Posts Tagged ‘business’

WedFeb15

Deerfield planners OK Twenty Mile House demolition

Posted by rrichardson February 15th, 2012, 10:01 am Post a Comment
Twenty Mile House

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.

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Posted in: Business, Deerfield Twp., News |

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TueFeb14

MasonBuzz readers vote Pitrelli’s top V-Day date spot in Mason

Posted by rrichardson February 14th, 2012, 3:14 pm Post a Comment

Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante

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.

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.

Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante

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.

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Posted in: Business, Community, News |

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Deerfield Target adding fresh groceries

Posted by rrichardson February 14th, 2012, 1:05 pm Post a Comment
Target

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

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New lease agreements to bring 20 new jobs to Mason

Posted by rrichardson February 14th, 2012, 11:35 am Post a Comment

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.”

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Posted in: Business, News |

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Vote: What’s the best Valentine’s spot in Mason?

Posted by rrichardson February 14th, 2012, 10:17 am Post a Comment

Valentine's Day 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.

What is the best spot in Mason for Valentine's Day?

  • Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante (43%, 250 Votes)
  • The Claddagh Irish Pub (32%, 182 Votes)
  • The Wildflower Cafe (13%, 76 Votes)
  • The Polo Grille (6%, 32 Votes)
  • Brazenhead Irish Pub (4%, 22 Votes)
  • Other: Please list in comment (2%, 16 Votes)

Total Voters: 575

Loading ... Loading ...

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!

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FriFeb10

Vote: What’s the best date spot in Mason for Valentine’s Day?

Posted by rrichardson February 10th, 2012, 10:26 am Post a Comment

Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day is fast approaching 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 will continue through noon on Valentine’s Day.  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.

What is the best spot in Mason for Valentine's Day?

  • Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante (43%, 250 Votes)
  • The Claddagh Irish Pub (32%, 182 Votes)
  • The Wildflower Cafe (13%, 76 Votes)
  • The Polo Grille (6%, 32 Votes)
  • Brazenhead Irish Pub (4%, 22 Votes)
  • Other: Please list in comment (2%, 16 Votes)

Total Voters: 575

Loading ... Loading ...

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!

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WedFeb8

AssureRX gets $8M more to grow

Posted by rrichardson February 8th, 2012, 8:55 am Post a Comment

Mike Boyer reports:

Freshly relocated into an expanded headquarters in Mason, AssureRx Health Inc. has secured $8 million in bank financing to further develop genetic tests leading to customized treatment of psychiatric disorders.

The 5-year-old biotech startup said Tuesday it signed a term and revolving credit agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, a California subsidiary of SVB Financial Group. That’s in addition to $11 million in new venture funding led by Claremont Creek Ventures and Sequoia Capital secured last year.

CEO James Burns said the additional financing will help the company continue to expand sales of its initial test, GeneSightRx, as well as support introduction of four new products this year.

Three weeks ago, the company completed its move into 10,000 square feet of space in the Mason Community Center from smaller leased space in the Columbia Commons business park off Interstate 71.

When the privately held company announced the move in October, Burns said AssureRx expected to employ 100 people by 2014. But Tuesday, Burns said the fast-growing company could reach that employment level in the next year.

Current employment is just more than 50, up from about a dozen a year ago.

Using technology initially developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, AssureRx’s GeneSightRx genetic test helps psychiatrists tailor treatment for depression and other psychiatric disorders with a simple cheek swab.

“GeneSightRx sales are going, very, very well,” Burns said. He declined to release sales figures, but said they could be triple what he initially expected this year.

“For the first time, psychiatrists have objective evidence to support choosing an individual patient’s selected medication,” he said. “They’ve been waiting for that for a long time.”

In January, the company also released the first of four new products expected this year. GeneSightRx 1.8 expands from 26 to 32 the number of psychotropic medications it can test for. It’s also available with a user-friendly mobile app allowing clinicians to order tests and view results from an iPad or tablet device.

“Some psychiatrists see as many as four to eight patients an hour and need to analyze and adjust patient medications quickly,” he said.

Burns said AssureRx expects to release another new product this quarter and a third in the second quarter. Both are now being validated in trials.

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FriFeb3

4,000 jobs ‘up for grabs’ at Kings Island

Posted by rrichardson February 3rd, 2012, 8:36 am Post a Comment

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.

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MonJan30

Intelligrated breaks ground on new expansion

Posted by rrichardson January 30th, 2012, 3:45 pm Post a Comment
Intelligrated, Inc.

Intelligrated Inc. officials break ground on a new office expansion in Mason on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson

In an economic climate that has seen the shuttering of some businesses, one Mason company is bucking the trend.

Intelligrated Inc., the fast-growing supplier of material handling systems to retailers and other companies, broke ground Monday on a new facility that is expected to bring 200 new jobs over the next three years.

Intelligrated, Inc.

An artist's rendering of the planned office expansion for Intelligrated Inc. The building is expected to be completed in the fall of 2012. Photo provided

The new 60,000-90,000-square-foot facility located next to intelligrated’s Mason headquarters on Innovation Way is expected to be completed in the fall and will allow the company to expand its engineering, customer service and research and development staffing and testing facilities.

“We aim to be the most technologically-advanced player in the material handling industry,” said Intelligrated CEO Chris Cole. “The new building will help us to expand our footprint, grow our technical staff and create advanced productivity solutions.”

A lack of space at its current facility prompted the move, said Cole.  The company chose to expand in Mason due to its pool of professional talent, proximity to urban and rural settings and because of a “terrific” working partnership with city leaders, he said.

Intelligrated received a $15 million expansion package from Ohio and Mason that included a combination of an extension of the company’s existing job creation tax credit, state and local government loans, property tax abatement and a grant from the State.

“It’s a substantial commitment and investment on (Intelligrated’s) part,” said Mason Mayor David Nichols.   ”Not only has this been an amazing accomplishment, this has been achieved in one of the worst economic slumps in modern history.

Intelligrated, one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest privately held companies, saw growth of more than 38 percent in 2011, said Cole.

The company employs about 2,000 nationally, including 800 in Ohio. Besides its Mason headquarters and engineering facility, which employs 200, Intelligrated employs about 400 at a nearly 300,000 square-foot plant in West Chester.

Intelligrated has operations in several states, Canada and Mexico.

The company, which produces conveyor systems and other material handling equipment, was launched in 2001 by Cole, and president and COO Jim McCarthy. Intelligrated’s ownership includes Gryphon Investments in San Francisco and Tudor Capital of Boston.

Cole credits the company’s success to its strong commitment to customer service

“We’ve been very careful to keep our customers happy for the long run and we’ve gained a lot of share in the business in a bad economic environment,” he said.  “We’re not done growing… we expect this to be another record year.”

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FriJan27

Déjà 2 Consignment Furnishings open in Mason

Posted by rrichardson January 27th, 2012, 2:45 pm Post a Comment

Shauna Steigerwald reports:

Deja 2 Consignments

Déjà 2 Consignment Furnishings in Mason sells slightly used furniture, home decorations, accessories, wall decorations and framed art. (Provided photo)

Eda Stein has dreamed of opening her own shop since she immigrated to the United States from Italy 45 years ago. That dream became a reality earlier this month, when she opened Déjà 2 Consignment Furnishings at 12123 Montgomery Road in Mason.

At her 1,900-square-foot shop, Stein sells slightly used furnishings, plus home decorations, accessories, wall decorations and framed art. She’s looking for local artists to showcase their work at the store, too.

“We have unique pieces that you can’t find anywhere else,” she said of the shop’s offerings, which range from vintage to modern.

The shop is now accepting furnishings for consignment or purchase.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

513-709-9700 or www.Deja2.com

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