Community remembers beloved Short North Tavern manager
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Short North Bar and others in the community are honoring the life of a long time friend and employee whose service goes well beyond the bar.
Helen Zapol started at the Short North Tavern as a bartender more than 30 years ago. She was the manager there for about the last 20 years. Those who have stopped in over the past few decades are bound to have met or gotten to know her.
“She knew everyone and everyone knew her," said Liz Blevins Allen, who works at the bar and is the owner's wife.
She first met Zapol in the mid-1990s and said the two got closer over the last 15 years.
“She means so much to this area, she really is one of the darlings of the Short North," Blevins Allen said.
Zapol did not have any of her own kids. Former coworkers said she treated the team at the tavern like her kids. About five weeks ago she found out she had cancer in her pancreas. Her partner of 11 years, Parker Goodson, said it hit her hard and fast. She was 56.
“One of the most interesting quotes I've had that's really stuck with me is she was the best of us. That was said to me outside the door just after her passing," Goodson said.
He also said they loved to travel and learn together.
“She served love everywhere she was, inclusion, understanding," he said.
He also said Zapol was passionate about education, especially financial literacy, supporting local charities, and helping others. During the pandemic she guided not only her team, but others in the neighborhood through the unemployment process.
“We will certainly miss her and I will miss her as much as anyone. I would like to think her teachings and learnings she shared with others will continue to go on past this building. So I'd like to think she’s still a driving force here," Goodson said.
Those who were close with Zapol Wednesday evening got together at Goodale Park and the tavern to honor her life. The tavern is encouraging people to donate to a couple of local charities Zapol supported, Hospets and At Home by High.