Patriotic pub opens second central Ohio tavern in former Mellow Mushroom

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- An American-themed Powell eatery has opened a second central Ohio restaurant, taking over the location of a shuttered Mellow Mushroom pizzeria that closed after nearly 15 years in business.

Liberty Tavern's new pub at 2179 Polaris Parkway is now welcoming guests after hosting a grand opening on June 6. The new restaurant marks the concept's second central Ohio location, with the first open for more than 17 years at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell.

The tavern is taking over the space once home to Mellow Mushroom, which first opened in 2009 and then closed in June of 2023. The closure decreased the pizzeria to just one central Ohio location at 260 Market St. in New Albany, which remains open.

"After 15 amazing years, and with our franchise agreement coming to an end, we have made the difficult decision to not sign an extension to our franchise agreement and move forward with only one location in New Albany," said franchisee Colby Zachrich in a statement when the pizzeria closed.

Liberty's new Polaris location was part of an expansion plan by Orange Umbrella, a Columbus-based restaurant group that purchased the concept in 2022. The restaurant group also operates a number of other central Ohio eateries, including Local Cantina, The Rossi, Bendi Wok n' Bar , Jony's Sushi and more.

The tavern is boasted as a "patriotic pub" with classic mains, like a 14 oz. ribeye and stuffed chicken breast, along with a selection of pizza, soups, salads and handhelds, like the liberty burger. A kids menu, desserts and several sides round out the pub's offerings.

While Liberty is opening its doors, several taverns have recently closed in the Polaris area.  Matt the Miller’s Tavern, a casual restaurant known for its pub fare and happy hour, closed its location at 1436 Gemini Place in February after owner CLB Restaurants opted not to renew the tavern’s lease. Now, the concept is down to one central Ohio location at 6725 Avery-Muirfield Dr. in Dublin.

Winking Lizard Tavern at 496 Polaris Parkway closed last December, with a social media post saying the location hasn’t thrived since businesses and offices in the area started vacating in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chain’s last remaining central Ohio tavern at 7995 E. Broad St. in Reynoldsburg is still operating, with some Westerville staff who relocated to that location.