Haunting photos reveal the inside of the abandoned Spaghetti Warehouse before demolition
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With a new location open on High Street, plans to tear down the old Spaghetti Warehouse building in Columbus are moving forward after millions of dollars of state funding were secured for its demolition.
The structure at 397 W. Broad St., once beloved for its quirky atmosphere, could soon be razed to make way for an apartment complex. According to a letter sent to the Downtown Commission that described plans to redevelop the site, the building has been the subject of multiple unsafe notices and violations from the City of Columbus since its roof collapsed in 2022.
However, in anticipation of the historic brick building being reduced to rubble, one urban explorer ventured into the abandoned restaurant and shared the haunting photos on Reddit.
The fan of documenting decaying properties around the country described the experience to NBC4 as “quite eerie” yet sentimental, recalling the space's former bustling energy.
“I had memories flood into my mind of the few times I spent here while it was open,” wrote the poster, who shared the photos with NBC4 on the condition of remaining anonymous. “Never did I think I’d be in the Spaghetti Warehouse without the sounds of plates and glasses clinking, children laughing, all the usual busy restaurant noises you’d come to expect. It was a surprise to see all that they had left behind, from piles of clean dishes to the entire trolley still intact.”
Perhaps the most unnerving photograph is of the vintage trolley car booth that once served as the restaurant's centerpiece. Now covered in dust, the car sits abandoned, its filthy furnishings offering a glimpse into the past. Other pictures capture what appears to be hundreds of unopened wine bottles and a ghostly-still main dining area.
The images quickly sparked an outpouring of nostalgia and debate online. Commenters lamented the state of the building, with some wondering why the trolley was not moved to the new location. “New location is too small,” one person offered in a short summation.
Others criticized the chain for abandoning such a unique atmosphere, stating, “Without the ambiance, it’s just spaghetti.”
Previous to opening the updated eatery on South High Street, owners of the chain sought to connect with longtime customers. The restaurant held a memorabilia auction titled “Own a Piece of the History,” allowing patrons to buy artifacts from the original location, including vintage decor and kitchenware.
In another promotion, the restaurateurs hosted a “Savor the Memories” contest, offering “Lasagna for Life” to one lucky winner with a heartfelt story. Megan Bowes took the prize for her touching tale about celebrating “Pop the Top Day” each year with her family after her daughter left the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Nationwide Children's Hospital. “We can’t wait to continue our tradition at the new location,” she shared at the time.