Update

Hello.  I just wanted to check in and let you know that I haven't stopped writing yet.  Believe it or not, I have been working on some new places to feature.  Hopefully, I will hear back from a few of them soon and I can really get rolling again!  Next week, I will be meeting with the owner of Columbus Bar, so that is something to look forward to reading.  I have received some great referrals of other organizations and businesses to talk to.  I should be contacting some of those people soon. 

As always, I want to hear from you, too!  If you own a business in Columbus, know someone who runs a business in Columbus, know someone that helps make Columbus great, or if there is someone/something you want to read about on my blog, please share your ideas!  Have a question about the area that I might be able to find for you?  Send your questions my way.

I can't wait to have more people and places to share with you!

Mill Race Park

I wanted to share just a few pictures I took yesterday on my extremely hot stroll around Mill Race Park.  Because the heat limited my time, I didn't get as many as I would have liked, so I will add more at a later date.  I will also be writing about some of the history of the park and different activities and attractions you will find there.  Until then, enjoy some of the sights of Mill Race!

Gramz Bakery & Cafe

Looking for a fresh cinnamon roll to start your day off right?  Or maybe a sweet treat to celebrate making it through a rough day at work?  One of the best places to cure your craving is none other than Gramz Bakery & Cafe on Washington Street, downtown Columbus.

I don't know about you, but when I see the word "bakery", it doesn't take me long to check it out.  There's just nothing like walking in to a great bakery, taking in the smells of freshly baked bread, mixed in with a hint of sweetness from a new batch of cookies, and then walking over to the counter to see what variety of pies and cupcakes await my tastebuds.  That could be one reason Gramz was one of the first places I went after moving to Columbus.  You will find all of these selections and more, begging even the smallest of sweet toothes to sample some of the delicious goodness hiding behind the glass counter tops.

Owned by life-long Columbus residents, Deb Steele and her daughters Suzie and Diana, the goal of Gramz bakery is to make each item special for you.  That is why they start from scratch each morning on everything they sell, assuring you that you are getting the best of what they have to offer every time you walk through the door.  Because of the wide selection offered on their menu, they don't make everything everyday; however, I am willing to bet you will still be able to find something satisfying.  I always end up with a little bit of everything.  My husband blames the little voice in my head that screams for sugar and carbs at all times of the day, but I simply blame it on the fact that everything is so good, I can't pick just one. 

Want to make sure you get what you want?  Simply place an order and it will be there waiting for you to pick up.  Don't see what you want on the menu?  Deb said they love to take requests from customers and try out new recipes and ideas.  For example, a customer was looking for pretzel rolls, which was not something they had done up to that point.  Deb and her girls were happy to go for it.  In fact, they become popular with other customers, as well, and are now located on the regular menu. 

Gramz bakery opened in October 2010, but if you have been around Columbus longer than a few months, you may know that Deb originally opened the store with her niece Lisa a few years back under the name "Cookies, Baskets, & More", where they focused on just that; gift baskets and cookies.  Setting up a nursery in the back of the store gave Lisa a chance to continue working while raising her quadruplets.  Once the children grew to an age where school and other activities were involved, Lisa stepped down, and the first of Deb's daughters joined the team.  Deb and Suzie bought and ran a bread shop across town, leaving each of them to run their own parts of the business.  As business grew, it became difficult to work in separate buildings, so they combined the two stores into the one location on Washington Street.  Soon, Diana joined the group, allowing them to really focus and being a full bakery, thus leading to Gramz Bakery & Cafe. 

If you haven't had a chance to visit or sample goodies from Gramz, let me give you some suggestions on where to start.  Deb said that their most popular items are the Triple Chocolate Brownies, Pecan Sticky Buns, and Iced Sugar Cookies (which can be decorated to match your event or holiday celebration).  I thoroughly enjoy white cupcakes with lemon filling and lemon icing (a specialty order), but my favorite is the Caramelitta.  Oh my goodness, they are SO good!  They are great just the way they are, but to take it a whole new level, heat it up slightly and add a scoop of ice cream.  You haven't had dessert until you try that out.

Need a quick lunch?  Gramz has partnered with Piepers Gourmet Deli and Catering and now offers a small selection of sandwiches and salads.

If you aren't drooling on your computer or haven't sprinted out the door to get your own fresh, sweet treats, what are you wanting for?  Deb, Suzie, and Diana are waiting for you with plenty of good things made especially for you!  They have "your tastebuds covered"!

For more information about Gramz Bakery and for a partial menu, visit the website http://www.gramzbakery.com/.  Look for the full menu, as well as online ordering in the future.


Location:  409 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47203

Phone:  812-378-9728

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-2pm

Gramz Bakery can also be found on Facebook.

Baker's Fine Gifts & Accessories

If you are looking for an unique shopping experience in Columbus, look no further than Baker's Fine Gifts & Accessories.   Owned by Columbus native Jeff Baker, Baker's has been in business for nearly 28 years, and always in the same great location along Washington Street in the heart of downtown.  In fact, the building has been in the Baker family even longer, as Jeff's grandfather once ran his law office from the upstairs. 

Jeff's goal is to always have an unusual variety of items in his store.  There is such a wide collection that it is hard to know where to start.  Trust me when I say you won't be disappointed by anything he has to offer you.  While not all of the selections are created by area residents, Jeff does display and sell the art and jewelry of locals in his shop.  Currently, you can find jewelry by Deidre Nabors and beccaj, as well as some of the paintings of Mary Anne Kendall.  You can find different artists at different times throughout the year, which is one reason to visit often.  Along with the artists, items change with the seasons and holidays, assuring you there is always a perfect gift waiting.

The first time I visited Baker's I was shopping for Mother's Day gifts.  There were so many great items that it was hard for me to choose.  After looking at each piece, I ended up picking up blown glass vases that hang in the window, which are perfect for rooting plants or displaying single flower stems.  I liked them so much, that I had to pick one up for myself!  Since then, I have been back to visit a few times, each time just to browse at what fun things he has to offer that week. 

Besides the wonderful selection of gifts, it is worth your time just to go in and enjoy a conversation with Jeff.  He isn't shy to answer any questions you have about the city of Columbus, whether it be the good or the bad.  When I asked him what he felt was the best part of Columbus, with absolutely no hesitation, he replied, "The people.  Columbus is a unique civic experience."  He continued by talking about the pride felt throughout the city and how it has been around for generations.  "It has been constant throughout the years, which is what makes Columbus truly special."  Jeff can also give you a different perspective of the Miller house and family, as he was a close personal friend. 

I highly recommend you visit Jeff and his store, not only for great gifts, but to experience for yourself the sense of pride that Columbus has to offer.  You will be glad that you did.



Jeff Baker, owner; Cheryal Hinds, sales



Baker's Fine Gifts & Accessories, 433 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201

812-372-9635

Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm

You can also follow Baker's on Facebook, where you can find information on new items or sales

A view from the top

A view from the top of the tower in Mill Race Park, that is.  A short climb to the top is probably the best view of the town you will find.  You can see everything, stretching from the original Cummins engine plant to the Court House and beyond, with magnificent church steeples poking out along the way.  The tower itself may not be the prettiest or most clean structure to look at, but once you reach the top level and see the view for yourself, the graffiti seems to fade away.

Look forward to reading about Baker's Fine Gifts and Accessories, Gramz Bakery & Cafe, and more from Mill Race Park later this week.  Until then, enjoy Columbus with a view from the top!

Visitors Center

Here it is.  The first of many posts about the city of Columbus, IN.  What better place to start than right where my husband and I did when we first considered moving to Columbus.  In fact, it's the best place to start for anyone visiting or moving to the area:

The Visitors Center.

At the Visitors Center, you will find everything you need to know about Columbus.  To be honest, if you stop in there and talk to the staff or pick up some brochures, there really is no need to follow my blog (but I hope you do anyway!).  Whether you are looking for just some basic information such as maps, places to eat, or a comfy hotel, or you want to get the full history of the town, they have it all.  The friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to greet you and answer your questions, and all with a smile. 

Besides just picking up brochures, this is the spot where you can start one of the tours of the city.  They offer a guided architecture tour, which consists of a two-hour bus ride showing you both the historic and modern sides of Columbus.  If you want to see the town at your own pace, pick up the guide and make the trek on foot while listening to the tour on your cell phone.  For an in depth look at the most famous house in the area, take a tour of the Miller House and Gardens, a mid-century Modernist residence designed by Eero Saarinen.  The house is now owned and run by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but it is the Columbus Visitors Center that will make your tour possible.  However, if you plan to join in on one of these tour guided adventures, make sure you have a reservation made in advance.  These are popular, and sell out quickly!  The staff hates to turn people down that want to go, but there is limited space on the buses.

Before you begin your tour or take your stroll around beautiful downtown, take in one of the movies they offer.  There is a "basic" information film and another about the Miller House.  Also, just walking around the first floor of the center, you can take in some local art exhibits and models of some of the buildings in town.  Look for some changes to be made this winter when some of the exhibits will change to more interactive learning experiences.

Part of the sculpture Yellow Chandelier by Chihuly



 

 One more thing you will want to know about the Visitors Center is that it is not just a location to begin your visit, but also has a wonderful gift shop full of local art and food for you to take home.  The shop is not only great for out-of-town guests, but a place that even the residents will want to stop in and do some shopping.  You can find items from jewelry to snacks, pottery to wood carvings, scarves to books, and everything in between, all in one great location.

If you are a resident and haven't checked out the Visitors Center, make sure to stop in and see what you have been missing.  Guest or resident, the staff and volunteers are eagar to welcome you and get you started on your way to exploring Columbus!

Just a few of the fantastic staff ready to help you on your own journey.
Left to Right: Joyce Orwin, Director of Tours and Volunteers
Susan Whittaker, First Floor Manager
Judie Lahr, Director of Welcome Bags and Displays
Ivana Armstrong, General Staff



For more information, please visit http://www.columbus.in.us/

Location: 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201

Phone: 800-468-6564 / 812-378-2622

Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm (Mar-Nov only; closed on Sun from Dec-Feb)

Tour Times:

Architecture Tour: Mar-Nov, Mon-Fri 10am, Sat 10am & 2pm, Sun 3pm

                            Dec-Feb, Sat only 10am & 2pm

Miller House and Gardens: Mar-Nov, Tue-Sat 1pm & 3pm, Sun 1pm

                            Dec-Feb, Sat only 1pm & 3pm

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July.  I thought I would share just one of the pictures I took while watching the fireworks here in Columbus on July 1.  Lucky me, I got to watch from the comforts of my front yard.  The show was great!

Don't forget to send my your thoughts and ideas on great places to visit or people to talk to!  I think this week I will start where we did when we first looked at Columbus: The Visitors Center!  Look for my post on it later this week.

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the beginning of my blog about all that is "IN Columbus".  The title comes from a couple different ideas... First, instead of Columbus, IN, it is just reversed.  Get it?  Second, I am hoping to share what is happening IN Columbus.
The reason for this blog is simple.  I moved to the city of Columbus a little less than 4 months ago (mid-March 2011 to be exact), and I decided that in my learning about the community, I could share those experiences with you.  Some of you may be from Columbus and learn something you didn't know, some of you might be friends or family of mine and just be curious to know where I live now and what you might like to see when you visit, and some of you might be planning or thinking about a visit here to explore the unique architecture, quaint town, beautiful art, and wonderful food!  No matter what your reason, I hope you are able to find enjoyment from reading about my personal discovery of the area.

To begin, let me give you a small piece of my background.  My name is Mindy and I was born and raised in Crawfordsville, IN, a small town in central Indiana, thirty minutes south of Lafayette, or slightly less than an hour west of Indianapolis.  I graduated from Purdue University (Go Boilers!) in 2003 with a degree in Psychology and got married a few months later.  My husband and I moved to Dayton, OH, where he had graduated from University of Dayton and had begun is career at a company there.  Three years later, we returned to Lafayette.  During this time, I studied and become certified in Massage Therapy, which I still love and do today.  We resided there until just recently when we took the journey south and moved to Columbus, where we hope to be for awhile.  Moving is tough work!

Now it is time for us to discover our new hometown, from the food to the businesses, the arts and the people, and all the other important aspects that make this city not just a city, but a place many people love to call home.  Although I haven't been here long, one thing I learned quickly is that the people here truly love their town, love each other, and are proud of the history, present, and what is in store for the future.  I hope to share why everyone is so excited and what Columbus has to offer you, too!  Here's to finding all that is good IN Columbus!