Neighborhood Spotlight: Lebanon

Founded in 1802, this hub of mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and historic buildings has gone from quaint to au courant.
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1. Brick House Engraving & Design Studio
Peek in nearby store windows to see Brick House’s work: owner Brenda Jacob custom-created several vinyl window decals in town. But her range goes far beyond retail signage. Whether it’s coffee mugs, T-shirts, coasters, or rolling pins—and there are plenty of those in the Brick House gift shop—the sky is truly the limit: Jacob is willing (and able!) to design and engrave just about anything. brickhouseengraving.com

Brick House Engraving & Design
Brick House Engraving & Design

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

2. Blossom Apothecary
A well-curated selection of handmade bath and beauty items—such as Blithe and Bonny bath oil in repurposed wine-bottle dispensers; Zum Bar goat’s milk bar soaps; and jewelry (beaded bracelets, pendant necklaces, embellished rings and earrings)—are a few of the things you’ll find at Blossom. The airy, eclectic apothecary also sells Echo essential oils, Archipelago Botanicals soy-milk lotion, and Youngblood mineral makeup. It’s a must-stop shop for a little spa-like indulgence. (513) 228-1109

Blossom Apothecary
Blossom Apothecary

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

3. Rose & Remington
Lebanon’s go-to for boho-chic apparel (think drapey tunics, lace-trimmed dresses, and palazzo pants) has so much more than stylish garb: an ever-rotating selection of hats, shoes, jewelry, and home decor round out the offerings. The store’s recently renovated basement, which houses its extensive new home goods section, is also full of items like country-rustic side tables, tufted reading chairs, and quote-adorned throw pillows. roseandremington.com

Rose & Remington
Rose & Remington

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Rose & Remington
Rose & Remington

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

4. The Jam and Jelly Lady
Sonya Staffan knows how to jam. For 20 years, she’s been concocting mouthwateringly tasty (and locally sourced) jams and jellies. The brand was a mainstay at several farmers’ markets, and her backyard barn doubles as a classroom for canning lessons, too. At her Lebanon storefront, the main draw is what she makes to top your toast. She crafts more traditional flavors like Pear Honey and Strawberry Lemonade, as well as seasonal ones—around the holidays, she made St. Nick’s Kick, a berry medley spiced with jalapeños, and Turkey Bourbon Bite, cranberries, oranges, and strawberries infused with ghost-pepper bourbon. jamandjellylady.com
5. The Pink Hippo
Filled to the brim with vintage goodies from the 1930s and ’40s—like buffet tables, dressers, and all manner of home decor—this shop aims to be environmentally friendly, specializing in repurposing, refurbishing, and upcycling. Most of the merchandise was refinished by owner Jo Wise, or else handcrafted by local artisans. It’s also one of the only places in Ohio that carries the eco-friendly vintage paint line Maison Blanche, for DIY-ers who like to tackle restoration projects on their own. (513) 836-3738

6. Royce Café & Coffeehouse serves what they term New South Cuisine—a meld of traditional deli-style foods with Southern ingredients. Try the strawberry sammi (melted ham and Swiss with straw-berry-mustard jam) or the brunch basket (a cheese quiche with your choice of toppings and a cranberry-pecan-feta topped salad). roycecafecoffee.com

Royce Café & Coffeehouse
Royce Café & Coffeehouse

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Street Smarts
There’s good reason Lebanon was once dubbed one of “America’s Ten Great Places to Browse for Antiques” by antique expert Terry Kovel. Among the multiple antique shops within short walking distance, the spacious Broadway Antique Mall (with more than 50 vendors) and elegant European/Victorian–style Ambassador’s Antiques offer plenty to fill an afternoon of perusing.

 

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