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Galileo thermometers at Voda: $44 (left)and $48.
Tim Johnson
FUN FINDS If you’re looking for something different, you might want to visit Voda Emporium, a shop with a sense of humor. The company began as a hair salon and was given the name Voda, which I was told is Slavic for water. Owners Ted Dyrdek and Gary Wahlers have established a store full of surprises, including gift ideas for pretty much every taste. They recycle, repurpose and are eco-friendly.
The stock is eclectic, with everything from Blue Buffalo cat and dog food at what they say is the cheapest price in town to rosaries made from buckeyes. The owners’ aim is to sell as many local and American items as they can find, from jams to recycled aprons. You’ll discover artwork featuring the architectural designs of the shop’s Olde Towne East neighborhood, birdhouses, jewelry, cube pillows, soy candles in vintage containers, Ohio State University goods and Fresh Fish cat scratchers. The Mike Wright ’50s and ’60s photo cards are unique and humorous. Some of the cocktail napkins will tickle your funny bone. The North Carolina natural soaps are $4 a bar.
There’s a section of vintage items Dyrdek inherited from his mother. It includes genuine Toby mugs, some Waterford glass, European crystal perfume bottles and Candlewick glass. For any of these items, he invites you to make an offer. Voda also produces gift baskets that might come in handy during the holiday season.
On the third Saturday of the month, the area has an “Art and Olde Towne” event, with stores staying open from 7 to 10 pm. Each month features a different theme, and there are musicians, artists and demonstrations along the street. There’s a free parking lot just north of the store.
Voda Emporium, 81 Parsons Ave., 228-1515; vodaemporium.com. Open Tue-Thu 10 am-7 pm, Sat till 5 pm; closed Sun-Mon. Portico, the owners’ adjacent gourmet coffee shop, is open Mon-Sat 7 am-7 pm and Sun 9 am-5 pm.
FINER FINDS Merchants of German Village is a resale shop featuring fine home furnishings, antiques, estate pieces and collectibles. You’ll also find new furniture here. According to owner Mark Colasante, the shop sells new Bernhardt furniture priced at 30 percent less than other places.
Some of the collectible items are unique, such as cardboard designer chairs by Jeff Beene. When I was there, I also saw a chest made in 1700, vintage glassware, Victorian wood-inlaid cribbage boards, silver accessories, candlesticks, original artwork and baskets. Everything is in good condition—it’s hard to tell what’s new and what’s consigned. Colasante also carries Pont Neuf jewelry by Suzi West.
Merchants of German Village, 499 S. Third St., 221-9150; merchantsofgv.com. Open Thu 11 am-7 pm, Fri till 6 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm, Mon-Wed by appointment.
A-TISKET A-TASKET The Longaberger Company has opened an outlet store at Polaris Towne Center. Longaberger baskets, known for their quality and popularity as collectibles, are available here at around 25 percent off book value. The outlet doesn’t compete with the company’s independent sales consultants because the outlet products have been discontinued or are featured at Longaberger Homestead, adjacent to the basket-making facility in Licking County. This is its first outlet store in Columbus and the company’s third overall.
The 5,000-square-foot store is designed to display the products attractively. In addition to baskets, you’ll find candles, wrought-iron accessories, pottery, dinnerware, fabric items and food. The store has weekly specials that usually begin on Tuesday. When I was there, I saw a vase for $12 that regularly sells for $39, and an offer for a $10 mug rack free when you bought four mugs. Products will rotate in and out of the store as other items are retired.
Longaberger Outlet Store, 1223 Polaris Pkwy. (in Polaris Towne Center, across the street from Polaris Fashion Place and just east of Kroger), 880-9330. Open Mon-Sat 11 am-8 pm, Sun noon-6 pm.
