News/Blog

Meet Athleta, the conscious brand bringing confidence to women

Rookwood Commons & Pavilion welcomed Athleta to its community this spring. And though we and the other shops are excited to have quality athletic wear in our offering, it’s their passion for connection and bigger-picture perspective that will keep us coming back to the store day after day. The moment you walk into Athleta Rookwood, you’re welcomed by a warm glow of bright lights, fresh white walls, and the friendliest smiles. A sea of gorgeous – and sustainable – shades surround. And though the pristinely folded rows of leggings are immediately eye-catching, Athleta is more than just a yoga pants store for already-fit women. Their technical material inspires movement of

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Get to Know: Toria with Rookwood

We sat down with Toria Cannon, our lovely spokesperson, to hear why our outdoor mall is her favorite local shopping spot.

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Fun Facts

Get to Know Rookwood Commons & Pavilion Rookwood Commons & Pavilion has been a part of the Norwood Community for nearly two decades. The 20-plus-acre site is a shopper’s staple and is home to foodies’ favorites. Whether grabbing a quick coffee or staying for an extended brunch, shopping for last-minute gifts or leisurely window-shopping, there’s truly something for everyone here. There are countless things we love about both the Commons & Pavilion – the open-air strolls, the local community, the retail options – we could go on and on…and on. But we’ve narrowed it down to just three of our favorites things. Even if you visit regularly, you might be

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Mobile Mammography visit on July 8 to Rookwood Commons

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Now Hiring: Bath and Body Works

Bath and Body Works is currently looking for full time managers and associates for our new location at Rookwood Commons. If you are interested please go to www.bathandbodyworks.com to apply and select Cincinnati, OH and then select Rookwood Commons. Come and join this amazing team and receive an employee discount to get the best fragrances out there. #ginghampride

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Now Open! Bath and Body Works/Rookwood

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Now Hiring: Athleta Rookwood

Want to bring the Athleta mission to life in a community near you? We’re looking for leaders in Cincinnati, OH to do just that. Rookwood Commons is a new location, opening this Spring. Come join us and be part of something bigger! Check out the Assistant Manager and Sales Associate positions available and apply here: Assistant Manager – Rookwood Commons | Gap Inc. Link when clicking on Assistant Manager https://corporate.gapinc.com/en-us/jobs/26/93/assistant-manager-rookwood-commons#.XGxBUURPGtE.linkedin Sales Associate – Rookwood Commons | Gap Inc.

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Now Hiring: DSW

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The Legacy of our Land

Discover the history of the site that has built our community since 1918. Rookwood Commons & Pavilion is well known for its luxury stores, high-caliber restaurants, and iconic “Le Blond” tower. Places like Starbucks, Nordstrom Rack, and Cyclebar are expected sights to the average visitor. But where did that tall Le Blond-adorned structure and vintage-looking building come from? Before busy shoppers flocked to the center, the 20 plus-acre corner location was once home to the nationally recognized R.K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company. Previously located in the eastside Linwood neighborhood, the then small-but-mighty machine tool manufacturer began with just two lathes, a milling machine, and a few tools. Its first

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New Store: Maverick Chocolate Co.

I, Paul, traveled around the world as an engineer for many years; always returning home to Marlene with new and interesting chocolate. The more chocolate we tried, the more interested we became in how chocolate was grown and made. When my travel stopped early 2013, Marlene and I soon finished our supply of chocolate. We were sitting at the kitchen island when the idea struck–let’s make our own world-class chocolate right here in Cincinnati. After transforming our kitchen into a chocolate factory, we invited our friends over for a number of chocolate tastings. Everyone was impressed and the demand for our chocolate grew. Now we are the proud owners of

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New Store: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we’ve continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ’s a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ’s to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we

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Site by Hudson Brauntz

The moment you walk into Athleta Rookwood, you’re welcomed by a warm glow of bright lights, fresh white walls, and the friendliest smiles. A sea of gorgeous – and sustainable – shades surround. And though the pristinely folded rows of leggings are immediately eye-catching, Athleta is more than just a yoga pants store for already-fit women. Their technical material inspires movement of all types for women of every shape, which they believe opens the doors to a bigger, better life for all.

Their mission moves beyond the store, as proven by the staff’s active community involvement. From a team cycle class at Cyclebar to a social with Evereve, they may be one of the newest stores in the Commons; they already feel like a part of the Rookwood family.

“The support from Rookwood has been awesome,” said assistant store manager Jaclyn. “Everyone’s very inclusive.”

But even before the doors of Athleta Rookwood opened for the first time and before anyone had experienced the incredible atmosphere and team, a line of eager customers extended down the sidewalk at the Grand Opening.

“We opened early, at 8:50, and by 9:10 all the gift bags were gone,” said Jaclyn.

More than 100 women came rushing to be one of the first shoppers, because at Athleta, there’s something for every woman. Here, you don’t have to have a certain body type or be into a certain type of workout to find something you love.

“The goal is to have women moving,” said Jaclyn. “We want to help women feel confident in what they’re wearing and what they’re doing.

And that confidence goes beyond the fitness studio with outerwear for any weather condition, and versatile casual wear for every day of the week, easily transitioning from workout to weekend.

“We want to find the best solution for you, your workout, your lifestyle,” said community coordinator, Colleen.

And, as a Certified B Corporation, Athleta cares about the environment as much as they care about their customers. Certified B Corporations meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

You might know her from “Toria with Traffic,” but we at Rookwood Commons & Pavilion know her as one of our top shoppers. We love seeing her stop by our shops and eateries regularly. Toria makes Rookwood Commons & Pavilion a part of her routine for all of her errands because it’s convenient and efficient. Her Q102 office is located right on Reading, so a quick stop after work is easy to make before heading home.

“I literally plan my day around my trip to Rookwood,” she said.

Toria enjoys visiting our beautiful east-side location, thanks to the ease that the I-71 North exit provides. She frequents Victoria’s Secret, Charming Charlie’s, and DSW, to name a few. But it’s the Nordstrom Rack that she shops at the most.

“You can get some really good deals on some great clothes,” she said. “And sometimes that gets me in trouble.”

Even though Rookwood isn’t in her neighborhood, Toria says it’s still the most convenient shopping center in the area.

“It’s a one-stop shop that doesn’t require me to walk the length of a typical indoor mall,” she said. “You can run in and run out, or easily drive down to the next store on cold [or lazy] days.”

She loves how easily accessible Rookwood is from every part of the Tri-State, including her newly built home in Northern Kentucky.

“I have much bigger closets I have to fill up now,” she said.

Even beyond her closet alone, Toria has come to Rookwood to fill every room in her new home. From Home Goods to Sur La Table to Bed Bath & Beyond, it’s been easy for her to furnish and decorate at this one convenient location. With her newfound space in her larger home, only Rookwood makes it easy for her to get what she needs in one quick trip. She loves her new home, but her local community doesn’t offer the shopping options she’s after.

“There’s no outdoor malls, but there are plenty of strip malls,” she said. “Really, the only shopping I do in my neighborhood regularly is for groceries.”

Toria says she chooses Rookwood for the open-air walkability and its expansive selection of high-end retailers.

“Plus, at Rookwood, you’re not restricted to just one restaurant or mall food,” she said.

This one stop shop has helped her find things for others, too. She’s able to get the perfect gifts for every occasion, from the sentimental card at Hallmark’s to the most delicious, locally made sweets at Maverick Chocolates, and has helped her stay consistent during her health kicks with wellness-conscious spots like Whole Foods, First Watch, and Athleta.

Most might assume that with all these options, both the Commons & Pavilion might get a bit overcrowded, but Toria says there’s always space for every visitor because of the amount of shops and restaurants to choose from.

“Even on a Friday or Saturday night, it isn’t overwhelming,” she says. “Jon and I can usually walk right into The Pub with no issue because there are so many options available.”

We’re so glad Toria is a part of our Rookwood community. Why do you choose Rookwood? Let us know in the comments below!

Get to Know Rookwood Commons & Pavilion

Rookwood Commons & Pavilion has been a part of the Norwood Community for nearly two decades. The 20-plus-acre site is a shopper’s staple and is home to foodies’ favorites. Whether grabbing a quick coffee or staying for an extended brunch, shopping for last-minute gifts or leisurely window-shopping, there’s truly something for everyone here.

There are countless things we love about both the Commons & Pavilion – the open-air strolls, the local community, the retail options – we could go on and on…and on. But we’ve narrowed it down to just three of our favorites things.

Even if you visit regularly, you might be surprised to learn that:

1. Rookwood Commons & Pavilion is home to more than 70 shops and restaurants.
We are proud to offer an abundance of stores and eateries, but you won’t find standard fast food restaurants or basic big-box stores here. Instead, we are home to local favorites and well-known national brands alike.

Our community offers a uniquely exclusive selection, including the sole Cincinnati location of Soft Surroundings, the only local Nordstrom Rack, and the only Maverick Chocolates outside of the Findlay Market flagship.

With stores like Athleta, Victoria’s Secret, and Yankee Candle, you can skip the inconvenience of a large, indoor shopping mall and instead enjoy open-air strolls between shopping and dining. Plus, in just a few weeks, you’ll even be able to swing by Bath & Body Works on your visit. With all those options, favorites like BJ’s Brewhouse, First Watch, and The Pub will keep any “hanger” at bay from a long day of shopping.

2. The open-air mall was once the site of a renowned manufacturer.
Rookwood Commons & Pavilion was home to the R.K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company from 1918 to 1989.

Both in peacetime and wartime, Le Blond was known for their expertise in specialized lathes. In fact, from the 1920’s to the 1950s, Le Blond claimed almost all stateside production and approximately 70% of the international market share of lathes.

If you didn’t already know this, you must have missed our last blog post. Click here to learn the full (and fascinating) story behind our center.

3. We are less than 10 miles from many communities across the Tri-State.
You don’t have to live or work on the east side of Cincinnati to enjoy the luxuries of Rookwood Commons & Pavilion. No matter if you’re coming from Blue Ash, Downtown, Northside, or Fort Thomas, you can get to the Commons & Pavilion in less than 20 minutes. The short commute on I-71 connects shoppers and restaurant goers to a one-stop shop for every errand and indulgence.

Even if you prefer to arrive by foot, Rookwood Commons & Pavilion is easy to access in its centralized location. And it’s about to be even more convenient. The Wasson Bike Trail will soon have steps directly from the trail to Rookwood Commons, taking the ease of “run in and run out” simplicity to a new level.

These are a few of our favorite things. But now, we’d love to hear some of yours! Let us know your top three things you love about Rookwood Commons & Pavilion in the comments below or tag us on Facebook with #RookwoodFavorites.

Bath and Body Works is your go-to place for gifts & goodies that surprise & delight. From fresh fragrances to soothing skin care, we make finding your perfect something special a happy-memory-making experience. Searching for new seasonal creations or your favorite discontinued scents? We’ve got you covered there, too. Oh! And while you’re browsing, shop our latest & greatest selection of lotions, soaps and candles!

Assistant Manager – Rookwood Commons | Gap Inc. Link when clicking on Assistant Manager https://corporate.gapinc.com/en-us/jobs/26/93/assistant-manager-rookwood-commons#.XGxBUURPGtE.linkedin
Sales Associate – Rookwood Commons | Gap Inc.

Discover the history of the site that has built our community since 1918.

Rookwood Commons & Pavilion is well known for its luxury stores, high-caliber restaurants, and iconic “Le Blond” tower. Places like Starbucks, Nordstrom Rack, and Cyclebar are expected sights to the average visitor. But where did that tall Le Blond-adorned structure and vintage-looking building come from?

Before busy shoppers flocked to the center, the 20 plus-acre corner location was once home to the nationally recognized R.K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company. Previously located in the eastside Linwood neighborhood, the then small-but-mighty machine tool manufacturer began with just two lathes, a milling machine, and a few tools. Its first products included dental rolls, tag printing presses, cash registers, small steam engines, and routing machines. Before long, Le Blond’s expertise in the innovation and production of machine tools required more space to work. And that space is what is now known as Rookwood Commons & Pavilion.

Construction on the expansive production facility began in 1917. Its design embodied the 20th century “factory beautiful” movement in American industry, including the masonry chimneystack and adjoining manufacturing plant that still remains.

(We still find the design beautiful among the modern, open-air shopping center.)

To make room for the sizeable, self-sufficient manufacturing plant, the rolling hills that once held a dairy farm were smoothed over, digging a pond in the process.

(Yes, there was once water on our land!)

The new complex, completed in 1918, allowed Le Blond to expand into its most successful product of all: specialized lathes for round parts. This specialty differentiated the company from other manufacturers who produced flat work.

Both in peacetime and wartime, Le Blond dominated the market for specialized lathes. In fact, from the 1920’s to the 1950s, Le Blond claimed almost all stateside production and approximately 70% of the international market share.

During peacetime, virtually all moving vehicles were powered by engines with crankshafts made on Le Blond lathes. Le Blond’s development of the automatic crankshaft lathe made the manufacturer an integral part of the automotive industry’s evolution worldwide. Their lathe revolutionized this complex operation by turning out 30-50 finished crankshafts in an hour, greatly exceeding previous production rates.

During wartime, Le Blond had an incredible impact on war efforts throughout the 20th Century. Opponents in two world wars fired upon each other using ordinance of every size that had been bored and rifled on Le Blond equipment.

Innovation continued as the company expanded into the production of electrical tools, early aircraft engines, and fire engines, as well as a complete line of trucks, grinding tools, and measuring devices.

Their success directly impacted the prosperity of the Cincinnati community during an era that spanned the Great Depression, employing a number of eastside Cincinnatians, ranging from a few hundred employees in slower times to over a thousand in big production years.

The R.K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company operated at the Norwood location from 1918 to 1989 before moving its operation to mason as Makino Machine Tool Company.

But the story doesn’t end there. The site was converted to serve the local community in a new way. Rookwood Pavilion was completed in 1993, Rookwood Commons in 2000. Today, visitors to Rookwood Commons & Pavilion can enjoy anything from fitness classes to fresh dishes, high-end shopping to restorative pampering. There’s something for everyone!

The next time you visit Rookwood Commons & Pavilion, remember the rich history of the land you’re visiting. The Le Blond smoke stack and factory forever remains a lasting reminder of the land’s legacy that continues to make a positive impact on the Cincinnati community.

When my travel stopped early 2013, Marlene and I soon finished our supply of chocolate. We were sitting at the kitchen island when the idea struck–let’s make our own world-class chocolate right here in Cincinnati.

After transforming our kitchen into a chocolate factory, we invited our friends over for a number of chocolate tastings. Everyone was impressed and the demand for our chocolate grew.

Now we are the proud owners of Maverick Chocolate Company. Our shop at Findlay Market in Cincinnati, Ohio is a complete chocolate factory. Using only ethically sourced cacao beans, we hand craft our chocolate in small batches from bean to the finished bar. Customers are encouraged to watch and smell the chocolate being made and to taste the final products.

We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better.

So in many ways we haven’t just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it’s because of you we’re continually striving to make sure every moment you choose to spend with us counts.