Local Entrepreneur Signs Lease for Third Cincinnati Storefront

Posted on August 10, 2023 by aatkinson

Rico Grant to Bring Nightclub to 3CDC’s 4th & Race Development

CINCINNATI (August 10, 2023) – Rico Grant, a veteran Cincinnati business owner has signed a lease to open a nightclub at Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.’s (3CDC) 4th & Race project. Owner of Gallery at Gumbo and Cinema OTR, Grant plans to open LoVe Nightclub later this year at 138 W. Fourth Street in Downtown Cincinnati.

At 4,300 square feet, the nightclub will give off a ‘sultry’ vibe with Tiffany blue accents, a touch of modern art and custom wallpaper. All of the décor will be love-related, making patrons feel as though they are in an ‘oasis of love.’ The construction and design team – comprised of TriVersity Construction and City Studios – will create a space that provides a chic, elevated experience to patrons. LoVe will offer bottle service and eight VIP sections, with a flagship VIP area situated above the rest. The VIP section will be wrapped in a custom gold sofa, providing a backdrop for the wealth of great photo opportunities LoVe will offer. Valet parking and a coat check will also be available, among other amenities.

“We’re pairing a nightclub with Grade A hospitality the way Jeff Ruby’s pairs a great steak with hospitality,” said Grant, who has studied the Ruby’s experience and strives to emulate it in each of his endeavors.

In addition to its themed décor, LoVe will feature a unique DJ booth with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. A staple of the nightclub, it will allow those who manage the space to create a different experience for patrons on any given night, based on the crowd and the vibe of the evening.

The location of his new space will differ from Grant’s other storefronts, both of which are in Over-the-Rhine. The entrepreneur views his new venture as an opportunity to expand his footprint into the Central Business District, connect with the local business community and tap into a whole new audience of downtown eventgoers. With the Convention Center District, Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ballpark and Andrew J. Brady Music Center all nearby, Love Nightclub will be ideally situated among the hustle and bustle of the city.

To complement his entrepreneurial spirit, Grant has dedicated his work to empowering people of color. In 2019, he founded Paloozanoire – an organization focused on elevating Black artists, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. Last month, The Banks played host to Paloozanoire’s fourth annual Juneteenth Block Party, which drew an estimated 15,000 people downtown to celebrate diversity, inclusion and community. The event was an overwhelming success and continues to attract a larger crowd each year.

“Rico is known as one of the most well-connected entrepreneurs in Cincinnati and he has a shown a passion for showcasing all the city has to offer while uplifting others in the community,” said Lindzie Gunnels, Commercial Leasing Manager for 3CDC. “Over the past several years, 3CDC has been very intentional about increasing the number of Black-owned businesses in our storefronts, so we’re thrilled to work with someone who shares this ambition and is such a leader in the space. Rico has created an undeniable vibe at Cinema in OTR and we’re excited to see him expand on that and do it on an even larger scale with LoVe.”

Buildout of the space is underway and is expected to be completed this fall. Plans for both a soft and grand opening of the nightclub will be announced when details have been finalized. Upon opening, LoVe will create roughly 20 part- and full-time employment opportunities. Interested individuals can apply at https://www.loveonfourth.com/.

LoVe will be the third tenant to open at 4th & Race, joining BB.Q and Paris Baguette at the $118 million project that consists of a 584-space above-grade parking garage, 22,000 square feet of street-level commercial space, and a 264-unit apartment building on the upper-level floors.

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