It’s no secret that Uptown is full of small businesses and nonprofits that are vital parts of the community. The unique collection of businesses contributes to a major portion of Uptown’s success.
Last year may have been difficult for a lot of these businesses with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, but this year they are ready to bounce back with a wide array of events, festivals, and Small Business Saturday promotions.
"There was so much uncertainty around this time last year that many small businesses were pivoting and adjusting day-in and day-out operations,” said Beth Robinson, President and CEO of Uptown Consortium, Inc. “But this year things are looking up. We rely so heavily on these business associations in each area to support their thriving neighborhoods. These small businesses are vital to the economy in the neighborhoods and Uptown at large. The holiday season is the perfect time to go out and show your support.”
This is not a comprehensive list of all small businesses or celebrations in Uptown, but it is a wonderful place to start to see all the holiday festivities through the end of the year, including on Small Business Saturday, November 27.
Clifton
The Clifton Business Association will be kicking off Small Business Saturday with its Holidays on Ludlow celebration.
“After cancelling activities last year due to the pandemic, we think this is a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Patrick Borders, President of the Clifton Business Association.
To jumpstart the Holidays on Ludlow celebration, a tree-lighting ceremony will be held at the Clifton Plaza at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 27th. Clifton Schools, Clifton Recreation Center, and the Clifton Library are having children create recyclable ornaments that will be used to decorate the tree.
The event will include a live DJ and reindeer. The Cincinnati Christmas Carolers will stroll Ludlow Avenue stopping in businesses to sing carols. A reading of holiday stories will be presented by the Clifton Library, as well as singing and dancing at Sitwell’s Act II from 6:30 – 7 p.m. with hot chocolate served by Sitwell’s.
Several businesses will be offering food and beverages throughout the evening:
Ludlow Wines will be serving a traditional German warm mulled wine.
The Whole Bowl will be serving vegan hot chocolate at the Plaza.
Upside will have a special winter craft beer for sale.
The same day, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) will have a holiday event at their future home site located at 3412 Clifton Avenue. Kathy Wade and her band will perform from 6 – 7 p.m. and 8 – 9 p.m. in between sets. The CCAC will have crafts available for children and screen Burl Ive’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
To stay updated on events and holiday activities in Clifton, visit the Clifton Business Association’s Facebook Page here.
Clifton Heights
The Clifton Heights Business Association is relying heavily on the University of Cincinnati to reinvigorate the neighborhood this holiday season.
“Expectations are definitely high,” said Matt Bourgeois, Director of the Clifton Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC). “This time last year, the campus was closed, and the area was a ghost town. It really hurt a lot of our businesses who not only rely on the university’s population who was now working from home, but also the university’s draw for large events which were obviously not happening.”
But this year things are looking up for Clifton Heights. With UC’s campus fully opened, one of the nation’s top football teams, and a new head basketball coach, small businesses are feeling the tide has turned. “Better days are in front of us,” Bourgeois said.
Currently, several ads for the football and basketball season are promoting the Clifton Heights Business District and raffles for gift certificates are being offered for those who like the Facebook page. Additionally, the Clifton Heights Business Association is featuring a restaurant, bar, or retailer every day on its Facebook page.
DuBois Bookstore offers tons of excellent gifts for the Bearcats fan in your life. Duttenhofer’s Books and Mole’s Record Exchange are also fantastic places to discover hard-to-find books or records for readers or music lovers in your life. If you have a cyclist on your holiday shopping list, Campus Cyclery is a must-visit stop for shoppers.
“There are so many great businesses that form the fabric of the community,” Bourgeois said. “It’s easy to take for granted that they will always be there. One thing COVID taught us is you can’t take that for granted. You have to support those businesses by shopping and dining if you want them to be around next year.”
Mt. Auburn
The Mt. Auburn Chamber of Commerce is offering support for the businesses and residential communities in the area to come together this holiday season.
“With COVID somewhat ebbing, we hope more people will be out and about to shop locally, whereas one year ago they may not have been,” said Rob Festenstein, Executive Director of the Mt. Auburn Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and fill many gaps not covered by major chains and conglomerates.”
Several businesses and nonprofits in the area are taking on special projects to benefit children or those in need—customer support will be vital for those businesses to tackle those projects.
Additionally, the Church of our Saviour has been presenting a 2021 concern series since October and in December two concert series events are scheduled. CSO Nouveau Artists will be performing at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 4th and CSO/CCM Diversity Fellows will be performing at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 11th. Admission to the concert series is free and masks are required.
To stay updated on events and holiday happenings in Mt. Auburn, visit the Mt. Auburn Chamber Cincinnati Facebook page here.
Short Vine in Corryville
The Short Vine Association is always at work trying to keep its businesses alive. Short Vine is home to 50 businesses—40 of which are small businesses that are not located anywhere else in Cincinnati. It is home to the businesses of several UC and Bearcat football alumni, including Dwan Ward, owner of Alabama Que, Leo Morgan, owner of Island Frydays, and Robert Craig, owner of the Sweet Place Bakery.
In fact, Allison Hamilton, owner of one of Short Vine’s newest businesses, Cheba Hut, talked about her experience as a UC graduate opening a business on Short Vine and the magic of the street in an interview with WXIX FOX19.
“The community has really embraced us in the short time period that we’ve been here,” Hamilton said. “I am born and raised in Cincinnati and growing up I went to UC and would come up here to Short Vine, go to concerts. I felt like it was a 360 as I started here when I was younger and now I’m back here now that I’m older. It’s great to see redevelopment here in the community because I have a love for Short Vine. The vibe is infectious and it’s just amazing, positive energy. It’s a great time to be on Short Vine.”
The Short Vine Association is currently planning its 12 Days of Short Vine Holiday Promotions, which will begin in December. For updated information, visit the Short Vine Association Facebook page here.
Avondale
The Avondale Business Association is hoping this holiday season continues to revitalize small businesses in the area. In celebration of the holiday season, Cincinnati Healing Arts is hosting a Mini Holiday Mart featuring several Avondale and local small businesses. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 11th and Saturday, December 18th.
Additionally, Cincinnati Healing Arts, a chiropractic practice in Avondale supports local Avondale small business in their retail boutique which is available during office hours: Monday through Thursday 9 am to 5 pm & Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.
Dr. Jamila Maddox, D.C., with Cincinnati Healing Arts, is encouraging the city to step up to help Avondale and Uptown small businesses this holiday season by organizing walks of Uptown or the Avondale Town Center.
For more information about events throughout Uptown, click here.