make cincinnati weird » retail

“Nonument” near Kenwood Mall

The Editor — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:35:41 +0000

These old, decrepit, former retail shells always amuse me in a sad way. Reader John sends this in.

It reminded me of the two other nonuments that I know of, perhaps the two best examples of them. These are the two restaurants in the parking lot of Cincinnati Mills mall, which was featured in a Queen City Discovery post. Here’s the one which was a former Roadhouse Steakhouse or something.

Photo by Queen City Discovery

Could turn it into condos I guess.

Beehive Co-op, A Truly Local Idea

The Editor — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:33:48 +0000

What do Atlanta, New York, and Cincinnati have in common? Each city now has a Beehive Co-op franchise. Beehive Co-op is now open in Pleasant Ridge, next to other favorite local independents, Everybody’s Records and Pleasant Perk. What is a Beehive Co-op? Well, their press release has the best explanation.

Farmers markets have popularized the idea of putting local, seasonal organic food on our tables, and now an innovative Atlanta-based retailer has extended the “buy local” concept to handmade, one-of-a –kind products from local, independent designers. Beehive Co-op (www.beehiveco-op.com), founded in 2004 by Petra Geiger, taps the most dazzling local design talent and showcases their clothing, jewelry and accessories for the home in a well-edited retail environment that is equal parts sexy, stylish and sustainable.
Beehive’s interpretation of the cooperative is simple: the store rents space to local designers, who pay a low monthly rent in return for a dedicated boutique area in the store. Each cooperative member must work four hours in the store each week, which keeps overhead low and creates a collaborative environment where burgeoning entrepreneurs can learn how to grow their businesses.

I’ve not been there yet, but to me, it sounds like a real-world Etsy.

So support your local crafts-makers. And read more about the co-op at Soapbox, 5chw4r7z, and CincyBurb.

Photo by 5chw4r7z

The U.S. Playing Card Company Outlet & Retail Store

The Editor — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:43:32 +0000

But long before playing poker became the “it” thing to do, the U.S. Playing Card Company was supplying the world with decks, chips, shufflers and nearly any other accessory needed for a nice evening of cards with friends.”(People) come here because we’re the largest and oldest manufacturer of playing cards in America,” Flick says. “We make the best quality there is, and that’s why we’ve acquired all these other companies instead of being acquired.”

More at the U.S. Playing Card Company.

Midnight Muse: Enchanted AND Enchanting

The Editor — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 01:52:05 +0000

Devoted to the Lady of beauty and inspiration…
offering enchantments for the senses & the spirit.What is Midnight Muse?
We are a retail shop, conducting business via our website and at numerous events throughout the year (mostly Celtic, New Age, and Pagan festivals).
What is Midnight Muse all about?
Midnight Muse is devoted to beauty, enchantment and the celebration of the sacred. We take a particular delight in Goddesses and Green Men, faeries and mermaids, myth, legend, folklore and the turning of the seasons, and our merchandise reflects these magical fascinations.
We believe that beauty is so much more than that which merely pleases the eye.

Amen, sista.

More at Midnight Muse, Tower Place Mall, Skywalk Level, 28 W 4th St. Cincinnati, OH.

via Tess