January 25, 201114 yr Has there been any talk of starting a co-op grocery store at that location? There's some discussion of starting one in downtown Dayton. Clifton seems like a natural place for such a grocery.
January 25, 201114 yr Without a grocery store, Clifton is instantly surpassed by Northside in livability. I think you're wrong, though. I think a grocery will come back to the location (and be profitable, if run properly). The IGA in Northside turned into a Sav a Lot or something. Could be the future of Keller's. Seems like the state would benefit by urging Keller's to apply for bankruptcy. If the Clifton IGA becomes a sav-a-lot, that'd be a sad day for the Ludlow business district.
January 25, 201114 yr Can we get Mallory to do a press conference on the new food desert that has been formed in Clifton?
January 25, 201114 yr How about Chris Smitherman. Where is he at? Oh yeah...Clifton -- hold on I'm going to say it -- is a white neighborhood.
January 25, 201114 yr Well, someone had to say it (as true as it is). Meanwhile, the Walnut Hills Kroger will be closing this year after bleeding $1 million+ in losses for 2009-2010. Mallory was all over that, pressuring Kroger to keep it open to prevent a food "desert", but he has but been mum on this IGA.
January 25, 201114 yr Residents of Clifton are more mobile than residents of Walnut Hills. That said, this is awful for the city. Clifton was the only "complete" neighborhood.
January 25, 201114 yr How are they more mobile? There is a significant portion of Clifton's population that contains college and graduate students that do not drive. As Jake indicated, those residents now need to take the bus and transfer to another line just to reach any grocery store. Did they receive free tokens so they can ferry themselves to a store like the residents pleaded for (and received) when Kroger closed down an under-performing and money-losing store in Roselawn?
January 25, 201114 yr How about Chris Smitherman. Where is he at? Oh yeah...Clifton -- hold on I'm going to say it -- is a white neighborhood. Well, it's not Republican, either. New site. Pretty much empty. Dedicated to Clifton Food Options. http://www.cliftonfoodsolutions.org/
January 25, 201114 yr Clifton was the only "complete" neighborhood. ^ this. It's why I've continued to live there.
February 2, 201114 yr Rumor has it the Kroger at University Plaza on Taft & Vine is closing in March (for renovation). Coupled with IGA's closing, that will make exactly zero grocery stores in uptown. Trader Joe's or Whole Foods or somebody should pounce on that IGA as quickly as they can.
February 3, 201114 yr If Trader Joes or Whole Foods were to consider the IGA site, I'd have to imagine they'd be looking at some substantial renovations to the current IGA site. Taking these renovations into account, I'd have to imagine Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be closed for renovations for at least a small chunk of the time the Corryville Kroger is being rebuilt.
February 3, 201114 yr The IGA site is just too small. Wild Oats would have been ideal, as their typical store size was 25,000-30,000 SF, while Whole Foods requires about 50,000-80,000 SF. A shame that Wild Oats merged into Whole Foods (I had a preference for the former). Trader Joe's opens stores in spaces that are about 10,000-15,000 SF, but requires sales of about $1,000 per SF - double that of typical supermarkets, and probably much more of the lower-rent IGA that was once there.
February 3, 201114 yr Trader Joe's is loved by urbanists (including this one) but is quite suburban in locating its stores.
February 16, 201114 yr News on Keller's: Kellers IGA to meet with Kasich's office Kellers IGA will take its petition with more than 1,000 signatures and its resolution from the Cincinnati City Council to Governor John Kasich's office on Thursday. The long-time Clifton grocery store's co-owner John Vierling will present an official plea as to why the store should be re-opened. "We are just hoping that he allows us to get into a plan where we can pay our taxes. It seems to be much easier to do that if we're open." cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
April 19, 201114 yr <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110415/BIZ01/104160327/Keller-s-IGA-to-reopen-?source=nletter-nletter-breakingnews">Keller's IGA to Reopen Under New Owner</a> "Grocery offerings will be updated to include prepared foods, an extensive wine and beer selection and an international foods section. He plans to seek community feedback on the store's name." :clap: :clap: :clap:
April 19, 201114 yr The old Golden Lions Lounge space is up for sale now after they closed several months ago...
April 19, 201114 yr also, can we rename this thread something like "Ludlow Ave. Business District Developments" or something? The "renovation" has been completed and the discussion on here is more about the businesses operating there now.
April 19, 201114 yr Happy? :) "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 19, 201114 yr The old Golden Lions Lounge space is up for sale now after they closed several months ago... I really hope whoever goes in there puts in windows- that place is an eyesore.
April 19, 201114 yr I heard that the Golden Lion went windowless after some anti-gay violence (unsure of the date).
April 19, 201114 yr I heard that the Golden Lion went windowless after some anti-gay violence (unsure of the date). this is true. I believe they had problems with Molotov cocktails/small bombs way back in the late 60s/early 70s?
April 19, 201114 yr With the new thread name, I am just waiting for someone to post something related to a project in CUF, the Heights, or Corryville. :shoot:
April 20, 201114 yr Also, Servatii Pastry Shop did not renew their lease, so the space is also empty. It was being gutted today. Still no updates on the storefront next to the Proud Rooster. I believe it's owned/leased by the Ambar family, but it's not being used for anything. Can't wait to see them working on the IGA! Exciting news indeed!
April 20, 201114 yr With the new thread name, I am just waiting for someone to post something related to a project in CUF, the Heights, or Corryville. :shoot: Haha- as a proud "real" Clifton resident, I find myself constantly explaining to lifelong Cincinnatias (mainly eastsiders) that UC isn't in Clifton- that corryville isn't Clifton and that CUF is it's own neighborhood- seperate from Clifton. Does anyone know for a fact that Trader Joes looked at the IGA? I've heard it a few times- but i can't tell if it's just a rumor or not. If they really did thats a big deal- just for them to come look at it means they're considering a second, more urban location in the city.
April 20, 201114 yr <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110415/BIZ01/104160327/Keller-s-IGA-to-reopen-?source=nletter-nletter-breakingnews">Keller's IGA to Reopen Under New Owner</a> "Grocery offerings will be updated to include prepared foods, an extensive wine and beer selection and an international foods section. He plans to seek community feedback on the store's name." :clap: :clap: :clap: And the new owner did this without being hassled by the state government, Mayor Mark Mallory and by operating within market boundaries. Kudos!
April 23, 201114 yr <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110415/BIZ01/104160327/Keller-s-IGA-to-reopen-?source=nletter-nletter-breakingnews">Keller's IGA to Reopen Under New Owner</a> "Grocery offerings will be updated to include prepared foods, an extensive wine and beer selection and an international foods section. He plans to seek community feedback on the store's name." :clap: :clap: :clap: And the new owner did this without being hassled by the state government, Mayor Mark Mallory and by operating within market boundaries. Kudos! I get the impression that you don't really understand this story.
April 26, 201114 yr No, I just found it ironic that our Mayor never made a comment when Keller's IGA closed. You know, like when the Roselawn Kroger closed and he made the comment of a "food desert." Because business decisions are business decisions, and every business is based upon the premise of profitability, not about the warfare of its local residents. The first bit of my comment was more sarcastic, but it was absurd that people were petitioning Governor Kasich to have Keller's IGA reopened. Did you watch the hilarious Youtube videos and comments made about this? Let's start online petitions to the state government and write letters to have Keller's back taxes waived or postponed so that we can walk to our grocery!
April 26, 201114 yr ...and every business is based upon the premise of profitability, not about the warfare of its local residents. Wow, the locals must have been really PO'd about this store closing! :-D
April 26, 201114 yr Does anyone know for a fact that Trader Joes looked at the IGA? I've heard it a few times- but i can't tell if it's just a rumor or not. If they really did thats a big deal- just for them to come look at it means they're considering a second, more urban location in the city. I haven't heard anything, but I'd love to see them open another (hopefully more urban) location. I refuse to go there currently because Kenwood is too far away and traffic near their store is a pain. There's an old Thriftway location in downtown Newport that I've always hoped they'd look at. It's close to tons of residential housing, so they'd have people walking to the store, there is a large parking lot to accomodate drivers, and it's very close to downtown Cincy. I just think it's a little bigger than what they'd want. Oh well.
April 26, 201114 yr Does anyone know for a fact that Trader Joes looked at the IGA? I've heard it a few times- but i can't tell if it's just a rumor or not. If they really did thats a big deal- just for them to come look at it means they're considering a second, more urban location in the city. I haven't heard anything, but I'd love to see them open another (hopefully more urban) location. I refuse to go there currently because Kenwood is too far away and traffic near their store is a pain. There's an old Thriftway location in downtown Newport that I've always hoped they'd look at. It's close to tons of residential housing, so they'd have people walking to the store, there is a large parking lot to accomodate drivers, and it's very close to downtown Cincy. I just think it's a little bigger than what they'd want. Oh well. They wouldn't do that location, too far from highway access, and too difficult to navigate Newport's 1-way streets.
June 29, 201113 yr I've heard that the owners of Ludlow Wines are moving a few doors down to expand their store, add a rear deck, and have the code capacity for taps. I'm not sure which building, but it's likely where that speculated Ambar-leased space was. I heard their plans fell through.
September 3, 201113 yr Any news on the Clifton IGA? Original estimates were to open in September. It's September.
September 5, 201113 yr End of the year is the estimate now. There were obstacles with the environmental.
September 7, 201113 yr Looking at 2012 for the Clifton IGA now. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110906/BIZ01/309060082
September 8, 201113 yr Developing Now Keller’s IGA to reopen as Goessling’s Markets 12:51 pm, Sep 7, 2011 | Written by lbaverman Karen Imbus has spent eight months longing for what was once a daily routine. She’d stop at Keller’s IGA after work, spending 10 minutes to grab items for dinner and 20 to catch up with the store’s workers, her Clifton neighbors and friends. In January, her routine came to halt when the store’s owners racked up $220,000 in unpaid tax bills and were forced to close the family-operated grocery store. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2011/09/07/kellers-iga-to-reopen-as-goesslings-markets/
September 8, 201113 yr I'm intrigued by the part of the article where they mention the addition of a "gaslight cafe" on the street. While the store already interacts pretty well with Ludlow, I think adding a cafe or something with street presence would be really great for the neighborhood, which seems like it could use a boost these days.
September 21, 201113 yr Goessling's will have a "ground breaking" on 9/24 as part of Clifton's Streetscapes thingamajig release: Meet the Team! Goessling's Markets Clifton You are Invited! To the Ground Breaking Celebration at 1PM Cookout 11AM-2PM During Clifton's StreetScapes Saturday September 24 319 Ludlow Avenue A Taste of Good Things Coming!
October 10, 201113 yr not sure if this is the right place to post this, but does anyone know anything about the Interstate Motel site at MLK/Central Parkway by the Hopple Street I-75 exit? The motel, actually located at 3035 W McMicken Ave, ceased operations over the summer and appears that it's being prepped for demolition. All the doors to the rooms have been removed. It's a pretty small piece of land and kind of awkwardly set on a hill. The Hamilton County Auditor website shows the property being owned by the state of OH now...
October 10, 201113 yr Part of the Interstate 75-Mill Creek Expwy. project that involves a reworked MLK descent, Central Pkwy. access and reconstructed I-75 interchange.
October 10, 201113 yr The last plans I saw showed that the White Castle is staying; there will be a ramp from Central Parkway up to Hopple that wraps around it. Edit: Here's the plan: http://www.i75millcreekexpressway.com/images/pdfs/Public%20Hearing/Public%20maps/South%20Board.pdf
December 12, 201113 yr The old Golden Lions Lounge space is up for sale now after they closed several months ago... I really hope whoever goes in there puts in windows- that place is an eyesore. Long time lurker, first time poster. There has been some work being done on this site recently and I was wondering if anyone knew what was going on?
December 12, 201113 yr Anyone know when the grocery store in the old Kellers space is opening? That's been closed almost a year now!
December 13, 201113 yr It appears that the facade of the old Golden Lions Lounge has been newly painted. I'd guess there's a new owner? Anyone know who the old owner was?
December 20, 201113 yr Late January was the last estimate I heard. I'll be surprised if that's the case. They have not even TOUCHED the outside yet and there's a ton of work to be done. The inside has been bare for quiet some time, but there does not seem to be much progress although there are crews there pretty often.
December 20, 201113 yr To be fair, the J Gumbos space down the street was in pieces up until about two weeks before opening. Sometimes it takes time for all the pieces to be ordered before installation.
December 21, 201113 yr ^ true, but I agree that this place will probably open later than planned. I'm just hoping they don't site some major flaw and cancel the project. I miss my grocery store!!!
December 21, 201113 yr Oh, believe me, Clifton Town Meeting wouldn't allow a gap in the grocery store need to go unfilled. The whole reason why we're seeing a replacement, following the closure of Keller's, is the steadfast efforts of Clifton residents and council board members.
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