(614) March | 2024

FASHION, FOOD, FUN. FIND IT AT EASTON.

EASTON

OUR TEAM IS 35% WOMEN, more than DOUBLE the national average for the transportation industry.

BIG PICTURE

Go masters square off at the 4th Midwest Open, a tournament held in Columbus last month for players of all skill levels. While the strategy board game was developed in China more than 2,000 years ago, Go boasts a strong community here in central Ohio.

Photo by Alissa Ohashi

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

Opening Volley

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

Making it Home

My wife and I bought a cabin from a dead man.

Late last summer–after an extensive search and a wild back-and-forth involving an earlier buyer backing out, tree removal and a lot more–we found, and purchased, a small cabin in Southern Ohio. We both love the outdoors, and the strange beauty of Appalachian Ohio, and this place was a dream.

Nothing extravagant. Nothing exceptionally unique. But perfect for us and our small family.

What we learned during the sale, though, stuck with us for some time. And not in a good way. One of the cabin’s original owners–who had it built in the 1990s–had recently passed away. Because of that, his wife was selling the place.

We went through with the sale, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was somehow an interloper. A thief. Sort of like imposter syndrome, just with a house. What made this even worse is the fact that we bought the property as-is, with every bed, and every tattered board game box the previous owners had kept there.

The first few months were strange. We would drive down for a weekend (sometimes even just a night) and have an amazing time, exploring the forest

with my daughter, sitting down in front of the fireplace with my wife in the fall. During that time, I still couldn’t shake the vague sense of guilt I felt.

Gradually, though, it lifted. There wasn’t a single moment I can point to where the lightswitch flipped, but as we grew into the space and made our own memories there, I learned to accept everything that came with our new cabin, and then it felt like a home, to me at least. I didn’t forget, or push away, the previous owner’s history, but I was finally able to integrate it with the idea of ownership I had in my mind. With the idea of home.

I’ve always heard people say that home isn’t necessarily a physical space, but a state of mind, although at the time it never meant much to me. It does now. Nothing changed with our cabin–it just took some time for me to process things before it became a home–the one it is now.

This month, we’re exploring homes across Columbus, and this idea of needing to earn the feeling of home, or to create it oneself, is a tenor throughout the houses we explore in our March issue. Because, after all, everything’s a little bit sweeter when it wasn’t there to begin with, isn’t it?

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

There’s no place like home! And specifically, no place like that certain spot in your home – the one that feels like a haven and safe space. We asked (614) staff members to share their absolute favorite room in their house, and why. Here’s what they said:

Wherever there's a TV, because true crime documentaries.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-in-Chief

Definitely the living room. Lots of sunlight, houseplants, and space to relax and unwind.

— Austin Black, Video Producer/Editor

There’s something special about having a beer on the roof with your friends. I’m so thankful my apartment has a rooftop patio for that very reason!

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

My living room, specifically with my 10-seater-couch – It's where I watch movies, drink wine with friends, get cozy with a book, and snuggle with my dogs.

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

My bedroom. Comfy bed, fun lighting, and a window I can see the sunrise through!

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

When it's warmer out, I love hanging out on my balcony to read or have my morning coffee to enjoy the sun, but still have the privacy of being at home!

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

My living room to watch any show/movie/ Youtube video while I make sure my dog isn't terrorizing the place, with a beverage in hand to relax.

— Wyatt Krupp, Account Executive

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!

→ Neighborhood favorite fried chicken spot announces new location

The Crispy Coop, an eatery known for its fried chicken by the piece and fried chicken sandwiches, has announced its plans to add a new location just east of Columbus.

→ Columbus boasts one of the country’s best beer scenes, according to new ‘USA Today’ poll

Columbus was recently included as one of the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice nominees for Best Beer Cities.

→ Local dance studio amasses millions of views and ‘Good Morning America’ feature for baby-parent dance videos

When Russell Lepley and Fili Pelacchi–owners of the Clintonville dance studio Flux + Flow were new parents to their son, they were searching for a solution to an everyday inconvenience.

@occasionally.in.ohio

@calpinoh

@thejuntohotel

@stump_columbus

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.

• Delectable Chocolate Hand

Painted to Perfection

LOHcally Artisan Chocolates is bringing their A-game with Feno De Aroma chocolate molded into truffles and handpainted with beautifully stunning detail.

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

• Columbus Market Bakes

Up Perfection

An All Day bakery...warm, airy breads, sweet treats, delectable cakes... La Plaza Tapatia KNOWS what they are doing when it comes to the oven.

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

Nailed it!

Clintonville’s unique nail art collective, Fuzz, offers comedy shows, yard sales and some of the most original fingertip art in all of Columbus

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Jen Brown

Story Design by Atlas Biro

Fuzz isn’t your average nail salon, as indicated by the huge groovy letters painted on the windows to beckon you into the unique space, as well as the equally-original designs painted on your nails while you’re walking out the door.

After opening five years ago at its original location on Summit Avenue, Fuzz now resides at 3309 N. High Street, in the heart of Clintonville. Nestled in the same block as Dough Mama and The Brass Hand, the concept was dreamed up by Danielle Wegner and Brittni Stump. “We decided to open Fuzz so that people could have their own space to create,” said Wenger. “We wanted to offer an alternative to traditional salons, where artists could create their own schedules and not have a boss to report to or pay commission to.”

The salon itself is a delightful, funky mix of vintage and modern, complete with plenty of natural light and an open floor plan. Fuzz functions as a collective of self-employed, independant nail artists, each of whom has their own distinct style which they display on Instagram and the shop’s booking site, Vagaro.

“People choose to run their personal nail businesses in Fuzz because it’s a unique space with a healthy culture and sense of community,” shared manager Amanda Thie. “The environment here is very positive. Everyone gets along really well, we help each other, and the people who work here love it.” →

“Everyone should feel safe and welcome when they’re in this space. We want to maintain the health and integrity of your nails, and provide you with a really fun, high quality experience.”

↓ (From Left) Brittni Stump, Amanda Thie, and Danielle Wegner

Once you look through all the artist profiles and decide on one, Fuzz emphasizes that your manicure or pedicure will likely be different from other nail salons, but in the best ways possible. “We’re all about self-care and the enjoyment of being in this space,” explained Wenger. “It’s important to us that you have a great experience and know that your service is one that will last.” The prices reflect the high quality of the nail services and the artist's design skill, as well as the longevity, which can last four to five weeks with proper care.

Wenger and Stump work as full-time nail artists at Fuzz, which they recently decided to sell to Thie, who has been managing the shop for the past year. She’s excited for this opportunity, and has been brainstorming ideas to expand the salon’s offerings. “We’d love for Fuzz to be a truly multi-functional space with lots of community,” emphasized Thie. “We’d also like to grow and add artists with other specializations, like tattoos.” A handful of popular events from years past, including comedy shows, yard sales, and pop-ups with other local businesses.

It’s that mindset of community and collaboration that make the salon a unique gem in a sea of competitors. “We want people to understand that when you come to Fuzz, you’re supporting small businesses and supporting people who work for themselves,” said Wegner. “Everyone should feel safe and welcome when they’re in this space. We want to maintain the health and integrity of your nails, and provide you with a really fun, high quality experience.” ♦

Check out the incredible nail art at Fuzz on their Instagram, @fuzz.columbus, and book an appointment at vagaro.com/fuzz.

magine a place where you can sip on a glass of wine while shopping for your next dinner recipe; a place where you feel truly inspired by the food and ingredients that surround you when you walk in. This concept is not just a dream anymore to the people of Columbus. Littleton’s Market, located at Tremont Center in the former Huffman’s Market, opened in early December, with tremendous love and support from the community.

The former Huffman’s Market space retakes its place as community centerpiece with the opening of the eclectic new Littleton’s Market

By Molly Hammond

Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Bryce Patterson

But Littleton’s is not just about the wine – nor is it just a specialty grocer or farmers market. The best way that Sam Harris, General Manager of Littleton’s, described it as “a chef’s pantry for everyone that walks in — customers and employees.”

A culinary haven to all who enter, Littleton’s Market offers a unique shopping experience for all. With a focus on community integration and feedback, Littleton’s is committed to providing kitchen staples and specialty products alike, while celebrating the rich culinary heritage of the region.

At the helm of Littleton’s is Sam Harris, a fourth-generation restauranter and artisan producer with a passion for preserving and innovating culinary traditions. Sam met Rob Littleton and Alan Scantland, co-founders of the market, in downtown Manhattan just a few short years ago and never looked back. The two shared with Sam the project that they were working on in Upper Arlington. Sam knew he had to be a part of it, so he picked up his family and headed to Columbus.

While the new concept may feel new to Columbus shoppers, the heart of Littleton’s is the traditional marketplace.

“We wanted to bring an old-school mentality to the market,” Harris explained. “We started to look backward in order to move forward. Working with over 150 small, local vendors instead of one or two large distributors, requires our team to be on standby during the day, so they can answer questions, calls and meet small vendors for deliveries.”

“It’s a very French shopping experience,” Harris said. “We wanted people to shop with us for the specialties and essentials. We wanted them to come in to gather ingredients for one recipe, and then come back for more days later, focusing on seasonality—a chef’s mentality.” →

↑ Patrons inside the new Littleton's Market

↑ Littleton's Market offerings

Chris Dillman, sommelier and Director of Beer and Wine at Littleton’s, built the wine program from the ground up. His prized possession, 900-plus bottles of imported wines, is a sight in itself the moment you walk in the doors. Dillman is on the floor at all times, giving guests the opportunity for retail discussions to utilize his expertise.

The in-store café sits in the midst of the wine selection, and guests can grab a bottle from the shelf to enjoy there in Littleton’s. From seasonal specials like short rib and smoked salmon, to a rotational menu that will change weekly, designed by Culinary Director (and recent Chopped champion) Alexia Osburn, the café aims to inspire customers on what they can do in their own kitchen.

Local pastry legend, Aaron Clouse, joins Littleton’s as their Executive Pastry Chef, where he and the team are launching a new space where he can excel in what he does best. The bakery will launch with eight specialty pastries, inspired by New York City, France and more.

“It’s amazing to see the depth of which each of these individual categories evolved (re: the wine program, pastry department, cafe),” said Harris. “This is a special place where culinary creatives can work together and build something really special.”

One of the core values of the Littleton’s team is their respect for food and how perishable it can be. The team is partnered with Ohio Food Rescue to provide them with any food waste at the end of the day, ensuring customers that the freshest ingredients are used in-house. They have also teamed up with the Upper Arlington Civic Association, Common Greens Farmers Market, Upper Arlington Education Foundation and local schools and libraries.

“Our vision for Littleton’s Market is to connect us to the food we eat through a joyful experience,” said Rob Littleton. “We want to stay true to our goal of showcasing incredible ingredients, sourced responsibly, that people can feel good about sharing with their families. The markets that have occupied our space for the last 70 years have always been known for their commitment to the community, and we are honored to continue that legacy.” ♦

Take

MAKES THE WORLD Sushi Go 'Round

Conveyor-belt sushi alongside quirky Japanese flair—comes to Polaris with the first-ever Ohio location of Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Aaron Massey

Story Design by Atlas Biro

It doesn't matter how old you are – there is positively nothing more fun than selecting your food from a magical conveyor belt that winds through a brightly lit restaurant like something out

Only this factory has jettisoned sweets and flavored wallpaper for authentic sushi and in-your-

This is the alluring appeal of Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, a new restaurant located at 8833 Lyra Dr. near Polaris Mall, the first-ever Ohio location for the Osaka-born concept. The rapidly expanding chain started in Japan in 1977, and is now home to over

"There is truly something for everyone, making Kura the perfect place for a date night, a work lunch, or a family meal. "

Walking in, the first word that likely comes to mind is “busy.” Not only with people, who are easily on a two to three hour wait during their opening weeks, but also visually. There’s much to look at and absorb, from the entertaining theme of the month, to the lightning fast chefs preparing food in the windowed-off prep space, to Kirby, the drink server robot who spins around delivering beverages.

While Kirby is great in its own right, the star of the show is actually another automated machine: the eatery’s conveyor belt, which twists around all of Kura’s tables, offering up plates of sushi and much, much more. “It’s very exciting, fun and different,” said Assistant Store Manager Shabrina Thomas. “There is truly something for everyone, making Kura the perfect place for a date night, a work lunch, or a family meal.”

Each item on the conveyor belt sits under a clear plastic bubble, named Mr. Fresh, which protects the food until the lid is lifted and a plate retrieved. You can grab anything that looks tasty and eat as much as you care to. Sharing is encouraged, with many plates containing a few pieces to be enjoyed by the table. Once finished, you slide the plate into a built-in deposit slot, which keeps track of what you have taken, and it automatically adds the price of the plate to your tab. After five plates have gone in the slot, your table screen will play a short cartoon. After 15 plates, you’ll get a toy from one of the vending machine dispensers, which is typically a keychain or small figurine.

In addition to standard fare such as rolls and ramen, guests can also choose specialty items, including nigiri, sashimi, chicken dumplings, udon and sea urchin. Kura highly recommends downloading their app before arriving, which not only gets you on the waitlist faster, but also allows you to earn rewards and check out quickly when you are finished with your meal. “The recipes and attention to detail are all very well thought out,” continued Thomas.

Once you secure a spot, you can sit down and begin eating immediately from the conveyor belt options, or take some time to browse the touchscreen menu. There are four main categories: sushi, soups and noodles, sides, and desserts. With more than 140 items to choose from, no one is going to leave hungry. “Kura truly cares about the products they are serving,” shared Thomas. “We serve food without preservatives, food coloring or added sugar. Everything is freshly made and a lot of thought has been put into the quality of the ingredients we use.” To learn more, visit kurasushi.com.

“We want you to come in and enjoy an authentic Japanese dining experience,” Thomas emphasized. ♦

↓ Sushi on conveyor belt, at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

Science Fiction Suds

Ambitious and forward-thinking, Columbus’ newest craft brewery, Species X Beer Project, is embracing everything from machine learning to genetic engineering to push the boundaries of craft beer

By Chris Alexis / Photos by Aaron Massey

Story Design by Atlas Biro

This story all begins with a man listening to a podcast.

"They were talking about how they're trying to find the next pathogen and how to prevent it from spreading," Beau Warren said of the experience, which predated the pandemic. "And they called it Pathogen X."

Inspired, Warren took the concept and decided to apply it to beer. At the time, he was the head lab tech and lead barrel manager at Aslin Beer Company, and they had offered him the chance to contract brew using their equipment.

And this was his chance.

"I want to find an X great species or group of similar organisms," he said. "New, novel, unknown to humans in the present day."

And that was how Species X Beer was born: a company that plans to use genetic engineering and artificial intelligence to create new flavors and beer recipes that are incredibly appealing to human taste buds.

"I wanted to replicate the concept in the brewing world," he explained, "searching for the next great species or sets of organisms that could bring something truly novel to humanity."

It all started with his first arm of the business: the Carbon Species, a phrase that to Warren simply means the scientific manipulation of all the “living” ingredients in beer, such as yeast. It uses hybridization, genetic engineering, mutagenesis, novel capture, and spore germination to create new styles of beer.

While that’s a whole lot of science all at once, and while the manipulation of yeast isn’t necessarily a new concept in craft beer, Warren detailed an example of what set Species X processes apart.

“I came across this a few years ago, but there was a microbiologist who extracted an ancient yeast spore from a piece of 45-million year old amber and brewed a beer with it,” he said. “And that, to me, was about the coolest thing ever.”

Inspired by this, Warren cultivated an (albeit much younger) yeast strain from an ancient source. A Welsh family shared their supposedly 800 year-old sourdough culture with him, which Warren created a yeast culture from. He continues to cultivate it today for use in hop-forward ales.

“We call it Long Sword. I isolated the yeast colony and made an amazing IPA with it, and now we can use it for more beers in the future,” he said.

Looking at different yeasts, he found colonies and used those as a starting point. In microbiology, a "colony" refers to a cluster of microorganisms growing together on a solid surface called agar. They make a visible clump, and scientists can copy it for more experiments in the lab. →

"We have great labs with access to the expertise and personnel that can do that heavy lifting," he said. Currently, Warren uses third-party labs like Omega Yeast and Berkeley Yeast for the actual genetic engineering of cultures, but plans to take on the task himself in the future.

“We do not have the resources as of right now,” he said. “I had access to a great amount of equipment at Aslin, but we will have to wait a bit in order to obtain the same level of sophisticated equipment at Species X.”

Warren also jumped headfirst into the rabbit holes of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, taking online classes to absorb every bit of knowledge he could.

After expanding his knowledge, he created the second arm of Species X: the Silicon Species, which—as you may be able to guess—is all the AI and computer-generated aspects of the brewery.

This starts by using AI models, which make an inference or prediction on a simulation or synthetic data set to improve customer satisfaction.

"It generates 10,000 synthetic data points or observations, and then it'll observe each recipe of all of those 10,000 recipe data points. And it'll bring the best-rated ones to the top, and it'll explain, hey, brew this beer," Warren explained.

For those who feel a bit wary of using genetic engineering or AI to create new beer recipes, the Species X founder said people have zero reason for concern.

"There's no documented risk for genetically engineered organisms unless you have some sort of organism producing venom or something," he said. "We've been technically genetically engineering organisms by breeding since we started agriculture. So this is just a faster way of doing it now that we have tools."

Even more, Warren said the human aspect of brewing will still very much remain at Species X. Even if artificial intelligence can suggest to him what to make, the process of physicality brewing will continue regardless.

Anyone who wants to see how tastes have been amplified can decide for themselves by heading to the Species X Beer Project, located at 408 N. 6th St. in Columbus.

It has a cyberpunk "Blade Runner" vibe with neon lights. They've got a patio with outdoor seating and a great city view, too.

Inside, there are comfortable seats and 26 different drinks on tap. They serve fresh deli sandwiches and pizza. They also have wine, spirits, sodas, Gatorade, and energy drinks. (They're thinking about adding non-alcoholic beer later.)

Customers can choose from an assortment of beers from both the Carbon and Silicon Species, with names like "Sp3ktral" and "Isl4ndberry." They're trying out new ones with names like "Darw1n: 001," a fruity sour. And, of course, they're also working on a special beer called Lunar Base for brewing in space. Stay tuned for that one.

One thing people may not know about Warren: He used to play for the Rams in the NFL. Warren explained, "I got to a point when I was at the Rams, and I was like, ‘Man, I just don't want this anymore.’ So, I got on a plane and flew back. And the next day I walked into the local brew pub and got a job as a food runner to work my way into the brewery." ♦

↑ Species X Beer Project exterior

Anyone can make a sandwich. Nile Woodson, coowner of Buck City Sammies, said so himself. But it takes ingenuity, finesse, and a bit of culinary genius to come up with the masterpieces on the Buck City menu. A place where traditional tastes collide with innovative flavors, Buck City has made its culinary mark on the Arch City.

An idea between two friends blossomed into one of Columbus’ most creative sandwich vendors when Woodson and fellow co-owner Chad Berton put their heads together back in 2022.

At the time, Berton was head chef at Bristol Republic, but a wrist injury prompted him to take a step back from the rigors of a culinary kitchen. He turned to Woodson, friend and owner of Hai Poke, who brought Berton on as a manager at one of his locations.

“We always said we should do something together,” said Berton, “I’m the creative chef mind, and he’s the business mind, so it really works.”

Woodson has been a successful restaurant owner for nearly 10 years, having started his first endeavor, Hai Poke, after graduating from Ohio State in 2015. Between Woodson’s business savvy skills and Berton’s decade of experience as a professional chef, the two make an unstoppable dynamic duo.

“We finally decided it was time to start something together because I had the food truck for Hai Poke that we weren’t using all the time and saw it as a great opportunity, and we came up with the idea to do sandwiches,” he said. “There weren’t any true deli-style sandwich food trucks out there.” And just like that, Buck City Sammies was born.

“I went home and put together the menu that same night,” said Berton, who has proven himself a sandwich mastermind.

He concocted the unique Buck City menu with the mission of putting his own outside-the-box twists on the classics. “I always want to make sure it’s something you couldn’t make at home or find anywhere else,” he explained.

Woodson commented as well, saying, “We want to leave our stamp on sandwiches in a way that people know we do our own thing here.” →

Buck City’s most popular sandwich and chef Berton’s personal favorite is The Karen, made with smoked turkey, housemade pimento cheese, cranberry jam, and arugula on rye. The acidic cranberry jam and creamy pimento cheese creates a sweet and savory bite that’s impossible to put down. “I’d eat it every day if I could,” said Berton.

The Carmella is another fan favorite, which Berton described as their “OG Sopranos-themed Italian sandwich,” which includes a mountain of four different Italian meats with a classic yet dolled-up pairing of other toppings.

“It’s like two sandwiches in one,” said Berton. “I always call it a ‘now and later’ sandwich because people can never finish a whole one, it’s that huge.” It’s made with a baguette from local bakery Matija Breads along with calabrian chilis and mortadella imported from Italy.

The duo doesn’t stop there with specialty ingredients. “We go with the best products we can get our hands on,” said Berton. In a partnership with Parson’s North Brewing Co., they use their Bourbon Barrel Stout Beer for a homemade stout mustard, which Buck City plans on bottling in the near future.

“WE GO WITH THE BEST PRODUCTS WE CAN GET OUR HANDS ON.”

They also used Koso kimchi for a special cheesesteak collab, and use the Smoked on High smoked chicken for the staple Smoked Out Sally chicken salad sandwich.

“I always want to be staying relevant and keeping things new and fresh for the community, but also for me as a chef. I don’t want to become stagnant and always do the same thing,” said Berton.

Buck City has always operated out of pop-ups and their food truck, but when a space came available at the East Market, it was a no-brainer for Berton and Woodson. The two opened their new permanent location on January 23 and have been showered with support from locals and veteran Buck City Sammies fans.

“We have gotten a warm welcome everywhere we’ve gone. Just in the first week of us being open here, I’ve had people that came to the pop-up we did last year and I remember their faces, and they remember me, people that go to the food truck and have now come here,” said Berton. “It really shows that there’s a lot of support in the community, and it’s been really great for me personally seeing it, and just knowing that people like our product and care about us. It’s been great.”

To

The Carmella sandwich at Buck City Sammies →

Buck City Sammies co-owners Nile Woodson (left) and Chad Berton (right) →

↑ The Karen sandwich at Buck City Sammies

Cowtown, The Arch City, Ohio’s Capital. Call it whatever you prefer, Columbus is home to more people than any other in the city of Ohio, and we want to celebrate that.

Our cover package this month dives into a handful of local home highlights, profiles a couple making it big while remodeling the historic Harrison House and even a handy list of where to source local decor and more. Get ready to make yourself at home, wherever you are right now. →

← View of Columbus skyline from the home of Aaron Clouse and Eugene Wilson, photo by Aaron Massey

Keeping Classic

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Jen Brown

Inspired by the Mission-style furniture store they help operate, Clintonville couple Sylvia Zamora and Dakota McElley reconnected with the design movement they love while rebuilding their new home, one original floorboard at a time

In an era of smartphones, watches and even refrigerators, where a pizza can be ordered faster than you can tie your shoes, it can be hard to find time to sit down with something—anything, whether it be a hobby or professional skill—and truly learn to do it the right way.

But when you’ve already torn up the entire kitchen floor of your new home, and even professional contractors don't know how to help you, you’re forced to find as much time as you need to make your home livable again.

For better or for worse.

As you may already have guessed, this is precisely the position that Sylvia Zamora and Dakota McElley found themselves in shortly after purchasing their new home, one that happens to be directly across the street from the Clintonville house Zamora grew up in, and lies a mere stone’s throw from Glen Echo Park.

If you’re a longtime Clintonville resident, a local antique junkie, or a Mission-style furniture enthusiast, there’s a decent chance the couple actually needs no introduction. And if you’re none of those things, you should know that Zamora’s father, Pedro, is the long-time (38 years) owner of the antique store Euro Classics Antiques, which is located at 3317 N. High St.

Sylvia grew up in and out of the store, and lived just blocks away from it throughout her childhood. That’s where the couple even met, as McElley was renting an apartment above the store from Pedro Zamora. Sylvia returned after college to Columbus to help her father with the store, and while she originally didn’t intend to stay long, she fell in love with the furniture, the store and the enthusiastic customer base. Today, she’s a co-owner, and she’s in it for the long haul.

Ever since the early 90s, Euro Classics has been dedicated to selling Mission-style furniture, a design that emphasizes strong, clean lines, highlights the natural grain of the wood used and, most importantly, embraces the idea of a craftsperson personally working with each piece. Artisans like Gustav Stickley and Charles Limbert created or helped to create a large number of Mission-style pieces, which–if validated as original–often sell for thousands of dollars today.

“The Mission-style is closely related to the Arts and Crafts Movement, and originally started as a reaction against the Industrial Revolution,” Zamora said. “They went back to the medieval era, essentially, and they relearned how to use hand tools and applied arts; they relearned how to make high-quality things.” →

Although theirs was prompted more by necessity than choice, just like the proponents of the Missionstyle the couple harbored such a connection to, they were undergoing their own return to selftaught craftsmanship while working on the floor of their home, attempting to restore the original rock maple that sat buried underneath four layers of previous flooring.

“We just bought a house and basically destroyed it,” McElley said with a laugh. “We took a very liveable house and made it very unlivable for a year.”

According to McElley, the floors themselves took up at least six months of this timeline, and included plenty of obstacles, like running into a layer of concrete flooring, and regularly being faced with self-posed questions about whether or not the couple had the knowledge or ability to complete the task. They didn’t start with it, to be sure, but after stringing together multiple long nights and countless hours, they slowly found a way.

“I hadn’t done anything like this before in my life. I built some handrails for the front of the house, but nothing like this,” he said. “I would always go to Pedro and ask him: ‘How do I do this and that,’ and he would talk me through it. There were probably a lot of steps he could’ve done himself, but I realize now he was making me do them so I’d learn myself. I was kind of annoyed sometimes in the moment, but now I understand what he was doing.”

After the better part of a year, a gutted kitchen and wholly exploded floorboards, their Clintonville home–one that fell into their lap right as their home search had reached peak frustration–was complete.

“It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “And actually being able to work through everything the way that we did has helped empower me in so many other parts of my life.”

Today, the house feels much like their own extension of Euro Classics–plenty of clean, clear lines, natural wood, and–of course–Mission-style furniture adorns the space. And Zamora wouldn’t have it any other way.

Accent pieces like a cow skull in the fireplace, vintage bulbs and chairs, and even bold, Missionstyle woodwork framing the home’s living room, are on display today as well.

“We wouldn't have been able to do this without the store,” she said. “Euro Classics is actually the source of everything, not just our relationship, but the house and why we wanted it, and how we felt confident in being able to take on such a big project.” ♦

↓ Sylvia Zamora (left) and Dakota McElley (right) read in the living room of their Clintonville home, Photo by Aaron Massey

" EURO CLASSICS IS ACTUALLY THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING, NOT JUST OUR RELATIONSHIP, BUT THE HOUSE AND WHY WE WANTED IT...”

Piece by piece

By Maddie Schamer /

by Leonardo Carrizo

How pastry chef Aaron Clouse and interior designer Eugene Wilson use collected tokens from friends and family to build a unique home in a historical Columbus building

Photos

For Aaron Clouse and partner Eugene Wilson, creativity is in their blood. From their careers, to their hobbies, to their home, these two are dedicated to sharing their many passions with others in a tangible way.

Their apartment is located at the beautiful and historical The Julian, which was originally built in 1921 as a women’s shoe factory and has since been reimagined into the rustic, industrial apartment building it is today.

Aaron is a well known pastry chef and restaurateur and has worked with some of the city’s favorite eateries including The Crest, Alchemy Brands, Parable, and more, with his most recent endeavor being Littleton’s Market. He has also been on Food Network several times, and is well known for his unique flavor combinations and beautiful culinary creations. Eugene’s career working as a stylist both for clothing and home has brought him to his current management position at Nordstrom Rack, and he has always enjoyed utilizing his tasteful eye in his career which has allowed him to excel in each of his different positions.

Eugene led a team of designers for the opening of the Restoration Hardware location at Easton for several years, and has perfected his interior design eye through this experience and his mother’s work as an interior designer herself. He loves the art of mixology, and has worked a beautifully set bar into their kitchen, trimmed with everything needed to make craft cocktails. The two are also passionate about coffee, movies, astrology, and more, and have woven each of these into the space in different ways.

While a bedroom full of bright plant life–including a “living wall” and a deep-hued, almost Victorian-feeling bathroom are standouts, the star of the show is their living room, with a floor to ceiling bookcase filling the entire back wall, built by Aaron and his dad. Lined with books, family heirlooms, and gifts from friends, Aaron and Eugene went into great detail sharing the unique stories behind each piece, such as the glass apples placed throughout the shelves, which were gifts from Aaron’s family, who had an apple orchard for most of his life. →

When the two moved in, they asked their friends each to bring a book with personal significance to their relationship in lieu of other housewarming gifts. Each one on the bottom shelf is from a friend, representing an inside joke, shared interest, or nod to their friendship with Aaron and Eugene.

“A lot of our friends have so many different hobbies, and so I think all the different books have been one way for us to connect and make everybody feel welcomed and at home,” said Aaron. They host tons of parties and events for their friends and family, and including everyone else’s hobbies in their book collection is a personal and thoughtful touch that truly makes everybody feel welcome.

Many of the books also come from Eugene’s previously owned personal collection. When searching for more to fill the bookshelves, he worked with a vintage resale bookstore and spent hours sorting through their massive collection to find ones that worked well within the space.

“I wanted to get ones that I actually found interesting or that made sense with the rest of my collection,” he said. “I’ve read just about all of them, and it’s kind of fun because sometimes I’ll find ones that I forgot I had.” The two even have a customized book stamp with their names and apartment number for a personalized touch when lending their collection to friends and family.

Beyond the bookshelf, the living room is filled with unique pieces, most of which Aaron has refinished or made himself. The coffee table is Aaron’s grandfather’s old tool chest, which he completely refinished and transformed to fit with the space. “I don’t think we bought any of our furniture brand new honestly,” he laughed. From barstools taken from one of Aaron’s restaurants and reworked to the leather couch that he spent hours bidding on, each and every piece has a unique story that allows for a glance into the couple’s lives.

Eugene emphasized the importance of utilizing the architecture and bare bones of the space in his design, which is a huge part of why everything is able to flow so seamlessly in their home. While it is full of funky, eclectic items, industrial elements form the core of their design style, which is a nod to the historical and industrial architecture of The Julian. More than anything, they want to make sure their home reflects who they are as people, and what they care about.

“Working both of our passions and hobbies into the design was one of the main things we thought about when putting together the space,” said Aaron. ♦

↓ Bedroom interior inside the home of Clouse and Wilson, photo by Aaron Massey

" WORKING BOTH OF OUR PASSIONS AND HOBBIES INTO THE DESIGN WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER THE SPACE.

↓ Aaron Clouse and Eugene Wilson with dog Apollo inside their Columbus home

beginning in the middle

By Melinda

From corporate professionals to Magnolia Network stars, Catherine and Bryan Williamson are rehabbing old homes to their former glory, and they’re doing it right here in Columbus

Green / Photos by Jen Brown

Beginning in the Middle – not only the name of Catherine and Bryan Williamson’s renovation company, but a phrase that reflects new opportunities in both adulthood and the Midwest. Those opportunities brought them not only to Columbus, but to the birth of a company that was recently featured on Magnolia Network.

Their journey to the beginning (so to speak) began in New York City. Bryan, an interior design graduate originally from Worthington, was working at a custom furniture studio and wanted to return to Columbus. Catherine, a CPA, was a tax consultant at a large firm, climbing the corporate ladder.

"[My job] was very fast-paced," Catherine said. "After a while, I started to realize that the pressure was not aligning with my values anymore. It was hard to give 300% to something when I stopped feeling a sense of purpose. And so it aligned very well with Bryan's scheme to move back here."

When they landed in Columbus, both held day jobs and renovated their Italian Village home in their free time. Soon, they ventured into real estate investment, practicing and learning on one house at a time. After a few years, the couple realized it made more sense for Bryan to be the contractor than to pay a contractor, and eventually, Catherine left the CPA world and joined Bryan in full-time renovation.

She recalled those early, hectic years. "It was like every night, every weekend. Probably the equivalent of two full time jobs, I would say. But it was a creative outlet. So even though I was working essentially another job after my job, I looked forward to it."

When you own a renovation business, it goes without saying that you have to be incredibly handy, as well as artistic. Bryan acquired his skills little by little, over time. "Growing up, my dad introduced me to this stuff," he said. The real core of Bryan's foundation, though, was a college internship making furniture, where he was able to master woodworking skills.

Catherie’s upbringing was the opposite. "I was not really around construction at all. I've always appreciated aesthetics, but I've also appreciated how things work. I never realized that I had the skill

set that I do for design and renovation until I started doing it with Bryan after we moved here. Everything kind of clicked and it was like, 'Whoa, this is a great use of how I think.'"

Naturally, working together on a daily basis, the couple has become familiar with compromise. “I have a different style than Catherine does, so there's a bit of negotiation that needs to take place,” Bryan admitted. "I gravitate towards things that are beautiful, but different—where beauty and function ultimately meet."

"I think, for me, it's details that are well done," Catherine countered. "It's not looking up a picture on Pinterest and copying it. It's making it your own, some intentionality and thought behind it, that inspires me."

Their differences are just enough to keep their personal and professional relationships healthy, even if it all can sound tricky. "We're still figuring it out," Catherine said, laughing. "No, we genuinely enjoy each other's company most of the time. We don't have traditional dates and things like that. Sometimes, we'll be like, 'We're going to design this cabinet together.' Our time together is spent differently because we work together."

Bryan added, "It's nice to be able to rely on somebody that you know [is] going to be there and have your back. We'll just be like, 'All right, today's a nice day. Let's go get a margarita.' Things can be spontaneous."

As if all that weren’t enough to handle, they’re also the parents of two young daughters. How do they balance it all? "We just try," they both said. Their daughters tag along to the construction site frequently, playing in a safe area of the site or helping with kid-sized tasks.

Working with Magnolia Network was a carefully considered leap. Catherine recalled, "We had been contacted by production companies pretty frequently, and, always, it felt like they always wanted to fit us into a box. I think they see 'husband and wife team with cool Instagram photos' and immediately think … you know. We liked Magnolia's content because it was stories of real people.”

Their show, A Home Away, aired earlier this year. It follows their current renovation, The Harrison House Bed & Breakfast on W. Fifth Avenue. →

"[Magnolia] was a really rewarding experience,” Catherine said. “They filmed on and off over the course of two and a half years. It was very 'We're going to follow your process.' There was a lot going on, a lot of coordination from the construction and design perspective, and they captured a lot of that."

As the couple got deep into construction, the cameras followed their progress daily for six to eight months. It's easy to see how they developed “lifelong friendships” with the crew.

After three years, the property is finally nearing completion. "It has required all of our time plus a lot more," Catherine joked. "We bought a bed and breakfast with the intent of updating it, reopening, and that's it. But we found out that because the house had seven bedrooms, we couldn't just renovate it; we would actually have to get it rezoned to reflect its use. Essentially, we had to make it a hotel. That led to us having to do a commercial renovation with fire suppression, egress, stair addition, all new everything. So it was a massively larger project than we expected.”

Although they're always working, they've only renovated about a dozen properties over the last ten years, and now focus almost solely on their own investments. "We haven't been a high volume business. We focus on making places really custom," Catherine said. "We've kept a couple as rentals; we've sold a couple, but I think what we've realized is that because we love the details so much, we shy away from flips and things like that." Smaller renovations take months; larger ones, years to complete.

And they love doing things by their own process. "We’ve done it in a way where we try to enjoy the details," Catherine said. "It's never like, ‘Let's try to get this done as fast as we can.’ We try to put in the time to make them feel unique. We're just trying to have fun with what we do, and learn and grow every day." ♦

View all episodes of A Home Away on Max, AppleTV, discovery+, and Prime.

↓ Catherine and Bryan Williamson work on renovations

"

IT'S NEVER LIKE, LET'S TRY TO GET THIS DONE AS FAST AS WE CAN. WE TRY TO PUT IN THE TIME TO MAKE THEM FEEL UNIQUE. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO HAVE FUN WITH WHAT WE DO, AND LEARN & GROW EVERY DAY.

fresh finds

Columbus is full of under-the-radar shops perfect for adding a more personal touch to your one-of-a-kind home; Here are some of our favorites

Story and Photos by Sav McKee

If the saying holds true – that “home is where the heart is” – then our living spaces should be a genuine reflection of who we are and what we love.

Yet, let’s face it – scouring through the aisles of national chain stores often yields the same ol’ finds that lack a personal touch, and it takes the fun out of decorating when millions of others have access to the exact same beige pillows you’re looking at, too.

Fortunately for us, Columbus has some incredible, and in my opinion, extremely underrated, local shops that carry some of the most unique and interesting pieces of furniture and tchotchkes around, ensuring that you don’t have to have a home that’s a carbon copy of anyone else’s (unless that’s what you want, of course!).

I rounded up some of my go-to local spots that are filled to the brim with goods for everyone’s eclectic tastes and versatile budgets – artifacts that when you lay eyes on them, you won’t believe you and your home ever survived without them.

Boomerang Room

3274 N. High St.

Step into a scene straight out of Mad Men in this Clintonville gem. The Boomerang Room has been a haven for mid-century modern enthusiasts for years, offering rare art, barware, records and atomicage furniture that exudes a level of cool that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Flower Child

233 E. 5th Ave.

Joe Valenti, the owner, won’t sell you the vintage elusive Chanel sign behind the counter that he acquired from a local woman who often traveled to Paris (it’s his most prized possession), but after looking through the thousands of other items throughout this gigantic vintage playground, it’ll soften the blow. Flower Child’s been the ultimate destination for home decor for the past 25 years – vintage aficionados who admire high-end, name brands can find sexy Herman Miller and Milo Baughman furniture, but also, those seeking fun little details to add to their living room can find an old ashtray someone bought in Vegas decades ago. You’ll find anything and everything here, on any budget, and that’s my guarantee.

Euro Classics Antiques

3317 N. High St.

Owned and operated by the Zamora family, this quaint antique store, first started in 1986, brings us back to the time of wooden and glass medicine cabinets, Turkish rugs, taxidermy, and the most stunning hand-crafted furniture. They showcase only the best of the best Turn of the Century and Mission-style furnishings from the 1890s to 1920s.

Eclectiques Antique Mall

3265 N. High St.

Suggested by their name, this antique mall is known for their eclectic and accessible offerings, all in booths prepared by local vintage dealers and local makers. It’s not an exaggeration to say they have just about anything and everything, from hand blown glass candlesticks, to Italian-imported lamps, to vintage magazines that would be perfect on your coffee table.

Grid Furnishings

661 A High St. Worthington, OH

Sleek, modern, and utterly chic – Grid Furnishings is the go-to destination for those craving mid-century design without that midcentury cigarette smell. With a thoughtfully curated selection spanning modern lampshades, coffee tables, bed frames, and even leather sofas, it’s a perfect spot for contemporary enthusiasts.

Elm & Iron

3475 N. High St. / 4170 Easton Gateway Dr.

For those who prefer contemporary flair with a touch of whimsy, Elm & Iron delivers. This local furniture store offers newly manufactured, reliable, and beautiful sofas, chaises, ottomans, plus so much more, including winsome decor and accessories, and even pillows and signs that give a nod and a wink to Columbus.

Grandview Mercantile

1489 Grandview Ave.

There’s really no other place like this 22,000 square foot antique and fine home consignment shop, featuring merchandise hand-picked by Ohio’s premier antique & vintage dealers and 700 other consignors. You’ll find an assortment of extraordinary furniture for every room in your home, plus one-of-a-kind pieces of art and decorative accessories that will make your space dazzle, just like you do.

↓

Despite a setback from a fire, Grandview’s newest woman-and-Black owned bookstore is turning a page by bringing a sense of tranquility

and hope to the community

By Jaelani Turner-Williams

Columbus isn’t short of independently-owned literary hubs. There’s Gramercy Books in the heart of Bexley, the multiroom quintessential German Village bookstore, The Book Loft, and the family-run book publisher and vegan café, Two Dollar Radio Headquarters, which sprang up on Parsons a little over five years ago. Now, Serenity Book Shop in Grandview –which opened its door last August – has added some diversity into the mix. →

Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Serenity Book Shop interior ↓

The combination bookstore, holistic space, and performance venue is owned by Shanna Tiggs, an author and writer, who says opening Serenity Book Shop was a dream of hers since she was a child. Over time, Tiggs honed the details for Serenity, brainstorming plans for curated events and selling merchandise other than just books. Then, within the past two years, the process moved swiftly, leading her to find an ideal location at 1806 W. 5th Ave.

But an unexpected setback occurred when the hybrid bookstore was slated to open June of 2022. A neighboring building caught fire, with soot seeping into Tiggs’ business, making it a fire hazard. Although Serenity was just weeks away from its launch date, the fire caused a year-long hiatus.

But Tiggs saw this setback as an opportunity – as the rehabilitation went underway, the grace period allotted her time to absorb more information about running a bookstore.

"It was a blessing in disguise," Tiggs explained. "I feel like all this past year, the combination of the anticipation, the love, sweat and tears that’s been put into it – I’m always about divine timing. I think now was just a perfect time.”

The word “divine” is both literal and figurative to Tiggs, who was raised in a Baptist household. Her upbringing was relatively troubled, being raised by her mother as sole provider while her late father struggled with an addiction to narcotics for a majority of Tiggs’ life. Amidst childhood traumas, Tiggs found refuge through reading.

“My love of books came from my grandmother reading stories to me as a little girl and also going to the library. The library was my safe haven. It was the place where I felt I could be myself,” said Tiggs.

As she got older, Tiggs traveled to other bookstores, crediting premier D.C. bookseller Mahogany Books as an inspiration to cultivate a space that welcomes underrepresented communities. With Serenity, Tiggs will break through the whitewashed literacy boundaries as a woman-owned and Black-owned bookstore.

“Sometimes we go to bookstores and we don't necessarily see a reflection of ourselves, and that's what I want to bring. I want to make sure that when someone comes in, not only do they see a reflection of themselves, but they feel better leaving our store,” she said.

Just as Tiggs was a bookworm in her own childhood, she’s ensuring that Serenity is a peaceful space for central Ohio’s youth, too. Tiggs, a mother to a 15-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, plans to hold a weekly storytime for grade schoolers, also hosting teenagers to discuss YA books with companion activities. Tiggs hopes her presence in Grandview serves as a message of hope to her daughter, who’ll be assisting in Serenity on occasion. “Don't let anyone intimidate you, and don't let anyone make you feel that because you don't see it often that is something that you can't do,” said Tiggs.

↑ Serenity owner Shanna Tiggs

↑ Serenity’s crystal offerings

The statement is also an affirmation to Tiggs, who partially credits self-help books as the reason for her internal growth. Tiggs looks to a trinity of motivational books: Thicht Nhat Hanh’s The Miracle of Mindfulness, Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, and Paulo Coelho’s classic The Alchemist. Aiding Tiggs on her healing journey, each book – along with metaphysical properties – ideated the name for Serenity.

“I didn't grow up where a lot of life was spoken into me of what I could do, so it's rebuilding that foundation for myself,” said Tiggs. “I think that's what's so important to me about Serenity Book Shop, is that we have the tools and resources to help people that are on a journey of healing, that are trying to become a better human being and having an impact not only on themselves, but an impact on those that they come in contact with.”

Amongst those spiritual tools are wellness materials that Tiggs uses in her personal life, like meditation crystals handpicked from a vendor in Colorado. Serenity will also house incense and essential oils with lavender, orange peel, and lemongrass scents for aromatic healing. “I always say that crystals are tools. It's like a hammer that you use trying to put up a picture; you still have to do the internal work, but there are tools to assist you on your journey,” said Tiggs.

“Everything is vibrating at a frequency, so when you use certain tools, they can help assist in raising your vibration and help recognize a lot of traits in yourself that need to be transmuted into something positive.”

To further radiate positive vibes, Serenity will hold educational classes with meditation, crystals and sound bowls for beginner practitioners. There’s plans to launch an in-house café, and an accompanying stage will bring in light grooves, with performances ranging from neo-soul acts to spoken word poetry.

“When I think about music, I think about how much of an impact it has had on me during a lot of hard times in my life. And I know the importance of having live instruments –live instruments really tug on your heartstrings,” Tiggs said. “There’s something about being next to a drum set or a band or hearing the voice of someone and having it affect your body in some way.”

With its doors open to all, Tiggs wants Serenity Book Shop guests to return a little more uplifted upon each visit, spreading tranquility and a sense of calm, one book at a time.

“I've always been an advocate that once someone leaves your presence, just make sure that they leave feeling better,” emphasized Tiggs. “I think it's just so important to have an impact where we're growing, where people can build together. It's just making sure someone leaves with a little bit of light in themselves, and then that light flickers bigger, and bigger, and bigger.” ♦

To learn more, visit serenitybookshop.com.

The Columbus Chaos, an allwoman tackle team in the Women’s Football Alliance, is leaving antiquated expectations about the sport behind, and (614)’s Ellyn Briggs offers her first-hand perspective—as a player

By Ellyn Briggs Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design By Bryce Patterson

olumbus, Ohio and college football — a place and a sport so intertwined that it almost feels wrong to discuss one without mentioning the other, no matter the circumstance. But as most eyes stayed fixed on Ohio State year after year, another version of the game has been quietly developing here in the Capital City: Women’s football.

Those words might look a little more foreign next to each other, but don’t fear — you read them correctly. Women (myself included) are playing professional football in Columbus, and they’re doing so in a league with nearly all the same rules as the NCAA, including wearing full pads and having the full ability to tackle.

The Columbus Chaos play in Division II of the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA), the world’s largest and oldest women’s tackle football league. The WFA is currently home to more than 60 U.S. teams across three divisions, all competing to win their respective championship games, which are played at the NFL’s Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton each July.

Columbus’ team operated under a different name — the Comets — for roughly two decades before dissolving just prior to the pandemic. But two former players, Chelsea Johnson (CJ) and Staci Alkula, restarted the team as the Chaos in 2021, and it’s been onward and upward ever since. →

DOWNTOWN

OPEN OPEN PAR K IN G

I became part of the Chaos family after inadvertently stumbling across a post about their tryouts while scrolling Reddit last fall. The chat forum is a corner of the internet that I don’t usually hang out in, but it’s great for geeking out about niche topics or getting answers to random questions, which I was on a quest to do. In addition to my now being a pro football player, I’m also a big aviation enthusiast, and so I had meandered my thumbs on over to r/ Columbus thread in the hopes of learning about any cool new plane-spotting locations around the city. But my attention shifted as soon as I saw the words “women’s full tackle football.”

As the daughter of a Major League Baseball player, sports are (and always have been) the defining pillar of my life. Growing up, I played and loved almost all of them — except for football. Its associations with brutishness and bravado made it the one game that felt totally inaccessible to me as a girl. Still, I’d toss the rock out in the yard with my dad and brother every chance I could get because I really enjoyed it. And for so many years, this is what I believed would be the extent of my football experience. Until that day on Reddit.

I ran to the next tryout I could make. Alongside about 25 other women on a Saturday morning in late October, I spent three hours doing brand-newto-me football drills in the pouring rain. It was the most fun I could remember having in a long while. I was offered a spot on the team and since then, I’ve spent almost every weekend training with that initial group of women, and about 25 more. →

↓↑ Columbus Chaos players during practice

↑ (From Left) Staci Alkula and Chelsea Johnson (C.J.) , owners of Columbus Chaos

Mike Kandler, is a solid mix of veterans and rookies, most of whom were drawn to the Chaos for similar reasons.

“I tried out because I played sports my whole childhood and missed being a part of something bigger than myself like that as an adult,” said Alicia Alderman, a first-year quarterback and wide receiver. “I’ve always wanted to play football but never thought I would be able to because of gender stereotypes, so I jumped at this opportunity.”

The Chaos went 4-3 and made the playoffs last year, and the expectation is that we'll go even further this year. But ultimately, the player experience is about more than just winning and losing — it’s really about the joy of learning something in tandem with other female athletes from all different backgrounds.

Rookie defensewoman Vata Chai explained this sentiment. “I’m athletic, I’m a fast learner and I love to be active in general,” she said. “I needed a new challenge to keep myself engaged, and what better way to do that than taking on an entirely different ball game, literally.”

And fortunately, women’s desire to gain football knowledge is being rewarded more and more, even at the game's highest ranks.

“It has existed for decades, but appreciation for women’s tackle football is finally growing in a meaningful way,” said head coach Mike Kandler. “This is on display by the several women hired as NFL coaches in recent years, many of whom have extensive WFA experience.”

So, if you’re a woman reading this, know that you can play football. You can start your journey right here in Columbus. And if enough of us do, perhaps one day, the Buckeyes won’t be the only NFL factory in town. ♦

The Chaos’ first game will take place on April 27th. A full schedule has not yet been released, but the team typically plays on Saturday evenings at Whitehall Yearling High School between April and June. Interested potential players, fans, game day volunteers or sponsors can learn more by going to columbuschaos.com.

A-Class BnBs

From castles to Amish country escapes, these five unique BnBs offer adventure throughout the Buckeye state

By Molly Hammond

Story Design by Atlas Biro

Murphin Ridge Inn (Adams County, Ohio)

Located in picturesque Adams County, Murphin Ridge Inn (est. 1987) is an endearing bed and breakfast that offers a peaceful Amish Country escape. Spring at Murphin Ridge brings columbine and trillium blooms along the paths of walking trails, and spring greens from the inn’s garden make an appearance at Murphin Ridge’s in-house restaurant. From woodland cabins to inn rooms with 18th century hand-built furnishings, this getaway has a cozy bed for everyone. Included with your stay is a madefrom-scratch breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice and Amish baked goods. The restaurant provides a three course dinner every evening, with pork tenderloin and ribeye steaks topping the menu. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil weekend in the countryside or a trip filled with countless activities, the Murphin Ridge Inn has something for everyone. Spend your days playing singles at the tennis courts or enjoy a glass of Amish country wine by the fire pits. Sitting just minutes away from the inn are some of Amish Country’s favorite stores, including Keim Family Market, Miller’s Bakery and more.

As winter fades away and the weather starts to warm up, it's the perfect time to plan a spring getaway. Ohio offers a diverse range of bed and breakfast destinations, from the scenic Hocking Hills to the charming towns nestled near Ohio’s most popular cities. If you're looking for a unique spring getaway, be sure to check out these five delightful spots that are perfect for families, couples, solo trips and more.

Glenlaurel (Hocking Hills)

When it comes to the Hocking Hills, there’s no doubt the area is one of Ohio’s go-to weekend trip destinations. Settled in Rockbridge, Glenlaurel offers the country’s "only luxury Scottish Inn" with seven course candlelight meals, bagpipe music, an upscale links course (think Scottish golf), private hiking trails and in-room spa services. The retreat offers personal cottages, crofts, suites and private rooms. A stay at this retreat will allow you to truly appreciate Scottish-style architecture and furnishings, with stone fireplaces and franklin stoves. At the forefront of this cozy, cultural escape is the dining, where Executive Chef Jean Michel cooks up seven-course meals nightly, from Scottish Salmon to Seafood Du Jour. For the golf enthusiast, the Scottish Links Golf Course provides a look and feel of a Scottish golf course built over 100 years ago.

Castle Inn Bed and Breakfast (Circleville, Ohio)

Experience a fairytale-like stay at the Castle Inn Bed and Breakfast in Central Ohio. This enchanting castleinspired inn features suites with intricate woodwork, cozy fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. The castle was built in 1895 and provides the warmth and comfort of a modern-day stay. Once a month, the Castle Inn offers Murder Mystery nights where guests can dress up in 1900s attire for a full sitdown dinner revolving around a whodunit. Home of the world famous Circleville Pumpkin Show, the city of Circleville offers treasures for everyone. Visit Manchester Hill Winery for locally sourced wine and ciders or step into Rosena’s for repurposed antiques. Did we mention the entire building is made to look like an ancient castle?

Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast (Medina, Ohio)

Step back in time at the Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast in the charming town of Medina. This historic Victorian mansion offers elegant guest rooms with antique furnishings and modern amenities. Four guestrooms are available in this northern Ohio getaway, which include luxury linens, bath robes and a full southern-style homemade breakfast every morning. Plenty of activities outside of the bed and breakfast await as well, including historical museums, old school driveins, art galleries, wineries and diners.

South

Wind Motel (Columbus, Ohio)

For a more upbeat, vibrant stay that’s within the confines of Columbus, the South Wind Motel offers a retro 1950s-inspired experience with a modern twist. The motel's stylishly designed rooms feature mid-century decor and unique artwork. South Wind believes in the comeback of mid-century motels, and after purchasing the building in 2021, the Kelley family renovated and reopened this destination as a trendy getaway in 2022. Rooms include standard queen bed and vintage style suites. Nestled between German Village and the Brewery District, neighborhood attractions include Plank’s Bier Garten, Big Room Bar, Schiller Park, Club Diversity and more. Don’t forget to bring Fido, as the motel is dog friendly.

The forgotten story of Columbus based which stood atop the plastic homegoods industry in a world before Tupperware

, 21-year-old Benjamin Braddock is sorely lacking direction. A friend of his parents offers one word of advice – “plastics.” Braddock, played by a young Dustin Hoffman, appears unimpressed. Perhaps he should have looked into what Gebhard Keny was doing, right here in Columbus.

At the time of the movie’s release, Keny headed a West Mound Street factory that was turning out millions of colorful houseware gadgets under the brand name Lustro-Ware, and selling them at retail outlets across

The story started three decades earlier, when Keny, a Harvard Business School graduate, teamed up with William J. Braley to buy a small, injection-molding plant on Dublin Road. With a couple of used presses and four employees, Columbus Plastic Products turned out custom orders for other manufacturers and for the military. But the two had much bigger plans.

↑ Lustro-Ware plastic homegoods

Just two years later, the pair moved their operation to a bigger facility at 1625 West Mound Street. They invested in new equipment, hired additional skilled workers and, perhaps most important, brought on a design engineer by the name of Nathan “Al” Roop. It was Roop’s flair for color and style, combined with the business acumen of Keny and Braley that, by 1963, turned Columbus Plastic Products into the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic housewares.

Lustro-Ware, as the company came to be called, turned out molded plastic items as varied as kitchen canister sets, soap trays, 24-gallon “waste-tainers,” bread boxes, picnic serving sets, insulated drink jugs, toothbrush holders, even carrying cases for 45 rpm records. At its height, the company was producing 10,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers in a single, eighthour work shift. →

During the post-war baby boom, homeowners couldn’t get enough of these inexpensive, cute and colorful “housekeeping helpers” for the modern home. Having started with a single gadget, a portable clothesline, Lustro-Ware’s lineup eventually grew to include more than 300 unique items. The workforce increased to about 700, and the manufacturing and warehouse operations covered an area the size of several football fields.

Well over one-million pounds of plastic molding material was processed each month, requiring more than two-million shipping cartons. Special conveyor systems were built with the capacity to load 22 tractor-trailers simultaneously.

In 1948, and, in 1949, a few of these plastic items even found their way into a “Modern Living” display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Buoyed by the exposure, an army of salesmen were employed to call on retailers from coast to coast, and even into Canada and select overseas markets.

Years before Tupperware became a household name and decades before silicone was used for kitchen utensils, Lustro-Ware was celebrated for being able to withstand both boiling and the high temperatures of automatic dishwashers. Some items, much like today’s silicone oven mitts and cutting boards, were flexible. Others were designed to be stiff, durable and high-impact. And all were made attractive by Roop’s natural abilities in design and artistry – creating not only the “look” of the items, but also the graphics and typefaces used to decorate them.

In 1966, Lustro-Ware was acquired by the Borden Chemical Company, which was already well-known for such products as Elmer’s Glue, Krylon aerosol paints and Mystik tape, along with its Wall-Tex and Satinesque vinyl wall coverings. For a few years, Keny continued to operate Lustro-Ware as a division of its new, parent company. But the new owners did little to market the housewares. Sales plunged in the 1970s; and by the early 1980s, Borden stopped making them, altogether.

In 1985, Borden donated the 285-thousand-square-foot factory building to the United Way, which planned to turn it into a non-profit “human services center.” Later, it became the home of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and today houses a metal manufacturing company.

↑ A variety of Lustro-Ware products lining store shelves ↓

OHIO’S LARGEST SELECTION OF BRILLIANT DIAMONDS

AT THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED

Family-owned and operated for 77 years