Tag: over-the-rhine

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News Transportation

Modern streetcar to be on display in downtown Cincinnati through 11/10

If you have not been one of the hundreds of Cincinnatians to make the trip to Portland to see modern streetcars in action, or visit one of the many global cities with them in operation, then tomorrow is a great chance to see one up close and in person.

City officials sent out a message late Thursday stating that the first modern streetcar made in America since the 1930’s will be on display at 5th and Walnut streets in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, November 5 from 1pm to 7pm. Those who are unable to check it out for themselves on Friday will have another chance from 11am to 7pm daily through Wednesday, November 10.

“This is a perfect opportunity to pierce the veil of misunderstanding about what our city is trying to do with this project,” streetcar supporter John Schneider stated in an email.

City officials do note that while the Cincinnati Streetcar may end up being this particular model, the final decision on that has yet to be made, but they say that it will give a great idea for what to expect once Cincinnati’s modern streetcar system is operating in 2013.

The mayor is expected to hold a news conference at 1pm on Friday to discuss the project and this type of streetcar model. After the streetcar leaves Cincinnati it will make its way to Portland to join their existing streetcar fleet.

Categories
Business News

Sushi Bears a new vegan option at Findlay Market

[This story was originally published in the Cincinnati Business Courier print edition on October 22, 2010. Visit the original story for more comments, thoughts and opinions on Sushi Bear’s entrance to Findlay Market – Jennifer.]


A new vegan and vegetarian focused Japanese food stand has opened at Findlay Market.

Sushi Bears is a food concept run by chef Dan Wells and his business partner Steve Hauck. Wells attended culinary school at Great Oaks vocational school in 1998, and since then has worked at nine restaurants throughout Cincinnati including Palomino’s, Ambar India, and Mecklenborg Gardens.

Wells and Hauck are the  sole investors and signed a two-year lease on the 160 square-foot booth so that they could fulfill a desire to create an attainable, healthy dining option in the area.

“When I was looking to open an eatery, I wanted to keep the focus on health and nutrition. Sushi allows for exactly that with smaller portions and fresh ingredients,” Wells explained.  “We bring really affordable lunch options with stir fry and rolls as low as $4-6 bucks and beverages as low as $1.50.”

According to Wells, the customer demographic was among many reasons for opening Sushi Bears in Findlay Market.

“We looked around town at other possible locations, but the reason that Findlay stood out in our minds is because we know the crowds that go there are often there for the fresh produce and farmers markets – there were already a lot of health conscious or vegetarian customers at the Market. When you walk around the Market you wonder where all of these veggie eaters are going to get a bite to eat. There is a surplus of health conscious eaters who frequent the market, but only a few options for healthy ready to eat vegetarian food. Sushi Bears fills that niche. ”

After discussing several naming options, Wells and his team decided on Sushi Bears, drawing inspiration from the bamboo-eating panda bear that has since become the mascot and logo for the company.

Chef Wells is currently serving Japanese inspired stir-fry and drinks including mango chill, bubble tea and hot green tea. There are plans to expand to vegetarian maki-style sushi rolls by mid-November when they expect to complete construction in the new space.

The partners did say that they intend on sourcing a majority of their produce and spices through other Findlay Market vendors, in an effort to help boost the local economy and provide inspiration for new sushi creations.

Taste of Belgium neighbor Jean-Francois Fletchet believes a difficult journey might be ahead for the entrepreneurs selling a niche product.

“I wish them [Sushi Bears] luck but it’s going to be a bumpy road,” Fletchet says. “Although traffic during the week has improved most people downtown do not realize that Findlay Market is open for lunch during the week.”

To help avoid such a lull, Wells plans on supplementing the lunch crowd with unique catering options and  sushi classes.

Sushi Bears is located in the center of Findlay Market, across from Taste of Belgium and Bean Haus booths. The Japanese style stir-fry, drink and sushi booth is open Tuesday through Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Categories
Month in Review

Month in Review – October 2010

It’s hard to believe that the month of October is already behind us!  UrbanCincy’s top 5 most popular articles for the month were:

  1. Over-the-Rhine is not one of nation’s most dangerous neighborhoods
    Walletpop.com caused a large stir in the local media when they announced that a portion of Over-the-Rhine was “the most dangerous neighborhood in America.” Following that proclamation, UrbanCincy analyzed the data and released its own response to what appeared to be a suspect report.
  2. A strategic residential plan for Cincinnati’s center city
    What has long held back Cincinnati has not been a lack of tourists, commerce, or entertainment, but rather it has been the lack of a critical mass of residents. The lack of this critical mass is what has prevented the CBD from attracting everyday retailers, groceries, affordable dining, and later evening hours for all of the above.
  3. Induced Traffic Demand Works Both Ways
    There is a popular saying that circulates in urban planning circles: “Widening roads to solve traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity.” Planners have shown over the past few decades that adding lanes to roads, while temporarily increasing flow, does little to address congestion because over time traffic demand continues to climb.
  4. Google updates aerial imagery of Cincinnati region
    Google has updated its aerial imagery for several major cities throughout the United States including Portland, Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati. The new imagery appears to have been taken over the summer.
  5. Local carsharing program may soon get rolling in Cincinnati
    The idea for carsharing comes from a growing number of people either going car-free or car-light. Nationally, the percentage of 16-year-old drivers with licenses has decreased from 41 percent in 1996 to 29.8 percent in 2006, and in Ohio that number has dropped five percent since 2000 alone according to the state Department of Public Safety and U.S. Census Bureau.

We also urge you to read UrbanCincy’s Q&A with the candidates for Hamilton County Commissioner before heading to the polls tomorrow.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Queen City Scene: Fall 2010

Fall is firmly taking root in Cincinnati, so now makes for as good a time as any to take a spin through Cincinnati over the past few weeks.  Check out progress at major construction projects like The Banks and Great American Tower, but also take in some unique perspectives from around town.

This collection includes 22 photographs from throughout Cincinnati during the late summer of 2010.  Neighborhoods captured include Northside, Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Clifton Heights, Mt. Adams, Norwood, Oakley, and Camp Washington.

Categories
Business News

Park+Vine to celebrate new location, expanded business operations

Park+Vine, Cincinnati’s first green general store has moved from its namesake location to 1202 Main Street in historic Over-the-Rhine. After more than three years of operation at the corner of Central Parkway and Vine Street, owner and proprietor Dan Korman decided it was time for a change.

“We had really outgrown the [former] space, and wanted to expand in a more diverse way,” Korman explained after stating he had signed a ten-year lease on the space. “The extra room allows for an expanded grocery area including frozen food and a bulk food section; a drink bar with seating area; a designated classroom space; and an outdoor patio.”

The 2,760 square-foot location previously occupied by Kaldi’s coffeeshop and bookstore will also have expanded hours and employees. Korman has added six new employees to his five person staff, and has increased the store’s hours of operation by 37 percent over the course of the week.

Korman also says that sales per-hour at the new location are slightly higher than its previous location in the first three weeks even before the office opening of the store’s drink bar.

“Being open more hours allows for residents to utilize the space as more of an everyday shopping experience, be it grabbing an early morning coffee or stopping by in the evening to pick up dinner ingredients or a suddenly needed roll of recycled content toilet paper.”

Beyond the business opportunities, the new Main Street location also offers an opportunity to more successfully integrate with the Over-the-Rhine community.

“Park + Vine is simply tapping into renewed interest and investment along Main Street. We’re seeing a lot of cross-over from neighboring businesses and far more evening traffic from people who live along Main Street and in Prospect Hill,” Korman explained. “The Shift from Vine to Main appears to be relatively easy for most people. They are excited about the renewed energy of Main Street and how businesses, organizations and residents are committed to supporting one another, as well as other areas of the neighborhood.”

The new location has been open now for several weeks, but the store is celebrating with a Grand Reopening Party this Friday, October 29, from 6pm to 10pm, to coincide with many other neighborhood events kicking off the Halloween weekend. Korman says that the celebration includes food from local vegan-friendly spots, drinks from Market Wines, music by Josh Eagle and Liz Bowater, and guest baristas demonstrating Park+Vine’s Hario coffee drip machine.

Park+Vine artist, Angie Unger, will also unveil her paintings and chandeliers using re-purposed materials from Zero-Landfill Cincinnati Project. Nearby, Share Some Sugar will be hosting a Halloween Costume Swap, and MOTR will throw an after-party. Five percent of every purchase at the Grand Reopening Party will be donated to ArtWorks.