October 15, 200816 yr ^And a lot more fun, I'll bet! Here's one way that a Smart car can help you in an accident -- they are so light and small that they "bounce" off of things. I don't know how many folks here have been to demolition derbies a lot, but if you compare the full size derby to the compact derby, you will see an interesting phenomenon. While the gigantic '70s sedans in the full size derby bash into each other and stop with a thud, the little cars just bounce off each other because they are so light (unless they are somehow trapped). Another way of looking at it is by watching auto racing. When there is a crash with multiple flips or rolls, people often assume that it the worst possible type of crash. Yet, drivers walk away unscathed much of the time -- the more rolls, the less likely the driver is to be seriously hurt. On the other hand, crashes that don't look bad to outsiders are the ones that kill people, such as Dale Earnhardt's crash. A dead stop is the worst type of crash. Basically, the Smart car might get knocked into another stationary car by an SUV then later into a telephone pole, but since so much of the energy was dispersed over three impacts and two skids, the Smart car driver is less likely to be injured than one driving another SUV that took all the force at once.
October 15, 200816 yr My early 1990's Saturn that was under $12,000 new got 40 mpg, and it was a 4/5 passenger car. Why do we think 41 mpg is so great for just two passengers? Smart=stupid in most US cities. We just don't have the same environmental space restrictions that take advantage of it's diminutive size. Our average commute patterns just don't seem to mesh with what the smart has to offer. Is there a market? Probably so. I just can't imagine it being very large once the "gotta have one to show-off" types buy one. I wish them luck.
October 15, 200816 yr Personally I would take the new all electric BMW isetta over the petrol smart. If the USA would allow the canadian Diesel smart for sale here I would buy one in a heartbeat.
October 15, 200816 yr Although I love the idea of fuel efficient cars, these small cars are absolutely terrible in a crash test. You're extremely likely to die if you crash at 60mph. That's not cool :wink:
October 15, 200816 yr So is it just high school t-shirts right now or what? And how have they outgrown their space if they've just opened?
October 17, 200816 yr LA Fitness chain picks Oakley for fourth local club Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Lisa Biank Fasig LA Fitness signed a 15-year lease on an Oakley site once held by Home Depot, making for its fourth planned location in this market. The fitness center is expected to open in spring 2009, said William Horner, senior vice president/chief real estate officer of the Irvine, Calif.-based chain. It will occupy a 56,000-square-foot building that will include racquetball courts, exercise studios, a stationary cycle studio, a three-lane lap pool and a baby-sitting facility. This LA Fitness will follow clubs in Hamilton, Sycamore Township and Crescent Springs, the latter two of which are under construction. But it also enters into a swell of competition from Urban Active Fitness Clubs and other chains that are expanding across Greater Cincinnati. Such competition, Horner said, is not a concern. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/10/20/story10.html
October 17, 200816 yr For those that went to DAAP I'm sure you know of Lance's Art Supplies up on Calhoun Street. This has been a legendary business, but it appears that it has recently been bought/renamed. It is now called 'Plaza Artist Supplies'. The art supply store Downtown at 7th & Main also changed name to this same thing. I guess it is some sort of chain coming in to the market. Either way, the new sign/name seems kind of trashy. I miss Lance's already.
October 17, 200816 yr For those that went to DAAP I'm sure you know of Lance's Art Supplies up on Calhoun Street. This has been a legendary business, but it appears that it has recently been bought/renamed. It is now called 'Plaza Artist Supplies'. The art supply store Downtown at 7th & Main also changed name to this same thing. I guess it is some sort of chain coming in to the market. Either way, the new sign/name seems kind of trashy. I miss Lance's already. Plaza bought Lance's late last year. I guess they decided to change the actual name of the place. There are two other locations in Cincinnati, including that art store by Antonelli College. EDIT: I guess they changed that other location's name too.
October 17, 200816 yr lol ... Blue Line, you crack me up ... always repeating what someone else just said. Don't take offense to this, I think it's funny when reading in a "conversation type" format.
October 21, 200816 yr ^Umm, yeah. Simply, it's what happens when someone is at work, trying to reply to a message, and actually having a job to do...then sending it when time allows for it.
October 21, 200816 yr Staples commits to Harrison Staples, the office supply chain, has signed a lease to anchor the developing New Havens Commons, becoming the first retailer to commit to the Harrison retail project. The 14,600-square-foot store is expected to open in early 2009, said Lisa Specht, a spokeswoman for Midland Atlantic Development, which owns the project. Midland is seeking smaller tenants to fill the remaining space at the 20,000-square-foot project. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/10/20/daily17.html
October 21, 200816 yr Staples Commits To Unnecessary Sprawl. Well, atleast harrison appears to have taken some sort of control over how their new buildings are being built, as almost all these buildings in this area are made of brick and stone with low signage. But ew, this development shouldnt be happening imo.
October 21, 200816 yr The building is placed at a weird orientation, and while I will agree somewhat that they are keeping to the same building materials,....... The back side of this is just painted cinder block. With it sitting in the middle of the development, I don't think it will look good from any angle. Home Dopot, Tractor Supply, or Bigg's front door. (Don't hold me to it because, this was three weeks ago, and I was leaving BW3's :drunk:) It's going in the center dirt plot surrounded by the Sea O Parking!! http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Harrison+Ohio&ie=UTF8&ll=39.260528,-84.793226&spn=0.002044,0.00383&t=h&z=18
November 7, 200816 yr Container Store's opening organized The Container Store, the storage and organization products chain, is stocked and prepared to open Nov. 8 at Kenwood Towne Place, the newly developed center that also will be anchored by Crate & Barrel, Kroger Fresh Fare and others. To promote the opening, the Container Store has pledged to donate 10 percent of sales over the weekend to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. It also will be giving away prizes. Meanwhile, the store is still looking for a "handful" of candidates to fill part-time shifts, said spokeswoman Audrey Robertson. The store has set out to hire 70 people all together. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/11/03/daily60.html
November 10, 200816 yr Crate & Barrel to open Kenwood store Nov. 20 Crate & Barrel, the contemporary home furnishings chain, will open its Kenwood Towne Place store Nov. 20. The two-story location will be the region’s first for the Chicago-based chain, and will anchor the developing Kenwood Towne Place at Interstate 71 and Galbraith Road in Sycamore Township. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/11/10/daily16.html
November 14, 200816 yr http://fanattik.com/fanattik/default.asp Sprung from the graphic design loins of the HyperQuake folks...seems totally geared to high schools, so far... looks like this venture has re-located to Court Street, and the 4th street space has a "For Lease" sign back in the window.
November 20, 200816 yr Apricot Lane to open in Rookwood Apricot Lane Boutique, a women’s fashion chain that carries such popular brands as Habitual jeans and Melie Bianco purses, is opening its first Ohio location this weekend at Rookwood Commons. The store, a Vacaville, Calif.-based chain that expands through franchise agreements, will be operated by Ken Sutton and Quentin Nichols, two locals with manufacturing – not retail – experience, but who saw the store as a good investment. “We just migrated to this,” Sutton said. “Initially we looked at opening a party supply store. Next thing you know we’re opening a women’s boutique.” The store, to open Nov. 23 near Bed, Bath & Beyond, will carry women’s and men’s apparel and accessories with such labels as Laguna Beach Jeans, Rock Revival, Sinful and Affliction. Sutton said one of the appeals of Apricot Lane is that while it is a franchise location, he and his partner have freedom to select which brands and products to carry. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/11/17/daily34.html
November 30, 200816 yr Nordstrom Rack could be on way Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Lisa Biank Fasig Department store chain Nordstrom Inc. is said to be eyeing Norwood for its first area Rack store, a chain that serves as a lower-priced outlet for the upscale retailer. The store would occupy the former Sofa Express space in Rookwood Pavilion, vacated in late 2007, according to sources familiar with the deal. The negotiations take place as Nordstrom nears completion of its first area department store in Kenwood Towne Centre, to open in September 2009. If a contract is signed, Rack should open about the same time, if not sooner. Mark Fallon, vice president of leasing at Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, which handles leasing for the Pavilion, declined comment. A source at Seattle-based Nordstrom could not be reached. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/12/01/story4.html
December 4, 200816 yr Springdale Wal-Mart to close By John Eckberg • [email protected] • December 4, 2008 http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081204/BIZ01/812050309 Wal-Mart on Wednesday announced that it will be closing its store at 600 Kemper Commons Circle. The store will remain open through Jan. 31, and all associates will be offered positions at nearby Wal-Mart stores. The company also said that clients with prescriptions at the store will be transferred to the Wal-Mart at 1143 Smiley Ave., Forest Park. The store's vision center will also remain open until Jan. 31 and after glasses or contact lenses can be picked up at the Smiley Avenue store.
December 5, 200816 yr Ooooh. How many Wal-Marts have just closed over the years; ones that were not replaced? Not many, I bet. Cincinnatians dislike Wal-Mart more than average it seems.
December 5, 200816 yr I was just there a few weeks ago (actually at the new Guitar Center next door) and mentioned to my friend that it is one of the last few "old" Wal-Marts in the area, and since they are currently renovating the Super Center off the Cincinnati Mills exit, I predicted that this one would be closing soon. Two weeks later and they officially make this announcement.
December 5, 200816 yr YES!!! The only way this could be better news is if its location were in the city somewhere. H&M a go for Kenwood Swedish fashion chain H&M, known for eye-catching styles at discount prices, is reported to have confirmed plans to open at Kenwood Towne Centre, four years after first expressing interest in the mall. The store will move into the lower-level space occupied by Showcase Cinemas, in the food court. The Courier reported on Aug. 22 that the mall wanted to move the cinema to make room for retail and, in particular, H&M. At the time, Greg Bickford, Sycamore Township planning and zoning administrator, said the mall had wanted that space. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/12/01/daily58.html
December 5, 200816 yr Hopefully this one will have men's clothing (the Cbus one is women only). I would hope this would carry men's clothing. That would suck if it were only womens!
December 5, 200816 yr Hopefully this one will have men's clothing (the Cbus one is women only). I hope so too...that's how Atlanta was until this past year. They only had one location and it was women's clothes only. Very disappointing.
December 9, 200816 yr Gig Pig Music a new option for local musicians http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/gigpig1209.aspx Gig Pig Music opened on December 4 at 23 E Court Street, Downtown. The storefront grew from the home-based business of Bre, the former guitarist and vocalist for Crankbox, who had been selling music instruments on E-Bay and through trade magazines. In addition to being an authorized dealer of instruments, she also sells buyouts, niche and custom instruments. Because of this, the inventory changes out quite often – for example, a '65 Ludwig Black Diamond drum kit is prominently displayed. "We have stuff here that I don't think anyone else can get," Bre says. "But on the same products [as the larger chain music dealers], we're cheaper." Bre also sells Elixir and Martin strings, a big plus for the bar bands and other musicians in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. "If you're going to move Downtown or to Over-the-Rhine and live the lifestyle, why should you have to drive 25 miles to get the best quality strings?" she says. "Or to have custom work done? I can do crazy custom work." Although the store is geared toward the practicing musician, Bre says that Gig Pig Music is offering starter packages with a guitar, amp, and lessons for only $150. Gig Pig Music is operating under winter hours of noon to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, and they plan on staying open later during the spring and summer months. Saturday and Sunday hours are by appointment only.
December 9, 200816 yr ^Two things I'm happy about: (1) Bre from Crankbox got out of playing music with that band. They were absolutely awful. I'd never seen a vocalist use a headset mic instead of a mic stand before either. (2) A music store in Downtown is a *big* plus. Sometimes I do worry about the viability of business on Court St, but I do wish them the very best. Not sure about Saturday being lumped into "by appointment only" though. Some people just can't get downtown M-F before 6pm; people have jobs.
December 10, 200816 yr (2) A music store in Downtown is a *big* plus. Sometimes I do worry about the viability of business on Court St, but I do wish them the very best. Not sure about Saturday being lumped into "by appointment only" though. Some people just can't get downtown M-F before 6pm; people have jobs. Not musicians! Hahahaha (don't worry, I am one). Especially drummers!
January 3, 200916 yr Downtown Cincinnati retailers wrapping up better-than-expected holiday Scrooge gives city a break Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Lisa Biank Fasig For a year when downtown retailers expected dismal holiday sales, the stockings actually arrived half-full. They might not have seen the same-size receipts as in 2007, but many downtown merchants and restaurant operators say activity beat their revised outlooks. They credit an increase in downtown activities, smart marketing and new shops and restaurants. “What happened is many of the residents and many of the people in the city supported the local stores,” said Melissa Waters, a partner at the specialty shop Metronation on Vine Street. “We had several people from both Northern Kentucky and the suburbs who said they were specifically coming downtown to support the local business.” Metronation, which had expected at best a break-even season, saw a 26 percent increase in December sales over last year. Likewise, the contemporary gift shop Mica, also on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter posted a 43 percent increase in December sales over last year, said owners Mike and Carolyn Deininger. The completion of the new Fountain Square a year ago, along with a cluster of new merchants at the square and on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter, contributed, said David Ginsburg, president of Downtown Cincinnati Inc. He estimates 5,000 to 7,000 people flocked to Fountain Square on each of three Saturday nights to ice skate, dine and watch Santa rappel down Macy’s as part of its weekly “Downtown Dazzle.” Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/01/05/story4.html
January 6, 200916 yr Nordstrom Rack to open at Rookwood Pavilion Nordstrom Inc. said Tuesday it will open a Nordstrom Rack, its off-price outlet, at Rookwood Pavilion in fall. The Courier reported in November that Nordstrom was considering the vacated Sofa Express space at Rookwood Pavilion for the store. Several real estate experts said at the time that the Seattle-based retailer likes to open discount shops near its full-service locations. A Nordstrom department store is scheduled to open in fall at Kenwood Towne Centre, a few miles up Interstate 71 from Norwood-based Rookwood. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/01/05/daily21.html
January 10, 200916 yr Fox 19 just ran a story about Spiral Lights on Ludlow closing down. They've been in business 19 years. The owner didn't specifically say why the store was closing down, but I assume it was just bad economic times and lower sales. They interviewed the owner, who seemed really upset about having to put his 5 employees out of their jobs. He said that he will continue to sell some of the products online. Currently, everything in the store is 50% off. I just happened to go in there earlier today and they still have some pretty cool items left.
January 13, 200916 yr Man, Glenway Crossing is taking a beating with it's fourth major tenant in as many months! More bad news for Springdale and even the ALMIGHTY Kenwood area looks to be loosing in this deal. Cost Plus to shutter Cincinnati store Cost Plus Inc. will close 26 stores, including three in Greater Cincinnati, and lay off workers from stores, warehouses and its head office to save money. The Oakland, Calif. retailer (NASDAQ: CPWM) saw its holiday sales fall — for the nine weeks ended Jan. 3 they were $278.8 million, down from $291.8 million a year earlier — and hopes to save $21 million a year through these closings. But first, Cost Plus will take $2 million in severance costs in the fourth quarter, plus a $4 million impairment charge and $23 million in other charges related to the closed stores. The business expects to raise some $19 million by selling off inventory from those stores. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/01/12/daily31.html
January 13, 200916 yr Elder-Beerman in Hamilton closing Bon-Ton Stores Inc. will close its Elder-Beerman store in Hamilton by mid-March, the retailer said Tuesday. The downtown department store, on High Street, is one of Hamilton’s longtime retail venues. The closing of the 167,900-square-foot store will eliminate about 75 jobs, Bon-Ton said in a news release. “The company continually reviews the performance of its assets, and following a review of the Hamilton location, we made the decision to close the store,” said Bud Bergen, president and CEO of York, Pa.-based Bon-Ton. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/01/12/daily22.html
January 13, 200916 yr ^^Cost Plus is World Market, right. I liked that placed. It always had interesting items. Might had to stock up on wine and rugs from India.
January 13, 200916 yr Sad news about Hamilton :-( And in the article about Cost Plus, why does it say that they operate in 33 states including New Mexico. Why the mention of New Mexico???
January 13, 200916 yr Cost Plus to shutter Cincinnati store [ This sucks. I love to shop at Cost Plus. Is there any other store in the Market like it? Some might argue Pier One---but Pier One doesn't have the food/wines or the random knick-knack items that Cost Plus sells.
January 14, 200916 yr I guess we'll have mix a trip to Trader Joe's with a trip to Ikea (with a short stop off at Pier One).
January 14, 200916 yr And in the article about Cost Plus, why does it say that they operate in 33 states including New Mexico. Why the mention of New Mexico??? LOL! I was thinking the same thing!
January 14, 200916 yr I've never even heard of this place? I hadn't either until someone said it was the "World Market", and then I remember seeing them in multiple locations. Here in CA the news was reporting that a ton of the stores out here are also closing, so it's not just the Cincinnati/Ohio locations, nor does it mean these stores were necessarily under performing.
January 14, 200916 yr I'm a little upset about World Market. That place had some quality furniture, way above what you can get at Ikea, not to mention a decent wine selection.....oh well
January 14, 200916 yr Cost Plus to shutter Cincinnati store [ This sucks. I love to shop at Cost Plus. Is there any other store in the Market like it? Some might argue Pier One---but Pier One doesn't have the food/wines or the random knick-knack items that Cost Plus sells. I agree. I love World Market. It's my favorite chain store. Does anyone know of any other places locally that sell scone mix? People were laughing at me last night when I asked, but I'm being serious.
January 14, 200916 yr ^ I guess Jungle Jim's would, but going there has to be carefully planned out. Cost Plus was like a Jungle Jim's convenience store with furnishings and other odds and ends. The key word is convenient.
January 14, 200916 yr I've never even heard of this place? I hadn't either until someone said it was the "World Market", and then I remember seeing them in multiple locations. Here in CA the news was reporting that a ton of the stores out here are also closing, so it's not just the Cincinnati/Ohio locations, nor does it mean these stores were necessarily under performing. It's clear from the article that the only thing preventing them from going into chapter 11 (if only temporarily) is the additional equity infusion, which they will then deploy to restructure around the most profitable stores.
January 15, 200916 yr And in the article about Cost Plus, why does it say that they operate in 33 states including New Mexico. Why the mention of New Mexico??? LOL! I was thinking the same thing! I'm thinking the writer and editor didn't know New Mexico was part of America? Edit: crappy quoting system can die in a fire.
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