Mayberry and Mayberry Foodstuffs grocery owner Josh Campbell and his business partners are opening a new restaurant, the Skinny Pig, in East Walnut Hills.
Campbell, his business partner Jerry Murphy, and sous chef Kevin O'Connell signed a 15-month lease for a 750-square foot space at Desales Corner. As its name implies, the Skinny Pig's menu will specialize in pork but also include flatbreads and salads. Campbell said the restaurant will open in May seating 28 on the inside and 25 outside in an expansive courtyard that will feature an outdoor grill and live music on the weekend.
Because downtown Cincinnati has seen an increase of new businesses, Campbell and his business partners decided it would be a smart business move to chose East Walnut Hills.
"It's an up and coming neighborhood with a core community and a set of people who care about the community. They look out for one another there. It's a great neighborhood with great architecture and a great location, sitting next to O'Bryonville and Hyde Park," Campbell said.
Campbell has an extensive background in the restaurant industry working and learning the trade in Florida and the Bahamas. After working at five star restaurants and preparing exotic menus that served various celebrities, the Cincinnati native decided to move back to his hometown to bring something unique to the urban core.
"I think it's important that we still open mom and pop places. Everything that I have opened is small. My first restaurant seats 20 people; my grocery store is 600 square feet. Skinny Pig is as large as I'd like to get," Campbell explained. "If there's too much space and not enough people, it's hard to support a business in the urban core."
According to Campbell, he believes it is very important for an individual to see and experience what the world has to offer beyond the walls of Cincinnati, and then bring those ideas back to the city.
"My goal is to build a community and attract people who want to come and have a good meal. It doesn't matter who you are and I don't ever want to put the blinders on and attract a certain clientele, I just want someone to enjoy themselves and have good quality food," Campbell explained.
Writer: Lisa Ensminger
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.