When Richter & Phillips crossed Main Street in 2016, nearly quadrupling their size, their new home on the corner of Sixth and Main streets also came with a little-known, coveted treasure — a 1920s bank vault, iron door and all.
For five years, this treasure sat idle, but in 2020 they invested in the historic space leveraging its Art Deco roots and filling it with Richter & Phillips history. They transformed it into a place to can create even more memories together — a place reimagined to serve as a versatile space to host and gather.
Today, it is an eclectic recreation of 1920s speakeasy lounge. Original white marble stairs lead to an intimate space behind the vault’s imposing steel door, where an emerald-green couch, period light fixtures and fully stocked bar serve as focal points. One wall includes framed Richter & Phillips advertisements from the 1920s catalogs.
The Vault is a fantastic space for meetings and gatherings and has hosted a wide range of nonprofits and organizations from board meetings to book clubs. The Vault also serves as a private shopping space, where anyone from special guests to couples shopping for an engagement ring can view high-end jewelry.
Richter & Phillips, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary, considers it an honor to serve Cincinnati for all watch and jewelry needs since 1896. Whether it’s a $50 charm repair or a $50,000 diamond sale, they strive to provide a 5-star customer service experience every time you walk through their doors or visit them online.
