A ‘LOVE LETTER’
Columbus couple opens Olde Towne East co-working space
Aco-working space and social club co-created by Columbus civil rights attorney Sean Walton and his wife, Jennifer Walton, who owns marketing and brand strategy firm SKY Nile Consulting, has opened in Olde Towne East. ● Next to B & K Smoke House, at 1106 E. Main St., GRND — pronounced “grind” — is set to host its grand opening Friday. The Waltons, who own the space with friends William and Layla Lumpkin, have described it as a love letter to Columbus. ● They said they wanted to do something for the community, and originally that idea was to open a coffee shop. As they spent more time speaking with their new Near East Side neighbors, the community helped inform what the eventual concept, a co-working space and social club, would become. ● “Our goal from the beginning was to have a place where ... whether you meet somebody for coffee or for a drink, you know where to come, you know that it’s a safe space to have both easy and difficult conversations,” Sean Walton said.
Sean Walton, 37, and Jennifer, 38, both of the Near East Side, want the venue to be a safe, community gathering space “sun-up to sundown,” similar to “Cheers” or the coffee shop hangout on “Friends.”
The space has a coffee bar, in a unique partnership with Upper Cup Coffee, and hopes to eventually be able to serve alcohol.
Jennifer Walton noted how much the space has been a creative outlet for her husband, who is typically seen around Columbus during serious moments. As the lawyer for the families of Michael Cleveland and the late Casey Goodson Jr. — both shot by Columbus police — they wanted GRND to provide a space for him and other members of the community to ground themselves.
“No matter what your stature is, you leave ego at the door. You’re able to come here and ground,” Sean Walton. “We all need the safety of being full individuals.”
“And we talk about leaving ego at the door because our thinking is that there will be more highprofile individuals,” Jennifer Walton said, noting that councilmembers and other leaders have visited the space. “Be at peace here. But be ready and willing to build with one another.”
The Waltons took extra care to create a relaxing and welcoming environment, even enlisting spa coop Replenish to consult on everything from paint colors and decor to the space’s overall energy.
A bright orange wall is adorned with images of iconic Black figures, like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., but in more casual environments. Parks is shown doing yoga, Malcolm X is hanging out behind a bar and King, celebrated for his speeches, is leaning next to a refrigerator, listening.
A muted green wall features images of notable Black figures in Columbus, including retired television news anchor Jerry Revish, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and poet and essayist Scott Woods, in black and white photos inside gold and silver frames because they are “treasured” figures, Sean Walton said.
GRND also has a crowdsourced library, with visitors and guests invited to donate their favorite books, including those from local, largely Black, authors.
The Waltons emphasized that the space is Black-centered and led, yet inclusive of everyone.
“But it’s important that we have those spaces that truly celebrate us, like celebrate our culture, our history and who we are,” Sean Walton said.
The wall has sparked conversations and stories from visitors in the past few weeks during informal previews of the space, he said, serving its purpose of sharing the Columbus story.
“It’s really just a love letter to Columbus,” Sean Walton said. “The work that we do, the advocacy that we do, it’s all based on love. And it’s really based on an appreciation for this city.”
The co-working space will have two membership levels. The “ground” membership level will provide guests with a way to be a part of GRND’S virtual community, including access to a forthcoming app and social clubs, such as a book club, cigar club or Beyonce club.
The “grind” membership includes complete access to the space, free coffee, discounts on renting the space and access to free member events such as happy hours. The space will also have “power hours” for members to come and exchange ideas with one another, as
well as quiet hours for focused work. Guests can find out more on their website.
The Waltons want to eventually expand physically and in partnership with community events. They hope to launch
a podcast, build an outdoor area and potentially take over the empty storefront next door.
They also plan to host public events and conversations as a community hub, with the space serving as a place of serenity
and sanctity as well as a “ground zero” of sorts.
“Our hope is that movements are built here,” Jennifer Walton said. tmoorman@dispatch.com @taijuanichole