Columbus, Ohio USA
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Dis 'n' Data
By Margaret Marten, Editor
email margaret@shortnorth.com
May/June 2016
Till Dynamic Farewell
In April, Magdiale Wolmark and his wife Cristin Austin closed Till Dynamic Fare restaurant along with their little deli Izzy and Mo’s at 247-249 King Avenue in order to relocate to the Detroit area where they plan to start another restaurant. Wolmark is 50 years old now. The family has been living and working in the neighborhood since 2000 when they opened Dragonfly Neo V Cuisine, and later, after introducing non-vegan ingredients into their menu, reopened the restaurant as Till in 2012. The small adjacent space housed the deli (started less than a year ago) and earlier Glaze, which sold pastries and doughnuts. An interesting Gazette cover story published ten years ago about the couple, with nice photos, describing their early journey is located online at www.shortnorth.com/DragonflyNeoV.html. The couple graced Columbus with a remarkably intelligent, creative and spiritual approach to eating, at a time when it was less prevalent. Their work is admirable, and the Detroit district is fortunate to have the couple working and servicing their area.
New Ownership at Posh Pets and Cookware Sorcerer
The founders of two Short North shops – Posh Pets and Cookware Sorcerer – sold their businesses recently. The new owners, are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their respective fields. Posh Pets’ original owner, Jo Johnson, retired after 13 years. The new proprietors, whom I will write about in the next issue, renamed the shop Emi Pet Salon & Boutique. Cookware Sorcerer’s owner Nancy Haitz sold her store in January after a cancer diagnosis. The shop is now called Quinci Emporium. Nancy passed away on April 9, 2016. Maria Galloway has written a lovely tribute to her on page 10.Peace, Love, Bling brings beauty, awareness
The East Lincoln storefront vacated by Paul Palnik at the end of 2015 did not remain empty for long. LeAnne Johnson Absalom wasn’t exactly looking for a retail space but heard about it from a friend in December who advised her to call the Wood Companies “right this second” and go for it. Not a bad suggestion. It wasn’t a “shoo-in” to acquire the space, said Absalom, because there was a waiting list, but she jumped in, applied, met with the landlord Mark Wood, and explained the long-term sustainability of her jewelery business well enough to get accepted into the 14 East Lincoln St. space.
The shop, Peace + Love + Bling, opened in March selling ethically handcrafted artisan jewelry. Absalom, 48, was a wholesaler of the jewelry for over six years prior to the opening, and continues to supply bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings to hundreds of outlets across the country – Fair Trade stores, boutiques, and bridal salons. Before that, she led a high-powered career in the corporate world as vice president and director at JP Morgan in Manhattan. She even owned a technology consulting firm at one time and lived in China for four years where she met some of the artisans contributing to her collection.
Absalom’s marriage and subsequent move to Columbus in 2009 provided her with ample reason to quit the corporate life in order to spend more time with her family. Entering the jewelry line was a fun decision. She had spent time as a consultant in establishing a jewelry business for a friend a dozen years earlier and had sourced jewelry in Bejing. She loved everything about it. Initially, she worked from her home in Olde Towne East before moving into the Ethical Arts Collective in Franklinton that she co-founded with Connie DeJong (former director of Global Gallery). Absalom believes that her recent move into the retail storefront on Lincoln Street was a positive, though unexpected, development.
Purpose. Absalom emphasizes the importance of doing good and helping others. Twenty percent of the proceeds from Peace + Love + Bling goes to local non-profits with a focus on empowering women. One of them, Amethyst, is an organization that helps women break away from human trafficking, homelessness and addiction. Absalom says she has always been particularly concerned with women and domestic violence issues. “I grew up with those issues myself,” she said. “I’ve wanted to do everything to be able to help protect other women from being trapped in those types of situations.”
Her shop will provide employment and some added income to non-profits as well as a place to socialize and hold workshops. The Girl Cave, as she calls it, is decorated to be “comfy and luxurious” and welcoming. “My intention was that people would want to come and stay and hang out,” she explained, “and feel indulged, and it would be a little haven.” The stylish furnishing provides a comfortable spot to rest and chat and absorb the sparkling surroundings.
The beautiful handcrafted jewelry is selected with care. She creates the collections by working with women from around the world, directing and collaborating with them on the designs. The rings are popular. “We have a couple of artisans who do some really beautiful rings in natural stones and natural pearls,” she said. “A lot of the rings we carry right now are statement rings. All of our rings are adjustable so they fit everyone.” The name of the business, Peace, Love, Bling, came to her in a quiet moment: “I made the decision to go down this road, and it was just sort of there waiting.”Visit www.PeaceLoveBling.com
SEE ALSO: NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS/NEWS (SELECT WRITEUP)
Email margaret@shortnorth.com or call 614-251-0656 with neighborhood news items for the Short North Gazette.Email the Editor margaret@shortnorth.com
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