GARDEN PARTY

This new German-inspired beer garden is focused on community, and built on the garage property of one Hilliard family

By Ellyn Briggs / Photos by Aaron Massey Story Design by Bryce Patterson

In late 2018, Martin and Sandra Nowak bought a run-down house in Old Hilliard with visions of rehabbing it into a vibrant retail space.

The Powell couple had grown extremely fond of the community through Sandra’s longtime involvement with Patches of Light, a Hilliardbased nonprofit. Both the project and the place, the couple thought, presented an exciting opportunity to embrace their “mutual interest” in entrepreneurship. →

But just as commercial renovation was about to begin, the discovery of a faulty foundation forced the Nowaks to level the home entirely. More heartbreak quickly followed when the COVID-19 lockdown was put into effect and halted their plans to develop a new building on the site.

However, the pandemic eventually proved inspiring for the Nowaks.

It was during isolation that they hatched an idea to create an all-outdoor food and entertainment venue, using the property’s leftover garage as a walk-up kitchen space.

In July 2022, their idea finally took physical form with the grand opening of HillGarten—an outdoor biergarten that serves 16 Ohio craft beers, four on-tap wines, and elevated, “Germanleaning” fare, including gourmet sausages and

giant Bavarian pretzels.

“We both grew up in families that really valued the experience of sitting around a table, enjoying food, laughs, and one another’s company,” said Martin. “That type of environment is our happy place.”

And so, the European biergarten—which is rooted in a similar tradition of sharing good meals and good cheer—offered a natural inspiration for the Nowaks’ new venture.

The name HillGarten is a combination of both ‘Hilliard’ and ‘biergarten.’

“We wanted to create something new and exciting, while also making sure to pay homage to the existing community,” said Martin.

“We both grew up in families that really valued the experience of sitting around a table, enjoying FOOD, LAUGHS, and one another’s COMPANY”

↓ Outdoor seating at Hillgarten

↓ German inspired beers on tap ↓ Patrons enjoying the beer garden

To ensure the proper, jovial spirit was captured, the Nowak family took matters into their own hands—literally. Martin and Sandra, along with a few friends and neighbors, spent nights and weekends building HillGarten from the ground up.

The whole process took nearly two and a half years, and subsequently, there is “not a single inch” of the venue that the dedicated group didn’t touch.

From intricate decor, to a nearly 100% Ohio-sourced menu, to hand-curated playlists, everything about HillGarten is intentional.

“Our goal was to make every detail of this place different from what you might expect from a corporate-owned chain,” Martin explained. “The approach was very grassroots and locally focused.”

Their hard work has certainly paid off.

In the weeks since HillGarten’s July 22 opening, the reception has been “so incredible” that Martin and Sandra are now exploring options to keep the business open through the winter. They had initially intended to operate the business seasonally.

However, the most significant moment in the Nowak’s young restaurant-owning journey came a few Saturdays ago when a group stopped in and proceeded to stay until close.

“When we saw that family make our space their own, eating and laughing the day away—that’s when we knew our vision had been realized,” Martin said.

Should 614 readers feel compelled to spend an entire day at HillGarten, doors open at 11 a.m. Thursday through Sunday and at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The space is closed on Mondays.

Beyond its fun and relaxed backyardesque ambiance, HillGarten is dog-friendly, frequently features live entertainment, and has staff that “serve with heart.” Some early fan-favorite dishes include the Bavarian Pretzel, The Jimmy Dog, and The Ellis Island.

And to anyone else in the central Ohio area looking to pursue a passion or personal interest alongside a busy schedule, Martin offered up a bit of guidance.

“Remind yourself that all you have to do is one small thing a day. It’s amazing how quickly time accumulates, and if you spend even just a little bit of it investing in yourself, it can turn into something beautiful.”