The status of the craft beer industry and the long-awaited next step for the Texas company wanting to put freestanding ERs in Central Ohio anchor this week's podcast. We also discuss what's next at the Patrick J's site in Clintonville, and bid farewell to our publisher, Don DePerro, as heads off to take over at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Two big acquisitions involving Central Ohio companies anchor this week's look at local business: Huntington Bancshares Inc.'s huge deal to acquire FirstMerit Corp. and the sale of the iconic Columbus restaurant chain Max & Erma's Restaurants. We also discuss Ohio State's efforts to overhaul its compensation practices.

Columbus Business First talks with the City Council president about job creation, public transportation, housing, small-business development, corporate champions of city neighborhoods and the challenges that Columbus faces as a fast-growing city.

Denny Griffith's rich legacy at CCAD anchors this week's podcast looking at the week in Central Ohio business. We also look at the re-emergence of the historic Hoster beer brand as its owners look to raise money to launch a brewery and brewpub, and what HealthSpot's bankruptcy may mean for other startups looking raise money in Central Ohio.

The first international auto expo of the year and what Honda showed off anchors this week's report by Columbus Business First journalists Dominic Cappa, Doug Buchanan and Dan Eaton. They also look at what was behind the shift of two popular Buckeye-theme dining spots, continued housing development plans near Ohio State University and the latest on White Castle's construction efforts in the city.

Columbus Business First editors Dominic Cappa and Doug Buchanan analyze what's behind Central Ohio's run-up in apartment construction and plunging vacancy rates, why hometown Honda was thrilled about 2015 and why Columbus is outpacing the nation is job creation and for how long.