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After four years, the Urban Spirit Cafe has closed their doors at 893 East Long Street in the King Lincoln District, citing sagging retail sales due to multiple factors.
“We endured an economic downtown, a wind storm, two break-ins, a loss of business due to water line construction, competitive interests and more,” says owner Charity Martin-Via. “However, the recent construction with the Interstate 70/71 project proved to be too much.”
Currently, the Long Street Bridge is half demolished, and the Spring Street Bridge is completely demolished and closed through November, limiting major access points between Downtown and the Near East Side. Multiple highway off and on ramps remain closed during reconstruction as well, sending vehicular traffic away from Long Street.
To counter this, Urban Spirit tried modifying their hours of operation, stripping down their menu and increasing their catering efforts, but Martin-Via says that the customer traffic on Long Street has simply decreased too significantly during morning hours due to the highway construction project.
“I’ve had the pleasure and displeasure in witnessing a lot of change to the King Lincoln District,” explains Martin-Via. “Examples of positive changes include the work on North of Broad, the renovation and opening of the Historic Lincoln Theater, the addition of the Original Book Suite, and the erection of the new Charles Building.”
But she cites the demolition of the Centenary Missionary Church and the prevalence of vacant lots and empty buildings as hindrances to community development for the neighborhood.
“Development is moving, yet rather slowly,” she says. “There is a need for renovated or new store fronts and mixed use structures.”
Following the closure of the cafe, Martin-Via plans to take some time off from the world of entrepreneurship.
“I look forward to spending some time with my family,” she says. “I’m a single mom and I’m sure my son will enjoy a much less tired mommy. But I haven’t taken the notion of a new location off the table, nor have I forgone the passion to educate and advocate for small businesses. I am still consulting for a few clients, and I must say that I am grateful for the support and am humbled by the experience. It has been quite a ride.”
That’s disappointing. I hope Zanzibar is doing okay.
What a bummer :(
That is a bummer. I have fond memories of going there one cold ass day right after it opened, it set the tone. It was a nice friendly inviting place. Long St needs more of these small businesses. Hopefully someone else will see their spot as an opportunity.
Terrible news. Such a charming spot and an even more charming owner!
Urban Spirit was a good concept, just not enough continuing business, particularly in the last year.
I am the Alpha building owner and will be working to put another neighborhood-focused retailerin the space as soon as possible. Please continue to support the other independent businesses in the building – The Book Suite, and the artists using the Method loft for Poetry, Art and special events. Your continued patronage and support can help keep small business in the neighborhood alive!
Never made it to Urban Spirit, but Zanzibar Brews down the street is pretty nice. At least there are some nearby fallback options for the caffeine addicted.
There’s also Upper Cup on Parsons, and Portico next to that (though I heard it might also be closing). I believe Angry Baker might also serve coffee. A lot of market saturation since Urban Spirit first opened.
Dropped by Zanzibar today and it was just as busy as usual. I was thinking a cash mob (something like CU with the Hudson Market), but that doesn’t seem necessary.
Freeway construction always has retail victims. Sometimes it’s insurmountable despite anyone’s best efforts. Sad fact of life.
Things may have not gone the way urban Spirit wanted them to, but her efforts definitely have helped the neighborhood.
All the Best to Charity in her future endeavors.
Maybe they should try the Hilltop. I hear they want a coffee shop.
http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/westgate-and-others-how-can-we-stimulate-business
Doesn’t look so easy in the Hilltop if you read Tigertree’s post.
I’m amazed that she lasted as long as she did. Freeway construction….hmm, doubt it. She was out on a limb to begin with in that location. I thought it was brave to locate there but premature. You don’t need an economic downturn for things to move slow around here; Long Street will probably take another 10-15 years to really take shape. All the city-subsidized stuff a neighborhood does not make.