Well, there used to be high-end retailers at Tower City, not sure if any are still there.   Might have been able to attract more customers there vs. Euclid Ave due to parking and RTA access.  And the premises could have been better secured to prevent theft.

Cleveland needs to focus on their outdoor areas before we try to reload Tower City. Tower City would be better served by filling the shopping center up with things that cater to the demographics it houses. Focus on retail that people in the hotels, apartments and to a lesser extent office workers would find useful.

Honestly if we don't have an entertainment area in it I feel that a Small format Home Goods/TJ Maxx, H&M Home, etc. would be great there.

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15 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Tower City would be better served by filling the shopping center up with things that cater to the demographics it houses. Focus on retail that people in the hotels, apartments and to a lesser extent office workers would find useful.

Which is what Forest City should have done instead of trying to emulate Beachwood Place.  And perhaps it should have been on a smaller scale with 2 levels instead of 3.

1 hour ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Which is what Forest City should have done instead of trying to emulate Beachwood Place.  And perhaps it should have been on a smaller scale with 2 levels instead of 3.

 

I'm not sure there are many remaining, thriving, mid-large sized indoor malls in the downtowns of any city in the US... (Boston is probably one on the short list...) Many cities tried - including CLE, Columbus, Indianapolis, Seattle, and others. Some exist in altered forms. Some were torn down. Tower City is not unique in its decline

1 hour ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Which is what Forest City should have done instead of trying to emulate Beachwood Place.  And perhaps it should have been on a smaller scale with 2 levels instead of 3.

 

I used to go there for lunch during the late 90s.  It was probably the right business model at the time.   There were more affluent people working downtown, it always seemed busy (at lunchtime at least) and there were plenty of nice stores.   Loiterers (the bane of indoor malls) hadn't discovered it yet, apparently.    I would go there instead of Randall which took nearly as long to get to and was already yech.

 

The last time I went down there was October of 2018 (thanks Facebook, lol) to take my daughter up to the observation deck.   It was already pretty seedy.

And speaking of Tower City...

 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/11/tower-city-adds-shake-slide-apple-jax-toys-mike-the-hatter.html

I take my 3 yo on the Red Line from Lakewood to Tower City each week.  We usually get a snack, visit Public Square, and go to the kids room at the library.  It's one of her favorite outings.  I'd love to see more emphasis on family-friendliness downtown (playgrounds, kid-oriented restaurant, regular Water Line access to the Science Center, etc).  Let's make sure the next generation loves this city as much as we do!

Edited November 14, 20231 yr by Blimp City

Awesome.   Albeit temporary:

https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/11/23/big-fun-cleveland-heights-reopening-pop-up-holidays/

 

Big Fun in Cleveland Heights reopening as a pop-up for the holidays

 

Published: Nov. 22, 2023 at 11:24 PM EST

 

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) - Big Fun, a toy store and vintage item shop, is reopening as a pop up for the holidays.

Owner Steve Presser is excited to give customers of all ages this gift of nostalgia.

 

“What’s wonderful is I get to make people feel happy again and there’s no better joy for me than to do that,” Presser said.

The store was open for nearly 30 years on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights before closing in 2018.

 

“This is like family and home, and I had a lot of stuff in my warehouse, so I figured what the heck, a pop-up store for the holidays, perfect,” Presser said.

The WSJ says Ikea has worked the bugs out of its downtown-format stores, sizing them to carry about 25% of what its big-box suburban stores carry. 2024 will be the year of the big rollout.  

 

Maybe this time ...

 

https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/how-ikea-downsized-to-go-downtown-5b5d79ca?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

^ Based on that, where would be a suitable location for them downtown?

1 hour ago, LibertyBlvd said:

^ Based on that, where would be a suitable location for them downtown?

It'd have to be somewhere with access to a lot of public parking because it'd be a destination for the area for sure.

It'd have to be somewhere with access to a lot of public parking because it'd be a destination for the area for sure.

With the vacancies opening up and adding up the May Company building would be perfect imo. Especially since it used to be a department store. Centrally located in downtown, by public Square and attached to a building with a public parking garage.

If we were to look outside of Downtown I'd say the Artisan. Relatively close to the Opportunity Corridor, attached to a parking garage and located in an area that is booming with apartments and now for sale homes with Hough, Circle North and now East.

Wild card would be Tower City Center. It has stores with large floor plates and size that could be combined, located by parking that could be validated, for shoppers that would be buying small things it's located on the rail lines. The uniqueness of the store, the draw of it would be a catalyst to Jump start the mall to be something unique all over again and could make Tower City a destination again.

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3 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said:

With the vacancies opening up and adding up the May Company building would be perfect imo. Especially since it used to be a department store. Centrally located in downtown, by public Square and attached to a building with a public parking garage.

If we were to look outside of Downtown I'd say the Artisan. Relatively close to the Opportunity Corridor, attached to a parking garage and located in an area that is booming with apartments and now for sale homes with Hough, Circle North and now East.

Wild card would be Tower City Center. It has stores with large floor plates and size that could be combined, located by parking that could be validated, for shoppers that would be buying small things it's located on the rail lines. The uniqueness of the store, the draw of it would be a catalyst to Jump start the mall to be something unique all over again and could make Tower City a destination again.

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Given that the vacancies in the May Co are largely limited to a Taco bell, I don't see where they have the space in that building to build out an Ikea Store, even if it's a smaller format version. Where are you getting the idea it's vacant enough to house an urban Ikea?

1 hour ago, Mov2Ohio said:

Given that the vacancies in the May Co are largely limited to a Taco bell, I don't see where they have the space in that building to build out an Ikea Store, even if it's a smaller format version. Where are you getting the idea it's vacant enough to house an urban Ikea?

 

The entire Prospect side is vacant. Their leasing page lists a few big chunks of space that could be combined.

 

https://www.themaycleveland.com/retailopportunities

Edited January 5, 20241 yr by Mendo

7 hours ago, Mendo said:

 

The entire Prospect side is vacant. Their leasing page lists a few big chunks of space that could be combined.

 

https://www.themaycleveland.com/retailopportunities

Ok, I see now. I read another article saying these are 8 to 9,000 SF. Should have read that first! If that's the case, then yea, they have plenty of option in May and unfortunately damn near anywhere else on lower Euclid and Prospect.

There should also be space at Tower City, although Bedrock seems to be selecting only local businesses.

On 1/2/2024 at 10:12 AM, LibertyBlvd said:

^ Based on that, where would be a suitable location for them downtown?

 

The formerly proposed outlet shoppes on the Muny Lots! 😜

 

Even at 25 percent of size, it's still a 75,000 SF store (based on IKEA's 300k typical size).

 
The formerly proposed outlet shoppes on the Muny Lots! [emoji12]
 
Even at 25 percent of size, it's still a 75,000 SF store (based on IKEA's 300k typical size).

Well at that big of a size the Centennial may be the best option outside of a building specifically designed for it.

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Isn't the obvious answer the Sherwin Williams Shack?

1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said:

Well at that big of a size the Centennial may be the best option outside of a building specifically designed for it.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk
 

I really, really hate that I’m asking this in all seriousness, but where would people park? There has to be some easy in & out and loading for a store like this. 

TC is a no-brainer, assuming the parking deck can be connected to the store somehow, but I doubt IKEA’s going to go for the lack of external branding and visibility there.  

11 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

There should also be space at Tower City, although Bedrock seems to be selecting only local businesses.

 

I doubt it's Bedrock selecting only locals, but rather simply that no national businesses have been interested

 

That would be consistent with the typical downward trajectory of indoor shopping malls, whether downtown or otherwise

 

Edited January 6, 20241 yr by NW24HX

On 1/5/2024 at 9:43 AM, KJP said:

 

The formerly proposed outlet shoppes on the Muny Lots! 😜

 

Even at 25 percent of size, it's still a 75,000 SF store (based on IKEA's 300k typical size).

It should be considered as a site for a full sized IKEA. Transit/Highway/Parking, within walking distance of various attractions. A perfect location.

 
I doubt it's Bedrock selecting only locals, but rather simply that no national businesses have been interested
 
That would be consistent with the typical downward trajectory of indoor shopping malls, whether downtown or otherwise
 

This is why I'd REALLY like them to have the shopping portion face prospect and leave the interior to entertainment/specialized retail (D&B, Main Event or even the IKEA). Having those in the centrally located Tower City instead of at the edge of the county would be a major draw.

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On 1/6/2024 at 7:25 PM, MyPhoneDead said:

This is why I'd REALLY like them to have the shopping portion face prospect and leave the interior to entertainment/specialized retail (D&B, Main Event or even the IKEA). Having those in the centrally located Tower City instead of at the edge of the county would be a major draw.

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TC isn't centrally located, though.   

6 hours ago, E Rocc said:

 

TC isn't centrally located, though.   

It's centrally located for the region. 20-30 minutes from the east, south and west.

“Coming soon” sign for All Things for U (vintage store) is up at the former Kolodiy-Sobczk funeral home in Tremont. West 14th and Rowley

 

Their website says their Lorain Avenue location is temporarily closed. 

Continuing the discussion about All Things 4 U from the Ohio City development thread, for anyone poopoo-ing them about a parking lot being a selling point, consider their business model. We’re not talking about a spot where people come in and pick up a 40 ounce and some scratch offs, they sell vintage furniture. Any y’all ever try to carry an Eames chair or Noguchi coffee table a few blocks in inclement weather?

Continuing the discussion about All Things 4 U from the Ohio City development thread, for anyone poopoo-ing them about a parking lot being a selling point, consider their business model. We’re not talking about a spot where people come in and pick up a 40 ounce and some scratch offs, they sell vintage furniture. Any y’all ever try to carry an Eames chair or Noguchi coffee table a few blocks in inclement weather?

40 oz and some scratch offs??

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16 hours ago, MayDay said:

Continuing the discussion about All Things 4 U from the Ohio City development thread, for anyone poopoo-ing them about a parking lot being a selling point, consider their business model. We’re not talking about a spot where people come in and pick up a 40 ounce and some scratch offs, they sell vintage furniture. Any y’all ever try to carry an Eames chair or Noguchi coffee table a few blocks in inclement weather?

Adapt like any other business should. Offer carry to car service, work with city or neighborhood to have a designated pickup zone, etc. You don't need to park right in front of the store to be able to pull up to a storefront, throw on your hazards and load in an item. That said, if they think that is a barrier to sales, so be it.

Has anyone heard anything about this, below, from the Brookfield Properties' (Beachwood Place's owner) site? The mall needs a boost and this would be one - 

 

"Beachwood Place is currently undergoing redevelopment which will bring our cutting-edge Iconic Collection luxury leasing program to this dynamic Cleveland shopping center, transforming it into a destination for the next generation of diverse luxury consumers who reflect this great city. We will create a specialized district within the center — with a dedicated valet entrance, new finishes, and enhanced lighting — where the modern luxury customer can find classic brands and current trendsetters, beautiful community gathering spaces, and vibrant entertainment."

 

The rumored, local Gucci store would certainly align - as would a dedicated Louis Vuitton, which is missing in a market this big.

 

Other Brookfield centers that are "Iconic" include some of the highest revenue shopping centers in the US, including major DC, Chicago, and Hawaii locations.

 

https://iconiccollection.com/

On 2/25/2024 at 1:03 AM, eyehrtfood said:

Has anyone heard anything about this, below, from the Brookfield Properties' (Beachwood Place's owner) site? The mall needs a boost and this would be one - 

 

"Beachwood Place is currently undergoing redevelopment which will bring our cutting-edge Iconic Collection luxury leasing program to this dynamic Cleveland shopping center, transforming it into a destination for the next generation of diverse luxury consumers who reflect this great city. We will create a specialized district within the center — with a dedicated valet entrance, new finishes, and enhanced lighting — where the modern luxury customer can find classic brands and current trendsetters, beautiful community gathering spaces, and vibrant entertainment."

 

The rumored, local Gucci store would certainly align - as would a dedicated Louis Vuitton, which is missing in a market this big.

 

Other Brookfield centers that are "Iconic" include some of the highest revenue shopping centers in the US, including major DC, Chicago, and Hawaii locations.

 

https://iconiccollection.com/

Sounds like they are planning to upgrade this center like they have done Cincinnati’s Kenwood Towne Center over the past several years, it now has Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc. they took what was referred to as the “Nordstrom Wing” in the mall and created a polished lux wing. I went recently and it looks a feels great. Nice that Brookfield is investing in its properties, I was a little worried when they bought GGP.

I hope, hope, HOPE this is all true.

 

That said, "Beachwood Place is currently undergoing redevelopment which will bring our cutting-edge Iconic Collection luxury leasing program to this dynamic Cleveland shopping center, transforming it into a destination for the next generation of diverse luxury consumers who reflect this great city. We will create a specialized district within the center — with a dedicated valet entrance, new finishes, and enhanced lighting — where the modern luxury customer can find classic brands and current trendsetters, beautiful community gathering spaces, and vibrant entertainment."

 

If Chat GDP or some like program didn't write this, I'd be surprised. We've all seen this song and dance before. Lots of typical buzz terms and concepts in bold.

 

I would love for my cynicism to be unwarranted.

book bros — 👍📚

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3k4thVgA5b/?igsh=MWFpaDBpdGIwN21vdw==

 

  

28 minutes ago, Sapientone said:

The antique store on Lorain near W41 recently closed and is for rent.  Based on the sign near the window, the former tenant is not too happy about new development. Rather than sour grapes over higher rent for displaced tenants, the focus should be on opportunities for further development further west on Lorain for business with lower margins and/or those that don't need prime space.  

 

Moving this conversation here. My comments from above stand even more so. Hating the people who live/want to live and thrive in your area... unreal. Have fun in Tremont (with the same demographic).

6 hours ago, downtownjoe said:

  

Moving this conversation here. My comments from above stand even more so. Hating the people who live/want to live and thrive in your area... unreal. Have fun in Tremont (with the same demographic).

Wait, so this sign was written by a Gen Z towards Millenials? Da F?

 

What's better for business? A location with adjancent empty store fronts, dilapidated housing, a 50% poverty rate with the associated violent crime that comes with said poverty rate, dilapidation and vacancies? Or a location with walkability, more eyes on the street, more people with expandable income living a stone's throw away? 

Macy's small format store coming to The Promenade at Crocker Park.

 

https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/shopping/macys-to-replace-bed-bath-beyond-at-the-promenade-at-crocker-park-in-westlake/95-a13e2caa-183b-4f53-99b9-03bf35caff8c?fbclid=IwAR3_XJKjIebqtBVxKCMTwkUv8SbNWlg36GwO-qQJrm3qM4ANdjLdVXppnaw

Clevo Books to Move Into Vacant Rise Nation Space This Month

 

Quote

After two years of testing the waters in a sizable space at the Euclid Arcades, Downtown's Clevo Books will relocate three blocks east to the old Rise Nation space at 1030 Euclid Avenue in late April.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/news/clevo-books-to-move-into-vacant-rise-nation-space-this-month-44072906

On 4/9/2024 at 11:25 AM, freefourur said:

Clevo Books to Move Into Vacant Rise Nation Space This Month

 

 

https://www.clevescene.com/news/clevo-books-to-move-into-vacant-rise-nation-space-this-month-44072906

 

Great to see more street-front retail on Euclid, though wish it was not at the cost of a new vacancy elsewhere downtown. Ever since local leasing/control of the arcades gave way to an out of town company that only cares about profit over profit and building a cool space, vacancies have been increasing, which shows why local ownership of assets like this is important.

 

 

On 4/7/2024 at 11:47 AM, Mov2Ohio said:

Macy's small format store coming to The Promenade at Crocker Park.

 

https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/shopping/macys-to-replace-bed-bath-beyond-at-the-promenade-at-crocker-park-in-westlake/95-a13e2caa-183b-4f53-99b9-03bf35caff8c?fbclid=IwAR3_XJKjIebqtBVxKCMTwkUv8SbNWlg36GwO-qQJrm3qM4ANdjLdVXppnaw

Would be perfect for a space like the old Tilted Kilt on Ontario and Prospect, that space is SCREAMING for attention.

Edited April 12, 20241 yr by MyPhoneDead

^ Somewhere, anywhere in downtown CBD would be perfect.

11 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

^ Somewhere, anywhere in downtown CBD would be perfect.

Except as we've seen for decades, suburbanites are not going to downtown to shop at major national retail stores, nor are there enough residents that would offset the property loss that would be a result of that corner. Ontario is probably the most undesirable street downtown at the moment. The aggressive vagrants and panhandlers is honestly astonishing, not to mention most of downtown's shootings happen on Ontario 

Why do we need suburbanites to come downtown? That's nice, but not life-dependent. And I don't know if suburbanites were downtown today but it sure was busy.

I thought Bedrock was going to improve the east side of Ontario.  

 

To me, the inability of the May Co. redevelopment, located where it is, to attract more retail is telling.

Just doing a quick Google, these new Macy’s stores are designed for suburban strip malls to be in close proximity to big box stores. They wouldn’t consider downtown as they aren’t looking at any downtowns. It doesn’t seem like their business on the whole is doing well, anyway. 
 

Wouldn’t it be more worthwhile to find ways to lure more small/local retailers gear toward the neighborhood rather than trying to convince giant corporations? The Heinens model. People talk about Macy’s or Target but it’s gotta be a lot harder to get them to “take a risk.” And I don’t mean that as an insult to us—even in bigger cities these companies close stores all the time. 
 

I don’t work in retail but I can see the challenge of it. It’s so competitive that anywhere you locate is going to need to be super specific. 

 

I thought the small format stores were intended for urban area.  Apparently I was wrong.

reminder that thrifting is bigger than ever — 😎

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4_zu1xpcRY/?igsh=MWNzMDllY3F3YW5jbw==

Looks like Columbus is getting a Stand Alone Chanel, wonder how that will do they have the standalone Louis Vuitton and the newly open standalone Gucci, but their standalone Burberry did close

Edited April 18, 20241 yr by osu87

15 minutes ago, osu87 said:

Looks like Columbus is getting a Stand Alone Chanel, wonder how that will do they have the standalone Louis Vuitton and the newly open standalone Gucci, but their standalone Burberry did close

 

Burberry closed quite a few stores worldwide from 2019-2021 including 15 in the USA (KC, Sacramento, Boston, NYC, etc) that had nothing to do with Easton.  I'm sure the Chanel will do fine.

1 hour ago, ColDayMan said:

 

Burberry closed quite a few stores worldwide from 2019-2021 including 15 in the USA (KC, Sacramento, Boston, NYC, etc) that had nothing to do with Easton.  I'm sure the Chanel will do fine.

They had some other ones like 7 for all mankind close too. I wonder how many Chanel purses one can buy??

The rent at Easton, labor and other costs of doing business are much lower in Columbus than other large cities (Chicago, Philly, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta).  The incomes are reasonably high and it is a growing market full of younger status conscious consumers.  The landlord may also provide a huge tenant allowance to get the tenant to open in the center which can add to the center's prestige. 

yeah its not columbus shoppers, 7 and burberry faltered everywhere lately, and don't ask me why, but but chanel and louis are (seemingly?) doing fine  -- and goo shee especially seems to be doing better than ever. 

 

otoh those three shops are the top smash and grab stores for robber flash mob gangs that organize online, or so faux fox news would have us believe, so they need to stay on their game. 🙀