Author: Jenny Kessler

Jenny is a local designer who has a passion for people and for Cincinnati. She began writing for UrbanCincy in September 2009, and served as the website's operation manager until March 2012. Jenny currently works for ArtsWave and manages the OTR Urban Kickball League.

Categories
Business Development News

Community Entertainment District designation seen as model for future developments

[This story was originally published in the Cincinnati Business Courier print edition on December 31, 2010. Visit the original story for more comments, thoughts and opinions on Pleasant Ridge’s designation as a Community Entertainment District – Jennifer.]


The Pleasant Ridge Development Corporation recently announced that the neighborhood of Pleasant Ridge has been approved as a Community Entertainment District by Cincinnati City Council. It is the first designation for a neighborhood business district in Cincinnati, and the PRDC hopes the recognition will result in a revitalized district by bringing in new and unique restaurants to the area.

As defined by Ohio law, the designation will allow the State to issue up to five new liquor licenses that will bypass expensive broker fees. The designation does not change any qualification standards for license seekers, and the licenses will be an ongoing asset to the business district since they cannot be transferred outside of the district’s boundaries the way standard liquor licenses are able.

Pleasant Ridge community leaders believe that they already have a unique business district with several unique restaurants including Molly Malone’s, Ethopian restaurant Emanu, and vegan eatery Loving Cafe.  But they hope that by making it easier to obtain a liquor license, there will be more restaurants that will be willing to open in the area.

“I’m thrilled to help push forward a great idea, and I applaud the engaged Pleasant Ridge citizens for their vision and creativity,” said Cincinnati City Council member Laure Quinlivan.

Hamilton County currently has three CEDs: two at The Banks and one at Anderson Towne Center. The next closest CED is in Butler County on the property surrounding Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield. Quinlivan and other members of the Quality of Life committee passed the resolution approving Pleasant Ridge as an entertainment district, and other council members followed suit shortly after.  Alcohol distribution attorney Brad Thomas says that CEDs will become more prevalent for other areas of Cincinnati in the years to come.

“The Community Entertainment District is a great opportunity for neighborhoods that want to shape their entertainment options,” Thomas explained. “CEDs allow a neighborhood to draw the boundaries of where activity will take place so they can prevent late night entertainment in residential areas – if they so desire.”

Another positive outcome attributed to the entertainment districts is that specifically zoning the areas for liquor licenses ensure that the licenses will not be bought up and moved to a different neighborhood to keep up with the hot spots. This, Thomas says, is a problem that often afflicts the entertainment industry.

“CEDs are really a win-win situation for everyone involved,” says Thomas. “A neighborhood gets new activity, the city gets new jobs, and the state gets new revenues from the liquor permits issued.”

As The Banks continues to develop, a CED will be incorporatd into each of its phases in order to allow new bars and restaurants to quickly open without having to wait for expensive liquor licenses. Casino supporters have discussed applying for a CED in the Broadway Commons area to create, along with the Cincinnati Streetcar, an “activity bridge” of bars, restaurants and nightlife that will integrate the Casino with the rest of the downtown area.

Photography by UrbanCincy contributor Ronny Salerno.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Wrinkle in Time an inventive holiday offering

Guest post by Erin Marie Schwartz.

First, let me begin by saying I never read A Wrinkle in Time so I had no idea what to expect. The popular children’s fantasy book is being staged as this year’s holiday show at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati.

The production, directed by Jason Ballweber from Four Humors Theater in Minneapolis features two Four Humors actors in principal roles as well as Know Theatre’s resident actor MJ Jergensen in the role of Mrs. Who.

The show centers around Meg (Alisa Mattson) and her brother Charles Wallace, played by Darnell Benjamin. These two, who haven’t seen their father in more than two years, set off on a journey to find him and bring him home. Accompanying them on the journey are a colorful group of characters including Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Whatsit. Also joining them on the journey is neighbor boy Calvin (Chris Wesselman) who says he’s “just along for the ride”.

Some of the most touching interactions occur between Meg and Calvin. Their portrayal of youngsters just beginning to explore the excitement of their first romantic relationship is spot-on.

There is a difficulty in bringing a fantasy/science fiction story to the stage and while Know gets an ‘A’ for effort, the final effect was somewhat less than stellar.

That being said, a creative use of lights, sound and staging are used throughout the play. The floor and walls are painted with an array of stars and a variety of objects are used onstage to produce effective and inventive sounds. When was the last time you saw an overhead projector, let alone one used for sound effects? The minimally decorated stage is the perfect forum for this production.

In conjunction with the performances, Know is promoting a book drive sponsored by Give Back Cincinnati and benefiting the Peaslee Child Development Center. New or gently used books can be dropped off during Know’s regular business hours or before any performance of “Wrinkle.”

A Wrinkle In Time runs December 9-11, 16-19, and 21-23. All performances begin at 8pm with the exception of December 11 which includes a 3pm matinee show in addition to the 8pm performance.

Tickets are $15 the week of the show, $12 if purchased in advance. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (513) 300-5669.  The Know Theatre is located at 1120 Jackson Street in the arts district of historic Over-the-Rhine.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Inaugural kickball season ends with celebration Sunday

The very first Over-the-Rhine Urban Kickball League is coming to a close. After 6 weeks of play with 12 teams, the end of the season is upon us. This league was truly a collaborative effort, with people all over the community coming together to have fun and integrate more into the OTR neighborhood.

Though there has been a bit of a learning curve in everything from figuring out the rules to allowing kids from the neighborhood to participate (but not overrun the game), all the teams demonstrated an incredible amount of team-work, sportsmanship, and patience as we did our best to straddle the line between competitive play and old fashioned fun.

Sunday, December 5th marks the final day of the season with an afternoon of playoff games to determine the league champions. The top six teams will be battling it out on the old School for Creative & Performing Arts ball field starting at 12.30pm, with the final two teams playing a championship game at 4.30pm. Unofficial league mascot and neighbor Jiim Tarbell will be rolling the opening pitch of the championship game on Sunday.

League members, fans, friends, family and OTR supporters are all invited to any or all of the championship games, as well as the afterparty and season celebration at the official kickball bar, Neon’s Unplugged. after the last game. Local vendors will be hawking warm treats during the game, and the Hudepohl Amber Lager, Hoist and other libations will be flowing at Neon’s. The season and kickball experience has been a fun and unique one, and we hope that you can join us – if not at the game, then next time around!

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Development News

Pop-up shop coming to Over-the-Rhine this holiday season

In a unique twist to this year’s holiday retail offerings, 3CDC and the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce are opening a pop-up retail shop in Over-the-Rhine focusing on local businesses. Starting November 26 and open 9 days (over 4 weekends) through December 19, 1213 Vine Street is the OTR Pop Up Shop.

The idea of a pop-up shop, or temporary retail space, is not a new concept, but is one that is completely unique to Cincinnati. This trend has originated in larger cities like New York City and London since 2004, concentrating on limited-quantity or unique products and shopping experiences. The OTR shop is no different. The space will house six local businesses and give them a temporary brick-and-mortar setup to sell their locally produced goods.

“Locally owned businesses are the heart of Over-the-Rhine,” said Brian Tiffany, president of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce. “All of these vendors are local businesses and have fantastic products but don’t have their own retail locations. Now they will for the next four weeks.”

Six local businesses –Powerhouse Factories, Nati Evolvement Clothing Co, Chocolats Latour, Studio Vertu, Artfully Disheveled, and Green Bird, will be selling a variety of products at the pop-up shop including posters, clothing, handcrafted truffles, fresco tiles, home decor, men’s accessories, and eco-bird friendly wares. They will be selling at the space for just nine days over the course of four weekends ending December 19.

Hours of operation for the OTR Holiday Pop Up Shop vary, but can be found online. Neighborhood leaders and business owners are also planning a full slate of holiday events in the historic neighborhood.

“We’re honored to be a part of this collaboration,” said Colin Groth, co-owner of Nati Evolvement. “It’s a great chance to offer shoppers more unique choices for their holiday gifts this year. We love being a part of the activity going on in the Gateway Quarter and contributing to the amazing retail scene in Over-the-Rhine.”

Photo by 5chw4r7z

Categories
Business News

Cincinnati Unchained event encourages local holiday shopping

The 4th Annual Cincinnati Unchained shopping event is this Saturday, November 20th. Cincinnati Unchained, a BuyCincy.com initiative, releases local shoppers from the chains of anonymous big box stores, and gives them instead a new opportunity to buy unique and interesting gifts for their loved ones from local businesses.

Every dollar spent at a locally-owned business generates approximately three times more economic activity than a dollar spent at a national franchise. By choosing to shop locally-owned for just one day, we can help support the local entrepreneurs in our own neighborhoods who help make Cincinnati unique.

Over 15 neighborhoods and 60 stores are participating in Unchained on Saturday by offering discounts and specials to shoppers. As an added bonus, Yelp and the Crafty Supermarket (an indie craft fair at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, also on Saturday) has partnered with BuyCincy and is offering a shopper’s “passport” in the back of the craft fair program. Shoppers can have their passport stamped at Unchained businesses — once the passport is full, they can turn it in at any Unchained business to be entered into a raffle for more local prizes. In Bellevue and Over-the-Rhine, Yelp will have information booths for Unchained customers.

“We’re thrilled with the interest and excitement we’ve seen from local businesses for Cincinnati Unchained,” says Sean Fisher, BuyCincy co-founder and creative director. “Since we started it in 2007, Cincinnati Unchained has become not only a day to support local businesses, but a community event to celebrate them.”

Local restaurants are also getting in on the fun, and shoppers are encouraged to make a day of the Unchained event – exploring the city and its unique stores, having a bite to eat, and perhaps ending the evening at the official Unchained afterparty at MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine at 8pm.

“Local businesses are an integral part of our Greater Cincinnati economy,” says Kurt Myers, co-founder and business director of BuyCincy. “But they’re often our friends and neighbors, too. We hope that, with the success of Cincinnati Unchained, people will continue to build relationships with their local stores and neighborhoods and continue to shop local throughout the year.”