European-style dining coming to Newport

Newport's riverfront will soon get a new restaurant, Amanda Van Benschoten writes:

NEWPORT -- Two well-known Northern Kentucky restaurateurs are bringing a new concept to the Northern Kentucky riverfront: European-style dining aimed at busy young professionals.

Detlef Koeppe and Marcus Repp, the men behind the newly-revamped Steinhaus in Florence, plan to open Factory in the ground-floor retail space at Monmouth Row, the upscale apartment complex in the 400 block of Monmouth Street in Newport.

The concept is influenced by European cafes and diners, especially those in Koeppe's native Germany.

"It's a very new concept which we'd like to try to bring into the U.S.," he said. "The clientele we are targeting is young professionals who work all day, then come home and don't want to sit in the kitchen and cook. They can pick something up and make it at home, or sit there and have a bottle of wine or an after-dinner drink and a little nibble."

Factory will offer both ready-to-eat meals for the grab-and-go types, as well as a gathering spot over a cup of coffee or an after-dinner drink for those who want to linger and socialize. The space will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a garage-door-style window that can be opened during warm weather.

Koeppe said the menu will also be aimed at young professionals, with lots of light, healthy fare. (Though German pastries will, of course, also be available.)

Factory will be open to the public as well as to Monmouth Row residents. It could be open by the end of the year.

With its views of the Cincinnati skyline and proximity to Newport on the Levee, Monmouth Row is aimed at young professionals and empty nesters.

"In add to being a great amenity for our tenants, I think it's going to be a great addition to the community," said Matt Olliges, property manager for developer Towne Properties.