WestChesterBuzz.com

Rachel Richardson reports:

Marion’s Piazza manager John Davis knew the restaurant would be a hit when he opened the doors for lunch and was greeted by a party of 30 hungry guests.

The Dayton-based chain celebrated the grand opening of its newest restaurant — its ninth overall — Tuesday at the corner of Tylersville and Snider roads in Mason.

The Mason opening marks the company’s first Greater Cincinnati location.

“We were real busy,” said Davis of the lunch crowd. “Everybody said, ‘We can’t wait until you get here.’”

• Photos: Marion’s Piazza opens in Mason

The 11,000-square-foot Mason location employs about 50 people and seats 520, including 70 in an outdoor patio and 100 in a private banquet room. Carry out service is also offered.

Marion’s is one of the first developments to break ground on the 9-acre site owned by Everybody’s Farm Inc. A dermatologist office is slated for another lot, according to Jeff Eichhom of Henkle, Schueler & Associates, whose sister company, Bunnell Hill Development Co. Inc., is the project’s developer.

The chain’s success lies in its pizza, known as Dayton-style pizza, said Roger Glass, company president. The crust is thin and pies are cut in bite-size squares instead of slices, he said.

Eighty-five percent of the company’s sales are pizza; other fare includes salads, sandwiches, lasagna and spaghetti.

“We must be doing something right. We keep setting records for business every year,” said Glass. “If you come to Marion’s, you’ve got to be hungry for pizza.”

Mason proved an attractive area for expansion because it is a populous area with a solid base of industry and other development, said Glass. Mason is also close to the company’s Dayton-based commissary, which ships out fresh dough daily.

Linda Bonnell of Loveland got hooked on Marion’s in the 1990s after her child’s basketball team played in the area. She was at the restaurant on opening day for dinner.

“We couldn’t wait until this one opened,” she said. “The pizza is wonderful, absolutely the best.

Restaurant hours are 10:30 a.m. -11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

The restaurant is at 6176 Soundwave Blvd. and can be reached at 513-398-9998.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, Dayton, everybody's farm, expansion, marion's piazza, Mason, opening, pizza, restaurant, roger glass

Shauna Steigerwald reports:

Greater Cincinnati will get its first taste of Jack in the Box when the fast-food chain opens in West Chester, most likely sometime this summer.

Brian Luscomb, company spokesperson, said the restaurant will likely break ground at a site on Tylersville Road, near I-75, within the next few weeks. It will be the first Jack in the Box in Ohio and the first of several planned for Greater Cincinnati, Luscomb said. Though the company isn’t disclosing other potential locations yet, Luscomb confirmed that it is looking at several sites in addition to West Chester.

Expansion has definitely been on the menu at Jack in the Box, which added 31 new stores in 2011 and plans to add 25 to 30 locations this year, Luscomb. Last month, it opened its first Indiana store in Indianapolis, and has had a “strong response” thus far, he said.

“We’re looking to expand into markets where there is already an awareness of the Jack in the Box brand and the products we offer,” he said, nothing that Greater Cincinnati fits the bill.

For the unfamiliar, the fast-food chain is best known for its burgers and tacos, but its menu also includes less traditional offers such as chicken teriyaki bowls and chicken fajita pitas. Its full menu is available all day, “so if you want breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast, you have that option,” Luscomb said.

Info: www.jackinthebox.com

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: brian luscomb, burgers, business, fast food, food, jack in the box, opening, restaurants, West Chester

Sushi Monk became West Chester’s newest sushi restaurant when it opened earlier this summer at 8268 Princeton-Glendale Road. The chef, Calvin Tam, has made sushi at many Japanese restaurants around town, according the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Polly Campbell. He has also taught popular sushi-making classes at Jungle Jim’s Cooking School.

Next Sunday, Aug. 28, Tam (right) will hold a sushi class from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at his new restaurant. Registration is due by this Thursday Aug. 25.

Recently, Cincinnati Enquirer photographer Tony Jones visited the restaurant to take pictures for Metromix.com.

The restaurant is small, seating around 48 people and 20 people outside.

Sushi Monk serves sushi, ramen, and some other Japanese snacks such as potstickers, short ribs and fish balls.

The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. (summer hours) and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information or to register for the sushi class, call 513-881-1889.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, class, grand opening, opening, photos, restaurant opening, sushi class, Sushi Monk, West Chester photos

Geisha, a modern Asian fusion cuisine restaurant that began serving in mid-February of 2011, is now closed for renovations, according to Cincinnati.com’s “New in Town” blog.

When the Geisha Modern Asian Cuisine & Lounge reopens in October, diners will be able to enjoy the 10 new hibachi grill tables and sushi bar that are being installed, according to the report.

When the restaurant opened this year, the menu featured roughly 70 different types of sushi and rolls. Managers of the Geisha expected that number to grow as the restaurant settled in.

The 6,745 square-foot restaurant is located at 7691 Voice of America Drive in West Chester Township in the former Johnny Carino’s location – on the corner of Tylersville and Cox roads.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, closing, Cox, Geisha, jobs, Johnny Carino's, opening, renovations, sushi, Tylersville

The Tide Dry Cleaners in Liberty Township will open Wednesday at 7 a.m., according to Ray D’Alonzo, who signed a franchise agreement for the Tide Dry Cleaners with Agile Pursuits Franchising Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble.

The store is located at 6842 Liberty Plaza Drive near the Kroger Marketplace and Lakota East High School. It will be the second Tide Dry Cleaners to open in the Greater Cincinnati area.

The concept of what Tide Dry Cleaners offers its customers was developed though consumer feedback P&G received when it tested multiple stores in Kansas City, Kan.

“What we heard from consumers was that they were not receiving a consistent quality of cleaning and they weren’t getting a good experience while they were at the store. They felt that dry cleaning stores were hot, damp and they never saw the same people when they were in there,” said Ross Holthouse, external relations manager for P&G FutureWorks.

“We knew we needed to bring a different level of service and experience to the customer.”

P&G decided to make the stores more convenient for the consumer by adding 24-hour lockers, so customers could pick up or drop off their clothes at anytime of day. P&G also added a covered valet lane so customers could avoid rain and other weather elements when picking up or dropping off their clothes.

On Oct. 31, 2010, P&G opened its first Greater Cincinnati area Tide Dry Cleaners in Mason and has been pleased with its success.

“We have exceedingly gone beyond our expectations in terms of volume. From the time we have opened, the store has been very full,” Holthouse said. “The consumer response has been really strong and we are seeing a lot of the same customers coming back.”

When the Liberty Township store opens, the stores hours will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, Liberty Township Tide Dry Cleaners, opening, Tide Dry Cleaners

Hearing Solutions by Ellis-Scott & Associates opened a new location in Liberty Township Tuesday. The family business specializes in hearing screenings, hearing instruments and service on all types of hearing aids.

To celebrate the opening, the business will offer free hearing screenings, provide demonstrations of hearing instruments and free refreshments from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week (Tuesday through Friday).

Typically, the business is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

The Liberty Township office is located in the Liberty Commons shopping center next to the Kroger Marketplace off Yankee Road.

The company already has locations in Western Hills, Blue Ash, Milford, Highland Heights (Ky.) and Florence (Ky.). It also plans to open another location in Anderson Township off Beechmont Ave. in August.

Hearing Solutions also has a mobile office, which is currently in Lebanon. Next week, it will be visiting Fairfield. Then in the third week of July, the mobile office will be in Colerain. The mobile office provides free hearing screenings.

For more information about Hearing Solutions, visit hearingsolutionsohio.com or call 513-248-1944.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, grand opening, Hearing Solutions, Hearing Solutions by Ellis-Scott & Associates, Liberty Township business news, opening

The Tide Dry Cleaners in Liberty Township is scheduled to open July 27, according to Ray D’Alonzo, who signed a franchise agreement for the Tide Dry Cleaners with Agile Pursuits Franchising Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble.

The store, which will be finished by July 19, is located at 6842 Liberty Plaza Drive near the Kroger Marketplace and Lakota East High School. It will be the second Tide Dry Cleaners to open in the Greater Cincinnati area.

The concept of what Tide Dry Cleaners offers its customers was developed though consumer feedback P&G received when it tested multiple stores in Kansas City, Kan.

“What we heard from consumers was that they were not receiving a consistent quality of cleaning and they weren’t getting a good experience while they were at the store. They felt that dry cleaning stores were hot, damp and they never saw the same people when they were in there,” said Ross Holthouse, P&G external relations manager for P&G FutureWorks.

“We knew we needed to bring a different level of service and experience to the customer.”

P&G decided to make the stores more convenient for the consumer by adding 24-hour lockers, so customers could pick up or drop off their clothes at anytime of day. P&G also added a covered valet lane so customers could avoid rain and other weather elements when picking up or dropping off their clothes.

On Oct. 31, 2010, P&G opened its first Greater Cincinnati area Tide Dry Cleaners in Mason and has been pleased with its success.

“We have exceedingly gone beyond our expectations in terms of volume. From the time we have opened, the store has been very full,” Holthouse said. “The consumer response has been really strong and we are seeing a lot of the same customers coming back.”

When the Liberty Township store opens, the stores hours will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, Liberty Township Tide Dry Cleaners, opening, Tide Dry Cleaners

One of the area’s newest restaurants recently showed off a few of its signature dishes to Metromix Cincinnati and WestChesterBuzz.com. Smoke and Grits, which is located at 9104 Cox Road in West Chester, specializes in southern cuisine.

Davidson Muldrow, who was unhappy with his career in corporate sales, created the restaurant.

“When I lost my parents in 2009, it made me realize more than anything that life is short,” Muldrow said. “You have one chance at life and you have to go ahead and do what you want to do, while you are still here. So, I decided to jump into the deep end and start a restaurant.”

The restaurant’s menu features smoked pulled pork, ribs, sausage and chicken. It also features southern fried chicken, chicken wings, cornbread, collard greens and numerous dishes featuring grits (such as southern seasoned grits, cheese grits, fish and grits, shrimp and grits and smoked sausage and grits).

On Saturday and Sunday, Smoke and Grits will also feature a brunch buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, waffles, pancakes and grits.

Many of the recipes at Smoke and Grits are from Muldrow, who learned how to cook when his mother “grew tired of cooking for four kids.” He also credits his father, who used to make similar food on special occasions.

Currently, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is also open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, opening, photos, restaurant opening, Smoke & Grits, Smoke and Grits, soul food, southern cuisine

The newly opened Smoothie King in Liberty Township will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The smoothie shop opened up about four weeks ago and has seen its business pick up recently.

“Business is starting to pick up as people come aware that we are open,” team associate Brad Vonbargen said. “We have had people tell us that they have seen the ‘now open’ sign and have decided to turn around.”

The grand opening celebration will feature former Cincinnati Bengals David Fulcher and Dave Lapham. Both will be available for free autographs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Furthermore, during those two hours, there will also be face-painting available for the kids, special deals on smoothies and nutritional supplements and a chance to register for prizes.

Smoothie King is located at 6752 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, one-quarter mile north of the Kroger Marketplace. For more information, call 513-779-KING (5464).

The smoothie shop is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, Dave Lapham, David Fulcher, grand opening, opening, Smoothie King

There is a new restaurant in West Chester called Smoke and Grits, which specializes in southern cuisine and encourages its customers to interact with each other.

Davidson Muldrow, who was unhappy with his career in corporate sales, created the restaurant.

“When I lost my parents in 2009, it made me realize more than anything that life is short,” Muldrow said. “You have one chance at life and you have to go ahead and do what you want to do, while you are still here. So, I decided to jump into the deep end and start a restaurant.”

The restaurant’s menu features smoked pulled pork, ribs, sausage and chicken. It also features southern fried chicken, chicken wings, cornbread, collard greens and numerous dishes featuring grits (such as southern seasoned grits, cheese grits, fish and grits, shrimp and grits and smoked sausage and grits).

On Saturday and Sunday, Smoke and Grits will also feature a brunch buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, waffles, pancakes and grits.

Many of the recipes at Smoke and Grits are from Muldrow, who learned how to cook when his mother “grew tired of cooking for four kids.” He also credits his father, who used to make similar food on special occasions.

In addition to the food, Muldrow hopes that his new restaurant can turn into the local hang out spot.

“We want to be that place where people can meet others who they have not met before,” Muldrow said.

The new owner said the wants his restaurant to have a “house party” atmosphere where customers can greet each other. To help regulars at the restaurant with this idea, Muldrow has created a way for customers to sign up on the Smoke and Grits website for a free VIP membership. The membership, among other things, allows customers to be in the restaurant or have parties after closing hours.

Currently, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is also open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Smoke and Grits is located at 9104 Cox Road in West Chester. It is in the shopping center that intersects with Cox Road and U.S. 42.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, business news, opening, restaurant opening, Smoke & Grits, Smoke and Grits, soul food, southern cuisine