March 24, 2011
Emporium planned for Thurman Avenue By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Rebecca Milnes is in the midst of transforming a German Village property with a rich history and — she hopes — a lot of potential. Milnes is redeveloping the 4,600square-foot building at 210 Thurman Ave., to be called Thurmania Place. She hopes to create an emporium concept at the site, replete with chocolates,
greeting cards, locally sourced food and knickknacks. Milnes said she is seeking approval of her plans from the German Village Commission, the local architectural review board, and hopes to have the space ready by Aug. 1. “We’re in the midst of negotiations with a number of people,” she said. “We’re not exactly sure how the structure is all going to work. We’re getting quite a bit of interest.”
The building at 210 Thurman Ave. was constructed in 1914, Milnes said, and has had a number of uses over the years. From 1914 to 1944, it was the Thurmania Theater. Use as a pharmacy, a doctor’s office and an art gallery followed. The Blue Sky Gallery occupied the space for almost 20 years but closed about three years ago. Milnes believes the building has been vacant ever since.
The façade has some significant architectural flourishes she’s hoping to preserve. “We’re trying to return to it to some of its former glories,” Milnes said. “It’s a unique building.” She plans to lease the 2,600-squarefoot emporium to several vendors and live in a 2,000-square-foot apartment in the back. Meanwhile, the 3,000-squarefoot basement, former home of the Latvian Supper Club, will be converted to
a wine and cheese shop and a banquet room. Karen Page, president of the German Village Business Community, said she likes the sound of Milner’s redevelopment plans. “Thurman Avenue is a happening place,” she said. “It’s nice to take what’s vacant and make it pretty.” gseman@thisweeknews.com www.ThisWeekNews.com
Moore ready to dig in as chair of park group By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
(Above) Returns manager Bob Gilbert searches through a rack in the Book Loft on March 16. (Below) Displays piled high with books, like this one in front of the store’s entrance, attract customers from all over the region and beyond. The independent book store gets plenty of customers, even though it has not yielded to several industry trends, such as on-site coffee shops and free wireless Internet access.
Book Loft bucking industry trends By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers No coffee. No lounge seating. No free Wi-Fi. That’s no problem for the Book Loft of German Village. The independent book store has weathered every economic maelstrom and refused to relent to most industry trends in its 34 years in business. Co-owner Roger Tompkins even brushes off a current challenger: the Kindle, the flat-screen electronic device that allows readers to download books, and similar devices. “I think we have a different breed of book buyers,” he said. “People seem to know what we are.” And another trend could be in its favor. Book giant Borders announced in February it would seek bankruptcy protection and close at least 200 stores. Two of those are in Columbus: one on Kenny Road and another on Sawmill Road. Even though they are on the northwest side of the city, their departure from the market could help the Book Loft, a purveyor of new releases, Tompkins said. Where some stores have added elaborate cafés and seating areas to woo customers and provided them with wireless Internet to keep them, the
Book Loft hasn’t yielded to such impulses. Sales steadily have climbed since the doors The owners have found a real niche market were opened, Tompkins said. There is one thing with closeouts, or “remainders” — books that that has affected business: the weather. haven’t been selling well and are being liquidatSee BOOK LOFT, page A2 ed by the publisher at greatly discounted prices.
Katharine Moore might not have dirt under her fingernails but she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. Moore, an avowed fan of gardens — but not gardening — is the new chairwoman of Friends of Schiller Park. “It feels like I am walking in some really big shoes,” she said. “It’s really about that. It’s about following some incredible leadership.” She gives plaudits to Connie Swain, Janet Druen and Elspeth Willoughby, who formed the organization 30 years ago and developed a master plan that guides anything that is done in the park. They were followed by Ron and Donna Solove, Connie Katharine Klein and Louis Smith, the Moore latter of whom were co-chairs until a year ago. Moore said her short-term goal is to preserve the “Dig In” program, which maintains the perimeter gardens around Schiller Park. One of her long-term goals is to build a steering committee that will recruit dozens of neighbors to volunteer for “all sorts of different opportunities,” including Easter egg hunts, bench painting and adjusting tree plaques. Moore, who was executive director of the German Village Society for 13 years, said she understands how important Schiller is to the community and visitors. “What I love about Schiller Park is it is a perfect illustration of how things get done in German Village: You plan thoughtfully, you bring in all the available expertise and then you marshal the resources of the neighborhood,” she said. “And when you do those things, the sky’s the limit. “I think one of the most important contributions the German Village Society has made over the years is the enhancement of Schiller Park.” Sara McNealey, who chairs the parks and public spaces committee for the German Village Society, said she is thrilled Moore accepted the volunteer position. McNealey said she asked Moore to chair the group because of her computer and organizaSee MOORE, page A2
Arledge gets full-time position with German Village Society By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers It might not have been the job Russ Arledge applied for, but it certainly is a job he wants. Arledge, who has been office coordinator for the German Village Society for the past 18 months, has a new role as programs and operations manager for the society.
That means he will continue to hanHe has experience dle day-to-day duties at the Meeting in the museum inHaus, 588 S. Third St. dustry, serving as Arledge, 60, said he is pleased to retrustee of the Canal main on board. What started as a temWinchester Historiporary part-time job has transitioned cal Society and chairinto a permanent full-time position. man of the historic “It’s the perfect combination,” said Russ Arledge landmarks commisArledge, who lives in the village. “I get sion. He also has held to see everyone that I know in the com- several positions with the Ohio Hismunity, interact with at the Meeting Haus.” torical Society and Ohio History of
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Flight Aviation Museum. “It’s a perfect fit after spending my entire life in the museum business,” he said. “Everything I’ve ever done has been boiled down into this one position. So it’s a good trip for me.” Arledge had submitted his name to be considered for director of the society, a position last held by Erin O’Donnell, who resigned in 2009. O’Donnell’s title was executive director but the po-
sition was renamed to reflect a change in responsibilities. Brian Santin, president of the GVS board of trustees, said no specific timeline has been set for hiring the director, although several candidates have been interviewed. “The search is going well,” he said. “We have not placed any offers to anySee ARLEDGE, page A2
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