With Christmas almost here… you’re probably still looking for last minute gifts. Well a great idea is to shop local as many of my Columbus friends and Social Media lovers have been mentioning. While you’re shopping at these awesome local stores, you should take some time to learn about the SBB and ask these shops if they accept the SBB Community Card.

The Small Business Beanstalk (SBB) is a Columbus based organization that helps local businesses connect to one another so that they can utilize each other’s services and help each other grow. For example, say a local restaurant needs new menus printed. The SBB would connect the restaurant to a printing business in the area. With all these businesses connected together, it would help boost the Columbus economy, as well as cultivate a tight knit community of businesses working together to help one another succeed. It’s a pretty genius idea since Columbus is already a great community of people and businesses, that like to see each other thrive. When I learned about the group, I believed in their vision so much that I joined as a member and decided to help them with their social media efforts, though I’m not getting paid to do so. In the interest of full disclosure, however, in return for the work I do for them, they are helping me with their connections to find a more work.

One of the other great benefits of SBB membership is the Community Card. Card carrying members can visit the participating local businesses and receive discounts and specials. The best part is that the card is totally 100% free! You can sign up on the SBB website and have the card mailed to you or you can pick one up at one of these local stores:

MilkBar (Short North)
TigerTree (Short North)
LadyBird (Short North)
What the Rock (Short North)
Shine Me Up (Downtown)

Check out the website for a full list of stores and restaurants currently accepting the card and their deals. The SBB is currently expanding all over Columbus including Dublin, Worthington, and Clintonville, etc. so be sure to ask every local store you shop at if they accept the card.

You can also follow The SBB on Twitter (@thesbb) and become a fan on Facebook to keep up to date with the newest stores and restaurants accepting the card. Or if you’re a business interested in participating in the program you can contact Starr @ thesbb.com.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

You heard it right!

If you love sushi as much as I do, you know how expensive it can get to feed your habit. Well here’s your chance to try out some of the best sushi in Columbus at half the price!

Located at 122 Hutchinson Ave. and slightly hidden back in the plaza with the Marcus Crosswoods Movie Theatre resides Sushiko which now offers Half Price Sushi Tuesdays! The chef offers a variety of rolls at half price meaning that you leave with both a full stomach and wallet. Traditional rolls, spicy rolls, festival rolls, and a few other special rolls and sashimi are all available and delicious!

If you aren’t around on a Tuesday, try their lunch specials. You get your choice of 4 combo deals that come with miso soup and salad. My favorite is the spicy combo where I get a spicy tuna roll and spicy salmon roll for $9.95. I am also a big fan of the Volcano Roll which is a full meal in itself but comes in a bit pricier at $12.95.

Sushiko also offers many other meal choices for the raw fish-phobic and includes teriyaki and other inspired Japanese dishes. The Bibimbop is very tasty!

Being a bit of a sushi connoisseur, I have sampled many varieties at different restaurants all over Columbus. Sushiko is one of the best- you have my promise! Don’t forget to tell the sushi chefs “Oi Shii!” (It means yummy!)