Channel 5 News 12-9-08

Channel 5 ran a story on the development in the Gateway Quarter on Tuesday night's 11 o'clock news. Check out the video here.



Gateway Quarter Rising, Pushing Out Criminal Element
New Development Succeeding Despite Crime Problems
Eric FlackReporter

CINCINNATI -- The push of new business into Cincinnati’s Over-The-Rhine neighborhood seems to be having a deleterious effect on crime.

Developers said that the community is one of the fastest-growing in the state of Ohio.
But with each new store and block of condominiums comes a challenge for police to keep the neighborhood safe.

Store owner Fred Arrowood said that he knew the going might be tough when he opened his new urban furniture store in the Gateway Quarter two weeks ago.

He said that to the south of his location, customers see the new stores and condos that represent the community’s future, but to the north they see reminders of a checkered past.

"They're sort of looking to see how far they can go up the street,” Arrowood said.

But the redevelopment continues to buck the odds, shaking off a recession and some criminal neighbors to become a hot market.

Despite problems in the credit market, real estate agents said they're selling at least a condo a week. Seven new buildings are set to open next year.

Monthly meetings with neighbors keep police informed and residents feeling safe.

Devan Johnson, who moved his hair salon to the neighborhood three months ago, has already noticed less drug dealers.

"You get people getting pushed out and moved to a different location, you have to change your mind set I guess,” Johnson said.

Developers said they’re winning despite the recession as well. Store owners said they haven’t seen a significant drop in business.

Experts said that could be due to an influx of young professionals who are moving downtown to work with companies such as Procter & Gamble.

Meet Anemone

Our good friend Joe has occasionally watched our store when we've gone out of town. As a thank you for his hard work while we were at the October High Point Furniture Market, we got him this awesome light fixture. We opened an account with Robert Abbey - stop by our store to check out their catalog and see a few other pieces that we purchased.

New Digs

Yesterday we started the move to our new home in the Trideca Lofts at 1232 Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter. The place is looking awesome! Urban Sites is putting the finishing touches on the space. Here's a preview from one of our rooms. We hope to be open by Friday of this week.

Its Party Time!!

On September 26, 2008, we are hosting a Final Friday party at our store with local photographer Bob Scott. Its from 6 until at least 10. Our last party drew about 125-150 guests, and we are hoping for the same.

TOP SIX REASONS TO STOP BY JOSEPH WILLIAMS HOME FOR THIS MONTH'S FINAL FRIDAY PARTY

1. Free wine, beer, delicious hors d'ouevres and relax to the cool sounds of Below Zero's new dJ Chris Mercier.

2. We're happy to showcase, for one night only, some of the work of local Image Artifacts Photographer G. R. (Bob) Scott. While some photographers attempt to show the subject in its entirety, Bob zeros in on the overlooked details of everyday life. This selection of work demonstrates how both the common and unusual in Cincinnati can be transformed through selective focus.

3. Select floor samples - reduced to sell.

4. Save 15% off all accessories - this night only. And this is on top of the 50% off MSRP sale that we are currently running.

5. Check out the new sofas, chairs, and ottomans by Stylus.

6. Its Final Friday - come down to OTR and support local artists and your friends.

Afterwards, join us for a drink at Below Zero. We hope to see you there.

Fred & Brian

Purses in the Cincinnati Enquirer

We were plugged in yesterday's arts & entertainment section (Friday September 12, 2008)  of the Enquirer by Joy Kraft.  

"Purses of all sizes, shapes and colors popped up on a recent afternoon of shopping.  From what we saw, there's no reason to be carrying anything with someone else's logo or monogram.  There's something for everyone. "

"We stopped in Joseph Williams Home to check out Fred Arrowood's contemporary and casual furniture and accessories and found these Joy Oy purses.  Made to tie the color and beauty of Joy Oy's native Vietnam to the world of fashion, they include catchy graphics and glittery trims and native materials, including bamboo, that call to mind French colonial charm and influences.  $9.99- $22."

Cincinnati Magazine's Top 25 Shops

Make sure you pick up a copy of the September issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Joseph Williams Home has been selected as one the best new 25 shops by their staff.

"Joseph Williams Home, 550 Reading Rd., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 721-3600, www.josephwilliamshome.com

When Contemporary Galleries closed earlier this year, downtowners lost one of the city’s foremost dealers of modern home accessories. Things were looking bleak until Fred Arrowood, a former accessories buyer for Furniture Fair and Thomasville, quietly opened Joseph Williams Home in January. The Reading Road space was gutted to look like the lofts its wares might someday occupy with cool blue walls and lots of brown. While the furniture collection could use a color infusion, Arrowood’s showroom has plenty of scrumptious accessories—a slew of bold mirrors in wood, copper, or steel frames that are reasonably priced for their size (ed. most under $199.99); steel-and-ceramic vases; and chrome floor and table lamps that harken back to a modish 1970s design ethos. And the chairs—with beautiful modern shapes and lines—save this shop from sitting down on the home design job. Standouts include the Owen in Jersey Pearl leather ($699.99), the Stylus Erin ($749.99), and the Best Mariko club chair ($499.99). If you’re looking for accessories and/or accents to finish the room, JWH just might have your last detail. • Kathy Y. Wilson "

Area Rugs

One easy way to add color, texture and personality to a room is through an area rug.  Rugs can help tie a color scheme in a room to compliment pillows, artwork, furniture, bedding, window treatments, and accessories.  Whether you opt for a retro shag carpet or a hand tufted wool rug, with today's new technology, the options are countless.  Rugs are also an easy way to help define a room's space, especially in urban loft living.  Find a rug that speaks to you, and add a touch of your personality to your home.  

You can browse Sphinx online by color, style, or collection. All come in multiple sizes and some are available in round.

Who is Joseph Williams Home?

When creating a brand new company, one of the toughest decisions is deciding upon a name. It's great if you want to use your own personal name, and it just happens to roll off the tongue (Mitchell Gold).  It's also nice if its easy to remember. You have to think in the long term as well.  Most company's originally choose a name that describes their product or service. Unfortunately, that may change over time. Take Pottery Barn for example; today very little pottery and certainly no barn. 

We decided to combine the two ideas. We took my middle name (Joseph) and my partner's first name (William). We liked the sound of this new name, since it is fairly common, thus easy to remember. We also liked the idea that there are numerous successful companies that share this name. So in a sense we were borrowing the recognition. We added Home,  to let the customer know that our product is for the home, and it sounds warm and inviting. 

Brian