WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

 

This is not so intriguing. Hopefully that's just pure speculation.

^ That would seem to fit the template.

God forbid it isn't a Michelin restaurant

God forbid it isn't a Michelin restaurant

 

I don't think anyone is saying that. There are few establishments that scream overpriced, tacky, chain, tourist trap more than Margaritaville.

God forbid it isn't a Michelin restaurant

 

I don't think anyone is saying that. There are few establishments that scream overpriced, tacky, chain, tourist trap more than Margaritaville.

 

I have no problem with a tourist trap

^ That would seem to fit the template.

I hear what you are saying but I think so far FEB has gotten somewhat of a bad rap. And I am not saying you but many ppl here believe that this project is loaded with nothing but chain businesses when in fact most of what Is there so far Is local. And this is just off the top of my head but Lago, Ken Stewart's, Willeyville, Flipside, Alleycat, Crop Rocks, Crop Stix, On-Air, FWD, Coastal Taco(ugh that name), EB Fitness, Constantino's are all local. Leaving PunchBowl, Beer head, and BigBang as the chains. So I think they are doing OK trying to fill up spaces. I don't think we will see any traditional retailers until more residences go up.

Too young to remember the old flats east bank but did it contain local restaurants for the most part?

God forbid it isn't a Michelin restaurant

That's not why I'm disappointed. I think I just got a little too excited when I heard "major retailer"

Margaritaville may not be MY style... But it will be a draw, and that's good for the FEB...

 

Too young to remember the old flats east bank but did it contain local restaurants for the most part?

 

It was a mix. Watermark, a local fine dining place, plus some meh chains (Longhorn, some crab shack or something?, Dick's). Mostly is was local clubs/bars, not so much table service restaurants.

It started with local restaurants but added national chains who wanted in on the mass of humanity. You were thinking of Joe's Crab Shack, plus there was Fado Irish pub, Hooters and my favorite -- John Harvard's Brew House, although I missed its predecessor Noisemakers. That was a two level dance club with big windows to watch the bumper to bumper parade of cars and people-watching show. That was when Old River Road was a two way street which continued until the early 1990s when it and West 10th were made one-way.... Sorry, I started going down memory lane!

West 10th needs to be one way from where old river runs into it all the way north to the main ave bridge. I swear that is the narrowest 2 way street and I'm perpetually surprised more parked cars aren't side swiped.

West 10th needs to be one way from where old river runs into it all the way north to the main ave bridge. I swear that is the narrowest 2 way street and I'm perpetually surprised more parked cars aren't side swiped.

 

I already blew out a tire on West 10th this summer passing another car and my right wheel hit one of those crumbling pieces of curb left behind. I hit it so hard my windshield wipers turned on.

It started with local restaurants but added national chains who wanted in on the mass of humanity. You were thinking of Joe's Crab Shack, plus there was Fado Irish pub, Hooters and my favorite -- John Harvard's Brew House, although I missed its predecessor Noisemakers. That was a two level dance club with big windows to watch the bumper to bumper parade of cars and people-watching show. That was when Old River Road was a two way street which continued until the early 1990s when it and West 10th were made one-way.... Sorry, I started going down memory lane!

 

I seem to remember there being a Panini's (on an upper floor) and a BW3, as well.

 

It started with local restaurants but added national chains who wanted in on the mass of humanity. You were thinking of Joe's Crab Shack, plus there was Fado Irish pub, Hooters and my favorite -- John Harvard's Brew House, although I missed its predecessor Noisemakers. That was a two level dance club with big windows to watch the bumper to bumper parade of cars and people-watching show. That was when Old River Road was a two way street which continued until the early 1990s when it and West 10th were made one-way.... Sorry, I started going down memory lane!

Too young to remember the old flats east bank but did it contain local restaurants for the most part?

 

It was a mix. Watermark, a local fine dining place, plus some meh chains (Longhorn, some crab shack or something?, Dick's). Mostly is was local clubs/bars, not so much table service restaurants.

Ok I was just asking to see the difference in this iteration and the old one. I knew the old one became popular more organically than this one. I didn't realize though the difference in style of establishments. I didn't realize the old flats were so bar heavy, I thought they had a good amount of service restaurants.

It started with local restaurants but added national chains who wanted in on the mass of humanity. You were thinking of Joe's Crab Shack, plus there was Fado Irish pub, Hooters and my favorite -- John Harvard's Brew House, although I missed its predecessor Noisemakers. That was a two level dance club with big windows to watch the bumper to bumper parade of cars and people-watching show. That was when Old River Road was a two way street which continued until the early 1990s when it and West 10th were made one-way.... Sorry, I started going down memory lane!

 

I seem to remember there being a Panini's (on an upper floor) and a BW3, as well.

 

Paninis was a ground-floor establishment, in the middle of Old River Rd just to the north of Main Ave.  BW3 was in the space immediately next to the Odeon.

It started with local restaurants but added national chains who wanted in on the mass of humanity. You were thinking of Joe's Crab Shack, plus there was Fado Irish pub, Hooters and my favorite -- John Harvard's Brew House, although I missed its predecessor Noisemakers. That was a two level dance club with big windows to watch the bumper to bumper parade of cars and people-watching show. That was when Old River Road was a two way street which continued until the early 1990s when it and West 10th were made one-way.... Sorry, I started going down memory lane!

 

I seem to remember there being a Panini's (on an upper floor) and a BW3, as well.

 

edit - what cleburger said

That's odd.  I seem to remember walking up stairs.  But, then again, my memory of those nights might be 'impaired'

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

 

The "original" Flats had a tourism center and a surf shop. Diversity! As much as I'm lukewarm on the theater idea I think it will help add some much needed retail. 

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

 

You mean besides the hundreds of new residences under construction or about to be, the 1200+ new hotels rooms set to open by this time next summer, a massive public square makeover, a half a billion dollars in new bridges, new convention ctr, improvements along the river-boardwalk/rowing center/water taxi/canal pathway, further improvement to Edgewater park/beach house/ shore way conversion, downtown grocery store, Giegers Sports...

What would you suggest?

 

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

 

You mean besides the hundreds of new residences under construction or about to be, the 1200+ new hotels rooms set to open by this time next summer, a massive public square makeover, a half a billion dollars in new bridges, new convention ctr, improvements along the river-boardwalk/rowing center/water taxi/canal pathway, further improvement to Edgewater park/beach house/ shore way conversion, downtown grocery store, Giegers Sports...

What would you suggest?

 

 

You missed the point.

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

 

You mean besides the hundreds of new residences under construction or about to be, the 1200+ new hotels rooms set to open by this time next summer, a massive public square makeover, a half a billion dollars in new bridges, new convention ctr, improvements along the river-boardwalk/rowing center/water taxi/canal pathway, further improvement to Edgewater park/beach house/ shore way conversion, downtown grocery store, Giegers Sports...

What would you suggest?

 

 

Since this is the FEB thread I'd specifically like to see a boardwalk plan that helps generate some arcades and general retail. If the boardwalk taps into the towpath routes I could picture bike shops, skate rentals and the like. We need more family oriented business downtown. 

I'm fine with a bar or restaurant.  I was having trouble with the idea of what kind of retail model would fit on the river.  If we were talking about a lot between Phase 2 and the Aloft, then the dynamics would be different.

WKYC is speculating that it will be a margaritaville.

Can anything besides a bar or restaurant be built in this town? It's getting old.

 

You mean besides the hundreds of new residences under construction or about to be, the 1200+ new hotels rooms set to open by this time next summer, a massive public square makeover, a half a billion dollars in new bridges, new convention ctr, improvements along the river-boardwalk/rowing center/water taxi/canal pathway, further improvement to Edgewater park/beach house/ shore way conversion, downtown grocery store, Giegers Sports...

What would you suggest?

 

 

You missed the point.

I think he just means more actual shopping. I feel the same way but I know we have a ways to go with our population numbers to make a case for it.

I was down at Punch Bowl social last night and, even though cold and windy, there were quite a few people there and all around FEB.  It was even more impressive given it was a weekday night... Very impressed with the immense size of this place.  Very quirky and fun looking place.  I'm sure their outside upper deck will be filled next year when it opens to warm weather.  Beerhead and the Flip Side were also pretty full as well.

 

Even if a Margaritaville goes into Toby Keith's spot, it's better than having that huge space sit there empty.  I'm sure it will attract a lot of patrons.

You missed the point.

 

I didn't miss the point as there was no point made. Again what would you suggest?

Traditional retail is on it's way out. I see two type surviving, the lower end(dollar stores/outlets), and high end which the majority of us don't frequent on a regular basis. Online shopping continues to explode. The old way of doing business brick and mortar style will have to adjust. 

Crocker Park pursued a balanced tenant mix and it seems relatively successful. 

 

While I believe the "ship everything to my home" approach will always have its takers, I don't believe there is much overlap between that group and the group which favors urban living.  Urban living, as most people conceive it, does involve actual physical shopping.  Retro?  Maybe, but that's part of the appeal.  Brick and mortar is retro too.

If we are going for tourist traps - I'd suggest a Rain Forest Café would do great down there

You missed the point.

 

I didn't miss the point as there was no point made. Again what would you suggest?

Traditional retail is on it's way out. I see two type surviving, the lower end(dollar stores/outlets), and high end which the majority of us don't frequent on a regular basis. Online shopping continues to explode. The old way of doing business brick and mortar style will have to adjust. 

 

Ok you're right. I'm wrong. Sorry for voicing an opinion on a forum!

So one chain uber bar was replaced with another chain uber bar. 

There has been a Margaritaville in the French Quarter for a while and while not a local spot, it really isnt that obnoxious (they just closed the lower Decatur bar, but say they are designing another bar in the upper quarter)

So I recently moved into the East Bank apartments, and got some interesting info from the cable installation man- there are apparently plans to utilize the riverside rooftop of the apartment building to play concerts and potentially have as another nice hangout spot with a view.  They're working on electrical and that so I hear.  Has anyone heard of any real plans for such a utilization of the rooftop? I tried searching but haven't found anything. They're also working on WiFi for the boats that dock, not that I have one of those...

Cool info -- welcome Jxc211!

 

I think I bought one of those Jxc211 car stereos back in the 80s...

Ken Stewart's is leaving...but Bold Food and Drink is moving in!

 

Ken Stewart’s to Close in Flats East Bank, Bold Food and Drink to Open

 

This Saturday will be the last night of service at Ken Stewart’s East Bank, which opened two years ago in the first wave of fresh development down by the river. That restaurant opened around the same time as Lago and Willeyville, but has since been joined by several new restaurants, bars and entertainment venues such as Crop Rocks, Alley Cat and Punch Bowl Social.

 

The Ken Stewart’s space won’t sit idle for long as Demetrios Atheneos and Fady Chamoun, partners in Oak Barrel (5975 Canal Rd., 216-520-3640, theoakbarrel.com) and Forage Public House (14600 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2000, foragepublichouse.com), will open their third eatery in the space by the middle of next week.

 

More at: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/10/06/ken-stewarts-to-close-in-flats-east-bank-bold-food-and-drink-to-open

Too bad about Ken Stewart's. I never went there, but had always heard very good things about the quality of the food, and I had intended to go there at some point. I also heard that they are very very pricey, so maybe that's part of the reason they didn't succeed. I hope the new place does well.

^ too rich for my blood.  He can take his $60 plates back to Akron...ill get a better meal for a quarter of the price just about anywhere in CLE

The food was slightly above average and the prices were exorbitant. Of the three original restaurants, I only went there twice. Not impressed at all.

OK, let's not turn this into the restaurant review thread.

Ken Stewart's is leaving...but Bold Food and Drink is moving in!

 

Ken Stewart’s to Close in Flats East Bank, Bold Food and Drink to Open

 

This Saturday will be the last night of service at Ken Stewart’s East Bank, which opened two years ago in the first wave of fresh development down by the river. That restaurant opened around the same time as Lago and Willeyville, but has since been joined by several new restaurants, bars and entertainment venues such as Crop Rocks, Alley Cat and Punch Bowl Social.

 

The Ken Stewart’s space won’t sit idle for long as Demetrios Atheneos and Fady Chamoun, partners in Oak Barrel (5975 Canal Rd., 216-520-3640, theoakbarrel.com) and Forage Public House (14600 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2000, foragepublichouse.com), will open their third eatery in the space by the middle of next week.

 

More at: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/10/06/ken-stewarts-to-close-in-flats-east-bank-bold-food-and-drink-to-open

Interesting another Akron based chef can't make a go of it in CLE. That is a crazy turnaround for setting Bold up...three days?! Wow. They must be changing nothing.

Ken Stewart's is leaving...but Bold Food and Drink is moving in!

 

Ken Stewart’s to Close in Flats East Bank, Bold Food and Drink to Open

 

This Saturday will be the last night of service at Ken Stewart’s East Bank, which opened two years ago in the first wave of fresh development down by the river. That restaurant opened around the same time as Lago and Willeyville, but has since been joined by several new restaurants, bars and entertainment venues such as Crop Rocks, Alley Cat and Punch Bowl Social.

 

The Ken Stewart’s space won’t sit idle for long as Demetrios Atheneos and Fady Chamoun, partners in Oak Barrel (5975 Canal Rd., 216-520-3640, theoakbarrel.com) and Forage Public House (14600 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2000, foragepublichouse.com), will open their third eatery in the space by the middle of next week.

 

More at: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/10/06/ken-stewarts-to-close-in-flats-east-bank-bold-food-and-drink-to-open

Interesting another Akron based chef can't make a go of it in CLE. That is a crazy turnaround for setting Bold up...three days?! Wow. They must be changing nothing.

 

The Chef(s) is not from Akron, the restaurateur is.

Yes, it's a nice space, but changing nothing rarely works.

Wolsteins’ Flats East Bank project becomes reality

Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2015 12:30 pm | Updated: 12:32 pm, Thu Oct 1, 2015.

CARLO WOLFF | STAFF REPORTER

[email protected]

 

Thirty years ago, when Bart Wolstein started to acquire property in Cleveland’s Flats, the city “had really gone into the dumps,” according to Wolstein’s widow, Iris. But the founder of what came to be known as The Wolstein Group saw the potential in the area and by investing in the 23-acre waterfront district pioneered the robust development the city is enjoying today, she suggested.

 

In a Sept. 28 telephone interview, Wolstein said she’s “thrilled” by completion of phase two of the Flats East Bank project, a redevelopment of Old River Road.

 

A ribbon cutting celebrating the addition of 241 residential units and dining and entertainment tenants to the area including Crop Rocks, the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar and On Air Studio, along with a riverfront boardwalk, was set for Oct. 1. City and county officials, along with representatives of co-developer Fairmount Properties, were expected to attend, along with Iris Wolstein and her son, Scott Wolstein.

 

Phase one includes an Aloft hotel and an office tower occupied by Ernst & Young and Tucker Ellis & West LLP. Overall, the project represents $750 million in investment.

 

MORE:

http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/wolsteins-flats-east-bank-project-becomes-reality/article_6d10d2e8-66c9-11e5-9c6e-e715bd181f09.html

Nice video profile from NeoMG on one of the owners of FWD.  Talks about his love for Cle and downtown. Seems like a great guy working to make his city better. Also hints at a future project.

 

 

Someone else who remembers what was said at the DCA Q3 update meeting can chime in if they have better recall, but it was announced that FEB has LOI's for the Toby Keith building and a small space next to the Big Bang piano bar. It sounded like they're targeting breaking ground for Phase 3 next June/July but still have work to do with financing.

^That's correct.  They also have a meeting set up today to show the space between Beer Head and Punch Bowl.  If signed, all retail spaces built as part of phase II will be fully leased. 

Good to see such high lease rates at a higher price point and with final units just being made available within the last couple of weeks:

 

Flats developer has a suite deal for prospective tenants

 

"In an email response to a question about whether it’s a rent incentive masquerading as an RNC gambit, Wolstein said the last of the 241 suites were finished at the end of last month and the complex is more than 70% leased."

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20151215/NEWS/151219872/flats-developer-has-a-suite-deal-for-prospective-tenants#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccl-dailynews&utm_campaign=ccl-dailynews-20151215

The foundation of Coastal Taco.

 

 

Water Taxi platform under construction.

 

Got a Yelp message to check out a new place, "Bold" in FEB. Wanted to see where it was, so I hit up trusty Google Maps and found half of the original Old River Road (Peabodys, John Harvards Ale House, etc) still hauntingly there.

 

How has Google not updated this?

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.499378,-81.7059519,3a,75y,337.04h,91.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0EM9knGU2qV5p7ExNu_2_w!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

^ Drop a pin right in the traffic circle at Old River and Main. You'll see the last time the Street View car was in the flats was 2014 when the site was still under construction. The entire site was fenced off for years before that.

Got a Yelp message to check out a new place, "Bold" in FEB. Wanted to see where it was, so I hit up trusty Google Maps and found half of the original Old River Road (Peabodys, John Harvards Ale House, etc) still hauntingly there.

 

How has Google not updated this?

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.499378,-81.7059519,3a,75y,337.04h,91.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0EM9knGU2qV5p7ExNu_2_w!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

 

 

Wow, that was a nice little drive down "Memory Lane".  Would have liked to jump back a few more years and see it before all the buildings were knocked down!!!  Still a nice little memory though.

 

 

We were just down in the FEB at Crop Rocks this weekend with some friends from out of town.  Most of them didn't realize what all has been done down there.  They all loved the area.

 

It was nice to see it busy, even with it as cold as it was there were still people out walking around.  Cant wait to spend some more time down there this spring / summer!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got a Yelp message to check out a new place, "Bold" in FEB. Wanted to see where it was, so I hit up trusty Google Maps and found half of the original Old River Road (Peabodys, John Harvards Ale House, etc) still hauntingly there.

 

 

How has Google not updated this?

 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.499378,-81.7059519,3a,75y,337.04h,91.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0EM9knGU2qV5p7ExNu_2_w!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

 

 

 

 

Wow, that was a nice little drive down "Memory Lane".  Would have liked to jump back a few more years and see it before all the buildings were knocked down!!!  Still a nice little memory though.

 

 

 

 

Ask and you shall receive:

 

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHsiDKqu8h