Owners of the popular bar and restaurant on Walnut Street closed the facility indefinitely, citing a recent armed robbery as the reason.
But those who work and live in the neighborhood disagree, and crime statistics also show crime is on the decline.
There were 13 robberies reported within a half-mile of Grammer’s in the past month, according to Raids Online, the regional analysis and information data website for the Cincinnati Police. During the same time period last year, 19 robberies were reported to police.
Within a one-mile radius from Grammer’s, 187 total incidents were reported to Cincinnati police in the past month, compared to 388 last year, or a 48 percent drop.
“As it relates to Over-the-Rhine, the perception of crime and safety significantly impacts the kind of visitors that we get,” said Stephen Samuels, a business development consultant for the University of Cincinnati’s Economic Center. “I suspect that Grammer’s did not only close because of that (the robbery), but they’re using that as a reason, and the media seems to love to report on the crime in Over-the-Rhine.”
To a degree, Over-the-Rhine’s perception is justified, Samuels said, however, the statistics do not match the perception.
“The perception that it’s dangerous far exceeds the truth. The truth is it’s under a tremendous amount of revitalization,” Samuels said.
Samuels and other business leaders, such as Mike and Carolyn Deininger of Mica 12/V retail shop at the intersection of 12th and Vine streets, value the importance of attracting shoppers and visitors from the region to downtown and Over-the-Rhine, citing that there are not enough local residents for the businesses in that area to support themselves.
“There still isn’t enough of a critical mass of people living downtown to support all the businesses. We have to rely on visitors from the region,” Samuels said.
Mike Deininger, who has been in business for more than eight years, said moving his business from O’Bryonville to Over-the-Rhine has been a real boon.
“This area doesn’t shut off at 5 p.m.; it actually starts to pick up,” Deininger said, whose business specializes in selling small design-line brands, handmade jewelry and locally made crafts. “We were aware of the reputation of Over-the-Rhine when we were first moved, but we were surprised how the store did so well.”
Retaining visitors that come to Cincinnati’s major attractions, such as the Reds and Bengals or conventions, is a point of emphasis for many business leaders in Cincinnati, Samuels said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or kelgazzar@coxohio.com.
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