We can’t wait to see you here.

After signing the official lease on our second Substance storefront in June, my team and I exercised forgotten muscles as we scrubbed and applied several gallons of white paint to the hundred-year-old walls of 1435 Main Street, in Over the Rhine, Cincinnati. In July, we wrestled with a clunky new Point of Sale system that, despite the complimentary tech support, was determined to give us headaches. But now it’s August: we’re stocked, we’re staffed, and we’re ready for you.

I can’t wait to see you here.

I had forgotten how humbling the hard work of opening a store front can be. I’ve been building this business for ten years, and while the work at times has been mentally and physically exhausting, it’s work I love, and my dreams and visions for what this business will become thrill and inspire me to get out of bed every day to work harder. The reward comes from the support around me: my family I cherish, who so often see less of me than the store does, and the community of Cincinnati, who has offered a wealth of helping hands. I’ve received an overwhelmingly warm welcome from the residents and business community here in Over the Rhine.

They can’t wait to see you here.

Thursday, August 16th marks a celebration of Substance in Cincinnati, but it signifies, for me, so much more: a moment to give thanks to everyone who has contributed to all that Substance has accomplished, and an opportunity to welcome you to Over the Rhine, a community that Substance is honored to join. Our beautiful second location occupies the ground floor of a building erected in 1900, From our two giant bay windows on Main we get to greet and meet the many residents that reside all around us.

We’ll sip wine, nibble treats and be entertained by popular, local jazz guitarist, Benjamin Thomas. All the while enjoy after hours shopping with special pricing on our newest fall arrivals. There’s more… You’ll have the opportunity to meet an inspiring Cincinnati based jewelry artist I’ve met. Molly Sullivan will be showing “metalbark,” her handmade collection that combines natural elements with industrial ones to create unique, primarily re-purposed and exceptionally wearable art.

Join us Thursday, August 16th from 5 till 8pm.

We can’t wait to see you here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 at 11:05 am and is filed under Notes From Christina, Substance: Over-The-Rhine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.