Posted December 27, 201212 yr Any thoughts on the Lake Cinema 8 issues? I don't think the city needs to subsidize a movie theater (to the point of being a net loss) but if that isn't an anchor for downtown I don't know what is. It is responsible for almost all of my trips to downtown Barberton (save for a trip or two to the Magical Theater). I think it is unfortunate they haven't had more of a tie in with other downtown establishments; I vividly remember being down there for a movie on a Sunday and wanting to get something to eat and finding all the restaurants were closed. However, I read that the company/person that has leased it hasn't paid their $2,000 a month rent in several years. Given that $2,000 is such a nominal amount for a facility of that size and quality I would say if that is the case things must not be going well. I'm curious to see who/what they get to step in to operate it ... I sincerely hope it is something! I wonder if Cleveland Cinemas could make it work, especially since they are losing their lease in Chapel Hill.
December 27, 201212 yr It would be really helpful if you provided a link. I doubt most people are even aware of this issue. I'm curious because I'm from Norton and I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire there when I was in high school, and, most recently, I remember coming home to visit from LA and seeing the first Christian Bale Batman movie (Batman Begins?) there with my dad.
December 28, 201212 yr Here is the link to the formal request for proposals: http://www.cityofbarberton.com/govt/pdf/2012/Planning/RFPTheater.pdf Barberton residents show support of historic theater By Courtney Kerrigan Ohio.com correspondent The fight to save Barberton Lake Theater Complex follows reports that the theater will close by the end of the year. The current tenant, Phil Canfora Sr., said he was unaware the city is looking for a new developer to take over. “As far as we’re concerned, it’s not closing,” Canfora said, who has run the theater for 10 years with his son, Phil Canfora Jr., under his company Lake Entertainment Group Ltd. “It was reported by another news source and we read that in the paper and we’re astonished.” http://barberton.ohio.com/barberton-residents-show-support-of-historic-theater-1.351663
January 2, 201312 yr Barberton council to review theater options By Courtney Kerrigan Special to the Beacon Journal BARBERTON: City Council members will discuss the future of Lake Cinemas 8 at their meeting Monday night, and a vote is expected. The decision to find a new tenant for the theater came in mid-November, when Mayor Bill Judge put out a “request for proposed use” throughout Northeast Ohio to find new development ideas for the facility. Current tenant Phil Canfora was the only applicant for the theater space. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/barberton-council-to-review-theater-options-1.361913
January 3, 201312 yr I saw that as well. I don't think there is a huge demand for that kind of space in downtown Barberton. If the city and the guy that runs the theater can work it out I think that is their best option. He at least is interested in running the theater and it is probably the best thing they've got going down there. If not, all they have is an empty theater. Cleveland Cinemas seems to be well run and makes old school theaters work. I'm sure they are aware of the situation. I wonder what makes that space uninteresting to them, especially since they are losing their only outpost in Summit County.
January 3, 201312 yr It is surprising that there were no other offers, even for less money from a new operator. If the current operator isn't paying rent, I would think they could take anything they could get. National dialysis operator to open Barberton location By Cheryl Powell Beacon Journal medical writer A national operator of dialysis centers is starting its first Northeast Ohio location. U.S. Renal Care Inc. is opening a 13-station dialysis center this month on Third Street Southeast in Barberton. http://www.ohio.com/business/national-dialysis-operator-to-open-barberton-location-1.362141
January 11, 201312 yr Barberton’s Lake Cinemas 8 theater set to go dark on Tuesday Beacon Journal staff report Published: January 11, 2013 - 02:02 PM Negotiations between the operator of the Lake Cinemas 8 and the city of Barberton to keep the movie theater open have apparently broken off. Phil Canfora Sr., of Lake Entertainment Group, announced early today that Tuesday will be the theater’s last day. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/barberton-s-lake-cinemas-8-theater-set-to-go-dark-on-tuesday-1.364227 Stark State to open new site in Barberton By Carol Biliczky Beacon Journal staff writer Published: January 9, 2013 - 10:36 PM BARBERTON: Starting Monday, Stark State gets a new home for its Barberton satellite: the former National Guard Armory. The city’s Community Foundation invested about $2 million to buy and revamp the 57-year-old building at Norton Avenue and Barber Road for the two-year public college. http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/stark-state-to-open-new-site-in-barberton-1.363845 Barberton Mayor Optimistic On Lake Cinemas 8's Future Written by Aaron Coleman Barberton's Lake Cinemas 8 Theater will be closing it's doors on Tuesday, but the city's mayor is optimistic something can be worked out to avoid a permanent shutdown. Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, Barberton Mayor Bill Judge says despite the ownership saying the theater's days are numbered, negotiations are ongoing. http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/68679-barberton-mayor-optimistic-on-lake-cinemas-8s-future
January 15, 201312 yr Barberton Looking For New Theater Operator Written by Larry States Judge says most of the inquiries have come from private investors and developers, not movie theater chains. The Mayor, city council members and other city officials say keeping the Lake Cinemas 8 operating is important for the downtown area, because nearby restaurants and other businesses would be impacted by the theaters shutting down. Mayor Judge says potential operators and investors are aware of the need for the theaters digital conversion, and the cost involved. http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/69293-barberton-looking-for-new-theater-operator
February 13, 201312 yr Barberton’s Lake Theater may once again show movies By Courtney Kerrigan Special to the Beacon Journal BARBERTON: The marquee at Barberton’s Lake Cinemas soon might shine again. The Neighborhood Development Services group has announced it intends to buy Lake Cinemas 8 from the city for $545,000 and reopen the theater the first week of April. http://www.ohio.com/news/local/barberton-s-lake-theater-may-once-again-show-movies-1.372784
December 17, 201311 yr City to vote on purchasing vacant Barberton lot By Alison Stewart Special to the Beacon Journal BARBERTON: The future use of the former Oakdale Elementary property remains up in the air. Mayor Bill Judge said City Council would vote on making an offer on the lot during Monday’s regular meeting. Summa Barberton Hospital officials, who entered into a purchase agreement with the Board of Education in May for $73,000, are moving forward with a plan to turn the property into a parking lot. Hospital officials held a public meeting last week to work with residents who were concerned about the proposal. http://www.ohio.com/news/city-to-vote-on-purchasing-vacant-barberton-lot-1.452636
October 1, 20186 yr September 30, 2018 04:00 AM Naval nuclear supplier surveys $130 million investment in NEO STAN BULLARD Increased defense spending and revived nuclear energy efforts are prompting Lynchburg, Va.-based BWX Technologies Inc. to consider investing more than $130 million in its Northeast Ohio operations. BWXT, a nuclear operations and services firm spun out in 2015 from Babcock & Wilcox, has received approvals for tax incentives for its operations at 24703 Euclid Ave. in Euclid and at 91 Stirling Ave. in Barberton from city councils in both cities. If state tax incentives are approved by the Ohio Tax Creation Authority, perhaps at its next meeting in October, BWXT plans to spend $82 million in Barberton and add 88 jobs there. In Euclid, it would invest more than $50 million and create an additional 34 full-time jobs there. The jobs are expected to pay more than $70,000 annually, on average, according to material provided to the state. MORE: https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/naval-nuclear-supplier-surveys-130-million-investment-neo "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 1, 20186 yr September 30, 2018 04:00 AM Naval nuclear supplier surveys $130 million investment in NEO STAN BULLARD Increased defense spending and revived nuclear energy efforts are prompting Lynchburg, Va.-based BWX Technologies Inc. to consider investing more than $130 million in its Northeast Ohio operations. BWXT, a nuclear operations and services firm spun out in 2015 from Babcock & Wilcox, has received approvals for tax incentives for its operations at 24703 Euclid Ave. in Euclid and at 91 Stirling Ave. in Barberton from city councils in both cities. If state tax incentives are approved by the Ohio Tax Creation Authority, perhaps at its next meeting in October, BWXT plans to spend $82 million in Barberton and add 88 jobs there. In Euclid, it would invest more than $50 million and create an additional 34 full-time jobs there. The jobs are expected to pay more than $70,000 annually, on average, according to material provided to the state. MORE: https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/naval-nuclear-supplier-surveys-130-million-investment-neo That's good news considering the shift of office workers to Akron.
October 8, 20186 yr Akron Dish: Matchstick Kitchen coming to Barberton; Polish Oktoberfest; SHY wins at Hall of Fame; wine tastings and… By Katie Byard Beacon Journal/Ohio.com@KatieByardABJ Posted Oct 1, 2018 at 10:37 PM Updated Oct 3, 2018 at 11:21 AM We have some good news about Barberton’s food scene. The city was dealt a major blow last week when Babcock & Wilcox, its largest employer, revealed it is moving to Akron, taking about 600 jobs. The announcement didn’t faze Russ Deaton, who with his fiancé, Tina Buckler, plans to open Matchstick Kitchen + Bar early next year in an old brick storefront at 162-164 Second St. NW in downtown Barberton. https://www.ohio.com/news/20181001/akron-dish-matchstick-kitchen-coming-to-barberton-polish-oktoberfest-shy-wins-at-hall-of-fame-wine-tastings-and-clambakes
October 31, 20186 yr October 29, 2018 01:48 PM Barberton, Euclid investments weighed by BWX Technologies land state incentives Stan Bullard The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday, Oct. 29, announced it has approved job creation tax credits associated with proposed improvements in the Barberton and Euclid operations of BWX Technologies Inc.'s (NYSE: BWXT) Nuclear Operations Group by the Lynchburg, Va.-based nuclear products and services provider. BWXT, which is considering a total of more than $100 million in investments in the plants, told the state if it goes through with the plans, it would create 82 jobs and add $5.7 million in new payroll in Barberton, and 30 jobs plus $2.1 million in payroll in Euclid. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/nuclear-company-readies-130-million-investment-northeast-ohio
June 26, 20231 yr What to know about Main Street Barberton's new executive director and her plans Alan Ashworth Akron Beacon Journal So, you always thought downtown Barberton had a lot to offer and didn't get the attention it deserved? Main Street Barberton agrees, and now the group has a new executive director ready to put the spotlight on Tuscarawas and Second streets. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2023/06/26/a-fun-place-to-visit-main-street-barberton-director-has-big-plans/70346438007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
September 23, 2024Sep 23 Barberton Community Foundation will take more time to decide funding for new CIty Hall Alan Ashworth Akron Beacon Journal The conversation about how the Barberton Community Foundation can help the city fund a new City Hall took center stage Thursday during a meeting of the foundation's board. The issue has been simmering for months behind the scenes in the city of 25,000 residents. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/09/23/barberton-community-foundation-extends-talks-on-city-hall-plan-funding/75262397007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content List - Stacking - optimized&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
November 15, 2024Nov 15 'So close to reality': Barberton council takes another step toward new city hall Alan Ashworth Akron Beacon Journal Barberton City Council on Tuesday voted to support and authorize the mayor to request up to $500,000 a year for up to 25 years from Barberton Community Foundation for a new city hall project. A request of varying amounts had been considered for about a year for the $28 million project. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/11/15/barberton-reaches-milestone-in-long-effort-to-fund-new-city-hall/76264890007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content List - Stacking - optimized&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
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