Prominent Cincinnati nightclub operator plans new venues

Updates on Cameo nightclub shooting:

16 shot, 1 killed at Cameo nightclub in Cincinnati; suspects still at-large

Cameo nightclub shooting in Cincinnati: What we know now

Original story: OVER-THE-RHINE - Julian Rodgers has been a mainstay in Cincinnati's entertainment scene for the last decade as he promoted concerts and operated nightclubs around the city.

Chances are if you paid to see a hip-hop artist with national renown recently, Rodgers may have been involved in bringing the entertainer to Cincinnati.

But he admits 2016 may be his most ambitious year yet. After opening Over-the-Rhine concert venue OTR Live earlier this year, he's planning to open two more entertainment operations at the same site. That's in addition to managing Cameo nightclub on Kellogg Avenue in Cincinnati's Linwood neighborhood.

This summer, Rodgers is also helping launch a big music concert and a one-day festival focused on black chefs and restaurants. Cincinnati Summer Jam has hip-hop artists T.I., Young Jeezy and 2 Chainz among acts slated to perform July 3 at BB&T Arena at Northern Kentucky University.  Billed as the black Taste of Cincinnati, CincySoul is planned July 23 on Fifth Street Downtown between Vine and Walnut streets. Rodgers wants both to become annual events.

Rodgers is also targeting a relaunch of Joe's Diner, located at 1203 Sycamore St. in Over-the-Rhine, later this year.

"We're an intimate piece of entertainment in Cincinnati," he said. "I want this place to be better when we leave than when we got it."

The 41-year-old who grew up in Cincinnati's Evanston neighborhood didn't have a grand plan to enter the restaurant or nightclub business. After Rodgers, or Jay Rodg as many people call him, graduated from Withrow High School in 1993, he wanted to become a history teacher and studied at Ohio University.

But Rodgers later chose a different path. He has coordinated parties in his mom's garage in high school, but his first big opportunity came planning a party for his 10-year high school reunion. His nightlife career started with promoting parties in the early 2000s at a Downtown restaurant and nightclub called Bella, which was located where Nada is today at Sixth and Walnut streets. Talk to Rodgers, he'll tell you it's where he "cut his teeth" in the business.

"There weren't a lot of venues for young African Americans to meet on the professional scene," said Brandon Smith, a friend and adviser of Rogers recalls about Bella. "It was a unique experience. Those parties were legendary. The place would be packed from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. It had great DJs, great music, it was a great place to hang out."

Bella eventually closed in 2006, but over those years, Rodgers said he gained experience in managing a business, forming partnerships with radio stations in addition to civic and business groups, connecting with talent, and coordinating events.

But that business hasn't been easy for Rodgers. He's had a contentious split with an early business partner, multiple trade disputes and qualms with landlords and former employees. A dispute with former landlord Urban Sites eventually ended in the closure of Mixx Ultra Lounge in Over-the-Rhine in March.

Clubs come and go as an entertainment scene evolves and Rodgers has seen his share meet their ends including Whiskey Dick's (later Club Seven), Sugar Hill, Club Dream, and Club 221.

Rodgers said he prepared for Mixx's closure for some time, but had a deep connection to the venue. It was his investment group's first ground-up operation and it stayed in business for nine years. Mixx found a niche by serving sushi and attracting young professionals from around the region, he said.

"Mixx was the place you could get good drinks and kick it with whoever you wanted," Rodgers said. "We wanted it to be something for everyone."

But over time, Rodgers said long-time patrons told him they stopped going because the typical crowd skewed younger. He said the club changed to adapt. The dress code was relaxed over time, when years earlier baseball caps and gym shoes weren't allowed. Promotions were adapted to target younger club goers.

There was less competition for patrons on Main Street in 2007 than in 2016 as newer bars and restaurants in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown siphoned customers away. Smith said one of Rogers' strengths has been not being afraid to take risks and adapt quickly when mistakes are made. Edet Wettee, who has worked with Rodgers for several years, said Rodgers is like a "big-brother" type of person who is willing to help people.

While Rodgers looked for a new home for Mixx, he opened OTR Live as a live entertainment space that could house acts he or other promoters booked. He said OTR Live is a place where people can enjoy shows featuring performances from live poetry to music in genres from electronic dance to rhythm and blues. After hosting a New Year's Eve event with R&B singer Faith Evans, the 209 E. 12th St. venue had its big opening with rapper Rick Ross in March.

Now, Rodgers said he has a chance to launch "Mixx for 2016." Earlier this year, Rodgers leased the remainder of the property at 12th and Sycamore streets to open Remixx Lounge and Sushi Bar and an 8,000-square-foot outdoor patio he's calling Eden. Eden is scheduled to open in late June and Remixx, slated to be open seven days a week, could open in July, he said.

Rodgers said he wants to continue to promote diversity in Cincinnati's entertainment scene. He said he is proud to employ people and entertain scores of locals and people from out of town. It wasn't his initial dream, but he's happy to have found success and prestige in the community.

"Now that I'm in it, I feel like I was groomed for this my whole life," he said.