Columbus, Ohio USA
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Dis 'n' Data
By Margaret Marten, Editor
email margaret@shortnorth.com
November 2011
Poplar Plaza, the pocket park on High Street next to Cup ‘o’ Joe on the Cap, is a lovely open area for Short North visitors and residents to enjoy. In Dreams Again, the majestic sculpture by Andrew Lidgus, the planters and café tables, all generously donated by Jack and Zoe Johnstone, add beauty to the space, so it’s no wonder that Karen Williams, 40, and daughter Kadian Guthrie, 23, chose to open their new business Dane’s Dessert Café there last month at 14 E. Poplar Avenue. The café – situated along the park next to Terra Gallery – is set back some from the heavy traffic on High Street, and the interior, which accommodates 44 people, is bright and welcoming. It is unique in its mission to offer a wide range of desserts, not just the muffin or cookie sold in a coffeehouse, but an impressive variety of delectable fine desserts: sweet crepes, Belgian waffles, specialty cakes like the Jamaican black cake or New York cheesecake, chocolate fondue, sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream, bubble tea, and more. The crepes (sweet and savory) and Belgian waffles are their specialty, prepared on site. The dining area is casual, it’s a fun place for kids, and a relaxed atmosphere to celebrate. Williams, who grew up in Jamaica before moving to Toronto to study, came from a family who owned a market, so she knows the life of retail, and it’s always been what she wanted to pursue, but being a single mother with four children, she used her education and skills as a software engineer to make a living, and set her sights on raising her family. Now that her daughter Kadian is out of college and able to help, William’s longtime dream has come true. Her son Dane, a special needs child, has been a continual inspiration, so the café was named in his honor. Dane’s Dessert Café has something truly special to offer the Short North neighborhood. Stop by and join in their celebration. The restaurant is open late seven days a week for after-dinner jaunts and nocturnal cravings: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to Midnight. Visit www.danesdessert.com to learn more or call the café at 614-559-4633.
The Buckeye Connection, a Buckeye gear store that opened almost 30 years ago in 1983 at the Convention Center, has expanded to 841 N. High St. The new location, which opened September 5, is in the Dakota Building where Lululemon Athletica, and Revive the furniture store had been operating next to Impero Coffee. Owner Christopher Rigling, 30, who bought the business in January 2010 and worked as their general manager since 2006, said that the second location is in the same general area as the Convention Center but they are reaching a completely different clientele in the Short North. Compared to similar businesses, customers will find more variety at Buckeye Connection, he added, even though BC may not be as big as the others. “Some stores are like two or three thousand square feet,” he explained, “but we have as many as 200 different vendors. There are some I only get one or two things from.” Another bonus: Large size apparel can be hard to come by, but 4x, 5x, 6x will be in stock before too long, said Rigling. One last plug for the store – a Loyalty Program provides significant discounts and is free to join. Buckeye Connection is open seven days: Monday through Friday 11-8, Saturday 10-8, and Sunday 10-7. They can be reached at 888-315-4287, extension 841.
Tim Wagner, 2010. Photo © Larry Hamill Tim Wagner is retiring from the Short North Special Improvement District this month. His replacement is John Angelo. Wagner became director of the fledgling organization in the spring of 2000 and has overseen the completion of innumerable projects that have transformed High Street into an upscale pedestrian experience over the past decade. “When I took this job, my goal was to substantially improve the Short North pedestrian experience and make this a place where people would feel safe and enjoy spending time,” he said. “Over time I realized that I was working on a secondary goal as well – making this a place where business people would want to set up shop. I believe I accomplished these goals.” (A cover story about Tim’s life and work published last year can be found on our website.) He says he is looking forward to retirement. “After I retire I plan to put more energy into things which already interest me,” he said, “including biking, energy efficiency, world soccer, healthful lifestyles, international wildlife, and the Short North Stage.” A public party will be held in his honor. Join Tim and well-wishers on Wednesday, November 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of Sharon and Thaddeus O’Brien, 47 W. Third Ave. RSVPs will help to make sure there are enough provisions: email sjobrien@columbus.rr.com. “I know Tim will still be active in the neighborhood, but his 11/11/11 retirement is an important transition in his life,” Sharon said. “He has contributed much to the neighborhood and we all wish him well.”
Cruz Ledger Condon
Congratulations to Diesha Condon, senior director of the Short North Business Association, and her husband Chris, on the arrival of their first child, Cruz Ledger Condon, born September 6 at Riverside Hospital at 12:54 p.m. Cruz weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Email the Editor margaret@shortnorth.com
©2011 Short North Gazette, Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved.
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