New ramp opens up new possibilities

WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) - They know a thing or two about mixing things together at Bernstein's Fine Catering, but there was no recipe that could make the road construction outside their building any easier to swallow.

"It was very chaotic," says Lauren Baumgarten. "We had some disgruntled customers to say the least."

Now with construction officially finished Friday at the new Interstate 75 ramp at Central Avenue and South Dixie Drive in West Carrollton, those at Bernstein's say all the ingredients are there for them to succeed.

They tell 2 NEWS the ramp not only decreases their delivery time but increases their exposure.

"People can see us coming in off the ramp and say, "Oh, Bernstein's Fine Catering. I have a wedding coming up. Let me see what's going on,'" Baumgarten says.

But Bernstein's is far from the only beneficiary.

All over West Carrollton you can find banners with the slogan "Excitement is Building".

The city is moving forward with plans for an Entertainment District along the river, but what will bring people there won't be boats.

"The interchange makes it all possible," says City Manager Brad Townsend. "It is the catalyst and the key."

The $26 million project, which made the West Carrollton ramps all-access, wasn't without its construction controversies, including a time when mixed-up drivers made one neighborhood their own personal drive thru when they went the wrong way and had to turn around.

"You go into the store and see the sign, 'excuse our mess, we're trying to make your store better.' Same with the highway," says Randy Chevalley with ODOT District 7.

But all that's in the past now as workers laid down the final touches of paint and the ribbon was cut Friday at a ceremony.

Now the only mixing and merging will be done by the caterers.

"With this interchange it's going to bring a wealth of new customers we hope and new opportunities for us," Baumgarten says.