohioans both near and far—and showcasing the crazy amount of talent that is here,” he said. “ The saying might read ‘Against The World,’ but we are anything but that.” ♦

To grab your own iconic Ohio Against the World t-shirt, visit oatw.online and follow along their journey on Instagram, @oatw.

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