Spiderweb closure causes uncertain future for popular Columbus hot dog joint

A once-thriving hotdog restaurant in Columbus sits at a crossroads, as the temporary closure of the intersection called the Spiderweb threatens to shutter the business.

Ronald Carthar, owner of Morris Rd. Hotdogs & BBQ, 564 Morris Road, brought his concerns to the Columbus Council during its April 22 meeting. He told councilors he has lost almost all of his regular customers.

“Ninety-five percent of my lunch is over,” Carthar said. “I lost 95% of my business.”

Carthar has been operating his restaurant for over 12 years and often depended on the high volume of traffic to bring in business. In fact, the Spiderweb intersection was the main draw of the property when he bought it 45 years ago.

“Back then, it was a good idea,” Carthar told the Ledger-Enquirer. “You had the five major roads. You got MLK. You got Buena Vista. You have all these connectors. People can get here, and it’s an ideal spot that people overlook.”

Now, the intersection’s closure, which is expected to last for two years for reconstruction, has brought many different problems, like physical damage, to Carthar’s business.

Because his restaurant is at the Morris Road part of the closure, many passing cars use his parking lot to make U-turns, causing an erosion of his lawn. Carthar also expressed his growing concern about cars speeding endangering his customers in his parking lot and the neighborhood kids who come outside to play.

“They [are] speeding in here, almost hitting my customers by turning around,” Carthar said. “Then I got big trucks turning around, tearing up my grass. The [parking] lot can only take care of my customers.”

City manager Isaiah Hugley, state Rep. Teddy Reese (D-Columbus) and Columbus Councilor Byron Hickey of District 1 are among theofficials who visited his restaurant to discuss solutions, Carthar said. Carthar emphasized reopening Ace Way Drive., a short access road between Morris Road and Illges Drive, should be a top priority. It would help mitigate the traffic, he said.

“Open that up where people can make the loop,” Carthar said. “People won’t have to turn around in my driveway and my neighbor’s driveways.”

Vance Beck, engineering director, told Hickey during a council work session on April 29 he would “explore” moving the barrier to Ace Way Drive. If not, other options would be considered, he said.

Councilor Travis Chambers of citywide District 10 asked whether there would be an opportunity for affected business owners to receive a tax relief. Columbus mayor Skip Henderson said this tax relief can be considered on a “case-by-case basis.”

“Anytime you try to go particularly one as significant as the Spiderweb that’s gonna impact so many people, there are people that are going to have to adjust and some that are gonna have some real issues,” Henderson said.

Hickey and Hugley did not respond to the Ledger-Enquirer’s requests for comment before this story’s publication.

When asked about the possibility of getting a tax relief, Carthar said a one-time payment would not be sufficient to cover his loss of business.

“You shut the whole community down,” he said. “A tax cut is not gonna do me any good.”

Meanwhile, Carthar said he appreciates people supporting his business.

“We’re a community,” Carthar said. “We look out for each other.”

Carthar said he thinks the Spiderweb closure ultimately will be best for the Columbus community, but the two-year project puts his business in danger of closure. He hopes the city government financially will compensate him for the value of his lost business.

“I didn’t go up there trying to beg for no money and none of that,” Carthar said. “Just do the right thing, man.”

This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 3:12 PM.