The Brownstone is making a surprise return this Friday to their former 122 E. Main Street location Downtown. A Facebook event of the grand opening is listed here, and includes drink specials and a DJ spinning R&B, Neo Soul, and Hip-Hop.

For those unfamiliar with the venue, it was closed in October of 2007 after some controversial issues with the installation of an outdoor patio that closed of the Lazelle Street alley next to the restaurant. Earlier this year, the building was put up for auction and there was some speculation that The Brownstone could be returning.

Anyone planning on checking out the grand re-opening on Friday?

Yoga Studio Jimmy24 is the name of a new fitness establishment that just opened Downtown on Main Street near the Hawk Galleries. Group classes are available for all skill levels for both men and women and take place twice a day, seven days a week. Pricing includes weekly and monthly plans as well as a $10 “drop-in” rate available any time.

More information can be found on their website at YogaStudioJimmy24.com.

The best part about exploring and throwing caution into the wind is the fact that you will find the best places merely by taking a chance or by what would be described as total accident. That was the result of the drive Christine & I took on Saturday and Gloria’s Soul Food, along East Main Street, was our accident.

After working up a sweat losing to Christine (again) on the tennis court, we hit the ground running scavenging the Memorial Day weekend barrage of yard sales and various bicycle shops in hopes of finding a decent set of leisure wheels for summer cruising. Around mid afternoon we found ourselves on Columbus’ Near East Side. This area has some great history and architecture, but unfortunately portions of the neighborhoods have fallen into unsatisfactory condition. Working up an appetite from playing tennis and searching yard sales, we set out to find some grub. [Read More]

This week we explore the state of retail in Downtown Columbus and our guests include three Main Street retailers: Jeffrey Zettler of Zettler Hardware, Terry Daniels of CJ Daniels, and Yusuf Sadiq of Y Sadiq Diamond. Join us as we discuss the challenges they’ve faced, the successes they’ve seen, and their opinions on what the future of downtown retail looks like.

You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.

Several weeks ago, the Red Brick District blog mentioned the fact that the beautiful four story brick building that housed the former Brownstone on Main restaurant was up for auction. An anonymous source let me know today that the building sold to the owner of the Ohio Lofts located right across the street and he has plans to repopulate the ground floor of the building with another restaurant concept. It doesn’t sound like it will be brought back as “The Brownstone on Main”, but a similar type of restaurant could be in store. [Read More]

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will implement its January 2009 Service Changes on Monday, January 5.

The service changes, which are part of COTA’s ongoing expansion program, feature expanded service on existing routes as well as new routes.  In addition, a number of key routes have been modified to expand frequency of service, extend span of service and improve reliability and convenience. [Read More]

The Dispatch wrote Main Street Holidays: Downtown Columbus

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Troy Robinson is all business when a client comes into his Downtown store (T. Jazz Fashions) looking to create a new business wardrobe. He instantly knows the size and style the client wants, and within 15 minutes has the client trying on suits and sports coats. The clothes elicit a smile of contentment from the customer, who buys more than $2,000 in merchandise.

When Yusuf Sadiq moved his diamond brokerage company from his home office to a Downtown storefront (Y Sadiq Diamond) four years ago, he did so with a strong entrepreneurial spirit that led him to believe that he would succeed in the jewelry store business. It’s that same spirit that has sustained him during the current downturn, which has many consumers rethinking luxury spending.

Terry Daniels wants people to know that Downtown does have plenty of retail and most of the shops are pretty nice. So he and a group of other business owners on Main Street and nearby have created the Red Brick Business District as a way to say, “Hey, we’re here and we’re open for business.” “You don’t hear the drumbeat of Downtown revitalization as much as you’ve heard in the past,” Daniels said as he stood in his airy, upscale men’s and women’s fashion store (CJ Daniels). “That worries me because I don’t want people to think we’re not here.”

READ MORE

I’ve gotten word via email that both Democratic candidates have set up their Columbus bases of operation downtown in the Red Brick District during their Ohio tours. Although the debate will take place in Cleveland, the candidates will most likely be making stops in Columbus as well.

Clinton has set up in the first floor of the Mercantile building (309 south fourth), which is where Strickland had set up previously during his campaign.

Obama has set up near the intersection of Rich and Zettler across the alley from Peggy’s Pride.

Both offices are slated to open tomorrow.

Diversity in Columbus? The following article appeared in the December 4, 2007 issue of flypaper, a Columbus based social newsletter.

flypaper wrote Back to Brownstone

WAKE UP and smell the catfish!

Article by Big Yogi, contact imageinq@gmail.com

Before I go into this article I would like to get something clear. The FLYPAPER is not just another quirky gimmick for people to take lightly. We are a movement and we represent the voice of the people who are not correctly represented in our city. We strive to reach our readers on a progressive level with content that matters to them and I feel this is a very important issue.

So, many of our FLYPAPER readers had the chance to be the first to hear about local restaurant/lounge THE BROWNSTONE on MAIN doors closing, seemingly for good, a couple of months ago. We received tons of feedback. Well, let me ask you one question. Where have you been since the Brownstone closed?

As I drove around on a soft Tuesday looking for a nice place downtown my sister and I could enjoy a nice atmosphere with a little flavor, I had to settle for going to Bar Louie. This made me realize that The Brownstone was more than a restaurant, it was a symbol of the current state of social diversity in Columbus. Brownstone was not just a business owned by Blacks it was a place that allows people of all ethnicities to enjoy a Black influenced cultural experience; that’s what diversity is all about.

While there have been hundreds of upscale establishments that have prospered long-term in Columbus none have been black owned. We may own the business (i.e. Lotus, Opulence, Bread and Better) but do we actually own the property? This should not be the case in 2007 but it is. If there were 10 other places like the Brownstone, then Brownstone could simply be considered a casualty of good business. (And you could tell me to stop jocking the Bstone, but when there are no others, you have to ask why.) And again, I’m not trying to sell you the success of Brownstone but how many Black owned establishments can boast of showcasing Black affluence in Columbus to host of A-listers such as Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson, John Kerry, Tavis Smiley, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Bob Dole, Christina Aguillera, Al Sharpton, John McCain and more.

So what does that say about our culture? With no support from our own how can we represent cultural diversity and Black cultural influence in this growing metropolis? Where is our stake? If you travel to any large city you can find many establishments where people from many backgrounds share the Black experience in fine dining and entertainment. And one Black owned business supports the growth of another.Do you think banks will lend you the money to buy a building and open a restaurant if there is a history of grand openings/grand closings for minority businesses? I doubt it. As you read this, there are millions of dollars being put into new developments downtown and we have no part in that.

But there is hope for us young entrepreneurs who dream of a day when some of that money can be invested into our business ventures. The government, community, and corporate leaders need to take action on The Brownstone and keep pushing until there are 10 places like it in Columbus. Next time you’re e downtown, do me a favor, drive down High Street and take a look at all of the new buildings and businesses that are sprouting up and ask yourself, “Are any of them are Black owned?”Then, go home log onto your computer and email this article to 10 of your friends and to these following addresses:

Mayor-mac@Columbus.gov

Ty_marsh@columbus.org

pastleford@experiencecolumbus.com

Support Black-owned businesses Downtown, it’s your responsibility.

cmhindependent.blogspot.com wrote MAIN IS ALL ABLOOM

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Flowers on Orchard Lane is preparing to open its new digs at 139 E. Main St. on Nov. 9. Among the plans: a drive-up window on Lazelle for call-ahead orders.

After ten years in a small shop in Clintonville, Reese is moving her shop to a much larger space Downtown. “Our whole family is urban-oriented,” she says. “We really like Downtown.”

Flowers on Orchard Lane will feature a full-blown flower boutique with a line of bridal accessories and chocolates from Pure Imagination, plus one-of-a-kind home accessories and gifts. And you can watch the flower people work their flower magic thanks to an open workspace.

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