Nowhere does the seasonal transformation of winter to spring feel more palpable than in Columbus right now. The daffodils in Goodale Park are starting to peek out, and tulips in spectacular hues will soon push through the soil all along the streets of German Village. But beyond nature, there’s a collective impatience for the city itself to bloom, to reach its full potential – both literally and figuratively.
This issue is dedicated to our city’s revival – to the creators, artists, and entrepreneurs who are infusing our streets and spaces with a fresh energy and vision.
The seeds for this renewal were planted (and planned) years ago by Jeff Edwards, and today, our Downtown is starting to blossom. This season of growth can feel agonizingly slow, but just as summer seems impossibly distant in early March, watching a city transform also requires patience. Edwards’ vision for Columbus will take nearly a decade to fully materialize, but already, the first signs of change are budding everywhere: scaffolding disappearing from a construction site on Gay & High, revealing a striking new art gallery; a once-vacant storefront glowing with new purpose as an independent boutique; chairs scraping against sidewalks as Hank’s and Chouette arrange their patios in anticipation of warmer days.
What makes Jeff Edwards’ vision so compelling – and what you’ll read about in the pages ahead – is his optimism for the city’s future. He’s all-in on a Columbus we have yet to experience, one rich with culture, inclusivity, and urban connectivity. As he invests in this new era of Downtown, he is, in many ways, investing in all of us.
And he is not alone. We’re thrilled to feature Nicci Hicks of Pivot, who left behind a corporate career to follow her dreams of building a Black-owned brand rooted in sustainability. Alexandria Ottney channels the very essence of spring through her colorful, high-art floral arrangements, while Glenn Gustafson of ZenEarth Pottery embraces the art of renewal, giving broken pieces a new purpose. The team behind The Citizens Trust has transformed an abandoned bank into an elegant cocktail lounge, and Joe Galati, the visionary behind Comune, creates seasonal dishes that elevate local ingredients. Caitlin and Dan of Copia Farms are the ones ensuring our restaurants and tables are filled with exceptional, regenerative produce and protein, using what the earth has already provided to create a bounty. Meanwhile, Michelle Brandt’s latest exhibition at Pecha Projects reminds us that after destruction, there is always the promise of something even more magnificent.
Columbus is on the verge of something extraordinary. And while we may long to skip ahead to summer – to the season of fruition – we are learning to embrace the beauty of April showers, in all its anticipation, potential, and promises of May flowers. Editor-in-Chief,
Nature’s
Bold
Cultural
ON THE COVER:
Nicci Hicks, owner of Pivot Boutique, with a bouquet by Sweet Blossom Floral. Photo by Emma Mortellaro.
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CONTRIBUTORS
JEN BROWN
Photographer
EMMA MORTELLARO
Photographer
CHEYN ROUX
Photographer
ANDREW THOMAS
Designer
BRYCE PATTERSON Designer
TAYLOR
DORRELL
Photographer | Writer
JOSS FORD
Photographer
BRIAN KAISER
Photographer
MELINDA GREEN
Writer
CAMILLE WITT
Writer
ALEX LEWIS
Writer
JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
Writer
TORI SMITH
Designer
MEG RHOADS
Designer
Alexandria Ottney transforms everyday BLOOMS into striking, high-art arrangements, blending music’s rhythm and floral alchemy to become one of Central Ohio’s most coveted florists
Story by CAMILLE WITT
Photography by EMMA MORTELLARO
Design by ANDREW THOMAS
Photo courtesy of Caroline Rose
Photography
“Ithink it’s fun to take a carnation and make it look completely different,” Alexandria Ottney explained as she picked up a stem in her studio and began plucking away at the bud’s center. “I love when I give someone an arrangement, and they ask, ‘What flower is this?’ They’re surprised when I tell them, ‘It’s a carnation!’” With a flourish, Alex presented the reinvented bloom. “I think we have this preconceived notion of the carnation as being this cheap, tacky centerpiece to an ugly prom corsage, and we think it’s boring,” she continued. The flower in her hand is anything but, now morphed into something more reminiscent of a lisianthus or a poppy. “I love taking something we’ve seen a lot and giving it a facelift, a fresh new perspective. That’s really exciting to me.”
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
Alexandria Ottney, founder of Sweet Blossom Floral, believes flowers know how to capture a moment.
“They say what you don’t know how to say.”
Before becoming a floral artist, Ottney was working as an insurance agent when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020. “I just missed people. I wanted to be with people. I think flowers really know how to capture a moment, and sometimes, good or bad, flowers really represent people’s emotions. They say what you don’t know how to say,” she said. With the encouragement of her husband, she posted an ad for floral arrangements on Facebook. Suddenly, there was an influx of customers who flocked to her, drawn to the lush, highart, magnificent bouquets she created – arrangements they’d only ever seen in magazines, NYC boutiques, or Pinterest.
Her innovative approach to floral design eventually led her to open a stunning studio space right at 14 N. High St., overlooking the High & Gay intersection, where she now creates luxury arrangements for weddings and events. While Ottney has always been drawn to the organic beauty of nature, her creative spirit is further inspired by music.
Having spent time in Nashville as a music journalist, Ottney finds a natural connection between the stories and emotions in songs and the ones conveyed through her bouquets.
INQUIRE & ORDER your custom floral arrangements by visiting sweetblossomfloralco.com. For more of Alex’s goregous work, take a look at her Instagram, @sweetblossomfloral.
I LOVE taking something we’ve seen a lot and giving it a facelift, a FRESH new PERSPECTIVE. That’s really EXCITING to me.
“Pretty much everything I do is influenced by music somehow. I’ll be inspired by the attitude of a song, so there’s always an easter egg in there because it’s such a huge part of what influences me,” she shared as calming tunes floated throughout her studio. She continued, “I love telling stories through color, and I feel like music does the same thing. When I hear the way a song moves, I think about the way it has echoes of softness and darkness and crescendos, just like an arrangement does.”
For Alex, creating an arrangement is a chance to tell a story similar to the way music does. Her work proves that bouquets can be as expressive as any other art form and has led to some incredible artistic opportunities locally. “One of my favorite things I’ve done is Art in Bloom at the Columbus Museum of Art, where florists get to reinterpret a painting. I would love to do something for a musician – some kind of stage installation would probably be my dream come true,” she said.
Her talent for storytelling naturally lends itself to her wedding clientele as well. Whether designing for an elegant Statehouse wedding, a modern ceremony at Franklin Conservatory, or an intimate backyard wedding, Ottney’s creations always reflect the unique personality of the couple. “I love to encourage people to lean into themselves. The trips they’ve taken, the documentaries they’ve watched. I’m very inspired by people’s stories and connections,” she beamed. “I have a lot of gratitude. It’s a big deal and a privilege to be trusted to design for someone’s wedding. People are really supportive, especially in the Columbus community, and I’m really grateful for that.”
Photo courtesy of Traces Collective
BOUNTY
AU NATUREL
Dan McLeod and Caitlin Bergman's passion for ecological regeneration led them to own their own farm focused on the practices of diversified, pasture-raised, nature-based, local food.
BOVINE
BEAUTY
Copia cows are heritage breeds with easy-to-digest (A2/A2) milk. They graze on grass every day of the year, relax outside, and nestle up in soft straw during the colder months. They're very well-loved.
COPIA FARM, located just a short drive from Downtown Columbus, is encouraging us RECONNECT to our food source and our earth through REGENERATIVE and BIODYNAMIC agriculture
Regenerative farming. The term conjures images of freshness, rebirth, and hope for a healthier future. And it’s a concept that’s taking hold across the nation, and even here in Central Ohio.
When Californians Caitlin Bergman and Dan McLeod met during a sustainable farming course in Australia in 2010, they had no idea their shared vision for producing the best possible food would lead them to build Copia, a regenerative farm offering pasture-raised eggs, nose-to-tail ethical meat, and raw milk options in Johnstown, Ohio, only three years later.
Story by MELINDA GREEN
Photography by CHEYN ROUX
Design by BRYCE PATTERSON
“Regenerative farming is like a symphony,” Bergman explained. “It's a beautiful piece where we are working with the land, moving animals across the land to build soil, build health, build this beautiful landscape where everything is thriving. Cows, chickens, wildlife, birds, bees, clean water, clean air. [The animals] move across the landscape, and they're not beating it up; they're leaving their manure and their lawn mowing skills.”
Bergman continued, “It’s this beautiful, sophisticated and respectful way of interfacing with the land — we're actually producing our food from it, but we're giving in return.”
Copia’s 40 acres is home to 2000 hens, 16 dairy cows, 150 hogs, and three Great Pyrenees dogs that guard them. The animals live on pasture; in fact, Bergman and McLeod move the chickens to fresh grass daily in the summer with temporary fencing. In the winter, the living conditions still are as outdoorsy as possible.
“Chickens are jungle fowl. They do not like Ohio winters,” Bergman noted. She and McLeod spent years building a biodome where the flock can be protected from chilly temperatures and wind, enjoy passive solar lighting, and eat hay (also grown and baled on site). It’s a biodynamic system where the bedding and manure are harvested for compost to breathe more life into the soils.
“The way that we farm is less than 1% of the way that all farm products are raised. It's so vastly
“The way that we farm is less than 1% of the way that all farm products are raised. It's so vastly different,” Bergman said. “In the grocery store, we're buying [from] this warehouse, industrial, smelly, not respectful of the animals, of where they need to live in nature. They're inside. They don't get the light of day. Their full body is permeated with these compounds of breathing in manure, and then those compounds get imbibed in the pork and the milk and the eggs, and that nutrient density is not there. We create the most nutrient dense food, because the animals are on the land, they're smelling the microbes, they're communing with the soil, and that creates health.”
Copia’s daily environment of grass, roaming, and sunshine results in more vitamin D and A in the milk, eggs, and pork. The egg yolks are orange and tight; the dairy is flavorful—customers say their products taste “real.”
“We create the most NUTRIENT dense food, because the animals are on the land, they’re smelling the microbes, they’re COMMUNING with the soil, and that CREATES HEALTH.”
ONLY THE BEST
High-quality eggs are rare to come by these days. Look for the cartons of Caitlin hugging a hen at your local grocery store for the crème de la crème of eggs.
“It’s this BEAUTIFUL, SOPHISTICATED AND RESPECTFUL way of interfacing with the land—we're actually PRODUCING OUR FOOD from it, but we're giving in return.”
HEN HUGS
These chickens bathe in the sunshine, eat fresh grass and bugs, and play every day, resulting in eggs boasting golden yolks and bouncy whites.
FARM LIFE
For McLeod and Bergman, owning a farm means following their dreams, all the while providing high-quality food to Columbus and giving back to our earth.
“Food from regenerative farms is the real food, you know,” Bergman said. “Health food stores tout this, that or the other—it's really such a far cry from food that's grown this way. And it took all this, just doing it ourselves, to see that.”
It’s a tremendous amount of work and a steep learning curve, especially for owners whose backgrounds were in permaculture and land restoration, not farming. “We started off not having held a chicken before,” Bergman said. In their first ten years of owning Copia, they didn’t take a single day off. Even now, with the small team they’ve built to help with deliveries and chores, they still are responsible 24/7 for the livelihood, health, and comfort of the animals.
Besides selling their eggs at local groceries like Whole Foods, Weiland’s, and Lucky’s, Copia has a small farm store on site, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There, you’ll find mobile pasture raised eggs and pork and raw milk from their farm, plus grass fed beef, lamb,
and bison, wild caught salmon, and organic produce. Last year, McLeod said, the store saw over 2,500 visitors. And they’re planning to expand the store in 2025.
Bergman said, “People are getting so interested in this, of getting real food, and seeing that connection to their health, and wanting to have just a little bit of that real connection to the earth.”
“And all these years of hard, hard work that we have been doing, to finally be able to showcase it and have people come out and interface, see the animals on the landscape, and have this beautiful grocery store where they can feel like they're connecting to the land and real food—we're connecting people with the land through the food that they eat and helping to regenerate their bodies,” emphasized Bergman.
Regenerating the soil, regenerating our food, regenerating our bodies – it’s a sure-fire plan for a healthy future.
PURCHASE nutrient-dense products at Whole Foods, Lucky’s, and Weilands, or visit Copia Farm’s farmstand at 8352 Johnstown-Alexandria Rd.
NICCI HARRELL HICKS left her law and executive careers to open the upscale boutique, PIVOT, showing that perhaps the most stylish thing you can do is FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
TRENDSETTER
Nicci Hicks, owner of Pivot Boutique in the Short North,offers high-quality, luxury clothing & accessories, with a showroom of brands you can’t find anywhere else in Columbus.
Story by CAMILLE WITT
Photography by JEN BROWN
Design by TORI SMITH
she emphasized. Now, she is able to help others find that same joy while making mindful choices about fashion, whether that’s by finding an ethically made pair of jeans that will last forever, the perfect studded ballet flats for a spring wardrobe refresh, or the double breasted blazer of
Through Pivot, Hicks hopes that she’s created not only an elevated boutique, but rather an opportunity for connection with her community. She said, “I’ve had some of the most emotional conversations with customers who walk in the store, and they’ll say ‘I feel like I’m in a friend’s closet’ — that’s how it’s supposed to feel. I want everyone who walks in those doors to feel seen, heard and uplifted. As long as we’re able to continue that, that’s what truly matters.”
stylish & sustainable clothing online at shopatpivot.com
RETAIL THERAPY
A medley of soft cashmere, Italian leather, and pure cotton at Pivot, crafted by chic, sustainable brands.
“I’ve had some of the most EMOTIONAL CONVERSATIONS with customers who walk in the store, and they’ll say ‘I feel like I’m in a friend’s closet’ — THAT’S HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO FEEL. I want everyone who walks in those doors to feel seen, heard and uplifted. As long as we’re able to CONTINUE THAT, that’s what truly matters.”
TRAILBLAZER
As a Black woman and entrepreneur, Nicci saw an opportunity to inspire a change in luxury retail, where Black ownership remains underrepresented.
CAN YOU PASS THE...
The dishes at Comune are intentinoally meant ot be shared, sampled, and savored, together
INVENTIVE, seasonally driven PLATES and an effortlessly CHIC ambiance make COMUNE a Columbus essential
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photos by BRIAN
KAISER
Creative Direction by MEGHAN KERR
Design by ANDREW THOMAS
It had been a long, chaotic day, where every inconvenience compounded into something weightier. The ceaseless spring rain didn’t help. Really, the only thing that was able to cut through the dreariness was the thought of my dinner reservations that evening at Comune, where we made plans to celebrate my husband’s promotion.
It’s where we’ve gone for most of our milestones and holidays for the past seven years – but to call it just a ‘special-occasion restaurant’ would be a disservice. While it absolutely is the place to hold your lover’s hand and share bites of mille-feuille under the glow of soft lighting and a seductive soundtrack, it’s just as easily a place to stake out a bar seat for a solitaire wind-down with a glass of rare Lambrusco, and a simple meal of Bread & Spread with a friend on a rather unremarkable Wednesday can be just as fitting as an anniversary toast.
Since opening on Parsons Avenue in the Schumacher Place neighborhood back in 2018, Comune has evolved while still maintaining the kind of steady excellence that makes a place indispensable – especially in a city where independent restaurants are increasingly at odds with soaring rent and food costs. Cozy, intimate spaces are being edged out by cavernous steakhouses with TVs looping sports highlights and menus accessed via QR codes. Restaurants like Comune remain vital to this city.
“We essentially wanted to create a restaurant that we would want to come to,” said Joe Galati, co-owner of Comune. He and his business partner, Brooke Maikut, surveyed the restaurant scenes in larger cities across the world, taking notes on ways to bring an elevated experience to Columbus. “Who has great food, great service, and a cool space? Who is excelling at all three of these things?” Galati and Maikut would ponder. “When we were conceptualizing, there weren’t a lot of places like that in Columbus. But when we would spend time visiting Berlin, Copenhagen, and even Cincinnati, we thought, ‘Man, why can’t we have nice things like that here?’”
Droplets of water trickled down the windows as my husband and I weighed our options. “It’s martini weather,” he mused before ordering an off-menu one, extra dirty, although there were plenty of craft cocktails to choose from. I went for a glass of juicy orange wine from the Georgian region, relieved to find the hand-stamped date in the corner of the drink menu that meant it was in stock that evening. My sour mood dissipated with each sip. Even the rain that I cursed at earlier that day took on a cinematic quality.
TASTEMAKER Joe Galati, co-owner of Comune, traveled across the globe to take notes on ways he could bring a more elevated dining experience to Columbus.
“We’re coming up with NEW THINGS all of the time, which might seem scary for some, but PEOPLE LIKE US BECAUSE we’re changing, EVOLVING, and updating our dishes seasonally.”
Based on menus you’d find in Brooklyn and the hip Silverlake neighborhood of L.A., all of the plates at Comune are intentionally meant to be shared. Part of the charm is the negotiation. “We have to get the Crispy Rice,” I insisted. My partner reminded me that we always get the Crispy Rice, and I reminded him that of course we do – it’s always good, and always different. With every menu reflecting the season’s bounty, most of Comune’s offerings change based on what’s grown on nearby farms at the time. The version we had in the fall was topped with a sweet potato purée and porcinis; tonight’s iteration of the restaurant’s most popular dish was adorned with pequillo peppers, golden oyster mushrooms, and a soft-cooked egg.
“We’re coming up with new things all of the time, which might seem scary for some,” Galati explained. “But people like us because we’re changing, evolving, and updating our dishes seasonally.” Their fall and winter menus highlight hearty root vegetables and comforting broths, while in spring, ramps, sweet peas, asparagus, and roasted sunchokes are the stars.
A mélange of the other small plates we’ve never had before, despite the dozens of times we’ve visited, trickled in: a tartine made with Dan the Baker sourdough, layered with whipped fromage blanc, hazelnut, Sichuan caramel, carmelized onions, and figs; smoked beets punctuated by pickled carrot, puffed wheatberries, and the brightness of dill; an endive salad crowned with stracciatella, blood orange, and smoked mushrooms.
“When it comes down to it, we just want to be creating food that gets us excited, and we hope that excitement translates to guests,” said Galati. It did, considering our server was half-impressed, half-startled that we still had room for the Rigatoni Arrabbiata as well as the Confit Leeks. “It’s been a long day,” I joked. French Poulsard natural wine for me, and a Kölsch for my husband, which perfectly balanced the fattiness of the butter beans in the leek dish. Dessert was a regretful omission, made more painful by the table next to us, where a group of friends had to abandon their conversation mid-sentence, stunned by the gooey chocolate lava cake placed down in front of them.
This is the part where I should probably tell you that Comune is, in fact, a vegetarian, plant-based restaurant. But to categorize it as such feels too limiting. Galati mentioned that when people think of vegetarian fare, it’s often associated with quinoa bowls and “rabbit food,” which you won’t find at this restaurant. He’s proud of the way he’s carved out a niche. “We’re a normal restaurant. We just don’t have meat on the menu,” Galati emphasized.
To call it a “normal restaurant” also doesn’t quite seem fair, though.
Comune is sexy yet posh, bold yet minimal, and always springing forward yet remaining a steady constant in Columbus. It’s not “normal,” like Joe humbly said, but rather, close to perfect.
RESERVE a table by visiting comune-restaurant.com to try one of Columbus’ finest restaurants yourself.
Looking Good, FEELING GREAT
Local medspa
REVERSE
AESTHETICS uses a physician-driven approach to BALANCE and IMPROVE your body, mind, and sex life
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photography by EMMA MORTELLARO
Design by TORI SMITH
The Reverse Aesthetics team has their own version of “The Birds and The Bees Talk”: when you look good, you boost your confidence – and with greater self-assurance, you’re likely to enjoy a more fulfilling and active sex life.
“I call it the ‘snowball effect,’” explained Dr. Petter Vaagenes, lead physician and co-owner of the medspa that’s been continuously ranked as one of the best in Central Ohio. The ER doctor said, “Patients come in, they’re feeling down about themselves, and they want confidence. They come to us and start seeing results, and then they’re more motivated to keep getting better.”
New Albany’s Reverse Aesthetics offers a comprehensive approach to helping patients look good, feel great, and have better sex. While these services can be combined into a holistic treatment plan, each is also tailored to meet individual needs.
“This is ABOUT YOU. It’s a process, and it’s a journey, and you have to be KIND AND PATIENT with yourself.”
YOUR LOSS, HER GAIN
Anissa Broyles, LPN with expertise in nutrition, helps her clients achieve their weight loss goals using a more gentle approach, and the results with her as your mentor prove incredibly effective.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Your loss is Reverse Aesthetics’ gain. Anissa Broyles, the medspa’s very own LPN with a focus on nutrition, is there to help patients every step of the way on their weight loss journey, under the supervision of Dr. Vaagenes. The program includes GLP-1 weight loss medications to regulate blood sugar and appetite, scientifically proven effective for achieving significant weight loss. Patients can choose between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide injections or oral medications like Phentermine, administered either at home or during weekly visits.
Beyond just medication, Broyles and Vaagenes support patients with weight tracking, nutritional counseling, exercise recommendations, and psychological guidance. “All of this makes our patients feel really comfortable,” Broyles said. “‘This is about you,’ I tell my patients. ‘It’s a process, and it’s a journey, and you have to be kind and patient with yourself.’”
Dr. Vaagenes emphasized the importance of understanding the entire process, which is what sets their program apart. Their doctor-led approach does, too. “There aren’t many medspas around that have a physician-driven weight loss program,” Dr. Vaagenes said. “This makes our program safe and more indepth.” Additional perks include a complimentary B-12 injection and the option for a Zofran prescription to counter nausea, a common side effect of GLP-1 medication.
To ensure long-term success, Reverse Aesthetics also offers a maintenance program with lower, tiered dosages after patients have already reached their goal weight, helping them sustain their weight loss while still minimizing cravings and food noise.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY & PEPTIDES
It’s important to feel good from within, too. Reverse Aesthetics offers modern hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for men experiencing testosterone decline and women navigating perimenopause or menopause due to various hormone losses. Sure, there are desired physical effects, such as fat loss and muscle gain, but HRT also restores energy, improves sleep cycles, reduces anxiety and depression, balances emotions, and increases metabolism. During a free consultation, the team conducts a comprehensive hormone panel and evaluates each patient’s well-being. Tailored plans include regular lab monitoring to maintain optimal hormone levels. Peptide injections and medications, such as NAD, also serve as an adjunct to their various other offerings. These complement HRT and GLP-1 medications perfectly, enhancing muscle gain, weight loss, immunity, and sexual function.
SEXUAL WELLNESS
MEET THE PHYSICIAN
Dr. Petter Vaagenes, co-owner of Reverse Aesthetics, helps his patients fall in love with their lives, whether through physician-driven weight loss, hormone replacement therapy, boosting their sex drives, or even a combination of all three.
With this newfound improved weight, energy, and libido, you’re probably going to want to have more sex. And Reverse Aesthetics wants you to have better sex than ever, for they believe this boosts your overall mood and wellness, too.
Their cutting-edge Alma Duo machine increases blood flow and vascular health for both men and women. Men experience enhanced erections and orgasms, while women find relief from vaginal dryness and discomfort. Another machine, The Emfemme 360, uses radiofrequency to tighten vaginal tissue and alleviate intercourse-related discomfort, too. O-Shot and P-Shot injections are also an option, stimulating sexual arousal and orgasms using PRP. The procedure involves injecting near the clitoris or penis, boosting collagen production and repairing tissue.
For some men, they want a little more, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Reverse Aesthetics is one of the only medspas in Central Ohio that offers male enhancement, utilizing juvederm filler to enlarge the penis. It’s a simple procedure using a penile block and filling the penis, increasing the size significantly for 1.5-2 years.
From weight loss and hormone balancing to even sexual wellness, Reverse Aesthetics knows it’s never too late to look and feel your best.
SCHEDULE your free consultation or an appointment at reverse-aesthetics.com.
Broken
GOLDEN RULE
Gustafson repairs broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the flaws instead of hiding them. You can find his pieces at an upcoming gallery show at Adamah Ceramics this year.
Beauty in the
Glenn Gustafson of ZENEARTH POTTERY
embraces the BREAKS and CRACKS of art, and life, through the ancient practice of KINTSUGI
Story & Photography by TAYLOR DORRELL Design by MEG RHOADS
Under the shadow of the water tower, just South of German Village, a warehouse now called The Fort still carries traces of its former life from the 1800s: faded logos on brick walls, steel doors with peeling paint, and loading docks next to the train tracks show a semblance of the manufacturing company it once was.
The Fort, owned by the upholstery shop Fortner, may appear as just another warehouse, but the space has quickly filled up with a variety of creative tenants in recent years. One section of the building houses artist studios, another is home to the coffee shop, Mission Coffee, and of course, part of it is now the Kiln Room, where talented ceramicists are cranking out incredible pieces for local galleries. Glenn Gustafson, the hands behind ZenEarth Pottery, is one of them.
PHILOSOPHY OF GLENN
Pottery is an extension of Gustafson’s Zen practice. The Bhuddist priest developed his own style, called Kinwaru, repairing broken pottery to create something more beautiful.
I parked between the wrapping warehouses that felt more like a snowy London port than a Central Ohio pottery studio. Glenn met me there in the snow, a figure whose contradictions seemed as layered as the place itself. He wore a light Kiln Room zip-up hoodie and khakis, resembling a bluecollar uncle from North Carolina. And he is—from North Carolina, that is. He is not, however, “blue-collar.” Breaking Southern stereotypes, his father was a philosophy professor and he himself earned degrees in religious studies and observational astronomy at the University of North Carolina before working in software development for decades. As a retiree, Glenn is now a Zen priest at the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism temple in the Hilltop neighborhood. Every Sunday, he walks there for meditation and service.
Pottery, he said, had become an extension of his Zen practice. “Kintsugi is based in Buddhist philosophy and arose from the Zen potters in Japan,” he explained as he looked down at his work with his rainbow glasses that looked like they belonged to a contemporary art critic (or yes, even a Zen priest in the Midwest). The Kintsugi process utilizes gold powder, highlighting the cracks of broken pottery instead of hiding them. It embraces the beauty in the imperfection. Gustafson developed his own style he calls Kinwaru, meaning golden breakage, with Kintsugi as his inspiration. “Kinwaru teaches that what may seem to be a break or flaw can be the very thing that makes a piece—or person—beautiful,” he said.
As it happens, Zen priests and monks are expected to engage in artistic practice. Gustafson originally started with Tai Chi, a martial art. That was 15 years ago. “A friend of mine suggested pottery and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he told me.
Gustafson’s pieces are an eclectic mix, rooted in tradition but playful in execution. A bent looking cylinder with a crack on the top is lined with gold to show it’s intentional and philosophical. His firing techniques are considered “alternative”—Raku, Horsehair and Obvara, all of which can be found at Adamah Ceramics, a ceramics gallery owned by Joshua Shottenstein, newly opened in the Short North. This December, Glenn and ZenEarth Pottery pieces will be displayed in their own exhibit. All of his pieces are also available for purchase via his website.
“Kinwaru teaches that what may seem to be a BREAK or FLAW can be the very thing that makes a piece—or person BEAUTIFUL.”
“I also extend the philosophy where instead of repairing the piece, I actually just enhance the break itself with gold to say, ‘You don’t even have to repair something that people see as broken,’” he continued. “So that’s really the philosophical basis of everything that I do.”
Watching him in his zone, I was only slowly starting to see how this walking ball of contradictions—academic and blue-collar, Southern and cosmopolitan, corporate and Zen—had converged into something seamless.
Like the pottery he admired, Gustafson had embraced his turns and complexities, letting them define his singularity. In a city that is changing rapidly as parking lots become high rises, corn fields become computer chip factories, and warehouses are turned into pottery studios, Glenn remains brilliantly calculated and present. He is one of the last unburdened men, a quiet presence in the heart of a restless Midwest city, the dream of stillness we no longer dare to admit.
VIEW & PURCHASE Gustafson’s Kintsugi-style pieces on his website, zenearthpottery.com, or at Adamah Ceramics in the Short North.
VISIONARY BUSINESSES VISIONARY BUSINESSES
DOWNTOWN
The corporate ghost town we once knew is transforming into a WALKABLE, CULTURAL HUB where world-class dining, art, and urban connectivity finally meet, thanks to JEFF EDWARDS and a team of visionaries
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photography by EMMA MORTELLARO
Design by TORI SMITH
DOWNTOWN
PLANNING IN ACTION
This is just one of the walls in Jeff Edwards and Brian Bernstein’s “war room.”
Not even a decade ago, Downtown Columbus was a landscape of old banks, outdated corporate offices, and a scattering of delis and fast-food chains catering to the professionals who worked there.
Those days are gone. A new synergy and vision now define Downtown, thanks to a collective of artists, developers, designers, and creators committed to revitalizing and reconnecting us with our city, block by block.
Jeff Edwards is one of the people making Columbus cool again, beginning at the intersection of High & Gay, and his vision for Downtown is a place where not only people work, but also live, eat, relax, and thrive. The more people that work Downtown, the more people who start living there. And the more people start moving there, the more others visit for leisure.
“The entire city needs to get serious about this revitalization and recognize how important Downtown is to a healthy overall community and region,” emphasized Edwards. A Columbus native with an impressive array of titles –such as CEO of Edwards Companies, President, CEO, and Chairman of Installed Building Products, Columbus Foundation Governing Committee member, former President of The Columbus Museum of Art Board of Trustees, among others – Edwards is, at his core, a man who simply appreciates the finer things in life. He enjoys collecting art with his wife, unwinding at pilates, indulging at one of Columbus’ new restaurants, and grabbing a pick-me-up at a local coffee shop, all of which he believes should be easily accessible within a few blocks of each other – which, unfortunately, isn’t the case Downtown.
To change that, Edwards, REALM Collaborative, and Downtown Columbus Inc. are undergoing a $100-million initiative called The Capital Line. This 2.3-mile urban pathway dedicated exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists aims to reconnect Downtown –to itself, and to the people who live, work, and visit there. Designed as an intentional corridor for both leisure and transportation, it will seamlessly link the city’s key destinations, attractions, green spaces, workplaces, and residential areas.
“It will be intuitive; connective; romantic,” said Brian Bernstein, co-founder of REALM, who underwent an intensive, six-month design and planning stage for The Capital Line, amalgamating Edwards’ ideas along with fifteen other key stakeholders into a conclusive framework plan. “We lost touch with making Downtown the place you want to be…but we’re patching up the holes.”
I SEE THINGS in other places... and think,
‘Why haven’t we done anything like this?’
Downtown will be a place where people can dine al fresco, sip wine on a park bench, admire world-class art, and engage with their community, all without the hassle of hopping in & out of their cars. And for some, after all of that aforementioned fun, they’ll be able to walk right home, then walk to work the next morning. Bernstein highlighted that although the initial plan was to reconnect the best assets of Downtown together, the threads have extended all the way down to Third Street, stopping at Schiller Park, and even out East of Downtown to the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood.
“The whole city lacks connectivity,” Edwards explained. “It’s not a great pedestrian experience... it doesn’t feel good to walk around here.” Not yet, at least.
Bernstein’s and Edwards’ travels to both far and nearby cities like Copenhagen, Barcelona, and NYC were part of their inspiration. “I see things in other places, like Indianapolis’ Culture Trail, and think, ‘Why haven’t we done anything like this?’” Edwards emphasized. Even a recent trip to see The Rolling Stones perform in Cleveland was noteworthy – high-rises lining the water, a vibrant pedestrian street under twinkling lights, and bustling activities all within historic buildings. Columbus, he thought, has the potential to be just as dynamic.
“Columbus has done a better job than other cities when it comes to attracting companies and bringing in jobs,” Edwards acknowledged, “but we’ve neglected creating things for people to actually do.” Even along the riverfront, he noted, there isn’t much besides scenic walks and the occasional kayak launch. “Beyond that? Nothing,” he said. In a couple of years though, you might see wine bars, craft breweries, and beach volleyball there.
While The Capital Line will take five to six years to fully materialize, its impact will be felt much sooner. In fact, its nucleus is already taking shape at Gay and High Street.
Nearly eight years ago, Edwards learned that Chef Josh Dalton was considering relocating Veritas, his acclaimed Delaware-based restaurant, to Downtown. Over breakfast, Edwards proposed a move to the southwest corner of Gay and High – in an old bank he was transforming into gorgeous apartments.
“Because of the historic architecture and fabric of the buildings, it felt like the right place to start everything,” Edwards said. He had already placed most of the buildings at that intersection on the Register of Historic Properties, knowing exactly what he envisioned for its future.
Preservation, rather than demolition, has been his priority all along. While much of Columbus’ historic charm has been lost to redevelopment, Edwards has razed only one building, striving instead to restore and repurpose. “There aren’t many other places in Columbus that look like Gay & High Street,” he pointed out. It was the obvious starting point for Downtown’s renaissance – and for The Capital Line’s first phase.
It took time for the area to evolve into a cultural hub, where upscale restaurants, art galleries, and luxury residences now coexist within mere steps of one another.
“We had this idea that we could get the restaurants feeding off the galleries and vice versa, because that’s historically always worked,” said Edwards.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
From Left to Right: Jim Merkel, founder of Makeready; Jeff Edwards of Edwards Cos.; Chef Josh Dalton, owner of Veritas, The Citizens Trust, and Speck; Sarah Gormley of Sarah Gormley Gallery; Brian Bernstein, co-founder of REALM; Michelle Brandt of Pecha Projects & Brandt Gallery, all brainstorming over martinis at Hank’s Seafood, close-by to all of their respective businesses, restaurants, and galleries.
It did, and it is. According to data collected by Edwards Cos., foot traffic surged 135% from April to October last year compared to 2022. Edwards himself embraced the shift, trading his longtime Dublin home for Downtown living. “And I love it,” he exclaimed.
Though Mr. Edwards is reluctant to take full credit for Downtown’s resurgence, he’s undeniably a driving force, actively curating its next chapter. “We now have a French bistro [Chouette], because I wanted a French Bistro in town,” he admitted with a laugh.
Through partnerships with the local hospitality brand MakeReady, founded by Jim Merkel, he introduced niche restaurants like Chouette and Hank’s Low Country Seafood & Raw Bar to the scene last year, and Chef Dalton’s third restaurant, Speck, in February of 2023. Another concept from the award-winning chef, Rosalita,
will debut this fall in the Madison & White Haines building. Seven art galleries are planned for the intersection, too, many of which are already open. After dinner, contemplate thoughtful exhibits at both Sarah Gormley’s posh gallery, or across the street at Michelle Brandt’s new concept, Pecha Project, which highlights art dedicated to different cultures around the globe. Under Currents, the massive, suspended fiber sculpture floating above the intersection, silent discos, oyster and wine festivals, and other community-driven events are already flourishing, helping Columbus find a culture of its own, too.
And it’s only getting better from here.
VISIT realmcollaborative.com/work/gay-street-district-study for information about The Capital Line. And of course, visit the intersection of Gay & High to check out the already-budding scene.
A NEW ERA
A rendering of Gay Street’s pedestrianfocused future, courtesy of REALM, with promises of a vibrant nightlife and fresh opportunity on The Capital Line.
THE THE
KITCHEN KITCHEN
Megan Leigh Barnard Photography
A century old bank REIMAGINED as an elevated cocktail lounge, brings COLUMBUS BACK DOWNTOWN again
Story by JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
by JOSS FORD Design by ANDREW THOMAS
Caviar and marinated olives. Dim, vintage lighting. Plush velvet seating. The soft clink of ice in a meticulously-made cocktail, and a lovely view of Downtown. Welcome to The Citizens Trust.
For years, The Citizens Trust cocktail lounge was a well-kept secret. Owned by Veritas, the restaurant next door founded by the prominent Chef Josh Dalton, the upscale hideaway is located on the second floor of 11 W. Gay St., below The Citizens Edwards Urban Community residential spaces. Occupying the original Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company built in
1917, The Citizens Trust is making a historical space new again, embracing how Columbus continues to evolve while still paying homage to the city’s roots.
When it first opened in 2017, the bar was an elusive concept, coming at a time when Downtown Columbus was almost ready to embark on a revival in the Gay & High St. corridor. Those in their corporate garb of work suits and heels found respite sipping a dry martini at The Citizens Trust’s gorgeous space – and now, guests from all over the city are making their way Downtown for a sultry date night paired with high-end cocktails and luxury bar snacks.
OLD FASHIONED IS THE NEW FASHION
The Citizens Trust combines old-world elegance with contemporary cocktails. “It definitely looks like Jay Gatsby would have kept his money here,” said bar manager Kyle Westerburg.
Photography
“If an area is going to be BUILT UP, it can’t just be restaurants and dive bars. There needs to be a draw, and you need to STAND OUT and specifically be a destination.”
Kyle Westerburg, The Citizens Trust bar manager who originally hails from Cleveland, discussed the process of revitalizing Downtown Columbus, and how The Citizens Trust specifically breathed new life into the intersection of Gay & High Street.
“In any big city, you will see a beautiful space that is off the beaten path,” Kyle explained. “A cocktail lounge functions well there. If an area is going to be built up, it can’t just be restaurants and dive bars. There needs to be a draw, and you need to stand out and specifically be a destination.”
This particular destination occupies the former bank floor, with patrons relaxing amongst grand pillars, artfully detailed ceilings, and original flooring. Colors of deep maroon and green are spread throughout, creating a more classic environment than you’ll find at modern cocktail bars throughout the city. Have a seat, and you can still see the old bank vault to the left of the bar. Much of the lush furniture throughout the lounge is original to the bank, with the vintage safety deposit boxes in the cocktail lounge’s lobby repurposed as mailboxes for the residents who live upstairs.
“Everything plays into the decor and style of the building,” Kyle said. “It definitely looks like Jay Gatsby would have kept his money here. But we don’t just stick to The Gilded Age or Prohibition Era. We want those aspects to elevate us and make us unique, while bringing in a modern feel.”
The Citizens Trust helped recreate connection and bring people back Downtown, inspiring growth in the area. They have since welcomed newer neighbors like Hank’s Low Country Seafood and Chouette. In this neighborhood, each business has the opportunity to create their own identity.
“People want to be around other people,” said Kyle.
Veritas, the owners of both The Citizens Trust and Speck Italian Eatery under Chef Josh Dalton, first saw the potential for a cocktail lounge in partnership with Edwards Cos.
“Jeff Edwards is a pivotal figure in rejuvenating Downtown,” said Kyle. “If this area is going to continue to grow, it won’t go back to how it was, but will become something new. People want places to drink, eat, socialize, and be entertained.”
Currently, the cocktail bar boasts a curated menu titled “Out with the Bad and In with the Bad.” The goal is to offer cocktails that flourished in the 90s and 2000s, with their own spin on Cosmopolitans and White Russians. Guests may be surprised to find dry ice or unique garnishes in drinks. The bar is gearing up to launch their spring menu in early April, refreshed for the new season.
With creative drinks and extraordinary bites from Veritas offered, The Citizens Trust is an upscale environment that also aims to create connection within the eclectic blend of Columbus.
“We make sure we are woven into the city and the people who live here,” said Kyle. “You need to be a part of the city that you’re in. We aren’t New York City, and we aren’t L.A. Columbus offers something completely different.”
VISIT The Citizens Trust at 11 W. Gay St., and check out thecitizenstrust.com to view their upcoming spring menu.
Kyle Westerburg of THE CITIZENS TRUST provides us with the exact recipe to THE EMERALD LAGOON, a Thailand-inspired concoction on the esteemed cocktail lounge’s upcoming spring menu
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photography by JOSS FORD
Design by ANDREW THOMAS
There’s a lake in Koh Samui with waters so vividly greenish-blue, you might be tempted to scoop it up in your hands and take a sip. While we certainly don’t recommend drinking lake water in Thailand, we have an alternative that comes pretty close: The Emerald Lagoon, a cocktail featured on The Citizens Trust’s upcoming spring menu.
Kyle Westerburg, bar manager of the popular Downtown cocktail lounge, shared that The Emerald Lagoon draws inspiration not only from the famous Thai lake, but also from the country’s vibrant drinking culture. The cocktail blends the sweetness of sugar cane, the freshness of melon, and the zing & zest of citrus fruits – all balanced by a very generous pour of rum. “The combination of the Agricole and notes of overripe pineapple, combined with the sake and citrus, gives it a brightness and a bit of funk,” explained Westerburg.
VISIT The Citizens Trust at 11
W. Gay St. to try the rest of their spring menu, debuting this April.
IMPRESS any guest this spring and craft it yourself:
INGREDIENTS
.25 oz pineapple liquor
.125 oz aquavit
.25 oz sake
.25 oz of Midori
.25 oz lemon juice
.75 oz whole milk
Mist of lemon oil
Garnish of bitter melon
RECIPE
1. Combine all ingredients (besides Midori, lemon oil, and bitter melon) to make a clarified milk punch
2. Let the entire mixture sit for an hour and 15 minutes
3. Strain through a cloth-lined mesh strainer over ice
4. Pour in the Midori, allowing it to sink to the bottom
5. Mist the lemon oil on top
6. Garnish with bitter melon
Michelle Brandt’s new DOWNTOWN gallery exhibit, PECHA PROJECTS, intersects personal and community transformation, ancestral healing, and the POWER of ART
Story by ALEX LEWIS
Photography by JEN BROWN
Design by ANDREW THOMAS
Tucked within an office at Michelle Brandt’s new Pecha Projects art space, an extension of her recently-opened Brandt Gallery at 72-76 N. High St., there’s a perfectly imperfect wall that almost did not exist.
As the remodelers began framing the blemished wall to install drywall over it, Brandt, a long-time gallerist in Columbus, stepped in and asked for the wall to stay. While the drywallers were confused, Brandt knew it was more than a wall.
“It’s a beautiful reminder,” said the Ohio State University graduate. “It’s a reminder to me that it’s not always perfect.” Brandt added, “I love having that wall as a reminder of my life and the iteration of the gallery.”
Brandt, who first opened Brandt-Roberts Galleries in Columbus’ Short North Arts District in 2010, has long dreamed of a hub like Pecha Projects. “I always envisioned this space in which artists would have an opportunity to expand upon their mediums,” she said.
Named after the Purépecha, an indigenous people of Mexico from whom Brandt descends on her mother’s side, Pecha Projects is inspired by a ceremony she witnessed in Michoacán, Mexico last winter. While visiting her family’s homeland, Brandt was amazed by what she saw.
Muñoz’s Botanica Apokaliptica, premiering at Pecha Projects this spring, highlights super blooms—flowers that can thrive after, and in part due to, wildfires. Muñoz sees this show as particularly resonant, especially as the Greater Los Angeles region recovers from horrific fires in Southern California.
“The overlying message in my work is that there’s always a bloom,” said Muñoz. “There is always hope after destruction, and that’s on an ecological level and on a personal level, as well. So, it feels important to me to bring that message forward at a time like this.”
“It was like an auditory and visual feast,” shared Brandt, reflecting on the beautiful braided hairstyles, colorful headdresses, and ceremonial rituals. “I realized all of that intersectionality of culture and art was what I wanted [Pecha Projects] to be.”
Brandt hopes to house “culturally significant” exhibits at Pecha Projects, opening the space with art from MexicanAmerican artist Elsa Muñoz. Brandt featured Muñoz’s Controlled Burns show at her former Short North gallery in 2022.
Brandt, who sees her job as “a conduit between the artists and the patron,” is a walking embodiment of Muñoz’s work. Diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2018, Brandt, a wife and mother, did not know if she was going to survive.
As the arts have sustained Brandt throughout her life, they also kept her going as she fought cancer. While Brandt received care at The James Cancer Hospital, she refused to miss her art therapy appointments. The restoration she experienced during these sessions is what helped her become cancerfree and ultimately drew her to tap Muńoz as the inaugural exhibit at Pecha Projects.
In opening Pecha Projects, Brandt invites attendees to leave fear at the door—and in doing so, she encourages herself to do the same. “You become more sure of yourself when you have a life-threatening illness, and you actually beat the odds,” shared Brandt. “You go, ‘Okay, I’m gonna land on my feet.’ You lose a little bit of that fear of failure because you kind of feel like, ‘Okay, what’s the worst thing that can happen?’ Oh, right, you kind of already had one of the worst things that could happen.”
VISIT Pecha Projects’ new culture-focused exhibits at 72 N. High St., at the intersection of High & Gay.
SUPER BLOOM
“There is always hope after destruction,” said artist Elsa Muñoz.
$5,750,000
QUEEN CITY ESCAPE
A weekend away in CINCINNATI will convince anyone that this OHIO CITY is fit for royalty
Story by SAV MCKEE Design by TORI SMITH
Ashort drive South on 71 brings you to a city celebrated for its striking architecture, exceptional dining, luxury shopping, and world-class institutions. Unlike many cities undergoing rapid rejuvenation, Cincinnati seamlessly weaves its rich history into its modern appeal, honoring and preserving the character of each neighborhood. In Over-The-Rhine (OTR), once notorious for its challenges and violence, charming restaurants and upscale cocktail bars now thrive. Streets are lined with exposed brick facades and iconic fire escapes, showcasing old-world charm and sophistication. Designer boutiques and award-winning eateries occupy Italianate-style buildings preserved with their original, ornate details and elaborate cornices.
Cincinnati is a little piece of San Francisco, a little slice of Brooklyn, and entirely its own spectacle. Though Cincinnati earned the title of “The Queen City” in 1819 for its stunning beauty, prosperity, and growth, over 200 years later, it remains as exquisite as ever, and it’s worth a weekend escape exploring this culturally-rich city we’re so fortunate to have so close to home.
FRIDAY
REFUEL
3:00 pm
After the drive, recharge with a cappuccino (and/or a glass of vino) at Mom N’ ‘Em Coffee, hailed as one of the nation’s best coffee shops by Food & Wine. Its new Madisonville location, conveniently en route to Cincinnati proper, offers house-roasted drinks and house-made snacks. Don’t forget to pick up some rare
CHECK-IN
4:00 pm
Staying right in the heart of the Queen City means keeping your finger on the pulse, and 21C Museum Hotel encourages you to do exactly that. This historic, multi-venue contemporary art museum and boutique hotel features 156 boutique rooms with custom furnishings and over 8,000 square feet of exhibition space flowing through its lobby, staircases, and hallways. While it’s tempting to explore every corner upon arrival, you’ll want to get ready for the evening’s adventures. But don’t worry – you’ll be back.
APERITIVO
6:00 pm
The only thing better than going out for dinner is going out before dinner, too. Safi Wine Bar is a cozy, candlelit wine lounge by award-winning Chef Jose Salazer, and you won’t want to miss it. Enjoy Moroccan & Mediterranean-inspired small plates, curated cocktails, and a standout wine selection. And if the spring weather permits, settle into their patio with some fresh oysters.
Photo courtesy of Bri Nicole Photography
Photo courtesy of 21C Hotels
LE SOUPER
8:00 pm
Consistently ranked among the best restaurants in the region, Boca has become a Cincinnati institution. The French-Italian menu, nearly 25 years in the making, has earned them a spot as one of the “Best French Restaurants in the United States” by Travel and Leisure Magazine as well as Open Table’s “Top 100 Restaurants in the United States.” It would be a sin to skip dinner, or as the French say, ‘Le Souper,’ here. It would also be a sin not to order the Truffle Risotto.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
MORNING BOOST
9:00 am
Start your morning on the right side of the bread – I mean, bed. Allez Bakery may be brand new, but their sweet and savory pastry and sandwich options are already making it one of the most popular bakeries in town. Their lox toast on homemade sourdough pairs perfectly with a crafted cappuccino, giving you energy for a day of exploration.
SHOPPING SPREE
ITIN ER ARY
11:00 am
Spend the afternoon at Over-the-Rhine’s Continuum Bazaar, which offers luxury brands rarely found in Columbus, better yet, Ohio, with an incredible shoe collection featuring sandals by Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Martiniano, and even ATP Atelier. Other must-visit boutiques include Sloan, Idlewild, and Artichoke.
LUNCH BREAK
1:00 pm
All of that shopping hopefully made you hungry (and thirsty). Recharge around the corner at MidCity Restaurant, which at first glance, appears to be casual, but is anything but that. Enjoy a stunning ambiance matched with high-end small plates, such as smoked trout potato salad, fried smelts, juicy burgers, plus refreshing cocktails and local beer, all working together to make this a delightful lunch stop.
Boca’s Beef Wellington
Photo courtesy of Allez
Photo courtesy of Continuum Bazaar
HIGHBROWSING
2:00 pm
Founded in 1881, The Cincinnati Art Museum is home to a diverse art collection of over 73,000 rare pieces spanning 6,000 decades. With rotating national and international exhibitions, the museum consistently ranks as one of the country’s best.
WINE DOWN
5:30 pm
Just down the street from the museum is a small but mighty collection of other rare forms of art – in liquid form. Iris Read, in the Walnut Hills neighborhood, is a natural wine bar boasting some of the finest and most elusive wines around. Sip on a glass of orange wine and savor the calm before dinner.
THE MAIN EVENT
7:00 pm
You’ve probably been looking forward to dinner all day knowing it’s at one of The New York Times’ “50 Favorite Places in America Right Now.” Only a two minute walk from Iris Read, The Aperture has already received a cabinet full of awards despite being brand new to the finedining scene. The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant features delicacies such as glazed hamachi collar, duck breast in a pomegranate gastrique, and harissa-spiced lamb shoulder. Chef and owner J. Anthony Brown is already a James Beard Award Semifinalist for 2025, only solidifying this spot’s reputation.
LIFE IS WHAT YOU BAKE IT
Hopefully you slept in, and hopefully you’re hungry, because one of the nation’s best bakeries according to The New York Times is waiting for you before you make your way back to the Arch City. Café Mochiko, an Asian-American bakery, offers inventive croissants such as the Ube Halaya, filled with purple yam jam and sweet yam cream, and their Kimchi & Egg Croissant with kimchi, cheese, and a whole egg baked on top, plus a selection of incredible, breakfast-forward baos.
MARKET RESEARCH
10:00 am 11:00 am
Your last stop of the trip hopefully brings some inspiration to never stop indulging, even while back in Columbus. Stop at Findlay Market to stock up on artisan cheeses, olive oils, meats, premium cigars, local candles, and pretty much anything else you could fit into your car before heading home. If you need a pick-me-up after all of the eating and shopping, Deeper Roots Coffee, located across the street from the market, offers excellent espresso and specialty iced lattes for the road.
