By Jim Knippenberg
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nicholas Spencer's group, After5 Walks, meets every Thursday at Kaldi's on Main Street, to patronize downtown businesses. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

So Nick, you're getting a reputation as one of downtown's busiest activists because of your After5 Walks. What are they?

After5 is one part of the much larger Cincinnati Tomorrow project. The walks were designed to support downtown businesses. We assemble at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at Kaldi's (1204 Main St.) for a social, then we go out and visit downtown restaurants, bars and businesses. Last week, for example, we met here, then toured two renovated apartments in Over-the-Rhine, then went down to the Enjoy the Arts office. Another week, we met for social hour, then went to the Mercantile Library and Ohio Book Store, then to Arnold's.

Walks usually last until about 9 or so, unless we go to the theater, then it's later.

Who goes?

Anyone who wants to. The size of the group bounces from week to week, but we usually average somewhere in the 40s. There's a small core group of people who come almost every week, but the rest of the population rotates. Every week some new people show up, too. It's free to participate, so it's an inexpensive evening. People spend as little as $3 and as much as $15 to $20.

Describe the group's demographic.

We focus on attracting a group of diverse young professionals although it was never intended to be a YP thing only. But we did take a good deal of the inspiration from Richard Florida and his concept of the creative class of young professionals and how they're essential to the life of the city. But to get them here and keep them here, you need to show them a good time in a vibrant city. The walks do that.

How do people find out about the walks?

Our Web site (www.cincinnatitomorrow.com) and e-mails. I've said many times that the group's success is living proof of the power of e-mail. We post the Thursday schedule on our site on Monday, then send out e-mail reminders on Wednesday to our list of 500. And we encourage the recipients to forward the e-mail to their address book. We also list my cell phone number that you can call. A lot of people who can't make it by 6:30 on a Thursday call it to find out where we are at 7 or 7:30. It's 884-4224.

Are you a Cincinnati lifer?

I am, with some gaps. I grew up in Northern Kentucky but moved away to work for Senator (John) McCain, first as a volunteer, later as paid staff on his presidential campaign, and after that for the Republican Party in St. Louis. From there I went to Cleveland and worked as a personal aide to Senator (George) Voinovich. About a year ago I moved back here to finish my degree in political science at Xavier. The way I figure, I have a semester left. I'm 24 now, and by the time I'm 25, I think I'll be a graduate.

You live downtown on your own, go to college and don't have a job. How are you financing your life?

Very carefully. One of the things about working in politics is that it takes every minute of your time, so you end up with a lot of paychecks in the bank. I'm living on those savings. But we're also in the process of incorporating (Cincinnati Tomorrow) and when that's finished I hope to start getting a paycheck.

Why are you so attracted to downtown?

I love it downtown. Growing up in Northern Kentucky, I have a different perspective. When I was growing up it was such a big deal to come downtown. It was a special place for me then, and it still is. When I discovered that people view the area negatively, I just didn't understand. I still don't. For me, living down here is a thrill.

How'd you come to pick Kaldi's as an unofficial clubhouse?

Because I love the casual atmosphere, and it's my home away from home. But in addition, when we were starting up four months ago, I knew I needed a place that wasn't alcohol-centric because it's too hard to move people out of that to the next stop. That eliminated bars right away, and that's also why we don't do a pub crawl every week, though we do one sometimes. At Kaldi's you can have a drink if you want, and it's a great spot to mingle. Plus the central location, it's just perfect for what we're doing.

How's the group different from a singles group?

It's not our intent to be a singles group in any way. I know people do meet, and new friendships and relationships emerge on the Walks, but romance isn't the issue. Out and out singles groups scare people. Our goal is to expose new people to downtown.

What's this business about you going to Memphis?

It's in May for a conference called the Memphis Manifesto. They've invited 100 young creatives from across the country. I haven't seen the whole list of people yet, but it seems to be all people working on creative class issues. It's a three-day weekend, but I'm stretching it out to do the (New Orleans) Jazz Festival, then rushing home in time for Jammin' on Main. Oh, and I have final exams right in the middle.

Are people nervous about joining an After5 Walk the first time?

Yeah, I hear that sometimes, and that's why I'm thinking of doing a First Timers Only walk. It seems like no matter how much we try, people are still confused about us. But really, there's nothing to be afraid of. We're casual, easy to be with, we're simplicity itself.

What about people who are afraid of the neighborhood?

I think about that a lot. I live here, so I forget that some people worry about it. I try to put myself in their shoes - like somebody living way out in the suburbs who has never been panhandled. I understand it can be jarring, and that's why I encourage people who are nervous to call my cell phone and someone will go meet them at their car.

Given unlimited time and money, what would Cincinnati Tomorrow do next?

We'd see to it that we implemented every single point of our Creative Plan for Cincinnati that you can see on our Web site.

It's a plan for helping the city, downtown mainly, based on feedback from our group and hundreds of others.

The beauty of it is that it's about 100 doable little things, not some huge impossible project. It's things we can actually do. And will.

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com