Soon To Be The HAWTEST Spot In Town

The old Winders Motor Company showroom is stacking up with some very high end shops lately as they anticipate the openings of Rosendale's restaurant. Fibres is the newest joining a wine shop, interior design, and clothing boutique. This is the boutique central: Hubbard and High. Who knew?

New Scenes Around the Arts District

This is the Van gogh mural that is being obscured by a new brick front to
a dining courtyard.

This is the courtyard between the Cap and rest of the Short North.
The Yukon Building is being renovated in the back.
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Another COLD Gallery Hop

The wind was blowing snow flurries through the hollow streets of the Short North as both gallery hoppers and Arnold Fitness Expo attendees tried to avoid the outdoors as they hustled along High Street. Some galleries weren't open or locked their doors (Ohio Art League). The Sherrie Gallerie had the biggest crowd as Rhode Island School of Design Alumni displayed their recent works. Sidney Chafetz, who taught Roy Lichtenstein, was there and surrounded by admirers. The big news was the talk of new restaurants opening soon. Rosenfelds should open by the end of month. Cameron Mitchell's new light fare restaurant in the historic Yukon Building is nearing their opening along with a Starbucks in the same block. Where the Van Gogh mural resides a new Union Food + Bar restaurant is building a brick shelter over the courtyard. It will block the view of the mural from the sidewalk.

The north Short North has a swirl of activity. A new monthly opening at the Zora Corazon Gallerie. Closings include The Moorish art gallery as well as the Friday the 13th clothing shop. But there is new uniform/ costume shop next to the Garden Church. The Open Book has replaced the Salem West store at the corner of Fifth and High. All are anticipating what the new highend condos will do for the area.
(above)Moorish art gallery last fall

Unusual Winter Weather Ends

High Street has seen one of its most unusual winters in memories. No measurable snow fell until January 21, 2007. November was colder than normal, but December and most of January stayed warm with large rains. On the 21st a three inch snow fell with most people shrugging it off as a token. By the end of the month a three week brutal cold set in with single digit temperatures almost every night. It only warmed up to near the freezing point to dump 24 hours of snow and sleet on February 13th and 14th shutting down much of the region. Such a snow hasn't been seen since December, 2004. Such a February hasn't been seen in a lifetime. Everyday this month has been below normal in temperature. February cold never stay around much past a few days, let alone three weeks!
The February Gallery Hop this year goes down with the January, 1994 Gallery Hop that didn't happen and an April, 1987 gallery hop that saw 12 inches of snow by midnight.

"The ONION" getting chopped-up

The OHIO UNION on High Street, the main student union for Ohio State University, is being chopped-up and scraped away just like its nickname "The Onion". This early 1950's monstrosity was never mistaken for an architectural gem, but it had a few relief sculptures on its front and many memories inside. It replaced the original student union along mirror lake which still survives. A second student union, Drake Union, exists along the Olentangy River where the OSU Theatre Department puts on shows. "The Onion", however, can't remain, not when it is in a prime location along High Street.

The Ohio Union was very large on the inside, containing two ballrooms, fast food shops, a bowling alley, theaters for movies and lectures, fireplaces, and many many meeting rooms and offices. The Baby Boomers have the fondest memories of "the Onion". It tried to start about everything that High Street is known for today. It had regular movie series for second run and independent shorts. It had a rental darkroom back%