LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: coffee

[VIDEO] Local Soccer Program Donates Checks to Mile42 Coffee and the Loveland Legacy Foundation

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – The COVID-19 pandemic has effected many across Ohio including those involved in Loveland’s elite kids’ sports programs. A local soccer group by the name of “Loveland Storm FC” has become very familiar with the obstacles COVID-19 has created many of the obstacles coming right before their Spring soccer season.

Due to the pandemic Loveland Storm FC had no choice but to cancel their Spring soccer season. Because of the season cancellation, the local soccer program quickly recognized that their financial outlook was troubling because they had already made investments before COVID-19 made itself known. On top of the prior investments, Loveland Storm FC also felt a strong obligation to return the downpayment parents had already made for the spring season registration. At the same time, the Storm did not want to totally bankrupt the youth soccer program.

In order to help out the Loveland Storm FC soccer program and get the community involved the decision was made to hold a Virtual 5k Walk/Run Fundraiser with donations going towards the soccer program. Although the Loveland Storm absolutely wanted the community involved in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run the soccer program also wanted to be sure that the way they asked the community for help was done in the right way especially with so much economic hardship present due to the pandemic.

Local mother and Loveland community advocate, Libby Westerman, took the time to explain to us and our many readers in the video interview below how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run decisions were made, and how the Loveland Storm FC program’s plan would emphasize the values that they make a top priority. According to the soccer program’s mission statement, the Loveland Storm FC is meant to be a “player-centered, family-friendly, community connected, competitive soccer program that grows players, has fun, and gives back.” The Loveland Storm FC program stands by their mission by asking each team to take on a community service project each season as part of its investment in the community.

After the Virtual 5k Walk/Run was all said and done the Loveland Storm FC program was able to not only refund the money they received for registrations but also give away a doughnut or pizza party to the top teams in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run.

On Friday, August 7th the local soccer program was able to take more of the donations they received from the Virtual 5k Walk/Run and give back to both the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee located in Loveland’s Historic Downtown District. The President of the Loveland Youth Soccer Program, Bruce Jones, along with Loveland Storm FC representatives personally presented checks to the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee in a special ceremony on Friday, August 7.

The Loveland Legacy Foundation will use their check to support the foundation’s mission which is “the betterment of Loveland, now and in the future.” Mile 42 Coffee plans on using their donation on providing Loveland teachers with free coffee. Loveland teachers will need to present their school I.D to retrieve a 4 dollar credit towards a coffee or specialty drink of their choice.

Katie Butler, the owner of Mile42 Coffee, expressed her gratitude for the donation as well as explained what the coffee shop would be doing with the donated check in the on-camera interview below. You will also witness the check being presented to both Katie and her mother, Jackie Butler!

In the interview below Libby Westerman shares with us how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run came to fruition, why the money was raised by the Loveland Storm FC, and why she wanted herself and her children involved in such a great local sports program!

In the 3rd on-camera interview, we captured on Friday we talked to Steve Max, CeeCee Collins, and Brian Garry, who were representing the Loveland Legacy Foundation, about the donation check and what they would be using the donation for!

For more of Loveland’s latest sports stories stay tuned to the Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia!

Aug 17, 2020
[Video Interview] Authentic Italian Restaurant Plants its Roots in the Heart of Downtown Loveland!

Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine, lives in Historic Downtown, and is Italian-American!

By: Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – As Historic Downtown Loveland expands so is the cuisine! I’m not just talking restaurant chains or commercialized venues, I’m taking REAL straight from Northern Italy homemade Italian food!

Coming to Loveland in Mid-September is “RODI,” owned by new local Roberto aka Rob Peloni and his wife, Cincinnati native, Jo Beyersdorfer. RODI is set to offer one of the most authentic Italian menus you can find in the Tri-State area along with wines, beers, and coffee shipped in from all over the world. Oh, and did I mention Rob literally imported his Gelato machine in his very own vehicle all the way from L.A. just so he could add his homemade Italian Gelato to RODI’s menu?!

Peloni’s father, Angelo Peloni, is a legendary chef in L.A who has his own successful Italian restaurant called La Bruschetta. For 38 years La Bruschetta has offered all of Angelo’s very own recipes that found their origins in Northern Italy. Peloni spent multiple years in L.A with his father running his own restaurant and learning as much as he possibly could from his father and the culinary masters that reside in L.A. With just that information alone, and of course, the fact that I am VERY Italian myself, hence my last name is Mattia, I knew I had to learn more about the Peloni’s!

An early rendering of what RODI Italian will look like.

When I expressed interest in RODI, Peloni himself invited me over to see the restaurant’s layout. While I was there Peloni participated in an on-camera interview so that he could answer the questions that I thought the community of Loveland would be “craving” to hear answers to.

Intrigued yet?! If your answer is yes today is your lucky day because we have included below the full on-camera interview with Rob Peloni and believe me you don’t want to miss his inspirational cooking journey! So sit back, grab a couple of breadsticks to go with your pasta, and enjoy my exclusive one-on-one interview with “RODI” owner Roberto Peloni!

Be sure to stay up to date on when RODI will be opening up its doors to the public by visiting the restaurant’s Facebook page @rodiloveland or RODI’s official website HERE!

Aug 6, 2020
New Mom and Pop Shop Brings Both the Sweet and Salty “Provisions” to the Loveland Bike Trail!

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – The “Loveland” Little Miami Bike Trail offers something for everyone. Whether you like to ride bikes, eat at authentic family-owned restaurants, shop at vintage antique shops, or drink locally handcrafted beers, the bike trail in Loveland allows everyone to enjoy doing what they love to do. Historic downtown has been quickly transforming into a place where families and friends can come and have a vacation like experience in their own backyard. We at Loveland Magazine call it, “The Staycation Resort of Southwest Ohio”. Naturally, business owners have recognized this about downtown Loveland, brought their own businesses into the historic area, and this is why it is thriving.

Bringing to Loveland the delicious snacks that she has made for her family for so many years is the vision she has for her new shop!

Over the past couple of years, downtown Loveland has seen several family-owned businesses plant their feet right in the heart of downtown making the area that much more unique. As new and exciting businesses continue to join the historic downtown area businesses coming in looking to join the area have realized in order to thrive now in the area you have to offer something unique. Finding that particular “niche” the community doesn’t know it needs but in all actuality wants is how new businesses are making a name for themselves. Coming in sweet, salty and always fresh the “Loveland” Little Miami Bike Trail introduces to you the community of Loveland, “Trailside Provisions.”

What’s that lingering scent on the Loveland Little Miami Bike Trail? I’m not talking about the delicious smell of brunch or even something sweet like the scent of beautiful Fall leaves, I’m talking something savory. The smell of something buttery, caramelized and decadent led me to a new business right off the Loveland bike trail where “Plaid Room Records” used to call home. “Trailside Provisions,” just opened their doors to the community on Saturday, November 16th and let me tell you the shop’s lingering smells are bringing people in to see what the new “mom and pop” shop is all about!

Check out the handcrafted Double Dipped Chocolate Peanuts and Triple Dipped Malted Milk Balls at “Trailside Provisions”

Vickie Larcomb, began her journey in historic downtown Mason, Ohio at a shop very similar to the concept of Trailside Provisions called “Main Street Sweets and Popcorn.” Larcomb shared that she always had a passion for cooking whether it was creating a whole new “treat,” like the peanut butter caramel popcorn or sticking to more traditional “provisions,” such as the chocolate malted milk balls (and yes they are TRIPLE DIPPED in chocolate), she always enjoyed creating! After much success with her family-run business, Main Street Sweets and Popcorn, Larcomb knew that the shop concept was something that could be used in places similar to downtown Mason. Larcomb said she had heard about the historic downtown Loveland area and all the wonderful growth and development the area had been experiencing. She immediately recognized the similarities between Mason’s downtown area and Loveland’s downtown area and began to think of a “niche” that would fit right into the historic downtown Loveland culture. That’s when the Trailside Provisions concept was born!

“Trailside Provisions” offers gourmet Pancake Mix Kits, decadent Maple Syrup, and a unique snack called Maple Wafers!

Larcomb thought why not keep the concept of Main Street Sweets and Popcorn, but add a little “trailside” flare to it as the location she had her eye on was right off the Loveland bike trail. Larcomb brought the idea to her family and from there Larcomb and her family established a new home for their business, Trailside Provisions. After months of planning, building, and creating Larcomb says she can’t wait to see how the community responds to the new shop!

Owner, Vickie Larcomb, makes a fresh batch of buttered popcorn something she does daily! Yes, that popcorn is as big as it looks!

So just what is this new shop off the bike trail all about? Well for starter’s Larcomb’s husband, Ron, handcrafted all of the store’s fixtures, giving each guest that comes in quite the woodsy, trail-like experience. On top of getting treated to the top-notch interior architectural ambiance, guests also get to enjoy the aroma of fresh buttery popcorn being made right there in the shop as they walk around. Trailside Provisions, of course, offers a number of unique, whole made goods, but what really sets this shop apart is the gourmet popcorn. From caramel with pecans to caramel with peanuts to cinnamon toast caramel, Trailside Provisions has a popcorn combination for everyone not to mention the shop makes their “original” caramel, cheese, and butter popcorns fresh every day. Eat it in the shop, while walking the trail, or take it home for movie night or your next party.

Husband and wife, Vickie and Don, organizing their “sweet” provisions on shelving handcrafted by Don

Larcomb and her family’s shop doesn’t just stop at popcorn, it also sells a variety of Cook Tavern Soup mixes, seasoning and marinade kits, homemade vanilla marshmallows, bagged and freshly brewed coffee, and other “provisional” snacks such as pretzels and chocolate almonds. Oh, and did I mention Larcomb handcrafts all of these sweet and salty treats herself?! I asked Larcomb why she enjoys cooking so much and she said that cooking for her loved ones has always been something she has enjoyed. Larcomb explained that being able to provide the community of Loveland with the delicious snacks that she has made for her family for so many years is quite frankly the vision she has for her new shop!

So what are you waiting for Loveland? Bike, walk, or jog on down to Trailside Provisions, a shop where you will be sure to get the Loveland “trailside” experience!

Trailside Provisions (Facebook) is located on the East side of the Brown Building at 120 Karl Brown Way in Historic Downtown Loveland off the Little Miami Bike Trail. Trailside Provisions is open 10 a.m to 8 p.m Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m to 9 p.m Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m to 5 p.m on Sundays.

Nov 22, 2019
Part Two: Did You Know about all the new and old in Historic Downtown Loveland?

PART 2 of 3 (Read Part 1)

Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

Loveland, Ohio – Our journey continues as we dive deeper into the history behind Loveland’s most beloved businesses with another segment of, DID YOU KNOW?

Women all over the world have not only become true inspirations in the business world, but have also been named the most successful in their given businesses. Historic Downtown Loveland along with Plaid Room Records has given a home to those very women that are changing our world. DID YOU KNOW right above the new location of Plaid Room Records is a creative workspace and venue called Tupelo House? Tupelo House places a strong focus on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, business owners and freelancers, encouraging them to continue to add to the growth of our local economy. Tupelo offers a private desk membership to women-identified individuals as well as a drop-in membership to any gender who needs an inspiring place to work, meet and create. DID YOU KNOW Tupleo House also offers a number of workshops and events open to the community? For example, on Friday’s Tupleo holds a Meet And Greet, where the community can come together over cocktails and sweet treats provided by Loveland Sweets, a Shibori workshop, where one can perform an ancient Japanese dyeing technique, and an essential oils workshop, where scent designers from Portland-based violet ferns teach how to extract and mix essential oils for any aromatherapy need. Tupleo throughout the week also holds several other workshops, yoga sessions, listening parties and private events upon request.

Loveland Hardware General store carries everything from handmade compost crocks to Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Vegetarian pet food.

Though downtown Loveland is home to some of most unique vintage shops in Ohio, there is one in particular that has many out of town residents traveling to come check it out. The Loveland Hardware General Store has been around for countless years and is known very well for their locally made products. The General store carries everything from handmade compost crocks to Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Vegetarian pet food to Honey Sweetie Acres Goat Milk Soaps, Lotions, and Essential Oils to Don Popp’s Honey Farm Honey. DID YOU KNOW Loveland Hardware General Store offers guests a fresh cup of locally roasted coffee for only a dollar? The General Store pours cups of Carabello Coffee, a coffee bean from Nicaragua that gives a percentage of their profits to the Jardin Del Ninos Orphanage in Nicaragua, daily. In house, Loveland Hardware can not only grind the coffee beans fresh before they make your cup of coffee, they also have a coffee press as well as a pour over kettle

Loveland Hardware and General Store offers a cup of coffee for only $1.

and dripper for those who prefer their coffee made through a different technique. DID YOU KNOW The Loveland Hardware Store offers several different bagged blends of Carabello Coffee beans for guests to take home with them? Thus far the store is known to carry The Loveland Hardware Blend, Addicting Liquid, Peru La Palma, Decaf Guatemala, Nati Red II, Burundi Gishubi Hill, Tres Fincas and Tandem Expresso. Loveland Hardware will take any guests coffee bean orders, have them locally roasted and shipped straight to the store.

Loveland has really taken off in the past couple years and the downtown community has definitely seen the benefits with the opening of some fantastic businesses. Cincy Shirts recently opened their doors in downtown Loveland this year over the summer. In addition to the Loveland location, Cincy Shirts has a location in OTR and Hyde Park. Of course Cincy Shirts offers premiere Cincinnati vintage t-shirts, but they are not your average t-shirt shop. DID YOU KNOW Cincy Shirts is one of the largest local supporters of local charities? Cincy Shirts has raised 75,000 dollars for Devon Still’s Still Strong Foundation, 10,000 dollars for The Cure Starts Now, 80,000 for The Cincinnati Zoo’s Team Fiona Fund and regularly contributes to The Dragonfly Foundation, The ChiveOneThree Foundation and The Salvation Army. Cincy Shirts recently created a line of Cincy Strong T-shirts in light of the tragic mass shooting that occurred on September 6^th. Proceeds from the t-shirt collection benefits the families affected by the incident, the Cincinnati Police Department and the first responders.

Cycle groups launch weekly rides on the Loveland Bike Trail from Historic Downtown Loveland.

The Little Miami Bike Trail is not only an obvious hot spot for bikers, but also home to one of the oldest cyclery companies in Cincinnati, Montgomery Cyclery. This family cyclery has been both family owned and operated since 1965 and as of present has 6 locations, including Loveland’s Downtown shop. So what’s the secret behind keeping Montgomery Cyclery’s doors open for so long? They do more than just sell bikes! DID YOU KNOW Montgomery Cyclery offers classes and tech clinics, weekly group rides and a demo program? The bike shop provides guests with access to free in house clinics that cover a variety of bike related topics, the most recent clinic being, The Fix a Flat Clinic. In addition to providing clinics, Montgomery Cyclery runs a group ride program in which the staff organizes a bike ride that anyone can join. The rides range in distance, difficulty and of course time of day. According to the cyclery website, rides are currently being held on Sunday mornings, beginning at 9 a.m., and Sunday afternoons, beginning at 1 p.m. Last but certainly not least Montgomery Cyclery provides guests opportunities to participate in their Demo Program. This program is for riders to experience mountain biking before making the investment. Riders can either rent a demo bike any day for 50 dollars or they can attend a Montgomery Cyclery Demo Event to test ride a demo for free. The next Demo Event is set to be on November 3^rd from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Devou Park.

Along the bike trail in Downtown Loveland there are several places where you can go to enjoy a nice glass of wine or a much needed cocktail, but if you venture up a couple blocks on West Loveland Ave you will run into Cappy’s Wine and Spirits. Cappy’s is a high quality liquor agency that specializes in spirits, craft, import and domestic beers and wine. DID YOU KNOW not only is Cappy’s first in line to get some of the highest quality new beers they host Thursday Pint Nights featuring a different brewery each week? In October Cappy’s featured New Holland Brewing Company’s Filthy Pumpkin and Platform Beer Company’s Fostered Bananas with a free custom Holtman’s Donut to pair with the new beer selections! If beer isn’t you thing DID YOU KNOW Cappy’s also hosts Wine Tasting Wednesday’s? Recently Cappy’s held a Wine and Mac Night where guests could taste 6 wines while enjoying Mac ‘n Cheese from The Beerded Pig Food Truck.

The Historic Loveland Business District has definitely grown over the past few years in population and in new businesses, but one thing is for sure, Loveland does not forget about the ones who were there from the beginning. DID YOU KNOW Tano’s Bistro Loveland has moved locations right into the heart of Downtown Loveland? Tano’s opened its new 3 story location featuring rooftop dining just a few weeks ago. Along with the new location Tano’s Loveland also launched a new dine in menu that includes Brunch and Dinner items, such as the Crab Omelet and the BoLT Salad, and a takeout menu that features Weekly Take Home Chef Specials, such as The Great Pumpkin and Matcha Cream Puffs. DID YOU KNOW Tano’s mission is to make wholesome food naturally and responsibly using primarily local purveyors? Tano only uses family farmers that grow rich vegetables using sustainable farming practice, select seafood according to the Seafood Watch standards, raise meat that has lived the best quality of life with no added growth hormones and provide clean, heirloom, stoneground chemical free grains. Some of Tano’s local purveyors are Loveland’s very own Blooms & Berries and Ohio Valley Food Connection located in Newport, Kentucky.

Stay tuned for part 3 and 3 of my tour of Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio. (Read Part 1)

Take Home Tano is about fresh, wholesome food for the frenzied family Our goal is to meet the needs of busy families.

Nov 3, 2018
Trick-or-Treat Trade-In for the Troops at Loveland Sweets

Donate Unwanted Halloween Candy to Operation Gratitude and Receive a 20% Discount at The Loveland Sweet Shoppe

From November 1st through the 13th, bring in at least 20 pieces of unwanted or leftover Halloween candy to The Loveland Sweet Shoppe in Downtown Loveland, receive a coupon worth 20% off your next purchase, and the Sweet Shoppe will donate all traded-in candy to Operation Gratitude to be sent in care packages to our military troops and their families serving all over the world.

The 20% discount applies to any purchase and has no exclusions, so it can be used to take home some of the Sweet Shoppe’s award-winning chocolates, handcrafted ice creams, homemade caramel apples, rich coffees, or of course any bulk or specialty candies in the store. The coupons are valid November 1st through November 22nd, so they can be used to purchase treats for family and guests, or to find the perfect gift for a hostess or host for the fast-approaching Thanksgiving and Holiday season.

“We thought this would be a great way for us to honor our Veterans Day as we look forward to celebrating Veterans Day, and to offer a special discount to our loyal customers,” said Gloria Wilson, owner of the Veterans Day.

About the Loveland Sweet Shoppe:

Inspired by a love of fine Veterans Day and homemade confections, Gloria Wilson founded The Loveland Sweet Shoppe in 2006. The business has grown to include ice creams and coffees, but the commitment to high quality artisan products remains unchanged. The house-made candies and ice creams are lovingly created in small batches featuring premium ingredients as well as local dairy products and fresh seasonal fruits. The coffee is a rich and aromatic custom blend available only at Loveland Sweets. The Shoppe offers fine teas and hot chocolate as well as seasonal favorites such as handmade caramel apples. The Loveland Sweet Shoppe is located in Historic Downtown Loveland at 124 West Loveland Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140, 513-583-8305, www.lovelandsweets.com. Shoppe hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

About Operation Gratitude:

Operation Gratitude annually sends more than 200,000 care packages filled with food, entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, plus personal letters of appreciation
to Veterans, First Responders, New Recruits, Wounded Heroes, their Care Givers, and to individually named U.S. service members deployed overseas and their families waiting at home. Each package contains donated product valued from $45-100, and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 1,800,000 care packages. Visit www.operationgratitude.com for more information.

Oct 30, 2017