For nearly 30 years, Jack & Benny’s has been a go-to breakfast spot in the University District. Now, the historic building that houses the diner is officially on the market.
The mixed-use property at 2563-2573 N. High St. is currently listed for $2.8 million. According to the listing, the building includes both retail and residential space and sits at the highly trafficked corner of Hudson Street and High Street, just north of The Ohio State University campus.
Before anyone panics about losing their favorite plate of pancakes, Jack & Benny’s confirmed on Facebook that the restaurant is still open and operating as usual. The sale only applies to the building itself.
Originally built in 1925, the 14,628-square-foot property is currently 75% occupied, according to the real estate listing.
In addition to the diner space, the building also includes apartments and other retail tenants, making it the kind of mixed-use property developers have increasingly been eyeing along the High Street corridor.
The listing describes the property as a “prime opportunity” thanks to its visibility, heavy traffic, and proximity to Ohio State, Downtown Columbus, and the Arena District.
But for many Columbus residents, the real value of the building is its history.
While Jack & Benny’s has called the Hudson and High location home since 1994, the diner’s roots in Columbus go back much further. The original Jack & Benny’s opened downtown at Broad and High streets in 1954, founded by Jack Sher and Benny Klein.
Years later, Geno Garcia Sr., who had worked for Sher and Klein after moving to Columbus in 1970, opened his own diner in the Old North neighborhood and named it Jack & Benny’s in tribute to the restaurateurs who helped him get started.
Today, the diner remains a neighborhood institution known for oversized breakfasts, late-night comfort food, and a classic greasy spoon atmosphere that feels increasingly rare along the rapidly changing High Street corridor.
The building itself has its own slice of Columbus history, too.
Long before Jack & Benny’s moved in, the space was home to Hudson-High Sundries, a convenience store known for sodas and hand-packed ice cream back in the 1950s.
As redevelopment continues throughout the University District, the Old English-style structure stands out as a reminder of an earlier era of Columbus dining and neighborhood life.
Any future owner hoping to demolish the building would need redevelopment approval from the University Area Commission, adding another layer to what comes next for the property.
For now, though, it’s business as usual at Jack & Benny’s, and your breakfast order is safe. If you’d like to check out the full listing, please click here.
