On December 23rd, Breathe Fitness — formerly known as Oxygen Health & Fitness — closed their doors at 970 North High Street after eleven years in business.
“Another casualty of Short North landlords being unrealistic about lease renewals I’m afraid,” confirmed Manager Charlotte Downs via email.
While the loss of the gym is certainly sad news, nearby residents will be pleased to hear that the space will not sit empty for long. A new health-food centric grocery store called Oats and Barley Market is planned to replace it.
“With so much new residential development, and a lot of residents who walk everywhere, we saw a need for a grocery that offers good, healthy products,” explained Co-Owner and Manager Shannon Sano. “We want to deliver stellar quality within an unrivaled new setting that’s both modern and unique, and that still feels comfortable and inviting.”
Oats and Barley will feature a combination of staple grocery items like cereal, bread and milk, along with healthy, organic and local selections, as well as beer and wine. Sano, along with co-owner Georgia Agganis, will be managing the day-to-day operations of the business, while their husbands help out more behind the scenes.
“One of things we’re really excited about is our ability to fill growlers,” added Sano. “We also plan on hosting occasional wine tastings and featured product tastings. There will be a lot promotional events that will be fun and enjoyable.”
While the Short North is currently home to several larger grocery options on the edges of the neighborhood, many residents have called for the addition of a centrally located store, which aligns with what Oats and Barley may offer.
“I think it would be great to have something in the neighborhood that carries a wider variety of daily goods that we currently aren’t seeing,” said Italian Village resident Mike Beaumont. “We have a lot of specialty places, and a fair amount of high-priced options, but it would be great to have something nearby that focuses on quality, convenience and everyday items that’s a bit more locally-focused than the big box grocers.”
Oats and Barley will certainly be one of the smallest of grocery stores in the area, measuring only 3,000 square feet. By comparison, the Downtown Hills Market store is 12,000 square feet. The Weinland Park Kroger — located just a half mile north of the future Oats and Barley — measures just under 60,000 square feet.
Sano said that construction will begin soon, and they’re planning to open sometime this Spring. The store will be open seven days per week, with store hours yet to be determined.
More information will be available online soon at www.oatsandbarleymarket.com.
Photo and model by Tim Lai ArchitecT.