Kenwood Plaza (Blue Ash, Montgomery, Deer Park: hotel, house, purchase)

[franke01]

Originally Posted by abr7rmj

Speaking of Kenwood, how long can they seriously let that half-built tower continue to rust like that? It's right next to Cincinnati's most affluent and popular mall and towers over I-71, but it is as big an eyesore as is imaginable.

I can't imagine that Crate & Barrel, the Container Store and other retailers actually in the building are too thrilled about sitting on the ground floor of a derelict steel structure.

I understand the whole thing is tied up in court, but can't the county or the township force its demolition?

I think the developer is in BK so there probably isn't anything the county could do.

[kjbrill]

But that rusting hunk of structural steel has been the obvious immense eyesore for how long now? Bankruptcy or not, it is a testimony to how SLOOOWW! our judicial system functions. The only people making anything out of it are the judges and the lawyers. If feel sorry for the companies in the bottom levels of the building and trust they are only there due to a long term lease. But I don't undestand why they cannot break that under the circumstances and move elsewhere, which I certainly would.

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by kjbrill

But that rusting hunk of structural steel has been the obvious immense eyesore for how long now? Bankruptcy or not, it is a testimony to how SLOOOWW! our judicial system functions. The only people making anything out of it are the judges and the lawyers. If feel sorry for the companies in the bottom levels of the building and trust they are only there due to a long term lease. But I don't undestand why they cannot break that under the circumstances and move elsewhere, which I certainly would.

I vaguely recall reading that under the terms of those businesses' contracts they don't have to pay any rent while the hulk remains unfinished and rusting. Not such a bad deal, maybe. It certainly hasn't slowed down my OCD friend from her Container Store shopping.

[zzzgreg1]

The kenwood plaza used to also have a little festival once a year (held in the parking lot) where they had some pretty cool rides! Also Kresges used to sell little animals from time to time , like turtles, chameleons, and of course colored bunnies at Easter time. And who could forget McDonalds across the street where the burgers were five cents, and trampoline city next to it.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by zzzgreg1

The kenwood plaza used to also have a little festival once a year (held in the parking lot) where they had some pretty cool rides! Also Kresges used to sell little animals from time to time , like turtles, chameleons, and of course colored bunnies at Easter time. And who could forget McDonalds across the street where the burgers were five cents, and trampoline city next to it.

I am sure you are referencing when the original McDonalds was a walkup carryout window operation only. I sure remember that, and also when they built the new building around the original while still maintaining the business operation. I can't remember them shutting down at all.

Some of my favorite Kenwood Plaza stores were Bankhardts Luggage, still there, Burkhardts Mens Clothing, bit the dust.

[kjbrill]

I remember when Kenwood Mall opened up across the street between Montgomery Rd and I-71. The anchor store was Shillito's. Initially it was a very pleasant place to shop, not all the large and fully enclosed. The west wing had a Thriftway Market, where I used to shop on a regular basis, particularly enjoying their meat selections.

Later on the original Kenwood Plaza was reconstructed into what is now Kenwood Towne Centre and Kenwood Mall is now Sycamore Plaza. They have both changed quite a bit, and I am not sure for the better. The rusting hulk in the Towne Center next to I-71 has to be an embarrassment to the entire complex.

I now view the Towne Centre as a difficult to get into and also get out of shopping experience. Far too much time spent trying to get where you want to shop and then back out. Seems like they are still geared to the '60s idea of going to the mall and spending the day tromping around from store to store, i.e. shopping. I believe that idea has run its course. People today have a much more selective idea of what they want, and are just deciding whether to review and buy it in the store or order online.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by kjbrill

I now view the Towne Centre as a difficult to get into and also get out of shopping experience. Far too much time spent trying to get where you want to shop and then back out. Seems like they are still geared to the '60s idea of going to the mall and spending the day tromping around from store to store, i.e. shopping. I believe that idea has run its course. People today have a much more selective idea of what they want, and are just deciding whether to review and buy it in the store or order online.

Don't forget parking is next to impossible!!

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by kjbrill

...I now view the Towne Centre as a difficult to get into and also get out of shopping experience. Far too much time spent trying to get where you want to shop and then back out. Seems like they are still geared to the '60s idea of going to the mall and spending the day tromping around from store to store, i.e. shopping. I believe that idea has run its course. People today have a much more selective idea of what they want, and are just deciding whether to review and buy it in the store or order online.

All the so-called experts seem to agree that enclosed malls are fast going the way of the dinosaur. It appears to me that Kenwood is still pretty successful, but I find it interesting that where the metro area could once support a whole bunch of these malls, that's the only one remaining that I'm aware of which seems to be thriving.

[13th Alphabet]

Originally Posted by Sarah Perry

All the so-called experts seem to agree that enclosed malls are fast going the way of the dinosaur. It appears to me that Kenwood is still pretty successful, but I find it interesting that where the metro area could once support a whole bunch of these malls, that's the only one remaining that I'm aware of which seems to be thriving.

Yeah, enclosed malls are slowly dying out. However, one of the primary reasons that Kenwood is still doing pretty good is that it is essentially the only location in the entire metro that offers "high-end" shopping. There are people that come out of the woodwork just to go to Apple and Nordstrom.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Wahl_Wrighter

Yeah, enclosed malls are slowly dying out. However, one of the primary reasons that Kenwood is still doing pretty good is that it is essentially the only location in the entire metro that offers "high-end" shopping. There are people that come out of the woodwork just to go to Apple and Nordstrom.

I certainly agree with that. For whatever reason Nordstrom retains that "high-end" atmosphere. But in its heyday, Pogues was more 'high-end' than Nordstrom even comes close to. Nordstrom has the prices, but Pogues had the quality. There is a difference.

The wife and I bought a bedroom set made by Henredon at Pogues in 1962. We still have it. At the time we felt it was expensive. But now that we realize it is virtually unchanged after 50 years, it was economical.

Our second wise purchase was a full dining room set made by Tell City of Indiana. Their hardwood furniture was advertised as being made ouf of hard rock maple wood. We bought our set in 1976, just prior to when they began to decline. It is a full 8-chair, high-back, dining set with a large china cabinet. The table stretches out over 12 feet. So we have two really quality pieces of furniture in our married life.

But there is a point when you really appreciate only having owned two quality pieces of furniture. You could have owned none.

At least when we pass on, hopefully one of the kids will be in a position to take the dining room set. I can guarantee in this day and age they would never be able to afford a set even close to the quality, because the quality is not even being made.