A Cleveland-born, build-your-own fruit bowl chain is about to plant roots in the Short North. The Fruit Stand is set to open its first Columbus location at 1130 N High St, with owner Jason Carpinelli eyeing a soft opening in the second week of April. The concept leans on fresh-cut fruit bowls and quick counter service, a natural fit for High Street's walkable dining corridor. For Short North regulars, that means a portable, morning-to-late-night option for fresh snacks and bowls is on the way.
Carpinelli told What Now Columbus he is hoping to hit that second-week-of-April window but had not finalized a date when contacted. He launched the first Fruit Stand in Kent in 2021 and now operates multiple Northeast Ohio locations. Carpinelli told the outlet he plans to keep expanding around both Cleveland and Columbus. The Short North move was first reported by the local site on Wednesday.
What To Expect From The Short North Outpost
Per The Fruit Stand, customers start by choosing a bowl type: smoothie bowl, fresh-cut fruit, vanilla pound cake, oatmeal or a rotating seasonal bowl. From there, you pick a size, add some crunch, then finish things off with “drizzles” like Nutella, peanut butter or agave. The site invites guests to “Build your dream bowl” and emphasizes fresh, never-frozen fruit, a formula that has already clicked in college towns and pedestrian-heavy retail strips.
Where It Will Be Located
Crexi listings for 1128–1130 N High St. outline the building's retail units and floorplan, confirming the address the chain has targeted for its Short North shop. The Short North Alliance lists Vella & Co. Candle Studio at 1128 N High St., which will sit right next door to the Fruit Stand's new space. What Now Columbus also noted the storefront is across from Stash House Vintage and ICON Jazz Lounge on High Street.
Carpinelli has signaled ongoing regional growth for the brand, and the Fruit Stand's online channels will be the go-to sources for a firm opening date and hours. Check The Fruit Stand or the chain's Instagram for soft-opening updates, menu tweaks and ordering details. If the target mid-April opening holds, the Short North will soon add another quick-serve option geared toward fresh, portable bowls.
