eyehrtfood

Those Twinsburg roundabouts on Liberty and 91 are criminally small. Dangerous. Whether or not the traffic circles in, say, Pepper Pike at Lander are roundabouts or not - they are large, wide - understood by motorists - and work very well

With just 1 store in this metro area, at least to start, I'd bet that any of the east side shopping locations would have given Shinola relatively easy access to their existing customer base (my family, for one.. multiple watches, wallets, etc...... Love them!) It may be that Van Aken merely made the first, best pitch to them. The store was announced in Fall 2015... Shinola was still a limited-store brand then - maybe fewer than 10 stores... mostly in urban areas. Now they are expanding rapidly and to many suburbs and multiple locations in some cities.

Van Aken definitely has focused on local - with announced or soon-to-be tenants like Mitchell's and Cleveland Clothing... but with a nearly $100MM investment - needs to bring in customers... Also, in addition to local offerings, growing national chain Shinola (selling $500-$1000+ watches and leather goods) is long-announced as a key player in the development - and Genuine Pizza, from Miami, will be joining, too. Though originally a more urban brand, Shinola has been putting recent new stores in more high profile, new developments - like Easton in Columbus - more in line with Pinecrest - where it probably should be in CLE.. Perhaps my fear is that retailers like that won't find the traffic they need.

Sawyer's wife "Chef's Widow" - was, a few years ago, very visible and opinionated online/in social media (seemed to have a lot of opinions - like going ballistic online about Flip Side not allowing her kid to order a rare burger, due to food safety concerns, but thin-skinned about Yelp reviews, online criticism, strangely...)- but then went quiet. Can't recall if the below was called our previously on this board - but, if not - it could explain a lot about the Sawyer restaurant challenges ($$$). This was written awhile back - and was never "continued" as promised... but... See the "So You Want To Open A Restaurant" 2nd post down middle of her page: http://www.chefswidow.com/ Also, I have found it interesting that Noodlecat,. which clearly never caught on downtown, opened at Crocker Park, the most commercial/suburban of locations - which seems to go against everything independent and urban and non-chain Sawyer seems to have openly stood for for so long.

While even a retail-lover like me thinks it would have been better off for Pinecrest not to have been built (by merely adding the dozens of missing retailers and restaurants that most big metros already have - but Cleveland lacks - to Eton, Beachwood Place, Legacy, etc...) - this notion that too much dead or under-leased retail space of any kind means no specific kinds of retail of any kind should be built seems flawed. There are still 3.5-4.0MM potential shoppers/diners within an hour or so of Pinecrest (which looks pretty well done to me...) - and, like it or not, retailers who want to be here - and who shoppers will flock to (REI, Vineyard Vines, etc...) may have already passed on locations in the aforementioned centers due to lack of spaces with specific co-tenants nearby, etc.. even though vacancies exist. Retailers don't lower their standards even if the public at large doesn't understand that logic. Eastgate and Oakwood Commons and University Square and Miles/Brainard strip centers - or even Great Lakes Mall - have almost 0% to do with the kind of retail that exists (or customer who shops) at Eton, Legacy, Beachwood Place or will be going into Pinecrest. Jumbling traditional strip center or old developments or fringe-area shopping centers with upscale, mostly-leased (always in flux.. always), centers in areas with extremely attractive demographics, for any market, is like saying there should be no new homes built in, say, Pepper Pike - a well-off community of large homes - because there are so many inexpensive, small, vacant homes in inner-ring Cleveland that could be occupied. The two have virtually nothing to do with each other. It's true, however, that there are simply too many strip centers... mid-level retailers... and other where it was once thought a city like CLE needed 20 locations - when 5 would have done. (Most of the Legacy, Beachwood, Pinecrest, Eton retailers and restaurants will have 1 or 2 stores in the entire market - not one on every corner - geared toward consumers with money to spend on brands and experiences). This ain't Subway and Great Clips and Walgreens we're talking about... The project I REALLY think that should have been re-thought and scaled down is Van Aken. Though I love the idea of a town center for Shaker - this is a very big $100MM risk for an area that is a bit off the beaten path - even for people not far away, like me (in Chagrin Falls - only 25 mins away, due west) but will be in direct, upscale competition with the nearby/more accessible/more advertised/more visible Pinecrest, Beachwood Place, et al... all of which will have similar retailers. I fear Van Aken will be the loser in this bunch - though I hope I'm proven wrong.

The Rodizio Grill spot was a curious Valley View/Cinemark-adjacent location choice for a pricey, somewhat special occasion Brazllian steakhouse (in direct competition with the larger, better Texas de Brazil in Woodmere and Crocker Park). With that said, this chain is having issues and closed other locations around the same time - including one in Cincinnati, as well as some past locations. so appears they are having growing pains in other places, too.

I recall that IKEA has, indicated they want something central to NEO and accessible to Akron/Canton. The more things move away from 480/77 and towards downtown/Steelyard, or far east or west, the less appealing the site is for the overall NEO market. As for metro Milwaukee (1.5+ million smaller than NEO) - those not familiar with the metro or the IKEA store location in Oak Creek, a southern suburb (I lived in MKE for 5 years) - should understand that MIlwaukee is as short a drive (an easy 40-60 mins) for those in northern Chicago suburbs - as those suburbs would often be to the original (of 2 in Chicagoland) Schaumburg IKEA store, in moderate or worse traffic. This is really Chicago store 2.5.

Travel writer Susan Glaser, at the PD/Cleveland.com, seeking input/story ideas... (No shortage of ideas, here...) "CLEVELAND, Ohio - Air service options in Northeast Ohio have changed dramatically in recent years: There are new airlines, cheaper fares, fewer nonstop destinations. Some of this has pleased air travelers, some of it has frustrated them. I'm interested in taking a closer look at the evolving state of air travel in the region, including service offered from Cleveland Hopkins, Akron-Canton and other local airports. But first I'd like to hear from you. What topics would you like us to explore? Are you interested in stories about destinations, fares, low-fare airlines vs. legacy carriers - or something else? Please share your ideas atFacebook.com/susanglasertravel, email me at [email protected] or call me at 216-316-6959." http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2017/10/calling_all_readers_share_your.html

Since Fairmount Properties is developing a Silverspot luxury theater at their Pinecrest - and is or was involved with FEB, my guess is that this may be a Silverspot. If so, its a great place... with legit restaurant and comfy, lounge-like theaters with concession bar for (reasonably priced!) drinks, etc. A definite draw... www.silverspot.net

Amazon could have five facilities next to each other and it might not matter. They all do different things. If there is a west side location being discussed, it could be a Prime Now hub to complement the Twinsburg sorting center and Euclid delivery center already running and the two new facilities just announced (noted in the PD as small package centers, bit one could be a large package pne, etc...). NEO will have exactly as many as needed to support 4MM people, to be sure. Amazon's pretty good at this! As comparison, I see indianapolis, for instance, has at least 5 different amazon warehouse facilities - and they have about half NEO's population. I really just can't believe these close-in mall properties have found a use. Kind of unbelievable, really, isn't it? May not win the HQ2 competition but CLE has kind of already won.

I'm told the smaller Amazon delivery station you note is already operating in Euclid (I actually received a shipment from it last week per the Amazon tracking info provided to me..) - though there has been little press on its existence. This new facility is a full blown fulfillment center that's actually a bit larger than North Randall, depending on how you count the square footage.

Here's Michelle's story from today about the Transportation Blvd/480 NW corner Bridgeview land finally approved to change hands - in as little as a week or so... Perhaps we'll hear more soon... http://realestate.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2017/09/bridgeview_crossing_site_in_ga.html

I believe one never-leased spot between Dante's and Magnolia remains - plus the Willeyville spot. I have seen, in past lease maps, a Kilwin's chocolate/ice cream shop on the FEB map, as I often see in resort type places. Though real retail is preferred vs another bar or restaurant, a place like Kilwin's or the Peace, Love, and Little Donuts mini-chain from places like Kent might be a good "treat" fit.

THIRSTY Dog is supposed to open next to Dante but close :) Supporting PoshSteve on this: This week's Crain's piece on the Dante's Inferno pizza opening (which I just checked again) does, indeed, refer to the coming, adjacent tenant as "HAPPY Dog" though I can only assume they mean the previously announced "Thirsty Dog".

No clue on Seasons 52. Haven't heard their name tied to mall for a few years - though sister restaurant Capital Grille, originally named for mall lot along with Seasons, appears to be doing quite well... so... Mall architect said several more restaurants to be announced soon at La Place drawn (his words) by Container Store presence coming vacancies. Note: There is a "new" restaurant right now at that Cedar/Brainard corner to be noted (Legacy) - in that Brio has changed concepts (one of 4 testing this, nationally) from "Brio Tuscan Grille" to "Brio Coastal Bar and Kitchen." Remodeled interior and exterior and new menu.

Beautiful job on the presentation. The Weston development looks/feels especially like the main Amazon campus in South Lake Union, Seattle, as does the general layout of that area. And though I know of no current, major rehabbed space among Amazon's multiple downtown SEA facilities, most newly built, one of their early offices was a beautiful old hospital building overlooking downtown Seattle (= May Company in this scenario...) where I used to visit during their early years - and they frequently took a floor here or there in Key Tower type buildings, etc... Only in the last 6-7 years did "new" and "Amazon only" come into play with their buildings. C'mon, CLE!!!!!!!

I know this Arhaus "flagship" store plan went before the Lyndhurst Planning Commission a few weeks ago. I have not heard timing (opening this year?) or square feet (current store is, say, 10-12k sf) or if this will be a two-story store like some newly built ones - thiugh believe it will go from front to back (main street from leasing plans I have seen) . At one point I hear Arhaus was thinking 20K at 2 story store at Pinecrest. I still wonder if a Maggiano-less front Beachwood Place entrance becomes a new concept 50K sf multi story Restoration Hardware "RH Gallery"... as a Beachwood RH relocation has been rumored for some time - as well as Pinecrest for this new store type.

The stat that matters is that there are 4 million people living within 75 miles of Public Square. End of story. So true. And that oft-cited 2.1MM "Cleveland" MSA doesn't include any part of Summit County... which begins only, what, a 15-20 min drive from downtown CLE?

One requirement for Amazon HQ2 location is (relative) site adjaceny to an international airport. Knowing the buying and trade show trips (Germany, China, UK, etc...) my Amazon buyers take regularly and the diverse nationalities of many of the Amazonians I work with (Egyptian, Indian, Mexican, Canadian, etc..... many of whom travel back home for several weeks a year) along with site visits in the US to Amazon and vendor facilities, nationwide, one shouldn't underestimate the importance of a serious roster of non-stop international and domestic flights in this process. Outside of the top 10 metros, not many cities could equal what SeaTac provides Amazon currently. Doesn't exclude markets like CLE, who will have some international non-stops ans decent domestic connectivity, but the largest markets would have a serious plus on their side I feel.

Most Amazon buildings I go to in Seattle are 8-10ish stories with parking beneath.. they likely have 10-15 of these... with a few 30+ story buildings thrown into the mix. All current ones in their main South Lake Union/SLU complex were new builds. No rehabs. Easy to walk from nearest to furthest in 10-12 minutes... past the multitude of new restaurants and services that open in or near each new building. I would liken their current campus area to the CLE area from Public Square to the FEB/Browns Stadium. There are non Amazon buildings within campus... but fewer and fewer.

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/six-cities-amazon-consider-second-headquarters/

I have been selling to/visiting Amazon's Seattle offices regularly since 1999 - seeing first hand what they have done to (most recently) a large section on the former fringes of downtown Seattle. The buildings. The businesses. The housing. The people. Incredible... If a Chicago or Atlanta type city gets this new HQ, it will be a big deal. If a smaller or up and comer gets it - it will be unbelievably game changing. Transformational in a way nothing else could be.. A non growth city could be a growing, destination city instantly etc.. I would say a Nashville type of city is more in tune with their current setting/culture... and that major cities like those noted above always have a shot. But what Amazon could do for Cleveland or Detroit etc... Great PR for them. Well. It's worth our city's time to put in an offer.

eyehrtfood. I recall it mentioned a year maybe 2 that Bomba was supposed to open there (although initially reported by a "Paladar exec" that Bomba would open in the current Paladar space with Paladar moving to Pinecrest), but is there still room for a tavern there? Happy about 3 Palms as I thought it was a cool concept in Hudson, just wish Shaker could have snagged it. Interesting and odd about Maggiano's There was a rumor of Paladar moving to Pinecrest a year or teo back as noted but think only a rumor. Nada "Modern Mexican" appears to be long on the Pinecrest leasing map - and similar enough to Paladar - and that may have caused the confusion about Paladar moving. The Cedar Creek run Tavern at La Place apparently will go into the space next to Cedar Creek/patio that was the former Omaha Steaks and some adjoining spaces. Addition of 300+ square feet on Cedar side as part of this. Bombs also building an addition on side of 1200 sf?) The Hello Bistro quick service concept from Eat'n Park will likely go between Bomba and massage place fronting Cedar. Several other restaurants to be announced at La Place the GGP architect said during planning meeting last week..i think likely taking Williams-Sonoma space and maybe Pottery Barn Kids (if it moves to Pinecrest with the already announced Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma). Maggiano's? Beachwood Place itself has never been successful with full service restaurants and La Place gives great visibility(Nordstrom cafe aside... But it's a different, lunch and early dinner focused idea...)

Bomba, the taco/rum restaurant from the owners of Paladar, will be opening in the former Sushi Rock space at La Place in Beachwood. Cedar Creek Grille is still planned to build a tavern BB&L (or something like that) in the front of La Place, adjacent to Cedar Creek. This from the Beachwood planning meeting last week. Maggiano's in Beachwood - continues to place want ads for several positions (hosts, etc...) - including a few ads recent days - despite a stated closing in 3 weeks (no mention of this in the ads..).. Odd to hire vs overtime or temps.. They may be closing - or moving at some point - but sure seems point to some other arrangement after end of Sept. We'll see. 3 Palms Pizzeria (from the Flip side folks) and Nada (from Cincinnati) also appear to be opening at Pinecrest. Plus, a strong rumor that a Nespresso coffee bar/store will open there, too. Cooper's Hawk Winery/Restaurant - opening south of/across Harvard from Pinecrest in new Orange South section of Chagrin Highlands.

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018... $5.5MM in incentives. (This section deleted to soothe my new friend Pontiac51. Sorry P51...)