Polaris Fashion Place has been the driving factor behind tremendous growth of the Polaris Area North of Columbus.The area now features many apartments, restaurants, specialty shops, and  a huge business development. It is hard to believe that jut a few short years ago, it was mostly undeveloped farm land.

Several years ago, I recall a friend informed me Jack Nicholas was going to design a new gulf club close to the Columbus Zoo. He had been to the proposed wooded area with a group that included Mr. Nicholas. He and I drove to the area. It was all woods and farm land, with a few homes along roads I had no idea existed. Today, The Muirfield Golf Course is a world class tournament site with the surrounding area home to shopping malls, homes, condominiums, schools and additional golf courses. I have attended the Muirfield Memorial Tournament several times and I always recall that first trip to the wooded area and having no idea of the extensive development to follow.

A few years after our original journey to the proposed golf course site, I read an article on the front page of the Columbus Dispatch showing an acquaintance of mine in a farm field north of Columbus. The article stated the area was proposed for a new development of stores and homes to be called Polaris. I must admit, again, I had no idea. I have to learn to think ahead. To have a better comprehension of the future. To develop a better vision for that which awaits.

Originally, the proposed Polaris Fashion Place development was large enough to have it's own entrance added to Interstate 71. Success drove development and a second entrance, Gemini Place, was added. Over 1.5 million live within a twenty mile radius of the Polaris area.

Today,  Polaris Fashion Place includes in excess of 175 specialty stores. Anchor stores include Macy's Von Maur, Sears, J C Penney's, The Great Outdoors and Saks Fifth Avenue. Add over 170 restaurants offering every possible selection from seafood to steak to numerous ethnic delicacies.  Many offer private dining and group accommodations. Businesses large and small have found success within the area.  Areas include Polaris Fashion Place, Polaris Lifestyles Center, Polaris Towne Center and Gemini Place Towne Center.

When more than one day is required, over 1500 rooms are available in hotels for every taste and budget.  One of the largest free standing buildings (over 1.9 million square feet) in the US houses over 11,000 employees of Chase Bank. Office Suites Plus is a three story location for small or single business owners requiring an office with all the amenities of a large corporate office building.

Internet searches support the success of Polaris. Although there is no actual Polaris, Ohio, the term “Polaris Ohio” results in over 75,000 searches each month. Combined Polaris searches, such a “Polaris Mall”, “Polaris Restaurants” and “Polaris Shopping”, produce over 145,000 monthly searches.

How long will growth continue? How much more area will call Polaris home? How many more visitors will shop, eat and enjoy Polaris? I'm trying to envision the future. Perhaps Gemini Place Village Shops, Sancus Neighborhood Center, Antares Neighborhood Center and Westar Neighborhood Shops?