Columbus Businesses Launch New Retail, Dining, Entertainment Venues Across City

Business owners and developers continue to put money into the Columbus area, with a string of new openings across several neighborhoods in recent weeks. The activity, concentrated in both established retail hubs and up-and-coming districts, offers a clear snapshot of where investment flows are landing.

Astra Rooftop Restaurant Brings Skyline Dining to Park Street

One of the higher-profile launches came on July 11, 2025, when Astra Rooftop Restaurant opened its doors at 517 Park St. The venue took over the space previously occupied by Lumin Sky Bar, which closed last year. Astra trades on elevated rooftop dining with a focus on the city skyline, a formula that has gained traction in downtown Columbus as developers look to maximize views and foot traffic in the core. The opening signals that investors still see value in the Park Street corridor, which has seen a mix of closures and fresh concepts over the past two years. Sources close to the project described the renovation as substantial, though no exact investment figure was available.

Easton Town Center Gets Two First-to-Market Retailers

Meanwhile, Easton Town Center continues to draw first-to-market tenants. Urban Outfitters opened its first Columbus location at 4074 New Bond Street, directly across from Macy's. The retailer, which operates roughly 250 stores nationwide, chose Easton over other regional malls for its Columbus debut, a vote of confidence in the center's ability to draw a young, fashion-conscious demographic. Just a few doors away at 3951 Easton Square Place, Fay's Crepes also opened its first Columbus outpost. The creperie, which originated in Cincinnati, brings made-to-order sweet and savory crepes to the food-and-beverage lineup at Easton. Both openings are the result of lease negotiations that began in early 2024, according to sources familiar with the deals.

Grove City Entertainment Venue Opens in Historic Bowling Alley

South of downtown, the suburb of Grove City saw the July 18, 2025, opening of Dueling Axes, an axe-throwing bar and entertainment venue that occupies the former Grove City Bowling Lanes at 3940 Broadway. The conversion turned the historic bowling alley into a 6,000-square-foot entertainment space. Developer Nick Poulos, who oversaw the project, has said the aim is to fill a gap in Grove City's nightlife offerings. The investment is notable because it puts private capital into a reuse of a historic building rather than a new ground-up construction, a model that municipal planners have encouraged to preserve the character of older commercial corridors.

Franklinton Sees Return of a Neighborhood Institution

In Franklinton, a neighborhood that has attracted substantial redevelopment attention in recent years, Milo's Deli reopened after an 11-year closure. The deli, which originally operated in the area for decades, took over a space on West Town Street. The return of a longtime local business is seen by economic development observers as a marker of neighborhood stability: new residents and office tenants have moved into Franklinton, creating enough demand to support a sandwich shop that had been gone for more than a decade. Backers of the reopening have not disclosed the cost of the renovation, but the project was privately funded.

The cluster of openings, a rooftop restaurant downtown, national and regional retailers at Easton, an entertainment conversion in Grove City, and a neighborhood deli revival in Franklinton, illustrates the range of investment flowing into the Columbus market. While downtown and suburban corridors face different economic headwinds, property vacancy data and leasing activity from the first half of 2025 suggest that both commercial and entertainment real estate continue to attract private capital. No major pullback in commercial development has been reported by local brokers, and city officials have not signaled any slowdown in permitting for new concepts. For now, the new openings offer a grounded look at where investors are placing their bets: established retail corridors, historic adaptive reuse projects, and neighborhood-scale food businesses in growing residential pockets.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.