Bye, Smitty's

[grandson_of_ashford]

Honestly wilson1010, do you really have nothing better to do with your time but to troll? The area went to ****, yes. But it isn't caused by my grandfather's store. Whether you think it was an eyesore or not is irrelevant. Everyone has there opinion. I'd like to see you run a store better than him in a place like OTR. So ****. You're a disgrace to Cincinnati and all of those that my grandfather helped. People in OTR are in poverty and he was only helping those who couldn't afford the basic necessities like clothes. you don't know anything that my grandfather is about so ****OFF.

[cincymom1971]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Yea, I'm sure Mr.s B who is a 93 year old black lady from New Orleans needs a pink suit.

You can continue to try to re write the sorry history of this place, but as you do, I think you should stop making this a personal attack on me. I didn't run some dope boy stop and shop.

"dope boy stop and shop" - no personal attacks here? The persona attack quotes are too many to number, so I won't bore anyone who hasn't read them all-the thread is there for any who are interested in counting. You don't have to like the lighting nor the apparel, but maligning a man's reputation, work, life, should be below any decent human being residing in our fair city. The article beginning this thread only touches the surface of who Larry Ashford is and what impact he has had on his community. Smitty's began as a family owned buisiness and stayed one until the tragic day it was closed by a terrible fire. Mr Ashford and his family are people I have known well for over 20+ years. You will find no better-anywhere. No matter your personal,misleading and uninformed opinion. Mr Ashford worked every day in OTR. If Smitty's was open, he was in it. He does not live in some McMansion in suburbia, spouting how much he loves OTR, but not walking the walk. He lives in the same modest home he bought with his wife when he first got married, on the west side, close to work. He went in early and got home late, the only exception being Sunday when he had family dinners at his home with his own family and whoever else needed or wanted somewhere to go where they would be loved and accepted. I won't argue the quality of walking down Vine Street. You really believe this is to be owned by one shop keeper? He worked hard, loved the people he worked with and did his best by the neighborhood his store was patroned by. He was dedicated to OTR - where were you during the riots? I can tell you where he was- in his store, looking out for the livelihood that feeds his family and looking out for anyone in trouble he could help on the street. Shame on you wilson1010. I don't care if you liked Smitty's - you are entitled to your views, but what you have posted is a blight - horrible things said about a man, his reputation and his family that are undeserved and inaccurate. I can only wish that there were thousands of Larry Ashfords in this world-it would be that much better for it. I wonder how many people would say the same of you.

[Wilson513]

Although I am not convinced that a zoot suit shop is a benefit to any neighborhood, I do think that an amends I can make is to post the announcement of their reopening:

Smitty's reopens: New site, old neighborhood | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

Although I am not convinced that a zoot suit shop is a benefit to any neighborhood, I do think that an amends I can make is to post the announcement of their reopening:

Smitty's reopens: New site, old neighborhood | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com

I got a quick glance at their storefront the other day, and it looks like the level of tackiness factor at the new place is going to be light years better than the old one. Or maybe I should say light bulbs.