Story Karly Dwenger
513-556-5224

March 9, 2017

It’s hard not to notice the change of pace on Ludlow Avenue. Walking down the historic street, the building at 319 Ludlow Ave. gives off a ’50s grocery store vibe, but looking through the windows you can see the modern interior of the newly renovated Clifton Market, which opened in January.

The space had been empty since 2011 when the former Keller’s IGA closed its doors, leaving the Clifton Gaslight area without a neighborhood grocery. The idea for a replacement first started brewing back in August 2013 when a group of residents met to bring back the neighborhood grocery.

“We were talking about how to put the grocery back into the grocery store,” said Marilyn Hyland, the market’s director of marketing.

About 20 people showed up to the very first meeting — eight of those became the founding board of directors, including Hyland.

"The idea of community ownership is very important,” said board member Robert Krikorian, a UC professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience and Clifton resident. “That quickly developed in our meetings as an important notion.”

Other national chains such as Kroger and Whole Foods declined invitations to look at the space. The group worried that even if a national chain did buy the building, it could decide it either wasn’t profitable enough and leave or become too profitable and want to sell.

Launching the Clifton Market didn’t come without its challenges. Citing concern for its lack of experience, Cincinnati city officials denied the market team a $550,000 city loan and later a $400,000 grant to begin building. Although a majority of the city council members supported the grant, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley eventually vetoed it in June 2015.

The dedicated team didn’t let the financial obstacles stop them. They continued to raise donations and investments from the community for the cooperative store by engaging residents and local business owners via promotions on social media and community events.

Attempts to rally community support for the nearly $6 million project paid off — allowing the market to generate enough money not only to buy the building, but obtain financing and a property tax break through the city.

Currently there are more than 1,700 Clifton Market owners who purchased $200 shares in the business. Owners are able to pay in installments of $25 every three months over two years.

Anyone has the opportunity to become an owner, and while a majority of the current shareholders are Clifton residents, the market has generated support from across Ohio and as far as New Zealand.

Each share includes a number of benefits for the shareholder, including special discounts, first access to events and in-house classes and the ability to run and vote for the board of directors.

The purpose of the cooperative is not to generate individual profit for each owner, but to help the store stay financially stable. In return, the market is able to reinvest in the community by donating food to local pantries, supporting local events, offering jobs, holding nutrition education classes and supporting local food producers.