I walked into Park + Vine two weeks after it opened in 2007. I was a sophomore in college, and had just finished a building walkthrough with my classmates for our office design studio (the building was the current Revolution Rotisserie & Bar space). The rest of my classmates fled OTR in a hurry; I walked around the corner and into this neat store filled with tire furniture and cool T-shirts and bought an IZZE grapefruit soda, striking up a conversation with the kind and gregarious proprietor. Little did I know how that drink with Danny Korman would change my life.
Almost 10 years later, we've been through Parking Days, multiple boyfriends, puppy snuggles, mac and cheez chow downs, dozens of conversations and revelations, silly and serious. This little store and I grew up and watched the neighborhood we worked so hard to rebuild take off and leave us in the dust.
The same weekend I returned to Cincinnati, I said goodbye to another old friend. The Famous Neon's Unplugged. I shudder to think how much money I spent at that bar. It was my living room; my refuge; my kitchen table; my therapist's couch. I made out, made up, fought, flirted, schemed, celebrated, cried, wrote, networked, and had hundreds of drinks and conversations that cemented the most solid foundational friendships in my life.
I was there in Where's Waldo glasses for the pre-opening party in Halloween of 2009 - preparing for the first streetcar victory and drinking the newly revamped Hudy 14k. I hosted my college graduation party, bachelorette party, both Keith and I's going away party, and our wedding after-party at Neon's. When Mike revamped the upstairs with comfortable leather sofa's, a cozy fireplace, and cable, I was there, bourbon in hand, to catch up on Mad Men, Downton Abbey, and Family Guy. I WAS THERE. Cincinnati.... do you remember when I was there? I am starting to forget. It feels sometimes like a dream. Another life.
The afternoon sun was fading as I walked around the corner and down 12th Street. A loading van was parked out front; various workers - no one I knew - were hurriedly hauling random bits of leftovers away from the barren courtyard. The cafe lights were strung all alone. Bocce court covered over. Dan's Grill never to be lit again. I did a lap for the last time, tears in my eyes.
Like the rest of Main Street, something new will take the place of these institutions, and will do very well. With the passage of time the original heroes that gave their souls to restoring the neighborhood will be forgotten to the memories of old farts like me. We'll smile, juggle our babies, and reminisce about the Good Old Days, when walking down Main Street meant a smile and hello from friendly faces, and a welcoming puppy and guarantee of seeing friends no matter what time you walked through the gates of The Famous Neon's Unplugged.
I am learning to let go of my death grip on my memories. On my pride in claiming the very small part I played in helping bring the beauty back to one of the most amazing neighborhoods in the country. And I know I have to keep it to myself - it sounds weird and sad and unbelievable to relay my past life to new friends in Baltimore. I swear... I used to be a big deal.
Part of my journey this year has been unpacking the grief I tucked inside me after leaving my OTR Jenny Kessler self behind. This is another layer of that pain that leads to growth, and eventually peace.