You are browsing the archive for 2007 August.

We Have a Winner

August 31, 2007 in About

Thanks to everyone who filled out the BuyCincy survey, it showed us a thing or two about or audience.  For example, downtown/OTR is out in force, so we will make sure to make a special effort to find cool local retailers there.  And now, the moment a few of you have been waiting for.  The winner of the $25 Park + Vine gift certificate is….. Andrew Suchocki.  Andrew, give us a quick email at: sean [at] buycincy [dot] com and verify your zip code with us (so we know it’s you).  Your gift certificate will then be waiting for you at Park + Vine.  

indigenous: Locally Handcrafted Goods

August 30, 2007 in Stores

What’s the deal?

With about 80% of their 100+ craft artists residing in the Greater Cincinnati area, indigenous takes the buy local mantra to heart.  And, with works running the gambit from jewelry to wall art to baskets and boxes, it looks to be the perfect place to add some flair to your own pad or find a unique last minute gift for somebody else.  If you end up swooning over their goods, you won’t be the only one – they recently were named a Top 25 store by the national art/craft retailing magazine Niche.  

Where to find it? 

indigenous is located in the O’Bryonville business district at 2010 Madison Road, 45208.  Stop in Monday-Saturday 10-8 or Sunday from 12-5.

How much will it cost? 

Works run from $10-$25 for select pieces of jewelry, pottery and art tiles to $4,000 for a handcrafted 3 panel stained glass room divider.  Expect most pieces to be in the $25-$300 range, though.  

September Quesday is Coming

August 29, 2007 in News

Set aside the first Tuesday of every month for Quesday, the Gateway Quarter’s monthly party.  Starting next Tuesday, September 4th, check out Quesday at local retailers Park + Vine, City Roots and Metronation from 4-7pm.  Then, check out the specials, raffles and new product launches before heading over to Below Zero Lounge for drinks from 4-8pm.  While there you can also tour the chic condos throughout the Quarter.  If you haven’t checked out all of these great shops already, Quesday is the perfect time to do so.

Where?

Below Zero Lounge – 1120 Walnut Street, 45202. www.belowzerolounge.com

Park+Vine -  1109  Vine Street, 45202. www.parkandvine.com

City Roots – 1133 Vine Street, 45202. www.cityroots.com

Metronation – 1213 Vine Street, 45202. www.metronationcincy.com

Essencha: A Loose-Leaf Paradise

August 28, 2007 in Stores

What’s the deal?

Essencha Tea House has so many different types of tea they need a menu to get you through your options.  In all, over 80 different teas are available for either a cup at the store or loose-leaf varities to take home and brew.  They also carry 2 different varities of matcha, a powdered Japanese green tea that boasts uber health benefits.  Need help deciding?  Essencha’s staff will hook you up with a tea you are sure to like.

Where to get it? 

3212a Madison Rd. in Oakley.

How much will it cost? 

It all depends on how particular you are about your tea.  While common loose-leaf varietals go for around $6 for a 4oz container, the same container of super high quality teas such as the Gyokuro Gold can be as much as $35.  Matcha?  Again, depends on the quality.  The everyday Matcha Jade Bliss runs $15 for 4oz, while 4oz of the ceremonial grade Matcha Sawa will set you back $49.

:: Essencha

 

Chance to Win Park + Vine Goods Ends Thursday

August 27, 2007 in Everything Else

Just a quick reminder for those that haven’t taken our site survey yet, the last day to do so is this Thursday, August 30th.  You will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to the green goods experts at  Park + Vine.  The survey will give BuyCincy a chance to see who our readers are and what they are interested in.  We wouldn’t think of using our survey information for anything else (we hate it when people sell their customers’ information).  To prove we are serious, we aren’t even asking for your email address.  We will notify the winner in an announcement on this blog Friday.  So , get your chance at scoring $25 worth of green swag…Take the BuyCincy survey.

Where For Art Thou Christian Moerlein?

August 24, 2007 in Everything Else

With the release of their new Fifth and Vine Marzen, BuyCincy has been thinking a lot about where to find Christian Moerleing’s new brew (and their other tasty offerings for that matter).  So, here’s the question: where do you get Chrisitian Moerlein on tap?  I will go ahead and start it out with two painfully obvious choices.

  • Arnold’s Bar and Grill – 210 E. 8th St, downtown.  You can’t beat drinking in a bar started just 8 years after Christian Moerlein beer’s inception in 1853.  ::Arnold’s Bar and Grill
  • Kaldi’s – 1204 Main St., OTR.  Where else can you choose from great coffee or great beer?  This should be your homebar for the Midpoint Music Festival.  

So, let’s hear it in the comments.  Where else do you enjoy Cincinnati’s finest on tap?

 

 

    

Berlin Modular Boot from Extreme by Eddie Marc

August 23, 2007 in Products

What’s the deal?

Ok, so we know we gave a shoutout to Shoetopia just last week.  However, these boots just arrived at the store, and they are pretty killer.  The Berlin boot can change from an ankle boot to a lace-up "riding boot" in mere seconds due to the magic of zippers and buttons.  And, they are made with synthetic, cruelty-free material – which means they a-OK for the vegan shopper in your life.  

Where to get it?

Both the brown and black styles of the Berlin boot are availble at Shoetopia – 4044 Hamilton Avenue in Northside.    

How much will it cost? 

Two boot styles for the price of one – $79. 

Win a $25 Park + Vine Gift Certificate

August 23, 2007 in Everything Else

BuyCincy has partnered with Cincinnati’s green general store, Park + Vine, to give you a shot at winning a $25 Park + Vine gift certificate.  All you have to do is take a quick 10 question BuyCincy survey to help us understand our readers a bit more.  One reader will be randomly selected from the survey results to win the gift certificate, which will be waiting for the winner at the store.  We will announce the winner’s name next Thursday, August 30th, here on BuyCincy.  It’s just that easy to have a chance at scoring some green swag through your friends at BuyCincy and Park + Vine.

Take the BuyCincy survey.

Sintesi Mondo Bookcase

August 22, 2007 in Products

What’s the deal?

It’s the perfect loft bookcase.  It’s sleek, it’s modern, it’s metal, it’s…..Italian.  The alumiunum frame and cherry wood shelves will hold all the things you never use, but want to show off to guests (hello Collective Works of Shakespeare) in style.  

Where to get it?

On one of the four floors of furniture and accessories at Contemporary Galleries downtown.   Seriously, this place is McHuge.  211 W. Fourth St – between Elm and Plum.

How much will it cost? 

This Italian goodness will set you back $784.

::Contemporary Galleries
  

Sterling Silver/18k Gold Terkmen Cuff

August 21, 2007 in Products

What’s the deal?

Getting a cuff like this is having culture on your wrist.  It is certain to invite questions about its origin and the story behind it.  So what is the story behind it?  This was hand-crafted in Turkmenistan, a central Asian country formerly a part of the Soviet Union.  The cuff is intricately designed sterling silver washed over with 18k gold to make it literally shine.  The gemstones are carnelians, a reddish-brown stone prevalent in Central Asian craft since at least the first century A.D.  Not impressed yet with carnelian?  Well, it is the official color of Campbell’s soup, too!  

Where to get it? 

Get this, and tons of other really cool handmade goods from around the world at Mahatma – 639 Main St, downtown, just behind the Aronoff Center for the Arts. 

How much will it cost? 

Well, if the word "hand-crafted" didn’t set off a cost alarm, then certainly the sterling silver/18k gold/carelian material combo did.  However, at $298, it is comparable to many high-quality gold and silver jewelries, and undoubtedly much cooler.