As a downtown retailer, I'm clearly interested in what is developing in the downtown area in both the residential and retail marketplaces.  Recently there was a residential project announced for the Southeast corner of East 18th and Euclid.  As I understand it, the Planning Committee has asked the developer to consider or incorporate some street-level retail to the project.  Since my interests in the project are not design related, it was suggested that I pose my retail questions in another thread.  So, here are my questions to the group:

 

1.  What types of retail need to be present that are not already there in the downtown area of Public Square east to East 30th Street?

 

2.  Is there enough existing retail type store-fronts to support these new retailers?

 

If the moderators of this forum feel there is a better place for me to post this topic, please feel free to make the move.

 

Thanks!

As a downtown retailer, I'm clearly interested in what is developing in the downtown area in both the residential and retail marketplaces.  Recently there was a residential project announced for the Southeast corner of East 18th and Euclid.  As I understand it, the Planning Committee has asked the developer to consider or incorporate some street-level retail to the project.  Since my interests in the project are not design related, it was suggested that I pose my retail questions in another thread.  So, here are my questions to the group:

 

1.  What types of retail need to be present that are not already there in the downtown area of Public Square east to East 30th Street?

 

2.  Is there enough existing retail type store-fronts to support these new retailers?

 

If the moderators of this forum feel there is a better place for me to post this topic, please feel free to make the move.

 

Thanks!

I've long felt that downtown should pursue more local retail like they did with the CLE store. Since major retailers won't come downtown until we hit a certain pop. this is the next best option, it helps local businesses grow as well as creating a new vibe downtown. We can support retail already it just needs to be affordable retail (no $100 shirts).

 

I do believe and have said this before that downtown is turning into a food court and I don't believe much more restaurants can be successfully supported until a major jump in population in and around downtown occurs. I'm not a fan of all of these restaurants opening simply because it is taking up potential retail spots once we hit that magical number.

 

That being said we still have a good amount of empty storefronts left to fill with clothing establishments (up until CSU turf) but that all depends on the dimensions these retailers are looking for which may decrease the number. I've also said for a while that Tower City needs to be re purposed into something else and the national retailers left should come and fill tge streets downtown to create this major activity. I've never been a fan of an indoor mall downtown it's like an activity vacuum.

 

In the end I feel if downtown wants to be serious in filling these storefronts with more than just food establishments they can (look at 5th street arcades) it just takes the effort.

As a downtown resident, I would love to have a hardware store.

As the manager of a small nonprofit located downtown, I would love to have an office supply store like Staples. There is a FedEx/Kinkos on East 9th which offers printing/copying services, but we need office supplies. Most times I take transit downtown and I hate riding the Red Line out to Staples at West 117th to bring back big bags of stuff, sometimes including heavy reams of paper, on the train. I won't even think about trying to squeeze bags of heavy merchandise on the #81 bus from Steelyard Commons to downtown, though I've seen people do it.

As a downtown resident, I would love a Banana Republic.

If I were a downtown resident, I think a home-goods store would be near the top of my list.  Medium- long term, a new-build Bed Bath & Beyond north of PHS that's walkable for downtown residents but has limited parking for nearby city residents, would be awesome and maybe not totally unimaginable if the population of young middle class residents in the core neighborhoods continues to rise.

 

As a downtown resident, I would love to have a hardware store.

 

This is a good one, and could also be said for Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway, etc.  Sadly there's seem to be almost no neighborhood hardware stores left in the city.

There is no better way for tourists (or locals for that matter) to meet new people than a cigar lounge. If there were a nice big one with comfy couches, wifi, BYOB, a fireplace, perhaps a private room in the back, perhaps a seasonal fenced backyard, sports playing on HD, then that would get some serious patronage.

 

The one in Ohio City is pretty good; model a downtown shop after that.

NEEDED: Zara, Banana Republic, J Crew, American Apparel, H&M ... I could go on.  As a downtown resident, I get so angry every time I have brush off my car in the snow and drive 25 min to Beachwood, Strongsville, or Westlake to buy things like socks.

 

(Speaking of American Apparel - how is there not one in Ohio City yet? :wtf:)

 

Once that stretch of Euclid between 9th and CSU is renovated I really think it would be perfect for some upscale retail.

NEEDED: Zara, Banana Republic, J Crew, American Apparel, H&M ... I could go on.  As a downtown resident, I get so angry every time I have brush off my car in the snow and drive 25 min to Beachwood, Strongsville, or Westlake to buy things like socks.

 

(Speaking of American Apparel - how is there not one in Ohio City yet? :wtf:)

 

Once that stretch of Euclid between 9th and CSU is renovated I really think it would be perfect for some upscale retail.

 

There was a Banana Republic in Tower City Mall for years before closing a while ago. Most of those stores would return to Tower City before taking up storefronts on Euclid.

 

I wouldn't mind a hardware store, but nearly all of the housing downtown is apartments. Tenants aren't going to replace or repair anything in their apartment.

 

Like StrapHanger mentioned, a small-scale Bed, Bath, and Beyond would probably do well. Some place that sells towels, shower curtains, and other smaller furnishings that apartment dwellers routinely need.

I wouldn't mind a hardware store, but nearly all of the housing downtown is apartments. Tenants aren't going to replace or repair anything in their apartment.

 

There are other things in apartments that break, need improvement or need to be built that aren't owned by apartment building's owner, like furniture, shelves, electronic equipment, decorations, wall pictures, lamps, etc.

There are other things in apartments that break, need improvement or need to be built that aren't owned by apartment building's owner, like furniture, shelves, electronic equipment, decorations, wall pictures, lamps, etc.

 

A small hardware store downtown won't have any of those things. Maybe we have different ideas of what constitutes a hardware store...

^I think KJP means those are things that renters own and which often need repairs, not that hardware stores sell them.

 

That said, there are some pretty good hybrid hardware-home good stores in other cities, or even hardware-basic furniture stores, which might be useful downtown.

^I think KJP means those are things that renters own and which often need repairs, not that hardware stores sell them.

 

That said, there are some pretty good hybrid hardware-home good stores in other cities, or even hardware-basic furniture stores, which might be useful downtown.

 

Fair enough. I misunderstood.

I've always wondered why there wasn't an Office Max or Staples downtown. I work in a big organization, and we order out of a catalog and have stuff shipped to us, but I remember working downtown 25 years ago when we would run out to Burroughs for some supplies.

 

I wouldn't mind a hardware store, but nearly all of the housing downtown is apartments. Tenants aren't going to replace or repair anything in their apartment.

 

There are other things in apartments that break, need improvement or need to be built that aren't owned by apartment building's owner, like furniture, shelves, electronic equipment, decorations, wall pictures, lamps, etc.

 

I feel like most furniture and shelves come with the basic tools required to assemble them now. Anything else needed could probably be picked up at CVS.

 

And with Home Depot nearby, I doubt any hardware stores will end up opening downtown. I do think having Home Depot is a plus though as it serves a lot of neighborhoods that didn't have anything like that before.

How about a City Target?

As a downtown resident, I would love to have a hardware store.

 

 

YESSSSS! Definitely at the top of my list for downtown retail needed. Although the home goods store is up there too. Clothing retailers, while still needed, are not as high on my list. I'm a guy...I do my clothing shopping three times a year haha.

 

How about a City Target?

 

YES.

Since we already have a Heinen's on the way, I'll leave out groceries.  Here's my list, yes I am a Downtown resident, no I'm not a big shopper.  Not in order:

 

-Discount department store (between the coming Heinen's and if we got something like Target, that would take care of 95%+ of my shopping)

-New and used bookstore and CD/record shop

-Electronics/computer store (there is a RadioShack, but I think RadioShack sucks)

-Mid-level department store (for the rare occasion when I actually buy nicer clothes)

-Hardware store (doesn't need to be Home Depot/Lowe's huge, just a small neighborhood place)

-Homebrew/winemaking supply store

-Music shop, one that specializes in used instruments (I've heard that a new place opened up in the Artcraft building, but I haven't had a chance to get there yet)

 

 

As a downtown resident, I would love to have a hardware store.

 

Yes! An ACE Hardware or something would be perfect. When I started moving in I was surprised there wasn't already one there. Perfect for people moving in, and realize they forgot simple things like tape measures, hammers, nails, etc.

I'd say...especially women (living/working downtown, tourists, convention goers), would need a place to get better cosmetics like a department store would have, maybe like a Sephora (which still doesn't cover many upscale brands). Last time I was in town I forgot something, and there is nowhere to buy Clinique Downtown. My friend came down from Detroit for work once, and complained she couldn't get MAC Downtown.

How about a City Target?

 

I always think the May Co building would be perfect for a city Target after seeing this one open in Downtown Portland http://www.kptv.com/story/22919707/city-target-opens-in-downtown-portland-today

yeah definately a serious hardware store with some specialty stuff home depot doesnt have.

 

what would be great for now and fun would be one unique destination draw retail store, like a uniqlo or topshop or something. practical and not too expensive, but unavailable elsewhere in the area. and outside, not in tc. that would draw in the younger suburban shoppers too and get them excited about downtown (thus conteracting some of their parent's opinions).

A follow-up question to muddy the water--

What impact has or will the World Wide Web have on the future of bricks & mortar retailers in the downtown Cleveland area?

 

In my opinion, the WWW is the main reason we don't have a major office supply store in the downtown area.  Most companies just place orders online and the product is delivered the next day.  Retailers that deal in commodity type products such as books and office supplies are the most susceptible to decreases in in-store traffic due to the ease of shopping online.  Bottom line, a medium blue ink ballpoint pen is the same pen no matter where you shop.  The same can be said for the latest Stephen King novel.  This is a trend that shows little sign of reversing.

 

So, look into your crystal ball and project which retail categories or service businesses will be less impacted by the ongoing shift to online shopping and will then provide stability in the downtown area.

A follow-up question to muddy the water--

What impact has or will the World Wide Web have on the future of bricks & mortar retailers in the downtown Cleveland area?

 

In my opinion, the WWW is the main reason we don't have a major office supply store in the downtown area.  Most companies just place orders online and the product is delivered the next day.  Retailers that deal in commodity type products such as books and office supplies are the most susceptible to decreases in in-store traffic due to the ease of shopping online.  Bottom line, a medium blue ink ballpoint pen is the same pen no matter where you shop.  The same can be said for the latest Stephen King novel.  This is a trend that shows little sign of reversing.

 

So, look into your crystal ball and project which retail categories or service businesses will be less impacted by the ongoing shift to online shopping and will then provide stability in the downtown area.

 

Very true. Although a lot of people buy clothes online now (I have to sometimes to get the right fit) I believe most people shop in person for three reasons. The experience, the social aspect (girls like to shop with friends), and to try things on.

 

I think the number one thing downtown needs is clothing stores. Clothing stores aimed at women even more importantly. Teenage and college aged girls, probably even into their 30's, will go anywhere to go to a unique (chain but not american eagle type chain) clothing store they love. They take their friends, parents, boyfriends, etc. I think this would be the best way to get a large number shoppers downtown that would totally change opinions and attract other retailers. Females also seem to shop more, and like shopping more even if they aren't buying anything.

I'd say...especially women (living/working downtown, tourists, convention goers), would need a place to get better cosmetics like a department store would have, maybe like a Sephora (which still doesn't cover many upscale brands). Last time I was in town I forgot something, and there is nowhere to buy Clinique Downtown. My friend came down from Detroit for work once, and complained she couldn't get MAC Downtown.

 

Not that it helps now, but there was a MAC store in Tower City that closed about three years ago :-/

The other reason there is no Staples type of store is that most companies that are downtown are large enough to make significant use of ordering in bulk.  The rents are likely too high for smaller companies that would use a brick and mortar store. 

 

Also, regarding the hardware store, while it would be nice to have I have to wonder where most of their profit is made.  They can't be making much on a $0.05 nut, or even a $10 hammer.  Likely their main profit centers are on bigger items.  So even for a small shop this will mean electrical tools, which besides a drill I'm not sure what item an apartment dweller would need.  Certainly not any yard tools.

 

I feel that a City Target, or even a Bed, Bath, and Beyond, would solve many of these wants.

The other reason there is no Staples type of store is that most companies that are downtown are large enough to make significant use of ordering in bulk.  The rents are likely too high for smaller companies that would use a brick and mortar store. 

 

I think there's a lot more smaller businesses downtown than you may realize. In the older office buildings, most of the tenants I've seen are small businesses and nonprofits. And I can't tell you how often I run out of something unexpectedly and need new mailing labels, paper, toner cartridges, etc. ASAP. I can't wait a day for a web-order delivery.

^ does cvs downstairs have any of that?

^ does cvs downstairs have any of that?

 

They have paper and sometimes the right kind of mailing labels, but that's about it. An office supply store has a much wider variety of the things we need.

As a downtown resident, I would love to have a hardware store.

 

Yes! An ACE Hardware or something would be perfect. When I started moving in I was surprised there wasn't already one there. Perfect for people moving in, and realize they forgot simple things like tape measures, hammers, nails, etc.

 

Check out Sutton Hardware on Prospect not far east of downtown.

 

3848 Prospect Ave

Cleveland, OH 44115

Open

7:00 am – 5:30 pm

 

suttonhardware.com

 

One of my favorite hardware stores in town. 

Target would be my choice for general retail... Hardware is tricky because either you have local mom & pop type places (ie Shaker Hardware, which is a friendly neighborhood institution my family has patronized since I was a kid), or you've got Lowes or Home Depot, which are big boxes that aren't compatible with downtown (although both NY and Chicago, ... and even D.C. in the Georgia-Petworth neighborhood have certain big box brand stores built in an urbanized, sidewalk context). 

 

I don't mind chain youth-oriented clothing stores like H & M, Urban Outfiters and the like, and these should all be along lower Euclid....

 

Also, I wonder why Cleveland seems immune to 7-Eleven.  We're one of the few cities, especially downtown, that has none.  They fill a lot of quick, mainly food, needs and they're always open. 

 

BOTTOM LINE is that downtown has SO MANY retail holes in it, it's really hard to say where we should begin.  As good as downtown is as a foodie place -- and it's come a looooong way to get where we are now, it'll never progress where it needs to be without some level of retail beyond what's in Tower City.

^ hear hear! bring on the residential and the retail will sort itself out. however, there areholes, like office supplies, hardware, 7/11, target, etc. that seem to be missing and needed now. and in the meantime i really think one interesting and unique to the area retail store like topshop or superdry or something would be fun, popular, talked about and a great draw for the time being.

 

Definitely, something like a Bed, Bath and Beyond. From a female perspective I would say a nice nail salon and some boutique retailers. I've heard that Tower City use to have better retail, but I actually think that putting things in the Galleria Erieview would be nice. Hopefully once the YMCA is built, new retailers will follow.

 

Long-time downtown worker here, suburban resident. I just came back from being on medical leave for surgery, and have ZERO Xmas shopping done. If there were decent options, I would have gone out at lunch and bought Xmas presents for my husband (thinking something like gloves and a hat, not $$$$ but not dime store cheap either, the kind of thing you could have gotten at Higbee's/May Co back in the day) and something for my 4-year old son (Children's place is too expensive for me, something like a baby gap or old navy would be ideal) as well as a liquor store or book store to pick up a couple of other gifts for family coming in, and I'd have spent each day downtown at lunch shopping. I'd much rather do that than spend my precious evening/family hours out at malls and such, but I sat here and thought about it, and thought, "there's no place to buy anything like that" so I didn't bother going out.

 

By way of further explanation re: discussion above about online shopping, my credit is pretty maxed, so I do more shopping in person instead of online because I use my debit card or cash instead of credit, and I won't use my debit card online.

There is a fantastic liquor store on West 6TH.  Tower City has several Men's clothing stores including Brooks Brothers. There are also several stores for children's clothes and toys. Tower City has 75 stores, so there probably is something for you. Finally, there are Men's clothing stores around downtown such as across from the Wyndham, in the Huntington building, and in the Hyatt, to name a few.  There are a few boutique stores scattered around. West 9th, 5th Street Arcade, and the Statler Building are a few places that come to mind.  I agree that shopping downtown is sub par, but there are some options.

Welcome back, rockandroller!

 

You should be able to find those gifts at Tower City, like at Dario, Manhattan, Champs or Play Ball (those last two have much more than sportswear!). I'm sure you get gifts for your husband at Brooks Brothers but that's probably too expensive. Check the store directory at:

 

http://www.towercitycenter.com/directory

Hey R&R, here's an idea for your hubby, the C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream at Bath & Body Works at Tower City...it is an excellent product! They always have sales there too.

 

C.O. Bigelow is an Apothecary in NYC, but B&BW has an agreement to sell it.

 

http://www.bigelowchemists.com/c-o-bigelow-products.html?gclid=CK6uhN6dtrsCFY47Mgodn2IAiA

 

They seem to always have "buy 2 get one free" on C.O. Bigelow...so I also recommend the MENTHA Body bar soap...it is exfoliating for dry winter skin and has peppermint oil that wakes you up.

Thanks. I don't buy skin products that contain chemicals like the stuff sold at B&BW but appreciate the suggestion. I will head over and look at Champs and Play Ball, I assumed those were just sportswear.

RR you mentioned a bookstore.  You might want to check out the gift shop at the Cleveland Public Library "new" building.  They sell hundreds of new and used books. Not as good as a bookstore, but last time I was there I purchased several books.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that. I do like that little shop.

Until today, I hadn't been in the Fifth Street Arcades since before Thanksgiving. I was blown away. The place is bursting with retailers and shoppers (at least during the lunch hour). It was awesome to see. I strongly suggest you pay it a visit to the H-shaped arcades.

Until today, I hadn't been in the Fifth Street Arcades since before Thanksgiving. I was blown away. The place is bursting with retailers and shoppers (at least during the lunch hour). It was awesome to see. I strongly suggest you pay it a visit to the H-shaped arcades.

 

It has always been busy during lunch time due to it being a good cut through, and the food court and Vincenzas Pizza always had a constant crowd. If be interested to see how it is later in the day. Last time I was there the Euclid arcade was still dead but the colonial arcade looked a lot better. It was at night so a lot of things closed making it sort of dead but id still like to see it around the evening rush hour.

I walked through it at evening rush hour yesterday. Most stores were closed....

 

 

I walked through yesterday at 6:30 and everything was closed.  It didn't seem like there were any vacancies on the side I walked through though.

I walked through yesterday at 6:30 and everything was closed.  It didn't seem like there were any vacancies on the side I walked through though.

 

Most of the spaces have been leased at no cost or very little cost I believe. This is in hope that some of these places will make money and eventually be able to pay rent. It's also in hope that a more active space will attract new tenants who can pay, and the non paying tenants would be easily kicked out.

Does it typically take a really long time for a certificate of occupancy for a small business? I saw on Coquette Patisserie's FB page (https://www.facebook.com/coquettepatisserie?ref=br_tf)  that they are bursting to open and have all other papers in order but are waiting for the city to issue a certificate of occupancy. Is this something that's usually lagging behind all other efforts? Hate to see a small business ready to go so close to Xmas with customers who want to patronize the shop but something like this holding them back.

Is this a new build, or were there renovations? the CO is something the city issues once construction is complete. The city inspector verifies that everything is up to code, etc. then allows the building to be utilized. In that case, yes, it would be the last part of the puzzle.

 

Does the city have a law that requires a new CO for leasing purposes?

I don't know the answer to those things, unfortunately. It looks as if Twitter has caused some movement, Cimperman and the City responded to Coquette's tweet about this problem that tagged both of them. Hopefully they can push through the rest of the red tape.

Is this a new build, or were there renovations? the CO is something the city issues once construction is complete. The city inspector verifies that everything is up to code, etc. then allows the building to be utilized. In that case, yes, it would be the last part of the puzzle.

 

Does the city have a law that requires a new CO for leasing purposes?

 

Typically a change of use requires a new C/O, and in this case, it is a change from residential/common area (not sure exactly) to retail/restaurant.  FYI, this is the retail tenant in the old Maximum Access of Ohio building on Euclid at Uptown that you had some insider info on before it started being converted to market rate/student housing last year. And I'm excited about this place so I hope it gets its C/O soon!