In early 2020, exciting things are coming to Columbus’ Italian Village neighborhood. What long stood as the empty Budd Dairy Building, originally built in the early 1900s, is now reinvented by local restaurateur Cameron Mitchell and our very own Kevin Lykens. What used to be the headquarters of Ohio’s premier dairy company will now be a place where community gathers for local artisan eats, rooftop drinks, and a vibrant place for friends to gather and relax.
Steve Weis, the Vice President of Development for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants says in a January 2019 press release, “By providing in one venue an opportunity for guests to choose among multiple, artisan food shops, instead of choosing just one restaurant, and then combining it with a strong beverage program; entertainment; and flexible, on-trend spaces to enjoy food and drink; the food hall will be a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.”
A New Dining Environment for Columbus’ Italian Village
Located on N. 4th Street, the Budd Dairy Food Hall is conveniently located across the street from Seventh Son Brewing Company, St. James Tavern, and Fox in the Snow Café. But perhaps the most exciting new development: our brand new Fourth Crossing Apartments are nestled next door to Budd Dairy Food Hall, offering unprecedented walkability to the three bars, nine restaurants, and entertainment space next door.
Italian Village is conveniently nestled close to downtown Columbus, where millennials and young professionals live close to where they work, play, entertain, and dine. Food Halls are appealing because they’re more affordable for millennials and young professionals, they’re more laid back in their approach, and a group of friends can choose the artisan local fare of their choice, whether they’re jonesing for tacos, pizza, a poke bowl, or even wild-caught lobster.
A New Hub of Entertainment, a New Place to Gather
A strong focus rests on the local artisan chefs that will fill the air with enticing scents and delicious flavors, but Budd Dairy Food Hall will offer even more than mouth-watering fare.
“Our expectations are as limitless as we can imagine,” says Cameron Mitchell, and he’s not kidding. The first floor of Budd Dairy Food Hall – which is about 11,000 square feet – will feature a main bar, community seating, and food vendors. The main level will feature a stage for live performances, including DJs and local music, bringing the local arts into our dining environment.
The local music scene is thriving in Columbus, and it’s no question that Budd Dairy Food Hall has the potential to be a rising venue. Since so many local music shows begin around dinner time, it’ll be the perfect chance for musicians and audience members to fill their bellies with delicious fare before showtime.
Budd Dairy’s second and third floors will offer yet another layer of entertainment. Complete with yet another bar, interactive games, and a rooftop deck, this space can be rented out for private events.
Announcing the 5 Newest Chefs! (Drum Roll, Please)
Our mouths are watering just thinking about the nine delicious restaurants that will inhabit Budd Dairy Food Hall. In our last blog post about Budd Dairy, we introduced the first round of chef partners, including Modern Southern Table by Chef Sadaya (Daisy) Lewis, Alphabetical Comfort Kitchen by Chef Jordan Lamatrice, Darista by Chef Dara Schartz, and Borgata Pizza by Chef Ed Bisconti.
But just a month ago, no fewer than five new chefs were announced. Here they are! **Drum roll, please!**
Tacos Rudos by Chef Ana Cruz
When we’re talking about real deal Mexican street tacos that will have you dreaming for days afterwards, we’re talking about the simply tasty tacos at Tacos Rudos.
“New concepts and ideas are popping up and it’s exciting to test our in Italian Village,” Ana Cruz says in an email, “We think Budd Dairy Food Hall will be a cornerstone for this neighborhood for a long time and we are super excited for Tacos Rudos to be a part of it.”
Their traditional Mexican street food features homemade fare passed down through the generations in Oaxaca Mexico. With a focus on fresh, local ingredients, the open concept kitchen at Tacos Rudos means patrons can sit and watch their food being made, which makes it all the more enticing.
Boni Filipino Street Food by Chef Krizzia Yanga
As mentioned on the Budd Dairy website, “Boni Filipino Street Food’s menu is an approachable take on Filipino street food. For locals, street food is the ultimate comfort food. For travelers, it’s the ultimate adventure…. The menu will consist of bowls (preset rice bowls with available customizations), rolls (fried spring rolls), and sticks (grilled BBQ skewers).”
Chef Krizzia Yanga says, “I grew up here in Columbus, and growing up, I never saw Filipino food represented until we started introducing it to friends and family. So Boni Filipino Street Food will be a modern take on Filipino street food.”
Pokebap by Chef Seas Kim
Traditional Korean cooking from Chef Seas Kim’s grandmother’s kitchen meets Hawaii poke bowls, and we could not be more excited. Not only is Pokebap a healthy choice for diners, but it’s inspired by high-quality local ingredients, fresh produce, sushi-grade fish, and sauces made from scratch.
“We do different variations of the Poke bowl,” says Chef Seas Kim, “It’s a five-step process. You pick your base, which could be a rice bowl, a salad, or a burrito wrapped in seaweed or soy, and then you can sample all the sauces before you choose which one to put on.” He continues by saying, “Food has always been a chance to bring families together, so we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Budd Dairy Food Hall!”
Stauff’s Coffee Roasters by Chef Mark Swanson
If you’ve lived in Columbus for more than five minutes, you’re probably familiar with the delicious coffee staple of Cow Town, Stuaff’s Coffee Roasters. With locations in Grandview, German Village, Old Franklinton, the Arena District, and downtown, Stauff’s has become synonymous with the coffee experience in Columbus. And now they’re bringing their delightful roasts to Budd Dairy Food Hall.
As mentioned on the Budd Dairy website, “As Columbus’ first micro roaster, Stauff’s delivers coffee to its café’s and stores within 48 hours of roasting to ensure customers receive the highest quality of coffee. It’s important to Swanson that the company live up to its motto, ‘The proof is in the cup!’”
Cousins Maine Lobster by Chef Kathy Nuss
Imagine for a second: succulent, juicy lobster, doused in butter, fresh from the sea. Served anyway you like it, whether you’re craving a lobster tail with tater tots on the side, lobster bisque, or a classic lobster roll sandwich.
“We sell the best lobster in the world,” says owner Kathy Nuss, “It’s 100% premium wild-caught, sustainably harvested lobster.”
In an email, Nuss continues, “We are so excited for the opportunity to extend our brand to Budd Dairy. We will offer an expanded menu with items like the Maine Harvest Salad, a lobster BLT, and fish and chips. The menu will include everything on the classic truck menu, plus these additional items!”
Live Next Door to this Delicious Action at Fourth Crossing Apartments
So there you have it: five new authentic dining experiences announced at Budd Dairy Food Hall, where the good people of Columbus can come to relax, enjoy local music, and take a bite into some of Columbus’ best artisan eats.
But that’s not all we’re cookin’ up here at Lykens Companies. If you’re interested in living next door to all this deliciousness, be sure to check out the brand new Fourth Crossing Apartments, which boasts not only a prime location in Italian village, but a high-quality standard throughout, including granite countertops, mocha cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and tons of natural light.
The glory days of Italian Village are upon us! Will you take a bite?
Now, a bit about Lykens Companies…
With 20 years (and counting) of experience, we believe that Lykens Companies is just getting started on its mission to offer Columbus hundreds of premier apartments, rentals, and renovations. Each day, we are driving toward constantly expanding and improving our business and bettering Columbus, the city we love. For our renters, that means that they are connected to a proven business that is always striving to be the best. Our success isn’t an accident. We are constantly striving to improve our quality, both in the buildings that we renovate, reimagine, and rent out; moreover, we are striving to improve in the way that our business operates. For you, that means the best units and the best service in the best locations.
As we invest our time, money, and energy into the Short North, Victorian Village, Italian Village, and other parts of Columbus’s urban core, it’s nothing short of amazing to step back and see how much we’re able to impact our city, whether that looks like renovating apartments, houses, or even factories like the Wonder Bread Lofts and the forthcoming Budd Dairy project: a full scale reimagining of an old dairy factory into a Cameron Mitchell food hall and state-of-the-art coworking space.
If you’re looking to rent in Columbus, Ohio’s urban core, you’ve come to the right place. We’re confident that it doesn’t get better than us when it comes to finding the absolute best apartments and rentals in Columbus.
See every availability!
Whether you’re looking for an apartment in the Short North, a rental in Victorian Village, a studio in Italian Village, or a loft in Wonder Bread, our Available Rentals page will feature all that (and more). We’re constantly adding our newest properties and highlighting that month’s leasing specials. Bookmark it and check often! What if you took two minutes to browse it right now? And don’t forget about our awesome Instagram for updates, new leases, and beautiful photos.
Already a resident? Refer a friend!
At Lykens Companies, we offer a simple and easy referral program to our residents. For each referral of yours who signs a lease, we’ll pay you $200! Be sure to learn everything about this awesome plan and even check out our three methods to actually get your friends to sign a lease.
