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A soothing getaway
Ohio River House can be calming for couples, families
JENNIFER HAAS | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR
One of the best kept area secrets is that a relaxing getaway is less than a half-tank of gas away in Higginsport, Ohio, at the Ohio River
House Bed and Breakfast. As you turn off Interstate 275 for the 35-mile drive along scenic Ohio 52, you feel relief from the hustle of
the work week as you take in the calming view of the Ohio River.
Once at the Ohio River House, guests have a choice of staying in the Dugan Residence, the main house with four large traditional
bedrooms with private baths, dating to 1830, or the River Boat House, which offers more casual and spacious suites and apartments.
The Dugan Residence is ideal for individuals looking for some relaxation or couples wanting to celebrate. Weekend rates (from $85)
can include a home-style breakfast, complete with bacon, eggs and pancakes.
The proprietors, Andy and Judy Lloyd, purchased the property and became the first to operate it as a bed and breakfast in 1997. They
fell in love it while visiting the previous owner, a dealer in rare glass. Judy is a collector of rare glass, which is displayed throughout
the main house.
"I bet if I was lost in downtown Cincinnati and needed directions to Higginsport, 90 percent of the people wouldn't know what I was
talking about," says Andy. "We would probably stay busier if we were a little closer to downtown, but we wouldn't have all this
(pointing to the panoramic river view). Boaters tell us, this is the best part of the river."
The River Boat House has lived several lives since the mid-1800s, including one as a ship building shop (hence the name). The Lloyds
have completely renovated it. They built two large apartments on its second floor and operated an antiques shop downstairs, but found
it was more profitable to devote both buildings to housing guests. The River Boat House is suited for families and groups.
When guests arrive at the Ohio River House they enter a warm, casual atmosphere. Rooms in the Dugan House are all beautifully
decorated in Victorian fashion with antique furniture, some of which has been restored by Judy Lloyd. The couple at one time were one
of the largest collectors of World War I era posters and have since sold much of their collection. The pieces that remain can be seen in
both buildings. Each room has a TV with cable, coffee maker and mini refrigerator.
"This is just a nice place to get away from home," says Judy. "We have a very relaxed atmosphere."
Andy says that most of their guests are repeat customers, and that business has increased with the growing interest in area wineries, a
popular stop for visiting guest. In the summer, guests take advantage of the pool and sundeck.
The Ohio River House is open year-round but is busiest April through November. For anyone looking for a last minute Christmas gift,
the Ohio River House offers gift certificates.
E-mail j.haas@insightbb.com
Fashion is new again at Youngstown's Ohio Vintage
By: Elizabeth Boon, Reporter
Posted: 12/6/07
Shoppers who are tired of the same old chain clothing stores may find retail happiness in Youngstown's only vintage shop, Ohio
Vintage.
Featuring men and women's vintage clothing as well as pieces from local designers, the store mixes vintage and modern.
The store's owner, Aspasia Lyras, was inspired to open her own vintage shop on Market Street near Shields Road when Sassy Pants
Vintage, a former vintage shop in Youngstown, closed.
"There was no vintage store here," she said. "Other college towns had vintage boutiques, but not Youngstown."
Lyras, who also sells vintage clothing on eBay, said she thought Ohio Vintage would fit in well with the new bars and restaurants that
are opening as part of Youngstown's revitalization.
"In this town it's hard to do something creative and make money. When people buy their stuff it makes me happy," she said.
Lyras said that her shop is like a service for vintage seekers. She looks far and beyond thrift shops to find clothing for her store. She
has even gone to the homes of people who are looking to get rid of clothing and is proud to offer clothing from blossoming Youngstown
area artists.
Lyras looks for vintage pieces that are different, but still in style.
Popular vintage items for women include miniskirts and mini dresses. To Lyras' surprise, flannels are also big sellers.
"They are wearing them without a shirt underneath and with skinny jeans and pumps. They are also taking an old flannel and pairing
it with a wide belt," she said.
Sequined holiday and party dresses are also top requests this season, said Lyras.
In the accessories department, pendants are very popular.
"They are beautiful and they stand out. You can throw one on and not think about it," she said.
The store also offers a wide variety of clothing for male shoppers.
"A lot of people told me not to focus on guys, but there are a lot of guys coming in. It's wonderful," she said.
While basics like sweaters and jackets have been selling for men, vests are also trendy with Ohio Vintage shoppers.
"Vests are definitely coming back right now," said Lyras.
Lyras said some people can pull off wearing vintage clothes from head to toe, but most people are better off mixing.
"You can do all vintage. You just have to make it work," she said.
For people searching for vintage, the store offers many sizes.
"The sizes range from itty bitty small to plus sizes," said Lyras. "My demand is small and extra large for guys and girls. I do try to get
bigger sizes."
Because the customers are mostly from high school and college, prices are kept low. Dresses are priced under $60, and some shoppers
have found prom dresses at the store.
The vintage clothing offered at the store is much lower priced than what it would be in a bigger city, said Lyras.
"If it's worth too much, I eBay it," she said.
Lyras is meticulous about the condition of the garments she sells.
"A lot of people have an image of thrift shopping in their head," she said about the cleanliness of wearing thrifted clothing. "If
something has a spot or odor, I won't put it up. Everything is cleaned."
Popular pieces from Aspasia's Store
Miniskirts and mini dresses
Sequined dresses
Flannel shirts
Pendants
Vests for men
Retailers bet on celebrities, contests to help sales
By Dan Sewell, The Associated Press
CINCINNATI — Retailers trying to brighten up what looks like a drab period for shopping are rolling out eye-catching packaging,
celebrity tie-ins and contests for items such as Hannah Montana tickets.
Their challenge: to offset expected low shopper traffic over an extended holiday season by luring consumers into their stores and
keeping them there long enough to pick up some extra gifts.
With many families on tight budgets and facing high gas prices, this year's holiday shopping traffic was already expected to be slow,
and retailers also had an extra week in November because Thanksgiving fell on Nov. 22. Although the Black Friday weekend
immediately after Thanksgiving saw strong retail sales, industry reports show a lull since.
"Procrastination is a big factor at this point," said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak, saying the extra week and the weekend
just before Christmas, which falls on a Tuesday, adds to shopping delays. "It's sort of like a perfect storm for those who like to wait
until the last minute."
"I think the retailers have got to focus on their promotions to draw that traffic to them, create that sense of urgency," said Mike
Brown, a retail strategist at Kurt Salmon Associates.
Once the customers are in, Brown said, stores try to spur unplanned buying with alluring merchandise displays or bargain items at
store entrances.
They also offer incentives such as $10 gift cards for $50 purchases or coupons that can be used only on return visits.
Retailers are also featuring celebrities and contests to bring out customers.
For Victoria's Secret, special promotions, packaging and small gift items for the holidays are meant to heat up what's been slow mall
traffic for much of the year.
"I am conservatively optimistic," said Sharen Turney, CEO of Victoria's Secret, which is part of Columbus, Ohio-based Limited
Brands (LTD). "There are a lot of things that we have done to prepare."
After the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, televised earlier this month by CBS, there are promotions featuring star models, such
as the Supermodel PJ Party, to highlight sleepwear. Stores are also offering small gift items such as key chains and luggage tags and
lingerie sets packaged in the shapes of ice cream cones and lollipops.
"We've done a lot of cute little fun things," Turney said.
Victoria's Secret also has an exclusive deal for the first retail sales of a greatest hits CD by the newly reunited Spice Girls.
Dillard's (DDS), the Little Rock-based department store chain, has been flexing its own girl power. Stores have been holding Hannah
Montana lip-sync shows, offering fashion advice for girls buying clothes, wigs and accessories around the Disney Channel show
starring teenager Miley Cyrus, and even chances in some stores to win hard-to-find concert tickets.
Cincinnati-based Macy's (M) department stores have tie-ins with celebrities for just about any taste, from Donald Trump to Martha
Stewart, from rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs to singer Gwen Stefani.
"You get their attention that way," said Macy's spokesman Jim Sluzewski.
"You come into the store because you want to buy a mattress, and you look over at the girls' department and you see Hannah Montana
(clothing), and you say, 'My niece loves Hannah Montana.' And you go by housewares, and you see that Martha Stewart (collection)
and say, 'Isn't that interesting,' " he said.
So how are all the special efforts scoring? Too soon to tell, retailers say.
"This is a year when the whole holiday season needs to be looked at together," Sluzewski said. "We'll really have to wait until the end
of the season."
"I still think the week leading into Christmas will tell the story," said ShopperTrak's Martin.
Some shoppers browsing one recent evening at the Tri-County Mall just north of Cincinnati said they were more interested in saving
money than seeing stars.
"I'm behind on shopping this year," said Sidney Mathis. "My kids' wish list is getting more expensive, and my budget is getting less.
… My shopping is not necessarily tied into any glitz."
Lynn Hogan said she's been on the hunt for high-demand electronics such as Nintendo Wii game sets but, for the most part, is biding
her time, watching prices.
"I only buy on sales," she said.
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