My wife and I were just commenting after watching the news that the violence has really jumped in the last year up there. As long as it stays there and doesn’t come south we will keep going to Bloomington for city stuff.
Columbus/Edinburg mall is worth the drive for shopping. Pretty drive through the country this time of the year, and the shops are more compact than Bloomington. Park the car once not drive all over town.
Columbus has Kohls, Hobby Lobby, a large Target etc all resonably close to the mall (take 31 South). Sam’s is next to the Interstate @ Brown County exit.
OTOH Bloomington has more interesting restaurants.