If 2018 was any indication, Columbus’ rapidly expanding food scene doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Still, the rise of new spots like Alpine and El Lugar was spurred by the fall of a number of notables, like Juergen’s Bakery (50 years in German Village). In all, we’ll be leaving 21 restaurants and bars behind in 2018.
Pour one out for the Blue Danube (78, Old North), which closed rather suddenly in May, though there are nebulous plans for a comeback. Other long-standing establishments taken in 2018 include Mama’s Pasta & Brew (41, Campus) the Worthington Inn (35), Flatiron Bar & Diner (30, Downtown) and CBC Restaurant (21, Brewery District).
The Gateway said farewell to two staples, Ugly Tuna Saloona (14) and Mad Mex (13). Two others, King Avenue 5 in Fifth by Northwest and El Arepazo’s Pearl Alley location, also closed in their 13th year.
Basil’s Short North location (9) closed this year, but with plans by the owner to reopen as a new concept. It was a similar story for Da Levee (8, Short North), which closed in March and after some rebranding and remodeling, reopened as Eugene’s Canteen. And Curio (6, German Village) left the scene in July, but the bar’s head mixologist is already talking plans for a reiteration of the original concept.
There are some inherent risks to starting a small business. The first couple of years are volatile, but failure rates tend to flatten out around three or four years, and about half make it five years. Here’s to those gone too soon: The Carvery (4, Downtown), C’est Si Bon (4, Bexley), Blind Lady Tavern (3, Downtown), Pies & Pints (3, Short North), Leone’s Pizza (2, North Columbus), Pocket Produce (2, Clintonville), RAM Restaurant & Brewery (3, Short North), and Angry Baker’s University District location (2).
Twenty-one restaurants, here and gone, but 50 have entered to make up for their loss. To read more on those, click here.