Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Easter Again?

Joe Hansbauer writes again about the resurrection of Main Street's bar district. I am looking optimistically at this situation in that not only will it happen, I think it will, but that the focus of these locations will not be to gain the dance club college kids. Instead, it would be something else. What is that something else? I don't exactly know what the target market would be. Who is going to want to go to the Old Jefferson Hall or RBC if they are not remodeled? Also, is there a market for this number of bars, at least the number we talking about this quickly? Over the year, if they stagger the openings, build up buzz through a big media blitz, then you could build a new scene. Can all of this, plus 7th Street/Fountain Square, plus Mainstrasse, plus Newport, plus Northside, plus Mt. Adams, plus Mt. Lookout all be the home of nightlife? Is the market niches wide enough at each to make all of them viable?

Robo-Calls?

Robo-Calls? Who uses the dreaded robo-call in hopes of getting an endorsement? As an incumbent no less!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Challenging Liquor Permits

From a couple weeks back: WCPO reported on the establishments being challenged in an effort to rid the city of crime based on booze. Most of these places are corner "markets" that cater to the dirt poor or the wino. The rest are bars that have a problem with serving criminals. Then there is R.P. McMurphy's which is just a place with too much rowdiness/idiocy for a nice neighborhood.

The list:
* Wilson's Market - 3800 Zinsle Avenue - Kennedy Heights
* Walt's Grocery - 118 West 15th Street - Over-The-Rhine
* Sam's Market - 1900-1902 Linn Street - West End
* McMurphy's Irish Pub & Coffeehouse - 2910 Wasson Road - Oakley
* Queen Ann Bar & Grill - 2141 Central Avenue - West End
* Phoenix Cafe - 641 Walnut Street - Downtown
* Parktown Cafe - 1624-26 Linn Street - West End
* Jet In Market - 1205-07 Linn Street - West End
* Ike's Blues & Jazz Club - 2924 Gilbert Avenue - Walnut Hills
* Golden Nuggett - 2194-96 Queen City Avenue - Fairmount
* Glenway Market - 4420 Glenway Avenue - Price Hill
* Don's Deli - 1500 Beech Avenue - Price Hill
* Cole N Quick Drive Thru - 2029 Dana Avenue - Evanston
* Best For Less Market - 1820 Vine Street - Over-The-Rhine
* Club Embassy - 3602 Warsaw Avenue - Price Hill
* Amir Mini-Market - 549-553 Findlay Street - West End

More on Mass Transit

The Downtowner delves into transportation. The question comes up again, are Streetcars the answer? It depends in part on what is defined as a streetcar, but to me the answer is clearly yes, but....that doesn't fix the broader metro area transportation problem that is being ignored by the rest of metro area. We have too many cars out there and we need to get rid of the congestion.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Fountain Square Grows Again

The latest restaurant, Cadillac Ranch Rock-N-Country Bar & Grill does not sound like my kind of place, but variety is good. The Square needs to attract a wide range of themes, but stick to entertainment for adults.

Nazi Group 'Suspends' March

The Enquirer is reporting that the Nazi group planning a march through OTR have postponed it because of an outstanding warrant for the Ohio leader of the Nazi group.

Ok, let's hope this is the end of it. There shouldn't be any march going on this Friday, spread the word on that. Even though the article indicates the Nazi's are claiming to still want to do it, they are in reality blowing smoke. Which in the end is all this whole thing is, one big exercise in blowing smoke out of the asses of very stupid people.

Friday, April 13, 2007

OTR Foundation Has New Leader

The Over-the-Rhine Foundation has named a new director: Michael Morgan takes over the post from retiring director Marge Hammelrath.