Restaurants opening, beloved community members dying & more: top Columbus stories

Restaurants and a riverfront attraction opening and beloved community members dying — these are among last week’s top news stories in Columbus.

Here are key takeaways from the five most-read Ledger-Enquirer stories about Columbus in the past seven days:

Santo Corazón Mexican Gastrobar planned to open June 12 or 13 at 8186 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, the former site of Pure Taqueria, which closed in September 2025. The restaurant is owned by Sergio Mendoza and Alejandro Hernandez through Sapo’s LLC, the same group behind Sapo’s Mexican Cocina and Me Encanta Modern Mexican Cuisine. Click on this link to read the full story.

The family behind Wood Stone Restaurant, which closed in 2018 after roughly a decade in Columbus, plans to open Niaz Persian Kitchen as a counter-service spot at Banks Food Hall, 1002 Bay Ave. The new concept will focus on Persian cuisine and family recipes rather than Wood Stone’s full-service Mediterranean model. Click on this link to read the full story.

Norma Jones, 61, a Clearview BBQ employee of more than 25 years, died after suffering a medical emergency related to a shooting on Peabody Avenue early Saturday morning, Columbus police said. Jones was not wounded by the gunfire, but a murder investigation is underway. Click on this link to read the full story.

Ben Holden, who was as executive editor of the Ledger-Enquirer from 2004-10, died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 63. Holden founded the Columbus Scholars nonprofit in 2009, which has raised more than $1 million to mentor and help 45 disadvantaged students graduate from college and currently has 75 students in the program. Click on this link to read the full story.

The Chattahoochee Promenade and Clifford and Bobsie Swift History Trail opened Thursday along the riverfront in the Columbus Historic District. The $5 million project is the largest investment in the Historic Columbus Foundation’s 60-year history. Click on this link to read the full story.

These summaries were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. All the Ledger-Enquirer articles linked in this recap were reported, written and edited by journalists.

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Jordyn Paul-Slater

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Jordyn Paul-Slater is the business and engagement reporter at the Ledger-Enquirer. Her work has appeared in publications such as Reuters, Fast Company and The New York Observer. She completed her master’s degree in specialized journalism at the University of Southern California and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from George Washington University. 

Kelby Hutchison

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.