(614) December | 2023

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DECEMBER 2023 (614) MAGAZINE

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Give TRUE JOY with one-of-a-kind gifts from a TRUE JEWELER TM

S AW M I L L R O A D | E A S T O N T O W N C E N T E R | D I A M O N D C E L L A R . C O M 2

(614) MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2023 614NOW.COM

Serving Central Ohio is a gift

Across all our services, COTA is on track to provide more than 10 million passenger trips in 2023, connecting our community to employment opportunities, education, medical care, community resources and one another. As we move into 2024, we look forward to continuing to move every life forward together.

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(614)'s

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

Make the holidays extra sweet with a Simply Sweet ($39.95) or Deluxe Gift Box ($79.95). Winans handcrafted chocolate is the perfect way to infuse gatherings with family and friends with joyful sweetness. Make memories and start traditions with Winans seasonal deliciousness.

Contact us at the German Village store!

614.445.6464, 897 S. 3rd St. germanvillage@winanscandies.com

Check off your holiday gift lists at the Museum Store!

Featuring creative goods with great design, find holiday decor, cards, calendars and more to kickstart your festivities. columbusmuseum.org

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by December 31, 2023, and use promo code “holiday614” for 10% off your order. It’s Schmidt’s way of saying Happy Holidays.

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Host birthdays, bachelorette, team building events, or custom parties for adults in this vibrant studio. Join our Gift Series this winter, gather with old friends for a craft night, or pick up a gift card for the crafter in your life.

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This season, support local, fresh, and authentic independent businesses at your North Market!

North Market Downtown 59 Spruce St. Columbus, OH 43215 North Market Bridge Park 6750 Longshore St Dublin, OH 43017

This holiday season, delight your friends and family with the gift of endless adventure by gifting them a membership to Zoombezi Bay, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, or The Wilds. Whether it's making a splash at Zoombezi Bay's thrilling water park, embarking on unforgettable animal encounters at the renowned Columbus Zoo, or experiencing the safari of a lifetime at The Wilds, these memberships offer a year filled with excitement.

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CONTENTS

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(614) MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2023 614NOW.COM

C O V E R PA C K A G E THE COLUMBUS YEARBOOK

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SANTA CLAUS LIVED IN COLUMBUS

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ART IS ALL YOU NEED

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APARTMENT PARTY

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A (REALLY) GOOD NIGHT BAR

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BEYOND THE BOARD

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MONSTER MUNCH

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GAMER'S PARADISE

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GIFTED GIVING

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ON THE COVER:

Artwork by Tori Smith

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack McLaughlin

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

ASSISTANT EDITOR Sav McKeen

Blast from the Past In 8th grade, I had a secret girlfriend, and a yearbook single-handedly ruined my relationship.

I remember that day well: an early June morning that heralded the beginning of summer, and—much more importantly for me at the time—the official end of the school year.

Myself and 100 other awkward preteens gathered together in the school gymnasium to sign one another’s yearbooks, one co-mingled mass of surging hormones, gelled hair and spray-on deodorant.

Truthfully, I don’t remember what most of the signatures in my yearbook said. They probably read something along the lines of: “Have a great summer!” from those I never really talked to, and: “U suck lol” from my actual friends.

Regardless, there is one signature I do remember, and clearly.

“You and [name of 8th-grade girlfriend] are going to rule the [expletive] world this summer!”

My parents really weren’t snoopers, but I remember my Mom casually scanning the pages of my yearbook a few days later, and reading the signatures from my friends. When she got to the aforementioned one, not only was she not particularly pleased about the presence of a juicy F-bomb scrawled in bold, black ink, she had a question for me, as well: “Who is [name of 8th-grade girlfriend]?”

You see, I didn’t tell my parents about my blossoming 8th-grade relationship. In fact, I lied to them and said I wasn’t dating anyone. Looking back, I had no real reason to do this. They wouldn’t have been opposed to me having a significant other at that age, but the thought of having to discuss my romantic life with them, at the time, felt like a fate worse than death.

Unfortunately for 8th grade me, my mom isn’t stupid.

She knew exactly what that comment meant. While this didn’t lead to my parents telling me to break up with my girlfriend or anything like that, it did make them (rightfully) skeptical of just about everything I ever told them for a few months afterwards.

Since I was in the habit of claiming I was going somewhere else when I was really going to see the girl I was dating, my parents started cracking down. You know, cross-referencing phone calls to friends’ parents, stuff like that. Pretty quickly after this, she and I broke up.

And while I do love to tell this story, in part because I think it’s hilarious, if you look closely enough, it does also demonstrate the impact of the yearbook, and sheds some light onto why we created The Columbus Yearbook for our December issue this year .

I mean, sure, a lot of the time, our yearbooks end up in a pile on the shelf of a childhood home collecting dust, but they really are pretty remarkable at capturing a moment in time. I mean this both in terms of their intended use–collecting photos of students, activities, sporting events and more to commemorate the previous academic year–and their off-label uses as well.

What I always remember most about yearbooks (other than the secret girlfriend fiasco) is rarely the actual object, but instead the way they created this amazing–if not a little chaotic–social event. Every time a yearbook was released, I remember staying for at least an hour after school, huddling with friends to sign their copies, and even interacting with people I usually didn’t cross paths with, because if someone asked you to sign their yearbook, you just did it.

More than just inside jokes and run-ins with other social cliches, the book–I think most importantly–always served as a catalyst for remembering the previous year.

A specific photo might jog a memory of a class trip or a clutch playoff victory we had a hand in; your friends might share a laugh remembering that you actually wore fake glasses and a Big Bird shirt on picture day.

What I’m trying to say is this: At its most important, the yearbook is a social touchstone. A conversation starter.

It’s not the entire summation of a year wrapped up in a neat bow, and it never should be. It’s a place to start if you want to look back on the year you just shared, alongside the people you shared it with.

It’s all those things, and it’s also right in front of you.

Enjoy The Columbus Yearbook.

Questions about advertising?

Scan here!

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jen Brown, Leonardo Carrizo, Tyler Jamison, Aaron Massey, Alissa Ohashi, Björn Anderson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jack McLaughlin, Sav McKee, John M. Clark, Laura Hennigan, Matt Mahoney, Shelby Metzger, Melinda Green, Chris Alexis, Dylan Ecker, Molly Hammond CREATIVE DESIGNERS Bryce Patterson Victoria Smith Atlas Biro VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR Austin Black DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Justynne Pride SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Julia Attanasio MARKETING ASSISTANT Zoe King ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite Paul VanHorn ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Anna Gerhard BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER Lizzy Saunders

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(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

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THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US. We look forward to the next 150 years of serving Franklin County. columbuslibrary.org | 614-645-2275

� S TA F F P I C K S

Our staff picks With 2023 coming to a close–and this month’s issue dedicated to a look back at the year that just transpired–

ON the WEB 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 subscribe to our daily email!

we asked our staff to look back at their own year, and pick out a favorite memory. Here’s what they said:

MySpace Prom at Ace of Cups–one of the best bar nights my friends and I went to (and a great excuse to break out the matching outfits). It’s also memorable because I have a scar on my knee from moshing too hard.

SPONSORED

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

→ 'Tis the season to shop local!

Moving to the city [of Columbus] and being able to discover so many new places.

Join us for a Saturday afternoon of sipping warm cocoa & shopping small at Chestnut Hill, a CASTO Community. We've curated a lineup of local makers to help check everyone off your list this holiday season!

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

Will never beat the moment that I got to go on stage with Flo Rida for my birthday at a music festival in Cleveland, and go to the afterparty. Still living that moment down.

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

My wife and I bought a tiny, remote cabin in Adams County, Ohio. Into the wild!

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

My favorite moment from 2023 is graduating from my 200 hour yoga teacher training and nailing my audition to teach at Corepower Short North.

→ Guy Fieri bringing first of its kind festival to Columbus (or should we say, Flavortown) Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Fest, the first-ever festival hosted by Fieri that’s dedicated to food, flavor and fun, hosted right here in Columbus. This festival will take place June 1-2, 2024, at the Lawn at CAS, located at 2540 Olentangy River Rd.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Lager

Riding around town in a 23 foot-long Banana Car–and being spotted!

— Lindsay Press, CEO

Becoming the assistant editor of (614) Magazine, of course!

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

Moving into a new apartment has been an incredible journey for me!

— Austin Black, Videographer

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→ Funnel cake latte? This drive-thru drink concept with over 20,000 combinations opened today With drinks called “Ocean Breeze,” “Fruit Roll Up,” “Funnel Cake Latte” and “Pixie Stick,” it’s no wonder that this drive-thru drink concept, 7Brew, is gaining popularity around the world. And now, Central Ohio is able to experience it, too.

#AsSeenInColumbus

@24newalbany

@breakfastwithnick

@oddfellowscolumbus RE

SS PLA

Y

P

@walkandwagcolumbus

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

• You Can Be Anything with

• Have You Tried A CoronaRita?

Over the years, Barbie has had hundreds of careers and traveled the globe. What will you be when you can be anything?

El Vaquero is many things and a flavor innovator is one of them! Always inventing new cocktails and dishes, you need to add their CoronaRita to your list of must tries!

• Wolf's Ridge Brewing Turns 10!

• Explore the World of Light at COSI

Wolf's Ridge Brewing is a proud partner of 614 Magazine and brewer of 614 Lager. This year, WRB turns 10!

They decided to throw a little 'shindig', if that's still a word you young folk use!

Featuring an incredible array of exhibits, The Bioluminescent adventure will teach, inspire, and wow kids and adults alike and show them just how interesting life in the dark can be.

Barbie @ COSI

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How a Columbus man with a gold mine–and a heart of gold–became the real-life Santa Claus of a small Ontario town

By John M. Clark Story Design by Bryce Patterson

sk any young kid in Columbus where Santa Claus is from, and you’re likely to hear, “the North Pole, of course!” (or something like that). Pose that same question to the children of a particular mining town in Ontario, and they’ll tell you the real Santa – a jolly, white-haired man who has provided gifts to them for more than a century – lived in Columbus, Ohio. And you would have a hard time arguing with them.

Except his name was really Frederick W. Schumacher. And his life couldn’t have been much more fascinating – even if he had lived with elves at the North Pole and driven a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer.

In 1872, the nine-year-old Danish-born Schumacher and his family immigrated to Waco, Texas. He attended Baylor University and later graduated with top honors from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. It was in the role of pharmacist that he became acquainted with Dr. Samuel B. Hartman, of Columbus, who hired him to move to Ohio and run the advertising arm of his multi-million-dollar business, making and selling the famous Peruna patent medicine. Peruna was hardly the “cure-all” Hartman claimed it to be, but rather a “snake oil,” containing up to 30% alcohol.

Schumacher was responsible for the wildly popular, testimonial-style advertisements for Peruna that ran in newspapers across the country. He made millions for Hartman and himself, eventually rising to the level of vice president. He also married Hartman’s daughter, Maribel, and bought one of Columbus’ largest and most-fashionable homes, the former 12-thousand-square-foot Frisbie Mansion, on East Broad Street, now the site of the Frisbie apartment building. The couple divorced in 1917, following 22 years of marriage. →

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↓ A young Frederick Schumacher, after being named vice president of the huge Peruna Drug Company, in Columbus.

Courtesy of New York Public Library

But Schumacher had other interests besides advertising. One was collecting fine art. In fact, his later donations of paintings helped the Columbus Museum of Art gain a nationwide reputation. And that wasn’t all. The kindly, soft-spoken Schumacher also began investing in silver mines in Ontario. One of his purchases, though, turned out to be a gold mine – quite literally.

This lucky Columbus businessman followed up his 1909 gold strike by buying two more mines in the area; and soon, a small community of miners and their families began growing up around them.

In honor of the man who opened these mines, the little town was named Schumacher.

As the federal government began turning a critical eye toward patent medicines like the one Schumacher helped sell, the advertising genius decided to call it quits. Instead, he began developing a personal interest in the little Ontario town that now bore his name. There, he got to know the East Europeans who had migrated to this area to work the many silver and gold mines.

Mining was – and still is – a hard way to make a living. It wasn’t just the low wages. It also was the inherent dangers associated with laboring all day underground, with the risk of roof collapses, caveins and the loss of oxygen.

Schumacher noted this early on and turned his attention to those members of the mining families who had the least to say about their living conditions – the children. During one visit to his namesake town, Schumacher requested a census of every child under the age of 16. The count – 270. In late December 1916, Schumacher (the man) traveled by train from Columbus to Schumacher (the town). He carried with him the name and age of each of the nearly 300 children, along with what each of them wanted for Christmas. Stopping in Toronto, Schumacher and an assistant set out on one of the biggest Christmas shopping sprees the city had ever seen. ↑ Frederick Schumacher used part of his enormous wealth to collect fine art. Upon his death in 1957, the Schumacher Collection was donated to the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts, allowing it to become the nationally recognized Columbus Museum of Art. Courtesy of Columbus Public Library

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↓↑ The small village of Schumacher, Ontario. Today, Schumacher has largely been absorbed into the larger, nearby town of Timmins.

Continuing northward with a stack of dolls, snow sleds, chemistry sets and just about every other conceivable gift, the kindly gentleman with white hair and beard must have drawn comparisons to Old St. Nick. As a matter of fact, a few years after starting this Christmas gift-giving tradition, Schumacher came face-to-face with a little girl in his northbound train car. “What’s your name,” she asked him. “Why, it’s Mr. Schumacher.” “Uh uh,” she said. “I know who you are. You’re Santa Claus.”

And so he was, in a way, for the next 41 years – until he died in Columbus at the age of 93, in 1957.

But because of a trust he had set up at Huntington Bank, Schumacher’s generosity continues to this day, with school students receiving gifts handed out by the town’s volunteer fire brigade. The foundation is coordinated by Schumacher’s descendants.

Ten years ago, Schumacher resident Louise Nightingale Smith was interviewed by a Canadian newspaper concerning a book she had just written about Frederick Schumacher. “I’ve always wanted to know who Mr. Schumacher was because I saw him when he made his last visit to town,” she said.

“When he came here, it was such a special affair.

All school work stopped; all the activities in the public schools stopped, everything centered on him.

We loved him.” ♦

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↓ Hakim Callwood poses in the studio

Art is All

You

Need

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Local artist and teacher, Hakim Callwood, is giving back to the Columbus community in a colorful way

EXPLORE PUBLIC ART IN COLUMBUS

By Laura Hennigan Photos by Leonardo Carrizo Story Design by Bryce Patterson

W

hen Hakim Callwood was a kid, he spent hours pouring over the comic books his older brother had passed down to him. It wasn’t until years later that Callwood realized this was his first exposure to art, a term that he had previously thought only meant paintings in museums and other traditional mediums.

Art is all around us, especially here in Columbus, and Callwood is on a mission to encourage everyone to stop and take a closer look.

Barely 30, Callwood has racked up an incredibly impressive resume, including creating custom murals for CoverMyMeds, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Crew, plus participating in internships with the Ohio Art League and Idea Foundry, and a collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for their On Our Sleeves campaign.

But he isn’t here to talk about himself; he would much rather discuss the ever-changing Columbus art landscape and how there is a place at the table for everyone. “When I injected myself into the art world here, there were a lot of closed doors, but also a lot of open arms,” said Callwood. “People didn’t have to spend their time or money helping me, but they did, and I feel like it’s my duty to keep passing that kindness along.

I’m trying to align all my actions to expose more people to art and to make it more accessible.” →

RECIPIENT OF A GCAC MURAL ASSISTANCE GRANT: The Story of Global Gallery

by Anthony Pomales

Find a map of public art at

ColumbusMakesArt.com Columbus Makes Art is a project of:

Download the ARTWALKS app.

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↓ Callwood at work on a mural for Columbus restaurant, House Taco ↑

I’m honored to be someone that people think of when they are talking about art in Columbus...

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It’s all about giving back to the community and paying it forward, shared Callwood. He doesn’t want the spotlight on himself, but rather the many people who are still trying to gain traction with their art. “Anyone who asks me how to get involved in art, I tell them to go where the art is and spend as much time there as you can,” he advised. “I’m honored to be someone that people think of when they are talking about art in Columbus, and I want to make sure I give back by spreading the word about other artists.”

Callwood is currently wrapping up a six-month stint as part of the Artist Residency Pilot Program at Gravity, which aims to foster the creativity of artists of all backgrounds through communal living and collaboration. He also teaches part-time to 4th through 8th grade students at a community school in Lima, and continues to pop up all over the city, from appearances at The Attic Comedy Club to a recent day hitting up local establishments with his good friend Ted Cadillac. The duo aimed to document how many Columbus businesses they could patronize with $300. Stops included coffee at Upper Cup, shopping at Homage, getting inked with a new tattoo, drinks in German Village, and food at the newly opened House Taco, where Callwood recently completed a mural.

Inspired by the idea of using the resources available to you, along with your own lived experiences, Callwood’s art can be seen in a wide variety of locations, plus on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. While he acknowledges social media is a double-edged sword these days, he also appreciates the reach it provides to many people, especially emerging artists.

“One thing that I think is super positive about social media is that more people consider themselves artists now. It’s open to everyone. I think there is so much room for hobbyists to not be shy and put their work out there and be an artist,” he emphasized.

“With access to resources and the ability to share so easily, it’s giving people confidence. You don’t have to label yourself as a certain genre or skill, it’s really about the art and being creative.” ♦

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To learn more, check out Hakim’s art on his website, hakimsartnstuff.com and @hakimsartnstuff on Instagram.

↑ La Plaza Tapatia's house salsas

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APARTMENT

Party

↑ Apartment B interior

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The owner of the Columbus nightlife cornerstone, Bodega, has launched a new speakeasy concept from the inside of a converted Short North apartment

By Melinda Green / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Tori Smith

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he Short North’s newest cocktail hot spot is a tiny gem on High Street, tucked into the back of one of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants.

Apt B literally is Apartment B of the space Bodega has occupied since its opening in 2005.

When the building’s owner decided to offer it for commercial use two years ago, Bodega owner Brian Swanson jumped at the chance and started the renovation process.

It wasn’t without obstacles—the team ran up against a post-COVID steel shortage, and the architect passed away, necessitating newlydrawn plans—but eventually, load-bearing walls were removed, and the bathroom moved from the middle of the apartment to the back, where a kitchen once was. The long, narrow space barely resembles an apartment now.

During the renovation process, “We kept kind of saying, ‘OK, I'll meet you in Apartment B, I'll meet you in Apartment B,’” Swanson said. “We were trying to figure out what we wanted to call it, and we just decided to call it Apt B. We’ve got Bodega out here, that starts with B. So here we are.”

And by “here,” Swanson means expanding into new areas in more ways than one. “So, Bodega is very much beer focused and has been since 2005. It's kind of known for being the craft beer destination of Short North. And this is more cocktail focused, and more kind of a lounge,” he said.

Just don’t call it a speakeasy. Sure, it’s cozy and has a sliding barn door that shutters it from the restaurant. Sure, it’s not obvious that there’s a bar in there. But there’s no password and no membership fee; anyone can come in, any time the bar is open (Wednesday through Saturday, 6:00 pm to close). Swanson plans to advertise it just like he advertises Bodega.

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“A lot of focus on glassware, a lot of garnishes that you don't necessarily see. Fun flowers, edible glitter, different fun syrups that we all make in-house.”

↑ Apartment B cocktail

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“Bodega has been wildly successful and always needed more space, especially Thursday, Friday, Saturday night,” Swanson said. “So really, we just wanted additional space for our guests. We wanted to give them just a different atmosphere to come hang out in. So it's kind of a speakeasy vibe, but it's more really just an extension of Bodega.”

That speakeasy vibe pairs the modern Bodega style with Art Deco: leather and neon with vintage glassware and beautifully styled details. With a capacity of just fifty guests, Apt B is perfect for a couple of cocktails before or after dinner—or for a small private party. And when it’s full, put your name on the waitlist and grab a drink or a snack at Bodega.

Don’t fill up too much, though. Chef Bill Glover consulted on Apt B’s snack menu, which includes housemade chips with a whipped blue cheese dressing, tajinspiced grilled shishito peppers, cheddar gougéres with pimiento aioli, and ahi tuna with all the trimmings.

Garrett Tansel, formerly of the Detroit metro area, is the bar’s Beverage Director.

“A lot of the cocktails are just kind of fun riffs, obviously based off of the apartment theme that we're going for back here,” Tansel explained. “Classic pre-Prohibition cocktails—more light expression, if you will. A lot of focus on glassware, a lot of garnishes that you don't necessarily see. Fun flowers, edible glitter, different fun syrups that we all make in-house.”

Plus, fresh juicing, infusions like cherry-infused Campari or sage-infused tequila, and garnishes like fresh banana leaves and multicolored orchids, and these cocktails are a feast for all of the senses.

“There are a lot of cool cocktail bars around here. I wanted to try to do something that someone hasn't really seen in this area,” Tansel continued.

Something like the Security Deposit, a sunrise-colored, Last Word-inspired creation (and a nod to Tansel’s hometown) made with Watershed gin, Genepy, and, instead of the Last Word’s Luxardo, that cherry-infused Campari instead, and served in a ribbed coupe glass.

Or the velvety Neighborhood Watch, with a subtly perfect hint of orange and cherry chocolate atop rye whiskey. It’s a cold drink, but it tastes warm, and you’ll want a second one while you enjoy your surroundings.

Looking to party a little harder? How about a Degenerate Roommate, concocted for 2 or 4 people out of 11 ingredients including overproof rum, Velvet Falernum, house-made grenadine, and—wait for it—cuttlefish ink.

Yes, the cocktails fit the apartment-living theme, at least in name. So do the photos on the back wall of Bodega’s workers, like a family photo gallery. It’s homey and hip all at the same time. The team is still working on the finishing touches, but, Swanson said, “We want to make it feel like it's kind of what's been here for a while. It's really just an old apartment.”

To learn more, visit Apt B at 1044 N. High St., and check out their website at apt-b.com.

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↓ Kopiko Espresso Martini from Cobra

Columbus’ newest bar, Cobra, embraces a laid-back atmosphere, complete with late-night noodles, Asian-American inspired fare, and cool cocktails

By Sav McKee / Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Atlas Biro

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I

f I told you there’s a new bar in town, owned and operated by a quartet with cumulative experience spanning decades in the realm of food and beverages, who have won numerous awards, who have traveled the world and lived abroad, and who have been trained by Michelin Star chefs and James Beard winners, it could sound a little intimidating.

But what if I then told you that this very establishment serves popcorn chicken and a cocktail called “Above Ground Pool,” that intentionally resembles the greenish tint that accumulates atop an untended pool during the winter months? Way less intimidating, I hope.

Cobra, the latest addition to the Brewery District, located in the former home of Panera at 684 S. High St., aspires to embody the quintessential, casual, latenight, neighborhood hotspot, all the while maintaining a commitment to craft and quality and an unmistakable coolness.

“With some of our backgrounds, people expect full service, fine-dining restaurant touches, but that’s not us. We’re going to give top tier hospitality, but this style of hospitality we’re trying isn’t ‘white table cloth,’” said Jack Dale Bennett Jr., one of Cobra’s co-owners. →

“We’re going to give top tier hospitality, but this style... isn’t ‘white table cloth,’”

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↓ Mama Chien’s Dumplings and Taiwanese Beef Noodle Al Ragu from Cobra

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There’s no host guiding you to your seat here, or a server taking your order – Cobra breaks away from the conventional dining experience. Instead, you’ll find a walk-up counter with paper menus, where you simply place your order, grab a number, choose any open spot, and sit back and bask in the ambiance, which is often enhanced by the dim lighting, exciting chatter, and a good playlist or tunes by the resident DJ as you await your noodles and cocktails.

“We don’t want to be stuffy. We’re stripping away any pretension from the food and drink scene, while still offering very intentional dishes and cocktails,” said Bennett Jr. “What we really want is to be known for our reliability, our atmosphere, and our product,” added David Yee, another Cobra co-owner.

What sets Cobra apart is its multifaceted allure. It’s a destination for the pre-game, the party, and the after-party.

It’s the spot for an invigorating espresso martini before your Downtown dinner reservations, or the ideal setting for a group of friends to gather together for dinner and drinks, or the final stop for the night – a place to unwind with a nightcap and chow down on a Shanghai Noon Burger after being out all night elsewhere.

“Where else can you get a Ribeye up until midnight besides Cobra?”

Alex Chien, another co-owner, fondly recalls his time residing in New York City, one of the many places in the world that inspired Cobra’s concept. “One of my favorite bars is in New York, and I love that bar because it’s the kind of bar that you go to kill some time while waiting at the really busy restaurant next door. But then when you’re at the restaurant, you’re thinking, ‘Wait, let’s just go back to that bar.’ That’s how I want people to feel about Cobra,” he said.

Cobra’s also a reliable, late-night refuge for those in the service industry, when the only other option after midnight is Taco Bell. With its doors open until 2 a.m. and a special latenight food menu served until 1:45 a.m., Cobra is a dependable option, and with owners who also worked in the service industry for years, it was designed to be a haven for these workers who work late into the night. While there’s certainly no disdain for a Taco Bell run at 1 a.m, as Bennett aptly points out, “Where else can you get a Ribeye up until midnight besides Cobra?”

“It seems like everything has already been done everywhere, but not yet in Columbus. We’re taking concepts from places we love back home with us. We’ve traveled a lot, we’ve lived in other cities, we’ve consulted with some of the top bars and restaurants in the entire world, and we realize that there’s just no reason Columbus shouldn’t have something like this, where people can gather late into the night and enjoy really good food in a casual setting. A lot of our decision making is what’s been done in other places, but with a very Midwest mindset,” emphasized Yee.→ 614NOW.COM

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(L to R) Jack Bennett, Josh Spiers, Alex Chien, David Yee, Co-owners of Cobra ↑

“Our food is cuisine that's stuck with Jack throughout his cooking career, but filtered through the Asian-American experience.”

Yee, Chien, and Josh Spiers, the fourth co-owner, have a plethora of experience in the Columbus cocktail world. Spiers and Yee both honed their skills at Oddfellows, while Chien and Yee previously held the positions of Beverage Directors at Watershed Distillery. Their expertise extends beyond the city’s limits, too, with Chien and Yee even competing in Bombay Saphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. With these talented, experienced individuals behind the cocktail menu (and bar), it’s no surprise that Cobra is jam-packed almost every hour they’re open.

Many of Cobra’s cocktails highlight Asian spirits, influenced by Yee and Chien’s Asian-American background.

Take, for example, the Cobra Old-Fashioned, a blend of Toki Japanese Whisky, Jim Beam Rye, Barley, and Cocoa, or the Hey Chico! cocktail, crafted from Roku Gin, Lychee, MSG, Grapefruit, and Manzanilla Sherry. Beer aficionados also get something unique – there’s a 20oz bottle of authentic Taiwanese Beer on the menu, too, plus an extensive array of other cocktails, beers, and spirits.

Chef Jack Dale Bennett Jr. has orchestrated a food menu that harmoniously compliments the Asian-inspired libations, but infused with his own experiences at James Beard Awardwinning restaurants, like Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.

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He’s also trained by Michelin Star chef, Andrew Carmellini, specifically in learning how to hand-make and hand-pull pasta. “Our food is cuisine that’s stuck with Jack throughout his cooking career, but filtered through the Asian-American experience. It’s food that you’d find at a Taiwanese or Chinese street market, but also inspired by other cities,” explained the Cobra crew.

You’ll discover crowd-pleasers like the Crab Rangoon Dip and a Chicken Patty Katsu sandwich on the menu, but also, Dan Dan Noodles and a Taiwanese Ragu, with fresh, impeccably hand-pulled noodles. Chien’s mother’s renowned dumplings are even on the menu too, showcasing a secret family sauce recipe that Alex boldly claims is the “best in the world.”

The humble slogan displayed on their hard-to-miss sign hanging high above High St. reads: “a good night bar.”

However, this hip establishment, with a vibrant, unique food and cocktail menu designed by one of the brightest culinary teams in the city, isn’t just “good.” They could change their slogan to “a fantastic bar,” but bragging isn’t really their style. ♦ View menus, restaurant hours, and more at cobrabarcolumbus.com

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2 oz Woodford .5 oz Creme de Cocoa .5 oz Simple Syrup Splash of french vanilla cream Graham Cracker Rim - served in rocks glass over ice

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1 oz Jack Daniels Bonded 1 oz Borghetti Espresso Liquor .75 oz Holiday spiced simple syrup Served in rocks glass over ice garnished with toasted marshmallow skewer

The Frost Bite Kristin Weir • • • • •

1.5 oz Herradura Silver .75 oz White Chocolate Liquor .75 oz Creme de Menthe 1 oz cream Shaken over ice - strained into a martini glass

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2 oz Jack Daniels Bonded Rye .75 oz maple syrup 1 oz heavy cream 1 egg Served on the rocks in cocktail glass garnished with cinnamon sugar & cinnamon stick

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2 oz Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire Whiskey .75 oz infused Honey Syrup .75 oz lemon juice Served over ice in rocks glass with star anise garnish

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Char Char Chive Holly Hartman • • • • •

2 oz Fords Gin 1 oz lemon juice 1 oz charred rosemary, garlic & chive Simple Syrup .5 oz Ay Chico Aromatic Bitters by the Bitter Gay Co. Chilled & stirred over ice served in a coupe glass with red pepper & rosemary sprig garnish 614NOW.COM

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1.5 oz Diplomatico Rum .5oz Dupont Calvados .5 oz Zucca Rabarbaro .5 oz Simple Syrup .5 oz lime juice Shaken over ice - served in a coupe glass garnished with dehydrated cinnamon apple

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1.5oz Old Forester Bourbon .75 Antica Formula .25 Campari 4 dashes Turkish Tobacco bitters 1 dash orange bitters Vermouth soaked cherry garnish served chilled in a coupe

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← Spread from North Country Charcuterie

Beyond the Board 44

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How a Craigslist fridge and a whole lot of passion created an award-winning Columbus charcuterie company

By Shelby Metzger Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Bryce Patterson

t started with a refrigerator from Craigslist. $150 later, James Forbes had put the first pieces in place – via a fridge-turned-drying chamber in his mud room – to begin his cured meats and fresh sausages establishment, called North Country Charcuterie (NCC).

Located at 1145 Chesapeake Ave. in Columbus, Ohio, James, with a decade of experience as a chef under his belt, founded the environmentally-friendly, family-owned company with his mother, Jane Forbes, in April 2014.

From their Wagyu Beef to large spreads of mouthwatering charcuterie, NCC offers a diverse selection of products, ranging from salami and chorizo for charcuterie boards, to fresh sausages and bacon for five-star-worthy meals. But it’s the unique flavors, straight from a seasoned chef’s palate, that sets their selection apart.

“I think a major differentiator for us is the quality of the ingredients and the flavor development. My brother, with his culinary background, can take his culinary principles, his palate, and then bring that to the salami,” Duncan Forbes, James’ brother and North Country Charcuterie’s “Salami Monger” said. “That's the biggest compliment that we always get. That the flavor is so much more bold and fulfilling than some other products that are similar.”

Not only are the products of exquisite flavor, but they’re also sustainable. And why not enjoy some of Ohio’s best artisanal meats and cheeses while keeping your eco footprint to a minimum?

“We source 95% of our ingredients from within a two-hour drive of our production facility,” Duncan said. “You know, all the meat comes from Ohio – as many ingredients as we can get come from Ohio.”

There’s a concept in winemaking called “terroir,” which pertains to how a region’s environment (i.e. soil, terrain, climate) impacts various grapes and subsequent wines. Duncan believes this notion applies to meats, as well. Local ingredients complement each other more so than ingredients sourced from various environments. →

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← The North Country Charcuterie team

↑ North Country Charcuterie offerings

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Spices from North Market, Stout via Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, cheese courtesy of Blue Jacket Dairy – all local Ohio products to accentuate their Ohio meats.

“Then, we work with Combustion Brewery out of Pickerington. We have their Belgian Tripel beer as an ingredient. Our number one salami, which is kind of our signature recipe, is mixed with cheese from Blue Jacket Dairy out of Bellefontaine and then Chardonnay from Debonné Vineyards up in Northeast Ohio.”

A sale of just one of NCC’s ‘Deluxe Collection’ charcuterie boards supports upward of 20 small businesses. From the array of local farm products to the nuts and cheese, the 14 items in this kit alone makes for an exceptional holiday gift or table spread.

“You're not only supporting us, but you could be supporting upwards of 30 different Ohio businesses depending on which product you buy,” Duncan emphasized.

And the end result of local sourcing is not something to be scoffed at. With multiple awardwinning products, NCC offers the best of the best to consumers and restaurants alike.

The Herbed Wagyu Bresaola, made with Ohio-raised Wagyu Beef Eye of Round and seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, won a Good Food Award in 2022. The following year, their Wagyu Beef Bacon beat out the competition, earning a 2023 Good Food Award.

“We have more unique recipes, like a Northern Thai-style Sai Ua sausage, which is really stellar, and is one of my favorite products that we make in the fresh category,” Duncan described.

“That's made with lemongrass, red curry, lime leaf, tamari soy sauce and turmeric. If you kind of just generally like Asian or Southeast Asian flavor profiles, this is a slam dunk.”

But while the Forbes’ family creation is, perhaps, the gold standard, it wasn’t an easy road to the top.

As James began to lay the foundation to make his dream a reality, he started to scope out the local competition. Until he discovered he had none.

“When we launched, we were the only artisan cured meat company in the state of Ohio,” Duncan explained. “In addition to just the general challenges of starting a company, the meat industry is heavily regulated by, in our case, USDA. And so that ends up being a barrier to entry for a lot of folks. So that's, in my opinion, the main reason why other companies hadn't attempted this to date.”

After spending a year jumping through regulatory hoops and working to develop delectable recipes, Duncan joined his brother and mother to create the self-proclaimed “Salami Squad,” and the trio began production at the Food Fort facility, later moving to 1400 Food Lab.

“When we launched, we were the only artisan cured meat company in the state of Ohio.”

“That's where we really kind of established ourselves.

Figured out what's going on,” Duncan said.

In the fall of 2015, the pioneers received approval to sell their goods, both at farmers markets and wholesale. NCC gave those at Weiland’s Market, Hills Market and Grandview’s farmers market their first taste of the gloriousness that is their cured salami and chorizo creations. During the pandemic, the Forbeses expanded to fresh bacon and sausages. Today, they ship to all 50 states, direct to consumer and wholesale or bulk, while continuing to offer their products at farmers markets around the state every Saturday.

Giant Eagle Market Districts in Central Ohio will also officially be carrying all of NCC’s salami options, a goal that has been a long time in the making.

From a refrigerator off of Craigslist, to back to back Good Food Awards, and everything in between, NCC seems to have cracked the code to producing protein of the highest quality while deriving from local small businesses and upholding environmentally-friendly standards.

“A lot of our competitors are sourcing commodity pork, and that fits a specific category within the market, and we're at the opposite end of that,” Duncan explained. “We're trying to be more thoughtful and careful with our sourcing, uphold various animal husbandry practices as best we can, as the best the farmers can, and try to support as many local Ohio artisans and small businesses while we're trying to get our own company going.” ♦ To learn more, visit Northcountrycharcuterie.com

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↓ A Sprinkle in Time donut from Monster Baby Donuts

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Without gluten or dairy, the East Market’s new mini-donut vendor offers monstrously delicious flavors, and a process Columbus can trust

By Matt Mahoney Photos by Tyler Jamison Story Design by Bryce Patterson

I

n my eyes, “trust” isn’t that much of a consideration when dining out. For better or for worse, we believe that the appropriate health authorities are keeping everything in line behind the scenes, but beyond that, most do not worry much about getting what they need.

If the salad comes out with blue cheese rather than goat, consider this a happy little surprise. If the beef turns out to be pork, you might feel a bit slighted, but this is far from a serious health concern. As I have come to find however, this might not be the case with everyone.

In the midst of my conversation with Emma Fleming, owner and operator of Monster Baby Donuts at East Market, I came to learn a little bit about donuts, and oddly enough, a lot about trust.

For the uninitiated, Monster Baby Donuts offers their own unique spin on the beloved breakfast treat, with each and every available item made both gluten-free and wholly vegan. Make no mistake: these labels have been in vogue as of late in the food sector, but Fleming’s desire to produce these vegan, gluten-free treats does not appear to be borne out of an eagerness to cash in on a trend – after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease and allergies to dairy and eggs at a young age, Fleming became aware of the difficulties that people with dietary restrictions face.

“It's very difficult to find places that specialize in allergy-safe baking, especially if you’re talking straight gluten-free or the vegan community,” she remarked of the culinary landscape.

When she was lucky enough to find an institution that did serve gluten-free, vegan food, however, the quality usually wasn’t the best. “Everything tasted like playdough or cardboard,” Fleming admitted with a laugh. →

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The only thing worse than food you can barely taste is food that you can’t trust, and when it comes to supposedly “gluten-free” institutions, one must tread carefully. Fleming recalls a time when she ordered gluten-free pasta at a restaurant, only to find that the pasta was boiled in the very same water as the fullgluten stuff.

As a result of her untrustworthy experiences and dietary restrictions, Fleming decided to start working in a series of locales that specialized in gluten-free and vegan food. First, Simply Gluten Free in Dayton, and then Chubby Bunny Bakery in Hamilton, the latter of which is an entirely gluten-free and vegan operation.

“I feel like the biggest takeaway I had from that place is the community aspect of it – finding people who have been through the same experiences as you, who haven’t been able to eat places or can’t trust what they eat,” she said. “Especially when I was serving kids and they were like, ‘I’ve never had a cookie before, I’ve never had this before.’ Being able to help them have that first experience, it was truly amazing.”

Though a stint in the corporate world stole Fleming away from the baking sector for a time, the call of the kitchen eventually became too strong to ignore. Slowly but surely she began to craft her own recipes, and while it was not an easy process trying to create desserts without any eggs, milk or flour, she was eventually able to develop a product that satisfied both dietary restrictions and taste tests.

As is often the case with fledgling bakers, Fleming’s first opportunities to sell her products were at area farmers markets and festivals. One particular moment of realization came at the Columbus Book Festival, where even a week’s worth of baking beforehand only provided them with enough product to make it through the first few hours of the first day of the festival. With the product honed and the demand overflowing, Fleming and her collaborators set out to find a suitable spot for expansion.

The first and most important step was finding a location where they could bake their gluten-free and vegan products without having to worry about cross-contamination. After securing a kitchen in Plain City, Fleming then began to research places to sell the finished products. In what she saw as a long-shot, Fleming submitted a vendor application to East Market, and to her surprise, she was accepted.

“I thought about it for like, ten minutes, called my husband and was like, ‘We’re doing this, let’s go.’”

Monster Baby Donuts’ stall officially opened for business on October 27th, and here, Fleming and company appear to have hit the ground running. “It was utter insanity,” she reflected upon her first day. “Moving into it I was like, ‘OK, we’re just gonna do it, we’re gonna make a bunch of mistakes and it’ll be fine. We’re gonna learn from it and go.’”

↓ Monster Baby owner, Emma Fleming, at her East Market Stand

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A stack of Cookie Monster Donuts from Monster Baby Donuts →

Cinnamon Sugar Donut from Monster Baby Donuts ↑

Today at the East Market, Monster Baby’s donuts exude a fun, almost cartoonish playfulness, in part due to their miniature size, and in part due to their exuberant frosting colors and add-ons.

Visitors can try their popular Donut Packs in flavors like Strawberry Lemonade (a strawberry donut with lemon and strawberry glaze), Cookie Monster (a chocolate chip donut with blue vanilla glaze and crushed, gluten-free Oreos on top), or A Sprinkle in Time (a vanilla donut with pink and chocolate glaze and rainbow sprinkles), plus more classic flavors like Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Glaze, and rotating seasonal donuts.

Aside from mini donuts, Monster Baby also offers Sunbutter Buckeye Fudge, indulgent mini muffins, a Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, and even chocolate-covered pretzels. All of these treats are, of course, vegan and gluten-free as well.

The biggest surprise thus far has been the sheer distance that some folks have been willing to cross for their donut fix. As Fleming expressed, it is not uncommon for a customer to have driven 60, even 90 minutes for the sole purpose of getting a treat. While this might seem absurd to some, we must always keep in mind the concept of trust as it surrounds gluten-free and vegan institutions.

Even today with a growing number of these dining locales available around the greater Columbus area, it can be difficult to find a place that you can trust to both prepare a tasty meal, and to have it prepared in a way that accommodates one’s dietary restrictions. With Monster Baby Donuts going the extra mile to ensure every product is crafted in such a way, it should come as no surprise that those with these special restrictions would travel a considerable distance to do business with folks they can trust.

A vegan, gluten-free donut might not be for everyone—but I would certainly implore the “meat and wheat” heads like myself to try it. For those who truly need a place they can trust, Monster Baby Donuts might just be a light shining in the darkness. ♦ To see more flavors and learn more about Monster Baby’s offerings, visit Monsterbabydonuts.com.

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z i l e F d a d i v Na Happy

NEW Year

Gamer's Paradise ↑ Matt Mahoney (center) challenges a convention-goer

From midnight releases to local gaming conventions, (614) Magazine’s Matt “Man About Town” Mahoney explores the Columbus video game culture— its misconceptions, pitfalls and pleasures—and its undeniable sense of community

By Matt Mahoney / Photos by Alissa Ohashi Story Design by Atlas Biro

​I

t’s around 11 p.m. as I cruise down High Street in Beechwold.

Outside of a few bars, there isn’t much open at the hour. While a drink sounds lovely, my business this evening is at Play It! Games, Movies and Music. Tonight marks the release of two blockbuster games this year for video game industry heavyweights Sony and Nintendo with the releases of Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Wonder respectively. Midnight game releases have largely fallen out of style with the advent of digital delivery, and yet occasionally you can still find institutions who honor the tradition of opening up at midnight so over-eager gamers can get their hands on the latest releases and play them until the sun comes up.

As I walk in, a few smiling faces greet me, and the conversation very quickly gets very real: including topics like false nostalgia, console exclusivity, superhero fatigue, and protracted release cycles. →

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I find myself sticking around afterwards to check out the selection, and while it didn’t strike me until after the fact, I realize now that something is going on here. Even amongst those who are traditionally seen as introverts, even loners, there is a surprising sense of community. While it is true that gaming can be a solitary venture, my observations suggest that this is hardly the case, and this should be clear to anyone who has ever attended a gaming convention.

The day arrives, and as it just so happens, Torg Gaming Expo comes to town one of the following weekends. As an event that markets itself as “The LARGEST and BEST Video Gaming Convention in Ohio,” I should think there will be plenty to learn about gamers and the community they make up.

Even before I walk in the door of the convention, I begin to notice telltale signs of a gaming expo: things like grown men dressed like children’s characters and bemused parents.

I wonder if the real Mario is in there, I ponder to myself as I approach with an intent to infiltrate, like Solid Snake himself.

In some of my previous ventures at flea markets and bars, I have occasionally had some difficulty finding folks willing to do an interview, but I have no such difficulties here, as virtually everyone I come across is not just willing, but eager to chat.

Retro Game Museum Display at TORG ↓

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In just about every conversation I find myself in, I ask the same two questions: Do you consider yourself to be a gamer? And what makes someone a gamer? Everyone with the exception of a single grandmother does in fact view themselves as a gamer, and virtually everyone I talk to believes that a gamer is simply a person who enjoys video games and the surrounding culture.

“Anybody who enjoys any kind of gaming activity” one gentleman responds, while another young man asserts that a gamer is anyone who “loves video games,” before walking the statement back to include those who also “enjoy playing them”.

“It’s a hobby that I enjoy,” another replies. While initially these responses may not add up to much, there is something to be learned here.

The barriers for entry into Columbus’ community of gamers are shockingly low. Essentially, if you have played a video game at any point in time – and you enjoyed that experience – you can probably get away with calling yourself a Columbus gamer. This is decidedly not an exclusive bunch. While the term gamer once conjured images of a very particular subset of American culture, the same is no longer true, as gaming culture has now become an inextricable part of mainstream American culture—and mainstream Columbus culture—as a whole. NFL players are now doing Fortnite dances after scoring a touchdown—what more do I have to say?

↑ Retro Game Museum Display at TORG

"I collect [video games] to play them, I don't collect them for money."

As I stroll around the open gaming area, I become acutely aware of my growing profile. Several attendees overhear that I’m covering the event for (614) Magazine and quickly start to hover in the hopes that I tap them for a quick interview.

Perhaps my star-power is growing.

Not too far away, I spy a group of folks roughly my age (30, give or take a few years in either direction) gathered around a Playstation running Guitar Hero 3. It’s no Guitar Hero 2, but my fancy is nonetheless tickled, and so I approach the circle as if I simply wandered over looking for subjects to interview.

Eventually somebody passes me the guitar, and scanning my immediate peers I try to choose a song in cultural proximity to my surroundings: The Strokes’ “Reptilia.” Much like The Strokes’ discography itself, I start off strong. This isn’t so bad! I look pretty cool up here, I monologue internally as I breeze through the intro and first verse. Once the chorus arrives, however, it very quickly becomes apparent that I’m in over my head. The performance meter goes from green, down to yellow, and finally to red as the virtual fans start to groan and cheer for my removal. At one point, I pop my plastic guitar controller neck in the air in order to activate a power-up, but as a spectator points out: “You don’t have any star-power!”.

This comment stings on several levels. I fail the song to both virtual and in-person boos. Bummer, but alas: I might be “Man-AboutTown” for (614) just because I started writing that on my drafts, but around here, star-power and celebrity are earned, not given.

After a few more insightful chats, I find myself in something of a vintage gaming museum. As I scan the walls filled with old controllers and cases, I see a gentleman in the corner messing around on Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, and after mopping the floor with him while playing as Kirby, he’s a good sport and agrees to an interview with me.

Like so many of the other Columbus gamers I consult, he appears to come from a place of passion above anything else, and is refreshingly simple in his approach.

“I just like to play games, but I like to play games of all different types. The only thing I’m not really a fan of is racing games too much. I’ll play them here or there, but I play the games, I collect them to play them, I don’t collect them for money.”

This implies to me that the world of Columbus gaming is defined by one’s participation in the activity itself. Most baseball fans haven’t stepped foot on a diamond in the past five years, while virtually all of those who consider themselves to be space aficionados have never been to space and will almost certainly never go. When it comes to gamers however, people are all linked by common experiences. Being a gamer isn’t something you are, it’s something you do. → 614NOW.COM

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↑ TORG Attendees ↓

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"...If you have a really close close friend friend really move away...you away...you can can move still keep keep in in touch touch still through gaming."

Though it’s late in the day by the time I make my way to the exit, there are still a few folks attending the booths. As I scan the names, I spy one that seems familiar: Brett Weiss, a man who advertises himself as a “Gaming Historian.” Weiss has been writing about video games professionally since the 90s and playing them since the 70s, and with this in mind, I approach and ask him a few things about some of the changes he has seen over time in the gaming community. While the games themselves have changed by his estimation—becoming more complex, more story-driven, more competitive online—they have also changed how we interact with each other: “Even people that live in the same city or pretty near each other will just get online and play each other instead of going to each other's house. You might live two miles away but just play online. But you know, that’s convenient. If it's midnight and you don’t really want to go to someone’s house.

What’s really cool about it, like if you have a really close friend move away, you know, you can still keep in touch through gaming,” Weiss shared.

Not only does this fly in the face of the hackneyed stereotype that gamers are simply shunning the real world in favor of a virtual one, it hits particularly close to home for me as well. Where space has made it all but impossible to interact with my old high school buddies, video games have provided us with a platform upon which we can continue to nurture the bonds we once held dear.

So whether you’re looking to stay in touch with old friends or become part of a bigger community, the world of video games is rife with opportunity. And whether or not you like it, the community is here to stay in Columbus. Want to join in on the fun? Just grab a controller, there’s plenty of room for you at this table. ♦

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INTRODUCING THE DANHATTAN. THE WORLD’S FINEST READY TO DRINK MANHATTAN IS THE PERFECT GIFT.

The World’s Best Manhattan

Visit TheDanhattan.com to find a purveyor.

A quick-hitting, Columbus-focused collection of highlights and more from the last year

By Jack McLaughlin Section Design by Atla s Biro

F

rom major elections to giant pumpkins, and with plenty in between, we had ourselves a year in 2023. In our cover section, we’ve decided to take a look back at some of 2023’s cool and quirky highlights, to help you relive it all.

We’re not presenting this as an in-depth look back at everything that happened last year, so please don’t take it as such. Instead, we wanted to have a little fun with 2023, look back with gratitude, humor, and highlight some of the most interesting things that took place. There were a lot of them, and we hope you enjoy reliving them as much as we did. →

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↓ A Hiraeth chef stokes the fire, photo

↓ Entrée from Hireath,

Live Fire Arrives

While the city’s first dedicated live fire eatery, Fyr, opened in the new Columbus Hilton Downtown Tower last year, the dining trend continued on an even larger scale this year.

In early March, Agni, a concept from iconic Columbus chef Avishar Barua, opened its doors in the Brewery District. Later, the owner of Chapman's Eat Market, BJ Lieberman, launched Hiraeth, the live-fire restaurant located in the Short North.

Both eateries embrace the idea of flame-cooked fare from a variety of countries and regions, allowing the idea of cooking with fire—as well as actual wood-fire grills—to take center stage in each restaurant.

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courtesy of Hiraeth and Jada Mason

photo courtesy of Hiraeth

and Jada Mason

Investments in Ohio Not only did this January mark the one year anniversary of Intel announcing its plans to bring a multi-billion dollar semiconductor plant to centra l Ohio, but Amazon and Google (maybe you’ve heard of them), both also tapped the Columbus area as the sites of massive new investment.

Amazon announced its plan to spend $7.8 billion expanding its data center operations in central Ohio through 2030. This expansion represents the secon dlargest private sector investment in the Buckeye State.

The only one that’s larger? You guessed it: Intel’s $20 billion operation.

Not long after Amazon’s investment was made public, Google announced its plans to bring three new data center campuses to Central Ohio, an investment of $1.7 billion.

Amtrack Expansion

All aboard? In February, Gov. Mike DeWine took the “first step” towards a real Col umbus train line. DeWine sought federal money to study the possibility of expanding a train line to the Arch City.

One possible route is a line circ uit known as the 3C+D Corridor (Cleveland, Columb us, and Cincinnati are the three Cs, while Dayton is the D). The plans for which are described as “Amtrak’s visio n to connect Ohio.” The proposed line would link Tole do, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, with sma ller intermediate stops in Sandusky, Delaware, Springfield and more.

The topic is heating up, but how close are we to actually getting a rail line? Tha t’s still up in the air.

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Pacing Pickleball Pickleball continued its hot streak into central Ohio, and beyond it.

Following a collection of Columbus-area Pickleball venues launching last year, the Pickleball craze was full steam ahead into 2023.

Not only did Ohians continue to try their hands at the sport, the world’s largest amateur pickleball tournament also came to central Ohio.

The World Pickleball Tour came to Pickle & Chill on the city’s Northwest side.

Smashing-ly Goo d

The smash burg er trend isn't go least, accordin ing anywhere , at g to this past ye ar .

Not only did the national ch ain Smashbur expand its ce ger ntral Ohio fo otprint by op campus locatio ening a n, but plenty of exciting ne burger concep w smash ts launched th is year as well, Delaware’s Sm including ash Shack Bu rger Company Smash Buddie , the s Food Truck an d even a new bar” from the “burger owners of Sext on’s Pizza, whi to open soon. ch is set

Celebrity Restaurants A pair of household name celebrities have turned to Columbus as landing spots for their restaurant concepts.

Early in 2023, Kazaam himself, Shaquille O’Neal, announced his restaurant, Big Chicken, will be bringing 36 (yes, you read that correctly) locations to the state of Ohio, and it’s all starting in Columbus.

Additionally, the hometown hero himself appears to be bringing a brick and mortar restaurant concept to Columbus. And by hometown hero, we mean Guy Fieri.

It’s unclear which of his (many) restaurant concepts will be coming to Columbus, but we do know two things: It’s opening at the Scioto Downs, and we’re all welcome to Flavortown now.

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↓ Shaquille O'Neal

Wild, Wild, (Mid)west

↓ A Slice of Sexton's Pizza, photo by Tyler Jamison

Move over, Tiger King. Unique encounters with wild animals were definitely a theme running through 2023 in Ohio. In March, a Circleville man was hospitalized after being attacked by a pet zebra (yes, you read that correctly).

It doesn’t necessarily get less unusual from there, either. According to the Ohio DNR, in May, a pair of alligators (yes, alligators), were sighted in the St. Marys River in northwestern Ohio. One of the alligators, which was approximately two feet in length, escaped capture and has not been seen since the incident.

Lastly, in late June, a black bear was spotted in Franklin County. To give you a benchmark for just how uncommon this actually is, the Ohio DNR claimed the last bear sighting in Franklin County took place nearly 20 years ago. In case you’re worried about bears on the move into Columbus, don’t be, as ODNR representatives said the animal was likely a male juvenile from Pennsylvania who wandered a bit too far west.

Viva Via Feratta!

Quarr y Trails Metro The highly -anticipated in late 2021, and one of Park opened in Columbus a via feratta, opened to its cornerstone attractions, in spring of 2023. the public for the first time at that means, don’t And if you have no idea wh The phrase —which means worry, you’re not alone. efers to a type of fixed “iron path” in Italian—r mountains in the form of aid on climbing walls or with little or no climbing metal rings, allowing those faces with relative ease, experience to scale rock ropes. and while safely affixed to urban via feratta,” the Billed as the “world’s first to scale one of the tors visi Quarr y Trails route allows park’s vertical rock faces.

Score for Sexton's!

When Dave Portnoy of One Bite Pizza Reviews comes to central Ohio, the whole world pays attention. While a handful of local spots turned in favorable reviews, Sexton’s Pizza stole the show, earning an 8.1 from the notoriously-stingy Portnoy. The high mark is now tied for the best score any Ohio pizzeria has received from One Bite Pizza Reviews (Toledo’s Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar also received an 8.1).

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↓ (L to R) Wayne Lewis and

Charles Calvino, photo by Jen

Brown.

Midwest Masterchefs

Columbus enjoyed some serious representation on the most recent iteration of MasterChef.

In a season that saw chefs sorted into regional categories, Columbus alone was home-base for two of the show’s five total Midwest representatives.

Both local hair stylist Charles Calvino and publisher of (614) Magazine Wayne Lewis made a name for themselves, and Columbus cuisine, in front of Gordon Ramsay and the rest of the world watching at home.

The Bear's Share

g as too s no such thin Because there’ ls continued gels, Bears Bage ba od go y an m . A pop-up jector y in 2023 its upward tra emic passion gan as a pand concept that be Lo Yost, Bears haris Yost and project from C rmers market began as a fa Bagels–which up at North ed a brief popmainstay–launch imed for an Park, and is pr Market Bridge upcoming. even larger year ctured on d bagels are pi Charis Yost an r. this issue’s cove

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Short North Struggles

After a pair of Short North shootings and other incidents this spring, Columbus leaders looked to make this nightlife hotspot safer for those enjoying an evening out on the town.

After an initial plea from Mayor Ginther for businesses to shutter earlier in the evening, Columbus City Council members later voted to force mobile food vendors to close at midnight for a short period of time.

Eventually, after this temporary order was lifted, police presence in the Short North was beefed up to help keep the area secure.

gger hwarzene

↓ Arnold Sc

Celebrity Sightings

While Columbus isn’t Los Angeles, and you’re not likely to run into Chris Pratt at the pet store, it was a relatively star-studded year in terms of local celebrity sightings. Here’s a few of them: • Bengals QB and Athens, Ohio native Joe Burrow stopped by Brown Bag Deli and Rio Fresh Cafe during separate visits to Columbus in January and March, respectively.

• ”Eat with me if you want to live.” Well, alright, that’s probably not what he actually said, but iconic strongman turned actor turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by Schmidt’s Sausage Haus during a visit to Columbus for his namesake sports festival.

• Janelle Monáe stopped in the Arch City in early September as part of her Age of Pleasure Tour. Not only was the show a serious hit, but Monáe and her entourage also stopped by Old North Arcade for games and drinks. According to owner Ben Morgan, both the Grammy winner and the Old North Arcade staff had a blast.

• First, Kendall Jenner was spotted wearing a Columbus Clippers shirt. Then, perusing around The Oval at OSU in a Buckeyes sweatshirt. Now, she’s surprise-bartending at Townhall. Is she moving to Columbus? Probably not. In fact, almost definitely not, but it made ripples in the city’s social scene when she stopped by the Short North spot to promote her new booze brand, 818 Tequila. ↓ Joe Bu

rrow

South Side Pride

It’s no secret that Columbus is growing, and it appears that the S. High Street corridor is next up in terms of development.

Following 2022, which saw Rambling House announce plans to create a massive new entertainment hub and livery, and national chain City Winery stake its claim to transform a number of former warehouses into a bustling winery, restaurant, and music venue, even more was announced for the city's far South Side this year.

With Honest Friend Brewing slated to open at 2140 S. High this coming year, and the $350 million Steelton Village development in the works, the area also saw the grand opening of a sleek new location of Mission Coffee this summer inside The Fort, which is located at 2000 S. High St.

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Spaghetti Forever As many will remember, the roof of the beloved Italian eatery Spaghetti Warehouse partially collapsed in the spring of 2022. After over a year of speculation from longtime customers, the eatery finally announced its plans.

While the long-standing Columbus eatery chose to leave its original Franklinton home, the restaurant reopened a chic new Downtown space, complete with plenty of nods to its former home. The new Spaghetti Warehouse, which is located at 150 S. High St. in the Columbus Commons, opened its doors in late November of this year.

↑ The old Spaghetti Warehouse building, which

Conception Confusion

Zoo. I mean, sure it’s A gorilla gave birth at the Columbus we’re mentioning why g cool, but you’re probably wonderin representatives, Zoo to rding it here? Glad you asked. Acco to be a male ght thou ally actu the animal who gave birth was . birth gorilla until, you know, it gave according to the While this might sound ridiculous, intricately difficult to tell Columbus Zoo, it’s actually not. It’s le gorillas before a the difference between male and fema itively know the sex of a certain age, and even if you did defin rmine when gorillas are given animal, it’s often difficult to dete stomachs. pregnant due to the massive size of their

was replaced by a new Downtown spot in late

November., Photo courtesy of Spaghetti Wareho

use.

CMR Hits 100

It was a busy year for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, one that saw the opening of a pair of new Italian eateries.

Named Cento, the Italian word for 100, this German Village eatery (which took over the former home of G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar), is CMR’s 100th restaurant.

Additionally, the Columbus restaurant group launched Valentina’s, an Italian eatery located in Dublin, and shared its plans for Butcher & Rose, a Downtown Columbus steakhouse that’s set to open in 2024.

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Chain Reaction

While there’s nothing like a unique family-owned diner or pizzeria, there’s another equally-compelling sort of excitement that accompanies the opening of that chain restaurant you’ve been seeing for years online and dying to try.

As the Columbus area rockets upward in size, more are bound to come, but we already witnessed a handful of exciting national chains opening their first locations (or announcing Columbus openings) this year, including: • The first-ever Columbus Bojangles, bountiful biscuits and all, opened in Hilliard in September.

• After leaving in 2019, Kona Grill made a return to the Columbus area, and it did so in the exact same building it previously occupied.

• French-inspired Asian bakeries had themselves a year in Columbus, as the very first Tous Les Jour opened its doors in early January (technically Dec. 31, but we’ll count it as 2023), and Paris Baguette, the largest bakery chain in South Korea, announced plans to open multiple Columbus locations.

• While Sheetz continues to march across central Ohio with new openings, the first-ever Wawa and RaceTrac locations were announced for central Ohio as well.

• Don’t forget the smaller, regional chains. Cleveland-based hotspot Cocky’s Bagels opened this summer, and Frenchi’s Deli, a cornerstone of the Carnegie Mellon University food scene, opened their first Columbus locations.

• Bitty & Beau’s, the cafe concept fresh off a bevy of national TV show features, is known for its inclusive approach to hiring–often having team members with down syndrome, autism and more–and its first Columbus location is in the works.

• The virally-popular international boba chain Tiger Sugar has arrived in Columbus after a late-summer opening on the city’s Northwest Side.

• The Korean corn dog craze is still in full effect, as Polaris saw the opening of the area’s first Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog location over the summer.

• Yeeeehaw, Easton. Late in 2023, it was confirmed that PBR (which stands for professional bull rider) Cowboy Bar is on its way to the Columbus-area mall.

For a full list of restaurant openings, scan the QR code below.

Golden Bear Goodbyes

After maintaining a holding pattern for some time, Arcadia Development made major strides forward in its long-planned redevelopment of Upper Arlington’s Golden Bear Center, and a handful of businesses in the center closed up shop.

This summer, a list of casualties unfolded, including popular eateries like Figlio’s (although another location remains in Grandview) and Colin’s Coffee (which reopened shortly after closing at the nearby Daily Growler), and a more.

The mixed-use redevelopment of the shopping center is likely to bring a number of new concepts to the area, although what they are hasn’t been revealed just yet.

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Documentary Drama

On June 13, the first feature-length documentary chronicling the saga of Bishop Sycamore High Schoo l hit streaming platforms (titled Bs High), and we were once again reminded of just how sad and bizarre the story actua lly was.

In case you missed it, the Bishop Sycamore Centurions— supposedly calling Columbus home —were featur ed in a nationally-televised high school football game . After receiving an absolute drubbing in front of the rest of the countr y, details began to emerge, until the full pictur e, and the fact that the school never even existed, took shape .

For what it’s worth, another documentary exploring the national-champion Florida Gators football team, who were coached by former Buckeyes coach Urban Meye r, was also released this summer. And while Meyer would go on to hold a publicly-fraught NFL gig for a single seaso n, this film focused mainly on the positive aspects of that Florid a team.

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Mochi Madness

While Columbus bakery The Moc hi Shop has represented the mochi donut craze for several years in Columbus, it wasn’t until this year that the city saw brick and mortar concepts serving—and cent ered around—the unique Japanese treat.

National chain TeaMoji opened first in April on the city’s Northwest Side, followed shor tly by PhoVLove Cafe, which launched in late spring inside the Kenny Center Mall.

While both of these new spots offer mochi donuts, the concept to feature them most prom inently is Let’s Mochi Donut, which is coming soon to Sandusky Street in Delaware.

Andy's Back

↓ Photo courtesy of Mayor Andrew Ginther.

Ginther was re-elected to Columbus Mayor Andrew ate eat of independent candid a third term following his def t of cen per 60 n iming more tha Joe Motil, with Ginther cla votes in the Mayoral race.

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Two Big Issues

The state of Ohio made up its mind on two significant pieces of legislation this Novemb er. The first, Issue 1, “would establish an individual right to one's own reproductive medical treatment, inclu ding but not limited to abortion,” according to the ballot item.

The issue 1 legislation, which saw 57 Perc ent of voters in favor of and 43 percent against, goes into effect 30 days after the Nov. 7 election date.

Additionally, Ohio has decided to go green with the passage of Issue 2. This law will lega lize the recreational use and sale of marijuana, as well as help establish commercial regulation at the state leve l. Like Issue 1, it passed with 57 percent voting in favo r of and 43 percent voting against.

While–like Issue 1– Issue 2 legislatio n will officially go into effect on Dec.7, it will likely be closer to a year before you’ll actually be able to buy marijuana in a Columbus storefront.

For your own good, make sure to chec k all your local laws before lighting up in public!

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Drink, Drunk

ry Alcohol had quite a year in the Columbus culina olalcoh and ils cockta proof” “lowdid scene. Not only hard free beer continue to pop up in greater numbers, the bit a say— we hall got—s bus Colum in gs alcohol offerin more eclectic.

First, the famously acrid Chicago-based booze ever.

Malort became available in Ohio for the first time Borg, any, Next, a new Columbus-based comp the (of trend e appears to be capitalizing on the colleg lytes, electro ine same name) that sees drinkers comb er. vodka and flavored drinks or drink powder togeth red shutte been has i Lastly, even though Kahik in back come tive defini a for decades, Tiki is making s partie Tiki d groun under of Columbus. A new breed other ards, backy in imes somet began opening this year, Pacific. times in basements decked out like the South a having is tiki clear it’s only, inviten While many remai Ohio. l centra moment here in

↓ Photo courtesy of Paras Pumpkins.

A Pair of (really, really big) Pumpkins

While pumpkins are always a large part of October in central Ohio, this fall marked a pair of particularly unique ones.

During the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show, a new Ohio state record pumpkin stole the show. At 2,388.5 pound s, the pumpkin that was named the largest of this year’s Show also happe ned to be a new state record. It was grown by Dr. Bob and Jo Lovett, who are from Circleville and had entered pumpkins 13 times before . You know what they say, though, the 14th time's a charm.

And speaking of wild pumpkins, Dublin artist Jeane tte Paras, known for creating a realistic paintings of celebrities on gigantic pumpkins each fall, created a painting this year that caugh t both local and national attention.

Her Swiftkin, a nearly 400-pound pumpkin donni ng a painting of Taylor Swift, stole the show this year.

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Living In A (Golf) Simulation

Regarding the unexpectedly white-hot topic of golfing simulators, this year picked up where the last one left off, with a host more sharing their intention to open Columbus locations.

X-Golf Grandview launched in April, with X-Golf Powell on the way soon as well, and The Fairway—a concept featuring a restaurant, upscale lounge and more—is slated to open soon on the former home of the Upper Arlington Cafe.

Speaking of simulations, Sandbox VR, an immersive virtual reality experience, opened its first central Ohio location in Dublin at the beginning of the year.

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Epic Proportions

Columbus Closures

regular closures are just part of While Columbus is a city on the rise, table that some of the spots that close any city’s culinary cycle, and it’s inevi r l favorites. Here are some of the large will be long-standing eateries or loca : restaurant names that closed this year • Gahanna Hardware (January) • Ho-Toy (January)

eyeing new Downtown space) • Smith & Willinsky (January, but space closed in January, Columbus • Plat form Brewing Co. (Cleveland location has remained closed) • BREaD Bakery + Cafe (Februar y) y) • Icarus Sandwich Shop (Februar • Rice Bowl (May) nt (June)

• 94th Aero Squadron Restaura • Callandar Cleaning (June)

) • Mellow Mushroom Polaris (June ced by Thunderwing Brewing Co.) • Sideswipe Brewing Co. (July, repla )

• Barrel & Boar Westerville (July • Movies 11 at Mill Run (July) • The Crest (September)

er)

• The Suisse Shop Bakery (Septemb • The Cheesy Truck (October) • Harrison’s on Third (October) • Kona Craf t Kitchen (October)

er)

• Omega Artisan Bakery (Novemb • Buzzsaw Brewing (December)

For a full list of restaurant closings, scan

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the QR code below.

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A lot of big events took place in 2023, but this year in Columbus was also filled with just as many big things. Literally.

Earlier this year, a massive new art installation from national artist Janet Echelman was suspended above Downtown Columbus. At 229 feet in length, the sculpture is made from nylon fabric twisted and tied into more than 500,000 knots, and is suspended from cables attached to buildings. At its highest point, Currents hangs 125 feet above the intersection of North High Street and North Gay Street.

Additionally, Galena, Ohio-based content creator Ross Smith created one of the largest paper airplanes we’ve ever seen, and flew it from a hilltop inside Alum Creek State Park in a video that has since gone viral.

While it’s likely not the largest in the world as his video originally claimed, it is gigantic.

While this hasn’t come to fruition just yet, Columbus sculptor and artist Ryan McGuire, who is also the co-owner of Bella’s Beans, announced that he was considering creating the world’s largest coffee cup, and we’re talking Guiness Book of World records certified. McGuire has a long history of crafting massive, quirky sculptures that often serve as public art displays. While it’s unclear when or where–or even if–McGuire plans to create the sculpture, one thing is known: If he builds it, he’s going big. In an interview with 614Now.com, McGuire said the current world record of 10 feet tall with an 11.5 foot diameter was “child’s play.”

In case you want to check out more gigantic Columbus landmarks and unique roadside attractions–including the world’s largest ping pong paddle pictured on the cover–check out the April 2023 issue of (614) Magazine.

↓ Currents hangs above Columbus, Photo courtes

y of Janet Echelman.

Gifted

GIVING

Three of the coolest local makers you should turn to for presents this year, and their unique backstories

W

Introduction by Jack McLaughlin Section Design by Tori Smith

hy does it feel like in an era when we have have the world at our fingers, and literally in our pockets, with the internet, it’s even harder to find a legitimately good present for someone close to you?

Call it Murphy’s Law of Internet Explorer, or whatever else you’d like, but we have the solution.

We’ve put together a handful of Columbus creators making stuff that’s legitimately interesting, wholly unique, and based right here in Columbus.

From an Arch City comedian and photographer who captures the city in coasters, to soap made with local IPAs and a painter sprinkling a little bit of the spooky season throughout the rest of the year, we've got you covered.

So no more grocery gift cards or socks you thought were funny that are actually just weird—it’s time to get serious about your gifting, and to learn about some cool Columbus creators while you’re doing it.

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Snapshots on CERAMIC

Columbus Coaster Co. is capturing the city you love, one ceramic square at a time

By Chris Alexis / Photos courtesy of James Godwin

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↑ Columbus Coaster Co. Coasters

C

olumbus is brimming with landmarks that are not just significant to the city, but also to the people who live here. The Columbus Coaster Co. is solidifying these prominent locations and memories by offering unique products through their ceramic tile coasters, each imprinted with a different locale from Central Ohio and beyond.

James Godwin, the company's founder, is a native of the Capital City and has been a photographer since 2003.

"I always wanted to showcase my art, but it felt like a challenge to get into art galleries," he explained, adding that he didn’t want to become “just another photographer capturing skylines."

His solution? Creating The Columbus Coaster Co. in 2013, where he features his images on coasters, creating an affordable art medium. Each one only costs 10 bucks.

He described his coasters as "cool, kitschy items for people to enjoy."

One of the first locales he captured for a coaster was Hey Hey Bar & Grill, where Godwin's parents first met. However, it holds an additional (and opposing) significance—it's also where Godwin ended his relationship with the mother of his children.

"Everyone has memories from all these places around town, and the coasters came out of that," he remarked, while noting his license to capture images on Ohio State's campus. The Columbus Coaster Co. website features a search engine enabling users to check if coasters are available for different locations around Columbus.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, he said, prompting the business to balloon. To manage the expansion, Godwin enlisted the help of his father, Mike Godwin, for administrative help.

"I get a ton of repeat customers because these coasters make great gifts," he shared. "People will say, 'This is where my boyfriend proposed,' or 'This is our favorite spot in town when we come visit.’”

One repeat customer is the family who owns Donatos. "They discovered our coasters, loved them, and bought a whole bunch,” he said.

When asked about his yearly sales figures, Godwin chuckled and admitted he wasn’t certain, but it's evident the demand is high. They’re peppered throughout the city so much that not everyone even realizes who’s behind them.

“I'll go to a friend's house, and they have my coasters,” he said. “They don't even know I made them!”

The popularity of these coasters has extended beyond Columbus, with Godwin capturing images in places like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Kentucky.

Godwin juggles his coaster business with a separate photography business and stand-up comedy gigs. “I’m not too far on that,” he noted about his stints at Don’t Tell Comedy.

He even combines coasters to create mosaic murals, featured in parking garages near the Columbus Convention Center. Godwin also accepts custom orders. People can send him images, which he then edits and prints onto coasters.

"Many of my current designs are based on requests," he noted.

"If six or more people ask for the same thing, I’ll go out and photograph it."

The coaster creation process is swift, taking less than an hour from concept to finished product.

After capturing the photo, Godwin employs a technique called dye sublimation, using specialized ink and a 400-degree heat press.

The image is imprinted onto the coaster under heat and 60 PSI of pressure for seven minutes. This process ensures durability, allowing coasters steeped in memories to be passed down through generations, preserving a family's story.

Despite expanding his photography locations, Godwin's heart remains in Columbus.

"I love this city," he said. "I was born, raised, and now choose to live here. I've traveled all over the country, but I keep coming back because Columbus feels like a big 'small town.' Everyone knows everyone, and I love that about this place.” And we love that he loves capturing what makes Columbus so great.

To learn more, visit columbuscoasterco.com

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Holiday

SPIRITS Drawing from Wes Anderson and Andrew Wyeth, Columbus artist Ashley Miller’s ghost-focused paintings inject some spooky fun and plenty of whimsy into the holiday season

By Dylan Ecker Photos by Alissa Ohashi

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I

n Ashley Miller's world, ghosts go on vacation. They sunbathe beside the pool and ride horses through the desert. They visit museums and ascend up mountains on ski lifts. They host holiday parties and pick flowers for each other. Under the moniker I Am A Ghost, Miller has been creating a universe of her own through paintings where whimsical nostalgia takes the form of the timeless bed sheet poltergeist, and the emphasis in afterlife is on “life.”

It's pretty much an idyllic autumn day as I chat with Ashley about her work. Orange leaves, blue sky, wind chimes. She tells me she's got an album on her phone completely dedicated to pictures of interesting clouds. I learn she, too, has a black cat, and we discuss the possibility that animals can see things we can’t. Coincidentally, on her Instagram page, @i.am.a._ghost, just yesterday she posted a new piece that features two black cats sitting atop a dusty wooden chair looking out at their world with slightly offset eyes. The scene is a tiny bit spooky, but warm and inviting. It makes sense that these same emotions served as the catalyst for I Am A Ghost. “I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now,” Miller informs me, “but I feel like I’m still experimenting with how things will turn out.”

First, she finds old art and photographs. She has an eye for scenes that are playful, dreamy, and softly sentimental (a few of her inspirations, I’m told, include Andrew Wyeth and Wes Anderson).

Then come the ghosts. She paints them directly onto a source piece.

But they’re not ghostly ghosts, per se…they’re way less scary and way more unassuming and, frankly, adorable. They hover this way and that way casually. They’re “blank slates” that “anyone can bring their experiences to,” Ashley mentions when I inquire about the recurring visual motif. Whether it’s a stroll through tall grass or a busy day at the beach, the magic to Miller’s repurposed paintings is that the viewer takes an immediate and active role in them. It could easily be you beneath the bed sheet. Or a loved one, or a person you met in passing. It could be someone who has passed. Crucially, though, I Am A Ghost is “not about loss… or missed opportunities”—it’s a project that seeks to rekindle and celebrate moments of joy, tenderness, and wonder.

If you’d like to view and purchase Ashley’s artwork in-person, you can find it, and her, at The Brass Hand, a vintage gift and plant shop in Clintonville where she’s the Operations Manager (plus there’s pieces of hers to purchase at Honey Cup Coffee Company on Hudson Street in the cozy seating nook dubbed “The Brass Hand Lounge”). She has also previously been a vendor at Friendship Flea and other local Columbus art markets.

You can also find originals listed on her website, and they all come ready to display in fittingly charming frames. She offers high-quality prints for sale there, too, and a page with a form for contacting her. If you’d like to have something commissioned, don’t be scared to reach out. Ashley is open to transforming art or photos provided to her as well as creating from just an idea or vibe: “It could be something super specific, like a car model in a particular color from a certain year… or it could be more general, like your favorite National Park!”

Helping make it happen, Ashley would like to thank her boss and owner of The Brass Hand, Heather McCloud, for being supportive from the get-go, her little sister “who tolerates this messy hobby,” and all the people who are currently being haunted (merrily) by her ghostly creations.

To learn more or order prints, visit iamaghoststudio.com

↑ Gallery wall of Miller's work

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↓ Huckstle Head of Design and Co-founder Talan Taylor

CLEAN FOR THE

Holidays Scrub down in style with Huckstle, one of the coolest soap companies around

By Molly Hammond / Photo by Björn Anderson

A

s the holiday season approaches, the quest for the perfect gift begins. Nestled next to Bridge Park in Dublin, brothers Talan and Taron Taylor founded a unique personal care company in 2018 that has made waves in the local market: handcrafted soap that highlights the Columbus craft beer scene we all know and love.

Huckstle, named after the commonly used nickname for a snake oil salesman (“Huckster”), is not your average soap company. The two brothers have taken the art of soap-making to a whole new level by incorporating local beers into their products. Yes, you read that right - beer! This innovative approach not only adds a unique twist to their soaps, but also supports local breweries, making it a win-win for the Columbus community.

The idea behind using beer in soap is not just for novelty though. Beer is known to have several skin benefits, as it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The craft beer soaps are made using lye and the cold process method. They’re handmade in small batches by the Huckstle team. Beer is added in place of water, and the beer’s amino acids help maintain pH balance, making it great for those with sensitive skin.

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But the magic of Huckstle doesn't stop at products that are just good for the skin. They’re committed to highlighting what makes "the biggest small town in America" special. Huckstle has brewery collaborations with multiple Cap City favorites, including Land-Grant, MadTree, Nocterra and Olentangy River Brewery.

“Our work is focused on formulating and delivering products that bring excitement and pride into the self-care people provide themselves daily,” said Taylor. “The goal is to always put craft first, be attentive to detail, and, most importantly, enrich the experience you receive.”

That craft is recognizable when customers get their hands on a Huckstle product. The Taylor brothers wanted to implement interesting design elements into the soap labels and decided to use each craft beer’s label and “remix” it into their own. Each label, you can identify where the company takes a brewery’s slogan or logo and makes it soap related instead of beer-centric.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of this local business, as each product is created without the use of unnecessary additives, dyes and ingredients, and they are all natural, organic and ethically sourced. The brothers tie this practice of quality products all together as they handcraft and package each product that’s purchased.

Not only is a Huckstle soap the gift that keeps on giving, but the company sells a variety of other sustainable, high-quality ingredients, including multi-balms, the crowd favorite beard oil, mustache wax, and body lotions.

Huckstle can often be found traveling to pop-up shows around the 614, including Not Your Mama’s Craft Market, German Village Makers Market, Columbus Flea, Westerville Farmers Market, and The Dublin Farmers Market, or even at Amazon, Macy’s, Pure Roots, Goat Local, and Littletons.

To give the gift of Huckstle or to grab your own favorite Columbus brew-inspired soap, visit huckstle.com.