Along a vibrant swath of Clifton, small businesses dominate the street and foot traffic flows. Buskers play on sidewalk, and a dedicated community council ensures regular neighborhood events keep visitors out from dawn to dusk. The window displays of locally owned boutiques showcase twinkling jewelry, clothing, and more, while the restaurants, bars, and cafés in between remain bustling day in and day out. This is the Clifton Gaslight District.
Situated squarely between the nearby University of Cincinnati and historic homes of the northern Clifton neighborhood, the business district extends along a stretch of Ludlow Avenue between Whitfield and Brookline avenues, encompassing a variety of small-owned shops and several prominent Cincinnati chains, including Graeter’s Ice Cream, Dewey’s Pizza, and the oldest operating Skyline Chili in franchise history. Much of the street is lined by stately Cincinnati gaslight lampposts—most from the mid- to late-1800s.
In many ways, the Clifton Gaslight District is similar to other Cincinnati neighborhoods. It is filled with eye-catching murals and intricate statues that highlight various cultures, from German to Indian to Kenyan, representative of the melting pot of businesses that exist on its own streets. Its community square, Clifton Plaza, hosts regular holiday events and a weekly Friday night music series throughout the summer. Sure, it comes with its own issues and matters of crime, but the community keeps customers coming back…