For over 2,000 years, cafés, salons, and public halls have served as sacred spaces for conversation. From Aristotle in the ancient agoras of Greece to the Enlightenment-era salons of France, to Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway in the cafés of 20th-century Paris, where artists and philosophers reimagined society. Even Benjamin Franklin’s Junto gathered regularly in the 1700s to exchange ideas and shape the future.

In the early 1900s, Columbus’ Trolley District was a hub for the movement of people, ideas, and industry. Today, the renovated East Market stands as a modern gathering place, connecting past and present in the heart of the Franklin Park neighborhood.

In that same spirit, we’re inviting you, a fellow change agent and people leader in Columbus, to join us for a morning of meaningful conversations at the East Market in the Historic Trolley District.

This isn’t just another coffee meet-up or networking event, and it's definitely not a place to push business cards. It’s a space for those who believe in creating a better world of work, where people, purpose, and culture come first. Whether you’re looking to meet new people or deepen existing relationships, this gathering brings together humans committed to cultivating thriving workplace cultures.

Event Details:

📆 When: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM

🌎 Where: East Market (The Railhouse)

📍 Address: 212 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205

🚗 Parking: Free, public parking lots.

☕️ Refreshments from Little Cat are on us.

Let’s gather as a community to connect, learn together, and inspire one another to create change in the world.

We can’t wait to see you soon!

— Austin, Meri, & Molly | Columbus Culture First Co-Leads