Well, folks, we have all been waiting to see what Mark Kenner will do with the former Gon Thai space.
Fortunately, he has an answer.
Kenner is shooting to reopen the restaurant under a new name at 509 Main St., right across from The Dispatch, by June 16. The new Thai restaurant will be named Main Street Thai.
Kenner told me he obtained ownership of the business from Kannika Vonghan earlier this year and has been working to reopen ever since. He even brought family members from Thailand to cook in the kitchen and help run the restaurant.
“It seemed like a good opportunity,” Kenner said. “There’s limited choices for ethnic foods around here and since (Vonghan) is still operating on (Columbus Air Force Base), she can’t do both places. I was given the opportunity to take over down here but I ended up rebranding.”
But that’s not the only downtown business making its way into Columbus this month.
Masa Hensley and Chaney Fair are opening HOST the studio, a new event space at 521 Main St. It will be located in Hensley’s photography business, Masa Kathryn Studios. Fair also owns Little Magnolia downtown.
Hensley said the pair wanted to give Columbus a new private event venue downtown for birthdays, parties and showings for artists.
“(Fair) has wanted to find a space for kids’ birthday parties,” Hensley said. “As moms, we want to do something different, and have a great space but not have to do it at home. We needed a home away from home where you don’t have to run around and keep everything perfectly in line for several days leading up to the party. So there’s a huge need for that.”
Hensley said she and Fair got to talking about the business idea in January. It will open by mid-June with a grand opening ceremony in July.
Online bookings will be available at Hostthestudio.com after the website goes live on Monday. Customers can also email Hensley and Fair at [email protected] to book the venue.
Moving north, Zachary’s Tavern in the old Elbow Room building at 418 Second Ave. N. closed May 26 following the departure of its head chef, Dylan Loper.
Owner Doug Pellum said the space won’t go unused, however. For now, the former restaurant will remain open as an event space, stocked with a full bar and plenty of room for private parties, birthdays and events.
Those wishing to book the venue can contact Pellum directly or email him at [email protected].
Finally, my friends, Robert Koch, owner of Coon Tattoo, located at 26473 E Main St. in West Point, has taken his faith in Jesus Christ and applied it to his business, renaming it Faith Bound Art and Tattoo.
Koch said he had been thinking about renaming the tattoo shop since 2022 to better reflect his beliefs. He officially renamed it June 1.
For now, the large sign above the store is waiting for a contractor to come by and tear it down, which could happen any day now, Koch said.
It’s time to close the curtain on this edition of Goings on With Grant. Make sure to check back in next week for more goings on in business.
Dispatch reporter Grant McLaughlin writes about business openings and closings, as well as other unique business news. Send business tips to [email protected].
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