Business was brewing in the spirits industry in 2021, and Gahanna’s Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival adjusted its rhythm because of the pandemic.
Here’s a look at five of the top stories that shaped Gahanna in 2021.
Cheers – Noble Cut Distillery founder Tony Guilfoy is proofing, filtering, finishing, bottling, labeling and distributing to the state rectifier Ed Carey’s re-created S.N. Pike’s Magnolia bourbon and whiskey that became available for purchase Jan. 2 in several Ohio locations. And coming in spring 2022, High Bank Distillery will open a second location in Gahanna.
All that jazz – Gahanna’s Creekside Blues & Jazz returned after a year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, switching gears to host it in the fall instead of its traditional June event to allow more time for vaccinations and to make sure safety protocols were in place. Gahanna guitarist Zayne Harshaw of Blue Spectrum, a band that covers a wide variety of music and supports individuals who have challenges associated with an autism spectrum disorder, performed.
School’s open – The Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools opened its first new school building in 26 years. A dedication of the new Lincoln Elementary School was held June 5, and families of the school’s students celebrated with a pizza party and building tours.
What’s for lunch? – The supply-chain issue caused in part by the pandemic reached school cafeterias. Food-service coordinators often had to change menus on the fly because popular items like chicken nuggets, hamburgers and condiments were difficult to find and purchase.
Innovation center – ADB Safegate, a Gahanna manufacturer that works to boost efficiency, improve safety, raise environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs for airports and airlines worldwide, broke ground Dec. 6 on what’s called a Center of Innovation. The company plans to invest $1.5 million and add 24 jobs, with the opening of the new facility set for the fall of 2022.
mkuhlman@thisweeknews.com
@ThisWeekMarla