Hey there, Columbus crew—

This week’s vibe? Equal parts robot-made pizza, cinematic walls attacking your eyeballs, and a $240K “starter condo” in a tower that looks like it belongs in Gotham. The city’s cooking up wildness again, so here’s what we’ve got:

• LeVeque Tower’s luxury pivot is sparking housing drama 🏙️

• ScreenX movie tech is giving IMAX a panic attack 🎬

• City Council fights to legalize... tall weeds? 🥬

• Reagan Milliken’s comeback will have you crying in your coffee ⚾

• Pizza robots are now a thing at the airport, because why not? 🤖

Let’s dive in:

🚨 The Headlines

🏙️ LeVeque Tower's Condo Flip Sparks Housing Feud Downtown

Historic tower, fancy views, starter price tag of $240K. Affordable? That’s up for debate.

This week, Kaufman Development announced it’s turning 69 LeVeque Tower apartments into condos, with prices climbing up to $650K. The catch? Columbus’ median income is $65K. So… yeah.

Why people are side-eyeing:

• It’s being sold as “affordable” because it’s not $1M+ (Columbus: “That’s not how math works.”)

• They’re tax-abated till 2032, which means buyers get a deal and the city gets… vibes.

• They’re releasing them in batches like it’s a sneaker drop.

Resident Rob Leary: “I love downtown, I just want more homeowners.”
Economists: “Cool, but people also need to, like, afford things.”

→ See inside the condo saga

🎬 ScreenX Cinema: Your Movie Just Grew Two More Screens

Ever watched a movie and thought, “Hmm… I wish it attacked my side vision too”? Same.

Yesterday Marcus Crosswoods Cinema debuted ScreenX — a 270° movie experience with screens on three walls. No ceiling though (sorry, Planetarium fans).

Their kickoff film? Marvel’s Thunderbolts — nothing says "fully immersive" like explosions, snark, and an emotionally unavailable anti-hero.

→ See the future

⚾ Reagan Milliken: From Collapsed Lung to Home Run Queen

Ohio State’s first baseman is having a career season after a terrifying 2024 scare.

• Last year: Collapsed lung, chest tubes, pneumonia, surgery.

• This year: 17 homers, second in team RBIs, and crushing it like nothing happened.

🗣️ “I had a dream Jesus sat at the foot of my hospital bed… I knew I’d be OK.”
❤️ Milliken says she’s using her extra eligibility year to stay one more season — lungs sore, but spirit unbreakable.

→ Read the comeback story

🌿 Columbus May Finally Legalize... Tall Weeds?

The city might update its code to allow native pollinator gardens over 12 inches tall. Yes, really.

People like Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka @BlackForager) have been hit with violations for growing milkweed.

Councilmember Wyche wants to fix that — but gardeners say the new rules still limit them.

The drama:

• Gardens can’t cover more than 50% of your yard.

• You still need a 30-inch buffer from your neighbor’s lawn.

• And the city’s solid waste code might still come for your goldenrod.

🌻 “Let me grow milkweed in peace” — basically every native gardener in town.

→ Dig into the debate

☕ Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Opens May 3 @ Kingsdale

Part café, part movement. This North Carolina-based shop is opening its first Ohio location this Friday at 10AM in Upper Arlington — and it’s all about meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

Why it matters:

• 450+ employees with disabilities across 20 shops

• Founded by parents raising kids with autism and Down syndrome

• More than just coffee — it’s a mission in a mug

→ Be there for the grand opening

🍔 Shakers Public House Returns (Now as a Food Truck)

After a fire gutted their Georgesville Road location in 2023, Shakers went dark. For a while, it looked like one of the West Side’s favorite hangouts might not come back. But guess what? They’ve officially rebooted — food truck style.

Now permanently parked at 4331 W. Broad Street, the new mobile kitchen is slinging the hits: smashburgers, saucy wings, and their dangerously good brownies.

It’s the same Shakers flavor, just with wheels and a tighter menu. And for longtime fans? It’s a sign that West Side institutions still fight back.

What to know:

• Open weekdays from 11AM to 7PM

• The full-service restaurant in Worthington is still running at 480 E. Wilson Bridge Road

• The food truck isn’t just a stopgap — it’s here to stay

Columbus loves a comeback. Especially when it comes with buffalo sauce.

→ Track the truck

🍕 Core Café + Sourdough Pizza Bros Open in UA

The team behind Bake Me Happy just launched a new café inside the Bob Crane Community Center. Expect healthy eats, local coffee, and sourdough pizza made from a 100-year-old starter.

What’s on deck:

• Healthy dishes + Thunderkiss Coffee

• Bake Me Happy sweets

• New pizza concept with a rotating pie of the day

• No membership required to visit the café

→ See what’s baking

🤖 Donatos Launching All-Robot Pizza Kitchen at the Airport

No humans. No waiters. Just bots making pizza in 5 minutes flat.

Located in Hanger 815 at John Glenn International, the new Donatos will use a fully autonomous kitchen.

Order via touchscreen, watch your pizza get made through a glass window, and boom — robot pie is served.

Not into Skynet crusts? Two other staffed Donatos locations still operate at the airport.

→ See the future of foo

Friday, May 2

🎤 Sunday (1994): The Debut Tour @ A&R Music Bar
This rising alt-pop artist blends nostalgic vibes with modern flair. Think synths, storytelling, and a stage presence ready for the big leagues.

→ Hear what’s next

🎨 Paint & Sip: Spring Stream @ Wine and Canvas

Pour a glass, pick a brush, and let the stream of spring colors do their thing. Bonus points if you paint something that actually resembles water.

→ Book a seat

🐦 Birds, Brews & Burgers Fundraiser @ Grange Audubon Center

Support local wildlife with a side of sliders and craft beer. Live birds, good vibes, and no judgment if you come for the food.

→ Support the flock

Saturday, May 3

📚 Ohioana Book Festival @ State Library of Ohio

100+ authors. Panels. Signings. Bookworms in their natural habitat. Bonus: you’ll leave with way more books than you planned.

→ Get lit

🎭 Schooled on Poetry @ Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center

Spoken word meets theater in this original production spotlighting local poets and students. Raw, honest, and powerful.

→ Grab a seat

🍑 Southern Fare & Derby Flair @ The Kitchen

A participatory dinner party celebrating the Kentucky Derby. Think hats, bourbon, and peach cobbler. Fancy or not—just show up hungry.

→ Get on the guest list

Sunday, May 4

🎸 Fontaines D.C. USA Tour 2025 @ Newport Music Hall

Irish post-punk heroes storm Columbus. Riffs, angst, and unfiltered attitude guaranteed.

→ Feel the noise

🎥 Sunday Cinema Club: Stop Making Sense @ Southern Theatre

David Byrne. Big suit. Big energy. One of the greatest concert films of all time. Don’t miss this rare screening.

→ Dance in your seat

🎻 Gospel Choir Concert @ Swasey Chapel

An uplifting, soul-filled performance in a historic venue. Come for the music, stay for the goosebumps.

→ Be moved

Monday, May 5

🧀 Uncorked @ Due Amici

It’s Monday, and cheese + wine will save you. This downtown happy hour is low-key, classy, and might fix your whole week.

→ Sip something good

🧗 Stone Masters Rock Climbing Day (50+) @ Bloc Garten

Got some gray in your hair and still want to crush a boulder? This one’s for the OGs. Free gear and no judgment.

→ Climb on

🎨 Best of 2025 @ Ohio Craft Museum

A fresh showcase of the region’s top craft artists. Ceramics, textiles, woodwork—you name it, it’s handmade and gorgeous.

→ Preview the art

Tuesday, May 6

🍷 Banfi Wine Dinner @ Cento

Four courses. Four wines. One very good excuse to cancel your Tuesday plans. Pairings you’ll talk about for weeks.

→ Reserve your fork

🪴 Mom & Me Planters Workshop @ Makers Social

Mother’s Day prep done right. You and Mom build a custom herb planter and make memories that won’t wilt.

→ Book your spot

✍️ Young Writers’ Studio Spring 2025 @ Thurber House

Grades 9–12. Weekly prompts, creative challenges, and feedback from pros. It’s like writer’s bootcamp—without the yelling.

→ Sign up a student

Wednesday, May 7

🎤 The Wrecks: INSIDE/OUTSIDE Tour @ Newport Music Hall

Alt-rock darlings hit Columbus with a full-throttle set. Expect chaos, charisma, and lots of hair flips.

→ Rock out

👶 Make Mom a Terrarium @ Mimi’s Cafe

Create a custom mini garden with Mom—or show up solo and claim it's for her. Either way, it's adorable and planty.

→ Build some green

Thursday, May 8

🎤 Giovannie & The Hired Guns @ The Bluestone

Southern rock meets Tejano soul in this rowdy, high-energy show. Bring your boots, your friends, and your loudest voice.

→ Snag a ticket

🍷 Mother’s Day Wine Tasting @ Littleton’s Market

Because Moms deserve rosé and a cheese plate with their name on it. Sip your way through spring’s best bottles.

→ Wine down

🔮 Tarot Bingo: Summerween @ BrewDog DogTap

Spooky season comes early with tarot readings, bingo cards, and prizes. Think Halloween + bar crawl + game night.

→ Manifest your win 

📸 Picture of the Week

This photo is making waves across Columbus: a FedEx truck lodged cleanly in the front of a Westerville home, as if it mistook the living room for a loading dock.

The good news? The homeowner confirmed everyone is safe. No one was inside at the time, and the FedEx driver—who reportedly suffered a seizure—was treated and is doing okay.

That’s a wrap, Columbus.

From surround-screen Marvel madness to $650K condos in the “affordable” section and a FedEx truck turned living room centerpiece—this week did not disappoint.

Seen something weird? Found a hidden gem? Got a garden the HOA hates? Hit reply—we’re collecting the chaos.

Until next time, stay curious, stay caffeinated, and maybe keep your porch clear... just in case.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity

P.S. Forward this to someone who thinks suburban life is boring. Then show them a FedEx truck in a foyer.