click to enlarge

Gorman Heritage Farm - Photo: Hailey Bollinger

BEST HUB FOR URBAN HOMESTEADERS

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but an item from the past, like vintage college apparel, a soft-from-wear old concert T-shirt or a pair of timeless work boots, can also tell a story. Cincinnati vintage dealer and DJ Matt Joy collects and sells clothing and accessories — particularly American-made and handcrafted goods — from his OTR apartment, housed in a former textile factory. Today, fast fashion is king and the term “vintage” is tossed around liberally, but Joy highlights items that represent another time — when people invested in quality items and took pride in craftsmanship. Check out his collection on Etsy, look out for him at pop-up shops and area events like the City Flea and follow him on Instagram @mattyjoy. etsy.com/shop/littleshopofmatthews.

BEST NAIL SALON FOR A FIVE-FREE MANICURE

If Game of Thrones’ Daenerys Targaryen — Mother of Dragons and all-around badass — lived in Cincinnati, it’s a safe bet she’d shop at either of the Kismet locations (the O’Bryonville shop opened a second location in OTR last year). The mecca of eccentric, statement-making and creative women’s clothing offers a selection of boho-meets-Dothraki gear: slightly talon-shredded and cozy sweaters, big-ass metal scroll rings, long Khaleesi batik skirts, fingerless gloves, wrap boots, aged leather accessories, arm cuffs, crop tops, belts — basically everything but breast plates and long blonde wigs. Is it homage or cosplay? Does it matter? Both shops also offer plenty for home and décor — crystals, tea lights, incense, art, mugs and more — in a constantly rotating inventory. Kismet, 2037 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-871-7879; 1321 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/kistmetovertherhine.

click to enlarge

Northside Chop Shop East Wall - Photo: Jesse Fox

BEST APOTHECARY ENTREPRENEURS IN A BARBER SHOP

BEST EASTER BUNNY COSTUME

Since 1967, Schenz Theatrical Supply has designed, manufactured and rented out all kinds of costumes, from theater wardrobes to Halloween getups to mascot characters. But a few costumes are just too precious to rent out — three bunny costumes, to be exact. Owner Jonn Schenz — quite possibly the most interesting human ever — has provided his handmade Easter bunny costumes to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll since 1981. Over the years, Schenz has met every president from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama — he personally delivers the rabbit suits to ensure proper care. Schenz Theatrical Supply, 2959 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, 513-542-6100, schenz.com.

Covington celebrated its 200th birthday with a bit of a facelift. The Love the Cov movement and resulting urban renaissance has jump-started arts and business interests in the neighborhood, with new bars, restaurants, galleries and shops popping up all over town, including Durham Dept., a men’s and women’s lifestyle and apparel shop hawking “durable garments and goods.” An outpost of local Durham Brand & Co. creative studio, stop in (or poke around online) for clever Durham-branded apparel, vintage Covington baseball T-shirts, leather goods and more. Durham Dept., 617 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-905-0460, durhamdept.com.

Crafty and creative sisters Melyssa, Michele and Christine (plus shop dog Dakota) opened Grainwell, a wood-centric décor studio, in Covington last year. The trio produces one-of-a-kind items crafted from hand-selected, quality woods — birch, walnut, pine — sourced from uncommon outlets, including old barns. Find hand-designed, -built and -finished authentic wood accents for your home, including state-name coasters, etched bourbon barrel lids, live-edge air plant holders and great and grainy home hangings with the name of any city or state. And if you need to see your name in maple, they can do that, too. Grainwell, 316 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-415-4955, grainwell.com.

Since 1869, the National Flag Company has called Cincinnati home, opening its headquarters in the West End under the watch of Walton Craig, Sr., Frederick Spencer and two seamstresses. By 1894, their primary product was made-to-order flags and patriotic decorations — in fact, in 1909, they manufactured the largest unofficial U.S. flag to date (the city of Pittsburg purchased the 750-pound, 80-by-160-foot wool behemoth). With their rich history as a foundation — and after surviving the Great Depression and great Ohio River flood (it took out the first two floors of their old building) — today the National Flag Company specializes in all styles of flags: championship banners, silk-screened logo flags, handheld parade pieces and more. And, of course, you can still rely on them to produce the old stars-and-stripes in a variety of sizes, as well as flags to pay tribute to our armed forces. National Flag Company, 1819 Freeman Ave., West End, 513-721-0285, thenationalflagcompany.com.

click to enlarge

Jeremiah Griswold of White Whale Tattoo - Photo: Jesse Fox

BEST UNDER-THE-RADAR TATTOO SHOP

BEST PLACE TO RECORD MUSIC, 3-D PRINT STUFF AND SEW A DRESS FOR FREE*

click to enlarge

The Chocolate Bee - Photo: Jesse Fox

BEST SWEET COLLABORATION

While the stationery boutique Poeme sells greeting cards, fine stationery and other gifts, the shop’s specialty is wedding invitations, programs and place cards that are beautiful — and 100 percent you. Poeme designers can help with your design projects to make your wedding as personal and creative as you want, whether you want minimalist programs, adorable menu signage or Pop art-inspired invites. Poeme, 3446 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-4999, poeme-online.com.

BEST BREWERY DOG BONES

Although Brewhaus Dog Bones are completely non-alcoholic, local breweries play a huge role in the small-batch dog treat company, a nonprofit run by young adults with developmental disabilities. Mt. Carmel, Bad Tom Smith, Rhinegeist and an ever-expanding list of others donate their spent brew grains, which founder Lisa Graham picks up on brewing days and delivers to Brewhaus’ headquarters New Richmond Exempted School to make dog bones. The school’s students — dubbed the Brewhaus Brew Crew — concoct the treats in the school’s industrial-size kitchen and deliver them to retail locations like the Party Source and Earthwise Pet Supply. Each bag of bones even names the breweries from which their grains came and the Brew Crew member who packaged them. Brewhaus Dog Bones, brewhausdogbones.com.

The only transparency you want when it comes to sweatpants is the maker’s business practices. And thankfully Victor Athletics produces men’s and women’s U.S.-made organic (non-see-through) sweatpants, hoodies and T-shirts with a mission to keep manufacturing jobs in the country and use sustainable materials and systems. Victor even invests five percent of its post-tax profit back into its factory workers (based in Tennessee). The athletic/loungewear brand recently opened a storefront space in OTR. Prepare yourself for a little initial sticker shock — America’s penchant for cheap clothing made in China has skewed our perception of costs — but know that your money is making a huge impact, and you’re actually getting factory-direct savings. Victor comes from the folks behind small-batch jean company Noble Denim, also built on ethical work practices. Victor Athletics Club, 1405 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, victorathletics.com.

click to enlarge

Lucca Laser Workshop - Photo: Jesse Fox

BEST DAINTY WOODWORK

Is there anything better than lounging around the city in summertime in an airy cotton caftan? No. They are stylish and comfortable, especially when sourced from Idlewild Woman. The sister shop of made-to-keep menswear store Article, Idlewild celebrates the comfort and creativity of modern women through a curated selection of clothing and homegoods. Find light and loose dresses from hippie-chic Free People, denim from Nashville’s Imogene + Willie, hand-thrown stoneware from Mazama, structured geometrics from Steven Alan and indigo wool blankets from Maya Mueble. You’ll feel straight-out-of-L.A. in an embroidered boho blouse while grabbing a cold-pressed juice from nearby Off the Vine juice bar. Idlewild Woman, 1230 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-4059, idlewildwoman.com.

Beth Kalinsky’s hand-dyed scarves and pillows are a beautiful accent for any outfit or room, but half of the magic in her items are the processes by which they’re made. Now you can experience the fun by making hand-dyed textiles yourself with indigo dye kits from Kalinsky’s line Eliza Dot Design. It contains everything you need to dye three to five of your own pieces at home. You even have the option to include a Shibori Indigo wrap, hand-dyed at Eliza Dot Design studio for inspiration. It’s the perfect opportunity to destress and feel like a kid again as you experience the magic of dipping previously drab accessories into a vat for a one-of-a-kind creation. Eliza Dot Design, etsy.com/shop/elizadotdesign, shopmadeincincinnati.com.

High-end consignment boutique LUXEredux Bridal offers gently used designer wedding gown without the big price tags. Designers like Vera Wang, Pronovias, Badgley Mischka and more are all represented and affordable — tons of options under $1000. There’s also a collection of gowns for bridal parties and mothers to chose from. The LUXE In-A-
BOX program is designed for shoppers who can’t make it to the store — or those who have public dressing room anxiety. Just choose three bridal gowns online to try on at home and send back what doesn’t work. LUXEredux Bridal is also always accepting gently used designer gowns. Face it: You’re not going to wear it again, but someone else might! LUXEredux Bridal Boutique, 203 W. Benson St. Reading, 513-550-3531, luxereduxbridal.com.

BEST CROWD-PLEASING CATERER WITH NO SURPRISE FEES

click to enlarge

Brush Factory's BFF Collection - Brooke Shanesy

BEST REASON TO INVEST IN A TABLE

Cincinnati’s airport — yes, it’s in Kentucky, we’re over it — doesn’t always offer the least expensive flights, drawing some locals to drive as far as Columbus, Ohio or Louisville, Ky. to save. But low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines are attracting more travelers and driving down the average prices at CVG. These airlines offer lower prices by cutting out certain perks like free snacks, baggage and seat selection (those all cost extra). So if you’re traveling alone with minimal baggage, these carriers can save you money… and a drive. Allegiant Air, allegiantair.com; Frontier Airlines, flyfrontier.com.

BEST NEW SPOT TO PICK UP VINYL IN OTR