Huge bummer for myself.

That's sad.

W 9th Phoenix Coffee is closing aug 24th

 

This is terrible news. Phoenix is a first class operation. They have knowledgeable employees, friendly service and a great local product.

This is terrible news. Phoenix is a first class operation. They have knowledgeable employees, friendly service and a great local product.

 

Maybe we can get a Dunkin' Donuts in there!!!!!!!!!

I feel like the warehouse district is moving in the wrong direction. Crop, Metro and Phoenix.... all out. What the heck is going on???

I actually think Bar Louie is an upgrade over Metro. Crop left because they had outgrown their location. Even though I don't drink coffee, Phoenix is going to be a big loss. I think my wife is going to cry when she finds out.

W 9th Phoenix Coffee is closing aug 24th

 

I didn't even know they had a location in the WHD. Now I see they are located on West 9th. Oh well....

 

I usually just went to Starkbucks on East 6th, Arabica on Ontario, or Caribou in Tower City, which are all more centrally located.

I didn't even know they had a location in the WHD. Now I see they are located on West 9th. Oh well....

 

I usually just went to Starkbucks on East 6th, Arabica on Ontario, or Caribou in Tower City, which are all more centrally located.

 

Blasphemy!

I'll say it again: All of which are more centrally located.

I walked out of my way several times last year to go to Phoenix on E 9th but it's just too far to schlep for coffee now that I'm more under the gun at work. The W 9th street store is just about as far as the E 9th street store. I drink the office coffee most of the time but when I want something special, unfortunately it's starbucks because they are right downstairs. I would LOVE for Phoenix to kick them out and take over, but I doubt that's happening. I don't have an issue with walking, I have an issue with time away from work.

I'll say it again: All of which are more centrally located.

 

I don't want your excuses! :P

 

In all seriousness, Phoenix has Public Square surrounded (E. 9th and W. 9th), but unfortunately, there are many other options closer to the square, and even though I think Phoenix is well worth walking an extra block for, obviously there are enough people that don't that the Phoenix on W. 9th was the odd man out.

They should take the space next to Jimmy Johns

<derail> you're also forgetting Erie Island Coffee Co on east fourth as a place competing for customers</derail>

 

 

There are several new places coming into the WHD: Drop Bar, Taza Lebanese Grill, and Tomo Hibachi restaurant. I have no other information about them, but their sign plans were on yesterday's Landmarks Commission agenda at:

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2011/08112011/index.php

 

Drop Bar on West 6th:

 

 

Taza Lebanese Grill on West 6th:

 

 

 

And Tomo Hibachi Restaurant on West 9th:

 

 

I do love me some Taza. Best restaurant at Eton outside of Flemings

^ Hmm, not better than Paladar! :)

I'm guessing Drop Bar is the old Mercury Lounge?

Ahh another Lebanese restaurant in Cleveland.  Does anyone know where Cleveland ranks in terms of number of Lebanese residents?  I know its definitively behind Detroit.

Paladar is better for drinks, especially Friday nights.

I'm guessing Drop Bar is the old Mercury Lounge?

 

Yes.

Were they open last night? I walked by it on the way home  and there were people hanging around outside and the doors were open.

I walked out of my way several times last year to go to Phoenix on E 9th but it's just too far to schlep for coffee now that I'm more under the gun at work. The W 9th street store is just about as far as the E 9th street store. I drink the office coffee most of the time but when I want something special, unfortunately it's starbucks because they are right downstairs. I would LOVE for Phoenix to kick them out and take over, but I doubt that's happening. I don't have an issue with walking, I have an issue with time away from work.

 

The Phoenix Coffee on West 9th was more for Warehouse District residents than for workers.  They had a large, funky interior space that I'm sure they had to sell a lot of scones to pay the rent on.  If the residential makeup in around West 9th was even bigger, they might have survived there. 

The Phoenix Coffee on W. 9th had the worst hours, especially if they were catering to the residents. They closed at 7 O'clock? I had more than one friend who came to visit say "why would a coffee house close so early?" I really believe that was part of their problem.

 

W. 9th needs a coffeehouse again.

 

In the meanwhile, Prime Rib Steakhouse in the Perry-Payne Bldg is open.

Taza is hiring, nearing the time to open.

And Tomo signange went up today...

 

Now if these places will keep up on their facade renovations...  wash windows on doors daily...other parts of the facade weekly...and NOT once a year like so many seem to do these days, if ever.  Curb appeal and window appeal used to be the pride of many such storefronts...especially on Euclid, where street traffic creates a lot of dust/dirt that settles on windows. (hence another value of trees along a street..as they help filter particulates out of the air) It is how to maintain a pedestrian oriented street-scape. Where/when that simple value was lost, I don't quite know. Probably when everyone started living in their cars.

Now if these places will keep up on their facade renovations...  wash windows on doors daily...other parts of the facade weekly...and NOT once a year like so many seem to do these days, if ever.  Curb appeal and window appeal used to be the pride of many such storefronts...especially on Euclid, where street traffic creates a lot of dust/dirt that settles on windows. (hence another value of trees along a street..as they help filter particulates out of the air) It is how to maintain a pedestrian oriented street-scape. Where/when that simple value was lost, I don't quite know. Probably when everyone started living in their cars.

 

[sighh]  This may not be feasible, if the "place" does not own the building.  If they are leasing space, the tenant doesn't have control over the maintenance and/or budget of the entire building.  In your perfect world, yes this would be great, but in leased situations this may not be feasible.

 

Its really easy to say what someone should or should not do, with their property, without having sat down and reviewed the finances of x property.  Without that, your statements have little merit.

^ You don't need to own the building to wash the windows and/or power wash the facade.

Depending on the terms of the lease, that might not be true... particularly the power washing.  But you do need the funds.

The Blue Point Grille Building is starting to need a scrubbing again.

^ You don't need to own the building to wash the windows and/or power wash the facade.

 

I didn't say anything about windows.  If the windows are apart of the leased space I would expect the tenant to keep them clean.  Unless the building included weekly window washing in the lease.

 

However, a power wash is a different thing.  If you're only leasing a percentage of the building.  hypothetically speaking, if you are leasing ground floor space for your business and there are other business/residential above.  the ground floor lease holder most likely wouldn't power wash a facade for fear of the unknown.  Unknown issues being, have I hired the right power wash company to do the job?  Are they bonded?  Do they know the history of the building and the materials used.  There are so many reasons why a lease holder shouldn't.

 

How many buildings clean their facades weekly?  TT?  Empire State? Board of Education?  City Hall?  Grand Centreal Terminal, Key Tower, etc.?  Lets be realistic with that expectation.

 

^^It's evidently all about 'critical mass'.

We don't have it... but I'm pretty sure we're getting there.

OK, folks, can we keep this to actual development news?

OK, folks, can we keep this to actual development news?

 

I repeat:

 

OK, folks, can we keep this to actual development news?

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

Wow that a good comparison

 

 

Holy sh*t, that is depressing.

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

And that would be an appropriate name because, to my understanding, most of that demo took place for the specific purpose of providing parking for the Justice Center when it was built.

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

And that would be an appropriate name because, to my understanding, most of that demo took place for the specific purpose of providing parking for the Justice Center when it was built.

Actually, I think alot also took place for the Ameritrust Tower.

 

My Dad who is 69 yo made a comment last Christmas after going to see the lights after Thanksgiving that it is so depressing looking out while on PS.  He said it's almost as though you can see straight across the river becasuse all the buildings are gone.  I thought it was kind of funny hearing it from a guy who could care less about urban redevelopment that he actually noticed this. 

 

Yeah, I for one will say I am not at the point yet where I am proud of the Warehouse District.  I will say, it is nice that they cleaned up the existing stock of buildings and offered eating and drinking establishments and some nice apartments and Condo's.  I just fear theat the WHD will run its course and get a bad name before the other parking lots get redeveloped. 

I predict that the stock that has been re-developed, will need it again before anything is ever built in the parking lots. Follow-up and routine maintenance on such restored buildings is largely slack.  Its as though owners/managers sit on their laurels and act like "Hey we restored this building now we're good forever" ...often...and mostly ignoring the ongoing upkeep; upkeep that would prevent them from looking like crap in the first place...to the point arguing for demolitions becomes easier.  If much was demolished for the J.C. Wouldn't a multi-level garage incorporated into the lower levels of the center been more appropriate and feasible than demolishing a whole block! More erosion of pedestrian friendly designs: A scene more compatible for 4 wheels than 2 legs.

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

Disgusting.

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

Not to be confused with the soon to be developed Parking Garage district on Lower Prospect Ave.

 

(couldn't resist)

Did anyone see this? Wow...look at the difference in density. It really should be called The Parking Lot District.

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/cleavelands-warehouse-district-1960s-vs-t

 

Not to be confused with the soon be developed Parking Garage district on Lower Prospect Ave.

 

(couldn't resist)

 

Hahahahhaha

Here is the depressing before and after:

http://www.clevelandfrowns.com/2011/09/when-the-warehouse-district-used-to-be-a-warehouse-district/#more-4012

 

^Ugh...

 

Well some observations from today. I got excited when I saw Coming Soon signs for "Bank Street Wine and Spirits". I love references to the original street names of the WHD. As I read on...no, not a lounge or classy bar. Actually a State Liquor Agency going into the closed Lust space. At least somebody's taking advantage of the venerable "Bank Street" name.

The lights were up bright inside Taza, slated to open soon. That interior has fascinating historic features and Taza's take on it looks really good, although I only had a quick glance and they also look like they've got more to do.

Also, blade sign is up for drop bar.

 

 

 

 

^I'm actually kind of excited for the liquor store in the old Lust space.  There's a liquor store on W10 in the Bridgeview building, but it's only open until 9 even on the weekends.  Hopefully this new place will be open later and have more of a selection.  It's just nice to be able to WALK to a liquor store to get what you need... for obvious reasons.

Here is the depressing before and after:

http://www.clevelandfrowns.com/2011/09/when-the-warehouse-district-used-to-be-a-warehouse-district/#more-4012

 

not that that ISN'T bad, because it IS... but trust me when I say it could have been worse, and on a worse scale.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=187656

 

anyways, I wanted to say that I went out in the warehouse district for the first time in my life on saturday! (i am 22 thats why).. and wow. Let me say that I had an excellent time. Truly a gem. The neighborhood has nowhere to go but up, and it was surprising for my group of friends who were all suburban-raised and recent college grads. I think it made a great impression :)

 

 

That's great news, Scav!

^I'm actually kind of excited for the liquor store in the old Lust space.  There's a liquor store on W10 in the Bridgeview building, but it's only open until 9 even on the weekends.  Hopefully this new place will be open later and have more of a selection.  It's just nice to be able to WALK to a liquor store to get what you need... for obvious reasons.

 

i believe it is the same owners of the w10 space, which may be closing.  originally, the w10 liquor store was at the closed pizzaria space next to the former lust.  generally, should be good to have it back up the hill, although i think many people who were picking up liquor leaving downtown or just using their car appreciated the relatively ample parking on w10. 

 

good luck finding a street parking space on w6 with all of the valet zones that have taken over the street.  imo, w6 needs some kind of consolidated valet operation, perhaps 1 per block to free up some on street parking and get the valet cars into parking lots/garages.

imo, w6 needs some kind of consolidated valet operation, perhaps 1 per block to free up some on street parking and get the valet cars into parking lots/garages.

 

Well, there's a really nice one opening up nearby at the corner of Prospect and Ontario.... :-P