Right Now Downtown

If you see a little bus covered with dog pictures driving around town, know that aboard are the happiest pets in the world. Doggie Daycare, the pooch paradise at 401 E. Mound St., is adding another dog delight to its services: a car ride. (Buses are just big cars when you’re a dog.) Doggie Daycare owner Amber Tarantine is scouting locations for pick-up/drop-off spots around downtown, German Village and the Short North and expects to have a regular route up and running in February. “I have this picture in my mind of us riding around,” said Tarantine. “I think it will be kind of fun.” Tarantine, who bought 9-year-old business in 2002, first learned about it when her dog trainer recommended she and her husband enroll their 12-week-old puppy. “It’s great for puppies,” she said. “You have this little ball of energy who wants to play and chew and explore, and it can be hard to get home during the day to let your dog out. With daycare, they’re getting their exercise and burning their energy, so we didn’t have to feel guilty if we came home from work and just wanted to relax.” Doggie Daycare’s clients also include older dogs and rescued adolescents who might suffer from separation anxiety or have special needs. The experience also helps to socialize pets to people and other animals. “There are a lot of similarities to daycare for children,” said Tarantine. “We read to the dogs, watch TV, do arts and crafts, listen to music…” Uh, wait a sec. Arts and crafts? “Yes,” she said with a slightly sheepish laugh. “For example, for Christmas we make paw print ornaments for the owners, and we do Valentine’s Day cards.” Doggie Daycare, which also offers full grooming services, is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 221-2251.

Eclextion Lofts One of the bright minds helping to reshape the downtown landscape, developer Bill Shelby has contributed a special sort of “X factor” to the loft evolution. Shelby, president of Spectrum Properties, Inc., has partnered with Jack Hoopes, president of Amlin Development, to build Eclextion and Connextions lofts and Cityview on 3rd Lofts. All three embody the same vision: living space that’s affordable and unique. “We utilize the existing materials of the original building as well as the vintage character by opening bricked-in windows and maintaining ceiling height,” Shelby said. The real character of the residences, however, comes from the people who live in them. “We envision the units as a blank canvas,” Shelby said. “That allows the artist-the client-to create their own space by choosing their finishes, colors and furnishings.” Shelby sees downtown as evolving. Even since 2003, when he and Hoopes renovated their first project, Connextions, he has noticed an increase in day-to-day street life. “I see residents walking their dogs, jogging in the evening and creating street activity,” Shelby said. “Restaurants and services also seem to be extending their hours and starting to cater to the residents.” Shelby said sales reports by the Columbus Board of Realtors show downtown housing fared well over last year, with “nice appreciation” despite an overall market downturn. “I think this is probably because this market appeals to professionals who move here from other cities,” he said. “Columbus is a bargain when compared to other markets, and now we can offer an urban lifestyle.” For more information on Exclextion Lofts, 221 N. Fourth St.; CityView at 3rd Lofts, 78 E. Chestnut St.; or Connextions Lofts, 110 N. Third St., call 221-8200 or 419-7330.

Plans to turn the Grapevine into the Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails will kick into gear next week. Owner Liz Lessner, who owns Betty’s in the Short North and co-owns Surly Girl Saloon, calls the theme for the new place “Columbus-centric.” “Not in the Ohio State Buckeyes sense,” she clarified, “but in a way that shows Columbus is cool and it’s got a lot of history and character.” With help from the Ohio Historical Society and the library, Lessner has been tracking down photos, political cartoons and other cool items from the last century of the city’s history. Plans include redoing the front facade and adding windows. Lessner’s mother, who came up with the over-the-top fabulous décor for both Betty’s and Surly Girl Saloon, will oversee the actual decorating. Lessner, whose mission is to help make downtown “better and cooler,” sees a niche in the scene for Tip Top to fill. “There’s a lot of new and hoity toity and nice, which is awesome, but there’s nothing that’s more for the working class,” Lessner said. “When you go to other cities, like Chicago, there’s always that cool bar that’s been there a million years and everyone just loves it-that’s the feel we’re going for.” Cuisine will be “super homestyle, super regional.” In the spring and summer, produce will come from a community garden tended by kids in a Godman Guild after-school program. “They’re even making a special pepper just for us,” Lessner said. Lessner and Co. will start work after they get the keys from the Grapevine’s owner, who is retiring after a great run. If all goes as planned, Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails should be open by the end of February.