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This Week In Soapbox 7/21

This Week In Soapbox (TWIS) you can read about Dojo Gelato opening at Cincinnati’s historic Findlay Market, the new geothermal project in Alms Park, a new upscale sushi bar in downtown Cincinnati, locally designed and produced t-shirts meant to promote the Cincinnati Streetcar, and the newly formed Historic Midtown Merchants Association that has big plans for the area north of 7th Street and south of Central Parkway.

If you’re interested in staying in touch with some of the latest development news in Cincinnati please check out this week’s stories and sign up for the weekly E-Zine sent out by Soapbox Cincinnati. Also be sure to become a fan of Soapbox on Facebook!

TWIS 7/21:

  • Dojo Gelato brings Italian-style ice creams and sorbettos to historic Findlay Market – full article
  • Mr. Sushi to open in Downtown’s thriving Backstage District – full article
  • Hillside Trust building at Alms Park now powered with geothermal – full article
  • New t-shirts meant to promote Cincinnati’s streetcar effort – full article
  • Historic Midtown Merchants Association looking to capitalize off nearby successes – full article
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Cincinnati jobs (a national comparison)

Of the 50 most populous regions of the US, Cincinnati has the 15th MOST jobs postings per capita. That is to say that finding a job in Cincinnati would be easier than finding one in places from Pittsburgh to Portland , San Diego to San Antonio, St. Louis to St. Paul, and New Orleans to New York.

The map below graphically displays how well Cincy is doing. In addition to Cincinnati having the 15th best standing nationwide, it also boasts the 2nd best standing in the Midwest region. As a result of its high ranking Cincinnati also ranks ahead of many of its peer cities that it is in direct competition with for job talent. Cities like Denver, Seattle, Charlotte, Baltimore and Milwaukee did all rank higher.

In the interactive version clicking on a city will bring up job postings, and drawing a box will zoom to that area. Not currently looking for a job? Then pass this link along to someone who might be.

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Could it happen here?

Look. Cincinnati is not Portland. I know that. I know that streetcar supporters tend to lust after the transit system in Portland, and imagine a set of comprehensive transportation options here beyond congested highways. Others accuse us of trying to turn Cincinnati into Portland.

I’m not looking to turn Cincinnati into Portland, but I am looking to make the city more attractive, so that things like this can occur. Can you see this happening in Cincinnati? Neither can I. Not yet. Someday.

For the record, Dave Chappelle lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It about an hour away from here. He chose to do this in Portland. That’s Portland, Oregon. The one on the Pacific Ocean, three thousand miles away from Yellow Springs. Would having a streetcar here made Chappelle come to Cincinnati? No. But it would make the city more inviting for young people with options. That creates an environment in which impromptu performances by international superstars is possible. That’s all I’m sayin’.

“This has never happened in my entire career…I didn’t think this many people would show up.” -Dave Chappelle, speaking to the impromptu crowd of several thousand. Notice the dedicated bike lanes as he leaves.

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Growing business locally with Coffee Emporium

Coffee Emporium is a local favorite. The original location can be found in East Hyde Park, but they also boast an Over-the-Rhine location along Central Parkway and some new digs on Xavier University’s campus.

The Over-the-Rhine location is about to get some company as Coffee Emporium tries to grow a bit. Owner Tony Tausch recently signed a lease on the vacant building at 12th & Walnut that will soon be home to Coffee Emporium’s coffee roasting operations. The new facility will introduce a noticeable coffee roasting smell to that portion of the neighborhood as the exhaust will spew out from the interior.

Currently Coffee Emporium (Facebook Group) is able to produce about 24lbs of roasted coffee beans in each batch from its 12 kilo roaster. On average these batches take about 16 to 18 minutes, and once the company moves into the new facility the hopes are to double that production capacity.

The renovated two-story structure will also give Coffee Emporium (blog) much-needed office space on the second level. The first level will house the new coffee roasting operations and also be staged for special coffee tasting events for the especially particular coffee connoisseur.

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The differences are striking

On Saturday I pointed out some differences between where Seattle and Cincinnati are in terms of building their cities to be attractive to the next generation workforce. The differences are just so striking today.

In the Cincinnati Enquirer, the editorial staff ran a piece outlining why they think the Cincinnati Streetcar is too bold of a plan. One that isn’t necessarily a bad plan, but one too big for Cincinnatians to undertake during an economy such as this.

At the same time, the Seattle Times has been celebrating the opening of Seattle’s new light rail system. You’ll notice many people wearing bright green uniforms/shirts that nearly 70,000 people wore to Qwest Field on their way to the Seattle Sounders FC vs. Chelsea FC soccer match.