There have been some very good restaurants opening in Cincy in recent months/years but the city still has a ways to go. I think as downtown builds some more critical mass, it will continue to attract new business.  I thought  it'd be cool if we listed some things that we think are currently lacking in the basin just to create some ideas and discussion.  Here's my early list:

 

- Whole Foods type grocery

- Good sit down sushi place (not upscale, but not take out either)

- Barnes and Noble type bookstore

- a Staples

- Bowling Alley ( a destination type place ala Bowlmore lanes in NYC)

- Sweets/chocolate specialty store

 

There is a Staples where Reading Rd meets Liberty! (471 entrance from Liberty)

- Good sit down sushi place (not upscale, but not take out either)

 

I hear that Ko-Sho on 9th Street has good sushi.  I've never been there myself.  Benihana has a sushi bar as well.

 

 

yeah I saw there was a Staples there but I don't really consider that downtown. As for Benihana, I meant a more authentic sushi place.

I would like to see a chili parlor that is open late on weekends.  There are three Skyline locations, but one is only open M-F until 6 PM, and the other two are only open until 8 during the week, until 4 on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.  I think the Skyline at 7th and Vine could do really well if they opened late on Fridays and Saturdays with all those bars and clubs nearby. 

 

I miss Uno Pizzeria.  I would like to see that come back or a similiar place.  Dewey's Pizza or something similar would be nice as well.

 

I would like to see more stores that sell women's clothing.  Right now the options are Macy's and TJ Maxx.  I don't go to Sax Fifth Avenue because I can't justify spending a whole pre-tax paycheck on one dress.

 

I would also like to see the current stores and restaurants expand their hours.  That would take care of a lot.

good point on thhe hours. As impressed as I am that Avril's opened a grocery, what good is it if it closes at 5:30 during the week?  Has to be open until AT LEAST 7:00.

There is a Staples where Reading Rd meets Liberty! (471 entrance from Liberty)

 

^True.

 

I know several years ago, they were toying with the idea of opening a smaller essentials and copy center store somewhere in the CBD (similar to some of there stores in NYC).  At the same time they were also considering smaller campus locations on or near some of the major universities.  Not quite sure why that never came to fruition.    My guess would be that they put all there eggs in one basket and overextended their expenditures with there major assault on Office Depots two major markets(Chi-town and Miami).    Before 05 (I think), they didn't have a presence in these cities.    Many of their testing stores like a smaller urban and university stores seem to have been put on the backburner.   

 

If you want to voice your opinion or your request, you can contact the regional office which sits above the Colrain store.  They do listen well to customers wants and needs. 

 

FYI- Outside of their HQ's in Framingham Mass., Cincy is considered their most powerful and profitable market.  Many of the executives, including the top 3 or 4 have residences in NKY.

 

This gets you to the Colrain store, but I can't find any info for the upstairs numbers.  I have contacted the store before and asked to be routed upstairs. 

 

8465 Colerain Ave

Cincinnati, OH 45239

(513) 923-3124

^There's a few of those small stores in downtown dc as well.  While they don't have everything, they have most of the essentials and are really convenient.