For the next few weeks, a coalition of city leaders and business organizations will come together to boost local businesses that have struggled since the unexpected closure of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge late last year. The “Bridging Back Business” initiative in Northern Kentucky, which runs from today through March 15, will feature special events, discounts, and promotions to encourage the surrounding community to support businesses in Dayton, Bellevue, Newport, Covington, and Fort Thomas.
Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves pushed the initiative after hearing from local businesses that they experienced up to a 30 percent decline in business from 2023 due to the closure of the bridge. “Even though the repair was finished ahead of schedule, it has still been difficult to watch our businesses struggle,” Cleves said in a press release about the initiative. “This motivated me to try and find a solution. When all the cities came together as one, I knew the impact would be exponentially greater.”
Mayors of the five cities, along with meetNKY and the NKY Chamber, are working to attract visitors back to shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues across the region. Throughout the three-week initiative, participating businesses will offer a variety of incentives, including lunch specials, extended happy hours, complimentary appetizers, and retailer promotions.
A few of the Bellevue and Dayton businesses participating in the initiative during the week of February 24 include Breadsmith, Slow Ride Vintage, Bellevue Bistro, and Cork N’ Crust, among others. Breadsmith owner Will Bahlman is excited to share his baked goods on Retail Day (February 26). “We’re giving away a free roll with every purchase, and if we run out, we’ll throw in a free cookie or another pastry,” he says. “Basically, everyone will get something free with their order. I’m calling it ‘Bridging Back for Bread.'”
In addition, New Riff is sponsoring a Bridging NKY cocktail contest across the cities that will lead up to a grand cocktail showdown on March 16 at its Aquifer Bar. The competition invites bars and restaurants across NKY to feature a New Riff Rye signature cocktail to help bring traffic into local venues. Those visiting the bars and restaurants can order the cocktail and scan a QR code to vote for the best ones. Winners in each city will make their way to the showdown to face off and create a cocktail on the spot using New Riff Rye and a mystery ingredient provided by Kroger.
Community members and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of these deals and show their support for the businesses that make Northern Kentucky’s river cities vibrant and unique.
For more information, visit the official websites of each participating city or follow local business updates on social media.
City of Bellevue Specials and Events
Tuesday, 2/25: Participating restaurants will offer $10 lunch specials
Wednesday, 2/26: Shop various retailers in Bellevue to “bridge the gap” for your needs!
Thursday, 2/27: Participating bars will be offering a signature cocktail using New Riff Rye. Customers can vote for their favorite cocktails.
Friday, 2/28:
* Happy Hours at participating establishments
* Mocktail Lunch Hour from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., participating establishments will create a signature mocktail to serve for free.
* Cocktails with Molly Wellman and an extended happy hour will take place from 4 – 6 p.m. at Buckhead Mountain Grill with free appetizers.
Saturday, 3/1:
* Family-friendly activities will be stationed at 201 Fairfield Avenue and displays of entries from the Lego Bridge-Building Contest will be mounted at various businesses.
City of Dayton Specials and Events
Wednesday, 2/26:
* Hometown Heroes will offer boneless wings for $1 each as well as serving homemade meatloaf and steak dinners.
* Wayfarer Tavern will offer F&N Steakhouse-inspired mini-cocktails along with snacks and pizzas.
* Kate’s Catering has a 25% discount on upcoming cooking classes by using the discount code BridgeBackBusiness
Thursday, 2/27: Unataza Coffee, Elliott Coffee, and Hansman’s Corner Market will be offering coffee and breakfast specials.
Friday, 2/28:
* Wayfarer Tavern will be offering a “Big Mike” Pizza in honor of the reopening of the “Big Mac” Bridge.
* Hometown Heroes is having lunch specials.
Saturday, March 1:
* The Commonwealth Sanctuary Comedy Club is hosting two comedy features with shows beginning at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 per person.
* Hometown Heroes is offering live music with Cody Houston.
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