EXCLUSIVE: Covington development adds 2 retailers, to start work on historical building for restaurant, speakeasy

–October 9, 2021 | Tom Demeropolis | Cincinnati Business Courier

John R. Green Lofts, a $38 million mixed-use development in the heart of Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, has two retailers opening this month and plans to start work soon on the historical John R. Green building at 411 W. Sixth St.

Ernie Brown, founder of EB Capital Partners, which developed John R. Green Lofts with partner RealtyLink, said two retail tenants will open in the development in October. Neighborhood Barre, a franchise that offer barre fitness classes, is scheduled to open Oct. 21. Next door, Handzy and Gumdrop will open a women’s and children’s boutique before the end of October.

Neighborhood Barre signed a seven-year lease for a 1,200-square-foot space next to the John R. Green Lofts fitness center at 421 W. Sixth St. Franchisee Rikki Puckett will offer barre classes, as well as online classes. Barre is a type of fitness class that combines elements of dance, pilates and weight training, primarily using small, isometric movements.

Brown said John R. Green Lofts has already let Puckett use its rooftop amenity area to introduce the concept to tenants.

Next door to Neighborhood Barre will be Handzy and Gumdrop, two existing retailers in Covington, who will combine to take a 2,000-square-foot space. Handzy and Gumdrop, which also signed a seven-year lease, sell a variety of items.

Currently located on Pike Street in Covington, Handzy Shop + Studio sells clothing, accessories, stationery and greeting cards. Gumdrop sells children’s clothes, books, toys and games.

“Mainstrasse is going to be great for their business,” Brown said.

Joe Janszen, director with Cushman & Wakefield, represented John R. Green Lofts in both leases.

In addition to the two retailers opening this month, the developers are moving forward on renovating the historical John R. Green Building. Brown said construction is scheduled to start on the 20,000-square-foot building, which was built in 1850, on Nov. 15.

The renovation work will prepare the upper floors for potential office tenants, while the first floor and lower level will be prepped for a potential restaurant user. The upper floors will be prepared so they can be finished out for an office tenant in about 90 days.

As for the restaurant, Brown said he has a letter of intent from a user for a first-floor restaurant and a basement-level speakeasy. The lower-level speakeasy will have a hidden door and a secret knock.

“It will feel like a legitimate speakeasy from back in the day,” Brown said.

Fedders Construction is handling construction on the historical building, with Hub+Weber Architects PLC serving as the architect.

Excerpts taken from the following article:

EXCLUSIVE: Covington development adds 2 retailers, to start work on historical building for restaurant, speakeasy

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