COVINGTON, Ky. — Doug Lloyd, who has been performing at restaurants and coffee-shop venues with his VibeKAT project – offering a musical tour through the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s has agreed to perform at the Point Perks’ Grand Re-Opening, Thursday, April 11th.
The ribbon cutting is set for noon, at The Point Perk – 43 West 7th Street, Covington.
The Eastern Kentucky University graduate (1987) who has taught several award-winning high school percussion programs in Kentucky will appear at The Point Perk, commencing at 5 pm.
But Doug Lloyd’s attachment to The Point/Arc goes far beyond music.
“I find it extremely rewarding to perform at The Point Perk and to help support The Point any way I can,” he said. “This incredible organization has been extremely supportive of my brother over the years.”
The Point/Arc trained Randy – Doug’s older brother – in his first vocation with The Point Commercial Cleaning Company – one of four social enterprises owned and operated by the non-profit organization.
“Randy has also benefited from working at The Point Apparel – formerly the The Point Logo and Design Company,” Doug said.
The Point Apparel Company is a commercial screen-printing and marketing business.
Randy was also employed at The Point Commercial Laundry – the largest commercial laundry in Northern Kentucky serving large hotels, nursing homes and other areas businesses.
“After the passing of our parents about a decade ago,” Doug said, “My oldest brother and I have taken on the responsibility of Randy’s care. The Point/Arc has been a major help in filling the gaps.
“It is comforting to know that if my oldest brother and I were not here to take care of Randy; that he still would have a really good living situation,” Doug said.
The Point Perk, formerly The Point Restaurant, was The Point’s first social enterprise and opened in 1982. The Point Perk coffee shop opened in 2015 – and has since undergone renovations – both interior and exterior.
The new renovations include:
• New walk-up window
• Garage doors on both Pike Street and 7th Street.
• New landscape on 7th street with more sidewalk seating.
• Extended hours for spring and summer months
“We’ve introduced a new name-brand of coffee which has brought both new and the return of former patrons to The Point Perk,” said Judi Gerding, Founder and President of the 52-year-old organization.
On the menu is an unending variety of hot and cold as well as specialty drinks – even decaf and special requests created by any of three seasoned baristas and several full and part-time Point employees, according to Gerding.
The Point Perk is also featuring Chicken Salad Chicks and, “To Die for Danish,” she said.
Doug Lloyd was a percussionist with the Cincinnati Youth Orchestra and in recent years drummed with the Tom Schneider Trio.
In 2021, he formed DMJ Jazz – a Liturgical Jazz trio, performing in churches and Christian coffee shops.
His appearance, on April 11th at The Point Perk, just might be his proudest moment.
In 1972, three parent groups united to form an advocacy group to assist their loved ones diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Today, that group has evolved into a holistic agency with a wide range of around-the-clock programs.
“Our history,” says Gerding, “of filling in the gaps by creating integrated programs gives individuals with I/DD the opportunity to become contributing and inclusive members of our community and provides the self-esteem and pride that we all seek.”
The Point/Arc
