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Insider tips for visiting Ohio's herb capital.
Currently Closed: ~Cold Stone Creamery ~Creekside Local Cantina ~The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek ~Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern ~Cap City Fine Diner ~Signatures Mill Stone Tavern
Your last chance to gather up your friends and treat yourself to the unique, herbal concoctions of the Visit Gahanna Winter Herbal Cocktail Trail ends March 31, 2020. You won’t see these cocktails on a typical menu. These herbal creations are uniquely crafted by signature Gahanna restaurants, pubs and distilleries, and are only on the menu for a limited time. So let's say thank you and goodbye to winter and raise a glass to warmer weather around the corner.
In order to earn an Herbal Cocktail T-shirt, start by grabbing a passport at Visit Gahanna (167 Mill St.), the Ohio Herb Center (112 Mill St.) or any of the 7 partner establishments listed below. Purchase a featured cocktail and receive a passport stamp. Once you’ve received 7 stamps, bring your passport to Visit Gahanna (Monday–Friday 8:30 am–6 pm) and redeem your passport for an Herbal Cocktail T-shirt.
Challenge accepted? Grab a passport, text your friends and check out the 2020 Winter Herbal Cocktail Trail’s partners and cocktails listed below:
101 Beer Kitchen Gahanna Cocktail: Thyme Is Honey Noble Cut Orangecello, Watershed Four Peel Gin, Thyme Infused Honey, Fresh Orange & Egg White – Served Up with a Thyme Sprig.
Barrel & Boar Gahanna Cocktail: Lemon blueberry and fresh mint Mojito This fresh take on the traditional Mojito combines the popular zest of lemon, flavorful blueberries and fresh mint.
Kindred Cocktail: Equator Winter Made with Pisco, lime juice, a hibiscus rosehip syrup and Greek yogurt served over crushed ice with a Greek yogurt wafer cookie.
Old Bag of Nails Gahanna Cocktail: Sage infused bourbon Old Fashioned Sage infused Bourbon, Orange, cherry, sweet vermouth, and bitters, served with ice.
Nostalgia Brewing Cocktail: Stay Golden, Girls! Cinnamon and Ginger lead your taste buds on a wintery adventure at Shady Pines. Choose Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, or Sophia to achieve #squadgoals status!
Wyandotte Winery Cocktail: Warm Sugar Plums and Spice Wintertide Plum wine meets the warmth and spices of the season. Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves and Orange peels infused with plum wine, and served warm in a mug. Sure to make any evening a cozy one!
Simple Times Mixers Sample 4 herbal cocktail mixers and take a tour. Pear Rosemary Mule and 3 lemonade mixers: Mint, Blueberry Basil, Strawberry Sage.
*Signature cocktails are subject to change at the discretion of the partner business. Please drink responsibly. (Don’t drink and drive.) Questions? Call 614/418-9114.
Still need to finish up some holiday shopping? What about some last-minute stocking stuffers? In solidarity for the #ShopLocal movement and our personal love for all of the wonderful small shops in Gahanna, Ohio, we’ve put together a gift guide showcasing hand-picked favs by the staff at the Gahanna Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Laurie Jadwin, Executive Director “One of my favorite Gahanna spots to pick up holiday gifts is Gahanna Bead Studio. In addition to being able to create your own gift for someone, they offer handmade necklaces that are crafted from real flowers and herbs directly from the owner’s garden. The necklaces are delicate and breathtaking, and are sure to be one-of-a-kind gifts! Expressions Floral Design is another favorite. I love that you can select a fresh centerpiece made of a colorful and seasonal flowers to take to a holiday party or dinner. In addition, Jody offers a variety of items that are perfect for a gift exchange or stocking stuffer. Finally, I love the selection of handcrafted products at Sullivan Woodwork. From ornaments to coasters to “welcome signs” and more, the work is beautifully created. AND, Tony is more than happy to create a customized item for you (which I may or may not be giving to some family members for Christmas … shhhhh!)”
Mary Szymkowiak, Communications & Tourism Manager “I’ve just about wrapped up (okay, purchased but not wrapped) my Christmas gifts this year and there goodies from several Gahanna businesses in the mix. One of my favorite new gifts to share is a 3-pack of Simple Times Mixers for the cocktail connoisseurs in my life. Bonus: I even included a gift of a future-cocktail-mixer class at Simple Times!”
Becky Whittington, Events Administrator “I love shopping at Gahanna Hardware, since they have something for everyone! You can put together a gift basket for your favorite homeowner, car owner or gardener. They also have decorations, candles, cold weather gear, so much more!”
Jennifer Schneller, Ohio Herb Center Coordinator “I love finding gifts at Karen’s Hallmark at Stoneridge Plaza. They always have a great selection of cozy items, as well as tasty treats for stockings!”
Amanda Ferguson, Ohio Herb Center Coordinator “Thrive Massage and Wellness gift certificates make a great gift for anyone during the holidays! Their staff are well trained in a variety of techniques. They also offer infrared sauna sessions and vibroacoustic Sound Tables. When I feel worn down, I love taking care of myself and utilizing massage for my wellness regimen. We are fortunate to have Thrive Massage and Wellness in our community!”
Pam Brown, Visit Gahanna Operations Administrator “It’s a perfect time of year to pick up treats at Buckeye Candy Company, and a fun time to indulge! There is nothing better than sharing a little guilty pleasure (like Buckeye candies) with family and friends!”
Rachel Flenner, Ohio Herb Center Marketing Manager “There are so many great treasures to be found at the Ohio Herb Center gift shop--from candles and teas to bath and body products. If you know an avid (or want-to-be) gardener, DIYer or natural cooking fan--pick up a gift certificate good for the gift shop OR any 2020 class offered by Ohio Herb Center! Brae Chicase, Web Content/Social Media “This year, I went to Kindred Brewing to pick up a few gift cards for my friends that live in town. It’s our favorite place to hang out, and I know they’ll get great use out of the gift cards! For my family out of town, Buckeye Candy Company is my go-to! The most difficult part of shopping there is narrowing down what to get once you’re there! I like to buy nostalgic candy for my parents and fun cotton candy flavors for my in-laws. It was a big hit last year.”
For more places to shop in Gahanna, check out our Shop & Discover page! And don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!
We’re calling an end to those boring cookie-cutter design classes, once and flor-al. Expressions Floral Design is hosting some of the coolest flower design classes you’ve ever taken! Gather your tribe together for a girls' night out, bring your beau for date night or go solo to acquire a new skill creating beautiful bouquets and centerpieces--while learning from the best in the biz. Jody Brown-Spivey, owner of Expressions Floral Design Studio will be leading hands-on floral design classes that will cover how to select and care for your flowers, creative design principles and the techniques needed to create your very own floral masterpiece. We also had the opportunity to talk to Jody to learn more about the upcoming classes!
You’re offering two upcoming classes at Expressions Floral Design. What inspired you to start these floral design workshops? We typically do some classes during the holidays, and since we have been offering additional classes at the Ohio Herb Center--we’ve seen added interest. I love to educate consumers, as well as future florists.
What will people be creating in the classes? The December class will be a holiday centerpiece that participants can either keep for themselves, or give as a gift. In January, we’re offering a Winter White Rose class that will cover care and handling of roses, different styles of design and attendees will complete a beautiful rose design (including at least a dozen roses) for them to take home.
What can people expect to learn? We’ll cover quite a bit--including how to select and care for your product, and complete step-by-step assembly/design of the centerpiece. We also discuss the pros and cons of where you can purchase/order flowers.
What will be provided? We provide all supplies, flowers and tools needed.
It sounds like these classes would be a fun girls night out, date night or something to learn by yourself! Do you find all types of learners signing up for classes? Absolutely. In my last few classes, I had a mother, her daughters, daughter-in-law and granddaughters participate--they made it a family night project. There is also a local resident who has taken my holiday class for the past 4 years at Thanksgiving; she registers with her sister. This year, those two ladies also brought a friend for a girls' night out. In addition, I have a newer student who is studying for her Master Gardener certification, and already has signed up for the next class (and is inquiring about spring classes).
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about the upcoming classes? These classes are so much FUN! But if the dates aren’t convenient, special classes can be scheduled for groups--and I can even create content upon request. I have been recognized by the American Institute of Floral Designers as being an Accredited and Certified Judge. Recently, I’ve been asked again this year to participate in Art in Bloom at the Columbus Museum of Art April 23-25, where the museum galleries are brought to life though floral interpretation.
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Want to learn more about Jody’s upcoming floral design classes? Check out the upcoming classes below…
December Class: Christmas Centerpiece Create a Christmas centerpiece to keep for yourself OR give it as a gift! Spend some fun time being creative with friends and learn the art of floral design in this hands-on class. Sign up for the 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 17 class or sign up for the 2:30 pm Saturday, Dec. 21 class.
January Class: Winter White Rose Bouquet Design a beautiful winter white rose bouquet to bring life and warmth into your home this winter. This class is perfect for spending time with friends or learning a new skill yourself. Sign up for the 2:30 pm Saturday, Jan. 11 class.
If you’d like to learn more about events in Gahanna, check out the Events section of the VisitGahanna.com website!
All aboard! Enjoy a FREE ride on the Holly Jolly Holiday Train from 4-6 pm Saturdays, December 7, 14, 21, 28 and January 4 in the Creekside District! The official festive train station is located in the parking lot behind the Lew Griffin Insurance and Art Gallery (77 Mill St.) where you can board the train! The train will make a short loop through the Creekside District. Kids and adults of all ages are welcome to enjoy the ride.
The complimentary train rides are provided thanks to the following sponsors: State Bank & Trust; ReMax Connection, Tina Wedebrook; All Clear Home Inspection; First American Title Company; Resource Title; Revolution Mortgage; Joe Lawler; DotX Technologies; Rees Flowers; Jordan's Deli; and Natasha Babmovski.
Keep the festive spirit alive while you’re in the area by making a pit stop at the Ohio Herb Center where you can find unique gifts for the special people in your life. The Herb Center will also be hosting visits with Santa from 9 am - 1 pm on December 7 and 14!
If you’re looking to do some more holiday gift shopping in the Creekside District area, check out some of the shops below for gift-giving inspiration (or treat yourself to an early Christmas present).
Sullivan Woodworking: Gahanna’s newest neighbor is located in the heart of the Creekside District and specializes in beautiful wood decor and home accessories. They make custom signs, coasters and magnets, and live edge home decor.
Be Social Dress Boutique: Need a killer outfit to a holiday party or know someone that likes getting dressed up? Be Social has the latest trends and newest designs that reflect your unique style. Buckeye Candy Company: Ok now who doesn’t want candy in their stocking this Christmas? Buckeye Candy Company (BCC) has the largest and best selection of candy in the area. BCC has everything from nostalgic candy that brings you back to your childhood to unique flavors that you’ll be dying to try.
Nth Degree Showroom: Take one step in this place and you’ll feel the need to redecorate your entire home. Get inspiration for your home or find unique home items for someone on your holiday gift giving list! (Hint: Holiday sale going on now!)
Special thanks to Lew Griffin Insurance, for sponsoring the Holiday Lights Season of events in Gahanna.
Copyright © 2014 Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved. 167 Mill St. Gahanna, Ohio 43230. 614/418-9114. 866/424-2662