Mitchell’s Steakhouse’s downtown Columbus dining room abruptly shut down Monday, leaving a longtime power-lunch and special-occasion spot suddenly dark and regulars hunting for answers.
Closure Came With Little Warning
Columbus Underground reports that Mitchell’s at 45 N. Third St. served its last meals on Monday, after word of the shutdown was relayed to select staff late last week. A team member confirmed the closure to the outlet, which also noted that the company had not issued a public statement at the time.
Customers who had upcoming reservations were left in limbo, with little official explanation about why the downtown mainstay went dark so quickly.
Reservations Remain Active; Polaris Location Stays Open
At the time, the restaurant’s own website still showed the downtown location page and online booking link as active, with reservations available through Landry’s reservation system via Mitchell’s Steakhouse.
The chain’s Polaris outpost at Mitchell’s Steakhouse remains listed as operating, with posted hours of Sunday noon to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday 4 to 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m.
The Brand’s History and Ownership
According to Equilar, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants began in 1993, and Mitchell’s Steakhouse first opened in 1998. Mitchell’s brands were sold to Ruth’s Hospitality Group in 2008.
Landry’s later acquired the Mitchell’s Fish Market chain and several Mitchell’s Steakhouse units in 2014, as reported by Columbus Business First.
What This Means for Downtown
The surprise shutdown adds to the churn in downtown dining even as city leaders push for more residents, offices, and events to keep the core busy. Recent coverage of downtown recovery has highlighted an uneven picture, with wins in foot traffic alongside stubborn office vacancies.
Colliers notes that pedestrian activity has been rebounding while some towers remain partly empty, making high-profile restaurant spaces like Mitchell’s an important barometer to watch. The building that housed the steakhouse was completed in 1927 and previously served as a bank lobby and the central office of Kappa Kappa Gamma between 1929 and 1952, Columbus Underground reports.
