Mike Wolanin | For The Tribune
A view of Orange Leaf inside The Commons in Columbus.
Mike Wolanin | For The Tribune
Columbus officials are in discussions with a Seymour couple about potentially reopening Orange Leaf at The Commons, which has been closed for a little more than two years.
Redevelopment Project Coordinator Mikala Brown recently told The Commons Board that the Columbus Redevelopment Commission held an executive session April 20 to discuss a possible lease transfer from franchise owner Andy Russell to BW Smith LLC.
BW Smith LLC has two principals, Brandy and William Smith. The couple own and operate Orange Leaf in Seymour and also are working to open a Humble Donut franchise.
Brandy Smith said if the lease transfer goes through, they would reopen The Commons space as an Orange Leaf once more. She estimated conversations began in January with Russell reaching out to them about the possibility of taking over the shop.
“I’m super excited about that location,” she said. “I think there are tons of possibilities.”
Smith hopes to promote smoothies and shakes more. She also said açai bowls would be a good lunch option for Cummins employees working downtown.
In discussing steps they’d need to take to reopen the shop, Smith said there would likely be deep cleaning, painting and perhaps some minor repairs, but “nothing too drastic.”
She said they’ve discussed accepting the same lease terms given to the previous tenant, though they haven’t gotten into the specifics yet.
According to city officials, Orange Leaf’s rent was $621.50 per month, $7,458 per year. There also was a $3 per square foot maintenance fee. The space is 678 square feet.
The Commons is owned by the city and operated by the city’s parks department, Redevelopment Director Heather Pope said in a previous interview. The redevelopment commission leases tenant spaces from The Commons Board and subleases them to tenants.
Columbus’ first Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt opened in May 2015. The restaurant filled the vacant space at The Commons left by Snappy Tomato Pizza, which was evicted in January 2014 after going a year without paying its rent.
The redevelopment commission approved a resolution in November 2021 authorizing Devoar LLC, doing business as Orange Leaf, to terminate its Commons lease effective at the end of 2021. Commission attorney Stan Gamso said Russell had said the store still faced expenses despite its closure.
The center’s other interior restaurant tenant, Subway, began formal negotiations about ending its lease in January 2021 and left in July, according to city officials.
The Commons was largely closed to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic, except as an event space. Orange Leaf and Subway have been closed since March 2020 and were granted continuing rent relief by the commission due to their inability to open, as they have no external entrances (unlike Bucceto’s and Luciana’s).
Commons Manager Shanda Sasse said in September that Orange Leaf also was waiting on a reopening date for The Commons indoor playground.
The newly renovated James A. Henderson playground reopened in March 2022 after seeing project delays due to factors such as material and labor shortages.