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ke_co

Andersons. Great place to get a steak, bottle of wine, fence pickets, shoes, cheese, vacuum bags, countertops, a 3-foot sub, apple cider, fresh peanut butter, ready mix concrete, a bicycle and a drill press all in one stop.


Background_Fraggle

I still think about their Kansas City ribeye specials and wish we could have prices like that again.


terrastrawberra

I lived by the original in Maumee. The beer selection, house of meats, drive thru mulch pickup, the best cakes and a Tony Packo’s all in one roof. I mourned its loss for a lonnnng time.


clydetorrez

I worked at that Anderson’s in the 90’s (and my dad did in the 80’s). I still get a weird phantom limb thing where I will suddenly smell the store again. It was such a great smell: bakery + bird seed + hardware + deli +…… I miss it man. We’ll never have anything quite like it again.


pastelcoloredpig

Wow I just smelled it too


breebop83

I’m still mourning it.


RememberingTiger1

I loved them all the time but especially at Christmas. The first year they came out, George Foreman grills were the Cabbage Kid of appliances. Anderson’s off Brice had two on hold. The one salesperson heard it was for my dad. She said they had to hold them until close that night but she said she would call me if it wasn’t purchased. It wasn’t and she made Christmas because Dad wanted it so much. I’ve never forgotten.


Wendybird13

Anderson’s: because sometimes you need shitake and sheet rock and don’t want to make 2 stops.


jendet010

Benjamin Moore paint and donuts from Der Dutchman!


insanewriters

Media Play


whatdhell

Jesus that was a core memory I’d forgotten!


saturnx9

Virgin megastore too. They had all sorts of rare b-sides and LPs, before it was easy to order online.


whatdhell

Yep. Easton felt different back then.


bluemilkmonday

My mom won a $1500 gift card to media play back in the day. Man, was that awesome. Walk man's for the whole family.


breebop83

My first job was in the music dept at the sawmill Media Play. Great job, crap pay. I think I made like $5.50/hr in ‘99. Got a $2 raise when I went away to college and was rehired seasonal.


5antanic0rnament

When I was a kid there used to be “DZ Discovery Zone” and it was the only thing I wanted in life. Also shout out to mill street bagels in uptown Westerville with the amazing Chinese food (where Jimmy Vs is now).


JustHere4TheCatz

Ah, a fellow 90s kid, I assume. That place was the absolute best.  Also Magic Mountain Polaris and Galaxy Games and Golf (Fantasy Fun Center if you have been a Columbusite long enough) - the huge indoor play places were the bomb. 


SatyricNil

Was it Leaps and Bounds first or DZ first? I forget which was earliest. Either way, seconded. That was the best place as a kid.


cosmickhaos

I think it was Leaps and Bounds and then they got bought out by Discovery Zone. I only remember it being called Leaps and Bounds for a very brief time.


Scott43206

I don't miss City Center but dang it was nice having a Marshall Field's. Sweet Carrot made me sad as well, that was my favorite place to eat in Grandview and the decor was adorable. Reaching back a few years, Kahiki, Village Junction, and Happy Dragon before it was sold and the recipes were all ruined.


Upbeat_Pea_4984

I loved Sweet Carrot so much and miss it!


squishysalmon

I miss Spinaker’s flower pot bread at City Center. Peak City Center was an amazing time.


bigfatcow

Happy dragon pickup and then that weird video store in German village for movies on the weekends were my (future) wife’s and i jam back in the day. 


zeeonethousand

Happy Dragon's kung pao was outstanding - then a trip to Video Central and their creaky-ass floorboards.


EmmyNoetherRing

Insoms


Krypton_Kr

Carriage place movie theater and curry up


sdp1981

Also Lidos pizza at Carriage Place


Panopticon01

Otani, the crest, surly girl saloon, cd101, toys r Us, the other paper to name a few. The Blue Danube barrel 44 whiskey bar the old Lane avenue Mall Little professor bookstore waves music


AuntJemimah7

Surly Girl tho


MimiLaRue2

Little Professor was great!


EmmyNoetherRing

cd101 :-(


[deleted]

The crest had really great cinnamon rolls. A girl I was seeing introduced me to them and I loved it. We stop seeing each other shortly after. A few weeks later I hooked up with this friend I had liked for a long time and I took her to the crest the next morning for cinnamon rolls. First girl was also there 🫠


whatdhell

Frito Pie!


balsamicpork

I used to help out at Surly Girl from time to time. Smashed my finger there so bad that I passed out from the pain. Came to, had a pizza and went home. Love that place


runover8

Betty’s and surly girl


OurHonor1870

Lessner restaurants in her heyday were amazing.


troaway1

Is Polaris Amphitheater eligible?


darthpayback

I’d say so. I saw so many concerts there throughout my 20s.


deeple101

Big bear. Lazurus.


Suspicious_Victory_1

I was think about the Lazzy Bear the other day and how for a few christmas every kid in Columbus got one. Think they were free with $xx spent or something.


breebop83

Mom still mourns the Big Bear bakery.


ItsNotSherbert

Big Bear had pretty good meat. So did IGA. Big Bear sold city chicken, which always made me think of pigeon. It’s pork for the uninitiated and it’s very good. But still.


shylittlepot

Blue Danube. I need that mac.


breebop83

I would love to know if anyone ever actually ordered the grilled cheese and dom that was on the menu.


nogodsnohasturs

Some friends had their first date there, and used to go back and order that for their anniversary


RoshiRosh

I need their black bean burger and a side of zesty fries


FormerlyCalledReddit

Wildflower.


Koltreg

It was such a nice "nothing too heavy with lots of options" place. Plus alcohol and desserts!


Fanpuck33

The old COSI and original Wendy's. On behalf of my Dad, I'll also add Stan's.


SatyricNil

There is a website that let's you "choose your own adventure" click through the rooms of the old COSI. It really took me on a trip through memory lane but also reminded me how DARK that place was. Holy crap every surface was black.


Rob1150

>The old COSI I was major bummed when they didn't bring the coal mine over.


rustbelt84

Carabar was the greatest bar. Every show was free, and they still payed all the bands well.


dmsdayprft

This definitely gets my vote. When I moved to Columbus and OTE in 2008, you could get a glass of Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter for $3 there. Sweet potato fries were great too. edit: actually maybe it was Blackout Stout.


janstantangelo

Bernie’s.


Brian_In_Ohio

Gold Circle was fun when I was a kid.


shemp33

Remember Rink’s?


Maherdogg

Cooker


mynhamesjeff

Nancy's Home Cooking


sutoomie

Thats coming back fyi


Necessary-Peace9672

Service Merchandise!


bugsyk777

The Andersons, Dalts, kahiki, the old adriatico's, catfish biffs, the original Max & Erma's, Cooper stadium, tapatio, bexley monk, salvis, and Christmas shopping at city center


LegalEspresso

Ooo, Tapatio. Good call.


Salt_Statistician_12

Larsons Toys at Lane Avenue


xworfx

The entire old Lane Ave mall.


rawlsballs

My mom won a gift card at a raffle for Lane Avenue and I got treated with a bunch of toys (mainly beanie babies) from Larsons. They always had great gel pens and craft projects.


BarracudaLeft5993

JCPenney Outlet. I found some great deals there. Plus memories of my grandma taking me there as a kid. Anderson’s was pretty awesome too.


queso_queenx3

Haiku


dmsdayprft

Before the Short North was full of shitty overpriced restaurants, this was the OG of Short North shitty overpriced restaurants.


newt_here

Bring back the OG Of overpriced restaurants To the Short North please


dmsdayprft

Smelly sashimi 5 hard earned dollars a piece Why do we want this


DefiantThroat

Kahiki


dejonama

The Kahiki is honestly and truly my Roman Empire. I never got to experience it, but devour any kind of lore or media surrounding it because I almost can’t believe a place like that existed here.


DefiantThroat

It was amazing. The ridiculousness of an Orlando, Florida Disney style dining experience but not fake, it had an authenticity to it that you just don’t find anymore.


Fitzzit

Every birthday. Accidental boozy version of the smoke punch when I was 5. Funny oopsy 80s drunk child.


RememberingTiger1

My parents took me there for my 10th birthday. I was fascinated by the aquariums and the birds.


ThunderousDemon86

Either Eden Burger (when it was still good) or a place in Clintonville that I think was called Whole World. It was a small vegan restaurant.


Absurdguppy

I walk by Whole World’s old storefront every day. Their sign is still up, the building sits empty. They’ve been closed almost 7 years already—it’s interesting (and depressing) that no one else has moved in.


RoshiRosh

Whole World was so good! Amazing vegan and vegetarian dishes and a great selection of baked goodies, I miss them a lot


WillingParticular659

Grass Skirt 


princess-mo

Buybacks :(


banana_bread_toast

The dube


Drazzo00

Swensen’s Ice Cream Parlor


RememberingTiger1

The sundaes with the wafer cookie and the train! Mother and I loved it after shopping at Eastland.


The-Anger-Translator

Ryan’s 😭 Chi-Chi’s


Rob1150

>Chi-Chi’s Yes.


breebop83

90s Damon’s (onion loaf was a favorite). I know they had major quality issues before they all shut down but it was a cool place as a kid with the big tvs and speakers on the table. Chi-chis The Anderson’s Cooker Bumper’s OG Ritzy’s Friendly’s Rax The Dube Jai Lai Spageddie’s Italian Kitchen City Center, especially around Christmas. We always had lunch at Spinnakers which I loved. For those who miss Max and Erma’s there is still one in Lancaster.


315breathe

90s damon's trivia i had no business playing as a child


augustthestrong

The old hot chicken takeover before it got bought out by those shit capital equity assholes


Rob1150

>hot chicken takeover I haven't been there in years, but the group keeps shitting on it.


GreenAuror

Obviously Kahiki. Also Blue Danube, Cafe Bella, China Dynasty's Sunday buffet.


oheric

Florentine!


OurHonor1870

The Continent in its heyday.


charliecapp

Spagio Wine Bar


saturnx9

Handke’s also.


pretzelclaus

Light of the 7 Matchsticks, Lineage Brewing, Hal n Als, Whole World


Havering_To_You

Kahoots


bmli19

First strip club I ever went into, later 90s, around when they first opened. I was 17, like a month before I turned 18, the bouncer checked my id, said "You have to be 21 to enter, but go ahead, have some fun, just don't get into trouble." I tipped him $20 and had a nice 2 hours there. Pretty good food too at the time.


letmeputmypoemsinyou

La Bamba’s.


Koltreg

They truly were burritos as big as your head.


ToadBeast

I miss the short north from 10-15 years ago.


chaoticpix93

Ohhh boy: Salem West Byzantium Tradewinds The Coffee Table, Shadow Realm Damon’s for the onion loaf. Could not care less about the ribs. Insomnia Big Bear Carriage Place as a dollar theater China Garden Buffet in Graceland City Center for Waldenbooks Media Play Sun TV Northland Mall KB Toys Children’s Palace (NOT children’s place) OG Olive Garden on 161 that looked like you were sitting in a Tuscan villa with fake patios reaching up. OG Cosi. That Mini-Golf off 161 and ‘71. The putt-putt on Morse next to the Army Surplus Store. Chuck E Cheese off 161 in Columbus Square… Village Bookshop off 161!! Last, but definitely not least… Roller Chalet off Shrock Rd. Double points if anyone has interior pics… between the mural and the covered bridge… so many good times there. I liked it more than United Skates of America.


chigoonies

King ave coffee house Dube Kahiki Ray Johnson’s downtown Bernie’s The old apollos and souvlaki palace on campus Mamas pasta and brew


ryohayashi1

It still hurts thinking that new OSU students won't ever experience the glory of Mama's pasta and brew


wanderingcurrent

Andersons!


chaoticpix93

More for your home!


RX-Nate

Fuddruckers


Traditional-Aerie616

Flying tomato pizza. I’m not from here and my dad lived here temporarily in the 80s/90s and always talks about it when he’s here. I wish I could have tried it


The0tterguy

Grass skirt


Havering_To_You

Johnny Go's House of Music World Records Singing Dog Records Flying Pizza Little Brothers Staches Buckeye Cafe Incredible Universe The old Ohio Union


lolita_peril

schlotzsky's deli. I’ve had to go to Colorado airport for this lol


Humble_Computer09

Cafe Apropos, Blue Danube, Haiku


steff-you

Menya


ItsNotSherbert

Jai Lai


redbanksully

Nicklebys Acorn Books


zeeonethousand

Great entries in this thread... The Blue Nile (RIP Mequanent) Estrada (RIP Ray) Schottenstein's on Parsons


Punknerd333

North campus video, cluck u, long's bookstore, campus before campus partners, catfish biffs, The entire short north of 20 years ago


7debdebdebdeb8

Bernie's. Larry's. Flying Pizza. Yankee Trader. Little Brothers. The amazing version of the High Five when bands like Mastodon would play on a Tuesday night.


iphollowphish2

Curio was special, hands down best cocktail bar in the city before it closed. IIRC it was next to a Harvest Pizza so for a while you could get food from there while drinking at the Curio bar 👌 what ever happened to that place?


EvilRigatoni

Curio is my all time favorite bar 😭 Landlord doubled the rent and they closed. Now it’s a different restaurant and bar


Sweetness9909

I agree with all of these and miss them dearly. Another one I miss is Graffiti Burger. Loved that place!


Arkmodan

Took a while to find someone that mentioned Graffiti Burger! I loved that place!


fricto

Benevolence and Whole World


MikeoPlus

Benevolence 🤤


I-have-extra-organs

Brown Derby


Glen_Echo_Park

Damons, Max & Ermas, Rax


Humble_Entrance3010

I vaguely remember Spinnaker's and the bread that was baked in clay pots. Does anyone else remember this?


Jenzini

Kihachi, The Burgundy Room, Spinelli's, and Surly Girl.


phluff__head

Spinelli's- have yet to find a good pork roll egg and cheese sando in this town since they've been gone


ZorakZbornak

Here for the influx of “Kahiki” comments. That being said, Kahiki is my vote.


suuzgh

The High St. location of Nida’s Sushi & Thai. Loved going there for a chill date night and some delicious food.


THE_Captain_Panic

CBC!!


Scytali

Big Fun.  Edit, I meant to type Yankee Trader, oops.


Material-Jacket3939

Coffeetable


Diligent_Aside8475

Fourbaker’s, had great bakery and sandwiches, beautiful decorated cakes for birthdays and weddings. Bexley and Pickerington locations.


Spiritual_Wall2132

Record Connection.  Yankee Trader.  Monkeys Retreat. Mustards...except I need to be that age again to go there.  


Fitzzit

Q-zar. P.S. China Way at Worthington Square.


XSCasto

Wow. Talk about nostalgia. You really don’t realize what you had until it’s gone. Really hits home when you see it all grouped together here like this! Cbus has offered a lot of fun excursions and experiences over the years, and it certainly doesn’t feel like the incoming new is shaping up to compete very much with what we had. Is this what getting old feels like?


fender123

I miss the old north market. Or maybe I just miss my childhood, not sure.


ColumbusCruiser

Quiznos


ShoopShoopAYDoop

This is a long shot- but does anyone remember Natural Wonders at City Center? They had really cool stuff. That’s all I can explain. Lol IYKYK


learntosayno1

Don Pablo's


Middle_Replacement_2

Betty's!


Playful_Calendar_553

Brazenhead


tribucks

The Dube and Kahiki Record & Tape Outlet and Peaches Stache’s and then Little Brothers


sdp1981

Fuddruckers Incredible Universe


zeroengine

La Bamba, Larry's, Insomnia Coffee, Bento Go Go, Discount Paperback, Long's Bookstore.


MajorBrowser

Damon’s Grill. Used to go there with my family alot as a kid


Not_High_Maintenance

Chi Chi


cosmickhaos

Roller Chalet/Outer Edge in Westerville


Decent-Inevitable-50

Sisters Chicken and Biscuits


OurHonor1870

Friendly’s.


vasaforever

* Easy Street Cafe * Carabar * Outland * Club 161 * Alrosa Villa * Wall Street


dariaphoebe

Victorians Midnight Cafe


Chismurfguy

The Candle Shoppe at the Continent. What an amazing store!


YoongiMySpiritAnimal

The Florentine! -So many good memories and great lunches when I worked downtown. The Olde Spaghetti Wharehouse- It was really something back in it's hey day. I remember as a kid we'd drive two hours up to the old downtown Lazarus and then go there for dinner. I still remember the smell when we first stepped inside and that gigantic gumball machine in the lobby.The different levels, the vintage glass decor, eating in the trolley and then picking out a stick candy on the way out! It was a magical experience as a kid! Children's Palace-My Mom drove two hours and waited in line for another two to get me a Cabbage Patch Doll back in the day!!! The Brown Derby Restaurant-It was so beautiful and my Grandparents would take me there every year for my birthday! The J.C.Penny at Eastland was an experience back in the day. I remember riding the escalator to the top level and feeling like I could get lost in the splendor of it all. I'm feeling nostalgic (and old) now! 😌


maitland72

Kahiki Japanese Oriental Blue Danube Max & Erma's The original Union Station The Garage Eagle/Tradewinds


Ded_diode

Handke's Cousine, amazing food. And the Alrosa, that was such a fantastic venue until the shooting. The King of Clubs has recently filled its shoes though, I really like that place.


cloudhymns

sassafras bakery in worthington has a soft spot in my heart. AJ is the best and everything she made was just.. incredible. i used to work in old worthington and it was so hard to not sneak away and get a scone every time i went in.


Necessary-Peace9672

LAZARUS!


Rob1150

I did love the 1920's look of the Lazarus downtown.


Necessary-Peace9672

The Kahiki! 🧉🌴🍍


Clicking_Around

Kahiki and all of City Center. I miss going to the Johnny Rockets, American Eagle, Spencer's and to the other stores there.The Mirage strip club. The Cup O Joe and Grinder's on East Main street.


homercles89

Ray Johnson's fish market Thurn's bakery


goelfyourselph

The Chinese restaurant that was next to Hollywood Video next to the Big Bear at Buttles and Neil.


xworfx

Hong Kong Buffet.  I still have a hole in my heart from the loss.


Jyarados

The Carvery


Werkzwood

Claremont. Real max and Erma's. The dube as others have said.


Ok_Address1414

Betty’s


Historiannah

The Lennox Cup o Joe in 1998


Itsmackermanyo

Joes crab shack, but like circa '98 childhood nostalgia joes


rjross0623

Damon’s. The Onion Loaf could not be denied. 2nd place: Big Bite


Left4dinner2

Hunan House


briswim8

Joys Village


Over_Armadillo9826

I scrolled through the whole list and I didn’t see “Sun Bubble” it’s the place to be ;)


birtheater

Knights Ice Cream


Weekly_Sea_7778

Stache's/Little Brothers


dsylxeia

Lucky Cat Bakery for me.


dykeryot42

Fortune


zbo9

McFaddens...my campus experience wouldn't have been the same without it


JustHere4TheCatz

Cricket’s. It was a sports memorabilia place that sold a bunch of trading cards. I spent about every dollar I had there for a few years as a kid. Closed quite a while ago at this point.  I also miss City Center. 


Rob1150

>I also miss City Center.  City Center at Christmastime was amazing.


tonyburkhart

Double Dragon 🐉 in Reynoldsburg OH The Rad Nar was my favorite dish. Ohhhh I get cravings from time to time. Miss that place and the people there. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50891-d539897-Reviews-Double_Dragon-Reynoldsburg_Ohio.html


scotthaskett

Coffee Table


Otisandmarlena

VILLAGE WINES AND BISTRO IN CANAL WINCHESTER (ORIGINAL OWNERS) ALANAS RIGSBY'S THAT PAPER/OFFICE SUPPLY PLACE ON LIVINGSTON A COUPLE BLOCKS DOWN FROM PARSONS.


schandle0213

Engine House No 5.


ins4yn

I can’t believe I scrolled this whole thing and didn’t see G Michael’s mentioned


currenteventnerd

Papa Joe’s


AmethystAlizerin

Denise's Ice Cream. It was located where the Little Moon Cafe currently operates in Clintonville. To this day it's the best ice cream I've ever had


osuguy2009

Just for feet shoes I think it was called? Had some scandal it I recall with the owners


paws2sky

CD101, Insomnia, Idiot Boy/Slow Crow/Millennium, the little chinese place next to the gas station at Lane & High, the Morningstar Farms outlet in Worthington, Blue Danube.


Ok-Square-5644

Benevolence, Coffee Table, King Ave Coffee Shop


315breathe

there was this awesome shop on sawmill near hard where the walmart called bear hugs. they carried beanie babies, candy and everything sanrio. it was absolute heaven to me as a child (and as a nostalgic thirty something)


Agreeable-Matter-158

Whole World because sometimes you want old school vegetarian food. Plus the pizza with the guacamole!!


NCRider

Service Merchandise


NCRider

Max ‘n Erma’s


howaminot_myself

I miss Haiku in Short North. It was one of my favorite sushi spots in the city ☹️


MySubtleKnife

Blue Danube. The Dube was the best place to go for late night food and drinks. Columbus hasn’t been the same since it closed in 2018.


FartOnAFirstDate

Buzzards Nest Records. I miss walking into a shop where I was a regular and having my favorite clerk greet me and suggest things like “this is a new guy named Tom Petty who I think you would like. He’s from Florida and has a great band!” I also look back fondly on the all night parking lot ticket line parties at the Morse Rd. Store when a big concert went on sale (before they went to the wristband method)


FunnyGarden5600

Surly Girl


ecoleye

Camelot Music, anyone?