Downtown Columbus’ beloved Peanut Shoppe is changing ownership and moving down the block.
The Planters Peanuts’ neon sign and peanut roaster, both of which have been at the store since it opened in 1936, will move to the store's new location on East Broad Street.
This will be the Peanut Shoppe's fifth location in its 88-year history. All of the business' locations have been near the Ohio Statehouse.
With an expiring lease for their storefront at State and High streets, owners Pat and Mike Stone were faced with a choice to move, sell or close the business. After nearly three decades of running the "nut house," the Stones decided to “pass the peanut” to new owners, Matt and Kate Powell.
“Matt and Kate are going to fully embrace the store,” Pat said. “We're already starting to hook them up with some memorabilia and things. We're going to do everything in our power to make them successful.”
The Stones took over as owners in 1996, but they’ve been involved with the Peanut Shoppe since 1972. Mike, a recent Whitehall-Yearling High School graduate, needed a job in order to take Pat on dates to Burger King. He landed a nut-job at the Peanut Shoppe for $ 1.50 an hour, dressing in their vintage Mr. Peanut costume. He worked his way up to a clerk, and then eventually a manager before he and Pat bought the store.
In their 28 years as owners, the couple has seen a lot of changes to downtown Columbus. Many businesses have come and gone, but the Peanut Shoppe reigns as the oldest retailer in Columbus.
“When we bought the store, downtown was in its heyday,” said Pat. “And then we saw as people moved out of offices downtown, there was a decrease in walk traffic. You always have to adapt. This store has managed to make it through World Wars, recessions and now a pandemic.”
One of the Stones' notable memories of their time at the Shoppe happened in the spring of 1976. Then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter was campaigning in Columbus, and his campaign wanted to tie in the "peanut farmer" aspect of his campaign to Ohio. Mike, in the Mr. Peanut costume, would be the first person to greet Carter, when he stepped out of his car and hand him a one pound bag of freshly roasted peanuts.
In addition to satisfying the sweet tooths of many customers, the Shoppe has also created a family of employees throughout the years. Some of their employees have come from halfway houses or served time behind bars.
“I had one employee who had served nine years for a crime and got out. And I remember him telling me at our holiday party, that it was the first Christmas ham he’d had in nine years,” Pat said.
The current location will close on July 27. Any outstanding gift certificates must be redeemed by then. The new location is expected to open in September.
