Colorful lockers still built into the hallway walls and sunlight pouring through enormous windows, that is what I found when I pulled up to an old school building on a quiet stretch of road in Ohio. I had come expecting a regular lunch, and I ended up spending half the afternoon staring at the walls instead.
Almost a hundred years ago, this was an open-air school where kids at risk of tuberculosis studied with the windows thrown wide open, because doctors believed fresh air could keep them healthy.
Those same enormous windows now pour sunlight over dining tables and cozy armchairs, and the old lockers still sit in the hallway like they are waiting for students who never came back.
I kept catching little leftovers from the school days, the high ceilings, the worn floorboards, the way the light falls across the room in the late afternoon.
By the time my food arrived, I had already decided this was one of the most interesting places I have eaten in the state.
A Schoolhouse With a Health Mission Baked Into Its Blueprints
Most old buildings hide their stories. This one basically shouts it, because the architecture itself was the medicine.
Built in 1927 or 1928, the structure was designed as an open-air school for children considered at high risk of tuberculosis. Back then, doctors leaned hard on the belief that fresh air, sunshine, and time outdoors could protect young lungs.
So the windows were made huge, the ceilings tall, and the classrooms arranged to let breezes sweep straight through. Students reportedly bundled up in blankets indoors during colder months because the air kept flowing anyway.
The site was picked on purpose too, close to the Olentangy River and Tuttle Park, where the air was cleaner and the space felt open. Healthy meals and daily exercise were part of the routine as well, not extras.
I found that detail oddly touching while eating lunch surrounded by all that light. The same design meant to help sick kids breathe now makes a dining room feel bright and calm.
Over the years the building shifted roles, becoming Neil Avenue Elementary School and later administrative offices for Columbus City Schools. Eventually it sat empty for a stretch.
A renovation costing around 6.1 million dollars in 2019 brought it back, and today it holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lockers, Hallways, and Other Leftovers From Class
The lockers got me first. Painted in cheerful colors and still set right into the wall, they look like a class of fifth graders might come rattling through at any second.
Wide hallways that once handled crowds of students now invite a slow wander between rooms. I took the long way twice just to look around.
Murals brighten a few of the walls, and the original architectural details inside and out were kept with real care during the renovation. Nothing feels stripped down or scrubbed of personality.
The old cafeteria has been turned into a casual cafe area, complete with a window that lets you peek at the lager-aging equipment used by the affiliated brewery. That combination of school lunchroom and modern craft space made me laugh a little.
What surprised me most is how none of it feels stiff or museum-like. Jewel-toned armchairs, leather couches, and soft seating groupings warm up the hard edges of an institutional floor plan.
Those towering windows do a lot of heavy lifting, filling the rooms with daylight and framing views of the green space outside.
My advice is simple. Arrive fifteen minutes before you plan to eat and just walk the building, because half the fun here happens before you sit down.
At The Lounge, Where Conversations Slow Down
Head up the stairs and the mood shifts noticeably. The Lounge feels like the quiet, grown-up corner of the building, the kind of room where you settle in rather than pass through.
One large open space holds a curving bar that pulls your attention the moment you enter. Around it sit booths, couches, and small tables arranged so groups can spread out or tuck in close.
Those signature tall windows are here too, still throwing daylight across everything. On a sunny afternoon the whole room glows without a single harsh light.
Service upstairs runs full table style, which makes it a natural pick for a birthday, an anniversary, or a long catch-up with someone you have not seen in months.
The menu leans toward snacks, small plates, and larger dishes, so a table can graze or commit to a full meal without anyone feeling out of step.
I appreciated how the kitchen keeps things inventive without turning fussy, letting fresh, local ingredients carry the flavor.
Live music happens on Wednesday nights, which adds another reason to plan a midweek visit rather than fighting for a weekend table.
If you want the version of Understory that feels a bit dressed up, this floor is the one to choose.
The Commons Downstairs Keeps Things Easy
Downstairs runs on a completely different rhythm, and honestly, some days that is exactly what I want. The Commons uses counter service, so you read the menu at your own pace, order, grab a number, and pick your seat.
No hovering, no rush. Just food that shows up when it is ready.
The layout here makes a lot of sense once you use it, with a clear flow from the counter to the dining room and out toward the patio doors. Board games sit within reach, and the WiFi is quick enough that people genuinely settle in for a while.
Outlets for charging devices are scattered around inside, which turns this into a decent spot to work for an hour before meeting friends.
Food-wise, the downstairs menu focuses on reinvented pub classics, the sort of hearty sandwiches and shareable snacks that pair well with a lazy afternoon.
Cheese curds and goat cheese croquettes come up constantly in conversation about this place, and the chicken sandwich has its own loyal following.
Brunch is served here too, which is worth remembering on a slow weekend morning.
Between the casual pace and the easy ordering, The Commons is where I would bring a group that cannot agree on anything.
That Stone Patio Under a Canopy of Trees
Ask anyone about Understory and the patio comes up within thirty seconds. There is a reason for that.
The stone terrace stretches out along the edge of the property, backed by the woods of Tuttle Park and sitting close to the Olentangy Trail. Tall trees form a natural roof overhead, so even a hot day feels shaded and breezy.
Cyclists and walkers drift past on the trail nearby, which adds a nice bit of life without making the space feel exposed.
A fire pit anchors the middle of the patio, and on a cool evening it turns the whole area into something closer to a backyard gathering than a restaurant.
Dogs are welcome out here, and plenty of people take advantage of that. I saw more happy tails than I expected.
Seating is generous, so even a busy Saturday usually leaves room somewhere along the stone.
What ties it all together is how well the outdoor space matches the building’s original purpose. A school built around fresh air now feeds people under actual trees.
My tip: aim for late afternoon in spring or early fall, when the light filters through the leaves and the temperature sits right in that perfect zone.
Greenhouses, The Fieldhouse, and Room to Celebrate
Here is the part I did not expect from a converted school. Understory doubles as one of the more charming event spaces in Columbus, Ohio and the building’s layout makes that possible.
Little glass greenhouses can be reserved for private dining, and they are genuinely cozy, with room for a couple or a small group and the option to play your own music. They offer a little privacy without feeling cut off from everything else, making them especially nice when a regular table feels a bit too ordinary.
People book them for anniversaries and quiet celebrations, and I can see why.
Upstairs, the Fieldhouse handles bigger gatherings, with a balcony and terrace attached for guests to spread out. Groups of forty, eighty, or even a hundred and twenty fit comfortably depending on the setup.
Weddings, welcome parties, and work events all run through here regularly, and there is an elevator, which matters more than people realize when guests have mobility needs.
Menus can be customized, buffet style included, and the planning team handles the back-and-forth details. That flexibility makes the space work just as well for a laid-back gathering as it does for something that calls for a little more planning.
One practical note for anyone booking: decorations cannot be left overnight, so build setup and cleanup into your timeline.
Understory keeps a hospitable, community-minded spirit that traces back to the Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Co. family behind it. History, trees, good food, and a place to gather all in one old schoolhouse.
Address: 2571 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio
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