July 26, 200618 yr OTR, like most urban areas, saw condo construction in 2002-2005, during the housing boom. It was pretty modest, but its been hyped up like crazy. Its not really that many buildings... I think we sold what, 60 condos last year in the "Greater Downtown" area? Come on. On top of that, most developers will tell you they ended up selling for cost, which means nobody made any money, which doesn't exactly encourage more investment. A LOT of units are sitting unsold. Its a soft, weak market that gets talked about like its this spectacular renaissance of downtown living. Please. I would imagine its more than that in the 'Greater Downtown' area because I believe they include Mt. Adams, East End, West End (City West), OTR, CBD, etc. I think the hype stems from the fact there is a fair amount of movement into communities that had previously seen little influx in many years. Thats the way it starts. Not sure what you expected, but this isn't San Diego, New York, or Chicago. If your looking for that kind of sizziling development your going to be dissappointed. Revitalizing communites takes time. Chicago and Portland didn't happen overnight. Its slowing down now, due to too many developers getting burned and too many units on the market. Not a whole lot of new announcements out there-- The McAlpin and Parker Flats downtown, and the Vine Street stuff that's going to need heavy subsidy from 3CDC and the city, especially if Gateway is any indication (at this point, that's not a slow start, its a crash). Well duh. Vine St. is only like one of the worst streets in the whole city. But if you are going to turn it around, you have to start somewhere. 3CDC has said many times there are working with patient money, because they understand full well turning around a neighborhood that took 60 years to get to its current state is going to time. Your bitterness runs deep my man.... And its actually not slowing down. There are actually several good size projects in the pipeline on the development side. Absorption has always been a bit slower in OTR, but as more people move to the neighborhood, that will pick up over time. It cost a lot to rehab an old building. Thats why subsidies are necessary. Particularly if you want to try to get units at a resonable price point. Look, I know people get tired of hearing me complain about this stuff. That's ok. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes. :-)
July 26, 200618 yr Alchemize rethinks new home Covington officials wanted possible site to be artisans center BY CINDY SCHROEDER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER COVINGTON - The owner of Alchemize, a trendy Over-the-Rhine bar that closed a couple of weeks ago, will not move to Covington's new arts district after city officials objected to the proposed site. However, Alchemize owner Nick Spencer says he hasn't ruled out a possible move to Covington or other locations in and around downtown Cincinnati. Nick, Clifton does seem like a good fit for your type of business. The area hasn’t had a real “club” in a while. Where in the area would you like to move Ludlow, McMillan, and Short Vine? I understand that there are relatively few places to move to in these areas but hopefully you can find something. The UC crowd would surely give you plenty of business, as well as all of the young professionals in the area. Once again, good luck in finding a new place. P.S. I would probably try your club if you moved into my neighborhood. I don’t know how many people agree but cab fairs can get kind of pricey, if I can walk, and then maybe hop around all night from bar/club to bar/ club…I don’t know what sites are available but I hope you find one in this area.
July 26, 200618 yr -I too would agree with you Brad. However, I'm not sure if any of the bldg stock in Clifton is that of which can support a club of this type. I would think that a club either on Short Vine...but idealy on/near McMillian (already 3 or 4 bars). -Northside would also be a decent option, but in terms of location many people from outside of Northside/the city might have trouble finding the area. -And as we have talked about W5th would be an interesting area....and the club could be one of the trailblazers in the turn-around of the part of downtown. :roll:
July 26, 200618 yr OTR, like most urban areas, saw condo construction in 2002-2005, during the housing boom. It was pretty modest, but its been hyped up like crazy. Its not really that many buildings... I think we sold what, 60 condos last year in the "Greater Downtown" area? I would beg to differ, condo's like Park Place & McAlphin, Graydon & City West alone would top that number. That is your opinion, not fact. Come on. On top of that, most developers will tell you they ended up selling for cost, which means nobody made any money, which doesn't exactly encourage more investment. A LOT of units are sitting unsold. Its a soft, weak market that gets talked about like its this spectacular renaissance of downtown living. Please. Yes some units are sitting unsold but interest rates going up have contributed to that also, the same goes for higher end McMansions in the burbs. They have been sitting on the market longer now too because the people that can afford that property is now a smaller group based on interest rates. Its slowing down now, due to too many developers getting burned and too many units on the market. Not a whole lot of new announcements out there-- The McAlpin and Parker Flats downtown, and the Vine Street stuff that's going to need heavy subsidy from 3CDC and the city, especially if Gateway is any indication (at this point, that's not a slow start, its a crash). By subsidy I take it that you mean "tax abatement"? If so then yes you are right tax abatements are an attractive selling point but most cities Cincinnati's size do the exact same thing. If you are talking about other subsidies I would like to hear about them because I would love to take advantage of them in looking for a place in the city. The cost of starting a business in Covington is very low. I haven't found a permit yet that isn't cheaper on that side of the river. Liquor Licenses are the HUGE one. Serve food, and you get it for free in KY. If not, you get them as low as 10k. In Ohio? 30k. Sooo... that's a pretty big difference. Alright finally getting down to my question. Ohio Liquor License Cost - $30,000 Kentucky Liquor License Cost - $10,000 or free if you serve food? Did I get that correct? That is a big difference but not really Cincinnati's fault but more of Ohio's. What happens if you own a business in the city with a liquor license already? Can it be transfered if the move their business down the road in say - Downtown, Northside or Clifton? Does changing the name have an impact on this? Most people don't know the nightmare that business owners in the city deal with. Seriously, there's a reason almost all business owners in the city complain-- we get treated really, really badly. I just happen to be one that posts on the internet, but most will tell you the same things. Really bad in what way? I work in the corporate world for a company of 30,000+ people. I would like to understand what makes the process so much worse in Cincinnati than NKY.
July 26, 200618 yr I have met many new faces on main st that have moved in within the last year and they could care less about nightlife on main. Main is an arts and residential district now. I have outgrown the loud music and smoky bar scene and have to agree I like main without the loud nightlife. Go South young man :wink:
July 26, 200618 yr Yes some units are sitting unsold but interest rates going up have contributed to that also, the same goes for higher end McMansions in the burbs. They have been sitting on the market longer now too because the people that can afford that property is now a smaller group based on interest rates. Just to put the impact interest rates have on purchasing power in perspective...if you have $1200/month to spend on your mortgage, and get a fixed 30-year mortgage, that will get you: $200,150 at 6.000% $186,445 at 6.675% $180,369 at 7.000% $163,540 at 8.000% I think rates around 6.675% for low-down-payment/no points is probably about in line with the market right now (please, correct me if I'm wrong!)...so that's definitely impacted purchasing power. Of course, that doesn't mean the market isn't soft - just that the impact on its softness can't be laid all at the feet of downtown...
July 26, 200618 yr By subsidy I take it that you mean "tax abatement"? If so then yes you are right tax abatements are an attractive selling point but most cities Cincinnati's size do the exact same thing. If you are talking about other subsidies I would like to hear about them because I would love to take advantage of them in looking for a place in the city. I think he may be referring to gap finanacing from the city. For example 3CDC had to get a subsidy from the city to do the Gateway buildings at 12th & Vine. Basically the economics were such that banks wouldn't underwrite loans for the project based on the expected market income streams (rentals/condos sales/ commercial spaces), so the city provided funds to bridge the gap. But this is typical in transitional neighborhoods and is why funds like Community Development Block Grants and Hope VI exist. And to be fair its not much different than federal funds available to fill gap required to build roads out to home in the suburbs. They wouldn't financially stand on their own either.
July 26, 200618 yr -I too would agree with you Brad. However, I'm not sure if any of the bldg stock in Clifton is that of which can support a club of this type. I would think that a club either on Short Vine...but idealy on/near McMillian (already 3 or 4 bars). -Northside would also be a decent option, but in terms of location many people from outside of Northside/the city might have trouble finding the area. -And as we have talked about W5th would be an interesting area....and the club could be one of the trailblazers in the turn-around of the part of downtown. :roll: Nick, Don't know if you money or finacing available but this location would be great for a club around UC. Also I don't know if you would/could use the building as is, or if you would have to tear down and rebuild. http://www.comey.com/displaylist.asw?listnum=989672&mls=cincy
July 26, 200618 yr ^That's a very ugly building :-/ Perhaps you should relocate to Price Hill. Hehe. Plenty of vacant buildings there. Hey, it worked for Blue Note!
July 26, 200618 yr If I am not mistaken, that listing provided by Gaslight is the old Clifton Bay Yacht Club, a great bar back in the late 80's early 90's!
July 27, 200618 yr I certainly can't speak for Nick, but I'd imagine that if Alchemize were right next to campus, it would become a complete college bar - and I'm guessing that's not exactly what his demographic is. College students in the mix, no doubt, but post-college as well - which he'd probably lose if it became a straight-up college bar. Just my guess...I'm just hoping it doesn't just evaporate though! It would really suck to have a "best of" venue disappear from the region entirely...
July 27, 200618 yr Nick, I would love for you to answer my questions when you get a sec. Same goes for anyone else that has input on cost comparisions. As for relocation, my vote goes to West 5th, across from the Duke Energy Center and near the Poison Room, with a straight shot to Fountain Square, with good residential & hotel patrons, it seems like a win win.
July 27, 200618 yr Nick Spencer:"OTR is extremely dangerous (in many ways), and will be UNTIL City Hall and the powers that be decide to clean up the area. Until then, its not going to turn around. They could change everything in one year, but they don't have the will or the guts." Ok, what should they do? (Relocate to Clifton. I'll be a first year planning student at DAAP. We'd love something like that down here.)
July 27, 200618 yr Nick Spencer:"OTR is extremely dangerous (in many ways), and will be UNTIL City Hall and the powers that be decide to clean up the area. Until then, its not going to turn around. They could change everything in one year, but they don't have the will or the guts." Ok, what should they do? (Relocate to Clifton. I'll be a first year planning student at DAAP. We'd love something like that down here.) If you look back through this thread, Nick's listed loads of specific actions the city could take. Off the top of my head, they included moving various social services, cracking down on blight, cracking down on property owners who let their buildings be used for crime, increased patrols, etc. But please don't just take that as a verbatim list - you're best off looking upthread to see a more thorough list along with the reasoning.
July 27, 200618 yr (Relocate to Clifton. I'll be a first year planning student at DAAP. We'd love something like that down here.) Great news!!! Welcome to the program, if you ever need to be shown around the bldg or the campus just let me know. BTW, you are going to love Menelaos for your 1st studio! Good luck, glad to have you in the program and on UrbanOhio!!!
July 29, 200618 yr I think it is probably good that the new bar is not going to Covington (at least at the initial location). I think it is near the Madison Theater, which seems like it has gone bankrupt twice in the past three years. It might just be one of those cursed locations. This area just does not seem like a long-term solution and as has been mentioned, the closing of Jillian's does not really add to the allure. Additionally, the whole Covington Landing entertainment complex is gone. I think Covington, around Main Strasse, has a nice little collection of local bars but the places outside of this area do not seem to last.
July 31, 200618 yr Most people don't know the nightmare that business owners in the city deal with. Seriously, there's a reason almost all business owners in the city complain-- we get treated really, really badly. I just happen to be one that posts on the internet, but most will tell you the same things. I was still waiting on a better answer to this grip. So far we heard that Ohio's liquor license is more expensive than Kentucky's but we haven't heard about the other so called costs and how are local businesses treated really bad?
July 31, 200618 yr I spoke with Brian Tiffany on Friday. The OTR chamber is getting money from the city for business expansion and retention. The Sherriffs are hitting the ground tomorow (they are doing something this morning at 11:30 in front of the Comey office). My partner and I will be inking a deal this week for new retail on Main and the chamber is in talks with two others. And as for the soft condo sales... anyone read Saturdays edition of the Post, front page, first article? My optimism is not unfounded or unsuported. Condos defy home sales decline By Greg Paeth Post staff reporter "It's a good time to be in the condo business -- especially if you happen to be selling condos with a view of the Ohio and downtown Cincinnati." http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060729/NEWS02/607290322/-1/all
July 31, 200618 yr Just to keep everyone in the loop over here... alchemize: The BIG Announcement First off, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came out to the big alchemize Farewell Party, and especially to Puck for doing such a great job organizing it. The support many of you have shown for alchemize is really moving, and its something I know I'll personally never forget. Now, as everyone probably knows by now, alchemize has been looking for a new home for months, and especially these last few weeks since the doors were closed in Over-the-Rhine. Well, I am thrilled to announcement that we have, OFFICIALLY, found that new home. The space is in an amazing location that I know will make many of you very, very happy. Its a building loaded with potential that will just keep growing over time. I could not be more excited about where we've ended up, and I really hope you'll love it as much as I already do. So where is it? We'll be officially revealing the new location and opening date this Thursday at the Of Montreal show at The Madison Theatre-- so do not miss it! I can't wait to tell you all... I promise, this news will not disappoint. But I didn't want to wait to tell you that we do in fact have the deal done, because I know plenty of people have been paying close attention to what happens. Thank you again for all your support during this time of change. The rumors were flying like crazy and stuff was changing daily, but you stuck by us. The new alchemize will continue to offer that special experience you can't find anywhere else, with the same heart and energy we've been blessed to have from the start. Its a new beginning for us, and I hope you'll come along. See you Thursday for the big announcement!! For more info on Thursday's Of Montreal show, click here: http://woxy.com/boards/showthread.php?t=39850
August 10, 200618 yr Alchemize's landlord sues over building BY JAMES MCNAIR | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER A month after Alchemize ended its two-year run as a nightclub in Over-the-Rhine, its landlord filed suit to reclaim the building. Paramount Partners Ltd. of Cincinnati filed the claim in Hamilton County Municipal Court. It says Alchemize Group LLC was delinquent in its rent as of July 1 and that its tenancy expired July 15. Paramount also says Alchemize has "forcibly detained" it from possessing the three-story building. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/BIZ01/608100317
August 10, 200618 yr http://www.woxy.com/boards/showthread.php?t=40079&page=1&pp=20 08 Aug 2006, 09:13 PM nwspencer Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 132 Desdemona: What You Can Do To Help... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, all of you who attended the Of Montreal show at The Madison already got this speech, but for everyone else... The Desdemona Festival needs your help. If you went to Desdemona, you know what a special event it really was. Not just because of the amazing music (thought that certainly didn't hurt), but because of the sense of community that existed throughout the weekend. I had person after person tell me it was the best time they'd ever had in Cincinnati. But... Fact of the matter is, we lost more than we could sustain losing financially. We could blame it on any number of things, but I don't know that it makes much difference. The reality is that we have bills that absolutely, positively must be paid, and soon. The longer these debts go unpaid, the harder it gets to even think about doing year two. I've been working for over a month to find some way to cover these losses without coming to you. Unfortunately, time is running out and the situation is pretty dire. So, I'm coming to you, asking for your help to save The Desdemona Festival. I'm officially asking for contributions to the cause. Desdemona was, and is, a non-profit volunteer driven effort. Not only that, but it COST us a fortune to put on. It was a gift to the community and an enormous risk. Sadly, in the first year, their were some lessons to be learned. I'll be the first to admit some rookie mistakes were made. I hope all of you understand that I would never ask this unless every other option had been tried. Believe me, I've probably waited too long to ask-- there are artists out there who very much need to be paid for their performances, and every day it becomes more pressing. We are trying to raise $8,000 to cover the totality of outstanding debts from the Desdemona Festival. ANY amount helps, any ideas are welcome. I'm working on setting up a paypal system (don't hold your breath-- having issues there), but in the meantime, please message me or email me at [email protected] if there is some way that you can help. Maybe someone out there is independently wealthy and can save us. But odds are it will come from a larger number of small donors, helping to do something good for indie rock and Cincinnati. Personally: Thanks. You know I love of all of ya... anyone who knows me can tell you I've had something of a black cloud hanging over my head since the fest ended. Its been the hardest summer of my life. But you all have carried me through it. You're the best. Yesterday, 02:49 PM nwspencer Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 132 Wow... First off, I guess the biggest difference here is that Delta is a for-profit corporation. Desdemona is a non-profit. If it had made an 8k profit, it would have had to be put back into the next year's event. I collected ZERO salary or commission from the fest, obviously, and my own contribution to it was pretty substantial. It was an entirely volunteer effort, contributions to it are tax-deductible, its recognized by the IRS, etc. Think of it like an arts organization, because that's basically what it is. When you go see a Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival performance, you pay for a ticket. But they also ask for contributions from donors to remain solvent. Since well before the event, I have been really clear about what kind of undertaking Des is. I know most people have a hard time with that because most concerts are put on by for-profit entities. People just have a different mind-set about this stuff. I get it. As for alchemize, I treat them very, very much as church and state-- one is a non-profit, the other is a for-profit company. alchemize has had its own struggles, obviously, hence the move. However-- I have not personally put a penny towards the move. For those who read the Enquirer story last week, you know I have a partner in the deal on the new space. I also want to make sure folks know that the overwhelming majority of Desdemona artist have been paid, and paid in full. We have a couple of outstanding partial payments, which is what we're working to address. I certainly understand these questions, and want to do everything I can to address them. The support that's come in from email and MySpace has been overwhelming, and I'm hoping to have some good news to report on this front very soon. The passion and generousity this community shows is flat out overwhelming to me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by nwspencer : Yesterday at 03:12 PM. Yesterday, 05:55 PM nwspencer Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 132 Fourthisto: You're right, but here's the deal there... Tickets should have been at 15 or 16 a day, not 12. But not only does every event that takes place at Sawyer Point have to be non-profit, but THEY have to approve your ticket prices. Sawyer has only three gated events in a year: us, Tall Stacks, and Blues Fest. Those other two get financial support from the city, in big amounts. They absolutely would not go for a higher price than Tall Stacks charges, never mind that Tall Stacks gets hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city. So we barely got ticket prices approved at $12 a day. I would've had no problem charging 15 a day and 30 for the weekend.That is still a great deal. But they weren't up for it. Then, the city came in, less than a month before the event, and assigned a huge number of officers to it. For the record, we had no arrests, complaints, fights, or incidents. I had studied other events at Sawyer and their budgets, and our city charges were way higher than I could have anticipated-- higher than any other event like ours, that's for sure. That difference created a budget gap, and its why we pushed so hard to get the city to not charge us. They don't charge any of the other Point events, but it happened to us, nonetheless. So if anyone wonders how the budget ended up slightly off, well, that's my read on it. A lot of first-year stuff that couldn't have been predicted. Like I said, the appropriate way to view Desdemona is as an arts event. You pay a ticket, but in reality, that's only part of what makes it possible. Donors, sponsors, the city, etc., make up the difference. So nick complains that the city wont do anything to help get rid of crime around main street to help his bar, but when the city does put forth and effort to make sure an event downtown is protected fully bye the police, nick again complains about the cost, then goes on a message board asking for donations to help get him out of debt. (edit to remove emoticon)
August 10, 200618 yr ^Uh...12th and Walnut is a slightly different venue than Sawyer Frickin' Point. I don't think the two are at all comparable.
August 10, 200618 yr I could see if Nick was in it for the money but it's a non-profit organization. 12 bucks a day and 24 bucks for 3 days WAS dirt cheap. It worked out to be like 80 cents per band.
August 10, 200618 yr So nick complains that the city wont do anything to help get rid of crime around main street to help his bar, but when the city does put forth and effort to make sure an event downtown is protected fully bye the police, nick again complains about the cost, then goes on a message board asking for donations to help get him out of debt. :ass:[glow=red,2,300][/glow] Methinks that's a little harsh. Here's a guy that (with a lot of help) pulled off a major coup for Cincinnati, brought in a lot of folks who otherwise would avoid our town like the plague, and is asking for some help in wrapping up the loose ends. If you don't want to help that's fine but jeez..... Cheers, h
August 10, 200618 yr Horosho, my problem with your comment is that this was some major "coup". I mean come on... I went to Desdemona and had a good time. I helped support the event and gave my $24 bucks but don't act like cool things don't happen in this city. There are so many cool things that happen in this city, it is silly to point them out. Maybe I am more well rounded and don't wrap myself around indy bands or exclusely to the music scene. I also enjoy sports, arts and other festivities so I am always busy. If a person's world revolves around indy music then maybe this is the be all, end all... Anything thing that annoys me about Cincinnat is how people in this city thinks that crime is a local issue. Didn't the Enquirer do an article two months ago about how better Indy was from Cincinnati? Hmmm, maybe the people that agree with that article shold read this: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060806/NEWS01/608060466 Lastly, Horosho I agree that those words are a little harsh and all this isn't directed at you but the residents of the metro in general. If things were so safe "back in the day" in Cincinnati then why was the murder record in Cincinnati set in the 1970's? [/rant]
August 10, 200618 yr Well this thread it 11 pages long. Crime has been discussed before so I brought it back up from other stories floating around the news.
August 10, 200618 yr Horosho, my problem with your comment is that this was some major "coup". I mean come on... I went to Desdemona and had a good time. I helped support the event and gave my $24 bucks but don't act like cool things don't happen in this city. There are so many cool things that happen in this city, it is silly to point them out. Maybe I am more well rounded and don't wrap myself around indy bands or exclusely to the music scene. I also enjoy sports, arts and other festivities so I am always busy. If a person's world revolves around indy music then maybe this is the be all, end all... Okay, major coup may be a little strong, but even if you rephrase using your 'cool things' phrase: Here's a guy that (with a lot of help) pulled off a cool thing for Cincinnati, brought in a lot of folks who otherwise would avoid our town like the plague, and is asking for some help in wrapping up the loose ends. If you don't want to help that's fine but jeez..... I stand by my point. One thing that annoys me is that people in this town spend so much time being negative. Don't like the festival? Fine, but you do you really need to put it down? Couldn't you use some of that energy on doing something constructive? I don't care for a lot of the events around town but I don't feel the need to assault and insult them. Note here that I am not targeting this at you, I think all the work that goes into this board is doing something constructive, and I really appreciate it. Anything thing that annoys me about Cincinnat is how people in this city thinks that crime is a local issue. Didn't the Enquirer do an article two months ago about how better Indy was from Cincinnati? Hmmm, maybe the people that agree with that article shold read this: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060806/NEWS01/608060466 Lastly, Horosho I agree that those words are a little harsh and all this isn't directed at you but the residents of the metro in general. If things were so safe "back in the day" in Cincinnati then why was the murder record in Cincinnati set in the 1970's?[/rant] I can agree with that to a point. Are things safer now then they were in 1970? I guess so, although some would point out how much larger our population was then. Is the average Joe who isn't involved with drugs and/or crime likely to become a crime victim? Nope. But..... if you live in Northside, for example, is it likely that you will be impacted by crime at some point? I think so (and I live in Northside and love it, I think the same is true for most Cincinnati neighborhoods). In that regard I don't begrudge people whose lives have been impacted by crime from bitching about it and I don't begrudge people whose need for a perception of safety has driven them to live in places that I consider drab and uninteresting from moving to the 'burbs. [rant]What gets me (not to turn this into a 'You know what really grinds my gears' thread :-D) is the people that do nothing but feel the need to bitch about every little thing about our city. If you aren't doing anything, you lose your right to bitch in my opinion.[/rant] So I'll give Nick a little bread because I appreciate the effort that he and his crew put forth and I hope there's another fest next year. If you don't agree, it doesn't bother me a bit. Different strokes......
August 10, 200618 yr Ha ha... you know, I had never really looked at that way, but I'll put it a bit differently: When we begged for police to handle issues like drug dealing, shootings, car break-ins, and prostitution in the city's most dangerous neighborhood, we are told they can't assign police to the area and that they are terribly short-staffed. But when we do a GATED, admission-fee event on the riverfront, we suddenly have 16 OFFICERS to spare, to stand around bored. Apparently, indie kids are a serious safety risk and must be monitored closely. Hmmmm... I guess the issue isn't staffing, its who pays for it. Typical City Hall.
August 10, 200618 yr its interesting, i got into a small car wreck the other day up here in cbus and when the officer was writing out my ticket, we had small talk and I told him I was from the Cincy area. He went on to say that Cbus has had a lot of cops come from Cincy who dont want to deal with the issues Cincy is facing. He said Cincy has probably lost a lot of good cops because of it. He went on to say that ppl complain when the cops do somehting and so if they back off people complain that nothing is being done so it is a lose lose situation. he said you couldnt pay him to work in cincy right now. A little side topic I know, but interesting nonetheless.
August 10, 200618 yr oh, and what i thought was most interesting is that when i told him i was from cincy, he said 'ever been to over the rhine?' Its weird how so many people think of otr when they think of cincy. ive had that experience a couple of times.
August 10, 200618 yr Monte: Not to brag or anything, but there aren't many events in Cincy that have generated the kind of positive national media attention Des got, especially from younger skewing outlets like Rolling Stone, Mtv, Spin, and Pitchfork. Soooo... I think, like a lot of Cincinnatians, you may not be getting what a 'major coup' Desdemona was. I think it said it all that day Rolling Stone wrote up Des AND the T.I. shooting in the same article. Its was a very nice contrast.
August 10, 200618 yr Nick, I have always wished you the best. I thought it was a good event and even went out of my way to introduce myself to you during the festival. My life has never revolved around the music industry. I have probably been to less concerts than any other form of entertainment. I prefer sports and arts more so if the festival never happened I would have never lost sleep but with that being said I enjoyed myself and did my part to support the show. I also travel often and don't think Cincinnati gets the credit it deserves for daily life. Some people talk like the festival was a big deal and it obviously made an impact with a segment of the populous and that is great. I think some of the positives end up getting lost in the end though because of the baggage attached to it. I tend to have more appreciation for Scribble Jam. It is home grown, they do their thing, keep the politics to a minimum and put on a hellva show. It has grown over the years and has become an important venue in Hip Hop America. To say that it is rare for Cincinnati to get "fill in the blank" is a load of crap. People that say that are so caught up in one entertainment segment maybe they should get out more or expand their hobbies. - Maybe take up photography ;) You have an entrepenueral spirit and that is great. I can appreciate that and your desire to improve the quality of life for a certain segment of the population but don't you think you would get more praise if you weren't so negative? - Even if some of it might be warranted. Don't find it hard to believe that many of us love Cincinnati and love all the events and attractions that this city offers.
August 10, 200618 yr That's wierd... I could swear there's an editorial in CityBeat this week that says I'm too POSITIVE about Cincinnati. The time of moderates is most definitely not now, I guess. I think the strange thing to do is talk about "baggage." The City screwed us, plain and simple. Don't blame the event for calling attention to it, blame the city for being so freakin' inept. City Hall is the albatross around the neck of an otherwise good community. Its sad but true. They are so spectacularly incompetent, they make it hard on anyone trying to do most anything, including, ironically enough, Scribble Jam, who have certainly complained about the city in the past. To me, its just misdirected aggression. Activist after activist, business owner after business owner, make the same complaint about the city. Blaming THEM, instead of the city, seems strange to me.
August 10, 200618 yr Desdemona was incredible and I desperately want it to come back for next year. Nick, was the article correct in saying that you covered the $8k?
August 11, 200618 yr Ha ha... you know, I had never really looked at that way, but I'll put it a bit differently: When we begged for police to handle issues like drug dealing, shootings, car break-ins, and prostitution in the city's most dangerous neighborhood, we are told they can't assign police to the area and that they are terribly short-staffed. But when we do a GATED, admission-fee event on the riverfront, we suddenly have 16 OFFICERS to spare, to stand around bored. Apparently, indie kids are a serious safety risk and must be monitored closely. Hmmmm... I guess the issue isn't staffing, its who pays for it. Typical City Hall. good way to shape the discusion, I guess we are making the same point and maybee I'm being hard on you a bit. I know SP is no main street, but look at what the trouble misappropriation of poilice force's is causing in the city. Its making your business life tough on both fronts the for profit and not for profit. maybe i need to refocus my anger a bit.
August 11, 200618 yr That's wierd... I could swear there's an editorial in CityBeat this week that says I'm too POSITIVE about Cincinnati. The time of moderates is most definitely not now, I guess. You might have been positive at one time but your posts have certainly changed. And editorial is just that, one mans opinion kind of like mine - take it with a grain of salt. Again some of your claims are warranted and I have seen people bait you into more heated discussions. I even seen some of Cincinnati's finest idiots call you a racist because of the festivals name. But to move on from the personal stuff, when will alchemize open in Northside? Will the name stay the same? How about an Urban Ohio night? Just give some of us some notice since we might need to get a "kitchen pass".
August 11, 200618 yr That's wierd... I could swear there's an editorial in CityBeat this week that says I'm too POSITIVE about Cincinnati. HuH?!? :wtf: That is weird indeed! perhaps a misprint, we should demand a retraction immediately! [move]Main St. grapevine news.... [/move] New clothing store from Virginia to move onto Main, will be open by the end of the year. New restaurant is eying Main St. location. Sit down/Coffee and gourmet pastries shop looking to open on Main These are my clients and I understand that the Chamber is working with two other retailers. A meeting just happened last week with the Chamber, Dan Dell, and 3CDC to develop a strategy for retail mix on Main. And did I mention Vynl is opening? It is my understanding that Vernon Rader just received money from the city to complete his project on Main north of Liberty. And a big residential project is in the works (can't say anything just yet) that could change everything. Main is not dead, but it is changing.
August 11, 200618 yr Isn't Vinyl already open? We drove past Wednesday night, the lights were on and there were a ton of folks inside...maybe it was a private pre-opening party?
August 11, 200618 yr I believe the official opening is Saturday. I saw the same thing you did but I believe you are correct about the private party.
September 8, 200618 yr Purgatory closes its doors BY LAUREN BISHOP | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER September 8, 2006 CINCINNATI - Purgatory nightclub will meet its end Sunday, making it the sixth club to close in Over-the-Rhine this year. Co-owner Ram Paladugu said he and business partner Vikas Sondhi are closing Purgatory's doors, which opened in March 2005, to pursue other interests. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/BIZ01/609080372
September 8, 200618 yr Purgatory closes its doors Another reason to hate The Enquirer: they stole the above headline from a Vatican encyclical published 5 months ago! Plagiarizing heretics!
September 8, 200618 yr Red Cheetah must be a lot more popular. I don't know anyone that goes to or has ever gone to Purgatory.. Hmm..
September 8, 200618 yr Another reason to hate The Enquirer: they stole the above headline from a Vatican encyclical published 5 months ago! Plagiarizing heretics! That's pretty funny...unfortunately, it was limbo that the Church clarified their (lack of) teaching on, not purgatory, which is alive and well...but hey, you still gave me a chuckle!
September 15, 200618 yr <i>I found this article interesting because it mentions "Cincinnati's parochial culture". You would think these neighborhoods would have bigger issues to address. Or maybe it speaks volumes that these two events can't seem to co-exist.</i> <b>Feuding over Fridays</b> <b>Over-the-Rhine, Oakley fight about name of monthly event</b> BY GREGORY KORTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Can a Cincinnati neighborhood own a date on a calendar? Yes, says Over-the-Rhine, which has had a Main Street gallery hop on the final Friday of the month for two decades. Then along came Oakley, which started "Oakley Final Fridays" in May as a way to draw people to the shops and restaurants along Madison Road. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS01/609150364/1056
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