🍴 FiLLi Is A Cozy Cafe Serving Chai, Shawarma, And More

Plus: 👏 There’s A Columbus Community Where People Trade Skills Instead Of Money

Author

Chelsea Wiley
May 27, 2026

Sponsored by the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio 🖼️
The DACO Gala returns July 11, bringing runway fashion, local food and drink, and a night of art and celebration in Lancaster. Beyond the event, it’s the Center’s largest fundraiser—supporting exhibitions, education programs, and community arts initiatives across Ohio. For more info, please click here.

Hello, Tuesday! Chelsea, here.

There’s a new cafe at Polaris that feels a little different from the usual coffee shop crowd. FiLLi Cafe, a globally popular chain that got its start in Dubai, opened in Lewis Center earlier this year and has already been drawing attention for its signature chai drinks and comfort food menu. We stopped in to see what all the hype was about, and found a space that’s equal parts cozy hangout and flavorful escape from the standard cafe routine. From the atmosphere to the menu, a few things immediately stood out. Here’s what our visit was like.

👏 There’s A Columbus Community Where People Trade Skills Instead Of Money
What if instead of paying for help, you traded your time? A Columbus community is doing exactly that, exchanging everything from rides and yard work to handmade baby blankets through a local time bank.

🥪 Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Free Summer Meal Program Returns June 1
As summer break begins, Columbus libraries are once again stepping in to help families access free meals for kids and teens. The annual Summer Meals program returns June 1 with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options at library branches across Central Ohio.

Headlines 📰 

⚽️ A Columbus Crew defender is officially headed to the FIFA World Cup. Max Arfsten became the first active Crew player since Brian McBride to make a U.S. World Cup roster, adding another major milestone to Columbus’ growing soccer legacy. (NBC4)

🚨 New wrong-way detection cameras are coming to highways across Central Ohio as ODOT looks to reduce some of the state’s deadliest crashes. The technology is designed to spot drivers entering exit ramps the wrong direction and alert authorities faster. (WOSU)

💵 Housing groups, food access organizations, arts nonprofits, and other Central Ohio services are facing growing financial strain as federal funding tightens. Local leaders say demand for help is rising at the same time many organizations are struggling to stay afloat. (Axios Columbus)

🌥️ Weather: 77 and cloudy, with showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day

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😍 Spotted salamanders are the state reptile of Ohio, and I totally get why. Just look how cute that little guy is!

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- Chelsea