614 Magazine | September 2024

BIG PICTURE

Patrons gather at a bar inside of Grandview’s hotly-anticipated Little Grand Market, a new food hall and marketplace that opened its doors to the public last month.

Photo by Emma Mortellaro.

Opening Volley

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

1st and Long

TS Eliot was a liar.

In his canonical 1922 poem “The Waste Land,” he famously writes:

“April is the cruelest month, breeding / lilacs out of the dead land.”

My man Thomas Sterns—while I love his writing— was very clearly not a football fan. He was born in 1888, so I’m not sure how many people were at the time, but my point remains.

Anyone who has been a fan of a football team for at least a few years (with a tiny handful of exceptions; looking at you, Chiefs fans) knows the painful arc most seasons take.

There’s the NFL draft in the spring, where we can convince ourselves that every player selected will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and for all levels of football, summer means training camp, where we can convince ourselves that this year is our year. Before any real contests kick off, hope springs eternal.

And then, in September, the real season begins. As a Chicago Bears fan (pray for me), I’ve seen more seasons than I can count dead in the water by October.

That’s why the football fan’s version of the TS Eliot classic should read:

“September, or maybe, like, early October is the cruelest month / breeding 4-13 seasons out of the dead land.”

And sure, all seasons aren’t this stark; it’s not always apparent by week 5 that this year is, in fact, definitely not our year. But mathematically speaking, this is the tenor the majority of football seasons go, regardless of the level. In the pros, less than half of squads make the playoffs (even under the new expanded format), and at the collegiate level, only a tiny sliver of teams end up in the College Football Playoff.

If this is the case, you may be asking, “Why bother?”

Well, for starters, the Buckeyes are good. Almost always have been, and this year, they’re poised to be very good, meaning a Natty is not at all out of the question.

Secondly—if you can look past the CTE and some of the less-than-savory institutions of the NFL and the NCAA (all of which are serious issues)—the football season is, generally speaking, pretty awesome.

Where else can you find day-long parking lot parties that everyone is invited to, and for what reason would you find yourself hugging a stranger in a bar other than watching your team score the goahead touchdown with seconds left in the fourth?

Football is woven into our cultural fabric in this country. Here in Columbus, it’s riveted with iron. An Ohio State gameday in the Arch City feels a little bit like that scene in Independence Day where we fend off the alien invasion and everyone drops everything to celebrate together because that’s what you do.

Yes, we are lucky enough to cheer for a contender year-in and year-out, but even if we miss the Playoff, even if we lose to a non-conference cupcake in week two, we’re still gonna scream for touchdowns and high-five random people after a win. And I think that’s pretty cool.

Our September issue features a season preview of the Buckeyes done by Eleven Warriors, plus Kosher barbecue, crazy local candlemakers, and even a 16page section on fighting food insecurity from MidOhio Food Collective. Here comes the kickoff.

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

Is it the delicious tailgate food? Putting on your favorite sweatshirt you’ve had since college? Or just a pure love for the pigskin? Either way, chilly days are ahead, and we over here at (614) can’t wait for the gridiron glory days. Here’s what our staff said was the best part of football season:

I love the camaraderie of watching games with my friends every weekend, cheering on your college team Saturday, and then getting ready for a full slate of games on Sunday (if your teams and fantasy football players perform well, of course). Not to mention Monday and Thursday games. It gives you something to look forward to weekly!

— Wyatt Krupp, Account Executive

My nirvana is watching the first primetime college games of the season late-nite after my kids are asleep. Also, go Badgers!

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

Not a football fan whatsoever, but I do love dressing my doggies up in their cute little OSU jerseys!

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

I've loved learning about football over the past 2 years from my partner. It's made me have more of an appreciation for the sport! I also just love fall in general – being able to go outside without getting drenched in sweat is always fun.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

Never been much of a football fan despite my Texas roots, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing my Australian fiancé’s reaction to the OSU pride here in Columbus! He is soooo not prepared.

— Meghan Chapman, Account Executives

My favorite part of football season is going shopping while everyone is at the games, no lines that way! Can you tell I'm not a sports fan?

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

ON the WEB

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

→ Popular Clintonville eatery joins Guy Fieri on ‘Diners, Drive-ins & Dives’

When most of us think of Katalina’s Cafe, it’s likely that Pancake Balls come to mind. Now, however, we may also associate the popular spot with Guy Fieri’s hit Food Network series... Read more about it by scanning the QR code.

→ Former ‘Glee,’ ‘Dancing with the Stars’ performer opening new location of national smoothie chain

What does Glee and Dancing with the Stars have in common with Smoothie King? The answer is Christopher Klebba of Northern Diamond Management (NDM)... Read more about it by scanning the QR code.

→ Alligator spotted in Lake Erie

While the Great Lakes may be—as the souvenir shirts and bumper stickers say— “unsalted and shark free,” according to recent reports, they may not be entirely alligator-free... Read more about it by scanning the QR code.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@brimwick_collective

@riotinkohio

@theprettyscenes

@danthebaker

PRES S PLAY

614 VIDEO

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

• Little Grand Market is Now Open! Food halls are popping up everywhere, but LGM stands out from the crowd as a gathering space with tons of amenities and greenspace to stretch and unwind.

• Tacos by the Dozen and FREE Kids Meals!

Treat your whole family to authentic Mexican cuisine! All year long, kids 12 and under eat free every Tuesday at El Vaquero.

• An All American Diner with a Delicious "Secret"

The All American Jenny's Diner sports a not-so-secret menu full of mouthwatering, delicious food. Traditional breakfast never tasted so good!

• Tasting Columbus: Jalisco Mexican Ice Cream Summer is heating up and Jalisco's is the best place to cool down. Featuring dozens of flavors and an array of frozen treats, you don't want to miss this!

The full story behind the Buckeyes’ most iconic halftime song

By

An Arranger’s Obsession

It was another hot day at the Ohio State Fair in 1965 when John Tatgenhorst took a break from his gig as the drummer of a band providing music for live TV broadcasts. Strolling along the midway, the 27-year-old East Liverpool, Ohio native first heard a song that would cement his fame as a music arranger for The Ohio State University Marching Band. →

John M. Clark Photos courtesy of Columbus Metropolitan Library Story Design by Bryce Patterson

It was “Hang on Sloopy,” by a new Daytonbased band called The McCoys. Tatgenhorst knew a good song when he heard one and began pestering Marching Band Director Charles Spohn to allow him to arrange it for them. It took about a month for Spohn to go from saying, “The OSU Marching band doesn’t play that kind of shit” to, “Go ahead and arrange the son-of-a-bitch.” Tatgenhorst got that approval on Thursday, September 30. That night, he sat down to work out the various brass parts. And it was pretty easy; he knew in his head exactly how it should sound. The following Monday, the band tried it out for the first time. Tatgenhorst was ecstatic when OSU’s assistant music director, Fred Dart, called him the next day to say the band members loved it.

“Hang on Sloopy” had been the Number One song in the country for one week when Spohn directed OSU’s first performance of the tune during halftime of the OSU vs. Illinois game on Saturday afternoon, October 9. Tatgenhorst was nervous but knew the song would be wellreceived. It wasn’t. Looking back on that rainy afternoon, Tatgenhorst would later say the lack of applause may have been due to the fact that most of the fans were holding umbrellas at the time.

Nevertheless, Spohn decided to give the song another try during the Buckeyes’ next home game, against Minnesota, three weeks later. This time, the band struck gold. And The Best Damned Band in the Land has been playing “Sloopy” ever since.

How “Sloopy” Became a Hit

“My Girl, Sloopy” was written in New York, in 1964, by Bert Berns and Wes Farrell. Soon, it was recorded by Los Angeles-based R&B band The Vibrations and became a Top 40 hit. In fact, it spent five weeks on the national charts. And by early 1965, every garage band in the country was playing it.

Two popular groups of the time, the Dave Clark Five (“Over and Over”) and the Strangeloves (“I Want Candy”), decided to record their own versions, thinking the threechord earworm could chart even higher.

Then, along came 16-year-old singer Rick Zehringer from Dayton, Ohio. Three writerproducers from Brooklyn saw the potential in the young Zehringer’s voice, brought the Strangeloves into a studio to record the music, and had Zehringer add the vocals.

Go ahead and arrange the son-of-a-bitch.

The Strangeloves soon changed their name to The McCoys; Rick Zehringer changed his name to Rick Derringer. And the single, retitled “Hang On Sloopy” released on August 14, 1965, began its march to Number One.

Who was “Sloopy?” And Why was She Encouraged to “Hang On?”

As the song by The McCoys became a huge hit, many people wondered, “Who is Sloopy?”

The easy answer (and the one most cited) is that “Sloopy” referred to a Steubenville native named Dorothy “Sloop” Heflick. Heflick was born in 1913, studied for one year at Ohio University and became a jazz pianist. Upon leaving school, Heflick moved to New York City and formed a jazz band with singer Yvonne Fasnacht.

By the late 1950s, Heflick and Fasnacht had moved to New Orleans, where Fasnacht opened a bar on Bourbon Street and hired Heflick, now known as “Dottie Sloop,” to play piano. Some say Heflick was told to “Hang on” late one evening by crowd members after a brawl broke out in front of the stage. But there is no solid evidence that either of “Hang on Sloopy’s” cowriters had ever heard of Heflick.

“Sloopy” Lives On

Interviewed in 1975, arranger Tatgenhorst said he hoped “Sloopy” would still be around 10 years later. Today, he would be happy to know that his song is still going strong, almost 60 years after his version inspired a legion of fans and keeps driving one of the best college football programs in the nation to victory. ♦

↓ Ohio State Maeching Band

From pickle and bacon scents to beeswax and book themes, meet some of the craziest candles in Columbus

There’s nothing quite like lighting a match and setting the mood with a vanilla scented candle. Whether it’s a cozy night in, a romantic dinner, or a celebratory occasion, a candle can transform any space into something magical.

You can probably find those types of relaxing, aromatic, “feel good” candles that anyone would like anywhere around town. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the average candle, we wanted to search for the more adventurous scents – candles that might not be for everyone, but would be the ultimate find for someone.

We’ve rounded up a diverse selection from local makers here in Columbus that lean on the “weirder” side of traditional candles –these makers have swapped in pickles for the traditional cucumber & melon scent, and even bacon instead of the usual cupcake scented candles flooding retail shelves. Some makers have hidden “fortunes” in your candles, others have tried to bottle up what they think a book would smell like, and some have used the help of their own pet bees to create an 8 pound skull candle. →

By Lindsey Escaja / Photos by Jen Brown / Story Design by Tori Smith

Lighting the Way For Local Art

ALCHEMY + FORTUNE

Alchemy + Fortune (A+F) shines a light on Columbus’ art scene with a mission for the greater good. Founded by local artist Tara DeFrancisco during the pandemic, A+F started as a fundraiser for struggling galleries and artists.

“We were an art saver,” DeFrancisco said. Their best-selling organic soy wax candles feature a hidden, glass amber vial containing a fortune, and once the candle burns down about 2/3 of the way, the secret vial appears, giving life advice or a message for your future.

Conversations Crafting

CLEMENO CANDLES

Joshua Wright, the mastermind behind Clemeno Candles, has transformed his passion into a leading eco-friendly brand. Starting as a simple hobby to elevate his bachelor pad, it swiftly blossomed into a thriving enterprise. “I noticed significant waste in store-bought candles,” Wright revealed. Collaborating with local artists such as Elaina Workley for designs like White Tiger, Clemeno Candles merges sustainability with artistry, pairing each candle with a complimentary handmade print to spark conversation and add a touch of charm.

"The Garden" Fortune Vial Candle ↑ from Alchemy + Fortune

↓ Morning in the Shire Candle from Bibliophile Candles

← White Tiger Candle from Clemeno Candles

From Hive to Home

CREE'S BEES APIARIES

Chris Cree, founder of Lancaster's Cree's Bees Apiaries, has expanded his craft to include candles like the striking skull candle, alongside his honey production. “We use eight pounds of 100% pure beeswax straight from the hive, adding only a wick,” Cree explained. Starting with just five hives, his operation has now grown to over 300, offering candles that provide a clean burn and fill your home with a subtle honey scent.

Founded by book lover Kylie Cooper Cyrus, Bibliophile Candles bring the magic of books to life through scent. Each candle is inspired by beloved stories, from the fresh coffee aroma of Stars Hollow's very own Luke’s Diner, to the lavender and old books in scenes from Pride & Prejudice, or the earthy warmth of pipe tobacco and fresh earth in Morning in the Shire. “Books and candles are just a perfect duo,” said Cooper Cyrus, aiming to spark whimsy and escape with every light.

← Skull Candle from Cree's Bees Apiaries

A Whiff of Heritage

LUNA Y TIERRA

Luna y Tierra, a Latinx-owned gem in Columbus, hand-pours candles like the Calavera, which combines bergamot, patchouli, and hints of cannabis aroma. Alongside the Calavera, their Cannabis Cat Candle and Ojito Ritual Candle blend traditional Mexican influences with local, organic ingredients. Founded by Liliana Baiman, Luna y Tierra honors her daughter, Luna, and their Mexican heritage.

Candles Gone Crazy!

CANDIER

CANDIER by Ryan Porter brings a fresh spin to classic candle scents with a playful twist. Each candle is crafted from natural soy wax, infused with essential oils, and hand-poured in Columbus. Their iconic Vlasic Candle, a collaboration with Vlasic Pickles, mimics the unmistakable scent of Original Dill Wholes, while other out-of-the-box options include Fruit Loops-infused, “I Can’t Adult Today,” and “Donut Worry Be Happy.” Plus, with no parabens, lead, or phthalates, these vegan and cruelty-free candles burn cleanly for over 60 hours. Founded by passionate female entrepreneur Krysten Kauder, CANDIER supports meaningful causes like Greenspark Earth Positive Business and Girls Inc., making every burn a step towards positive change.

Sizzle up Your Space

PENN & BEECH

Penn & Beech Candle Co. specializes in scents steeped in nostalgia that fill your space with warmth and comfort. Their hand-poured, soy wax candles are blended with premium natural oils, ensuring a clean, balanced burn that’s safe for your home. Whether you choose their popular bacon-scented candle that smells like it’s fresh from the frying pan, or decide to create and pour your own unique scent, Penn & Beech offers an experience that goes beyond the ordinary.

Calavera Candle → from Luna y Tierra

← Bacon scented, hand-poured, soy wax candle from Penn & Beech

↓ Donut Worry Be Happy Candle from Candier

Drawing

from antique European interiors to coastal Carolina taverns, Gene’s brings style— and

a hyperlocal dining ethos—to Historic Dublin

By

While I’d recommend ordering the Jumbo Prawns, accented with local tomato, fennel, and Swiss chard, don’t be surprised if it’s no longer on the menu by the time you’re done reading this.

The menu at Gene’s — the chic new restaurant in Dublin — is ever-changing, reflecting the bounty of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Those prawns, in particular, were selected by Chef Bobby Moore himself during a visit to COLO, a local seafood shop in the North Market.

“I’ve been telling folks that just because you see something on the menu today, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be there next week,” explained Dustin Snow, founder and owner of Dublin’s newest sensation. “We want to highlight hyperlocal, hyperseasonal produce and products, and the menu will reflect that.”

Gene’s occupies a quaint, historic building in the heart of Old Dublin. Snow was careful to preserve the building’s antique charm, but he and the interior designer, Liz Dutton, aimed to create a concept that feels fresh and distinct from anything else here in central Ohio. “Ultimately, perhaps selfishly,” Dutton admitted, “I designed the kind of place that I would want to eat at: cozy, beautiful, and energetic.”

Checkerboard marble floors accented by wooden bistro chairs, antique photos adorning 1920s-inspired beadboard paneling, warm velvet curtains draping from the ceiling, and moody, vintage lighting transport you to a Parisian café, all still with the comfort of being invited over to someone’s home for dinner.

Dutton and Snow drew inspiration certainly from antique European interiors, but also coastal taverns, and a few beloved spots in Charleston, South Carolina. “At the end of the day, we wanted to create a space that felt like it had been here forever, but also was a bit unfamiliar,” Snow emphasized.

While the interior may evoke Old World Paris, the menu is distinctly all-American. “We’ve been calling it ‘new-American,’” Snow explained. Chef Bobby Moore leads the kitchen, drawing on his extensive experiences in both fine dining and fast-casual restaurants. →

Sav McKee

Photos by Emma Mortellaro Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Most recently, Chef Moore helmed the food program over at Snow’s other concept, Coast Wine House, just right down the street from Gene’s. There, he specializes in small plates like creamy smoked salmon deviled eggs and homemade hummus with flatbreads. “We have a really tiny kitchen over there, and our number one feedback from our guests at Coast was ‘more food, more food,’” shared Snow. “We pushed the limits at Coast. We tried, and tried, and it was just really tough for us to do out of the tiny kitchen at Coast.”

With the Dublin community’s strong support for Coast Wine House over the years, Snow wanted to give back to them in a way, too, particularly by enhancing their food and wine experience. “There was always this curiosity – could we branch out? Should we expand?” he kept asking himself. When the historic space at 91 S. High St. became readily available almost right next door to Coast, it felt serendipitous.

“At the end of the day, we wanted to create a space that felt like it had been here forever, but also was a bit unfamiliar.”

The two spaces can share a kitchen if needed, and Coast can serve as a waiting area for Gene’s, where patrons can enjoy a glass of thoughtfully sourced wine before heading over next door for an exquisite dining experience. Of course, the wine focus doesn’t stop at Coast. “We lead with wine at Gene’s, too,” remarked Snow. “At the end of the day, that’s where we came from at Coast.”

Gene’s wine list highlights many small-production wineries that specialize in low-intervention methods. “All of our bottles are carefully selected to complement our food program. Our core mission is to be a place of discovery, so hopefully we can achieve that through our wine program,” said Snow. Their oysters on the halfshelf pair beautifully with the Pinot Gris Romato, a juicy skin-contact wine, where the white grape skin is left on during the fermentation process. The wild world of wine can be quite intimidating, but Snow ensures everything is approachable, yet still high quality, and, most importantly, “it’s all fabulous,” he laughed. →

↓ Gene's Exterior

Their cocktail program is equally impressive, incorporating fresh, local ingredients into their concoctions. The Saturday Morning Market cocktail, with gin, strawberry, sage, sparkling wine, and orange is a crowd favorite.

Snow and the Gene’s team are committed to inclusivity, offering vegetarian and gluten-free options, a diverse range of wines and cocktails, and even nonalcoholic drinks. It’s a place for everyone. The welcoming atmosphere and attitude extends to the entire experience at Gene's, a philosophy inspired by Eugene Patterson, one of Snow's cherished family members that the restaurant is named after.

“He’s who we’re hanging our hat on,” Snow explained. Eugene was Snow’s wife’s maternal grandfather, a prominent Civil Rights-era journalist, activist, and Pulitzer Prize winner. He dedicated his entire life to championing human rights and inclusivity, even when it wasn’t necessarily popular at the time.

“He was an incredibly courageous, brave human being, and from a hospitality standpoint, we’re paying homage to those, like him, who have come before us. We want to be an approachable, neighborhood spot where anybody can feel welcome,” emphasized Snow.

And that’s precisely what Eugene Patterson would have wanted. ♦

See what the hype is all about yourself – book your reservation at dineatgenes.com/reservations.

↓ Gene’s Crudo offering, photo by Natalie Folchi

Something good is coming

Join Do Good to get more out of your Goodwill Columbus experience. Earn exclusive rewards when you donate, take part in special events, and join forces with our community of givers.

Coming Soon

goodwillcolumbus.org/dogood

Keepin' it

Kosher Keepin' it Kosher

The owner of Smoked on High BBQ rolls out Columbus’ only kosher barbeque spot

Story Design by Atlas Biro

By Kyrie Thomas / Photos by Aaron Massey

↑ Max McGarity, owner of Smoked on Chai

"There’s not a lot of kosher options, period…There’s a demand and a lot of people want it."

“There haven’t always been Kosher options available,” explained Max. “We don’t have the ease, the comforts, or the, ‘Let's grab some really good kosher food for lunch or dinner.’”

Smoked on High, Max’s first concept and now a Brewery District brick and mortar, began as a way for McGarity to provide the Columbus community with quality barbecue from a mobile food truck. The concept became a hit.

In fact, even Buckeye Kosher (a non-profit group offering kosher supervision in Columbus) reached out to him, asking if he could prepare food for their Kosher BBQ Festival. Smoked on High, like many barbecue concepts, is not kosher, or at least not entirely. But it was a possibility.

Judaism has always been a part of who Max McGarity is. From his community, to having his own bar mitzvah, to graduating within the first eighth grade class of the Columbus Jewish Day School – his religion has been fully present in almost all aspects of his life.

Except the food.

A large part of practicing a Jewish lifestyle is the adherence to a kosher diet. These rules apply to which foods can be eaten and the way in which they are gathered, prepared and cooked – requiring separate tools and facilities for different food groups. Due to the detailed regulations, finding kosher food outside of their own kitchens has proved difficult for many in the community.

“The response and turnout [at the festival] was massive. There’s not a lot of kosher barbeque options – honestly, there's not a lot of kosher options, period. It shows that there’s a demand and a lot of people want it,” said Max.

It was at this point that McGarity really considered the need and want for easier access to kosher foods in the Columbus area, and found himself with only one question:

Why not?

So, with some major tweaking to the preparation process, and some minor tweaking to the name, the Smoked on Chai food truck was born. Chai (pronounced with a “kh” sound as opposed to a “ch”), is a Hebrew word meaning “to life,” which Max says gives the company’s name a double meaning.

“It’s a play on words, depending on what you choose,” said Max. “We’re choosing to bring kosher foods, smoked to life.”

↑ Max McGarity in the Smoked on Chai Food Truck

↑ Barbeque Chicken from Smoked on Chai, photo courtesy of Smoked on Chai

"I love feeding people... if there are a portion of people who couldn't [eat it] before and can now, I'm happy."

Although the sister company follows Smoked on High in some capacities, due to the dietary restrictions, their menus do differ. With an absence of pork and the combination of meat and dairy removed, Smoked on Chai offers alternatives, focusing on turkey, chicken and beef as their meats of choice.

“Of course, some items and sides that are different will rotate once we see what’s working, and what’s not,” Max explained.

While the addition of Smoked on Chai into the Columbus kosher scene has been anticipated by many, their initial opening did not come without minor setbacks. A difficulty in obtaining equipment –such as a custom smoker from Texas – pushed business back further than expected.

“It’s all part of the gig,” Max laughed.

But now, all is good – they’re parked in front of the Torat Emet Congregation on E. Main St. on certain days, plus they offer bulk pick-up options.

Running his own business and culinary service, Max stated that certain unpredictable situations are not rare. However, it’s his love and connection to his community – Jewish and non — that keeps him moving day after day.

“I love feeding people,” said Max. “I love feeding people good barbeque and if there are a portion of people who couldn’t [eat it] before and can now, I’m happy and excited to do it.”

↑ Beef Brisket from Smoked on Chai, photo courtesy of Smoked on Chai

↑ Max McGarity mixing barbeque sauce

From

Korean and Cuban to pizza and cookies, the Little Grand Market brings new options and old favorites to Grandview

By Chris Alexis

by Emma Mortellaro

Feeling hungry but unsure where to go or what you’re craving? Head to Grandview.

On August 16, The Little Grand Market opened its doors at Grandview Crossing, a new food hall with a diverse assortment of 10 culinary options all under one roof.

Pizza? Chicken? Mexican? Italian? Maybe you just want dessert. The list goes on.

Joel Lilly, principal and CFO of Thrive Companies, the developers behind Grandview Crossing, revealed why it was important to provide this experience. Grandview Crossing itself is a large mixed-use site sitting on roughly 60 acres. Developers are looking to create 1,300 to 1,400 apartment units.

With BMW Financial Services of North America acting like a magnet for about 900 employees coming into the area, there was a clear need for something more.

"We knew we needed a synergy, something to kind of draw people to the site," Lilly said. "It's got great access on Dublin Road from downtown and great access from Grandview Avenue to the Grandview community, but we needed to draw people in that just weren't going to be our residents."

The solution? A dynamic food hall that can delight nearly any palate.

Assembling the perfect blend of vendors was a major focus. And it wasn’t just about having the right culinary touch. They also needed business owners who had the experience to ensure smooth operations.

"We wanted to make sure we had experiences that were unique and not have a lot of duplication of efforts," he said. "We were looking for people that either had bricks and mortar already, or had existing market space at other markets around the city, or had a food truck business that already had a following." →

Cookies from For The Love of Dough in The Little Grand Market

The Little Grand Market exterior ↓

Photos

Story Design by Tori Smith

After a thorough and thoughtful selection process, the market is now home to 10 vendors:

Los Agavez Taqueria, For The Love of Dough, Gant’s Pizza, Just Chicken, Seoul Food on the Go, Pablo’s Havana Café, Taesty’s, Frascati Market, Common Rice, and Lan Viet.

Along with featuring some of Columbus’ favorite eateries, an inviting ambiance is also a big part of the recipe for success. The physical space of The Little Grand Market was designed to create an open, welcoming, and energetic atmosphere.

"We wanted it to be fairly open. We wanted a lot of natural light," Lilly revealed, describing the market's transparent ceiling material that floods the space with daylight but without the glare. He revealed this not only brightens the interior but also creates a warm and inviting environment for guests.

The layout was also important to nail.

"When you're coming in, you can see all of your options from the moment you walk in there," Lilly said.

The market seamlessly connects with other parts of Grandview Crossing, including the Bada Bean Bada Booze coffee shop, The Little Grand, the Athletic Cos. gym, and the park outside.

"We wanted to make sure that it felt natural and that you could tell something was back there right from the moment you walked in from any direction," he said.

We’ll meet you at the market, Columbus.

↓ Patrons enjoying The Little Grand Market's interior

LITTLE GRAND VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Started in 2018 by David and Elvia Ramirez, Los Agavez was named one of the top 100 food spots in the U.S. in 2023, according to Yelp.

"When the Little Grand opportunity came, we knew that we had to take that opportunity," David said, noting that the market’s familyfriendly vibe is a perfect match for Los Agavez’s goal of providing "delicious dishes for each of your family members."

Their signature dishes are sure to become a draw for customers.

“Our al pastor is made and marinated from scratch with a unique flavor,” Elvia said. “And our Best Birria tacos Tijuana Style are something many will love with the first bite.”

Despite highlighting those dishes, the couple insisted, "The rest of our menu is a must-try.”

David and Elvia’s passion for authentic Mexican food is rooted in their upbringing.

“We were born in Mexico where we grew up watching our grandmas, sisters, and moms cooking,” David said.

Their experiences working across different parts of Mexico and experimenting with new recipes shaped their menu.

"The quality of the food that we serve is our top priority," Elvia said.

Looking ahead, the Ramirezes are excited about their future at The Little Grand Market.

“We see Los Agavez making the best food in the Columbus spotlight,” David said. “No matter what the circumstance, we always give our best to provide and meet our customers’ expectations.” ♦

← Tacos and drinks from Los Agavez Taqueria

↓ David and Elvia Ramirez, outside their Los Agavez Taqueria location at The Little Grand Market

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

TAKE ACTION, FIGHT HUNGER!

The “biggest small town in America,” as Columbus is sometimes referred to online, is now home to award-winning breweries, cuttingedge culinary leaders, national sports champions, and a thriving art and music scene.

There’s a lot to be proud of, but keeping up the pace that’s come to define Columbus means more than just being a go-to place to work and play. It means supporting the whole community and looking out for everyone who calls our city home. That’s where Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) comes in.

Food insecurity in Ohio is near record highs, and MOFC—our region’s food bank and biggest hunger relief organization—works to get everyone what they need to thrive. It’s not just about stocking food pantry shelves (though there’s certainly a lot of that). MOFC runs a warehouse, markets, farms, kitchens, and food-based health care partnerships. Alongside local food pantries, they feed the Columbus spirit we know and love.

It's critical work, and they need our help. Fortunately, Columbusites are no strangers to giving back. September is Hunger Action Month, and local artists, chefs, brewers and music lovers are doing what they can with what they have (food, art, concerts, you name it) to feed their hungry neighbors and keep our city going.

If you love Columbus like we do, we hope you’ll get in on the action (pun definitely intended) this Hunger Action Month by donating, volunteering, or advocating for hunger solutions. Read on to learn how, and visit mofc.org/action when you’re ready to jump in.

September 3: Trivia Night at Parson’s North Brewing Co.

7-9 p.m. | 685 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH

10% of all sales during trivia night will go to MOFC!

September 4: Sweetgreen Grand Opening

All Day | 700 N High Street, Columbus OH

For every meal sold, Sweetgreen will donate one prepared meal to the Mid-Ohio Kitchen at Reeb.

September 5: Bike Night at Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Granville 5-9 p.m. | 1256 Columbus Road, Granville, OH

During bike night, 100% of beer sales will go to MOFC.

September 17: National Voter Registration Day at Land-Grant 6-8:30 p.m. | 424 W Town Street, Columbus OH

Hang with us, register to vote, & play trivia! The Tortilla food truck will donate 15% of sales all day to MOFC. Land-Grant customers can round up their tabs all night.

September 24: Brewing Hope at Wolf’s Ridge Taproom

6-8 p.m. | 215 N 4th St, Columbus, OH

Join us for Ohio Pint Day and learn how to advocate for hunger solutions! For every charity draft beer sold in the taproom, $1 will be donated to MOFC. Ask your server for details.

September 25: Bike Night at Quaker Steak & Lube Polaris

5-11 p.m. | 8500 Lyra Dr, Columbus, OH

During bike night, 100% of beer sales will go to MOFC.

Homage T-Shirt Giveaway All Month, Online

All month long, visit homage.com/food and “pick your price” for a “Food is Health” T-shirt. 100% of proceeds go to MOFC! The more you pay, the more you support hunger relief.

Ray Ray’s Hog Pit All Month, All Locations

Order ribs in person at any Ray Ray’s location in September, and MOFC gets $1. Baby back ribs, spare sibs, and rib tips qualify. (Ray Ray’s Reload not included in this promotion.)

Grove City Brewing Company

All Month | 3946 Broadway, Grove City

Take a bite out of hunger. Round up for MOFC on any check or purchase in September! Bonus: Bring a canned/boxed food donation, get 10% off your next dine-in food purchase.

Parson’s North Brewing Co.

All Month | 685 Parsons Ave, Columbus

For every Dry Cider sold in September, $1 will be donated to MOFC.

Seventh Son Brewing Co. All Month | 1101 N 4th St, Columbus

For every charity cocktail sold in September, $1 will be donated to MOFC. Ask your server for details!

Antiques on High All Month | 714 S High Street, Columbus

For every charity cocktail sold in September, $1 will be donated to MOFC. Ask your server for details!

The Getaway Brewing Co. All Month | 108 N High St, Dublin

For every charity cocktail sold in September, $1 will be donated to MOFC. Ask your server for details!

Wolf's Ridge Brewing All Month | 215 N 4th St, Columbus

For every charity draft beer sold in September at the Wolf’s Ridge taproom and restaurant, $1 will be donated to MOFC. Ask your server for details!

Used Kids Records Sept. 1 – Sept. 7 | 2500 Summit St, Columbus

Round up at checkout in the first week of September and get a $5 store coupon to use at a later date.

The Team at (614)

LOVE FOOD IS!

Mid-Ohio Food Collective Kitchen Director’s Linden roots bring warmth and a foodie flair to free meal sites

By

Steve Nichol and Erich Hiner / Photos by Ty Wright

↓ Sha-Wana Pressley-Ranson, MOFC’s Kitchen Director,

Photo by Erich Hiner

The menu at the kitchen and café where ShaWana Pressley-Ranson works never lacks for variety. One day, it’s comfort fare like meatloaf or loaded tater tots. Another, it’s a chef-inspired special called the Hot Shot—grilled sourdough bread topped with mashed potatoes, roast beef, gravy, and crispy onions with a side of green beans.

And with warm greetings from staff, natural lighting and art-covered walls, you might never know the space housed in the basement of Columbus’ Reeb Center on the South Side is actually a free community meal site.

“It doesn’t look or feel like a soup kitchen, and that’s the point,” said Pressley-Ranson, director of prepared foods for Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), which is Columbus’ food bank and the largest hunger relief organization in central and eastern Ohio. “We wanted to make a space where everyone is valued, where you can find community no matter what you’re going through in life.”

Everything produced by Pressley-Ranson’s 14-person team is part of the multi-faceted operations of Mid-Ohio Kitchen, MOFC’s direct feeding program that covers free meals for kids, lunches for unhoused adults, prepared grab-andgo entrees at pantries, and much more. Her team’s food shapes the palates of preschoolers, school kids, seniors and working parents alike.

Direct feeding isn’t uncommon for food banks and pantries, but Pressley-Ranson and her team—which includes an executive chef, cooks, delivery drivers, and a rotating host of volunteers—hope that going the extra mile with quality ingredients, foodie touches and big flavors makes customers feel welcome.

“It is not just a job for me. It brings joy seeing the faces of the people we serve.”

“It is not just a job for me. It brings joy seeing the faces of the people we serve,” she said. “This space conveys the message, ‘You are important, we see you.’ Whatever their situation, everyone in our community deserves the best meal we can make. That’s why we’re here.”

For years, kids at the co-located Reeb Center preschool benefitted from Mid-Ohio Kitchen meals. Alongside favorites such as chicken nuggets and hot dogs, they could challenge their tastebuds

with chickpea curry over basmati rice or grain bowls with quinoa, couscous, edamame, and other vegetables. The breakfast menu even includes frittatas and fresh fruit.

In addition to daily meals at Reeb, PressleyRanson’s team prepared and delivered meals to thousands of kids at 37 sites in Franklin County throughout summer 2024. She also oversees meals for the South Side Boys & Girls club chapter of Central Ohio, a new MOFC food truck and the production of grab-and-go meals at the Mid-Ohio Market at Norton Road.

Pressley-Ranson brings more than good taste to the table. She knows the struggle, look and taste of hunger—and the love that goes into a tasty meal. For her, it all goes back to growing up at her grandmother Irene’s home in Columbus’ South Linden neighborhood and the chaos that can ensue in a family with 65 first cousins.

“It was like a boarding house. We had beds under beds. People always had a place to stay. And when it came to food, Grandma cooked pots of beans, rice, stews, spaghetti, meals that she could stretch,” Pressley-Ranson said.

Grandma Irene “worked miracles” when it came to feeding the family, but there were times when food was scarce in the neighborhood. →

“She had a garden in the backyard where she grew collard greens and tomatoes. And people would come up the alley and take peaches off her tree—without permission!” Pressley-Ranson recalled, laughing.

But Irene never complained.

“She knew many of her neighbors didn’t know where their next meal would be coming from. She was happy they had something to eat,” PressleyRanson said. “She had a third-grade education but owned her own home. Dad worked two jobs. They tried to make sure we had enough and to make sure the family who came to the house had enough.”

“Both of my grandmothers did not have much. But...they expressed their love—through food. It was a source of comfort.”

Food memories also are strong from summers spent with her mother’s mother, grandma “Ma” Bertha. Pressley-Ranson recalled planting and harvesting lettuce, greens, tomatoes, okra and potatoes with her at the American Addition community garden off Joyce Avenue. Protein was fresh fish caught in nearby rivers.

“Grandma Bertha loved to fish. She taught us how to catch, scale and fry whiting, perch and catfish, which I was not a fan of—still am not,” she said, laughing.

The list of South Linden memories is long: Neighbors trading vegetables, families and friends talking about how to make ends meet and everyone working hard to keep one another fed. The warmth and creativity she now brings to Mid-Ohio Kitchen has roots back to those days, she said. It’s when she learned about the dignity and hope that can come from preparing and sharing a good meal with others.

“To me, food is love!” Pressley-Ranson said. “Both of my grandmothers did not have much. But when you came to their houses, that is how they expressed their love—through food. It was a source of comfort. That is what food means to me. It is love. It is family. It is care.” ♦

September is Hunger Action Month. To support the work of Pressley-Ranson and her Mid-Ohio Kitchen team, visit mofc.org/get-involved to donate or volunteer.

↑ Sha-Wana Pressley-Ranson in the neighborhood where she grew up. Many of her relatives lived on the same street

↑ Amercrest-American Addition Community Garden is where Sha-Wana's grandmother would take her to create a garden providing free food for the community

Give Help Give Help

September is Hunger Action Month, and Mid-Ohio Food Collective is inviting our central Ohio neighbors to step up and help us fight food insecurity. The need for food assistance in central and eastern Ohio rose almost 30% from 2022 to 2023. Whether you can give food, money, time, or your voice, no act is too big or too small!

Donate

Donating to Mid-Ohio Food Collective is one of the best ways to help our hungry neighbors. For every dollar donated, they can distribute up to $4.56 worth of groceries. And MOFC has a 100% score for Impact & Measurement on Charity Navigator, meaning you can be sure every penny will count! Visit give.mofc.org/614action to chip in against hunger.

Volunteer

Got some spare time? Spend it giving back at (614) Magazine’s #1 ColumBEST Favorite Local Charity several years running! We need 1,000 volunteers per week, and everyone can make a difference—whether they’re harvesting at the Mid-Ohio Farm, stocking shelves at a Mid-Ohio Market, cooking at the MidOhio Kitchen, or sorting and packing donations at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Sign up at mofb.volunteerhub.com.

Advocate

Ending hunger will take all of us. MOFC’s team builds support to address hunger and the systemic challenges that contribute to it—such as poverty, transportation, housing, and public health. Visit mofc.org/advocacy to learn more or stop by our events at LandGrant (September 17) and Wolf’s Ridge (September 24) to chat with us about how you can get involved! See the events list near the table of contents for details.

Get Help Get Help

Hunger is in every ZIP code in Ohio. Wherever you call home, hunger lives here ... but so does help! If you, your friends, your family, or your neighbors need help putting food on the table, Mid-Ohio Food Collective and our network of local partners have your back.

Find Free Food Close to Home

Visit FreshTrak.com and enter your ZIP code to learn about the pantries and free community meals near you. Each listing shows the site’s hours, address, and helpful details to make your stop as quick and easy as possible.

Send Someone to Pick Up Your Food

If you can’t get to a market or pantry, all MOFC partner agencies use a process called proxy shopping. You can send a person you know and trust to pick up food and deliver it to you. Visit mofc.org/proxy to download proxy shopping forms in nine languages.

Get Help with Public Benefits

Need help applying for SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs? MOFC’s customer and benefits outreach team can help guide you through the process free of charge. Visit mofc.org/get-help to learn about the ways we can help.

During the month of September Wolf’s Ridge will donate $1 per pint of the Charity Beer to Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

215 N 4th St. Columbus, OH 43215

ARTWITHA PURPOSE ART WITH A PURPOSE

Columbus artists and gallery owners find ways to give back with what they have—original artwork

By Jack McLaughlin

For Columbus artist Adam Hernandez, his vibrant mural emblazoning the wall of Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s (MOFC) Norton Road market started at the same place his own appreciation for giving did: with his mother, Rosemary Hernandez.

“When I was thinking about what I should create for the space, I realized my mom was a perfect match for what MOFC does,” he said, noting she worked and gave back to her community in the infant and maternal health field. “She helps young mothers in the inner city [of New York], in the Bronx, and she serves a lot of folks with different backgrounds. It’s where my ideas of service really come from.”

Completed in 2023 and titled “Resilient Mother,” the mural both literally and figuratively uses Hernandez’ mother as its centerpiece.

Modeled off a cornucopia scene, the nearly 18 foot tall piece depicts her face, framed in the background by bouquets of fresh fruits and vegetables, and accented by multi-colored tessellations.

As much as the mural is about his parents, it also resonates with Hernandez, now that he has children of his own.

“Being able to create this was really important for me, especially as a new father. I learned from my mom the importance of parents planting seeds, so the next generation can reap what they sow,” he noted.

As an artist, Hernandez said, art is what he’s able to give back to the world, and to organizations helping others like MOFC. He believes creating a mural, which will live on the side of a building indefinitely—especially one that hundreds of people interact with daily—gives his work that much more impact and presence.

While “Resilient Mother” stands tall on the exterior of their Norton Road Market, another local artist worked to beautify the interior of the Collective’s Brookham Drive headquarters. Like Hernandez, local muralist and portrait artist Cera Marie turned to her paintbrush instead of her wallet to support MOFC.

↓ "Resilient Mother" mural by Adam Hernandez. Photo courtesy of Adam Hernandez

↓ Adam Hernandez. Photo courtesy of Adam Hernandez

Last fall, she created a 6’ by 8’ mural that hangs in the community room of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. With a distant Columbus skyline as its backdrop, Cera’s piece recreates the Collective’s logo, filling each section with scenes of unity and food security, including a mother and daughter shopping for fresh produce and a group preparing to share a meal together.

“I like making things that are celebratory and inviting, and I think the mural really gets that across,” Marie said. “MOFC had been on my radar for a few years, and it was fabulous working with them. I saw how much they’re able to do, and just how far their reach is.”

The two muralists are far from the only local artists finding a way to give. Plenty of other Columbus creatives are relying on their work as a unique way to help how they can.

Last December, the Short North’s Sarah Gormley Gallery organized a show of 39 pieces, representing all of the Gallery’s artists, and each one was asked to create work around the theme of gratitude.

“December is a really important time of the year. So many of us focus on material things, but I always ask myself and ask my artists, ‘How are you giving back,’” owner Sarah Gormley said.

AWhile the interpretations of gratitude ranged from pastoral Ohio landscapes to abstract watercolor paintings, the show was united by every artist’s willingness to give.

“A typical split for a gallery sale is 50-50 (half to the gallery and half to the artist), but all of our artists agreed to do a ¹/₃-¹/₃-¹/₃ split instead,” Gormley said, noting that the additional ¹/₃ was donated to MOFC. “At the end of the month, we were able to write them a check for $13,000.”

According to Gormley, the most impactful part of the show wasn’t even the five-digit donation sum.

“All of the artists were unanimously willing to give up money for a good cause. To me, that’s the most moving part about the exhibition,” she said. “Seeing everyone so willing to give up what they could was special.”

The show was so special, in fact, that Gormley and the gallery’s roster of artists are preparing for a followup this year.

As it was in 2023, the show will be titled “Gratitude,” and should feature all of the gallery’s artists. It will open Dec. 4 from 5-7 p.m. at Sarah Gormley Gallery, which is located at 95 N. High St. in the Short North.

“Last year’s show was such a success in terms of passion and interest from the public, that we want to do it again, and push it a little bit further this year,” Gormley said. ♦

A Donor's Perspective

“Being a good community steward was ingrained in me as a kid by my parents. That has inspired me to make investments in things that make Columbus a better place to live. The effort to bring Current to Gay & High was about making world-class public art accessible to all people and how that has an impact on the overall quality of life. We know food insecurity is another big issue and that we have an imperative to end hunger in our community. That is why my wife Lisa and I support the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s Rooted in You campaign, which helps not only our most vulnerable citizens but also those working in the creative sector.”

Jeff Edwards, CEO and president of the Edwards Companies, major local donor behind “Current,” the installation hanging above Gay and High Streets.

To learn more about Sarah Gormley Gallery, visit sarahgormleygallery.com. To learn more about Adam Hernandez, or to see his work, visitahernandezart.com. To learn more about Cera Marie, or to see her work, visit studioceramarie.com. To learn more about Mid-Ohio Food Collective, or to make a donation of your own, visit mofc.org.

↑ Cera Marie beside her mural for MOFC. Photo courtesy of MOFC

North South To

Parsons North Brewing Co. and Mid-Ohio Food Collective are teaming up to fight food insecurity on Columbus’

South Side

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Stef Streb

If you didn’t know any better, you might believe that naming a brewery after the street it’s located is taking the easy way out. If that’s what you think about Parsons North Brewing Co. (which is located on Parsons Avenue), then you likely don’t know owners Nathan Klein and Seth Draeger.

As much as the duo is invested in providing highquality craft beer to Columbus–like their crushable Kolsch or decadent, but drinkable, American Stout–Klein and Draeger are equally focused on giving back to their immediate community, the one they serve, and the one they’re named after.

“We really care about partnering with South Side charities for helping children and early development, and that’s part of what drew us to Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC). It felt like a natural fit,” Klein said. “Food insecurity is definitely an issue with younger kids on the South Side, and we’ve seen the work MOFC has down on Reeb Avenue, in that area.”

Additionally, Klein’s time on the board of the South End Cafe—a local non-profit and restaurant that seeks to help community members with employment readiness—alongside MOFC customer outreach manager Nicole DeLozier secured his willingness to work with the group.

“Just knowing Nicole and the kind of person she is, we were all in at that point,” Klein said.

While Parson’s North gave upwards of $20,000 to charities on the South Side and Columbus as a whole in 2022 alone–and while giving has always

been a cornerstone of the brewery’s mission–they had to start small, by giving what they could, even if that meant little to nothing in the beginning.

“Seth and I both wholeheartedly feel like giving back is a core part of us, and our mission. With inflation and the increased cost of living, it’s harder for a lot of people,” Klein said. “But the first year we were open (the brewery launched December of 2018) we had to focus on getting off the ground, and then COVID put a damper on everything the following year. It was hard at first, but once we got back on our feet we were able to give back more and more.”

The Columbus brewery has a long track record of working with local groups like Community Development for All People and Community Refugee & Immigration Services, and it plans to double down on combating food insecurity in September, which is Hunger Action Month.

Throughout the month, Parsons North plans to donate $1 from every Dry Cider sold to MidOhio Food Collective. Additionally, 10 percent of the proceeds from its Sept. 3 trivia night, which will feature categories and questions related to food insecurity, will also go to MOFC.

So while craft beer fans know September as the month of Märzen and Oktoberfest, Parsons North is making sure they know it by another name as well. ♦

↓ (From Left) Nathan Klein and Seth Draeger, owners of Parsons North Brewing Co

SPINNING IT SPINNING IT FORWARD FORWARD

Through listening parties, album releases, and unique festivals, Greg Hall, the owner of Used Kids Records, shows that no matter how big or small the business, it’s easy to give back

By Sav McKee / Photos by Sarah Pfiefer

Greg Hall doesn’t have a personal connection to food insecurity – rather, his drive to make a difference stems from something more fundamental. “I was just raised right,” he explained. “That’s really all there is to it.”

Years ago, when Used Kids Records was still on High Street, Hall, the owner, couldn’t help but notice unhoused individuals outside of his record store, specifically asking for some food, and this observation is what sparked a mission that would become central to his business ethos. “Helping out just seemed like the right thing to do,” Hall reflected.

Their search to give back led them to Mid-Ohio Food Collective, whose impact resonated deeply with Hall. “I love the idea that we’re funneling money into a group that’s efficient, cares, and donates right back to our community,” said Hall. “It’s something we know we can feel good about because it’s helping people right in our backyard.”

Despite the move from High Street to Summit St. some time ago, Hall still noticed hungry individuals in the neighborhood, and his mission to combat food insecurity has remained at the core of Used Kids Records’ identity.

Used Kids is no sprawling corporate entity; it’s a locally owned shop where every dollar counts. Yet, remarkably, Hall has managed to donate tens of thousands of dollars to Mid-Ohio Food Collective through an array of lively, and incredibly popular events, including festivals, listening parties, and more.

“We bootstrap everything we do and everything we give, including our fundraising,” emphasized Hall. “But it’s not a competition or anything.” It’s this grassroots approach that has endeared Used Kids to the community. One of their most cherished events is the annual Figgy Fest, a punk rock holiday extravaganza featuring local bands spreading

Christmas cheer, all in support of MOFC. With donations encouraged at the door, Figgy Fest has become a cornerstone of the shop’s charitable efforts, raising nearly half of their annual contribution to MOFC.

In addition to Figgy Fest, Hall ensures that the store’s other events serve a dual purpose; celebrating music while supporting those in need. Whether it’s a listening party for a new album release or a meetand-greet with local artists, patrons will often find a donation bucket at the ready. True to form, Hall matches every dollar donated, which is then all given to MOFC and their efforts. Who would have thought that a Taylor Swift listening party would, in return, help feed central Ohio?

When Hall acquired Used Kids Records in 2014, taking over after nearly three decades of prior ownership, it felt like a natural progression for him. “I grew up in a music household,” he explained. “My dad was a high school music teacher, and for me personally, music has just always been in my blood.”

His passion for music carried him through years of spinning records at a radio station, deepening his connection to the world of vinyl. Now, as the owner of Used Kids Records, Hall finds the most satisfaction in making things happen. “I’m always thinking, ‘What can we do next?” he mused. “Really, I love building this business, hosting events for donations to MOFC, and seeing the results of our efforts. I certainly have a lot of fun doing it all.” ♦

Stop into Used Kids Records, located at 2500 Summit St., for some grooves that give back. To learn more about Mid-Ohio Food Collective, or to make a donation of your own, visit mofc.org.

↑ Greg Hall, owner of Used Kids Records

FEEDING COLUMBUS

From Taco Bell to Michelin-starred restaurants, Columbus chef Avishar Barua dishes on food, building community and giving back

By Erich Hiner

By any measure, Avishar Barua has made it in the world of food.

After training at the Michelin-starred WD~50 in New York, he became executive chef of Service Bar in Columbus, competed on season 18 of Bravo’s Top Chef, and won big on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. Now, he owns the restaurants Joya’s and Agni in central Ohio. Just this year, he was a James Beard Award semifinalist.

But ask the Columbus area native about his favorite food memories, and you’re as likely to hear about Salisbury steak as filet mignon. For him, food has been many things besides a career. It’s been a chance to stay true to his roots and help the community that’s shaped his life.

“Columbus built me. I want to give back,” Avishar said. "Some people think if you can’t give a million dollars, then you shouldn’t give at all. But if you can feed someone, then you do that. You can give them your time, which is one of our most valuable resources.”

In September 2024, Avishar worked his first volunteer shift at the Mid-Ohio Kitchen at Reeb, a free community meal site run by Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC). The kitchen and cafe serve all comers—thousands every year—and are just one part of MOFC’s direct feeding operations. In 2023, Reeb and MOFC’s other kitchen operations collectively served more than 414,000 meals (almost 8,000 a week).

“A rule for me is to try to leave things a little bit better than I found them. Chefs like to look out for people,” he said. “A person may need food, water, and shelter. Well, I can do food. When you make food, you can make someone’s day a little better, and that’s an act of service.”

Originally from the Columbus suburbs, his take on food has been shaped by many things: His parents’ Bengali heritage, collecting canned goods for Faith Mission (an MOFC partner agency) while in high school, and—of course—his career.

Barua said he got “food-shamed” as a teen for eating and enjoying the lunches served in his school cafeteria. When his Ohio friends would come over for dinner, they’d be excited to try his mother’s Bengali curry. Avishar, meanwhile, wanted pizza that “would burn the roof of my mouth.” Even now as a successful chef, he praises the virtues of Taco Bell.

“People say ‘you have this training, you should be serving fancy food,’” he said. “Well, I made a version of a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and that’s what somehow got the attention of Food & Wine magazine.”

Over the years, Avishar has looked for ways to harness that giving spirit in his hometown. When a Columbus church asked his restaurant to help feed unhoused neighbors in the early pandemic, his entire team stepped up to prep and deliver chef-quality boxed meals.

Now, Avishar is hoping that volunteering with MOFC will encourage other culinary leaders to find ways of giving back. As he knows from experience, food is a natural place to start.

“With food, it’s straightforward. I might not be able to deliver a philosophical lecture that’ll change your life, but I can give you a biscuit with gravy on it,” Avishar said. “Giving is an act. It’s not passive. It’s very special and it seems to come by birth with who you are. It starts with small acts.” ♦

↑ Photo by Leonardo Carrizo

↓ Chef Avishar Barua, Photo by Erich Hiner

SPREAD GUN RT, F TO Y TRADE, 36 ZONE TRAP 'LION PUSH' DELAY 2, READ-0. No idea what this play call means? Don't worry, we don't either. But we know some people who do. Eleven Warriors, your go-to source for Buckeyes content, has put together a season preview for the 2024 Buckeyes season, from and offensive and defensive preview, to a handful of players to watch. And, we might add, in language anyone can understand. →

By Eleven Warriors

All photos courtesy of Eleven Warriors Section Design by Bryce Patterson

From transfers to questions in the trenches, here are the key offensive players, and issues, ahead of the Buckeyes’ 2024 campaign

By Andy Anders of Eleven Warriors @andyanders55

With his background as an offensive and quarterback guru, it seemed like a guarantee Ohio State would always have an elite offense for Day’s first four years as head coach. It was the defense that primarily cost the Buckeyes in their biggest losses in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, Ohio State was a team driven by its defense. The defense ranked No. 2 in scoring, No. 3 in yards per game, No. 1 in passing and No. 29 in rushing. The offense ranked No. 46, No. 48, No. 31 and No. 88 in the same categories.

The Buckeyes responded by stocking up on offensive talent in the transfer portal, getting Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin and center Seth McLaughlin, Ole Miss running back

Quinshon Judkins (pictured on this issue’s cover) and Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek to either fill or support important positions on offense. Day is committed to surrendering play-calling duties for the first time in his career and brought on an established offensive mastermind and personal mentor of his in former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly to coordinate the attack.

Howard’s been named the team’s starting quarterback. His ceiling and the offensive line’s development will determine how much the Buckeyes can take advantage of the elite weapons they have at running back with Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson and at wide receiver with Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Jeremiah Smith.

Let’s break it all down in our season preview of Ohio State’s 2024 offense. →

↓ Ohio State offensive linemen

THE STARS

EMEKA EGBUKA

There will always be hype surrounding shiny new toys like Ohio State has at receiver in Inniss, Tate and Smith, but one of the nation’s best came back for his senior year in Egbuka and he will be a focal point of the offense. Injuries cut his production in half last season, but in 2022 he racked up 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns with two rushing scores.

TREVEYON HENDERSON AND QUINSHON JUDKINS

The only question about the top of Ohio State’s running back rotation is how exactly the Buckeyes will split carries between their two superstars. Judkins has two 1,100-yard rushing seasons and two first-team All-SEC selections to his credit. Henderson posted three separate games with at least 160 combined rushing and receiving yards after returning from injury in 2023 and has stepped up as a leader this offseason, being named a captain.

DONOVAN JACKSON

Ohio State needs Jackson to be a star in 2024 and establish a touch more consistency than he had in 2023. At his best, he can be among the nation’s premier offensive guards, but there are lapses to clean up from last season. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection will be the leader of an offensive line hoping to have a renaissance.

THE X-FACTORS

BRANDON INNISS

Any wide receiver not named Emeka Egbuka could fit here, but Inniss’ mixture of explosive athleticism, shiftiness and the ability to make an impact in the return game combined with an unclear exact role make him an ideal X-factor candidate.

JOSH FRYAR

The Buckeyes’ right tackle graded out highest on the team in run blocking last year, per Pro Football Focus, with a grade of 76. Where he needed to take another step was in his pass blocking as he surrendered five sacks and struggled against some of the faster speed rushers he faced off the edge. His improvement is a key component to the offensive line’s overall growth.

JELANI THURMAN

Ohio State’s talented second-year tight end could be behind Gee Scott Jr. and Will Kacamarek on the depth chart, but he might have the most playmaking upside of any of the three. Tight end is among the most developmental positions in football and Thurman will still have to prove himself as a blocker to see the field more consistently, but if he does, he could provide a great changeup for Howard to look to on passing downs.

THE QUESTIONS

HOW WELL CAN WILL HOWARD STRETCH DEFENSES VERTICALLY?

Howard can run the ball; he’s been clocked at a sprint speed of 22 miles per hour. Howard has experience, playing 34 games at Kansas State, which should make for good decision-making. His scheme knowledge seems to have gotten to where it needs to be, but Ohio State’s offense can only reach its maximum potential if he is able to push the ball downfield to his elite wide receivers and stretch defenses vertically to open up other areas of the offense. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is among those who believes he will, but the downfield accuracy issues shown in the spring are still back of mind when discussing Howard.

“He’s making all the throws,” Knowles said. “He stands in the pocket, he’s got great vision, arm strength. We’ve got great receivers, he’s putting the ball in places where only the receiver can catch it. So to me, it’s not just the arm strength, but he’s making the pinpoint passes, too.”

HOW WILL OHIO STATE DEPLOY ITS TIGHT ENDS?

Scott, Kacmarek and Thurman all bring a different skill set to the table for Ohio State at the tight end position. Kacmarek has the best reputation as a blocker, Scott is the veteran of the room with a receiver background and Thurman’s strengths were discussed above. The Buckeyes have used plenty of 12 personnel in the past and Kelly has been known to deploy two or three tight ends with some frequency, but who plays the most and in what packages with the litany of receiver talent the Buckeyes have will be an interesting strategic trend to follow.

OFFENSIVE LINE, OFFENSIVE LINE, OFFENSIVE LINE

It’s been dissected and analyzed and asked about all offseason, now it’s time for Ohio State’s offensive line to prove it can actually grow from a year as the team’s Achilles heel in 2023. Jackson and Fryar will be important pieces of that, but so will McLaughlin, as will left tackle Josh Simmons after some standout performances in preseason camp. Perhaps most important will be whoever wins the right guard competition between Tegra Tshabola and Carson Hinzman.

“The O-line has been the area that we’ve been locked in on,” Day said at Big Ten Media Days. “Coming out of the summer, their bodies look different ... They look good. Mick (Marotti)’s done a great job with them. They’ve had a good summer, but we know how important that is. This team is gonna go as the offensive line goes. This team is gonna go as the defensive line goes. So we know how important the offensive line is gonna be.”

↑

HE STANDS IN THE POCKET, HE’S GOT GREAT VISION, ARM STRENGTH. WE’VE GOT GREAT RECEIVERS, HE’S PUTTING THE BALL IN PLACES WHERE ONLY THE RECEIVER CAN CATCH IT.

QB Will Howard

FRESHMAN TO WATCH

JEREMIAH SMITH

Here’s a rare first-year player who holds an argument to be in the “X-Factors” or even the “Stars” section of this preview. The No. 1 recruit, let alone receiver, in the recruiting class of 2024, Smith is certainly the top freshman to watch for the Buckeyes this year and could put up numbers the likes of which are seldom seen from a freshman. He’s already set a record for earliest black stripe removal and was the first freshman ever named an “Iron Buckeye” by the team’s strength and conditioning staff.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

Day said it this summer: This offense will go as the offensive line does. They have, at the very least, a steady hand with good rushing ability at quarterback to conduct an orchestra of weapons at running back and wide receiver. Kelly is known for getting the most out of a running game regardless of what’s up front, and Henderson and Judkins are as good of a tandem as it gets in the backfield. Blocking at the tight end position will also be helpful to develop, but Kacmarek should provide some solutions after transferring in.

If Ohio State’s offensive line can get the job done up front, the Buckeyes’ offense should re-emerge as one of the best in college football in 2024. →

Official Wing Sponsor of Ohio State Athletics

↓ WR Jeremiah Smith

With nine returning starters and an elite Alabama transfer, the Buckeyes are poised to lock down the rest of the country this fall

Sometimes it’s a struggle to find new synonyms for the word "good" to describe Ohio State’s defensive arsenal in 2024.

A quick recap for any Buckeye fans who decided to hibernate from the final week of December until the second week of August: Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom all decided to return for one more year in Columbus this offseason despite varying degrees of NFL draft stock. As a result, Ohio State returns nine starters from the nation’s No. 3 total, No. 2 scoring and No. 1 passing defense in 2024.

One of the starters lost from that unit, free safety Josh Proctor, was replaced by the No. 1 transfer portal prospect in the country, former Alabama ballhawk Caleb Downs.

The Buckeyes should possess a truly elite defense with all the chess pieces at the disposal of defensive grandmaster Jim Knowles. In three years he’s transformed the unit from the subject of ridicule to the driving force behind an Ohio State squad with its loftiest expectations since at least 2019.

Ohio State’s defense is experienced. Ohio State’s defense is talented. Ohio State’s defense is good. Let’s break it down. →

By Andy Anders of Eleven Warriors @andyanders55

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THE STARS

CALEB DOWNS

There was a brief window of time after the Buckeyes lost last year’s Cotton Bowl when folks felt the only concern on their 2024 defense would be at free safety, or “adjuster” as it is called in Knowles’ scheme. Downs turned that concern into one of the team’s greatest strengths with his transfer. He racked up an incredible 107 tackles as a freshman at Alabama, with two interceptions and four pass breakups, and was named a freshman All-American.

DENZEL BURKE

Burke is the lockdown anchor to a threeman starting group at cornerback that returns from last season, and as noted above, that group spearheaded the nation’s No. 1 passing defense in 2023. Alongside Hancock and Davison Igbinosun, Burke collected nine PBUs and one interception last year.

“I want to be recognized as the best corner to ever come through here and put my name on the wall (of the Woody Hayes

Athletic Center), get a tree (in Buckeye Grove for being an All-American),” Burke said at Big Ten Media Days. “That's my ambition.”

JACK SAWYER

Choosing between Sawyer, Williams and Tuimoloau here as the star of Ohio State’s defensive line is a difficult call, but Sawyer might have been the Buckeyes’ best defensive player in the second half of last season. In OSU’s final three games, he collected a combined total of 16 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble. Perhaps more important than that, however, he had a big hand in the return of so many of his 2021 recruiting classmates.

“I was throwing stuff in guys' ears, trying to talk to them about coming back and why we should come back and how much it would mean to the city if we came back and to Ohio State and being able to etch our names and a legacy here if we won a national championship and beat those guys up north,” Sawyer said at Big Ten Media Days. “So it was kind of a collective group effort, and a lot of decision went into it. But everybody made their own decision, what was best for them. And ultimately, I'm glad that a lot of them decided to come back.” →

THE X-FACTORS

THE SECOND WAVE OF DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Outside of Sonny Styles – who is moving down from safety and seems to be emerging as Ohio State’s starting Will linebacker – the Buckeyes’ projected starters on defense have a background of production at their positions. But the calls to play more depth for a potential 16or even 17-game playoff run have been frequent from the team’s coaching staff, and that’s where other pieces can emerge as X-factors.

There might not be another position on the roster where Ohio State flexes more depth than along the defensive line, and that’s saying something given the number of quality players across the Buckeyes’ roster. Hero Kanu, Kayden McDonald, Jason Moore and perhaps even Tywone Malone will be names to watch at defensive tackle while Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry and Mitchell Melton provide morethan-capable relief options off the edge.

C.J. HICKS

While it seems that Styles is pulling away from Hicks in the battle to start at Will based on the Ohio State practices open to the media, Hicks is still expected to be involved in 4-3 packages and as a blitzer off the edge. He has the athleticism to match up with tight ends and running backs in pass coverage too, meaning there are scenarios where he and Styles could play in Ohio State's 4-2-5 base package together.

“I feel like when we need a play, when it’s 3rd-and-long and we need somebody to get to the quarterback, I’m that guy,” Hicks said. “No matter who the D-ends are. I love our D-linemen, but I feel like I’m the best one at getting to the quarterback.”

JERMAINE MATHEWS JR.

The luxury of having Mathews as a backup has been written about on multiple occasions here at Eleven Warriors, but it bears repeating that the Buckeyes’ sophomore cornerback would start for 95% of college teams this year, if not all but the one he’s on. After proving himself on a huge stage against Penn State as a freshman, he’ll be the team’s top backup at outside corner and is probably too good to keep out of rotational work. He’s also in an under-the-radar competition with Lorenzo Styles Jr. to be the team’s next nickel after Hancock.

THE UNKNOWNS

HOW MUCH WILL KNOWLES RAMP UP THE AGGRESSION?

Last year the biggest non-positional question pertaining to Ohio State’s defense was how Knowles and company would address the big plays that cost the team against Michigan and Georgia at the end of 2022. The answer was more base defenses, hanging back and making offenses earn what they gained, though the team did show some more blitzes as the season wore on and the secondary proved its mettle.

This year Knowles wants to mix in more of such rushes, and with the defensive backs he has to cover for vacated zones in pass coverage, one can hardly blame him. It also doesn’t hurt to have gifted blitzers like Sonny Styles and Hicks. And, given enough time, offensive coordinators are smart and can figure out how to hit on base plays even when outmatched in personnel.

“You look at our last game (against Missouri), we had a shutout pretty close to the fourth quarter,” Knowles said on Aug. 2. “Sometimes you reach those points here where you just, I don't want to be the one to mess them up. I want them to be able to face it. It's not about what I know or being creative. When we're going good, I think that's the balance. We're going good, hey, we're going good, let's just keep it going.

“But when you stay in anything too long, when you become predictable, it really doesn't matter who you're playing. They're going to take some kind of, like Missouri did, run this guy all the way across to the other hash (for a long touchdown).”

SAFETY DEPTH

When the biggest personnel question mark for a defense is how good the backup strong safety will be, you know that unit is in a good spot. Beyond sophomore Malik Hartford there’s not a lot of certainty behind Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom on the safety depth chart, and Hartford is more a free safety than a strong one. Redshirt sophomore South Carolina transfer Keenan Nelson Jr. and redshirt freshman Jayden Bonsu are working on getting ready should they be needed, but the young safety who’s probably made the most noise this offseason is freshman Jaylen McClain. He gained momentum with an interception in the Buckeyes’ spring game and rolled that into a strong start to fall camp, becoming the third freshman to shed his black stripe on Aug. 7.

Knowles has also highlighted nickel as a spot that worries him depth-wise, but between Lorenzo Styles, Mathews and the collection of corners crosstraining at the position, Ohio State should be fine if Hancock were unavailable.

FRESHMAN TO WATCH

EDDRICK HOUSTON

With Melton, Jackson and Curry backing up Sawyer and Tuimoloau at defensive end, Houston likely isn’t going to be called upon to provide an impact when it matters this year. In a defense this veteran, however, that’s true for every freshman. Houston’s five-star talent has flashed in fall camp and he should get a chance to shine when games are already in hand this season.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

What more is there to be said? Anything short of the best defense in college football will feel like a disappointment for Ohio State with the doomsday-prepper-style arsenal the team possesses on that end. The Buckeyes were a defense-driven team in 2023 and the hope is that it will drive them to a national championship in 2024. ♦

From signal-caller to strong safety, here are four of Ohio State’s most pivotal players this season

By Andy Anders of Eleven Warriors @andyanders55

It’s often not the success of the stars that determines a team’s overall success, but how those players filling key roles that have some level of uncertainty step up to the stage and perform.

There isn’t a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Ohio State’s players in 2024. The Buckeyes have more proven assets than a billionaire’s investment portfolio, with great depth to boot, especially on the defensive end.

So searching for such pivotal players, ones who need to elevate their game to a certain level for Ohio State to achieve its goals in 2024, isn’t as easy of a task as it might sound. That is until one arrives at the same two question marks that plagued the Buckeyes in the 2023 offseason and on through their campaign – offensive line and quarterback.

Those two position groups accounted for three of the six selections on Eleven Warriors’ list of pivotal players who needed to step up for Ohio State last year, and this year it’s four of five. With a triple dip on the offensive line, it underscores just how vital that unit’s improvement will be to the success or failure of the Buckeyes to reach their goals this season. Let’s break it down.

WILL HOWARD

There’s no position more pivotal to a football team’s success than quarterback, and while there’s plenty of knowns about the veteran Howard from his time at Kansas State, there’s plenty of unknown too.

After arriving to Columbus’ campus in the spring, Howard showed some issues with downfield accuracy as he developed comfort and knowledge of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s scheme.

“I feel like in the spring I was – at the beginning at least – drinking from a fire hose a little bit,” Howard said on Aug. 6. “Especially just with the way that the offense was installed. But I think that was good for me. Kind of learning how to go through a spring or through a couple of practices without really having any prior experience with an offense.”

Howard’s completion percentage in his final year, his best year, starting with the Wildcats was 61.3% and he averaged just 7.4 yards per pass attempt. Kyle McCord had 9.1 yards per attempt last year as the Buckeyes’ starter, for reference. Yes, Howard’s weapons will be far superior to what he had in Manhattan with the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Jeremiah Smith, but he’ll also be facing better defenses and colder environments in the Big Ten. If he can handle pressure, stretch the field and showcase more pinpoint accuracy, it’ll only make his vaunted wide receivers harder to guard.

Perhaps the biggest priority will be taking care of the football. With the talent surrounding him and the high level of defense Ohio State should play, there’s nothing wrong with Howard being a game manager and picking his shots. He threw 10 interceptions with Kansas State last year, a number he will certainly look to cut down on.

Howard will provide an experienced hand, good leadership and rushing ability for Ohio State, but the more he elevates himself in other areas, the more he can elevate the offense.

“I think he's really worked extremely hard in the offseason; from the end of spring ball on April 13th to now, he's made great strides,” Kelly said. “We gave him a plan over the summer to work on and he took it and ran with it. So where he is now is pretty impressive. And the one thing that you know he has is he has experience. He's been in the huddle. He's been in a huddle in a lot of games, he's been in a huddle in big games. So, you know, this isn't new to him. Columbus is new to him, but playing college football isn't new to him. So I think that experience really started to shine through here during camp. And excited to see where he goes with us.”

DONOVAN JACKSON

Jackson was not issue A, B or C on Ohio State’s offensive line last year, behind which the Buckeyes saw their fewest yards per carry since 2004 with just 4.2. But the left guard didn’t play up to the standard he or the pundits expected.

After excelling on the Buckeyes’ 2022 front five, there were moments when Jackson excelled again in 2023 but also inconsistencies to be found, including on the offense’s final play against Michigan.

“The main things are working out in space, second-level mechanics and just straining on the back end of plays,” Jackson said in March. “I feel like those are the main areas that I definitely need

to work on going back and watching every play of last year. There are a lot of things I did well, but well isn’t gonna get you far. You’ve gotta be great in those areas. That’s the fun thing about football, you’re never at a point where you’re like, ‘Hey, I’m good.’ Because you’re never ‘good.’ There’s always something you can improve on.”

Jackson finished the season with the offensive line’s third-best run-block rating on Pro Football Focus at 67.3, though he led in pass-block rating at 72.7. He surrendered four pressures at Notre Dame in Week 4.

This isn’t to say Jackson isn’t a great offensive lineman. He’s been first-team All-Big Ten each of the past two seasons for a reason. But if he can produce at that level consistently, it will go a long way toward fixing Ohio State’s offensive line woes.

LATHAN RANSOM

Ransom, a rather accomplished veteran for the Buckeyes at strong safety, is here for two reasons.

First, the senior is coming off a season-ending injury eight games into 2023, and while it seems his recovery has been smooth there’s always at least some concern when returning from such an ailment.

Second, the Buckeyes are thin at safety, especially at strong safety. Caleb Downs is a superstar alongside Ransom at free safety. Malik Hartford flashed as a freshman, so he should be a good backup, but he’s more of a free than a strong safety. And when it’s true freshman Jaylen McClain trending as the next man up behind those two, some concern lingers about where the position will be should Ransom or Downs go down.

If Ransom stays healthy and plays to the level he’s capable of, it shouldn’t be an issue

TEGRA TSHABOLA OR CARSON HINZMAN

The right guard battle, the only position battle that seems open at this stage of camp, rounds out the list of players who need to elevate themselves for Ohio State’s success.

Tshabola and Hinzman’s duel completes an offensive line triple-dip. While it feels excessive, it goes to show how critical improvements along the front will be for the Buckeyes if they are to win it all in 2024 and how deep and talented they are at other positions.

At this stage of camp, it seems Tshabola has taken the lead in the contest, both because of his performance and because Hinzman has missed multiple practices with an illness that’s swept through the offensive line room.

“I think Tegra's really athletic and can really sink his hips, and he's long,” Kelly said. “He's really long, and when you can play long on the offensive line and keep defensive linemen away from people because of your length, that's a really big deal for us. We like offensive linemen that are big, because big people beat up little people. So we like Tegra a lot.” ♦

Ranking the Buckeyes’ 2024 opponents from least to most difficult

By Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors @dan_hope

As we continue our look ahead to Ohio State’s 2024 season with the Eleven Warriors Season Preview, I asked a panel of eight Eleven Warriors staffers to rank the Buckeyes’ 12 regular-season contests from the game they’re most confident Ohio State will win to the game they expect to present the toughest test. From there, we averaged out their rankings to rank each game in order from easiest to most difficult, then grouped them into tiers based on gaps in the voting.

TIER 1: NON-CONFERENCE CUPCAKES

1. AKRON (AUG. 31, HOME)

Average Ranking: 1.25, High Rank: 1, Low Rank: 3

2. WESTERN MICHIGAN (SEPT. 7, HOME)

Average Ranking: 2.25, High Rank: 2, Low Rank: 3

3. MARSHALL (SEPT. 21, HOME)

Average Ranking: 2.5, High Rank: 1, Low Rank: 3

Everyone on our staff agreed that Ohio State’s first three games of the season will be its easiest wins of the year. The competition should increase slightly from game one to game two to game three – Akron went just 2-10 last season while Western Michigan went 4-8 and Marshall went 6-7 – but anything less than a comfortable blowout win for the Buckeyes would be a disappointment in all three of these games.

Even by Group of 5 standards, none of these teams are expected to be good in 2024; Marshall is ranked 89th in Phil Steele’s preseason power poll while Western Michigan is 104th and Akron is 125th.

TIER 2: LIKELY COMFORTABLE CONFERENCE WINS

4. PURDUE (NOV. 9, HOME)

Average Ranking: 4.75, High Rank: 4, Low Rank: 7

5. INDIANA (NOV. 23, HOME)

Average Ranking: 5.5, High Rank: 4, Low Rank: 6

6. NORTHWESTERN (NOV. 16, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 5.625, High Rank: 4, Low Rank: 8

Following the first three games, Ohio State’s secondeasiest stretch of the season should come in its second through fourth games of November, when the Buckeyes will play Purdue, Northwestern and Indiana in successive weeks.

While Purdue has a reputation for giving Ohio State scares, the Buckeyes have won three of their last five meetings with the Boilermakers by 28-plus points and Purdue is projected to be one of the Big Ten’s worst teams in 2024. There’s always the risk of a letdown one week after a road game at Penn State, but the Buckeyes could still be heavier favorites against the Boilermakers than any other Big Ten game this season.

New Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has made it clear the Hoosiers will be playing to win against Ohio State, and the Hoosiers will be coming off a bye week. They’re likely to treat an opportunity to beat Ohio State like their Super Bowl while the Buckeyes will have a hard time not looking ahead to their

must-win game against Michigan one week later. All of that said, we still don’t expect the Hoosiers to have the firepower to keep up with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium, where Ohio State will certainly be hoping to take care of business early and get its starters some rest before the battle with the Wolverines.

Ohio State’s last two games against Northwestern have proven to be tougher than expected, but the Buckeyes have still won 10 straight contests against the Wildcats. Northwestern will also have the advantage of a bye week before it plays Ohio State, but its home-field advantage will be mitigated by playing at Wrigley Field, where Buckeyes fans could easily outnumber home-team supporters. Like Purdue, Northwestern projects as one of the Big Ten’s worst teams this year on paper.

TIER 2.5: COULD BE A TRAP GAME, COULD BE A BLOWOUT

7. MICHIGAN STATE (SEPT. 28, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 6.25, High Rank: 4, Low Rank: 9

While everyone on our staff agreed that the three nonconference games should be Ohio State’s three easiest wins of the season and no one ranked Purdue, Northwestern or Indiana among the four toughest games of the season, there was slightly less consensus on where Ohio State’s conference opener against Michigan State falls on the difficulty spectrum.

On paper, this is another game the Buckeyes will be projected to win comfortably. Ohio State has won eight straight games against Michigan State by an average of more than 30 points, and the Spartans are coming off a 4-8 season in 2023.

But this will be both the first Big Ten game and first road game of the year for the Buckeyes, making it the toughest test – at least relatively – Ohio State will have faced to that point in the season. And the Spartans have one of the Big Ten’s most intriguing quarterbacks in Oregon State transfer Aidan Chiles, whose big arm and athleticism make him a potential breakout star in East Lansing who could give Ohio State’s defense its first real challenge of the year.

TIER 3: GAMES THE BUCKEYES CAN’T OVERLOOK

8. NEBRASKA (OCT. 26, HOME)

Average Ranking: 7.875, High Rank: 7, Low Rank: 9

9. IOWA (OCT. 5, HOME)

Average Ranking: 8.75, High Rank: 8, Low Rank: 9

Outside of the Big Ten’s “Big Four,” Iowa and Nebraska might be the biggest threats to make a surprise run to the Big Ten Championship Game. Each of their schedules makes it realistic that they could bring undefeated records into their trips to Ohio Stadium – particularly for Iowa – which means both teams should have plenty to play for as they gun for an upset against the Buckeyes in October.

The Buckeyes have won their last seven games against Nebraska by an average of more than 30 points, but the Cornhuskers are expected to make a leap forward in Matt Rhule’s second year as coach. The arrival of former Ohio State quarterback commit Dylan Raiola gives Nebraska the potential to be more dangerous offensively than it’s been in some time, though that gives the Buckeyes all the more reason to go into that game motivated to make a statement, especially since they’ll be coming off of a bye week.

Iowa might be Ohio State’s biggest competition for the crown of having the Big Ten’s best defense this year, and the Hawkeyes are expected to be better offensively than they’ve been the last few years. They’ll have to be a lot better offensively

if they want to seriously threaten the Buckeyes, but their defense will present the first major test of the year for Ohio State’s offense, the side of the ball where the Buckeyes have more concerns.

Ohio State shouldn’t lose to Nebraska or Iowa, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise if both games are competitive. They combine with the road trip to Oregon to make October the toughest month of the season for Ohio State on a pound-for-pound basis even though the Buckeyes only play three games in October.

TIER 4: THE BIG TESTS

10. PENN STATE (NOV. 2, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 10.25, High Rank: 10, Low Rank: 11

While no one on our staff sees Penn State as the toughest game of the season, all of us agreed that the trip to Happy Valley will be one of the three most challenging contests of the year.

Beaver Stadium is notoriously one of the toughest places to play in college football, and Penn State is expected to be a College Football Playoff contender this season. The Nittany Lions’ defense should be one of the best in the country again this year, while Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are one of the nation’s top running back tandems.

Drew Allar will need to be much better than he was last year at Ohio Stadium – where he completed just 18 of 42 passing attempts for 191 yards – if the Nittany Lions are going to end their seven-year losing streak against the Buckeyes. If the Ohio native can perform up to his potential as a secondyear starting quarterback, the Nittany Lions will present a serious road test for Ohio State in its first game of November.

11. MICHIGAN (NOV. 30, HOME)

Average Ranking: 11, High Rank: 10, Low Rank: 12

Even though Michigan has three straight wins over Ohio State, most of our staff sees The Game as only the second- or third-toughest game on the Buckeyes’ 2024 schedule.

The Wolverines are replacing the vast majority of their starters from last year’s national championship team, including J.J. McCarthy and their entire offensive line, and neither Jim Harbaugh nor Connor Stalions will be on their sidelines as they make their way into what should be a packed house at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State’s loaded defense should have the upper hand on an inexperienced Michigan offense, while Michigan’s defense doesn’t project to be quite as dominant as it was a year ago.

Ohio State was favored to beat Michigan in 2021 and 2022 too, though, before losing both of those games by multiple scores. All the pressure will be on Ryan Day and the Buckeyes as they look to break out of their rivalrygame funk this season, and the last three years are reason enough for OSU fans to be nervous about this game until the Buckeyes actually prove they can beat their northern rivals.

12. OREGON (OCT. 12, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 11.75, High Rank: 11, Low Rank: 12

Everyone on our staff agrees that Ohio State’s road trip to Eugene will be one of its two toughest games of the regular season, with a majority of us agreeing that Oregon is the team we’re most concerned will beat the Buckeyes before the postseason.

Out of all teams in the Big Ten – and perhaps the entire country outside of Georgia – Oregon looks like the team best built to compete with Ohio State. Dillon Gabriel leads a wellrounded offense that should be both explosive through the air and tough to stop on the ground, while its defense should also be competitive at all three levels.

Add in the fact that Ohio State will have to travel more than 2,000 miles for this game and that the Buckeyes will be playing for the sixth week in a row, and bringing a win home from Autzen Stadium won’t be easy. The final game of the first half of the season will serve as the first true test of whether Ohio State has a national championship-caliber team –provided the Buckeyes beat Michigan State and Iowa – and it could prove to be the toughest hurdle for Ohio State to clear in its quest for an undefeated regular season.

Your Guide to Ohio Stadium Dining Your Guide to Ohio Stadium Dining

With more than 25 different concepts available, here’s what to eat at the ‘Shoe, and where to find it

By Jack McLaughlin / Story Design by Tori Smith

Ohio Stadium is an institution. As such, you won’t run into the typical stadium fare of soggy-bun hot dogs and middle school cafeteria pizza. From local cheesesteaks to loaded baked potatoes, here’s your guide to eating at the ‘Shoe.

Al’s Popcorn

What is it: Local, long-standing popcorn shop Where is it: C9, A10

Ben’s Soft Pretzel

What is it: Soft pretzels, hand-rolled Where is it: A38, C15

Brutus’ Best

What is it: Dogs, brats, nachos and more. A little bit of all the stadium classics

Where is it: A3, A13, A14, A16, A25, A26, B8, B16, B20, C8, C9, C18, C23, C25, C26, S33, S36, S37

Buckeye BBQ

What is it: Pulled pork, pulled chicken, BBQ sauce Where is it: A6, A15, B22, C17

Burgers

What is it: No surprises here, burgers and snacks Where is it: A7, B14, B26, SS-B, C5, C14, D23

Crumbl Cookies

What is it: Viral cookie chain with rotating flavors Where is it: C9, A10

Dippin’ Dots

What is it: The same futuristic ice cream spheres you know and love Where is it: A16, A21, C9

Dirty Frank’s

What is it: Local chain slinging crazy dogs and killer tots Where is it: A19

Donatos Pizza

What is it: Classic Columbus-style, Columbus-based pizza chain Where is it: A21, A22

Drink Local

What is it: Columbus craft beers and snacks Where is it: A17, A22, B10, C11, C18

Hot Chicken Takeover

What is it: Locally-launched, but Nashville-style, fried chicken and sides Where is it: SS35

Hot Honey Footlong

What is it: Footlong hot dogs with Mike’s Hot Honey Where is it: 9A, 34A, 10C

Hot Seat

What is it: All things spicy Where is it: C17

Impossible Dogs

What is it: Plant-based hot dogs Where is it: A25, A26

Just Walk Out

What is it: High-tech, fully automated store Where is it: A16

Kettle Corn

What is it: Kettle corn and more Where is it: A9, A10, A38, B, C11, C23, C25, D19

Marlow’s Cheesesteaks

What is it: Local concept selling real Philly cheesesteaks Where is it: A19

Overloaded

What is it: Loaded nachos and spicy sausages Where is it: A9, C10, SS34

Panera

What is it: It’s Panera! Sandwiches, soups, salads and more Where is it: A20, C22

Skyward Grille

What is it: Gourmet gyros Where is it: A25, C24

Smashed Buns

What is it: A wide variety of flavored cinnamon rolls Where is it: C12

South of the Border

What is it: Mexican fare and margaritas Where is it: A10, A19

Specialty Cocktails

What is it: Pretty much what the name says. Visitors can expect Jameson, Patròn and more

Where is it: 16A, 25A, 26A, 17C, 18C

Spuds & Bubs

What is it: Baked potatoes of the loaded variety Where is it: C20

Takis Snacks

What is it: A whole lot of Takis Where is it: A10, C9

Taste of the Competition

What is it: Burgers with flavors inspired by the visiting team Where is it: A8, C10

The co-owner of one of Columbus’ most popular eateries has created a unique space that’s part living farm and part wellness hub, with sauna, cold plunge pond and more

By Melinda Green

Taking the PLUNGE

Photos by Aaron Massey

Story Design by Tori Smith

Criatura Farm

“The location just feels very private and serene and peaceful, and it's like, ‘OK, I can leave my life for a little bit, but not be so far away.’”

Criatura. The word is Spanish, or Portuguese, for “being.” As in, all beings connected within an ecosystem, mutually flourishing together. An hour outside of Columbus, and 13-1/2-acre Criatura Farm is manifesting that vision.

Brook Maikut and his wife, Lauren, moved to Mount Vernon three years ago. The idea was to create a natural space for their family, but also to create a space for others.

Maikut, co-owner of Comune restaurant, explained that Criatura Farm was a natural step for him and for his personal evolution. “I felt [that] the path that led me to Comune, then led me further up the chain,” he said. “Really, it's creating a space that people want to come to, because I feel that’s especially important in this time in the world. We need to be talking more face to face, which sounds funny, but you know what I mean. More time together.”

More time together, more time over food, and more time with the sauna.

Last spring, the Maikuts planted 1200 elderberry plants to eventually be used for syrup or tonic. They have a milk cow, a few pigs, and a handful of other animals. In their first year on the property, they received a grant to put in around 2,000 native plants, including many around their creek and riparian area.

Maikut is busy building a guest cottage, but that’s not all. On the foundation of an old barn that overlooked the pond, he’s also building a large, all-fire outdoor kitchen that will host chefs from around the region for small, private culinary events. “I feel like it's very appealing for a lot of folks. And then I want to personally be able to do some community stuff where it's more donation based or not at all,” he said. “Just in the veil of getting people together, you know, and talking.”

But the real star of the show, at least for the moment, is the sauna, which draws guests from around central Ohio and even as far as Cleveland.

This is not your average American sauna—the 10-by7-foot hot space is heated by wood fire and ranges in temperature from a sweltering 160 to an even more sweltering 200 degrees. Maikut admitted it can be a much more intense experience than other saunas.

Fortunately, the pond outside is cool, and the two-hour reservation blocks ensure that visitors can alternate between the steaming hot sauma and chilled, adjacent pond in small blocks until they acclimate. In winter, Maikut will even cut the pond’s ice so sauna-goers can splash in the icy waters to refresh.

“The sauna is kind of like phase one,” Maikut explained. “We thought it was the easier chunk of the overall experience that we'd like to be able to have in the future. So, that's gone pretty well. We opened it up last fall and we have regulars.”

Sheila Santa, of Columbus, is one of those regulars. In fact, she’s so serious about the sauna that she booked it for five hours on New Year’s Day, hosting some of her friends throughout the day.

“They have such a great set up because it gets that hot. It's definitely the hottest one, at least that I've found,” Santa said. “And then that pond is amazing. I can do 20 minutes at a time, and then I get out and get in the water and then back in and back out.”

Santa, a family medicine physician and violinist, says the sauna and cold plunge are good for the mind as well as the body. “I get a lot of neck pain, upper back pain, discomfort. I'm stressed a lot. I get migraines a lot. I find [the heat] great for the discomfort and the muscle spasms and the tightness, and then being able to go back and forth between cold and hot just really helps that let go. I find it very helpful and, to be honest, cheaper than getting a massage.” →

← Aerial view of the cold plunge pond at Criatura Farm

A building under construction at Criatura Farm

criatura farm/

↓ The Maikut family with their dogs at Criatura Farm

She continued, “The location just feels very private and serene and peaceful, and it's like, ‘OK, I can leave my life for a little bit, but not be so far away.’ It's kind of a meditation reset and a release for the musculoskeletal system.”

The Maikuts maintain “normal dayto-day stuff” in addition to managing the farm and sauna. Lauren milks the cow; Brook feeds the pigs. After morning coffee, the two go their separate ways—Lauren to her job as a prop stylist for photoshoots in Columbus, Brook to various gigs around town. But, again, Brook always has more up his sleeve.

“I'm getting ready to start life coaching, and I got my meditation teaching certificate,” he said. “So I'd like to be pairing stuff like that with some nature based meditations out here. We'll see how it goes. Again, it's all little pieces of the puzzle to bring people together.”

That puzzle, he said, is what drives his and Lauren’s vision. “Ultimately, that's why I'm taking a step into life coaching. Comune always was a branch coming out of feeding people, but also giving them a full experience. And this, to me, it's a very similar thing, a full encompassing experience. Comune, it's hitting all the things that I really care about in that area. And this is just a kind of extension of that. I mean, as simple as it is, it's truly a love for this world.” ♦ Book your own sauna & cold plunge session by visiting criatura-farm.com/sauna-1.

all aboard in autumn

Just because fall is here doesn’t mean it’s too late to enjoy our local waterways via canoe, and (614)’s Laura Hennigan shows you how

By Laura Hennigan

Story Design by Atlas Biro

One of our favorite ways to ease into autumn is by heading to a calm Ohio waterway, loading up a cooler, and enjoying some solid relaxation time in nature. There are plenty of warm days ahead to enjoy a good float, whether you opt to travel by canoe, kayak, tube, or SUP. September weather is ideal for exploring a river or two, plus you’ll get to admire the beginnings of the changing fall foliage.

We’ve found some of the top spots in the state for low-key water excursions, so plan to schedule some weekend time in the great outdoors.

Mohican Adventures

Loudonville mohicanadventures.com

Located just outside Mohican State Park, Mohican Adventures offers two different options that begin on the Black Fork River and, depending on your preference, carry you on either a three or seven mile trip. After wrapping up your water excursion, there is plenty of more fun to be had, since the campground also offers fishing, a family fun center, aerial adventure park, and overnight cabin rentals.

Go North and paddle the Upper Cuyahoga with Camp Hi, which began operating in 1928. They have four trips to choose from: the two mile Micro, seven and five mile Short, and twelve mile Long. All are available to tackle via canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, and their larger canoes can hold up to three adults. If you feel like staying longer, there are several secluded sites available for tent camping along the river. Camp Hi Canoe and Kayak

Hocking Hills Adventures

Logan hockinghillscanoeing.com

If you’re hoping to spend a full day exploring nature, look no further than Hocking Hills Adventures. The company, which has been around since 1976, has several featured river trips that run on a scenic section of the Hocking River. Choose from the five mile Crockett’s Run, which is slower moving and ideal for kids, or the longer seven mile trek, where you can paddle around the natural Rockbridge formation. During your float, you’ll pass several sandbars, perfect for stopping for a picnic and quick swim.

Scenic River Canoe Excursions

Cincinnati scenicrivercanoe.com

Just outside Cincinnati, Scenic River Canoe Excursions operates on one of the most scenic sections of the Little Miami River. The Fletcher's Mid Trip runs six miles and can be done in a canoe or kayak, while the longer Remington’s Run is only available by kayak. Both routes pass the Little Miami Brewing Company, where you can pull up for a stop and a pint before heading back to the water. In September, Scenic River is open for canoeing on weekends, before their season ends Sept. 29.

Hoover Adventures

Columbus hooveradventures.com

Offering hourly, half day and full day canoe and kayak rental options, Hoover Adventures operates from a few different ramps around town, including Westerville and Galena. Stick closer to home while still getting away from it all with their self-guided tours, or opt for some assistance with one of their classes or activities, like a scavenger hunt.

West River Paddling

Vermillion westriverkayak.com

Tucked against Lake Erie, West River Paddling is in a quaint harbor town and offers tours on the Vermillion River Watershed. You can rent a vessel by the hour, half or full day, or overnight, depending on where your adventures take you. Not sure what to choose or where to go? The helpful staff is happy to provide recommendations for routes, as well as discuss the best places to stop.

Helpful Hint!

We recommend bringing these canoeing essentials with you on your adventure:

Birch Bark Canoe Livery

Float through the unspoiled Mad River in Champaign County, which boasts shallow, clear waters. Birch Bark Canoe Livery has a five mile trip that takes around ten hours, or you can opt to skip the paddling and choose a tube-only outing. You’ll spend most of the time under a shaded, leafy canopy along the quiet route, which is ideal for relaxing and escaping the noise of the city.

Spend some time along the banks of the Auglaize River, with this canoe outfitter that sits on a 100 year old family farm. There are four different trips available, depending on how much time and energy you want to spend on the water. The three mile Oakwood offers a calm stretch that takes around 90 minutes, the moderate seven mile Cascade takes floaters through a scenic area, and the Devil’s Backbone clocks in at 10 miles, making it ideal for more avid paddlers.

THE SHORT NORTH ARTS DISTRICT

HOPS ON HIGH

Here’s your guide to some of the coolest local shows, plays, and concerts this autumn

By Laura Hennigan

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

As the autumn leaves sweep in, so do a wide variety of opportunities to explore the arts across Columbus. The options are nearly endless, whether you’re in the mood for a Broadway-esque stage show, an introspective art exhibit, or the beauty of ballet.

September

MJ - The Musical

September 10th - 15th

Ohio Theatre

Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Columbus as MJ, the Tony Award®winning musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

North by Northwest

September 12th - 14th

Wexner Center for the Arts

The Wexner Center is proud to be presenting this newly restored 70mm print of Alfred Hitchcock’s spy thriller North by Northwest, starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint.

Andy Grammer - Greater Than: A One Man Show

September 13th

McCoy Center for the Arts

Emmy award winner and multiplatinum artist Andy Grammer arrives in New Albany with an all new, one man show featuring songs, poetry, and stories.

Precarious

September 14th - October 29th

Dublin Arts Center

Artists Helen Hoffelt and Char Norman have come together to produce a collection of work that addresses environmental issues as they relate to communities from the Amazon Rainforest to central Ohio.

Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble

September 19th

Lincoln Theatre

Celebrate the new album of jazz drummer Matt Wilson with a three movement performance dedicated to the legacy of the late heralded civil rights activist John Lewis.

Ming Smith: Transcendence

September 19th - January 26th

Columbus Museum of Art

CMA is hosting this remarkable photography exhibition, which offers a rare opportunity to delve into Ming Smith's identity as an artist deeply rooted in the diverse fabric of Columbus.

Opening Night: A John Williams Celebration

September 20th and 22nd Ohio Theatre

The Masterworks season will start with the celebration of John Williams’ award-winning music catalog that includes some of the most popular and critically acclaimed film scores in modern history.

Iliza Shlesinger - The Get Ready Tour

September 27th

Palace Theatre

Comedy fans will not want to miss this chance to catch Iliza Schlesinger perform her signature stand-up, which has been featured on numerous Netflix specials.

↑ Ming Smith’s Transcendence exhibit at CMA

↑ North by Northwest showing at Wexner Center

↑ A John Williams Celebration showing at the Ohio Theatre

October

Cécile McLorin Salvant

October 3rd

Wexner Center for the Arts

Grammy Award–winning singer and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant makes her Wexner Center debut as the first act in this year’s jazz series, showcasing her passion for storytelling and peerless artistic vision.

Joshua Bell with Pianist Peter Dugan

October 4th

McCoy Center for the Arts

Grammy award-winning violinist and renowned artist Joshua Bell performs with Peter Dugan, pianist and host of NPR’s From the Top, in this special recital performance.

The Book of Mormon

October 8th - 13th

Ohio Theatre

Catch the outrageous musical sensation that follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.

Jeff Tweedy

October 17th

Southern Theatre

Founding member and leader of Grammy Award winning band Wilco, Jeff Tweedy will be performing songs from his dynamic and expansive catalog in an intimate setting.

↑ The Book of Mormon showing at Ohio Theatre

An Evening with Bestselling Author Michael Connelly

October 17th

Joseph V. Canzani Center, CCAD

Join award-winning crime writer and New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly in conversation with journalist Ann Fisher, as they discuss his new book, The Waiting.

BalletMet’s Dracula

October 25th - November 2nd

Riffe Center

Inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, this extraordinary gothic revival features a ballet performance of passion and horror that you can sink your teeth into.

Sleepy Hollow: An American Ghost Story

October 3rd - November 17th

Shadowbox Live

Shadowbox delivers their adaptation of Washington

Irving’s classic 1820 short story of bewitched hearts, twilight superstitions, and sinister spirits.

Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque

October 22nd

Southern Theatre

Inspired by daily life in Guinea, this energetic, colorful show relies on music and acrobatics to share the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture.

Stuart Chafetz, conductor columbussymphony.com

Dress up as your favorite Gotham City resident as this blockbuster movie starring Michael Keaton as Batman comes to life on a larger-than-life screen with the Columbus Symphony performing the thrilling score by Danny Elfman live to film!

UPCOMING

| 7

↑ Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque at Southern Theatre

November

Wife of a Salesman

October 31st - November 17th

Riffe Center

When a devoted housewife – from a certain classic American drama –tracks down the woman who is sleeping with her husband, the two discover that they have more in common than society would like them to believe.

Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert

November 6th

Palace Theatre

Watch the film on a massive HD screen while an orchestra, scratch DJ on turntables, percussion, and electronic instruments play the soundtrack live to picture.

Atsuko Okatsuka: Full Grown Tour

November 15th

Riffe Center

Stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Atsuko Okatsuka brings her tour to town, tackling everything about being an adult, from making friends to charcuterie platters.

Handel’s Messiah

November 15th - 17th

Ohio Theatre

Experience the grandeur and tradition of The Messiah, Handel’s exultant masterpiece, featuring the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Jersey Boys

November 21st - December 29th

Garden Theatre Main Stage

The Short North Stage is launching Jersey Boys, a musical biography that offers a glimpse into the backstory of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

The Threepenny Opera

November 22nd and 24th

Southern Theatre

Opera Columbus presents this landmark 20th century work which follows underworld antihero Mackie Messer (a.k.a. Mack the Knife) as he tries to woo Polly Peachum and elude the authorities.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

November 24th

Palace Theatre

A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns, offering a re-mixed and re-imagined contemporary dance spectacle of the classic.

↑ Atsuko Okatsuka: Full Grown Tour at Riffe Center

↑ The Hip Hop Nutcracker coming to Palace Theatre

Look Good, Play Good. Look Good, Play Good.

↓ Jhon Alvarez styling Columbus Crew star, Cucho Hernandez’ hair

Local barber Jhon Alvarez keeps Columbus’ star athletes looking fresh and he achieves his own dreams while doing it

By Alex Lewis / Photos by Jen Brown

Among athletes, there is a common understanding that, if you look good, you will play good. Many stars from the Columbus Crew and Clippers sports teams trust Jhonba “Jhon” Alvarez, a local barber, who plans to open his first shop in Grandview, PARCEROS, to help them achieve the first part of that equation.

Alvarez, 32, moved to Columbus in 2020, a week before much of the city shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His dreams of getting to snowboard one day were temporarily placed on hold while he picked up jobs working in roofing, furniture delivery, and at different warehouses. After long, arduous shifts, Alvarez would return home to cut his clients’ hair.

As the Colombian native grew his clientele, Instagram became more than a promotional platform for Alvarez; it became the main way for him to connect with sports stars. Luis Díaz, the Costa Rican soccer player who helped lead the Columbus Crew to a Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup championship in 2020, was the first local athlete to schedule an appointment with Alvarez.

As a soccer fan and former semi-professional player with Columbus Futsal Club, Alvarez could not believe Díaz reached out to him. But the year after he started cutting Díaz’s hair, Alvarez saw that Cucho Hernández, another Colombian native, was signing with the hometown soccer team. “I didn't know anything about him,” said Alvarez. “I just saw that he was a Colombian player coming to the Columbus Crew.”

Alvarez posted a welcome to Hernández on his Instagram. Upon seeing the post, a friend texted the barber and said she knew Hernández’s best friend. Alvarez asked her to reach out and relay the message that Alvarez was available if the fellow Colombian needed anything. Two weeks later, Hernández came in for his first haircut from Alvarez. “He’s a good guy,” the barber confirmed.

“When all the players saw Cucho coming to me, all the players wanted to come to me,” said Alvarez. It is difficult to come by a good barber, especially one who can consistently provide a fresh shape-up. But Alvarez believes that another reason local athletes, especially Latin players, trust him is because they know he understands them. In Alvarez’s words, “Columbus is a big city, but it's small for the Latin people.” →

Story Design by Tori Smith

“DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THEY’RE CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS. BUT AFTER THAT, THEY’RE FRIENDS.”

While Alvarez has two uncles in Boston, most of his family still lives in Colombia. Growing up in Medellín, he played in a marching band and first visited the United States for a marching band championship in Indianapolis.

Having an older brother who is a barber, Alvarez picked up cutting hair. When Jhon was in high school, his brother bought a barbershop. The younger Alvarez would invite his friends to come to the shop. And as he described it, he would give them haircuts “just for fun.”

After high school, Alvarez enlisted in the Colombian Army where he served for a year. During his service term, he would cut hair for his family and friends. Alvarez’s older brother helped him see that he could have a future as a barber. He encouraged Jhon to keep training. And the younger Alvarez understood his brother’s advice: “You can grow your skills as a barber, you can be a good barber, and you can be a barber anywhere.”

Taking his brother’s words to heart, Alvarez traveled as a barber coach throughout Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico before moving to Miami to cut hair with a few friends. After six months in Miami, he moved to Columbus at his cousin’s invitation. He’s now been a barber for 13 years and said his favorite thing about cutting hair is meeting good people. “During the first visit, they’re customers and clients,” said Alvarez. “But after that, they’re friends.”

Alvarez doesn’t just want customers to see him as a good barber, but he wants them to see him as a good person. His hope is that they always feel comfortable with him, and he believes that he’s on the right track.

As Alvarez and his business partner Isaac Piedrahita welcome customers to PARCEROS, their new barbershop which is slated to open this month and is located at 1250 W. Fifth Ave., he could not be happier. “I feel amazing,” Alvarez reflected. “The Latin dream, the barber dream, is to open a shop with good clients and cut hair for famous people. That’s the dream, and we are living the dream.” ♦

Follow @jhonba_barber on Instagram to stay updated on his and Piedrahita’s (@isaacpg14)

and

new barber shop (@00barbershop),

to take a look at which local athlete they’re styling next.

↑ Jhon mixing hair bleach for Cucho’s signature hairstyle

Isaac Piedrahita styling a client’s hair →

← Alvarez bleaching Cucho Hernandez’ hair