Small businesses start mutual aid effort for immigrant community
Local small businesses have come together to support families impacted by the presence of federal immigration agents.
- Columbus-area restaurants and bars are protesting federal immigration actions.
- Some businesses closed for a nationwide strike, while others are donating proceeds to pro-immigrant causes.
- Donations are being directed to local groups like Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS).
- Efforts include selling special items, offering discounts to protesters, and distributing whistles to alert others of ICE activity.
Columbus restaurants and bars have been taking a stand against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in the wake of federal actions in Minneapolis and the deaths of two anti-ICE residents.
Few closed down Jan. 30 for a nationwide strike called to protest the mass deportations. A number, however, pledged a portion of their proceeds to local efforts that support immigrants and refugees.
“Posting ‘business as usual’ on social media has felt tone-deaf lately. It feels like we’re ignoring the elephant in the room,” the owners of Upper Arlington’s Original Goodie Shop posted Jan. 27. “But we need to nurture the business’ health and keep it running for our employees and community. So if you see King Cakes and Valentines Cookie Boxes and Irish Soda bread being posted and it feels ‘out of touch’ — we know.”
In response, the business began selling cutout cookies this week decorated like the winter hat worn by a 5-year-old Minneapolis boy who has been detained by ICE. It’s donating a portion of its proceeds to Columbus’ Community Refugee & Immigration Services and another local group.
Here is a collection of Columbus-area business that have posted in recent days about their efforts to help pro-immigrant causes.
Aardvark Wine & Beer: The bottle shop and its Dive Baar tasting room are donating 20% of its tasting fees this weekend to Columbus’ Community Refugee & Immigration Services. Details: 2355 W. Dublin Granville Road, Linworth; aardvarkwineandbeer.com.
Accent Wine Parlor: The Downtown wine shop closed Jan. 30 as part of the nationwide action. The business promised “a special treat” for people who visit Saturday with a protest sign. Details: 49 N. High St., Downtown; accent.wine.
Black Kahawa Coffee: To warm up Statehouse protesters across the corner of Broad and High streets, the coffee shop offered $2 drip coffees and hot chocolate before, during and after a Jan. 30 anti-ICE demonstration. Details: 2 E. Broad St., Downtown; blackkahawa.com.
Denmark on High: The cocktail bar is distributing whistles for people to alert others of nearby actions by ICE agents. Details: 463 N. High St., Downtown; denmarkonhigh.com.
Galaxy Coffee: The coffee truck’s ongoing community fund has raised about $2,000 since December, and its supporters have created nearly 6,000 kits that include whistles for people to warn others if they spot ICE agents. Details: 3264 N. High St., Clintonville; thegalaxycoffee.com.
Ginger Rabbit: Along with its sibling restaurant, Metsi’s Wood-Fired Italian, the jazz bar is donating $1 from every cocktail and glass of wine told Jan. 30 to CRIS. Details: 17 Buttles Ave., Short North; gingerrabbitjazz.com.
I Like It Like That: With a post reading, “I like ice in my cocktail, not in my community,” the lounge near Grandview Heights pledged to donate money Jan. 30 to Columbus’ Community Refugee & Immigration Services and said it will be part of a group effort forming among businesses. Details: 945 King Ave., Fifth by Northwest; ilikeitlikethatbar.com.
Little Cat Bob and Three Bites Bakery: The bakery and coffee shop that share space on Capitol Square offered snacks and handwarmers to Downtown protesters. Three Bites owner Isabella Bonello has been involved in efforts to create an assistance fund for families affected by ICE actions in Columbus. Details: 12 E. Broad St., Downtown; littlecatboba.com and threebitesbakery.com.
Metsi’s Wood-Fired Italian: The restaurant is donating $1 from every cocktail and glass of wine told Jan. 30 to CRIS. Details: 36 E. Lincoln St., Italian Village; metsisitalian.com.
Original Goodie Shop: The bakery’s “donation cookie,” treats made to help out different causes, is now a cutout decorated to look like the blue bunny-ear hat worn by Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota. CRIS and Our Helpers will receive $1 for every cookie sold. Details: 2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington; theoriginalgoodieshop.com.
Pattycake Bakery: The vegan bakery is trying to help immigrant-owned businesses in Columbus by offering a free cup of coffee or tea to customers who brings in a receipt from one of them. It’s “a momentary reminder,” the business posted, “that we are not alone or powerless.” Details: 3870 N. High St., Clintonville; pattycakebakery.com.
Roosevelt Coffee House: The coffee shop donated $1 from every coffee sold Jan. 30 to the mutual aid initiative started by Columbus businesses. Details: 300 E. Long St., Downtown; rooseveltcoffee.org.
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Co.: “We stand united with those opposing the fear-driving tactics of ICE,” the Columbus brewery and restaurant posted. It pledged $1 from every beer sold this weekend at Wolf’s Ridge and Understory, its sibling restaurant and bar, to local charities supporting people affected by stepped-up immigration enforcement.
Woodhouse Vegan: For an hour before the Jan. 30 immigrant-rights protest at the Ohio Statehouse, the cafe donated 20% of coffee and tea sales to the Columbus mutual-aid effort. It closed during the demonstration. Details: 19 W. Russell St., Short North; woodhousevegan.com.
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
