Media Contacts:
Kelly Adamson                     
513-470-1379                                     
[email protected]                     
 
For Immediate Release
August 6th, 2020
 
OVER-THE-RHINE CHAMBER LAUNCHES SECOND SUNDAY OTR, A NEIGHBORHOOD-WIDE SIDEWALK MARKET 
 
OTR Chamber of Commerce is leading a new initiative to drive an increase in consumer support for its beloved Over-the-Rhine small businesses. This OTR-wide, masks-on, walkable market will feature your favorite brick and mortars, a diverse array of pop-up shops, and local musicians brought to you by Cincinnati Music Accelerator. Merchants and vendors will set-up on the sidewalk outside their storefronts to transform the whole neighborhood into a socially-distant, sidewalk fair on the second Sunday of each month, 12pm - 5pm, from August through October. 
 
The initiative harnesses the spirit of what would have been the 15th anniversary of its annual street fair, Second Sunday on Main (SSOM). Such as SSOM, the OTR Chamber hopes to shine a light on the unique and diverse small businesses in OTR with the help of the city’s independent vendors and local artists. “Second Sunday on Main was so special in that it was a showcase of our city’s culture,” said Kelly Adamson, OTR Chamber’s Executive Director. “So we are excited to take this opportunity to encourage people to spend more time walking the entire footprint of the neighborhood, to see what’s opened in the past year, new developments coming down the road, and see for themselves that #OTRisOpen.” 
 
With Second Sunday OTR, each brick and mortar storefront is encouraged to participate by activating on the sidewalk in front of their store, incorporating a sale or special, with the option of partnering with a woman or minority vendor. Businesses can either invite a vendor of their choosing, or the OTR Chamber will make a match with the help of organizations such as MORTAR, Art on Vine, or by calling on past Second Sunday on Main vendors. 
 
“This is an opportunity to not only drive an increase in consumer support, but also attract a diverse group of entrepreneurs who could see themselves being a future business owner here,” said Adamson. “Creating new relationships are key for small business success and our hope is that these pairings will evolve into partnerships.”
 
Event sponsors include P&G and Kroger, with Kroger also being a participant in the initiative, through activating with vendors outside of the “Kroger On-the-Rhine” store. A list and map of all the neighborhoods participating storefronts and vendors is available on the OTR Chamber’s website at otrchamber.com

To ensure the safest practices for this sidewalk market, all participating vendors and merchants must agree to operate under state guidelines, which includes maintaining 6-feet of distance between others and wearing masks when indoors or outdoors where you are unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members. The OTR Chamber is asking anyone who comes to shop and explore to be wearing a mask, unless actively consuming food or beverage. To provide options to shop at all comfort levels, the organization will also be sharing opportunities to shop OTR’s small businesses and participating vendors this Sunday from 12pm - 5pm on their Instagram page @OTRChamber.
 
Date: August 9th, September 13th, & October 11th
Hours: 12 - 5 pm 
Location: Over-the-Rhine, including Vine St., Main St., Pendleton, and north of Liberty Race & Elm surrounding Findlay Market.
 
Instagram: @OTRChamber
Facebook: @OTRChamber
 
#OTRisOpen
#MasksOnOhio
 
How to get involved: For OTR and Pendleton merchants who would like to activate, can sign-up here. For women and minority vendors who are interested in participating, please email [email protected]
 
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ABOUT THE OTR CHAMBER:
The OTR Chamber of Commerce has provided support to OTR's small business district since the very beginning, being a guide and resource for small businesses to create the OTR we know and love today. 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.