(614) May | 2023

BIG PICTURE

A spread of flashy pastries from Parable Coffee's new top baker Aaron Clouse look almost too good to eat. Story on p. 42.

Photo by Sumner Howells

Opening Volley

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

Best of the Best

As a Chicago transplant, I’ve always loved The Arch City for its ability to balance big-city options with a Midwestern sensibility (ope).

But like anywhere we live, it’s easy to forget just how great the city we call home actually is.

Places, relationships, and even just things in our lives will always lose their novelty. I am certain of this. In the day-to-day hustle and bustle of deadlines and video calls that could’ve been handled with an email, the place that was once wild and beautiful in our minds becomes pedestrian.

For me, at least, it’s all too easy to let this wave of gray sweep over the things in Columbus that are outstanding. There’s no shortage of them: From historic marketplaces to riverside gathering spots and even a world-class zoo thrown in for good measure. Plus every top-tier restaurant and distillery, the energy and excitement of Grandview, and every historical German Village brick along the way.

Each year, our ColumBEST poll–which reaches nearly half a million votes and just about every nook and cranny the city has to offer– serves as a lot of different things for a lot of different people. It can be a way to create a self-guided food tour through Ohio’s capital city, a way to show visitors what’s what, and a whole lot more.

For me, it’s a reminder.

Seeing all the dining, drinking, and doing options in the Columbus area all laid out in one place together never fails to remind me that our city is an unmitigated destination; a place I’m proud to call home, a place I’m excited just to exist in. It’s like, for a month, I’m seeing it all again for the first time.

For you, it can be anything. And that’s fine too. And you’ll have everything our city offers at your fingertips.

Welcome to ColumBEST 2023.

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

May means ColumBEST, when the results of our massive, all-encompassing reader poll are revealed. Because of this, we asked our staff what they think is the city's best hidden gem. Here's what they said.

JT’s Pizza in Linworth on 161. Best pizza & draft beer (also serve a great smoky old fashioned) - with an amazing staff to boot!! Also - great outside area too.

— Meggin Weimerskirch, Advertising Director

Mine is Thurber Park. With all the weird sculptures and period houses, it feels like you accidental traveled back in time 100 years.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

The dog park in Scioto Aubudon Metro Park is great for playing outside and meeting fellow bark-eting professionals!

—

Louie Attanasio, Bark-eting Consultant

Four Points Pizza & Grill in Lewis Center. Fantastic pizza and their house ranch dressing is amazing. Be sure to try the smoked wings.

—

Paul VanHorn, Account Executive

El Rodeo off Stelzer Road!! 10/10 margaritas & mexican food. Also a great patio!

— Victoria Smith, Creative Designer

Derive Brewing, super cute spot. I had never heard of it prior to visiting and they have the best hot honey pepperoni pizza ever!

— Justynne Pride, Marketing Coordinator

Strut the Salon on Parson’s Ave. Each stylist there is crazy talented and listens thoroughly to your hair goals!

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

Bob’s Bar, the cultural hub of the Midwest. Top tier craft beer and dive bar vibes!

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

ON the WEB

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

→ New pet-friendly apartment community open in Westerville

Hamilton Woods from CASTO Communities is furry friend approved! Just minutes away from Hamilton Quarter, this new relaxed apartment community offers a variety of exciting pet-friendly places to explore nearby! Scan the QR to learn more.

→ National chain set to feature mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs and more now open

A national chain featuring a full slate of indulgent teas, Korean corn dogs, mochi donuts and more has opened its first-ever Columbus location. TeaMoji, which is located at 5227 Godown Rd., held its soft opening... Scan the QR to keep reading.

→ We polled Columbus foodies to learn who has the best ranch dressing in the city; Here’s what they said

There are two types of Midwesterners, those who admit their love affair with ranch dressing, and those who are also crazy about ranch... Scan the QR to keep reading.

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.

• When Snacks Attack!

Ahh, delicious, delectable snacks. Where would we be without you? Well, we suppose that depends on the flavor of said snack.

• Not So Shrimpy Shrimp Dishes

El Vaquero is packing the shrimp on some of these classics and let's just say, it's packed with the flavor we are sure you will love!

• Tasting Columbus: 3 Bites Bakery

Pulling together a fusion of globally inspired baked treats, 3 Bites Bakery is creating some delecatble treats beside their perfectly portioned lunch menu.

• Pizza, Beer, Columbus!

What's better than a delicious slice of pizza? Well pairing it with beer of course! Join 614 for 2023's Pizza & Beer Week and discover a new side of the crust.

FOR THE CULTURE

A local model, videographer and photographer joined forces to create a unique transmedia documentary that asks its subjects–and Columbus as a whole–what it means to be Black

Story Design by Atlas Biro

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Deondre White

Photo from "For the Culture" ↑

Born and raised in Columbus, Lauryn Hendrix is a model and concept director who has no shortage of big ideas that are designed to inspire, engage and create conversations.

At just 21, her projects are making waves across social media for their positive messages, including her latest, a short documentary titled, “For the Culture.”

“I like bringing together people from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different races, religions, cultures,” said Hendrix. “I want us to all come together because it's so easy to stay isolated from others.”

Staged at 400 West Rich, a location known for its collaborative community of artisans, the documentary was filmed by videographer Justin Jean, who owns the local media company SpareTimeFootage. This is the second collaboration between Hendrix and Jean, with the first being a docu-short titled ”The Measure of Humanity.”

“I wanted to create something that connected with viewers in multiple ways: visually, through story and through sound,” said Jean.”I wanted for viewers to appreciate the visuals while also being drawn into the story by using music that I felt would lift emotion without being a distraction.”

The new documentary also features a photograph set from Columbus photographer Deondre White, who captured many of the exciting (ecstatic even) scenes featured throughout For the Culture. Ultimately, the unique transmedia piece asks the following question to each of its Ohio-based subjects: “What does being Black mean to you?” In doing so, it also tactfully poses the question to every audience member who watches as well. →

“I wanted for viewers to appreciate the visuals while also being drawn to the story...”

Photo from "For the Culture" ↑

Hendrix had been interested in tackling this project for a while, and approached Jean with the idea in January with the intent to align it with Black History Month. “As a race we are creative and so powerful. I feel like the media doesn’t portray our good moments and positive qualities enough, you only see the negative or the struggles we face, so I wanted to show off our good moments and our happy times,” she shared.

According to Jean: “(Lauryn) created the overall concept, organized all of the models, created the questions amongst a number of other things I'm sure. My role was more in handling the overall filming and post production. That was the biggest sort of prerequisite that I gave Lauryn when she initially came to me with the idea. I wanted to be able to film, edit and create the storyline how I wanted with her giving

the final approval on everything. That allowed me to really dig into the material and not be afraid of creating and pushing boundaries.”

Hendrix finds inspiration for her projects in current topics and issues happening in the world. She isn’t seeking to make political statements or only to represent African American voices, but rather to unify people and share positive messages. She connects with others via Instagram, and her @adoree.lauryn account has over 11 thousand followers. “The whole point of the For the Culture concept is to show Black females and males coming together, working together, not fighting or arguing, just having fun together,” said Hendrix. “There’s so much negative in the world today, especially violence and hatred, and I really wanted to show positive moments.”

“When we come together, we can create magic.”

↓ Photos from "For the Culture" ↑

The documentary also includes snippets of quotes from famous Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Jean added these excerpts intentionally to help share a narrative: “It was all about building a storyline that would marry the voices of young African Americans with famous voices from the Civil Rights Era. In that I saw an opportunity to use footage that I captured first hand, that I knew would impact the viewers in a way that is striking but also pushes the story.”

Hendrix still has many more concepts she’s excited to pursue, but the goal of every endeavor remains the same for her. “With my projects, I want to put positivity out there for everyone and inspire people. When we come together, we can create magic.” ♦

To see more of Lauryn's work, follow @adoree.lauryn

At The Top

By Laura Hennigan

Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

You’ll likely need to make reservations on OpenTable in advance, but if you’re looking to impress on your next night out, try to snag a corner table at the newly opened Stories on High. After rocketing up to the 28th floor of the new Hilton Columbus Downtown, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping, 360-degree views of Columbus from the city’s highest rooftop bar.

Situated at the very top of the Hilton’s recently constructed tower (which now makes it the largest hotel in Ohio, FYI), Stories opens daily at 4:00 p.m., inviting guests 21 and over to gather in swanky, intimate indoor and outdoor spaces. The inside lounge area offers plenty of high top tables and cushioned benches, while the two patios have an array of seating options overlooking the skyline. General Manager David Bjelovuk shared that the initial reaction to Stories has been tremendous.

“We’ve had an incredible response, and were pretty much sold out the first four weeks we were open. It’s been a great mix of people coming in, with around 75% being local and 25% hotel and out of town guests.”

Patrons are surging in for a variety of reasons, with some grabbing pre-dinner drinks and light bites, and others choosing to end their evening with a nightcap and snacks. Opening the menu makes it clear that Stories is a bar first and foremost, with over a dozen signature craft cocktails created by Beverage Director Rustun Nichols.

“We’re offering a broad spectrum,” he said. “The concept is that we’re elevating and celebrating, offering opportunities for people to take chances and try new things.”

Using fresh ingredients, unique combinations and bold flavors, the drinks are a play on some menu staples. Try the Cat Power, a rift on a Midori Sour, which features house made syrups, a candy garnish and is topped with a cat-ear headband (yes, you get to keep it). Or order a Can I Get a Vodka Soda? With a Lime. With a Lime, made with Watershed vodka and named after one of Nichols’ favorite songs. There are several NA cocktails available as well, along with wine, spirits and beer like the Connie IPA, a collaboration they designed with Sideswipe Brewery.

Inside of Stories on High ↑

Sebastian La Rocca (Left) and Rustun Nichols (Right) ↑

Recommended Food and Drink Pairings

Drinks in hand, sunset loading, flip to the food section of the menu, where the spotlight shines on an eclectic variety of tapas-style small plates, carefully curated by renowned Chef Sebastian La Rocca.

Pachuca Sunrise · Chicken Hearts

Robata Skewers

Gin Gimmick · Hamachi Ceviche

Bay of Pigs · Pastrami Fried Wontons

Calpis Cooler · Hotate Scallop Sushi

“My original thought was that we would have a full Asian menu, but then we decided it would be more fun to combine classic American dishes with an Asian cuisine fusion,” La Rocca said. “There’s a lot of Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean influence.” Items include robata skewers and sashimi, as well as appetizers like ceviche and beef sliders, along with a handful of desserts.

"With every menu, I revisit old memories and I want to create new memories for people.”

Those new memories, Nichols said, will rise from the new spot’s intimate seating and interactive experience.

“The tables here are smaller, designed for closer interaction with the small plates,

We want to be the highlight of your day ... People come up here for an elevated experience, literally and figuratively

Rustin Nichols, Beverage Director

Sebastian La Rocca Executive Chef

sharing plates with others, tasting a little of everything,” Nichols said “We have different flavors playing with each other, interacting. It’s not a static experience - we want you to share with your friends and explore all the options.”

Above all else, Stories on High wants to share, well, stories.

“We want to be the highlight of your day,” said Nichols. “People come up here for an elevated experience, literally and figuratively. When you come up here, you’re a part of it too. We want people to feel embraced and know that this is a fun, inclusive space for everyone. We’re providing the same sense of warmth and hospitality that is at the core of Hilton values.”

To learn more visit: storiesonhigh.com

DiveDiv Dive In! In!

Blue-collar beer, neighborhood dive vibes and a priceless moose head come together at the brand-new Vic Village Tavern

Story Design by Atlas Biro

By Jill Craig / Photos by Leonardo Carrizo

One of Quinn Allen’s middle school pictures shows him wearing a Jägermeister t-shirt. He says he didn’t own a lot of Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren apparel back then, but was never at a loss for branded Absolut, Jameson, or Jägermeister clothing.

That’s because he had connections. Allen’s family has owned multiple bars and restaurants in Columbus over the years, including Zeno’s, Dick’s Dive, Allen O’Meara’s, Aristotles, Chameleons, The Pewter Mug, and Travel Agency, to name but a few.

← Patrons inside Vic Village Tavern

“A lot of child labor laws were being broken back in the day,” Allen laughed. “I was six years old, standing on dish racks to get up to the sink with the spray arm, and my brothers would be right next to me. We were just working the dish line for lunch.”

Allen, along with co-owners Matthew Herron and Lonnie Kubankin, have worked in the industry – including beer distribution – for much of their lives. In 2020, they bought The Library Bar in the Ohio State University District.

When they had the opportunity last summer to take over The Shrunken Head bar and music venue in Victorian Village, the trio did not hesitate.

“One of the first things we agreed on before we even bought this bar was the name, the Vic Village Tavern. We’re naming it after the community that we’re embedded in,” said Allen. “There’s people of all ages, all walks of life, but we’re all living in the same spot, so why not get to know each other? There’s no better place to do that than a bar.”

↑ Bruce the Moose, a taxidermied moose head inside Vic Village Tavern

As for the type of bar, Herron explained.

“We like dive bars so we’re trying to say we are one, but I don’t think we are. I think we’re an old school bar – a nostalgic, vintage, neighborhood bar,” he said.

Allen clarified, “We could be a full-fledged dive bar; we’d just have to call off our cleaning crew for about two months.”

Patrons seem to appreciate the pro-hygiene approach.

“I love a dive bar, but I want a nice, clean bar,” said Molly Devaney, a 32-year-old Victorian Village resident. “When I learned that they were from the same ownership as Zeno’s, I had to go because I love Zeno’s. It’s always fun.”

The Vic Village Tavern offers beers you may not have seen in a while, or ever, like Stroh’s, Old Style, Coors Banquet, and Blatz. As for the furniture and décor, the owners bought it at auction, including neon light beer signs, beer-branded mirrors and light sconces, and their pièce de résistance, a taxidermied moose head.

we're naming it after the community that we're embedded in."

“We got into a bidding war for the moose. We agreed that we’re not losing this moose, I don’t care how much it costs,” said Kubankin.

“We went to the max of our budget,” Herron said. “We could have walked away and saved a lot of money, but we paid more for the moose than we did for every piece of furniture in here.”

When asked for an exact figure, he deflected, citing embarrassment.

Bruce the Moose, so-named because it rhymes, sports a Vic Village Tavern ball cap and has a cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth. He is quickly gaining his own fanbase, like with Victorian Village resident Alex Kirby.

“I like the moose, it was the first thing I saw when I walked in,” said Kirby. “It’s intriguing, I want to know what the deal with it is. It’s kind of mysterious, most other bars don’t have that.”

Other patrons agree.

“I don’t mind the moose. I think the moose is fine. More bars should have moose,” said Grandview resident Kevin Voltz, 34.

“It’s always nice to see new places open in Columbus, especially places that are a little bit different, which is weird to call this place different, because it’s your quintessential bar,” Voltz said. “But it’s just not trying to put on any airs and that’s where I would prefer to be.”

Allen, Herron, and Kubankin are pleased that their clientele is responding to the vibe they’re trying to put out.

↓ Matthew Herron, Lonnie Kubankin, and Quinn Allen, co-owners of Vic Village Tavern

“It’s hard to find a bar that checks all the boxes,” said Allen. “But we figured, what would check all the boxes for us? Old Style [beer], a moose smoking a cigarette, and some really nice bathrooms.”

Drinking a Stroh’s, twenty-eight-year-old Kirby commented that he’d never heard of the beer before this visit. But, he said, “I like it, it’s good. I got it because it was blue and I saw another person over there had it.”

Old school beer – and Bruce – may be the hook, but the bar also offers a selection of other beers, wine, hard seltzers and ciders, and spirits, including cocktails. It does not serve food, but regularly hosts food trucks from Tuesday to Saturday.

The Vic Village Tavern plans to host weekly trivia and karaoke nights and feature live acoustic music.

And, the patio is being readied for the warm summer months, just around the corner.

For more information, check out the Vic Village Tavern on Instagram or visit thevvtavern.com

↑ Behind the counter inside the neighborhood bar

(614) Beer is a Registered Trademark of 614 Media Group, Inc.

Meet Aaron Clouse, the culinary wizard behind the hot new pastries Columbus can’t stop talking about

By Melinda Green / Photos by Sumner Howells

Story Design by Victoria Smith

Parable Coffee, in the heart of downtown, isn’t your typical coffee shop.

“We love to reduce things to their most fundamental economic blocks,” said co-owner Ben Willis. “[People] come in and say ‘I can’t believe a latte is nine dollars.’ But every single step of the process was done by human beings.”

“The consumer has no idea how anything came to be. Generally, they’re being taken advantage of by corporations. But we’re very transparent,” he continued.

Definitely not a typical approach to coffee. And, thanks to pastry chef Aaron Clouse, you won’t get typical pastries here, either. “Give me a pen and paper, and I can draw stick figures,” Clouse said. “But 3D, my brain is wired to do 3D art.” →

Clouse, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, attended the French Pastry School in Chicago. It was an intense program, with so much more to offer than the small-town bakeries back home.

“I grew up on a farm,” Clouse said. “I grew up milking cows. I started doing some cakes in high school, for friends’ graduation parties and whatnot, and I loved it, but I didn’t know there could be a career in that outside cake decorating.”

After high school, he enrolled in Heidelberg University to study music. Soon, though, he realized, “It turns out I’m a little tone-deaf. It was not a match made in heaven.”

Meanwhile, his baking got better and better.

He withdrew from college after one semester, signed a lease on a Chicago apartment sight unseen, and called his parents.

“My parents are very smart, very educated, very organized. They were upset for a day, and then my mom cosigned on my loan so I could go to school,” he recalled. And his journey began. →

He knew he needed to land in a big city to accomplish his goals. “Fresh out of school, places in Chicago want to offer $13.00 an hour to be a pastry cook, and it’s like, there’s no realistic way to stay.”

Columbus was close enough to—and far enough away from—his family in Tiffin, and he decided to make his mark here.

He started at The Refectory. It was the refined, classic, French direction he knew well. But, after a year or two, his creativity started to struggle with such structure.

He eventually landed at A&R Creative Group, where creating different dessert menus for different local restaurants allowed his ideas to grow. It wasn’t long before he accepted the invitation to join his friends at Parable and unleash his creativity.

“If I could find one word to find my style, the word would be ‘whimsical,’” he said. “A lot of the inspiration comes from the traditional desserts, reimagined. Like mashups.

“So it’s very much like, crème brulée is one of my favorite things; I absolutely hate making cookies, but I know that a crème brulée cookie would actually work as a hand-held dessert.”

And what about those circular croissants? Well, Clouse keeps close watch on industry publications and colleagues to spot trends.

↑ Aaron Clouse holds pastry

“I was like, ‘You know what, there’s this circular croissant trend that’s in Singapore right now.’ I realized I had the opportunity to bring that trend to Columbus before other cities would catch on.

A lot of our savory food [in Columbus] is on-trend. Unfortunately, pastry is something that changes quick. I really want to push and do things that New York is just starting to do.”

Plus, croissants are his favorite pastry to make. “Croissants are intense on the technical side, but once you know the dough, you can do a lot of cool things with it,” he continued. Why croissant dough works the way it does fascinates me. You do one little step wrong, and it won’t work at all.”

One of his favorite things about his career so far has been his experience on Food Network. “I feel like I thrive in chaos—I think it’s the energy is just so high,” he admitted.

In the beginning, he interviewed for shows and was rejected, he says, because he was “robotic” and formal in the video interviews. Then, a producer told him to “just let loose in your next interview”—and he did.

He applied for "Halloween Baking Championship", thinking it was the winter Holiday Baking Championship. “In my head, I’m like, I’m gonna go make little reindeer cookies, all that,” he said. “I don’t know if they thought I was joking, or somewhere I missed the memo that it was Halloween, but I was like ‘Look, it’s a Christmas tree on a frozen lake,’ and I had little dry ice.”

But he was accepted. In California, he met the rest of the cast and quickly realized he had made a big mistake. “For the three days before filming, I Googled every Halloween character he could think of,” he said. “I was watching scary movies every day in the hotel room, and I don’t like scary movies at all.”

But he embraced the chaos and finished as a finalist.

He admits that pastry is a difficult field to make a career in. The pay is rarely lucrative, and jobs as a pastry chef are few and far between. He’s had to do things to set himself apart in order to make a life out of it.

And he’s definitely making his mark at Parable.

To learn more, visit parableparable.com

We are finally unveiling all the best this city has to offer. This year, you, the readers and voter, highlighted all the popular spots we've all grown to love; familiar faces who have consistently achieved excellence; and of course, a few new places that have changed the way we go about our lives in Central Ohio. We've had our hands full tallying the totals, crossing our t's and dotting our i's. But, without further ado, this is your definitive list of the champions of Columbus.

THIS IS COLUMBEST. →

↓ Rich Street Scioto Deer Sculpture, by Terry Allen

BEST FRIES

#2 Brassica

#3 Rusty Bucket

BEST GOURMET BURGER

BEST TRADITIONAL BURGER

#2 Northstar Cafe

#3 The Rail

BEST DOGS & BRATS

#2 Schmidt's

#3 Weenie Wonder

#2 Shake Shack

#3 Swensons

BEST WINGS

#2 Hot Chicken Takeover

#3 Buffalo Wild Wings

↓ The Thurman Burger, Thurman Cafe, Photo by Sarah Pfeifer

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST BRUNCH

#2 First Watch #3 DK Diner

BEST BAKERY

#2 Der Dutchman

#3 Pistacia Vera

#2 First Watch

#3 Northstar Cafe

BEST COFFEE SHOP

#2 Fox in the Snow

#3 Crimson Cup

↓ Fox In The Snow, Italian Village Location, Photo by Tyler Mills

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

#2 Akai Hana

#3 Molly Woo's

#2 Greek Express #3 Yanni's

#2 Carfagna's #3 Villa Nova

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Los Guachos Condado Tacos

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

#2 Rooh Cumin & Curry

BEST MEDITERRANEAN/ MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

#2 Brassica

#3 Lavash Cafe

← Camarones Varecruz, El Vaquero, Photo by Sarah Pfeifer

↓ Mikey's Late Night Slice, Old Towne East Location, Photo by Tyler Mills

BEST PLACE FOR PLANT-BASED DINING

BEST PLACE FOR A SALAD

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

#2 Brassica #3 Comune

BEST KIDS MENU

#2 The Rusty Bucket #3 Cap City Fine Diner

BEST RAMEN

#2 Slurping Turtle

#3 Meshiskou Ramen

#2 Cap City Fine Diner

#3 Brassica

BEST SUSHI

#2 The Pearl

#3 Columbus Fish Market

#2 Fusian

#3 Mr. Sushi

Sushi Rolls, Mitchell's Ocean Club,

Photo Courtesy of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants →

BEST FOOD TRUCK

BEST CAJUN

#2 Schmidt's

#3 Cousins Maine Lobster

#2 Yats

#3 J. Gumbo's

↑ Assorted Tacos, Condado Tacos, Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

BEST DELI &

#2 Brown Bag Deli

#3 Wario's Beef & Pork

BEST TACOS

#2 Los Guachos

#3 Local Cantina

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

#2 Agave & Rye

#3 Joya's Cafe

BEST PLACE FOR LATE NIGHT EATS

#2 Buckeye Donuts

#3 Waffle House

BEST QUICK LUNCH

BEST HIDDEN GEM RESTAURANT

#2 The Top Steakhouse

#3 Windward Passage

BEST GASTROPUB

#2 Brassica

#3 BIBIBOP

#2 101 Beer Kitchen

#3 Matt the Miller's Tavern

BEST DINER

#2 DK Diner

#3 Tommy's Diner

Cap City Diner Meatloaf, Cap City Fine Diner, Photo by Brian Kaiser

BEST PRICE IS NOT AN OBJECT RESTAURANT

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

#2 Lindey's

#3 Jeff Ruby

BEST STEAKHOUSE

#2 The Pearl

#3 The Melting Pot

BEST WAIT STAFF

#2 Hyde Park #3 The Avenue

#2 Kitchen Social #3 Lindey's

Sashimi Tuna and Salmon Gravlax, The Refectory Restaurant, Photo by Brian Kaiser

BEST ICE CREAM

#2 Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

#3 Whit's Frozen Custard

BEST DONUTS

#2 Resch's Bakery

#3 Schneider's Bakery

BEST COOKIES

#2 Crumbl

#3 Insomnia

BEST DESSERTS

#2 Pistacia Vera

#3 Chocolate Cafe

↓ Assorted Desserts, The Cheesecake Girl,

Photo by Julian Foglietti

BEST RESTAURANT: ARENA DISTRICT

BEST RESTAURANT: BEXLEY

#2 Nada #3 Buca di Beppo

BEST RESTAURANT: CAMPUS, CLINTONVILLE, LINDEN

#2 Harvest Pizza #3 Giuseppe's Ritrovo

BEST RESTAURANT: DUBLIN & POWELL

#2 Pat & Gracie's #3 Harvest Bar & Kitchen

BEST RESTAURANT: FRANKLINTON & HILLTOP

#2 Tucci's #3 Local Roots

BEST RESTAURANT: GAHANNA & EASTON

#2 BrewDog #3 Yellow Brick Pizza

#2 Mitchell's Ocean Club

#3 Lola & Giuseppe's

BEST RESTAURANT: GERMAN VILLAGE, OLDE

TOWNE EAST, MERION VILLAGE, BREWERY DISTRICT

#2 Schmidt's Sausage Haus

#3 Chapman's Eat Market

↓ Steak Filet, Lindey's, Photo by Collins Laatsch

BEST RESTAURANT: GROVE CITY

#2 Roosters #3 Planks on Broadway

BEST RESTAURANT: HILLIARD

#2 Roosters

#3 Old Bag of Nails

The Barn, Photo by Brian Kaiser

BEST RESTAURANT: NEW ALBANY

BEST RESTAURANT: REYNOLDSBURG

#2 Hudson 29

#3 The Goat

#2 Scali #3 Prost

BEST RESTAURANT: SHORT NORTH, ITALIAN VILLAGE, VICTORIAN VILLAGE

The Pearl Marcella's

BEST RESTAURANT: WESTERVILLE & POLARIS

#2 Carfagna's #3 Asterisk Supper Club

BEST RESTAURANT: UPPER ARLINGTON & GRANDVIEW

#2 Cap City Fine Diner

#3 Third & Hollywood

BEST RESTAURANT: WORTHINGTON

#2 Villa Nova

#3 Old Bag of Nails

BEST OVERALL BAR

BEST DRINKING PATIO

Multiple Locations pinsbar.com

#2 Seventh Son Brewing Co.

#3 Land-Grant Brewing Co.

#2 PINS Mechanical Co.

#3 BrewDog

↑ Pins Mechanical Co., Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

#2 VASO

#3 RH Rooftop Columbus

711 N. High Street lincolnsocialrooftop.com

← Cocktail at Pins Mechanical Co., Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

BEST NEW BAR

#2 Understory #3 Mandrake

BEST LGBTQ BAR

BEST DIVE BAR

#2 Slammers

#3 Axis Nightclub

BEST IRISH PUB

#2 Fado

#3 Dublin Village Tavern

#2 Bier Stube

#3 Dick's Den

BEST PLACE TO DRINK & PLAY

#2 Topgolf

#3 Ten Pin Alley

↓ Behind the bar at Ginger Rabbit, Photo by Aaron Massey

BEST BARTENDER

BEST BLOODY MARY

#2 Todd Wernet, Patty Macs Pub

#3 Sam Acker, Short North Pint House

BEST COCKTAILS

#2 Hangover Easy

#3 Standard Hall

BEST BEER SELECTION

#2 Lincoln Social

#3 Law Bird

BEST WINE SELECTION

#2 PINS Mechanical Co

#3 Short North Pint House

#2 The Refectory

#3 The Wine Bistro

Wine bottles at Cooper's Hawk, Photo by Collins Laatsch →

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

#2 Seventh Son Brewing Co.

#3 BrewDog

BEST LOCAL SPIRITS

#2 Watershed Distillery

#3 Middle West Spirits/OYO

BEST HAPPY HOUR

#2 High Bank Distillery Co. #3 Kitchen Social

BEST BAR: CAMPUS, CLINTONVILLE, LINDEN

BEST BAR: GERMAN VILLAGE, OLDE TOWNE EAST, MERION VILLAGE

#2 Betty's Bar #3 Howl at the Moon

BEST BAR: ARENA DISTRICT

#2 Harvest Pizza

#3 Rusty Bucket

BEST BAR: BEXLEY

#2 The Varsity Club #3 Bob's Bar #2 Thurman Cafe #3 Club 185

↓ Assorted drinks at The Top Steak House, Photo Courtesy of The Top Steak House

BEST BAR: DOWNTOWN AREA

BEST BAR: FRANKLINTON & HILLTOP

#2 The Walrus

#3 Slammers

BEST BAR: DUBLIN & POWELL

#2 VASO

#3 Yogi's

#2 Yellow Brick Pizza

#3 Rehab Tavern

BEST BAR: GAHANNA & EASTON

#2 Forbidden Root

#3 101 Beer Kitchen

↑ Patio at Land-Grant Brewing Co., Photo Courtesy of Land-Grant Brewing Co.

BEST BAR: UPPER ARLINGTON & GRANDVIEW

#2 Grandview Cafe

Old Bag of Nails

Zaftig Brewing Co.

BEST BAR: WORTHINGTON #2 Prost

#3 The Duggie Sports Bar

BEST BAR: REYNOLDSBURG

#2 Roosters #3 The Goat

BEST BAR: HILLIARD

← Cocktail at High Bank Distillery Co., Photo Courtesy of High Bank Distillery Co.

#2 Flanagan's Pub

#3 Rusty Bucket

BEST BAR: NEW ALBANY

BEST BAR: SHORT NORTH, ITALIAN VILLAGE, VICTORIAN VILLAGE

#2 Ginger Rabbit #3 Oddfellow's

BEST BAR: GROVE CITY

#2 Hop Yard 62

#3 Zassy's Taproom

BEST BAR: WESTERVILLE & POLARIS

#2 Uptown Deli and Brew

#3 101 Beer Kitchen

↑ Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Photo by Aaron Massey

BEST FREE FAMILY ATTRACTION

#2 Franklin Park Conservatory (First Sundays)

#3 Columbus Metropolitan Libraries

BEST ART GALLERY wexarts.org

#2 Studios on High

#3 934 Gallery

FAVORITE LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

#2 Dom Tiberi, 10TV

#3 Monica Day, NBC4

FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO STATION

#2 92.3, WCOL #3 97.9, WNCI

BEST LOCAL SOLO MUSICIAN

#2 Molly Winters

#3 Dave Powers

BEST LOCAL BAND

#2 North to Nashville #3 MoJoFlo

BEST COVER BAND

the_reganomics

#2 Shucking Bubba

#3 Hoo Doo Soul Band

↑ Photo the Reaganomics

BEST BED & BREAKFAST

#2 Timbrook Guesthouse

#3 50 Lincoln Short North Bed & Breakfast

BEST PARK

#2 Columbus Park of Roses

#3 Goodale Park

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

#2 Star Lanes

#3 Columbus Square Bowling palace

BEST COMEDY VENUE

BEST PLACE FOR A KID'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

#2 Shadowbox Live

#3 Don't Tell Comedy

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION TO SPOIL YOUR KIDS

#2 Magic Mountain

#3 Graeter's Ice Cream

BEST PLACE TO GET A MASSAGE

#2 COSI

#3 Zoombezi Bay

BEST PLACE TO HOLD YOUR RECEPTION/EVENT SPACE

#2 Massage Envy #3 PENZONE Salon + Spa

BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED

#2 Jorgensen Farms

#3 Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

#2 Jorgensen Farms

#3 Whetstone Park of Roses

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS

BEST EMPLOYER OVER 500 EMPLOYEES

#2 North Market #3 Short North

BEST PLACE TO GET FIT

#2 OrangeTheory #3 YMCA

BEST EMPLOYER UNDER 500 EMPLOYEES

#2 Brewdog

#3 Moo Moo Car Wash

#2 Nationwide Children's Hospital

#3 OhioHealth

BEST PLANT/GARDEN SHOP/NURSERY

#2 Groovy Plant Ranch

#3 Strader's Garden Centers

BEST FLORIST

#2 Connell Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts

#3 Flowerama

BEST HOSPITAL

#2 Wexner Medical Center

#3 Nationwide's Children's Hospital

BEST FURNITURE STORE

#2 Elm & Iron

#3 Big Sandy Superstore

BEST JEWELRY STORE

#2 Diamond Cellar

#3 Tiffany & Co.

FAVORITE LOCAL CHARITY

#2 Columbus Humane Society

#3 Ronald McDonald House

BEST VET/ANIMAL HOSPITAL

#2 MedVet

#3 Gahanna Animal Hospital

BEST MED SPA

#2 Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery

#3 Reverse Aesthetics

Let's face it, when you need a professional, whether it's a doctor, a Real Estate agent, or some other service-related field, you want to know what services they offer, but you also want to know who they are and what they're about. (614) is going to help you with that!

Every quarter, we will feature some of Columbus' top professionals in this special advertising section that helps you learn not just what they do, but how they do it and what their story is. From social enterprises that work to better their communities to highly skilled medical professionals who can better your health, we've got the story behind the storefront—and we're excited for you to meet them. Columbus, meet The Professionals. →

The Gold Standard

Relying on talent, expertise and an unrivaled personal touch, Diamond Cellar’s goldsmiths create custom jewelry that lasts a lifetime

For Bethany James and Dan Mikel, creating a totally unique piece of multi-generational jewelry that will often outlast the life of its original owner is all in a day’s work.

That’s because both are goldsmiths at the Dublinarea Diamond Cellar in Columbus. The pair – who are part of one of the largest teams of goldsmiths in the country – work tirelessly with clients – day in and day out – to create the cherished pieces that span an enormous variety of trends and aesthetics.

While the long-standing Columbus brand, (Diamond Cellar was founded in 1947) regularly carries upwards of 30,000 individual pieces of jewelry, when customers don’t see that perfect piece on the shelves, they can always opt to create their own using the brand’s concierge-level custom jewelry services, which relies on James and Mikel crafting individual pieces precisely to customers’ needs.

“Before anything else happens, the first part of the process is about just making a connection with the customer,” Bethany said. “We try to pull out important dates, events and what really matters to them.”

Mikel agreed, adding that being present and truly understanding a customer is a Diamond Cellarborn skill that’s as important to the success of their trade as is decades of experience, expert-level dexterity and mechanical know-how.

“Really, it’s about empathy; just listening is one of the most important parts of the job, and that’s one thing that you don’t get from a lot of places, or just

other retailers in general,” he said. “We want to give clients the True Jeweler™ experience.”

After figuring out what a client wants, the process for Diamond Cellar’s custom goldsmiths involves handdrawn designs that are shown to the client, which can go through a series of renovations until the client is totally satisfied. Once this is selected, a cast for the piece is created using CAD designs. And then the goldsmiths can begin the physical creation of the piece.

For Mikel, after understanding what exactly McCoy wanted with her custom necklace, the piece primarily became an exercise in balance.

“We wanted to take a variety of different stones and put them into a piece that embraced this. This connects her with three different people every time she puts it on” Mikel said. “At the same time, we didn’t need to go crazy on the design end; this is something we wanted to put together in a way that was very pretty but understated, so that it sort of goes with everything and you want to wear it consistently.”

In the case of a custom piece created for Melissa McCoy, a family heirloom (another piece of jewelry) was even incorporated. Created by Mikel, the piece used her grandmother’s wedding ring, creating a necklace with it that is adorned with diamonds from her mother’s wedding set. The piece also has McCoy’s grandmother’s name inscribed on the necklace, and McCoy plans to hand the necklace down to her daughter (who she named after her grandmother) eventually as well.

While the satisfaction of completing a multidimensional piece is its own reward, according to Bethany and Mikel, what’s most important for them, and for the Columbus-born concept Diamond Cellar, is to create something that each client will love and cherish for a lifetime. Maybe even more, and it’s handed down to children and grandchildren.

“I just feel honored, I thank our customers quite a bit for their trust, and because of that I put myself in every piece that I make. I think that’s it’s just really special to be able to create something that will be around for generations,” Bethany said.

“Really, it’s about empathy; just listening is one of the most important parts of the job...”

To learn more about Diamond Cellar and its two Columbus locations, visit www.diamondcellar.com

Drip, Drip, Drop

Wellness Flow brings the world of IV therapy to Columbus with new Short North hub offering unique mind and body treatments

If you ask Sean Carroo, about his plans for Wellness Flow, the unique new Ohio-born IV therapy company that has recently put roots down locally, he’ll give a straight answer.

“We want to make medicine cool again,” is what you’re likely to hear.

Wellness Flow, which has opened a Columbus brick and mortar hub in the heart of the Short North after launching in Dayton only two years ago, is rapidly expanding throughout Ohio as a unique new approach to health and wellness, beauty and ever spots performance treatments.

And all of it starts with an IV line.

While Carroo and fellow Wellness Flow cofounder Paul Adongo first discovered IV therapies in the context of addiction and cancer treatments, Carroo noted they’re also used by top-level athletes to rehydrate quickly, approached as a hangover cure in some circles, and embraced as a way to look younger for longer in others.

Wellness Flow borrows from all of these arenas to create an eclectic and wide-reaching approach to IV therapy that’s just as impactful as it is new and exciting.

One of the cornerstone treatments at Wellness Flow is the concept’s Drip Bar, where patrons can select from a wide variety of different infusions–in which fluid and vitamins are delivered into

the bodily intravenously, providing benefits that oral administration simply cannot–including the Hydration Drip, Detox Drip, Brain Fuel drip, and even a pair of speciality drips focused on athletic performance and prenatal care.

“A lot of people think IV therapy is only for elitelevel athletes or celebrities, but that’s not the case,” Carroo said.

bodily replies upon daily–such as testosterone–are replaced by natural hormones that are biologically identical to those produced in the body. Similarly treatments that boost your body’s NAD+ supply–using dosages between 250-750mgs–streamline the chemical processes your body relies upon to generate energy at the chemical level. Increasing these can lead to more energy, enhanced brain function, faster cellular regeneration, a boosted metabolism and a reduction in bodily inflammation.

Now with its new Columbus hub, which is located at 15 Price Ave. in the Short North, Wellness Flow allows central Ohio patrons to book an appointment at their convenience.

This isn’t the only way Wellness Flow is making medicine cool again, either. The brand is doing so with a variety of other options, like aesthetic procedures like Botox and hydra facials, in addition to peptides and a variety of other lesser-known therapies.

These other options include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, where critical hormones your

The fast-growing and Ohio-born brand also offers a “concierge” service, meaning Wellness Flow treatments will come to you, and can be undertaken from virtually anywhere. The company even offers event and large group rates for IV therapies, meaning a whole lot more people have a chance to get in on the ground floor of the Buckeye State’s coolest new therapies.

You can learn more at wellnessflowllc.com

“A lot of people think IV therapy is only for elitelevel athletes or celebrities, but that’s not the case...”

Dorner Knows Breast

People, Empowerment, Period™

The Modern Way to Consult

Dr. Brian Dorner knows Breast. With decades of experience, he’s modernizing the consultation process with his Better Breast Center™.

This new group approach has streamlined the consultation process and is empowering more people to seek treatment. It allows quick and easy scheduling through its online platform, and as a group format you can bring your bestie, significant other, or your favorite support person.

A quick browse through his TikTok, Instagram and facebook accounts shows you his patient’s response to the new consultation process:

“You changed my life forever”

“Best thing I ever did for myself”

“Dr. D got me tight and right”

Here’s how the Better Breast Consult™ works: It starts with meeting Dr. Dorner. He will review the finer points of breast augmentation, including teaching attendees about implant placement, choice, and profile selection. All of these aspects affect the shape and appearance of your personalized breast augmentation.

“The group setting allows you to hear other people’s questions, as well as voice your own, so you walk away empowered, confident and happy with your selection” He says.

The group setting format for The Better Breast Seminar allows patients to get their breast augmentation for as little as $4,999.

At the end of the seminar Dr. Dorner will do a quick exam to determine which procedure would best fit your body and ensure you are a good candidate. Then you can schedule your surgery and figure out your payment or financing options.

“It’s important to really connect with a patient, to get to know them in order to get them the results they really want,” he said.

Dr. Brian Dorner connects and educates everyday through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube & Facebook @dornerplasticsurgery to inform, demystify, and empower viewers around the world.

“I use social media everyday so people know me and my staff before even coming into the office. And I love seeing the smiling faces of happy patients as they share their results back with me and all of my viewers.”

Dr. Dorner hosts his Better Breast Consult twice a month. The next Better Breast Consult™ is on May 11.

Patient Quotes:

“My entire life changed with one surgery.”

“Getting dressed now is just so much fun”

“I finally feel like the woman I always knew I was”

“Dr. Dorner understood the assignment”

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Jemn Brown / Story Design by Victoria Smith

Columbus artist Aaron Massey grabbed a shovel, and he started digging. Both within himself—acting as quite literally a one-man movie crew (including post-production) in the creation of his debut film, MID WEST, which debuted at Cinema Columbus Film Festival in late April—but also into the dirt at his feet, into the very idea of what Ohio means to him.

We sat down with Massey (who is a longtime (614) Magazine photographer) to discuss how he did it, why he did it, the classic 80s action flick Top Gun and a whole lot more.

From writing and directing to acting, lighting, editing and more, Aaron Massey does it all while returning to his Ohio roots in debut film, MID WEST

↓ Aaron Massey

What was the genesis of your film MID WEST, and can you tell us a little bit about the subject matter, obviously without giving too much away?

In regards to the subject matter, the logline is: A man wakes up in a field with no knowledge or memory of who he is. He must set out on the greatest journey of his life, to literally find himself.

I’m not sure if I necessarily remember one single moment of clarity that washed over me when I had the idea for MID WEST. I think it was a gradual building of storytelling trial and error. When I was writing it several years ago I tried using a bit of a different method of script writing than I was used to doing. I wanted to experiment. It was new, and dangerous, somewhat out of the norms of how people say you should write a screenplay. I won’t bore you with details, but let’s just say I put this film’s story together piece by piece, like a LEGO structure. I had all the parts, got rid of many pieces that didn’t fit, and then constructed it in a way that it allowed me.

One thing that I will note, is that when I was writing the screenplay, I had a very good idea of how it would end. However, I was completely surprised by the way it actually ended. The characters, and story chose their own way. It sounds a little mystical, but sometimes writing can be that way. It occurred as I wrote the words on the page, diverging directly from what I had originally intended, and I knew it was definitely what needed to happen. It was a complete shock to me.

Did you always want to make movies?

There was one distinct moment in my childhood when I was probably either five or six years old. I remember seeing Top Gun, and my mind exploded. It was one of those core memories that get locked into you as a child. Everything changed for me from that point on. I didn’t even know how to explain how I felt, I just knew that I wanted to be a part of something like that. I obviously didn’t even know what that meant at that age. Those feelings carried on as an 80’s and 90’s kid, growing up with Back To The Future, Star Wars, the Indiana Jones franchise, The Goonies, and Jurassic Park. Now, those are all tentpole movies, and where I got the bug, but I definitely grew to love purely story driven, and character based dramas and thrillers like Good Will Hunting, Shawshank Redemption, Goodfellas, Stand By Me, Seven, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights was a huge influence on me. I could keep going. My brother and I would ride our bicycles through the streets, and over to the movie theater which sat just outside our neighborhood. We would throw our bikes against the backside of the theater, and spend a couple hours escaping the summer heat in front of a giant movie theater screen eating popcorn in the air conditioning. It was magical.

A great origin story.

Exactly! →

So then how did you actually get into filmmaking?

A very long story short, I moved to Los Angeles in 2003. “Go west, young man.” I studied acting my last two years in college, then continued that in L.A. for several years at The Larry Moss Studio. After auditioning for years, and not getting many of the roles in shows and movies that I wanted, or even simply getting the opportunities for parts that I felt I was right for, I decided to start writing for myself. Eventually, I met a great group of thespians and filmmakers who are still close friends of mine today. We started writing, and making small projects on video cameras that were part of the first affordable consumer grade HD cameras to hit the market in the early and mid 2000’s. We did everything from comedy shorts, to dark action thrillers. It was a ton of fun, and a great hands-on learning experience. That’s how I started to get my chops behind the camera. We would all change roles, sometimes as an actor, if you weren’t in the scene we were currently filming, then you would be holding the microphone boom pole. Learn by doing in essence. That’s when I decided to write an extremely dramatic role for myself as well as direct my first short film titled Liliana. I taught myself how to edit, getting some pointers from my roommate at the time, who is a filmmaker. Nowadays, Youtube is a fantastic source for learning practically anything you want to know. You can teach yourself if you devote the time.

MID WEST will have its World Premiere at The Cinema Columbus Film Festival in late April. What does it mean to you to have your film premiering in what would be considered its home city?

That means everything to me. It is where it needed to happen. I am extremely grateful and honored that this film gets to live on a movie theater screen in Columbus, Ohio. After the festival I plan on having a public screening or two for those that could not make it to the festival. That will likely happen this summer at some point. I hope we can fill the seats for that.

What were your biggest challenges making an Indie film with essentially no budget? Is there anything you would have done differently?

I had made some short films, and a web series previously, but had always wanted to check a feature film off of the list of career goals. Anyone involved in this industry understands just how difficult it can be to make a feature film: the writing, financing, producing, scheduling, execution of the story and filming, plus all of the post production work, and let’s not forget about marketing and distribution. It is a massive task that can take years to accomplish. →

↓ Aaron Massey plays pool

↑ Aaron Massey poses with book

MID WEST was just that next step for me. I had to do it. Like I mentioned before, I wasn't going to wait for anyone to tell me I was allowed to make a movie, or give me the money to do it. I had written the script, I had a camera, cast my actors, and we went out and shot the thing. It sounds simple, and trust me it wasn’t, but we did it. It was just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. Or as Anne Lamott would say “Bird by Bird.” The only thing I would have done differently was hired an additional editor. The post production took a lot out of me, since I was basically doing everything on that end. But since this was a self-funded film I just didn’t have the resources at the time to do that. I had to chip away at the post production of MID WEST whenever I was done with the work from clients that was actually paying the bills.

We’ve heard that you did not have any crew, it was just you and your actors making a movie. Is this true?

It’s true. It is definitely not the way I would want to make a movie in the future. It was just necessary. And it wasn’t an ego thing, like look at me, I can do all of these things. I just simply didn’t have the money to pay any crew. So I self taught many of the things that I would have to learn and nail down when we were on set, and also during post production. We used all natural light, with the exception of a couple night scenes, but even that was just using simple practical lights, and a cheap off camera light to create mood.

My actors really stepped up to the plate, working with my sparsed-out scheduling. My lead actor, Rick Huddleson, was a trooper. He is in practically every scene of this film. I would ask him how his schedule looked this week, and we would find time to shoot a short scene on a Tuesday evening for a few hours. Then figure out the next time our schedules worked together. Let’s just say keeping continuity and wardrobe consistent was a huge task for me. I had to be diligent with where we were in the script.

Columbus, Ohio is where you filmed everything for this movie. How did you make the scenery, and location palette so expansive?

Well, that timing I was just talking about, it actually ended up helping the palette, as you say, because we actually shot over all four seasons. It took me so long to make this film that the seasons started to blend into each other. There was a situation where I had an actor drop out of filming for very personal reasons, after we had already shot some of their scenes. I had to respect that. They are a human being first, not an actor first. We are playing make believe here. I couldn’t recast the part because we were already too far into filming. I decided to actually re-write some of the storyline, and then using the timespan changes to add to the film. So we see Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter in the movie. It actually ended up working for the time structure of the story, without having to do any technical Hollywood trickery in post production, like adding snow to a scene. It was actually snowing and 15 degrees outside! →

↓ Aaron Massey poses with teacup

We were able to film in some downtown areas, some rural areas outside the 270 loop, we were in the forest, and a few local businesses opened their doors for us, like Mac’s Proper Pub, Tommy’s Diner, Fox In The Snow, and The Market Italian Village. I’m extremely grateful to them. They are a huge part of why this film was able to be made. All of these locations truly showcase the diverse landscape that is central Ohio. I love our local businesses.

Are there any filmmakers that inspired you into independent cinema?

Absolutely. During that process of making our own projects I really dove into the inner workings of how independent cinema was done. I started watching John Cassavetes films, the ones he directed like Husbands, and A Woman Under The Influence, and also Jean-Luc Godard films from the French new wave cinema. Breathless was a huge inspiration for me the first time I saw that film. It was so free, it broke all of the Hollywood “rules.” I was opened up to a whole new way of making movies, and potentially making a career from that. You didn’t need to make the next Jurassic Park to be a filmmaker. You could make an inexpensive film, with great actors, a great story, and just the pure love of filmmaking. That could be a way to make art, and earn a living in this industry!

What advice would you give to anyone looking to make an indie film in the future?

Most people thinking about it already know the answer. Just go make it. Stop waiting for the money to roll in, it likely won’t. Stop waiting for the script that you keep re-writing to be “perfect”, it probably isn’t. Nothing is perfect. Stop waiting to save up your money so you can go buy that brand new super expensive camera that everyone is talking about. Go make something on your iPhone if that’s all you have. It honestly doesn’t matter. Not at this stage of your career. All that financing money, and professional crew, and expensive cameras will all come in the future, but you have to start showing off what you can do. And oftentimes showing off what you can do with a “no-budget” film, is a fantastic way for someone with clout in the industry to say, ‘Wow, they did that with no money?! I wonder what they could do with a million dollar budget, or a five million dollar budget.’ That’s the place you want to get to. Be an artist, tell the story you want to tell. Work your ass off to make something great, remember that you are still entertaining people, but make it for you. Make the film you would want to watch with your friends. Most importantly, never, and I mean never, ever let someone tell you that you can’t do it. We need more artists. Keep making. ♦

Lets Get

Welcome to the cusp of summer, the official (in our book, anyway) beginning of festival season: When the weather has settled on the warmer side, and a full slate of events running until early fall is rolled out.

Instead of wholesome food fests or buttoned-up backyard barbecues, we’re walking on the weird side this year–finding events that are uncommon or just downright strange–because Ohio has plenty of them. If you know where to look.

By Jack McLaughlin Story Design by Bryce Patterson

From bigfoot to pickles and paw paws, these are the most interesting–and unique–festivals we could find.

Festival season has arrived, and we’ve hand-picked a list of the weirdest and wildest Ohio events we could find

↓ Photo Courtesy of Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival

Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival

Avon

No, it’s not a typo. Duck Tape is actually a brand of tape headquartered in Avon, which is located just west of Cleveland. The free festival, which will be held June 16-18 this year, is for the most part fairly straight-laced, although tape-related activities are on the docket.

Banana Split Festival

Wilmington

Unfortunately, the beloved Banana Split Festival in Wilmington (only an hour from Downtown Columbus) was placed on indefinite hiatus last year while organizers evaluate its long-term future. We haven’t received definitive word on whether or not the event–which hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the pandemic–will be making a return this year, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

Dandelion May Festival

Dover

Knocking on the door of Amish country in idyllic Dover, Breitenbach Vineyards enjoyed success with its own variation of dandelion wine in the past, so it created a festival dedicated to the wide range of culinary applications held by the flowers, which are often overlooked as a garden pest. Now in its 30th year, the festival will be held at the winery on May 5-6, and you’ll even be able to sample this year’s vintage of dandelion wine.

Dean Martin Festival

Steubensville

Not much to say about this one, but if you really like Dean Martin, this is the festival for you, we guess? This long-standing event–which will be held on June 16-17 in Steubenville, Martin’s hometown–will feature Dean Martin impersonators, a meatball eating contest (because why not) and a Dean Martin walking tour. Did we mention there’s a Dean Martin parade?

Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival

Logan

They’re not just in the Northwest. Believe it or not, the Hocking Hills area is rife with sightings, and one new event is set to make the most of this. After launching last year, this festival will feature presentations, vendors, plenty of local food and more from August 4-5, all geared toward celebrating everyone’s favorite giant, hair-covered ape.

Pickle Fest

Miamisburg

This event is kind of a big dill for pickle lovers. Sorry, we had to. The event–which as you may have already guessed features all things pickles, live music and even a handful of local restaurants jumping on for the fun—is held in Miamisburg on June 24. Northeast Ohio also boasts its own, the Cleveland Pickle Fest, on Sept. 23.

Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival

Utica

Nine miles outside of Newark lies a culinary hidden gem, where Velvet Ice Cream is headquartered. The dessert-maker’s stomping grounds also hosts a longrunning ice cream event, the Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival, each year at a historic mill, where vendors from far and wide alongside an egg toss, pony rides and an annual ice cream eating competition. This year’s festival will be held May 27-29.

Skunkfest

North Ridgeville

If you’re willing to risk getting skunked, the annual Skunkfest offers not only skunk-related crafts and from local vendors, but plenty of live animals as well. You’ll be able to learn a whole lot about the beloved–but often misunderstood–animals, which are kept as pets by many. The event will even have its own Skunkfest king and queen.

Twins Day Festival

Twinsburg

Held annually in Twinsburg (because where else could it be), this festival is billed as the “largest annual gathering of twins and multiples in the world.” This year, the Twins Day Festival will be held August 4-6, and will feature everything from a twins talent show to twins cornhole and volleyball tournaments and even more.

Photo Courtesy of Cleveland Pickle Fest

↓ Photo Courtesy of Cleveland Pickle Fest

↑ Photo Courtesy of Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival