RIP Uncle Carl

"Carl Lindner waves, to a passing float as Reds President Marge Schott looks on

from the reviewing stand at the Norwood "Summer Daze" parade in Norwood.

Lindner was grand marshal" (1987).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Carl Lindner Jr.: Intrepid capitalist, generous benefactor, and local icon. A true Cincinnatian that arguably built our city into what it is today.

As you can read on just about every local and national news site, Lindner swam through many different shark-infested waters successfully throughout his life - purchasing assets, rebuilding them, then eventually selling them for gain... and mostly for Cincinnati's gain. 

As Tom McKee (WCPO) noted, "During his decades as a Cincinnati businessman, Lindner built United Dairy Farmers, owned and moved Chiquita, Penn Central and Great American Insurance to Cincinnati and once owned the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Enquirer, Provident Bank and Kings Island." (Source).  See photos of these holdings.

In addition, his more charitable efforts helped further support the region. Immense gifts to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Lindner Center of HOPE, University of Cincinnati's College of Business, UC's Varsity Village complex, Western & Southern Open, Cincinnati Museum Center, and 3CDC (in addition to many other local educational, religious, and political donations), just to name a few.  More of his contributions in pictures.

Richard Farmer (Cintas) said it best (source):

"He's got to be one of the most generous guys in Cincinnati. I don't know of any positive thing that's happened in Cincinnati that Carl has not been a part of." 

Carl Lindner, Jr. started with nothing, then turned aspirations of an up-and-coming dairy store into an American Financial institution, and Cincinnati was fortunate enough to come along for the ride.  As Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis said (source),

"He loved this city. Everything he did was for the benefit of the city..."

• • • • • • • • • •

As a child of the 70s-80s in Cincinnati - boom time for Carl's group and the city at large - it's hard to recall a time in my life when one of Lindners' holdings wasn't a part of it.  So, here's a quick retrospective of his work according to how it played a role in my early years:

I grew up in Anderson, and as a young kid spent a good deal of time trying to get to the mall - the thing to do in the 80s - which Carl Lindner helped to popularize in our area. He established and sold not only Surrey Square (in his home neighborhood of Norwood) and Kenwood Mall (now Kenwood Towne Center), but also my home-away-from-home, Beechmont Mall (now Anderson Towne Center).

Beechmont Mall (1977).

Source: Cincinnati Magazine.

Beechmont Mall (undated).

Source: Abandoned.

The whole Beechmont Mall area became a central hub of commerce for Anderson Township, with several of Lindner's own properties holding leases, such as Thriftway and Hunter Savings.

American Financial's initial bank, Hunter Savings & Loan, was located at the head of Beechmont Mall, and thus became the holder of my first bank account. Though, for a young kid trying to save, the branch was not ideally located - an Aladdin's Castle beckoned right down the hall.

"In 1959, Lindner acquired what is now Hunter Savings & Loan.
American Financial acquired United Liberty Life Insurance in 1963" (1977).
Source: Cincinnati Magazine. 

Part of the Beechmont Mall complex, Thriftway Food & Drug was the stalwart grocery in our household.  Even though the more popular Kroger was right up the road, it was a hair closer, tucked behind the mall on Five Mile Road.

Thriftway, Anderson (199x).

Source. 

After the closing of Thriftway in Anderson, Lindner's United Dairy Farmers became a surrogate grocery when Kroger was out of reach (which still continues to this day).

United Dairy Farmers first store, Norwood (1940).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

I'm a big fan of walkable communities, and with the convenient stores able to fit in the heart of tight communities, UDF has become a necessary supplier of the staples during my stints in Clifton, Mt. Lookout, and in Mariemont today.

While in Mt. Lookout, I really dug the neighborhood mom-and-pop grocers such as Bracke's, and although they are increasingly shuttered, UDF is small enough to slide into any neighborhood and still maintain somewhat of a community feel.  Now, if all the UDF's just looked like the one in Clifton...

United Dairy Farmers, Clifton (2009).

Source: Steve Hagy. 

Also, needless to say, during those 1980s heydays I spent many a summer at Kings Island - part of a bundle deal when Lindner acquired Taft Broadcasting in 1987.

Hanna-Barbera Land, Kings Island (1973).

A conglomeration of brands owned by Lindner. Actually, it probably

looked a bit more like this when Lindner owned it.

Source.

A little later, I resided for a short while at this condo complex in Anderson:

The Commons of Anderson entrance sign (2011).

Guess who built it?

"Carl H. Lindner, right, and Robert D. Lindner inspect development plans for
The Commons of Anderson, a luxury condominium home development
in Anderson Township" (1973).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

These were the years that I was really pouring time into extracurriculars, and luckily, there was a tennis court at The Commons - I recall many nights of my trainer ruthlessly making me run the lines after a full lesson. And as the seasons wore on, an increasing hold on the sport brought me many times to the Lindner courts big and small.
 

Lindner Family Tennis Center, Cincinnati (the early years).

Most people will remember Lindner for gaining ownership of the Reds from Marge Schott (and protecting it from potential non-local entities' control), and bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back home.  A few more actions that speak to his dedication to and love of Cincinnati.

But personally, I'll remember him more for his contributions to the Western & Southern Open, in addition to smaller community-oriented tennis facilities of which I played numerous times throughout the years.  Primarily, Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Carl and Edyth Lindner Family Tennis Center at Lunken, and the Carl Lindner Family Tennis Pavilion at Sawyer Point.

The Lindner family has sponsored the international tennis mega-tourney in Mason for decades, Western & Southern Masters, culminating with the recent huge gift that further expanded its facilities, continued its lure of big name players, and turned it into a men's and women's combine. Like the Reds nameplate, Cincinnati tennis continues to maintain national recognition and prominence through the support of the Lindner family.

"Carl Lindner, center, and his brother Richard Lindner, right, chat with

tennis great Rod Laver at the Jack Nicklaus Sports Center" (1997).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

And how did I ease the cramping from all those years of extended court play?

"Reds CEO Carl Lindner displays a Chiquita banana from the Reds

training table at the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla." (2000).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Chiquita is obviously a big name in Cincinnati, which again was of Carl's making - he brought it to town, and hopefully it will stay.  Fortunately, I was able to experience the company and its many amenities because a member of my family worked directly for the head(s) of the company for many years.  This not only allowed me access to the top chef cooking in the company cafeteria, but access to the creme de la creme of all company holiday parties...

"Carl H. Lindner and his wife Edyth, left, greet guests at the annual Christmas party

at Music Hall that Lindner gave for employees and friends. The party featured

national entertainers. On this occasion, it was Sammy Davis Jr." (1972).

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.

I never personally worked for any of the Lindner companies, but was fortunate enough to attend a couple of the storied annual Christmas events through approximation.  Some of the more notable years showcased Bill Cosby and Frank Sinatra.  They all were great, but witnessing Sinatra sing New York, New York, followed by a high profile ballroom shindig and free UDF ice cream certificates upon exit, was definitely the highlight of my stints at the annual employee party as a non-employee.

So that's about it.

Of course, there are other times where I've run into pretty much all of his other businesses at least once (including many Reds games during the Lindner era), and stories here that could be expounded upon with posts of their own, but these were the highlights. While they were seemingly fleeting and transitory, they helped form the basis of my youth, and in a roundabout way have aided in development of my continued interests.

For that alone, thanks Carl.

• • • • • • • • • • 

• Here's what happened to the businesses: 

Beechmont Mall was eventually sold to Prudential, then reached the fate of most enclosed malls in the US - slow deterioration, partial demolition, then restructuring as an outdoor "lifestyle center" (in this case, by Victory Investments).
Related: Nostalgia for the old Beechmont Mall. 

 Anderson Towne Center by Victory Investments.

Hunter Savings & Loan bought Home State Savings Bank after it collapsed in the S&L crisis, then sold off it's branches. Hunter was later bought by Provident Financial Group (Provident Bancorp, in which Lindner had a minority stake), which was then bought by National City in the early 2000s, and National City by PNC in 2008.

"A crowd lines up to get into Home State Savings Bank

at Fifth and Race streets downtown" (1985). 

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer.  

Thriftway was sold to Winn-Dixie in 1996, then all stores closed in 2004 (Source). The new Anderson Towne Center renovations have turned this particular lot into office buildings (specifically, GHA Anderson).

Thriftway Anderson shuttered (pre-redevelopment).

Image source.

UDF continues its viability and expansion. 

The Commons of Anderson is still neatly habitable.

The Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason recently expanded (again), aiding in a huge new duel mens and womens event (the Western & Southern Masters and Women's Open) along with amazing new world-class facilities. Read about the history of the tourney and Western & Southern Open's response to Carl Lindner's passing.
Related: The grounds prior to renovations.

 Lindner Family Tennis Center master plan expansion, Mason (2011).

See more concept art of the new grounds & West Grandstand concept art here.

Taft Broadcasting has its own storied history, which you can read here (and it's relationship with Lindner's Great American). But notably, it sold off Hanna-Barbera Productions (to Turner/Time Warner) and Kings Island (to Paramount, then Cedar Fair), then Clear Channel bought and eradicated the name in 1999. More about the Kings Island side of the history here.
Related: Hanna Barbera's ode to the Cincinnati Union Terminal. 

References

•The majority of imagery / content listed in this post came from:
Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati.com)
Cincinnati Business Courier
Cincinnati Magazine (February 1977)
Cincinnati Magazine (October 1986) 
• Local articles:
WLWT NBC 5 Cincinnati
WCPO ABC 9 Cincinnati
WKRC CBS 12 Cincinnati
WXIX FOX 19 Cincinnati (AP) + Public Memorial Parade route 
• National articles:
ABC (AP)
CBS (AP) 
"Only in America" Celebration Tour & Rememberances (CBS Business Library)
MSNBC (AP) 
FOX Sports (AP)
New York Times (AP)
Washington Post (Bloomberg News)
USA Today (AP)
Twenty Billionaires That Started With Nothing (Bloomberg Businessweek)
TCPalm (AP)
• General info about Lindner and AFG:
Personal bio (Wikipedia)
Personal bio (American Financial Group)
American Financial Group/Lindner info & assets (Wikipedia)
American Financial Corporation history

Thank You Notes

 Not the original foundry, but production started on Thanksgiving Day (1880).
Source: Cincinnati Views. 

Thanksgiving has become as much of a birthday celebration as it is for all of the traditional familial gatherings and gratitude. Still, some candid offerings are definitely due this year - a long list of commendations will be handed out to kin and comrades on a silver platter, in one way or another related to these recent events...

Elizabeth is due to deliver child #2 in December.
Amazing to think that: (1) We'll have another wonderful addition to our family - a little girl!, (2) my son is now 2 and will have to deal with some serious Mommy-withdrawal, (3) just when we're getting into a rhythm that's bearable, our nights are most likely going to elongate dramatically again, and (4) the amount of work that Elizabeth currently entails day-in and day-out, and the amount added to that to come, all with the perspective of a full glass, is completely inspiring.

After long and hard searching (studio and soul), our decision to stay awhile longer culminates with a new job downtown.
We thought laboriously on many areas of the country, but this is a good move all-around - for family, friends, and us - and ends the feeling that we're on a never-ending cusp of transition. So, since we'll be here for the foreseeable future, hopefully we can make some long-lasting contributions to the city that have been swept under the rug for far too long.

We moved. Again.
Elizabeth and I have a storied past, but no one could have predicted the number of legs of this trek we've already completed. Actually, maybe a better way of putting it would be: No one would have guessed how many legs this trek was going to be comprised of, and how many markers we've already passed. Heck - any way you put it, moving five times in five years back and forth between two different cities is tiring enough... then add in all of the other fun stuff and you've cooked up an official bowl exhaustion. But, it's good exhaustion... and we're in a new part of the city. Both having grown up and lived a substantial portion of our lives here, neither of us have resided in this particular local, nor have any friends or family members. It's a little reinvigorating in that way - new places to explore, fresh perspectives on old memories, and welcome solace from another one of Cincinnati's great neighborhoods (not proper, but still Cincinnati to me). It's a good compromise... and it's on the bus line.

There's other stuff of which I won't break the code of silence, but is well worth explicit gratitude as anything else. All I can say is that I am completely humbled by the amazingly supportive people near and far that I'm lucky enough to call my family and friends. Hopefully, one day, this perseverance will echo favorably and I'll be able to reciprocate that generosity to those in kind.

Have a good holiday, everyone.

• Now if this would just happen again, I'd be really thankful...
 

Milwaukee Sentinel (p.2) [1958].
Source. 

Related Post
Turkeys of Thanksgiving Past

Turkeys of Thansgiving Past

Well, Halloween is over, the Elections have passed, and now it's time to start thinking like retailers and focus on the impending holidays.
 
First off: Thanksgiving...Cincinnati-style:

"Turkeys Away", WKRP in Cincinnati (Air date: October 30 1978).
More info here.

An Ivory July

Upon visiting family in Fort Thomas earlier this month, I had to stop by a small strip mall in Newport to pick up some cards. Good thing I did, too, since it was a reminder of this little-known national holiday:

Noting the importance of the month, I'm surprised how few people were actually there - especially with the expanded offerings that the Newport Shopping Plaza has to offer:

Ah, Kentucky... Unbridled Spirit!

• Note: I've been granted privileges to inflict tough love on the seemingly shallow business endeavors, dated lifestyles, and eroding structures of northern Kentucky, due to the fact that generations of my family grew from bluegrass. Someday I'll elaborate.

• As an aside, the post title refers to (of course) P&G's famous Ivory bar. Upon researching the the soap for an earlier edit of this article, I ran across an interesting piece of their history.

Handcrafted Pantyhose Christmas Elves

Christmas is approaching fast, so lets review some of the local holiday traditions common to my family - a few extinct, some barely surviving, others still raging:

The CG&E Train display + free cookies,
Provident Bank's Christmas Village display + free candycanes, 
animatronic Bear Band in the Carew Tower Arcade,
perusing The Toy Shop at the Westin Hotel,
live animals at Krohn Conservatory's holiday nativity scene/barn,
ice skating on Fountain Square,
ice skating in the promenade at King's Island Winterfest,
the Nutcracker at Music Hall,
Playhouse in the Park's A Christmas Carol,
freezing train rides at the Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights,
the huge bowl of homemade eggnog at The Golden Lamb, 
chopping down our own pine at the local tree farm,
and the list goes on... 

But the most unique and memorable Christmas event for me - and one of local lore - was the Christmas display at Shillito's downtown department Store.

 The John Shillito Co. store, 7th & Race St., downtown Cincinnati (195x).

When the building still housed the department store.

More about Shillito's.

The early '80s were a grand time downtown Cincinnati (from my immature perspective) with streets swamped, stores filled, and general vitality in the air - there was an energy that the city center constructed and maintained. Many people stilled frequented downtown as a valid and sometimes necessary place to shop, not only because of the festivities, but the store names were enticing and brand options were still more prevalent in the core than the suburbs - in other words, multiple department stores still existed downtown (without handouts).

Shillito's (aka John Shillito & Co.), a staple of early-Cincinnati commercialism (and the largest department store for a better part of six decades), was always a definite stop along the downtown shopping route. The multi-storied structure housed everything from clothes and jewelry to an extensive home furnishings department, and - common in the early department store era - a cafe on an upper floor. This was always a great stop (for their famous "Seven Hills Sandwich", Chocolate Cake, and "Shillito's Lazarus Chessecake"), but not the most storied one... 

 The Workshop, Shillito's Christmas Display (1979).

Image source.

As Christmas loomed, the store became a huge draw for their annual holiday display - Santa's Workshop at Santaland.

I know I'm not alone when I say that traveling to the top floor of the department store was a field trip extraordinaire. Shillito's didn't have the best floorplan, so when you were deep in the store, it felt a little claustrophobic - massive supporting pillars, heavy escalators, sparse exits, and again, swarming customers - but when you finally reached the pinnacle, all else was diminished. Anticipation heightened when arriving at the rear of the floor where the Christmas display was set up, because the line was always long and seemed extremely slow. This never stopped me from wanting to experience the event several times over, and actually, if you were lucky enough to be there near closing time, you could usually run back through the exhibit without wait.

The Paint Shop, Shillito's Christmas Display (1979).

Image source.

I just really enjoyed how the production encapsulated you within its sphere. Once you were in the line, there was nothing around you to remind you of the department store - only life-size dioramas of animatronic elves doing their thing on one side, and a long conveyor belt on the other (where you dropped your personal letter to Santa in a mailbox, and watched it travel the gauntlet, hopefully making to the big man). A truly imaginative display - one we all knew was plastic, but still enlivened our holiday spirit.

Santa Tracking Center, Shillito's Christmas Display (1979).

Unfortunately, these elves could not forecast their own demise.

Image source. 

Eventually, this display went by the wayside with the end of the Shillito's name - a result of continual department store mergers, and the end of an era; a new vacuous era of empty sidewalks, massive highways, and big box suburban retailers. Similar to many other US urban centers, Cincinnati today just hints at its former glory...but is still trying.

The John Shillito Co. store, 7th & Race St., downtown Cincinnati (2010).

A recent view of the facade (and back), now housing rental lofts and businesses.

Image source: Adam.

Transit and communication have accelerated, retailers have flocked to the people (mainly near the outerbelt), and urban storefronts sit empty. Though now, with the reemergence and popularity of city living, these storefronts often become homefronts - as with the Shillito's building (now Shilito's Lofts).  Still, while the facades have endured, the history is sometimes forgotten.

Fortunately, prior to the gutting of the department store, Santa's Workshop was saved - bought and resold to a partner of the Mariemont Inn, where he has tried to reincarnate the tradition. Unfortunately, the act has become weathered, and there are surprisingly few options for temporary showcasing. Even with a recent plea to the public for permanent housing, it seems the elves might have finally outlived their extended fortune.

• Check out these galleries of the Christmas display, past and present, plus track the sentiments & yearly locations of the sets from the new owner's Facebook page.

• This article also captures the sentiment of past Cincinnati Christmases quite well. 

• Recent photos of the Shillito & Co. building downtown.