Friday, June 04, 1999
Harrison hopes to lure business, shoppers
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HARRISON — With three new businesses on the way, street improvements in the works and plans shaping up for a public information campaign, officials say things are looking up downtown.
“I think Harrison has been discovered,” said Jerry Caruso, executive director of the Harrison Main Street program.
Like many small cities and towns, Harrison ended the 1980s in an economic slump. Businesses had abandoned the traditional downtown in favor of retail strips and shopping malls on busier roads and highway interchanges.
So city officials turned to the Main Street program, a combination of marketing and infrastructure improvements designed to turn the traditional retail district back into the heart of the town.
In the last four years, 72 new jobs have been created downtown. While some businesses have failed and others never really got started, others are beginning to work.
Some shops that had moved to strip malls in the newer part of town are now returning to their roots.
Harrison Cyclery and Things opened last week at Harrison Avenue and State Street, one block from where it had previously operated. For the past four years, owner Bill Vanselow had been paying higher rent in a more visible, but smaller location.
He said he hopes the move will help bring back the old retail center.
“I'm sure there are a lot of people who are going to come down here who might not have before, but they're coming to get their bike fixed,” Mr. Vanselow said.
Other shopping options are on the way.
Whitewater Market, expected to open this summer at 100 Harrison Ave., will be a combination deli, ice cream and candy store.
In the historic Fischer building at 118 Harrison Ave., a new cafe will pre miere in August.
And a large restaurant, Market Street Grill, could open this winter at Walnut Street and Harrison Avenue.
Councilwoman Judy Kircheval said most of the new businesses are gearing up for the annual Celebration of the Arts, a street festival held on the first Saturday of August.
Others are likely to open before the city's 125th anniversary celebration next year.
The city also is spending more than $300,000 to rebuild Broadway Street this summer, and plans to work on other downtown streets as money becomes available.
Harrison Avenue, the city's “main street,” will eventually feature improved and decorative lighting, signage, benches and other improvements.
The project will be honed over the next two years through town hall style meetings, Mr. Caruso said.
“I think we need an awareness of what the (street improvement) program may do for Harrison and of how you do it — where do you get the money and how do you keep businesses from leaving,” Mr. Caruso said.
“The Main Street program takes many, many years — and we're just in our fourth year. ... But we're chugging along.”
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