There’s a certain kind of traveler — I’ll admit I’m one of them — who’s always convinced the good stuff is somewhere else. The charm, the beauty, the feeling that life has more texture just a few time zones away.
This issue made me reconsider that.
Nearly every story we’re bringing you this summer transports you elsewhere: a boutique channeling the ease of Nantucket and Palm Beach; restaurant patios carrying the romance of Italy, the electricity of Paris, the warmth of New Orleans; a local auto shop with cars I’ve only ever seen in Milan or Cannes; a nearby vineyard that reminds me of Napa Valley; fashion sharp enough for Rodeo Drive; and a local artist whose work has literally left the atmosphere.
And yet every one of those shops, restaurants, businesses, people, and stories is right here in Columbus. Everything we go searching for in other cities — and other countries — is already here. You just have to know where to look.
In my eight years of living here, what I love most is that this city never feels the need to be only one thing. Columbus pulls from coastal enclaves, global capitals, and creative corners of the world — and then makes all of it its own.
For a city so often underestimated, that’s worth more than a moment’s notice.
We hope this issue gives you a new way to see what’s already right here, and that you soak up every bit of it this summer.
Stay golden, Columbus.
Not every solution is a straight line.
Complex details are where a remodel either comes together or starts to show its flaws. This one was shaped to make the difficult look easy.
˿ Explore the details of this Columbus kitchen remodel
18 BUSINESS
All Americana
Bobbie’s Shoppe blends Palm Beach polish with East Coast elegance
28 DINING
Al Fresco
Dreamy patios that transport you somewhere far, far away
24 COMMUNITY Smooth Sailing
Central Ohio has a sailing club all of its own
34 BUSINESS
Full Throttle
Columbus’ premier concierge car service
48 FASHION
Leading Lady Ladybird is turning heads on High St.
54 ART Out of This World
Akeylah Wellington transforms pony beads into entire universes
40 LIBATIONS
Divine Intervention
A leap of faith led to this sprawling Central Ohio vineyard
Model Mimi Stillman accompanied by a 1964 Jaguar XKE Series 1, courtesy of Specialty Sports Cars. Photo by Gabrielle Shamon.
GABRIELLE SHAMON
NATALIE FOLCHI
ERIKA G. CLARK Photographer Photographer Photographer
JOSS FORD
JOHN M. CLARK Photographer Writer Writer
JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
LAURA JONES
CAMILLE WITT Writer Writer Writer
KRISTEN PAIGE
ANDREW THOMAS
LEAH RONSKI Designer Designer Designer
ABBY NOCERA
SUBMERSIBLE
For military missions or underwater adventures, time readability is a matter of survival. Luminosity is at the origin of our history of providing dive watches to the Italian Navy. Today, our mission is to keep pushing the limits of water resistance and visibility in the dark.
AMERICAN DREAM
This Americana-inspired store offers monogram services, preppy Southern children’s clothing, elegant home decor, and more. Photo by Erin Kelly.
Story by JORDAN ABBRUZZESE
Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI & ERIN KELLY
Design by ABBY NOCERA
The wicker palm trees give it away first. Then the taper candles, the bowls made from ceramic fruit, the baskets spilling over with color and texture, the ruffles, the paisley — suddenly, you’re transported away from the East Side of Columbus and to the East Coast of the country.
When Georgia Gocken opened Bobbie’s Shoppe, a premier store for hosting, monogramming, and even elevating children’s clothes, her intention was to sweep us away to Nantucket or Palm Beach — somewhere with Southern hospitality and charm blended with a touch of old-school, East Coast prep.
“We’re an Americana-inspired store,” explained Gocken, nodding to the green lacquered floors, conceptualized by interior designer Liz Dutton. They’re almost reminiscent of a tennis court you’d find at one of the Kennedys’ compounds.
Named for her mother, “a woman of impeccable taste and style,” Bobbie’s Shoppe is a haven of creativity and entrepreneurship inspired by the strong women who raised Gocken while owning their own businesses. It’s also a love letter to the kind of living that’s unhurried and more intentional.
Gocken earned her degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Her time at SMU connected her to sorority sisters — creatives and curators — and eventually led to a vision of a local, neighborhood store where thoughtful, personalized gifts for women could be found without the anxiety of online orders or shipping wait times.
“I didn’t want to express ship anything,” Gocken exclaimed. “I wanted to go somewhere and get something.”
GEORGIA PEACH
Georgia Gocken founded Bobbie’s Shoppe so you no longer have to outsource good taste. Photo by Natalie Folchi.
HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS
From gorgeous wine glasses to chic serving platters, guests will leave your home this summer asking, “Where did you get that?”
Photos by Natalie Folchi.
“It goes back to wanting to give something that looks THOUGHTFUL, CURATED, and CUSTOMIZED to near and dear friends.”
The space itself is that fantasy made real. Stepping through the door, visitors are immersed in visions of indoor-outdoor hosting and long summer gatherings. Colorful twists of texture are carefully positioned on shelves, tables, and within baskets, and the whole shop feels like something you’d discover on a slow afternoon in a town you never want to leave. But best of all, it’s right here in Bexley.
Evolving from a pop-up concept over the past two years, Bobbie’s Shoppe is now permanently open and growing throughout a building Gocken bought and owns. At its heart is a high-quality monogramming service that transforms any gift — handkerchiefs, tote bags, and everything in between — into something thoughtful and distinctly personal. Gocken originally taught
herself to embroider; she has since brought on a full-time team member to keep up with demand.
“The monogramming is such a fun feature because that’s how it all started. It goes back to wanting to give something that looks thoughtful, curated, and customized to near and dear friends,” she explained. “It doesn’t have to be something thought about weeks in advance and ordered on Etsy. I wanted to be able to source it locally and have it available locally.”
Beyond the monograms, the shop carries timeless gifts, elegant home touches, a rotating seasonal collection, and a dedicated line of preppy Southern children’s clothes — think applique smocking and paisley rendered with an almost nostalgic sweetness.
“I want to bring the old school way of kids’ dressing to Columbus. A sweeter way of dressing, if you will,” she said.
Much of what lines the shelves comes from women Gocken knows personally — entrepreneurs with their own lines, their own stories. “Is it a woman-owned brand, does it reflect our Palm Beach-Southern vibe? Is it something I gravitate toward when I’m on vacation and would buy there?” she explained, citing Addison Bay’s athleisure and woven hats from friends who’ve built something of their own.
A patio is on the horizon, along with a “part two” of the indoor layout, as Gocken continues working with the City of Bexley on the shop’s evolution. As the season of baby and bridal showers, children’s birthdays, graduation parties, and backyard grillouts stretches ahead, Bobbie’s Shoppe is ready to help you pull off an unforgettable summer of hosting.
VISIT Bobbie’s Shoppe at 2529 E. Main St. Learn more or book a private appointment at bobbiesshoppe.com.
BOBBIE MEETS BEXLEY
Evolving from a pop-up concept over the past two years, Bobbie’s Shoppe is now permanently open at 2529 E. Main St. in Bexley. Photo by Natalie Folchi.
CURVE APPEAL
Bexley’s newest shop was designed by Liz Dutton, mixing Southern comfort with old-school prep. Photo by Erin Kelly.
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SMOOTH SAILING
LOVE BOAT
A couple enjoying a leisurely sail through Alum Creek State Park, where a sailing community has been gathering since the 80s. Photo by Natalie Folchi.
Story by LAURA JONES
Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI & CARIN MARTIN
Design by ABBY NOCERA
ALUM CREEK SAILING
ASSOCIATION gathers each week, where WEATHER, RACING, and COMMUNITY are all part of the same current
It’s Wednesday evening, and I’m driving through rush hour traffic, when the second round of a summer storm moves in overhead. Heavy rain pounds the car, followed by half inch hail. In the distance, a slender finger of lightning splits the sky. I speed up, trying not to be late because...well, I’m supposed to be going sailing.
Tonight, select members of the Alum Creek Sailing Association plan to meet up to splash their boats for the first time this season. Wednesday nights are racing nights, too. Boats of similar size race in a circle — “Nascar-style” — competing for bragging rights and a flag, designed by Carin Swerlein, a trustee of the club. When the rain breaks, I dash from my car to the dock, next to Sledgehammer, a Canadian built 25-foot Kirby Swerlein co-owns with facility manager, Regan Cole. It’s navy blue hull barbs in the dark water, waiting to run.
But will it?
“We go out in all kinds of conditions except hurricanes,” jokes club Commodore Brent O’Keefe, an IT manager by day, and owner of a 26 foot Grand Slam named Kaotic. The club also draws the line at lighting. “Since we have a 30-foot lightning rod on the boat,” he explains. O’Keefe, like most members of the Association, is casual and laid back, with smiling eyes that say they’ve seen a thing or two on these boats, but all of it’s been worth it.
ANCHORED
Regattas, weekly splashes, and marshmallow roasts on the beach are all part of Alum Creek Sailing Association traditions. Photo courtesy of Carin Martin.
“We’re
a SOCIAL CLUB with a SAILING PROBLEM.”
O’Keefe and his wife fell in love with sailing 20 years ago, leading them to join the Association, which dates back to the early 80s, when local sailors and enthusiasts wanted the opportunity to sail, race and socialize with others in Central Ohio that loved the sport as much as they did. Since then, Alum Creek Sailing Association has grown to offer multi-tiered memberships, classes for youth and adults, races and regattas, and social evenings called Fire Fridays, when even landlubbers like myself can sail and roast s’mores on the beach afterwards.
The Association and its members are about the most open-spirited I’ve met. Swerlein puts it this way, “we’re a social club with a sailing problem.”
Nigh on seven, the sun is still visible in the sky but those grey clouds refuse to move. Cole, a retired tech employee, uses the wait time to run between boats, helping crews find missing tools, put up sails, and adjust masts in the wild chance the weather quits. Cole says he grew up sailing bigger water like Lake Erie, and originally was put off by Alum Creek, which occupies just five miles. But while sailing here was “primitive in its infancy,” he has helped the Association grow a lot since 2000. The ACSA now owns its own docks, privately funding them through personal dock licenses and bonds, and leasing the space from the state for a period of 25 years.
Cole got Swerlein involved in the Association when she was in college. She’d also taken a sailing class as a child, and “never shut up about boats,” she says. As a Trustee, she’s on the social media team, does all the graphic design for clubs t-shirts and flags, and as O’Keefe says, “is the creative genius behind the club.” It’s clear these
three are tight-knit. As Cole puts it, “We’ve experienced just about every kind of sailing together, the good and bad ones, the exceptionally funny ones, the dangerous.”
Their perfect sails aren’t always what you think they’d be. “My favorite might be sailing at night,” Swerlein says. “When there’s a full moon or no moon. And there’s a lot of wind and the spinnaker is out. Music’s going, cocktails going, and we’re looking at the stars. It’s just glorious.” Nods of agreement all around.
The Association wants you to know that, even if you’ve never sailed, there are many opportunities to be involved, even just to try it out once. Maybe like these members, you’ll fall in love. “Sailing can seem like an intimidating sport,” Cole says. “There are lots of acronyms and names for the ropes, the lines, the sails. But we try to break all that. I think we’re the best club I’ve seen with the ability to welcome people and get them over that intimidation.”
O’Keefe agrees. “A lot of other clubs are behind closed doors. We’re not. I have friends that sometimes slip and say, ‘I’ll meet you at the yacht club.’ Well, we don’t have one of those. We’re not yachties. We’re sailors.”
And even if tonight we don’t sail because the weather doesn’t allow it, we’ve enjoyed this creek together, these boats, this dock bobbing in the black water. I’ll be back for the race next week, weather allowing, and sometime this summer for those marshmallow roasts on the beach.
LEARN more about the Alum Creek Sailing Association including their events, classes, and open-to-the-public sails, at www.alumcreeksailing.com.
Sailing season started in April and extends into the fall. The Association hopes that even if you’ve never sailed, you show up to Alum Creek to socialize, bask in the sunset, watch the boats pass by, and possibly even hop aboard. Photo
WIND IN OUR SAILS
courtesy of Carin Martin.
SANTÉ!
Cheers! We finally made it to summer. Celebrate with an espresso martini (or two) on Chouette’s patio, inspired by a Parisian “terrasse.” Photo courtesy of Makeready.
Al Fresco
The ART of a lingering a little, found on three STUNNING Columbus PATIOS this summer
Story by SAV MCKEE Design by ANDREW THOMAS
Hearing the phrase “al fresco” has a way of transporting us — maybe to a terrace on the Amalfi Coast where dinner stretches well past sunset, or to a Parisian patio, champagne in hand, watching the city turn from day to dusk. There’s something about dining outdoors in the summertime that makes people order another round, split a dessert, and let conversations wander long after the plates have been cleared.
Columbus may not have Mediterranean coastlines or centuries-old European cafés, but summer in the city has its own version of romance. It’s tucked into candlelit courtyards hidden behind brick walls, beneath strands of glowing patio lights, beside fountains, gardens, and overflowing glasses of wine.
For those staying in Columbus this season, there are a handful of places that capture that same magic. These three Columbus destinations deliver the atmosphere, the beauty, and the unmistakable feeling of summer done right.
We’ll save you a seat.
La Terrasse, the aptly named patio at Chouette, extends the restaurant’s French sensibility beyond its interior and menu, offering an en plein air experience that feels lifted, if only briefly, from the streets of Columbus and placed somewhere in Paris.
“It’s sun-dappled, with a touch floral, and meant for slow afternoons that slip into evening,” said Riley Nail, head of brand at Makeready, which opened Chouette at 66 N. High St. in 2024. “Time just moves a bit more gently here.”
Brunches unfold with house-baked croissants and pain au chocolat, still warm from the oven, alongside crêpes, omelettes, and quiches. A chilled mimosa or peach bellini completes the tableau.
As evening settles in and the city’s pace slows, guests share small plates of caviar, oysters, escargot, and steak tartare, while heartier offerings like linguine and rainbow trout grenobloise anchor the dinner menu.
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSÉ
Choutte’s patio is modeled after a Parisian terrasse, overlooking High & Gay St.
There is no precise word in the English language for the particular kind of craving that arrives on a warm evening — the desire for pasta, a glass of wine, and a patio that feels like it belongs somewhere along the Italian coast.
Fortunately, Cento comes remarkably close to satisfying it.
Cento’s terrazzo, tucked discreetly among the small businesses along S. 3rd St. in the heart of German Village, was intentionally conceived to evoke the architectural intimacy of an Italian courtyard. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants accentuated the patio with a water fountain, a stone fireplace, and an outdoor bar that invites guests for not only an intimate dinner, but a casual evening of drinks as well.
The menu is elegant and Italian-inspired — whipped ricotta, prosciutto paired with figs, and king crab tagliatelle. Tiramisu and a final limoncello offer the quintessential close to a summer meal.
Cento Italiano
LA DOLCE VITA
Live the sweet life at Cento Italiano, meant to transport you to an Italian terrazzo.
Lindey’s
Even though it’s in the heart of German Village, the patio at Lindey’s is inspired by New Orleans, where you’ll find a mix of tropical and annual plants surrounding you.
Almost everyone in Central Ohio knows the legacy of Lindey’s. And if you’re lucky, you’ve carved out a favorite spot on its exquisite patio.
The restaurant may appear upscale — servers in ties and white button-downs, marble tables, filet mignon and crab cakes on the menu. It’s the place to take your father on his birthday, or share a dessert on a special anniversary.
But simultaneously, moms in their after-Pilates outfits gather for happy hour on the patio’s outdoor bar, rosé in one hand, stroller in the other, splitting fries and Caesar salads with friends.
“The vibe of the Lindey’s patio is intended to be both comfortable, while also feeling refined,” explained Kevin Smith, one of the experts behind the design and landscape of the patio.
While its location is in German Village, Smith said the patio’s inspiration comes from New Orleans. To set the NOLA mood, Smith blends both annuals and tropical plants together. “Combining both gives us a feeling of sitting with in a garden without it feeling like a full-on tropical environment,” he remarked.
Lush greenery climbs and spills around the intimate space, as if we’re in a secret garden, and the trickling fountain murmurs beneath the conversation and clinks. By the time the sun dips below the surrounding homes’ rooftops, we start to feel like we’re in someone’s very elegant backyard — and we’ve just been lucky enough to get invited.
NOLA STATE OF MIND
FOSSIL FUEL
This 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino “L” is the earliest, most sought-after iteration of the 246 series. Specialty Sports Cars is bringing it back to perfection.
This OLDE TOWNE EAST business has been offering CONCIERGE CAR CARE for the city’s most coveted CLASSICS for nearly 50 years
Full Throttle
Story by JOHN M. CLARK
Photography by ERIKA G. CLARK
Design by ANDREW THOMAS
What do you do when the clutch starts slipping on your 1987 Lamborghini Jalpa 3500? Or that 1976 Spitfire 1500 you just bought at an auction needs a total restoration? Or you find a ‘64 Porsche 356C at an unbeatable price, and now you need a new place to park your ‘57 Chevy Bel Air convertible?
Specialty Sports Cars, near downtown Columbus, defines “concierge car care” for hundreds of enthusiasts in Central Ohio. They’ve been at it for almost half a century, offering expertise in auto restoration, longterm storage, and service work for the crème de la crème of cars, both new and vintage. And they don’t need to toot their own horns. Their long-time customers do that for them.
David Kristal, a retired orthodontist from Bexley, wouldn’t dream of letting anyone else near his 2011 Astin Martin or his 1974 Porsche 911. “I discovered the place through a friend not long after they opened,” he said. They’ve worked on the 50 or so cars Kristal has owned since then, starting with a 1964 Jaguar XKE that was dear to his heart. “They also totally restored my 911. They brought the Astin Martin back to new. Stan even built my racecar.”
“Stan” is Stan Yates, who started Specialty Sports Cars with partner Mark Boyd back in 1978. Yates recently passed away, but Boyd is still a legend at the firm. And Kristal says the newer guys also keep him coming back. “Cam is the real deal,” he added. “He is the embodiment of Stan and Mark. And he’s totally committed to doing the job right, whatever it takes.”
Cameron Osborne began working for the business 25 years ago, cleaning floors, washing cars and learning everything he could about what makes specialty cars hum and their owners’ hearts flutter. Today, he co-owns the business while running the shop and serving as its master mechanic.
“People want to take their cars for maintenance to someone they trust — someone who’s confident in the work they do,” he said. “They trust me, and that’s an honor. They know I’ll do what I say I’m going to do. We treat their investments with the same high level of care that we would our own.”
Specialty Sports Cars operates out of a huge, non-descript, century-old brick building at 620 Oak St. Boyd is the historian of the group. He says the building opened as a livery stable in 1905 and later served as a dance hall. A skating rink took over the second floor in the 1920s, and the place served as an armory during World War II. One of the first Pontiac dealerships used the building as an annex in the 1950s. Today, it’s all about cars — and not the ones you’ll find at your typical dealership.
ONE OF A KIND
And we mean Cameron Osborne, not just the 1969 Alfa Romeo he restored. Osborne has been working at Specialty Sports Cars for over two decades, expertly caring for some of the rarest cars in the world.
A quick look-around on this particular day reveals a rare, white Bentley; a 2015 Rolls-Royce — one of only 15 made; and a Shelby Series 1 — one of the last built under the leadership of owner, designer and racer Carol Shelby. Then, at the other end of the building, a classic R.E.O. and an almost 100-year-old Pierce-Arrow await repairs.
The second-floor skating rink now serves, primarily, as a climate-controlled storage area for beloved cars whose owners just don’t have enough garage space at home. “One of our customers keeps 16 or 17 of his cars here,” Osborne said. “Another one has nine or 10. Several have four or five.” And some just like to spend a little time with each of their loved ones, trading them out every few weeks or so.
“We have the lifts and the space to store about 100 cars,” Osborne said. “That’s in addition to all the ones we have here for repairs or restoration.”
One true newcomer to Specialty Sports Cars is James Teadingham. He became a co-owner less than two years ago but is already leaving his mark on the business. It was Teadingham who came up with the shop’s newest innovation — a lounge for owners and those who have their priceless cars stored here.
As a teenager, Teadingham had to learn to repair his own car, too. “I’ve always loved cars —my Accord, my Firebird,” he said. So, after working with computers and in project management for a while, he found himself back with his true love — cars. “I got acquainted with Cameron and here I am,” he remarked.
One of Teadingham’s ideas promises to propel Specialty Sports Cars into the future. “After hanging out for three or four years with people who absolutely love their cars,” he said, “I felt the time was right to create a lounge.” Osborne liked the idea. So, Specialty Sports Cars is now in the process of turning about a thousand square feet of their second floor into a place where car owners and car lovers can come together and talk about their favorite subject — in a space surrounded by the types of cars they love.
WORLD CLASS Specialty Sports Cars doesn’t just specialize in American-made luxury vehicles. Many of the cars on their roster are produced in other countries, like this 1971 MGB, a classic British sports car.
“I TRUST them. And when it comes to these kinds of CARS, TRUST is what you want.”
“It will have a club atmosphere,” Teadingham said. “It’ll be the kind of place where owners can be near their cars, show off their cars, celebrate their cars and even conduct business among their cars in a work-sharing space with computers and the amenities they want and need.”
Car owners like David Kristal and Wexner Medical Center executive Kyle Sharp appreciate the commitment they see from Specialty Sports Cars’ owners and employees. “I’ve been working with them since the late 1990s,” Sharp said. “You’ll get the straight skinny from these guys. Unlike some dealerships, you can trust them to tell you what you really need and what can wait on for another month or two.”
“Sometimes I walk in there, and I see all the expensive cars and I think, ‘I shouldn’t even be here.’ But they treat me just as they do any other customer — with respect. And I appreciate that,” said Sharp. “I think it’ll be a great vibe for the shop.” But, mostly, he likes knowing that these guys love specialty and classic cars as much as he does.
“I first brought them an older Porsche I owned…then my wife’s Mercedes,” explained Sharp. “And since then, I’ve owned a handful of BMWs. I trust them. And when it comes to these kinds of cars, trust is what you want.”
BODY WORK
Lantz Riggio making sure a 1994 Jaguar XJS stays in prime condition.
RARE FIND
Only 25 of the 1995 Rolls-Royce Corniche S were produced, and the owner of one of them only trusts Specialty Sports Cars with theirs.
LIKE FINE WINE
Jen and Barry Rhonemus rekindled a high school flame 27 years after they first dated. Since then, they’ve built an award-winning vineyard and restaurant in Lancaster. Some things only get better with time.
DIVINE INTERVENTION
A tremendous LEAP OF FAITH led the RHONEMUS’ to open an AWARD-WINNING vineyard, winery, and restaurant here in CENTRAL OHIO
Story by SAV MCKEE
Photography by JOSS FORD
Design by ABBY NOCERA
Ihad a day of firsts while visiting Rhonemus Cellars out in the rolling hills of Lancaster: I tried my first Ohio-made Chardonnay, and both myself and the subjects I was interviewing cried.
I could blame the 11 a.m. glass of wine, but really, I was left in awe by Barry and Jen Rhonemus — and specifically by their staggering amount of gratitude for each other, their employees, their family, friends, and most of all, their faith.
“God opened doors for us when we prayed for them to close,” Jen explained, tears welling up. “We prayed to make it very clear that we shouldn’t be doing this.” You see, opening a vineyard was not part of the Rhonemus’ retirement plan.
Jen and Barry rekindled a high school romance after decades apart and returned to Central Ohio with simple intentions: build a home on a parcel of land where their children and grandchildren could roam. Then, in 2020, they heard that Valley View Golf Club — where Barry had spent summers playing rounds with his father — was going up for sale, and that developers planned to turn it into housing.
Around the same time, their son Connor coaxed them into a trip to Virginia wine country. Biking through the vineyards of Monticello Valley, Barry and Jen became inspired, and started to imagine what if — what if they found enough land to build their home and plant just a few grape vines on the land?
Instead, they bought the Valley View Golf Club in 2021 and planted not just a few vines on its grounds, but 2,600 of them.
“I feel like I need to apologize to Jen for the largest bait and switch on the planet,” Barry joked.
The original plans were for the vineyard and a modest tasting room. But when the community caught on, they kept asking if there was going to be a great steak on the menu, which motivated Barry and Jen to elevate this into a fullscale restaurant, cellar, and event space. A trip to Napa for inspiration, and Rhonemus Cellars now boasts a stunning dining room and a patio that overlooks the natural beauty of Lancaster, which officially opened in 2024. For those wondering about the golf club, it’s still here, beautifully maintained by the family.
And there is, for the record, an exceptional steak on the menu. Head chef Bradley Balch, formerly of Ghostwriter Public House and Tucci’s, earned the restaurant a spot on Midwest Living’s “Best of the Midwest” list — one of only 13 restaurants named across 12 states.
The accolades extend to the cellar. At the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, one of the largest in North America, Rhonemus Cellars entered four wines — their white blend, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Merlot — and every single one earned a medal.
The credit, Barry and Jen insist, belongs entirely to head winemaker Nico Felice, whom they describe with obvious delight as a “mad scientist.” Born in D.C. and trained in viticulture in Washington state, Nico was named the youngest winemaker in Washington at just 24. He does everything at a boutique, craft level: he and the Rhonemus family are out planting the vines and harvesting the grapes themselves. Down in the cellar, Nico handles crushing, pressing, fermenting, aging, bottling, and even designing the labels.
RAISE A GLASS
At the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Rhonemus entered four wines — and every single one earned a medal.
THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
It takes a village at Rhonemus Cellars. Friends and family all chip in to plant and harvest the grapes.
HORS D'EOUVRES
Along with small plates, Rhonemus offers a full dinner and brunch menu, which they've already won awards for.
His instincts have already proven invaluable. When a storm threatened last year’s harvest, Nico pushed to pick the Chardonel grapes — an American Chardonnay hybrid — two weeks earlier than usual. The sugar and acid levels turned out to be perfect for something unexpected: a sparkling wine. "Out of the research we’ve done, we’re the first in the region to make a sparkling Chardonel," Barry noted. It can’t technically be called Champagne (it’s not made in France), but riddling racks in their cellar full of it suggest it comes admirably close.
"We say this with zero arrogance," Barry told me (with genuinely zero arrogance), "but we’re really kind of pushing boundaries." Before Prohibition, Ohio was the largest wine region in the country by acreage. Its reputation for sweet wines lingered long after — but climate change has expanded what’s possible here, and Rhonemus Cellars is planting varieties that simply couldn’t survive Ohio winters twenty years ago — Arandell, Aromella, Chardonel, Noiret, and Cabernet Franc varietals.
“No one we know is growing these kinds of grapes South of 70,” Barry pointed out.
You’ll have to be patient for bottles made from their Lancaster estate grapes though; vines take a minimum of four years to produce a crop, then more time to bottle and age. The wine on the menu now is still made onsite, but comes from leased vineyards in Ohio’s own Genevaon-the-Lake, plus Napa Valley, and the Finger Lakes. The roots being laid here are for something that takes longer.
I asked Barry what makes it worth planting vines he may not see bottled for a decade. "It’s the reaction people have when they come in," he said, without hesitation. "People telling us they can’t believe this is their hometown. That they only drove 40 minutes from Columbus to get to somewhere that feels like a vacation.”
This summer, consider skipping the trip to Napa. Central Ohio already has something that comes remarkably close — with vineyard tours, chef’s tables, award-winning wine and food, and two people who greet every guest with a warmth that is almost disarming in its sincerity. Watch Barry and Jen work a room, smiling at each other in the process, and it’s enough to make you emotional, too.
We’ll let you blame it on the wine.
LINGER a little at Rhonemus Cellars, at 1511 George Rd., Lancaster. Dinner is served most weeknights and weekends, as well as a weekend brunch. Visit rhonemuscellars.com for tour and event information.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
“No one we know is growing these kinds of grapes South of 70,” Barry Rhonemus pointed out.
Inspired to Learn. Empowered to Lead.
Columbus School for Girls develops confident scholars, curious thinkers, and compassionate leaders. Through a transformative all-girls education, students are empowered to discover their voice, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful impact.
Story by SAV MCKEE Photography by STEVEN RANKINS
OHIO VEIN & VASCULAR - DOWNTOWN, POLARIS & REYNOLDSBURG help
Central Ohio patients find relief from leg pain
If you’ve noticed aching, swelling, or heaviness in your legs after a long day, it might be more than just fatigue. For many Central Ohioans, these are early warning signs of vein disease, a condition that affects nearly one in three adults. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications.
At Ohio Vein & Vascular’s Downtown Columbus, Polaris, and Reynoldsburg locations, patients are finding relief and renewed comfort every day through expert, minimally invasive care and most walk out the same day, already on the path to better circulation.
“Many people think leg pain and swelling are just part of aging,” explained Dr. Joseph Centa, one of the leading physicians at Ohio Vein & Vascular. “But they’re often your body’s way of saying something’s wrong.”
Symptoms of vein disease can include:
•Aching or throbbing pain in the legs
•Swelling or heaviness, especially after standing or sitting
“Vein disease doesn’t discriminate,” Dr. Centa said. “We see teachers, nurses, athletes, and retirees. Anyone can experience it.”
FREE LEG SCREENING
Ohio Vein & Vascular — Downtown, Polaris & Reynoldsburg — offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and venous reflux, such as thermal and mechanicalchemical ablation, that close damaged veins and restore healthy circulation. Procedures are quick, comfortable, and require no hospital stay or downtime. The team also treats Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
At all three offices, every patient receives compassionate, individualized attention. Most procedures are completed in under 20 minutes, and new patients are typically seen within days of calling us. Free vein screenings are available to identify symptoms and risk factors early. Best of all, Dr. Centa splits his time between the Polaris, Reynoldsburg, and Downtown locations.
“We’re here to make getting help simple and stress-free,” said Dr. Centa. “You don’t have to live with pain or swelling. Relief is closer than you think.”
CALL (614) 426-VEIN (8346) to schedule a free consultation at Ohio Vein & Vascular. The Downtown office is located at 500 E. Main St., Polaris is located at 1070 Polaris Pkwy., Suite 100, and Reynoldsburg is at 6100 E. Main St., Suite 105. Visit LoveYourVeins.com for more information.
Don’t ignore the signs of leg pain, swelling, or visible veins. A quick, free, non-invasive screening could be the first step toward healthier legs and a more active, comfortable life, especially if you have the following symptoms:
• Pain in the muscles of the leg, buttocks, thigh or calf while walking
• Aching pain in the legs at night
• Tingling, heaviness, numbness or swelling of the lower extremities
• Restless legs
• Varicose veins or leg ulcers
• Leg wounds that don’t heal
• Leg cramps
MEET THE DOCTORS
As part of the Ohio Vein & Vascular network, bringing together innovative treatments and leading physicians, the office is staffed by three vein & vascular doctors:
Dr. Joseph Centa, a board-certified general surgeon with over 25 years of experience, practices in Medina, Norwalk, and Columbus. He is a graduate of Ohio State’s College of Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Zadeh, founder of Ohio Vein & Vascular, is a board-certified surgeon with 35 years of experience. He’s a leader in vein care and has served as Chief of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at various institutions in New York City and Pennsylvania.
Dr. Michael Levy, a board-certified surgeon, has performed over 10,000 vein procedures. With prior roles at Mount Sinai and NYU, Dr. Levy now serves patients in the greater Cleveland area.
17 YEARS in, and Allison Jayjack’s boutique, LADYBIRD, still knows how to turn heads on HIGH STREET
Lady Leading
Story by CAMILLE WITT
Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI
Design by ABBY NOCERA
Growing up in Columbus, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer someday. I was obsessed with the idea of moving to Los Angeles, where all of my extended family lived. My uncle would drive us down Rodeo Drive, and I’d stare wide-eyed at all of the beautifully dressed people drifting in and out of boutiques. I loved to visit those stores with my mom, sister, aunts, and cousins, trying on sunglasses, stumbling around in heels, and stacking bangles on our wrists like a mall makeover montage in an early 2000s chick flick.
For a long time, I thought that feeling only existed somewhere else. But recently, I found it again — this time, much closer to home, at a trendy boutique called Ladybird, located in the Short North.
On a warm sunny day, the door swung open and waited for me to step in and discover all it had to offer. Impeccable denim from Pistola, purposefully distressed leather jackets from Gestuz, and little vinyl stiletto heels from Schutz. Pink dresses with large sparkling paillette sequins hung from the rack, and silk bandanas effortlessly spilled out of drawers. Despite Ladybird’s large size, I still felt as though I was shopping less in a store, and more so, in someone’s really fabulous closet.
GREAT TASTE
Some of the city’s cutest outfits, for any occasion, are found at Ladybird.
AHEAD OF THE TREND
Allison has built a Short North mainstay not by following trends, but setting them.
“Doesn’t a GREAT OUTFIT kind of change your whole day?”
It turned out, it was the really fabulous closet of Allison Jayjack. She stepped out to greet me with a wide smile, dressed in a lightweight ivory trench coat and a pair of killer snake skin boots. The intimacy I instinctively felt as I walked in clicked as we shook hands. It’s a feeling she’s been cultivating since she first opened the shop’s original location in the Short North at 716 N. High St. in 2008. Since then, she’s moved spaces, relocating to the former home of Samson Men’s Emporium at 772 N. High St. The shop has become a community hub for women in Columbus, a place to gather, shop, hang out, and be with each other. “I love having an open door so that anyone can come in and feel comfortable, and even if they don’t find anything, maybe just leave feeling inspired,” she emphasized. She’s even opened her doors to emerging designers and brands for exclusive events. In April, she hosted a pop-up for a new luxury loungewear line of silky separates called Bed, which she now carries in the shop. It’s exactly the kind of community building Allison hoped to create for her customers when she first left her corporate career to open Ladybird.
Fashion had always been in the cards for Allison in some capacity; she attended Marshall University for fashion merchandising. “I thought I wanted to be a buyer. I loved picking out the trends, but I realized after working in corporate, I wanted to have that personal connection with my clients,” she shared. “The best thing about my job is the relationships I build.”
And as a frequent shopper entered the boutique looking for something to wear to a music festival, it became so evident that what Allison said was more than a quotable line. It was the truth. She and her client browsed the shelves together like old friends, grabbing pieces and heading to the dressing room to try out looks. A baggy tee cut just so. A fringe trimmed collar layered over a denim dress that made her client so happy that she twirled around. Watching her work filled me with the same nostalgic feeling of shopping with my family on Rodeo Drive. For a moment, we were all just girls hanging out. Having fun. There’s just something so instantly bonding about a perfect stranger turning to you and asking, “Hey, what do you think?”
It’s clear that Allison’s combined experience with merchandising, her knack for connecting with people, and, of course, her taste are truly the secret sauce that has kept Ladybird thriving since its opening during the recession in 2008, surviving everything from fastevolving fashion trend cycles to COVID-19 and more.
When I asked Allison what keeps her inspired after all these years, her answer was a question that’s been in my mind as I’ve gotten dressed every day since: “Doesn’t a great outfit just kind of change your whole day?”
SHOP Ladybird’s timeless collection located at 772 N. High St., and visit ladybirdfashion.com to browse their collection online.
WHAT’S IN HER BAG?
"Bo" by Liis is my go-to. It's warm & woody and goes with everything without competing. We carry it at Ladybird!
I love imported candy. The flavors are subtle and always better than expected.
This is the bag that goes with everything. It's by Gestuz, my favorite new brand. I find it chic and neutral.
I've always loved something personal & pretty to store things. This is the monogrammed Cabana Pouch by Boulevard.
My printed python wallet is Beirn. I like that it matches my handbag even though it is a different brand!
Where art and hospitality come together effortlessly. Located in the heart of the Short North Arts District, this boutique destination offers a thoughtfully curated experience, with gallery-worthy interiors featuring the Pizzuti Collection, elevated dining at Soul and The Guild House, and relaxing spa treatments at Liliana Spa. Every detail is designed for those who appreciate refined luxury, timeless style, and an unforgettable stay.
#2 COLUMBEST HOTEL | DINING | SPA | EVENTS
Of this o
Out wOrld
In AKEYLAH WELLINGTON’S
hands, pony beads TRANSFORM into a MEMORY, a PIXEL, and a UNIVERSE
Story by KRISTEN PAIGE
Photography by NATALIE FOLCHI
Design by LEAH RONSKI
STAYING SOFT
Akeylah Wellington's exhibit, Soft Power, debuted at Brandt Gallery this spring, displaying space and culture-inspired tapestries made entirely from pony beads, a hair accessory from her childhood.
Before it was a medium for her tapestries, beads were a signifier of love and care for Akeylah Wellington.
The artist reminisced about how, from a young age, her home kitchen was also a salon for hair washing and a place for her cousins to braid her hair.
“For somebody to attach beads at the end of that style — to further ornament and dress them — that requires dedication and concern,” said Wellington. “I think that’s a really beautiful sentiment, even if it is plastic.”
She continued, “It sounds kind of superficial to be like, ‘Hey, I really want to make beautiful things.’ But I am kind of resolved to make something that feels gorgeous out of cheap material.”
Some of her latest work of creating tapestries out of pony beads was recently featured at Brandt Gallery in her solo exhibit Soft Power, where she creates beauty from forms that occur naturally in not only her environment, but everyone else’s, too. She explores Hubble Space Telescope images captured between 1990 and 2009 for inspiration, recreating
the celestial pictures using the beads that were such an integral part of her childhood.
Wellington’s tapestries are delicately woven and methodical, almost like an equation, considering ratios to transform the pony beads into landscapes using her signature palette of transparent hues and chromatic neutrals. There’s an irony in reinventing these organic images of space into grid-like forms, trying to capture the vastness of outer space.
“I was really struck by the way that Hubble images are organized into charts and things. There’s something kind of neat about people making all of these formal decisions on how to organize this information the best,” exclaimed Wellington.
Wellington is a child of the late 90s, born eight years before Hubble launched into space. At the time, there was also much concern about shorelines, hurricanes, and tropical weather systems in Florida, her home state. Growing up in the hurricane corridor made it difficult to get away from the agency of nature. Her Southern roots, with long stays in both Florida and Louisiana, remind her of the power dynamics our government utilizes in its stewardship of land.
SUPERNOVA PEACH RING, 26 x 54”
649 Mohawk Ave | German Village
4 Beds | 5 Baths | Built in 1906
This architectural jewel in German Village combines historic craftsmanship with high-end modern luxury. Behind its rare speckled brick and New York slate exterior lies a meticulously renovated interior featuring four bedrooms, five baths, exquisite woodwork, custom moldings, and Italian marble baths.
The home is a dream for hosts, centered around a chef’s kitchen with custom inset cabinetry, a bespoke hammered metal hood, and premium appliances. Luxury amenities include a wraparound porch, a dedicated wine cellar, and a historic stained-glass bar area. Finished for both leisure and sophistication, the lower level and spacious, organized bedroom suites ensure every inch reflects timeless style and unparalleled quality.
“I hold these big themes that I think are kind of working in consternation,” Wellington explained. “They’re kind of contradictions because to care about land, one needs to put money into the preservation of waterways and the systems, and yet, instead of looking around at what we’re surrounded by, I think folks are always kind of looking up and looking out.”
Making a lot out of little is something that is ingrained in Wellington as she reflects on her Black-Caribbean heritage, just like her grandmother who was a sharecropper. The resiliency is something that is present in Wellington’s art as a foundation rather than a figurative representation. When you experience her art form, there is an intentionality that’s intricate, not just in the hundreds of perfectly placed beads, but in the way they hold these kinds of meanings.
“I feel challenged to be authentic, to my essence and my culture,” said Wellington. “I think being resilient and resourceful is kind of like when I think about what it means to be Black. We are an enduring people.”
Wellington leaves room for the viewer to be invited and considered. Her tapestries pose the question, “What can art do?” — a question she ultimately asks herself, and invites her audience to ponder as well.
“When someone looks at my work, how can I make them feel seen or understood or feel some kind of nostalgic sensation?” Wellington mused. “How can I signal back to somebody else?”
VIEW more of Akeylah’s work at brandt-gallery.com/artists/akeylah-imaniwellington. Her special exhibition may be over, but those interested in purchasing a beaded tapestry can inquire on the aforementioned website.
THE SPACE BETWEEN Wellington’s art confronts culture, climate change, and the cosmos. Inquire to purchase a tapestry on Brandt Gallery’s website.
