Artistic Flair and Serious Girl Power Bring Life To The Shops at Jordan Johnson

Across from Jordan High School lies a small, unassuming corner of buildings, tucked away in an off-the-beaten-path neighborhood. For a long time, this little smatter of shops was forgotten and abandoned, frozen in time while other parts of the city saw new growth. 

That’s changed now. New signs proudly advertise the arrival of a host of amazing new businesses. A waft of incense fills the air, and a buzz of excitement circles the street, drawing curious people in to browse and explore the new Shops. It’s all thanks to a group of women who are bringing their dreams to life and making this formerly forlorn corner a more magical, colorful place. 

With the addition of each new shop, the block becomes even more intriguing, a display of the many creative and unique endeavors that are springing up from the community. Seasonal block parties hosted by the shop owners feature local vendors and draw a captive crowd as people connect over the contagious energy of new ideas. 

As the holidays approach, the shops offer a space to find unique gifts while enjoying an afternoon meeting and supporting a group of women who envision big things for this city. 

Plant Magic Market was the first shop to settle in on the corner of Howard Avenue. In the short time since its opening, the award-winning shop has already made a name for itself in the community, not a surprising accomplishment given the alluring collection of items lining its shelves. “The magic is in the plants,” owner Olivia Hight-Montgomery explains. A wall of jars contains herbs and loose leaf tea blends, an ode to Olivia’s passion for herbalism, and a space where people can select herbs and teas to take home. 

Olivia’s current project is the addition of The Tea Room, an expansion of Plant Magic Market where people can enjoy hot teas steeped from the herbs Olivia sells in her shop. Rumor has it that Olivia will occasionally offer her signature Golden Paste, the turmeric blend she used to sell at the market on Broadway. “It’s a fan favorite,” Olivia laughs. “It’s what started it all. I definitely don’t want to lose connection with the Golden Paste.” The Tea Room is set to open in early 2023. 

In the meantime, shoppers can find gifts of the metaphysical and spiritual variety at Plant Magic Market, including crystals, incense, herbs, and books, as well as self-care items such as bath bombs, jewelry, and essential oils. 

Light & Co. opened their doors around the same time as Plant Magic. Owner Barbara Braswell dreamed up her idea of a perfect salon, and found the freedom to create it during the pandemic. “The chaos of the time pushed me to take the leap,” she remembers. The salon is funky but homey, colorful and fun, a place where all are welcome and celebrated. Barbara describes the salon as being “High on Girl Power,” and what you’d end up with “If Dolly Parton was a stoner hippie.” Big on promoting self-empowerment, Barbara is excited to have Light & Co. be a part of the revitalization that is happening in the Jordan Johnson neighborhood. “It’s been magical,” she says, appreciating the opportunity. The salon has brought light, laughter and a lot of color to the neighborhood. “People share things with us,” she explains. “Great conversations happen inside these walls.” 

Proof of their success, Light & Co. have been awarded both years they’ve been open by the People’s choice for Best Salon. “People love us because we love our people,” Barbara says. Offering color, cuts, blow outs, and styles for special occasions, Light & Co. has four stylists, each with their own specialties. “Any hair need you have, we can cover,” Barbara says. 

Light & Co. offers gift cards year round as a unique and fun gift for those who enjoy happy hair.

In January of this year, our little bee, Melissa Posey opened her new tattoo and henna shop called Little Bee Creations. It was a solid opportunity and she took it. “I felt like this was the right move,” she explains. With five years of experience in body art, Melissa knew she wanted to create a space where she could use her skills to build confidence through her work. In addition to tattoos and henna, she offers permanent makeup such as eyebrows and lip color. 

With a focus on the feminine side of tattooing, Melissa’s space feels inviting, welcoming, and homey, a place where anyone would feel comfortable. Her aesthetic is less intimidating than other traditional tattoo parlors and Melissa says she has all kinds of people come to her shop, including people who would not be comfortable going to a darker, more edgy shop. “I’ve had church ladies come in for their first tattoos,” Melissa recalls. “All kinds of people get tattoos.” She embraces the diversity she gets to experience at the shop. 

Excited to be a part of a powerful group of women, Melissa says the other shop owners on the block have been great to work with. “We promote each other and support each other,” she says. “There has been a lot of community support for this little block.” 

Melissa offers henna parties and has a room in her shop which can be rented out. She looks forward to having guest artists come visit, and hopes to host conventions where other artists can display their work.

For Melissa, her work speaks for itself, and has led to her reputation as a skilled local body artist. “People see my work out there and it makes them want to come in,” she says, adding that she’s grateful for the support. 

Gift cards to Little Bee Creations are available for those who love to express themselves creatively through body art. 

Art in many diverse forms is a theme at the Jordan/Johnson block, and local artist Cora King recently opened her studio King Gallery beside Plant Magic Market. The women behind The Shops celebrated the opening of King Gallery by throwing a block party, welcoming their new neighbor to the corner, and celebrating the continued revitalization that is happening in the area. 

One of a kind art pieces in Cora’s specialty expressionist style are available for purchase at King Gallery, a perfect gift idea for those who love unique art made right here in Columbus. 

From a forgotten corner to a vibrant, colorful block where new things are springing up, The Shops at Jordan/Johnson offer an enchanting spot to spend the day enjoying the magic that happens when powerful women come together to make their dreams come true. 

By Natalie Downey