Looks like the Best Buy at Steelyard is closing.

 

http://pr.bby.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=244152&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1683036&highlight=

 

 

^I believe this was already noted up thread and has been discussed at length for the past 3-4 days in the Steelyard thread (if you would like to review other posters comments on the topic)

Oh, got it.  I don't read everything in this thread (or the Steelyard one) so I missed it.  And here I was thinking I had a scoop!

Planet Fitness is going into the vacated Barnes and Noble space at Richmond Town Square. I don't know if this is their first location in Cleveland, but I've seen them around Columbus.

 

There is one in Rocky River on Detroit near the Lakewood border.  After looking at their website it appears there are several in NEO.

At Eton , Fee People opens Friday and Berger & Silver is closing at end of year or so says their )Does that reopen Tiffany discussion for that spot??)

 

Also, am currently in Salt Lake City and their new downtown outdoor,residential and pedestrian dining and shopping "street," City Creek Center,  has a retractable roof. If the Warehouse District mixed use ever gets back on drawing board, what a great 4 seasons idea...

Has anyone else heard a rumour of Target leaving Steelyard??!! I'm hoping someone is just confused about Best Buy, but something about rent being too high.

Has anyone else heard a rumour of Target leaving Steelyard??!! I'm hoping someone is just confused about Best Buy, but something about rent being too high.

 

That would be a HUGE blow to the development. Things would start looking very bad, and phase 2 would have to be canceled. I hope that is just wrong information.

Has anyone else heard a rumour of Target leaving Steelyard??!! I'm hoping someone is just confused about Best Buy, but something about rent being too high.

 

http://blog.rentaluniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Rent1.jpg

Let's get some facts before we speculate.

 

The admins of this board do not want urbanohio to be used to spread rumors.

 

If you hear something from an employee, something on the news, then we can talk about it

^^ HA! I was expecting an actual useful informational link! :D

I think target owns the land it sit on like Home Depot. and target just added the cell store inside too. I think it s just a rumor.

Best Buy Mobile is going into Richmond Mall.

 

Planet Fitness opened. Fitness center itselft doesn't look bad, except for their mustard yellow signage.

Both Ridge Park Square and Biddulph Plaza have added new businesses recently! RPS is getting a 'Value King' grocery store and a Michael's just opened recently. Biddulph Plaza is adding a BBQ style place at one end, while El Toltexa (obviously Mexican food) opened at the other end of the plaza.

And apparently a sign is up saying that Pier 1 is going into Legacy Village in the just-vacated Viking space, in the rear, that I thought might never get leased. Now THAT's a surprise..

And Pier 1 seemingly moving from that white elephant, University Square, at Cedar and Warrensville, as is JoAnn. Pretty soon not much left there other than Macy's, TJ Maxx and Target, which seems to do well.

Madewell, the casual brand owned by J. Crew, will be opening a Beachwood Place store this year, based on info I found on the General Growth site... Another one gets crossed off my "retail gaps" list... Container Store and Tiffany - help me "x" some more out, please...

^ I don't know how many "x's" will be need for Euclid Square Mall; however, there are now 30 churches in there

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/the_taylor_cos_of_bedford_ohio.html

 

Five years after building a new plant less than a mile from their old one, in a particularly problematic brownfield. 

 

The oldest company in Ohio relocated to a brownfield and closed five years later.  If you want a message that will hinder the use of brownfields and promote industrial sprawl, I can't think of a better one.

 

It's time to gut CERCLA.  Reduce the "cleanup" standards required in minor case, and vacate company and lender liability for old messes provided they hire more than 75% of their workforce from an area with an unemployment rate at least 100% of the national average, and acheive ISO 14000 certification within three years.

It's pretty neat that you solved the issue so easily in a cut-and-dry manner. Healthcare costs for companies are really low when all the employees have cancer and they're really productive when undergoing chemotherapy.

 

I think it's more of a lesson about companies perhaps needing to be more cautious about relocating and building all new facilities just because they were promised some kind of tax abatement. Governments can be sneaky about pulling that stuff. If you are really committed to moving, certainly see what's available incentive-wise. But, don't let it be the end-all decision maker. Moving is expensive.

 

edit: spelled cancer wrong

^Agree.  Calling for the gutting of CERCLA is absurd.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/the_taylor_cos_of_bedford_ohio.html

 

Five years after building a new plant less than a mile from their old one, in a particularly problematic brownfield. 

 

The oldest company in Ohio relocated to a brownfield and closed five years later.  If you want a message that will hinder the use of brownfields and promote industrial sprawl, I can't think of a better one.

 

It's time to gut CERCLA.  Reduce the "cleanup" standards required in minor case, and vacate company and lender liability for old messes provided they hire more than 75% of their workforce from an area with an unemployment rate at least 100% of the national average, and acheive ISO 14000 certification within three years.

 

Nothing in that article supports your assumption, and a number of more direct issues are put forth.

OP reads like a parody. I suspect he's just trolling.

OP reads like a parody. I suspect he's just trolling.

 

What part do you want to disagree with?  If none, who's "trolling"?

 

I've talked about this before on here, as I have some experience with the topic.  One of the main reasons companies would rather build on a greenfield than a brownfield in the inner city or inner ring is the potential for inheriting environmental liability.  This promotes industrial sprawl, and it also reduces employment opportunities for those living in the central city. 

 

"Nothing in that article supports your assumption, and a number of more direct issues are put forth."

 

Huh?  The primary issue is they expected $850,000 in tax breaks.  *That* was part of their cost-benefit analysis when they made the move.  Their decision was a big deal at the time.  A lot of local (and not local) areas wanted them, but they chose to build on a site that sat fallow for eighteen years and no one expected to ever be used again......a particularly problematic brownfield. 

 

FWIW, they moved within the same town.  Less than a mile.  The old plant built up over 150+ years, and there was no more room to grow.  It's already torn down and the city has a new park on part of it. 

 

 

And that has what to do with CERCLA?

I don't know if we're all that interested in having industrial development smack dab in the middle of town, anyway. Even if it's clean industry. Industrial sprawl is certainly the least lamentable kind of sprawl to me at least. It's nice when people can walk, bike, take transit or have a short auto/motorcycle/scooter commute to work and all, but I dunno if I'd dig it if there were more industrial buildings 500 feet from our CBDs. Most cities are moving away from that direction anyway; Columbus still has a lot of warehouses Downtown that might be better served out by Rickenbacker or at least on the South Side by 104.

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

 

 

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....)

 

 

 

 

 

Well, this should be categorized more as conjecture than as fact, as it's a "I heard it from someone who heard it from someone", but the someone I heard it from does know the players involved

 

Berger & Silver recently announced they were closing and leaving their space in Eton Collection, and my 'source', as it were, indicated that Stark's intent was to bring Tiffany into that space, but as of today, that is no longer the case as Tiffany has stated they're no longer interested in the space. For those who have never seen it, Berger & Silver's space definitely fall into that 'boutique' sized store category, rather than the full sized Tiffany.

 

So there, throw that chum into the rumor infested waters and have at it.

 

 

Very interesting..... I found this upthread ^^^ supposedly Tiffanys was not interested in that space.  As much as I hope and wish that they would go downtown I know that seems incredibly unlikely considering our current downtown retail situation.  I suppose its good our market seems to be soon to get a Tiffanys but also this space would indicate it is the 'condensed' version, and not a full sized store.  I guess well have to wait and see!

 

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?

 

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...

^ I don't know how many "x's" will be need for Euclid Square Mall; however, there are now 30 churches in there

 

Wow. I just don't know what to say about that. I suppose it speaks for itself on so many levels about so many aspects of retailing, malls, the cost of demolishing them, the challenges faced by municipalities to influence land use decisions by private property owners, inner suburban economic conditions, state policies toward older/existing communities, etc. etc.

(Stark owns down to corner of Brainerd, I seem to recall, including buying those apartments a few years ago, I thought...)..

 

Stark doesn't own the apartments...yet. I know he's made some noise about expanding that way, and the current owners would be open to selling for the right offer.

 

But as with all things Bob Stark, I'll believe it when it's completed.

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...

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

 

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

 

 

It's still a subpart strip mall in my eyes!

I was in the area like a month ago so decided to check it out for the first time. The inside was dead. I dont get the appeal of the place. If I had to choose I would go to Crocker Park anyday over Eton. Id rather go to Shaker Square though.

When I go to malls, or sections of malls that have Gucci, Louis, etc they are usually dead. Ive experienced this at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, the more upscale south side at sommerset in Detroit as well as Tysons in Washington. I guess fewer peopme can afford the MUCH higher prices.

I literally cannot stand Eton.  Beachwood is bad enough.  In response to the above post...the higher the price the less you have to sell and the smaller your target market.  That is simple economics. 

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.

 

Saw on twitter and Facebook that the Downtown Cleveland Alliance is looking for volunteers to do a pedestrian count to attract new retail. I thought that was interesting

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...

It's not at all uncommon for downtowns to have a full complement of retail, even though suburban retail also exists.  Between the growing core and the solid inner ring, there's plenty of market for downtown.  Just like in most other major cities.

So I had an interesting conversation  with the gentleman who owns the men's shop in the Old Arcade. He said the Canadian company who bought the Arcade is in the process of throwing everyone out. Most of the remaining stores were on month to month leases. I asked him why and he off handedly said something to the effect that they want to focus on the hotel and possibly apartments in the building.

Wait. Does that include the food vendors?

Chocolate Bar is one of my favorite places to take out-of-towners! I have been excited about this project for a while, though, so I hope it changes for the better.

Makes you wonder.  Clearly they are willing to invest some $$$ in the place (considering their history and the bargain price they bought at), and yes the intent is to add apartments, but would they really turn the retail space 's in to rooms or apartments as well? 

I was really hoping they would come up with a concept to attract more retailers to the retail area. 

I cant imagine they would do that, or would be allowed to ruin a historic space.

 

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...

 

I agree mostly with this. The best idea imho is for Forest City to literally "think outside the box" and focus on connecting the indoor mall with new retail and enhanced recreation along the riverfront.

 

I beat this idea to death on UO but a boardwalk is what this city needs. Desperately. The concept is a time tested one, and it would be truly unique to the region as there is nothing else like it. Think about it, there is no single "It" place where everyone goes. This would be it.

 

Proximity to the Casinos I and II, Tribe, Q, RTA and Flats...it's a no-brainer; the "something for everybody" spot that dwirthwein mentions above.

a boardwalk is what this city needs. Desperately.

 

You know I agree with you on this. It just makes too much sense that I fear the city wont think of it.

a boardwalk is what this city needs. Desperately.

 

You know I agree with you on this. It just makes too much sense that I fear the city wont think of it.

 

It would require the powerbrokers to work together toward a pedestrian-centric attraction.

 

What are the chances?

 

But to think that this could someday be the Cuyahoga/Tower City:

 

 

Love the shot of Disney's Boardwalk there.. One of my faves... with that said - the argument that will be made on boardwalk shopping is that in bad/cold CLE winter weather, no one will come. But if front side of boardwalk stores faced water/boardwalk - and backside of boardwalk stores were also accessible via indoor passage (from casino or Tower City, etc...) then you might have something that pleases both...