Good morning, Franklin County. The year 1979 feels like ancient history until you realize how dramatically one day changed everything for 1,500 Columbus families. When Federal Glass Company shuttered its South Side plant without warning, it wasn't just the end of a 79-year legacy - it was the beginning of a manufacturing exodus that would reshape our city's economic DNA. That same resilient spirit that helped Columbus rebuild then still pulses through our veins today.
Just ask Maria DeVito, the Newark native now chronicling our eastern suburbs' stories for the Dispatch, or peek inside the Wexner Center, where "Dancing with the Stars: Live" just added a surprise second show due to overwhelming demand. Because if there's one thing Columbus knows how to do, it's reinvent itself with style.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🏭 Columbus factory's sudden closure leaves 1,500 workers jobless in 1979. Federal Glass Company, a 79-year-old manufacturer of blown glassware and tableware, shuttered its South Side plant without warning or severance pay. The closure marked the beginning of a devastating year for Columbus manufacturing, with Jeffrey Manufacturing relocating and Rickenbacker Air Force Base cutting jobs. Rising oil prices and international competition had eroded the company's market share, while a blocked sale attempt to Lancaster Colony sealed its fate. The 63-acre facility was eventually converted into Federal Industrial Park.
📰 Newark native brings local expertise to Columbus Dispatch's suburban beat. Maria DeVito covers eastern suburbs like Gahanna and Pataskala, reporting on everything from housing developments to local tragedies. The former Newark Advocate reporter found her calling at 14 while watching Tim Russert break down presidential primaries. When not writing about suburban growth and government accountability, DeVito spends time with her border collie mix and cheers on the Blue Jackets. Her most impactful stories have focused on local schools' efforts to improve children's lives.
💃 Popular dance show adds surprise second Columbus performance in April. "Dancing with the Stars: Live" will return to the Wexner Center's Mershon Auditorium on April 9, following its successful February show. Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik co-hosts the tour, featuring star dancers including Emma Slater and Alan Bersten. Emmy Award winner Mandy Moore, known for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and La La Land, directs the production. The expanded tour also adds stops in Cincinnati, Akron, and several East Coast cities.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Equity-rich fixer-upper gem: This fixer-upper near Forest Park East, listed at $262,500, is a prime equity-building opportunity with a newer roof and mechanicals, ready for your creative touch to transform it into something special.
Stylish Cape Cod with spacious charm: A charming Cape Cod home at 521 Helen St is listed for $182,500. Recently renovated, it features natural wood flooring, a stylish kitchen, and spacious bedrooms, making it perfect for comfortable living.
Sprawling stone ranch with elegance: This impressive sprawling stone ranch in the Canterbury neighborhood of UA is listed at $1,275,000. With an open floor plan, elegant finishes, heated floors, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas, it's a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication.