🏗️ A New Downtown Tower Gets The Green Light On Fourth Street

Plus: 💐 It's The End of an Era At North Market

Author

Chelsea Wiley
December 17, 2025

Sponsored by Decorative Arts Center of Ohio 🖼️
🥂 Food for Thought: A Taste of the Canton Museum of Art is on view from September 27 – January 4. You can explore an exhibit that dives into what we eat, how we eat it, and the culture we create around the table. From American art to agricultural traditions, these works celebrate food as community, memory, and ritual. Come hungry for inspiration and gather around the CMA table! More info at decartsohio.org.

Hello, Wednesday! Chelsea here.

It feels refreshing when a new downtown building actually looks like it belongs there, not like it was dropped in from a copy and paste template. After years of parking lots and placeholder spaces, this is one of those projects that feels intentional. This week, a 12-story tower just got approved for South Fourth Street, adding more homes, retail, and some solid amenities to the Capitol Square area. It is another major step forward for the long-running Capitol Square Renaissance and a sign that momentum downtown is still very real. Here’s what’s planned, where it fits, and why this building matters more than it might seem at first glance.

💐 The End of an Era: Market Blooms Founder Retires After 36 Years at North Market
After nearly 36 years at North Market, Market Blooms owner Marty McGreevy is retiring at the end of 2025. The good news is the beloved flower shop is staying put, with new owners stepping in to carry on the legacy starting in January.

♥️ 6 Hallmark-Inspired Holiday Dates Around Columbus
Love them or roll your eyes at them, Hallmark holiday movies have perfected the art of cozy, predictable romance. This guide leans all the way in with Hallmark worthy date night ideas around Columbus, from baking chaos to twinkly lights and ice skating meet cutes.

Headlines 📰 

👏 Library workers across Columbus are taking a big step toward having more say in how their workplaces run. After more than a year of organizing, staff at the Columbus Metropolitan Library have launched a formal push to unionize, citing safety, job security, and a desire for a real seat at the table. (Matter News)

💰 Columbus City Council approved two measures to help fund $400 million in planned upgrades at Nationwide Arena, including a higher admissions tax on events. The funding plan combines public dollars, state support, bonds, and private contributions to modernize the 25-year-old venue. (10TV)

⚖️ Whitehall City Council voted to allow councilmember Gerald Dixon to remain in office despite his recent arrest on charges including sexual abuse and compelling prostitution from a minor. The decision followed a failed expulsion vote, as council members debated due process while residents packed chambers to voice concern ahead of Dixon’s upcoming court proceedings. (WOSU)

🌤️ Weather: 40 and partly sunny

Help us support Mid-Ohio Food Collective this holiday season!
While many of us gather around tables filled with food and laughter, thousands of families in our community are going without. Together, we can change that. Support the Holiday Meals Campaign and help provide comfort, nourishment, and hope to families in need. For every $1 donated, Mid-Ohio Food Collective can provide up to 2.5 meals. If you’d like to donate, please click here. Every single dollar matters!

Coming Up 📆

🩰 12/17-12/21: The Nutcracker
🎭 12/17-12/21: SIX: The Musical
🏒 12/18: Blue Jackets vs. Minnesota Wild 
🏀 12/18: OSU Women's Basketball vs. Norfolk State 
🎭 12/18-12/21: The Wiz
🎵 12/19: Silly Goose
🎭 12/19-12/23: Mr. Scrooge
🎻 12/20: Santa & the Symphony - Sensory Friendly Series
🎵 12/20-12/21: Holiday Spectacular
🎓 12/21: OSU Winter Commencement
🩰 12/23: My First Nutcracker
🎸 12/23: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Today's Photo 🤳

Instagram Post

🎄 The Christmas vibes at Antiques on High are soooo good. Skip the overrated pop-ups and enjoy something local, delicious, and adorably decorated.

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- Chelsea