The Old Mohawk, the brick-lined tavern that has anchored German Village for generations, is on the verge of changing hands, and the regulars are already buzzing. Word around the horseshoe bar is that a sale is close, and locals are quietly wondering whether the next owner will keep the curved counter, the turtle soup and the Mother Mohawk sandwich that have long defined the place. The deal is described as nearly done, but not yet final, so for now the neighborhood is in wait-and-see mode with one of its oldest rooms.
Deal reported by local business paper
According to Columbus Business First, the prospective buyer is NCR Ventures, the restaurant group led by Rick Doody. The outlet reports that the sale is nearing completion, though a purchase price and closing date were not disclosed in its July 8, 2026 item.
What NCR Ventures brings
Doody is a co-owner of Lindey's in German Village and heads NCR Ventures, the group behind several recent restaurant projects around Central Ohio. NCR Ventures opened Bar Italia at Easton in 2025, introducing an upscale Italian concept to the mall's dining mix, according to Dining and Cooking. The group is also developing Arlington Grille in Upper Arlington, a project that Columbus Navigator says signals continued Central Ohio expansion.
Old Mohawk's local roots
The Old Mohawk has operated at 819 Mohawk St. since 1933 and is a German Village staple known for turtle soup, the Mother Mohawk sandwich and its old-school tavern atmosphere, per the German Village Society. With that kind of history, any prospective ownership change is guaranteed to get the attention of neighbors and preservation-minded regulars who keep close tabs on the district's landmarks.
What comes next
Columbus Business First reported that the terms of the deal and a closing timeline were not disclosed and that the transaction had not been recorded publicly as of its report. Neighbors, longtime patrons and local preservation groups are likely to watch public records, liquor licensing steps and any city filings closely as the sale progresses.
Why it matters to diners
Doody's recent Columbus moves show a pattern of rolling out new concepts while leaning on neighborhood roots, although what that might translate to inside the Old Mohawk is still an open question. For now, fans of the tavern's tried-and-true staples are left to speculate. We will update this story when public records, city filings or statements from the parties offer more detail on the future of the Mohawk.
