dwirthwein

7-8 months ago Michael Symon hinted at opening a new restaurant- S&P Smokehouse- in CLE. Tonight he Tweeted about BBQ and I asked for update on S&P and he Tweeted back "gonna happen no worries" so that's good news. Originally sometime in 2012 was noted :but who knows. The new casino garage corner spot would seem a great location.

Beachwood Place is struggling to attract Beachwood Place type stores in recent years so hard to think TC woukd attract them instead.

The "Why Cleveland?" vid I recently found on CWRU's site - is a nice piece that plays against perceptions... http://case.edu/thankscle/

Another restaurant company that is said to be looking for space in CLE for 2012 or 2013 opening, based on info I found: https://www.coopershawkwinery.com/ just announced a Columbus location

Sawyer tweet has now disappeared...

Jonathon Sawyer tweeted that he was looking at new restaurant space and indicated that space had been vacant 17 years... wonder where that coukd be....???

I pray Tower City (The Avenue) can return to a hint of its former (short-lived) glory - but does anyone really think today's consumer will travel downtown to go to the same stores as in suburbs? Especially when the one-off exclusives and luxury will continue to end up at BP, Eton, Legacy, Crocker, etc... - since they're the lowest risk - leaving the same old Gap (which is past prime), BR (which is struggling), Abercrombie (struggling, too,. wrong crowed for casiono spin-off), etc... Here's the mix that might work... First best = the outlets/factory store center that have been noted here before... anchored by Bass Pro or a major draw often seen at outlets, etc... Posters will say it economically doesn't work out - outlets can't pay city rent - but empty spaces and little consumer traffic don't ecomonomically work out for FC either, so they can't charge too much yet - plus outlets have become more regular businesses, not just to sell closeouits... Outlets in Lodi are bad. Outlets in Aurora are better - but far for most (I know, that's the idea...). These would be a huge draw... Second best = create entertainment area with stores - Move Improv to TC, Dave & Busters... draw Lucky Strike or bowling alley (sorry, Corner Alley), revamped movie theater (though I doubt Cleveland Cinemas has the $ to do much.. but what do I know...), other interactive type of entertainment (glow in dark mini golf, etc...), marquee retailer or two that can be convinced (American Girl, Nike Town, etc.. to come), destination chain restaurants that draw (Rainforest Cafe, et.c.. though past its prime, T-Rex Cafe, etc....) - and make it a can't miss - something for everybody spot... perfect complement to downtown casino, downtown games, convention traffic and for folks of all ages, too... Let the fun begin... Just thoughts...

Sasa owner opening new place here. Has been no mention of it moving, to my knowledge.

Stopped by the new Burntwood Tavern in Solon last night... a former Max & Erma's, opened in recent weeks. Hadn't loved the one here in Chagrin in several visits in the 2 years its been open - but it's small and always packed so have tried to give it more tries than we've able to get it.. Solon spot is much larger - and hadn't planned to go so soon after opening - but, driving by last night, the large, rustic looking covered patio was crammed full of folks and drew us in. They've done wonders with the space - dimly lit and vibey with metal mesh light shade over the booths/tables and free-form blown hanging lights over the beautiful copper-topped indoor/outdoor bar... Re-purposed wood everywhere... just looked super - at least during the hustle and bustle of a busy Saturday night... The food, however, once again disappointed - though the menu has changed for the better since my last Chagrin visit- and is very reasonably priced - with choices from sandwiches to full meals..... Only 1 of 3 dishes - tasty and juicy Angus sliders - was something I'd have again. The small chopped salad my wife had is stolen directly from Bravo - where the local owners formerly worked - and isn't half as good as the just decent on there - plus was poorly plated (small, flat circle of greens on a too-large plate) to make the portion look skimpy - even for the modest $5 cost... Tuna nachos - rare tuna on crispy wontons with spicy aioli - looked tasty (served on a rectangular piece of slate) and would have been good - if the kitchen had ever heard of salt and pepper... literally none on them... Better once salted... (though it took two tries to get a salt mill with salt actually in it..). (Oh - and this is another one of those restaurants - getting more common - that offers to make any side/appetizer salad into an entree by adding chicken, etc... for $5 more or whatever... but then doesn't change the portion side of the original salad... so you've basically got a side salad with chicken as your main course... making salad eaters 2nd class citizens...) So, we were underwhelmed.. but place looks so good and inviting - that we'll have to go back.. This might be one of those spots where we'll just have to find the right thing - the thing we like, that is done well - and stick with it.. So far, not having much luck...

Love or hate Eton (love or hate suburban shopping...) - Stark's transformation of that strip center/lame indoor mall - from nearly empty white elephant - to busy retail center - appears to have been very successful. As for high end equating to empty - Mov2Ohio is correct on the Somerset south building... always slower... and I, too, have seen the same at Phipps, Tysons, South Coast Plaza, King of Prussia, Short Hills, etc..... But I'd also point out that SouthPark Mall (mid-level stores) - always seems so much busier than Beachwood Place - at least much busier in traffic - with teens and families cruising the mall, not necessarily buying. Hard to get a parking space on Friday/Saturday night. But the shoppers at Beachwood Place, though far fewer, so often seem to have packages in their hands - something my wife and I have often commented on - whether country club matron, soccer mom or sagging/sideways hat wearing teens.

I see a "CR" on door... so that's why it's "Cowboy Rock" - so they don't have to remove all those "CR" logos... THAT's cheap, too...

Looks like police running radar from behind a billboard...

With Tiffany & Co apparently now coming, a revitalized/more lively (still not perfect) inside mall, Free People/Allen Edmonds/bluemercury/Dino Palmieri/La Bella Vita opening -and just a few vacancies left - Eton appears to have turned the corner from this 2009 article... Indigo Nation leaving Eton Chagrin Boulevard, will be fifth store to leave since January 1 "It's always empty. I never see anybody in the stores," said Christiana Jones of Shaker Heights. She takes her children, Hudson, 2, and Eva, 1, to Eton specifically because it's so quiet and they can run around without bumping into anyone. http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/03/indigo_nation_leaving_eton_cha.html

Well Eton would seem to have the right formula going for success. Always seemingly busy... But without some extra room for (not inside) stores - and parking - the growth can't continue much longer. Valet cars already parking across street some nights... I've gotten the last space in entire lot a few times... (way over past Kilgore Trout). I drive by early many mornings - this morning included - and always more than a bit put off by the dozens - maybe 50 - retail/restaurant employee cars taking prime spots in middle - or even front spaces - of lots. Stores not open yet - so can't blame customers (other than Stone Oven). Employees should banished to far, far away to park...

mrclifton88... I agree on the past thread news that Tiffany didn't want space.. but the 5/10/12 date on this - well after the upthread comments - makes me think otherwise... don't know the shopping center game- but taking that brochure around without a commitment from the retailer noted would seem poor form... And prior to May, Berger said they weren't going anywhere... and now they announced last month they are closing...

This May Eton leasing brochure is likely what the Stark folks would have taken to the shopping center convention in Las Vegas a month ago... If Tiffany coming is true - a huge coup for them... But for Tiffany to pass up Beachwood (which has several good spots open either for Tiffany or to move other tenants) for a spot between B-Spot & Menchie's - hardly the co-tenants they'd normally seek - seems an interesting choice and casts some further doubt on the appeal of Beachwood Place and Legacy to retailers... Also, Eton has little outdoor/high profile room for further luxury tenants right now, especially adjacent to TCO... So the Burberry or Vuitton, etc... that might have said, "Tiffany is there, now we should be too" - won't have as easy a choice, unless Eton expands (Stark owns down to corner of Brainerd, I seem to recall, including buying those apartments a few years ago, I thought...).. Less spinoff potential for other retailers, I'd say... Negatives: PARKING at Eton is already a tough one at many times... Parking garage, anyone? SMALL STORE - Tiffany's Cbus/Cincy stores and Pittsburgh stores are around 5,500 to 6,200 sq ft or so... with full lines. This store is the new concept smaller store- 3400 sq ft in this case - like recent openings in Richmond, Salt Lake City and smaller ones in Santa Monica, Glendale and Baltimore (to complement other stores in those areas..) These smaller stores were originally reported to have focus on silver - not engagement rings, etc... though when in them, they are more contemporary and "fun" - shall I say - than some of the older, more formal Tiffany stores.. and, at least judging by what I recently saw in SLC, appear to perhaps do away with some of the extraneous viewing rooms, service areas, bathrooms, to save space and $ vs. actually cutting the assortment in a big way... With that said, the Fidelity Investments at Eton is right in front - and needs to move to make way for stores... and the former Design Within Reach is currently housing piano store - that says it's moving inside - so that leaves open a big 9,100 sq ft space for work this Summer.. let's hope... West Elm anyone?

Just found Stark's current Eton leasing brochure online - dated 5/10/12.... Tiffany & Co (3,400 sq ft - their new, smaller footprint store) - shown in soon-to-be former Berger & Silver... Well, there's some news.... http://www.starkenterprises.com/properties/downloads/eton_brochure.pdf Tiffany said in a filing in March 2011 that most new stores opening in 2012 and beyond would be about 2,900 to 3,500 square feet

Hopefully soon this will be old news - and we'll only have to wonder what flag the Kimpton property will fly --- Hotel Palomar, Hotel Monaco, etc... - or maybe the local touch - Hotel Schofield...

Ruth's Chris... CLE still only top 35-40 or so city without one... since their departure from Eton, in part due to flap about Fleming's being allowed in over a technicality (different building = not same shopping center) or so it was rumored...

M&S bombed here - so doubt they'll re-enter... I was talking about Granite City looking at former Beachwood Place M&S space...

5/20/12 from Rocco Whalen... how'd this go undetected... hmmmm Rocco Whalen ‏@Rock1chef In other news Cadillac Ranch downtown is now called cowboy rock, anyone ever been? I have not cadillacs and cowboys? I never would have ..

More on Granite City posted in CLE restaurant thread...

Taking Cadillac Ranch talk over here... Granite City Brewery - I'd suggest they're looking at McCormick & Schmick's site for their stated CLE opening in 2013... Know they were looking Beachwood-adjacent at part of another large space vacated in last 18 months or so..

I think these are the ones bought by Granite City - though not sure if they are turning into brewpubs or staying Cadillac Ranch... CLE Ranch has own website.

This would be a great Dave & Buster's space...