Columbus

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus

Standard

Columbus Members

Membership

Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building

The unique Newark landmark is up for sale again.

Real Estate

As a Central Ohio native, I have been fascinated by the Longaberger Basket Building for decades. I finally got a tour inside, and it felt like a pilgrimage. Why it matters: Long vacant and recently for sale once more, the basket is perhaps Ohio&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="well-known" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" data-vars-content-id="c0a7793e-d3fa-479d-bd04-6c0665460ff9" data-vars-headline="Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" target="_blank">well-known</a> oddity.

Ohio's first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills

It's expected to open in 2027, offering a scenic 5-minute trip.

News

Construction is starting soon on Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster, just a short trip away in the Hocking Hills.For the unfamiliar: They&#x27;re scenic, gravity-driven <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rides" data-vars-click-url="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="74f11562-b424-4d53-8212-b832212e1c20" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">rides</a> on tracks built into mountainsides, with single-car riders using hand brakes to control the speed.

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future

After a decade sitting vacant, what comes next for the basket with it up for sale?

History

The Longaberger Basket Building opened as the company&#x27;s Newark headquarters in 1997, welcoming hundreds of employees.Flashback: The $30 million building was the crown jewel of founder Dave Longaberger&#x27;s empire, founded in 1973 in nearby Dresden.

New Columbus program lets residents decide the budget

Residents can submit community ideas for $9 million in city funding.

Columbus begins a financial experiment this week, handing over the keys to a portion of the city&#x27;s budget to the public for the first time.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s inaugural participatory budget represents a small fraction of its overall budget — but it&#x27;s meant to give residents a direct say in community investment.

An ice cream showdown to be Central Ohio's best

It's Graeter's vs. Handel's for reader favorite.

Food and Drink

Earlier this week, we <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/central-ohio-best-ice-cream-flavor" data-vars-content-id="b7f9bd0f-1671-4fcc-b47c-f81f8c944cbc" data-vars-headline="An ice cream showdown to be Central Ohio&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/06/central-ohio-best-ice-cream-flavor" target="_self">asked</a> our readers for the best single ice cream flavor in Central Ohio to commemorate National Ice Cream Month.⚔️ The intrigue: It&#x27;s a scoop-off.

A search for the best ice cream flavor in Central Ohio

We're seeking readers' top scoops for National Ice Cream Month.

Thanks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ronald Reagan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.idfa.org/july-is-national-ice-cream-month" data-vars-content-id="8547065e-0763-4aba-8440-49bc832b9832" data-vars-headline="A search for the best ice cream flavor in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.idfa.org/july-is-national-ice-cream-month" target="_blank">Ronald Reagan</a> — it&#x27;s National Ice Cream Month!The big scoop: Central Ohio has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="no shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/20/most-common-ice-cream-chains-columbus-ohio" data-vars-content-id="8547065e-0763-4aba-8440-49bc832b9832" data-vars-headline="A search for the best ice cream flavor in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/20/most-common-ice-cream-chains-columbus-ohio" target="_self">no shortage</a> of excellent frozen dairy purveyors. But what&#x27;s the very best single bite of ice cream around?

Queer Beans brews community in Short North

The new LGBTQ+ cafe is "about more than coffee."

During <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a recent interview" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/18/stonewall-columbus-ceo-densil-porteous-pride" data-vars-content-id="81f9640d-f496-4a65-bddd-96c5fb558cb3" data-vars-headline="Queer Beans brews community in Short North" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/18/stonewall-columbus-ceo-densil-porteous-pride" target="_self">a recent interview</a> with Stonewall Columbus&#x27; departing CEO, Densil Porteous mentioned a coffee shop is one of the organization&#x27;s recent successes.🏃‍♀️ Of course, I had to go investigate — for journalism.

The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

Columbus favorites will anchor the new Showcase Building.

No major development seems complete these days without a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" target="_self">food hall</a>, and the Ohio Expo Center &amp; State Fairgrounds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" target="_blank">renovations</a> are no exception.Why it matters: The new Ohio Showcase Building will become a central anchor to the fairgrounds when it debuts at this summer&#x27;s fair.

Readers share the best Detroit-style pizza in Columbus

Recommendations include Sexton's and Paulie Gee's, among other spots.

Yeah, yeah, we <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hate Michigan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/30/ohio-state-michigan-buckeyes-rivalry-game-2025" data-vars-content-id="ce5b93fa-73f9-4b67-b699-9d4eb49b3642" data-vars-headline="Readers share the best Detroit-style pizza in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/30/ohio-state-michigan-buckeyes-rivalry-game-2025" target="_self">hate Michigan</a> and all that — but some there make a pretty tasty pizza.The intrigue: For Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Detroit-Style Pizza Day" data-vars-click-url="https://visitdetroit.com/inside-the-d/detroit-style-pizza-day/" data-vars-content-id="ce5b93fa-73f9-4b67-b699-9d4eb49b3642" data-vars-headline="Readers share the best Detroit-style pizza in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://visitdetroit.com/inside-the-d/detroit-style-pizza-day/" target="_blank">National Detroit-Style Pizza Day</a>, we asked for local spots slinging the best crispy, deep-dish rectangles.

Tasting a trio of Graeter's summer flavors

We see how the Cincinnati limited-edition offerings stack up.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer ice cream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/29/jenis-ice-cream-summer-2026-flavors-review" data-vars-content-id="7dfe946d-d3fc-486c-a939-1acabaa9b9c2" data-vars-headline="Tasting a trio of Graeter&#x27;s summer flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/29/jenis-ice-cream-summer-2026-flavors-review" target="_self">Summer ice cream</a> season is in full swing, and we&#x27;ve got a new batch of flavors to try.Scooping the news: Cincinnati&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Graeter&#x27;s Ice Cream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.graeters.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopOcmkDE4-2KGNd5K261lnxBVWpJfOstzaDq_OPWEecKhRqSXU8" data-vars-content-id="7dfe946d-d3fc-486c-a939-1acabaa9b9c2" data-vars-headline="Tasting a trio of Graeter&#x27;s summer flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.graeters.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopOcmkDE4-2KGNd5K261lnxBVWpJfOstzaDq_OPWEecKhRqSXU8" target="_blank">Graeter&#x27;s Ice Cream</a>, America&#x27;s oldest family-owned and operated ice cream maker, dropped its seasonal &quot;limited-edition bonus flavors&quot; this month.

The Delaware Diner doesn't disappoint

It opened last year in a longtime diner spot off of Route 23.

A few years back, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/11/eclectic-diner-delaware-restaurant-review" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/11/eclectic-diner-delaware-restaurant-review" target="_self">I called</a> The Eclectic Diner &amp; Sweeterie &quot;the real deal&quot; … and it closed shortly after.I hope <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the same fate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/24/ohio-restaurant-review-axios" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/24/ohio-restaurant-review-axios" target="_self">the same fate</a> does not befall its replacement, the equally awesome <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Delaware Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/delawarediner/" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/delawarediner/" target="_blank">Delaware Diner</a>.

The Bottle Shop rebrands as Cordial Cocktail Club

The neighborhood bar further embraces its cocktail culture with a new name.

A beloved Columbus bar and bodega is getting a new name for a new era. Drinking the news: The Bottle Shop, a neighborhood fixture tucked between Harrison West and OSU campus, announced Tuesday it will become Cordial Cocktail Club &amp; Bottle Shop.

A Dubai chocolate croissant sold me on Maison Skalli

The scent of fresh-baked pastries fills the Short North.

I wasn&#x27;t planning on breakfast during a recent trip to Columbus. Then the aroma of warm spices and fresh-baked pastries drifting onto High Street stopped me in my tracks.

Jeni's drops a trio of new summer flavors

We tried Confetti Brownie Batter, Matchapolitan and Summer Berries & Passion Fruit.

To kick off summer, Jeni&#x27;s dropped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three seasonal flavors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4lVIOx_Cn/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="7d822318-f2cc-44f3-9c3d-02b645838115" data-vars-headline="Jeni&#x27;s drops a trio of new summer flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4lVIOx_Cn/?hl=en" target="_blank">three seasonal flavors</a> on Thursday — each familiar but new.I tried all three:

Food and Drink 🍽

An ice cream showdown to be Central Ohio's best

A search for the best ice cream flavor in Central Ohio

Queer Beans brews community in Short North

The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

Readers share the best Detroit-style pizza in Columbus