Bierberg Bakery

I might have found another favorite spot in the city.



It's been such a cold stretch, and I have had a sick child home with me the last few days. Now that he is back in school, I had a bunch of errands I needed to do out and about.



Before I headed out the door, I made a note to myself that a stop at this (infamous) little hidden gem had to be on my itinerary.



The secret about this tiny German bakery is no longer, especially if you have seen the article in the new Winter issue of Edible Columbus. Surprisingly, however, many people still don't know about it. Take the two people I asked for directions at Katzinger's who looked at me like I had three heads.

No matter, I put in the address into my GPS and a few minutes later, I was parked in front of a well signed and decorated, yet unassuming, store front: Bierberg Bakery.

An older German lady greeted me. She had a thick accent still, even though she and her husband moved here since the 60s. As I entered and regained my senses from the freezing cold temperatures (really Columbus, why so cold?!), I started to take in all the scents and smells of all the cookies that laid before me.

I did not count, but there must have been a few dozen different kinds of cookies. These special German cookies are only made here, in this tiny house, 3 months out of every year. Johanna, friend and baker, told me how busy they had been and will continue to be until the end of the year when she will again close up shop and retreat to her much deserved rest.

After I purchased some good-looking cookies, as well as a stollen, I asked if I could slip into the kitchen and watched them work a little.

Another lady in the kitchen, Cathy, is a family-friend. She helps out each year at the bakery. While Johanna and Cathy cut up more cookies to be baked, they recited to me their stories of how they ended up in Columbus (because you know, as a transplant myself, I am always interested!).

As it turns out, they were both sponsored to move to the States from Europe, Johanna from Germany and Cathy from Hungary. I listened with curiosity as Cathy told me the story about her family living in a castle in Germany where several other immigrant families took refuge.  Their hands never stopped working, but they seemed to enjoy reliving their past with me as their audience.

As I turned around to say goodbye, they wished me well in discovering my new home city. I told them that I was happy to have met people like them because that is what matters the most. Johanna agreed with me, and then she added: It's also what you give back, too. That's also very important. Don't forget to give back."

She is absolutely right.

Bierberg Bakery
729 S 5th St.
Columbus, OH

They will be open until the end of the year.

Bear's Mill

Tucked away, and nestled by Greenville River, is historic Bear's Mill. It is quite a drive from Columbus (almost two hours), but it is well worth the trip, I tell you.



The mill has been in operation since 1849, and the master miller himself (Terry Clark) can tell you all about it. He can also tell you that it took him over a year to teach himself how to work this old-fashioned, water-powered mill. There is only a hand full of them left in the state, and not that many in the country.



We enjoyed visiting the mill this weekend, during their Christmas preview open house. Terry did a demonstration, showing us how he grinds wheat, corn, and spelt. He also shows us how the water-powered mill can generate its own electricity. He proved to us that we were all 'green' just a generation or so ago. We were in awe, and inspired, to say the least.

The mill store has a collection of handmade arts, crafts and food for sale as well as products made locally and at the mill itself (we came home with cake flour milled by Terry. How cool is that?).

It's a gem of a place, and we are very glad to have found it!

Maid-Rite

On our daytrip to western Ohio, Bethia insisted that I have to try a "Maid-Rite" burger in Greenville. You have to, she said. And it won't take more than 10 minutes!

Though I did not grow up eating burgers, beef or otherwise, I have been exposed to them living in the US. I must admit that I don't love burgers, of any kind, enough to order it at a restaurant. Give me a bowl of Pho any day, or a rice bowl with anything on it. I am a loyal rice fan.

So when I found out a little about what I was about to experience at Maid-Rite, I was a tad dubious. Loose beef burger? I was willing to give it a try once!

Now that I am on the other side of it, I can say that, in fact, I did enjoy the loose-beef burger. I enjoyed it quite a bit that I can say I would go back there tomorrow, if I was given the opportunity. Just don't offer me a bowl of Pho.

I was also intrigued by the chewed gum decorating along the outside walls of the Maid-Rite building. Intriguing is all I will say about it for now, because you know, I will probably have more to say after my next trip there for another loose-beef burger!

Peanuts

I was downtown the other day when I saw the Planters Peanuts guy standing proud on the side of a building.

Could this be the headquarter of these ubiquitous peanuts? I wondered to myself.

So I had to walk in there and find out, and get some peanuts...naturally.

It turns out that, no, it's not the headquarter, but this particular store (a franchise, I learned) has been here for 75 years! Several Planters Peanuts memorabilia decorate the store, along with several kinds of peanuts and other nuts and other treats alike! It's like stepping back in time, really. Not quite like a museum, but almost.

My favorite was Mr. Peanut with his bright red lips sitting on some kind of machine inside the store. You should go in just to say hi to the guy, and he might tell you the best kind of peanuts in the store.

Generation Green

We went here the other day because we wanted to start another composting bin at our new house. We wanted something that was squirrel/raccoon/varmint proof (those guys are vicious around here!), and we were helped by a very nice and knowledgeable guy at the store (Steve?).

Walking in at first moment, I was transported back to our little town of Santa Cruz, California. The scents, the feel, the products...all so familiar. Besides composting materials, Generation Green offers loads of other things, from recycled art, wearable art, cool recycled anything. It's a destination on its own!

Generation Green

6375 Sawmill Road
Dublin, OH 43017-9266
(614) 761-2222