The store is huge: 215,000 square feet, larger than the Fairfield store. You’ll notice that the aisles are wider; that’s a nice thing. It has the same quirky, treasure-hunt quality the original store does, but it seems a little more polished, more planned.
They asked the press not to post photos until Tuesday — and actually, if you’re going then, it might be more fun to discover it for yourself. There are some great finds that are used as decoration or fixtures. A pirate ship from a Las Vegas hotel (The job of getting it to Cincinnati made for a segment of reality television on “Shipping Wars.”) An old children’s ride with bears and honey from Americana amusement park to rotate above the huge honey selection; a World War II-era Navy firetruck by the hot sauces. (There are 10% more here than the first store.)
Colonel De of Findlay Market has a little boutique of his own; it looks really nice. There’s a fancy walk-in fine wine section, and a huge humidor; there’s a huge wheel of cheddar cheese taller than Phil Adams; there’s a growler station, which is new. There’s an extensive selection of hookahs. And, like the original store, lots and lots of ethnic food, including Durian and other exotic fruits.
It was a fairly fast-paced tour, so I didn’t get to peruse all the ethnic foods closely; I’ll be back for that. And to look at the olive bar. And the exotic meats. And the deli. And the bakery and the Chinese foods, and the many kinds of rice, and the candy section. …
The expected crowds of people to show up Today, perhaps 105,000 people . “We’re telling people it’s going to be like a Category 5 Hurricane,” said Phil Adams, director of facilities and the person who took us on a tour. “If you don’t need to be here, don’t come. just stay home.” They’re opening at 11 a.m. to try to alleviate some of the traffic problems.
4450 Eastgate South Drive. Open Today 11 a.m.-10 p.m., normally open 8 a.m.-10 p.m.