Metropark CLosing All Stores

According the Business Courier, Metropark will be closing all 69 of their stores, starting..... now. I find this as a big blow to the mall industry, as the boutique had tons of character and offered high end brands such as True Religion and Obey, (maybe expensive is a better word). I used to shop there when I was in high school, but I felt they got a little too "Jersey Shore" for my taste, so I drifted elsewhere. Before Metropark closes it's doors forever, you can enjoy savings of 20% to 40% on their remaining stock, but like any other going-out-of-business sale, the best items go first, so get in there soon! In related news, The Children's Place packed up and booked it before you could say, "Are there going to be any sales?". Literally, they we're there one day and gone the next, without any warning to passerby's. However, all we can do is hope that better stores move in to their place. Some that I feel would be appropriate are as follows; Free People, The North Face, The Art of Shaving, Henry Bendel, Gilly Hicks, and United Colors of Benetton to name a few. In the meantime, keep shopping! -John

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty = Mine

I just picked up the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty book at Kenwood Barnes & Noble today for around $45. It was the last one at any Barnes & Noble in the city, and since Borders is now gone (still hard to talk about), I'm guessing it was one of the last ones available in Cincinnati. Anyway, the book was well worth the money and contains over 200 pages of beautiful photographs of works from my absolute favorite designer: Alexander (Lee) McQueen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the work of McQueen. It is available online for $27 if you can stand the wait, otherwise, you can expect to pay what I paid. I will hopefully be seeing the Savage Beauty exhibition at the MET in New York this summer and will post on that a little later. Until next time! -John

Bakers Moving Into Old Steve Madden Space

Bakers, a medium to high priced shoe store, carrying such names as Bebe and Bearpaw, is moving into the space left vacant by Steve Madden. This is the second location in the area (the other being Tricounty Mall).  The store should be open by July. Keep shopping! -John

Kenwood Forever XXI Construction Moving Along Nicely

The Kenwood Towne Centre XXI Forever (which is the regional flagship store for Forever 21) is currently expanding their store outwards into the parking lot and upwards with a second story. You can read the article from cincinnati.com here. I will post pictures soon. Keep shopping! -John

Steve Madden Closing In Kenwood

Steve Madden, the shoe retailer, is closing their only store in Cincinnati. The Kenwood Towne Centre location will be gone by the end of the month, said an employee. The employee also stated that all Steve Madden stores in the mid-west will be closing so the brand can focus more on overseas operations. However, I'm not sure how true that statement is as I can find literally nothing on the subject online. I'm sure (perhaps hopeful is a better word) that something better will go into it's place. Free People, anyone? Only time will tell! Keep shopping! -John

Park + Vine Starting "Spring Equinox 4-Day Sale"

Park + Vine (1202 Main Street Cincinnati Ohio 45202), is currently having a "little store sale"extending through the 21st of March, in celebration of the spring equinox. Now I don't know about you, but I feel the spring equinox is definitely something worth celebrating, and I'm glad Park + Vine agrees. Park +Vine, a "green general store", is your source for green, vegan, and organic products in Cincinnati, anywhere from food, to cleaning products, to apparel. I highly advise you check out this sale, the owners and employees are extremely friendly and helpful, and supporting local business is one of the best things you can do for our economy. Keep shopping! -John

Skechers Coming to Kenwood

Skechers, a child and adult shoe store based out of California, is opening in the Kenwood Towne Centre. This will be the companies fourth retail store in Ohio, and first in the southwest region. While I was hoping for something a little more high end (yet affordable), to compliment our soon-to-be Brooks Brothers, I am not disappointed by the new arrival. The store will be located in the old "Ph8" space next to Bath and Body Works. While no opening date is available on either the Kenwood or Skechers website, I imagine it will be open before this school year is over. Keep shopping! -John