🍽️ Argentine immigrant wins Ohio's top small business honor. Victor Omar D'Angelo, owner of Barroluco Argentine Comfort Food and Palmas Tropical Escape in downtown Columbus, was named 2025 Ohio Small Business Person of the Year. His entrepreneurial journey began at a Latino Festival in 2012, evolved into a food truck, and expanded to brick-and-mortar locations despite opening Palmas just weeks before COVID shutdowns. D'Angelo, who views his business as more than profit-driven, hopes to expand Barroluco to educate more customers about Argentine cuisine. He'll travel to Washington D.C. in May where the national winner will be announced during Small Business Week.
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💼 Tech founder pivots to investor and corporate roles after startup success. Jonathan Poma, co-founder of Loop Returns, has joined Shopify as director of go-to-market initiatives while also becoming a venture partner at Chicago VC firm M25. The nearly 40-year-old entrepreneur will scout Central Ohio startups for M25, which considers Columbus one of its top markets with nine portfolio companies already. After raising $125 million for Loop and making it "the most advanced returns and exchanges app on Shopify," Poma aims to mentor younger entrepreneurs. "How do I find the next crop of 25-year-old kids to pay it forward?" he says.
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🌳 Columbus westside scores $686,000 for new nature preserve. The Ohio Public Works Commission awarded the grant to create Whitethorne Woods, conserving 48 acres of densely wooded area in the Hilltop community. Development will be minimal, focusing on removing invasive species, planting native trees, and potentially adding trails. This preserve protects "the last significant large stand of woodland" in the area, benefiting over 6,500 residents within a 10-minute distance. Prairie Township also received $1.3 million for the Hellbranch Preserve project, part of $4.9 million in local environmental funding.
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Mid-century dream big outdoor living: Listed at $815,000, this mid-century ranch in Canterbury offers three spacious bedrooms, open living with vaulted ceilings and wood beams, plus generous outdoor space including a screened porch.
Luxury Berwick home amenities galore: This $510,000 home in Berwick boasts 3 bedrooms with an en suite and balcony, 2 new bathrooms, a renovated kitchen with granite and stainless steel, plus finished basement space and a 2-car garage.
Historic Gem Spacious Modern Appeal: This $875,000 gem in East North Broadway Historic District features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and combines period charm with modern amenities across 2,496 square feet, all sitting on a spacious half-acre lot with a coveted 3-car garage.