The German Village Experience

About German Village German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus, . Initially platted in 1814 in Columbus’s South End, the German Village area primarily developed between 1840 and 1914. It was settled largely by German immigrants in the mid 1800s. German descendants at one time comprised as much as a third of the population of the entire city of Columbus.

German immigrants who arrived in the South End in the 1850s immediately felt at home: people spoke German in the stores, schools, and churches; their homes were solid yet unpretentious. After work, bakers, stonecutters, storekeepers, carpenters, tanners, bricklayers, and brewery workers relaxed in nearby bier gartens. Most belonged to gymnastic and singing societies. This simple, yet distinctive working-class neighborhood was a little bit

of Germany. (Learn more from: the German Village Heritage site website- http://germanvillage.com/about-2/history/)

And, watch a great YouTube video on the community at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrRgPFbEAkg

Katzinger’s Deli 475 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 228-3354

Katzinger’s opened it doors to hungry German Village diners in 1984 and their colorful, caricatured menu features 77 sandwiches — ranging from pedestrian to the extreme — salads, soups and dogs, breakfast fare and desserts — including brownies and cheesecakes made right in the Katzinger’s kitchen. (Read more in the article from Ohio Magazine online at: http://www.ohiomagazine.com/Main/Articles/Katzingers_Delicatessen__4235.aspx)

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Pistacia Vera 541 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 220-9070

Back in 2004, siblings Spencer Budros and Anne Fletcher embarked on a shared endeavor, aiming to create a creative dessert destination in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. QUALITY. RESPECT. GRACE. COMMUNITY. HONESTY. WARMTH. They are the centerpieces of our kitchen and our stores. They are what make our team just as inspiring as the pastries and confections they create. Read more on the Pistacia Vera website at: http://www.pistaciavera.com/home/)

German Village Society 588 S. Third Street, Columbus Ohio 43215 614.221.8888

On January 10, 1960, a small group of dedicated, preservation-minded people met to explore the possibility of forming an association to help save this neighborhood from decline. In just a few months, community activist Frank Fetch recruited 183 people to charter the German Village Society. Now, 50+ years later, our neighborhood is a vibrant community known for its charming brick streets and

sidewalks, beautifully tended gardens and homes, pedestrian-friendly lifestyle, thriving shops, restaurants and businesses, and year-round volunteer and social events that deepen and expand our connection with this incredible community. At the heart of our special neighborhood is the German Village Society, a non-profit civic association that is at the forefront of efforts to strengthen, enhance and promote our community. The challenges have been many, and the successes countless. (Check out their web page for more information: http://www.germanvillage.com)

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The Book Loft 631 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43206 (614) 464-1774

One of the nation's largest independent book stores, The Book Loft of German Village, is located at 631 South Third Street in Columbus, Ohio, just a few blocks South of the state capitol building. The pre-Civil War era buildings that once were general stores, a saloon and a nickelodeon cinema, now are home to 32 rooms of Bargain Books. (Read more (no pun intended) at: http://www.bookloft.com/ )

St. Mary’s Church 684 S 3rd St Columbus, OH 43206

Built in 1868, St. Mary's purpose and mission is centered in Christ and the Eucharist. We seek to be of one mind and heart with the Church by loving God with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength, all our soul; and by loving our neighbor as ourselves. (Taken from their website: http://www.stmarygv.com/ and Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Village)

Max & Erma’s (Original) 739 S 3rd St Columbus, OH 43206

Max & Erma's is a casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. It operates throughout parts of the Eastern and Midwestern , and was founded in 1972 by Todd Barnum and Barry Zacks. The two businessmen purchased a local tavern in Columbus's German Village which had been operated by Max and Erma Visocnik since 1958. They retained the Max and Erma's name and created the theme restaurant which featured a converted bathtub that served as a sundae bar. (Taken from Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_%26_Erma's )

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The Old Mohawk 819 Mohawk St Columbus, OH 43206

In 1933, Prohibition ends with the abolishment of the 18th amendment. Myles Elk opens Elk’s Tavern on the corner of Mohawk and Kossuth streets in German Village, next door to a neighborhood drug store. Legend has it that the tavern operated as a speakeasy during prohibition, but became immediately successful as a legitimate business upon prohibition’s repeal. The tavern quickly expanded to the entire building and the horseshoe bar was added. It is rumored that myles raised the turtles for the menu’s popular turtle soup and fried snapper turtle in the basement of the building. In 1977, “The Old Mohawk” is purchased by its current owners who revert to its popular name. Jim “Jeffers” begins his long career behind the bar. (Read more on The Old Mohawk website at: http://theoldmohawk.com/

Schmidt’s 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH, 43206 (614) 444-6808

Born just north of Frankfurt Germany, patriarch J. Fred Schmidt journeyed to America and settled in in the early 1880′s. Opening the J. Fred Schmidt Meat Packing House in 1886 in the heart of German Village, Schmidt’s became Central Ohio’s most well- known name in meats and is to this day sold in leading grocery stores around the country. Today, the family tradition of day-to-day operations of this uniquely diverse hospitality company is carried out by the fourth generation of the Schmidt family. The Schmidt name is recognized throughout central Ohio and the nation as a leader in quality specialty restaurants, catering and unequaled banquet facilities as well as retail sales and fair and festival food services. Pictured left to right are John, Geoff and Andrew Schmidt. (Read more on the Schmidt’s restaurant website at: http://www.schmidthaus.com/)

Compiled by MUNDO @ The October, 2014