8 minute read
NEWS
New & Noteworthy
Openings, closings and changes in the Central Ohio wedding industry
BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY
OPENINGS Portions of the wedding industry continue to defy the challenges of COVID, with many businesses launching or starting new endeavors since our June issue.
Four big names in the local wedding scene—Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, BTTS Holdings and Vue Columbus—have new venues. The Sanctuary on Neil, the Victorian Village venue operated by Cameron Mitchell’s catering arm, opened this fall, as did Wolf’s Ridge’s Understory in the Old North Columbus neighborhood. Nearby in Italian Village, Edison777 from BTTS Holdings— the folks behind The FIG Room, The Estate at New Albany, Brookshire, WatersEdge, Fiori Florals and Gourmet Fresh Catering— hosted its first wedding in August. Meanwhile, Retreat 21, an all-in-one property with an on-site event venue, cabins, winery/ cidery and more from the folks behind Vue Columbus, is slated to open in late spring 2022 in Marysville. The Sanctuary on Neil, 618 Neil Ave., Columbus, 614-848-4700, thesanctuaryonneil.com; Understory, 2571 Neil Ave., Columbus, understorycbus.com; Edison 777, 777 N. Fourth St., 614-6651698, edison777.biz; Retreat 21, 11437 Industrial Pkwy., Marysville, retreat21.com
In similar fashion, two well-known beauty names in the region have each opened rentable suites that are perfect for getting ready the morning of your wedding. Sunup Studios, a new venture from the folks behind CHANGES The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, twotime winner in the Local Bachelorette Party category of our Best of Columbus Weddings reader poll, has moved from the Arena District to the University District. 1516 N. High St., Columbus, 614947-0434, thebigbangbarcolumbus.com In September, On Paper announced a rebrand of its custom design and print studio. On Paper Press is located across the street from its retail sister store in the Short North. The new studio is open by appointment only. 692 N. High St. #206, 614-935-9530, onpaper.com
The Blowout Bar and now-closed The Bride Bar, opened in New Albany in December 2021. The rentable “beauty prep studio” features lots of natural light, full-length mirrors, changing rooms, beauty-friendly electric setups (read: no blown fuses from too many styling tools), a kitchenette, hair stations and a lounge area. A fourhour Friday or Saturday rental starts at $500; each additional hour starts at $100. A second location is in the works, says owner Kristin DeJohn. And BeyoutifulCreations Bridal, from on-site hair stylist Denise Chesser, opened in Olde Towne East in August. This cozier option also includes mirrors, bar-height stools, a mini fridge and a lounge area. It’s available to rent for Chesser’s clients and non-clients alike; eight-hour bookings start at $150. Sunup Studios, 45 Second St., New Albany, sunupstudios.com; BeyoutifulCreations Bridal, 700 Bryden Rd., Ste. 242, Columbus, beyoutifulcreationsbridal.com
The new AC Hotel Columbus Downtown opened in June with 150 rooms and six suites, two meeting rooms with 2,400 square feet of flexible event space, and Lumin Skybar, a rooftop cocktail and tapas bar. The hotel is a new build behind an existing, historical façade in the Arena District; the event spaces overlook Goodale Park, while Lumin’s rooftop patio offers views of Downtown and the Short North. 517 Park St., Columbus, 614-227-6100, marriott.com/hotels/travel/cmhad-ac-hotelcolumbus-downtown-oh
A slew of Black- and women-owned businesses have launched or expanded in the last six months: Juana Williams opened a second location of J’s Sweet Treats on the second floor of Polaris Fashion Place in July. Williams’ business originally launched as a cottage kitchen in 2016 and opened its first brick-and-mortar location south of Downtown in early March 2020. Also opening in Polaris in July was Bridal Beauty Co. x DramaFree Beauty. Bridal Beauty Co. sells makeup from its parent company, DramaFree Beauty, and offers beauty services including makeup application, hair styling, hair extensions, manicures and pedicures, facials, massages, men’s cuts and more. To the south, there’s Genesis Downtown, an event venue that opened in late 2021 in the historic Standard Building. It accommodates around 150 guests and includes 2,700 square feet of event space, a prep kitchen, a ready room and industrial-chic vibes. And then there’s Priceless Moments by Design, a mobile bridal boutique that launched in August. Owner Liana Beal brings a selection of gowns to the bride’s chosen location, as well as a full-length mirror, mannequins, accessories and necessary undergarments to give skirts their “fluff.” Beal carries gowns from Omélie Bridal, as well as a few of her own designs; most gowns can be customized for an additional fee. J’s Sweet Treats, 1540 Parsons Ave., 614-906-8888 and 1500 Polaris Pkwy., second floor, Columbus, 614-468-1498, jssweettreats.net; Bridal Beauty Co., 1500 Polaris Pkwy., first floor, Columbus, bridalbeautycompany.com; Genesis Downtown, 174 E. Long St., Columbus, 614-726-7360, genesis.downtown.com; CLOSINGS Downtown’s Snowden Gray Mansion bade the community adieu via an announcement in its Instagram bio this summer, and, citing myriad challenges brought on by the pandemic and subsequent labor crisis, Sassafras Bakery in Worthington shut its doors for the last time in August. (Owner A.J. Perry told our sister publication, Columbus Monthly, that she’s thinking about ways to evolve the brand, including writing a cookbook.) Other brands’ closings are only partial: Made From Scratch ended its catering services to focus on management and consulting; Igloo Letterpress closed its Worthington storefront but continues to offer custom invitation suites online; and The Smithery left its Grandview storefront and stopped offering most jewelry-making classes, though it will continue offering the Make Your Own Wedding Band Workshop and selling bespoke and limited-collection jewelry online. Igloo Letterpress, iglooletterpress.com; The Smithery, shopthesmithery.com
Priceless Moments by Design, 614-636-4442, pricelessmomentsbydesign.com
Finally, Chicago-based Howl at the Moon has opened a location in Columbus. The dueling piano bar concept took over the former Bar Louie space in the Arena District, even as competitor The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar left the area for new digs to the north (more on that on the previous page). If Big Bang’s popularity among bachelor and bachelorette parties is any indicator, Howl at the Moon is sure to be another hot spot for to-be-weds celebrating their final flings. 504 N. Park St., Columbus, 614-568-4695, howlatthemoon.com/columbus
Alco-Haul Mobile Bar
Let the good times roll ... right into your special event space! You provide the alcohol and we provide the one-of-a-kind, 24-foot mobile bar (largest in Ohio), experienced and licensed bartenders, shopping list, signature drink menus, frozen drinks, signage, flavored water stations, yard games, bar seating, heaters, TV, fans, sound system and more. Now booking for 2022!
Magical Minutes Photography
Magical Minutes Photography is based in Canal Winchester and is happy to travel to you! We put an emphasis on helping you have a fun, stress-free day while capturing authentic moments in vibrant and bright color. We’re proudly LGBTQfriendly and open to all loving couples. Amy Hord, the owner and lead photographer, is ready to be your cheerleader, dress fluffer, boutonniere pinner and photographer!
magicalminutesphotography.com 330-389-3726
info@alcohaulbar.com alcohaulmobilebar.com 614-953-1053
Run to an Elopement
Run to an Elopement performs unique, nontraditional, nondenominational wedding rituals. Owner Windi has served rad couples since 2014 and always takes time to get to know who you are and what you are looking for in your ceremony. Offerings include meditations, ring blessings, unity rituals and more. Let’s work together to create an unforgettable ceremony.
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