Category: Business

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Business Development News

Gateway Quarter retail spaces filling up

The new residential units, in the Gateway Quarter, boast exposed brick walls, original support beams, hardwood floors (in some cases original), very unique floor plans, and a prime location in the heart of what will soon be Cincinnati’s premier neighborhood. Well guess what, the retail spaces have all that too, and they are filling up quite nicely right along with their residential counterparts.

The area already has 11 unique retail establishments, the most notable being Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) and Lavomatic (urban wine bar by Jean Robert). Many of them have been there for over a year and are now about ready to be joined by three new additions.

The Little Mahatma (513-723-1287) is relocating its jewelry, art and artifacts store from its previous location, on Main Street behind the Aronoff Center, to 1205 Vine Street and will also be celebrating its 20th year in business. The Little Mahatma will be open M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

Switch (513-721-8100) is opening up at 1207 Vine Street and will have lighting fixtures for your home and office highlighting current designs from North and South America, Europe and Scandinavia. Hours for Switch will be M-F 11am-7pm, Saturday 12pm-6pm and by appointment.

Incredible Creations (513-961-4111) is the third establishment that will be opening up with the other two this Fall, and will be located at 1209 Vine Street. This upscale barbershop and beauty salon will offer a host of services and will be the first service related business to the Gateway Quarter. Hours for Incredible Creations will be T-Th 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-7pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

All three are excited about their new locations echoing similar comments of one another that the neighborhood is becoming a magnet for unique retail options and that they want to be a part of the urban renaissance that is occuring in Cincinnati.

The new shops plan to be open for the Downtown Tour of Living on September 27th where the Gateway Quarter will once again be prominently featured. Official grand openings will be coming later, after the Tour, bu t those attending the Tour will be able to go through and check out the new places.


Park + Vine (a ‘green’ general store) in the Gateway Quarter
Categories
Arts & Entertainment Business Development News

What is a city to you? (part two)

In the first part of What is a city to you? we covered the basics and overall what is thought of when we hear the word city. In that breakdown one of the items I mentioned is that cities are places of diversity. So what exactly does that mean, diversity?

Well for one thing it goes far beyond race. Diversity in cities means diversity of streetscapes, architectural styles, building heights, activities, and most importantly people. The built environment elements are fairly easy to understand and grasp. Different building heights, architectural styles, and streetscapes all help make a place interesting and unique — exactly what a city should be.

Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine – Photo by Randy Simes

People are the most interesting part of this equation…as their variations are limitless. It is important to have the greatest diversity of people as possible. Diversity of backgrounds, races, creeds, wealth/stature, age, and gender. The greater the variety of types of people creates a greater variety of events and encounters that might occur within a city.

No matter how great the buildings, public spaces, and venues it means nothing without the people. People are what make cities great. They make cities exciting, interesting, unique, enlightening, lively, edgy, thought provoking, and at times places of crime. But whether good or bad, these feelings are caused by the people who created the environment…and it is in cities where you get the most varied and sporadic of these feelings. What could be better than the diversity of feeling and emotion?

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Business News

A Great Good Place: Park + Vine

The Great Good Place is actually a book written by Ray Oldenburg. The book covers the places that are often hangouts and community gathering points. We’re not talking about public squares or private halls, but rather, those places that seem to be nodes of activity without meaning to.

These places are described as Third Places since they are nether home (first place) nor work (second place), but are comfortable and help to create a sense of place. Every neighborhood has them, so what and where are they in Cincinnati? Maybe it’s the neighborhood bar, bookstore, coffee shop, barber shop, or cafe. Or, if you’re live or visit the newly emerging Gateway Quarter, it is more than likely that you have spent some serious time in Park + Vine for more than just shopping for the latest/greatest green merchandise.

I know I have gone to Park + Vine just for the conversation…and on more than one occasion I have walked out of the store after meeting and getting to know someone new. Stephen Carter-Novotni, from CityBeat, described Park + Vine as a, “swank hang out for sustainable living enthusiasts in the area. Stick around for a few minutes and you’ll meet local people who are driving biodeisel cars, tending organic gardens or figuring out ways to turn junk into art.” So what’s your great good place?

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Each Note Secure covering Cincy’s music scene

There has been a new addition to the greatest, best blogroll God has ever given man on the face of the earth. Each Note Secure is a, “Cincinnati Music Blog” that started almost 4 years ago. Owner, Joe Long, describes the site as being “an outlet for me to talk about my sometimes obsessive music tastes.”

The site features observations/reviews on music, the industry, and a lot of information about the Cincinnati music scene. A scene that Joe feels has a lot of great local bands right now. Who would be better to listen to on the topic than someone who is obsessive and passionate about it?

Each Note Secure is pretty comprehensive with its reviews. Each one tends to come standard with audio clips and links to artists/producers. If you’re looking for the best music reviews and show information, in the Cincinnati area, then I recommend checking out ENS.

*Site maintenance note: There have been a few small changes to the site recently…some of which will be permanent, others temporary. There will also be another change to come – a newly created logo. Right now I am sending out a request for submissions for an UrbanCincy.com logo design contest. If you are interested please email me to be provided with specifics…or look for the details online HERE.

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Business Development News

Calhoun/McMillan development pushes forward

Over the 4th of July weekend, the last two remaining buildings came down in the long-stalled McMillan Park project. First it was the money, then it was the property holdouts, then the bad economy topped it all off. Throughout this process the project was pretty much scrapped and put on the back burner.

That is until the remaining properties were secured. That has happened…enter Towne Properties, a renewed interest from UC, a growing UC student population, and future connection point between the Uptown and Downtown streetcar lines and you have some serious momentum.

Original rendering for McMillan Park – Source Unknown

Some people have criticized the poor design of University Park (across the street), but I’m not sure anyone can complain about its impact on street activity along Calhoun Street. People can be found all over the place doing homework, eating, relaxing, and socializing. So what can be done across the street to compliment those activities and continue to expand upon them?

I think a pedestrian only Hartshorn Street (GoogleMap) would be great for large outdoor patio spaces (see Cadillac Ranch Downtown) that could also make for neat street vending opportunities for students (i.e. artwork, music, maybe even some performance type stuff).

Along with that, 8-10 story buildings would seem to work well. The first two floors should be built out to the street, and then setback for the remaining 6-8 stories…thus creating the opportunity for an amenity deck above the 2-level retail or town homes below. This would then create a new level of activity that would spill onto the street below, while also remaining semi-private for the residents above. What would you like to see?

Example amenity deck – Source, www.1010midtowncondosupdate.com