Press Release:
ColumbusUnderground.com Relocating to New Office Space Downtown on Gay Street
To continue ColumbusUnderground.com’s commitment to the growing vibrancy of Downtown Columbus, Walker Evans is moving the company’s office to a space on one of the city’s most vibrant areas – Gay Street. Since the recent completion of the two-way conversion and beautification projects, Gay Street has seen many new entrepreneurs opening their businesses.
“Gay Street is the perfect place for my business to grow and to make sure that my front door is literally opening to the most exciting area of Columbus,” says Evans. “It is the perfect time for Columbus Underground to join the thriving businesses along the Gay Street corridor.”
“The future of our city relies on creative entrepreneurs being able to start their business and grow,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “I’m proud to see Columbus Underground setting up shop on Gay Street, right at the heart of Downtown’s comeback.”
Evans founded ColumbusUnderground.com in November 2001 as a unique online resource to showcase entertainment, events, and restaurant reviews throughout the city. Columbus Underground has always been a community-driven website, and as time has passed, the site has grown and diversified to encompass a variety of other local topics such as urban development, the independent art scene, in-depth personal interviews, city politics, and more.
As of December 2009, ColumbusUnderground.com has grown to over 60,000 unique visitors per month and over 6.8 million pageviews per year. Readers of the website represent a young, educated, active demographic within Central Ohio. Columbus Underground also offers many opportunities for readers to attend official gatherings at local restaurants, bars, meetings, and volunteer events.
“Columbus Underground brings an exciting generational focus to Downtown,” said Cleve Ricksecker, Executive Director of Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District. “I’m hoping that Columbus Underground creates a stampede of people in their 20s and 30s who come Downtown to open businesses, advocate for good urban policies, and live. I want Columbus Underground readers to own Downtown.”
Currently, around a dozen freelancers work as writers, web developers, and advertising sales managers for Columbus Underground. The flexible office space will allow the gradual addition of new full time staff members to the company. “I’d love to add a dozen new creative jobs Downtown in the next two or three years,” said Evans. “As the company continues to rapidly grow, we’re working hard on moving in that direction.”
“The arrival of Columbus Underground to our building solidifies the momentum and progress Gay Street has made over the last 5 years,” said Jeff Mathes, owner of Due Amici, the popular Italian restaurant located directly below the new Columbus Underground office space. “Columbus Underground has become the go-to place to get information, especially for those interested in the urban core of our city.”
The move into the new office, located at 65 E. Gay Street Suite 230, will be completed on January 1, 2010.