Dublin: 5 top stories from 2020

The world changed in 2020, with the COVID-19 coronavirus, civil unrest in major U.S. cities and a polarized political climate as just a few examples.
Dublin had its share of changes, too. Here’s a brief recap of five significant stories published in the ThisWeek Dublin Villager during the past 12 months.
The Dublin North Market is part of the expanding Bridge Park, Crawford Hoying's mixed-use development that started construction in 2015 near state Route 161 and on the east bank of the Scioto River.
It has condos and apartments, restaurants and bars and commercial office space – and now a trendy market that North Market Development Authority executive director Rick Wolfe said he anticipates would be busier than its sister location, North Market Downtown, for the near future.
Related story:Dublin's North Market Bridge Park now open
The building is on the district’s far northern boundary in Union County’s Jerome Township, and it is adjacent to one of the district's new elementary schools, Abraham Depp.
The school will have more versatile areas than typical to enable social distancing, another example of adjustments to the coronavirus pandemic, Superintendent Todd Hoadley said.
Related story:District leaders say fifth Dublin middle school is on time and on budget
Since then, Dublin personnel have been adjusting and continuing to improve upon best practices, whether the education mode is in-person, hybrid or remote.
Related story:Remote learning continues to take shape in Dublin City Schools
The event – which traditionally draws more than 100,000 visitors from throughout the world and produces an estimated annual economic impact of $8.5 million, in addition to presenting a scope and size usually only seen in Ireland itself – had been scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 2.
Related story:Dublin Irish Festival canceled; select city facilities, programs reopen
Pandemic tests local restaurants – The restaurant and service industries were among those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, and Dublin's restaurants were no exception.
But many found creative ways to persevere, including through adding equipment or barriers to promote social distancing and by developing a new focus on outdoor dining.
Related story:Winter is coming: Restaurants brace for outdoor-dining adjustment
Related story:Dublin restaurants testing new business models during pandemic
Related story:North High Brewing Co.’s Dublin site to open July 16
Related story:Layoffs hit home for Dublin’s Sunny Street Cafe owners
Related story:Coronavirus costing central Ohio food-service workers
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