Northern Kentucky Tri-ED celebrates 25 years of NKY’s economic success
As a standalone "micropolis" within the Cincinnati MSA, Northern Kentucky competes with much larger cities, demonstrating surprising success.
Hannah Purnell's Latest Articles
Green efforts, social shopping, community enliven Bellevue
If you’ve ever wandered down Bellevue’s Fairfield Avenue and thought, “This neighborhood could be really cool one day,” then you may have a future in fortune telling. ?Bellevue’s tree-lined streets, award-winning historic preservation society and proximity to urban attractions set a sturdy stage for the thriving community. Nestled near downtown, the Levee, and the Party Source—which will soon house the area’s first bourbon distillery—Bellevue’s growing list of events includes outdoor concerts, family-friendly festivals and Shop Bellevue, which takes place the first Friday of each month. Similarly popular, the city’s 11th annual Art in the Park is now seeking artists and craftspeople to exhibit and sell their wares at the eclectic celebration Sat., Sept. 8 at the Bellevue Beach Park. (Apply online or contact Jody Robinson at 859-431-8866.) ??Bellevue buzz attracted Circa, 400 Fairfield, set to open soon. “Behind the brown-paper-covered the windows they are busy at work creating a very hip vintage shop featuring furniture to clothing,” says Robinson, Bellevue assistant city administrator. The shop joins nationally noted Virgil’s Café and the Avenue Brew coffee shop in a?lineup of independent businesses breathing fresh life into a historic neighborhood that has been home to opera houses, boot makers, saloons, hotels, confection shops and more in its nearly 150-year history.?? And since no transition from unsung treasure to trendy hotspot is complete without a healthy living/environmentally friendly angle, Bellevue boasts several. Last year, Soapbox told you about B-List owner Ben Haggerty’s interesting take on taking out bar trash. This month, Robinson notes the geothermal and eco-friendly construction undertaken by Mackey Advisors in their new 601 Fairfield location, calling the renovation “transformative.” Such individual efforts are bolstered by a bona fide farmers’ market, which sets up shop in the Party Source parking lot every Wednesday and Saturday, plus a brand-spanking-new community garden. Located between the 400 blocks of Foote and Ward Avenues, the urban gardening spot, nicknamed “Blossom Alley,” offers a welcome natural refuge for residents. “We’re fortunate to have a great collection of locally owned, independent businesses [that contribute] far more than national chains,” Robinson says. “There are so many things people are doing and can do, from sensitively rehabbing historic buildings, volunteering, participating in events, sharing our story and thinking big while understanding our community character is essential.” By Hannah Purnell Follow Hannah on Twitter.
Refurbished chic abounds at mother-daughter Market in Northside
??When Stephanie Heeston and Emily Heeston-Chopelas leased their space on Hamilton Avenue—a consignment/designer/vintage goods hybrid called Market Side Mercantile—the native Cincinnatians didn’t know what to expect.?? “We knew [Northside] was eclectic,” says Heeston-Chopelas, noting that “the population fits” the pair’s funky sense of style and wide variety of handmade wares. But the mother-daughter team says the immediate community support has been a pleasant surprise. Right away, neighborhood residents streamed into the one-room shop, praising their choice to bring business to Northside and double-checking, “You guys are going to stay, right?” ??Already, the two have grown their business from five to 46 consigners, a diverse group that includes “a man in Indiana who strips old barns” as well as a custom jewelry designer who makes earrings in the shape of boomerangs, or “boomearrings.” There’s no sign of stopping soon. Currently, they have a more items waiting in reserve than they know what to do with. (Seriously. The surplus is so great that they’ve had to waitlist prospective consigners for now.)?? The merchandise they sell is one of a kind. With help from Heeston-Chopelas’ husband, they do much of the furniture restoration themselves, reviving unique and slightly distressed pieces with fresh, fun layers of paint and swatches of vibrant, repurposed fabrics. Craftily recycled stationery, designer shopping bags and an assortment of Mason-jar creations punctuate carefully repurposed larger pieces, making for an inviting, upscale-yet-affordable feel. “Keep it out of the landfill,” is Heeston-Chopelas’ mantra. She adds, “We’re not antique, and we’re not a thrift store. We just like what we like.”?? Their unique style is making an impression, with newfound “regulars” stopping in several times a week to check out the shop’s almost daily deliveries. “The store is completely different every time I go in,” says Clifton resident and frequent shopper Susie Kent. “The store is welcoming and unpretentious. The owners…share ideas, inspiration, and even tips on how to go home and repurpose things you already have.” ??Heeston has ideas for future events to help celebrate the neighborhood and cement the Market Side Mercantile as a fixture, but for now she says the best thing folks can do to support the shop is to like them on Facebook and—of course—visit.?? Store hours are Weds-Fri 12-6 pm; Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 513-967-2026 for more info. By Hannah Purnell Follow Hannah on Twitter.
