Wolf’s Ridge unveils Old North collaboration

New restaurant and bar set for December opening on Neil Ave.

The newest restaurant and bar from Columbus brewery Wolf’s Ridge is set for a December opening, it confirmed last week.

Understory will anchor the historic Open Air Building on Neil Avenue in Old North Columbus, which includes a restaurant, lounge, coffee shop and an area for events such as weddings.

The event space, which is between 1,300 and 1,400 square feet, already has several bookings,

Wolf’s Ridge co-owner Bob Szuter said.

Wolf ’s Ridge’s flagship restaurant and taproom are in Downtown Columbus.

Emmett’s Cafe in German Village will run the coffee shop.

Understory’s menu will include plant-based options for those on a vegan diet, Szuter said.

“We’re definitely going to be plant focused in most of what we do,” he said. “We want this to be a space that connects well with nature.”

Understory sits a block from Tuttle Park, which includes a section of the Olentangy Trail. Szuter intends to provide healthy options for the bicycle

riders, runners and hikers using the trail. Wolf ’s Ridge wants outdoor enthusiasts to hop off the path for a drink or a bite to eat, he said.

“We’re right next to a beautiful park space along the trail,” Szuter said. “It’s one of the unique aspects of the area.”

In that vein, the restaurant will operate on a quick service model with counter ordering, he said.

Travis Owens, who owned the popular cocktail bar Curio in German Village, will run Understory’s cocktail program. Curio was attached to a Harvest Pizzeria in German Village and shuttered in 2018.

The newest venture from Wolf’s Ridge is located in the nearly centuryold building at 2571 Neil Ave. that once housed the Open Air school.

The school educated students who were diagnosed with tuberculosis in the early 20th century and later became an elementary school.

The three-story former schoolhouse features brick walls and floor to ceiling windows that offer a scenic view of Tuttle Park and the Olentangy River.

The event space can accommodate gatherings of 100 for seated events and can hold a crowd of 120 for standing room events, Szuter said.

Open Air renovations are being completed by the Kelly Co. real estate firm, which bought the building in 2018. pcooley@dispatch.com @Patrickacooley

COURTESY WOLF'S RIDGE This is the inside of the event space at Understory, Wolf's Ridge's newest restaurant and lounge in the Old North.

The inside of Understory, Wolf’s Ridge’s upcoming restaurant, lounge and event space in the Old North.

COURTESY WOLF’S RIDGE