By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Only three years ago, Marvin Smith was forced out of his job as head of a non-profit housing-development corporation following accusations of weak management practices.

That's a long way from where Smith is today, as owner-operator of two thriving Cincinnati restaurants.

"I had no intention of going into the restaurant business," the 44-year-old Smith recalled recently as he sat at a table in his newest restaurant - Mr. Ollie's Cafe at Findlay Market.

Smith, former executive director of Owning the Realty, bought his first restaurant - Ollie's Trolley - as a quick turnover investment.

But after relocating the failed trolley restaurant he had purchased at a sheriff's sale from downtown to a vacant lot near the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Central Parkway in the West End, he decided to put his restaurant experience to work and reopen it.

Smith, a native of Springfield, Ohio, had worked as a cook as he pursued a bachelor's degree in economics at Wittenberg University and a master's in education at Xavier University.

Ollie's Trolley, which opened in December 1993, serves takeout fast food such as hamburgers, barbeque ribs and french fries, and greens with Smith's special sauce.

"My dad said, 'If you don't work, you don't eat,'" Smith said explaining his work ethic. "I like the rewards of working hard."

In the early days, Smith, wearing his signature chef's hat and coat with red apron, would stand on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant and beckon customers.

In April, he opened Mr. Ollie's Cafe, a sit-down restaurant with an African motif that offers breakfast and lunch. The cafe menu has more fruits, salads and vegetables on its menu than does Ollie's Trolley.

Smith, a North Fairmount resident, said he realized that Mr. Ollie's Cafe wasn't a sure thing.

"I knew I was taking a risk. But that's what I've done the last 20 years - take vacant buildings and make something out of them."'

Smith lost his job as head of the now-defunct Owning the Realty in 2000 after the city's Office of Municipal Investigation claimed his agency misspent more than $900,000 in grant money.

Mr. Smith denied any wrongdoing, saying the city's investigation was botched and relied on incomplete records. He pointed out that he was never charged with any crime.

"We took a lot of old buildings and rehabbed them on a shoestring,'' Smith said "Somebody (from the city) had to inspect the (rehab) work before we received any money."

Smith professes a sense of satisfaction in his business success after his Owning the Realty crisis.

"I had something to prove - that I'm a good businessman."

Ollie's restaurants

Ollie's Trolley:

Address: 1607 Central Ave., West End, a block west of the intersection of Central Parkway and Liberty Street.

Menu: Takeout fast food; hamburgers, barbeque, fries.

Mr. Ollie's Cafe at Findlay Market:

Address: 1821 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.

Menu: A sit-down restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Lighter fare, with more fruits and vegetables.

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E-mail bweathers@enquirer.com