A Cincinnati-based entrepreneur and pilates instructor opened two new businesses in the heart of Covington’s Roebling Point neighborhood.
Located inside a historic building on the corner of Scott Blvd. and Park Place, Cydney Rabe opened Off the Vine Coffee and 12th Street Pilates in April. Rabe has years of experience running the original 12th Street Pilates studio in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
She first teased the idea of opening a second 12th Street Pilates location in Covington last September, according to a post on the business’ Instagram account. The Covington studio officially opened in January.
“We’re just super excited to be opening two businesses here,” Rabe said. “My pilates studio has been open for 12 years in Cincinnati, so this is just an opportunity to grow.”
Her coffee shop’s namesake comes from Over the Vine Juice Bar, a now-shuttered juicery that was located on Vine Street in downtown Cincinnati. Rabe called the coffee shop a “transition” of another business she owned.
Rabe told LINK that the location was ideal for both businesses due to its attractive appearance and proximity to downtown Cincinnati.
“I think it’s the location,” Rabe told LINK nky. “Just being so close to the Roebling and this specific neighborhood. It’s such a beautiful building. We would drive by and always say that we love the way it looks and we felt like with the location and everything, it was the right fit.”
The two storefronts were previously occupied by Haven Coffee and Haven Spa. Both businesses closed in October 2023 when the building was sold to Casa Forte LLC, a holding company owned by Rabe, for a combined $237,000, according to Kenton County property records. The building sat vacant for around two months.
Covington Vice Mayor Ron Washington touted Rabe’s entrepreneurial bonafides during a ribbon-cutting hosted by the city on Thursday morning.
“This is also a great story for our city,” Vice Mayor Ron Washington said. “Not only do we have two businesses opening, but Cydney’s mom has been in business in our city for nearly 75 years up on Russell Street.”
Rabe’s mother, Maureen Blau, is part-owner of Blau Mechanical – a plumbing and heating contracting company located at 1532 Russell Street. The business first opened on Scott Street in 1941.
As a business owner herself, Blau complimented her daughter’s work ethic and stick-to-itiveness.
“It’s really nice,” Blau said. “It’s hard work. I’m glad she’s opening up. You put it out and get back what you put in.”
