Long before modern mixed-use developments like Easton Town Center became a staple of central Ohio, a pioneering "city within a city" named The Continent shook up the Columbus retail landscape.
Opened in 1973 by developers C.W. (Bill) Bonner and C.E. Bonner, the ambitious 60-acre complex on Busch Boulevard off Interstate 71 on Columbus' North Side was designed to replicate a charming European village. It broke the mold of traditional shopping by blending retail storefronts, open-air plazas, and multi-story, French Quarter-style apartments into a single walkable community.
At the heart of this European concept was the vibrant French Market, a bustling indoor marketplace. Instead of standard corporate fast-food chains, the market thrived on local
artisans and vendors.
Visitors could watch bakers fresh-prep dough at Cheryl's Cookies, grab tacos at Poncho's Villa, or get measured for a custom suit at Richard Bennett Custom Apparel.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, The Continent established itself as the premier nightlife and entertainment hub on Columbus' North Side. On any given weekend, massive crowds gathered around its central fountains and narrow walkways. It became a hotspot for dining at popular joints like Damon's and a go-to destination for moviegoers.
The complex boasted the Continent Cinemas, which opened as a four-screen theater in 1975. As one of the very first multi-screen cinemas in Columbus, it eventually expanded to nine screens to keep up with its booming popularity.
However, the 1990s brought an end to the glory days. The Continent’s greatest asset—its tight, European-style footprint—became its undoing, leaving no room for the sprawling expansion that modern retailers demanded. Shoppers were lured away by massive indoor malls like City Center and, ironically, newer open-air mega-centers that perfected the exact lifestyle concept The Continent had pioneered.
As vacancies rose, the property entered a steep decline. The Continent Cinemas stopped showing first-run movies in 1999, briefly operating as an indie theater before closing for good. The once-vibrant French Market eventually emptied completely.
Today, The Continent stands as a captivating time capsule of 1970s urban design. While its retail plazas are largely empty, the residential apartments built above the shops remain actively occupied.
Angela O'Neal is manager of the Local History and Genealogy Department at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The Continent was 'a city within a city' and a popular Columbus destination
