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An Open Letter to Churchill’s

February 26, 2009 in Editorial

Dear Churchill’s, 

We learned this week that you are closing your location at Tower Place downtown. That’s understandable. As more and more stores move out of the mall, there were less and less shoppers who needed a tea break. We have heard that you are considering other spaces downtown, along with storefronts in other neighborhoods. 
For partly selfish reasons, and partly because it seems like a great fit, we implore you to stay downtown. However, we urge you to this time bring your store to the streetfront. When Churchill’s opened, Tower Place was active and it made sense to try and capture those potential customers. However, the city center is changing, and as people linger downtown well after the 9-5 ends, you could open yourself to a much larger clientele by moving out of the mall and onto the street. 

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RuThais – Mt Lookout’s Best Kept Secret

February 22, 2009 in Uncategorized

ruthai.jpg(photo pulled from their new website)

I’m a huge fan of RuThai’s! When I moved to Cincinnati I lived in Mt. Lookout and it’s so adorable! My friends introduced me to the little Thai place next to UDF and thank God they did…

My friend lives about 2 blocks away so we frequent this little spot almost on a weekly basis. We all have our favorite dishes – I love the sushi, Scott gets “Scott Beef” and Rob loves the curry…the service is great, the owners are friendly and the food is always excellent!

But let’s dig a little deeper…

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Suburban Shopper: Nothin’ better than The Next Best Thing in Blue Ash

February 19, 2009 in Uncategorized

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This shop is just fun. You feel it when you walk in the door at The Next Best Thing. There you’re met by an explosion of colors, handbags, wine glasses, barrettes, headbands, flip flops and shiny jewelry. It’s where I go when I want a little bedazzling pick-me-up, but don’t want to break the bank.

“We want a variety of attractive items at a great price. We try to keep our price points down. We have a lot of people who come in here looking for gifts for friends and family,” co-owner Lana Hines said.

In fact, you can find scores of earrings, bracelets and rings for $10 to $15. The costume pieces are well-made and are – you guessed it – the next best thing to pricey baubles. Co-owners Angela Stein and Lana say they can accessorize just about any outfit for anywhere from $8 to $80!

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The Eclectic Curio Coffeehouse – Eastgate’s ‘funky spot’

February 19, 2009 in Uncategorized

TheEclecticCurioCoffeehouse2.jpgThe Eclectic Curio Coffeehouse is a new addition to Eastgate, one of few locally-owned shops in the chain heavy area off I-275.

But with bright painted walls, repurposed antique tables and its own Etsy shop, it’s not likely to blend into the background.

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Whatta Lunch!!!! Korean in a Cincinnati Deli!

February 15, 2009 in Uncategorized

A coworker has noticed a sign in Carew Tower for quite a while now advertising Korean food at a deli. He said he wasn’t sure what it was but he really wanted to try it!

I was a bit skeptical – why am i going to eat Korean from someplace I’d get a chicken salad from? But – I’m an adventurer – so let’s go for it!

And thus…lunch at Sunny Deli was ours!

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Blind Item: Bakery Intermission

February 12, 2009 in Blind Item

Which local bakery that specializes in cookie polling is rumored to move into a 7th St. storefront in the Aronoff Center for the Arts – providing smiles to downtown pedestrians and arts patrons?

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Consignment Shopping in a Bad Economy: Snooty Fox Delivers

February 11, 2009 in Stores

Snooty fox logo.jpgWhen I first moved to Cincinnati 5.5 years ago, I remember driving by a store called the Snooty Fox and wondering what a store like that might sell.  Although it was several months later that I actually ventured into the store, I was intrigued by the name and the fox icon on the storefront window well before then. 

During this economic crisis, you may be someone who is trying to figure out new ways to save money and spend wisely or potentially a way to make some extra cash. Regardless of the situation, Snooty Fox may be the answer for you with its 7 locations throughout the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. The East Hyde Park store is well-stocked with brand name clothes ranging from Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy to Ann Taylor, Dana Buchman, and Kenneth Cole. The selection has clearly been well chosen by the Snooty Fox staff, as most clothes are in good to excellent condition and priced quite reasonably.  One thing I really like is that they only keep their clothes in stock for approximately 4-5 weeks, so you don’t have to worry about seeing the same unsold stuff over and over again.

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Mekong Thai – Strip Mall Goodness!

February 9, 2009 in Uncategorized

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I’ve driven by Mekong probably 1000 times in the last four years and never gone in! It’s on Montgomery Rd. in Deer Park – next to Larosas & Skyline and across from McAllisters. But finally – I drug my friend and off we went! It is in a strip mall – not really the kind of place you expect much out of…but I had high hopes…

The restaurant is really narrow and has a booths all along one wall with mirrors above so it looks bigger than it really is – not a lot of atmosphere but the food makes up for it! Mekong is BYOB as well…

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Suburban Shopper: Body of Light is out of this world

February 5, 2009 in Stores

bodyoflight2.jpgIt was little over a year ago that I happened upon this shop in a strip mall off Fields Ertel Road. My fiance Jason and I were going to Circuit City one night when the little storefront called me.

From the outside I thought the place looked cool. Turns out it was.

Body of Light, which healer Sara Gerhardt said offers “an alternative way to enhance well-being,” is best described as more an experience than a shop, though there are plenty of trinkets to buy. There’s everything from jewelry, essential oils, holy water, incense,worry stones, singing bowls, candles, crystals, crosses….you get the picture.

Spirtuality and well-being is at the core of the stores ambiance and the atmoshpere is quiet, bright, friendly and welcoming. In addition to the retail shop, Body of Light offers various classes and other services including tarot card and physic readings and belly dancing.

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Top 5: Cincinnati Vegetarian Restaurants

February 4, 2009 in Columns, Feature, Restaurants

On the heels on the city’s Green Cincinnati Plan food task force recommendations (spoiler alert: Eat more fruits and vegetables), we asked Dan Korman, owner of Cincinnati’s green general store Park + Vine to give us his favorite vegetarian eateries in the city. Whether you are a full-fledged vegan or an omnivore who doesn’t skip the hummus, these five restaurants should hit the spot.

1. Melt, Northside – This comfort-food haven in Northside is an easy choice for vegans and vegetarians, and for good reason. Melt is accommodating to all food preferences and, unlike many restaurants, actually encourages adjustments to orders. The Avocado Bliss is my favorite sandwich anywhere and I’m in awe of how they turn nutritional yeast into the best cheese alternative ever.
2. Myra’s Dionysus, Clifton Heights – Famous for its savory homemade soups, this comfortable little spot on busy Calhoun Street across from the University of Cincinnati has hardly changed since I started eating here 20 years ago. The thick baba ghanouj dip and gado gado (a spicy Indonesian peanut sauce served over brown rice) are two of the things that make me even happier that I returned to Cincinnati after almost 11 years in New York and Chicago.

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