NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

Greater Columbus What to do and where to go around

By Jack McLaughlin

State Street in downtown Westerville ↑

It’s time we broaden our horizons a bit. As much as there is to do within Columbus proper, it’s a big world out there, one that’s full of other interesting, historical, and downright fun new destinations.

We’re shining a light on some of the cities in the direct vicinity of Columbus to find out what they have to offer, and to show you what to do when you check them out. We’ve also included a profile of one (of so many!) neighborhoods within Columbus to bolster your knowledge of the city itself.

So from the tree-lined streets of Bexley to Otterbein’s historic red brick in Westerville, let’s take a trip together, Columbus.

WELCOME TO

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

From Bridge Park to Metro Parks, Dublin has it all

By Melinda Green Photos by Allison Grimes

Think of Dublin, Ohio, and you probably think of two big things: the yearly Irish Festival and Memorial Golf Tournament. But there’s much more to the city than these. Of course, the Dublin area is also home to the big Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (plus Zoombezi Bay), but it’s also home to many smaller, everyday adventures.

Despite the name, Dublin’s first European settlers were mostly non-Irish. But the title stuck, and it has associated the city with all things Irish for a long time— including a Celtic cocktail trail and a fairy door trail. But Dublin is built on former Native American lands. Rich earth, high ground, and natural spring water made it ideal for agriculture, and the Scioto River was vital for trade and transportation.

At the annual Memorial Tournament, rain is almost always a given, and legend has it that’s because the Muirfield Village Golf Club and its traffic are disruptive to the final resting place of Wyandot chief Shateyoranyah. His curse is considered by many to be very real.

Today, you can stop by the “stone face” monument to Chief Leatherlips at Scioto Park, and visit Indian Run Falls where the Wyandot once camped. You can also opt to chill out for a while at quiet Ferris-Wright Park, home to three geometric earthworks and five burial mounds from the Hopewell era, some dating back 12,000 years.

The pedestrian bridge leading from Old Dublin to Bridge Park ↑

If you want great dining, Dublin is the place to be. In an informal poll of locals, the hands-down favorite restaurant was Z Cucina di Spirito on Riverside Drive. House-made pasta, seafood, and prime meats fill the menu.

And Dublin's putting itself on the map all over again with Bridge Park, its trendy riverfront district. Kitchen Social and VASO Rooftop Lounge are two of the hottest spots in the city for dining as well. Want to elevate your meal? Book an igloo experience at VASO, complete with blankets and space heaters. It’s pricey, but a great way to impress your date.

For year-round outdoor fun, hit Glacier Ridge Metro Park (the address may say Plain City, but it’s on the edge of Dublin) for bike paths, a challenge course, a natural play area, and more. Or when it’s warm, get a group together, pool your money, and book a Scioto River kayak adventure from Sunrise Kayaking.

You definitely don’t have to “go big or go home” here. There are plenty of opportunities to have fun in Dublin, any day of the week.

To learn more, visit dublinohiousa.gov

Grove City is reclaiming its name as a destination

By Melinda Green / Photos by Maddie Schroeder

Named for the groves of beech, oak, maple, dogwood, and walnut trees left standing after the wilderness was cleared in the mid-19th century, Grove City is a fast-growing and family-friendly suburb.

One hundred years ago, though, Grove City was a popular entertainment destination. Columbus residents boarded electric trains and flocked south to the Kingdom Theatre for movies, Grant’s Auditorium for dancing, and, of course, Beulah Park for Thoroughbred racing.

Today, Grove City is known for its unpretentious, middle-class attitude, reflected in many of its restaurants. You’ll definitely want to check out the bustling Three Brothers Diner, tucked into an aging strip mall on Southwest Boulevard, for a brunch cocktail and hearty Mexican-American fusion dishes (including all-day breakfast), often prepared by the restaurant’s namesake trio of brothers who hail from Oaxaca themselves.

↑ Flag featuring Grove City's seal

Or, if pizza's your thing, the locals swear by Zamarelli's Pizza Palace and its thin, crispy crust piled high with toppings. But get ready to scarf it down in your car if you’re impatient, and definitely bring cash—this one is carryout only and you can’t pay with plastic.

And it wouldn’t be Grove City without mentioning China Bell and its extensive, traditional Chinese menu. For over 20 years, the family-owned restaurant on Stringtown Road has been an informal rite of passage of sorts for anyone in the area.

Hit the Town Center on Broadway for a fun weekend afternoon. Shop for antiques and treasures from more than 30 vendors at Country Hearth Primitives, and pick up some Ohio-sourced honey from the Honey House while you’re there. Grab a brew and a sandwich across the street at Grove City Brewing, then head over to Skylark Toys & Comics. Or head up the street a bit to Tommy’s Jerky Outlet and Jolly Pirate Donuts. There are a lot of options!

It’s also a great place to get some fresh air. Hike some of the 18 miles of trails, visit the nature center at Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, or get in a workout with the exercise equipment on the running trail at Henceroth Park. The city also has an 18-hole disc golf course and an outdoor skate park, both on Hoover Road.

Looking for a little education with your outdoor adventure? Visit Gantz Park’s gardens and arboretum for a self-guided tour or gardening class, or watch history come to life and sign up for a blacksmithing class at Century Village.

Whatever you choose, you might start seeing this humble city in a whole new, shining light.

To learn more, visit grovecityohio.gov

Grove City Brewing's Tap Handles ↓

Aerial view of Capital University's football field, featuring downtown Columbus in the background ↑

A stone’s throw from downtown Bexley offers small-town Columbus, charm with big city attractions

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos by James DeCamp

Just east of the city lies a small urban enclave known for its natural beauty, large estates including the Governor’s Mansion, great public schools, and private universities (Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary). With a storied history, many lifelong residents and a small-town vibe, Bexley is one of those places where a Hallmark movie might take place.

With more trees than residents, Bexley was the first city in the United States to obtain arboretum accreditation in 2013. Bexley has catalogued more than 14,000 trees in this urban oasis.

The city offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors -- with extensive bike trails and fishing or creeking along the banks of Alum Creek. If you’re not feeling particularly athletic, grab a Nashville Hoodie (trust us on this one) from Kittie’s Cakes, browse locally owned Gramercy Books or Urban Emporium and take a stroll down mansion-lined Parkview or Columbia avenues.

Jeffrey Park, a favorite of residents, is a Bexleyowned 32-acre estate that is essentially the backyard of the sprawling and historic Jeffrey Mansion.

Donated by the Jeffrey family to the city in 1941, the mansion plays host to private events, city programs and even a pre-school. Behind its large meadow is a short hiking loop, which takes visitors through oldgrowth forest to the banks of Alum Creek. Take in the wildlife, and the quiet, which is particularly spectacular in the colder months.

After you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to head to Bexley’s historic Main Street, where you can enjoy a bite to eat or see a flick at the legendary Drexel Theatre.

Giuseppe's Ritrovo offers excellent classic Italian fare and has been a neighborhood staple since 1996. The Rolling Stones dined there while in town several years back; look for their photo on the wall.

↓ Drexel Theater

If it’s fine dining you’re after, drop in to The Top, just outside of Bexley proper. Often cited as locals’ go-to restaurant for a fancy date-night, it’s a throwback to the supper clubs of the 1950s, complete with dimly lit leather booths and a piano bar with live music nightly.

If you don’t want to drop a lot of dough on dinner, hit up one of Bexley’s many pizza joints. Likely the most well-known of these, Rubino’s, opened its doors in 1954 and is something of a Columbus institution. This no-frills, old-school restaurant accepts cash only and serves up their crunchy thin-crust pizza to take home in a paper bag. If you prefer to fold your slices, check out Anthony’s Pizzeria, an authentic New Yorkstyle pizza establishment. If award-winning specialty pizzas are more your thing, visit Bexley Pizza Plus or Harvest, both also on Main Street.

If you’d rather cook for yourself, hit up Bexley butcher Macelleria, for pasture-raised livestock and specialty products with an Italian focus. Choose from classic cuts to specialities like wild boar sausage, braciole and porchetta.

So although Bexley might sometimes feel a world away from other faster-paced neighborhoods or cities nearby, at less than five miles from downtown Columbus, you’re close enough to stop by anytime you’d like.

Westerville packs in outdoor fun with history and bustling business

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos by James DeCamp

Westerville is a multi-faceted community—it’s a college town, a family town, a food town, an outdoors town, and it even boasts a rich, interesting history to boot. When you’re in this sprawling suburb, the sky’s the limit when it comes to things to do.

Westerville is home to Otterbein University, with its picturesque campus and vibrant student life. The school also provides many (often free) cultural opportunities, including theater, music and more.

The city, tucked away 20 miles north of downtown Columbus, is truly a nature-lover's paradise. Home to Sharon Woods Metro Park and Inniswood Metro Garden, as well as Hoover Dam, natural beauty abounds here. It’s not hard to stay active in a city that boasts 51 miles of recreational trails—known as the Westerville Bike and Walkways—which pass through a variety of landscapes and terrains.

Grab the kids and head to Sharon Woods, known by families throughout the area for its awesome natural play area and sledding hill. When it warms up, rent a canoe and explore Schrock Lake within the park. Inniswood features several short trails that are open year-round as well. Hoover Reservoir and its dam are wonders to behold. The huge dam was created due to a post-war demand for water in1953, and is still fascinating to explore today.

And speaking of back in the day: Did you know that Westerville was once known as the “The Dry Capital of the World?" Famous for its strict laws prohibiting the sales of alcohol, Westerville became home to the Anti-Saloon League, one of the driving forces behind Prohibition at the beginning of the 20th century. However, these days, the town has embraced craft beer culture and is home to several fine breweries, including Temperance Row Brewing (offering a playful nod to the city’s dry history with its name) and Galena Brewing Co.

Head to State Street to experience all that Uptown Westerville has to offer, from dining and entertainment to shopping and simply hanging out. First, check out Asterisk Supper Club for classic British tea complete with tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and jam. If a martini is more your speed, sip one at their historic 1890s bar—just make sure to get there in time for their outstanding happy hour.

At the corner of State Street and College Avenue in downtown Westerville ↑

↑ Towers Hall at Otterbein University

Grab some Shirley’s Popcorn or Whit’s Custard to satisfy your sweet tooth. Locals know to stop by the historic Schneider’s Bakery and bring home a Celebration Donut, which is essentially the size of a cake. No special occasion needed to grab one.

Westerville also offers many public spaces for quiet reflection. A local favorite is the beautiful First Responders Park. The stunning memorial features a wall dedicated to fallen heroes and all first responders. The centerpiece, however, is a section of steel from the north tower of the World Trade Center that fell on Sept. 11. Later, the city dedicated “The Crossing,” a sculpture honoring fallen Westerville firefighter David Theisen.

A fascinating town with something for everyone, Westerville’s a premier suburban Columbus destination for a reason: It offers that hometown feel with the opportunities of a big city.

To learn more, visit westerville.org

Inside the SoHud Collective bus ↑

Once overlooked, SoHud is quickly becoming a hotspot neighborhood for business and creatives alike

By Zeb Larson / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

The neighborhood of SoHud has flown under the radar for years. In fact, many Columbus residents have never even heard of the area, which runs loosely from Hudson Street to Luka Ravine, between the railroad tracks to the east and High Street to the west.

In 2021, though, the neighborhood is booming, with vibrant new businesses like Psychobilly Barbershop and Lovebirds (a hip new bar embracing karaoke, dance parties, and more) joining neighborhood favorites like Rumba Café and Evolved Tattoo Shop. “I think it’s flown under the radar because you either tell people you live in North Campus or you tell people you live in Clintonville. SoHud is perfectly in the middle of it,” said Taylor Grindle, who runs SoHud Collective, a boutique vintage clothing store that operates out of a defunct bus. He’s also active in SoHud’s Mystic Market, an esoteric SoHud

pop-up market that hosts everything from artists, to tarot readers and even animal whisperers.

Joel McPeak, the owner of Honeycup Coffee—a refurbished trailer turned mobile coffee stop parked in the heart of SoHud—relocated to the neighborhood in 2013 and never left. “I’ve loved it the whole time I’ve lived here,” he said. “Back then, it was quieter: one of the chief perks was being able to walk to Glen Echo Park.” Now, according to Grindle, the landscape has grown up a bit, with exciting new business and restaurants lining up to move into SoHud. “It looks like a mini-city,” he said. “So there’s Evolved which is a tattoo shop, there’s Punk Pigs which has grilled cheese, there’s a couple bars, there’s Used Kids Records…right on this corner, you have 10 businesses that aren’t Wendy’s, Chipotle, or McDonalds.” Part of what makes SoHud’s businesses unique, according to McPeak, is that so many of them are run by people who live there, Honeycup included. “Everyone who owns a business knows everybody else who owns a business, and they all support each other…The local residents have been the ones stepping up and making it happen.” The Neighborhood also supports a bustling creative scene. While Used Kids Records has been a hub for Columbus musicians and music-lovers for years, SoHud is also home to a variety of rotating inhome shows. “If you want to go to good house shows in Columbus, you should be in SoHud,” McPeak said. “All the members of Left Out live here, there’s Rat Attack, another one called Jayus, Rat Motel.” For Grindle, ultimately, the real attraction of SoHud is the people. “As a twenty-something living on my own, I don’t always feel like I get to know people that are outside of my friend group,” he said. “But in SoHud, you get to know all of your neighbors. Really getting to know all of the people in your neighborhood is a magical thing.”

To learn more, follow them on Instagram @SoHudCollective

↓ Vinyl for sale inside Used Kids Records

jennings java

www.jenningsjava.com (614) 935-8348 1193 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43206

On the hilly campus of Muskingum University, Jennings Java was born from a college dorm room in the Spring of 2016. Jennings Java highlights coffee’s unique flavors by sourcing quality beans from various regions around the world. Jennings Java promises the freshest flavor and an authentic experience with each sip. This is how we remain “True to the Origin” in every cup.

PARSONS NORTH BREWING

parsonsnorth.com (614) 824-4208 685 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 IG: @parsons_north FB: @ParsonsNorthBeer info@parsonsnorth.com

Let us “craft” your holiday gifts for you. Shoot us an email to get started. Holiday party reservations available too!

If they don’t have it, then tell them to get it (wink wink). Cheers and welcome back!

telhio credit union

www.telhio.org

At Telhio Credit Union, small business is our business. From business checking and savings accounts to credit cards, employee banking solutions, and lending and treasury management options, we have everything you need to make sure your business is set for financial success. This is why over 3,000 businesses bank with Telhio Credit Union and benefit from important features like low credit card rates, incredible lending, leasing, and real estate options, and solutions to help manage cash flow. You could say that we take your business banking personally.

ARTISAN EATS

aeplatters.com

However you entertain this year, we have the perfect Charcuterie option for your festivities. We start by sourcing a variety of fresh foods with vibrant colors and textures to create a lavish feast for you to enjoy. Choose from our captivating grazing tables, indulgent Charcuterie platters or an Artisan Eats gift card — should you need that perfect gift for your favorite foodie! Conveniently order through our website with local delivery available.

Follow us on Instagram: @aeplatters

uptown cheapskate

www.uptowncheapskate.com/location/reynoldsburg (614) 321-9018 2783 Taylor Rd SW, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Do a world of good, shop resale. Uptown Cheapskate is not your average thrift store. We buy what you loved yesterday, and sell what you want today. We pay cash on the spot for the stylish gently used apparel, handbags, and accessories and sell them today at up to 70% off mall prices! With thousands of unique items and hundreds of new items every day, you’ll find all your favorite brands and designers under one roof.

pie of the tiger

(380) 210-0197 674 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215

A Little Detroit. A Little Sicilian. Allll Yellow Brick Pizza. It’s Pizza unlike any other.

Since unveiling the new style, Yellow Brick has introduced a handful of varieties, including Margherita (garlic, provolone, tomatoes, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and pesto), Meatball Sundae (provolone, slices of house-made meatballs, shaved parmesan, red sauce, ricotta, and Italian seasoning) and Dill Thrill (garlic, provolone, dill pickles, Old Bay Hot Suace, and ranch dressing).

Available only at the Short North Tavern · Every day 4-11pm Carry Out or Dine In.

LINDEY’S

www.lindeys.com (614) 228-4343 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206

Lindey’s is a high-energy, white tablecloth bistro located in the heart of historic German Village. Opened in 1981 by Sue Doody, Lindey’s is a long-time favorite of hip locals and out-of- towners alike.

Lindey’s marries chic urban style with a relaxed come-as-you-are attitude. Lindey’s enduring charm is rooted in its atmosphere of everyday elegance, with an eclectic clientele that reflects a blend of innovation and tradition. Enjoy a relaxing brunch, power lunch, intimate dinner, and everything in between. Lindey’s has been consistently voted one of Columbus’ top restaurants.

Holiday Catering & Holiday Gift Cards Available.

DO2SABORES

www.do2sabores.com (614) 781-0713 6042 Huntley Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

Do2 sabores we are a family owned and operated to fulfill the authentic Mexican flavors in every dish. Offering fajitas, carne asada, margaritas and crafted cocktails and much more!

The new Mystic Market is whisking Columbus away to a different world

By Jaelani Turner-Williams / Photos by Aaron Massey

Halloween might be long gone, but here—in an expansive lot at the corner of Hudson and Summit in the heart of the SoHud neighborhood—any night can feel like the 31st of October.

That’s because this bustling SoHud corner is home to Mystic Market, a pop-up night market that features everything from healing practitioners, palm and energy readers, metaphysical products, crystals, bonfires, music, art and a slew of other non-traditional purveyors to create an atmosphere that feels like equal parts otherworldly bazaar and music festival.

Co-managed by Lindsay Ciulla, owner of the crystal and jewelry boutique Heart & Stars, alongside visual artist and photographer Cat Ramos, the market started as a collaborative effort from the two “mystic mommies” to encourage authentic, local creators. Supported by its very own Mystic Council, the festival aims to continue bringing metaphysical wonders— including everything from animal whisperers to tarot readings—to the neighborhood for a long time to come.

“When a lot of people think about magic, they think ‘witch’ or ‘cults’. To me, it’s from cultures: All these different cultures have holistic healing in their own way,” Ramos said. “My goal with Mystic Market is for all these cultures to come together in a giant melting pot and educate everybody of their different forms of magic or their traditions, or their cultures.”

↑ A Mystic Market attendee with facepaint and costume

My goal with "

is for all these cultures to come together in a giant melting pot and educate everybody of their different forms of magic or their traditions, or their cultures."

↑ Hand made Wu-Tang merchandise

While Ramos partnered with Ciulla to coordinate Mystic Market shortly after the pair met at a SoHud summer solstice bonfire in July, Ciulla has long incorporated her own kind of healing into Heart & Stars. After losing her father and experiencing two separate concussions while working as a waitress in Arizona, Ciulla began to paint and bead for therapeutic purposes, before eventually mustering the energy to host her first Heart & Stars pop-up in Tucson in 2020.

Relocating to Columbus from California in 1997, Ramos’ artwork allows her to preserve and honor Latino culture much like one of her heroes, Frida Kahlo. And now, through both Ramos and Ciulla, Mystic Market continues to ignite the creativity of local artists and magic practitioners.

Representing the BIPOC community and acknowledging the indigenous history of spiritual practices, the market often tackles the misinterpretation of cultural traditions as well, such as the Latino holiday Día De Los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead.

“A lot of people assume we are praying to Santa Muerte which is the saint of death, and a lot of people have a misconception of that,” Ramos said. “They may think it's evil or demonic, but we’re all going to die, and the way [Latinos] view it is a lot different than everybody else: It’s a celebration of life versus being really morbid about it.”

And although magic may carry a negative connotation to some, Mystic Market brings celebratory energy into the misunderstood world of the supernatural. The Mystic Council is currently prepping its Magical Winter Ball and Nightmare Before Christmas-themed markets to take place in December, and the Mystic Market—which will be held at least once a month throughout the year—will still be a spellbinding wonder that’s fun and inviting for all.

First timers and avid Market fans alike can browse through fashionable goodies from designer vendors or vintage upcycler SoHud Collective (operating out of an empty bus), catch performances by local musicians and dancers, have their aura painted, or even get pastlife hypnosis readings.

Championing the SoHud neighborhood where the event is held, the Market is also a place of community. Not only can SoHud residents themselves connect, it allows people from all backgrounds, of all ages and stations, to come together.

“Columbus has a lot of special, unique, magical people and sometimes it can be a really lonely world before you connect and find your community,” Ciulla said. “We’re so much more powerful together.”

To learn more, follow them on Instagram @MysticMrkt