March 4, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🏙️ Bygone businesses

“City Center Mall... the BEST for many years.” — @amyjons68 | Photos via Columbus Metropolitan Library

These closed Columbus businesses are gone, but certainly not forgotten.

In fact, we’d argue these defunct storefronts are just as beloved today as they were when they were in their heydays. So we are doing what we do best — highlighting the things we love in Columbus. And this time, we have a little help from 400+ friends, readers, and followers.

City Center Mall, 160 S. High St.

This was one of our top responses from CBUStoday followers, with many nostalgic for the grandeur of the downtown shopping center. It closed in March 2009 due to sharply declining sales.

The Blue Danube, 2444 N. High St.

This bar had been in Columbus for nearly 80 years with many different iterations and versions. Once it featured a strolling violinist + upscale meals, and by the end it was a certified dive bar — dearly loved either way. It closed in 2018 despite efforts to keep it open.

CBUStoday The Blue Danube — “My parents had their first date [at The Blue Danube] back in the early seventies.” — @devirgillioshawn | Photo via Google Maps

Max & Erma’s, Multiple locations

Max and Erma’s was Columbus’ entry into the chain restaurant scene in the 1970s. It was known for its burgers, sundae bar, and outrageous decor, and the final location in Columbus closed in 2017 due to declining sales in the region.

Lazarus, 141 S. High St.

This department store that was formerly in downtown remains a highlight for longtime Columbusites during the holidays. It closed in 2004 after the retailer shutdown nationwide.

Sweet Carrot, Multiple locations

This fast casual restaurant showed promise prior to 2020, but owners said it expanded too quickly which led to its closing in 2021. It now operates as a catering business.

CBUStoday Haiku — “Haiku! It was a great little sushi spot and my first date spot with my now husband.” — @hi_imarty | Photos via @haikucolumbus

Haiku Restaurant, 800 N. High St.

Many CBUStoday Instagram followers said they are still reeling over the loss of this Short North sushi spot. The restaurant closed in 2016 for new developments.

Asked

What closed Columbus businesses do you miss the most?

We’ll highlight more on CBUStoday’s Instagram page.

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Events

Monday, March 4

Adult Writing Workshop | Monday, March 4 | 6-8 p.m. | Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave., Discovery District | $52 | Local writer Shelley Mann Hite will teach you how to write memorable characters for your novels, stories, or movies.

Tuesday, March 5

Playboi Carti | Tuesday, March 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr., Campus | $50-$303 | This popular rapper boasts 47+ million monthly Spotify listeners, and has made hit songs with Travis Scott and The Weeknd.
Shen Yun | Tuesday, March 5-Wednesday, March 6 | 7 p.m. | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Downtown | $84-$184 | Learn the 5,000+ year history of China through traditional Chinese song and dance.

Wednesday, March 6

So You Think You Know Merlot? | Wednesday, March 6 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Market Bar Vinoteca, 6750 Longshore Dr., Ste. 11, Dublin | $30 | Taste a variety of old and new world wines + enjoy small bites throughout the evening.

Thursday, March 7

Beginner Salsa Dance Lessons | Thursday, March 7-Thursday, March 28 | 7:30-8:15 p.m. | Oakstone Academy, 939 S. State St., Building B, Room 209, Westerville | $45 | This is the first class of a four-week course focused on learning the fundamentals.
And All That Jazz| Thursday, March 7-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., Downtown | $17-$77 | The Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform ragtime songs, big band tunes, and jazz classics with modern twists.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Travel

Spirit Airlines added a new direct flight that travels daily from Columbus to La Guardia in New York City. The affordable airline also renewed its direct flight option from CBUS to Myrtle Beach, which is offered four times a week. (NBC4)

Opening

7Brew, an Arkansas-based coffee chain, is opening its first Columbus location at 8380 N. High St. in Worthington, boasting a menu with 20,000 different coffee flavors. Construction is expected to begin in spring and be completed by summer. (614now)

Civic

Robyn Stewart is now Worthington’s permanent city manager after serving an interim role for more than a year. Prior to her interim position, Stewart was an assistant city manager for 15+ years. She is expected to fully takeover mid-March after Council votes on her contract. (Columbus Business First)

Edu

The Westerville Board of Education named Angela Hamberg as the school district’s new interim superintendent. Hamberg brings past experience in this role as she served as Big Walnut’s superintendent from 2015 to 2022. (10TV)

Trending

Drake is a certified Columbus Clippers fan — just check out this photo. The famous rapper was spotted rocking a Clippers jersey on social media last week.

Sports

The NFL Combine is underway, but not everyone is participating — such as Marvin Harrison Jr. Find out why + get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Buckeyes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcast.

Shop

Visiting another city and looking for a brunch as good as Katalina’s? Check a map. Having trouble picking a credit card? Check The Ascent. They recommend this card for its incredible perks (like 0% interest on balance transfers for almost two years + 2% cash back).*

Community

💰 Cold hard cash

The Shoe will also host an NHL game in 2025. | Photo by @johnhueth

The countdown to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series is underway, and financial experts are already counting up the possible dollars.

Columbus Sports Commission estimated the city will see a $20 million boost in direct visitor spending as a result of the game in Columbus on March 1, 2025. This matchup features the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings playing inside Ohio Stadium, a first for the stadium + Jackets.

With that figure in mind, we asked ourselves: What does $20 million look like in Columbus? Here’s a rough idea:

At an average ticket price of $158 (according to SeatGeek), you could purchase a single ticket to 126,582 Columbus Blue Jackets games.
A meter nonpayment ticket is $30, meaning you could rack up 666,000+ parking tickets before running out of cash.
You could buy 7.1+ million buckeye-flavored donuts from Buckeye Donuts.

The Buy

Mary Benson Art Collection is the solution to beautifully brightening your walls this spring.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

If you have ever been to Marysville, Ohio, there’s a good chance you’ve had a delicious pizza from Benny’s. The iconic pizzeria suffered an unexpected fire overnight last week, and it could use some local love and support. As someone who worked in the plaza that shares the same parking lot, I can’t imagine that town without its famed pizza shop.

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