Yesterday the Unkempt Guy, the Bus-Riding Conservative and I ventured a few blocks north and east of the firm. We were heading into what is now called the Warehouse District. As the name suggests, it’s an area of old brick storage buildings — some rehabbed and occupied, some not — and surface parking lots, tucked into the corner of downtown between the old fire station museum and CCAD. For a part of downtown, it’s definitely off the beaten path.
It’s the kind of area you would never see unless you had a specific reason to visit — and yesterday we did. Our destination was the Warehouse Cafe, a small breakfast and lunch place located on Fifth Street in the corner of one of the rehabbed warehouse buildings. Its space is very cool, with the charm of old wooden warehouse floors and big windows. Be sure to check out the great, multi-story staircase just inside the front door that heads straight up into the guts of the building. To our amazement, the Warehouse Cafe has been quietly serving good food there for 15 years.
You order at the counter from the offerings on a pre-printed menu and a chalkboard, pay up front, and then have a seat until someone on the friendly wait staff brings your order to your table. I had the Warehouse burger and some piping hot crinkle-cut fries, the UG polished off a reuben, and the BRC enjoyed an Albanian panini. We all liked our very reasonably priced food and also appreciated the vibe of the Warehouse District, which seems to be home to lots of small firms and start-up businesses with compelling names.
Don’t be surprised if the Warehouse District becomes the next big focus of downtown Columbus development, but be sure to check out the Warehouse Cafe when you are scoping out the real estate.
Webner House 