Big changes afoot at Rookwood Pottery as CEO exits

 

It isn't immediately clear what impact Wade's exit from Rookwood will have on real estate development projects he planned in Over-the-Rhine.

 

Late last year, Wade said he planned to pursue more than $70 million of development in Over-the-Rhine on mixed-use projects.

^ Unfortunate.

^ he still owns the company, the fact that he is not the CEO should not have any affect on this project. The Wades have a lot of business interests around the city for better or worse.

Was the Grammer's Place development happening through Rookwood or was it something that Wade was doing on his own? Because if it was the latter, this reorganization may not have any impact on Grammer's Place whatsoever.

Was the Grammer's Place development happening through Rookwood or was it something that Wade was doing on his own? Because if it was the latter, this reorganization may not have any impact on Grammer's Place whatsoever.

 

Reading between the lines, my initial impression was that part of the reason Wade left the job of CEO was to focus on developments in OTR. They own a lot of property, and I imagine oversight of development of it could keep one person very busy.

 

1706 Lang Street being stabilized.

Please keep discussions of the perception of OTR here: Cincinnati: Changing Perceptions of Over-the-Rhine

 

Open Container/Outdoor Refreshment discussions here: Ohio Outdoor Refreshment Areas

On buildingcincy's twitter page I saw he posted on Facebook (Building Cincinnati) the following:

 

the sale of 1824-1828 Elm Street for a retail kitchen store, two residential units and a private residence and:

 

Expect to see work beginning very soon.

The back side of 1508 Race is in bad shape.  A hole in the back wall has expanded and now there is a gaping hole in the roof too.  Needs stabilization.  Posting this here in case 3CDC personnel read this board. 

The back side of 1508 Race is in bad shape.  A hole in the back wall has expanded and now there is a gaping hole in the roof too.  Needs stabilization.  Posting this here in case 3CDC personnel read this board.

 

I think more good would be to take some personal photos, print them off,  and stop by the 3CDC office and show them in person.

 

Just saying. The likelihood of them reading this board is pretty slim. 

I already emailed.

 

I think we'd be surprised at the readership of this site. I know some folks at city hall read it, not sure who all, and I think members of the press do as well. It would shock me if no one at 3cdc did. We're discussing the work they do all day so it would be pretty interesting to them I'd imagine.

A lot of people read UrbanOhio. Way, way more than post.

This thread seems to have a lot of discussion of rehabbing of property (both by 3CDC and smaller owners), so I thought I'd post this here.  OTR Foundation hosting an event about owner-occupied properties/process/etc.  I figure there may be some interest here.  (At this point, I think I am going to be one of the people on the panel.) 

 

EXCLUSIVE: Kitchenware store to open next to Findlay Market on streetcar line

Chris Wetterich - Staff reporter and columnist - Cincinnati Business Courier

 

Karen and Brad Hughes fell in love with Over-the-Rhine after they moved to Captain’s Watch condominiums on Riverside Drive and began riding their bikes regularly to the resurgent neighborhood.

 

So, with both at or near retirement from their day jobs and still motivated to work, they started planning to open a small business somewhere in the neighborhood to fill an unmet need and created Artichoke, an 880-square-foot kitchenware store with a demonstration kitchen. The Hughes plan to develop the upper three stories of the building into two, two-bedroom apartments.

 

After looking for five years, they recently closed on a city-owned building at 1824 Elm St. that backs up to one of the Findlay Market parking lots. Already OTR residents, they plan to acquire two other adjoining properties and turn one into a single-family home for themselves. The Artichoke and apartment project at 1824 Elm St. will cost $1.1 million, which the Hughes are personally funding from the proceeds of property they sold in Florida. The store is expected to open in spring 2016 and will likely employ three workers in addition to the Hughes, with one of them being part time.

 

Cont

4 New Retail locations are coming to OTR in the next month or so: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2015/05/05/four-new-stores-opening-otr/26952667/

 

 

• Elm & Iron, a Columbus-based home decor and furniture store opening early next week.

 

• Idlewild Woman, a clothing and home store catered to women opening on May 16.

 

• Continuum, a home decor, gifts and women's clothing store opening in the next couple months.

 

•Kit & Ace, A Vancouver, British Columbia-based luxury clothing retailer

 

 

This is not to mention that there is still bars and resturaunts coming as well in the form of;

 

•Low Spark (Bar)

 

•16 Bit Arcade (Bar)

 

•ZBGB Gourmet Burger (Bar + Restaurant)

 

•Transept (Bar + Light Restaurant)

 

•Che! (Bar + Restaurant

 

And that's just what we know about so far...It's a bit crazy to think how much retail and restaurants have grown in just the past 2 years, and makes you just wonder what's ahead in terms of growth...

 

Also, interesting tidbit in that article, apparently both Starbucks and Chipotle had contacted 3CDC about building locations in OTR, but 3CDC said no because they want local, and smaller chains to be a part of OTR fabric, not big American chain places. 

 

 

 

The new infill home on Republic Street is coming along quite nicely:

 

4 New Retail locations are coming to OTR in the next month or so: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2015/05/05/four-new-stores-opening-otr/26952667/

 

 

• Elm & Iron, a Columbus-based home decor and furniture store opening early next week.

 

• Idlewild Woman, a clothing and home store catered to women opening on May 16.

 

• Continuum, a home decor, gifts and women's clothing store opening in the next couple months.

 

•Kit & Ace, A Vancouver, British Columbia-based luxury clothing retailer

 

 

This is not to mention that there is still bars and resturaunts coming as well in the form of;

 

•Low Spark (Bar)

 

•16 Bit Arcade (Bar)

 

•ZBGB Gourmet Burger (Bar + Restaurant)

 

•Transept (Bar + Light Restaurant)

 

•Che! (Bar + Restaurant

 

And that's just what we know about so far...It's a bit crazy to think how much retail and restaurants have grown in just the past 2 years, and makes you just wonder what's ahead in terms of growth...

 

Also, interesting tidbit in that article, apparently both Starbucks and Chipotle had contacted 3CDC about building locations in OTR, but 3CDC said no because they want local, and smaller chains to be a part of OTR fabric, not big American chain places. 

 

 

 

 

I like that list. But that last part concerns me. I'm all for local, small scale, etc. but there are some chains that design nice spaces and have a level of familiarity that can draw and make certain people more comfortable. Think about a suburbanite hearing about the new Chipotle across the street from Starbucks in OTR. They know what those are. They have no clue what The Eagle is. They have no clue what Che! is. And they're unlikely to want to find out. But they know exactly what Chipotle is. They know exactly what Starbucks is. And that could quickly change their perception of OTR. I definitely don't want to see a bunch of chains going into OTR, especially ones that don't employ good storefront design (Subway, Panera, Jimmy John's, etc.) but the ones that take the time to design their spaces to be interesting and fitting with the neighborhood could be a useful addition to OTR.

 

Plus, takeout. There is so little quick, cheap takeout in OTR. It's frustrating.

^I agree with some of what you said, but I think (based on the always-insane wait times) that people far and wide have figured out what The Eagle is, and want to try it.

 

I have to admit, though, I think it would make sense to have those types of chains (Chipotle, Starbucks) in the neighborhood.  I like keeping things small and local, but at some point you are going to need to let in some of the national chains, and I'm all for the ones that appear generally "better" at fitting in with the neighborhood. 

It also helps when people financing projects see national chains being successful in a neighborhood like OTR. It's a sign that the neighborhood can support businesses. It's beneficial for everyone to let in some national chains.

I am curious how long it will take before a national chain opens in OTR. We already have local chains since Graeter's opened on Vine. Technically Subway is in OTR but it's on the edge and mostly caters to workers in the CBD.

 

With that being said, I don't necessarily agree that chains are needed to help draw people into OTR. Sure, there are some people that won't come down here unless we have a Starbucks, but I don't think we necessarily need those people. When I overhear people in OTR talking about where they're from, I hear a lot of them say "Liberty Township". So OTR is already attracting people from the farthest-out burbs.

The Kit and Ace store is actually a really big deal - it's a sign that OTR is on the radar of national retailers. (For those who don't know, Kit and Ace is a new apparel company that was founded by the wife and son of lululemon's founder.)

 

They currently only have eight locations, of which only two are in the US: New York and San Francisco.

 

^That's good company. SF and NYC are obviously urban retail meccas, but the fact that we're in their company is huge for OTR.

Great news on the retail front!

 

In real estate circles, it's a bit of a cliche, but there's some truth to the saying that "retail follows rooftops"... which means that retailers generally choose to locate near/in neighborhoods with lots of residents with disposable income (hence Rookwood and Kenwood as successful retail clusters). I think that is part of the OTR story (and should motivate the continued investment in increasing the housing supply), but it's also clear that OTR is becoming a "destination" for people who live in the suburbs and from visitors outside Cincinnati. When people visit Cincinnati for work or tourism, they're being told to visit OTR. The combination of increased residential and increased tourism draw make the prospects for future retail growth very bright.

 

The retail growth we're seeing now is just the beginning as the neighborhood "fills in". There are still so many empty buildings and storefronts throughout the area. I'd be curious to track the total retail square footage in OTR. Does the OTR Chamber track that? 

OTR doesn't need any national chains. Would a starbucks or chipotle be nice? Sure, there were more then a few occasions where I could you a pick me up from Star Bucks. But all national chains will do will distract consumers from all the local eateries/and coffee shops already established in OTR, and create unfair and unnecessary competition. It's clear with The Brandery, Cintrifuse, and Cincy Tech all being located together in OTR, as well as all these smaller local eateries and bars that what 3CDC is trying to do is create an organic entertainment and retail scene, and while a starbucks and a chipotle here and there might not be so bad, it could be a sign of further chains like Chilies, and McDonalds of the sorts to gain entrance as well. And before you know it what made OTR a unique hotspot to visit will be on the wayside.

^ Would it though?  You can find McDonalds and 7-Eleven and other chains in the most urban cities of the world.  There's no reason to make this an either/or proposition, the neighborhood is big enough to support both.  It's not necessary to cater to the chains, as most municipalities do to their own detriment, but there's no reason to actively discourage them either. 

^ Would it though?  You can find McDonalds and 7-Eleven and other chains in the most urban cities of the world.  There's no reason to make this an either/or proposition, the neighborhood is big enough to support both.  It's not necessary to cater to the chains, as most municipalities do to their own detriment, but there's no reason to actively discourage them either. 

 

Would also be nice to see something like an Urban format target down there as well.  Perhaps in one of the many gigantic surface lots at the edge of downtown.  Done sparingly big chains aren't bad, the problem is when the whole neighborhood becomes nothing but them.

Frankly it's all way too slick for my tastes.  They aren't chains but there's still way too much money behind any of these places for them to feel real.  There is basically no interesting store or restaurant in Over-the-Rhine at the moment that compares to something like the Ohio Book Store, House of Adam, Cappel's, the stuff that's gone from Short Vine like Sentiment's Rock City or Stone Mountain or the stuff that's still there like Mike's Music and The Cupboard, or other lost specialty retail like Auf der Fricko Eisenbahn. 

 

There was a place in Kansas City when I lived there called Loma Vista Hardware that was a multi-story building where the grandpa ran a traditional hardware store on the first floor, then a kid or grandkid ran a skateboard shop in the basement and a cousin or other grandkid had a leather fetish business in the building next door.  That kind of situation doesn't happen too often.  But something simply not being a chain business doesn't mean it's interesting or unusual. 

 

Personally I'd really like to see a Melt or Sidewinders cafe in OTR (these are Northside establishments, and both have that Northside feel). They are definitely not slick, yet they are both high quality. I actually just went to Sidewinders for the first time yesterday. They have big live bunnies in the back patio.

I wouldn't mind a Chipotle- (a ChipOTR?) - there's been quite a few times when I've biked down to the one on Fountain Square.  Just looking for something convenient at that price point.  But that one is close enough to OTR, really. 

 

But the problem with chains is (besides it being pretty arbitrary for someone at 3CDC to decide which chains "fit the vibe") is it takes a little creativity to patronize local small business.  It's easy to forget that Picnic and Pantry has to go sandwiches or Revolution Rotisserie is right down the street if a Chipotle is right there and it's your default option. 

 

The Kit and Ace store is actually a really big deal - it's a sign that OTR is on the radar of national retailers. (For those who don't know, Kit and Ace is a new apparel company that was founded by the wife and son of lululemon's founder.)

 

They currently only have eight locations, of which only two are in the US: New York and San Francisco.

 

Agreed. It's great news for OTR and Cincy. Kit and Ace are on a major expansion push right now. Other cities where they're opening new stores this summer include St. Louis, Minneapolis, Denver, Columbus (can't reveal the specific location, but it will be Short North), DC, and San Jose.

If were still on the topic of local chains...what do you guys think the over/under is for;

 

-Skyline Chili

 

-Buskin's Cookie Bakery Shop

 

-Larosas

 

To open up in OTR...

Larosas recently said "we don't need a downtown location because we have a West End store that delivers to downtown residents." Okay then. So they're not coming to OTR any time soon.

Yeah, Larosa's is way too conservative to view OTR or Downtown as a good investment.

 

Skyline I could see. Especially since the one just south of Central on Vine closes so early and it sounds like the owner has no desire to cater to "those type of people" who frequent OTR late at night or in the evenings.

 

Buskin's would have some hefty competition at the moment going against Holtman's. But you can never have too many  bakeries in my opinion.

 

On the topic of chilli, I could see someone making a more trendy Cincinnati chilli place and it being wildly successful. Open late, similar taste, but a space more in fitting with OTR.

Aka artisinal  chili parlor. Also the court and vine skyline is run by an idiot who is probably loosing 1000s of dollars by closing so early. Can you be so conservative that it blinds you from what makes solid business sense?

 

Absolutely. And frankly, if you can't separate your own beliefs from your business you really shouldn't be running one. It'll just get in the way of what makes the most business sense. The guy who runs that Skyline refuses to believe OTR has changed and therefore is missing out on insane amounts of late night business. His loss.

That area of Vine and Court Street is still a bit dodgy especially at night.  The owner of that Skyline is a downtown resident and talking with him makes me think he has a good business head on his shoulders.  Until Court Street is cleaned up a bit I think any safety concerns are valid. I really doubt he's missing out on tons of late night business since his business is a bit removed from the trendier parts of OTR.  Besides, I'm sure he does plenty of lunch business to make a good living.

He's made some really ignorant statements in the past about OTR which is what we're referring to. Vine and Court might have some valid safety concerns, but his responses to being open late on weekends for OTR patrons are stuck in the past.

 

I definitely think he's missing out on a lot of money by not being open late. He closes before most people have even left for home so even those living and working in the area can't stop in on their way home. And the number of people on Friday and Saturday nights proclaiming their desire to stop at a  Skyline on their way home is pretty significant. Most just seem to wind up going to other ones nearby but there is pent up demand for late night "drunk food."

I make a huge vat of chili about once a month, and freeze some for later use. I think my recipe is pretty good – sometimes I do alternates like lamb instead of beef, or step the spiciness way up. I’d be all up for an artisan chili parlor if only I had “someone with high wealth to sign the loan “ because “That’s how people get their start in this world.”

I'm one of those people who'd like to stop there on way home, but I just end up going to the 7th and Vine Street location instead.  I still question if he'd really get that much business to be worth keeping his doors open late, but maybe someday when Court Street gets a little love that will change.

I make a huge vat of chili about once a month, and freeze some for later use. I think my recipe is pretty good sometimes I do alternates like lamb instead of beef, or step the spiciness way up. Id be all up for an artisan chili parlor if only I had someone with high wealth to sign the loan because Thats how people get their start in this world.

 

Lamb in the chili--interesting!

That area of Vine and Court Street is still a bit dodgy especially at night.  The owner of that Skyline is a downtown resident and talking with him makes me think he has a good business head on his shoulders.  Until Court Street is cleaned up a bit I think any safety concerns are valid. I really doubt he's missing out on tons of late night business since his business is a bit removed from the trendier parts of OTR.  Besides, I'm sure he does plenty of lunch business to make a good living.

 

I've parked there enough when in town to know that that part of vine isn't so much dodgy as it is dead.  The Skyline Chili owner could take some responsibility for his neighborhood and work to activate what is a dead part of town - eyeballs on the street are all that are needed there, this isn't like the area was about 10 years ago, and its not like its right next to the courthouse/jail either.  He's still missing out on a gold mine, he should at least test the water by at least catering to the people coming home from work crowd - stay open until 10 if you aren't happy with staying open until 3am.  What he is doing is a dumb business move no self respecting businessman would miss out on an opportunity like this - plus his store is away from the main part of the business district which already has its own skyline - his market expansion is contingent upon points north from where he's located.

 

I guess the only down side will be there won't be a nice within walking distance to OTR place to park without going into a garage anymore lol.

 

I make a huge vat of chili about once a month, and freeze some for later use. I think my recipe is pretty good – sometimes I do alternates like lamb instead of beef, or step the spiciness way up. I’d be all up for an artisan chili parlor if only I had “someone with high wealth to sign the loan “ because “That’s how people get their start in this world.”

 

Another suggestion if you haven't done so already is high quality cheese.  Its amazing what a good quality cheddar can do to even a mediocre store bought can of Cincy chili ;)

I make a huge vat of chili about once a month, and freeze some for later use. I think my recipe is pretty good – sometimes I do alternates like lamb instead of beef, or step the spiciness way up. I’d be all up for an artisan chili parlor if only I had “someone with high wealth to sign the loan “ because “That’s how people get their start in this world.”

 

How much does it cost to lease a space for say a small restaurant/cafe space in OTR anyway? I'm talking in the Gateway quarter region...Is it still relatively low compared to other places, or has it gone significantly up?

It's expensive and has risen dramatically. I know that the home goods store that used to be at 13th and Vine (I'm forgetting its name) closed when their rent was going to double.

Just to spite the skyline one could open it up on Court street for probably much cheaper and tap into the same crowd ;).  lol.

Maybe the guy simply doesn't want to work nights or weekends because he'd have to hire a GM or at least managers who he'd have a hard time trusting with the money.  I've worked at enough restaurants to know how difficult it is to find a person to manage who doesn't steal $100+ per shift.  And on top of that, the late-night business probably isn't strong until after midnight. 

I make a huge vat of chili about once a month, and freeze some for later use. I think my recipe is pretty good – sometimes I do alternates like lamb instead of beef, or step the spiciness way up. I’d be all up for an artisan chili parlor if only I had “someone with high wealth to sign the loan “ because “That’s how people get their start in this world.”

 

How much does it cost to lease a space for say a small restaurant/cafe space in OTR anyway? I'm talking in the Gateway quarter region...Is it still relatively low compared to other places, or has it gone significantly up?

 

3CDC does not just lease to anyone that wants to rent a storefront from them. They "program" their retail spaces as if it were a shopping mall. They want to put certain businesses where it makes the most sense to put them. That's why they were OK with the large furniture store at 13th & Vine leaving so that they could replace it with two stores which they feel are a better use of that prime real estate. They also have very strict rules about what type of signage they allow on their buildings. For example, American Legacy Tours was not allowed to have an external sign, only a window cling.

Was looking at real estate listings today.

 

http://www.cbws.com/property/details/272876/MLS-1447704/212-West-Fifteenth-St-Cincinnati-City-Downtown-Area-OH-45202.aspx?SearchID=9761229&RowNum=15&StateID=41&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

 

Does anyone know anything about these? Appears they're planning 4 which would mean the two different sets of plans they have on this listing (which is odd) could be for 212 and 210 and it appears they're aiming at tearing down that building occupying 218 and 220 W 15th. Four new townhomes right there would be great infill. And the one front rendering looks decent as far as faux historic goes. The cornice looks correct which is almost always wrong.

Was looking at real estate listings today.

 

http://www.cbws.com/property/details/272876/MLS-1447704/212-West-Fifteenth-St-Cincinnati-City-Downtown-Area-OH-45202.aspx?SearchID=9761229&RowNum=15&StateID=41&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

 

Does anyone know anything about these? Appears they're planning 4 which would mean the two different sets of plans they have on this listing (which is odd) could be for 212 and 210 and it appears they're aiming at tearing down that building occupying 218 and 220 W 15th. Four new townhomes right there would be great infill. And the one front rendering looks decent as far as faux historic goes. The cornice looks correct which is almost always wrong.

 

The whole block bounded by 15th, Thuber, Baschang, and Blanca is owned by Browne Industries Ltd. From the rendering it looks like they'll put in 4 townhouses on the northside, utilizing the 98' of frontage in parcels 210-220... probably tearing down the cinderblock structure (Cincy Glass) at 218-220. I presume (and hope) that they'll retain/restore the historic building at 222 W 15th which is an absolutely gorgeous building. They also own two large vacant parcels on the south side of the street (217 and 221) with 84' of street frontage.

Was looking at real estate listings today.

 

http://www.cbws.com/property/details/272876/MLS-1447704/212-West-Fifteenth-St-Cincinnati-City-Downtown-Area-OH-45202.aspx?SearchID=9761229&RowNum=15&StateID=41&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

 

Does anyone know anything about these? Appears they're planning 4 which would mean the two different sets of plans they have on this listing (which is odd) could be for 212 and 210 and it appears they're aiming at tearing down that building occupying 218 and 220 W 15th. Four new townhomes right there would be great infill. And the one front rendering looks decent as far as faux historic goes. The cornice looks correct which is almost always wrong.

 

Project includes demolishing the non-contributing Cincy Glass building, 5 townhomes on the N side and 4 on the south side of 15th Street on the vacant parking lots. Plans and renderings are not full on site specific yet, designs could be mixed and matched. We worked to include a useable lower level space that could be a second apartment, home office, MIL suite, or bonus space while the main living floor is at (mostly) one level and open.

 

Towne Properties is also looking at doing townhomes on the old Home for Blind site fronting Elm.

Wow, nice. 9 townhomes. I liked the inclusion of the lower level space that could be used as a home office or a rentable space.

 

Do you have any other info on the Towne Properties townhomes? That site warrants three or four story buildings above ground. Hopefully they're planning something large.