Green Grocery will close; 240sweet shop relocating
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A series of business changes are afoot following the sale of a downtown business property.
Marshmallows, pies and homegrown produce will be sold from new locations in coming weeks after the sale of the two-building property near 11th and Washington streets to Dr. Melissa Webb, who plans to build a new optometry office.
Double Oak Farm Green Grocery
Three-year-old Double Oak Farm Green Grocery will close as owner Lori Moses turns her attention to managing the downtown farmers’ markets and expanding sales of weekly, fresh produce baskets from her home farm. The grocery had been open since spring 2010 at 1120 Washington St.
Moses said it has been difficult to say goodbye to her loyal customers who shopped at the grocery where she sold a wide selection of local items, including meat, produce, eggs, bread, herbs, artwork and ready-to-eat foods prepared in the store kitchen.
Some stopped by for freshly brewed coffee, made-to-order quiche and Crock-Pot meals, while others eagerly awaited the season’s first strawberries, asparagus and tomatoes.
“I can leave knowing I had many satisfied customers,” said Moses, who spent the past few weeks selling the remaining items on the shelves — and the shelves themselves.
Moses hopes to see other local options for organic and locally grown produce, such as the Columbus Food Co-op, which is searching for a site to open in downtown Columbus.
Moses said she is sad to leave her six part-time employees and the familiar surroundings with store counters made by her father. “I have a lot of memories here,” she said.
The building has served several businesses over the years, including a cafe, a scrapbook supply store and a hair salon. Moses even found a World War II ledger tucked in a wall from former tenant Thompson Dairy.
Lemleys’ Catering
Behind Double Oak Farm, on the back side of the property, is Lemleys’ Catering.
The business, operated by Alexa Lemley and Samantha Aulick, added 240sweet, a marshmallow-making operation in 2008.
Their business, which includes retail and online sales, classes and tours, has grown significantly in the past two years, and the owners are excited to move to a larger location, Lemley said.
They have leased a building at 9600 U.S. 31 North in Taylorsville, which most recently housed Kids Closet, a children’s consignment store.
Their new location has about 5,300 square feet with a larger parking lot, compared to the downtown location’s 3,000 square feet.
Lemley, Aulick and their staff have begun moving supplies into the facility and will move kitchen equipment in April, with a grand opening planned for late April or early May.
The new building has the added benefit of having easier access to the interstate for tour buses and out-of-town visitors.
“We will be able to do things that we just didn’t have room for in the old building,” Lemley said. “And we’ll be able to triple our bus-tour business.”
The new space also will allow the business to add a new feature. Cooks will be able to test artisan food products in the kitchen under the guidance of an experienced chef, Lemley said.
Ahlemeyer Farms Bakery
Kim Kiel, who makes pies under the brand Ahlemeyer Farms Bakery, has worked out of the Lemleys’ kitchen but plans to move to 2034 17th St. to open a bakery.
Kiel was part of the Ahlemeyer bakery that operated at 2737 Central Ave. from 1989 to 2010.
Pies remain Kiel’s specialty, with sugar cream, coconut cream and pumpkin among her customer favorites. She also plans to make cookies, cinnamon rolls, muffins and other bakery items at the new location near Columbus Regional Hospital.
Kiel, who has worked out of Lemleys’ for two years, also sold her pies at farmers markets and YES Cinema.
Lockett’s Ladies Shop
The other building that will be razed on the property is vacant but previously housed Lockett’s Ladies Shop.
Owner Lynne Hyatt moved her women’s clothing and accessory store to 426 Washington St. in September.
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