dwirthwein

My guess is B Spot is out at casino and S&P ( that appears to be the name, likely for parners Symon & Petkovic) is in. Just a hunch. Casino BSpot location was always mentioned but "in" casino was never clarifie, unless it was to be parr of food court, which had local places mentioned. In bottom of new casino parking garage at Ontario and Prospect is my guess, as there is a high profile restaurant space in ay there. Menu for S&P is more like Bar Symon, which he said wouldn't be tried again in CLE... Maybe B Spot ends up in last spot on 4th or on Euclid. Only thing that throws me is his statement of CLE proper, not "downtown" unless that is to avoid giving away casino location to not steal announcement thunder from casino at later date. Hope this is happening, though. Some may remember earlier this year the Symon team noted an east side Symon pizza place would be opening by November... Then The Chew happened, etc... And no further talk of pizza.

Looking through liquor license applications tonight and noticed that Bar Louie has a 12/22 application for the 9 Main Street space at Crocker Park, which is currently Blake's Seafood... Guess Bar Louie has now made the Hyde Park folks 2 offers they couldn't refuse in 2011...

I can't imagine rents currently in place to keep TC mall occupied with 2nd-3rd rate tenants could be that far off what a major national chain would choose to pay for outlet space in a unique setting like this... Upscale outlets = huge draw = slam dunk success. So, they're not in the country - so what? Time have changed. Outlets aren't what they used to be - places to dump things that didn't sell. Most of today's major retailers have calculated/profitable plans for their outlet business and paying a bit more for rent in a city center might just make sense. Cleveland has a major outlet gap... Aurora/Lodi don't cut it..

Love Bruell restaurants. My menu complaint deals with the unchanging menus - both what's on them and the often tattered, physical menus themselves - that have been in place at L'Albatros and Chinato pretty much since opening. Nothing is ever different/seasonal and I've had wrinkled/worn menus handed to me any number of times. I comment on it to my wife virtually ever time I'm at one of those places. Not the right impression to give in a day when many restaurants print their own new menu daily, based on ingredients and without a used look.

A Wolfgang Puck Express (fast casual restaurant with salads, pizza, etc..) already opened this past Summer if that's the one you mean. Wolfgang christened it along with other chefs in town for the UH benefit he's a part of ever two years.

Interesting full page ad on back of Chagrin Valley Times newspaper today. It was an ad for Berger & Silver jewelers at Eton that said, "Let Florida Wait. We're not going anywhere" - and then says "Still Cleveland's Jeweler Since 1914." The entire ad has a Tiffany blue background... - almost a nod to the rumors noted a few pages above about Tiffany & Co potentailly wanting their space - and seemingly a confirmation they are not closing... Hmmm...

I'm sure not for ball caps (ever) - and intentionally ripped jeans come/go in style - but i agree on the overall sloppy dress point. At the same time, things HAVE changed... Even servers at places like Lola - the most high profile "fancy" restaurant in town - wear jeans and Converse, etc.. And you'll find diners there dressed in every manner possible - suits and cokctail dresses to tan pants/button down shirts - to casual shirt and jeans - and yet most all of them are a step above the servers in dress.

I agree. But then that leaves it as a "normal" mall - and we have plenty of those around here. To make folks want to go downtown to shop at Tower City - not just to go to the casino and then to mall, but to go downtown to shop at TC - it has to be something compelling. That gets back to the super outlet mall concept... There could be plenty of luxury AND mixed merchandise in a facility like that... enough for all - casino goers, suburbanites, visitors, etc... This makes no sense. First it an outlet mall, now its a "super" outlet mall? Come on?? This isn't the place for that, based on the post above, then we need to have flagship stores (barney's Brands, gucci, Betsey Johnson, Carolina Herrera, DVF, Prada, LV, etc.) that are (new) to the market along with basics like (The Gap Inc stores, Zara, Limited Brands, Kenneth Cole, club monica, etc.). The outlet stores could be in the various Arcades, but not Tower City. I'm not going to see a Nordstroms and Nordstroms rack across from one another. That is not "mixed" retail for a mall like Tower City. But if Cleveland doesn't have Betsey Johnson, Prada, (a freestanding) Louis Vuitton, Barney's/Coop, Zara, Club Monaco, Kenneth Cole (or Tommy Bahama, Cole Haan, Puma, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Tory Burch, American Girl, West Elm, Cartier, Madewell, etc, etc,) already - and we don't, as you know - then I just can't imagine a casino opening is going to bring them to Tower City when nothing else like them exists there. Be the development guy who pitches that to the retail company president... There is NOTHING I'd love more - but... But all/most of those have outlets - upscale outlets/factory stores that I've been to in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, upstate NY, Chicago, Atlantic City, etc... - and THAT coudl get done. Add in Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris', The Palm, Daily Grill, Seasons 52, Palomino, Texas de Brazil/Fogo de Chao, Roy's - and some of those other key national upscale chain names that will mean something to conventioneers - and NOW you've got something for locals and visitors alike. th

I agree. But then that leaves it as a "normal" mall - and we have plenty of those around here. To make folks want to go downtown to shop at Tower City - not just to go to the casino and then to mall, but to go downtown to shop at TC - it has to be something compelling. That gets back to the super outlet mall concept... There could be plenty of luxury AND mixed merchandise in a facility like that... enough for all - casino goers, suburbanites, visitors, etc...

So wouldn't it be a general feeling that Gilbert will try to buy the mall, too - so then he owns the casino, the hotel, the mall/the access to casino phase 2?

check their website... (Oh, wait....)

Closed/revamped - I love the space but doesn't it need a transformational makeover/change to usher a new era. Luxury retailer A is not coming into mall with empty spaces and discont retailer B and C.. Close it.. refresh it - launch as new shopping showplace with all new tenants.. Basic look/feel remains the same...

Hey - I'm not against downtown retail - and I'd hate to think I'm anything like those naysayers who mark all thoughts as "won't work in Cleveland.." - that's not me. I'd have loved to see Stark's WHD Pesht work - and it may very well have revitalized retail singlehandedly - but it would have been a huge, new, all-at-once $1B solution. Unless Tower City were closed and revamped into a signature showplace - and maybe it could be done - retailers, in my view, will play it safe and go east/west to the places we'd expect.

NEO is the most under-upscale-retailed metro in the country bar none... So many big names we don't have that areas half our size do have - Columbus, Indy, Pittsburgh, etc... Burberry, Container Store, Tiffany - way too many to list... But if and when those stores come -and it's hard to believe that the sheer size of the area hasn't convinced them there are consumers here - their surest bet is east side, based on other tenants... If it takes Tiffany 150 years to put a store in Cleveland, I can't imagine Tower City is their 1st choice...

Same for the E 4th site.. The Marons have the development thing down - but need some serious website help...

I certainly know the general operating theory of outlet malls - and keeping them away from cities - putting them on the metro fringes or further. With that said, Tower City's casino-adjacent location is just wating to be re-developed - but since it was in its prime, Beachwood Place has strengthened, Legacy Village has been built, Eton has been revitalized (= nothing short of amazing), SouthPark and Crocker Park have gone up - and so forth. This leaves little/no room for most of the types of tenants they would want to go after for a mall these days - especially uppper end regular price retailers - which will focus towards similar retailers, east and west. Trying to convince Banana Republic, etc... to go downtown again, after failure, may not happen. That leaves the interesting thought of an outlet mall... - or rather convincing an operator/retailers to a city center a try - maybe the first of its kind. Cleveland's suburban outlets pale in comparision with those in other big cities - Lodi and Aurora are 2nd rate - both in size an tenants... If you could bring the usual outlet suspects to Tower City - add in outlets not found locally yet (Burberry, Lacoste, North Face, etc..) plus the addition of a powerhouse anchor or two, like Bass Pro (often in outlet malls) or Last Call Neiman-Marcus, etc... - it could create a whole new type of outlet situation. Would become a major regional draw. I'd also bet that outlet stores like North Face, Lacoste, etc... would not be any closer to their regular price cousins than they are already at suburban outlet malls in places like Chicago, etc...

Eton: a dumpster showed up this past week in front of part of former Ruth's Chris in middle of center next to Penzeys, vacant since steakhouse closed I think, though interior side was salon until recently.. enough space for Tiffany. Eton is busy but off many people's radar I'm guessing. Not sure that is best choice for a draw like that. parking very tight often. Any La Place, Legacy or Beachwood Place rumors, anyone? Borders space at La Place? joseph-Beth at Legacy? Subdivision of those,spaces likely?

Fat Fish Blue sure was lively tonight when I went by. I assume that if it were always that lively, they wouldn't be shutting down. Noodlecat, on the other hand, was only about 1/3 full at 7 pm when we left tonight (Sat)... even less full for half our visit - though nice to see a number of families and larger groups there. Liked it much better on 2nd visit (with tweaked menu) than on first back in August. Hopefully, the casino's proximity will change its fortunes, if other things don't first.

Was nice to have a chance to stop by CLE Clothing and Dredger's Union on E 4th after dinner at Noodlecat tonight. My first visit each to the 2 stores - 2nd to Noodlecat. Dredger's Union was pretty much what I'd hoped - sort of a home-grown Anthropologie... and my wife found a great winter coat there after looking all day at Beachwood Place/Legacy... so that was a plus. Store looks like a million, all things considered. CLE Clothing was fun - but the space is about 4x bigger than they currently need right for the quantity of goods being sold... Sparsely merchandised. Looks empty... I'd fill it with SOMETHING... even just Cleveland favorites they dont' manufacture (Eulcid Beach popcorn balls, stadium mustard, etc..) More than anything I'd be worried you have to sell a whole bunch of t-shirts (and they really didn't have THAT many different kinds) to pay for that space... Thought the dark CLE+ Visitors Center offices were a shame. Where are the window mounted HDTVs with CLE+ videos playing, etc... Frankly didn't look for the scrolling sign - it might have been on - but sure didn't notice. The "enter from next door" cheap signs poorly taped to one of the doors looked awful.. (said something about Sports commission). Needed life...

Century was super and elegant. We used to go for Saturday lunch - reasonably priced for what it was and delicious. Took our young daughter and they made her feel like a princess. Really nice. Served simple syrup with iced tea vs. just packets of sweenter. Fussy (in a good way) service. They had a great bento box option... really nice. Always sparse crowd though. Crab cake was memorable. It closed, what, 5 years ago - and then was Bice for a year or so - and now has been vacant perhaps 3 years...

Nick & Tony's

Regarding Tiffany & Co's smaller stores - the stores noted above in Richmond VA, Burbank CA (and also Jacksonville FL) range from 2500-3500 square feet - with a more limited selection. that's what we hope we do not get here...

Based on demographics, past interest and all the things they look for in a location, Tiffany & Co. in Cleveland would almost certainly go to Beachwood Place or to La Place.. (which has vacant and highly visible space it needs to fill in the former 20K sq ft Border's space - or perhaps in the soon to re-tool Melange space... Both spots are very visible from Cedar Road...). Eton would be a 2nd choice perhaps - but a possibility due to the drawing power it has and fellow tenants. Legacy Village may have other plans for some of its vacant space - though the former Z Gallerie space, just reopened as a furniture store, might have a been a nice spot.. West side/downtown wouldn't be in their plans right now... The question will be what store/what size they build. The Cleveland/Akron/Canton area is the 16th or so largest in the country - but every other metro in the top 30 already has a Tiffany (including #30 largest Columbus).... I know this because I have been personally lobbying Tiffany for a store for years....and have kept track...) The average new Tiffany store in recent years has been about 5500-6000 sq feet, give or take, and has a large silver section, watches, some gift items, engagement rings and gemstone jewelry... Columbus' store is 6200 sq ft, Pittsburgh is 5,700, Indianapolis is 5,000 and Cincinnati is a now-huge 7500 sq feet. However, Tiffany has made it clear that they may open smaller stores in secondary markets (and as second stores in major markets) and these stores have lots of silver jewelry but much more limited gemstones and all the rest. These stores have opened in Richmond VA, Burbank CA, etc... Cleveland's size and demographics would certainly seem to warrant a full=fledged store, but you never know... It would be unfortunate if Cleveland got a Tiffany lite... it really would. FYI - if the store went to Beachwood Place and other tenants didn't move for it, the former Brooks Brothers spot on the main floor or the former Sony Style spot on the 2nd floor would be good/similar spots to other malls in which Tiffany is located... If McCormick & Schmick's closes at Beachwood Place - which isn't necessarily a stretch, based on their now very limited opening hours (no more Sat/Sun lunch.. Open 4-5 hours on Sunday) - that front of mall spot would be prime... For those who might want to see for themelves - here's a link to page with Beachwood Place leasing plans... http://www.ggp.com/properties/downloadable-information/beachwood-place (this is what I read in my spare time... seriously....)

Melange - is/was mediocre and odd... and taking up a highly visible spot at the corner of one of the busiest intersections in town. Hopefully, something much better will end up there and sooner than later. With the Border's gone, it will be interesting to see what shakes out at La Place, overall...

Noodlecat - must admit that on first and only try, I liked it but didn't love it as much as I'd hoped based on noodle bar trips in London, etc.. - which I've craved. Also, they were out of some things and it was a slow August night... and (despite the Noodlecat folks getting defensive about this online) - an objective observer might suggest the meats/fish/toppings were a bit on the skimpy side. Not for the price so much as for the appetite... charge more but give me more... I'd argue the menu could be made a bit more accessible to appeal to more here in the formerly noodle-free zone, though the restaurant has every right to serve as it chooses. With that said, menu has been overhauled quite a bit since then and looks quite different now and, frankly, pretty darned tasty. Steam buns, formerly just a happy hour item, are now on daily menu - though there's a rumor that one popular item (served with broth on the side and noodles in main bowl) - was taken off the menu because folks weren't eating it correctly.. (pouring entire bowl of broth into noodles...) Hope that is not the real story - I'd doubt most of us know how to properly eat the noodles.. Give us a break. Their daily specials, posted on Facebook, look great. Would love to go back soon - but am totally low carbing it right now, so noodles are not in the cards. The restaurant is making the case that yelp is taking all the goods reviews off thinking they are written by partial reviewers. Don't know about that. Restaurant is a few storefronts away from E. 4th - where it would probably do quite a bit better - though once casino opens, I think the whole restaurant scene will be re-set - and these places nearer Public Square positioned beautifully for that - being the closest non-casino restaurants.