Good morning, Franklin County. Remember when Athens was just that college town three hours away? Well, the distance just got a lot shorter. Jackie O's beloved brews have found a new home in downtown Columbus, bringing a taste of Court Street to thousands of nostalgic Bobcats. It's a reunion tour that's been brewing since 2005, and with more OU alumni here than drinking-age residents in Athens County, it feels like a homecoming long overdue.
And speaking of local favorites making moves, Roosters Wings is spreading its, well, wings with a massive new Gahanna location that could seat half the neighborhood. While we're gaining new gathering spots, we're bidding farewell to an old friend - CoGo bikes will cruise into the sunset next year, making way for a fresh take on two-wheeled transit. Because in Franklin County, even our goodbyes make room for hellos.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🍗 Columbus favorite Roosters Wings sets grand opening date in Gahanna. The popular chicken wing chain's newest location at 4850 Morse Road will welcome customers starting February 20th. This massive 8,000-square-foot restaurant marks Roosters' 33rd Ohio location, featuring seating for 478 guests. Sports fans will enjoy watching games on 70 different 65-inch TVs throughout the space. General Manager Jennifer Lane promises the new spot will serve as a neighborhood gathering place for families and friends.
🍺 Athens brewery brings beloved Jackie O's to downtown Columbus. Ohio University graduate Art Oestrike expanded his popular Athens-based Jackie O's Pub and Brewery to North Fourth Street in 2023, tapping into Columbus' massive OU alumni base. The spacious indoor-outdoor taproom serves Athens favorites like Tony's Hot Nut shot and Casa Nueva's custom bloody mary mix. With over 40,000 OU alumni in greater Columbus—more than Athens County's drinking-age population—the expansion builds on strong collegiate ties. "We're all very proud to be alumni," says Oestrike, who founded the original location in 2005.
🚲 Columbus pulls plug on CoGo bike share after 11-year run. The city's first major bike sharing program will cease operations on February 28, 2025, making way for a new unified dockless system by provider Veo. Despite recording its highest ridership ever with 65,000 trips in 2023, CoGo will end alongside Bird, Spin, and Lime scooter services. The transition to Veo is expected to launch in March, with city officials promising improved mobility options and better management of vehicle placement in public spaces.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
In a game where every point felt like a treasure hunt, Urbana squeaked past Dublin Jerome 36-35 in a defensive slugfest that would make James Naismith question his invention. Meanwhile, Westerville North showed no such scoring reluctance, dropping 86 points on Linsly in a statement win that pushed their impressive record to 18-2.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Dublin Jerome (2-18) | ||
@ Urbana | L 36-35 | |
 Westerville North (18-2) | ||
vs Linsly | W 86-67 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
In a tale of two Columbus-area clashes, Worthington Kilbourne's Wolves showed their defensive teeth in a convincing 43-29 win over Teays Valley, while Canal Winchester squeaked past Whetstone 46-40. The Wolves continue to howl with an impressive 18-5 record, but they'll need all their pack mentality for their next showdown against equally formidable Mt. Vernon.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Whetstone (11-10) | ||
vs Canal Winchester* | L 46-40 | |
 Worthington Kilbourne (18-5) | ||
vs Teays Valley* | W 43-29 | |
 Canal Winchester (9-14) | ||
vs Whetstone* | W 46-40 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Beautiful home with ideal amenities: This stunning 4-level home in a sought-after neighborhood is listed at $585,000 and features 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a charming kitchen with granite countertops, and a delightful backyard patio for outdoor enjoyment.
Updated home with spacious yard: This updated 4-bedroom, 2-bath home is listed at $269,900 and features a spacious lot, a stunning kitchen with modern finishes, a cozy great room with a fireplace, and a fenced backyard, perfect for entertaining.
Spacious home with basketball court: This generous 5-bedroom home, listed at $389,900, offers spacious living with a family room, formal dining, and a large kitchen, plus a master retreat with an en suite bath. Enjoy outdoor privacy in a fenced yard complete with a basketball court for fun activities.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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