Columbus restaurant moves into the old B. Merrell’s. Owner explains why the move is needed

The relocation of Smoke Bourbon and BBQ, originally at 1047 Broadway, was tough for owner Niki Gedroic.

But the constant chaos and financial strain at the old location became too much to bear. Gedroic closed the Uptown location of Smoke on Nov. 9.

Gedroic summed up the predicament to the Ledger-Enquirer.

“The decline in business and the condition of the building just made it impossible to stay open, Gedroic said.

Repair costs were at the center of the difficult decision. Gedroic said despite their best efforts to maintain the space, the obstacles were insurmountable. The building needed about a quarter of a million to half a million dollars worth of repairs, Gedroic said.

“Every time it rained, it rained into the restaurant,” Gedroic said. “It was like somebody turned a faucet on.”

The hardships were only intensified by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have dramatically altered downtown business patterns even several years later. Fewer workers and customers downtown meant lunch service was hard to sustain, but Gedroic said she couldn’t afford to close.

“Before COVID, there were 3,000 people in the TSYS building,” Gedroic said. “After COVID, now, I mean, not even close to that. Things like that make it very difficult to maintain the lunch service. It’s just a hard time right now for restaurants.”

Being in Uptown Columbus brought both benefits and new hurdles for Gedroic. As the city changed, she said it was increasingly difficult to thrive.

“It’s hard to be in uptown,” Gedroic said. “It’s also a blessing to be in Uptown…. But parking is an issue. You’re a slave to foot traffic because of that.”

A timely opportunity for a new location finally shifted the restaurant’s story in a hopeful direction.

Smoke is relocating to the old B. Merrell’s space at 7600 Veterans Parkway. It’s a spot already deeply woven into Columbus’ food history.

“This building was built to be B. Merrell’s,” Gedroic said. “A parking lot, more space. It was designed to be a restaurant.”

The new concept will bring together Smoke’s best-loved items under a new identity: Smoke Tavern and Grill. The move will keep the restaurant’s spirit alive, but with a fresh and expanded menu and a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere.

“If you enjoyed the corn dip from Vertigo, if you enjoyed the pickle dip from the Hangout, if you enjoyed the wontons from Smoke, all those things will be there,” Gedroic said. “While we won’t be a barbecue restaurant, we will still have the delicious ribs that we served at Smoke.”

Ultimately, Gedroic’s vision is for more than just another restaurant. She hopes Smoke Tavern and Grill will become a place where both diners and employees feel at home.

“I want this to be an experience, not just some place where you get a quick lunch,” Gedroic said. “I want the food to be warm and comfortable, familiar, inviting. We will have everything from rib eyes to burgers and wings. We will have televisions for football. We will have delicious cocktails, and we will have food that is interesting and familiar.”

Gedroic said Smoke Tavern and Grill will open in mid-January.

This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM.