Thousands Vie To Rename ‘Tarnished’ Columbus, Ohio ‘Flavortown’ After Guy Fieri

A petition is currently up in hopes to rename the city of Columbus, Ohio, to ‘Flavortown’.

The Change.org page was started by Tyler Woodbridge, and is addressed to Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther and the city council. It addresses atrocities created by the city’s current namesake Christopher Columbus.

“Columbus is an amazing city, but one whose name is tarnished by the very name itself,” it reads. “Its namesake, Christopher Columbus, is in The Bad Place because of his raping, slaving, and genocide.”

The authors aim to rename the city to Flavortown in honor of celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who was born in the city. “Flavortown” is an expression that Fieri is known to use in his Food Network appearances.

“It honors Central Ohio’s proud heritage as a culinary crossroad. Guy Fieri was also born in Columbus, so naming the city in honor of him would be superior to its current nomenclature,” the author of the petition wrote.

Fieri is perceived as a “charitable man” who has helped raise over US$20 million to keep restaurant workers afloat financially during the coronavirus pandemic. He has also officiated over 100 LGBTQ weddings.

The petition has garnered tons of attention, including that of Budweiser itself, which has offered to provide free Bud Light Seltzers if the city’s name is officially changed to Flavortown.

The city has already vowed to bring down Columbus’ statue following widespread protests around police brutality and racial injustice.

Since Guy Fieri was born in Columbus, I’d like to petition for the city to be renamed Flavortown in order to distance us from the sordid past of the current namesake and to honor an American icon.

— Qua-Ray-ntine (@rayrduffy) June 20, 2020

Now is the perfect time to rename Columbus, Ohio, birthplace of Guy Fieri, to FlavorTown. It’s actually long overdue.

— Not Mary Klein (@chaifiend) June 18, 2020

So. @GuyFieri is from Columbus.
There’s currently a petition to get Columbus, Ohio changed to Flavortown, Ohio.
I’m here for it. pic.twitter.com/jAK4KCainT

— CloudFather BLM (@trav_allen) June 18, 2020

Bud Light Seltzer for all of Flavortown if this happens https://t.co/hUMViimR3n

— Bud Light (@budlight) June 18, 2020