CINCINNATI, Ohio — An old jail in Ohio that shut down almost two decades ago is back open, but not for inmates. It’s now a space for small businesses. 

What You Need To Know

  • What used to be the Queensgate jail in Cincinnati has been sitting empty for decades, but it was recently given new life for businesses 

  • Each jail cell was turned into a space for small businesses now known as the Linncinnati building 

  • One of those businesses is Keke's Publishing, where the owner is starting an after school tutoring and educational center 

Jacqueline Beckum had no idea that the front steps of a jail would lead straight to her future in business.

It’s where she met Kelly Bullock. Their husbands were jailers, and the two became friends and now business partners.

Jail cells from what used to be the Queensgate jail in Cincinnati are now the Linncinnati building. Seven floors of small businesses fill each space. One of them is theirs: Keke’s Publishing.

“Our goal was to make sure that we create literature that all kids can see themselves reflected in, as well as stories that they can relate to," Bullock said. 

The former teacher says that started in 2020, but now that they have space in the old jail, she’s got bigger ideas.

“Our learning space will actually become the center of this floor," Bullock said.

She says it will be an educational center for tutoring and extra classes that they’ll run together.

“It's exciting," Beckum said. "We're so happy that this has come together that we'll be able to bring children and students into this space and teach them, which is our love."

For more information about Keke's Publlishing, click here.