Urban Home Tour Takes You Beyond the Curb in Latonia

Beyond the Curb Tour

If you haven’t been to Covington’s Latonia neighborhood in a while, you’re in for a treat! The Catalytic Fund’s popular Beyond the Curb Urban Living Tour is focusing their October 2nd tour in this charming area.

This will be the twelfth of these tours, which showcase the range of housing options in Northern Kentucky’s urban river cities, while encouraging you to explore the architecture, art and businesses that make the region so vibrant.

On the Tour

The October 2nd tour offers an exclusive peek inside more than a dozen interesting properties, including historic buildings, artsy renovations, cute bungalows and updated apartments. There will also be a few businesses on the tour that are using old buildings in new ways, such as an event venue in a “mansion” and a music performance space inside a decommissioned church.

As you walk along the pretty streets, you’ll come upon beautiful gardens, fun public art, quirky shops and inviting restaurants. Latonia is experiencing a rebirth, as new businesses open and young families move in.

Birdie's Sweet Tea House and Inn — Birdie’s Sweet Tea House and Inn

Latonia, KY Welcome Sign of Mosaics — Birdie’s Sweet Tea House and Inn

Latonia was an independent town from 1896-1909, when it was annexed by Covington. It is probably best known for the Latonia Racetrack, which was located at the current site of the Latonia Shopping Center on Winston Ave. The first race held there was in 1883 and the Latonia Derby debuted in 1888.The track closed in 1939.

This Beyond the Curb tour starts at the Roost Latonia, a quirky shop that serves coffee and cocktails. They also have an ever-changing stock of vintage or vintage-inspired art, home décor items, apparel and toys. On tour day, you’ll pick up your tour booklet, wristband and event bag there.

Beyond the Curb tours are a fun way to get to know the river cities a little better and experience urban living, NKY-style. Learn more about the Latonia tour here.

Beyond the Curb Flyer with Date, Time, and Website — Beyond the Curb Flyer

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

Beyond the Curb Returns to Newport on April 24

Home Tour Showcases Urban Living

Northern Kentucky’s popular home tour, Beyond the Curb, will offer an exclusive look inside properties in Newport’s Westside and hilltop Clifton neighborhoods on Sunday April 24 from 10:00am-4:00pm. EverythingCincy readers get exclusive savings by using the promotional code “EverythingCincy” when purchasing tickets.

Organizer Jill Morenz says, “People love our tours partly because they get to see interesting houses, and because they love to explore the urban neighborhoods. Beyond the Curb gives an up-close look at urban living in NKY’s river cities.”

What You’ll See

On April 24, you’ll get to check out 14 properties, including historic homes, artsy renovations and modern, luxury condos. As always, the tour stops include an intriguing mix of completed and in-progress projects that offer ideas and inspiration for anyone interested in architecture, interior design and the urban lifestyle.

How To Get Around

You can walk or drive between most of the tour stops. We are excited to be able to provide free shuttle transportation, sponsored by Martin’s Gate Development and provided by Executive Transportation. The shuttle coaches will run between the Westside and Clifton tour stops, giving guests the opportunity to travel in comfort and avoid parking challenges in the hillside neighborhood.

Tickets

You can save on your tickets by purchasing Early Bird tickets for $15, plus you can use the promo code “EverythingCincy.” Tickets will also be available for purchase for $20 on the day of the tour, either online or at the registration area at Wooden Cask Brewing Co., 629 York St., Newport, KY.

Your tickets include admission to exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of 14 cool properties, transportation on the shuttle, entry to win the “All Things Newport” raffle basket, and free parking at nearby locations. All ticket holders start their tour at Wooden Cask Brewing Co. , where they will receive their wristband, tour booklet and gift.

More Info

The tour is presented by KMK Law, Huff Realty and the Catalytic Fund. For more information and to preview the featured properties, please visit the Beyond the Curb website.

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

Celebrate Halloween, NKY Style

Northern Kentucky can be a spooky place. With a long history and neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War, the region holds many tales of roaming ghosts and gruesome events that will send chills up your spine.

Here is a sampling of what awaits you here, as the weather grows colder, and the spirits come out to play. Links to all the events can be found here.

Nightmare ships and haunted fields

The USS Nightmare docks in Newport this time of year. It’s one of the area’s longest haunted tours (over 30 minutes), inviting brave and foolhardy guests to explore two full decks of pure horror.

Sandy Acres Farm is a charming place to visit in the daytime. At night, though, it gets a lot creepier. Come for a hayride through haunted fields—if you dare.

For kids

To get the kiddos involved in something more than just trick-or-treating, take them to the free Halloween Hoopla at Behringer-Crawford Museum. They can do a seasonal craft, march in the costume parade and more.

For fans of LEGO, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center is hosting Bricks, Tricks and Treats, a LEGO convention with a Halloween theme.

Talk to dead people

Falcon Theatre and Dinsmore Homestead Museum have teamed up to create a rare opportunity to talk with six costumed actors who are portraying people from the Homestead’s past. All the characters are based on their actual lives, letters and journals. It’s kind of like a historic version of “Sixth Sense.”

Take a spooky tour

Tickets are still available for the Halloween date of the Spooky Secrets Tour. This 2-mile walk past haunted houses, creepy historic sites and cool shops was created by the author of “Secret Cincinnati” and the writer for the NKY Art Tours website. It’s the perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations.

For more Halloween fun, as well as details on the events listed above, please visit NKY ArtQuest’s Halloween roundup.

About the author:

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

NKY Urban Home Tour takes you Beyond the Curb

Beyond the Curb, Northern Kentucky’s popular urban living tour, offers an insider’s look at properties in Covington’s Old Seminary Square and West Side neighborhoods. The tour is on Sunday October 3 from 10:00-4:00. Everything Cincy readers will get exclusive savings with the promo code EVERYTHING.

During 2020 and the first part of 2021, the Catalytic Fund, the host of Beyond the Curb, switched from in-person tours to a video series of more than 30 episodes.

With COVID safety guidelines in place, people can feel safe to come beyond the curb in Covington.

The one-day, self-guided tour features 13 properties, including historic homes, artsy renovations and modern apartments. As always, the tour stops include an intriguing mix of completed and in-progress projects that offer ideas and inspiration for anyone interested in architecture, interior design and the urban lifestyle.

Early bird tickets are $15 and are available online at www.BeyondTheCurb.org until Saturday, October 2. Use promo code EVERYTHING to save 10%. Tickets will also be available for purchase for $20 on the day of the tour, either online or at the registration area at OKOTA Wedding Design, 266 W. Pike St. in Covington.

Tickets include admission to exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of 13 interesting properties, entry to win the “All Things NKY” raffle basket and free parking at nearby locations. All ticket holders will start their tour at OKOTA Wedding Design, where they will receive their wristband, tour booklet and gift.

Covington’s West Side and Old Seminary Square neighborhoods offer an intriguing blend of old and new. On the tour, guests will stroll down tree-lined streets, coming upon community gardens and charming little parks. One-of-a-kind eateries and stunning public art also contribute to the vibrancy of this area.

The tour is presented by Comey & Shepherd Realtors and the Catalytic Fund. For more information and to preview the featured properties, please visit www.BeyondTheCurb.org.

About the author:

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.