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Bringing The World’s Finest Jewelry To You
PUBLISHER
Wayne T. Lewis
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lindsay Press
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sav McKee
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jen Brown
Erika G. Clark
Micayla Deardorff
Aaron Massey
Emma Mortellaro
Gabrielle Shamon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jordan Abbruzzese
Ashley Alt
Grace Day
Nicci Hicks
Alex Lewis
Camille Witt
Jack McLaughlin
John M. Clark
CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Andrew Thomas
LEAD DESIGNER, REFINED
Tori Smith
CREATIVE DESIGNERS
Meg Rhoads
Liann Trahey
VIDEO PRODUCER/ EDITOR
Austin Black
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Zoe King
MARKETING MANAGER
Emma Mortellaro
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Meggin Weimerskirch
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Mindy Wilhite
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Anna Gerhard
Meghan Chapman
LETTER from the EDITOR
uring a photoshoot at the historic Columbus Country Club for the cover of this issue, I had the unique pleasure of browsing through a 1942 issue of Life Magazine. Most of its pages focused on the global events of the time, filled with news from World War II and practical advice for navigating life during that era. But then, a delightful surprise: four full pages devoted to summer fun at the Columbus Country Club, complete with jubilant, black & white photos of Columbus residents dancing on the terrace, lounging by the pool, and enjoying a Sunday dinner together.
“A thousand socially substantial Columbus citizens and guests surged in and out of the hospitable white-pillared doorways,” the 83 year old article read. “When they tired of the sun and exertion, they sought the cool recesses of the tree-sheltered swimming pool, leaving only when thirst and hunger reminded them that the bar and dining room were but a few steps away.”
Even in uncertain times, the people of Columbus found joy, connection, and moments of peace, together. And decades later, we still do.
Joining a club—whether it’s for golf, gardening, cocktails, or books—isn’t necessarily easy. Not just financially, but belonging to a community encourages you to show up, not just when everything is perfect, but especially when it’s not. It’s where
your tennis partner cheers you on even when your backhand isn’t cooperating; it’s where your golf buddy reads your mood just by the swing of your club; it’s where your book club friends still greet you with warmth even when you were too busy to read the last couple of chapters.
hold us together, and they’re more important than ever.
In this issue, we celebrate the people and places that keep our community connected— and we invite you to join the club.
Clubs and communities bring out the best in us. They challenge us, ground us in connection, and remind us we’re never alone. They’re the threads that Editor-in-Chief, Refined
CONTRIBUTORS
JEN BROWN Photographer
ERIKA G. CLARK Photographer
MICAYLA DEARDORFF Photographer
AARON MASSEY Photographer
EMMA MORTELLARO Photographer
GABRIELLE SHAMON Photographer
JORDAN ABBRUZZESE Writer
ASHLEY ALT Writer
GRACE DAY Writer
NICCI HICKS Writer
ALEX LEWIS Writer
CAMILLE WITT Writer
JOHN M. CLARK Writer
JACK MCLAUGHLIN Writer
ANDREW THOMAS Art Director
TORI SMITH Lead Designer - Refined
MEG RHOADS
Designer
LIANN TRAHEY Designer
Life of Luxury
Buckeye Lake boasts vintage boats and its own yacht club
Dripping in Coco Chanel reseller Tal Simon redefines what it means to be a bag lady
Secret Spirits Members-only cocktail club boasts sought after spirits
The New Club Intown
Meet the chic golf club that’s open no matter the weather
Elements of Agni
Avishar Barua shares his passion behind his restaurant
Local artist Dillon Beck makes his own set of rules
Zora’s House uplifts women of
Model Angella Thomas at Columbus Country Club wearing a Chanel bag, Chanel shoes, and Hermès scarf, complimentary of Sybariterian. Photography by Gabrielle Shamon.
OPULENT floating about, and YACHT CLUB, the place
Some may find it surprising that
ROCKING THE BOAT
a small lake in Central Ohio boasts an impressive collection of luxury, vintage boats. This one was restored by classic boat owner and lover, Monte Baumann. Photo by Gabrielle Shamon.
CRUISING
Scientists tell us it started millennia ago as a giant scratch on the earth left by a visiting glacier. To Native Americans, it became known as the “Big Swamp.” Today, it’s a three-thousand-acre reservoir we call, “Buckeye Lake.” And its importance to Central Ohio recreation is hard to overestimate.
In the early 1800s, this shallow, stump-filled lake was dammed to help feed the new Ohio & Erie Canal system. The early 1900s saw the rise of a popular amusement park here, with rides, swimming and dining, and musical headliners like Louis Armstrong and Tommy Dorsey. And in 1949, Buckeye Lake was made Ohio’s first state park.
The canals may be gone. So is the amusement park. And cover bands have replaced the orchestras of the early 20th century. But Buckeye Lake, which straddles Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties, just a half-hour east of Columbus, has never been a more popular destination.
Boats of all kinds can be found on Buckeye Lake, from the sailboats and pontoons that dock at the Yacht Club to the elegant, antique wooden boats with names like Chris-Craft, Thompson, Lyman, and Hacker-Craft.
Photo by Greg Miller.
YACHT LIFE
Buckeye Lake Yacht Club has been an institution for 119 years, known for regattas, sailing lessons, weekly entertainment, and world-class dining. Watercolor courtesy of local artist, Rhonda Lampton.
A big reason for this is the 119-year-old Buckeye Lake Yacht Club (BLYC), whose members descend on their historic clubhouse every summer. They’ll tell you they come for the regattas and sailing lessons, the weekly entertainment and the world-class meals.
While some may say a yacht club on a former swamp makes about as much sense as a ski resort in Oklahoma, you’ll find plenty of members ready to prove you wrong. Bill Collinson and his wife moved here in 2017 to be on the water, several years after he retired from an executive position in Rhode Island. He now serves as Commodore of the BLYC, the person in charge. “I’ve always said, ‘You don’t retire from something,’” Collinson noted, “’You retire to something.´”
Since joining the club’s board five years ago, Collinson has seen many improvements to the club, including an expansion of their small island, new docks (with slips to accommodate up to 174 boats), a new entertainment stage and upgrades to the 1913 clubhouse.
But Collinson is most excited about the private club’s new executive chef. Josh Hutchinson recently joined the staff from West Virginia, forging a new menu that’s drawn rave reviews. Entrees such as handcut ribeyes, grilled Faroe Island salmon and the chef’s special crab cakes keep members coming back week after week. So has a new list of desserts from Kodi, his pastry chef wife.
For these amenities and more, the club has little trouble keeping a membership count of 600 and a waiting list for more – even with an initiation fee of $3,500 and an annual membership cost of $2,000.
Of course, boats of all kinds can be found on the lake in summer, from the sailboats and pontoons that dock at the yacht club to the elegant, antique wooden boats with names like Chris-Craft, Thompson and Hacker-Craft. Chris-Craft, in particular, elevated the art of pleasure boating through its association with luminaries such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and its prominent roles in just about every James Bond movie ever made.
CRAFTED
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and James Bond all drove Chris-Craft boats. And so do many of the members of Buckeye Lake Yacht Club.
Photo by Kimberly Purple of Reine Down Photography.
“Some people buy the ChrisCrafts to RESTORE THEM and make money. We just
LOVE GETTING
OUT on the water with them...they’re just A LOT OF FUN.”
Monte Baumann, who lives at the south end of Buckeye Lake, is one such wooden boat owner – and collector. Returning to his native Ohio a few years ago, the retired former technology expert decided to reacquaint himself with his childhood love of boating. “When I was young,” Baumann said, “my father always wanted a boat. He found an old Lyman (a wooden boat from a Cleveland company) and we would all go water skiing.” At one point, the younger Baumann became the family’s boat “master.” He and his father eventually restored two of them.
Nine years ago, Baumann and his brother found a Chris-Craft “fixer-upper” in Cincinnati. “I loved it,” he said. “But I figured if we didn’t start on it soon, we never would.” So, the Baumann brothers borrowed from the knowledge they had acquired as youngsters, enlisted a friend to help them and began a project that lasted the better part of two years.
When they finished, the old motorboat hummed like new, and no one could resist getting a close-up look at the freshly varnished hardwoods that have always put Chris-Crafts in a category of their own. “My wife loves showing it off, too,” he said. “There’s hardly a time
when filling it up that people don’t come to us and ask about it.”
Since then, Baumann has lost his brother. But his love of the old wooden boats continues. He now has another Chris-Craft awaiting refurbishment. And, mostly by luck, he has acquired two more wooden boats. “Some people buy the Chris-Crafts to restore them and make money,” Baumann said. “We just love getting out on the water in them. We water ski. I’ve even pulled four adults at one time on tubes. They’re just a lot of fun.”
For its rustic lighthouses and cozy bungalows, its mansions and private islands, Buckeye Lake has earned a reputation as one of the region’s ultimate summer destinations. So, whether you’re making waves with a gleaming, old ChrisCraft Runabout or admiring the sailboats and sipping cocktails from the patio of the exclusive Buckeye Lake Yacht Club, refined recreation is always close at hand.
INQUIRE about a membership to Buckeye Lake Yacht club by visiting buckeyelakeyc.com. Check out the luxury, classic & antique boating event on June 14, called Wine & Woodies, hosted by Buckeye Lake Winery.
SHOWSTOPPERS
Vintage, luxury boats line the docks at the annual Buckeye Lake Wine & Woodies Antique and Classic Boat Show. Check out the next one on June 14. Photo by Kimberly Purple of Reine Down Photography.
Tal Simon began collecting Chanel bags as an escape from working late nights as an attorney. She turned her fine taste for luxury into a business.
BAG LADY
You can buy a bottle of Chanel No. 5 at Easton’s Chanel store, but if you’re looking for a Caviar Double Flap Chanel bag or a pair of classic Chanel flats, you won’t find them there. Stopping into Nordstrom or Saks at Polaris for Chanel accessories will also prove to be a fruitless venture. Central Ohio, it turns out, is a bit of a Chanel desert.
So when you spot someone carrying a quilted leather bag with that interlocking CC, chances are high it came from Sybariterian, the resale brand built by Tal Simon, attorney by day, Chanel collector and connector by night.
“I would go to the country club, and while everyone would have a luxe bag there, like Gucci or YSL, I would only ever-so-often see glimmers of Chanel,” Tal explained. “I’m from South Florida where Chanel is everywhere. But I barely saw it here.”
As a mergers and acquisitions attorney, Tal often works late into the night remotely for her Chicago-based law firm, and as a reward for her success, she’d turn to online shopping. One evening, she splurged and bought her first-ever Chanel bag, “as a little gift” for herself. “One bag turned into something else,” she laughed. “At that point, I needed to justify it. Not just as ‘little gifts to myself,’ but as a business.”
She realized that if Chanel wasn’t present in Central Ohio, she’d have to wear hers out more frequently to start building interest and awareness. Before launching Sybariterian, she became a walking billboard for the brand, noting reactions in her social circles. With the help of The Pearl Creative Agency, she brought Sybariterian to life last year and saw interest take off. She noted, “People are realizing that they have the Louis [Vuitton] in their closets, they have Gucci, the Celine – but, ‘now, where’s my Chanel?’”
Starting as a fun Instagram side project, and a way to validate her online shopping, Sybariterian quickly became a destination for curated, pre-loved Chanel. And Columbus was ready.
Tal has made Chanel more accessible through in-person pop-ups at local favorites like The Blowout Bar, Barre3, Muirfield Village Country Club, and with a permanent, curated selection available at Ladybird in the Short North. For many clients, the chance to see, touch, and even wear a bag before purchasing is part of the appeal.
Even in cities where Chanel boutiques do carry bags, getting one can be complicated – steep markups, scarce inventory, or access only granted to long-term clients. Tal, fortunately, has built those relationships herself. While her focus is on vintage and secondhand, she can also source new items directly from boutiques.
But beyond luxury, it’s the sustainability and authenticity that intrigues her. Tal sources most of her pieces from Japan, where a standardized grading system and strict anti-counterfeiting laws mean buyers receive pieces in exceptional condition. As a lawyer herself, all of her clients can be ensured that every Chanel item from Sybariterian is authentic, Entrupy verified, and sourced legally with the utmost care.
“One bag turned into SOMETHING ELSE. At that point, I needed to JUSTIFY IT. Not just as ‘little gifts to myself,’ but AS A BUSINESS.”
And the price points make it all the more appealing. At a store, a classic flap handbag could go for $10,400 plus tax, while Tal sells pre-loved ones starting around $3,300. Better yet, many of her bags come from the golden age of Chanel production, back when they were still made with 24k gold-plated hardware, a detail the brand discontinued in 2008.
Tal doesn’t shy away from preaching the value of secondhand. “It’s more economical; it’s smart; it’s savvy,” she said. “Why spend the retail price when you can get the same value, same bag, same beauty, same joy, and same functionality from it pre-loved? It’s also really cool to have a story behind your purchase.”
Of course, the story of Chanel itself is part of what makes the brand so magnetic. In 1929, French designer and entrepreneur Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced a handbag that quietly disrupted fashion. As a working woman, she was tired of clutching her purse – most lacked straps – so she added a chain, freeing her hands and rewriting the rules. Decades later, the Flap Bag made its debut, and nearly a century on, women in Columbus are finding their own reasons to make it theirs: as a “pushing present” after labor, a celebratory pick-me-up after navigating a difficult client, or, like Tal, as a milestone marker – proof that the bag once out of reach is now fully within grasp after working hard.
Sybariterian takes its name from “sybarite,” the Greek word for someone devoted to luxury and pleasure. The term felt both aspirational and fitting for Tal. Growing up in South Florida, then moving to New York City for law school (while also auditioning to be a Radio City Rockette, a whole other story!), she was surrounded by Chanel and Hermès. “It was always unattainable for me,” she said, “until it wasn’t anymore.”
She created Sybariterian for people like her, who appreciate high fashion and know what it takes to afford it. “I really feel like I’ve worked hard towards having these bags,” she explained. Now, through Sybariterian, she’s turning that effort into access, offering others the chance to own something rare, refined, and hard-earned.
INDULGE IN a Chanel purse by visiting sybariterian.com and Ladybird in the Short North, and follow @sybariterian on Instagram to stay in the know.
Along with bags galore, Sybariterian offers a sourced selection of Chanel heels, flats, sandals, and loafers.
REWINDING TIME
Boss Gal’s EXCLUSIVE LAUNCH of Skinbetter’s BIOREWIND and their expertise in BroadBand Light help clients TURN BACK THE CLOCK with science
Photography courtesy of BOSS GAL BEAUTY BAR
Design by MEG RHOADS
In an industry where trends evolve as quickly as your TikTok feed, one thing is clear: today’s aesthetic client isn’t chasing extremes— they’re investing in long-term skin health and natural, age-defying results. At the forefront of that evolution is BioRewind, the newest innovation from Skinbetter Science—and Boss Gal Beauty Bar was among the first in the country to debut it.
Why Boss Gal? With four leading med spa locations across Columbus and a reputation for staying at the forefront of aesthetics, we’re known for bringing our clients the best in science-backed skincare— and BioRewind is exactly that.
LIGHT-YEARS AHEAD
BBL (BroadBand Light) is the gold standard for aging skin, and you can have this procedure done at Boss Gal.
At the heart of BioRewind lies Skinbetter’s patented technology —a first-of-its-kind formulation that’s rewriting what’s possible in anti-aging skincare. Unlike typical serums that work only on the surface, BioRewind is
an oral supplement powered by Skinbetter’s patented technology CORExtract™, a breakthrough innovation targeting aging at the cellular level. This revolutionary formula is designed to enhance skin firmness, texture, and
A SHIFT IN AESTHETICS: FROM ERASING TO ENHANCING
Owner of Boss Gal Kathy Keeney said, “This innovation arrives at the perfect moment. As the aesthetics industry evolves, clients are increasingly drawn to treatments that preserve their natural beauty but also support their broader wellness aspirations.”
Products like BioRewind fit seamlessly into this new mindset. So do clinical favorites like Sculptra, which subtly stimulates your own collagen to restore volume over time, rather than instantly filling lines. It’s all about results that look effortless and age with you.
luminosity by working from within to target visible signs of aging at the skin’s structural level helping to restore firmness, refine texture, and revive a more youthful tone and glow.
LIGHT-YEARS AHEAD: BBL AND GENE EXPRESSION
Boss Gal also proudly offers Sciton’s BBL (BroadBand Light), the gold standard for sunspots and rosacea. But what’s truly next-level? Studies show that regular BBL can actually change the gene expression of aging skin to resemble that of younger skin.
Pairing BioRewind’s nextgen science with BBL’s regenerative power is one of the most effective, non-invasive combinations available for aging gracefully and intentionally.
THE FUTURE OF SKIN IS SMART, SUBTLE, AND SCIENCE-DRIVEN
With BioRewind, Skinbetter Science is ushering in a new era—one where revolutionary technology, clinical results, and subtle enhancement converge. At Boss Gal, we’re proud to be among the first to bring it to our clients.
Because we don’t just treat skin—we transform it.
SCHEDULE your appointment at bossgalbeautybar.com, or visit one of their four Central Ohio locations to grab medical-grade skincare, like BioRewind.
Royal
Treatment
This new BARBERSHOP INDULGES guests with expert HAIRCUTS, curated Cameron Mitchell COCKTAILS, and an elegantly appointed lounge complete with BILLIARDS
Story by CAMILLE WITT
Photography by AARON MASSEY
Design by LIANN TRAHEY
NICE AND PRECISE
Royal Rhino clients can choose from an array of grooming services ranging from razor shaves, trendy undercuts, beard trims, transformative hair coloring, and even facials and waxes.
Step into Royal Rhino Club, and you might forget you’ve entered a business at all. The new barbershop and lounge is situated in Italian Village, at 993 N. 4th St., where a massive red rhino head sculpture perches above the entrance. “It feels like you’re in someone’s lounge or bar in their own home,” said Debbie Penzone, who, along with husband Charles (Chuck) Penzone, has infused the space with personal treasures from their residence of 18 years.
“When we were designing the barbershop, we were also downsizing to a smaller home that suits our current life in German Village,” Debbie explained. “Many of Chuck’s collectibles are used as decoration in the space – items from his library and bar that are deeply loved and add so much character. When I look around, every one of them has a story, and I think you can feel that,” she shared with pride.
The space welcomes you to linger and explore, and oozes with a blend of nostalgia and modernity that feels both comforting and luxurious. Charcoal drawings of Charles hang on the wall along with everything from sports paraphernalia to tomahawks, giant golden animal heads, and vintage motorcycles. The name, “Royal Rhino,” sums up the bold presence the Penzones wanted to create. But the name isn’t just part of their storytelling: “We contribute to Care for Wild and Cedric Trust each year,” Charles shared. The conservationists work to match abandoned rhinos and elephants that have been separated from their mothers due to poaching by hunters.
This commitment to doing things differently extends to every aspect of the business. The barbershop is the first in the company to obtain a liquor license. Patrons can order an array of libations, including their signature cocktail, the Royal Rhino, a spirited blend of bourbon, sweet red wine, and bitters designed by none other than Cameron Mitchell. Bourbon enthusiasts will love the full-bodied beverage with just enough fruity complexity to intrigue the palate. Visitors are welcome to sip and stay awhile, even after their precision trim. A giant red pool table beckons in the lounge, and cozy leather armchairs invite you to sit and have a conversation with a new or old friend.
“I think that PRIDE in the TALENT of old-world, handcrafted BARBER cuts has really come back in the past FIVE YEARS.”
The emphasis on the lounge and creating a space people genuinely want to hang out in challenges what a barbershop is and what it can be. The duo has built a brand on creating unique and unparalleled self-care experiences in Columbus, and Royal Rhino is no exception. “We always wanted that lounge experience to be a part of this space because barbershops naturally have that community aspect. You don’t just go in, get a haircut, and run out. You catch up with your barber. You hang out. It’s all about community,” Debbie reflected.
And while the lounge may be beautiful, the Penzones credit the talent and skill of their team to the success of the shop. “We may bring the customer in for their first visit because of our reputation and the marketing efforts we make, but it’s the team that brings them back for the second, the third, and the 20th visit,” Charles said passionately. “The team reminds me of the very first location I put together,” he said with a smile. “They’re all exceptionally gifted.”
“All our barbers are extremely proud of what they do; they all have a barber's licence and are taught the ‘old way’ of doing things,” Debbie added. “Clients might save up all year to visit one of our locations. It’s never just a haircut,” she continued. “I think that pride in the talent of old-world, handcrafted barber cuts has really come back in the past five years. It’s truly about that precision and technique, and the dedication to really nailing a good fade — our team is so talented.”
Guests can choose from an array of grooming services ranging from razor shaves, trendy undercuts, beard trims, transformative hair coloring, and even facials and waxes.
Whether clients come for the cuts or stay for the bourbon, Royal Rhino customers are experiencing the next chapter in a Columbus legacy that continues to evolve with style. “For 56 years, this city has literally put its arms around our company, and squeezed and squeezed us,” Charles said. “We feel very much a part of this community. We’re so grateful. Columbus has spoiled us.”
BOOK an appointment at royalrhinoclub.com to experience the royal treatment yourself.
CORNER POCKET
The barbershop even has community billiards.
SENTIMENTAL VALUE
The Penzones decorated Royal Rhino Club with personal treasures from their residence of 18 years.
The
FUTURE FEMALE
isAt COOPER ELLIOTT, the team of women attorneys ADVOCATE for lasting, meaningful CHANGE, one case at a time
Story by ASHLEY ALT
Photography by JEN BROWN
Design by TORI SMITH
Becoming a lawyer is no easy feat—but for many attorneys, the greater challenge comes after graduation: finding a firm that embraces and elevates diverse voices.
At Cooper Elliott, located in Downtown Columbus, women not only make up 65% of the law firm, but they’re seen and treated as equals by their male colleagues.
Abby Chin, Kaela King, Spencer Meador, and Kimberly Burroughs, the power team of women attorneys at Cooper Elliott, cover cases that heavily affect women, such as sexual abuse. Collectively, they also take on a whole gambit of other cases that affect all genders as well, from excessive police brutality, hazing, and medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, to even wrongful imprisonment.
“We have good wins, often,” Chin shared. “Our clients need strong communicators, and that’s what we provide. Life feels impossible
WOMEN IN POWER
The team of women attorneys at Cooper Elliott is dedicated not to just winning cases, but making the world safer and better.
for some people. They might not have a mobile phone or car. [Our work] requires a level of adaptability and sensibility to meet these clients where they’re at.”
Historically, it’s men who take on this type of work. And while the incredible men attorneys at Cooper Elliott also bring a plethora of lived experiences and empathy as husbands and fathers, the team of accomplished women offer perspectives rooted in womanhood and motherhood.
“Our strength of the firm is really taking care of people,” King said. “As a woman in a male-dominated field, I have experienced a lot of gender discrimination. Because I’ve gone through that, I can understand [female] clients coming to us with female-related issues. I talk to a lot of parents who have lost a child, and there is a slightly different posture that provides a relatability and reassurance from mother to mother that they get here that they don’t at other male-dominated firms.”
“We’re dealing with human beings living in a world that is very much affected by gender stereotypes,” Burroughs added. “And we know how to advocate for them.”
“As we look to the FUTURE, I believe the legal profession will be SHAPED in powerful ways by WOMEN. They bring a BALANCE of strength, empathy, and perspective that is ESSENTIAL in the pursuit of JUSTICE.”
Before becoming a lawyer, King had a decade-long career in education as a teacher and administrator in high-poverty schools, a nonprofit director, and also as a state policy advisor. Through these experiences, she developed a strong foundation in fighting for kids and families facing inequitable systems. King’s knowledge of how young men move through the world allows her to craft insightful, empathetic arguments grounded in the realities of youth experience.
“A mission for Cooper Elliott is not just to win cases, but to make the world safer,” Meador said.
Clients want meaning from their losses, and this group ensures unfortunate and unfair situations don’t happen again.
Chin emphasized, “We do a lot of sex abuse work, and it’s a certain level of comfort and perspective when women call our practice seeking to work with women specifically. We push cases along, we take things by the reign and we just go. That’s who we are as people and that’s who we are as attorneys.”
Meador added, “I think our biggest strength is our team and how we operate as a team. We’re comprised of different personalities and different backgrounds, but we all share the same goal that binds us together—the passion we have for this specific type of work.”
This month marks the firm’s 30th anniversary. When Rex Elliott and Charles “Chip” Cooper created the firm in 1995, they set out to bring the best experience and outcome for every single client, no matter what the case was or who it involved.
“When we founded Cooper Elliott 30 years ago, our vision was to build a firm that delivers exceptional legal representation while never losing sight of the people we serve,” Elliott explained. “As we look to the future, I believe the legal profession will be shaped in powerful ways by women. They bring a balance of strength, empathy, and perspective that is essential in the pursuit of justice. Hiring more women is not just the right thing to do. It makes us better advocates, problem-solvers, and partners to our clients.”
For decades, Cooper Elliott has thrived by fostering a culture of support, respect, and empowerment for all. The future is undeniably shaped by the powerful women at Cooper Elliott— and also by the men who champion their voices and leadership.
VISIT cooperelliott.com to learn more about Ohio’s top personal injury lawyers.
HERE TO HELP
From left to right: Cooper Elliott attorneys Spencer Meador, Kimberly Burroughs, Kaela King and Abby Chin.
A ELEMENTS of
i gn
WATER, SHELTER, FOOD, and FIRE are not just the building blocks of LIFE, but the foundations of Chef AVISHAR BARUA and his NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED restaurant
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photography by ERIKA G. CLARK
Design by MEG RHOADS
WATER
I didn’t realize I was drinking a cup of $15,000 water until Chef Avishar Barua pointed it out. Which, precisely, is his intention at Agni, his award-winning German Village-area restaurant.
“If you actually notice the water at a restaurant, that’s a problem,” he remarked.
“In Bangladesh, where my parents are from, access to clean water is hard to come by,” he explained, refilling my mug of coffee, which was also brewed using the same top-of-the-line filtration system. “Why not offer the cleanest, best water that I can then?” This dedication to going above & beyond, rooted in his family heritage and personal
upbringing, permeates the Agni experience. “One of my chores as a kid was setting out water for everyone, senior to youngest. Ice water for dad, regular for mom,” he added.
Beginning a feature on one of the county’s most acclaimed new restaurants, with nods from Bon Appétit, The James Beard Foundation®, and USA Today, by talking about the water they serve may seem counterintuitive. But it’s the first thing a guest receives, and one of the clearest reflections of Agni’s ethos: nothing is too small to be excellent. Barua doesn’t believe in keeping glasses just half-full. He fills them to the brim, with the crème de la crème.
“We understand that we’re at the HIGHEST PRICE POINT in Columbus, so we ask ourselves, ‘What would it mean to our guests to SPEND that much MONEY at a restaurant? What makes them feel like they got their VALUE?’”
SHELTER
Agni occupies a former historic home, and at times it feels less like a reservation and more like an invitation to your coolest friend’s expertly orchestrated dinner party. “You can ask for more of anything you want,” Barua told me. “You can have whatever you want that we can provide.” He explained that when you’re at a dinner party, the host is extra attentive to their guest’s needs, and he wanted to reflect that sentiment, providing a place of solace for anyone and everyone.
“We don’t get to feel cool enough these days,” Barua said. “People are investing their time here, which is more important than money.” He and his staff go out of their way to make guests feel the same way Barua felt eating at Per Se, the storied threeMichelin-starred restaurant in New York. As a young cook working in a far lesser-known kitchen in the city, he hadn’t expected to be treated as anyone of note. But he was. He told me that being so seen at Per Se made
him feel “really cool,” and that feeling, more than the incredible food or prestige, stayed with him. “You can have really good food, but if you don’t feel welcome, or cool, you won’t have any reason to come back. We understand that we’re at the highest price point in Columbus, so we ask ourselves, ‘What would it mean to our guests to spend that much money at a restaurant? What makes them feel like they got their value?’”
For many of us, the moody ambiance and curated playlist keep us coming back. The exposed brick walls, dim lighting, warm wooden & black-tiled bar, and sultry leather seats certainly make us feel cool. The attentive staff feel like old friends. But unlike any friend’s dinner party, or any dinner we can cook ourselves, it’s the food that places the restaurant in a different league altogether— though some of it might remind you of McDonald’s, in the best way possible. More on that below.
COME OVER
At times, Agni feels less like a reservation and more like an invitation to your coolest friend's dinner party.
“Sure, I call AGNI a ‘Bengali-American restaurant,’ but the INGREDIENTS are inspired by MANY CUISINES... I’m going for GLOBAL FLAVORS here.”
FOOD
While Agni is often referred to as a Bengali-American restaurant, Barua is quick to note that labels can be limiting. Growing up in Columbus in the ‘80s as a firstgeneration American, he found himself enjoying McDonald’s as happily as his mother’s famous chicken curry and rice. He remembers wanting pizza while his school friends came over, but his friends wanted to taste his mom’s fiery cooking instead, even learning how to eat with one hand (with a cup of milk in the other to tame the heat).
“I’ve gone full circle in trying to be so many other things,” Barua confided. “You’re often told, ‘This is what you have to be or do to get to a certain place. But it’s really hard to keep that front up. I don’t change who I am anymore. I used to.”
Barua was “supposed” to be a doctor. “Whatever plans my parents had for me, I told them it wasn’t happening,” he laughed. After earning degrees in psychology and biology at The Ohio State University, he found himself more intrigued by a Montreal-inspired macaroni & cheese dish at a restaurant named 8, co-owned by
his older brother. There, Barua progressed from server to barback to bartender to cook, under the mentorship of Josh Dalton, owner of Veritas and Speck.
Despite both his family and coworkers telling him to go to medical school, he instead felt as if he belonged right there in the kitchen.
“I went to Columbus State’s culinary school after OSU because my parents still wanted me to go to some type of school,” Barua explained. “In Bengali and Indian culture, cooking in a kitchen is one of the lowest jobs you can have. So, they let me know they weren’t excited.”
Still, he pushed forward, apprenticing at Dalton’s restaurant in Delaware called 1808, then moving to New York to gain big-city experience, then returning to Columbus as executive chef at Service Bar. A stint on Top Chef didn’t crown him the winner, but it didn’t need to. In 2022, he opened Joya’s, named after his mother. Agni followed soon after. Though not named after her, Agni still draws heavily from her influence—as well as Barua’s own international travels and his wide-ranging palate.
“So, while I am Bengali, my perspective is also from here. Sure, I call Agni a ‘BengaliAmerican restaurant,’” he explained, “but the ingredients are inspired by many cuisines. I try to be true to what I want, and I’m going for global flavors here.” He paused, took a sip of coffee, and thoughtfully added, “But, you know, global is America.”
Agni’s 15-course tasting menu is a tour of flavors from Thailand, Mexico, Nepal, Indonesia, China, and of course, Bangladesh. The operation is so ingredient-intensive that Barua employs a full-time shopper whose sole job is to scour Columbus’ international markets for halal meats and rare spices.
The duck is dry-aged for two weeks. The pastramifilled bao? Brined, cured, and layered over 18 days. Some of the sauces are made from 45 ingredients alone. Even the cumindusted French fry—course four— requires three full days of intensive prep. It’s all worth it. “I want to make the best French fry,” he
said, smiling. There’s something more to it though—Barua is recreating a sensory memory from childhood—and a quiet reverence for McDonald’s.
The BBQ McBao is inspired by the McRib; the Fish Nugget “Deluxe,” painstakingly built over 72 hours, is a tribute to the Filet-O-Fish. “To me, this is personal. I’m recreating my childhood at McDonald’s,” Barua explained. Agni’s menu reflects the tension and harmony of Barua’s layered identity—a childhood split between American fast food and his mother’s Bengali curries, and an adulthood that veered from medicine toward the kitchen.
PRIX FIXE
Agni's 15-course tasting menu boasts flavors from Bangladesh, Thailand, Mexico, Nepal, Indonesia, China, and more.
“I’ve gone
FULL
CIRCLE in trying to be so many OTHER THINGS...I don’t CHANGE who I am anymore.”
FIRE
There’s another childhood memory that lingers: bonfires. S’mores, Midwest backyard barbecues, and a sense of community stoked by flame. I told him his passion for fire was evident, considering the few times I’ve seen him out and about in Columbus, specifically at The Oracle in Olde Towne East, he was near the patio bonfire with friends. “Fire is what brought us together; fire is what makes us human,” Barua reflected. “Fire has its own purpose, just as water and shelter do.”
Agni, named after the Hindu God of Fire and Cooking, lives up to its title. Every dish is touched by live fire rather than gas. “Livefire isn’t a trend for me,” explained Barua. “Ever since I started cooking, I wanted this.” He insists he can taste the gas in gas-grilled food. “How can you call something ‘grilled’ if it’s gassed?” he asked, laughing.
To build his dream, Barua invested in a livefire system fueled by locally sourced oak. For those especially interested by the fire element, two seats at the chef’s counter offer a frontrow view of the flames, as well as a glimpse into the path that led Barua here, each flicker shaped by his own life experiences that also forged Agni.
RESERVE a spot for 15 courses at this awardwinning restaurant by visiting dineatagni.com.
FLAMING HOT
Every dish at Agni is touched by live fire fueled by locally sourced oak wood rather than gas.
“LIVE FIRE isn’t a trend for me. Ever since I started COOKING, I wanted THIS.”
CHEF'S CHOICE
Chef Avishar Barua’s insider picks for some of the most authentic, flavorful dishes you can find in Central Ohio.
MI LI CAFE: Banh Mi, Bo Kho, or Pho
CHILI SPOT: Cucumber Salad, Fish Fillet with Pickled Soup, or Thin Sliced Tendon, Beef, & Tripe in Sichuan Chili Sauce
AMAZING WOK: Hand Ripped Cabbage or Braised Pig Trotters ( Insider Tip: Order the “Big Table Dough Dishes” 24 hours in advance for 4+ people)
CM CHICKEN: Red Hot Tikkudak (if you like it spicy), Chungyang Mayo Snow Onion, or Rose Tteok-Bokki
GOGI KOREAN BBQ: Sundubu-jjigae, Budaejjigae, or Haemul-pajeon ( Insider Tip: check their specials menu. Get the Marinated Pork Collar or Jowl if they have it)
ADDIS RESTAURANT:
Addis Special, Doro Wat, or Veggie Platter
SILLA: Pig Trotters (Wang Pork Feet), Buldak with Cheese, Kimchi Pajeon. Youngja Mandu, Eel Gui, or Kkhanpoong Chicken ( Insider Tip: NaengMyeon when it's hot outside and their noodle machine is working!)
CLUB 185:
Wings, Cheese Curds, Little Palace Mini Chicken Sandwich, or Chips with Dip
TOP CHEF
Although Avishar Barua didn't win on the show Top Chef, he's won the hearts, and taste buds, of Columbus through his acclaimed restaurants, Agni and Joya's.
TOUCH A Personal
ALL ABOUT JANE
The skilled esthetician offers niche services such as lip blushing, areola & nipple tattooing, lash & brow services, and luxe facials.
Story by SAV MCKEE | Photography by EMMA MORTELLARO | Design by TORI SMITH
Jane is anything but plain. The accomplished esthetician has studied energy medicine under a Buddhist monk, mastered color theory, and trained in advanced tattoo artistry for breast cancer survivors, all while developing a practice rooted in empathy and individual care.
“I’ve always been into aesthetics,” Jane said. “I studied nursing, but I realized it wasn’t the direction I wanted to go in.” Still staying within the healthcare realm while nurturing her creative instincts, she spent years, and hundreds of hours, training with top estheticians and paramedical tattoo artists. She quickly discovered her unique talent for specialized cosmetic treatments and found immense value in helping others feel beautiful.
She’s now one of the many passionate estheticians at Reverse Aesthetics, New Albany’s premiere med spa. While she won’t be the one helping you through your weight loss journey (book an appointment with Anissa or Dr. Vaagenes for that), or rejuvenating your face and body through lasers and injections (visit Kerie, Corey, or Danielle instead), she offers a myriad of niche services with her own personal touch to help you look and feel your absolute best.
LIP BLUSHING
During her comprehensive lip blushing apprenticeship, Jane deepened her knowledge of color theory. “I look at their eye color, skin tone, hair color, even their teeth color, and talk through each color pigment with my client to pick out the very best one,” she enthusiastically explained. “All of the pigments then come in a lip gloss they can try out first. I show them which ones make their eyes pop, and which ones flatter their face.”
Through this technique, she restores fading lip lines, enhances natural color, and subtly defines shape, all with a simple tattooing procedure—sometimes creating the illusion of fullness without filler, although filler looks stunning paired with lip blushing, as well. “It’s such a natural difference,” she said. “I think it complements people’s faces the most.”
AREOLA & NIPPLE
TATTOOING
Clients seek areola tattooing for various personal reasons, often following breast reconstruction or a prior mutilation. Whatever brings them in, Jane ensures the environment is comforting, with blankets, music, and refreshments far removed from the clinical coldness of a hospital or the noise of a traditional tattoo parlor.
“I’m so HAPPY making women feel that what HAPPENED to them doesn’t DEFINE them.”
Trained by Shannon Housley—one of the industry’s top names—Jane learned to replicate natural nipples using advanced color analysis, unilateral matching, and 3D techniques. “I’m trained in drawing and shadowing, making it look as real as possible,” she assured.
Helping people reclaim their bodies is a privilege she doesn’t take lightly. “I’m so happy making women feel that what happened to them doesn’t define them,” she reflected. “After having gone through surgeries and doctors telling them what they need...I want to make this experience for them. This is their appointment. I want to do what they want and what makes them happy and comfortable.”
LASHES & BROWS
Jane first experimented with lash lifts as a teenager, ordering lash kits and practicing on her friends in her basement, but years of much more formal training honed her craft. “Lash lifts and tints are a lot harder than estheticians think,” she said. “But I have it down. It’s very strategic.” A lash lift and tint by Jane helps brighten the eyes, all without the damaging effects of lash curlers.
She evaluates hair texture, lash coarseness, and facial features to customize each treatment. The same meticulous approach applies to brow shaping and tinting, where she uses string mapping to design flattering, balanced brows for each individual.
FACIALS & SKINCARE
Every facial Jane performs is customized. Whether treating acne, dehydration, or pigmentation, she selects from a carefully curated arsenal of medical-grade products from Reverse Aesthetics, including Face Reality, ZO Skin Health, SkinBetter, and Hydrinity.
A certified acne specialist and Face Reality expert, Jane understands the science of skin— but her sessions go deeper. As an energy reader, she offers a calming, restorative touch and tailors the experience to a client’s emotional comfort as well, whether that means quiet conversation or tranquil silence under plush bedding.
At Reverse Aesthetics, excellence is a shared value, and that’s one of Jane’s favorite aspects of working here. “I love providing a luxury experience for others,” Jane smiled. “Everyone here is so skilled in what they do. Everything we do is for our clients, and you can tell.”
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT for lip blushing, nipple tattooing, lash & brow services, or a luxury facial with Jane at reverse-aesthetics.com. The med spa also specializes in facial rejuvenation, weight loss, hormone replacement therapy, sexual health, and so much more.
AGE IN REVERSE
The premium med spa Reverse Aesthetics offers a plethora of wellness services all designed to boost your confidence.
SMASHING HIT
Columbus Country Club is your one-stop for all things fun: golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming, community dinners, and so much more. Model Angella Thomas with Chanel accessories courtesy of Sybariterian. Photo by Gabrielle Shamon.
join the
Story by JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
Photography by MICAYLA DEARDORFF and GABRIELLE SHAMON
Design by TORI
SMITH
Summers in Columbus arrive with a haze as we gather on patios and rooftops. The setting sun reflects on our skin, and we think, “This is what we have been waiting for.” The basis of human need is congregating over shared experiences–where the addition of a poolside cocktail and lush fairway views are always a nice bonus.
COLUMBUS COUNTRY CLUB
boasts an exclusive SOCIAL hub and 18-hole GOLF course built on a LEGACY of over 120 years
The spirit of the country club dates back to the 1880s in the United States, based on our desire to come together and socialize. Inspired by the history of city clubs and resort culture, country clubs were born as a gathering place for leisure and connection, offering exclusive amenities to members.
Columbus Country Club (CCC) at 4831 East Broad Street serves this role in Columbus, standing as a hub for socialization, recreation, and family programming.
In 1944, Life Magazine featured Columbus Country Club on its cover, recognizing its role in creating community and
supporting the home front during wartime. By 1978, Town & Country Magazine recognized CCC as one of the top 50 country clubs in America. Throughout the decades, the club has continued to evolve, built upon the same prestige that earned prominent magazine features in America’s mid-century.
Established in 1903, Columbus Country Club began as a social epicenter with a sweeping 200 acres that initially featured trails for equestrians. Golf was incorporated later, eventually resulting in an 18-hole masterpiece. The course has been carefully enhanced and reimagined by esteemed golf architects over time to the grounds we see today, all while keeping its historic integrity.
In 1964, CCC hosted the PGA Championship, casting an international spotlight on the Club and the City of Columbus. This historic tournament saw Bobby Nichols claim victory by three strokes over golf legends Arnold Palmer and Columbus’ own Jack Nicklaus, further adding to the club’s legacy.
SOCIALITES
This Club serves as a vital family & friend-focused sanctuary, creating a convergence of connection, celebration, and just good ol’fashioned fun.
DOG DAYS
The zero entry pool with wading for infants (or dogs on Dog Night!), plus water slides, swimming lanes, diving boards, pool cafe, and an outdoor bar is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Since its beginning, the Columbus Country Club has served as a vital family-focused sanctuary, creating a convergence of connection, celebrations, and traditions. Today, the club has over 500 members.
“Family is deeply ingrained in our ethos, and our membership reflects the diverse fabric of the city,” said esteemed, long-time member, Mr. Lee Hess.
Beyond the renovated golf course, which CCC spent $4.5 million modernizing, CCC provides multiple offerings for family entertainment, including tennis, pickleball, falconry, swimming, children’s activities, and year-round social events.
“There’s still a distinct magic to the CCC experience— whether it’s enjoying brunch on the patio overlooking
the meticulously manicured fairways, playing a twilight round of golf under the canopy of century-old trees, or watching children play on the expansive lawn while their parents share stories over dinner,” said Hess. “These are the moments that truly define Columbus Country Club: a place where lasting memories are created and cherished traditions are passed down through families.”
Complementing the golf course and a robust calendar of social events are the Club’s eight tennis courts, two platform courts, and three dedicated pickleball courts to be finished this fall. With two slides, two diving boards, a zero-entry area for infants, baby pool, and children’s water features, the Club also has one of the largest pools in the area. The deck boasts a cafe and outdoor bar with daily service, where guests can enjoy drinks and bites from their poolside lounge chair.
HOLE IN ONE CCC spent $4.5 million renovating and modernizing their world-class golf course.
Dining options include weekly dinner features, seasonal menus, and classic dishes that have become member favorites over the years. Each month, the Club hosts themed weeks and celebrations, offering special features such as “Prime Rib Thursdays.” On weekends, Saturday grill outs and family days are also on the calendar, including a classic brunch buffet in the morning that transitions to “Family Night” out on the patio.
Members enjoy specialty cocktails, regular wine tasting events with expert sommeliers, and an extensive selection of both beer and spirits with a full service bar. The Club stands as a Troon® property, meaning members can also enjoy benefits globally at other Troon facilities.
“While some clubs may PRIORITIZE sheer exclusivity, our FOCUS is on CULTIVATING a deep sense of BELONGING a place where MEMBERS of all ages and backgrounds FEEL genuinely connected and AT EASE.”
“Columbus Country Club distinguishes itself through its unique confluence of rich history, an unparalleled legacy in its golf course, and an unwavering commitment to fostering a strong sense of family among its members,” explained Hess. “While some clubs may prioritize sheer exclusivity, our focus is on cultivating a deep sense of belonging—a place where members of all ages and backgrounds feel genuinely connected and at ease.”
JOIN THE CLUB by contacting Micayla Deardorff, Marketing and Membership Director, at Micayla.deardorff@columbuscc.com or at 614-300-5199 x734. Visit columbuscc.com for information on amenities and offerings.
LOVE ALL
The Tennis Program offers lessons, teams, and special events for all ages and abilities.
SECRET SPIRITS
A private COCKTAIL CLUB boasts some of the most soughtafter SPIRITS IMAGINABLE, but you’ll need the SECRET CODE to TRY them
CAPTAIN'S
Story by GRACE DAY | Photography by JEN BROWN | Design by LIANN TRAHEY
If you’re not looking for 80 East, you probably won’t think twice about the unassuming, historic house on a quiet corner in Powell. “This isn’t the place you come to get smashed. This is the place you come to chat with a bartender that knows what they’re talking about –who knows what’s new,” said owner Gretchen Bonasera. Inside 80 East, you’re met with velvet seating, art adorned walls, and an enormous back bar boasting some of the most sought after spirits imaginable.
However, you’ll need a code to unlock the door to experience one of Columbus’ most illustrious bars. 80 East is a members only cocktail club, and a meticulously curated one at that. Membership starts at $150 per month. While that price may get you in the door, 80 East offers multiple tiers of membership. There’s even a waitlist for the $668 monthly investment that grants you access to distillery trips to select barrel picks.
The bourbon-forward private club highlights a Captain's List showcasing
rare spirits, from Willett Family Estate 8 Year Bourbon, to Jack Daniels Coy Hill, and Macallan 18 Year Double Cask. Their cocktail menu rotates with the seasons and includes contributions from everyone on the staff. Many of them are twists on beloved classics, highlighting trending or seasonal ingredients. This summer, you can find a blueberry espresso martini on the menu.
Since opening their doors in Powell in October 2022, 80 East acquired a second location in Plain City, where membership is reciprocal between the two spaces. Bonasera hinted at a third location. “It’s in the works. We’ve got a spot in mind, but it’s still a secret.” For now, the members are enjoying perks between the two clubs, and each other’s company. Monthly membership dinners encourage the community aspect of the club. The plush seating and mood lighting makes the space feel like an extension of your most luxurious friend’s living room, one where there’s always something interesting being poured. 80 East purposefully planted
themselves away from the buzz of Downtown bars and restaurants, as they wanted to bring the craft cocktail experience out of the city.
For those curious but not ready to commit, 80 East offers a sneak peak pass – a one time visit that gives prospective members a sense of the space. Whether you’re a long time bourbon collector, or just discovered what fat washing is, 80 East can open the door to a world of cocktails. You just need the code.
“This isn’t the place you come to get SMASHED. This is the place you come to CHAT with a bartender that knows what they’re TALKING about.”
INQUIRE about a membership of your own at 80eastpowell.com.
NEAT OR ROCKS?
While there's a waitlist that grants you access to distrillery trips to select barrel picks, a seat at the bar is always open for regular monthly members.
Realtor ANNE DeVOE encourages everyone to consider their PRIORITIES when deciding where to live in CENTRAL OHIO
The Columbus area is red hot, and this doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. In a region that’s undergoing rapid growth and boasts explosive popularity, understanding its ins and outs is not just a nice thing to know when it comes to purchasing a home – it’s essential.
Longtime Columbus Realtor Anne DeVoe, Coldwell Banker Realty, is here to help. A Central Ohio Realtor for 21 years, DeVoe is an expert on the greater Columbus area from German Village to Dublin and beyond. As each area of the city offers unique benefits and lifestyle amenities, DeVoe urges everyone thinking about buying a home to truly weigh what they want before they decide where they want to live.
“I love what I do because it’s all about people and determining what’s the right fit for them. If you cook a lot, you need a fantastic chef’s kitchen. If your family visits all the time, you need an excellent entertaining space. It’s about parsing through each client’s individual situation,” she said. “I also encourage everyone not to settle. We will identify their neighborhood match and it’s worth waiting to find the right house in that area.”
For potential homebuyers in Columbus and the surrounding suburbs, DeVoe has put together a quick guide about the various neighborhoods of the city and what they offer.
Story by JACK MCLAUGHLIN
Photography by JEN BROWN
Design by TORI SMITH
DEVOE IN THE KNOW
Realtor Anne DeVoe knows every Central Ohio neighborhood inside & out, ensuring each client finds the perfect home suited for their lifestyle.
CITY LIVING
(German Village, Arena District…)
Living Downtown or in the heart of Columbus can offer unrivaled dining, entertainment options, and walkability.
• A wide variety of entertainment and nightlife options are at your front door (The Ohio and Palace Theatres, the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI…).
• There is world-class dining all around, featuring James Beard Award-nominated chefs like Avishar Barua (Agni), BJ Leiberman (Chapman’s Eat Market, Ginger Rabbit) and Annie Williams (Law Bird).
• You can walk nearly anywhere you want to go.
OUTER SUBURBS
(Dublin, New Albany…)
If peace, quiet, and personal space are at the top of your list, or if you value a modern lifestyle, the outer suburbs of Columbus could be for you.
• The outer suburbs offer more recently-constructed homes, so if you value space and convenience, a newer home with an open floor plan, large closets, and a newer kitchen may be ideal.
• Large lots! The outer suburbs offer more property and the possibility of acreage for nature lovers.
• New neighborhoods are being built all the time and offer the opportunity to design your own home.
NEAR SUBURBS (Grandview, Bexley…)
Living in the original suburbs of Columbus is a great middle ground for those who want to retain some of the conveniences and community of city living, but who value a bit more privacy and personal space.
• The near suburbs offer very walkable, community-oriented streets and often have a main street or pocket retail areas with coffee shops, restaurants, and small boutiques.
• More elbow room! The near suburbs offer homes with some green space and sometimes large yards.
CENTRAL OHIO HIGHLIGHTS
Wherever you choose to land in the Columbus area, there will likely be plenty to do, see, and eat. Here’s a short list of Columbus area highlights:
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS. From the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes to the Columbus Crew and Columbus Blue Jackets, Central Ohio offers quality football, soccer, hockey, baseball, and more.
IF FARMERS MARKETS ARE A MUST, you’re in the right spot. From the eclectic offerings of the Clintonville Farmers Market to the massive turnout of 100-plus vendors at the Worthington Farmers Market, we’ve got you covered.
IF YOU LIKE THE GREAT OUTDOORS, you’ll love the Metro Park System, which offers everything from stunning hikes to mountain bike courses to rock climbing, all without leaving Columbus.
RETAIL RULES. Columbus is home to a handful of bustling malls like Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place, and the Short North boasts plenty of interesting local shopping options.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or if you're ready to find the perfect home or sell your current home, email Anne at anne.devoe@cbrealty.com.
IN A SIMULATION
Intown uses Trackman, the highest-end golf simulators that collect data on your speed and accuracy, all while allowing you to play virtually on 300 courses around the world.
Intown Golf REDEFINES the modern members-only club with WORLD-CLASS dining, CUTTING-EDGE technology, and QUIET sophistication rain or shine
THE NEW Club Intown
Story by ASHLEY ALT | Photography by SANGSOUVANH KHOUNVICHIT | Design by LIANN TRAHEY
When co-founder and CEO Michael Williamson started Intown Golf Club in Atlanta, GA five years ago, he knew he was onto something when he had a waitlist out of the gate.
“This had not been done before,” Williamson said of Intown’s private, indoor golf-focused club. “You can go way back and look at places like The University Club or Links Club, but none of them had golf as the centerpiece. We repeatedly get told there’s nothing like it.”
Behind the unmarked green doors on Mooney Street in Bridge Park, a first of its kind, members-only social club for golfers and their families awaits. Intown boasts world-class cuisine, beautifully crafted cocktails, cutting edge technology to measure accuracy and master
technique, and a curated community of avid golfers together, almost reminiscent of a laidback, sophisticated speakeasy.
If you love high-end golf clubs, you know they’re pretty pricey—many of them starting at $100,000 annually or more. On the other end of the spectrum, at public courses, a community aspect is sometimes lacking, plus hospitality, food, and beverages are sub-par at best.
Williamson discovered there’s a huge gap in the middle—a high-end club at a more reasonable price—which is where Intown sits. He compares Intown to Soho House, membership price-wise, and all other aspects he wanted to bring to life, from the aesthetics and details to outstanding hospitality and food and beverage.
Growing up, Williamson wasn’t part of private club culture, but he was always drawn to the community aspect that establishments like country clubs and social clubs offer.
“I’ve met so many great people, so many of my business partners and friends being part of these clubs, which is a huge draw and part of this culture,” Williamson said of Intown. “We were particularly excited to bring Intown to Columbus due to its rich golf history and culture.”Intown actually sits right where the Bash Driving Range once was, before Bridge Park was, well, Bridge Park. Giving nod to local golf legends throughout the space, most notably Jack Nicklaus, Intown has tiny threads of local legend lore including an Andy Warhol style art piece of Wendy's, a conference room aptly named “The Pharmacy Room,” paying homage to Jack Nicklaus’ father who was a pharmacist, and the upper deck cocktail bar named “The Bash” after Jack’s wife, First Lady of Golf Barbara Bash.
Along with these threads of history, each Intown location prides themselves on exquisite dishes and artful cocktails, with seasonal menus offering recognizable, classic Americana dishes like club sandwiches, but elevated. Everything is made inhouse, and all prepared by culinary talents, some including James Beard Award-winning chefs.
“We’ve created Intown to be the opposite of the food and beverage at traditional country clubs,” Williamson explained. “We want people to go for the food and beverage, not have it be an afterthought.”
In addition to the distinguished club’s atmosphere, Intown provides a much better environment if you’re new to golf. With eight private bays at the Columbus location (two downstairs and six upstairs), there’s no pressure to perform.
Members can come in at their leisure, utilizing Intown’s golf clubs or bringing their own, and heading out after playing a round or two, rain or shine.
“I love golf, but it takes forever to play,” Williamson said. “[Perhaps] you have young kids and a taxing job. Taking five hours on a Saturday to golf is hard. [At Intown], you can play a round of golf in 45 minutes, then be back home to spend the day with your family. Plus, it’s weatherproof.”
Intown uses Trackman, the highest-end golf technology for simulators that collects data on your speed and accuracy, and provides detailed video feedback of each swing, all while allowing you to virtually play on 300 courses around the world.
“If you’re out on the range, there are 20 people out there hitting balls with you,” Williamson said. “Here, it’s a much more approachable, non-intimidating way to practice golf and get better, especially if you’re just starting out. We had a member recently take his handicap from a 13 down to a 3—the outdoor range doesn’t give you that data.”
While membership is based largely on referrals, Intown pays close attention to how many people are coming in.
“We protect the tee sheet,” Williamson explained. “Many times, at traditional country clubs, guests have trouble getting the tee times they want. We never want that to happen here. We want it to be energetic and lively, but not crowded.”
INTERESTED in the newest & hottest club in town? Visit intowngolfclub.com for more information.
“Many times, at traditional country clubs, GUESTS have trouble getting the tee times they want. We NEVER want that to happen here. We want it to be ENERGETIC and LIVELY, but not crowded.”
Local artist Dillon Beck DEFIES CONVENTION with exhibits that CHALLENGE the BOUNDARIES of traditional art
Rules and restrictions are inherently limiting, but Columbus painter Dillon Beck finds them liberating. However, this was not always the case.
As a former graphic designer, whose parents were both graphic
designers, Beck went the route of many in his field and worked at a couple local creative agencies where he spent his days delivering against client briefs. But he wanted more.
“As a graphic designer, the money was there, but the creativity
wasn't,” said the Delaware County native. “It became taxing to me.”
Beck added, “Good design—and good art—is about building a rule set and then bringing in strategy, so I never felt like I was breaking the rules at all doing design work.”
Story by ALEX LEWIS
Photography courtesy of DILLON BECK
Design by MEG RHOADS
FINE ART
Dillon Beck's painting, titled "The View from Here," uses his signature colors of hearty reds, blood oranges, and electric blues.
Beck's art show, titled Vibrancy, debuted at The Columbus Museum of Art, then traveled to Mansfield Art Center. "Density" is on the left, and "Sprawl" on the right.
“...You could be GOING UP the stairs. You could be COMING DOWN them...”
“...You could be leaving a BAD SITUATION, going somewhere BRIGHTER.”
VIBRANCY
ROOM WITH A VIEW
Pictured left is Beck's former art show, called Inside Looking Out, featured at Skylab Gallery.
In search of defiance, Beck returned to his high school memories of taking every art elective possible and became curious about painting. But he knew he would not be a traditional painter and had an idea to make it his own, drawing on his graphic design experience.
“My idea was to be my own client,” shared Beck. “If I were a client asking myself what I wanted to do, what would the briefing be?”
This is how Beck landed on the sunset-soaked color scheme that defines most of his work. From wooden paintings to large-scale murals, Beck cycles through a rotation of hearty reds, blood oranges, deep purples, and electric yellows to bring his art to life.
The former Capital University jazz student pairs these colors with elements like doors, stairs, portals, sunrises, and sunsets. “They're all super open to interpretation,” acknowledged Beck.
“Depending on the day you're having or where you are in your life, you could be going up the stairs. You could be coming down them. You could be leaving a bad situation, going somewhere brighter.”
“I'm here to lay out the thesis statement for a thought and then let the observer get whatever it is they want out of it,” noted Beck.
This is why he loves sharing his work— something Beck has been able to do with exhibits at the Columbus Museum of Art and Mansfield Art Center, murals at Seventh Son Brewing and Otherworld, and even a painting in the Powell home of Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun and former Disney Channel star Debby Ryan.
“I am always open to projects, no matter how big or small, because I do this for a living, but, more importantly, I love doing this,” exclaimed Beck. “The more challenges, and the more I get to flex my imagination muscles, the happier I am.”
While Beck loves how personal projects, as well as his music and cooking hobbies, pique his imagination, he is just as fond of commissioned work. “I love commissions because they feel like a collaboration,” he said. “In the end, it might be my work, but it will always be a collaboration between the collector and me, the artist.”
A graphic designer at heart, Beck will likely always operate by some set of rules, but collaboration and curiosity are helping him learn how to break them.
He emphasized, “I was raised to be a weirdo with a huge imagination, and it has carried through for 37 years, and I imagine will continue to do so.”
“I'm here to lay out the THESIS STATEMENT for a THOUGHT and then let the OBSERVER get whatever it is THEY WANT out of it.”
PURCHASE or COMMISSION a piece by Dillon Beck by visiting dillonbeck.com.
“When I see my work in my studio, it’s one thing—and it tells its own story,” said Beck. “But the second it's in someone else's space, and in someone else's hands, it's almost like I get to see my baby grow up and go out into the wild and see what kind of adult they become.”
Beck’s story is still unfolding, and he looks forward to the new opportunities he will have to work with other Columbus businesses and residents.
A MAN AND HIS ART Dillon Beck's paintings have been featured in galleries around the state, at prominent businesses, and even in the home of Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots and Disney star, Debby Ryan.
While BB Aesthetic is known for their soothing facials and injectables, they’re committed to the overall health and wellness of their patients, not just how they look on the outside.
Story by JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
Photography courtesy of BB AESTHETIC
Design by TORI SMITH
The PREMIERE Central Ohio med spa, BB AESTHETIC, focuses on the WELLNESS of their clients both INSIDE and OUT
Holistic BEAUTY
At BB Aesthetic Wellness Center, Brittney Burnworth focuses on being proactive with your health before you have to be reactive. Driven by a holistic wellness perspective, it’s no wonder the family-owned business was voted the Best MedSpa in Columbus for (614) Magazine’s ColumBEST 2025.
Located in a historical building in Uptown Westerville, BB Aesthetic has been serving the Columbus area for almost 15 years. Based in a love of community, building deep relationships with clients, and keeping medical experts local, BB Aesthetic is anything but cookie cutter.
“We started as a family-owned business and still are,” said Brittney. “We are not owned by a private equity group, and we are not a major franchise.
Brittney, a board certified Registered Nurse (MSN, APRN, FNP-C) co-owns the business with her husband and BB Aesthetic’s Medical Director, Dr. Terrill Burnworth, DO. Dr. Burnworth is a board certified ER physician of 25 years, affiliated with Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark. While many med spa (medical spa) medical directors are based out-of-state in California, Dr. Burnworth lives in the community and makes himself regularly available to patients. Also employed at BB Aesthetic are the Burnworths’ two sons, who come into the clinic to work in between college classes. Overall, the team is a close group, built upon an intimate, family-run dynamic.
“My husband has ER experience, I am a board certified nurse practitioner, and all my girls are board certified nurse practitioners. Many of them work at Mount Carmel,” explained Brittney. “We aren’t just aesthetics – we are holistic wellness and have a lot of people with diverse backgrounds that work for other hospitals and work for us at the same time.”
Operating out of 91 South State Street, Brittney and her team worked closely with the City of Westerville as they entered a two year renovation project on a historic property originally built in 1870. The end result honors the history of the building and surrounding community, while creating a fresh and comfortable environment for patients to feel welcomed and relaxed.
“The experience here is elevated and curated. The new building really reflects that as well,” said Kevin Cothren, BB Aesthetic’s CRO. “It feels very concierge. We really treat people in a very special way–you’re not just pushed in and out like a lot of people are.”
Like the core of the business itself, the new location reflects BB Aesthetic’s journey. They continue to uphold their values and history as a small, patient-centric business, but have also grown to offer a complete wellness experience to their evolving customer base.
Over a decade ago, the med spa saw its start in Gahanna before quickly growing out of its office space and moving to their next location on Morse Road. Known as “Botox Brittney” then, Brittney continued building her patient relationships and adding services as her business received multiple awards and accolades. Since then, Brittney has been a paid consultant and trainer for hundreds of doctors and medical professionals in their residency and medical school programs while growing her own business.
These days, BB Aesthetic focuses on the whole story of their clients’ wellness, while continuing to build a personal, individual connection. Expert providers are trained to really listen to patient needs, make patients feel special and heard, and work on establishing trust with their ever-expanding clientele.
“We are not just for women anymore,” Brittney said. “Over the years, we have become a very diverse business and have seen a lot of men walking through the door.”
While BB Aesthetic is known for their popular offerings like injectables, facials, lasers, and high-end retail products, Brittney and Dr. Burnworth are also committed to the overall health and wellness of their patients–not just how they look. A recent shift in their brand has embraced focusing more on both men and women’s sexual health, peptides in skin care, weight loss, hair loss, hormone therapy, processes that increase longevity, and regenerative medicine to help people live longer, fuller lives.
“While we still have elite injectors that are highly skilled, we offer all this other stuff as well, which is a full service operation,” added Kevin. “You don’t need to go anywhere else. You can get everything done here.”
Happily settled in their new location, BB Aesthetic will continue adding services for every type of client and continue providing a holistic wellness experience. A second location has just opened outside of Cincinnati in the community of Maineville, but Brittney doesn’t have plans to franchise or roll out a large expansion.
“I love, love, love what I do,” said Brittney excitedly. “I am going on year 15. The relationships I have built with my patients over 15 years, they still stay with me. We have watched each other’s lives evolve, and that’s a very personal touch as well. These people stay with us. It’s a relationship.”
FOLLOW @bb_aesthetic on Instagram for updates on their innovative services retail products, and visit bbaesthetic.com to book an appointment.
“We really TREAT people in a very SPECIAL way–you’re NOT just pushed in and out like a lot of PEOPLE are. ”
BOTOX BRITTNEY
Co-owner
and
co-founder Brittney
Burnworth used to be called “Botox Brittney” by her patients. But the Registered Nurse (MSN, APRN, FNP-C) is more than just that, as she’s trained hundreds of doctors and medical school programs while growing her own business.
THROUGH T HE
What would you create if you had the space?
A space where you can be yourself, not the version of you that shows up to work, for family, or at community events? A space where you can dare to dream, reflect, explore new ideas, and step fully into the person you are or have always dreamed of becoming? For many women of color in Columbus, that space is Zora’s House.
Founded in 2018 by LC Johnson, Zora’s House is a 10,000-square-foot co-working space near Weinland Park where women and gender-expansive people of color can dream, reflect, explore new ideas, and work on their personal growth. Named after Zora Neale Hurston, an author and anthropologist who became a central figure during the Harlem Renaissance, Zora’s House is a place of possibility, an incubator of ideas, and a source of community.
The MEMBERSHIPONLY co-working space, ZORA’S House, encourages WOMEN of COLOR to dream, reflect, and connect
the idea to create a space like those that “shaped how she move[d]” through the world during her time in undergrad at Duke University.
While at Duke, LC began to feel the impact of living at the intersection of race and gender. “I’m not just a Black person, I’m a Black woman,” she exclaimed. And existing in a space where her presence was often overlooked and her experiences unseen pushed her to seek out community through Duke’s Women’s Center and The Lou, a community and affirming space on campus that supports the needs of Blackidentified people.
Tucked away in a hidden library that houses 350 books written by women of color, Johnson explained that, fueled by her “craving for community,” she “founded Zora’s House after waking up from a dream while living in her in-laws basement.” The dream–complete with a dopamine-inducing soundtrack much like the music that fuels the energy in Zora’s House today–gave her
Much like the spaces that nurtured LC’s sense of belonging and growth, she has–together with the members of Zora’s House–created a living network of connection, where women of color can “fuel their creativity, leadership, and activism in a space where they are not preoccupied by discomfort.” Through a pay-what-you-can membership model, members gain access to the leadership, entrepreneurship, wealthbuilding, and other programming specifically designed for their unique experiences as women of color. Zora’s House, Johnson explained, “is a microcosm of the world that we want to see even though it is not the world we exist in right now.” And this model has garnered national attention.
Story by NICCI HICKS | Photography by JEN BROWN | Design by LIANN TRAHEY
“Zora's House is a MICROCOSM of the world that we want to see even though it is not the WORLD we EXIST in right now.”
DREAMER & DOER
LC Johnson, owner & founder of Zora's House, quite literally dreamt of creating a living network of connection, where women of color could fuel their creativity comfortably. Then, she did just that.
WORKING TOGETHER
Through a pay-what-you-can membership model, Zora's House members gain access to the leadership, entrepreneurship, wealthbuilding, and other programming specifically designed for their unique experiences as women of color.
In early 2023, LC received a call from a producer at The Kelly Clarkson Show. The producer invited Johnson to create a short video telling the story of Zora’s House. After LC submitted the video, everything went quiet. Not due to a lack of interest but because of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Then after what seemed like a month of Mondays, the call finally came: an invitation to fly to Los Angeles to be on The Kelly Clarkson Show that Thursday. Although LC was in the middle of a $5 million capital campaign to fund Zora’s House’s new 10,000 square-foot-facility, she dropped everything and flew to LA.
Johnson’s gamble paid off. Zora’s House successfully raised the remaining $1 million within six months of being on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Pointing to a picture from her first appearance on the show, Johnson shared that she treated her relationship with the show the same way she approaches everything, with authenticity, care, and connection. That spirit led to a rare invitation to appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show again, a year later, to celebrate the opening of the new space, which includes a full-service café aptly named the Purple Door Cafe.
At Zora’s House, bold colors and big doors are more than an entryway. They are symbols of possibility. Johnson explained that when women of color walk through the doors, “they get to practice what freedom looks like and feels like in their body.” And having a place where they can, as one member put it, “practice who [they] want to be everywhere else in the world,” free of preoccupation and constraint, enables them to confidently open doors for themselves and others.
LEARN more about a membership at Zora’s House by visiting zorashouse.com.
