West Chester

Spacious, modern and prosperous, West Chester is a booming suburban district situated close to the midpoint between Cincinnati and Dayton (though slightly closer to Cincinnati). Known as an attractive location to raise a family and a center for thriving commerce, West Chester is a quickly growing region that appeals to commercial developers, busy professionals and parents looking for safe streets and good schools.

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When Audrey, a main character in the musical "Little Shop of Horrors," launches into her fantasy of living in a beautiful suburb, "Somewhere That's Green," she could easily be envisioning a place like West Chester. Quiet, clean, safe, family-oriented and affluent, West Chester embodies many characteristics of the quintessential American suburb.

Named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 places to live in the country, West Chester is a flourishing community encompassing 35 square miles. Since 1980, when the population was at about 12,550 people, the population has now grown to more than 55,000 residents, and is soon expected to take second place to Cincinnati for largest population in the region.

Interstate 75 runs through West Chester, with exits at Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Tylersville, and the most recently developed Union Centre Boulevard. Ten years ago, this interchange was nothing but field space; since then, more than a billion dollars have been invested, creating grand commercial hubs such as the Streets of West Chester Plaza, West Chester Towne Centre and Voice of America Centre.

West Chester is considered a fertile area for investors and developers, and new businesses spring up daily. Most businesses tend to be chain stores and franchises, though there are still a few independent shops and restaurants to be found. In this area, convenience is key, and any modern amenity that can be imagined can be easily found in West Chester - by car. The entire community, which is spread over 35 square miles, has businesses spaced fairly far apart; even stores within a single shopping center can be distant on foot.

West Chester is an area almost big enough to consider a city itself, and a highly notable suburb of Cincinnati, both because of the large number of Cincinnati employees who reside there, as well as for the commercial, dining and entertainment attractions on offer. West Chester is a major commercial zone that draws families and individuals who embrace a fast-paced, modern standard of living, but also desire the beauty and tranquility of quiet, green neighborhoods and a high degree of safety.

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Dining

One of the most popular social activities, if not the most popular social activity in West Chester, is dining out. Ethnic cuisine is abundant – from Casa Tequila (authentic Mexican) to Soho Japanese Bistro (sushi), Asiana (Korean), Bravo! Cucina Italiana (pasta), Thai Taste (Thai) and P. F. Chang’s (Chinese). Sports fans will enjoy casual fare while taking in the game at Willie’s Sports Café, Buffalo Wild Wings and Champ’s. For classic American grub, there’s Fratelli’s New York Style Pizza, Back Porch Saloon and plenty of traditional chains like Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s. Coffee can be found at Tazza Mia as well as four area Starbucks – and those that like to brew at home are encouraged to purchase from a local whole bean dealer, Coffee Affair.
When you’re in the mood to eat in style, White House Inn, an old mansion converted into a restaurant, offers refined fare, while Mesh, the most upscale restaurant in the area, offers a luxurious dining experience and an innovative menu. When it’s time for dessert, The Cone, housed in a giant ice cream cone shaped building, is a great summer attraction. There is also the local favorite Graeter’s, as well as a Cold Stone Creamery. One thing to keep in mind when dining on weekends in West Chester is to make reservations whenever possible, as many restaurants can have lengthy wait times.
Nightlife

Besides shopping and dining, which make up a good part of local entertainment, another popular pastime is catching the latest flick at Rave Motion Picture at Streets of West Chester. For those in the mood to drink or dance, Jags Steak and Seafood regularly hosts live music and has a dance floor, and Anthony’s Bar & Grill creates their own dance floor by simply pushing tables and chairs out of the way. Mesh, besides offering classy cuisine, also hosts live music at the bar (but is still ritzier than most others, in dress code and atmosphere). Back Porch Saloon offers sand volleyball during warm weather in addition to fun and drinks.
Arts & Entertainment

Rave Motion Picture is West Chester’s landmark movie theatre. Keehner Park’s amphitheatre features many free outdoor concerts and theatrical productions, including the Fifth Third West Chester Concert Series, a summer Shakespeare performance and concerts by The West Chester Symphony. Lakota East and West High Schools offer family entertainment with school plays, musicals and concerts as well. Many area restaurants also host live music for their diners’ enjoyment. Visual art can be found at Victoria’s Studio and Gallery and Sweet Art of Mine, both galleries that feature local artists and craftspeople.
Recreation

One of the most impressive parks in the area is Voice of America Park, which features a 1.4 mile multipurpose path surrounding a 35-acre lake, as well as The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting. Beckett Park is for baseball – this 150-acre park is home to a restored timber-frame barn, walking trails, lakes and most notably the West Chester Baseball Complex, which has four tournament-quality fields, a concession stand, dugouts, press box and restrooms.
Keehner Park, with 123 acres, offers extensive woodland trails along Mill Creek as well as playgrounds, athletic fields, a mountain bike trail, picnic shelters and the Keehner Park Amphitheatre, which hosts a free concert series during the summer.
Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor Port Union Historic Canal Trail is a wetland park with a three mile trail beginning at State Route 747 and continuing into Fairfield. This 10-foot wide paved trail can accommodate bicycles, roller blades, walkers and joggers and is an excellent location for hiking, bird-watching and nature exploration.
For those interested in indoor fitness classes, Pendleton Pilates offers matwork and reformer classes, Adrenaline Sports & Fitness specializes in customized athletic training and bootcamp workouts, Jazzercise does aerobics and Fitworks and Urban Active provide a wide range of exercise equipment and training. For affordable family fun, the YMCA is a standard favorite; for those who appreciate the country club lifestyle, Beckett Ridge Country Club offers a championship golf course, a fitness center and other social perks. If dance is your preferred form of exercise, Danse Royale Ballroom teaches a variety of dance styles to keep you in shape both physically and socially. Skatetown USA specializes in the old American favorite pastime of skate rental and rollerskating.
Special Interest

Craft-lovers are set in West Chester; there is a big Michael’s at Voice of America, Tuella’s Fine Paper and The Paper Place sell stationery and custom invitations and World of Beads has a colossal collection of jewelry supplies. Those who are musically inclined can take dance or music lessons at the West Chester Academy of Music. Moeller Music and Henderson Music Co. also offer instruction as well as musical merchandise and instrument repair.
Shopping

If an item is on the market, there’s a very high chance you can find it in West Chester. There are three main shopping centers: The Streets of West Chester and West Chester Towne Centre (both at Union Centre), and Voice of America Centre (at Tylersville and Cox Road). Contained within those retail plazas are popular chain merchants such as Barnes & Noble, Target, TJ Maxx, Panera, and Starbucks. Independent stores are not the norm here, though you can find some specialty shops, such as West Chester Cyclery, Nyla's Flowers, Yuppie Puppie's Dog Grooming and Wine Cart.
One of the area's main attractions (besides the giant shopping centers) is the first IKEA to be built in Ohio. This celebrity of European home furnishing stores is a huge draw in the entire city (and beyond) and, with its play area and space-age style restaurant, serves as a popular date spot and family outing for many.
Personal Care

Manicures, new hair styles and spa sessions are all easy impulse-buys in West Chester; the area is full of venues to primp and polish. Some of the most popular salons and spas include: Ambience Salon Spa, Renew Salon and Skin Spa, Mitchell’s Salon & Spa, Village Spa and Mandarine Hair, Foot and Body Spa. Manicures and pedicures can be found at most any salon, but is the house specialty at Studio Nails, while tans are the currency at Sun Spot Tanning Resort. Those who seek Botox, glycolic peels, facials or waxing can visit N’Vogue MediSpa, while therapeutic massage is available at West Chester Therapeutic Massage. If your clothing needs a touch up, Lu Alterations & Tailoring can transform your hum drum outfit into a perfectly fitted fashion statement.

One of the most popular social activities, if not the most popular social activity in West Chester, is dining out. Ethnic cuisine is abundant – from Casa Tequila (authentic Mexican) to Soho Japanese Bistro (sushi), Asiana (Korean), Bravo! Cucina Italiana (pasta), Thai Taste (Thai) and P. F. Chang’s (Chinese). Sports fans will enjoy casual fare while taking in the game at Willie’s Sports Café, Buffalo Wild Wings and Champ’s. For classic American grub, there’s Fratelli’s New York Style Pizza, Back Porch Saloon and plenty of traditional chains like Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s. Coffee can be found at Tazza Mia as well as four area Starbucks – and those that like to brew at home are encouraged to purchase from a local whole bean dealer, Coffee Affair.

When you’re in the mood to eat in style, White House Inn, an old mansion converted into a restaurant, offers refined fare, while Mesh, the most upscale restaurant in the area, offers a luxurious dining experience and an innovative menu. When it’s time for dessert, The Cone, housed in a giant ice cream cone shaped building, is a great summer attraction. There is also the local favorite Graeter’s, as well as a Cold Stone Creamery. One thing to keep in mind when dining on weekends in West Chester is to make reservations whenever possible, as many restaurants can have lengthy wait times.

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West Chester Township has been named by Money magazine as one of the 100 best places to live in America. West Chester was noted for its community gathering center, The Square at Union...

West Chester

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