Holiday Shopping…Downtown Style

It is an urban myth that there is nowhere to shop in downtown Columbus. During this time of year, it isn’t necessary to jump into car to do my holiday shopping as there are a lot options within walking distance of my downtown condo.  And the best thing is I get to support lots of local businesses.

For my friends who love the arts, I might consider purchasing tickets to an upcoming show like the ballet, jazz orchestra or theater. That way I also have a companion to go with to the show.

Both the Columbus Museum of Art and the Statehouse Museum gift shops offer special deals on unique and handmade jewelry, creative children’s toys, scarves and more. The Columbus Museum of Art gift shop is now offering free gift wrapping on all purchases. I always find great things at these gift shops for my girlfriends and maybe even something for me.

One new idea I plan to try out this year for family members is to gather up local made sauces, salsas, chips and a bottle of wine sold at the Hills Market Downtown to prepare a nice gift basket.  For more practical minded family members, I will probably make a stop at Zeroz for a wallet and Robert Mason Stationer & Furnishings for a few fun office and schools supplies.

I window shop at the two jewelers on Gay Street, Chet’s Jewelers and the Diamond Exchange. Then I send my husband my gift suggestions so he doesn’t have to work so hard to read my mind on what I want for Christmas.

Finally, for my friends and family who live out of town, I think about something fresh or tasty, like Edible Arrangements, T. Bears Florist & Gifts or Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties.

And just for fun, I plan to attend the December Holiday Moonlight Market on December 14 where local vendors will sell their crafts and wares to pick up any last minute needed gifts.

Now I challenge you to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list the downtown way.

The Necessities of Living… Downtown

With the time change and change in weather, this this is a great time to review the essentials of how people living downtown tend to their personal needs. We all need to treat our body wells by getting our hair cut and styled, our nails polished and perhaps an occasional massage to work out the kinks from toiling over computers and other technology devices all day.

Walking around downtown takes its toll on our bodies and we must be kind to it. A pedicure or facial this time of year also brighten up our spirits as the days grow darker.

There are a few good options for good hair styling and day spas nearby. 

• Square One Salon located at 275 South Fourth Street, 614-365-3333 www.squareonesalon.com/square-one-salon/columbus-salon.php

• Design Team Hair & Nails, 86 North Front Street, 614-221-5886 www.tdtstudios.com/

• Nail Styling Salon, 37 East Gay Street, 614-221-5245

• Studio 33 Salon & Medispa, 33 N. Grant Avenue, 614-228-2991 www.studio33salonandspa.com/

With the holidays around the corner, tending to our bodies will help us feel and look our best for our family and friends.  But keep in mind, these essentials are good to keep close at hand throughout the year.

Pictured here is the recently opened Square One Salon at 275 North Fourth Street. The salon had relocated from its location at Gay and High streets.

Tips for Treats to Enjoy Downtown in the Fall

Fall is here in all of its glory.  The leaves on the trees are starting to change color. And many of people like me look for fun and interesting fall activities to do, including things involving Halloween.  After all, we are all kids at heart.

Take a ghost walk: Columbus Landmarks offers a Halloween Lantern Walking Tour and a Gables, Gargoyles & Ghost Bus tour. For more information or to purchase tickets, go their website: columbuslandmarks.org.

 

All things pumpkin: That’s my favorite fall flavor and I can’t get enough of it.  Where can you find some good Pumpkin-flavored treats? Check out the Elevator and Tip Top to taste good fall beers. 39 Below offers Pumpkin flavored yogurt and Super Chef’s features a Pumpkin Oatmeal.

Last month for the Pearl Alley Market:  October is the last month for the market, so stock up on harvest squashes, honey, tomatoes, baked goods, meats, eggs and cheeses. The market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take a Rooftop Garden Tour: The OSU Urban Arts Space and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation are offering a tour of the Lazarus Building Rooftop garden on Friday, November 1 from 1:45 to 3 p.m. Sign up by e-mailing Michelle@uastoursrsvp@gmail.com.

Free Sundays at the Columbus Museum of Art: CMA is currently highlighting one of Columbus' best-loved native sons, George Bellows, known for his controversial boxing images and evocative urban scenes of America through January 4, 2014.  Admission is free is Sundays!

Take an art class: The Urban Arts Space offers Crafternoons, creative art-making programs geared towards adults that love innovative and crafty projects.  Go to uas.osu.edu to find and sign up for classes.  The Cultural Arts Center offers a variety of workshops and classes for adults. To check out the classes, go to culturalartscenteronline.org.

Check it out at the Library:  The Columbus Metropolitan Library has a wealth of information at your fingertips.  Looking for a good book to read or a video to watch, you can take a short walk over or download it to your iPad.

Believe It Or Not: You Can Grocery Shop Downtown

"Excuse me?  But if you live downtown, where do you buy groceries?” I’ve been asked this question countless times.  But I take a step back and realize most people who come downtown, probably head to their destination and then leave without ever exploring what is here.

As a downtown resident, I have plenty of options to buy groceries and food, just as I did in the suburbs.  Yes, many times we still need to get into a car to buy the main staples if we want them at a lower price.  There is the Kroger in the Brewery District, which houses a state liquor store, as well as a Giant Eagle in German Village and Victorian Village.  The latter also has a state liquor store.  Both of these stores are about just over mile from my condo and are still in the 43215 zip code which is the downtown area. 

We also have more options that are closer and more unique.  The Hills Market Downtown carries many local and unique brands you won’t find at any other grocery stores.  It is conveniently located in the Neighborhood Launch development, putting it within walking distance. In addition to carrying items you need every day, the market also features casual dine-in options for breakfasts on the weekends, salad bar during lunchtime, a charity pizza night and other fun dining gatherings throughout the year.

Just a few blocks away is the North Market, Columbus’ last public market.  Merchants at the North market offer both fresh and prepared foods.  A farmer’s market takes place in the spring and summer. The North Market hosts a number of special events throughout the year including the Food and Ohio Wine Festival and Fiery Foods Festival.  Speaking of Farmer’s markets, the Pearl Alley Market take place may through October in Pearl Alley.  You will find a variety of merchants offering both locally grown produce as well as homemade products including balsamic vinegars, soaps, pies, bread and jewelry.  Something for everyone.

Pictured below are some local items offered at the Hills Market Downtown

Leave Your Car in the Garage!

That’s right.  If you are serious about living downtown at Neighborhood launch, you will leave your car in the garage as much as possible.

You can probably walk to work, which is why you decided to move downtown anyway. And if you want to really discover some of the great sights of downtown and beyond, the best way is by bicycle.

Bicycles are an effective mode of transportation and the major means of transportation in many parts of the world. Plus it’s a great way to get some exercise.  In fact, according to the federal government, riding your bike counts towards your 150 minutes a week of physical exercise and is one of the safest ways to get physical activity.

With all this in mind, my husband and I purchased bikes a year after moving into our condo at Neighborhood Launch.  I hadn’t ridden a bike in quite some time and was a bit apprehensive.  But with all of the changes the city has been making to create a more bike friendly city, the experience has been great. There are marked bike lanes on the road and signs to remind motorists to share the road.  In addition, many of the bike paths around the city have been improved.

We take ride our bikes up to the Short North for dinner and stop back by Gay Street for some frozen yogurt at 39 Below. Or we will ride down Bryden Road and view the majestic homes of yesteryear that are being restored with a stop at the Black Creek Bistro or the Franklin Park Conservatory.

 After a year, I traded in my three-speed for a bike with more speeds to go longer distances and enjoy riding on some of the bike paths.  We have gone as far as the Hills Market in Worthington on the Olentangy Trail.

There are several resources for those looking to bike in downtown or Columbus.  These sites include maps with bike paths and information on bike laws and bike shops:

• Get Active Columbus: http://getactivecolumbus.com/bikepaths.aspx
• MORPC Interactive Map: http://arcgiswebadp1.morpc.org/webmaps/bikeusermap/index.html
• Consider Biking: http://www.considerbiking.org/

So park your car, get off the couch and enjoy the great weather by taking a bike ride!

Entertainment Options Heat Up Downtown in the Summertime

What I love about summertime downtown are all of the entertainment options that are available so close to home.  Many of them are free or of little cost and offer you a chance to stay cool.

Since the opening of the Scioto Mile, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has done a great job of planning activities at Bicentennial Park. There are concerts, movies, festivals and other types of family shows.  In addition, the water fountains offer cool and refreshing respite when the temperatures start to spike. To keep informed of events at the Scioto Mile, go to SciotoMile.com, you can sign up for free updates.

Columbus Commons has also done a tremendous job of scheduling the green space. Thursdays are Food Truck Court during lunch time, in the evening is Pints & Pies. Picnic with the Pops offers a series of concerts through the summer and movies are also shown at the park periodically. To keep up with current activities, visit the Columbus Commons website at ColumbusCommons.org and signup for their e-newsletter.

CAPA offers their Summer Movie Series.  For as little as $4 you can see wonderful classic movies in the historical Ohio Theatre. Live organ music by Clark Wilson begins30 minutes prior to show time and during intermission.  What a great way to spend a hot evening!

Finally, the Columbus Museum of Art is only two blocks away from Neighborhood Launch.  The museum has outstanding collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American and European modern art. The museum is recognized its public collection of woodcarvings by Columbus folk artist Elijah Pierce and the world’s largest repository of paintings and lithographs by Columbus native George Bellows. And admission to the Columbus Museum of Art of Sundays is free!

Enjoy!

Dining Alfresco Downtown Style

Dining Alfresco Downtown Style

Summer time is one of my favorite times to dine out – outside that is! Downtown has many venues with patios that make eating and drinking outside fun and enjoyable when the weather is nice.  Here are a few of my favorite patio picks:

• Due Amici: Located on Gay Street, this modern Italian restaurant is located in the middle of hustle and bustle of downtown. The menu includes small plates, salads and lots of seasonal specials make the experience worth the trip.  Tip: Mondays feature half price bottles of wine & champagne with live jazz music starting at 6 p.m. Due Amici is located at 67 E. Gay Street.
• Latitude 41:  Located within the Renaissance Hotel at the corner of Third and Gay streets, the outdoor patio here offers comfy couches in a great urban setting. Happy hour specials for the summer last until 7 p.m. and include $5 pizzas and wine specials.  The patio is a great hangout for after work and evening relaxation.
• J. Gumbos:  Voted Best Cajun by the readers of 614 Magazine, J. Gumbos offers great Cajun fare like Bourbon Street Chicken and Voo Doo Chicken. While sitting on the patio after hours, enjoy a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, margaritas, and several varieties of beer for only $3. Or get the mix-and-match bucket of 5 for $14. Happy Hour is Monday through Saturday 3 to 7:30 p.m.  J. Gumbos is located at 31 E. Gay Street.
• Manifesto Tuscan Grato & Scotch Bar: A relatively newcomer to downtown, Manifesto, located at 21 E. State Street in the Fifth Third Building, offers Italian fare that includes lots of wonderful small plates as well as Italian wines and premium cocktails. What’s not to like about having a cocktail on the patio before a show at the Ohio Theatre or afterwork?
• Hills Market Downtown: Most recently, I have enjoyed having Sunday brunch at the Hills Market patio where they prepare sweet and savory crepes from Crepes a La Carte. On Saturdays, Hills offers a $5 Pancake Breakfast that includes a stack of pancakes, sausage and Silver Bridge coffee. Of course they offer Ohio made maple syrup to put on top. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Hills Market Downtown is located at 95 N. Grant Avenue.

Patios coming to downtown soon include:

• El Camino Inn located at 238 S. Fourth Street is a So Cal lounge offering cheap eats such as $2 tacos as well as margaritas and canned Mexican beers.
• Little Palace Bar + Kitchen located next to El Camino Inn at 240 S. Fourth Street is a historic downtown neighborhood diner. The menu includes pizzas, Stromboli, sub sandwiches, burgers and other favs such as gyros and hand cut fried.

But my favorite spot to dine outside is in the courtyard of Neighborhood Launch with our neighbors. Occasionally we gather around the fountain in the courtyard on nice evenings to enjoy food, beverage and good conversation.

What’s your favorite place to dine outside downtown?

Neighborhood Launch is Purrfectly Friendly for Felines

Part two of National Pet Month recognizes the cuddly kittens and finicky felines of Neighborhood Launch.

Prospective buyers that have cats might wonder how their pets will adjust to a new urban environment.  As the owner of three cats, I can attest that the transition went smoother than I thought. Sadie, Sammie and Pepper immediately took to their new downtown home. They love running up and down the stairs, which gives them some exercise, as well as sunning themselves in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

A nicer surprise is how social they have become with our neighbors, now that we live downtown and interact so much with other residents.  They don’t run and hide all the time as they did when we had in frequent guest at our suburban home.

They are even able to enjoy the outdoors as they did in the suburbs. Thanks to a nice courtyard in the front of our condo, the cats are able to enjoy supervised outdoor times.  Other neighborhood cats sometimes enjoy frolicking in the grass as well with their owners.

And since so many residents have cats, it is nice to be able to assist each other when travel plans take us away from home.  We can ask neighbors to look in on our cats and feed them and tend to their needs. It’s a good feeling to know you can leave your kids, I mean cats, in capable, friendly hands.

It's All About the Dogs or Hot Diggity Dog!

May is national pet month. In honor of this and as a pet honor, I wanted to share the downtown pet experience in a two part series this month as many Neighborhood Launch residents are pet owners with dogs or cats or sometimes both!

This month its all about the dogs!

Dogs, both large and small, are part of the Neighborhood Launch community.

Many prospective buyers wonder how their dog will survive the urban climate.  Unlike most suburban homes, you can't just open the back door and let your dog take care of business.  The answer is you need to walk your dog to an appropriate area.  There are a few parks in walking distance, Columbus Commons and the Topiary Park, that will provide good exercise for you and Fido.  Just don't forget to clean up.

But one good bit of news is that Neighborhood Launch is situated just one block away from the only downtown dog park.  In fact, the Columbus Downtown Dog Park, located at Fourth and Spring streets, is the only public off leash dog park in downtown Columbus.

The dog park is run by a nonprofit board that raises money to maintain the park.  This Friday, May 17, 2013, at 6 p.m. the board is hosting its annual Bark & Brew at 165 N. Fourth Street.  The event includes beer samples (must be 21 to attend), a tour of the Elevator Brewing Company and a beer glass.  Food and door prizes are also offered. A $20 donation to support the Columbus Downtown Dog Park is requested to attend. Please leave your pups at home so they don't end up indulging as well.

Next week: Felines!

Time is on your Side at Neighborhood Launch - Yes it is!

A recent Ohio State University study found that people spend time either cooking or exercising, but rarely both.  The culprit?  Time.

It seems people take time to prepare and cook a healthy meal or they take the time to work out, but usually these same people don’t have time to do both.  I can relate.

I remember when my husband and I lived in the suburbs, I would stop by the gym to work out and then call my husband to inquire about dinner on my commute home at 7 p.m.  Many nights he was working late and we ended up picking up food on the way home.

Now that we both live at Neighborhood Launch and work downtown, time is on our side. We are able to workout at lunch or after work, but without the long commute home. This enables us time to assemble a dinner in the time it would have taken us to drive home.

In fact, one evening after dinner, I took advantage of the nice evening and walked to the CVS downtown to pick up some items I needed.  Then I took an extra long walk back home along the Scioto Mile and back up Broad and Gay Streets to get home.  I even debated about stopping for frozen yogurt at 39 Below. When you have time, you have great choices awaiting you downtown!

New Night Market Coming To Gay Street

Markets, markets everywhere! Farmer’s markets, open air markets, Winter markets. Columbus has experienced an explosion of growth in terms of quality venues hosting a wide variety of themed markets and talented vendors seeking opportunities. As we venture into this interminable Spring thaw, we welcome market season and all the sights, sounds, smells and excitement that accompany each one. Despite the plethora of successful markets in Columbus, an open-air nighttime market has yet to exist…(cue suspense)…until now.

We want Columbus to stroll, shop and eat underneath the stars, all while enjoying the bustling, eclectic pocket of Gay St. nestled between High St. and Third. The Moonlight Market will be a vehicle for people to experience a thriving downtown neighborhood in the company of passionate business owners, tradesmen and artisans. Many existing businesses along Gay St., High St. and Third will set-up shop on the sidewalks and keep extended hours into the night. Local and regional vendors will be interspersed on the sidewalks with the businesses, creating a vibrant, diverse marketplace. Musicians, artists and theatrical lighting tricks will add to the palpable ambience.

The Gay Street District and the Moonlight Market look forward to welcoming you to an exciting new Columbus monthly event series. See you on April 13th!

Taken from: www.moonlightmarketcolumbus.com

Cheerful Pleasures to Enjoy in Downtown Columbus

It’s grey outside. And bleak. It seems like spring won’t get here soon enough. So how do downtown residents make life more enjoyable and see the bright side of life when the world is not so bright?

Thanks to the sights of downtown Columbus, just walking around can be an uplifting experience despite the weather thanks to public art.

In 2012, during the city’s bicentennial, a public art campaign initiative,  “Finding Time: Columbus Public Art” took place throughout the year in public spaces, plazas, parks, streets, and alleys in the downtown core and the riverfront. The Finding Time campaign included 14 temporary public art projects by more than 50 artists. Some of these public art projects still exist around the city.

As a result, you can find a splash of color along some streets, thanks to discreet wall paintings by members of the Central Ohio Plein Air. Or read the generative sentence, written by the people of Columbus and placed phrase-by-phrase on a blank wall behind Key Bank. It starts with “Columbus never…”

The Veterans Plaza on the east side of the Ohio Statehouse offers stirring letters written by veterans from World War II to loved ones etched in granite. It’s time well spent and a great way to break up a walk.

For those willing to walk further east, the Topiary Park is a work of art and work of nature.  It brings to life George Seurat’s painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte.” The scene unfolds before you: Men, women, and children are engaged in fishing, rowing, sailing, strolling, chatting, or simply gazing at the river as they enjoy a pleasant afternoon. What more imagery do you need to conjure up brighten days ahead?

These are just a few of the small pleasures we have around downtown while we wait for the sun to come back out.

The Downtown Commute

One of the mantras Neighborhood Launch likes to share with prospective buyers for the "Why Live Downtown?" question is save time, energy and money.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbus-area commuters lead the state in the amount of time, and expense, spent crawling in backed-up traffic. 

Last time, walking home from the office during a little snow storm, I did appreciate the short commute home I now have.  It was nice walking home, in albeit cold and snowy conditions, but many people who are walking along with me are headed to the parking garage, where I am headed to my warm condo.

I had the luxury to of being able to relax and making plans for dinner with friends.  I didn't have to suffer a long drive home with thousands of other commuters at a snails pace.

Since living downtown, my husband and I have noticed we are saving money on gas as we usually only drive on weekends to run a few errands and our energy bills are smaller as our downtown condo is not as large as our suburban home.

Snow maintenance is a breeze as we just need to brush off our front and back steps.  But hey, we have time while we wait for the traffic to calm down so we can meet friends and walk to dinner.  What's the rush?

Downtown Breakfast Joints

I found this great article on hole-in-the-wall breakfast spots that was published in 614 magazine last November.  There have been a few changes, Big Bites at 79 S. Fourth Street is now Hae-Paul's and does serve breakfast lunch and dinner.  The Inn Between has a new owner and is now called, The Hungry Soul Cafe.  And finally, Manifesto opened last November and is open during the week for breakfast starting at 8 a.m.

http://614columbus.com/article/breakfast-with-nick-around-the-corner-down-5574/

Experience the Gay Street Corridor

The Columbus Dispatch ran a feature article last month claiming the “once-sleepy Gay Street has become once of the most vibrant corridors in an awakening Downtown.”

From the onset of the Neighborhood Launch development, one of the feature selling points of the downtown condo development was its location and proximity to Gay Street. The idea would be for residents to walk to local restaurants, bars and other amenities.

In 2007, when the Neighborhood Launch was announced, Gay Street was one way and the few businesses between High and Third streets consisted of the Renaissance Hotel, Due Amici and Tip Top and some offices. 

Thanks to an influx of downtown residents; implementation of the city’s master plan to better connect downtown with the Scioto River and Columbus Commons, and improvements to Gay Street which made it a two-way street, over the next five years Gay Street evolved into one of the hippest streets in downtown Columbus.

Because many of the businesses are independently owned, one great off shoot from this urban hub of commerce is the annual Independents’ Festival held in September.

Gay Street is a destination when you have guests from out-of-town.  Here are the top 10 things to consider when visiting Gay Street:

1. Sip on a latte at Café Brioso.  Order their fresh mozzarella sandwich on foccacia to go.
2. Pick up some vintage records at Vinyl Frontier.
3. Fix your sweet tooth with a blondie or brownie from Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties.
4. Try the fish tacos with a Cuban coffee at Plantain Café.
5. Select your own personalized wallet at Zeroz.
6. Stop by Tip Top for one of their fine whiskey concoctions, or just a Pabst Blue Ribbon on draft.
7. Hang out at the patio at J. Gumbo’s for Happy Hour in the summertime.
8. Sample the Red Velvet frozen yogurt at 39 Below.
9. Attend one of the pool parties at the Renaissance Hotel.  For a small price you can get some tasty bites to eat as well as beverages.
10. Treat your toes to a pedicure at the Nail Spa.