By 1808Delaware
The former Giordano’s space on Polaris Parkway appears to have its next chapter, as Roots Natural Kitchen has filed permits with the City of Columbus for interior work at 2137 Polaris Parkway, the same address as the former Giordano’s restaurant. The filings point to a new fast-casual restaurant moving into the existing building, rather than a new ground-up development.
For Polaris, the move would keep a visible restaurant site in active use after Giordano’s abrupt closure. It also adds another health-focused dining option to one of Central Ohio’s busiest retail and restaurant corridors.
Bowls, Salads and a Growing Central Ohio Footprint
Roots Natural Kitchen is built around customizable grain bowls and salads, with a menu that leans into fresh ingredients, vegetables, proteins and house-made dressings. The concept has found a foothold in Central Ohio since arriving in the market in 2022. The Polaris restaurant would become the company’s fourth Central Ohio location, joining existing Roots shops near Ohio State, in Grandview and in Dublin.
That expansion pattern is notable. Rather than clustering only around campus or urban neighborhoods, Roots is moving farther into suburban and regional retail corridors where lunch traffic, office workers, nearby residents and destination shoppers overlap. Polaris fits that model well.
A Quick Backfill at a Busy Corner
The timing of the permit activity suggests the former Giordano’s building may not sit empty for long. In a retail district where restaurant turnover can leave large, recognizable spaces dark for months, the Roots filing signals a relatively quick backfill.
That matters along Polaris Parkway, where restaurant visibility is part of the area’s larger commercial identity. The corridor serves nearby neighborhoods, regional shoppers, office users and visitors traveling between Delaware County, northern Franklin County and the I-71 corridor.
A new Roots location would not dramatically change the character of the area, but it would continue a noticeable shift in the local restaurant mix. More fast-casual concepts are targeting convenience, customization and healthier menu positioning, especially in high-traffic suburban locations.
Opening Date Still Taking Shape
An exact opening date has not been announced. Reports citing company representatives indicate the team is aiming for a late-year debut, potentially around November. For now, the project remains in the permitting and build-out phase. That means the clearest public signal is not a grand opening announcement, but the city permit activity tied to the former Giordano’s address. Still, for diners watching the Polaris restaurant scene, the direction is clear: Roots Natural Kitchen is preparing to plant itself at 2137 Polaris Parkway.
