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YouTubeInspired by the similar Short North thread, what would attract you to other less popular neighborhoods? Franklinton, for example has a number of well-known restaurants, but those only attract a lunch crowd since most aren't open for dinner and it could use someplace that attracts an after 5 crowd that isn't a scary-looking bar. A community oriented business would be nice (like a cafe) or something more unique. Thoughts?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion
What is (fill in with a neighborhood other than the Short North) Missing?
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Columbusite
Minneapolis
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Posted 2 years ago # -
thecandlelab
Columbus, OH
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The top of my wish list is a density of businesses centrally located in that community. There are so few neighborhoods and surrounding communities with a cohesive "downtown" that serves as the focal point. In the areas that do have it (Dublin, SN, Worthington, Grandview), other good things like programming/events, art, sense of community and more new development usually follow.
I used to live in Grandview, and walking to get coffee and groceries and drinks and dry cleaning on Grandview Avenue was awesome. But that kind of density is rare, and its what I would seek out with the next move. And as a business owner, its where I would look to put my business.
I think the business mix is important, but not as important as creating some density around a place that gives that neighborhood some identity and focus.
Posted 2 years ago # -
jmak
Gahanna
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I love my house. I love my location. I love Colleen's Collectibles. I love the Oakland Park Nursery. Other than that, it's hard to call where I live a "neighborhood." Until the 'scary' element goes away in Linden, I can't imagine people coming here to 'hang out'.
Posted 2 years ago # -
ZHC
101 East Main Street, Downtown
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Columbusite wrote >>
Inspired by the similar Short North thread, what would attract you to other less popular neighborhoods? Franklinton, for example has a number of well-known restaurants, but those only attract a lunch crowd since most aren't open for dinner and it could use someplace that attracts an after 5 crowd that isn't a scary-looking bar. A community oriented business would be nice (like a cafe) or something more unique. Thoughts?I don't know F-town very well but I'm sure having what you described soul would only be additive.
I think the Olde Towne East neighborhoods and east downtown may be the single most underserved area for retail and restaurants in all of Columbus.
If downtown does ever land a significant grocer I think it makes the most sense to put the first one near 71 as there is very little nearby groceries for OTE and you have college kids in the downtown part and a large % of downtown residents.Plus depending on how it's done it may be get some business from the east/west Bexley and Whitehall commuters, A high % of whom work downtown. I know Bexley-ites aren't real fond of the Main Street Kroger's on the west border over there. There might not be enough mass thereto support a supermarket right now, but it's got to be closer than what we have by the square(and which already has three groceries and a meat market pretty close by).
In general I think we may be too focused on valuing neighborhoods by retail amenities. While it's certainly nice to have close walkable amenities, according to most CRE guys I talk to the Columbus metro as a whole is significantly over retailed, so it's going to be hard to get meaningful retail growth anywhere in town without taking it from somewhere else in town.
What I think the inner metro most needs is middle and lower income jobs that aren't directly related to the retail sector that are pretty close to where people live. A lot of downtown jobs are held by people who live fairly far away from downtown areas so many don't shop/eat here as much as you might think. You get more local jobs for locals (or get people who hold local jobs to live locally- preferably both) and new retailers and restaurants will follow. We are a pretty reactive business.
Retail does follow rooftops but it also follows disposable income.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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ZHC wrote >>
In general I think we may be too focused on valuing neighborhoods by retail amenities.+1
I was going to say that what my neighborhood (King Lincoln) needs most is neighbors. This area used to have four times the population. If some of the abandoned homes and empty lots can be rebuilt and repopulated then the retail component will follow.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The Hegemo
Delusions of Grandview
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I live in Grandview, and I would say I have most categories of things I go to located within walking distance or easy driving distance. There are some specific stores or restaurants that I wish were closer to my neighborhood -- would like to go to Meijer without having to drive out to Hilliard, would like to go to Bruegger's without having to drive to Bexley, etc. I will also be happy when the movie theatre re-opens.
And I wish the Tip Top would trade locations with the Knotty Pine. ;)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rastapasta
Olde North
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A noise ordinance banning Little Bar from blaring music any night they choose would be a good start, granted I knew of this nuisance (along with game day headaches) before I moved in..
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rastapasta
Olde North
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Lakee911 wrote >>
Clintonville needs a bar that I can call home. While I do frequent eldorado's, Bob's, India Oak, and Patrick J's, I have not found the right place for me. I need a place like Mac's in the Short North.You ever check out O'Reilys? Nothing like Mac's, but a nice place with a local crowd and a great burger (better then Thurman's IMO).
Posted 2 years ago # -
10sun
Columbus, OH
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Rastapasta wrote >>
Lakee911 wrote >>
Clintonville needs a bar that I can call home. While I do frequent eldorado's, Bob's, India Oak, and Patrick J's, I have not found the right place for me. I need a place like Mac's in the Short North.You ever check out O'Reilys? Nothing like Mac's, but a nice place with a local crowd and a great burger (better then Thurman's IMO).
+1
Far better than Mac's in my opinion.Posted 2 years ago # -
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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10sun wrote >>
Rastapasta wrote >>
Lakee911 wrote >>
Clintonville needs a bar that I can call home. While I do frequent eldorado's, Bob's, India Oak, and Patrick J's, I have not found the right place for me. I need a place like Mac's in the Short North.You ever check out O'Reilys? Nothing like Mac's, but a nice place with a local crowd and a great burger (better then Thurman's IMO).
+1
Far better than Mac's in my opinion.And since most of Mac's food is barely edible, that's not too challenging...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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I absolutely agree that having a decent population is key, but does anyone remember the study showing how under served the Hilltop is by retail? I think it was largely due to Westgate, which is a healthy residential neighborhood. I'm assuming that W Broad in Highland West could have a good chunk filled in and would be successful. People there actually need more than barber shops and pawns shops. Who knew?
Poopulation doesn't = retail if no one is willing to step up. Like I pointed out before, while Parsons and S High (which is actually much more like Parsons the the High St most of us know) are big tasks for Merion Village residents, they haven't even fixed up S 4th which only has a few commercial buildings at a few intersections. Likewise, E Main is a tall order for OTE residents to take on, but there is Oak which is much easier alternative to tackle, it's mostly just empty commercial buildings at a handful of intersections (like the one where Fozzie's is opening, hopefully soon), and yet only recently has anyone even started to get a business going there. Both neighborhoods have had a good amount of revitalization, but they should look to W 3rd in Harrison West as an example for what their smaller commercial streets can look like.
Posted 2 years ago # -
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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ZHC wrote >>
Columbusite wrote >>
Inspired by the similar Short North thread, what would attract you to other less popular neighborhoods? Franklinton, for example has a number of well-known restaurants, but those only attract a lunch crowd since most aren't open for dinner and it could use someplace that attracts an after 5 crowd that isn't a scary-looking bar. A community oriented business would be nice (like a cafe) or something more unique. Thoughts?I don't know F-town very well but I'm sure having what you described soul would only be additive.
I think the Olde Towne East neighborhoods and east downtown may be the single most underserved area for retail and restaurants in all of Columbus.
If downtown does ever land a significant grocer I think it makes the most sense to put the first one near 71 as there is very little nearby groceries for OTE and you have college kids in the downtown part and a large % of downtown residents.Plus depending on how it's done it may be get some business from the east/west Bexley and Whitehall commuters, A high % of whom work downtown. I know Bexley-ites aren't real fond of the Main Street Kroger's on the west border over there. There might not be enough mass thereto support a supermarket right now, but it's got to be closer than what we have by the square(and which already has three groceries and a meat market pretty close by).Agreed. I live in a non-neighborhood off E. Broad and usually drive to the Kroger on E. Broad though the one on E. Main is two miles closer. Both Krogers are over-taxed and often can't stock the shelves fast enough on Saturday and Sunday (hence it being impossible to buy some damn cilantro). Another grocery store in the area would be great.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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Lakee911 wrote >>
O'Riely's, eh? It's at the bottom of my street and I've never been there (and I have been here for 4+ years). I'll check it out. Thanks!oh definitely check out O'Reilly's!! The first moment you walk in there is a memory you will have for the rest of your life. love it.
Onto the topic at hand: SoHud needs a moderately priced restaurant. Like a Liz Lessner joint (*aHEM*). maybe on Summit street or Indianola. Something we can walk to that is east of high street. We also need a wine shop (which I will happily open when i get some money.)
Posted 2 years ago # -
cmhcow
shhh... i am right behind you!
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Walker wrote >>
ZHC wrote >>
In general I think we may be too focused on valuing neighborhoods by retail amenities.+1
I was going to say that what my neighborhood (King Lincoln) needs most is neighbors. This area used to have four times the population. If some of the abandoned homes and empty lots can be rebuilt and repopulated then the retail component will follow.you have to take that with a grain of salt walker. during king-lincoln's heyday, family sizes were larger, it was more acceptable to have a higher number of people per unit, etc. no urban neighborhood will ever have its pre-WWII density in the future, with the possible exception of around Ohio State.
Posted 2 years ago # -
roy
Downtown
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ZHC wrote >> If downtown does ever land a significant grocer I think it makes the most sense to put the first one near 71
Zettler, I'm a longtime customer and usually enjoy and agree with your upbeat, thoughtful posts.
I submit that the downtown has already landed more than one significant grocer in BD Kroger and North Market.
Let's turn it around this way: "If downtown does ever land a significant hardware store I think it makes more sense to put the first one near 71"
If the BD Kroger were a Home Depot and North Market an Ace Hardware, would you still argue that downtown needs a 'significant hardware store'?
Posted 2 years ago #
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