LINK Streetscapes: Erlanger Powered by Duke Energy

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

This streetscapes is a rather winding one and covers a few different streets but is centralized in the city of Erlanger. If you haven’t had the chance to visit this city, come with me to Erlanger for some coffee, charcuterie and brunch.

Beyond its coffee menu, The Bean also sells candy and highly-giftble treats that are sure to please anyone in need of something sweet. The space was large, beautiful and peaceful. Because The Coffee Bean just opened, it’s still a hidden gem, but it’s not likely to stay hidden for long.

Social Grazer: 1368 Cox Ave

The biggest challenge of any holiday season is providing snacks for crowd after crowd of guests. This is where Social Grazer shines. Charcuterie boards are practically required at parties anymore. Personally speaking, any charcuterie is good charcuterie, in my book.

I first was introduced to Social Grazer at a LINK nky open house event that featured charcuterie cones. They were mini charcuterie cups containing salami, cheeses, and other grazable favorites in a tiny, handheld container that allowed guests to snack and chat.

In a matter of mere months, this family-owned business has certainly made a name for tself. Owned by Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette, the restaurant and café has become one of the most popular spots in the city.

If we’ve learned anything during this streetscapes series, it’s that all roads lead to coffee. Even the most winding ones, like Stevenson, are worth the drive as it leads you to a new coffee shop, The Coffee Bean.

I was greeted by a cutely decorated interior with multiple chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I was greeted right away by the owner, who led me to my classic choice: an iced pumpkin spiced latte. The Coffee Bean has endless flavors to choose from, allowing guests to customize any drink. The Bean also sells the flavored syrup it uses for coffee, so anyone can make their favorite bougie brew at home.

Social Grazer does more than specialty catering, though. They specialize in large spreads to feed a crowd. These are truly beautiful works of art that most of us could only dream of making. It’s an easy, no-effort way to raise the bar of any get-together while supporting a local business. Orders can be places online and picked up at their location on Cox Ave.

This two-story eatery features a coffee shop and bakery upstairs, while the main level serves classy breakfast and brunchstyle dishes. They have all of the familiar favorites on the brunch menu, but I have dreams about The Hive’s breakfast bowls. The simplicity of taking breakfast staples and tossing them into one bowl will always win me over. Food can be that simple, when it’s that good.

As with all brunches, mimosas and coffee had to be ordered and we couldn’t leave without dessert, in the form of bourbon French toast. The sweetness of the bourbon-infused syrup created a heavenly balance to keep me coming back, bite after bite.

We couldn’t leave without visiting the coffee bar, which is where you can now find me for the remainder of the year, sipping lattes and enjoying The Hive’s mid-century modern furniture.

Have a street, city or business you want me to visit next? Email me at mchehman@ gmail.com and it could be featured on the next LINK streetscapes.

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Covington Catholic grad signs with Cincinnati Reds

Simon Kenton girls pick up two wins to open season

Brossart boys beat Villa Madonna 80-44; Newport 81-75

The Mustangs earned a convincing victory in Ben Franzen‘s debut as head coach. Bishop Brossart made 32 of 61 shots for 53 percent and 13 of 17 free throws. Senior guard Logan Woosley led the Mustangs with 23 points and senior forward/center Luke Schumacher scored 12. Senior guards Brandon Bezold and Anthony Kruse scored 11 points each and senior forward Mason Sepate scored 10.

of them,” said Davey Johnson, Campbell County head coach. “The effort was exactly what it needed to be. As long as we do that, we’ll be able to compete quite a bit this year.”

The Camels (1-0) saw 11 different players score. Senior forward Key Cullum led the way with 13 points and junior Lilli Enzweiler scored 10.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction for sure,” Cullum said. “I would say the confidence grew with each play. We were honestly real excited.”

Covington Catholic High School grad Luke Maile has signed a one-year contract as the backup catcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

Returning to the Cincinnati area after spending last season with the Cleveland Guardians, Maile, 31, originally signed with Tampa Bay Rays out of the University of Kentucky during the 2012 first-year player draft.

While attending Covington Catholic, Maile played basketball, golf, and baseball, and was named “Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year” after his senior baseball season. At UK, he was named All-SEC second team in his junior year.

Maile has made 307 career appearances in the major leagues, playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and the Guardians.

The host Simon Kenton Pioneers girls basketball team opened the season with an 8th Region home win, taking down the Owen County Rebels, 69-47. Owen County won the All “A” State tournament last year and made it to the regional title game.

Simon Kenton led 28-25 at halftime before exploding in the second half for 41 points facing mostly a standard 2-3 zone defense. Junior guard Rylie Flynn led the Pioneers with 25 points and freshman guard/forward Anna Kelch scored 17. The Pioneers made 11 of 18 free throws for 61%.

The Pioneers also won against Ryle in their second game of the season, winning 67-52. The Pioneers are now 2-0 on the year while Ryle falls to 0-1.

Both teams had four players score double-digits, but Ryle was plagued by fouls, committing 28 with four starters fouling out of the game.

Simon Kenton capitalized hitting 25 of 33 free throw attempts in addition to seven three-pointers to score the win.

WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Host Bishop Brossart nailed eight threepoint shots and 25 of its 34 free throw attempts to hold off Newport in Alexandria on Wednesday night.

The Mustangs are now 2-0 on the season while Newport falls to 0-1.

The Mustangs put five players in double figures. Senior guard Logan Woosley led with 24 points and senior forward Mason Sepate scored 13. Senior guard Brandon Bezold scored 12, senior forward Luke Schumacher added 11, and senior guard Anthony Kruse put in 10.

Campbell Camels defeat Bracken County Bears

The Camels opened the season with a 10th Region win over the Polar Bears in a battle of two teams that lost in the region quarterfinals last year.

“We executed on defense. They played hard the whole game, which is all I can ask

Cooper wins against Dixie Heights, 64-33

The defending 9th Region champion Jaguars opened the season with a convincing home victory over the Colonels (1-1).

Dixie Heights made 13 three-pointers in the season-opening win at Highlands on Tuesday but he Jaguars held them scoreless from beyond the arc with their pressure defense.

Cooper saw eight different players score. Eighth grade guard Haylee Noel led with 14. Senior forward Whitney Lind followed with 12 and junior guard Liz Freihofer scored 10. In her Cooper debut, junior Damysia Knox scored nine points.

Cooper led 32-9 at halftime and 52-21 entering the fourth quarter. Senior guard Sammy Berman led Dixie Heights with 12 points.