Shopping in Cincinnati

As a former overworked New Yorker, Tri-State Running Company owner Cameron Simoneau found solace in running, and seeks to share that inner peace with others by cultivating a friendly haven for healthy living with knowledgeable staffers. Employees persevere in finding the perfect fit for runners, walkers, and professional hot-coal crossers, cushioning toes in sneakers from brands such as Adidas and Asics. They also ensure athletes trot comfortably and safely with accessories from names including Thermoskin and CamelBak. The shop integrates itself into the local running community through regular running clinics and partnerships with local marathons and 5Ks, and also collects donations for Soles4Souls, an organization dedicated to sheltering bare feet in new kicks.

"Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you make the whole trip that way." This quote, from author E.L. Doctorow, is one of the many phrases, excerpts, and anecdotes Roebling Point Bookstore scrawls across its chalkboard, embedded snugly in the building's brick exterior. After absorbing the daily dose of chalk wisdom outside, the shop's visitors venture inside, where they find themselves surrounded by shelf upon shelf of equally perceptive words. Snacks, coffee, and tea keep fingers busy between page turns, and a community meeting space hosts groups that gather to discuss parts of their favorite books or tactics for turning their least-favorite books into fibrous breakfast shakes. Back outside, amid the historical ambiance of the Licking Riverside district, bike racks are available to those who prefer two-wheeled transport, which the bookstore awards with discounts.