City officials are considering a new tenant to fill the space in The Commons in downtown Columbus formerly occupied by Jordy McTaggart’s Grill & Pub.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission will meet at noon Monday to consider transferring the lease to a family-type restaurant, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop said. The identity of the new tenant could be revealed during the meeting if commission members agree to the lease transfer.
The property, at 310 Washington St., has been vacant since January, when Jordy’s shut its doors after operating an Irish pub for nearly three years.
Jordy’s opened in May 2014 in space that had previously been occupied by Scotty’s Burger Joint and then briefly by the Detour American Grille & Bar, each leasing the 5,510-square-foot space from the redevelopment commission.
Tim Rohrer and Dave Baker, Jordy McTaggart’s founders, had sold Jordy’s to Mark Wilcox and his father Richard in 2015, after investing about $500,000 in property improvements in the buildout for the new pub.
In June 2016, the city learned Jordy’s was behind $21,000 in back rent, utilities, property taxes and late fees. Just before the restaurant closed, the city determined the restaurant had remained in arrears, owing about $15,300 in back rent, property taxes and utilities, city records showed.
The original lease for Rohrer and Baker was a monthly rent of $5,051.75 or $60,621 a year, according to lease documents signed by the city prior to Jordy’s opening.
Although the Wilcoxes were the new owners in 2015, Lienhoop said Rohrer and Baker had provided a guarantee on the lease and remained bound by that agreement despite the Wilcox’s decision to close the restaurant, Lienhoop said.
The city gave Rohrer and Baker an opportunity to find a new tenant, and they have brought a likely candidate for the commission to consider, Lienhoop said.
The pub had about 100 employees when it opened under the original owners, with custom-made tables, stained glass window fixtures, a new sound system and performance stage, new kitchen equipment and new televisions.
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What: Columbus Redevelopment Commission special meeting
When: Noon Monday
Where: Columbus City Hall
Agenda: Discussion of transferring a lease for the former Jordy McTaggart’s Grill & Pub to a new entity.
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