Guest Blogger 5chw4r7z

5th annual Cincinnati Unchained and Holidays in the Bag
Last night we were treated to a mini “Taste of Over-the-Rhine” with venders serving their specialties as we learned about events for the upcoming Holiday Shopping/Event Season in OTR.
Jean-François Flechet, owner of taste of Belgium and Rob Williams, Fox19 news anchor80 local businesses throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will offer shoppers specials this Saturday during the fifth annual Cincinnati Unchained, an event created to encourage shoppers to purchase holiday gifts from local, independent stores.For every dollar spent at a chain $0.57 leaves the community.For every dollar spent at a local independant store $0.73 stays in your community.Local businesses get less subsidies and pay more tax per acre than chains. Money spent at a local independent shop is an investment in your neighborhood. Independent businesses recirculate revenue locally twice as much and have four times the economic impact per square foot while consuming a fraction of the land.So I want to be clear, you don't have to drive to OTR to shop but you can. Support the independent merchants closest in your neighborhood.For a full list of participating businesses and more information click here.This Saturday, the 19th is going to be a busy day. We have in addition to Unchained;Balluminaria in Eden Park beginning at 4pmCrafty Supermarket Holiday Show! at the Clifton Cultural Arts CenterCINCINNATI CORNHOLE CHAMPIONSHIP at the American Can LoftsSloane Boutique Grand Opening Party 1216 Vine Street OTRLooking ahead to next week we have;OTR Bar Crawl, Wednesday November 23rdSpend the night before Thanksgiving in Over-the-Rhine. A unique drink will be available at each bar or restaurant in the neighborhood, including Abigail Street, A Tavola, Senate, Lavomatic, The Lackman, MOTR, Neon’s, Grammer’s and The Drinkery!Holidays in the Bag, Friday November 25thAvoid the rush of the malls by shopping Over-the-Rhine for unique, local gifts in a relaxed atmosphere. Over-the-Rhine is holding its fourth Holidays in the Bag event. Buy the official reusable holiday shopping bag at Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway or other retail shops in OTR from November 21 – 25 and receive a 20% discount at participating stores. Proceeds from the sales of the holiday bags benefit the Freestore Foodbank.And much much more, check out the full holiday schedule HERE

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