Article updated with a rendering of a proposed Huntington Bank branch at the SW corner of Detroit and Orchard Grove avenues (Steve Barry Buick site)....

 

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/11/27/lakewoods-barry-buick-to-fall-apartments-to-rise/

 

 

That's a disappointing little outhouse of a bank branch.

There's already a Huntington branch a half mile east on Detroit. I'm not sure I understand the benefits of opening a second branch so close, unless they're planning on vacating their current location.

1 hour ago, X said:

That's a disappointing little outhouse of a bank branch.

Seriously. Why waste that lot? And not put 2-3 floors of apartments on top of it? It’s Lakewood, so this will probably be the only thing that gets built out of this proposal.

Why not just put it inside the building like they did for Quarter II? No point of wasting space like this. 

that said, at least its right up on the street and with its parking lot on the side. i mean it could have been set back with parking in front, so some thought was given here at least. also, when it closes up it can be repurposed easily, if not torn down for something better. 🦃

On 11/27/2024 at 8:27 PM, KJP said:

Article updated with a rendering of a proposed Huntington Bank branch at the SW corner of Detroit and Orchard Grove avenues (Steve Barry Buick site)....

 

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/11/27/lakewoods-barry-buick-to-fall-apartments-to-rise/

 

 

So sad - if it were my bank and lived nearby I guess I would be happy.  Yes, we agree at least it is pushed up to sidewalk leaving room for other community minded services such as:

Edited November 30, 2024Nov 30 by Willo

Council to consider tax incentives for developer of Lakewood school board buildings

Published: Dec. 03, 2024

By Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com

 

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- City Council this month is expected to approve a package of tax incentives for the developer turning a pair of historic former school buildings on Warren Road into office spaces.

 

The city agreed earlier this year to grant Liberty Development Company a 75% commercial-tax abatement and 100% residential-tax abatement, as well as create a tax increment financing district at the property to reimburse the company for energy-efficient renovations, for the project at the 130-year-old elementary school buildings.

 

...

 

The tax abatements would be good for 15 years, and the 30-year TIF would apply only to the addresses of the former schools.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/2024/12/council-to-consider-tax-incentives-for-developer-of-lakewood-school-board-buildings.html

Just read on their Facebook that The Foundry Concert Club is moving out of Lakewood. This place has been a staple for like 20 years. A real bummer for the Lakewood scene.

 

There has been quite a few Lakewood businesses that have announced closures or relocations this past year it seems. 

1 hour ago, TDi said:

Just read on their Facebook that The Foundry Concert Club is moving out of Lakewood. This place has been a staple for like 20 years. A real bummer for the Lakewood scene.

 

There has been quite a few Lakewood businesses that have announced closures or relocations this past year it seems. 

 

If you saw their FB announcement, you must have seen the reason- their landlord decided not to renew their lease.  So why make it sound like it's a Lakewood problem?

COhatch unveils plans, renderings for new Lakewood location

Stan Bullard

December 4th

 

Columbus-based coworking provider COhatch has unveiled its plans to transform the First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lakewood on the 14800 block of Detroit Avenue into its third Cleveland location.

 

The company acquired the downtown Lakewood building for $1.5 million on Friday, Nov. 15 but the financial institution intends to retain its landmark headquarters on the same block. The building was previously a former Society Corp. (now KeyCorp) branch that the S&L bought in 1993.

 

...

 

 All told, the 16,285-square-foot building will accommodate around 80 workers and amenities include 36 private offices of various sizes — from single-person rooms to nine-person spaces — as well as multiple meeting rooms, a wellness room, six available desks and eight phone booths.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/cohatch-unveils-plans-renderings-new-lakewood-location

45 minutes ago, X said:

 

If you saw their FB announcement, you must have seen the reason- their landlord decided not to renew their lease.  So why make it sound like it's a Lakewood problem?

I did see it but I guess my point is that still doesn't account for all the others that have closed or relocated this year. It's not a small amount. If it's all landlord issues then that in itself is a problem.

8 hours ago, X said:

 

If you saw their FB announcement, you must have seen the reason- their landlord decided not to renew their lease.  So why make it sound like it's a Lakewood problem?

 

They are moving to the old Mr. E's location on Pearl road, by Deaconess.  As FB friends commented, continuing their tradition of no parking.

9 hours ago, TDi said:

I did see it but I guess my point is that still doesn't account for all the others that have closed or relocated this year. It's not a small amount. If it's all landlord issues then that in itself is a problem.

 

Your "point" is a non-sequitur.  What would you like the City of Lakewood to do about a private landlord not renewing the lease of a private tenant?  And how is this situation involving two private entities indicative of anything larger happening in Lakewood?

56 minutes ago, X said:

 

Your "point" is a non-sequitur.  What would you like the City of Lakewood to do about a private landlord not renewing the lease of a private tenant?  And how is this situation involving two private entities indicative of anything larger happening in Lakewood?

Its just my observation and I dont have the answers but I do think Lakewood needs to take a look at what's going on. Businesses like The Foundry, Salt, El Carn, Deagons, Griffon Works etc. are businesses that make Lakewood different from other suburbs and the businesses that have replaced what has closed are not the same quality because its hard to replicate.

 

If a bunch of businesses closed/relocated in a short amount of time downtown, OHC or Tremont like they have in Lakewood people would absolutely be asking what's going on. Not sure why we cant do the same for Lakewood.

9 minutes ago, TDi said:

Its just my observation and I dont have the answers but I do think Lakewood needs to take a look at what's going on. Businesses like The Foundry, Salt, El Carn, Deagons, Griffon Works etc. are businesses that make Lakewood different from other suburbs and the businesses that have replaced what has closed are not the same quality because its hard to replicate.

 

If a bunch of businesses closed/relocated in a short amount of time downtown, OHC or Tremont like they have in Lakewood people would absolutely be asking what's going on. Not sure why we cant do the same for Lakewood.

 

Salt and El Carnicero seems to be the ownership group wanting to step back or explore new opportunities, not an issue with Lakewood specifically. And El Carnicero's old space has already been replaced by Wine Dive.

 

Personally I was not a fan of Deagan's; Solstice seems to have had issues among the management group that lead to its closure. Also it had a limited menu that didn't rotate enough and they never really found their identify IMO. 

 

Griffin seemed to be another case of the owner wanting to step away and they were bought out by Buildings and Food, not sure what their hold up in getting another concept in there is. 

 

But you're also focusing on what's closed and not what has opened recently in Lakewood; Pachamama, Cleveland Bagel's Lakewood location, Artis. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. 

 

Lakewood has its problems, I'm just not sure this is a fair characterization of one of them. 

26 minutes ago, Luke_S said:

 

Salt and El Carnicero seems to be the ownership group wanting to step back or explore new opportunities, not an issue with Lakewood specifically. And El Carnicero's old space has already been replaced by Wine Dive.

 

Personally I was not a fan of Deagan's; Solstice seems to have had issues among the management group that lead to its closure. Also it had a limited menu that didn't rotate enough and they never really found their identify IMO. 

 

Griffin seemed to be another case of the owner wanting to step away and they were bought out by Buildings and Food, not sure what their hold up in getting another concept in there is. 

 

But you're also focusing on what's closed and not what has opened recently in Lakewood; Pachamama, Cleveland Bagel's Lakewood location, Artis. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. 

 

Lakewood has its problems, I'm just not sure this is a fair characterization of one of them. 

Salt and El Carn both made business decisions to specifically close their Lakewood locations while keeping their other locations open with Momocho and Poppy. This is more surprising for Salt as that was their original location but that's a lot different than management wanting to step back.

 

Wine Dive is fine but very similar to any you name it bar all across Lakewood and not on par with the food that El Carn had. Both Cleveland Bagel Cafe and Artis have had very mixed reviews so far as well but hoping they turn around.

 

There are clearly some passionate Lakewood people in here so Ill stop but again this was just my observation from someone who frequents Lakewood establishments.

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, E Rocc said:

 

They are moving to the old Mr. E's location on Pearl road, by Deaconess.  As FB friends commented, continuing their tradition of no parking.

If only there was a shut down CVS with a 50 spot parking lot literally 50 yards away. 

 

That's not counting the spots reserved in the front for Opal. 

22 hours ago, TDi said:

Salt and El Carn both made business decisions to specifically close their Lakewood locations while keeping their other locations open with Momocho and Poppy. This is more surprising for Salt as that was their original location but that's a lot different than management wanting to step back.

 

Wine Dive is fine but very similar to any you name it bar all across Lakewood and not on par with the food that El Carn had. Both Cleveland Bagel Cafe and Artis have had very mixed reviews so far as well but hoping they turn around.

 

There are clearly some passionate Lakewood people in here so Ill stop but again this was just my observation from someone who frequents Lakewood establishments.

 

 

 

 

 

I hear what you're saying, but I wonder if this is just an artifact of Lakewood being fairly dense with a higher absolute number of these businesses than surrounding suburbs and in fact this is just the normal "churn" business cycle. 

 

Tremont has had a number of closings over the last few years (rip sokolowskis poor some out) but is still clearly thriving with the large new projects. 

 

23 hours ago, TDi said:

Salt and El Carn both made business decisions to specifically close their Lakewood locations while keeping their other locations open with Momocho and Poppy. This is more surprising for Salt as that was their original location but that's a lot different than management wanting to step back.

 

Wine Dive is fine but very similar to any you name it bar all across Lakewood and not on par with the food that El Carn had. Both Cleveland Bagel Cafe and Artis have had very mixed reviews so far as well but hoping they turn around.

 

There are clearly some passionate Lakewood people in here so Ill stop but again this was just my observation from someone who frequents Lakewood establishments.

 

 

 

 

EL-C and Salt are big losses. I dined at Artis and enjoyed it. But the dining room there is super cramped. 

45 minutes ago, Jax said:

 

I hear what you're saying, but I wonder if this is just an artifact of Lakewood being fairly dense with a higher absolute number of these businesses than surrounding suburbs and in fact this is just the normal "churn" business cycle. 

 

Tremont has had a number of closings over the last few years (rip sokolowskis poor some out) but is still clearly thriving with the large new projects. 

 

I had a long post typed out that I just ended up deleting yesterday (stupid real work responsibilities) that basically said the same thing. Go for a walk down Madison or Detroit and basically with every step you're at a business of some kind, some new, some old.

 

There is probably something worth discussing if the quality of the new places isn't as good as the old (RIP El Carn!), but I don't think it's necessarily linked. It seems like all the high profile closures in Lakewood over the last year or two have been for various reasons with no real thread to connect them. There's also other success stories, when the Cambell's on Detroit closed, we got Boom's, Burgers 2 Beer closing led to Arepaz right across the street, etc. etc. Look, Lakewood isn't perfect and has things it needs to work on (the glacial pace of developments for one), but there doesn't seem to be some general problem plaguing the whole city, plus it still has a general reputation statewide as a place you should be looking at if you're coming to the Cleveland region.

 

On the other side, when Melt basically had to close everything to stay alive, they chose their Lakewood location as the one to keep. They could have just easily picked a location in one of the suburbs or Columbus to be the last one standing, but they wanted it to be Lakewood.

54 minutes ago, Jax said:

 

I hear what you're saying, but I wonder if this is just an artifact of Lakewood being fairly dense with a higher absolute number of these businesses than surrounding suburbs and in fact this is just the normal "churn" business cycle. 

 

Tremont has had a number of closings over the last few years (rip sokolowskis poor some out) but is still clearly thriving with the large new projects. 

 

I agree that it's the typical restaurant churn. Add onto that every single opening/closing of a restaurant now being a news story as every local news source needs to constantly put out stories for clicks. 

 

Most people in the region would have never even known about half of these places closing, and may not have even known it existed in the first place. But now we see every time a place is closing from 6 different news sources on our feeds. 

On 12/5/2024 at 10:13 AM, TDi said:

Both Cleveland Bagel Cafe and Artis have had very mixed reviews

 

What are the mixed reviews on Cleveland Bagel? People love the place. My only regret with them coming to Lakewood is I enjoyed the occasional pilgrimage to Ohio City on a weekend morning.

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by mu2010

37 minutes ago, mu2010 said:

 

What are the mixed reviews on Cleveland Bagel? People love the place. My only regret with them coming to Lakewood is I enjoyed the occasional pilgrimage to Ohio City on a weekend morning.

Overall quality/freshness compared to the other locations.  Unfortunately the space they bought in Lakewood was found out after the fact to not have enough space for a kitchen. So the bagels they serve there are baked at the Ohio City/Midtown locations, shipped to the Lakewood location and then frozen until used and reheated to serve. At a place that charges the price of freshly baked bagels I think people dont feel this concept meets that standard set by the Ohio City/Midtown locations.

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by TDi

6 hours ago, TDi said:

Overall quality/freshness compared to the other locations.  Unfortunately the space they bought in Lakewood was found out after the fact to not have enough space for a kitchen. So the bagels they serve there are baked at the Ohio City/Midtown locations, shipped to the Lakewood location and then frozen until used and reheated to serve. At a place that charges the price of freshly baked bagels I think people dont feel this concept meets that standard set by the Ohio City/Midtown locations.

Did not know this and didn’t notice on my two times going there, but perhaps a good excuse to keep up the Ohio City pilgrimages.

Signage going up yesterday at Birdietown, slated to open soon in the old BiRite grocery building on Madison Avenue.  Between this, the Korean restaurant & market across the street, and the renewed construction at Birdtown Brewery nearby, Birdtown is arguably the hottest neighborhood in Lakewood.

One Star Bar opens as Lakewood’s latest corner hangout, restaurant

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

By Alex Darus, cleveland.com

 

One Star Bar, 13601 Detroit Avenue, opened on Sunday during the Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs game. Large TV screens, two large bars with ample lounge seating and plenty of comfort food made it the ideal opening day for the ultimate game-viewing spot.

 

...

 

Bacha described the vibe of One Star Bar as “aesthetically pleasing dad’s basement.” The space is equipped with a small stage with couch seating, a pool table and other bar staples like a pull tabs machine and TouchTunes audio. It sounds simple, but the space features dim lighting and walls of kitschy artwork to give it a refined vibe.

 

...

 

When it comes to the food, Oryszak hopes to bring the same kind of bar fare that Heart of Gold in Ohio City started with. In the new year, he hopes Heart of Gold can introduce more upscale, small plates and entrees onto its menu. Initially, Heart of Gold opened as the fine-dining restaurant The Plum before transitioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/12/one-star-bar-opens-as-lakewoods-latest-corner-hangout-restaurant.html

On 12/17/2024 at 1:49 AM, Luke_S said:

One Star Bar opens as Lakewood’s latest corner hangout, restaurant

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

By Alex Darus, cleveland.com

 

One Star Bar, 13601 Detroit Avenue, opened on Sunday during the Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs game. Large TV screens, two large bars with ample lounge seating and plenty of comfort food made it the ideal opening day for the ultimate game-viewing spot.

 

...

 

Bacha described the vibe of One Star Bar as “aesthetically pleasing dad’s basement.” The space is equipped with a small stage with couch seating, a pool table and other bar staples like a pull tabs machine and TouchTunes audio. It sounds simple, but the space features dim lighting and walls of kitschy artwork to give it a refined vibe.

 

...

 

When it comes to the food, Oryszak hopes to bring the same kind of bar fare that Heart of Gold in Ohio City started with. In the new year, he hopes Heart of Gold can introduce more upscale, small plates and entrees onto its menu. Initially, Heart of Gold opened as the fine-dining restaurant The Plum before transitioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2024/12/one-star-bar-opens-as-lakewoods-latest-corner-hangout-restaurant.html

Some really quality people involved in this. Should be successful.

On 12/18/2024 at 9:19 AM, marty15 said:

Some really quality people involved in this. Should be successful.

 

Looks good! I wish they would have bought Griffins...I think it's still closed with no signs of life. 

6 minutes ago, surfohio said:

 

Looks good! I wish they would have bought Griffins...I think it's still closed with no signs of life. 

Griffins was one of my favorites. 😢

1 minute ago, marty15 said:

Griffins was one of my favorites. 😢

 

Mine too. I loved the vibe. I am worried the current owner has some kind of dumb tacky concept in mind that is going to just kill the interior. 

On 12/18/2024 at 11:19 AM, marty15 said:

Some really quality people involved in this. Should be successful.

More photos of the bar on Google

 

Damn, I'm disappointed it wasn't there the last time I was in town, that looks right up my street with the vibe. I'm a bar snob and too many bars now go too much one way; generic chain, dive bar dump or soulless upscale, not enough homely local type bars about throughout the country that meet my selective criteria. Winking Lizard along the street was then and other occasions I've been uncomfortably busy, even on weekdays, so I feel like there is plenty of demand especially if its as good as it looks. Hope it works out for them.

Edited December 20, 2024Dec 20 by snakebite

6 hours ago, snakebite said:

More photos of the bar on Google

 

Damn, I'm disappointed it wasn't there the last time I was in town, that looks right up my street with the vibe. I'm a bar snob and too many bars now go too much one way; generic chain, dive bar dump or soulless upscale, not enough homely local type bars about throughout the country that meet my selective criteria. Winking Lizard along the street was then and other occasions I've been uncomfortably busy, even on weekdays, so I feel like there is plenty of demand especially if its as good as it looks. Hope it works out for them.

 

I just got back from getting dinner there. Food was good; I got a hot Italian sub and my partner got the black bean and beat burger--both very good! Vibes in the bar were good too, decent crowd for early on Friday.

Didn't he just renovate the lakewood location. Very short lived I guess.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/matt-fish-has-permanently-closed-melt-bar-and-grilled-45789718

I dislike leaning on covid for this one. He oversaturated the market with his chains and the quality of the food steadily got worse. He spoiled the brand.

Noticed some zoning changes with Council today, looks like we will be squeezing 11 units against the Norfolk Southern tracks between Thoreau and Donald. 

 

 

 

 

 

I walk by this site daily. I was hoping someday infill would take the site, my only other alternative was a dozen native mature trees. But 11 units it is!

Yup. I was going to write an article about it and forgot all about it!

On 1/1/2025 at 5:44 PM, Whipjacka said:

I dislike leaning on covid for this one. He oversaturated the market with his chains and the quality of the food steadily got worse. He spoiled the brand.

 

The amount of press that Melt's closing has produced is mind blowing. People need to let it go already.

On 1/3/2025 at 5:25 PM, outjet said:

Noticed some zoning changes with Council today, looks like we will be squeezing 11 units against the Norfolk Southern tracks between Thoreau and Donald. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are those for the hearing impaired?

1 minute ago, E Rocc said:

 

Are those for the hearing impaired?

As someone who owned a house near those tracks years ago, I can assure you eventually you just don't even notice it.   And its probably not as bad today as when I had the house, as there are far fewer trains using that NS line through Lakewood these days.  

14 minutes ago, Cleburger said:

As someone who owned a house near those tracks years ago, I can assure you eventually you just don't even notice it.   And its probably not as bad today as when I had the house, as there are far fewer trains using that NS line through Lakewood these days.  

 

Concur because when I was living Southside at Case, I got used to it.

 

But this isn't near those tracks it's basically on top of them.  If they put in the "no horn" design it might work.

Edited January 7Jan 7 by E Rocc

Not sure if this was mentioned before, but Planet Fitness is going into the former Rite Aid across from Cleveland Bagel.

4 minutes ago, marty15 said:

Not sure if this was mentioned before, but Planet Fitness is going into the former Rite Aid across from Cleveland Bagel.

 

Cool, though it seems a little small for them. They just moved into the old Earth Fare at Westgate. Do you know if they're keeping the Rite Aid building?

3 minutes ago, mtnbikefan said:

 

Cool, though it seems a little small for them. They just moved into the old Earth Fare at Westgate. Do you know if they're keeping the Rite Aid building?

I’m not certain.

On 1/7/2025 at 10:27 AM, mtnbikefan said:

 

Cool, though it seems a little small for them. They just moved into the old Earth Fare at Westgate. Do you know if they're keeping the Rite Aid building?

It’s going in the existing building.

On 1/7/2025 at 10:20 AM, marty15 said:

Not sure if this was mentioned before, but Planet Fitness is going into the former Rite Aid across from Cleveland Bagel.

 

I joined the Planet Fitness in Rocky River over the summer knowing I would be moving to Lakewood.  Then they moved to Fairview Park.  While it isnt that much farther, it's still not ideal.  I'd think a Lakewood location would do well.

2 hours ago, dar124 said:

 

I joined the Planet Fitness in Rocky River over the summer knowing I would be moving to Lakewood.  Then they moved to Fairview Park.  While it isnt that much farther, it's still not ideal.  I'd think a Lakewood location would do well.

 

Same for me.  Not happy about the move.  But I have been lazy about the gym anyway, so whatever!

Immigrant Son Brewery Owner Andrew Revy to Open Sofia's Kitchen + Bar in Former Salt Space in Lakewood

By Douglas Trattner 

Jan 17, 2025

 

Lakewood, like many neighborhoods, suffered a series of devastating restaurant losses in 2024. Eric Williams shuttered El Carnicero after 11 years, Matt Fish closed the original Melt Bar and Grilled after nearly 20 years, and Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison closed Salt on a high note after eight years.

But in this business, when one door closes, it won’t be long before that door reopens with somebody else turning the key. In the case of Salt, that person is Andrew Revy, who owns Immigrant Son Brewery a half mile away in the same neighborhood. After being approached about the potential of taking over the space, Revy says had no choice but to consider it.

 

...

 

Heading up the kitchen is veteran chef Andy Strizak, whose resume includes stops with a who’s who of Cleveland’s top culinary mentors – stretching clear back to Parker Bosley at Parker's American Bistro. Other employers include Michael Symon, Karen Small and Ben Bebenroth. Like those mentors, Strizak strives for fresh, local and seasonal product at all turns.

 

https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/immigrant-son-brewery-owner-andrew-revy-to-open-sophias-kitchen-bar-in-former-salt-space-in-lakewood-45886903

 

Cleveland, Lakewood projects boosted by Port
By Ken Prendergast / February 13, 2025

 

Three redevelopment projects — two on Cleveland’s west side and one in Lakewood — were awarded financial assistance today by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority’s board of directors to advance them to construction in the coming weeks. The assistance totaled more than $97 million worth of financing, sales tax savings and bonds.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2025/02/13/cleveland-lakewood-projects-boosted-by-port/