Author: J.R. McMillan (page 12 of 12)

Though best known as a freelance writer covering the culinary and cultural scenes, J.R. McMillan has also worked as a script consultant, featured columnist, photographer, publicist, and public radio producer.

From local beloved to nationally renowned brands, he applies his background in film and television to create compelling and persuasive narratives. His immersive research and in-depth interviews reveal the hidden story, and his insights and expertise are featured in multiple mainstream and industry publications reaching a wide range of audiences.

He is an alumnus of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and lives in Columbus, Ohio.

December 1, 2014

Give Different

Originally published in the December 2014 issue of (614) Magazine

Looking for a durable, digital gift that’s innovative, affordable, and won’t bend and break if you put it in your pocket?

How about a charity gift card from Community Shares of Mid Ohio or The Columbus Foundation?

Community Shares of Mid Ohio wants to make your hectic holiday shopping simple, yet significant. The grassroots federation of more than 60 local nonprofits soft-launched the gift card that gives back late last year. But this is the first full season for conscientious consumers to buy something that’s never the wrong size or style and always appreciated by causes that count.

Originally organized to give employees an easy opportunity to donate to small area nonprofits, Community Shares of Mid Ohio has evolved to offer member charities collective marketing, expert training, and ongoing advocacy. The “Give Card” is the latest addition to this mission.

“The inspiration for the Give Card really came out of a need to find additional ways for the community to contribute to our members beyond the workplace,” noted Community Relations Director Ryan Kovalaske.

“Community Shares is unique because it focuses on local nonprofits doing work in the community, and in some cases throughout the state,” explained Executive Director Teresa Trost. “These nonprofits reflect the diversity of Central Ohio, but are not typically available through other workplace giving programs.”

The Give Card offers recipients the choice to invest in causes that are meaningful to them—from arts education and animal welfare to building inclusive communities and promoting social justice.

“The purchaser does not have to know which charity the recipient prefers, like they would through a traditional ‘gift in your name’ as some nonprofits offer,” said Kovalaske. “Everything is handled online, but the purchaser has an option to print a certificate to give the recipient as an inclusion in a birthday or thank you card. The purchaser may just as easily email the certificate as a PDF to the recipient to keep things eco-friendly.”

As the Community Shares’ Give Card approached launch, The Columbus Foundation also announced its own charitable gift card.

The Columbus Foundation supports the local nonprofit community through grants from more than 2,000 charitable funds and supporting foundations, as well as creating opportunities for individual giving.

Though both cards seem similar, there are key differences—including the charities represented. Some charities are available through either program; most are exclusive to one or the other.

“Our Give Card is available in any denomination. We pushed for that because, just like pledging during our workplace giving campaigns, we didn’t want price to be a barrier for anyone looking to contribute,” Trost explained.

The Columbus Foundation’s charitable gift card is available at $20, $50 and $100, which may be allocated to any of several hundred local charities and affiliates featured in PowerPhilanthropy, the organization’s online marketplace. “PowerPhilanthropy is a database of more than 600 local charities that allows donors to compare ‘apples to apples,’” said Lisa Courtice, Executive Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management with The Columbus Foundation. “Individual charity websites don’t always have the same information, or provide the insight needed for many donors. PowerPhilanthropy helps donors choose.” Physical cards are available for in-person giving, or may be sent directly to the recipient. Last minute shoppers may also opt for an electronic gift card that can be purchased and emailed instantly.

“The Columbus Foundation’s charitable gift card can only be given to a single nonprofit,” Trost noted. “The amount placed on a Give Card from us can be divided among multiple nonprofits in our program. Again, we really wanted to honor that idea because we have offered it as an option through our workplace giving campaigns.” ▩

For more information on Community Shares of Mid Ohio and the Give Card program, visit communityshares.net and givecard.net. For information on The Columbus Foundation and their Charitable Gift Card, visit columbusfoundation.org and tcfgiftcardpurchase.org

November 1, 2014

Picture Perfect

Originally published in the November 2014 issue of (614) Magazine

The advent of camera phones has in many ways undermined the charm and formality of traditional family photos. But for those of lesser means, a family portrait isn’t just special — it’s sacred.

This was the stark realization that inspired celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart to create Help-Portrait six years ago. Since then, the simple gesture of offering a portrait to someone in need has grown into an international movement.

The first Saturday in December, in hundreds of cities in more than 60 countries, local photographers organize events to provide free individual and family portraits. Help-Portrait Columbus has been involved in the project since the beginning, offering more organized shooting locations than any other city in the world.

Most local photographers were initially drawn to the group through a mix of online interest and personal contacts. It’s a tightly-knit community in a town where everyone already seems to know everyone.

“I first found out about Help- Portrait from following Jeremy Cowart on Facebook,” said Amanda McKinley, who has been involved since 2008. Cowart and several colleagues organized a test event in Nashville that September, then posted a documentary short on YouTube to inspire fellow photographers. “After seeing videos of Jeremy sharing his own experiences, I knew right away this was something in which I wanted to take part.”

Unlike most cities, where only a single event is organized, Help-Portrait Columbus has offered more than a dozen different shooting locations that change slightly from year-to-year based on availability. Recognizing Central Ohio’s mass transit limitations, photographers create partnerships with community centers, clothes closets, food pantries, and homeless shelters that serve those in need.

Extending the original scope of Help-Portrait, Columbus photographers also provide portraits for families with children who have developmental challenges – families who often struggle not only financially, but also to find a photographer patient enough to coax a smile from a reluctant child.

Another unique shooting location is Rebecca’s Place, which offers temporary housing for women in crisis and transition.

“Rebecca’s Place is probably my favorite venue on Help-Portrait day because it is such a challenge,” McKinley said. “Over the years, we have refined how we accomplish our work in this small space.”

“Some are young mothers just trying to get their feet on the ground while looking for employment. Others have endured the depths of substance abuse and are on the mend. The short amount of time we spend with these women gives them all a chance to feel equal. We want them to feel important, we want to leave them feeling confident, and most of all, we want to see them smile.”

Typically, Help-Portrait cities offer a single portrait. Columbus organizers have always provided two, so no one has to choose between keeping or sharing them. Photographers also release their rights to the portraits so recipients can reprint as many copies as they’d like, wherever they’d like. It’s never been about taking pictures – it’s about giving them.

The innovative implementation of Help-Portrait Columbus has made it a model for other cities, attracting photographers from throughout Ohio and neighboring states.

“When I first learned of the event, there was no one in Cleveland or Akron involved,” said John Saraya, a photographer from Northeastern Ohio. “I looked around and found the group in Columbus. I return because I have made some great friends, and the group is extremely well organized. There’s a reason the locations keep asking us to come back.”

The event has also provided opportunities for experienced photographers to mentor those new to portrait photography.

“I’ve been able to teach and offer suggestions to those behind the camera, as well as interact with those in front of it,” Saraya said. “I was helping a less experienced photographer with posing a woman, and joking with both as to how I was doing so. After the woman saw the images, she sought me out to give me a hug and say thank you for making her look so good.”

Though it’s easy to take family photos for granted, for some, they are still a luxury.

“Initially, many of our clients have never had the means to have a professional portrait taken. It turned out, many of them had no pictures of themselves or their families at all,” said Ben Simon, also a founding photographer with Help-Portrait Columbus. “Over the years, we’ve photographed many of the same families. They can now document their individual growth and that of their families through the images we provide.”

“Reactions have always been mixed with raw emotion and gratitude,” Simon said. “I truly believe when you’re down on your luck, sometimes all it takes is the kindness of a stranger to remind you how special you are.” ▩

Photographers interested in joining Help-Portrait can learn more at help-portrait.com. Events will be held on December 6 at Rebecca’s Place, the Childhood League, Urban Concern, and additional locations throughout Central Ohio.

November 1, 2014

Triple Espresso

Originally published in the November 2014 issue of (614) Magazine

The “newest” coffee roaster in Columbus opened more than 25 years ago.

Last month, Stauf’s opened two new locations – a sudden and surprising expansion from the local roastery, which started in Grandview in 1988.

Stauf’s merged with Cup O’ Joe in 2000, with Stauf’s growing predominantly into a wholesale roaster and Cup O’ Joe driving the retail presence. Mark Swanson, president of Stauf’s, said the reason for the Stauf’s expansion now is the opportunity to roast in the shops.

“If you think about all of the great folks at the North Market and the exceptional quality of the shops and restaurants in German Village, roasting on-site was critical to make sure we had the freshest possible coffee and the best experience,” Swanson said.

Small-batch coffee roasting is no small feat. Tom Griesemer, the company’s founder and the first coffee roaster in Columbus, would know.

“The quality of the beans and talent of the person roasting them are crucial, but so is the roaster itself,” Griesemer said. “It took us months to secure our two new roasters.”

The roasters are built in Germany, and Stauf’s scored the last two roasters of the type available in the country. Probat, a company that’s been making coffee roasters since 1868, only builds so many a year. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

“We were lucky to get the last two, or the expansion could have been postponed another year. Just like roasting, timing is everything,” Griesemer said.

Though greeted by the familiar Stauf’s logo, regulars from the Grandview coffee shop will find the look and feel of the new locations unexpected. Guests are greeted by slate gray millwork and natural wood tones punctuated by pops of red at both locations. The earthy aroma of beans and brewing leaves just enough room for the hint of scones and sweet rolls from the kitchen in German Village.

Stauf’s retains local relationships for sourcing ingredients and edibles from many area entrepreneurs and start-up shops, but there is a renewed emphasis on baking in-house as well – for both Stauf’s and Cup O’ Joe.

“Each store will be responsive in their offerings, with Grandview and German Village baking for their own needs, and the rest of the stores,” Swanson said. “Blueberry muffins are always our number one seller at every location, but two, three and four are quite different. We see the same in coffee sales; our goal is to focus on each community.”

With three Stauf’s locations and three Cup O’ Joes (Clintonville, Lennox, and Downtown) serving faithful foot traffic and commuter connoisseurs, it’s easy to forget the original Grandview store was once the only place in Columbus where coffee didn’t come out of a can. According to Griesemer, Columbus didn’t have any good coffee when he first moved to the area, with only two coffee shops, both serving coffee shipped out of New York.

“There was no selection to speak of and what was there already tasted old,” said Griesemer.

As a transplant from University of California, Davis, Griesemer was well-versed in the growing California coffee culture, ultimately turning around one of those local shops by introducing fresh-roasted coffee to the Columbus market. But when his offer to buy the business he helped build was rejected, he decided to put his experience in the restaurant industry to work for himself. Stauf’s Coffee Roasters opened two months later, with a lot of long hours and late nights.

“Tom started in a sleepy little strip mall in Grandview in just 800 square feet,” Swanson said.

“I used to say I worked the ‘B-shift,’” Griesemer said. “I had to be there when we opened and be there when we closed. We even built the furniture ourselves at night in OSU’s theater department.”

Griesemer’s lean operational insights and initiatives paid off. Stauf’s was profitable in just two month’s time, and the original location has since expanded its space more than four-fold. That same commitment to customers and community still shines decades later.

“Being a smaller company allows us to be more flexible. Each store can have similarities and differences,” Swanson explained. “Grandview grew organically, so we’re not going to drop a ‘widget’ into another location and expect it to be the same.”

“No matter how great our coffee is, our guests are partners in the experience,” Swanson said. “Everyone who works for Stauf’s – we were all customers first.” ▩

Read more about the evolution of the Columbus coffee culture in the third volume of Stock & Barrel, (614) Magazine’s new quarterly food and drink publication, out mid-December.

November 1, 2014

Outdoor Play, Indoor Place

Originally published in the November 2014 issue of (614) Magazine

When the leaves fall and the sun hangs lower in the sky, isn’t there a place parents can take their cooped-up kids for outdoor play in an indoor place?

Actually, there is – and they’re popping up all over Central Ohio.

Four short years ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find anyone in Columbus who could explain the concept behind a “play café.” For many it’s still a challenge.

“Parents didn’t know what we were all about,” said Jennifer Kramer, owner of Firefly Play Café in Clintonville, the area’s first such business. “A lot of parents still think of play cafés as somewhere for stay-at-home moms. That’s one of our biggest misperceptions.”

Firefly’s combination of drop-in and monthly membership options attracts a variety of working parents, grandparents, neighbors, and nannies. “We have parents who work from home, or those who work non-standard hours, like firefighters. We actually see lots of dads.”

Kramer was involved in Firefly’s development in the summer of 2010, and has been the owner for the past three years. She admits her previous 11-year stint at COSI, predominantly in early childhood programs, has had a significant impact.

“I’m really an educator learning how to be a business owner. That’s why I’ve tried to partner with other local businesses,” Kramer said. Backroom Coffee is a parent favorite, even on warmer days. A new sandwich menu will include kid-friendly faves, like sunflower butter sandwiches and other edibles from Weiland’s Market – an extension of Firefly’s “peanut safe” environment.

Kramer also noted the eclectic collection of works from local artists adorning the walls and shelves. All of the pieces are available for sale. She only charges a modest fee to cover credit card transactions, but cash sales go entirely to the artists. “If you like something, you can take it off the wall and take it home. I believe in supporting Columbus artists. I wanted to offer parents something unique, something they won’t find at Target.”

But the kids are customers too, and they’ll find no shortage of child-led discovery at Firefly. More physical activities include seated scooters, a bounce house and a curvy wooden play structure with ample options to climb, slide, and hide. You’ll also find imaginative items – a winding, standing-height train table, a well-stocked kiddie kitchen, and even a cape rack for every child’s inner superhero.

Evenings, weekends, and additional hours outside of open play offer a mix of birthday parties, creative classes, and family photo sessions. Programming partners and private rentals are a growing part of Firefly’s business model.

“I wanted to create a social outlet for young children and parents, a place that fosters learning and community for both, outside of a formal education setting,” Kramer said.

Success breeds competition, and play cafés are no exception. Ohio’s often bitter and always unpredictable winters have ushered in several new venues where kids and parents can connect and explore together.

Allyson Morena, owner of Piccadilly in Bexley, describes her business as a “modern play and creative café.” Inspired by earlier concepts in Los Angeles, New York, and London, Morena had been admiring such efforts from afar. But much like the restaurant industry, a local proof of concept was the nudge she needed three years ago. Piccadilly is in many ways not an imitation of similar efforts, but a response to them.

“I almost named it Piccadilly ‘Social Café,’” Morena said. “Parenting can be lonely and I wanted there to be a place that was radically different from Gymboree and Chuck E. Cheese.”

“I wanted it to be a shared experience for parents and their children; we’re not just an indoor playground,” Morena said. Piccadilly is designed for parents, with dedicated diaper-changing stations and easy-to-use accounts – so parents can enter or order from the health-minded menu, without having to fumble through a purse or wallet. “It’s what I wanted for myself when my kids were younger.”

Morena’s emphasis on local and wholesome options is also apparent at Piccadilly. Stauf’s coffee, gluten-free goodies from Cherbourg Bakery, and a food selection featuring items from Angry Baker and Harvest Pizza round out the robust menu. “I wanted to have some of the same options I choose for my family.”

Initial frustrations shared amongst startup play cafés are often logistical – like insurance coverage. “No one knows what play cafés are, so they tend to treat us like gyms,” Morena said. Piccadilly does offer dance and martial arts classes open to individuals and monthly members, but it’s far from a gym. Even larger than the almost overwhelming custom climbing structure is the “Playdium” – an in-floor auditorium complete with digital projector and surround-sound experience. “I think we’ve created a place that’s clean and comfortable enough for everyday play, but also designed for sophisticated kids parties.”

Summer day camps and year-round acting, music, and art classes attract younger and older children alike. “Even our craft classes are always intentional – what they make must be playable, hang-able or give-able,” Morena explained. “Everything we do here has a purpose.” ▩

Since the first one opened a few years ago, play cafés have popped up in Central Ohio:

Firefly Play Café in Clintonville
4822 N High Street
fireflyplaycafe.com

Piccadilly in Bexley
2501 E Main Street
piccadillydally.com

Peapod Play Café in Grove City
4874 Thompson Road
peapodplaycafe.com

Little Green House in Grandview
808 Grandview Avenue
littlegreenhouseplaycafe.com

Little Skipper’s Play Café in Hilliard
3615 Fishinger Boulevard
littleskippersplaycafe.com

Eat, Play, Love in Lewis Center
8927 S Old State Road
eatplayloveplaycafe.com

Lattes & Lollipops in Powell
337 W Olentangy Street
lattesandlollipops.com

ZenKidz in Westerville
43 E Home Street
zenkidzplaycafe.com

September 5, 2014

South High Double Feature

Originally published in the September 2014 issue of (614) Magazine

Amid the modern movie houses remains a monument to local motion picture history — the South Drive-In.

Central Ohio was once home to 17 drive-in theaters. But with the closings of the Kingman and 40 East a decade ago, the South sadly has the distinction of being the last drive-in theater in Columbus.

But this isn’t a eulogy.

Even as traditional theaters are struggling to compete with the ease and instant gratification of Netflix and Redbox, big screens are big business again. Audience interest in 3D films has declined in recent years, but ticket sales for large-format features are booming.

Though not exactly an IMAX experience, the South’s super-size screens make those puny multiplexes look like bed sheets and your flat-panel TV look like a postcard.

Tonight’s crowd is as mixed as the cars they drive – a pickup for every Prius, a muscle car for every minivan.

“It’s definitely more family-friendly, as is the price,” said Jason Harddarger of Columbus. He and his wife Carol have been coming here with their children for more than seven years. Adult admissions are comparable at $9, but children 11 and under are only a buck.

There are newbies, as well. Sixteen students from Dublin Coffman’s cross-country team are here to see Guardians of the Galaxy. Some had already seen the film, but none have been to the South before tonight. They said they were willing to caravan past several first-run theaters to see the space epic on a giant scale.

“I grew up in Illinois and went to my first drive-in movie when I was nine,” said Piper Hayward, the 17-year-old senior who organized the outing. “I wanted my friends to see how different the experience really is.”

The South’s gas-powered popcorn popper certainly beats the pre-popped alternatives you find elsewhere. But they also let audiences pack their own snacks. You can even bring your own grill, so long as the coals are cold before the film starts. (Just try bringing hotdogs and a Hibachi to any other theater in town).

Seating options are also up to you. Enjoy the quiet comfort of your car, cozy up under a blanket in the bed of your truck or just break out the lawn chairs. Audio is available from vintage speakers or through your vehicle’s radio. As for rain, refunds are rarely necessary – though there was that one time in 1973 when a tornado actually took out the main screen just as the movie was starting. Now that was 3D.

You also get two films for the price of one. The South has two screens, each showing a different film after sundown and a second movie on each after that.

But the South’s double feature isn’t just the second screening. On weekends and Wednesdays, it transforms into Central Ohio’s largest open-air flea market.

There are the usual suspects: crates of vinyl records, tools and trinkets, dubious DVDs and knock-off purses. But also the unexpected: wooden lobster traps, tube radios, old-school game consoles, golden age comics, and antique furniture.

Several farmers have set up stands near the entrance and holler like carnival barkers. “Cantaloupes, one dollar! Sweet corn, Three dollars a dozen!”

Joseph Ponder has been selling various wares at the South for three years. A former welterweight boxer-turned-writer originally from New York, his wits are still as quick as his jabs once were.

“They open for sellers at 5 a.m., but I arrive around 3 a.m. every Saturday to get one of the best spots,” he confessed. “I think folks come here because they can wheel and deal.”

It’s equal parts kitsch and collectibles, where hipsters and hillbillies mingle and you’re never quite sure if the mustaches and sideburns are ironic or sincere.

After a mile of meandering, I left with a tall stack of 78 records, a flashlight that looks like a Coke bottle, and a sack of tailgate tomatoes — all for less than I pay for a haircut.

If you come looking for something specific, you’ll likely leave disappointed. If you come looking for something interesting, you won’t leave empty-handed. ▩

South Drive-in and Flea Market is located at 3050 S High St. and is open until mid-November.