Big Star in Chicago is another great example of adaptive reuse of an old garage:

http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6RYo9iUnkXi1h4Dhcw-GnQ/o.jpg

 

Hopefully they will plant some trees, at least on the Central Parkway side.  With how wide CP is, and how exposed that site feels, I don't think it seems like a very inviting spot to hang out.  A restaurant or bar will be a bit of an island at this location, but Neons was too when it opened. 

Big Star in Chicago is another great example of adaptive reuse of an old garage:

http://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6RYo9iUnkXi1h4Dhcw-GnQ/o.jpg

 

 

Was there also a bar in Chicago called "Gold Star" circa 2003?  I know I went to some art student/hipster place with about 150 people in it that year that was called either Big Star or Gold Star. 

 

 

Big star came in around 2008 or 09, can't remember which but it was after I moved to Chicago, to my understanding, its one of the places that Bakersfield is modeled after.

 

Gold Star is on Division street and has been around forever, its an old Polish or Ukrainian bar that became hipster when the neighborhood changed but the owners are still eastern European.  I'v e been there at least once very dive-y in the hipster sense, kind of like Club Foot which closed down just a year ago... I'm kind of wondering how much longer that place will last.

Question when it comes to the more "newer buildings" in OTR (like the church on Elm street), what kind of process do buildings like those (that were built in the 20's-40's) have to go through to go become listed as historical protected assets?

 

Because from what I gather there are quite a few buildings in OTR that will be nearing a century in terms of age (in the next 10 years or so), but aren't considered part of OTR "stock"

 

 

I'm pretty sure every pre-war building in OTR is part of the collective 900ish buildings that make up the historic district. But someone can elaborate more on that. There might be exceptions. Regardless though, there's no such thing as being fully protected. Even National Historic Monuments can be torn down if the reason is compelling enough.

 

That being said, I don't think you need to worry. The HCB isn't much for approving the demolition of contributing buildings. It does happen here and there but it's almost always cases where a building has been entirely stripped of its original details and character and is deemed to no longer be contributing.

I know the brewery district is trying to have Mohawk Place become a National Historic District..which confuses me, since it's already in OTR (at least the boundries of OTR anyway)

 

So if it becomes accepted, and becomes a historic district, does that mean OTR will host a historic district, within a historic district? And does that mean all of the stock remaining in Mohawk place will be added to OTR talley?

 

That's where it gets confusing in all honesty...

Non-contributing buildings are listed in the district guidelines http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/historic-conservation/local-conservation-guidelines/over-the-rhine-historic-district/  Generally you have more flexibility to tear those down, but if you do major remodelings you have to adhere to the overall district guidelines for new construction, so you can't make a low horizontal building even more low and horizontal, etc. 

I know the brewery district is trying to have Mohawk Place become a National Historic District..which confuses me, since it's already in OTR (at least the boundries of OTR anyway)

 

So if it becomes accepted, and becomes a historic district, does that mean OTR will host a historic district, within a historic district? And does that mean all of the stock remaining in Mohawk place will be added to OTR talley?

 

That's where it gets confusing in all honesty...

 

Mohawk Place, with the exception of the Jackson Brewery/Metal Blast building, is not part of the OTR historic district.  See the first page of the PDF I linked above.

^This.

 

While Mohawk Place is in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, it is not in the Over-the-Rhine Historic District.

 

The same way (but opposite) that Pendleton is a separate neighborhood than Over-the-Rhine, but it is in the Over-the-Rhine Historic District.

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

Coney is a lot like monkey. The plural doesn't changed the end of the word. You just add an "s". For example:

 

"Three monkeys all ate cheese coneys."

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

.That would be nice, especially if it's a sit down concept. But literally it could be a literal dingy hole in the wall like gomez. Just have a carry out pick up window and sell it to go....cheapest route. And would still make money.

 

 

"Three monkeys all ate cheese coneys."

 

Probably the best sentence ever written in all of OU.

I noticed there is a sign on the building where Smittys used to be in across from Kroger on vine that says "financed by Cheviot Savings Bank". So should see some construction on that building also. I believe it will be rehabbed into condos.  Wonder who the developer is.

It's an individual. They've been doing demolition work and rough framing on the interior for about a month now. 13 condos.

Will 1st floor still be retail space?

I'd assume so. Not actually sure but I can't imagine why it wouldn't be.

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

 

I make a pretty decent lamb Cincinnati style chili. Unfortunately, I don't have rich parents to finance a restaurant, and I don't think the city will give me a grant.

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

 

I make a pretty decent lamb Cincinnati style chili. Unfortunately, I don't have rich parents to finance a restaurant, and I don't think the city will give me a grant.

 

This place didn't last in Milwaukee, but the concept would've made a killing in Over-the-Rhine:

http://milwaukeefood.com/blog/?p=901

 

A restaurant/bar featuring different types of chili from all over the world, including Cincinnati Chili? That just screams Over-the-Rhine.

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

 

I make a pretty decent lamb Cincinnati style chili. Unfortunately, I don't have rich parents to finance a restaurant, and I don't think the city will give me a grant.

 

I had a friend start a business in OTR. He really recommends going to the OTR Chamber of Commerce, they have alot of options on how to get your business launched (especially if your a minority, or a female, but even if your not they have other programs as well) without having to break the bank.

 

I think they also have grants as well. Just saying, if this was SERIOUSLY something you were interested in, then stopping by and at the very least talk with someone there and trying to see what you can do to launch your business is definitely worth it. Especially if it's located in OTR. There really interested on making things happen and getting you there.

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

 

I make a pretty decent lamb Cincinnati style chili. Unfortunately, I don't have rich parents to finance a restaurant, and I don't think the city will give me a grant.

 

Neither did Gomez yet he made it work successfully.

 

The prevalence of this type of comment coming from these boards lately is really off-putting.

^Lol, some people do get lucky and start out ahead of others.  Maybe some people had their parents finance their college, so they don't pay so much in student loans every month.  Or perhaps they received a brand new car from their parents, or maybe their parents helped finance an entreprenurial activity.  But in the end I am not going to lament over the fact that I paid for 95% of my college and am paying loans out every month and it is hard for me to save to buy a new car and definitely not even close to buying a house.  But you don't need to open up a restaurant in OTR to have a successful business or even a lot of money, what is business "buy and re-sell".  Maybe invite some friends over for your lamb chili, maybe grow the party, maybe then charge a fee, save up for  a food truck and permit, set up shop, keep it rolling.  All about perserverance.

People definitely are offered advantages in life, but it's the tone on these boards some people take that is a problem. It's increasingly common here and when people come in and make snide comments with a tone of superiority it achieves nothing other than showing they're bitter. It's how teenagers act, not professional adults who want to see an urban neighborhood succeed.

 

It also disregards the fact that being offered money doesn't mean you'll succeed. Even if your parents are investors in your endeavors (such as in Thunderdome's case) that doesn't lessen the amount of hard work and effort those guys put in to build an extremely successful network of restaurants.

Yes, no reason for bitterness.  We should all enjoy what is there for us to enjoy.  This is America, anyone can make anything happen if they have a great idea and bust their tail to make it happen, anything is possible.  You can work 100 hours a week if you wanted to, to save the money to start a business.  Sure, some people are fortunate that they have financial help, but that isn't their "fault" and it most definitely isn't their "fault" that took advantage of it.  I am sure if someone got financed through their parents for a large loan, that most likely they will still pay back with interest or possibly give their parents a share of the company profits. 

 

That is how business partnerships work.  Maybe one guy has a great idea like a chili parlor, but no dough to get it moving.  Convince some people to buy into it and share the business.  Then if you want to own it all your own, save up the money to buy them out.  It's not like these things are impossible to make happen or only people with rich father's have opened up a business in OTR...

Very random thiught, but the first person to capitalize on starting a chili place somewhere along main and vine in otr will be so damn wealthy.

 

Can't even begin to tell you how many times me and my friends wanted some conies after a long night of bar hopping but had to resort to driving all the way down to prc.

 

Put a carry out pick up window like at gomez salsa and stay open till 4am on the weekends and that person will be sitting on a gold mine.

 

Agreed 100% though I'd make it an artisinal chili parlor with a window open late.  Do to Chili what Senate did to hot dogs ;)

 

I make a pretty decent lamb Cincinnati style chili. Unfortunately, I don't have rich parents to finance a restaurant, and I don't think the city will give me a grant.

 

I had a friend start a business in OTR. He really recommends going to the OTR Chamber of Commerce, they have alot of options on how to get your business launched (especially if your a minority, or a female, but even if your not they have other programs as well) without having to break the bank.

 

I think they also have grants as well. Just saying, if this was SERIOUSLY something you were interested in, then stopping by and at the very least talk with someone there and trying to see what you can do to launch your business is definitely worth it. Especially if it's located in OTR. There really interested on making things happen and getting you there.

 

Surprised no one mentioned the route of crowdfunding like kickstarter.  However, do make sure you have a solid business plan if you go that route.

Don't forget the Kickstarter campaign for that sandwich shop in OTR a year or two ago (I think it was called "The Port OTR")...they collected a bunch of money then never launched.

^ The rotisserie place on Race St utilized crowd funding. Gomez has a pretty barebones operation, so I can't imagine it took much to get it up and running. That said, he's not short on connections to wealthy financiers. Restaurants are generally fairly expensive operations, and I would never begrudge anyone using the opportunities for capital that they have available. It's not all parent and family networks, either. Restauranteurs have to network like crazy to find funding. 

But that's the point. Almost never is a business a single person funding everything themselves. There's almost always an investor (parent or otherwise). Gomez made a name for himself around Cincinnati at bars like Longworth's in order to make those connections and build a reputation. Why anyone would then look down upon something like that shows a lack of an understanding of the business world.

But that's the point. Almost never is a business a single person funding everything themselves. There's almost always an investor (parent or otherwise). Gomez made a name for himself around Cincinnati at bars like Longworth's in order to make those connections and build a reputation. Why anyone would then look down upon something like that shows a lack of an understanding of the business world.

 

Is there anyone that looks down upon places like Gomez? I haven't ever heard anyone speak negatively about the place, aside from usual and applicable critiques of food, prices, wait times, etc. Cheap food windows and takeout places are exactly what a nightlife destination needs.

 

Similarly, Boba Cha is one of the first places I take visitors.  It’s a very bare bones operation, in a location that likely has cheap rent, and they serve a unique (to the neighborhood) product that is inexpensive and delicious. It's exactly the type of startup places that a neighborhood should strive to support if it wants to keep any semblance of an organic, home-grown feel.  The next step is to encourage food trucks and street carts in the area. The famous "street meat" carts in NYC are incredibly inexpensive to own and operate.

 

No, that was speaking more generally, not about Gomez. People making comments about anyone who had someone else finance their idea despite the fact that almost all new businesses are started that way. Comments about "mommy and daddy" or "rich connections" are thrown around like there's a problem with using the advantages given to you to better yourself and do something you love.

 

Speaking of Gomez though, I'd seriously love more food windows. I can't wait for the Argentinan place to open since it'll have a late night empanada window.

Agreed, I want more take out windows. It is perfect for night life scene and festivals like midpoint. Very excited for the empanadas.

I saw a small "stop work" document posted in the window of the Argentinean place on Walnut St. (Che) recently. I don't know what that means if anything though.

 

Someone I saw on the internet had a great idea to install one of those parking space parklet things in front of Gomez and Half Cut windows. I can't think of any other place in the city where it would be more useful. So many people on a narrow sidewalk there.

 

I like the walk up windows too because I can use them while walking my dog and save a trip.

 

That would be an excellent place for a parklet. Having some general seating for people to wait and eat after they get their tacos (and beer if the open container law gets implemented in OTR) would be a great use of space.

I am still puzzled by the disappearance of food trucks in OTR. A few years ago they used to be parked on Main for Final Friday, or in parking lots next to popular bars. Now I only see them at big festivals.

I think a lot of them have found followings in more areas and therefore they've spread out more than they used to. They all still exist but I've seen them in Hyde Park, Oakley, Blue Ash, etc. during peak times when I used to only see them in OTR/Downtown at those times.

I don't think there's such a thing in Cincinnati as a food truck with a following.  The big problem with the food trucks *is* their mobility.  The Burrito Buggy in Athens has been at the same street corner since the late 80s.  It's always there except for 2-3 days a year when it travels to the Athens County Fair or Public Square in Nelsonville.  At about 4am it was towed back to its house.  The route just happened to travel down one of the town's preeminent partying streets, and the site of the buggy at that late hour always elicited a round of cheers from those still drinking on their porches. 

 

 

I think you are right to a point, although some food trucks have established regular locations in suburban office parks. Tacos Locos has been in the same spot in Pleasant Ridge for awhile.

 

It would be great to have at least one established "food pod" zone like those dotting Portland.

 

I see some of the trucks at specific events, like City Flea. I don't notice them parked on Main Street as often. Part of that is that "NOM" is not happening any more (and I'm not sure how successful it really was), and I imagine part of it is that there are so many new dining options. Supposedly there are way more trucks than ever, but I can't think of any right now that excite me enough to track down.

I think you are right to a point, although some food trucks have established regular locations in suburban office parks. Tacos Locos has been in the same spot in Pleasant Ridge for awhile.

 

It would be great to have at least one established "food pod" zone like those dotting Portland.

 

I see some of the trucks at specific events, like City Flea. I don't notice them parked on Main Street as often. Part of that is that "NOM" is not happening any more (and I'm not sure how successful it really was), and I imagine part of it is that there are so many new dining options. Supposedly there are way more trucks than ever, but I can't think of any right now that excite me enough to track down.

 

NOM fell apart because the original owners (out of towners) jobs moved and they transferred it to life long locals who didn't understand how to do cool things - they actually were talking about hosting events out in West Chester before it died then said whoops we don't have time to do it (look at the last post on their facebook, they didn't even try - its symptomatic of a inbred complacency I see all to much of in Cincy).  It was too creative an idea for most life long Cincinnatians to be able to handle.  Harsh criticism, yes, but its the  truth is that the people who have no perspective in this region can't run cool things most of the time.

 

I'd love to see this change (and there are signs of it) but ugh...

Thats too bad. I went a couple times and I liked it. Made me think of night markets you see in asia on travel shows.

Doesn’t the city still have designated zones where food trucks can park? I didn’t think they were even allowed to park on Main Street. They are always around Washington Park during events because 14th Street at Washington Park was one of the designated zones.  All I can find now is an UrbanCincy article from a few years ago that lists a half dozen zones. As far as I’m concerned – so long as a truck has a permit and is feeding the parking meter, why strictly limit where they are allowed to operate? Though there are some cities, like Montreal, that forbid food trucks entirely. In NYC, trucks and food carts get permits for specific places and don’t move at all. I frequented them much more often when I lived in NYC because I always knew that at 4:00AM I could get $1 tacos a the same corner – it’s far easier to plan for.

 

In related OTR news, Alabama Fish now has a food truck. They offer the best cheap greasy food in OTR, by a long shot.

 

It was particularly awesome after MPMF when they had music (which did get noise complaints eventually) after the show.  I could get a snack before heading off to bed and hear a few more bands too - extended the effective time of the festival to 3am and they managed to convince not just local bands to provide music (though I would have been happy with just that :) ).

 

It really bugged me when I saw NOM post on facebook about being in the parking lot of Whole Foods in West Chester, I thought that was seriously off brand (NOM was fundamentally an urban concept meant to appeal to an urban crowd) particularly when I saw pics of conservative looking families there - I knew something bad had happened so I decided to investigate whey it changed.

 

It was little surprise to me when it died shortly thereafter - the leadership was just not there to keep it going.

Agreed, I want more take out windows. It is perfect for night life scene and festivals like midpoint. Very excited for the empanadas.

 

Indeed. If your main intentions is to go bar hopping, like my friends do, it's not really appropriate to go to Kaze or Bakersfield drunk like a skunk (and there usually closed anyways by the team were done drinking).

 

OTR definitely needs more simple hole in the walls, and carry out window places that just prioritizes on greasy junk food for the drunken crowd. Because the only thing truly available is either Cincy by the slice, or Gomez.

 

And you can only eat pizza and tacos after a long night of drinking for so long.

I agree, under the original leadership NOM was a well-executed concept. I had heard that the trucks weren't quite doing the business there that they had hoped. I love it when a good number of the trucks take over a lot in OTR, be it the 12th/Main lot for NOM, the Artworks lot for MidPoint, or that lot across from Washington Park for Lumenocity. Ideally, one of those lots could provide a permanent home for a group of trucks/carts or a rotating cast. It would be fantastic to count on something like that not only for late night snacking, but for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Being as close as possible to the CBD would help, but those lots are probably too lucrative.

Another random question.

 

If a private developer, loaded with money, who has a deep love for all things historical wanted to buy a vacant lot, and build a building that was almost an exact replica to a building in otr that was demolished.

 

Would the historic board approve that?

Agreed, I want more take out windows. It is perfect for night life scene and festivals like midpoint. Very excited for the empanadas.

 

Indeed. If your main intentions is to go bar hopping, like my friends do, it's not really appropriate to go to Kaze or Bakersfield drunk like a skunk (and there usually closed anyways by the team were done drinking).

 

OTR definitely needs more simple hole in the walls, and carry out window places that just prioritizes on greasy junk food for the drunken crowd. Because the only thing truly available is either Cincy by the slice, or Gomez.

 

And you can only eat pizza and tacos after a long night of drinking for so long.

 

OTR has plenty of good resturants, it actually was lacking in late night options (this is why NOM was created) though as I understand it its now a lot better than it was.

Sorry if this is completely random, but I am truly curious

 

We all know Jim Obergefell has been a resident of Over the Rhine for many years. Clearly, what he has done for gays across America is monumental. His name and face will forever be the poster face in text books for centuries to come.

 

Personally as far as I'm concerned, out of all the historical things that have taken place in OTR, Jim Obergefell and his residency is the biggest (not that having Physical education becoming mandated in all schools isn't cool either).

 

My question. Will his place of residency in OTR be classified as a historical landmark (similarly how the home of Martin Luther King would be a landmark?) And secondly, will there be a statue erected any time soon for his historical feat?

 

 

Another random question.

 

If a private developer, loaded with money, who has a deep love for all things historical wanted to buy a vacant lot, and build a building that was almost an exact replica to a building in otr that was demolished.

 

Would the historic board approve that?

 

They claim their goal isn't to approve imitation but they undoubtedly would approve that. And if done right it wouldn't be a bad building. A questionable one since at that point why not just buy an actual historic building and redo it? But if done right at the very least it wouldn't look like the cheaply made faux historic stuff we've gotten recently.

 

As for Jim, I really doubt he'd want a statue of himself. The guy is a bit more humble than that and would likely rather that money and effort go towards a better cause than a statue.

 

His house, I don't know. Maybe eventually. But it has been a long upstream battle getting significant buildings in the gay movement on the historic register. Hell, it was until just now that Stonewall was deemed historic. How many decades later? It might eventually happen with Jim's house, but I can't see it happening at the moment.

Not sure whether this is a 3CDC project or not, but it looks like there is some stabilization work happening on the buildings just north of the OTR Kroger.