(614) August 2022

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

1

2

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

BIG PICTURE Built inside a historic barn, the tasting room beckons at the newly-opened Wool & Vine, a winery and meadery operating on a Shetland sheep farm.

TO READ MORE GO TO (Pg. 42) PHOTO BY JEN BROWN

10

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

11

Contents

C O V E R PA C K A G E

55 26 42 87 12

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

BLAST FROM THE PAST

55

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

18

MAKERS SPACE: CREAMY STUDIOS

21

COMMUNITY COLUMBUS FASHION ALLIANCE

26

CRAFT BEER MILKMAN

37

WOOL & VINE

42

DICARLOS WESTERVILLE

44

(614) KIDS

77

FALL GETAWAYS

87

ON THE COVER:

Shot by Sarah Pfeifer Design by Bryce Patterson

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press

J AC K M C L AU G H L I N Editor-In-Chief

Blast from the Past For reasons I don’t completely understand, I remember the day I got my first (and only) tamagotchi as vividly as almost any other memory I have. And there were tears.

At seven years old, I was totally immune to the Beanie Babies craze, and almost all other fads of that era. But I had to have a tamagotchi. It was not a matter of discussion.

I would ask my parents daily, after seeing the other kids at school engrossed in those tiny, pixelated screens. So finally when they told my sister and I that they would buy one for each of us, I was over the moon.

I remember the plan: My mom was going to pick them up on her way home from work and bring them back to us.

I also remember waiting in the living room of our house so I could have a clear view of the street.

I watched as she pulled into our driveway, got out of our boxy, black station wagon and walked in the front door.

That’s when things got real.

The first thing she told us is that the store had sold out.

Immediately, I started crying my eyes out. I was equal parts angry and heartbroken. Before she could say anything else, I stormed off to my room.

It didn’t occur to me that she was just joking, since this whole exchange took place in the span of about ten seconds, but she was. She had them the entire time.

The funny thing is, I enjoyed that Tamagotchi for probably a week before getting entirely sick of it. And yet for some reason that memory stays with me. Ask anyone my age about Tamagotchis, and they’ll probably have a story of their own. The same goes for “Space Jam,” Beanie Babies, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” You name it.

I’ve always loved that we can share these touchstones of nostalgia. There are few things more connective than sharing that with someone. It creates this weird, but absolutely explosive, camaraderie and understanding.

Even if you’ve never met someone before, if the both of you waited in line to see “Space Jam” when you were kids, there’s a strange, but unbreakable bond there.

And that’s what we’re leaning into with our August issue of (614) Magazine: Blast from the Past. Our cover section dives into a unique 90s-focused thrift retailer, a 90s themed pizzeria, in addition to some Columbus dining rooms representing eras that are now long gone and a sport most of us played in middle school gym class that’s now sweeping the city.

So tighten up that fanny pack and turn your hat backwards, Columbus. Welcome to Blast from the Past.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack McLaughlin COPY EDITOR Sarah Sole CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jen Brown, Aaron Massey, Sarah Pfeifer, Andrew White, James DeCamp CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jack McLaughlin, Mallory Arnold,

Jaelani Turner-Williams, Sarah Sole, Melinda Green, Jim Fischer, Ellyn Briggs CREATIVE DESIGNER Bryce Patterson Victoria Smith FREELANCE DESIGNERS Paul Barton VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Austin Black DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Justynne Pride MARKETING COORDINATOR Julia Attanasio ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Nikki Harris Mindy Wilhite ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Paul VanHorn BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER Lizzy Saunders OFFICE MANAGER Janae Brown

Questions about advertising?

Scan here!

Created by

(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614now.com www.614now.com 21

14

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

ON the WEB

� S TA F F P I C K S

Our staff picks The 90s are back, and we’re here for it. We asked our staff this month about their favorite 90s-inspired

Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should.

Every day we’re posting Columbus’s 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 suscribe to our daily email!

memories. Here’s what they had to say.

So many good movies from the 90's. The end of an era honestly. Many of which were my inspiration to study film! And no, I’m not listing them. That list would never stop.

— Austin Black, Video Producer

I love that 90’s fashion is coming back!

“Vintage” off-the-rack brand clothing is back in style now instead of designer brands or fast fashion. Now it’s cool and trendy to go to the thrift/secondhand store and shop more sustainably!”

→ Live out the epic Nerf battles of your dreams at this newly-opened “foam combat” center

We can grow up as much as we’d like, but the prospect of a high-intensity Nerf showdown in a massive arena setting will probably always sound appealing.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

90s toys were the best! Easy Bake Oven, Tamagotchis that never lived passed the school day and my Furbies that talked to each other when no one was around.

— Nikki Harris, Senior Account Executive

I remember literally crying tears of joy when my Mom bought me a Tamagotchi in first grade.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor

→ A new cafe has opened in Columbus, and it’s 85 square feet A new cafe has opened on the Northwest Side of Columbus, and the term cozy likely doesn’t do it justice.

I still love my 90’s Alternative rock. Love it when I see my daughter and her friends wearing a Sublime, Nirvana, or Foo Fighters t-shirt. Better still is the look on their face when I ask them to name a song any of those bands sang.

— Paul VanHorn, Account Executive

Going to blockbuster, watching the Spice Girls movie a dreadful amount of times, and collecting Beanie Babies and Barbies!

— Justynne Pride. Marketing Director

16

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

→ After operating in Columbus for over 100 years, Resch’s Bakery could be expanding; Get the details here

First opened in 1912 and now located at 4061 E. Livingston Ave., Resch’s has become something of a Columbus institution. And now, the bakery is exploring its options for a potential expansion.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@swichsocial

@occasionally.in.ohio

@ryanp_photo

RE

SS PLA

Y

P

@eatlocalohio

61 4 VI D E O Did you know that (614) launched 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, check out the newest videos on our channel: now playing...

• Tasting Columbus—NEW episode!

Have you checked out our TV show “Tasting Columbus?”

Join food scientist Matt Teegarden as he eats his way through Columbus’ food scene. Make sure to tune in at tastingcolumbus.com or scan the QR code above.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

17

Your monthly rundown of the best things to do in the city

By Sarah Sole Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Aug.

4-6

Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival

Dublin Irish Festival

In its 56th year, the Tomato Festival features a bevy of craft and food and beverage vendors, as well as musical guests North to Nashville, Morris Day, and the Plain White T’s. Brave souls also participate in the Tomato Wars, a dodgeball-style tournament that features tomatoes instead of balls.

The 35th Dublin Irish Festival returns to Coffman Park, featuring a dynamic entertainment lineup across seven stages. Shoppers will find over 90 vendors at the Marketplace and Emerald Isle, while foodies can sample Celtic cuisine alongside traditional American eats.

Huber Park · Free

18

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

Coffman Park · $15

Aug.

Aug.

Columbus Food Truck Festival

CBUS Soul Fest

19-21 Franklin County Fairgrounds · $5

The Hilliard edition of the popular festival features 50 food trucks with savory, sweet, and spicy fare. Musical headliners include Willie Phoenix, Angela Perley, and the Winnie Cooper Project.

20

Bicentennial Park · Free Columbus Recreation and Parks in collaboration with Experience Columbus is hosting CBUS Soul Fest, a celebration of Black culture, music, art, and food. The event will feature a variety of merchants as well as food vendors.

Aug.

Aug.

WonderBus Music + Arts Festival

Columbus Fiery Foods Festival

26-28 The Lawn at CAS Adult GA starting at $109

WonderBus features headliners Duran Duran, Lorde, and the Lumineers at this year’s festival, which includes a Friday musical lineup for the first time. Other musical guests include Young The Giant, James Bay, Coin, Max, Cautious Clay, Beach Bunny, Meg Myers, Daisy The Great, The Knocks, Cannons, and Neal Franci.

27-28 Main Street Bridge on the Scioto Mile · $10 This year’s festival catering to the hot and spicy will feature restaurants, hot sauce and salsa vendors, and exhibitors from across the country. Festivities will also include contests, entertainment, and an artisan market.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

19

One of One

By Ellyn Briggs / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer / Story Design by Paul Barton

How this unique Columbus streetwear brand is upcycling thrift-store clothing into wild works of art ↑ La Plaza Tapatia's house salsas

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

21

"I HAD A GUT FEELING COLUMBUS WAS THE MOVE FOR US"

↑ Peter Barrett (L) & Stephen Barrett (R), Co-owners of Creamy Studios

22

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

I

had a gut feeling Columbus was the move for us,” said Stephen Barrett.

“There’s just great energy here,” added Peter Barrett, his younger brother. “People are trying to get out and create and share ideas.”

The Cincinnati-born pair moved to central Ohio last year and are co-founders of Creamy Studios, an online artisanal streetwear brand.

They hand-produce one-of-one clothing items out of upcycled materials from local thrift stores and vintage resellers. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and shorts are inventory mainstays, but accessories such as hats and enamel pins also frequently appear in Creamy collections.

Growing up with a graphic designer dad and a thrift shopping-obsessed mom, the Barrett boys developed a passion for both art and fashion at a young age. They spent their childhood weekdays taking “every art class possible.” On the weekends, they’d travel to various second-hand stores searching for a perfectly curated wardrobe.

Their desire to work for themselves led the brothers to start the Creamy Studios brand— which they did out of their Ohio University dorm rooms back in 2018.

And if you’re wondering about the unusual name, wonder no more. It’s a product of many things.

“In the streetwear space, the word ‘creamy’ is an updated synonym for ‘groovy.’ It stands for anything you like or think is cool,” Stephen explained. “I’m also a big peanut butter addict, so it’s a little ode to that as well.”

Peter chimed in with another reason the brand name stuck: It’s edgy. Some people love it; for others, it can be cringeworthy. But the boys like that it’s a bit provocative.

“If nothing else, it’s certainly memorable— which is exactly what we want,” Stephen said.

Creamy clothing showcases techniques including hand painting, screen printing, and airbrushing. The brothers draw their design inspiration from just about anything—music, films, books, childhood memories, and prevailing moods.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

23

↑ Creamy Studio artwork in progress

24

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

And this all-in creative approach is very much reflected in the final product.

Take a quick scroll through the studio’s website or Instagram and you’ll immediately notice that the brothers' style is—in Stephen’s words—“really dense.” From bold colors to action-oriented illustrations to pop-art-esque graphics, there is a lot happening on any given Creamy t-shirt.

But again, this is intentional.

“The original thought behind the brand was to make pieces for artists to perform in,” said Peter. “We want to ensure our stuff is unique and stands out in a crowd or on camera.”

The pair typically puts out around 10 collections per year, each varying in size.

Some are smaller and centered around a specific event or holiday; a drop like this may only feature five original pieces. But others are major seasonal efforts, for which Stephen and Peter may produce up to 80 unique items.

Their upcoming “Gas & Go” drop, inspired by NASCAR racing culture, is one such collection.

But no matter the size, production remains intense and time consuming.

“We’ll pick a drop date and work backward from there,” Stephen said. “Sketching concepts, collecting materials, prepping them for paint, executing the design, heat pressing so the clothes are machine washable, shipping, and finally, promotion. It’s always a lot.”

And while the brothers have been doing this type of hard work for more than four years, Creamy Studios has grown significantly since their move to Columbus last summer.

Here they’ve found—and helped cultivate—a community of like-minded artists that support and inspire each others’ work.

“When we first moved up here, we took the approach of being as humble and friendly as possible to grow our network,” Peter recalled.

The pair hosted house shows featuring small bands and local artists. They went to flea markets. They reached out to fellow creatives on social media. Their goal was not only to make new friends, but to also bring people together around a common creative interest.

And they did just that. Columbus now represents their most significant supporter area, surpassing their hometown of Cincinnati.

But Creamy is not an Ohio-only operation.

Stephen and Peter ship their clothing to customers all around the world. China, the United Kingdom, and Australia are some favorite destinations to date.

They’ve even acquired some high-profile clientele—including Golden State Warriors Point Guard Jordan Poole, who sported a custom Creamy sweatshirt ahead of an NBA playoff game earlier this summer.

That said, there is certainly no rich-andfamous requirement for Creamy customers.

“We sell to people of all ages and walks of life,” said Stephen. “The only truly defining characteristic of our supporters is that they’re folks who tend to have an elevated appreciation for art.”

It’s that very same emphasis on art that will continue to guide the brothers' next moves.

They’d eventually like to open up a hybrid retail-studio space where customers can both shop items and watch them being made. They’d also like to produce fine art pieces alongside clothing.

“We want to keep adding context and community to our work,” Stephen said. “In the end, there’s nothing else we’d rather do, and nowhere else we’d rather do it.”

To learn more or shop, check out creamystudios.com

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

25

↑Yohannan Terrell (left), Lavelle Stillwell (Front) and Shannon Hardin (behind)

26

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↑ Kat Depizzo (left front), Joe Brim (center front), Kevin Black (Right Front)

How the Columbus Fashion Alliance is blazing a trail for the next generation of style

By Jaelani Turner-Williams / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Bryce Patterson

F

or Columbus Fashion Alliance (CFA), making Arch City the fashion capital has always been in the plan.

Yohannan Terrell started the nonprofit in 2019 after noticing disruptions to the fashion supply chain and industry regulations. He took advantage of the onset of the pandemic to strategize over CFA, looking to build pathways for young creators in Columbus, a leading market for fashion in the Midwest. →

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

27

"The mission has definitely been clear and simple for us is to rebuild a new economy around the fashion industry here in Columbus,” Terrell, who also founded the marketing firm Warhol & Wall Street, said. “The audacious goal is to make Columbus the No. 1 place to start or grow a fashion based business. We want to be the hub for the future of fashion. That starts with education, so we want that future of fashion to be led by people in Columbus and people outside of the market.”

Through an eight-week paid summer internship program known as The Future of Fashion, CFA offers Black teens the opportunity to create their own clothing line using production labs at the Columbus Idea Foundry. At the makeshift CFA headquarters, the young interns will acquire the tools necessary to become fashion entrepreneurs who push innovation and content forward. Students also indirectly learn about other fields such as STEM through digital and tactile design, along with building marketplace popups.

↑ Interior shot of CFA headquarters

The youth really understands the game; they lead in fashion, they're the influencers of it...

“The youth really understands the game; they lead in fashion, they're the influencers of it. When you give them the tools and the knowledge in addition to that, you're really fostering the next generation of leaders that will create brands and create businesses that will support the fashion industry,” Terrell said.

Support also comes from civic partners and community and industry leaders. In March, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners contributed $375,000 to support CFA’s expansion to stimulate growth and attract aspiring designers. The collaboration also led to the SLAY SAFE campaign, in which designed face masks were provided to the community. While investments for the nonprofit are plentiful, CFA boasts a cross-sector collaboration through civic leadership. ↑Yohannan Terrell (back), Lavelle Stillwell (left) and Shannon Hardin (right)

28

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↑ Kat Depizzo (left), Joe Brim (right)

↓ Future of Fashion student

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

29

Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley noted that Black designers are disproportionately excluded from high-end fashion and retail spaces, an unfair practice that CFA seeks to change.

“The work for CFA aligns with the racial equity work that we're doing here in the county, especially understanding that the pandemic hit different communities harder, especially those who are underserved and communities of color,” Crawley said.

“CFA is the type of partnership that we like to have and we want to foster that growth because they're making a difference in the lives of our community.”

As Black-owned local streetwear brands such as Ransom Supply, Starstrukt Apparel, MOUF Worldwide, and Compliment USA are helmed by millennial designers, The Future of Fashion internship program will mold Gen-Zers into becoming new leaders of the direct-to-consumer market. Joseph Brim, an entrepreneur who helped develop The Future of Fashion program, highlighted the importance of giving young designers hands-on experiences with growth potential.

CFA is the type of partnership that we like to have and we want to foster that growth because they're making a difference in the lives of our community

“With the internet and cultural shifts to more digital experiences, access to expensive tools that was once restricted, and a team of support, young creators can circumvent the traditional, antiquated ways to launch and sustain a brand,” Brim said.

With FoF currently in its second iteration, the program now takes students behind the scenes, sharing the knowledge of merchandising, marketing, visual production and fashion sustainability. CFA followers can expect the organization to create future activations and events. While the organization holds an occasional showcase at Gravity Project in Franklinton, the FoF emerged in the Short North.

30

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↑ Future of Fashion students examining a garment

“We had our own marketplace in the Short North, [through] the Future of Fashion internship program, where we're teaching young kids about the fashion industry,” Terrell said. “A lot of residents that live in the city, a lot of them understand fashion; they lead it, they influence it, they're tapped into it. What we did was just show them that they could be the next leader in the fashion industry.”

In August, 2,000 pieces of clothing will be donated from Fof to local students, pushing their initiative ahead of the curve.

As CFA continues to give young creatives the confidence to build their skills–and their brand– in Columbus, FoF designers don’t have to look too far to get their start.

Moving fashion forward is being achieved right here in Central Ohio.

“Columbus really has an opportunity to differentiate itself from New York and LA. We're not trying to be like them, we’re trying to be Columbus,” Terrell said. “I think the Midwest has its own spirit and attitude around fashion anyway, so who better to lead that movement than Columbus?”

To learn more, visti: columbusfashion.org

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

31

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

33

↓ Dr. Brian Dorner

Plastic Surgery is Every Day for Every Age Dr. Brian Dorner offers a host of options for you to look your best

By Sarah Sole / Photos by James DeCamp

P

lastic Surgery’s paradigm is changing, and Dr. Brian Dorner is on the cutting edge of this change.

As long as there have been scalpels and syringes, people

have relied on plastic surgeons to maximize their beauty. But here’s the difference between now and then; while your parents were calling a plastic surgeon to fix drastic issues after all the damage was done, today’s plastic surgery focuses on early maintenance to prevent the damage and keep you looking your best long before you need to go under the knife.

“Think proactive, not reactive. We have so many more tools at our disposal,” Dr. Dorner said. “Thanks to modern technology, people are enjoying tighter, toned skin with regular chemical peels, laser treatments, radiofrequency micro needling, HIFU and even more. Not to mention body contouring options that remove fat and build muscle.”

A board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in advanced transformative procedures for the breast, body, and face, Dr. Dorner did his medical training at the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his plastic surgical training through the combined plastic surgery program at The Ohio State University and was then the only applicant chosen out of many national plastic surgical applicants for the prestigious cosmetic surgery fellowship under John Q. Owsley, M.D., one of the innovators of the modern facelift.

The skills and specialty services he offers at his Dublin, Ohio practice means that his clients can select from a spectrum of treatments to best suit their goals.

“If you are a hammer then the entire world is a nail. If a practice only offers filler, then you will get just fillers. And that may not be what you need, or it will be too much because you are not getting the right treatment.”

While med spa treatments are not permanent like surgery, most last for several years. This can "tide you over" until the day you are ready for your surgical procedure. As an example, lasers work to resurface the skin, rejuvenating it by promoting

34

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

← Dr. Brian Dorner

“Treatments such as these can work together in a synergistic dance to keep you looking younger longer” ↓ Lola Loeser, Nurse Practicioner

collagen production to tighten the skin. Data shows that the best

Dr. Dorner said. “Our goal is to provide the best customer

results are achieved with three to four treatments per year.

experience, whether you’re considering non-invasive options

“With regular laser treatments each year, you’ll look

or more intense forms of treatment.”

younger after 10 years than you did before you started the process,” Dr. Dorner said.

To maintain your best self, it’s important to embrace the new paradigm of plastic surgery. Meeting with a board-

Newer technologies also mean that patients can achieve dramatic results without the recovery times associated with traditional surgeries. High intensity focused ultrasound can be done during lunch. The treatment affects deep tissue layers for

certified plastic surgeon with a full-fledged med spa is important to keep you looking your best for longer.

“My goal is to make you as beautiful as you can possibly be,” Dr. Dorner said.

a transdermal face lift to address facial jowling and sagginess.

Dorner Plastic Surgery also offers non-invasive solutions to target a variety of body parts beyond the face. For example,

To learn more, visit dornerplasticsurgery.com.

patients can use heat from Dorner’s Emsculpt NEO treatment to melt fat and build muscle in the belly, buttock, arms, and legs in just 30 minutes.

“After four treatments, you can permanently melt up to 30% of fat in a targeted area, and also build an average of 25% more muscle,” he said.

These non-surgical enhancements are typically done in combination with body and facial surgery to get the best results, which is why Dorner Plastic Surgery also has an accredited outpatient surgery center for those seeking more in-depth treatments.

Patients fly in from all over the world to receive his innovative rib removal procedure, and his superficial muscular

4930 Bradenton Ave. Dublin, OH 43017

aponeurotic system (SMAS) oriented face, neck, and cheek lift can wipe away up to 20 years of aging. Dr. Dorner also performs upper body implants for the breast, deltoid, bicep and tricep muscles, pectoral, butt, and calf implants.

“Treatments such as these can work together in a synergistic dance to keep you looking younger longer,”

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

35

FLEX YO GRILL uptown cheapskate

DO2SABORES www.do2sabores.com (614) 781-0713 6042 Huntley Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 Happy hour Mon-Fri 3-6pm Come and try our new menu with hand crafted margaritas and sangria

GET YOUR 614 T-SHIRTS NOW! 614now.com/shop Back by popular demand. Be prepared to tell people where you snagged this comfy tee.

Even better? Shipping is free!

Available in Charcoal, Royal, Red, and White.

Printed right here in Columbus, Ohio!

THANK YOU COLUMBUS!

Brewker channels milkman vibes to offer beer subscription delivery service ↑ Blake Gleaves and Dan Green, Brewker co-founders

By Sarah Sole / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Victoria Smith 614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

37

↓ Blake Gleaves and Dan Green, opening beers

W

ith the plethora of subscription delivery services, it was only a matter of time before a beer-specific service became available.

Officially launched during Columbus Craft Beer Week in mid-May, Brewker connects Columbus-area residents to their favorite brews. The subscription-based company works with 13 breweries and currently serves residents in most zip codes touching Interstate 270.

Blake Gleaves, who co-founded Brewker with his friend, Dan Green, said the goal was to employ a tech platform to help customers support local breweries, giving them the opportunity to choose brews and also receive recommendations based on analytics.

“We’ve created this ecosystem of craft brewers,” he said.

Brewker, which Gleaves and Green describe as a sort of “milkman” for beer, lets members pay for a weekly delivery of beer. Users can choose their six-packs, or the website will recommend some. As of now, Brewker can only deliver one type of beer per week (unless the six-pack is a variety pack).

In the future, the goal is to allow members the capability to order different six-packs from the same brewery.

38

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

Subscription is separated into two tiers. In each tier, members pay the cost for their beer, which goes directly to the breweries, plus a $5 delivery fee, which goes to Brewker.

The standard subscription, known as Bread Winners, gives members access to six-packs ranging in price from $11 to $16.

The premium membership gives members access to a wider variety of brews, ranging in price from $14 to as much as $54 for a six-pack, though the majority run between $20 and $25.

Though members sign up for a subscription service, they do have the ability to opt out of specific weeks, Gleaves said.

“You pay for what you use,” he said.

Gleaves, who lived in Columbus for about four years before moving away, said he began thinking of a craft beer subscription service while building Dinner Club, a weekly subscription to local restaurants for Houston, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. While that platform has since been paused, Gleaves began focusing on craft beer.

As he worked on his subscription services, Gleaves talked to Green, who also had experience running a subscriptionbased company. The more Gleaves heard about the idea for a beer-based subscription service, the more he liked it. → 614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

39

↑ Brewker uniform, close up

↑ Blake Gleaves and Dan Green

“It just really, instantly captured my imagination,” he said.

Gleaves had recently moved from Old Town East to Westerville. A platform that would help him easily access the breweries that he no longer lived near sounded appealing.

“The idea of Brewker really spoke to me,” he said.

In March of this year, Gleaves spoke in earnest to Green about teaming up to launch Brewker. The two co-founders did a soft launch of Brewker in early May and an official launch during Columbus Craft Beer Week.

Participating breweries include Land Grant, Seventh Son, Holy Trinity, Olentangy River Brewing, Endeavor, Derive, Nocterra, North High, and Jackie

40

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

O’s. Spires Social, Antiques on High, Getaway Brewing, and Edison Brewing were slated to join soon.

Crooked Can, Dankhouse, and Grove City Brewing are possible candidates.

Delivery areas now include the greater Columbus area, including areas as far north as Powell, as far east as Gahanna and Blacklick, as far west as Dublin and Hilliard, and as far south as Grove City. Outlying areas such as Delaware and Granville aren’t yet supported, but Brewker will add a specific zip code once 25 people from that area are waitlisted.

“It’s been received well,” Green said. “I think that people are excited about it.”

While Brewker works with many breweries that offer six-packs for retail sale, the subscription service also provides flexibility for companies that don’t offer retail products. Holy Trinity Brewing Co., for example, offers crowlers to Brewker members.

In this way, Green said, their business is helping breweries reach a wider audience.

“I think it’s an incredibly exciting part of what we do,” he said.

As Brewker continues to expand in Columbus, Gleaves said he and Green will look to prove their business model here and ultimately take it to residents and local breweries in cities such as Cleveland, Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We want Columbus to grow another company,” Gleaves said.

To learn more, visit www.brewker.com

↓ Wool & Vine, barn

WOOL & VINE

42

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

A new Delaware County winery and meadery opened this summer on a historic farm.

And there are sheep.

By Sarah Sole / Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Victoria Smith

C

raig and Gail Castro weren’t sure what to expect when they opened their Sunbury vineyard to the public this past June.

As it turned out, visitors ended up loving the picturesque site, known as The Vineyard at Porter Central, as much as the Castros.

They also were big fans of the libations—the Castros ended up selling out of their keg cider that opening weekend June 17-19.

“We doubled our goals,” Craig Castro said. “It’s just going to be a growing process.”

The Castros have been growing their historic farm ever since they purchased the property at 8290 Porter Central Rd. in 2004. The two met in Southern California and eventually took advantage of an opportunity through Craig’s employer to move to Ohio, since Gail was originally from Galion.

They knew from the start they wanted to have a barn on their property.

“This place kept coming up,” Craig said.

When the Castros moved onto the Sunbury property, the site included a barn built sometime in the mid 1920s, and a home likely constructed before the turn of the 20th century. The couple began sheep farming on the site in 2008 and later opened up the space as an event venue in 2015. →

← Wool & Vine Red Wine

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

43

↑ Shetland sheep at Wool & Vine

The four-acre site is home to 400 grape vines. Visitors can sample Wool & Vine red and white table wines—both made in-house—as well as Black Sheep, a dry, English-style hard apple cider. Fans of sweeter fare can add pineapple, ginger, or cherry simple syrups to the base flavor. The vineyard also offers Gail’s Grape Cider, which combines the base Black Sheep recipe with concord grapes, as well as the 1826 Hard Cider, a dry-hopped version of Black Sheep. → 44

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↓ Wool & Vine, barn

↓ Caption

↑ Wool & Vine Black Sheep Hard Cider

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

45

↓ Craig and Gail Castro, Wool & Vine owners

↓ Wool & Vine Red Wine

While the Castros began experimenting with winemaking in 2008, they began working on rehabbing their property as soon as they purchased it in 2004. Over the last eight months or so in preparation for their vineyard’s opening weekend, the couple began ramping up their improvements.

“We didn’t do this overnight,” Craig said.

Inside the barn, visitors can take advantage of bistrostyle seating with small tables and chairs. Additional seating is available in the loft area. When the Castros rehabbed the barn, they restored existing windows and added additional ones.

“It really lets in a lot of light,” he said.

A large, rolling door made of windows opens onto an outdoor seating area, and a large greenhouse that sits on the property provides additional seating. Visitors can also sit outside at the corral, adjacent to the barn’s north side.

The space is open to those 21 and over and will be open on a seasonal basis, from Memorial Day through midOctober. Craig said the decision not to weatherize the barn was an intentional one meant to preserve the site’s rural feel.

“We really wanted to maintain a strong tie to agriculture in the state of Ohio,” he said.

To learn more, visit woolandvine.com ↑ Wool & Vine, indoor seating

46

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

DRIVE YOUR FUTURE BECOME A MAC TOOLS FRANCHISEE

• Own Your Own Franchise • Low Start-Up Costs • Dedicated Route • World Class Products, Training, and Support • Incentive for Qualified Veterans

LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT MACTOOLS.COM/FRANCHISE This is not an offer to sell a franchise. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made without Mac Tools’ candidate evaluation process and the provision of a franchise disclosure document, if required by the laws of your jurisdiction. Certain jurisdictions require registration prior to the offer or sale of a franchise. We do not offer franchises in jurisdictions where we are not registered (or exempt from registration). Minnesota Franchise Registration No. F-7279.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

47

↓ A slice of DiCarlo's pizza

How nostalgia motivated the opening of the newest DiCarlo’s Westerville location

By Sarah Sole / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Victoria Smith

Having grown up with Ohio Valley pizza, Westerville resident Sarah Carlson wasn’t about to let an opportunity to franchise her favorite pie get away from her.

When she began discussing possible food service ventures with her husband, Michael,

Carlson was pretty clear: It would be DiCarlo’s, or it would be nothing at all.

Carlson was slated to officially open the Westerville DiCarlo’s Pizza July 4 at 20 S. State St., but business was already booming during a soft launch of the franchise. →

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

49

↑ DiCarlos exterior detail of Westerville DiCarlo's

“People have been calling, texting, leaving notes in the mailbox,” she said.

Carlson’s pizzeria is the 15th DiCarlo’s location—she said they’re sprinkled up and down the Ohio Valley in Ohio and West Virginia. There’s currently only one other Columbus location, but the DiCarlo family already has plans for multiple new locations in the works.

The DiCarlo family launched what would become known as Ohio Valley-style pizza after a family member, Primo DiCarlo, returned to the U.S. after WWII and wanted to recreate the pizza he enjoyed in Italy.

The square-cut pizza is made by baking pizza crust and sauce twice, then adding cheese and pepperoni as soon as the baking tray comes out of the oven, Carlson said.

“It’s so hot and crispy that it steams the cheese,” she said.

Carlson grew up eating the pizza with her family in Wheeling.

Once she moved to Westerville, she would always take pies home with her to freeze after visiting. Her husband, who grew up in

50

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

Wellsville, also had a nostalgic connection to the beloved style. He now bakes the pizza at the new Westerville location and trained with the DiCarlo family in preparation.

“He’s been rocking it and doing so good,” Carlson said.

The Westerville spot is carryout only, which Carlson said is typical of DiCarlo’s locations. Her space offers a small, eat-in counter with some stools, as well as an outdoor patio. Slices are available by twos or by the pie. Pepperoni rolls and take-and-bake pies are also available for purchase.

Since doing a soft opening, her new location has been busy, Carlson said. Former Ohio Valley residents who moved to the Columbus area are spreading the word about their favorite pie.

“There’s so many people that are here already that know it and love it,” she said.

The Westerville DiCarlo’s pizza is open from 4 to 8 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit dicarlospizza.com.

↓ DiCarlos pizza neon sign

↓ Sarah and Michael Carlson, Franchisees

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

51

↓ SoHud Collective members

We take a deep dive into Columbus nostalgia Cover Section design by Bryce Patterson

Even though it might make all those 90s kids out there feel legitimately old for the first time ever, we’re glad that the decade is back, in all its denim and mismatched glory.

We kick things off in our cover section with a profile on a brand-new Columbus pizzeria that’s 90s-themed, featuring everything from life-size Hulk Hogan cutouts to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” posters. We also sat down with some of the city’s foremost experts on retro threads, SoHud Collective, a vintage retailer operating out of a former school bus. We’ve also compiled a list of the city’s oldest dining rooms (that definitely go back to before the 90s), and break down why a sport many of us probably played in middle school gym class is having a true moment in Columbus.

Cowabunga, dude!

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

55

↓ Pizza Nerds owners, Katelyn & Brendt Gargasz

56

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

This new pizzeria is serving up unique pies alongside plenty of 90s nostalgia

By Bella Czajkowski Photos by Aaron Massey

Cosmo Kramer, Hulk Hogan and, if you’re lucky, Katelyn Gargasz all greet you as you enter Pizza Nerds, a new, ’90s-pop-culture-themed pizza carryout in Newark.

If you don’t recognize that third name, you need to place an order right now.

Katelyn is, with her husband, Brendt, the shop’s co-owner and co-curator of the movie posters, cardboard standees, toys, and video games that adorn Pizza Nerds’ walls, counters, and shelves.

“The ’90s was when we fell in love with pizza,” Katelyn said. “These movies, these toys, they bring back that childhood vibe for us, that coming of age. And we hope our customers feel the same way, that while they’re picking up their pizza they see something that makes them smile.

“We never thought of (the ’90s memorabilia) as a draw. We just figured, ‘If we’re going to live here, let’s decorate with stuff we like,’” Brendt Gargasz said.

Upon entering the shop, you’ll likely find Brendt working the ovens in the back, making you a style of pizza that’s a compromise between the thicker, fluffier crust the couple grew up with in western Pennsylvania and the thin crust for which central Ohio pizza is known. He figures he made and hundreds of dough balls in search of the right recipe.

“When we moved to Ohio we just couldn’t find a crust like the ones we were used to,” he said. “A friend suggested we build a brick oven in our driveway and make our own. We did, and I did everything wrong in building the oven, but it gave us an opportunity to experiment.

It’s just not as simple as looking up crust recipes online.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

57

“We’re definitely nerds about pizza.”

“I don’t think the crust should just be treated like a vessel for sauce and cheese and toppings,” Katelyn said. “It’s an equal partner and really the foundation of making pizza the way we like it.”

The name Pizza Nerds is taken from the social media accounts for the couple’s former food truck, Farm-Fired Pizza: Brendt would let people know where to find the truck in posts that often opened with “Hey nerds…”

Brendt said the truck was a beneficial way to start their pizza-making business, but that overcoming mobile-food challenges provided only so many learning experiences before some of them become frustrations. The truck was initially intended as a side gig, but when the Gargasz’ decided to do pizza full-time, they started looking for a brick-and-mortar location. In the backs of their minds, the couple ponders adding dine-in, but for now, carry-out is keeping them plenty busy.

“It’s been crazy and it’s been great,” Brendt said. “There’s pizza everywhere, and we’re just excited to be able to share our favorite kinds of pizza with people.”

The shop is sharing Katelyn’s Morning Cereal Cookies as well, sweets inspired by memories of waking up on Saturday morning to watch cartoons and having a bowl of sugary cereal.

↓ 90s collectibles, inside Pizza Nerds

58

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↑ The Captain Planet pizza

↑ 90s movie posters adorn the store

“There’s cereal in the batter and stuffed in the cookies,” she said. “We sell out every day—some people come in just for cookies.”

The Gargasz’ have added a special element to cookie sales—getting slimed. In an homage to Nickelodeon’s “Figure It Out,” a couple cookies are filled with green “slime,” and anyone who “gets slimed” earns free cookies upon their next visit.

And while all of the ’90s fun might be lost on some older or younger customers, the couple is sharing their love of that era’s culture.

“We had a team-building with the staff to watch ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’” Brendt said. “Not everyone got it, but…”

To learn more, visit pizzanerdsoh.com

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

59

↓ Pickle shack owner, Dave Ganim

With a host of new facilities and clubs on the way, this under the radar sport is taking Columbus by storm

By Melinda Green Photos by Andrew White

With three premium Columbus-area clubs slated to open soon, pickleball is having itself a moment.

The racquet sport with an absurd name is suddenly rocketing beyond its retireefriendly image.

Not that pickleball isn't still retireefriendly. Oh, it is. But it’s making waves with a younger crowd, and you might want to jump on this bandwagon.

“Everyone’s excited about pickleball in central Ohio, and pretty much all over the country,” said David Kass, continental real estate president and founder. Kass is

bringing Columbus a new facility, Pickle & Chill, later this year.

Pickle & Chill joins Delaware’s Pickle Shack, which opened a club this summer and is planning another soon, in addition to the national chain Real Dill Pickleball Club, which is launching a restaurant and pickleball facility in the Polaris area next fall.

David Ganim, owner of Pickle Shack, sums it up this way: “There are two kinds of people: pickleball addicts, and people who’ve never played pickleball. This sport, once you play it, it’s in your veins.”

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

61

So what’s all the fuss about? For starters, it’s easy, and it’s inexpensive.

“It doesn’t take long to get good enough to enjoy the game,” Ganim said. “You can learn the sport in about 30 minutes, and in an hour, you can have a great game.

“It’s a wiffle ball and a big ping pong paddle. For 19 bucks, you can be up and running.”

Then, there are the fitness benefits. Singles play, especially, is an “unbelievably good” workout for any age, Kass said. Even doubles play offers a lot of cardio benefits.

But what’s behind this trend of a younger and younger crowd?

Kass guessed that it started during COVID, when parents were looking for easy, inexpensive outdoor activities to do with their children.

“There really weren’t a lot of sports you could do in that small of an area outside,” he said. “Through word of mouth, it just kind of spread.”

However it started, it stuck.

“If you’re a family looking for something to do with your kids, this is amazing. Get the kids off of the gaming,” Ganim said. “And there’s nothing more fun you can do, sports-wise, as a couple. You can only go out and drink so much.”

Jeff Warrington, of Wapakoneta, is a 30-something who caught the pickleball bug three years ago.

“I’ve been into the bodybuilding scene and don’t like traditional cardio,” he said. A friend suggested he try pickleball.

“I walk in, see a bunch of 60 year olds, and I’m like ‘Hey, dude, I have no interest in this,’” Warrington 62

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

↑ A game taking place inside pickle shack

recalled. Still, he picked up a paddle, gave it a shot, and “got my butt kicked by the older folks.”

It was enough to get him hooked. Now, he and his team partner play all across the United States, traveling to Columbus fairly often.

Then, there’s the community. Pickle Shack has team building events, parties, even potlucks.

“More than any other racquet sport, there’s a sense of community that I’ve never seen before. You’re exposed to so many different people; it’s amazing,” Ganim said. “Today, friendships were made on pickleball courts.”

Warrington agreed.

“This [sport] could be the next 40 years, if I want it to be, but the bigger thing is the camaraderie,” he said. “Everywhere you go, it’s the most welcoming sport on earth. It’s so encouraging, in comparison to a lot of other things. It’s such an open community.”

It’s growing so fast that last year saw the birth of Major League Pickleball. Yes, Columbus has a team (The Bus). Pickle & Chill’s grand opening in October will feature an MLP competition, the finals of which are planned to be televised on CBS. And in the meantime, the venue owners are hard at work building indoor and outdoor courts, licensing food and beverage sales, and planning for the membership boom that’s already coming in hot.

(Pickle Shack sold more than 200 memberships in its first seven days of operation.)

“We’re all out trying to get some exercise, but we’re also trying to enjoy life,” Ganim said. “And this sport does that better than any sport I’ve ever seen.”

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

63

↑ SoHud Collective members

64

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

Vintage 90s fashion can be found at this local outdoor vendor collective

By Sarah Sole Photos by Aaron Massey

Relaxed (mom) jeans. Velvet. Those thin, striped shirts. You’ve seen them at department stores, but you don’t have to break the bank to inject your wardrobe with some 90s staple items. You don’t even have to steel yourself for hours upon hours of thrift store hunting.

One of the most surefire spots in Columbus for vintage 90s finds can be found every weekend from May through October at 2519 Summit St. Featuring small businesses throughout the neighborhood, the SoHud Collective specializes in vintage clothing and gently used fashion in addition to offering plants, jewelry, arts, and other handmade goods.

Founded by Taylor Grindle in 2020, the Collective is open from noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to featuring a plethora of local vendors, the Collective is known for an old school bus, in which visitors can find Grindle’s special, curated collection of vintage finds.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

65

66

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

“Once you step foot inside the bus, I know you’re going to fall in love,” Grindle said. “Everybody does.”

Inside the bus every weekend during the SoHud Collective season, Grindle stores his personal collection of vintage and street-wear finds from the ’70s to the early ’00’s. A variety of sizes are available, from extra small to 3X. In addition to Grindle’s goods, the Collective features denim vendors, shoe vendors, and vendors carrying a variety of printed blouses and shirts. Fashion finds from the last decade before the millennium could include bucket hats, denim overalls, neon pants, two-piece track suits, and anything metallic.

↓ SoHud Collective members pose outside of their bus

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

67

While the Collective features clothing from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Grindle said that the latter decade is many people’s favorite.

“It’s kind of cartoony,” he said. “It’s loud. It’s bold.”

While the Collective now features an array of fashion from a variety of vendors, the idea for it was born when Grindle and his friends decided to go through their own closets for some extra cash in the summer of 2020.

“We popped up on the corner as like, a little garage sale,” Grindle said.

That summer, the SoHud Collective was held a total of five dates. Last summer was the first season that the Collective began being held every weekend from May through October.

Now in its third year, the Collective has continued to grow. Each weekend, 20 different vendors are featured. Last year, there were a total of 40 vendors, while this year 100 vendors are slated to participate over the season.

“The community’s gotten bigger,” Grindle said.

Attendance has also continued to grow, and Grindle said the Collective has helped more people to learn about the small residential area north of the University District.

“I feel like SoHud is actually on the map now as a little neighborhood in Columbus,” he said.

To learn more, follow @sohudcollective

68

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

69

↓ Photo courtesy of Tommy's Diner

1881 S. High St., Columbus

The years have been kind to these charming vintage eateries

By Mallory Arnold

70

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

A historic diner built in 1958, Dan’s Drive-In represents the 1950s and 1960s, a time when mom-andpop diners were the centerfold of a strong community.

Marilyn Monroe pictures, Route 66 signs, and other vintage décor fill the diner, along with American comfort food and even a glass case of desserts. Frostop root beers are served in old-fashioned mugs, the apple pie recipe is classic, and the coffee is always hot.

↑ Photo courtesy of Tommy's Diner

Tommy’s Diner 914 W. Broad St., Columbus Tom and Kathy Pappas opened Tommy’s Diner 30 years ago as part of their American dream. Today, the restaurant is covered in Americana memorabilia such as Elvis Presley portraits, old Hollywood autographs, a traffic light, and a neon blue root beer floats sign. There’s nothing better than sliding into one of those shiny red booths – except, of course, taking a seat at the counter on a vintage stool to watch your crispy fries arrive fresh from the kitchen.

↑ Photo courtesy of Ringside Cafe

Ringside cafe Ringside Café, 19 N. Pearl St., Columbus Tom and Kathy Pappas opened Tommy’s Diner 30 years ago as part of their American dream. Today, the restaurant is covered in Americana memorabilia such as Elvis Presley portraits, old Hollywood autographs, a traffic light, and a neon blue root beer floats sign. There’s nothing better than sliding into one of those shiny red booths – except, of course, taking a seat at the counter on a vintage stool to watch your crispy fries arrive fresh from the kitchen.

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

71

Chef-O-Nette 2090 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington Since 1955, Chef-O-Nette has been a staple to Upper Arlington.

Home to one of the very first drive-thrus in the U.S., not much has changed since its conception. A framed photo in the dining room shows just how little the restaurant has changed over the years. The place is filled with old-fashioned flooring, checkered placemats, and wooden lattice walls.

↑ Photo courtesy of Chef-O-Nette

Henmick Farms 4380 N. Old State Rd., Delaware Located in Delaware County, Henmick Farms is a family-owned farm and brewery that’s been passed down from generation to generation since 1835 when it was located in Sunbury. The rustic atmosphere of the dining and drinking spaces exude warmth and comfort with details that allude to the respect Henmick Farms has for its history.

↑ Photo by Jame DeCamp

Tremont Lounge 708 S. High St., Columbus Known for its familiar “Cheers” atmosphere and fantastic drink prices, Tremont Lounge seems positively ageless. Though lots of remodeling has gone on in the space since 1987, what remains is the LGBTQ-friendly status and the original vintage bar—its black and white ceramic tiles will be recognized for years to come.

↑ Photo by Jen Brown

72

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

73

Because pretty much everything about raising a child is difficult, we here at (614) wanted to find a way to help. And we did just that.

Say hello to (614) Kids.

We’ve always had a family section several times a year in the magazine, but now we’ve decided to run with that just a bit, and shine a spotlight directly on Columbus kids. (614) Kids offers the same sort of guide-to-Columbus style of content found in (614), only geared specifically toward local parents. Set to be offered twice a year in (614) Magazine and multiple times a week at our newly-created website, (614) Kids provides kid-friendly places to eat and things to do in the city, in addition to interesting stories about young Columbus residents.

Scan the QR code above to visit the (614) Kids website, or read ahead for a new (614) Kids magazine section! →

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

77

↓ Joke King cards

How a unique take on a popular card game launched a new gaming business

By Sarah Sole / Photos by James DeCamp

↓ Nutt Heads illustrator

78

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

Story Design by Victoria Smith

↓ The Nutt Heads team

When Chad Boyles wanted a kids version of the popular game Cards Against Humanity, he decided to create his own.

The viral hit ended up launching Boyles into the card game business.

“The game just went crazy,” Boyles said.

In addition to landing his game, Cards Against Maturity, in top commercial retail outlets, Boyles has founded Nutt Heads Games. The Plain City distribution company is behind several other card games for kids and adults, and more are planned for release.

“It’s probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life,” Boyles said.

Boyles’ interest in card games grew out of an evolving tech industry.

As the owner of a gaming store, he latched onto card games when online downloads began impacting the popularity of store-bought video games.

As Cards Against Humanity entered the mainstream, Boyles realized he couldn’t find a family-friendly version to play with his kids. He made his own game, printed some copies, and slapped a barcode on it.

“The next Christmas, it took off,” he said.

Cards Against Maturity eventually ended up being one of the top 10 selling Amazon Prime items. As the game skyrocketed in popularity, Boyles created a card game business, joining forces with a New Yorkbased distribution company that had been using Cards Against Maturity as its flagship product.

Now, Cards Against Maturity can be found on Amazon and Walmart websites, as well as in stores at Target, Meijer, and Barnes and Noble. The game is slated to arrive at Walgreens this fall. Nutt Heads has developed multiple starter and expansion packs for the base game, which also has Spanish and German versions.

While Cards Against Maturity has grown in scope, the Nutt Heads business has also blossomed. The business has seven staff members here in Ohio, as well as four in New York and a sales rep that travels globally.

The business’ game catalog includes Roast Master, Anxiety Attack, House Pets vs Aliens, Organ Attack, the Heart and Brain Quiz Game, Paco Ŝako, and Joke King. Developed in the Netherlands, Paco Ŝako is a reinvention of chess. Boyles developed Joke King with Nutt Heads Office Manager and creator Tom Young and Young’s brother, Adam. A Kids Against Maturity spin-off, Joke King recently arrived in Target this past June.

Boyles said a handful of other games are in development that he expects will do very well.

“We’re doing what we love,” he said. “We’re making silly games.”

To learn more, visit www.kidsagainstmaturity.com

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

79

In today’s era of craft beer, everyone is welcome; Check out five local breweries where the kids can have fun too

↓ Photo courtesy of Rockmill Brewery

By Jack McLaughlin Story Design by Victoria Smith

It might be time to update our opinion on bringing the family along to the brewpub.

Let’s face it, beer isn’t what it used to be. While craft beer has retained some of its edgy outsider appeal, there’s a reason craft breweries continue to grow: More and more people enjoy them. And just like the double IPAs packing face-puckering bitterness have given way to the popularity of lagers and even seltzers, breweries themselves are opening up to a wider audience. We’ve compiled a list of local spots that will keep everyone happy, whether or not they have a drink in hand.

80

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

While this sprawling farm brewery is currently for sale, owner and founder Matthew Barbee intends to sell to an owner willing to continue its operation. From its idyllic setting on a historical Lancaster-area farm to its approachable but delicious food menu—with plenty of kid-friendly options—Rockmill is a haven for adults and little ones alike. Live music and acres of open space make sure everyone is happy.

↓ Photo courtesy of Hilgarten

While this brand-new Hilliard spot isn’t a brewery per se, it still makes the cut. Hilgarten, a chic, Germanfocused beer garden and eatery, finds the perfect balance between food that’s exciting and appealing and fare that pickier, young eaters will actually enjoy.

Its lightly European-themed menu features a variety of gourmet bratwursts and sausages, in addition to classic Bavarian pretzels and more. You can even bring the family dog along.

↓ Photo courtesy of Dubdub

Well-known for its spacious, outdoor patio, this craft beer hotspot is also family friendly. And due to its location in downtown Powell, Nocterra makes for the perfect stop after a family trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or Zoombezi Bay. Top-tier craft beers in a huge number of styles are available for Mom and Dad, with food trucks on hand for the little ones. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome in Nocterra’s beer garden as well.

↓ Photo courtesy of Nocterra Brewing Co.

While there’s no denying DankHouse is a bit of a hike in Newark, it’s well worth the drive. This is in large part because the brewery is located on over eight acres of mostly open land for kids to enjoy. Specializing in delicious, ultra-modern IPAs, stouts, and kettle sours, the spacious spot also boasts an on-site kitchen Wednesday through Sunday, which is operated by the taco eatery MNCHS.

82

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

While farm breweries are themselves an exciting novelty in the world of craft beer, Henmick is unique among them. This sprawling Delaware County spot is located on a historic family farm that’s served as such for more than a century. From its event space—which was built into a historical barn—to the actual horse barn onsite, Henmick is the real deal. Food trucks are often available, and kids can have a blast roaming the property.

↑ Photo courtesy of Henmick Farm & Brewery

↑ Photo courtesy of Dubdub

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

83

Our top tips and tricks to find a dinner that both you and your pickiest eaters will love

As a father myself, I’ve quickly recognized one of the greatest—but strangely enough one of the least talked-about—pitfalls of parenthood: dining out.

The question we parents always find ourselves considering is whether we concede to chicken fingers and fries or take a terrifying shot in the dark on a restaurant we love, but our kids, well, don’t.

Well rest assured Columbus, because we’re here to bring you a handful of local spots that have it all. Some are restaurants specifically, while others are more general variations on a theme.

By Jack McLaughlin Story Design by Victoria Smith

↓ Photo courtesy of North Market

While this technically includes multiple Columbus locations, Food Halls are simply one of your best bets to find something that will please everyone all in one space. Where else can you buy cheese pizza next to Tibetan momo? The iconic North Market (Downtown or at Bridge Park), Budd Dairy Food Hall, and the new East Market are all on the menu.

↓ Photo courtesy of 101 Beer Kitchen

Thought a restaurant with the word beer in its name couldn’t possibly be a top spot to take the kids? Think again. That’s because while 101 Beer Kitchen does boast a massive selection of craft beers, the popular eatery’s menu for kids is top-notch, trading throwaway nuggets for Parmesan and Panko-crusted chicken tenders and rubbery hot dogs for a kosher dog encased in house-made pretzel dough.

84

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

So while this might sound like the opposite of good advice at first, trust us on this one. The trick is to find a restaurant serving a unique or higher-end version of something that’s approachable and kid friendly. For example, spots like Goremade or Figlio make top-tier culinary pizza, but of course they’ll also make you a classic cheese. And if your little ones love hot dogs, stop by Dirty Frank’s for a dog with kimchi or spicy mango chutney while the kids grab a plain one.

↓ Photo by Leonardo Carrizo

While there's a fine line between entertainment and ending up with a pile of food on the floor, we know one thing: It’s easier to get the kids to eat when they’re entertained. Bridge Park’s Weenie Wonder is neighbor to Pins Mechanical Co. and 16Bit Arcade + Bar, both of which are kid-friendly until later in the evening. Other eateries, such as Don Pocha or BD’s Mongolian Grill, allow patrons to watch their food as it’s being prepared— entertainment in itself.

↑ Photo by Jen Brown

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

85

FAL L GE T AWA YS Five small towns in Ohio to cozy up in this autumn

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

87

Who says a getaway has to be complicated?

Sometimes all you need in a vacation is an escape to the simple, quaint life in a storybook-esque small town. Assimilating into each village’s traditions and everyday life is an experience in itself to get lost in. Here, we’ve compiled five of the most charming villages and towns in Ohio for a long weekend.

Sugarcreek Known as the Little Switzerland of Ohio, Sugarcreek is the gateway to Amish country. Downtown holds notes of Swiss architecture, including the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock that sits in the square and comes to life every hour. We won’t tell you what happens when the clock strikes—you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Notable stops for dining are Dutch Valley Restaurant, Dough Co: Doughnuts & Coffee and Park Street Pizza. But that’s only if you don’t fill up on delicacies at the Broad Run Cheesehouse, attached to the Swiss Heritage Winery.

The Alpine Hills Museum features three floors of Sugarcreek’s Swiss, German, and Amish heritage. And just down the road is the Ohio Star Theater at Dutch Valley, an adorable theater that puts on comedic performances and shows.

Milan Milan is not only a cute town to stay for a long weekend, it’s also the birthplace of inventor Thomas Edison. Edison’s childhood home is a big pull for history buffs, as you can tour the house that doubles as a museum. Only around 1,400 people live in the village, so tranquility reigns supreme here. One of Milan’s biggest events of the year is the Summer Antiques Fest in July, when the square is abuzz with antique booths, local shops, and out-of-town vendors.

If you choose to take a staycation in Milan, try the Invention Restaurant for the best American comfort food and The Milan Wine Post set on the historic town square.

88

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

SEPTEMBER 9, 10 & 11

Join us this fall at the OHIO EXPO CENTER for

BEER, FOOD MUSIC & FUN

FREE ADMISSION FAMILY FUN ENTERTAINMENT

www.COLUMBUSOKTOBERFEST.com 614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

89

Ashtabula Located on Lake Erie’s coastline, Ashtabula is one of the most romantic getaways in Ohio because of its picturesque fall views, adorable apple orchard dates, and covered bridges. Take a long walk along Walnut Beach and enjoy the scenery of Lake Erie before grabbing dinner at Bascule Bridge Grille or cozying up for a coffee at Harbor Perk.

If you want an immersive experience, stay at the Orchard View Villas.

Marblehead The charming town of Marblehead is a quaint escape for those who want the scenery of nature and the comforts of a nice bed. East Harbor State Park Beach is ideal for trail walking, picnics, bike rides, and more. You can’t miss visiting the Marblehead Lighthouse (the most photographed lighthouse in Ohio) for a breathtaking view of Sandusky Bay and relishing the boating culture of the area.

The Hidden Beach Bar is a casual, beachy dining experience open for lunch and dinner, while The Landing is one of the top seafood restaurants in the area.

Experience a charming beach town without traveling across the country.

Loveland It’s in the name—you can’t not love this town. Loveland is a little town on the outskirts of Cincinnati filled with miles and miles of scenic bike trails, charming shops, and a family-oriented atmosphere. Rent or bring your bike, because you’ll want wheels to cover all the paths and trails in town. Plus, because of the proximity to the Little Miami River, water activities are abundant. After biking, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing, there are plenty of adorable stops for a bite to eat, from pizza at Paxton’s to Loveland Dairy Whip.

The Historic Loveland Castle is a must during your trip to Loveland. Walk the gardens, tour the castle, or picnic by the river. It’s a truly royal experience in Loveland.

90

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM

614NOW.COM

AUGUST 2022 (614) MAGAZINE

91

92

(614) MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 614NOW.COM