The popular westside restaurant 'Champions' closed Saturday, April tenth. The owners of Champions lost their lease after a successful seven year run because of the owner of the land's desire to put in a new business. Westsiders are not only missing its famous food, but also the tasteful location it offered many families, sports fans, and community fundraisers.
A Facebook group entitled "Westsiders for Champions Bar & Grill" was created just days after Champions announced it was closing. The creator of the group intended for it to be an outlet for westsiders to voice their opinions about the restaurant being closed. Many westsiders have voice their concern over what will replace Champions. The landowner has spoken with the owners of Champions about using the space for a Family Dollar store, but it is yet to be confirmed if the landowner will follow through with that.
Westsiders are worried the loss of Champions and replacing it with a family dollar will lower the community standards and attract less desirable clientele to the area. Many complain there are already enough Family Dollar stores on the westside. There are ten Family Dollar stores on the westside of Cincinnati, not including the store that is rumored to replace Champions, out of 26 total stores in Cincinnati. One of those Family Dollar stores is only two blocks away.
Along with the concern of the new clientele Family Dollar will attract, westsiders are concerned with the number of stores that have been closed over the years. Many empty buildings line the westside including the previous site of World Market in Glenway Crossing, and the still empty Pier 1 Imports in Western Hills Plaza. These businesses were failing, but Champions was thriving, making people more concerned for the interests of the westside. Many people agreed that places like Champions help communities thrive and grow, not Family Dollar stores or anything similar.
Among those sad to see Champions close is co-owner Bill O'Conner. "I'm sad to see it go. A lot of jobs will be lost. We did a lot of community events and fundraisers, from grade schools to cancer awareness. It is unfortunate, I would have liked to stay but there's no choice."
O'Conner did state that relocation is under a lot of consideration. "There is a strong possibility that it will be close by," he says. However, specific plans have not been established.
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