A woman who started her career at The Washington Post, spent 30 years in the scuba business and wrote two novels never thought she'd add "baker" to her resume.

But Carol Kender saw a need for sweets in her neighborhood, and the veteran retailer couldn't pass up the opportunity.

"It doesn't make sense does it?" asked the owner of the newly opened Shawnee Hills Bakery, set in a 1,500-square-foot storefront at
9216 Dublin Road.

"What I was trying for was an old-fashioned bakery look," Kender said. "I think we came close."

It's a fairly simple proposition: baked goods, mostly homemade, ranging from lemon bars to custom cakes. It opens at 7 a.m. five
days a week for the doughnuts-and-coffee crowd. Kender recruited her daughter, Sharon Mueller, a veteran cake decorator who got
her start at Big Bear and now works for Kroger.

In related news at the business, Kender has purchased the Dublin Cake Cottage, a home bakery that specializes in wedding and
special-occasion cakes. Its current owner, Ann Zanon, will work with Kender for three months before turning over the business.

Kender's circuitous route to the bakery business started when she was studying at the Chicago Institute of Art.

"I was supposed to be a fashion designer," she said. Kender left that school but eventually graduated from the Butte Business
College in her native Montana. She found her way to the nation's capital and would eventually land a job with the Post, where she
would serve as assistant editor of the women's section.

She moved with her then-husband to Columbus in 1968 as he pursued a doctorate at Ohio State University. After a few interviews
with various media organizations, Kender realized something: She wanted too much money. Over the years, she penned two
novels: "The Stela Passageway" and "The Jaguar's Paw."

Her vocation took a serious turn when she focused her attention on underwater pursuits, owning Ask Scuba & Snorkeling Center for
three decades before she sold it a couple of years ago.

"I thought I wanted to retire, but I got bored," the 67-year-old said.

Shawnee Hills Bakery is open five days a week, closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 614-789-0804.

The ownership team of Northstar Cafe is branching out to a new community with a new concept.

Tentatively titled 3rd & Hollywood, the new American bistro is slated to open in April in the Grandview Heights area. The restaurant
takes over the 3,600-square-foot storefront formerly occupied by E.J.'s Canyon Cafe, 1433 W. Third Ave. (at the corner of Third and
Hollywood avenues, hence the name).

"We're really trying to start from scratch with something that's really great for Grandview," said Kevin Malhame, who founded
Northstar with his wife, Katy. "I love the neighborhood."

It's a slight departure from the two Northstar Cafe, which have counter-order service and a more casual vibe, said Darren Malhame,
Kevin's brother and a partner in the new store. It will be a full-service affair with a full liquor license.

Yet, 3rd & Hollywood will maintain a few core principles held by Northstar: made-from-scratch fare with the highest-quality
ingredients, Malhame said.

The interior is getting many artisan touches, such as the hand-crafted wooden table tops. The exposed brick will stay.

"We want it to feel familiar and comfortable," he said.

Meanwhile, over at the Clintonville Northstar, the owners have installed sound paneling in the ceiling. Malhame said that should help
absorb some of the noise during busier times.

A replacement has been found for the Uncle Chan's space in Polaris. Today Buffet, specializing in an assortment of Japanese,

Chinese and American items, has opened at 1047 Polaris Parkway. The 6,500-square-foot space seats in the neighborhood of 200
people. The owner is first-time restaurateur Danny Chong.