If you’ve spent any time in the Short North over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed it.
Not panic. Not chaos. But an alarming pattern…
A few familiar storefronts starting to go dark. A couple of beloved spots quietly announcing their exits. Businesses that felt like they were part of the neighborhood’s fabric…suddenly gone.
No, the Short North isn’t doomed. Columbus isn’t collapsing in on itself. The sky is very much still up there.
But it does feel like a warning sign. And it’s one worth paying attention to.
What’s Going On?
The Closures That Made People Start Asking Questions
About a month ago, Mecha Ramen announced it would be closing its Short North location. That one caught people off guard. The space had already lived a full life (yes, it used to be a White Castle), and Mecha brought something genuinely exciting to the neighborhood.
In their closing statement, Mecha said that “times are tough.” That matters. This isn’t a single-location operation. Mecha runs restaurants in several other states…and now has no presence left in Ohio.
That alone should make us pause.
Not long after, BrewDog announced it would be closing both its Short North taproom and its Franklinton location. BrewDog has been part of the Columbus community for over a decade, and it’s a brand with a wide footprint (and financial stake) well beyond Central Ohio.
If businesses like that are tightening their belts here, it’s worth asking why.
Then there’s Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits, which took over the former Bristol Republic space. Bristol Republic itself had already moved out to a larger home in Dublin’s Bridge Park. Despite a warm reception, Black Sheep just announced it would close and transition into a more event-focused operation.
Add in closures like Ampersand Asian Supper Club (who also moved out to the suburbs, i.e. Westerville), Melt Bar & Grilled, and other Short North spots that have quietly bowed out or relocated, and it’s easy to understand why people are uneasy.
This Isn’t an Exodus… Yet
Calling this a full-blown exodus feels premature. The Short North still has energy. It still has great restaurants, bars, galleries, and foot traffic.
But what’s happening does feel like a course-correction moment.
Whether it’s rising rent, inflation, staffing challenges, operational costs, management decisions, or a mix of everything at once, these closures are telling us something. Not that the neighborhood is failing… but that it’s fragile in ways we might not want to admit.
Ignoring that would be a mistake.
Why This Matters More Than One Neighborhood
This isn’t just about the Short North.
It’s about what kind of city Columbus wants to be.
When small and independent businesses struggle, they’re often replaced by safer, bigger, more corporate options. And look… I get it. Convenience is real. Comfort is real.
But as much as I love them, we don’t need more Chipotles.
We don’t need more McDonald’s.
We probably don’t need more Wendy’s (even though I love you dearly, sweet Wendy).
What we do need are places that:
- Reflect the people who live here
- Invest in the neighborhoods they’re part of
- Create a sense of belonging, not just transactions
- Make a city feel like home, not just a stop along the way
That’s what’s at stake.
And yes, this is very possibly not just a Columbus or an Ohio problem. This is being felt nationwide. But we can (and should) do something about it before it’s too late.
The Good News (Yes, There Is Some)
This story doesn’t end in doom.
Columbus still has time. The Short North still has life. But supporting local businesses can’t be something we only talk about after a “temporarily closed” sign goes up.
So tonight, maybe skip the chain you could get anywhere.
Order from the local spot you’ve been meaning to try.
Go back to the place that knows your order without asking.
Spend your money where it actually stays in the community.
Because times are tough. But this is one of those moments where what we do next actually matters.
Support local.
Support small businesses.
Step out…and support your community.
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