Columbus, Ohio USA
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Columbus, Ohio USA
Return to Homepage www.shortnorth.com
Inside the Short North
June 2006
Columnist John Angelo
Short North Business Association Executive Director
Call 614-228-8050 or email snbacols@aol.com
John Angelo / Photo by Rob Colgan “Go Mid-West” young man...
It’s not a new Village People song, but it may be the nation’s mantra come October. That’s when National Geographic Traveler’s profile of the Short North Arts District hits the stands. Yes indeed, THE National Geographic Traveler, the one with a 6,835,000 readership, has selected the Short North for its “Neighborhood Watch” column, a full-page article profiling the nation’s most attractive and alluring communities, i.e., “hot destinations.” The article came as a result of the collaborative partnership between the Short North Business Association and Experience Columbus. Beth D’Addono was in town this past winter to research a story on Jeni’s Ice Cream (Jeni’s Roquefort flavor to be precise) for the Boston Globe. While Beth was here, PR-guru Amy Weirick and I had the chance to take her on an experiential tour of the district. Beth was impressed.
“I fell in love with the area. I saw incredible potential for a travel article and sent a proposal immediately to National Geographic Traveler,” she said. “They gave me a cursory ‘looks interesting,’ and then I waited. Several months later, they called with a green light on the project. I was delighted. I am now such a fan of the Short North. I like the people, the neighborhood and the eclectic, artistic fiber that ties it all together. The whole community is driven by art: the galleries, the merchant exhibits, the pocket parks, the murals. That has a lot of meaning. It gives the neighborhood an intriguing vibe. It makes it a destination. When I travel, I want to make connections with people and have an authentic experience. The Short North can offer that to National Geographic Traveler’s readers. I enjoyed writing about the Short North and I sincerely hope more good things spin off this article."
D’Addono is a freelance food and travel writer based in Philadelphia. A 16-year veteran, she has been published in numerous nationally acclaimed publications and edited some impressive travel guides.
While there’s always the possibility of a last minute schedule change, the SNBA will be planning a little NGT delivery party in September/October to celebrate the national acclaim.Poplar Plaza, Positively Perfect!
Mid-June will see the long-anticipated completion of Poplar Plaza, the home of Andrew Lidgus’s totem sculpture, In Dreams Again. According to Short North maverick Zoe Johnstone, “the Plaza will finally be transformed into a ‘Happy Gathering Place’ with the addition of 10 sets of cafe-style tables and chairs and 15 fabulously planted container gardens. The containers will scream with Short North color: trailing hot fuchsia petunias, even hotter chartreuse margarita sweet potato vine juxtaposed with striking ornamental grasses stretching upward. Created in the style of New York City’s “bowtie” parks at 34th and Fifth (Harold Square and Greeley Square), Poplar Plaza is the Short North’s first non-commercial outdoor seating and gathering area on the strip. Zoe Johnstone has been a fixture in raising funds to create the park. She and husband Jack Johnstone (of Johnstone Downey Klein, Inc.) donated the Lidgus sculpture, and now they’ve helped provide the furnishings and plantings as well. Other key donors include: Mark Swanson of Cup o’ Joe/MoJoe Lounge, Christie Nohle of Urban Gardener, Heather Shepherd of Muse Off High, Sherrie Hawk of Sherrie Gallery, Bob Trout of Schreiner Ace Hardware, and the Short North Special Improvement District.
The next project on Zoe’s radar? Another fabulous pocket park on the site of West Lincoln and High next to Chase Bank.Spinelli’s Deli rated one of top 25 caterers!
In the May 19 issue of Business First, Spinelli’s Deli, located at 767 Neil Avenue (Thurber Village Center), was ranked one of Columbus’s top 25 caterers as featured in the Book of Lists. The ranking is based in large part upon sales volume. Owned and operated by Joe Spinelli and Bill Ward, Spinelli’s Deli has been a staple in the Short North since 2002. The duo originally opened Manhattan Bagel in 1997, but opted out of the franchise to launch their own creation. “We wanted to be independent, and we wanted a broader menu,” Joe explains. Today, Spinelli’s Deli has a thriving, loyal customer base for breakfast and lunch as well as a burgeoning catering business with clients ranging from Short North businesses and residents, to downtown corporations and OSU partners. In the last six months the guys have invested over $100,000 in remodeling the kitchen and the dining room. Joe says to look for new menu items this June, including Panini sandwiches and summer salads.And now for #251...
Though I’m writing this nearly two weeks in advance, I’m going to project that the 250th Gallery Hop was a smashing success and a well-celebrated milestone in the history of the Short North. A standing ovation for Maria Galloway, Hop historian and one of the biological parents of Columbus’s most enduring traditions. Here’s to Maria for all her contributions to make this and every one of the preceding 249 hops shine. Also, the SNBA sends special thanks to our 250th Hop sponsors: Short North Gazette • GrandView Mercantile Co. • CD101 • Outlook Weekly • Select Specialty Hospital • Byzantium • C-Bus Magazine • David Arrocho • Chase Bank • Europia Gourmet Food & Wine • Richard Gallagher • Monkeys Retreat • Moyer Financial.
Let our content be your guide...
The first new Short North Visitors Guide in more than two years hits the streets this month. It has a bold new look including shopping editorial, merchant photos and a revamped central map. More importantly, we’ll be updating the content every six months. No more “but this doesn’t exist,” or “why isn’t that listed?” Over the next year the Short North Business Association will distribute nearly 120,000 of the guides across the region (48,000 will be inserted in TravelHost Magazine and placed directly in hotel rooms throughout the city). You can pick up one at your favorite Short North haunt – I’m sure you’ll be amazed by all the business updates, changes and happenings recorded for the first time since 2004! Major kudos (as opposed to mid-sized or rather small kudos) to Juli Rogers and the team at r design for their tremendous effort in navigating this seemingly Herculean project. Round two will be much easier!Dakota Notes...
According to Rajesh Lahoti, co-developer of the Dakota condominiums located at 845 N. High St., the project is right on target for a December ‘06/January ‘07 occupancy. Already 25 percent of the 49 units are pre-sold with cash deposits (another five are in mid-process). Per Rajesh: “Demand has been overwhelming. The response has been fantastic. People have been astounded by the quality of the build and the location... the Number One amenity we offer is the Short North. When they walk in the door, they already want to live here.” The first floor of the project will house three to four commercial ventures, possibly a restaurant/cafe, a salon and a specialty boutique.And speaking of 17 dark arches spanning Columbus’ most vital corridor...
Though I’ve never had the experience of seeing our High Street icons aglow, I can imagine the unifying impact they will have once lit. Indeed, they will become THE signature of the Short North. Hopefully, it won’t be relegated to my imagination all that much longer. City officials have informed me that we’re on track to flip the switches by December 2, perhaps as early as November 25. What a great kickoff to the downtown holiday season. We flip the switch on all lights (sidewalk trees, building outlines, and yes the arches) in a spectacular light-up of downtown Columbus. Bands. Choirs. Carriage rides. We collaborate with downtown, the Arena District and the Gateway for simultaneous light-ups. We draw 10,000 visitors to help celebrate. The next week we have Holiday Hop. The next year we add a parade from the Gateway, right down High Street to the center of the capitol. All right, I’m getting carried away, but can’t you see it!? Though nothing is in stone, we’re gradually shifting from incredulity to optimism. Stay tuned for more details.12-month musings...
On a closing note, June 15 marks my anniversary in the Short North, and Columbus for that matter. One year ago I made the grueling trek from Porkopolis to Cowtown (I have to admit, I’m fond of neither of these monikers). Though it was a mere 113 miles door-to-door, it felt, and still feels, a world away. Sure topography is different. Sure architecture is different. But I have become more and more enamored with the energy, diversity and community of the Short North. National Geographic acclaim aside, I often wonder if Columbus-folk realize what they have in their arsenal of competitive weapons. This dynamic strip that starts with the Arena District and includes the Convention Center, North Market, the Short North Arts District, Goodale Park, Victorian Village, Italian Village, Dennison Place, Harrison West, the Circles, the Garden District, South Campus Gateway and OSU, is one of the most incredible destinations in the Midwest. It is more than a critical mass of fabulous experiences, it has all the makings to be THE premier experiential calling card for Columbus... a signature of vitality and differentiation. It’s an emphatic selling point to convention planners, collectively bringing millions of visitors to the city. It’s a head-turner for tourists and road warriors looking for a weekend getaway. It’s a corporate recruiter’s dream: the energy, diversity, and offerings of the area give Columbus the edge it needs to compete nationally in luring top talent (Richard Florida would be extremely proud!). But most of all, it’s a magnificent addition to the quality of life of all Columbus residents. It keeps people engaged with the city. It makes them proud they live here. It creates a sense of community. Imagine Columbus without the Short North. The city becomes another Midwest-been-there-done-that. All these stellar elements that are the Short North give Columbus its soul and identity. Yet, one cannot easily sit down and create a Short North. It takes spirit and evolution. Because it cannot be magically created, it is Columbus’s competitive advantage on the national level.Email John Angelo at snbacols@aol.com
Visit the Short North Business Association Web site at www.shortnorth.org©2006 Short North Gazette, Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved.
