OLDE TOWNE TIMES
Spring 2015
Letter from the President Greetings Neighbors! As the seasons change and the tides change, so must the Olde Towne Times. This issue is all about change. Some people think that change is a good thing, and some people run the other way when they are faced with change. I personally used to be afraid of change, but as I have gotten older I have come to accept change and welcome it with open arms.
The Olde Towne Times is experiencing change as we speak. We have new leadership. I want to welcome Michele Winship as the new editor of the Olde Towne Times. I look forward to seeing what new and exciting things will be happening with the newsletter. I also want to thank Ann Twiggs and Bill Shaffer for their hard work and dedication to OTENA and to the Olde Towne Times. You two have poured your heart and soul into this neighborhood for many years, and it is greatly appreciated. Good luck in the next chapter of your lives.
Letter from the Editor
Hi there, neighbors! The times are a’changing indeed, and with this issue, I have taken over as editor of the Olde Town Times. I would like to thank Ann Twiggs and Bill Shaffer for their work as OTT editors over the past several years, and congratulate them on reimagining this newsletter into its current glossy format, filled with interesting articles and pictures. Those are some big shoes to fill, and this issue definitely had its challenges, from files lost in computer crashes, other members of the newsletter team changing over and of course, all of the things happening in Olde Towne right now. This issue looks ahead to the future, and what a bright future it is for our neighborhood. Commercial and residential development is about to boom, and
Besides the Olde Towne Times, Olde Towne East is changing as well. There has been a surge of vacant lots and old buildings being purchased by individuals and investors. Some of these buildings have been vacant for many years and are all in different stages of deterioration. While we all have different opinions on what should be done to these buildings, the important thing to remember is that they are being preserved and given a fresh new life. This neighborhood has been an upcoming community for many years, and it is nice to see that people are interested in preserving it and making it a more vibrant and wonderful place to live. My hope is that everyone can be open to this change and be accepting of it. Change is good, especially if it makes Olde Towne East the best neighborhood to live in. If you live here, you already know that. We are the fortunate ones. Let change happen, and great things will come to us. We have a very bright future in Olde Towne East. Jeff Hamilton
I have no doubt that this will bring OTE into the forefront of Columbus’ best places to live and work. In the 16 years that I have lived here, I have seen some amazing changes, particularly at 18th and Oak around the corner from my house, and I am excited to see what the next few years will bring along the Oak Street and Parsons Avenue corridors. Because this is your newsletter, I invite your questions, comments and suggestions. And, if you would like to write for the OTT or have story ideas, please email any and all of those to otteditor@gmail.com. Michele Winship
The Olde Towne Times is the quarterly newsletter of the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association (OTENA). OTENA was established in 1975. General Membership Mettings • The Second Wednesday of each month 7-8:30 p.m. Firehouse #12, 734 Oak St. All are welcome! • Events • Visit the OTENA Events Calendar at www.oldetowneeast.org to learn about other meetings and activities. • Contact OTENA • P.O. Box 7016 • Columbus, OH 43205 • Toll-Free: 866-234-0414 • info@oldetowneeast.org • Advertise in the OTT • Business Card - $25 • 1/4 page - $50 • 1/2 page - $75 • Full page - $100 • 20% discount for annual (4 issues) ad plus one time free design consultant services. • For more advertising information and to submit articles, ideas, and letters to the editor; e-mail to: info@oldetowneeast.org • OTT Editor - Michele Winship • Graphic Designer - Alyssa Martin • Email for extra copies • www. oldetowneeast.org • otteditor@gmail.com Printing provided in-kind by NationwideChildren’s Hospital. The Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association is proud to be a Neighborhood Partner with Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
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Tavern Owners Look East on Oak Street By Jordan Kuntz
When Kevin Burns, Brad Hobbs and Krista Sparks Hobbs moved to Olde Towne East over ten years ago, there was no way they could have known that they would become such an important catalyst to push the neighborhood forward. At the time, Brad and Kevin were friends from high school who met Krista, Brad’s future wife, while bartending and waiting tables at Easton. Like many service industry workers, they simply had dreams for the future written on napkins. And this was back when there were not a lot of dining options in Olde Towne East. Black Creek Bistro was still Elemental and the Wendy’s on Broad Street wasn’t even built. But they had dreams, and those dreams manifested themselves at the corner of Oak and 18th, which was the path they drove when visiting each other’s homes. Brad recalled that “it looked like that commercial corner that’s in every other downtown neighborhood, and we thought there was a lot of opportunity there.” “The next logical step was for something to go into the corner,” added Krista, “and I knew someone would do something, so why not us?” So they toured the space that would eventually become The Tavern, and they immediately fell in love with it. “Most people would walk in and see the rotten floor and everything falling down, but we saw the brick walls and the pressed tin ceiling and we knew that this was it.” It took years to open The Tavern, and they admit that it was extremely scary, but Olde Towne East was also “the most supportive place we’ve even been,” said Krista. From the very beginning, before they even opened the doors, they had 500 Facebook fans. And when they finally held their soft opening in
June of 2012 for about 20 friends and family, people kept sticking their heads in to ask if they were open. And within half an hour, every seat in the entire place was full. Very soon after the opening of the Tavern (8 months to be exact), in February of 2013, Kevin, Brad and Krista opened Corner Stone Craft Beer and Wine. While it wasn’t at all the timing they were looking for, when the spot opened up at the corner of Oak and Parsons, they saw the perfect opportunity to fill another void in Olde Towne East. They were sick of driving outside the neighborhood to buy beer and they wished someone would open an upscale beer and wine boutique, so again, they thought “why not us?”
So what do you do after opening two successful businesses in under a year? The team is working hard to launch their newest venture this spring in downtown Columbus called The Walrus Kitchen and Public House at the corner of 4th and Main. The Walrus will feature an American style menu similar to The Tavern with 30 taps for local and Ohio craft beer. Other similarities to The Tavern include
an outdoor patio and late-night menu with the kitchen serving until 1:00 a.m. seven nights a week. But unlike The Tavern, The Walrus is a live music venue that they hope will attract some of the best local and regional acts. “When you go to larger cities, there’s live music all over so it seemed like there’s a pretty big void downtown that we’re hoping to fill,” said Kevin, and they’re looking to attract bands from rock and bluegrass to funk and jam bands. And if launching one new business isn’t enough, they’ve also purchased the building at Ohio and Oak. It’s another pathway in between their houses that they drive by all the time, and after doing a little investigating, they discovered that the building had multiple city code violations and was on the verge of being torn down. “And something we don’t want to see in the neighborhood is big, beautiful buildings being torn down and turned into vacant lots,” said Brad. He explained that it’s one of the most frightening buildings he’s even been inside, but he found some gutsy people to tackle the project, and he hopes to see businesses open there in the fall. The plan for the building is to have commercial properties on the ground floor and residential on the top floor, but until the building is structurally sound and leases are signed, he’s staying tight-lipped on the details. As for the future, “I think the next step in the continued growth of our neighborhood is to keep establishing commercial growth and to be part of that process,” said Brad. “I’d love to see a lot of startups come join us, so if you live in the neighborhood, and you want to do something, now is the time to do it. The buildings are affordable, they’re vacant, and it’s time.”
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N e w Life for Oa k an d Wilso n By Michele Winship
The neglected Oak and Wilson intersection has been little more than a collection of empty lots and a dilapidated carry-out for many years. But that should all change by the summer of 2016 when the Gordon James Company restores 178 Wilson and later builds a new two-story, mixed-use building on a vacant lot at the southeast corner of Oak Street and Wilson Avenue. Joel Simmons, Gordon James CEO, has a vested interest in the area. His company is family-owned and operated, and since 2009 has been investing in the Near East Area along Long Street purchasing, renovating, and leasing apartments. Investors are local, and all area growth has been organic. The opportunity to develop 178 Wilson provides Simmons a new 2nd floor office location for Gordon James which is currently a home office in need of more space. Moving the business operation to the new building was an easy decision. Simmons chose OTE because of its central location in Columbus and accessibility to the other areas of town. It’s “the same reason we chose to invest in apartments in the area. It's a great community, awesome location, and one of the best values in town.” Simmons hopes to carry on with the Near East Area Plan of “developing a walkable self-sustaining community.” He is following on the heels of the commercial development at Oak and 18th and hopes to continue to add community development, particularly
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on the commercial side. But it will take time and money to restore the Wilson property which is currently just a shell of a building. Parts of it will need repaired, but it requires new mechanicals and a complete rebuild. “It's not a project for the faint of heart,” Simmons said. “Once the basics are in order, then the retail space will still have to be built out.” The plan is for an eatery housed on the first floor of the Wilson property with a unique restaurant/bar concept that will fit nicely with the existing climate in OTE. Simmons has previous restaurant experience and intends to create complementary options that are not in direct competition with existing businesses. “We love and frequent the current restaurants and want to add to the OTE offerings.” If the Wilson venture is a success, another eatery is planned for the 1277 Oak. The second floor of the Oak Street building will be 1-2 apartments. In addition to this development, Gordon James has two other vacant OTE apartment buildings in their queue for full rehab. Simmons and Gordon James are committed to bringing aesthetic value, raising property value, and significantly increasing tax dollars for the community. “The restaurant will provide jobs, an additional local social dining experience, and bring positive visibility to the community which should result in continued growth in the area, both commercially and residentially.” Good news for Olde Towne East.
Oa k Stree t G et s a Faceli ft By Michele Winship
Yhezkel Levi, a local property owner and developer, has done a great deal to change the face of Olde Towne East. His properties on 18th and Oak house The Tavern, Yellow Brick Pizza and Angry Baker. Levi also owns the multiunit properties on the north side of Oak between 18th and S. Douglass and on 18th behind Yellow Brick that have been vacant shells for many years and have been pretty much an eyesore next to the businesses at the intersection. The good news is that the 30 units contained in Levi’s buildings - “nice, high-end condominiums” - will be finished within the next four to five months, and Levi hopes to put four to six units on the market each month beginning in the very near future. Rents for the one- and two-bedroom units will start at $1,000, and the condominiums will feature all hardwood floors, exposed brick, European kitchen cabinets, large bathrooms with oversized showers, and plenty of closet space. “Really the downtown classic, just with more character,” said Levi. Several units have patios tucked within the buildings, providing space for lounging, grilling, and socializing. In addition to the condominiums, Levi is talking with different businesses who will take over his commerciallyzoned spaces. An ice cream shop plans to take over 65 S. 18th Street with a juice bar next door, each one occupying a 1,000 square foot retail space. He is also talking with a “light” restaurant concept for the space just behind Yellow Brick. If all of these eateries commit, 18th and Oak will be a foodie’s destination and will provide diverse walkable options for OTE residents. Levi’s newest venture is on Oak Street just east of Champion. Levi owns four lots and a warehouse just off the corner, and is currently in discussion with two groups looking to develop 5,000 square feet of space into a restaurant concept and include a “mega patio” for outdoor dining, “something we have never seen before here,” said Levi. Parking in Olde Towne is primarily along the street, and that may concern some residents with a restaurant this large; however, as commercial development continues to grow east along Oak Street, parking solutions may be a focus of future owner/developers. Regardless, commercial growth will breathe new life into an area of OTE that can surely use it. Levi believes “… this is going to be the next destination.” I think I have to agree.
OTE BLOCK WATCH fair avenue
Contact: fairavenuebw@oteblockwatches.org
ohio - parsons
12th Precinct Police Sub-Station 950 Main Street 7 pm third Tuesday of each month
Contact: ohioparsonsbw@oteblockwatches.org 614-525-9633
south of main
12th Precinct Police Sub-Station 950 Main Street 10 am first Saturday of each month
Contact: southofmainbw@oteblockwatches.org
Morrison hill
12th Precinct Police Sub-Station 950 Main Street 12 pm first Saturday of each month
Contact: morrisonhillbw@oteblockwatches.org
for more information www.oteblockwatches.org
Community Liaison Officer: Terry Kalous 614-645-1412 tkalous@columbuspolice.org
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As cold weather moved into Olde Towne, lines still snaked around the corner from the Hot Chicken Takeover window at the Columbus Food Hub at 1117 Oak Street. HCT found a warm and friendly winter home at the North Market, and following a successful Kickstarter campaign, will have its new food truck on the road this spring, as well. It is no secret that OTE loves HCT, and its location in the heart of the community introduced folks from all around the city (and in some cases, even farther) to Olde Towne East. Although they won’t be returning to the Food Hub (the space has been taken over by J Hot Fish), according to Joe DeLoss, Head Fryer, “HCT loves OTE!” and he guarantees that OTE will see their truck in warm weather. The success of HCT is largely due to their business model, growing their employees as well as their business. “We intentionally hire a workforce with barriers to employment - ranging from bouts of homelessness to previous incarceration,” said
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DeLoss. “We leverage the gratuity provided by our customers to invest in our employees’ personal growth and stability. We're excited to keep this mission growing!” HCT’s menu has grown a bit since leaving Oak and Ohio. They now serve four days a week, and waffles are now a staple on the menu, travelling in the truck come spring. HCT is definitely hoping for a permanent location, and in 2015, DeLoss and crew are hoping to provide a lot more opportunities and interesting places for folks to get their Hot Chicken fix. “We've got a slew of wild ideas for 2015. In a year we hope we've landed a permanent home and a handful of additional 'takeover' spots. And in 5 years, we'd like a few more permanent homes with even more takeover stops.” The best way to know when and where to get your HCT fix? Follow them on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/hotchickentakeover
Olde Towne East spotlight by Michele Winship
Gail Larned Sunday, February 1, 2015, was gray and snowy outside the German Village Meeting House, but inside, the community space was ablaze with the brilliant colors and shapes of Garden Wonderland, Gail Larned’s newest exhibit of her fiber flower confections. An Olde Towne East “pioneer” who lives in the George Bellows house, Gail has always been “artsy/craftsy.” Her explorations into fiber art began when she was 19 and discovered macramé, creating necklaces, wall hangings, and planter holders and adding coiling to her pieces in the 1970’s. Gail credits the Bellows house for its good, creative vibes. “The house spoke to me from the first moment I walked into it. It seemed to say, ‘save me and I will nurture and protect you.’ And it has.” Her current flower series began in the late 90’s, and the Garden Wonderland flowers are children of Gail’s imagination, driven primarily by their colors. In addition to her large flower sculptures, Gail has recently created a collection of smaller flower sculptures that embody the elegance and visual impact of the large flowers, but are sized for a smaller space and budget. The flowers in the Eye Candy collection are versatile enough to hang on a wall or serve as a centerpiece for a table. Gail names each one of her pieces, meditating on the flower to allow it to share its name. Most have women’s names, but others are inspired by their individual elements. “All You Need is Love” has a center cluster of pink hearts. With Garden Wonderland, Gail hopes to provide a restful sanctuary for viewers and an escape from the stresses of life. “I'm not interested in making art that challenges or makes a political statement. Rather, I aim to create beauty and calm: you enter the Garden Wonderland to a suspension of reality where brightly colored flower-forms smile at you from all sides.” And the best part of Gail’s art is that you can adopt one of her pieces and take it home with you to recapture the “sensation of child-like wonder.” For more information about Gail’s art or to commission a piece, email her at larnedmarlow@gmail.com or visit her website at www.larnedmarlow.com.
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Meet Your otena trustee
olde timer
newcomer
Monique McCrystal
Daniel Barber
Mr. Snowy
How long have you lived in OTE? A little over 15 months.
How long have you lived in OTE? 20 years.
Where did you live before you moved here? My husband and I lived in German Village together and prior to that, I lived in Victorian Village.
Where did you live before you moved here? We moved here from German Village.
What do you like best about living in Olde Towne? I love the diversity and rich culture of our community, and the sense of pride we have about where we live work and play. We also have the best neighbors on our street!
What do you like best about living in Olde Towne? I most appreciate the fact that it’s a community where people know and look out for each other.
Kendall Place
What would you like to see in Olde Towne that we don’t currently have? A recreation facility for our youth. What is your favorite meal to cook/eat out? I love cooking different meals using the selection of local and organic foods from the Near East Side Co-op or straight from my garden. When I’m not up for cooking, I love Hot Chicken Takeover, a good happy hour at Black Creek Bistro, and nachos from Olde Towne Tavern. What are your hobbies? While I don’t consider it to be a hobby, I’m incredibly passionate about working to create institutional change and promote human rights. My regular hobbies include volunteering at the co-op, trying new things, traveling, yoga, creating, spending time with my hubs and our dogs. What is your secret talent? Once I decide to learn something new, I pick it up really fast. Also, my ability to fall asleep anywhere, at any time of day is uncanny.
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Bryden Road
What would you like to see in Olde Towne that we don’t currently have? The influx of new people and businesses recently has brought a lot what of we were missing in the past. At this point, my desire is for the momentum to continue. What is your favorite meal to cook/ eat out? It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, since I love food in general. One of my favorite things to cook currently is pad thai. If I’m eating out, the one food I can never get enough of is sushi. What are your hobbies? I like to dabble in a lot of things. The most satisfying to me so far have been music, reading, exercise, cooking, and knitting. What is your secret talent? What people don’t realize about me is that I’m always right.
All Over Olde Towne
How long have you lived in OTE? I have been here for a while, but only recently showed up in public. Where did you live before you moved here? I lived among the clutter in a second-hand store on Parsons. And for a while, I was homeless in a trash pile in an alley. What do you like best about living in Olde Towne? The people in Olde Towne are the best! They have opened their porches to me, and everywhere I go, I get a little something extra. What would you like to see in Olde Towne that we don’t currently have? I think it would be great to have a community center where we could have parties and concerts and dances and book clubs and crafting sessions—I love a good craft project! What is your favorite meal to cook/eat out? Since I have such a small mouth (and someone put a “pipe” back in it), eating is problematic. But I really enjoy watching other people eat, especially if I am invited to their parties. What are your hobbies? I adore traveling and visiting new people. And, I really enjoy hanging out on the porch watching everyone go by. Lately, I have gotten into fashion a bit. What is your secret talent? I can make complete strangers smile, just with a friendly wave.
Columbus’ Male Martha
Springing Back Using your raked-up (non-poisonous) brush and NONtreated lawn clippings, cover over your garden area(s) completely. When you’re ready for planting, clear out a spot for each individual plant. Plant/seed and mark with a wood skewer (found in any grocery store). The brush & lawn clippings will provide ongoing nutrients and weed prevention all season long; not to mention a soft foot-path. Then with each lawn mowing, spread the clippings into your garden(s); again, providing nutrients while saving money on those paper bags. The clippings will degrade in about 2 weeks. YOU might as well reap the benefits!
Lemon/Lime Mega-Moist Cake *Any Yellow cake recipe * 1 box of LIME jello & 1 box of LEMON jello Grease 2 cake pans and line the bottom of each cake pan with parchment. Bake and cool as normal. BEFORE removing cakes from pans, poke some holes into top of cakes. Make your jello(s), separately, as directed and slowly pour each flavor (don't mix flavors) over top of each separate cake, until all jello is used up. (The cake will soak it up) Place cakes into 'fridge overnight to set-up. The next day, remove cakes from pans. Frost each layer using cool-whip, and then place on top of the other. (Yes, you can make jello-shot cake as well!) Serve and Enjoy!!
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2015 Spring OTENA Calendar April
OTENA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday April 8th - 7 pm
May
OTENA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday May 13th - 7 pm OTENA Trustee Election, Wednesday May 13 Music in the Garden, Sunday, May 17, 6-8 pm
June
OTENA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday June 10th - 7 pm Music in the Garden, Sunday, June 21, 6-8 pm
July
OTENA General Membership Meeting, Wednesday July 8th - 7 pm Olde Towne East Tour of Homes, Sunday, July 12, 1-6
Please Shop Your OTE Businesses
Music in the Garden, Sunday, July 19, 6-8 pm
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Abnormal Allies American Midwest Mortgage Corporation AWOL Battiste Lafleur Galleria Black Arts Plus Black Creek Bistro Cap City Tattoo Carabar Care Pet Center Chepri - Web and Mobile Development Corner Stone Craft Beer & Wine Divine Chiropractic F&W Properties Golden + Meizlish Co. , LPA L’Appat Patisserie and Cafe Near Eastside Coop Market Oak Street Meats & Seafood O Hi Yoga Replenish Spa Co-Op Roscoe Room Gallery Surety Cam Sweet Raine’s on Main Tavern Olde Towne The Angry Baker The Old Familiar Barbershop Upper Cup Voda Hair Designs Yellow Brick Pizza O L D E T OW N E T I M E S | SP R I N G 2 0 1 5
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“Intelligent Honest Service...Always”
1157 Oak St. Columbus, OH 43205
Nina Masseria
Nina@carriagetraderealty.com
614.228.1939
Solving Every Real-Estate Need Since 1989 Each office independently owned and operated.
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Olde Towne
http://www.oldetowneea
Connect to OTENA http://kaywa.me/97rEI
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Olde Towne East
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