A Northern Kentucky diner announced on social media Wednesday that it has permanently shut down.

Granny's Latonia Diner, located at 3728 Winston Ave. in Covington's West Latonia neighborhood, posted to Facebook to announce that Wednesday, April 15, was its last day of service.

The diner said the closure comes after the owner of the building sold it, nullifying the restaurant's lease.

"We are so thankful for all the support everyone has shown us," the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

Despite the closure, the restaurant said it's still working to be able to host its free community Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The restaurant also said it's hoping to find a new spot to open in.

Granny's Latonia Diner is where "culinary passion meets a warm, inviting atmosphere," according to the restaurant's website.

The restaurant's menu included diner favorites like double-decker sandwiches, burgers, homemade soups and breakfast options like biscuits and gravy, omelettes and more.

You can read Granny's Latonia Diner's full announcement below:

Popular boutique chain Painted Tree abruptly closed all stores nationwide, leaving business owners scrambling.

Painted Tree Boutiques, a chain where small business owners rent space to sell goods on consignment, closed all locations, including the Cincinnati and Crestview Hills locations.

The company, which opened in 2015 and had over 60 locations nationwide, notified shop owners of the closure Tuesday.

In an email sent to shop owners, Painted Tree Boutiques did not say what caused the sudden closure of the company nationwide.

"We understand the impact this has on you and your business, and we are truly sorry. We know many of you have invested significant time, energy, and resources into building your spaces at Painted Tree, and this is not the outcome any of us hoped for," the company wrote in the email.

Watch below to learn more:

The email also says a "skeleton crew" will be at each location to help business owners retrieve inventory but since Painted Tree is closed, business owners will have to call the store to notify that crew, so they can open the doors.

We caught up with small business vendors at the Cincinnati and Crestview Hills locations of Painted Tree Boutiques. Many told us they were shocked by the news of the immediate closure.

There was no indication that the business was failing, so when we got the email yesterday, it was kinda like, 'um.' And no one, it seems, had any warning. Anyone in the company, Jenn Jordan said.

Jenn Jordan and her son Jakob Jordan, who is non-verbal and uses an iPad to communicate with others, own Cards by Jakob. It's a small business that prints Jakob's drawings onto cards and clothing.

It has been Jakob Jordan's dream to be a business owner, his mother said.

From day one, my goal has been to put smiles on others' faces. What made this place so amazing was getting to see those smiles as people shopped for my designs. I will forever miss that, Jakob Jordan said.

The Jordans said the sudden and immediate closure has left them devastated. But they arent the only ones.

Aadil Tayabee owns Aspire & Glo, a small business with a location inside Painted Tree Boutique in Crestview Hills.

This is peoples lives, all over the country, Tayabee said. Tens of thousands of businesses all gone ... They didnt give a notice, and thats the biggest tragedy.

WATCH: Small business owners react to the announcement

We asked how the immediate closure impacts Tayabee and the other small businesses inside the Crestview Hills location.

I just invested about $12,000, just last month (to bring in new product), Tayabee said. Financially, (a) big loss. Massive.

As for whats next, its still a big question mark for many. The Jordans said they will continue to sell their products on Etsy and at local craft fairs. Tayabee hopes to recreate the business model of Painted Trees locally in the near future.

Shop owners have until Sunday, April 24, to retrieve their inventory. Business owners will be able to access the building between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily until then.

"All merchandise and personal property in your booth or space belongs to you," reads the email. "Please bring any help, packing materials, and vehicles you may need."

Store staff will be able to facilitate access to the building, but will have limited capacity to help business owners with breakdown or loading, the email says.

Anyone with questions about access to a Painted Tree store, or removing products, can email questions@paintedtree.com.

"We are deeply grateful to every shop owner who has been a part of the Painted Tree community," the email says. "Your creativity and dedication made Painted Tree what it was, and we are truly sorry it has come to this."

On Facebook, the Cincinnati location posted the hours during which business owners can collect their belongings, adding that the shop will not be open to the public. More than 50 people have commented on the post, most trying to reach out to many of the local businesses that had stalls inside the boutique.

"Could shop owners post their individual social media pages?" one commenter said.

Others in the comment section were business owners sharing their business's Facebook pages, so fans can still support their companies.

Another person asked how Painted Tree plans to handle gift cards purchased for the boutique. Painted Tree itself has not responded to any of the social media comments.

A small business in Northern Kentucky announced Monday that it is permanently closing its doors.

Tuba Baking Co., located at 517 Sixth Avenue in Dayton, announced on social media that it is shutting down after eight years of business. The restaurant's final day of service will be Saturday, June 27.

"Man it's been a crazy 8 years! But the time has come for us to make the very difficult decision to end this chapter of Tuba," owners Drew and Valerie Rath wrote. "We want to be able to spend more time with our kids and give to them the time and attention they have so graciously sacrificed for us to even get this far."

The mom-and-pop restaurant specializes in Swabian-style pretzels, which have skinnier "arms" and a split baby unlike Bavarian pretzels. Outside of the pretzels, Tuba Baking Co. offers Southern German-inspired scratch-made cuisine, such as schnitzel, currywurst, spatzle and more.

The restaurant's menu also includes Cincinnati chili-influenced items like the "Swabinatian," which has spatzle a chewy egg noodle topped with Cincinnati chili lentils, shredded cheese and onion.

Tuba Baking Co. first began as a farmers market stand before they opened a brick-and-mortar location in Covington in 2019. The couple moved the restaurant to Dayton in 2022.

"Our fans and customers have blown us away with your love and passion for the food weve put on a plate and the family weve cultivated at our bar (and) in our Biergarten," the Raths wrote. "We love serving you, we love this area, and we love what we do, but it is time we focus on our next chapters."

With several weeks ahead until their official closure, the Raths are inviting guests to come celebrate the "dishes, drinks and laughter" they've shared over the years.

You can read Tuba Baking Co.'s full announcement below:

A Dutch Bros Coffee is proposed for the southeast corner of Breiel Boulevard and Batsey Drive in Middletown.

Plans submitted to the city show a 986-square-foot building with two drive-thru lanes and no indoor seating. A walk-up service window is planned on the west side of the building.

The project would redevelop about 0.59 acres of the existing Middletown Shopping Center parking lot. Nearby businesses include Mr. Hibachi Japanese Grill, Burger King and Little Caesars Pizza.

Dutch Bros was founded in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma, who started the company from an espresso pushcart. As of late 2025, the chain had expanded to 1,081 locations across 24 states, according to the company.

The brand is known for customizable hot, iced or blended coffee drinks as well as its Rebel energy drinks, teas, lemonades, shakes and smoothies.

The proposed Middletown location is part of a broader expansion into the Miami Valley that began last year.

Dutch Bros' first location in Ohio opened in Springfield Township in 2025. According to Dutch Bros's website, they also have Greater Cincinnati area locations in Milford and Sharonville.

There's also a location north of Dayton that opened in September in Butler Township. Additional area locations are also planned near the University of Dayton campus and in Fairborn and Riverside near Dayton.

The location proposed for Middletown will go before the citys planning commission in May.

Restaurant lovers and foodies get ready, because Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week is returning to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky later this month.

The week of meal deals runs Monday, April 20, through Sunday, April 26, at more than 60 participating restaurants.

Participating restaurants will be offering prix-fixe meals for lunch and dinner. The meals are $26, $36, $46 or $56 depending on the restaurant, and $1 from every meal will be donated to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Some of this year's participating restaurants include Primavista, Baru, Nicholson's The Green Line, Ivory House, Coppin's at Hotel Covington and many more.

Those who dine at participating restaurants can also download the Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week app to map out their dining experiences and check in at restaurants, earning points. Those who check in to three or more restaurants will be automatically entered to win $300 in restaurant gift cards, a Bulleit Bourbon fire pit and more.

You can download the app from the App Store and Google Play.

Here is the full list of participating restaurants for Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week:

You can click here to learn more about Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week.

A popular, decades-old store at Over-the-Rhine's Findlay Market has expanded into a new neighborhood this time with sit-down dining.

Dean's Mediterranean Imports, located at 108 W Elder St. in OTR, recently held the grand opening for Dean's Mediterranean Table, located at 4024 Hamilton Avenue in Northside.

Dean's is owned and operated by Kate Zaidan, who took over the Findlay Market store from her father, Dean, in 2014. Dean Zaidan first opened Dean's Imports at Findlay Market in the 1970s after emigrating from Beirut, Lebanon.

Katie Zaidan told WCPO 9 that getting to build upon the store her father built and expand it into a new concept has been one of the most gratifying parts of the process.

"It's a huge deal," Zaidan said. " ... I grew up in the store. I have memories of, like, sleeping in the back on big bags of lentils, and you know, drawing pictures for the windows and stuff. So it's very much home for me, but it was also, you know, I wanted to put my own spin on things."

Those who love and frequent Dean's Imports know the grocery store is packed to the brim with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern goods and foods, and Zaidan said the space at Table allows her to modernize and do more. She also said Table allows her to hold cooking classes and host educational sessions.

"(The) number one comment I would get from our customers and people in the store is like, 'Oh my gosh, all of these ingredients are so cool, but I just have no idea how to use them,'" Zaidan said. "And so I had to start doing cooking classes for that reason ... because we do carry, I think, some of the best ingredients in the world. But if you don't know how to use them, they're just items on a shelf."

Inside Table, guests can expect several seating options, including a large round booth that anchors the front of the restaurant. Zaidan said there are 25 seats indoors as well as 25 outdoor seats that will be added in the future. The restaurant also includes its own grocery area, with items such as chutneys and curry pastes, tinned fish, olive oils, freshly prepared hummus and much more.

Zaidan said Table's menu also builds off of the menu offered from the kitchen at the back of Dean's Imports.

"It's similar to our menu at Dean's, but definitely elevated," Zaidan said.

Zaidan said a lot of the recipes are derived from her family's recipes that she learned from her father and grandmother while growing up. On top of that, she said Table's chef, Alex Boland, has crafted beautiful plates that showcase Lebanese food's bright colors and accoutrements.

She said a standout on the menu is the mezze options, which are small plates that work best when they're served together, and a nice way to eat around the menu. She also said in the few weeks of business they've already had fan favorites that have become staples of the menu, such as their grilled dates.

For those wanting something lighter, Zaidan said she's thrilled to be able to bring Turkish and Yemeni coffee to the Cincinnati area.

She said their Turkish coffee is not overly sweet but a strong demitasse coffee that's perfect with sweets. Yemeni coffee dates back millennia, and Zaidan said it separates itself with its beans, roast and spices, with notes of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and others.

Zaidan said she had a customer come in, order a coffee and pastry and sit with a book in the cafe, and that's the epitome of what she was trying to do with Dean's Mediterranean Table. She said Table has become sort of a one-stop shop for all things, whether that be coming in for a meal, a cup of coffee and a pastry or stopping in for some groceries.

At the end of the day, Zaidan said she wanted to create a space that was accessible to the community and welcoming to all.

"You know, that was kind of the genius of my dad's store that I really love is that we have spices that we sell for 50 cents, and we have a balsamic vinegar that's $235," Zaidan said. "So I sort of wanted to ... just make a place that anybody can feel at home in."

Dean's Mediterranean Table is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can also check out Dean's Mediterranean Imports at Findlay Market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

You can click here to follow along with the grocery store and restaurant.

Three chefs in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas have been named finalists in the 2026 James Beard Awards.

The annual awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant industry, honoring regional best chefs, best bar professionals, new restaurants and more.

Sarah Dworak and Jeffery Harris have been named finalists in the "Best Chef: Great Lakes" category, which showcases chefs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. David Willocks was named a finalist in the "Best Chef: Southeast" category, which includes Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Harris had previously been honored by the James Beard Awards, being named a semifinalist for the same category in 2024 and a nominee for "Best New Restaurant" in 2023.

Nolia, located in Over-the-Rhine at the corner of Clay and 14th streets, offers Harris' take on classic Southern flavors and dishes inspired by his upbringing in New Orleans. The restaurant's menu changes seasonally, with recent options including goat gnocchi with mustard greens and sweet potatoes and skillet cornbread, to name a few.

WATCH: WCPO sat down and talked with Harris about Nolia

The restaurant celebrated Harris' finalist honor on social media, saying, "This incredible honor is a testament to the dedication, passion and flavor Jeff puts into every single dish, bringing the heart of New Orleans to the soul of Cincinnati."

Dworak, who was a first-time semifinalist and now a first-time finalist, owns and operates Sudova, an Eastern European dining spot that opened on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati in 2024. Dworak told us Sudova celebrates her heritage, offering Eastern European staples like cod pelmeni, latkes, rye varenyky and more.

"We are thrilled to announce that we are James Beard 2026 finalists," the restaurant wrote on social media. " ... Excited does not even begin to describe the feeling. Thank you to everyone who has dined with us, shared stories and supported us."

Willocks is also a first-time semifinalist and finalist. The chef owns and operates The Baker's Table in Newport with his wife, Wendy Braun. A more unique fine dining experience, The Baker's Table offers a six-course tasting menu that rotates each month. The restaurant prides itself on using local and regional farmers and producers for produce, meat, grains and more.

The Baker's Table also posted to social media, celebrating the finalist honor and congratulating both Sudova and Nolia.

Dworak, Harris and Willocks were three of five total semifinalists named from the Tri-State.

Hideki Harada, who owns Kiki, an izakaya and sushi bar in Clifton's Gaslight district, was also named a semifinalist for "Best Chef: Great Lakes." Harada also received that honor in 2023.

Mike Stankovich was also recognized as a semifinalist for "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service." Stankovich runs Longfellow, a bar located a block away from Nolia at the corner of Clay and 13th streets in OTR. Stankovich was also a nominee for the same category in last year's James Beard Awards.

The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.

A Canadian-based transportation company is laying off 149 employees, the majority of them at its Butler County location.

Day & Ross USA, which is based in New Brunswick, will cut 100 jobs from its site at 3560 Symmes Road in Hamilton, effective May 30, the company said in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, filed with the state last Wednesday.

At the Butler County facility, the majority of the layoffs will affect drivers (54) and dock workers (36). The remaining positions affected are dispatchers and dock leads (two each), plus administrative assistant, driver manager, inbound dock manager, operations coordinator, operations supervisor and senior operations manager (one each).

Thirty-two layoffs will come from the companys facility in Livonia, Michigan, while the remaining cuts will be carried out in Indiana (6), Kentucky (6), Tennessee (3) and West Virginia (2), according to the WARN notice.

Day & Ross started in 1950 and was bought by McCain Foods in 1966. It is now owned entirely by McCain, the worlds largest manufacturer of frozen french fries and potato products.

The company opened its Symmes Road location in 2000 and hired workers who had lost their jobs when the previous company there, Dedicated Logistics Inc., shut down after General Motors chose a different shipping company.

Day & Ross has no union, the company said in the notice. Employees who are laid off will not be able to move into other jobs at the company and will not receive severance pay, it said.

The company said it will provide information on how employees can access unemployment insurance benefits and available services, including job placement assistance, retraining programs or counseling.

Asked in the WARN form what actions the company took to mitigate the impact of the employment loss, Day & Ross said, Contract negotiation with our customer over calendar year 2025 while customer took business out to bid and New contract ultimately awarded elsewhere impacting our current workforce.

Seventeen months after the evictions began, Frischs restaurant properties are again poised for big changes.

A Florida landlord is unloading the dormant real estate to buyers who have yet to reveal definitive plans for them. And that is triggering speculation about what lies ahead for these former neighborhood anchors.

In the 50s and 60s, this place was just booming, said Scott Sayre, whose Advance Dentistry practice flourished on Wooster Pike as the Frischs Mainliner declined in the last 40 years. Fairfax has done some nicer things in this area and its just kind of sad to see the building sit here without anybody doing anything.

Watch: What will happen to the now-dormant Frisch's locations across the Tri-State

Sayre was encouraged to learn a Lexington developer that specializes in redeveloping retail properties bought 11 former Frischs locations in the last five months, six of them in Greater Cincinnati.

Greer Companies, once the largest franchise operator of Cheddars Scratch Kitchen restaurants, did not respond to calls seeking comment for this story. It has redeveloped more than 100 retail properties by attracting users like Starbucks, Shoneys, Taco Bell, Burger Fi and Fazolis, according to its website.

With that kind of background even if they decide to hold it and sell it to somebody else, theyll be a driving force, Sayre said. Weve got a lot of fast food around. But we dont have anything where you could come here at night, have a dinner, bring the family.

Greer Companies isnt the only local buyer of empty Frischs locations.

Middletown entrepreneur Brett Oakley bought the Germantown Road Frischs location in January but hasnt decided what to do with it.

In Bethel, a corporate affiliate of Mt. Orabs Mi Camino Real restaurant purchased a former Frischs location at 551 West Plane Street.

The WCPO 9 I-Team tried to reach the buyers of all 13 properties. All either failed to respond or declined to identify future plans for the real estate.

One thing is clear: The sales will continue.

According to local real estate records, two dozen empty Frischs locations are still owned by NNN REIT Inc. Thats a real estate investment trust that filed dozens of eviction cases against Frischs in 2024, then signed a deal with a Michigan Big Boy chain to bring its Dollys concept to town.

As WCPO has previously reported, Dollys never got close to its stated goal of more than 50 Southwest Ohio locations before folding in September. By that time, NNN REIT was in active negotiations with other potential buyers.

The companys annual report said it sold 67 vacant properties in 2025. CEO Stephen Horn told investors last month the vast majority of those sales were Frischs locations.

The biggest buyer, Greer Companies, owns the Mainliner site and a Lawrenceburg property through a corporate affiliate, Olowalu Land Company LLC. It also owns four Northern Kentucky locations in Florence, Fort Wright, Independence and Cold Spring.

The companys president told the Lexington Herald Leader that he was talking to a Frischs franchise owner about leasing "one or more" properties for a Big Boy restaurant outside of Lexington.

And it turns out that a rendering on display at the Kyles Lane Frischs in Fort Wright shows that location is moving to a Greer-owned property on Madison Pike at Orphanage Road. Frischs declined to comment on the relocation, but employees said it will happen by July.

The rendering also shows a new look for the fresh 3L Frischs, one that de-emphasizes the Big Boy logo and recasts the Frischs name in a different font style. They call it the 3L Frischs because Madison Pike, or Kentucky Route 17, connected the horse racing cities of Louisville, Lexington and Latonia in the early 20th century.

The Kyles Lane Frischs is operated by Cheryl White, one of two Frischs managers who bought multiple locations and future development rights of the Frischs Big Boy brand, according to a November 2024 press release. White did not respond to an email seeking comment.

When the dust settled after the 2024 evictions, Frisch's had 31 locations including 11 in Greater Cincinnati. The Kyles Lane store was among them.

Real estate records show that the store got a new landlord in September, when Guardian Savings Bank sold the land and building to 20 Kyles Lane LLC. It isnt clear whether the ownership change was a factor in the restaurants relocation.

But longtime Frischs customer Janie Van Winkle was happy to learn that her current favorite Frischs found a long-term home nearby.

Our local Frischs closed, and this is the closest one we have, said Van Winkle, who lives in Aurora but drives regularly to Kyles Lane for lunch. Orphanage road is a little big further drive, but thats OK. Ill still go for my fish sandwich.

In the meantime, Van Winkle asked WCPO to pass along a message to Greer Companies. Shed like Frischs to return to the Eads Parkway location that a Greer corporate affiliate purchased for $1.75 million in October.

Put a bug in their ear, Van Winkle said. In high school, a lot of the kids would go to (the Lawrenceburg) Frischs. It would be the main place that they would hang out. So, it has a lot of memories."

2025 was a record year for the City of Covington.

We are on a roll in the City of Covington. People want to be here in our community; they want to live here, they want to work here, they want to play here, said Covington Mayor Ron Washington. 2025 was the billion-dollar year.

The $1 billion Washington is talking about is the projected combined annual payroll for Covington businesses. And a lot of that success comes from big-name companies deciding to expand their business to Covington.

WATCH: How Covington's business investments help them and the community

We just announced that Marfo, an international company, they picked the City of Covington to do business, Washington said. Were so excited that the Fisher Group, otherwise known as Fisher Homes, is moving their headquarters to downtown Covington.

Washington says both companies are expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the city, but its not just big businesses coming in and making an impact.

Small businesses, like Dice on Draft, which opened in February, are also choosing Covington as their home.

When youre walking around here, you see almost nothing but small businesses, so even just being around here, you get the sense that they must value and cherish their small businesses, said McKenzie Crist, the owner of Dice on Draft.

The City of Covington put over $4.3 million into small business incentives in 2025. Part of that money is going to help small businesses with their rent during their first year.

The first year is kinda make or break, so even just that rent subsidy part, that small rent subsidy that were getting is a night or two of revenue that were kinda getting back," Crist said. Honestly, Im not sure if we wouldve gotten off the ground if it werent for all the help that we received.

Washington said for the city, supporting small businesses is worth the investment because at the end, itll support the entire community.

What the evidence has shown is that when we partner with those businesses for the first year, that they become very, very successful, Washington said.

Washington added that the city hopes 2026 will be an even more successful year, with construction beginning on the Covington Central Riverfront and the recent acquisition of the Duro Bag facility.

A new coffee shop and tap house is set to open its doors at Court Street Plaza in downtown Cincinnati later this spring.

California natives Rodney and Janine De Iorio will open Brewd at 34 E Court Street later this year, they announced last week. The couple relocated to Cincinnati in 2021.

Brewd will sit in a 2,200-square-foot space on Court Street, which was the former Almost V'Gan Lounge space. The coffee shop and tap house is set to have a soft launch in April before holding a grand opening at a later date.

The De Iorios said in a press release that Brewd has been a long-time dream for the couple, and that they found inspiration in the commonalities between coffee and beer culture.

"We wanted to create a place where you could enjoy coffee in the morning and a beer in the evening a space that would bring people together and turn strangers into neighbors," said Janine De Iorio. "We spent a lot of time researching what today's third spaces are missing, and we've been very intentional about creating an environment that will fill that gap."

The combination coffee shop and tap house will offer locally roasted coffee from La Terza, located in Springfield Township, tea from Churchill's Fine Teas and a rotating selection of beers from local breweries, such as Rhinegeist, Bocce, Brink, Westside and HighGrain, among others.

Outside of drink options, Brewd will also have a food menu curated by Rodney Do Iorio that pays homage to his Southern California upbringing. Guests can expect menu items like California-style breakfast burritos, sandwiches and carne asada fries to go alongside an assortment of bakery treats.

The Do Iorios also said they want Brewd to be a space for community and connection as they plan to host a variety of events and activities, including board games and puzzles to Profs + Pints, an organization that hosts casual lectures held by college professors in bars, breweries and cafes.

"As an organization deeply committed to building community, activating this space with a concept that not only fosters connection but also collaborates with other local small businesses is truly optimal," said Christ Samad, EVP of civc and commercial space activation for 3CDC.

Brewd will join an array of businesses at Court Street Plaza, including Afterlife, Mid-City Restaurant, Daruma, Onolicious Hawaii, Court Street Kitchen, Pata Roja and many more.

Beloved Italian restaurant Pepp & Dolores, along with two of its sister restaurants, is set to open a second location in the Cincinnati area later this year.

Thunderdome Restaurant Group is opening Pepp & Dolores, alongside The Eagle and CityBird, at Deerfield Township's new The District at Deerfield development.

Joe Lanni, co-founder of Thunderdome, told WCPO 9 that the new locations are the restaurant group's way of broadening specifically in the Cincinnati market. Currently, CityBird has several locations, including Amelia, Anderson, Over-the-Rhine, Harper's Point, Fountain Square and Crestview Hills in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The Eagle also has several other locations, but all of them, except OTR, are in other cities such as Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis and others.

"We just feel that this one (Deerfield Township) is a great location, first and foremost, but we're going to have great neighbors, and when you put those two things together, that's a real recipe for success, hopefully," Lanni said.

The District at Deerfield, which sits near Mason Montgomery Road, is home to several businesses, including Pins Mechanical Co., Fifty West Brewery and 101 Craft Kitchen. It was recently announced that the Indianapolis-based brunch spot, Cafe Patachou, is also expected to open at The District at Deerfield this spring, as well.

While The Eagle and CityBird have other locations, the upcoming Pepp & Dolores in Deerfield Township is only the second location for the concept outside of its flagship OTR spot. Lanni told us that Thunderdome never planned to make Pepp & Dolores a regional chain like the other concepts, but they decided to open a second location due to the restaurant's success.

"It's just had such success and resonated so well that demand's just been off the charts, and we thought, if we're making our first foray outside the central business district, we ought to put our best foot forward," Lanni said.

Lanni said they plan to design the new space to give the same feel of OTR's Pepp & Dolores, obviously without the 100-year-old historic building along Vine Street. Guests can also expect the same menu as the OTR restaurant, with in-house-made pastas, wine and more.

Pepp & Dolores, The Eagle and CityBird are expected to open at The District at Deerfield in September or October, Lanni said.

Findlay Kitchen is marking a decade of helping food entrepreneurs get their start in Cincinnati.

Over its 10-year history, the nonprofit incubator kitchen has helped hundreds of food businesses find their footing in a difficult field. One of its success stories is Makers & Bakers Co. a one-stop shop inside Findlay Market offering a variety of fresh baked goods.

"We started back in 1998 to sell cheesecake, which is still our flagship," said Kevin Fostin, co-owner of Makers & Bakers Co.

They serve everything from cheesecakes to pies, cookies and more. Customers from across the globe come specifically for the shop's famous banana pudding.

Fostin and co-owner Tara Patterson said the business wouldn't be what it is today without the help of Findlay Kitchen.

"It's something I wanted to do my whole life, and we are really fortunate that it was able to work out," Patterson said.

WATCH: How Findlay Kitchen has helped hundreds of food entrepreneurs

The partnership has even opened doors to a major brand collaboration.

"We were able to pitch an idea to Sam Adams using our cinnamon rolls, which is what we are known for, which is your roll, your way," Fostin said. "So you will get to pick your own roll and ice just the way you like it."

Findlay Kitchen offers 14 spaces for chefs and bakers to cook what they want at any time. Sami Stewart, marketing and communications manager at Findlay Market, said the setup makes it easier for small businesses to grow.

"It's a very affordable way for small businesses to get off the ground and get to their next stage of business, and were really proud to be supporting all these businesses day in and day out," Stewart said.

Stewart said they've helped grow and scale over 300 businesses in total "which is really exciting."

Findlay Kitchen is hosting its Small Bites Big Impact event Thursday to celebrate the milestone, where 10 current members and alumni will showcase their best food at Rhinegeist. You can learn more about it here.

"We've got something for everybody," Fostin said.

The Madisonville area is getting another dining option from an acclaimed chef this spring when Suzu opens its doors at the Madison Square development.

The restaurant, led by chef Makoto Okuwa, is set to open its doors in May at Madison Square, which is also home to The Element Food Hall, Alara and the upcoming Italian restaurant Zingaro by Chef Fabio Viviani.

Okuwa's career has spanned more than 30 years, where he's become a master of modern Japanese cuisine as the protege of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Okuwa has specializes in Edomae-style sushi, which is a traditional sushi technique dating back to the 1820s that features marinated, cured and simmered food rather than the typical raw options. Throughout his career, Okuwa has fused both traditional Japanese cuisine and contemporary influence at his various restaurants in Washington, D.C., Miami, Mexico City and other cities.

Suzu is Okuwa's first venture in the Cincinnati area, and the restaurant will be "where modernity meets tradition," according to a press release.

The Madisonville restaurant will seat 200 guests, offering both indoor and outdoor seating, a private dining room called the Tea Room and a cocktail bar. Within the restaurant there will also be Suzunone, a 12-style Edo-style omakase counter, where guests will have the opportunity to experience Japanese sushi tradition.

"Suzu is a celebration of Japanese culture and cuisine, where every detail matters from the design of the room to the way a single piece of sushi is crafted," Okuwa said in a press release. "It's about honoring tradition while creating something vibrant and alive, and it's unlike anything in the region."

You can follow for updates about Suzu here.

An Indianapolis-based cafe is set to open its first Cincinnati-area location this spring.

Cafe Patachou will open at Mason's The District at Deerfield, which is also home to several other restaurants and bars, including 101 Craft Kitchen, Fifty West Brewery, Pins Mechanical Co. and several others that are also in the process of opening.

Since its inception in 1989 by restaurateur Martha Hoover, Cafe Patachou has been described as a "student union for adults," according to its website, serving an "elevated take" on breakfast, brunch and lunch.

The cafe's menu includes a variety of Cafe Patachou's takes on breakfast staples, such as omelettes, croissant French toast, Chilaquiles and more. For those not wanting breakfast, Cafe Patachou also has lunch selections like salads, sandwiches, bowls, soup and more.

To go alongside your food, a serve-yourself coffee bar is a focal point at Cafe Patachou. Guests will be able to sip on seasonal lattes like English toffee and peppermint mocha, as well as brunch cocktails, beer, wine and more.

Over the decades, Cafe Patachou has received local, regional and national accolades. The chain has also expanded to several locations across Indiana, as well as a Lexington location.

You can click here to learn more about Cafe Patachou.

The Lenten season has begun in the Tri-State, which means weekly fish frys are returning.

Lent, a 40-day Christian period of repentance, begins on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18 and ends on Holy Thursday on April 2 before Easter on April 5.

Throughout the 40 days, Lenten Fridays fall on Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27.

Whether you're observing Lent or simply want to enjoy a fish fry, the Tri-State area has dozens of fish frys being hosted by churches, parishes, businesses and more.

please click here

All Saints

American Legion Post 450

American Legion Post 484

American Legion Post 550

Arabesque Dance

Artsville

Church of the Resurrection Bond Hill

Fernbank Golf Course

Fraternal Order of Eagles #2293

Gaileys VFW Post 7340

Globetrotters VFW Post 6428

Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Goshen Methodist Church

Guardian Angels Cincinnati

Holy Cross Immaculata Cincinnati

Holy Family Middletown

Holy Name

Holy Trinity Norwood

House of God Community Ministries

Immaculate Heart of Mary Anderson Township

Knights of Columbus Council 1683

Kolping Society Fish Fry's

Lost Bridge Beverage Co.

Miley Homestead Help

Miller-Stockum Post 485 Fish Fry

Nativity Parish Fish Fry

New Vision Missionary Baptist Church

Old St. Mary's Fish Fry for Bockfest

Our Lady of Sorrows Monroe

Our Lady of Victory Delhi Township

Our Lord Christ the King Mount Lookout

Potter House Cafe & Hibachi

Pride of the Valley Lodge

Queen of Peace Hamilton

St. Aloysius Hamilton

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Bridgetown

St. Antoninus Parish

St. Bernadette Amelia

St. Boniface Church

St. Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes Fish Fry

St. Columban

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Milford

St. Francis de Sales Lebanon

St. Gertrude Madeira

St. Ignatius of Loyola Monfort Heights

St. James Fish Fry 2026

St. John Neumann Cincinnati

St. John the Baptist Dry Ridge

St. John the Evangelist

St. Lawrence Price Hill

St. Margaret of York

St. Max's Lenten Fish Frys

St. Michael Catholic School

St. Philip the Apostle Church

St. Saviour Parish

St. Thomas More Parish

St. Veronica Mt. Carmel

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. William

Syrian Shrine Cincinnati Fish Fry-Days

Wayne Township Fire & Rescue

Williamsburg American Legion Post 288

Campbell County FAA

Covington Firefighters Fish Fry

Fr. Bealer Knights of Columbus

Holy Cross High School Fish Fry

Immaculate Heart of Mary Burlington

Mary, Queen of Heaven Parish

Newport Elks Lodge 273

Saint Joseph Academy

Saint Thomas Parish

Simon Kenton High School Band

St. Agnes

St. Augustine

St. Barbara Church

St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church

St. Francis Xavier

St. Joseph Parish

St. Mary's School

St. Paul Parish

St. Patrick

St. Timothy Parish

Hidden Valley Lake Golf Club

St. Anthony and St. Nicholas Catholic Churches

St. John Lutheran Church Aurora

St. Lawrence Church

St. Mary of Immaculate Conception

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Church/Knights of Columbus

Northern Kentucky distillery New Riff Distilling received an international honor this past week, earning a top award at the World Whiskies Awards.

New Riff, located in Newport, was awarded the "World's Best Bourbon" title at the World Whiskies Awards America 2026 held Thursday in Louisville, Ky. The World Whiskies Awards are global awards that select the very best in all internationally recognized whiskey styles.

New Riff received the honor, specifically in the "Best Kentucky Bourbon" specialization, for the distiller's flagship Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. Artisan Collection's 15 Stars won the "Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon" award.

The distillery said the award was accepted by New Riff CEO Hannah Lowen and Master Distiller Brian Sprance at the awards ceremony.

New Riff said the honor comes after winning several awards in 2025, including its Balboa Rye being ranked fourth in the world by Whisky Advocate, as well as winning two double gold medals at the John Barleycorn Awards.

RELATED | I see resilience | New Riff in Newport remains optimistic, despite nationwide bourbon industry woes

After winning Thursday's award, New Riff posted to social media, celebrating the win.

"We put our hearts into every barrel we fill, so seeing that work recognized on a global stage alongside such respected distilleries truly means the world to our entire team," the distillery wrote.

The distillery also wrote that "World's Best Bourbon" has a nice ring to it.

New Riff first opened in Newport in 2014, and the independently-owned distillery has produced several award-winning bourbons, ryes, single-malt whiskeys and gins that are available nationwide. The distillery gets its name from the underground aquifer that sits directly underneath the distillery grounds, from which New Riff pulls water and uses it to distill spirits. In the last few years, the distiller has invested millions into renovating the distillery, transforming a former private event space on the distillerys third floor into a tasting and cocktail bar.

The Village Perks coffee shop will donate all proceeds from their new "Farthing's Caramel Mocha" to Deputy Mike Farthing and his family until he recovers from stab wounds and returns to work, according to owner Cindy Wilson.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office said 41-year-old Phillip Lovely stabbed Farthing in the back with a kitchen knife Thursday as he responded to a car fire on Myers Road in Madison Township.

Wilson said Farthing has been a regular customer in her store for around two years.

"You couldn't ask for a nicer man, and he would do anything for you," she said.

WATCH: We spoke with the owner of Village Perks about why she decided to fundraise

Wilson said she comes from a long line of law enforcement in her family, and when she heard this stabbing involved a deputy she knew, she had to act.

"When we found out it was him, it brought on another meaning," she said. "We were just heartbroken, and I feel like we've got to do something to show that there are people that really care."

Wilson said the drink, now named after Deputy Farthing, is an order he picked every time he came in. Though she held off on automatically adding the extra espresso shot he normally asked for.

You can find Village Perks at 315 Main St. in Seven Mile.

Farthing is recovering at home after his release from the hospital.

Lovely has been charged with one count of felonious assault, one count of arson and one count of attempted aggravated murder. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, at 9 a.m.

A new bar opening in Covington is not only offering a slew of cocktails and drinks but also hundreds of board games for guests to dive into and enjoy.

Dice on Draft, located at 20 E Fifth Street near Madison Avenue, is set to open Friday, Feb. 13.

The board game bar is owned and operated by McKenzie Crist, who decided to open her first bar after previously working at a bar herself and seeing several family members, including her husband, work in the service industry.

"We just really like the community that places like this bring in, and we really missed places like this when, like, The Rook closed, and then felt like there was a gap for more niche concepts like this," Crist said.

Crist told me that when deciding to open a bar, it seemed obvious to make it board game-themed, reflecting her own love of games and hosting game nights with friends. She also said it was a no-brainer to choose to open in Covington because the city and neighborhood are so small-business friendly.

"I love that like niche things ... can survive (in Covington), like there is a market for stuff like that," she said.

Crist said there are over 200 board games at Dice on Draft, but the selection started with roughly 75 of them from her and her husband's own collection. With the variety of games to choose from, she said there's an added level for those who don't just want to sit and drink and bide their time.

"(We) have a place for people to congregate that want to play games, who maybe see a game on their list that they want to try, and they can come over and play it and try it out," Crist said.

Inside Dice on Draft, guests are met with a colorful Covington mural painted by Crist's sister, a large bar with ample seating, a variety of tables for game play and shelves upon shelves of board games to choose from.

She said the shelves are organized by game type, with options for players of all skill levels, as well as those new to board games. The various shelves include smaller, compact games like Coup or Avalon, traditional games like chess and dominoes, popular, well-known games like Monopoly, Wingspan or Apples to Apples and more intense and strategic games. In the bar's large private room, which is available to rent out, there are longer RPG games, such as Gloomhaven and dice for Dungeons & Dragons.

Outside of table-top board games, the bar also has a massive Killer Queen arcade cabinet. Crist said she and her husband played the game at Sharonville's Arcade Legacy and were addicted to it.

"It's a 10-person, so you can get a lot of bang for your buck playing it, and it's really easy to learn," she said. "It's just like another thing to kind of build more community behind too, because you have to have at least four players to play it, and you can have like tournaments on it, and there's all kinds of features on it that really drive community and playing together."

You can click here to see Dice on Draft's full collection of games and to suggest games for the bar to add.

Outside of games, Dice on Draft also has a full-service bar with craft cocktails, beer, wine and other drinks. Crist said that almost all of the bar's signature cocktails can also be made non-alcoholic.

"We want to make sure that everyone feels welcome here, and that's an option for them," she said.

Of the bar's signature cocktails, many are riffs on the classics and named after popular board games, such as the "Don't Explode" named for "Quacks of Quedlinburg," which is a riff on a cherry bomb, or the "Mars Reviver" for "Terraforming Mars." The bar also has its charity list cocktails, such as Ginger's Kentucky Mule or Gigi's Gin Fizz, that are named after Crist's pets, and $1 from each of those cocktails will go toward the different animal rescues all the pets were adopted from.

Crist also said they hope to evolve the cocktail list over time, as well as host happy hours during the week, an industry night on Mondays and more. She said they also plan to eventually have recurring events such as learn how to play certain games, test plays and more.

Dice on Draft will be open six days a week. Here are Dice on Draft's hours:

You can click here to learn more about Dice on Draft and stay up to date with the bar.

If you know of any restaurants or bars opening in your neighborhood, let Molly know. You can email her at molly.schramm@wcpo.com

Cincinnati Chili Week is returning to the Tri-State, with deals at more than 30 restaurants.

The annual food week is taking place Monday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, March 1 marking a perfect way to celebrate National Chili Day on Feb. 26.

Chili connoisseurs will be able to enjoy coneys, three-ways, four-ways, five-ways, specials and more with $5-7 deals at various restaurants.

Some of the participating restaurants this year include a variety of Skyline locations, Price Hill Chili, Fifty West Brewing, Moerlein Lager House, Champions Grille and many more.

Participants can also track which restaurants they dine at with the Cincinnati Chili Week app. You can download the app via Apple's App Store or Google Play. Those who log their chili escapades have a chance of winning prizes, including the grand prize of $300 in restaurant gift cards.

The full list of participating restaurants includes:

To learn more about Cincinnati Chili Week and get addresses for participating restaurants, click here.

A popular hot dog restaurant located in Blue Ash's Summit Park has announced that it is closing its doors.

Senate, located near Tahona Taqueria + Tequila Bar in the park, announced on social media that this week would be its last.

"After nearly ten years in Summit Park it's time for us to move on," the restaurant wrote on its Instagram story.

Chef Daniel Wright, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Lana Wright, told WCPO that they decided to close the Summit Park location because its lease was expiring. He also said the move allows them to focus on their Over-the-Rhine businesses.

"We're proud of what we built," the restaurant's announcement said. "We want to thank all of you for being a huge part of it."

The restaurant is most known for its gourmet hot dogs, including the "Trailer Park" that comes with bacon, American cheese, coleslaw and crushed Grippos or the "Lindsay Lohan" with goat cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula, balsamic and "tons of drama," according to the restaurant's website. Other than hot dogs, the menu has staples like poutine, falafel, lobster mac and cheese and more. The restaurant also has a full-service bar, with several cocktails, wine, beer and other drinks.

Senate first opened in Over-the-Rhine in 2009 and played a role in revitalizing the neighborhood, especially the Vine Street business district, before it closed in 2021 to allow its sister eatery, Abigail Street, to expand.

The Blue Ash location opened in 2017. The Wrights also added a smaller version of the restaurant to their OTR bar, Holiday Spirits, in 2022.

Just Q'in BBQ will close its Walnut Hills location as the restaurant shifts focus solely to its other space, the restaurant's owner announced last week.

The barbecue restaurant is shutting down the Walnut Hills restaurant, located at 975 E McMillan Street, on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Owner Matt Cuff wrote that they decided to close the location in order to fully focus on its flagship restaurant in College Hill.

"Weve shifted our thinking from expansion to excellence. We want to give you the best experience, (every) time and thats now more possible with our team under one roof and our full attention on one place," Cuff wrote on Facebook.

You can read Cuff's full announcement below:

With sole focus on the College Hill location, Cuff said they're making changes already, such as opening on Mondays, bringing back pastrami Fridays, hosting trivia nights and more.

"We want to thank the Walnut Hills Community for the love over the last 10 years, but this isnt the end. Come see what happens when we put all our energy into one place," Cuff wrote.

Just Q'in first opened in 2009 as a food truck in the Cincinnati area before Cuff expanded it into brick-and-mortar restaurants. The restaurant, which serves an array of meats, wings, sandwiches, plates and more, has run under the motto "Faith. Love. BBQ" Former President Joe Biden also stopped by the barbecue joint's Walnut Hills location on his way through Cincinnati in 2023.

Findlay Market patrons will have a new dining spot to choose from as Columbus-based Mexican restaurant Dos Hermanos is set to open in the area.

The Over-the-Rhine market recently announced the addition of Dos Hermanos, which is celebrating its grand opening Jan. 30 at 1819 Elm Street.

The restaurant, which is opening its first Cincinnati-area location, is joining the Market District as a long-term resident of the Findlay Launch program.

Dos Hermanos serves up authentic Oaxacan food, with menu items such as Mexican street tacos, banana leaf tamales, burritos and more.

"We started with a food truck and a lot of love for what we do. 14 years later, that hasn't changed we just have more locations now," said Robert Packer, director of operations. "Dos Hermanos has always been about more than tacos. It's about showing up for people with good food, real hospitality and a place where everyone's welcome."

Dos Hermanos first began in Columbus and has since grown to include a fleet of food trucks, a catering program and several quick-service dining spots in Columbus and Athens.

For those interested in Dos Hermanos' grand opening Friday, the celebration will have several speakers, a ribbon cutting, a mariachi band and more.

Those who attend the grand opening and sign up for Dos Hermanos' rewards will also receive one free taco.

You can click here to learn more about Dos Hermanos.

Several restaurant industry professionals in Cincinnati and Newport have been recognized as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards.

The annual awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant industry, honoring regional best chefs, best bar professionals, new restaurants and more.

In the Tri-State, four chefs were honored, as well as a bar owner from Over-the-Rhine.

Hideki Harada, Sarah Dworak and Jeffery Harris are all semifinalists for the "Best Chefs: Great Lakes" category, David Willocks was named in the "Best Chef: Southeast" category and Mike Stankovich was named a semifinalist in the "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service" category.

Harada owns and operates Kiki, an izakaya and sushi bar located in Clifton's Gaslight district. Outside of sushi, Kiki has ramen, bao buns, skewers and more. Harada was also previously named a semifinalist for the same category in 2023.

Harris has also previously been honored by the James Beard Awards. The Nolia owner was recognized as a semifinalist for "Best Chef: Great Lakes" in 2024 and Nolia was a nominee for "Best New Restaurant" in 2023.

Nolia, located in Over-the-Rhine at the corner of Clay and 13th streets, showcases Harris' take on classic southern flavors and dishes inspired by his upbringing in New Orleans. Menu items change seasonally, with some recent winter options including goat gnocchi with mustard greens and sweet potatoes and skillet cornbread, to name a few.

Both Dworak and Willocks are first-time semifinalists.

Dworak owns and operates Sudova, an Eastern European dining spot that opened in 2024 on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati. Sudova celebrates Dworak's heritage, offering Eastern European staples like cod pelmeni, latkes, rye varenyky and more.

"Truly no words can express our gratitude and excitement," the restaurant wrote on social media.

Willocks owns and operates The Baker's Table in Newport with his wife, Wendy Braun. The Baker's Table is a bit unlike your typical fine dining restaurant, instead offering a six-course tasting menu that rotates each month. The Baker's Table prides itself on using local and regional farmers and producers for produce, meats, grains and more.

Lastly, Stankovich has once again been named a semifinalist for the "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service" category after he was a nominee for the same category last year.

Stanovich runs Longfellow, a bar located a block away from Nolia at the corner of Clay and 13th streets. The bar, which opened in 2017, is cozy and features a classic horseshoe bar, offering guests classic cocktails, as well as affordable beer beloved by the average dive bar patron. There's also a small rotating menu of bar snacks.

The bar was previously recognized by USA Today on its "Best Bars in America in 2024" list.

The James Beard Awards will be announcing the finalists for the categories on Tuesday, March 31, ahead of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.

In the year since Kentucky legalized medical cannabis, the commonwealth has seen a slow and steady rollout of the statewide program but Northern Kentucky is still waiting on its first dispensary to open.

Four Northern Kentucky businesses received dispensary operating licenses during a state-run lottery drawing in November 2024, before one of the four original licenses was sold, resulting in the following dispensaries slated to open:

According to Rachel Roberts, a former state lawmaker and current executive director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, of the four, only one, Bluegrass Cannacare, has been "completely approved" by the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis to operate.

"I think the other (dispensaries) are still a couple months out, as they're building out their facilities and working through their zoning issues," Roberts said. "Not only do facilities need to be built out, but the plant itself needs to grow. So we're dealing with that."

Per WCPO 9 news partner WVXU, the operators of C3 Kentucky, LLC told Wilder's Planning and Zoning Commission in late November 2025 that they plan to begin construction on a new dispensary location along Country Drive in Wilder in early 2026.

WATCH: Northern Kentucky's first medical cannabis business has opened. The region's dispensaries will soon follow. Here's when.

Across 11 Kentucky regions, 48 dispensaries were awarded licenses to operate.

Chad Johns, general manager of Bluegrass Cannacare, said the dispensary's open date has, for the most part, been tethered to when the limited supply of product grows enough to sustain business.

"Right now, I hope and pray that we get enough (product) to get us through," Johns said. "Is it enough to keep everybody open until more can come online and keep going? That's the question."

Roberts said the limited supply could be why other dispensaries in the region haven't opened yet to bide their time.

"Do they open as soon as they possibly can, or do they wait until there's (a) more robust product array for patients?" Roberts said. "And here in Northern Kentucky, that really plays into it, because we're right across the river from a recreational state."

Kentucky's first medical cannabis dispensary, The Post, opened in December in Beaver Dam, Ky. Johns said by its fourth day of operating, it ran out of products to sell to patients. After a restock this month, it is back open.

"As more cultivators come online and as more dispensaries come online, those issues are going to balance out," he said.

There are currently four cultivators, or growers, operating in the Commonwealth. Roberts said a fifth has received its commencement inspection and "may have plants in today or as early as next week."

Johns said Bluegrass Cannacare is eyeing a February opening date.

"(It feels) like we won the lottery the same as when they announced our name on the state drawing a year ago," he said. "We literally are Kentuckians who put in one application, and we hit out of 5,000. Those odds are astounding."

While no dispensaries are open yet, Kentuckys first operational medical cannabis processor, Bison Processing, opened on Thursday.

It will be responsible for taking Kentucky-grown cannabis and transforming it into safe, lab-tested medical products such as tinctures, edibles and topicals for patients registered in the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program.

More than 17,000 Kentuckians have been approved for medical marijuana cards, Gov. Andy Beshear said on Wednesday. Roberts said, given where the rollout's momentum is headed, anyone in Northern Kentucky interested in applying for a card should do so now.

"The fact that we, in just over a year, have dispensaries open with product variety available for the patients of Kentucky is lightning fast in the grand scheme of how medical cannabis works," Roberts said. "I think Team Kentucky deserves a really big round of applause for the way they handled this rollout, the way that they did the regulations."

A longtime winery in Butler County announced it will be permanently closing this spring as its owners retire.

Hanover Winery, located on Morman Road in Hanover Township , announced Tuesday that it will close Saturday, March 21.

"As we transition into retirement, we have made the difficult decision to close the Hanover Winery property and tasting room," the winery's owners, Eddie and Elizabeth McDonald, announced on social media.

The McDonalds said that until March 21, the winery will remain open on Saturdays from 1-8 p.m. During this time, the winery will also continue to supply retail partners with Hanover wines.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support over the past 16+ years," the owners wrote on social media. "It has truly been our pleasure to serve you and share in so many wonderful memories together."

Hanover Winery first opened in 2009 as Butler County's only winery, according to its website. Throughout the years, Hanover has expanded and offered wine, wood-fired pizzas, flatbreads, charcuterie boxes and more at the winery.

In terms of wines, Hanover handcrafted, produced and bottled dozens of wines, ranging from dessert to dry types, at the Butler County winery. According to the winery's website, Hanover's wines, including its Ohio Apple, Black Dahlia, Hanover Red, Pinot Grigio and others, also won multiple international and Ohio awards.

La Soupe, a Cincinnati-based food nonprofit, recently received grant funding from two foundations, the R.C. Durr Foundation and the Butler Foundation, to expand its services in Northern Kentucky.

The funding will support La Soupes work in the Covington, Highland Heights, Newport and Florence communities of Northern Kentucky, ensuring families and individuals continue to have reliable access to healthy meals amid persistent food insecurity, according to the organizations announcement. The funding will directly support the distribution of 8,000 meals to share partners in these communities.

La Soupe distributes chef-prepared meals to a network of community organization partners. The organization hopes to increase its food distribution by 63% by fiscal year 2027, according to the press release announcing the grant funding.

In 2025, La Soupe prepared more than 1 million meals and worked with more than 150 partners in the community, according to a recent Facebook post from the nonprofit.

We are excited to build relationships with Northern Kentucky-based funders who invest in innovative, collaborative solutions that remove barriers to self-sufficiency, said Emma Norbut, La Soupes grants and foundations officer, in a press release. These grants are a powerful testament to La Soupes impact in Northern Kentucky and reflect the breadth of our services.

You can learn more about La Soupe at lasoupe.org.

A Latin breakfast and brunch spot in Northern Kentucky is set to shut down in February after years of business, the restaurant announced on social media.

Yuca, located at 700 Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue, announced on Facebook on Friday that it has decided to close, saying the restaurant's lease is coming to an end.

The restaurant's last day of business will be Sunday, Feb. 1.

"Currently weekends are fantastic, but unfortunately we get very little traffic during the week," the restaurant wrote. "We've always been hopeful that weekday business would pick up, unfortunately it simply hasn't."

The Latin-inspired restaurant, which is owned by Cedar Culinary Group, said the decision comes as Yuca is set to have its five-year anniversary. The restaurant serves a wide range of Latin-inspired breakfast and lunch options, including a Cubano sandwich, Venezuelan filet and eggs and others.

"We're heartbroken to leave, but the economics simply won't support the business," Yuca wrote.

The restaurant said it's currently looking at other potential locations to reopen in, but in the meantime, popular dishes from Yuca will be available at the restaurant group's other spots in Covington, Cedar, located at 701 Main Street, and Pike Street, located at 9 W Pike Street.

You can read Yuca's full announcement below:

Northern Kentucky restaurant Carmelo's was named among the top new restaurants in the country as part of

's '10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2026.'

The Covington restaurant, located at the corner of Madison Avenue and West 5th Street, was named No.2 on USA Today's Best New Restaurants list.

wrote that a panel of food and travel experts nominated 20 new restaurants that opened in the past year and a half, and then readers voted for their top 10 picks.

Carmelo's is owned by Billy Grise and Mitch Arens and opened in November 2024. The restaurant is named after Grise's great-grandfather or bisnonno Carmelo Caserta, a first-generation immigrant from Sicily.

"Today, we honor Carmelos legacy by embodying the qualities that defined him generosity, love, sincerity and good humor. His spirit lives on in every dish we serve and in the warm, welcoming atmosphere we strive to create," the restaurant's website says.

Carmelo's menu features takes on classic Italian dishes such as 101-layer lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisu and more.

"Located in an 1850s office building in downtown Covington, Carmelo's is an intimate and stylish dining venue focused on Italian American comfort cuisine," reads

's 10Best list.

The list's coveted No. 1 spot was taken by Koast in Wailea, Hawaii. Here is the full list of the best new restaurants:

Carmelo's is open seven days a week from 4-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

You can click here to see Carmelo's full menu.

Taste of Belgium has filed for bankruptcy in an effort to "stabilize the business," though the move won't impact any of its remaining locations, the restaurant chain announced Tuesday.

The restaurant chain, founded and owned by Jean-Francois Flechet, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Chapter 11 differs from the stereotypical Chapter 7 filing for individuals, as Chapter 11 is geared toward corporations, allowing them to reorganize their finances while continuing to operate.

In Flechet's announcement, he said the move is a "proactive step to stabilize the business and ensure long-term sustainability." The franchise started as a waffle stand at Findlay Market in 2007, before the eatery became one of the first to invest in OTR's Vine Street corridor.

"This is not about closing restaurants. It is about keeping them open," Flechet said in a statement. "Filing for Chapter 11 gives us the protection we need to adapt, stay in business and continue serving our guests. From a customer standpoint, nothing changes. Our doors are OPEN, and our team is here."

Flechet also cited several reasons the restaurant chain has faced financial issues, including last effects from the pandemic, shifts in dining habits, inflation, changes in downtown foot traffic and more.

The bankruptcy filing comes just a few months after Taste of Belgium closed its flagship location in Over-the-Rhine, which had first opened in 2011. The OTR location's closure marked the eighth Taste of Belgium location in 12 months to shutter. The other closures included:

Despite the bankruptcy filing and location closures, Flechet said Taste of Belgium's menu has returned to its roots in recent months, focusing on dishes and flavors that built the brand.

"We're in the hospitality business," Flechet said. "And hospitality is better in person. We encourage guests, especially those who have not been in a while, to come see us, dine with us and support local restaurants the way they were meant to be experienced."

Taste of Belgium has three remaining locations in Rookwood, The Banks and Findlay Market.