Columbus Curiosity - 26th September 2025

Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun

Author

Nathan Griggs
September 26, 2025

Hey Columbus crew,

From Victorian renos with heart to a Kroger that moonlights as a nightclub, this week is peak Cbus energy. Add in Buckeye hype reels, an AI tip line straight out of sci-fi, and a vegan scene that even carnivores can’t hate, there’s plenty to chew on.

The Lineup:

📰 The Headlines – A Victorian love letter turned home restoration, Cincinnati’s viral “Club Kroger,” Buckeye hype in full swing, and Ohio’s new AI crime-fighting chatbot.

💎 Hidden Gems & Local Legends – Vegan eats that convert meat-lovers, DIY hot pot, fried fish worth the drive, and popcorn flavors wilder than your group chat..

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment – From Katt Williams to Beethoven, barbecue fests to hyperpop raves, it’s a lineup that swings from symphonies to goblins with a cello.

🚗 Topic of the Week – Are data centers about to drink Columbus dry? Locals are split between “plenty of water” and “climate change says hi.”

Let’s dive into this week’s chaos:

🚨 The Headlines

A Victorian Village Home Restores Its Heart—and Its History

Karla Rothan just finished a top-to-bottom reno on her stunning 1875 Craftsman home, but this wasn’t some soulless flip.

This was a love letter to her late spouse, Linda Schuler, an “urban pioneer” who started buying up crumbling Victorian Village properties in the 70s when no one else would.

The Deets:

  • The Story: The house was originally a doctor's office waiting room porch and all. After Linda passed in 2022, Karla channeled her energy to rebuild it from the inside out, uncovering massive termite damage (the real reason the kitchen tiles kept cracking) and lowering ceilings to make room for a glorious primary suite.

  • The Vibe: “Eclectic and transitional,” mixing old stained glass with a killer new kitchen. The backyard garden is a tribute to Linda’s love of the Cotswolds, complete with bricks from her parents' hometown. It’s a masterclass in how to honor the past while securing the future.

  • The Legacy: As Karla says, “When you restore an old home, you restore the significance of your history, your neighborhood and your community.”

‘Club Kroger’ is Real, and It’s in Cincinnati

Forget everything you know about fluorescent lighting and sad produce aisles. A Kroger in Cincinnati is going viral on TikTok as “Club Kroger,” and it’s the grocery experience we didn’t know we needed.

The Drama:

  • While you’re meekly comparing cereal prices on the first floor, the second-floor food hall, On the Rhine Eatery, is throbbing with bass-heavy dance hits from live DJs.

  • Five eateries, a bar, and the surreal experience of grabbing milk while someone upstairs drops a beat. It’s the chaotic, joyful crossover we deserve.

  • Is it a grocery store? A club? A beautiful, beautiful mistake? Yes. We know we need one of these in Columbus.

Ohio State’s Hype Machine is in Midseason Form

The Buckeyes are 3-0 and heading to Washington this Saturday, and the social media team is already firing on all cylinders. Their latest trailer features Maurice Clarett dropping truth bombs about being “obsessed with being different.”

The Context:

“We’re not chasing normal. We’re obsessed with being different,” Clarett growls. It’s the kind of pre-game content that makes you want to run through a wall, or at least yell loudly at your TV.

The game kicks off at 3:30 PM on CBS.

Ohio’s New AI Tip Line: “See Something, Send Something”

Ohio Homeland Security just launched ‘Safeguard Ohio,’ a new online platform that lets you report suspicious activity with photos, video, and audio. It’s like a crime-fighting chatbot that won’t forget to ask about the suspect’s tattoos.

The Lowdown:

  • How it Works: An AI guides you through a conversation, pulling critical details to create “actionable intel” for analysts. Since its soft launch, reports have tripled.

  • The Goal: As OHS director Mark Porter said, this is about taking “see something, say something” and adding “send something.” It’s available in 10 languages, and you can report anonymously. Just, you know, maybe don't report your neighbor for their questionable lawn ornaments.

💎 Hidden Gems & Local Legends

Vegan Spots That’ll Make You Forget Meat Exists

  • Seitan’s Realm: The undisputed champ for vegan junk food. Their buffalo "chicken" sandwich has been known to cause existential crises in carnivores.

  • Comune: The place you take a date to prove that plant-based can be polished, creative, and downright fancy.

  • Nile Vegan (now Flare): A beloved Grandview spot that, despite now serving meat, still has a killer vegan menu. So good even non-vegans keep coming back.

Why You Should Skip Cooking

Hey Broth: A new hot pot/Mongolian BBQ spot on Henderson Rd. where you load a bowl with ingredients, they cook it in a killer broth in five minutes, and you feel like a genius. It’s the perfect food for the coming chill.

Rusty’s Wharf (Pataskala): Don’t let the landlock fool you. This family spot was just named one of the best fish & chips joints in Ohio. The cod is flaky, the batter is crisp, and the clam chowder deserves a “standing ovation.”

Tastebuds Popcorn (Grove City): Over 250 flavors. Let me repeat: TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY. From Buffalo Chicken to Red Velvet Cake. This is snack innovation at its most unhinged and wonderful.

Happy Hours That Actually Make You Happy

  • Club 185: The people’s champion. Half-off drafts and $2.50 domestics from 4-7 PM, with solid burgers that won’t require a loan.

  • Forno Kitchen & Bar: For when you want a Short North vibe that isn’t a dive bar. Half-off pizzas and amazing cocktails? Yes, please.

  • Olde Towne Tavern: A beer lover’s dream with half-off all drafts, from craft to classic. Simple, effective, beautiful.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

Fri, September 26TH

Katt Williams @ Nationwide Arena

The comedy legend returns with his Heaven on Earth tour—expect sharp jokes, wild energy, and zero filters.

Beethoven 5 @ Ohio Theatre

The iconic symphony shakes the rafters—one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music, live in Cbus.

George Janko @ Davidson Theatre

Podcast host and actor brings storytelling, laughs, and surprise candor to the stage.

Bottle Your Own Bourbon @ Echo Spirits

Hands-on whiskey fun—fill, cork, and wax-seal your very own bottle.

Sat, September 27TH

GuineaFest 2025 @ Zenith Academy East

Celebrate independence, unity, and Guinean culture with food, music, and dancing. Free entry.

Smoke & Fire Fest @ Schneider Park

Barbecue, fire pits, craft brews, and community vibes. Basically autumn in a festival.

Bop to the Top @ Newport Music Hall

High-energy pop showcase that keeps the floor moving all night.

Sun, September 28TH

Here Come the Mummies @ The Bluestone

Funky, horn-driven band in full mummy gear—equal parts groove and spectacle.

Mood Indigo: 100 Years of Ellington @ Columbus Museum of Art

A centennial tribute to Duke Ellington’s legacy, performed live.

Family Fall Music Fest @ Hinson Amphitheater

Tim Kubart & the Space Cadets bring kid-friendly tunes and fall fun.

PetPromise Festival & Walk for the Animals @ Genoa Park

Pups, vendors, live music, and a big charity walk. Tail-wags guaranteed.

Mon, September 29TH

ARTRAGEOUS Live @ The Avalon Theatre

Wild mash-up of art, music, theater, and dance—all happening on stage in real time.

Tower Duo @ Eisner Center

Flute and sax duo delivering a fresh spin on classical and jazz.

Colony House @ Skully’s Music Diner
Indie rock outfit serving up anthemic choruses and big-room energy in an intimate Cbus venue.

Tue, September 30TH

The Lumineers @ Schottenstein Center

Arena-filling folk anthems, singalongs guaranteed.

An Evening with Goose @ KEMBA Live!

Jam-band kings known for marathon sets and improvisation.

The Living Tombstone @ Newport Music Hall

Electro-rockers with a cult following—high-energy and internet-famous.

Selwyn Birchwood @ Natalie’s Grandview

Blues guitarist mixing swamp soul with modern grit.

Wed, October 1ST

Garbage & Starcrawler @ KEMBA Live!

’90s alt-rock icons team up with glam-punk chaos-bringers.

An Evening of Songs & Stories @ Natalie’s Grandview

Intimate night of storytelling and live music.

Jiaoying Summers @ Columbus Funny Bone

TikTok comedy phenom takes her stand-up viral energy to the stage.

Rushadicus the Cello Goblin @ Dirty Dungarees

Yes, that’s his name. Expect metal, cello, and goblin energy.

Thu, October 2ND

Witcher in Concert @ Palace Theatre

Live orchestra + visuals from the beloved fantasy franchise.

Pool Kids + Truth Club @ A&R Music Bar

Emo/math rock blend that’s equal parts technical and emotional.

Free Sunset Movie: Goosebumps @ Columbus Commons

Outdoor flick under the stars—family-friendly with spooky vibes.

Mark Lomax II @ Wexner Center for the Arts

Renowned Columbus jazz drummer and composer blends history, rhythm, and storytelling in a powerful live set.

How'd We Do This Week?

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🚗 Topic of the Week

Will Data Centers Drain Columbus Dry?

A post on r/Columbus this week raised alarms: with Meta’s new Prometheus data center slated to open in New Albany in 2026, some locals are wondering if central Ohio’s water supply is about to get squeezed.

According to industry math, Prometheus could use over 1.2 million gallons of water a day—about the same as 10,000 Columbus residents. Add in more facilities coming online, and people are asking: are our rivers, reservoirs, and wallets ready?

Reddit’s take

  • “Good thing the climate is dependable and will never change /s.”

  • “Ohio isn’t California/Nevada—we have plenty of water.”

  • “Don’t underestimate humanity’s ability to overtax the environment.”

For now, Columbus Water says capacity is strong (149M gallons/day, with a fourth water plant on the way). But between hotter summers, droughts, and a city booming with data farms, some residents aren’t convinced.

👉 What do you think? Are data centers the future, or future water hogs? Hit reply and share your take.

😀See You Next Week

That’s a wrap on another week in Cbus where a grocery store can double as a dance floor and a Victorian home can carry a whole love story. From fish fries to jazz beats, this city doesn’t do boring.

Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay caffeinated.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity