The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel

05/11/2020

Adopt The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel

I never thought I would be writing this email. Small businesses are some of the hardest hit in this crisis and we are certainly feeling the pinch. We have applied for every type of funding and assistance available, but over two months in, been unable to secure anything to help. The bills don't stop and the anxiety is unbearable. Unfortunately, we are falling victim to our small size and we are not a high priority. We are still the only hostel in Columbus, Ohio and we really wish to be able to continue serving this community and providing a safe, social, and affordable place for people to visit our City after this is all behind us. Robbie and I are reaching out to you with the hope that you might be able to help.

We are Offering Gift Cards and Accepting Donations

We have partnered with the Adapt a Hostel program and Gift Up to be able to sell these gift cards and we will pay zero commission fees on any gift cards sold through the end of June. You are able to buy gift cards for The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel or make a subsistence donation and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the hostel. Your gift card purchases do not expire so you will be able to use the funds to book a stay with us any time in the future. We will use the funds to stay above water keep the only hostel in Columbus alive. Please visit the link below to buy gift cards or send a subsistence donation.

https://www.wayfaringbuckeye.com/home/gift-cards

This pandemic is causing damage to the social aspect of travel. I have always believed the root purpose of travel should be to meet people, exchange ideas, and support a more understanding, empathetic world. These philosophies are what inspired me to open this small hostel over ten years ago; I believe we are going to need hostels more than ever going forward to repair the damage done. Thank you for your support of Hostelling. Please stay healthy.

Sincerely,
Mathew Dietrich
The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel

09/17/2019

We need your help!

The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel has been a part of the SOHUD community for nearly ten years. When we started in 2010, the Columbus city code did not contain one single instance of the word “hostel”. After many years of working with the City and much deliberation, Columbus has finally decided that any hostels or bed and breakfasts should be licensed as a “rooming house” instead of creating a dedicated (more appropriate) license. In order to achieve such a license we must obtain a zoning variance to allow for a “rooming house” use on our property at 2407 Indiana ave.

How YOU can help us:

We want to be able to continue to welcome guests from around the world to Columbus and SOHUD. A few weeks ago the Zoning subcommittee of the University Area Commission voted on whether or not we should be granted a variance to allow us to continue to exist. The vote count was narrowly a NO. Fortunately, the final decision is up to the full University Area Commission this Wednesday. Please consider coming to this meeting to let the Commission know that you think this hostel is good for your community and Columbus. Simply sign up to speak at the beginning of the meeting. The City has only given us this single path forward in order to remain here. Your effort could help us save Columbus’ only hostel from having to close or move out of the University District.

Some background:

Hostels are merely a type of “European style” bed and breakfast where both private and dormitory (shared) rooms are available to travelling guests on a short term basis. Hostels are very popular throughout the world. When we first sought City approval in 2010, Columbus was the largest city (by population) in the US without a hostel and there is good evidence to show that we may have been the largest city in the world without one at that time. There are over 500 hostels within the US and a decade later we are still the only hostel in central Ohio.

We have always had safeguards in place to protect our community from crime, drug abuse, and “bad actors” as we only admit travelling guests (with proof of ongoing travel). Additionally, guests must book with a credit or debit card which contains their legal name (cash and pre-paid cards are not accepted). We proudly have never had such issues. These rules are common for hostels everywhere as hostels are not a “flop house” or place for people down on their luck to stay despite their lower than average rates. Shelters and other similar facilities are actually equipped to service those populations.

Hostel guests come to experience a city genuinely. Our SOHUD neighborhood, with its variety of local small businesses, has always been a favorite among our guests who are typically backpacking across the US. A 2013 survey shows that 92% of our guests would have skipped visiting Columbus completely on their trip had they been unable to find a hostel here. We are Columbus’ only hostel. That same year long survey also showed that less than 15% of guests arrived with a car which explains why our four off street parking spaces are rarely full keeping our impact on the neighborhood parking very low (when compared to a traditional bed and breakfast). Most hostel guests prefer public transit, bicycles, walking, or Uber/Lyft over the expense and hassle of renting a car. The majority of our guests are visiting the US from overseas so we view the hostel as Columbus’ gateway to the world. Our high ratings prove we are doing well to present Columbus in the best light. The rest of our guests typically consist of a diverse group of travelling artists, business people, vendors, retirees, activists, students, and educators. We are proud to boast that many residents of the University District today got their first taste of life in Columbus by staying at the hostel before later moving here to become our neighbors.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. The meeting is tomorrow, September 18, 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Rm 100 Northwood High Building, 2231 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201. We really hope you can attend to support us.

Please feel free to message me privately if you have any questions.

11/20/2017

08/13/2017

Updated 8/13/2017

05/07/2016

It's been a while since I posted a picture from a crawl. Here one with some of the best guests!

08/23/2015

Another great bar crawl!

06/30/2015

Our first pea harvest. Planted then a little late but they are growing like crazy!

06/23/2015

It looks like we will be hosting the amazingly talented ilyAmiy for an amazing concert THIS SUNDAY!!! 7PM!!!

It'll be an outdoor event. If the weather doesn't cooperate then we will move it indoors.

$5 suggested donation to help the bands travel expenses.

We will be making an event with full details shortly. Bring your friends and help us have a good time!

https://www.facebook.com/ilyAIMY?fref=ts

Baltimore-based percussive acoustic mayhem

03/19/2015

Adding a couple new bikes to the fleet!

01/22/2015

Taking the hostel to hound dogs pizza!