Heard it through the grapevine

7 December openings + closings in Columbus

CBUStoday Hot Chicken Takeover Grandview

Check out HCT’s “Pay It Forward” program to give back this holiday season. | Photo via @hotchickentakeover

The year is winding down, but that doesn’t mean the city is slowing down. From recent announcements, openings this week, and closings in the future, consider this your local food news wire on what to expect around Columbus.

Openings

Big Apple Breakfast Co., 895 High St.
Located inside Worthington Pizza Primo, this New York-inspired bodega is open from 7-11 a.m. with breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and coffee. Pro tip: Auddino’s Bakery provides the Kaiser rolls for the bodega breakfast sandwiches.

Portia’s Cafe Pizza Truck, Multiple locations
This all-vegan food truck comes from the popular Portia’s Cafe with pizza by the slice, breadsticks, and salads. Follow its Instagram account for updates on where it will be located.

Hot Chicken Takeover, 1417 W. 5th Ave.
This local hot chicken restaurant will open its seventh restaurant on Friday, Dec. 16 in the former Sweet Carrot space.

Isla, 3060 W. Broad St.
This intimate dining setting comes from Chef Andrew Smith of Roys Ave Supper Club with high quality, private chef meals. The 1,250-sqft space will feature 20 seats in the dining room + is expected to open sometime next summer.

The Fairway, 1975 W. Henderson Rd.
The 26,000-sqft Arlington Entertainment Center will be transformed into a golf simulation bar with seven total golf simulators + space for a bar and food trucks. It’s expected to open in the fall next year.

CBUStoday Big Apple Breakfast Co. — Find locally made sandwiches on locally baked bread at Big Apple Breakfast Co. | Photo via @bigapplebreakfastco

Closings

Where It All Vegan, Multiple locations
This food truck will be parked away + the final day to grab some vegan soul food is on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2891 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.

Smith & Wollensky, 4145 The Strand W.
Though this popular steakhouse will close on Saturday, Jan. 14, the restaurant is eyeing potential new locations downtown.

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Wednesday, Dec. 14

Olan’s Polar Express | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center | $32 | Comedian Olan Rodgers, known for his unconventional storytelling, will put on a 21+ holiday show.

Thursday, Dec. 15

Art for Wellbeing | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 12:30-1 p.m. | Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. | Free | Try a mindful-looking exercise that’s aimed to help you slow down, process emotion, and quiet anxieties.

Friday, Dec. 16

Hanging with Rudolph Paint and Sip | Friday, Dec. 16 | 4-6 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette, 691 N. High St., Columbus | $37 | Sip some wine as you paint the classic holiday reindeer.
Holiday Challenge: Live Competition | Friday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | The Nest Theatre, 2643 N. High St., Columbus | $15-$100 | Watch improv veterans compete for the highly coveted holiday spirit award in this interactive show.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Ohio Play By Play Classic | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus | $24-$59 | The nation’s top high school basketball recruits will face off, including Bronny James and Justin Pippen.
The Dolly Disco | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 9 p.m. | The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St., Columbus | $13 | Dance the night away at this Dolly Parton-themed party.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

A recap of first-time home buying in 2022

Young family sits at kitchen table to eat pizza.

Despite the time, emotional energy + effort it takes, the dream of home ownership hasn’t waned for newcomers. | Photo provided by Opendoor

Before we ring in 2023, we’re taking a look back at how 2022 shaped up for first-time home buyers, by the numbers:

The average first-time home buyer toured 24 homes in person or virtually (up from 15 in 2021).
Half of first-time buyers said they made offers on five or more homes before winning one (respondents averaged 12 offers apiece).
69% say they are confident they found the best home for them in the market.
58% said the home search was “much more time-consuming than expected."*

LESSONS LEARNED

Weather

42º | Showers | 60% chance of rain

Civic

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $2+ billion budget for 2023. The budget includes $23 million towards the RISE childcare initiative, which works to make high quality childcare more accessible and available. The budget also increases funding for agencies like ADAMH, a local mental health and addiction resource.

Concert

SZA, the Grammy award-winning artist for her feature on the viral hit “Kiss Me More,” is coming to the Schottenstein Center on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 16 at noon + Omar Apollo will perform as the opener. 🎟

Arts

Before it can be Christmas time, there has to be a Festivus — and 400 West Rich is proud to host. The local art gallery will be open on Saturday, Dec. 17-Sunday, Dec. 18 from 12-6 p.m. with open galleries + studios before closing for the year. 🖼
The Columbus Museum of Art will host Cleveland-based artist Van Taylor Monroe on Sunday, Jan. 15 for a custom tennis shoe art workshop. The Ohio artist will teach guests how to apply their own designs to canvas sneakers, which must be brought by each participant. 🎨 (Columbus Underground)

Try This

Stop by Riverside Crossing Park in Dublin where the local ice skating rink is now open Friday-Sunday. Admission is $12 and includes your skate rental if needed. Hours are 5-9 p.m. on Friday, 12-9 p.m. on Saturday, and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. ⛸

Edu

Capital University + Columbus State Community College entered a partnership to offer CCSC students full tuition scholarships when transferring to Capital. Students must be seeking a bachelor’s degree + meet other requirements, including enrolling at Capital for the next fall semester. 🎓 (10TV)

Shop

What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Mitch is ready to pour into The Book Loft Mug, and City Editor Hanna is ready to sport this Columbus vintage cotton twill hat. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️

Health

Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. 🏥 (Verywell Health)

Real Estate

Cash is king when buying a home. Learn how you can make your real estate dreams a reality when you remove the contingencies sellers dislike and make an all-cash offer. 🏡 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Having a ball (and then some) ⚽️

Columbus Crew midfielder makes big donation to local organization

Darlington Nagbe, midfielder for the Columbus Crew, worked with Adidas to make the donation. | Photo via @columbuscrew

It’s the season of giving around the city, and Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe is kicking things up a notch — or maybe 550 notches to be exact.

Darlington donated 550 Adidas soccer balls to Columbus Recreation and Parks on Tuesday, Dec. 13 to help supply the local organization + increase accessibility to the game. And if you want to join in on the donations, stop by Lower.com Field to drop off soccer balls that will be donated back to CRP.

Can’t make it downtown? No worries. Select Meijer locations will also accept donated soccer balls.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Mitch.

Editor’s pick: As a satellite campus transfer to Ohio State’s main campus, I love seeing partnerships like the one between Capital + Columbus State. Plus, who wouldn’t want to live in Bexley when they have this handy guide?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? The winter nightlife scene in Columbus is heating up — don’t miss out.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Mitch Hooper, Hanna Williford, Sarah Leonhardt, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Ana Gibson | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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