Ten Covington small businesses are set to receive financial help from the city’s Small Business Program.
On Tuesday night, the Covington Board of Commissioners elevated the small business incentives to the consent agenda for next week’s legislative meeting happening on Tuesday, Feb 13 at 6 p.m. Five businesses are set to receive rent subsidies, while five more will receive facade incentives.
The funding aims to help businesses pay their rent in their first year, as well as aiding commercial property owners restore their building’s exterior.
At the legislative meeting, the commission can decide whether or not to officially approve the incentives.
The commission heard a presentation from Patrick Duffy — business retention and expansion specialist for the Covington Economic Development Authority — on each business and what the funds would be used for.
“This is one of our largest rounds since I’ve been around — maybe one of our largest ever,” Duffy said during the meeting.
The city’s small business program sets aside $150,000 to distribute throughout the current fiscal year. This is the third round of incentives doled out during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Since 2017, Covington has approved 129 small business incentives, according to Duffy’s presentation during the meeting.
“It’s really delightful to assist ten more small businesses here in the Cov,” Mayor Joe Meyer said.
Rent Subsidy
Covington’s rent subsidy incentive is designed to attract new businesses and help existing businesses expand. It offers financial assistance in the form of reimbursement of rent payment for up to half of the business’ monthly rent.
Pasquale Performance
319 Madison Ave.
Pasquale Performance is a private strength and training facility that will be located on a visible street corner at Pike Street and Madison Avenue. The business is relocating from Newport.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
- Woman-owned business
4 Hounds Pet Services
339 W. Pike St.
4 Hounds Pet Services is a pet grooming services and retail business. The space was vacant prior to the business moving in.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Westside
- LGTBQ+ owned business
Bridges Nepali
11 W. 7th St.
Bridges Nepali is a fast casual Nepalese-style restaurant moving into the former McK’s BBQ location. Bridges Nepali has three other locations in Cincinnati: downtown, Elmwood and Northside.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
- Minority-owned business
Noteworthy Tattoo Company
521 Madison Ave.
Noteworthy Tattoo is a tattoo parlor moving from Hyde Park to Covington. The business will occupy the second floor of the building that houses KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia. The space has been vacant for nearly 20 years.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
Kealoha’s Kitchen
529 Main Street
Kealoha’s Kitchen is a Hawaiian-style restaurant now open in MainStrasse Village. The business was previously located in Latonia but moved to its current location after the closure of Dee Felice Cafe.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: MainStrasse Village
- Minority and women-owned business
Facade Improvement
Covington’s façade improvement incentive offers commercial property owners a 50% matching forgivable loan of up to $6,000 to update their commercial building’s façade. This helps property owners update lighting, windows, painting, signage, and other exterior building improvements visible from the street.
TCDB, LLC
25 Shaler St.
TCDB, LLC is renovated a dilapidated garage located by the railroad tracks off Madison Ave. In total, the renovations are projected to cost $35,200. The building needs its garage doors replaced, but also needs additional cosmetic work.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Austinburg
Kelley’s Trim Shop
2445 Madison Ave.
Kelley’s Trim Shop is an autobody shop located off Madison Avenue. The shop requires new windows, garage doors. Additionally, it will receive a fresh paintjob. The total cost of the renovation is projected to be $12,420.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Wallace Woods
Covington 6th St. COA
902 Madison Ave.
Currently the home of Hat Tricks Sports Bar, this renovation project requires replacement awnings, new lights, paintjob and general repairs. The total cost of the renovation is projected to be $23,984.80.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Eastside
Landwehr Lofts, LLC
824 Madison Ave.
Located next to the shuttered Landwehr Hardware & Toys, the building’s street level storefront is getting rebuilt, along with the instillation of new windows and a fresh paintjob. The total cost of renovation is projected to cost $17,100.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
Covington 6th St. COA
826-828 Madison Ave.
The former site of Landwehr Hardware & Toys, the property is being converted into workforce housing. Like its next door counterpart, the street level storefront is being rebuilt, new windows are set to be installed and the facade will be painted. The total cost of renovation is projected to cost $34,200.
- $6,000 subsidy
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
