The Columbus Food League (previously known as The Betty’s Family of Restaurants) is expanding once again with the announcement of The Grass Skirt, slated to open Spring 2012 at 105 North Grant Street in Downtown Columbus. The Grass Skirt will be open for lunch, dinner and late night service.
This new restaurant and bar will be owned by a five-person partnership that includes Carmen Owens (Surly Girl Co-Owner/GM), Amy Brennick (Columbus Food League COO), Tim Lessner (Tip Top Kitchen Co-owner/GM) , Harold LaRue (Jury Room) and Elizabeth Lessner (Columbus Food League).
“The partners all have a long-time love of tiki bars and tiki culture,” said Elizabeth Lessner, co-founder of The Columbus Food League. “Whenever we visit other cities, we always look for tiki bars to visit. Harold has several old menus and other pieces of decor from the original Kahiki here in Columbus.”
The Grass Skirt will be housed in the former MadLab Theatre space, which relocated to North Third Street a year and a half ago. The planned renovation of the space includes a dynamic new interior featuring waterfalls and smoking volcanoes as well as a major exterior makeover.
“Because we are taking over an abandoned theatre space, we had an opportunity to do something truly unique,” Lessner said. “All of our other locations are housed in buildings that are 100 years old and that has always confined our vision, but this time the sky is truly the limit, so we’re having fun with it.”
The Grass Skirt will be located next door to the new Hills Market grocery store, which was announced two weeks ago, and will be collaborating with them on efforts to maintain green and sustainable businesses on their block with the help of Eartha Limited.
More information will be made available over the coming months leading up to the Spring 2012 opening.