^If all the Kenwooders migrated to the DT shopping then it wouldn't be relaxed anymore!  That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing though...

Went down to the Square today (a Sunday).  First, stopped in at Fountain Square News and perused their excellent selection of design magazines (then bought one).  Walked by the rink, packed with skaters.  Caught a few plays of the Bengals blowout on the screen.  Went to Macy's, bought gifts for three people (and a little something for myself). Went to the CAC gift shop, bought gifts for two more people.  Walked home.  There were lots of families around and lots of people in general.  The shopping was relaxed and the selections at all three stores were good.  Overall, an excellent downtown experience and one that many a frazzled shopper circling for a parking space at Kenwood probably doesn't even realize exists.

 

Sumbit this as a letter to the editor on the Enquirer's site.  Positive press for our uban core never hurts, although the Enquirer has yet to publish the last letter I wrote...

 

BTW, the holiday hours are Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

 

Apparently, this isn't the case any more.  My husband and I stopped there around 5:40 for dinner last night.  After we sat down with our food, we noticed that they started closing the place up.  When it was 6, a few families came in for food, but they were turned away.  It was extremely frustrating to watch. 

 

Fountain Square was packed with people last night, which was great to see.  I realize that there are many great businesses downtown, but it is unfortunate that some of them are not addressing the needs of the people visiting and in some cases, living, downtown.  3CDC and DCI must be doing something right in order to bring down the crowds for this holiday season.  Unforunately, when a restaurant right across the street from FS closes at a ridicously early hour, it leaves a bad impression.  If these families who were turned away from Ingredients last night choose to ever come downtown again, I'll bet they will eat before they arrive.  This is not the first time that I've seen customers turned away from a nearby restaurant after a Fountain Square event, either.  It's just frustrating.  As a resident, I know where the places are that have night time hours, but most visitors do not. 

I agree. I was told this by an employee of Ingredients about a week before the extended hours of TowerPlace started ... maybe they never extended the hours to begin with (my bad)  :|.

The square was slammed today.  There was an hour wait at times to go skating and long lines for the horse carriage rides and the trolley service.  If people think many don't want public transportation, they are crazy.  I think some people can't get past the bus stigma but people love trolleys & light rail.

Went down to take the little one to see the trains at CGE a few days ago then go to fountain sqaure. No place to park 4-6 no parking on the main streets.  Gave up and risked parking 5:45 got there and they were shutting the doors. Many families were headed in to see the trains but were turned away.  bah humbug!  :-D Also an advertisement with kenny G  on the video screen(slideshow advertising). I am not too impressed.

Currently they are running a music channel on the LED board as they finish the testing and closeout. If you'll notice there are Bose speakers surrounding the square. When you see an artist on the board it's because that song is playing (it is not advertising). Not ideal, but better than nothing until they get everything working properly. At times there's other content on there, but during the testing it's music. For example they were playing "Elf" this evening, and at other times they project the skaters on the rink up on the board. They also show all Bengals games. I've seen this a couple times. Give it time, and don't be too quick to not be impressed.

Maximillian, I find it very hard to believe there was absolutely no parking available downtown.  I go down to the square fairly often during both the day and the night and I can always find a spot relatively easilly.

Maximillian, I find it very hard to believe there was absolutely no parking available downtown.  I go down to the square fairly often during both the day and the night and I can always find a spot relatively easilly.

 

 

I should have mentioned that I was a looking for FREE on-street parking and was in a rush. I don't park downtown unless it's free. I am a cheapass. :lol: I lived on fourth street for 2 years and know where all the nook and cranny spots are and they happened to be full. But hey I guess that's a good thing I couldn't find free parking.  Downtown is attracting more people after work hours.

was downtown last night at a christmas party. we left at around 11:30 and drove past the square and surrounding streets. it was amazing to see how many people were out at that time on the street at that hour. Not times square by any means but still there were large groups of people hanging out, taking carriage rides, and just walking around the city. Not sure if it is the new fountain or just that it was a warm night.

$3 to park in a downtown is a steal.  Just park underneath Fountain Square.  You can also park at the Westin hotel for $1 for 2 hours or $1 all day at Gramercy Apartments.

 

In Pittsburgh, a city of similar size to Cincinnati, good luck finding parking for under $10 a day in their CBD.

$3 to park in a downtown is a steal.  Just park underneath Fountain Square.  You can also park at the Westin hotel for $1 for 2 hours or $1 all day at Gramercy Apartments.

 

I agree 100%

$3 to park in a downtown is a steal.  Just park underneath Fountain Square.  You can also park at the Westin hotel for $1 for 2 hours or $1 all day at Gramercy Apartments.

 

In Pittsburgh, a city of similar size to Cincinnati, good luck finding parking for under $10 a day in their CBD.

I always thought the Westin rates were the same as Grammery. $1 for the first 2 hours but then after 5 and weekends $1 for the full day.

Did they recently change the Westin's rates?

they may have changed it but its still cheap as hell. I love the Westin Parking lot! We use it whenever we go to Mejana

Brutus, I have never parked under the Westin.  I am just repeating what the sign read which might only apply during the weekday.

i think the number of people around town has been impressive as well.  keeping in mind that there are most likely a higher concentration of concert/theatre/performance events right now but what is neat is that everyone seems to make it a point to swing by the square.  the ice skating is definately the attraction at this point but its easy to see how a year round "attraction" will keep the square populated all the time.  i think the restaurant concentration will do a lot to help that when more of them come online.

 

also, i have anytime i am downtown (other than work) i park in the lot under Macy's and it is likewise very cheap.

$3 to park in a downtown is a steal.  Just park underneath Fountain Square.  You can also park at the Westin hotel for $1 for 2 hours or $1 all day at Gramercy Apartments.

 

In Pittsburgh, a city of similar size to Cincinnati, good luck finding parking for under $10 a day in their CBD.

I always thought the Westin rates were the same as Grammery. $1 for the first 2 hours but then after 5 and weekends $1 for the full day.

Did they recently change the Westin's rates?

 

I'm pretty sure that the Westin rates do match the Grammercy.  It's $1 for 2  hours during weekdays, but $1 for evenings and weekends.

The Square was slammed again today.  I will just ditto montecarloss's comments from yesterday.

 

I decided to walk down to Fountain Square yesterday at about 4:45 PM to see everyone out and about shopping, taking carriage rides, and ice skating.  I was very please with the number of people downtown on a Sunday evening.  I then went to Carew Tower to do some Christmas shopping and was disappointed to find most of the stores close at 5PM on Sunday evening. The ONLY store I could find open was Macy's that had extended its Sunday hours to 7PM for the holiday season.  There were tons of families pushing kids in strollers "window shopping" because nothing was open.  I bet if there were places open the families would have shopped for another hour then found a place to eat and made an evening of downtown.  Instead they were forced to drive back to the suburbs where things don't close at 5PM.  It seems when we take two steps forward sometimes in making progress in the downtown area, something like this gives people things to gripe about.  EVERYONE has to be onboard to see a change in the city. 

^ I agree.  With the increase in foot traffic, I have seen little change in store hours outside of Macy's holiday hours.  Many stores are still closed on weekends.  Hopefully when the square is done we will see this start to change for the better.

^ Do you guys think anything can be done about this?  It's very frustrating.  I've considered sending emails to DCI.  Do you think this would do any good? 

I would suggest calling/contacting the businesses.  It is ultimately up to them whether or not they stay open later.  Should they keep receiving comments about customers wanting them to stay open later...then most likely they will address that concern...you must be vocal, working for Panera now for almost 4 years I know that they are VERY hesitant to change a store's hours around...it takes persistance and demand.  I personally think the demand has gotten their downtown for places like Skyline to stay open until 8 or 9...I just don't think the residents are being vocal enough to get these places where they need to be.

A quick note about Ingredients, it's mainly a lunch place. Like it our not, right now they are not really dinner providers. The good news is, places like Friday's are coming. It takes time. There has to be demand, then a response, then more demand and so on. Once the 5/3rd building is done and they Square's all the way complete with it's own restaurant there will be more than enough to do after hours.

^yes but will there be more than enough to do after hours that is affordable for the average joe.  Many of these restaurants that are opening around the square are pricey (and rightfully so).  I don't understand why we can't get places like Skyline, LaRosa's, etc to stay open/locate downtown?  I find it unacceptable for Skyline to close down at 4pm everyday!!!!  They have very little overhead and would have little to lose is they risked staying open later a few select days of the week.

whats unacceptble about it?  if they knew they were going to make money obviously they would be open past 4.  do they close at the same time during reds or bengals games?  i dont see skyling moving from where they are, yet they are really too far down 4th to be impacted by the fountain square efforts. 

 

i think a larosas on the square is an interesting idea.  do i remember correctly that graeters will be opening a store on the square.  that is an absolute must.  local guys are important to give the square a "cincy" feel but its up to those companies not the city.  ill say it again...how awesome would it be to have a montgomery in on the square.  i think the banquet center should make a deal with macy's and take over the entire 3rd floor.  that would do a lot to get large groups of people down there.  unfortunately a lot of the appeal im sure for people using the banquet center where it is would be because it essentially has a sub-urban setting with its parking situation.

whats unacceptble about it?  if they knew they were going to make money obviously they would be open past 4.

 

Its not quite that simple....restaurants often times stick with what has worked for them in the past.  They do not look at the way things are changing like you and I...but rather they keep with what they are familiar with.  If Skyline is making money by only staying open until 4...then their philosophy is probably to not risk it....the old don't fix whats not broken idea.

I walked my dog  downtown around 6 on sunday and it was a ghost-town. I passed 2 people "Both bums" who asked for change.  Walked down 6th st and shanghai mamas was closed, so was that mexican place. Then walked past the CAC it was closed, crossed the street to  take the tunnel shortcut to the square.  It was closed! saw a family trying to go the same way. THEN walked past the arbys and the family was harrased by some more bums. got to the square the SAME DANG KENNY G picture on the video screen!! The ice skating rink was closed.  Walked vine to 4th st down 4th then walked across the purple people eater bridge passed 5 people all were at the newport side. My dog and I got bored and walked home...sigh. 

yeah i guess that may be true.  i still dont think its their location that keeps them in the dark after four.  they are obviously set up for the huge lunch crowds they get everyday and probably just dont care.  i definately wish otherwise for them.  maybe they could open a smaller location on the square.  i definately think they would see more business if they were more centralized.  i know there have been many times when ive decided not to go there because the walk was a little longer than i wanted to make that day...but im just lazy.

A couple points to consider:

 

Sunday evening at 6:00 is probably not busy in any mid-sized city acrossed the country, heck probably not even Chicago. Come downtown on Friday or Saturday at 6:00 and the place is rockin.

 

Why would a business stay open like Shanghi on a Sunday evening downtown? It doesn't make business sense. Everything is driven by economics. If it made sense for them to stay open then they'd do it. If Cincinnati had a stronger residential base (which it is improving significantly) then maybe there would be the business and traffic to support later hours.

 

The tunnel under 5/3rd is closed for re-construction. It has nothing to do with a Sunday evening and will be closed for months. This is progress and a positive thing, not a negative one.

 

Kenny G was on the board because that's the song that was playing. Sorry about your luck when you walk by the square and it's always Kenny G. Last time I was down there it was Mariah Carey - much nicer image in my opinion.

 

The rink hours are until 6:00 on Sunday. Part of me wishes this were later as it is a pretty big draw right now. I also think it would be cool to do a midnight skate on weekends like what Perfect North does with thier skiers. At least keep the rink open until mid-night. Just my opinion.

 

 

thanks for the insight martin.  i did notice the other day that they have begun erecting what i am assuming to be the ground level cannopy and base for the new cladding on the northeaster corner of the plaza.  i think the effect of the new cladding with have such a dramatic effect on the feel of the square...something to really look forward too.

whats unacceptble about it?  if they knew they were going to make money obviously they would be open past 4.  do they close at the same time during reds or bengals games?  i dont see skyling moving from where they are, yet they are really too far down 4th to be impacted by the fountain square efforts. 

 

There is a Skyline on 7th and Vine as well.  They are located only a block from Fountain Square, so they can easily be impacted.  They are open until 8 PM Monday through Friday, and they are open until 4 PM on Saturdays.  If there is a home Bengals game, they will open on  Sunday.   

 

I attended the Fountain Square tree lighting back in November with some friends, and afterwards we went to the Skyline at 7th and Vine.  We arrived around 7:15 or so.  It took nearly twenty minutes to get waited on, and the place was packed.  We nearly left, but a few of us were craving Skyline so badly.  It turns out that they only had one waitress scheduled to work.  An off-duty waitress happened to walk by and noticed that they were slammed, so she had walked in to work.  Skyline still closed at 8 PM, but for some reason they left their "open" sign on.  After 8, people were still coming in, but they were turned away.  It was so frustrating.  Many people walked by after attending the event, so they could have really made good money that night. 

 

Considering retail stores get half of the year's business in November and December alone, I find it hard to believe the mall stores wouldn't benefit from staying open later during the christmas holiday.

A quick note about Ingredients, it's mainly a lunch place. Like it our not, right now they are not really dinner providers. The good news is, places like Friday's are coming. It takes time. There has to be demand, then a response, then more demand and so on. Once the 5/3rd building is done and they Square's all the way complete with it's own restaurant there will be more than enough to do after hours.

 

That may true, but places like Panera are open for dinner, and they serve sandwiches, soups, and salads as well.  There are many times when people feel like having a light dinner. 

 

Sunday evening at 6:00 is probably not busy in any mid-sized city acrossed the country, heck probably not even Chicago. Come downtown on Friday or Saturday at 6:00 and the place is rockin.

 

This is a good point.  Many malls close at 6:00 on Sunday as well.

 

On another note, I went on a Hawaiian cruise this summer.  We stopped in Honolulu on a Sunday.  Around 4 or 5, we walked around downtown Honolulu.  A lot of their businesses were closed as well.  The only places open was a mall near the port-of-call and a drug store.

A couple points to consider:

 

Sunday evening at 6:00 is probably not busy in any mid-sized city acrossed the country, heck probably not even Chicago. Come downtown on Friday or Saturday at 6:00 and the place is rockin.

 

Why would a business stay open like Shanghi on a Sunday evening downtown? It doesn't make business sense. Everything is driven by economics. If it made sense for them to stay open then they'd do it. If Cincinnati had a stronger residential base (which it is improving significantly) then maybe there would be the business and traffic to support later hours.

 

The tunnel under 5/3rd is closed for re-construction. It has nothing to do with a Sunday evening and will be closed for months. This is progress and a positive thing, not a negative one.

 

Kenny G was on the board because that's the song that was playing. Sorry about your luck when you walk by the square and it's always Kenny G. Last time I was down there it was Mariah Carey - much nicer image in my opinion.

 

The rink hours are until 6:00 on Sunday. Part of me wishes this were later as it is a pretty big draw right now. I also think it would be cool to do a midnight skate on weekends like what Perfect North does with thier skiers. At least keep the rink open until mid-night. Just my opinion.

 

 

 

About the video screen...someone mentioned elf was playing and I was down both friday and saturday and they played a variety of christmas specials (the Grinch, Rudolph etc...) and the music image isnt that bad really...and its better than just advertisments or soundless news as I have witnessed before.

 

I Also totally agree about the midnight skating idea. I have noticed that the rink is packed until closing on weekend nights everytime I have been down since it opened. You would get an older crowd that could skate without the huge amount of small children, and I see it being very popular, especially with the High School crowd.

Now is it just me or does the Square Christmas tree seem a bit...dull? Just white lights...I think it could be a little more festive.

I think it'd be great to run an "after midnight special" or something. High school and college kids I think would go for this. Maybe do a movie night and run the rink until 1:00 or 2:00 AM.

 

I think their idea of broomball is a great one.

 

The Square's Christmas tree does seem a bit small to me. I like the white lights though. I think they're elegant. I wish there were lights in all the trees, but the ones near 5/3rd were just recently planted so maybe there's still time. I also enjoy the music on the square although I did think it was a little loud this afternoon.

^ Has anyone gone to myfountainsquare.com and sent in these suggestions?  I think skating until midnight or 1 is a great idea. 

I don't know how successful the late nite skate will be.  The skating rink usually gets totally empty after January 1st, and it will be getting colder too.

i coudnt even imagine ice skating when it was cold.  (i see your point)

I read this about the Visitor's Center at myfountainsquare.com (at the FAQ section):

 

Will the Visitor’s Center be coming back to Fountain Square?

We believe it’s a given that Fountain Square should have an information and visitor’s center. Plans are underway to create one in the lobby of Fountain Place (Macy’s), including a ticket outlet for Cincinnati events. If all goes well, it should be in place by early 2007.

 

Did anyone already post that?  Sorry if they did.

The ice rink won't be getting empty after Jan 1 this year, there is a 24-team broomball league that starts weekday nights in January.

The "old" rink usually got empty maybe, but that's because it was small and not very good. Plus, the skates were horrible and killed your feet after about 2 minutes. I think this year will be different, especially with the hype, the broomball league, the bigger rink, brand new (velcro) skates, and the video board. Also keep in mind that they've never had an activities director before on the square. Now there's a Fountain Square Management group who's sole purpose is to manage and populate the square. I'm optomistic that this year will be different. I think the hour wait over the weekend is a very good sign.

I read this about the Visitor's Center at myfountainsquare.com (at the FAQ section):

 

Will the Visitor’s Center be coming back to Fountain Square?

We believe it’s a given that Fountain Square should have an information and visitor’s center. Plans are underway to create one in the lobby of Fountain Place (Macy’s), including a ticket outlet for Cincinnati events. If all goes well, it should be in place by early 2007.

 

Cool thx for the info....I would love to have a ticket window for Cincy events right down on/around the square...its just sounds like a good idea!

The only problem with the new visitor's center is the location. You can go see it in the new 525 building. It's back behind, and underneath the escalators. On the other hand, if they sign it well enough and draw people, then this would be additional support for the 525 project and even JoA Banks. Foot traffic is always a good thing.

^ Has anyone gone to myfountainsquare.com and sent in these suggestions?  I think skating until midnight or 1 is a great idea. 

 

I did make a suggestion and got an email back saying my suggestion was something they were already considering and working on for next year!  I was pleased to hear that and pleased by the prompt response.  Look for even more activities on the square next Christmas time!

So is the square still "packed" at the rink still after Christmas?

^I was down there the day after Christmas and the square was indeed packed...my plans of going ice skating were once again pushed back (maybe I'll go tonight).

^ Thursday night looked packed as well, and 3:30 on Friday looked crowded as well.

Crowded last night too.  Good signs. 

So did anyone go tonight?  How was it for the New Year's Celebration?

I was there for a little bit.  There was a DJ playing really loud rap, and not that many people compared to past weekends. It was kind of disappointing to hear a cop say "it looks like we have more cops than people down here"