Maggy McDonel

Journalism and Political Science

Cincinnati Magazine editorial intern

Supervisor: Patrick Murphy

pmurphy@cincinnatimagazine.com

(740)547-9088

Work examples:

CLIFTON’S BRASS TAP REOPENS AS HOP SCOTCH WHISKEY BAR

By. Maggy McDonel

https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/forkopolisblog/cliftons-brass-tap-reopens-as-hop-scotch-whiskey-bar/

In the former site of The Brass Tap, Hop Scotch Craft Beer & Whiskey opened in January. The bar, in Clifton Heights’s U Square development, has the same ownership minus the Brass Tap franchise. The new iteration of the UC campus–side watering hole offers a selection of more than 100 bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and scotch and a slightly pared-down tap list.

Of the new direction for his business, owner Mic Foster—who opened the franchise location in 2013—says he appreciated Brass Tap’s customer base but decided to part ways with the Tampa, Florida-based franchise when their agreement ended. Foster says he had noticed whiskey and bourbon becoming increasingly popular among his Brass Tap patrons, but they had only stocked a small selection of the liquors.

He intends for Hop Scotch to cater to a more sophisticated crowd—think graduate students, professors, hospital workers, or visiting parents. “There are a lot of party bars in Clifton,” he says. “We just wanted to create something that was different.”

Retooling a more spirits-focused vibe for Hop Scotch, he reduced the draft beer selection from 80 to 60 and added more cocktails to the drink menu, along with white and red wines. The reception from customers has been great so far, he says, noting, “People tend to underestimate the student population and what their likes and dislikes are.”

With the new theme comes new food, including a roster of sides and to-be-expected shareables (like pretzels and beer cheese), plus the main attraction: an entire section devoted to “gourmet” grilled cheese sandwiches. Look for the obligatory All-American Grilled Cheese (like mom used to make, with American cheese), plus outside-the-box remixes like the sweet-and-savory Jive Turkey (with roasted turkey, shaved granny smith apples, sliced Brie, and Dijon) and the Southern-style Augusta Deluxe (with pimento cheese, cheddar jack, roasted red peppers, and chopped bacon).

WEDDING GUIDE

Michelle Robosky & Jon Hicks

September 8, 2018

Umbrella’s, lights and flawless flowers made Amanda and Jon’s rainy day Washington Park wedding picture-perfect. From trivia nights to breakfast dates this pharmacist duo fell for each other and although they’ve never won trivia they’ve won something better.

PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Marie Photography VENUE Washington Park Bandstand WEDDING DAY COORDINATOR EVA & Co. EVENTS FLOWER Floralai Studio CAKE Cakes & Pastries by George GOWN Allure Romance, Lace Bridal Couture BRIDES HAIR & MAKEUP Alba Beauty Studio RECEPTION BAND The Good Hooks CATERING Taste of Belgium JEWELER Richter & Phillips Jewelers BRIDE’S PROFESSION Pharmacist GROOM’S PROFESSION Pharmacist TRIVIAL PURSUIT Michelle and Jon met while working at the same hospital, they soon fell for each other during weekly trivia nights with co-workers. After a few weeks of trivia, Jon invited Michelle over and for breakfast and won her over with his famous blueberry pancakes. VIP ACCESS The perfect wedding band, The Good Hooks, made the wedding party feel like they had their own private concert at the reception in the historic Woodward Theater.

Amanda Hines & Mark Hatfield

December 30, 2018

Cincinnati natives Amanda and Mark got married in a quintessentially Cincinnati way, at Rhinegeist. With the venue set, Amanda got right to work planning the perfect wedding herself, from the DJ to delicious donuts, every aspect was just right.

PHOTOGRAPHER Shannon Wong VENUE Rhinegeist Brewery FLOWERS Floral V CAKE Tres Belle Cakes GOWN Melissa Sweet INVITATION Minted/Rhinegeist BRIDE’S MAKEUP BRIDEface- Jasmine Cotton BRIDE’S HAIR Mitchell’s- Shelley Cook MUSIC Party Pleasers CAR SERVICE Motortoys CATERING Vonderhaar’s BRIDE’S PROFESSION Business analyst GROOMS PROFESSION Facility maintenance DIY BRIDE Although she is not a wedding planner Amanda felt that with ample time and organizational skills from her job as a business analyst she was the perfect person for the job. She had fun planning her own wedding and getting to make it completely their style. RUN AWAY WITH ME Amanda and Mark were set up by friends who knew of their mutual love for running; since they have been together they have trained for and run five half-marathons together.

CONTRIBUTOR BIOS

Eleanor Bishop

Eleanor Bishop, a Cincinnati native and Ohio University student. Bishop was a summer intern at Cincinnati Magazine and when she heard they were looking for contributors she jumped right in with her story “A League of her own.” Bishop knew the Red’s mascot Rosie Red AKA Amy Burgess as her dance choreographer in her local Anderson Theater group. When contacting Burgess Bishop said, “hey I know I’m not a great dancer but can I interview you?”

David Holthaus

A journalist for 20 years and a Cincinnatian for life David Holthaus has worked as an editor and reporter at The Cincinnati Post, The Cincinnati Enquirer and WCPO-TV. After covering business for 10 years and his debut piece for Cincinnati Magazine is a long form piece on the stability of the Cincinnati staple Procter & Gamble. Holthaus is not all business, when he’s not chasing a story he’s relaxing through his yoga practice or watching a classic movie.

Victoria Moorwood

Victoria Moorwood moved to West Chester in October of 2018 she immediately got involved in the community and has been writing for Cincinnati Magazine since November. After seeing an article on Facebook describing the Burning Man exhibit visiting Cincinnati, she immediately knew she was going. “I have great respect for and interest in Burning Man,” said Moorwood, she feels that the exhibit will be impactful for Cincinnati knowing how impactful the Burning Man is on those who attend.

Aaron Conway

Aaron Conway dabbled in hockey during his childhood in Covington. As an adult he decided to get back into it, he bought a pair of skates and soon found himself in a recreational league. His pet project of photographing his teammates quickly turned into a story. Although it was a bit hard photographing on an ice rink Conway is happy he can tell the little known story of Cincinnati hockey.

DINING GUIDE DOG BITES

A fresh start

Favorite local dive, Terry’s Turf Club, has gone through a dramatic change of hands. In October a video of owner Terry Carter firing an employee went viral causing an internet uproar and legal trouble for Carter. A few months later it was announced that Terry’s would close due to the owners pending retirement. In a surprise turn of events, Terry’s reopened on January 3rd under the ownership of brothers Tom and Mark Kunkemoller

Site (all they have is a Facebook page): https://www.facebook.com/Terrys-Turf-Club-121926241213318/

Source: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/12/26/terrys-turf-club-set-open-new-owners/2413019002/

In the family

Named after owner Brad Wainscott’s youngest child Libby’s Southern Comfort opened in Covington this January. The eatery serves up southern classics like fried chicken and oyster po’boys. The vibe will be similar to other restaurants within the Wainscott family; the patriarch Butch owned The Greyhound Tavern and The Tousey House Tavern for many years. After working with his father and six siblings for so long, Wainscott is ready to add his touch to the family tradition.

Site: https://www.libbyssoutherncomfort.com/

Source: https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/libby-s-southern-comfort-continues-northern-kentucky-family-s-restaurant-tradition

Switching spaces

BrewRiver Gastropub relocated, rebranded, and changed the entire menu. The restaurant has reopened as BrewRiver Creole Kitchen and has moved from their space on River Side Drive to Eastern Avenue. The new area offers more room for dining as well as a bigger kitchen. The larger kitchen has allowed the owners to rethink the menu that now offers Creole dishes like catfish and fried green tomatoes, a complete 180 from the previous incarnation.

Site: https://brewrivercreolekitchen.com/

Sources: https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/brewriver-creole-kitchen-to-serve-as-new-beginning-for-popular-east-end-gastropub , https://local12.com/news/local/brewriver-reopens-inside-former-bella-luna-space