Besides the obvious, here is one thing that I really like about the new bowling alley: As you walk along Euclid Avenue, you can see people bowling and pins flying. I've never seen a bowling alley where you can look inside the building and watch people bowl. Great idea. This will help draw in more business, increase the sense of life on the street and act as a form of performance public art. Kudos to Maron!

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1164880577222660.xml&coll=2

 

 

A little bowling is right up new downtown spot's alley

 

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Bill Lubinger

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The two-tone bowling shoes and agonizing 7-10 splits will look familiar.

 

Beyond that, the new Corner Alley doesn't evoke the whispered tones of sportscaster Chris Schenkel, Earl Anthony's crewcut or even your neighborhood bowling league....

:clap: Now we just need them to put those new restaurants in and hurry up and finish the ECP so we can see more Lower Euclid redevelopment. I was walking down there and going to what few shops that are there when I came home for Thx giving and saw just so much potential down there. I guess we'll have to wait 'til 2008. I've heard that some retailers have bought rights to lease some of the spaces being renovated or newly built. Any truth to that?

:clap: Now we just need them to put those new restaurants in and hurry up and finish the ECP so we can see more Lower Euclid redevelopment. I was walking down there and going to what few shops that are there when I came home for Thx giving and saw just so much potential down there. I guess we'll have to wait 'til 2008. I've heard that some retailers have bought rights to lease some of the spaces being renovated or newly built. Any truth to that?

 

Where did you hear the information?

My boss from my internship, who is the ceo of a construction management company told me this He's on a few committees and boards, but I wasn't sure if it was true or not.

A little bowling is right up new downtown spot's alley

 

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Bill Lubinger

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The two-tone bowling shoes and agonizing 7-10 splits will look familiar.

 

Beyond that, the new Corner Alley doesn't evoke the whispered tones of sportscaster Chris Schenkel, Earl Anthony's crewcut or even your neighborhood bowling league.

 

No beat-up plastic chairs. No fluorescent lights. No rubberized hot dogs washed down with Pabst on tap.

 

woah? no PBR on tap? that's absurd. Count me out of ever going in.

 

(okay not completely serious, but fairly)

Hummm....Ok...if they've got all these events planned.  We need to have a gay night & a midnight madness night.

I have some I took the other night (Winter Fest). But my DSL is acting up at home. As soon as it is good, I will post.

 

musky...man...when are you gonna move?!  First you had physical apartment issues and know the connections to the apartment are going bad!  Poor guy!

 

 

It's all good. That's what happens when you have an 80 year old house... and 4 kids that like touch things that are not theirs to touch.

 

Anyway, here are the pictures. The quality is not the best because I had to take them through the glass window (as opposed to the brick one???) and  the windows have not been cleaned yet.

 

Also, I notice the other day on Euclid one of the trolleys had an electronic scrolling advertisement at the front for the bowling alley. Then I saw all of trolleys have some sort of advertising on them for the alley (see last image). Has anyone else scene them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One more thing, I also saw a sign in the Winking Lizard window about it going smoke free December .

Cross posted here:

http://static.flickr.com/108/310425485_1b695e2c43.jpg

I have some I took the other night (Winter Fest). But my DSL is acting up at home. As soon as it is good, I will post.

 

musky...man...when are you gonna move?!  First you had physical apartment issues and know the connections to the apartment are going bad!  Poor guy!

 

 

It's all good. That's what happens when you have an 80 year old house... and 4 kids that like touch things that are not theirs to touch.

 

Anyway, here are the pictures. The quality is not the best because I had to take them through the glass window (as opposed to the brick one???) and  the windows have not been cleaned yet.

 

Also, I notice the other day on Euclid one of the trolleys had an electronic scrolling advertisement at the front for the bowling alley. Then I saw all of trolleys have some sort of advertising on them for the alley (see last image). Has anyone else scene them?

 

You have 4 kids??  WHOA!!  I don't know you parents with more than one child do it!  HATS OFF!

 

Good pics.  Loks like this place is going to be a lot of fun!

every single trolley has some type of ad at the top.

I have some I took the other night (Winter Fest). But my DSL is acting up at home. As soon as it is good, I will post.

 

musky...man...when are you gonna move?!  First you had physical apartment issues and know the connections to the apartment are going bad!  Poor guy!

 

 

It's all good. That's what happens when you have an 80 year old house... and 4 kids that like touch things that are not theirs to touch.

 

Anyway, here are the pictures. The quality is not the best because I had to take them through the glass window (as opposed to the brick one???) and  the windows have not been cleaned yet.

 

Also, I notice the other day on Euclid one of the trolleys had an electronic scrolling advertisement at the front for the bowling alley. Then I saw all of trolleys have some sort of advertising on them for the alley (see last image). Has anyone else scene them?

 

You have 4 kids??  WHOA!!  I don't know you parents with more than one child do it!  HATS OFF!

 

Good pics.  Loks like this place is going to be a lot of fun!

 

16 yo boy

14 yo girl

9 yo boy

7, going on 18 yo girl

 

 

I don't know how I do it either - more so now then ever before. Anyone want to rent a kid or two for the holidays?

They're killing me.

 

 

Seriously...and I complain about having school and a job...

 

Corner Alley is looking sweet!  I just walked by around 1pm today and saw the lunchtime droves passing by, some stopping to peer though the windows.  I'd assume they're going to have lunch specials as well?  That place is going to be hot!

"7, going on 18 yo girl"

 

Yep, that's how us babies of the family are! :-D

 

MGD, it was like that around noon as well - I think it's gonna be a great fit for the area; I mean, it's Cleveland and bowling!

I have some I took the other night (Winter Fest). But my DSL is acting up at home. As soon as it is good, I will post.

 

musky...man...when are you gonna move?!  First you had physical apartment issues and know the connections to the apartment are going bad!  Poor guy!

 

 

It's all good. That's what happens when you have an 80 year old house... and 4 kids that like touch things that are not theirs to touch.

 

Anyway, here are the pictures. The quality is not the best because I had to take them through the glass window (as opposed to the brick one???) and  the windows have not been cleaned yet.

 

Also, I notice the other day on Euclid one of the trolleys had an electronic scrolling advertisement at the front for the bowling alley. Then I saw all of trolleys have some sort of advertising on them for the alley (see last image). Has anyone else scene them?

 

You have 4 kids??   WHOA!!  I don't know you parents with more than one child do it!  HATS OFF!

 

Good pics.  Loks like this place is going to be a lot of fun!

 

16 yo boy

14 yo girl

9 yo boy

7, going on 18 yo girl

 

 

I don't know how I do it either - more so now then ever before. Anyone want to rent a kid or two for the holidays?

They're killing me.

 

 

 

No thanks....In the early stages of procurring one of my own.

Mayday: You and her would get along great... maybe too great.

 

MTS: Not even one for practice - you can have the 16 yo real cheap... hell, I'll pay you take him. On second thought, he might turn you off on the whole kid thing, so never mind.

 

Wasn't there supposed to be some big private shindig at the Alley any day now, or is it in December?

 

 

"7, going on 18 yo girl"

 

Yep, that's how us babies of the family are! :-D

 

MGD, it was like that around noon as well - I think it's gonna be a great fit for the area; I mean, it's Cleveland and bowling!

 

I'm the "Baby" and all I ever got was forgotten or confused for being older than I was!

 

Mayday: You and her would get along great... maybe too great.

 

MTS: Not even one for practice - you can have the 16 yo real cheap... hell, I'll pay you take him. On second thought, he might turn you off on the whole kid thing, so never mind.

 

Wasn't there supposed to be some big private shindig at the Alley any day now, or is it in December?

Musky, how much are you offering??  Is he housebroken?  Can he follow directions?

It's before the public opening - I'll have my camera there.

 

"Mayday: You and her would get along great... maybe too great."

 

Well, she and I at least understand that:

1. The world revolves around us.

2. We are the "Chosen Ones".

3. Once everyone else understands that, we make much more sense.

4. Once everyone realizes that what they perceive as our over-developed "youngest child entitlement" is actually the true Order of the Universe, the world will be a happier place.

5. If for some inexplicable reason the world doesn't revolve around us (perish the thought), we go off in our own little world.

6. There is no explanation needed beyond "because I'm the baby!". That answers all questions about our behavior.

7. Much of our vengeance is based on the fact that we have far fewer baby photos than our older siblings. Parents-to-be, you have been warned.

 

"I'm the "Baby" and all I ever got was forgotten or confused for being older than I was!"

 

MTS - that's such a sad story. One I cannot possibly begin to fathom :lol:

 

I am the chosen one in the fam as well.  Nice summary

"I'm the "Baby" and all I ever got was forgotten or confused for being older than I was!"

MTS - that's such a sad story. One I cannot possibly begin to fathom :lol:

 

Oh you [insert word(s)]!   :wink: :wink: It was horrible, do you know what its like to be accused of being the eldest child, just because your older brother was a midget from teh ages of 5-10.  Or be ridiculed, when people would ask you how old you are then you answer "7" and they respond "damn, your big for a 7 year old"  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  You don't know what's like to be taller than your FOURTH grade teacher .  Or be called "learch" on the play ground!

 

I wanted to be the spoiled brat!

 

One more thing, I also saw a sign in the Winking Lizard window about it going smoke free December .

Cross posted here:

http://static.flickr.com/108/310425485_1b695e2c43.jpg

 

I think because SmokeFree Ohio goes into effect on December 8th.

 

"Mayday: You and her would get along great... maybe too great."

 

Well, she and I at least understand that:

1. The world revolves around us.

2. We are the "Chosen Ones".

3. Once everyone else understands that, we make much more sense.

4. Once everyone realizes that what they perceive as our over-developed "youngest child entitlement" is actually the true Order of the Universe, the world will be a happier place.

5. If for some inexplicable reason the world doesn't revolve around us (perish the thought), we go off in our own little world.

6. There is no explanation needed beyond "because I'm the baby!". That answers all questions about our behavior.

7. Much of our vengeance is based on the fact that we have far fewer baby photos than our older siblings. Parents-to-be, you have been warned.

 

"I'm the "Baby" and all I ever got was forgotten or confused for being older than I was!"

 

 

You hit it all right on the nose except for number 7. She is always in front of the camera. For the past year, I have been letting her go behind the camera.

 

 

If you're a gluten for cuteness:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/muscatello/sets/663724/

 

I cannot say I feel any of you "mistake" babies pain. (Isn't the last baby the one that was a mistake?) I an the oldest of five.

 

****************************

 

 

Anyway, back on topic:

 

So, is it safe to assume there are no loose tickets to the special opening floating around?

I was NOT a mistake... well, they wanted to have me four years later than my brother (rather than a year) but mince mince. I'm talking about baby/infant age pictures - the older ones always have more - and we remember. Oh yes, we remember

 

Back to the Corner Alley, I don't know how they're doing the special opening - I'm only there by associaton  :|

 

 

 

I did a quick trip home for Thanksgiving and checked out Lola, and all of E. 4th.  Corner Alley is HUGE!  I did not know it would take so much of Euclid Avenue up. 

 

Such a huge change from 5 years ago

 

I agree, until last week, I haven't been downtown in a LONG time and there are so many nice apartments and things to do, now if there was only some shopping.

 

Thanks to all you folks on UO for opening my eyes.  I susupect a lot of people in the region COULD benefit from the knowledge on this forum.

One thing that I really like about the Corner Alley is that you can watch people bowling as you walk down Euclid. How cool is that? That'll definitely add some energy to the street (only to have the Atrium building suck it all out).

^As a crap bowler and a martini skeptic, this street theater aspect is what's got me most excited.  Can't wait to see over X-mas trip home. 

i'm also happy to see speakers on the outside on e4.  the one thing i never understood is why house of blues and pickwick don't play more of their music to the street - i don't mean blasting music until 3am, but having focused speakers on the area directly in front of their restaurants.  even when those places are hopping, the street can still feel and sound very quiet. 

 

when i'm going to a cavs game, i want to walk down e4 and hear the pre-game. at 10pm, i want to hear some music.   similar to what chophouse does in front.

^Really? I think outdoor piped music give streets a fakey, mall-like atmosphere. It's not a theme park -- it's a city. Real people live here.

It's not a theme park -- it's a city.

 

The danger of handing the whole street over to a single developer, with a single vision, is that this line starts to blurr...

 

i don't mean a piped in mall / legacy village type thing where 1 developer plays a certain tune through the whole complex.  but house of blues for instance has no speakers outside.  so, even in the summer you can't hear the music of tv from inside the restaurant.  similarly, i like being able to hear some of the cavs pregame when that is what is on inside.  so walking down e4, you might hear 4 or 5 different things as you pass restaurants and bars - extending the restaurant's presence to the street level (similar to the windows that now open from flannerys now).

^Really? I think outdoor piped music give streets a fakey, mall-like atmosphere. It's not a theme park -- it's a city. Real people live here.

 

I agree with UrbanLife, these are MUSIC venues, not malls, so why not bring some of what's happening on the inside out?  And the people who live here have to be somewhat enthralled by/attracted to what's going on down on the street, otherwise they probably wouldn't have decided to move there.  Again, the jams shouldn't be pumped at high volume, but should be low-key to give the street a little more vibrancy.  People waiting in line for admission to either club, or dining outside, would certainly enjoy this.  Plus, someone who's walking by E. 4th would be drawn in by the lights and the sounds.  This definitely works for me down at Fat Fish Blue...

 

It would be interesting, too, to see them promote street musicians at certain times of day...they could formalize this or have it evolve more organically.  I've got to imagine that right now, they'd discourage anyone who tried to set up shop on E. 4th, but I could be wrong!

It would be interesting, too, to see them promote street musicians at certain times of day...they could formalize this or have it evolve more organically.  I've got to imagine that right now, they'd discourage anyone who tried to set up shop on E. 4th, but I could be wrong!

I've seen that guy who plays the sax down at Playhouse Square also playing at Euclid and E. 4th on Playhouse Square's off nights.  I don't think they chase him off.  I think the business owners down there very much want street entertainment anytime they can get it.  But aside from organized stuff like Sparx in the City, it would probably be up to the street musicians to work for just tips.

The Corner Alley people understand what Fat Fish Blue understood years ago: big windows w/ the visibility of people having fun sucks folks in from the street or their cars.  Keep in mind, FFB was formerly a tire dealer beneath a parking deck on lowly Prospect, but now is wildly popular/successful.  I notice that Flannery's popularity has seemed to skyrocket after the owners smartly decided to take down those awful curtains hiding the activity inside.  Now, the place always seems to be buzzing, esp now they've added the outdoor patio.  You'd think retailers/restaurant owners would have learned this, and yet there's still places that still tend to 'hide' their businesses behind drapes and shades... Corner Alley is a beautiful, open & sexy facility and I can't help stopping to gawk inside every time I head past on Euclid... and I'm not the only one.   And more importantly, it's the kind of place that's different   -- that is, not a pure sit-on-your-ass sportsbar/restaurant or party joint that will be a magnet for folks wanting an active night out.  I'm salivating for Thursday!!

 

I have no doubt the impact of the Corner Alley's going to be huge; perhaps the biggest routine people generator of all the Gateway establishments sans the sports teams.  I wonder if this can jump start activity at 515 Euclid which is still vacant.  If this area really heats up, you'd think that would change as well as pressure to build the condo tower up top... one can only hope.  Also, w/ the plans to plans open more rental units atop Corner Alley in McCrory and its neighbors, plus plans (I think) to put units in the Goldfish block on Prospect and other nearby properties, I don't think a small grocery, of some kind, wouldn't be a horrible idea for retail space in 515, esp since it already has a ready parking deck over it in place...

... btw, of the 2 other downtown bowling/restaurant/martini-bar establishments I've visited/bowled at in D.C. and Philly, I note only Cleveland chose to put its bowling lanes visible and at street level -- very smart, indeed.

The Corner Alley people understand what Fat Fish Blue understood years ago: big windows w/ the visibility of people having fun sucks folks in from the street or their cars.  Keep in mind, FFB was formerly a tire dealer beneath a parking deck on lowly Prospect, but now is wildly popular/successful.  I notice that Flannery's popularity has seemed to skyrocket after the owners smartly decided to take down those awful curtains hiding the activity inside.  Now, the place always seems to be buzzing, esp now they've added the outdoor patio.  You'd think retailers/restaurant owners would have learned this, and yet there's still places that still tend to 'hide' their businesses behind drapes and shades...

 

I think this is definitely going to be a benefit to Corner Alley, having the bowling lanes aligned with the street makes it a spectator sport, more exciting for the pedestrians and the bowlers, and great, unique eye candy for the street.

 

I've thought a lot about why some bars/clubs become and remain popular, why some never do, and why others take off and then fizzle out.  Bargoers are so fickle, whatever is new is usually hot for about 6 months, until the next new place opens, and a former hotspot can become a graveyard overnight.  I don't know the statistics, but isn't it something like 50% of restaurants and bars close within something like 2 years of opening?  Regardless, it's tough, I personally wouldn't ever attempt it. 

 

There is a complex psychology behind why one place packs them in and another doesn't, besides the obvious stuff like good food, prices and good service.  One thing I've noticed about having a totally open, visible bar/restaurant is that it can be a catch-22.  You need to be fairly certain that what people are going to see is going to entice them to come in.  People go where the people are, and crowds beget crowds, and a lack of a crowd can also turn people away and turn into a downward spiral. 

 

I used to live in South Bend, IN (yes, really, and I lived to tell about it).  Anyway, it was a small city/town, and there were only a few large, popular bar/dance clubs.  Two of these places were opened around the same time, had live bands, both charged a $5 cover, had a very similar atmosphere and music, were a block away from each other and competed for the same crowd of bargoers.  The only real difference between them was that Bar A had big windows fronting the street so passers-by could see in, Bar B was completely hidden and had an alleyway entrance.  For a while, A was packing them in, and everyone wanted to go there because it always seemed to be jumping.  But then once in a while maybe they had a bad band or it was just a slow night downtown or whatever, and since you could walk right by and see that it was dead inside, it became a downward spiral for the night at least, where no one wanted to go in until there was a certain critial mass inside, so they decided to try Bar B.  And maybe B was dead too, but since you had no way of knowing until you got inside, at that point you had already paid $5 to get in, you'd stay and at least have a drink, and pretty soon the place would fill up.  Once that downward spiral started, A couldn't seem to bounce back.  It seemed like overnight Bar A became passe and "lame", no one went there anymore. 

 

Of course, it's a different dynamic if you are the type of place that charges a cover vs. one that doesn't.  I think the visibility generally works best if you're not a cover-based venue.  And if you have entertainment, a band or something visually interesting (like bowling lanes), those should be right there by the window, drawing people in, Fat Fish Blue has the right idea with their layout. 

 

I noticed Velvet Dog does a really smart thing (at least the one and only time I went there, 'tis a bit too meat-markety for me) - they wait until the ground floor completely fills up to capacity before they open up the floor above, and then wait until it also fills before they open up the top floor.  This way the place always looks and feels crowded.  Of course, the right strategies all depend on the type of crowd you're trying to attract.  The tactics that work at the Velvet Dog obviously aren't going to work if you're a wine bar or catering to an older crowd. 

 

It seems like some designers/marketers somewhere must have done research and studies on how to best design venues to draw people in, but I'm pretty sure most bar and restaurant owners fly by the seat of their pants and hope for the best.  Corner Alley no doubt has the benefit of experienced designers who get the psychology of creating a unique and enticing bar.

 

 

i just walked back from here and e4 was dead quiet, although there was some activity inside corner alley. go speakers go. i think this will make a small impact on this area.

A sign is being installed For the Corner Alley on the Euclid Facing side. Of note, its cold as hell outside.

One thing I've noticed about having a totally open, visible bar/restaurant is that it can be a catch-22.  You need to be fairly certain that what people are going to see is going to entice them to come in.  People go where the people are, and crowds beget crowds, and a lack of a crowd can also turn people away and turn into a downward spiral. 

 

True.  But you'd figure such a place would be in trouble anyway.  Covering it up certainly wouldn't seem to be a way to save it.

I keep hearing that a lot vacant storefronts between the Squares will lease up after the ECTP is complete. By that, I mean that there are signed contingent leases.

Do you have any idea what kind of retailers? I'm hoping for a little more than bars and restaurants.

Which Thursday is Corner Alley opening? Is it tomorrow?

 

If so, that will coincide nicely with MayDay's book signing in the Arcade (just across the street for the geographically challenged!). I will be at MayDay's book signing at about noon with another forumer and Ohio expat Markymark48.

^ Sign on the window says December 7th I think.. They're still working like mad. A couple guys were jackhammering out the old grating in the sidewalk to replace with shiny new grates. Plus as pope mentioned they're currently installing exterior signage.. Here are a couple horrible pictures from my crappy camera phone --

 

 

I believe it opens tomorrow evening, specifically. Looking forward to seeing you and Mark, KJP! :-)

i wish i was cool enough!

But ya are, Blanche - ya are!

Daaaag, that's a shweet camera phone!  And the signage ain't bad either!

I walked by there tonight.  they seemed to be having a pre-opening party.  BTW, the bowling pins glow in the dark, pink and blue I think (I've forgotten already).  Anyway, the place looks great and adds a lot of life to that corner.

I poked my head in there this afternoon, and a man asked if he could help me. I introduced myself as a Sun reporter and apologized for making an unannounced visit. He introduced himself and handed to me his business card -- Michael Auger, a managing partner of Trifecta Management Group. He invited me in, gave me an interview and then gave me a tour, including the four private bowling lanes in back! I was astonished and thanked him for his graciousness. A class guy.

 

I will submit the article for next week.

I poked my head in there this afternoon, and a man asked if he could help me. I introduced myself as a Sun reporter and apologized for making an unannounced visit. He introduced himself and handed to me his business card -- Michael Auger, a managing partner of Trifecta Management Group. He invited me in, gave me an interview and then gave me a tour, including the four private bowling lanes in back! I was astonished and thanked him for his graciousness. A class guy.

 

I will submit the article for next week.

 

i should have followed you out of the arcade.

I contemplated stopping in on my way home from school, but decided to pass.  It looked great all lit up and with people in it!  Unfortunately, they had coat racks in the windows, so I couldn't peep the bowling...

Anyone know the name of the middle building on Euclid that's part of the three-building Corner Alley complex? Michael Auger didn't know what it was, either. I see from city records that it was built in 1916. It is in between the former McCrory discount store and the ex-Kresge's (precursor to today's Kmart).

 

This has become an irrational mission for me. I searched more than 100 Euclid Avenue photos at ClevelandMemory.com but could find no views that were close/clear enough of the the location see what the middle building was. In one photo from 1948, I think a sign on the building said Sisser's (the jewelry store that's now on East 4th), but part of the sign is blocked. The last use of that middle building was for a Best Deal pawn shop, according to a Google search I did for the address -- 410 Euclid Ave.

 

If anyone has any info, I would really appreciate it.