Last week, Lykens Companies shared big news: a new partnership with Cameron Mitchell. We’re thrilled that such an acclaimed cornerstone in Columbus’s restaurant culture will join Budd Dairy’s revitalization to initiate a unique venue and experience—Budd Dairy Food Hall.
Now we’re excited to supply further details about what Columbus residents can look forward to when Budd Dairy Food Hall is completed. Cameron Mitchell’s eclectic food hall will boast between 8 and 10 restaurants. These restaurants, varying in flavor and inspiration, will be united by the high-quality, sophisticated dishes that have always distinguished Cameron Mitchell.
“Imagine going out with your friends without having to get in arguments about where to eat,” says Kevin Lykens, founder of Lykens Companies. “There will be something for everyone. After you explore each different option and choose your dinner, people will be able to come back together and enjoy their meals in the food hall’s common area.”
But it’s not just food. Budd Dairy Food Hall will feature three different bars, each different in their beverage variety and design, along with a full-service coffee shop. On summer nights friends can order drinks and walk to the rooftop deck to relax, soak in its skyline view, and listen to live music echoing through the air.
Boasting a 1000 person capacity, Budd Dairy Food Hall aims to gather folks from all kinds of backgrounds to enjoy great food, great drinks, and great conversations. To accommodate our customers and give them the best experience from start to finish, Budd Dairy will feature its own parking lot, something almost unheard of in the crowded and bustling Short North Arts District.
We hope that the revived Budd Dairy becomes a symbol of the Italian Village’s vibrant history and a complement to businesses like Seventh Son Brewing and Fox in the Snow Cafe that helped revitalize the once-industrial neighborhood. In fact, our community and its history are the two engines propelling Budd Dairy’s reimagined revival.
Our restoration of the Wonder Bread factory and the forth-coming EJ Thomas factory display our passion for maintaining a building’s—and a neighborhood’s—unique history. With Budd Dairy, it’s no different. We are maintaining the factory’s iconic exterior, making every effort to preserve everything from its original brickwork to its wonderful detailing and signage. Inside, diners will appreciate how the building’s modern renovations and amenities work together to highlight its original elements and rich industrial aesthetic.
The building’s history was accounted for because we care about our city and community, but even the business within Budd Dairy has Columbus at the heart of its decision-making. “I was approached by several national food halls, but turned each one down,” says Lykens. “It was important for us to partner with someone from the community who understands our city’s history and the direction it’s heading. For us, that partner was Cameron Mitchell. I can’t overstate how excited we are to partner with a local business, especially one as proven as Cameron Mitchell.”
We hope that you’re as excited as we are. Keep an eye out for Budd Dairy as it transforms throughout 2018. This winter, our vision will come to fruition. Together with Cameron Mitchell, Budd Dairy will present the Short North and all of Greater Columbus with a one-of-a-kind dining experience inside a one-of-a-kind building: Budd Dairy Food Hall.
