Cincinnati Development: Artichoke in OTR

So much has changed in the area of Cincinnati known as OTR or “Over-the-Rhine”. This area of the city was originally settled by German immigrants in the mid-to-late 1800’s and early 1900’s and was a bustling and heavily populated area. But because the mainstay of German business was beer-making, the area emptied out and lost its vitality after prohibition. It became of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods until as recent as 2009.

In the mid-2000’s, OTR began its comeback when businesses and individuals began to buy property in the area. Brad and Karen Hughes decided to take the leap and purchased three properties along Elm St. in 2015. They decided to make them into their primary residence and a retail cookware store. One of the reasons they chose this area was because of its proximity to Findlay Market. “You could buy any food you wanted, but you couldn’t buy a pot to cook it in,” said Brad.

Artichoke, the Hughes’ cookware store, has been very successful, earning a spot in the “Top 10” gourmet cookware stores in Food and Wine magazine and numerous awards from the trade publication Gourmet Insider. Artichoke gained international attention as a 2018-2019 Gia Global Innovation Awards winner for excellence in retail housewares.

Brad and Karen took a huge chance investing in the area of OTR when it was just beginning its return to a vibrant neighborhood. Their risk reaped great reward–as it has for the many people who live and work in this area of Cincinnati. In this week’s video, I talk to the Hughes about their journey and see how far they’ve come with a tour of their home that has earned them a Cincinnati Design Award. Thanks for joining us!