Originally published by Gary Semen Jr, ThisWeek News | November 12

Identical twins experiment with the Brekkie Shack breakfast-and-lunch concept, with local sourcing a priority.

Lisa and Lindsey Rusch are the quintessential identical twins. They went to Wittenberg University together, played soccer, studied business and once ran a home-baking business — Sugar Rush — in their spare time.

So it’s not surprising that they would start a business doing something they love.

The Worthington natives have opened Brekkie Shack, a breakfast-and-lunch place in Grandview Yard.

The siblings are putting their cooking and entrepreneurial skills to the test at the 2,500-square-foot restaurant, which seats 68 inside and 20 on the patio at 1060 Yard St.

“We’ve been thinking about it for 20 years,” Lisa Rusch said of the restaurant.

The interior is stark, with teal-colored wooden walls, wooden table tops and a mural that reads “Home of the Brekkie of Champions,” painted by their friend, Moe Buckley.

“We wanted it to be just relaxing and social,” Lisa Rusch said.

She calls the menu “very fresh and responsibly sourced.”

Brekkie Shack culls its ingredients from a who’s who of regional producers: sausage from Butcher & Grocer, cage-free eggs from Snowville, bread from Lucky Cat Bakery and Ohio chicken and maple syrup. The nitrate-free bacon is from Michigan.

Likewise, the beverages give a serious nod to Ohio: Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, Middle West Spirits, Land-Grant Brewing Co., Seventh Son Brewing and Royal Docks Brewing Co. (Canton).

Fresh juice and lemonade made in-house also are available.

Brekkie Shack’s signature dish is the classic egg sandwich with white cheddar and avocado. A variation adds bacon and shredded Brussels sprouts that are flash-fried for texture.

Other breakfast options include French toast, pancakes and sweet-potato hash with Brussels sprouts and over-easy eggs, or avocado for the vegan diner.

There are a few lunch options, such as chicken-salad tacos and a roasted veggie bowl, among other sandwiches and salads.

Everything is priced at $13 or less.

For those who prefer desserts, the roster of baked goods changes frequently. Examples are cookie-dough peanut-butter bars, cookies-and-cream brownies, maple-creme doughnuts and whole-grain cinnamon rolls.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 614-525-0190.

Dispatch restaurant reporter Gary Seman Jr. can be reached at [email protected].

Originally published – Columbus Business First by Tristan Navera | November 8, 2018

A modern wine, coffee and chocolate concept is set to open at Grandview Yard this winter.

Winans Chocolates + Coffees + Wines has signed on for a 1,600-square-foot shop in the 1125 Yard St. building, with a targeting opening around February. It’ll be the latest addition to Grandview Yard’s growing ground-floor retail selection, and will add to the local presence of the Piqua-based Winans chain, which has locations downtown near Columbus Commons and in German Village.

“We’ve been looking for the right place and location to do it and when the property came up we decided it was the right time and location to move forward,” Matt Finkes, franchise co-owner and operator of the new Winans location, said in a statement. “The location is gorgeous and the demographic is really good for us.”

The new Winans will have an outdoor patio accessible from the sidewalk.

The brand emphasizes quality chocolates and coffees that are produced and sourced conscientiously, with its handmade chocolates made in a facility in Miami County.

The fourth-generation family business, established in the early 1900s, is trying something a bit new with this location, said CEO Joe Reiser. While it’s traditionally been primarily a coffee shop and high-end chocolatier, the chain is growing more toward a wine bar concept that draws people in during the evenings and brings in more wine events.

Winans has seen success in its downtown location with wine tastings and other events for connoisseurs, he said.

The new Winans location will emphasize wine, chocolates and coffee bringing a morning and early evening crowd. NATIONWIDE REALTY INVESTORS LTD.

Lauren Sega | Columbus Underground | October 30

Brekkie Shack is days away from opening up in Grandview Yard.

Announced earlier this year, the new breakfast, lunch and brunch spot is running limited hours during their soft opening this week, in preparation for a grand opening this Friday, Nov. 2.

On the corner of First Avenue and Yard Street, Brekkie Shack takes up the south side corner of the Manchester building. It seats about 70, including the inside and patio. It’s made up mostly of two- and four-tops, but the restaurant also offers bar top seating.

Behind the bar, guests can get beer, wine and liquor. They’ve made specialty cocktails in partnership with Middle West Spirits (MWS), including the maple latte, featuring MWS’ Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka.

The menu is still being finalized, but owners Lisa and Lindsey Rusch say the focus is on “healthy, energizing” foods, and a wide selection of plant-based items will be available.

“I think that Brekkie Shack will be a really good go-to place to fuel up for the day,” says Lisa Rusch. “There’s a lot of young families here, business professionals that are really looking for something nutritious but energizing.”

Along with the regular menu, the Rusches plan on offering a rotating list of desserts. Crimson Cup has partnered with Brekkie Shack as well to provide a full coffee menu.

Once open this Friday, Brekkie Shack will operate from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

For more information, visit thebrekkieshack.com.