- Columbus Curiosity
- Posts
- Columbus Curiosity - 11th July 2025
Columbus Curiosity - 11th July 2025
Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun
Nathan Griggs
July 11, 2025
Hey Columbus crew—
Ever had a week where you’re dodging actual helicopters, dreaming of bullet trains, and realizing Columbus might out-fashion your entire wardrobe?
Buckle up. This city’s serving chaos with a side of haute couture and free fries.
Let’s unravel the madness:
🗞️ News You Missed – VIP villain chopper “sky-heist” snarled State St, Amtrak’s long-shot comeback got real, quarry cliff climbs scored NatGeo creds, and The Loom’s $5 M fashion HQ just landed downtown.
🔍 Hidden Gems – Tee off for charity at the auto show, sip dawn-to-dark brews at Barrel & Bloom, taco-crawl Mi Tradicion Grove City, scoop smiles at Scoops with Smiles, and snag free fries courtesy of Sheetz.
🎟️ What’s On This Week – Dark-vibe alt-rock with Diggy Graves, Steve Hofstetter’s roast-master comedy, Pixar magic under the stars, and a Bastille Day Provençal feast.
🚨 The Headlines
🚁 Downtown Sky-Heist: Helicopter Shuts Roads Like a VIP Villain
State Street’s now a no-fly (and no-drive) zone Friday night. Why? A "lift operation" involving a chopper, fencing, and zero explanations.
Cold hard facts:
Roads closed: State St. (High to 4th), Third St. (Broad to State).
Statehouse Garage: Enter via Broad St. only—or wrestle traffic elsewhere.
Pedestrians: Southwest corner access only. Hamilton fans, plan detours or teleport.
Why care? Proof Columbus infrastructure runs on ✨drama✨.
🚂 Amtrak’s Back? Columbus Eyes Train Station Revival
After 50 years of "maybe someday," we’re this close to choo-choos downtown.
The spicy details:
Station location: Convention Center (near old Union Station).
73k riders/year predicted—because driving I-71 is so 2024.
Amtrak’s pitch: "Sleep, read, or nap without road rage!"
Vibe check: "Productivity > speed," says Amtrak. Sure, Jan.
🧗 National Geographic Hearts Our Via Ferrata
Quarry Trails’ cliffside climb got Nat Geo’s stamp of approval. Move over, Grand Canyon.
Key quote: “She was so excited to see it!” — Metro Parks’ Jill Snyder, on Nat Geo’s journalist freaking out mid-climb.
Why it slaps: We’re the only U.S. city with an urban via ferrata. Eat your heart out, Denver.
👗 Columbus: Next Fashion Capital?
We’re gunning for NY/LA with "The Loom"—a 43k sq. ft. fashion hub downtown.
Thread count:
Franklin County dropped $5M+ on fashion. Your tax dollars at werk.
Goal: Centralize designers, brands, and "stop working in silos!" (their words, not mine).
If we can’t beat ’em, out-accessorize ’em.
🚗 Charity Auto Show: Horsepower with Heart
Rev up for 1,000+ jaw-dropping rides—vintage beauties, custom beasts, and exotics that’ll make your Prius weep.
Hot perks:
🎨 Live pinstripe art auctions (watch masters create, then bid like Sotheby’s on caffeine)
🍔 Food trucks + beer garden = optimal car-gawking fuel
🎈 Kid zones so your toddlers won’t lick the Lamborghinis
Why go? Every ticket funds arthritis research. Translation: Your inner speed demon fights disease.
☕ Columbus’s Day-to-Night Trifecta: 3 Must-Try Spots
Barrel & Bloom (Linworth): Will be opening soon. Brewstillery by dawn, bar by dusk—where espresso shots and whiskey shots coexist peacefully.
Mi Tradicion (Grove City): Diablo Shrimp Burrito comes with an emergency margarita—salsa hotter than a July sidewalk.
Scoops with Smiles (530 Main St., Groveport): Inclusive ice-cream haven serving the Cookie Avalanche (vanilla + fudge + cookie shrapnel).
🍟 Sheetz’s Free Fry Heist
National French Fry Day = FREE bag of salty golden sticks (July 11-13).
How to score:
Download Sheetz app
Tap "OFFERZ" tab
Order fries
Achieve nirvana
Warning! Fries may vanish before you reach your car.
Friday 11th July:
Phosphorescent – Live at A&R Music Bar
Indie rock magic from the mind behind "Song for Zula." Expect moody lighting, soaring vocals, and lyrics that hit a little too close to home—in the best way.
Def Goldblum’s Bucket O’ Laughs
This isn’t your average comedy night. It’s part unscripted chaos, part wild commentary, and 100% weirdly brilliant. Hosted at The Attic, where things tend to get... loose.
Movie Night: Incredibles 2 (Free!)
Family-friendly vibes with Pixar-powered action. Bring the kids, your inner child, or just a picnic blanket and soak in this wholesome neighborhood screening.
Saturday 12th July:
2025 Columbus Book Festival
A literary block party with author talks, indie bookshops, live music, food trucks, and maybe a surprise poetry slam or two. It’s like Coachella for people who dog-ear pages.
Dolly Parton's Threads: My Song in Symphony
Dolly. Symphony. Fireworks. If your heart didn’t flutter reading that, check your pulse. This Picnic with the Pops edition blends country storytelling with classical power.
Meat Fish Produce Presents: The Salad Bowl
A party disguised as a pop-up dinner. Expect unexpected dishes, natural wine, DJs, and possibly a few identity crises over how good salad can actually be.
Sunday 13th July:
Bastille Day Festival – Chouette x Downtown Columbus Inc
Oui, Columbus is feeling très French today. Expect wine, pastries, Parisian vibes, and possibly someone doing the can-can. A charming way to celebrate liberté with local flair.
→ Chouette
Dude Perfect: Hero World Tour
The internet trick-shot legends are bringing their chaotic, high-energy show to town. It’s part sports, part comedy, part circus — and 100% family-friendly adrenaline.
Monday 14th July:
Literary Picnic with Linda Castillo
Murder, mystery, and picnic blankets. Join NYT bestselling author Linda Castillo under the stars for readings and conversation. Bonus points if you pack snacks that match the plot.
RMHC Joe Mortellaro Golf Classic
A charity tournament where your swing supports Ronald McDonald House—tee off for a great cause.
→ Tee Off
Color Your World with Collage: Altered Book Collage Workshop
Hands-on session transforming old pages into art—supplies included.
→ Sign Up
Tuesday 15th July:
Diggy Graves: Crash My Funeral Tour
Dark vibes, high energy. Diggy Graves brings emotional depth and punk-pop chaos to the stage in a live set that’s anything but dead.
Free Family Flick Night: The Little Mermaid
Dive under the stars for this classic Disney screening—bring blankets, snacks, and the whole crew for an unforgettable outdoor movie experience.
Steve Hofstetter
The YouTube-famous comedian (with millions of views) takes on hecklers and hot takes IRL. Come ready to laugh—or be roasted.
Wednesday 16th July:
Blues & Beyond: Tim Dvorkin Trio – FREE Show
Unwind midweek with a soulful jazz set from the Tim Dvorkin Trio—absolutely free. A perfect blend of blues, cool drinks, and even cooler vibes.
Wine Down Wednesdays – Lincoln Patio Jazz: Dave Shelton Trio
Sip wine, hear smooth jazz, and catch a summer sunset on the Lincoln patio. Classy, cozy, and completely worth it.
Pecha Projects: Leave Good Soil | Abby Kamagate
A unique local art showcase highlighting the power of visual storytelling and community through mixed media. Fresh, intimate, and very Columbus.
Thursday 17th July:
Seph Schlueter: Counting My Blessings Album Release
Faith-driven pop with a local heart. Celebrate the launch of Seph’s new album with uplifting anthems and a packed house of good vibes.
Georgie Barrie LIVE
Acoustic soul, local brews, and a view—Georgie’s got the jams and Edison Brewing’s got the pour.
Shuffle Street
A live music set that mixes funk, soul, and the kind of groove that gets your feet moving before you notice.
How'd We Do This Week?We’re always cooking up new ways to make your inbox the best part of your week. Be honest—how’s this one stacking up? |
🤔Topic of the Week
"$11 an hour in 2025?!"
That’s the current cashier starting wage at Lucky’s Market — and Reddit exploded after this flyer was spotted and shared in r/Columbus. The backlash? Fierce.
Local commenters called out the pay as “sickening,” especially for a company that prides itself on community values. Many chimed in with better-paying options — Aldi ($18+), City Barbeque ($18), Costco ($19.50), and even Sheetz ($17).
Others shared personal stories: botched promotions, bait-and-switch interviews, and how $11 in 2025 compares to $12 in 2007.
There’s a bigger convo brewing here — about dignity, wages, and what it really means to support local. This isn’t just about Lucky’s. It’s about what we accept as “normal” in the city we love.
What’s your take on Lucky’s $11/hr starting wage? |
That’s a wrap,
Between phantom trains, fashion revolutions, and fry-based bribery, Columbus keeps us on our toes. Or in traffic.
Grab a dirty soda, dodge a chopper, and remember: We’re this close to being on Project Runway.
Until next week,
Stay wired. Stay weird.
— Nate
Columbus Curiosity