Monday, February 22, 1999
Newport rolls out not-welcome mat
Officials want rent-to-own off Monmouth
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — The road to upscale development has never been easy in downtown Newport.
First, city pressure virtually shut down the adult entertainment bars on Monmouth Street. Now, similar pressure may be helping clear out a proliferation of rent-to-own businesses in the same area.
Newport Main Street coordinator Eric Avner said Friday that by the end of March, the five rent-to-own businesses located in a 11/2-block stretch of Monmouth Street will be reduced to just two.
Mr. Avner said city officials feel rent-to-own businesses, which sell and lease televisions and appliances, “are not a part of the business mix we are eventually looking for on Monmouth Street.”
The city has plans to refurbish Monmouth Street, including removal of all overhead util ities, putting in new sidewalks and creating additional parking. City officials hope to attract upscale businesses and developers to complement the work taking place along the riverfront, including the aquarium.
Last fall, city commissioners approved a zoning change making the rent-to-own stores nonconforming uses in downtown. While no new rent-to-own busi nesses can open downtown, existing stores can remain.
“We've made it clear this is not the type of store we prefer as we implement the Main Street programs to upgrade Monmouth Street,” Mr. Avner said.
That's news, however, to Mike Irwin, manager at Renter's Choice at 840 Monmouth.
“We certainly weren't aware that the city felt that way,” Mr. Irwin said.
Mr. Avner said the reduction in the number of rent-to-own stores on Monmouth Street is mainly the result of mergers.
“Renter's Choice purchased the RTO and Rent-A-Center stores,” he said. “The store at 840 Monmouth is closing but will move to the Newport Shopping Center, which is the only place now that is zoned for that type of business.
“Stores at 800 Monmouth and 833 Monmouth are closing, and a new Rent-A-Center will open at 831 Monmouth with a new front that will be in keeping with Newport's historic structures. The second store remaining on Monmouth is Aaron's Rental Purchase at 760 Monmouth.”
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