The latest issue of Cleveland magazine had a nice illustration of E. 4th St. with the current and anticipated tenants!  It makes you look forward to next year's NBA finals when they'll be able to show more street footage of downtown Cleveland than just the Rock Hall! :wink:  Anyways,  it's amazing how far this street has come in the past couple of years.  Hopefully the proposed projects for downtown are as careful and successful in selecting new tenants! 

 

The thing that makes this project so great is that shovels were put into the ground and the neighborhood changed for the better.  We weren't stuck sitting on the edge of our seats for years waiting for SOMETHING to show signs of life. I'm looking forward to the future projects that MRN is undertaking!

We weren't stuck sitting on the edge of our seats for years waiting for SOMETHING to show signs of life

 

Well, you know MRN has been assembling this property for about 12 years, so it is not exactly an over night success.  Sometimes the best developments require patience.  :-)

Wow, I didn't know they've been at this for over a decade!  Did they adverstise for E. 4th back then like East Bank and WHD have been publicized?

no.  The problem with East 4th is that on some buildings/parcels there were multiple owners.  Making it harder to buy and develop the property.

 

Then about 2001 East 4th started to take off.  Now all that planing is paying off.

no.  The problem with East 4th is that on some buildings/parcels there were multiple owners.  Making it harder to buy and develop the property.

 

Then about 2001 East 4th started to take off.  Now all that planing is paying off.

 

i know we have a thread for this already, but does this mean we will be waiting awhile for their properties on W.25th to start going?

no.  The problem with East 4th is that on some buildings/parcels there were multiple owners.  Making it harder to buy and develop the property.

 

Then about 2001 East 4th started to take off.  Now all that planing is paying off.

 

i know we have a thread for this already, but does this mean we will be waiting awhile for their properties on W.25th to start going?

 

I wouldn't think the ownership issues are the same. 

 

I would guess they are trying to evaluate the neighborhoods needs and what "added value" an MNR development can add to the mix. 

 

The only way to know for sure is to ask.  Dare a suggest writing a letter?  :wink: :evil:

...  it's amazing how far this street has come in the past couple of years.  Hopefully the proposed projects for downtown are as careful and successful in selecting new tenants! 

 

The thing that makes this project so great is that shovels were put into the ground and the neighborhood changed for the better.  We weren't stuck sitting on the edge of our seats for years waiting for SOMETHING to show signs of life. I'm looking forward to the future projects that MRN is undertaking!

 

As I've said many times, developers like MRN and K & D (Price-Corna) are best suited for a conservative development town like Cleveland: start with a small project and steadily build on strength.  Time after time in this town, we've seen the big, splashy (home run) projects stall for one reason or another or die: District Park, Pesht, Wolstein, Triangle/U. Circle, etc.  Hopefully, the latter 3 will get off the schnide and get going, there are some signs.

 

... as for E. 4th's growth, it took some time.  Picwick, then HOB got things percolating.  However, it seems Corner Alley really kicked the Street into high gear as it appeals to such a large and wide cross section of people... and mind you, Corner Alley has appeared very successful despite the fact it fronts on that mess known as ECP/Euclid.  And it appears that the other retailers are feeding off Corner Alley's success.. Imagine how strong E. 4th will be when ECP is finally complete.  MRN has made some mistakes to be sure, but overall, they've handled their business very well and E.4th is a major Cleveland success story on many levels.

 

^^ It's shocking they are doing so well on a street that is basically unusable. I go to the Subway between E. 9th and Huron on Euclid, and that guys shop has a lot less foot-traffic. I hope it doesnt hurt him too bad.

What street is unusable and why?

I didn't quite understand that comment myself, I presume JamieC is referring to Euclid.

^^ It's shocking they are doing so well on a street that is basically unusable. I go to the Subway between E. 9th and Huron on Euclid, and that guys shop has a lot less foot-traffic. I hope it doesnt hurt him too bad.

 

well, they have significantly reduced their hours. 

I'm saying Euclid is a disaster in front of that Subway shop. Obviously car traffic isn't where he will get customers, but compound that with a sidwalk that is as wide as a remote path up the Andes, and you've got a business killer. Subway seems to operated by a regular guy who is real nice. I feel bad, but his lunch business is getting destroyed compared to a year ago.

sorry JamieC.  What has he done to combat this issue.  He has to be proactive.

 

If he is a, "oh the sidewalk has messed up my business" type without trying some innovative CHEAP grass roots tactics, then maybe he shouldn't be in business.  This is a unique challenge and he should be able to work around the situation.

how do you have a grass roots subway campaign?

 

 

for a small fee I could prepare one?  What about you?

for a small fee I could prepare one?  What about you?

 

smells more like an astroturfing campaign to me.

I understand all that and sure there is stuff that could be done, but lets also give him some credit for dealing with a 1.5 foot sidewalk and having the only open storefront on that whole side of the street.

ok...then homie could have put up a HUGE I'm still open during construction of the ECP sign.

i think the bigger problem is that subways are a dime a dozen downtown.  so absent some kind of pricing promotion (which he may be restricted from offering as per his franchise agreement), his only real option was to reduce hours and cost, and hold on to his daytime crowd to try and break even during construction.

 

as it is, i think a lot of people may just walk to another subway or restaurant.  with all of the dust blowing around, small width sidewalk, jackhammering, random reroutes and closures of crossings, limited street lighting, limited parking, etc.

Yeah, Wunder Bar hasn't started out on the right foot.  They advertised last night as the opening with complimentary drinks and food, yet when people I know showed up, they said it was a mistake and that it was friends and family night.  I saw the ad here on UO and on coolcleveland.com.  Not sure what the deal is.  Still though, looks like a cool spot.

 

I know the scoop on that one. Someone leaked it to CoolCleveland, who then advertised it as the opening instead of the friend's and family night. Needless to say, the owners were not pleased that they had to turn away people.

 

Wonder Bar is going to be a great addition to the street. they fill a great niche, imo. Of course, I'm bias..

They are open tonight, and look reasonable busy.  The place looks very nice.

Update on Zocalo in today's PD - looks like a 9/6 opening

 

Zocalo Mexican Grill & Tequileria joins Cleveland's East Fourth Street lineup

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Bill Lubinger

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

Tequila lovers, mark it down.

 

Zocalo Mexican Grill & Tequileria debuts on East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland on Thursday, Sept. 6. And it arrives with the mindset of a Tequilas-R-Us.

 

Management promises a choice of 85 tequilas, tequila flights, upside-down margaritas, a tasting room and tequila ex perts along the lines of agave somme liers to guide you. Tequila will also drive many of the menu's mari nades.

 

Zocalo will also offer tableside guacamole and a fresh tortilla-maker.

 

 

The PD also said that La Strada's opening has been delayed until September because of construction delays.

Unless they changed which building La Strada is going in, there is no way it is opening in September of this year.  Maybe September of next year.  There hasn't been ANY work done on the building we were told it is going into!

As for the Subway owner, he's in a bind to be sure.  You can only be so "proactive" when a core part of your business model is messed up by circumstance, and "convenience" is a core part of any fast food business model.

 

The only thing I can think that might work is if he has back alley access he might try offering delivery.

Unless they changed which building La Strada is going in, there is no way it is opening in September of this year.  Maybe September of next year.  There hasn't been ANY work done on the building we were told it is going into!

That was my first thought too X -- that space is still being used for staging as far as I've been able to tell.  But here's the quote from the PD:

 

. . . And Terry Tarantino has pushed back the opening of La Strada World Cafe on East Fourth Street until September because of construction delays. He's having an interior wrought-iron balcony built to depict a Mediterranean street.

 

So what building is this going into?  Or I guess the more simple explanation is that the writer has the month wrong.

What is going inside the Sincere Building on the corner of E4th and Prospect?  Where is Zocalo going into?  With these new openings and apartments how is the feel/vibe of the street?  does it feel as though the city is a turning a corner?

What is going inside the Sincere Building on the corner of E4th and Prospect?  Where is Zocalo going into?  With these new openings and apartments how is the feel/vibe of the street?  does it feel as though the city is a turning a corner?

 

Yes, right into the Corner Alley.

Har.. har.. har MTS..

What is going inside the Sincere Building on the corner of E4th and Prospect?  Where is Zocalo going into?  With these new openings and apartments how is the feel/vibe of the street?  does it feel as though the city is a turning a corner?

 

I don't know for sure about Sincere.  Nothing has been announced.  Zocolo is going into the building directly north of Sincere.  The street feels very lively, even on weeknights there is usually a decent smattering of people hanging out on the patios.  The street certainly is changing, of course one street does not a city make, but I think things are changing for the better Downtown.

 

Unless they changed which building La Strada is going in, there is no way it is opening in September of this year.  Maybe September of next year.  There hasn't been ANY work done on the building we were told it is going into!

That was my first thought too X -- that space is still being used for staging as far as I've been able to tell.  But here's the quote from the PD:

 

. . . And Terry Tarantino has pushed back the opening of La Strada World Cafe on East Fourth Street until September because of construction delays. He's having an interior wrought-iron balcony built to depict a Mediterranean street.

 

So what building is this going into?  Or I guess the more simple explanation is that the writer has the month wrong.

 

I can't imagine he just has the month wrong.  They are either putting it someplace else, maybe into the space that was supposed to be Theresa's.  That is the only other space anywhere near completion.  Certainly not to the point where a wrought iron balcony would be the hold up.  Nothing else that I can see is beyond demolition stage.  Strange.

^You're right, one street does not a city make, but many more downtown streets are strong and getting stronger.  And Gateway is becoming more and more a legit residential/entertainment district that isn't solely dependent on Cavs & Indians games.  I think E.4th is largely at the center of this just as W.6th was at the center of WHD's revival decades ago.

^^ I sure wish they could do something with Sincere's ground floor.  1st it was the boarded up graffiti-ed look.  Then they removed the ugly boards only to reveal equally ugly pillars.  I'm wondering what's making retail at that location so difficult (hey, maybe it is all those pillars which would hamper interior space use).  It a shame since E. 4th is doing so well, esp Sincere's across-the-street neighbor, Flannery's.

It is the pillars, though they've have found some solutions for the problem.  But really, with all the businesses coming, I'm not so much worried about the Sincere Building as I am about them delivering the new businesses they've already promised.

Loft the space up, make it a high-end, trendy salon. Done. Where's my consultant fee?

Loft the space up, make it a high-end, trendy salon. Done. Where's my consultant fee?

 

you plan on operating?

 

it takes a tenant to make a trendy salon, the land lord can only suggest.

those pillars run all the way through the building up to the top floor. (woken up there)

Loft the space up, make it a high-end, trendy salon. Done. Where's my consultant fee?

 

you plan on operating?

 

it takes a tenant to make a trendy salon, the land lord can only suggest.

 

Ain't you prickly! I was just coming up with an idea that would work with the pillars.

Those beat up pillars are sweet.

those pillars run all the way through the building up to the top floor. (woken up there)

 

Did you fall asleep there, as well?

those pillars run all the way through the building up to the top floor. (woken up there)

 

Did you fall asleep there, as well?

 

if by "fall asleep" you mean get drunk and make lewd calls to your mother, then yes.

Why yes, that is what I meant.  Glad we understand one another.

Had a great time at Wonder Bar last night (once the loud Indians & Browns fans left).

 

Cool space, nice menu, and the jazz was good.  Very friendly staff too - I made some suggestions & they wrote them down & said they'll pass it along to management.  Don't know if they actually will, but it was attentive.  I'd recommend going there - another nice change of pace on the street.

^^Small town...I was there last night as well.  I did not bother them with any suggestions. (happy with the prices, music, etc)

Cleveland, everyone's favorite small big town :)

Just a shot from today...

 

 

And a reminder of how it looked almost three years ago:

that had to be longer than 2 years ago...the HOB has been open for almost 3 years, and P&F has been open at least 4 or 5.

 

Cool pics, though.

You're right, I just doublechecked the upload date and it was July 2004. IIRC, Pickwick was open during the construction (though not easily accessible).

Is E 4th permanently closed to traffic? Are there plans to do something similar in the Warehouse District? I recall plans/ideas being floated about that years ago .. paving the streets with cobblestones, etc.

No, it will be a seasonal closure.  The patios will come down and the street reopened in October.  Then patios back up and street shut down again in late spring.

Personally, I can't stand that the street is closed at all.  Why does it have to be an entertainment district instead of a neighborhood that just has alot of entertainment.  The E 4th area is a far cry from a neighborhood being that the main stretch isn't open to traffic.  It reminds me of a block party.  I wish it was just a nice narrow street with buidings right up to it, kind of like Philly.