Ummmm how has Coventry gone in decline?  New bars/restaurants opening, low store front vacancy..

 

I've read many comments on this forum that have stated that Coventry is "past its prime" or "declined from its heydey" or whatever... which is why I asked (the very title of this thread implies that Coventry is not what it once was).  I've only been to Coventry in the past couple years... so I had no historical experience to compare it to.  I am aware that a few new shops and thai restaurants have opened up... but the general sense I gather from the UO community is that Coventry is past its peak.  Perhaps it can surpass its historical peak in the future... but it seems to not occupy the cultural milieu it once did. 

 

As for Shaker Square... I assumed it had declined due to the loss of several major tenents like Joseph-Beth.  From reading the discussion on Shaker Square on here... it seemed to me that it was in a state of decline and uncertainty (a CVS is not exactly a big win for Shaker Square)...

Marcs recently opened a store in the heart of the Coventry also.

When people suggest that Coventry has declined, they're usually lamenting the loss of its "edge", aka Coventry sold out its moniker as a place for freaks. In other words, the weirdos, freaks, punks, etc. had to go out and get jobs - while they were doing that, sports bars and more mainstream stores opened and the large swath of sidewalk (aka the hangout) near what is now Coventryard (aka Caribou, BDs Barbecue) was lost for "progress".

I see your point and agree.. but if I'm a store owner and I have the choice between trying to attract punks or young professionals.. I'm gonna go with the latter, they typically are in higher income brackets.

I see your point and agree.. but if I'm a store owner and I have the choice between trying to attract punks or young professionals.. I'm gonna go with the latter, they typically are in higher income brackets.

 

neither. go for the tweens and teens. they're easy pickins and they got nuthin but money to burn.

On a side note, American Apparel's store in Clifton Heights has been open for a few months now too.

^Clifton Heights?

When people suggest that Coventry has declined, they're usually lamenting the loss of its "edge", aka Coventry sold out its moniker as a place for freaks. In other words, the weirdos, freaks, punks, etc. had to go out and get jobs - while they were doing that, sports bars and more mainstream stores opened and the large swath of sidewalk (aka the hangout) near what is now Coventryard (aka Caribou, BDs Barbecue) was lost for "progress".

 

I think that is areally good anonlogy.  I think the areas of Shaker Square and the Flats just changed with the times.  When I lived in Cleveland the Flats was all about going from bar to club to club to bar.  Now the area is transforing into another need.  Neighborhoods all across the country are experiencing this.  The meat packing district in Manhattan is a prime example.  It went from Hookas & Hoe's to Housewives and the Highline.

Yeah, I agree that Coventry may have changed but really hasn't "declined" in any way.  In fact, I think it's still one of the most vital areas in the whole metro area.  IMHO, much more non-weekend night street life than Tremont or OC even.  And it still has Grums.  A lot of folks (and Scene) love to crap on Cleveland Heights for no good reason.

 

I do think Shaker Square is a little different.  It's by no means dead, but IMHO, it is still on pretty tough times.  Retail is pretty much totally moribund and I think the Sushi place is closing, no?  That Sarava terrace looks super nice though, and the farmers market is just totally awsome.

coventry was cleveland's version of st. marks place in manhattan back in their day. from hippys to the first punks. but today even st. marks isn't st. marks anymore.

 

it seems to me people are moving back into cities and gentrifying these kinds of established old former 'hip' or interesting neighborhoods all over the country early on. why not? they are easy targets and familiar ground. for more examples, the st. mary's nabe in san antonio just south of the riverwalk used to cater to the artsy crowd and was reasonablely affordable, now its pretty expensive. ditto the short north in columbus. w'burg in brooklyn too. the unabated urban homesteading trend is making lots of changes in old formerly trendy neighborhoods like these.

 

^Clifton Heights?

 

A neighborhood next to The University of Cincinnati.

Have to agree with May Day.  Coventry may have lost its "edge" but it is definitley one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in all of Cuyahoga County.  Like Strap Hagger said, it has a vibrant street life all day long, especially in comparison to other neighborhoods.  This is because the residential neighborhood is so dense and basically creeps on to the street.  Also, it is not just nightime oriented with bars and different kinds of restaurants (although it has plenty of that) but it also has what a vibrant neighbor needs like banks, hair salons, dry cleaners, coffee shops, ice cream parlors a small grocery store (Marcs...and amazingly clean and ordered for a Marc's store) a library and other service shops.  The restaurants are very diverse (from cheap eats to more expensive fare) as is the crowd on the street.  All races, college kids, young families with strollers and older people.  The new street scape which was completed a couple of years ago was very well done and is maintained very well.  I live about a 10 minute walk away and am in the neighborhood quite often.  There are always people around at all times of the day.  Even my brother who is a staunch suburbanite is impressed by Coventry.  It is without a doubt what everybody on this board clamors for": Old Urbanism".

it's the cleanest and smallest marc's on earth

The picture may not show it, but it was pretty busy this past Friday evening. Its a very nice district imo

 

I visited the Coventry Marc's when I was up there a month back, and I too was suprised at how clean it was.  I think being a smaller operation than the typical Marc's has a lot to do with it.  Perhaps it's just because it's a newer store and the "new car smell" will eventually wear off, but I would definately shop Marc's more if they ran their stores like their Coventry location.  Being a local chain is a big plus, too.

 

I definately agree about the newer businesses in Coventry being more mainstream oriented.  BD's Mongolian Barbecue, as mentioned, is a place that you'd typically find in a more suburban environment. Their food is still awesome, though. :)

 

IMO, as long as Coventry still holds its own as an urban neighborhood with heavy pedestrian traffic, it's all good.

I definately agree about the newer businesses in Coventry being more mainstream oriented.  BD's Mongolian Barbecue, as mentioned, is a place that you'd typically find in a more suburban environment. BD's is still awesome, though. :)

 

Not that it gives them a pass, but BD's HQ in a inner-ring burb (similar to CH) and its first stores were all in compact downtown "urban-suburb" formats.

I stand corrected. That's what I get for judging BD's on two other of their locations in Ohio (Easton and Beavercreek).

I stand corrected. That's what I get for judging BD's on two other of their locations in Ohio (Easton and Beavercreek).

 

Who cares its all about Tommy's milkshakes!

I stand corrected. That's what I get for judging BD's on two other of their locations in Ohio (Easton and Beavercreek).

 

meh, since the founding they started franchising and it lost its original market. Now they seem to appear in your boring strip malls.

There is also a BD's in downtown Columbus as well.

BD's is so awesome... but Tommy's is still my favorite restaurant on Coventry.

There is also a BD's in downtown Columbus as well.

 

Good for them.

Thank you for responding to my comment about the pope's comment about BD's opening up in urban areas.  Next time, I'll get on that 3-C corridor train thingie to give you a handshake and a souvenir from the "Rapid Transit Store" of State College, Pennsylvania.

HNIC in the house!

KJP, methinks it would be a good idea to tone it down. ColDayMan, we have an example to set :-)

This, coming from an avatar who's promoting drinking ;).

I stand corrected. That's what I get for judging BD's on two other of their locations in Ohio (Easton and Beavercreek).

 

Who cares its all about Tommy's milkshakes!

 

Tommy's shakes are the best, but don't order one to go, you get jipped big time!!

I stand corrected. That's what I get for judging BD's on two other of their locations in Ohio (Easton and Beavercreek).

 

Who cares its all about Tommy's milkshakes!

 

Tommy's shakes are the best, but don't order one to go, you get jipped big time!!

 

Bring your own metal container dealie next time.

Tommy's has the best textured vegetable protein I've ever tasted.

I need to cut back on this and other websites for a while. I'm getting very frustrated with people and I'm starting to say things out of character for me.

I need to cut back on this and other websites for a while. I'm getting very frustrated with people and I'm starting to say things out of character for me.

 

KJP.  take a deep breath man.  Wi lub ewe!  Take a "mental health day" tomorrow

Serenity now

I think you need one of these, KJP