Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Blatt.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been rehabbing buildings for 30 years. The phase 1 of the Symphony Hotel was completed 1996. The main building including 6 rooms and a restaurant space on the first floor. Phase 2 was enclosing the patio next to the main building and rehabbing the vacant building on the other side of the patio. We surveyed and combined the 3 separate lots into one lot. Phase 2 enlarged the restaurant space to include a jazz lounge and history room. Additionally there were three more hotel rooms added. When we did phase 3 which doubled the size of our kitchen by taking over the old bar room next to the kitchen. The bar moved into to lounge area.
I am a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, DAAP, Fashion Design. After graduation I move to New York to work for a knitwear designer that I met while in New York receiving a leather design award. I won first place in a national leather design competition from the Tanners Council of America.
After 2 years in New York I moved back to Cincinnati and started a design business making custom knit dresses and separates for women for eight years. I had a line of samples to try on where women could pick their own colors, neck line, length and I took measurements for a custom fit. I moved in with my parents while I started the business. Once I establish a client base and saved my earnings, I purchased a building in Hyde Park to live and work out of.
I was 30 when I met my husband and married in 1992. After my first child was colic, it was impossible to continue the custom knit business. I started to rehab buildings and donated all of my equipment to the Fashion Design Department at UC.
In 30 years I have rehabbed 57 buildings, some buildings were total rehabs down to the studs and other buildings were severely neglected needing many building repairs and apartment updating.
Currently, I usually always have a building being rehabbed while also managing the ongoing up keep and apartment turnovers on the buildings that have been completed. The completion of construction and turnovers rely on our Project Manager, wonderful staff, and contractors. Also this includes running the Symphony Hotel and Vivaldi’s Italian Restaurant. The hotel and restaurant relies highly our talented and dependable Chef Tonya, Innkeepers, servers, housekeepers, and other staff.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Symphony Hotel has had struggles over the years. The largest struggle. . . We were “pioneers” rehabbing in Over the Rhine in the 1990’s. The area was changing with lots of buildings being renovated but in 2001 Cincinnati had riots due to racial tension that brought development to a halt. The mayor then met with city CEO’s and formed a group called Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (“3CDC”). The CEO’s were on the board and purchased about 300 vacant or run down buildings in Over the Rhine and brought development back on track. The groups performance was astounding with the support of the city and amazing leadership.
We’ve been impressed with Symphony Hotel & Vivaldi’s Italian Restaurant, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Symphony Hotel & Vivaldi’s Italian Restaurant is my passion project that started in 1994. The main building, a townhome built in 1873, has wonderful architectural features that were able to be preserved. There is an amazing staircase to the third floor, large bas-relief in the dining room, plaster crown molding, large ornate metal fireplace mantels in all rooms, high ceilings and very tall windows, and gorgeous stained glass windows. All original to the building.
The establishment is very creative, each hotel room unique and themed after a famous composer. The rooms are furnished with antique furniture and unique musical items. Lots of color throughout the project, including painted walls, colorful tile and stained glass.
The Mozart Garage is around the corner for overnight guest parking. There are large colorful portraits of the composer throughout the garage and two huge chandeliers hanging that were left over from the Music Hall rehab.
Vivaldi’s restaurant serves homemade Italian food. All pasta and gnocchi are made in our kitchen with our own slow cooked sauces. Our chef also makes delicious gelato, several flavors that change with the seasons.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It is very helpful if you have a support system while you are starting a business. It is a good time to live with your parents while you get started if at all possible. There less financial risk and gives your business more flexibility in the beginning phase.
You will most probably need to work more than a regular forty hour week and be responsible for all aspects of the company in the beginning. This includes basic accounting, deliveries, production, and anything your new business might need. As the business grows these duties can move to contractors and/or employees.
You must put yourself out there and take personal risks of rejection. Nothing will happen unless YOU make it happen. You will have to tweak your business as you go to adjust to the market needs. You might discover a demand different to your original plan that can take you into a different direction for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.symphonyhotel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symphonyhotel_otr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SymphonyHotel/
