Storefronts to the Forefront | 2025
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the return of Storefronts to the Forefront, a unique partnership with Duke Energy and Huntington National Bank to promote increased visibility of small businesses in our region. This initiative has recognized and promoted small businesses in over 20 local neighborhoods since its inception.
Now in its fourth year, Storefronts to the Forefront will provide seven $5,000 grants to existing storefront businesses in East End, Montgomery, Northgate, St. Bernard and West End in Ohio and Covington and Falmouth in Kentucky. Recipients will be able to use the funds for capital improvements, marketing support, expansion investments, or other growth-related efforts.
Here are the seven grant recipients and their business districts:
- Wyatt’s Supermarket, Falmouth, KY
- Walker Brothers Ice Cream, Montgomery, OH
- Ollie’s Trolley, West End, OH
- Daylily, East End, OH
- Dots Fine Shoe Repair, St. Bernard, OH
- Strasse Dog, Covington, KY
- Bike 513, Northgate, OH
IN 2025, THESE BUSINESS DISTRICTS ARE COMING TO THE FOREFRONT
FALMOUTH, KY
Falmouth, KY, is a charming small town with big community spirit. This close-knit city has a rich history and a deep well of resilience. Falmouth offers an authentic, down-to-earth experience that celebrates the heart of rural America.
MONTGOMERY, OH
History, community, famous ribs, popular ice cream: Montgomery, Ohio has the right idea as far as neighborhood amenities go. Located just east of Cincinnati, this city exurb blends the cozy vibe of a tight-knit community with the convenience of major metropolitan proximity.
WEST END, OH
Cincinnati’s historic West End, bordering Over-the-Rhine, embodies the city’s past, present, and future across its 2.5 square miles and 6,800 residents. Once a densely populated cultural hub, it saw major changes from I-75 construction. The West End’s spirit of resilience is visible in ongoing revitalization efforts and an eclectic mix of residential properties, boutique businesses, and retail.
EAST END, OH
The East End, one of Cincinnati’s smallest neighborhoods, boasts a dense and vivid history. Originally a shipbuilding and industrial hub. Today, it’s a picturesque community with unique businesses and restaurants. The East End offers a vibrant mix of historic charm, retail, culinary delights, and recreational opportunities.
ST. BERNARD, OH
St. Bernard is a community of just over 4,000 residents known for its deep sense of history and small-town feel. Historically connected by the Miami and Erie Canal and once home to Ivory Soap manufacturing and statues of its namesake canine adorn the village. Its main business district on Vine Street offers eateries and local pubs. St. Bernard is a great example of what happens when a community holds on to its historical integrity while steadily moving its residents and businesses into the promise of the future.
COVINGTON, KY
Covington, Northern Kentucky’s largest city, blends historic preservation with modern vitality. Founded in 1815 its nearly 14 square miles are rich with 17 National Register Historic Districts, including MainStrasse Village with its German heritage. This dynamic and historic city is distinguished by its diverse culinary scene, unique retail offerings, vibrant nightlife, and abundant recreational opportunities.
NORTHGATE, OH
Northgate is a vibrant suburban community in northwest Cincinnati, home to over 7,000 residents across 2.5 square miles. Developed around the 1972 opening of Northgate Mall on a former airport site, it offers a blend of mid-century homes and modern conveniences. With a mix of major retailers, national chains, and plentiful recreational amenities, Northgate offers an accessible and family-friendly living environment.
If your business is located in one of these business districts, but not listed on the neighborhood page, please let us know
Duke Energy, Huntington National Bank, and the Cincinnati Regional Chamber will co-promote each of the seven winning grant recipients and the business district where they are located through publications, social media, email, and a partnership with Fox19. Additionally, the Cincinnati Chamber will lead a robust marketing program to support storytelling of these winning businesses in each of the seven districts.
Duke Energy has a long history of supporting small businesses and their employees, and we’re delighted to partner with The Huntington National Bank and the Cincinnati Chamber to help connect our neighborhoods’ businesses to the region’s larger business ecosystem.
We know that by working together, as good neighbors do, we will find solutions to the issues that challenge small businesses.”
At Huntington National Bank, supporting small businesses is what we do. By partnering with Duke Energy and the Cincinnati Chamber on Storefronts to the Forefront, we want to both shine a light on this region’s long history of entrepreneurship and make it known that we are here to help – whether you’ve been in business for a century or are just getting started.
We are thrilled to partner with Duke Energy and Huntington National Bank to power connections to five businesses and five neighborhood business districts.
Storefronts in business districts are the lifeblood of the local economy. These businesses create communities, enliven neighborhoods, and drive the regional economy.
Supporting Small Businesses and Growing the Local Economy
Community connections are forged by more than just neighborhood proximity. The connections that tie our neighborhoods together are found in the aisles of our favorite corner bookshop, at a table in a quaint restaurant, and in line at the local ice cream parlor. Oftentimes, these places exist in the heart of a community: a neighborhood business district. Communities and economies grow out of these places, and they must continue to thrive.
Duke Energy, Huntington Bank, and the Cincinnati Regional Chamber are proud to partner together for Storefronts to the Forefront™, a new initiative designed to further strengthen our region’s many unique neighborhood business districts
Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the U.S., providing electricity to 7.8 million customers in six states.
Founded in 1866, Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle‐market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services.
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy — with the foundation of a strong business community — to foster a welcoming environment for all.
© Cincinnati Regional Chamber