MasonBuzz.com

An artist's rendering of the new Soak City water park at Kings Island in Mason. The expansion, which opens May 26, will double the existing water park. Photo provided

Kings Island’s Soak City water park expansion will bring nearly 140 new seasonal jobs to the Mason amusement park.

The park typically hires about 200 lifeguards each season, but will be adding another 30 to 40 positions with this year’s water park expansion, said Don Helbig, park spokesperson.

The new attraction will generate another 100 positions in areas such as food service, security and retail, he said.

• Kings Island to double water park with $10m expansion
• Photo gallery: Construction photos of Soak City

Construction began in November on the park’s $10 million expansion of the existing Boomerang Bay water park.  The new attraction will double the water park’s size to 33 acres.

Features include a 39,000-square-foot wave pool; a new action river that replaces the lazy river, featuring waterfalls, rapids and spray hoses; and more amenities including volleyball courts, a redesigned entrance area, restaurants, lounge areas and grassy rest areas.

Kings Island is also accepting applications for 4,000 other seasonal positions throughout the park, including admissions, call center, cash control, entertainment, food and beverage, fire and safety, games, guest services, lifeguards, merchandise, rides, security, sweeps and warehouse.

Applicants must be at least 15 years old; qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an on-site interview, the park said.  Lifeguard training will be provided.

For more information or questions regarding employment, call 513-754-5748 or go to visitkingsisland.com.

Kings Island amusement park opens its 40th anniversary season April 28; Soak City is set to open May 26, free with park admission.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: boomerang bay, employement, expansion, hiring, jobs, kings island, lifeguards, soak city, water park, waterpark

Paul McKibben reports:

The historic Twenty Mile House is closer to becoming demolished for a Speedway gas station and convenience store as the township’s zoning commission Monday night gave its approval.

Speedway still needs to get approval from the Warren County engineer for the project to proceed.

The property is already zoned for the proposed use, but the zoning commission needed to OK the new use.

The vote was 4-1 to approve.

“The property owner has a right to use his property as it’s zoned in a manner that obviously meets the requirements of the code,” zoning commission chairman John Richardson said.

Residents wanted the zoning commission and township trustees to save the property.

They sent to various officials a 214-page petition with more than 2,000 names that asks township officials to postpone any final decisions for at least six months and to find alternative buyers who would preserve the property.

“Clearly the building can be made quite attractive and visually enhance the area while supporting the notion that historical places should not be bulldozed under the carpet to make way for a modern eyesore,” the petition says.

Deerfield Township resident Steve Link, of the Friends of Twenty Mile House group, said there have been dozens of suggestions for the building such as preschool or kindergarten, artist studios, offices for dentists, doctors and lawyers, or putting in three or four chain restaurants.

“It’s a question of who’s going to step up to the plate and actually do it,” he said.

The early 19th century property once was a stagecoach stop and it’s also been a restaurant.

Owner Jeff Black wants to sell the property to Speedway.

Last year Black/CJMKC Realty Co. contracted with Speedway to sell it for $800,000. The sale is contingent upon Speedway getting governmental approval for its development.

Last August, Warren County commissioners denied Speedway’s request to build a new driveway off Columbia Road. The proposed driveway was closer to Columbia Road and U.S. 22/Ohio 3, a major Warren County intersection where the property is located.

The proposed plan uses the existing driveway off of Columbia Road, according to Black’s attorney Konrad Kircher.

Anne McBride, who represented Speedway before the commission, said a right turn will be added on U.S. 22/Ohio 3 into the existing access point.

In January, CJMKC Realty that Black owns, sued county commissioners and others in Warren County Common Pleas Court. The suit seeks compensatory damages and other relief.

Posted in: Business, Deerfield Twp., News |

Tags: Tags: 20 mile house, business, deerfield township, demolition, friends of the twenty mile house, gas station, historic, jeff black, john richardson, speedyway, steve link, twenty mile house, warren county, zoning

Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante serves Veal and Prosciutto Tortellini and Antipasta in their restaurant in old Mason. The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Searching for the most romantic restaurant in Mason to take your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?  Search no more.  MasonBuzz readers have voted and the top Valentine’s Day date spot in Mason is… Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante.

The locally-owned family eatery topped the charts with 43 percent of 575 votes cast.  The Claddagh Irish Pub trailed with 32 percent of the vote, followed by Wildflower Cafe with 13 percent, The Polo Grille with six percent and Brazenhead Irish Pub with four percent.

Several readers also left write-in comments for Mimi’s Cafe, Cafe Bella and Aponte’s.

• Photos: Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante voted top V-Day date spot in Mason
• Read: Metromix reviews Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante
  

Jim and Linda Pitrelli launched Pitrelli’s out of their West Chester home.  The husband and wife team were teachers at St. Susanna’s in Mason when the longtime food lovers and part-time caterers got their first big order for their line of Italian sauces from retailer Jungle Jim’s.

It wasn’t long before rave reviews of their sauces and catering led to the opening in 2004 of Pitrelli’s Italian Cafe.  In late 2010, the couple relocated and expanded the now renamed Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante to 404 2nd Ave. in downtown Mason.

Nicknamed by patrons as the “Italian Cheers” of Mason, the restaurant has become known as a warm and inviting mom-and-pop operation providing authentic Italian cuisine amongst a sea of chain restaurants.

“Forget the big chain restaurants where you are just a piece of plastic,” wrote Lynn Daum in her nomination of Pitrelli’s.  “If you want someplace romantic, try Pitrelli’s.  Comfortable, friendly, great service, and authentic Italian food – not some goo smothered in tomato paste.”

Linda Teater Trammel says she enjoys the restaurant’s ambiance, good food and reasonable prices.

“It has great food, is a romantic setting with great ambiance and being housed in an old post office, it definitely has lots of memories. There is no other place in Mason that has what it has,” she wrote.

“Wonderful violin player strolls among the tables, fabulous food, cozy atmosphere, the food is top shelf. Dessert? The restaurant is is connected to a bakery! Pitrelli’s – absolutely fabulous!” echoed Angelina Mueth.

A serving of cannoli at Pitrelli's in Mason. File photo

The Pitrelli’s say they work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere where patrons feel like family.  The 5,000 square-foot space is broken up into four dining areas to offer diners a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

“When you walk in, it’s like you’re walking into our house,” said Jim. “In the front hallway when you come in, there’s pictures of our family: Linda and I at prom, our wedding photos and family pictures.  That’s part of the charm of the restaurant.”

It’s the restaurant’s homespun blend of ambiance, family atmosphere and its Italian comfort food menu that turns diners into regulars, said Jim.

The restaurant is famous for its signature eggplant Parmesan (believed by many a hopeful pregnant woman to induce labor) and lasagna.  Pizza is also a popular menu offering, said Jim.

“The pizza is phenomenal,” he said.  “We make a really good pizza.”

The restaurant also boasts a full-service bakery, offering cannolis, tiramisu, crème brûlée cheesecake and other sweet treats.

But diners hoping for a Valentine’s Day dinner at Pitrelli’s will be disappointed to know the restaurant is completely booked tonight.

“I couldn’t get Obama in tonight.  We’re booked solid,” said Jim with a laugh.

The restaurant is accepting reservations for later this week and weekend.  To make a reservation, call 513-770-0122.

Have you eaten at Pitrelli’s?  What did you think?  Tell us your experiences in the comments below.

Posted in: Business, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: aponte's, brazenhead irish pub, business, cafe bella, date spot, downtown mason, food, italian, jim pitrelli, linda pitrelli, mason, mimi's cafe, most romantic restaurant, photos, pitrelli's italian ristorante, restaurant, the claddagh, the polo grille, valentine's day, west chester, wildflower cafe

Four local Target stores, including the Deerfield Twp. store, are expanding their food areas to include fresh groceries, as seen here. (Provided photo)

The Deerfield Township Target store is among four local Target locations to add fresh produce, fresh meat and pre-packaged baked goods, reports Cincinnati New in Town.

Remodeling, which is expected to be complete by late March, is currently underway at the Fields Ertel store at 9841 Waterstone Blvd.  Other stores adding expanded food areas include the Western Hills store in Westwood, the Cincinnati Central store in Oakley and the Florence store.

The expanded food areas, which the company calls its ”Expanded Fresh Food Layout,” are already in place at the Blue Ash (read more about that store here) and Newport stores, both of which opened in 2011.

Along with the grocery additions, the four stores’ beauty, home, shoe and baby departments will also get updates.

Info: www.target.com

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business, deerfield township, expansion, fields ertel, food, groceries, produce, remodeling, target

The city of Mason has signed on a new tenant and renewed the lease of another at the city’s Municipal Center.

Tech start-ups Storeflix and mDynamik committed to leasing a combined 2,000-square-foot of space in a move expected to generate $15,000 annually in revenue for the city and the creation of 20 new jobs in the next two years.

“Part of our economic development success has been identifying and supporting small entrepreneurial start-ups with excellent potential,” said Mason Mayor David Nichols. “We are excited to continue the momentum and collaboration with mDynamik and StoreFlix as they continue growing and bringing high tech jobs to Mason.”

The city signed a new lease agreement with mDynamik, a mobile and social technology start-up servicing healthcare providers and organizations.  The company expects to launch its core consumer product offering this summer.

Storeflix, which has a patent pending on social media technology for businesses, opened in the old fire department administrative offices at the Mason Municipal Center in late 2010.  The company extended its lease agreement with the city by another 12 months.

City officials say leasing space to businesses in the Mason Municipal Center is a creative way to use existing assets to leverage investment and job creation of high-growth technology companies in the city.

“We believe successfully locating companies like StoreFlix and mDynamik here has a multiplier effect on the city’s ability to accomplish other economic strategies, including attracting a critical mass of more entrepreneur start-ups and greater workforce availability in science and technology fields,” said Michele Blair, Mason’s economic development director.

Since the city signed its first lease agreement with Storeflix, other businesses have taken note of relocating to city-owned properties.

In October, AssureRX announced plans to relocate the growing biotech firm’s headquarters and dry lab to the Mason Community Center.  The 10,000 square-foot facility can accommodate more than 100 employees.

Another bio-health startup, eMerge, also signed a lease for 900 square-feet of space at the Mason Municipal Center.  The company, which specializes in gastroenterology solutions, employs four full-time employees.

The new lease agreements bring business space at Mason’s Municipal Center to full capacity.

“We truly appreciate the City of Mason and their continued support during our start up stage of development. We look forward to creating many new jobs and opportunities for the city and to calling Mason home for many years to come,” said Storeflix CEO and founder, Phil Storage.

“MDynamik is very excited to be working with the City of Mason,” echoed Jeremy Shubert, the company’s co-founder.  “It’s a perfect partnership where Mason wants to help us grow and succeed and, in turn, we want to help Mason continue to be the thriving community it is today.”

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: assurerx, biotech, business, business suite, david nichols, emerge, jeremy shubert, jobs, lease, lease agreements, mason campus, mason community center, mason municipal center, mdynamik, michele blair, phil storage, storeflix

Valentine’s Day is here and MasonBuzz is looking the most romantic spot in Mason for a Valentine’s Day date.

MasonBuzz readers gave a lot of feedback to our request for local V-Day date hot spots — thanks to everyone who commented both here and on Facebook and Twitter.

There were five restaurants in Mason that garnered nominations: Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante, The Wildflower Cafe, The Claddagh Irish Pub (Mason), The Polo Grille and Brazenhead Irish Pub.

You can cast your vote for the top romantic V-Day date spot in Mason by voting in the poll below. Voting ends at noon today. Check back to see which restaurant has been chosen as the most romantic spot in Mason on Valentine’s Day.

Pulling for a certain restaurant? Then share this story on Facebook and Twitter and ask your followers to vote.

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After you’ve voted, be sure to tell us in the comments section below why your favorite tops the list.

And if there is a restaurant you think we missed,let us know in the comments below!

Posted in: Business, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: brazenhead irish pub, business, claddagh irish pub, date, mason, pitrelli's italian ristorante, restaurants, the polo grille, the wildflower cafe, v-day, valentine's day, vote

Mason entrepreneur Eric Corti demonstrates how to use his invention, the Wine Balloon. Corti appears on ABC's "Shark Tank" Friday, Feb. 10 to pitch his idea to investors. Photo provided

Eric Corti hopes to turn an entrepreneurial dream into a real company on tonight’s episode of “Shark Tank” (8 p.m. ABC).

The Mason inventor is one of 52 entrepreneurs selected from 24,000 applicants nationwide to make a pitch to a panel of five wealthy investors for financial backing and mentoring to help fund his Wine Balloon creation.

The Wine Balloon uses a rubber latex balloon to create an airtight seal in opened bottles of wine.  The product reduces the oxidation of red wine, which prolongs its shelf life by an addition three to four days, said Corti.

Simply re-corking the bottle traps air inside the bottle, causing the taste to sour, he explained.

“Our product stands the test of time.  The consumer can literally see from the outside that it is sealed, and taste the difference once it hits the palette,” he said.

Corti, who works in construction management, says he keeps a spiral notebook handy while traveling for business to jot down his invention ideas.  Most of those ideas never make it pass his toughest critic, wife Lisa.

“Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time she says, ‘That’s stupid,’ until this one,” said Corti with a laugh.   “This one was worth spending some of our saved money on and seeing where it would go.”

Corti’s toughest critic is also his muse — he invented the product in response to Lisa’s frustration with limited shelf lives of opened bottles of red wine.

Both red wine connoisseurs — the couple enjoy a glass nightly — the Cortis grew frustrated with rubber stoppers and corks they say didn’t preserve the wine beyond several days.

“I was tired of throwing away half bottles of red wine all the time,” said Corti.  “I started to think, you need to not have a half bottle of air in there.  What could you do to seal the wine right at the level of the wine?”

Corti dismantled a blood pressure cuff and experimented with different balloon sizes before finding a combination that worked.  He had a prototype built and tested it out on Lisa.

“I put one in the bottle and traveled for two to three days and offered my wife a glass of wine,” he said.  “She liked it.  Nothing had ever lasted for three days in house past open and I thought, ‘Aha.’”

The product, which retails for $22, has been available online for just over a year at www.wineballoon.com.  Corti hopes his appearance on “Shark Tank” will give him the financial support to take his product to the next level.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. Friday with entrepreneur/investors Mark Cuban (owner of the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks), technology inventor and millionaire Robert Herjavec, fashion and branding expert Daymond John (founder of FUBU clothes), venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary and QVC personality Lori Greiner.

If Corti’s pitch is convincing, the panel of “sharks” are ready to fight each other for a piece of it.

“We’re hoping that Wine Balloon will help a lot of people who really love wine,” said Corti.  “There’s got to be a way where you don’t feel bad about opening that good bottle.”

MasonBuzz will check back with Corti after tonight’s episode to provide an update on how he fared and his future business plans.

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Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, News |

Tags: Tags: abc, daymond john, entrepreneur, eric corti, inventor, kevin o'leary, lisa corti, lori greiner, mark cuban, mason, red wine, robert herjavec, shark tank, wine balloon

Via Cincinnati New in Town:

In honor of National Bagel Day and the chain’s 29th birthday, Bruegger’s Bagels is hosting its second annual “Three Free Bagel Day Birthday Bash” today, Thursday, Feb. 9.

Through 2 p.m., customers who bring a coupon — available under the “Birthday Bash” tab on Bruegger’s Facebook page – to any Brugger’s location will leave with three free bagels.

Bruegger’s has one location in Mason at 8220 Arbor Square Drive.  For additional locations, visit www.brueggers.com.

Posted in: Business, Community, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: arbor square, bagels, bruegger's, cincinnati new in town, free, mason, three free bagel day birthday bash

Mike Boyer reports:

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: assurerx, assurerx health inc, business, claremont creek ventures, depression, financing, funding, genesightrx, genetics, james burns, mason, mason community center, psychiatric disorders, sequioa capital, silicon valley bank, svb financial group

Kings Island says it has “4,000 jobs up for grabs.”

The amusement park says it is now accepting applications online at visitkingsisland.com to fill more than 4,000 seasonal positions for the 2012 operating season, which begins April 28.

Employees are needed “in all areas of park operation,” a news release said, including admissions, call center, cash control, entertainment, food and beverage, fire and safety, games, guest services, lifeguards, merchandise, rides, security, sweeps and warehouse.

Applicants must be at least 15 years old; qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an on-site interview, the park said.

For more information or questions regarding employment, call 513-754-5748 or go to visitkingsisland.com.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, business, employment, jobs, kings island, mason, park