New Restaurants Coming to University Square
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Hinson
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New Restaurants Coming to University Square at
The Ohio State University
Public Plaza Connecting the University District Neighborhood to Campus Now Open and Named University Square at The Ohio State University
(Columbus, Ohio) September 29, 2021 -- Campus Partners announced today the opening of the plaza between The Ohio State University and the University District neighborhoods. Informally referred to as 15th and High, the area has been named University Square at The Ohio State University. Located on the northeast corner of 15th Avenue and High Street, University Square at Ohio State was designed as a community gathering space to be utilized by students, faculty, University District residents and visitors.
A unique feature of University Square includes a friendship walk with the word friendship engraved in 141 languages along the granite walkway. Friendship was selected from Carmen Ohio, the alma mater of Ohio State, because it reflects the intent of the outdoor plaza to bring people together and forge a stronger community. Campus Partners relied on linguistics experts at the university to translate friendship into 141 languages that are spoken at Ohio State. Languages include Spanish, Italian and Russian as well as Native American languages and Braille, among others. Ohio State’s Center for Languages, Literatures and cultures (CLLC) gathered the translations from all over campus and verified them before being carved in stone.
“The purpose of this plaza is to serve as an informal living room with a distinct energy,” said Amanda Hoffsis, President of Campus Partners. “Throughout its history, the 15th Avenue and High Street intersection has served as a front door to the university. It has been a hub of social activity and is currently one of the most vibrant pedestrian areas in the City of Columbus. This new public plaza will serve as an important gathering place with greenspace and seating areas plus eateries and pubs. We felt that University Square accurately reflected the important function of this new area.”
“A key attribute of University Square is bringing people together,” said Keith Myers, Vice President of Planning, Architecture and Real Estate at The Ohio State University. “It’s here that friendships are built that last a lifetime, as reflected in the OSU alma mater. It’s only appropriate that the friendship walkway reflects those diverse relationships and celebrates the voices of all people who live, work and learn here.”
The plaza is flanked to the north and the south by two new university buildings totaling 200,000 square feet. University Square North recently welcomed more than 250 university employees, including Ohio State’s Office of Advancement, who had previously been housed in various buildings across campus. University Square South is still under construction and expected to be completed in Summer 2022.
New Restaurants Announced and Opening
Campus Partners announced today LemonShark Poké & Makai Grill and Roots Natural Kitchen will open at University Square in the coming months and Bubbles Tea & Juice Company is now open.
“We sought out each of these new restaurants at University Square with students, neighbors and visitors to campus in mind,” said Matt Hansen, Senior Campus Planner, Campus Partners. “It’s been exciting to curate this mix of eateries, with some having a local connection and others being the first ever in the state of Ohio. Whether you are stopping by for a bite on the way to class, grabbing lunch with friends, networking with your colleagues at happy hour or taking your parents out to dinner, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at University Square.”
Now open, Bubbles Tea & Juice Company began in the Historic North Market in 2005 with a vision to impact the lives and health of customers, one drink at a time. Bubble Tea & Juice Company offers your daily dose of fruits and vegetables in delicious, made in-house smoothies as well as milk or flavored bubble teas, cold press juices using all-natural, organic ingredients and a selection of protein bars and acai bowls for a nutritious snack. Bubbles Tea & Juice Company is committed to putting the very best ingredients into your hands.
LemonShark Poké & Makai Grill will open its second Ohio restaurant at University Square North. LemonShark Poké and Makai Grill is an inviting, Hawaiian-themed establishment which offers sustainably sourced sushi-grade fish (“Poké”) and authentic hibachi-style grilled meats, seafood and vegetables (“Makai”). A staple of the native Hawaiian cuisine, Poké incorporates variations of marinated seafood, typically layered over sticky rice and decorated with vegetables and flavorful sauces. Along with enticing food, guests will experience a full bar and craft cocktails that pair delightfully with the fare.
Roots Natural Kitchen is a fast casual restaurant serving great tasting, healthy, and affordable salads and grain bowls. They focus on making their bowls radically accessible through a fun in-store environment, as well as a variety of digital channels, including their app and delivery partners like Uber eats. Roots prides itself on being a great restaurant work experience for all employees. Roots was founded in 2015 by two University of Virginia graduates that recognized the lack of great, healthy restaurant options on the University of Virginia "Corner". Roots has opened 9 restaurants since 2015, with 2 more on the way before the end of 2021. The Columbus, Ohio location opening in early November at 10 E 15th Ave will be Roots first location in Ohio.
Barrio Tacos, previously announced in February, is a trendy taqueria opening its second Columbus location at University Square North.
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Campus Partners was formed in 1995 as a 501(c) 3, private, non-profit corporation working in the urban neighborhoods surrounding the Ohio State University. The hallmark of Campus Partners’ work has been a market-based strategy which relies on community planning, a comprehensive approach to neighborhood renewal, partnerships among the major stakeholders and strategic projects that leverage private investment and change underlying conditions in the neighborhoods.