New Businesses Opening in Over the Rhine

Three new businesses are preparing to open in Vine Street storefronts in the Gateway Quarter this month. Two are long established and moving from other Cincinnati locations and the third is a brand new business. The Gateway Quarter is made up of locally-owned businesses and restaurants that cater to city living. The latest additions to the Quarter are:

· The Little Mahatma, 1205 Vine St., 723-1287, will celebrate its 20th year in business with the move to the Gateway Quarter. The store specializes in beautiful jewelry, art and artifacts from many countries that you won't see anywhere else in the region. Owner Gloria McConnaghy is moving from her current location at 639 Main St. Hours for The Little Mahatma are Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday noon-4pm. (www.mahatmashop.com)

· Switch, 1207 Vine St., 721-8100, is a fresh alternative to the modern lighting store, offering a full range of decorative fixtures for the home or office and also providing consultation services to help assist in lighting layout and design. A collaboration between owners Drew Dearwester and Bertie Ray III, SWITCH will highlight current designs from North and South America, Europe and Scandinavia while being conscious of the growing popularity of energy efficient trends using fluorescent and LED sources. Hours are Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday noon-6pm and by appointment. (www.switchcollection.com)

· Incredible Creations, 1209 Vine St, 961-4111, is an upscale barbershop and beauty salon offering diverse clients diverse services from a range of barbering needs for men (including some Cincinnati Bengals) as well as beauty services including cut, color, nail services, makeovers and wedding needs for women. Owners Devan and Kim Johnson have been in business for five years and have more than 20 years experience. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-7pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

All of the business owners say they plan to be open on Saturday September 27, for the “Downtown Tour of Living” with official Grand Openings planned for later in the fall. The “Downtown Tour of Living” is from noon to 5pm on Sept. 27 and includes five stops in and around the Gateway Quarter. (www.downtowncincinnati.com/tourofliving)



The new shop owners say they’re excited to be part of the urban living renaissance that is taking place in Downtown Cincinnati and it’s most historic and unique neighborhood, Over-the-Rhine.



"Our location in the Gateway Quarter was an easy decision,” said Bertie Ray, co-owner of Switch. “The diverse combination of creative and independent business owners here is a relief to the overwhelming chaos you experience in larger shopping areas. Gateway is the epicenter of Cincinnati's renewed interest to bring retail to the city and Switch is excited to be part of that effort."



For Kim and Devan Johnson, moving their popular Incredible Creations Salon from Gilbert Avenue to the Gateway Quarter just made good business sense. “Many of our clients have followed the urban lifestyle trend, purchasing condos in downtown or Over-the-Rhine, so we’re thrilled to be part of such a dynamic neighborhood where we’ll be close to our current clients and able to cultivate new clients,” said Devan Johnson.



The “Downtown Tour of Living” will allow all the new stores to show off their new homes to potential new customers. “We’re looking forward to welcoming tour-goers into our new location,” said Gloria McConnaghy, owner of The Little Mahatma. “The Downtown Tour is a great opportunity to not only see the beautiful new condos in Over-the-Rhine, but also the amazing shopping district that we’re now so proud to be a part of.”



The Little Mahatma, Switch and Incredible Creations are joining an established list of locally-owned stores and restaurants already doing business in and around the Gateway Quarter including:

* Park + Vine, Cincinnati’s only green general store, 1109 Vine St.
* City Roots, urban garden store, 1133 Vine St.
* Mica 12/v, gifts/jewelry/home furnishings, 1201 Vine St.
* Outside, outdoor furniture and accessories, 16 E. 12th St.
* Metronation, clothing/gifts/home furnishings, 1213 Vine St.
* Lavomatic, Jean-Robert’s newest bistro, 1211 Vine St.
* Venice on Vine Pizza, operated by Power Inspires Progress, offering paid on-the-job training to inner-city residents, 1301 Vine St.
* A Lucky Step, contemporary furniture store, 1220 Vine
* Enzo’s, good food, great coffee, 1106 Race St.
* The Coffee Emporium, coffee drinks, sandwiches, deserts, 110 E. Central Pkwy
* Below Zero Lounge, ultra plush martini lounge, 1120 Walnut St.
* Joseph Williams Home, urban furniture store, 550 Reading Road