^geez, it's almost like you want them to fail. According to Round 1's wikipedia entry they're planning 10 new US locations annually, and they seem to be doing well financially. While Great Lakes doesn't appear to be on its deathbed like many other malls, it's looking to the future to expand it's attractions beyond shopping, for obvious reasons (I know, you're bitter because it replaced Dillard's Men's store--I think that's what was there :()--

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_One_Entertainment

 

http://www.round1usa.com/employments/about-us/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/round1-crystal-run-middletown

 

Looks like most Round1's get 2.5 or 3 stars on Yelp.  I'm going to guess this location won't be any better.

 

I think this will end up doing well; there is a market for it since there is a Dave and Buster's on the west side (that does pretty well) but not on the east.  I think Dave and Buster's is probably a little more high end (particularly when it comes to food), but this seems to be more appropriate for the area.  With so many other indoor shopping malls falling on hard times, a little creativity is needed.  Better than a big empty anchor tenant space, which generates zero in payroll tax.

^geez, it's almost like you want them to fail.

 

It's not that I want them to fail or even think that they will.  I'm just stating that the ones that have opened do not seem to get good reviews.  But there are plenty of places that get bad reviews that manage to stay open, maybe because they fill a need and no better alternatives pop up.  To be fair to them, I checked Dave & Buster's reviews and they seem to be even worse.  So maybe this is a concept that people want, but nobody has figured out how to pull it off well yet.  If so, and if this is a better option than Dave & Buster's, then it's a good acquisition for Mentor.

^

https://www.yelp.com/biz/round1-crystal-run-middletown

 

Looks like most Round1's get 2.5 or 3 stars on Yelp.  I'm going to guess this location won't be any better.

 

I think this will end up doing well; there is a market for it since there is a Dave and Buster's on the west side (that does pretty well) but not on the east.  I think Dave and Buster's is probably a little more high end (particularly when it comes to food), but this seems to be more appropriate for the area.  With so many other indoor shopping malls falling on hard times, a little creativity is needed.  Better than a big empty anchor tenant space, which generates zero in payroll tax.

 

I had to look up dave & busters. I had no idea what it was. There's even one on Times Square. It appears there are 5 in Ohio, and the menu seems more extensive than Round 1, but their websites are virtually identical in appearance. Not sure who is copying who here, as Round 1 is Japanese. I suppose these places could be somewhat fun...if you can stand the noise >:(

I don't know if it matters who copied whom, but Dave & Buster's certainly has much better name recognition in the US, having over 100 locations and being founded in 1982, 26 years before Round1 came to the US.  I'm not a fan of it, but they seem to be pretty popular, even if the reviews on Yelp are abysmal.

Had a meeting in Painesville this morning, that city has some great bones. Have there been any attempts at revitalization efforts similar to a Medina or Hudson? eastvillagedon[/member]

Had a meeting in Painesville this morning, that city has some great bones. Have there been any attempts at revitalization efforts similar to a Medina or Hudson? eastvillagedon[/member]

 

When they tore down the hospital downtown, I thought Zaremba had floated a plan for coach homes or townhouses, but I'm not sure it was part of any long term plan.  It would be nice though; they do some nice things down there like Art in the Park and farmer's markets and such.  Plus I love the old train depot (and it's near a tasty pasta restaurant!).

Had a meeting in Painesville this morning, that city has some great bones. Have there been any attempts at revitalization efforts similar to a Medina or Hudson? eastvillagedon[/member]

 

yes, there have been a lot of efforts, still ongoing. I guess part of the problem with Painesville is that it's a poorer town, especially compared to places like Medina and Hudson, so its been harder to turn it into one of those kinds of upscale-y towns. If you go back in this thread you'll discover the history of its demise, beginning in the 60's, when Mentor was booming and the future was the Great Lakes Mall. In a few short years downtown--once a bustling area that was the shopping destination for much of Lake County and even points south and east (there were even decent department stores!)--was drained of its retail life. In addition to being poorer, Painesville is also very diverse (even in the 60's, and decades before, it was the only town in Lake Co. that had a significant black population. That's still the case!), which I think sadly prevents at least some potential investors from starting businesses there. That said, there are bright spots, like a re-energized Lake Erie College; and as much as some people will deny this, the large influx of Mexicans in the past 20 years has done more to revitalize the town more than anything else (as well as actually producing population growth, something most old historic cities and towns in Ohio have not seen in years). Almost 10 years ago they came up with a grand (or grandiose) and costly(!) master plan to try and get things moving. Here's the link. It will make your head spin :'(

 

(and yes, plinth, the shovel-ready project on the old hospital site has still yet to see a shovel. Since I was born there, does that mean I don't exist?)

 

http://www.painesville.com/vertical/Sites/%7B66FDE066-2B9A-43E2-8DFC-2129003D50A7%7D/uploads/%7BB8E0F0C9-C2C6-47DA-A64D-3A4BC5C9D782%7D.PDF

Had a meeting in Painesville this morning, that city has some great bones. Have there been any attempts at revitalization efforts similar to a Medina or Hudson? eastvillagedon[/member]

 

yes, there have been a lot of efforts, still ongoing. I guess part of the problem with Painesville is that it's a poorer town, especially compared to places like Medina and Hudson, so its been harder to turn it into one of those kinds of upscale-y towns. If you go back in this thread you'll discover the history of its demise, beginning in the 60's, when Mentor was booming and the future was the Great Lakes Mall. In a few short years downtown--once a bustling area that was the shopping destination for much of Lake County and even points south and east (there were even decent department stores!)--was drained of its retail life. In addition to being poorer, Painesville is also very diverse (even in the 60's, and decades before, it was the only town in Lake Co. that had a significant black population. That's still the case!), which I think sadly prevents at least some potential investors from starting businesses there. That said, there are bright spots, like a re-energized Lake Erie College; and as much as some people will deny this, the large influx of Mexicans in the past 20 years has done more to revitalize the town more than anything else (as well as actually producing population growth, something most old historic cities and towns in Ohio have not seen in years). Almost 10 years ago they came up with a grand (or grandiose) and costly(!) master plan to try and get things moving. Here's the link. It will make your head spin :'(

 

(and yes, plinth, the shovel-ready project on the old hospital site has still yet to see a shovel. Since I was born there, does that mean I don't exist?)

 

http://www.painesville.com/vertical/Sites/%7B66FDE066-2B9A-43E2-8DFC-2129003D50A7%7D/uploads/%7BB8E0F0C9-C2C6-47DA-A64D-3A4BC5C9D782%7D.PDF

 

It's too bad that Painesville isn't a bit farther east.  I think some of those city centers (Geneva, Madison, etc) can be rebuilt around tourism.  My wife and I have gone out to the wine region for a night on a few occasions.  It's an easy getaway for a weekend.  The region attracts people from Pittsburgh and even Columbus.  I bet that a good amount of money comes into Eastern Lake and Western Ashtabula county due to the wine industry.

^I don't know how economically viable Geneva is overall though (but I think they also have a large Hispanic pop. now because of the agricultural jobs that attracted them to the area in the first place). Come to think of it, I've never been to its downtown, only Geneva-on-the-Lake, which has always been sort of a tourist spot, although that was in the earlier days when people stayed closer to home when going on vacation. And Madison is only a few short miles from Painesville, essentially the same area. But I guess the wine industry is a big thing now and growing. (I was going to post the Wine Country photo thread by Clueless here but all the pix are missing. It must have been another victim of that outrageous photobucket purge unless you paid them ransom. wasn't it $400 or something??)

^ I could be way off base with my wine country assessment but it seems to attract a lot of people.  Geneva on the Lake is a fun place I used to drive out there as a teenager with my friends.  Maybe I'll take my kids out there this summer.

^I don't know how economically viable Geneva is overall though (but I think they also have a large Hispanic pop. now because of the agricultural jobs that attracted them to the area in the first place). Come to think of it, I've never been to its downtown, only Geneva-on-the-Lake, which has always been sort of a tourist spot, although that was in the earlier days when people stayed closer to home when going on vacation. And Madison is only a few short miles from Painesville, essentially the same area. But I guess the wine industry is a big thing now and growing. (I was going to post the Wine Country photo thread by Clueless here but all the pix are missing. It must have been another victim of that outrageous photobucket purge unless you paid them ransom. wasn't it $400 or something??)

 

Geneva has a cute little downtown area on Rt. 534.  But like a lot of Main St., USA downtowns that are too close to Wal-Marts and the like, it isn't as robust as it once was.  Still, there are some nice places to eat down there, and between Geneva and Geneva on the Lake's "downtown" is the State Park which has a gorgeous lodge right on the lake! 

^I've long said that Medina, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula and the other fringe counties should ban Wal-Marts. Travel through Vermont, and you will find small shop after small shop, all thriving.

^what do you mean, "fringe counties?" How dare you? lol

Speaking of small town downtowns, Ashtabula has two of them.  The main one (near Rt. 84) is really struggling, but the secondary one, "The Harbor", seems to be experiencing a resurgence.  The old stretches of buildings are in nice shape and there are some of the type of businesses you'd expect to find in Ohio City or Tremont in many of them.

Is Meijer a decent supermarket? Although it looks like there's a bunch of them around both Columbus and Cincinnati, the Mentor store will be the first in the Cleveland area--

 

http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20180402/mentor-kmart-demolition-underway-to-make-way-for-meijer?source=most_viewed

It's a notch above Walmart.

i wondered when when meijers was going to crack ne ohio.

i wondered when when meijers was going to crack ne ohio.

 

Two sites in Lorain County under development by Meijer also...

- new build on former Super K site in Lorain at Rt 58 and Cooper Foster Park Rd

- Avon on Nagel Road and Middleton Road just south of I-90

today!

 

 

Enjoy delicious samples of a variety of chocolates at participating merchants in downtown Painesville. Then visit the wineries at the Gage House (47 S, State St.) where you can purchase tickets and a glass to sample the flavorful wines chosen especially for this event. The cost is $15 for 9 tickets and a souvenir glass, $12 for 9 tickets, or 1 ticket for $2. Each ticket represents a 1 oz tasting. Must be 21 and over to purchase tickets. Events starts at 4:30 PM and ends at 7:30 PM. Live entertainment by Maria Petti!!

this is a nice thing to happen

 

National program makes $25,000 grant for beautification project in Painesville

By CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180517/news/162091/national-program-makes-25000-grant-beautification-project-painesville

 

"Painesville, in Lake County, is one of six cities nationwide that are receiving grants for "innovative beautification projects" as part of a program called Made on Main Street."

 

"The winning cities, in addition to Painesville, are Mesa, Ariz.; Brunswick, Ga.; Charlotte, Mich.; The Dalles, Ore.; and Prosser, Washington. They join Goldsboro, N.C., which in March was awarded the program's first grant, for a downtown revitalization project now underway."

tomorrow--

 

The inimitable Chardon Polka Band appearing tonite 8)

 

 

who sez they never build new things in Painesville? This is almost as interesting as watching paint dry

 

All private-sector instigated, designed, financed, managed and manufactured. Take that, you public-sector trough-feeding highway boys!

^I didn't know that. Maybe that's why it's actually getting built. They should turn the old bridge into a Highline-style park, but it's a little narrow. People would be falling into the river.

Almost all freight railroad infrastructure is private sector driven, funded and built. It's also the private side of the public-private partnership that is Amtrak.

the one and only Fairport Mardi Gras, now in its 77th year, is right around the corner, and for some reason it's been scheduled to open July 4 this year (which in the past used to be its final day) and runs through Sunday, July 8--

 

https://coolcleveland.com/2018/06/beads-not-beads-fairport-harbor-mardi-gras-festival/

 

 

Good, more plans that never seem to materialize beyond that. Do something, already! (I love the way the article refers to this site as "one of the highest points in the city," like it's Nob Hill in San Francisco. It's ridiculous)

 

Painesville's core to expand via residential neighborhood

By JAY MILLER 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180701/news/166821/painesvilles-core-expand-residential-neighborhood

 

"Painesville hopes it will soon have a solution to fill a 7.5-acre gap left when Lake East Hospital left its long-time downtown location in 2009.

 

For now, it's called the High Pointe Center site, and city council is expected to decide by late summer or early fall between two proposals from developers to turn one of the highest points in the city into a new residential neighborhood."

OneMain Financial Awards $25,000 Grant to Downtown Painesville Organization for the Beautification Project of the Historic Gage House

Company Will Host A Free Family-Friendly Block Party to Celebrate the Project

 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180710005563/en/OneMain-Financial-Awards-25000-Grant-Downtown-Painesville

 

EVANSVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OneMain Financial announced today that it will host its second “Made on Main Street” event on Sunday, July 22, 2018, to celebrate the $25,000 grant awarded to the Downtown Painesville Organization. “Made on Main Street,” a partnership between OneMain Financial and Main Street America, provides community action grants for innovative community transformation projects across the country. The dollars awarded through this philanthropic initiative will be used to beautify the grounds surrounding the historic Gage House. Six additional grants have been awarded to organizations across the country.

 

now if they could only get passenger train service to resume...

 

Painesville Railroad Museum to expand collection, construct new facility

 

http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20180711/painesville-railroad-museum-to-expand-collection-construct-new-facility

 

The Painesville Railroad Museum has laid out plans for 6,000-square-foot expansion project.

 

Vice-President Tom Pescha presented the plans at a recent board meeting.

 

“About a year ago, we were offered a very large Lionel collection,” Pescha said. “The collection we were offered has every item that Lionel made in the postwar era. At auction it would sell for about $3 million, as the collection is worth about $1.3 million.”

 

“With meeting our requirements of our Historic District, the building would be a mirror image of our present station, but longer and slightly larger,” he said. “The basement will have a conference room capable of seating 200 people with a full commercial kitchen, bathrooms and storage.”

 

The proposed facility called the Lionel Experience and Event Center will cost about $3.2 million. The total project cost consists of the building, the Lionel Train Collection; insurance on the collection until moved, moving the collection, operating costs of the new building for two years, accountants for monthly audits, the project manager, WiFi expansion to the new building, an attorney to review agreement and media advertising. Construction of a new parking lot is also included in the total project cost.

 

With the increased square footage of the new facility, the annual projected operating expenses will rise. However, Pescha is confident that the new center will attract more visitors and members.

Plans for the $11.1 million Hampton Inn project at 171 Water Tower Drive in Madison Village include a four-story structure with 82 guest rooms, according to a July 9 news release from Ashtabula-based JCI Contractors Inc.

 

 

starts in about half an hour. Come on, it's only raining a little!

 

https://www.onemainfinancial.com/mainstreet/painesville

 

more streetscaping planned beginning next year--

 

Painesville officials discuss latest downtown plans, review past initiatives

By Tawana Roberts, The News-Herald

 

http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20180720/NEWS/180729901

 

 

 

"An initial Downtown Painesville Transportation and Streetscape Plan was introduced in 2010 and officials continue to take steps towards beautifying and revitalizing the city.

 

Main Street was resurfaced from Park Place to State Street; bioretention cells were added to help with water quality and the crosswalks were updated, she said.

 

While these changes may go unnoticed today, the wider sidewalks, traditional-looking lamp posts and benches made a noticeable difference on Main Street.

 

Main Street is an important connection between St. Clair and State streets, yet the historic block along Main Street and Veteran’s Park had very little cohesion, according to the plan."

 

“For an active downtown space, we want to embrace a true pedestrian-friendly environment that is safe, comfortable and inviting to both walkers and vehicles in the town square,” said Doug Lewis, Painesville’s assistant city manager and project manager. “Right now, the perimeter of the square is very vehicle focused. This project will still maintain the convenience of driving and parking around the square, but improve the experience for pedestrians in the northeast corner. By bumping the park out and creating a landscaping space in front of the new Administration Building, we are making a more visually pleasing and safer improvement for residents, workforce members and county visitors.”

free cake!

Painesville Depot celebrates 125th anniversary

 

http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20180729/painesville-depot-celebrates-125th-anniversary

"This year the Painesville Depot turns 125 years old.

 

The building, which now houses the Painesville Railroad Museum and preserves railroad history and promotes model railroading, was once a passenger station.

 

The building located at 475 Railroad St., which was also known as the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Station, opened February 1, 1893, said Vice-President Tom Pescha.

 

Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company merged with the New York Central Railroad in 1914, with that railroad taking ownership until 1968. Then the New York Central Railroad merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to form the Penn Central Railroad."

 

Work on the new Lake County Administration building seems to be progressing nicely, and is scheduled for completion next Spring. It will be connected to the building on the right (with a glass-enclosed walkway, at least that's how it appears in a rendering), which now also houses county offices, but was originally home to Painesville National Bank, which opened in 1929 (probably not the most propitious year to open a new bank :(), and still bears its inscription. I remember this building as the local branch of Cleveland Trust in the 60's--

 

 

^Can we please get rid of that big box store right on Main Street...?

^Can we please get rid of that big box store right on Main Street...?

 

lol I know. That's probably the biggest embarrassment in Painesville, among so many! Included in the grand master plan from a few years ago was a proposal to restore that block to at least resemble its original look, though that obviously isn't going to happen any time soon. But the old bank diagonally across from that site is being developed into a brewpub, scheduled for a Spring opening also--

 

^at least the parking lot of that hideous building is put to good use on occasion. This event will return this year on Aug. 25, if anyone is interested :)

 

will cats be welcome?

Construction to begin on condos in downtown Willoughby

By Kristi Garabrandt, The News-Herald

 

http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20180831/NEWS/180839870

 

Without having to subscribe, where is this going to be located?

On Vine Street, just west of the Erie Street intersection on what is currently a field.

Good location. More density to an already walkable neighborhood. I was always a bit confused as to why that lot (and the one across the street) were always vacant.

Great Lakes Mall continues to pursue redevelopment, attract nontraditional retailers

 

By Betsy Scott, The News-Herald

POSTED: 09/02/18, 5:58 PM EDT |

 

http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20180902/great-lakes-mall-continues-to-pursue-redevelopment-attract-nontraditional-retailers

"It’s been several months since Mentor city leaders labeled Great Lakes Mall a Community Entertainment District, in hopes of raising more interest in some vacant retail spaces.

 

While some vacancies remain for now, new projects and repurposing efforts continue to remain a high priority for property owner Washington Prime and city officials.

 

“We are working closely with Seritage (Growth Properties), the owner of the Sears space, and all our other stakeholders on exciting redevelopment opportunities,” said Marketing Director Kate Miller. “We will share details when we are able.”

 

The projects that have moved forward include the opening of Round1 entertainment center in April in a former Dillard’s space, the addition of a 12,800-square-foot Shoe Dept. Encore — opened Aug. 24 — and construction of Outback Steakhouse’s new location in the mall’s west parking lot. In addition, the old Office Max building is prepped for demolition to make way for Hobby Lobby. The store is scheduled to open in 2019."

The taco wars continue in Painesville. The newest entry is La Cocina de Mamá (haven't seen a menu yet, but I assume they will have tacos). The mural apparently is an homage to the city of León, where most of the local Mexican population is from, and I'm guessing those pictured are soccer players (?), since it seems really sexist that there's not one woman in it :-\. (no website or facebook page yet)

 

it looks like the Great Lakes Mall is becoming the one stop destination for bread and circuses. What the hell is this, anyway? (according to the co. website, two more are planned for Ohio, in Columbus and Dayton)

 

Escape room business eyeing Great Lakes Mall in Mentor

By Betsy Scott, The News-Herald

POSTED: 09/04/18, 7:07 PM EDT

 

http://www.news-herald.com/business/20180904/escape-room-business-eyeing-great-lakes-mall-in-mentor

 

https://allinadventures.com/

 

Another recreational opportunity is proposed at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.

 

Representatives of Mystery Room LLC and mall owner Washington Prime Group are seeking a conditional-use permit from Mentor Planning Commission to operate All In Adventures, offering an interactive escape room experience from a retail unit within the mall at 7850 Mentor Ave.

 

“Another great example of how we are reinventing the retail experience,” Great Lakes Mall Marketing Director Kate Miller said. “The addition of All In Adventures adds to Great Lakes Mall’s dynamic offerings of things to do along with things to buy, keeping guests engaged and returning often.”

^ I haven't been to GLM in maybe a decade.  It seems to have fallen quite a bit.

^ I haven't been to GLM in maybe a decade.  It seems to have fallen quite a bit.

 

It's changing. According to what I've read it's still doing fairly well compared to most malls (at least in the Cleveland area), but it's been forced to reinvent itself. Hence all these "entertainment" options (as well as restaurants that are popping up on the periphery). I know Sears closed there about a year ago (which is nothing unusual, as many others have done so over the past couple of years), but the property is now part of something called Seritage Growth Properties (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/business/sears-seritage-edward-lampert.html), so I guess it can be redeveloped into to something entirely different than a retail location, as mentioned in my GLM article from yesterday. I'm old enough to remember when the mall first opened. I was in elementary school and went there with my father for the first time in the mid-60's. The first big (and for a couple of years the only) Cleveland store there was The May Co. (now of course Macy's), but JC Penney was already there. I suspect it still attracts a lot of people, since it's the only big mall in Lake County. I don't know if teens still hangout in malls as much as they used to though, since everyone's social lives are online. 

The taco wars continue in Painesville. The newest entry is La Cocina de Mamá (haven't seen a menu yet, but I assume they will have tacos). The mural apparently is an homage to the city of León, where most of the local Mexican population is from, and I'm guessing those pictured are soccer players (?), since it seems really sexist that there's not one woman in it :-\. (no website or facebook page yet)

 

 

There's a menu in the comments of this post:

 

https://p-upload.facebook.com/cityofpainesville/videos/329185304552300/?comment_id=329189951218502&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D