Columbus, Ohio USA
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Dis 'n' Data
By Margaret Marten, Editor
email margaret@shortnorth.com
August 2011
Recent additions to the Short North include a cigar store, a veterinarian, a candle lab, a reconstructed grocery store, and two new shop dogs. Some existing retailers have relocated: Collier West moved east (to Brooklyn), The Attic moved north (a few blocks), Tigertree will relocate into Collier West’s space, and Third Hand Bicycle Coop has a move in mind but no location.
The House of Cigar with its interior Montecristo Lounge opened in June at 1088 N. High St. in the former Byzantium Bead Shop space. According to owner Diab Ellan, House of Cigar is the largest cigar shop in Ohio, and one of the top 10 in the country. The cigars are strictly handmade, thousands of them. A good supply of lighters (priced up to $1000), ashtrays, humidors, and other fine tobacco-related accessories are for sale. The comfortable, spacious lounge is reserved for customers and their companions to smoke and relax. No alcoholic beverages are sold. Special events for cigar connoisseurs are held regularly. On Friday, August 19, a representative from La Flor Dominicana is scheduled to visit from 4 to 9 p.m. The company will have a “roller” making cigars for patrons with a special edition cigar available. On Thursday, August 25, a charity event for the Columbus Police is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. with a TV crew in attendance. The public is welcome. In the coming months, look for a Playboy model who will be stepping in to represent the Playboy cigar label. Hours at the shop are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit www.houseofcigar.net or call 614-299-9070 to learn more.
Dr. Jane Flores opened Elemental Veterinary Center and Pet Spa at 1250 N. High Street, just north of 5th Avenue across from Stained Skin Tattoo, in July. Her approach to veterinary practice is integrative, combining conventional therapies with complementary and alternative medicine. Flores studied and taught at OSU where she received a Distinguished Teaching Award. Her excellent credentials can be found online. Melissa Snyder, a highly experienced groomer with a similar show of excellence, is in charge of the spa. The doctor’s veterinary center is open every day except Sunday. The grooming spa is available seven days a week. For hours and more information, call 614-824-4036 or visit their website at www.elementalvetcenter.com
With four locations in Columbus, many folks are already familiar with The Candle Lab, which opened their fourth store in the former Zeta European Emporium space at 751 N. High St. in June. In addition to over 100 varieties of natural soy wax candles, there is a provocative and playful line of soaps in the shop called Stinkybomb that manager, Megan Green, created. Hand grenades, doll heads, cameras, cassettes, and state-shaped soaps are among the offerings. The soaps are not stinky, however. In fact, the Candle Lab is all about fragrance. They take the subject quite seriously, even inviting customers to sit down at the store’s fragrance bar to experiment and combine their own selection of scents, pour soy wax into one of a variety of glassware, and create their own candles. The name Candle Lab reflects this laboratory-like experience, and groups or parties are invited to schedule a sitting. For those less adventurous or crunched for time, the inventory on display provides plenty of perfectly prepared and scented stock. Fragrance oils, diffusers, room sprays, and personal care products are also available. Candle Lab is open 11-8 Tuesday through Saturday and 12-4 on Sunday. Call 614-949-1458 for more information.
The behemoth Kroger Store at 1350 N. High St. opened July 26. The old building, which closed in June, was demolished to make way for the update, which is twice as large. I doubt that anyone was particularly fond of the old barracks-like construction, so it’s an improvement, and a courteous gesture from the Kroger Company to the inhabitants of the surrounding area who are as deserving of the convenience of a clean, welcoming environment within a state-of-the-art grocery store as any other Columbus resident. The fresh decor, abundance of goods, mood-altering music, and companionship of bedazzled fellow customers provide a service that extends well beyond picking up a carton of milk or eggs. If you’ve ever visited one of the newer Kroger constructions, you have an understanding of what to expect.
Over the past few months, two senior Short North shop dogs had to be put down after experiencing a series of debilitating ailments. Sam, a Dalmatian-Harlequin Great Dane mix at Cookware Sorcerer, was Nancy Haitz and Ron Fauver’s pet for almost 14 years there. They recently acquired a beautiful black long-coated German Shepherd named Victoria, “Tory” for short, to fill in where Sam left off, giving customers a friendly and protective presence in the store. As reported in our March issue, Logan over at pm gallery was no less vulnerable to the afflictions and challenges of old age and was relieved of his suffering and laid to rest last February. After Logan’s eight years in the store, the saga and cycle of canine companionship continues with Sisko, who stepped in at the end of May. A native of the Sunshine State (Florida), part Chow, part Dachshund, “part who knows what,” Sisko surely must be feeling blessed by all the attention and love a shop dog receives from the steady flow of customers through the door, and from his adopted appreciative family – Maria Galloway, Michael Secrest and their two boys, Eli and Jacob.
Third Hand Bicycle Cooperative, located at 174 E. Fifth Ave., has outgrown its space and needs help. They have established a Moving Committee and are looking for property hunters, grant writers, benefit organizers, and private donors. They need a building or warehouse, preferably in the Italian Village/Weinland Park area, under $100,000 with at least 3000 square feet, a bathroom, climate control for winter use, and a garage bay to bring in lots of bikes. If you have any information or ideas, get in touch at info@thirdhand.org. Visit www.thirdhand.org to learn more.News about upcoming events in the neighborhood can be found in Community Events and the Bulletin Board.
Email the Editor margaret@shortnorth.com
©2011 Short North Gazette, Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved.
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