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    Short North Trolley Co. Starts Rolling Next Month

    Come Cinco de Mayo, there will be a new way to explore the Short North. Short North Trolley Co. will bring a touch of whimsy to visiting the sites and drinks of the neighborhood and beyond.

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    Inspired by successful ventures in cities like New York and Chicago, college friends and now business partners Jeff Shugarts, Jon Lorenz and Tom OBrien are behind the operation. OBrien says they have always wanted to go into business together, and when the fates aligned to get their hands on some trolleys, they jumped at the opportunity to launch Short North Trolley Co.

    Shugarts says their mission statement is, “Connecting Columbus and bringing people together.” Imbibing is a part of the equation, but it’s not just about the party. Short North Trolley Co. wants to connect residents and visitors alike with Columbus’ bars, businesses and more.

    The trio decided to focus their efforts on Short North based on their own experiences out and about in the neighborhood. With construction on nearly every block, it’s hard to go from place to place.

    “We think this presents an opportunity for people to move around in a unique way,” OBrien says.

    The trolleys won’t be on a loop or have stops for pickup, instead Short North Trolley Co. will host their own events, and, “We can create different experiences for people,” Lorenz says.

    The holidays will be an especially festive time for Short North Trolley Co. with hosted events for Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas. The trolley will also be consistently running weekly events on Thursdays and Fridays starting May 10 and 11 and running through the end of August.

    A typical tour on the trolley will pick up and drop off at the same location with visits to three bars in between. The trolleys, which are currently getting a restoration from their days in the Urban Express fleet, can seat up to 26. Events are $30 – $45 depending on the excursion and last three and a half hours. On the trolley, it’s a BYOB affair to drink between destinations.

    Short North Trolley is developing relationships with a number of local businesses to serve as starting points and tour stops. North High Brewing will be the main check in point for tours rolling through the Short North, and the BBQ & Brewery Hop steps off from Smoked on High BBQ. The BBQ tour won’t be the only route outside of their namesake neighborhood. Lorenz says they want to highlight other growing areas of Columbus and show off what the city has to offer. 

    Outside of their events, Short North Trolley Co. can curate private tours for weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate events and more.

    For more information, visit shortnorthtrolley.com. For information on upcoming events, click here. 

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    Susan Post
    Susan Post
    Susan is the editor of The Metropreneur and associate editor of Columbus Underground, and also covers small business and entrepreneurial news and the food scene in Central Ohio.Susan holds a degree in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from The Ohio State University. She sits on the board of the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and loves coffee, whiskey, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
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