EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 (3:45 p.m. ET)
Media Contacts:
Kim Hoeting Kelly Adamson
Public Relations Consultant Executive Director
Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce
513.702.1777 (Mobile) 513.512.5668 (Office)
[email protected] [email protected]
Cincinnati, OH (November 20, 2019) – The Over-the-Rhine (OTR) Chamber of Commerce announced today that by close of 2019, 57 new businesses will have joined the dining, shopping and office sectors in Over-the-Rhine, creating over 400 jobs. In the last two years, there have been a total of over 100 new businesses and 750 new jobs. Retail and offices continue to be category leaders, with six new businesses in those categories opening by the end of this year (La Ofrenda, Sage Yoga, Cincinnati Hemp Company, Hutch Baby, The Wax Bar, Grow Group and PWWG).
There continues to be a positive trend of diversity in industry and race. Thirteen of the 57 new businesses are minority-owned, and sixteen businesses are women-owned. The OTR Chamber launched a new mission and vision this year, with a focus on creating equal opportunity in the neighborhood’s economic growth.
“The OTR Chamber sees the incredible value of being a business district that creates a sense of belonging for everyone,” said Kelly Adamson, Executive Director of the OTR Chamber of Commerce. “Our success is measured by economic growth, but also by our level of inclusivity; we believe that we can be a national model for inclusive urban revitalization.”
The organization has contributed to this revitalization with investing over $500,000 in grant funds alone since 2007. One of those grantees is Pho Lang Thang, which is one of 13 OTR businesses that have expanded this year, seeing a return on investment from opening in the neighborhood years ago.
The economic report also cited a 2019 trend with emerging growth in the “Market District”- the retail landscape surrounding Findlay Market, led largely by Model Group commercial development.
“As a developer, we’re in a unique position to work with someone to start their business in OTR, as well as encourage their growth,” said Matt Reckman, Vice President of Property Management of the Model Group. “This past year, we’ve had several businesses outgrow their current space and were able to accommodate them within the neighborhood where they already have roots and a captive audience. This is a little unconventional, but it’s exciting to us, not only because our tenants come to us and say they’re doing so well that they need a larger space, but also because we are able to provide the next one.”
The following businesses moved or expanded to the Market District region in 2019.
Businesses that moved to Market District (from elsewhere in OTR)
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Wednesday, November 20, 2019 (3:45 p.m. ET)
Media Contacts:
Kim Hoeting Kelly Adamson
Public Relations Consultant Executive Director
Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce
513.702.1777 (Mobile) 513.512.5668 (Office)
[email protected] [email protected]
OVER-THE-RHINE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2019 OTR ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT WITH 57 NEW BUSINESSES
Cincinnati, OH (November 20, 2019) – The Over-the-Rhine (OTR) Chamber of Commerce announced today that by close of 2019, 57 new businesses will have joined the dining, shopping and office sectors in Over-the-Rhine, creating over 400 jobs. In the last two years, there have been a total of over 100 new businesses and 750 new jobs. Retail and offices continue to be category leaders, with six new businesses in those categories opening by the end of this year (La Ofrenda, Sage Yoga, Cincinnati Hemp Company, Hutch Baby, The Wax Bar, Grow Group and PWWG).
There continues to be a positive trend of diversity in industry and race. Thirteen of the 57 new businesses are minority-owned, and sixteen businesses are women-owned. The OTR Chamber launched a new mission and vision this year, with a focus on creating equal opportunity in the neighborhood’s economic growth.
“The OTR Chamber sees the incredible value of being a business district that creates a sense of belonging for everyone,” said Kelly Adamson, Executive Director of the OTR Chamber of Commerce. “Our success is measured by economic growth, but also by our level of inclusivity; we believe that we can be a national model for inclusive urban revitalization.”
The organization has contributed to this revitalization with investing over $500,000 in grant funds alone since 2007. One of those grantees is Pho Lang Thang, which is one of 13 OTR businesses that have expanded this year, seeing a return on investment from opening in the neighborhood years ago.
The economic report also cited a 2019 trend with emerging growth in the “Market District”- the retail landscape surrounding Findlay Market, led largely by Model Group commercial development.
“As a developer, we’re in a unique position to work with someone to start their business in OTR, as well as encourage their growth,” said Matt Reckman, Vice President of Property Management of the Model Group. “This past year, we’ve had several businesses outgrow their current space and were able to accommodate them within the neighborhood where they already have roots and a captive audience. This is a little unconventional, but it’s exciting to us, not only because our tenants come to us and say they’re doing so well that they need a larger space, but also because we are able to provide the next one.”
The following businesses moved or expanded to the Market District region in 2019.
Businesses that moved to Market District (from elsewhere in OTR)
- 4EG
- Lucca Workshop
- Urban Fast Forward
- Custom Pro Logistics
- Gia and the Blooms
- Pho Lang Thang (Moved to larger space on Race)
- Bee haven (moved from the Markethouse to a storefront)
- The Budding Florist (moved from the Markethouse to a storefront)
- Blue Oven (expanded only)
- Urbana Cafe (expanded only)
- Platte Architecture (moved, no expansion)
About the OTR Chamber of Commerce
Since 1985, the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce has represented its members and the community with a mission to be the driving force for creating a strong economy while also promoting inclusivity, embracing diversity and celebrating originality. Our vision is for Over-the-Rhine to be a model neighborhood for inclusive urban revitalization.
In November 2019, the OTR Chamber of Commerce announced it will be moving its headquarters to 1307 Walnut Street, into the newly renovated Columbia Building; the organization will be the building’s first commercial tenant. Walnut Street is home to many of its supporters, including Thunderdome, KMK Law, Agar, 3CDC and Kroger “On the Rhine”. Its move also signifies an effort to bridge not just North and South of Liberty, but also Central Parkway, to connect the two urban destinations and encourage walkability and exploration of Cincinnati’s entire urban core. Learn more at www.otrchamber.com.
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