41 new businesses opened in OTR this year

Over 40 businesses opened in Over-the-Rhine over the last year, creating over 640 new jobs for the neighborhood and the city of Cincinnati, the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday evening.

Those businesses included 19 retail shops, 20 restaurants and bars and two service-oriented businesses.

“Over-the-Rhine is firmly established as a new shopping district and destination for retail in Cincinnati,” said Emilie Johnson, president of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, in a news release.

“Many Greater Cincinnati residents know the neighborhood as a dining destination," she added. "Retail has steadily grown over the last year with newcomers such as Kit and Ace, Homage, Elm & Iron and many more.”

Those businesses in Over-the-Rhine are having a ripple effect on the local economy, Johnson said. Many Cincinnati residents are ditching big retailers and restaurants and supporting local businesses instead.

The chamber released those results around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the newly-renovated Union Hall. Afterwards, representatives from the new businesses gathered for a holiday kick-off party, which Drew Lachey emceed.

The chamber encouraged shoppers to visit Over-the-Rhine for the holiday shopping season. Throughout November and December, there will be Over-the-Rhineders stationed throughout the community to help shoppers.