(Also on r/Bitcoin:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/24gx89/bitcoin_boulevard_us_launches_today_update_on_the/)
Just a reminder that Bitcoin Boulevard US launches today in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Many business are already open for the day, accepting Bitcoin starting today. In fact, I had a delicious egg/cheese/bacon sandwich and coffee this morning from The Katz Club on my way to work, paid for in Bitcoin.
https://twitter.com/CoinNEO/status/461854058928566272We are still waiting on word from Ohio about this alcohol situation, and for now alcohol will not be sold for Bitcoin. Katz Club will sell food and N/A drinks, but not alcohol. The Wine Spot, the flagship store for this project and the location for our kickoff event at 6:00pm this evening, is halting Bitcoin payments for the time being.
We are waiting minute by minute for word from the State, and we will make decisions about this as the remaining businesses open for the day.
At any rate, we think this issue energizes a debate that is precisely within the spirit of the Bitcoin Boulevard concept. We are challenging people to think about Bitcoin and become aware about its tools, methodologies, and relationships with banking and politics. This includes regulatory agencies, and is a required part of the Bitcoin adoption process, especially for small businesses whose entire livelihoods are at stake with these types of issues. All we can go on is the information we have at hand, being that Ohio is re-considering their position after exhaustive explanation this week from myself, which was reviewed by and augmented with information by BitPay. Thank you to all the help from Reddit, your suggestions have certainly been valuable.
We have not heard a new result yet from Ohio. This is a disappointment, but we think it will create a fascinating topic for our launch presentation.
Thank you to the journalists of the world press, from our local Heights Observer newspaper, to The Plain Dealer, Washington Post, WIRED, NPR, Bitcoin Magazine, CoinDesk, and many many more for covering our Bitcoin Boulevard US initiative with interest and objectivity. One major goal of ours was to provide some positive news for Bitcoin through awareness, education, and real world experiences. We succeeded in this goal far before today's launch event, changing what seems to be everyone's response in our community from "Are you crazy!" to "This is awesome!". We have faced almost none of the adversity we were anticipating. If anything, people are happy, excited, more informed, and supportive of our Bitcoin initiative and perhaps even more informed about various roles of digital currency. The merchants are absolutely elated by the brand awareness, and I thank them for joining me on this journey. Now we look forward to the responses as the rubber meets the road.
If you find yourself in Cleveland, or traveling through on I90 or i80, consider a stop for some refreshments and retail shopping! Let the merchants know you came because of Bitcoin, even if you plan on spending cash or credit card. Reach out and I would be happy to try and meet you.
-Nikhil
www.bitcoinboulevard.us https://www.facebook.com/coinneo https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bitcoin-Boulevard-US/1406240282972163
