these american apparel stores are popping up all over manhattan like weeds. so now they are coming to coventry (and the short north). the merch is generic and fine, it's basically an expensive old navy. but wait until you see their pervy ads -- they will raise eyebrows.  :-o 

 

from the hotel bruce blog:

 

 

 

Coventry merchants regain street's cred

 

The times, they are a changin’ for Coventry Road, but everything’s gonna’ be all right. That’s the message Big Fun owner and Coventry Merchants Association co-chair Steve Presser wants people to hear and see.

 

Responding to last week’s blog item on the struggling retail scene on Coventry, Presser contacted Bruce blog to assert that favoritism did not play a role in his getting the former High Tide, Rock Bottom space, and that efforts to remake one of the eastside’s favorite commercial districts are still in progress.

 

“Tommy is a minority owner (with the other merchants of the block of buildings that included High Tide),” Presser said. “I had to be voted into that space. If two other owners didn’t want me to be there, I would be out.”

 

The move will allow Big Fun to expand, which will be a boon to the street, he adds.

 

An anemic economy and competition from new ‘lifestyle centers’—not the comings or goings of shops—have put the hurt on commercial districts like Coventry, Shaker Square, and Tremont, Presser says.

 

“More people are spending time and money going to big box stores. They’re forgetting their roots. For independent merchants, it’s definitely a fight for the dollar. We need support from the community. We should be screaming: Support your local retail.”

 

The $2.5 million streetscape that the Coventry Special Improvement District and the City of Cleveland Heights created in 2004 makes a better first impression. It also increased the value of buildings, and assessment costs from the streetscape are passed on to tenants.

 

That makes it difficult for start-ups or independents to come to Coventry. Stepping in their shoes has been a rash of sports bars and fast food joints.

 

Higher rents and the lousy economy have had an effect on the tenant mix, Presser admits. “But it’s the cost of doing business. We can’t go to a landlord and ask them to drop their rent.” Although rent concessions have been a topic of conversation, he says.

 

Presser and Tommy Fellow have been evangelistic about Coventry for more than a decade. Recently, they revived the beloved street fairs, went the extra mile on artistic details like the wrought-iron planters, and are working with landlords to find retail and specialty food operators like a bakery.

 

Their efforts are slowly bearing fruit.

 

Presser informs Bruce blog that Coventry will have its first clothing operator since Renaissance Parlour closed two years ago. Last week, national chain American Apparel signed a lease at 1782 Coventry Rd., a 5,500 sq. ft. space formerly occupied by an appliance store (on the northwest end of the street).

 

“It’s upscale, a la Urban Outfitters, they’re conscientious about what they’re doing (using only American made, fairly traded products) and we think it will pull in people from outer regions.”

 

Meanwhile, Walgreens announced this week that it will acquire Medic and its 23 stores. Word is reaching Presser that Walgreens will close the Medic on Coventry. Despite it being a high performer, a Walgreens at nearby Mayfield and Superior make the case for the Medic store to go dark. Presser has already initiated a conversation with the building’s owner (which is not Medic) about redeveloping the space.

 

“We’re sad and we’re excited. It’s a major retail space, an anchor. Something like this could jump-start the street.””

 

links:

http://www.hotelbruce.com/01_02/bruceblog.php

 

 

http://www.americanapparel.net/index.html

 

That Medic was definitely a craphole.  Hopefully they will get something better in that space.

^agreed, but it is the most useful place on the street.  You can get a lot of different things at that store. 

Street cred with hipsters? Isnt the whole thing whith hipsters as soon as it becomes mainstream its no longer cool? Ego you cant regain that street cred

No, the whole "street cred" with hipsters thing is out the window in Coventry and has been for a while. Most of the street cred grew up and got jobs because their parents were sick of them living in the basement ;-)

 

However I'd say it's a good sign that a store like American Apparel could have located anywhere in the region (i.e. Westlake or Lyndhurst), but they chose Coventry.

True!  This is a great sign for Coventry!  These shops really are popping up in the hippest, trendiest neighborhoods coast-to-coast.  And admittedly, I'm surprised that they've chosen Coventry for their first Cleveland area store.  Coventry is "cool" by many standards, but it's lost a lot of the edge that American Apparel's other locations (that I've witnessed) can boast.  I'd love to see Coventry retail thriving again (not just its bar scene), so I'll take this as a success.  However, I would like to see retailers like American Apparel opening up shop down on Ford/Euclid or Lower Prospect/Lower Euclid in the near future as those districts come into their own. 

 

Also, I worry that the appeal of American Apparel will be lost on most of the Coventry (and Cleveland) crowd.  I've actually had this conversation with friends recently... Their merchandise is really just plain t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, etc. and is over-priced as such.  This is certainly part of their American-made and owned thing...and it might sell t-shirts in NYC, LA and SF, but in Cleveland?  Where you can get a t-shirt from Target for $5?  I don't know that they'll be able to sell plain t-shirts for $15 or logo-less hoodies in Cleveland for $45...even with some of the sexiest advertising on the planet!

But don't forget, Cleveland has a looooong history of fair-labor activism, what with all its unions. American Apparel clothes are all made in LA, sweatshop free. I can totally see locals supporting this store.

As for the plainness of their clothes, plain isn't necessarily bad. I really like their designs, simple though they may be.

Don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but the Short North in Columbus is also scheduled to get a store, according to the AA Web site.

fair-labor activism, but not necessarily coupled with a readiness to pay more for a staple good.

 

on the other hand, you're right that the design and the quality are superior to a target/tj max product.  I just hope they can brand their product as such...worth paying a bit more for!  I mean, that's the whole point of branding and marketing...identifying your product as unique and worth the $$$.

American Apparel is opening their Columbus location this week in the Short North at 5th and High St.

i glanced through their website, and it seems the really are expanding at a fairly rapid rate, four new stores between michigan and ohio in less than three months

I was on Coventry today: it is good to see 4 vacant storefronts turning into 4 occupied storefronts:

 

-GroundFloor Comedy opens Jan. 6th (not to mention the recent opening of, um, Johnny Malloys and the resuscitated Centrum marquee)

-City Budha has just about finished renovations inside the old organic food store

-American Apparel has just started renovating its space

-new Thai rest. opening up at the old Karma location

Wow! Great news.  I was in Coventry last week, but oblivious to the renovations underway.  Very unusual for me.  I guess I was too sated on Que Tal? to notice much of anything.

I thought the American Apperal store was already open in the Short North for about a couple months?!?

^that's what i thought too...

Wait, we're talking about Cleveland Heights here, not Columbus! 

 

Nice update Wimwar...glad to hear that January is showing signs of productivity!  It's usually such a downer in the retail industry...

 

How about Big Fun?  They're supposed to complete their transition to the old High Tide space this month, correct?  That will, unfortunately, leave us with another vacancy...

 

One more question: is City Buddha leaving West 25th or are they just opening a new space?  It's hard for me to believe that business is that good for them that they want to open another one, but what do I know?!

re: City Buddha

with the strange Cleveland sense of the east side/west side divide, I don't see the two locations as competing against each other.  Does the West 25th location give any appearance that it is shutting down?  The Coventry location looks as if the only thing missing is merchandise.

I haven't noticed any action in or around the W. 25th location, but that's part of why I wonder about it...there never seems to be anybody going in or out!

no i been in there before and there was a decent amount of people shopping and checking things out.  however they do seem cramped in that big space, i think they even have a little courtyard/outdoor section.  so im wondering if they're maybe looking for more space by putting a store in on the east side?

I heard that the Coventry store will be named 'Suburban Buddha.'

How about Big Fun?  They're supposed to complete their transition to the old High Tide space this month, correct?  That will, unfortunately, leave us with another vacancy...

 

Someone who works on Coventry mentioned to my wife that after Big Fun moves over to the old High Tide, the existing Big Fun structure will be razed and turned into patio seating for the adjacent Panini's.  Bad in that we lose a viable storefront, good in that we gain outdoor seating which is pretty rare in Coventry. 

 

In other Coventry news, sigsn have gone up in the old Soul Vegetarian/Karma on Coventry space (NE corner of Coventry & Hampshire) that a Thai restaurant to be called Mint Cafe will be going in there.  Not sure when they're going to open, but they've replaced the awnings and have curtains in at least one of the two storefronts it occupies.  We could use another Thai restaurant - Lemongrass is good, but there aren't many others around. 

^nothing like lovely views of aparking structure looming in the background next to a vacant medic drug

The Ground Floor Comedy Club is using the old theater space for B-movies. In other news.. Apparently, another bar is opening up in the old Loft space. Scorchers is the name.  What a bad name for a bar. I hope that its tongue-in-cheek.

Man, BW3, then the Loft and now Scorchers is giving it a go?  Who decided that the only use for that space had to be a sports bar?

Apparently the owner of the Medic building has been talking to lots of potential tenants. including Marc's and Trader Joe's.

There is a big difference between Marc's and Trader Joe's.  Marc's would be a good fit for Coventry.  It carries a lot of necessities that you normally would find at a grocery store.  The only thing is that they always always have the dirtiest stores around.

wimwar scorchers is a local sports bar chainlet -- started in akron in 1994 according to their website. they are all over the place in the suburbs. after we visited my mom my bro took me to one in downtown lorain this summer, it was fine (i dragged him to ghoulardi's afterward tho).

 

link:

http://www.scorchers.com/base.cfm?page_id=1014

 

There is a big difference between Marc's and Trader Joe's.  Marc's would be a good fit for Coventry.  It carries a lot of necessities that you normally would find at a grocery store.  The only thing is that they always always have the dirtiest stores around.

 

so what if they're dirty, marc's always has the best deals.

 

it's one of the things i miss most about cleveland, living in toledo.

 

where else can you find $7 shoes and cheap groceries?

^marc's is every grandma's dream come true. 

 

 

"so what if they're dirty, marc's always has the best deals"

 

It isn't just that they're dirty - they also seem to employ the most disgruntled slackers to work their stores. I can appreciate a good bargain but when the shopping trip becomes THAT unpleasant? No thanks!

maybe if marc's opened there it would siphon off some of the business from the walmart at severance. 

 

disgruntled slackers need jobs too!

 

anyway, trader joe's is probably a better fit for the street.

those crazy russians at musician's tower need someplace to drive their rascals.

"so what if they're dirty, marc's always has the best deals"

 

It isn't just that they're dirty - they also seem to employ the most disgruntled slackers to work their stores. I can appreciate a good bargain but when the shopping trip becomes THAT unpleasant? No thanks!

 

Hey!  I've had a lot of good friends that worked at Marc's! 

 

Although, come to think of it, "disgruntled slackers" does fit them.  Alright, I'll give you a pass.

i did not think it would happen this quickly but here it is. the first "closing" i have seen of an american apparel store. heh. its in hoboken:

 

 

 

 

Hoboken Too Hip for AmApp, or Not Hip Enough?

 

Thursday, February 09, 2006, by Joey

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Back in September, we were a little flip to our Hoboken hipster friends, shunning the opening of their American Apparel outpost. American Apparel, as you probably already know, is the clothing company with the frisky owner that's rising to the top thanks to a soft-core porn ad campaign and the incessant reminder that their plain T-shirts cost $25 because they are made by downtown Angelinos instead of underage Filipinos. And you know what? We still don't really care, but here's the scoop anyway, courtesy of a tipster:

 

To local real estate mavens' surprise A.A. closed for good this week, clearing out merchandise and fixtures down to the brick walls. No word as to why the sudden exit. Presumably anyone who wanted crummy T-shirts was taking the many, many A.A. opportunities in Manhattan to buy them.

Looks like, as always, the sweatshops win.

 

· Curbed Readers Write: We Call This Little Guy '$100 Grand' [Curbed]

 

link:

http://www.curbed.com/archives/2006/02/09/hoboken_too_hip_for_amapp_or_not_hip_enough.php

I drove past today and the place looks open for business. Sorry, no picture.

Their clothes are flat out ugly and bland. It's too bad that buying American has to mean buying this crap. If their stuff was on par with Express Men, AE, Aero etc I'd definitely buy it.

It's open? I want to go check it out!

 

I'll admit, I like that place mostly because I find a wall of plain t-shirts in a zillion different colors fascinating. I wouldn't compare them to the retailers mentioned above, though. The "made in America" thing is almost a gimmick that links up, slightly incoherently, with its highly sexualized advertising and hipster customer base.

 

I'm hoping this does attract more hipster merchants to Coventry, however. I went there a couple months ago, and it was looking pretty dull. They need more unique stuff over there to bolster the existing stores with history over there.

 

edit: I will cede to you that their current designs are pretty wack. I walked into an AA in the East Village two years ago, and it seemed like a novel idea. Maybe it's losing its cool as it spreads all over the place. I'm not really a fan of American Eagle or Aeropostale, though. I can't afford the shat I like.

It looks like a Jimmy Johns is going in at the old Big Fun location. I didn't see a sign, but the decor sure looks like JJs.  There was a large crew still working at 9:15pm last night.  Also, I like that Pannini's has turned the adjacent surface lot into a handsome outdoor dining area.

that Panini's patio is very nice...

 

I went into AA a couple weeks back and they were getting set to open either the next day or the next weekend.  It looked like they already had their stock of snooty staff in place!

^ yes the snooty staff is definately in place.  i was there just last week.  i thought it was kinda bland and over-priced.  but the fabric quality is nice?

yeah the fabric is slightly better than typical. much better fabric than paper thin cheap old navy stuff that is for sure.

 

basically, aa is covering the exact same ground as the gap held down pat in the 1980's/early 90's before they discovered stripes and wacky pastel colors. except aa is waaay expensive for basic stuff you can get for a lot less at kohls or target.

I don't have any experience with AA, but as I understood, the stuff was superior fabric/quality compared to most of the middle ground retailers.

 

Oh well, only one way to find out.

I'll eat crow, that Marc's in Coventry is nice! I got home from work at 5:30, at super fast and was extremely bored. So I drove to Lakewood's East Side sister city (I made that up, royalties can come in c/o of Jamiec Inc.) and purchased a book and walked around. Lovely night!

 

Coventry may not be where we start the revolution, but it's far from dead!

well you cant start the revolution at the revolution book store.

^how about at the record store?

I'm just an ignorant outsider... but what was Coventry like at its peak?  And when was its peak... 10 years ago?  I only experienced it in the past couple years...

 

It seems that 3 of Cleveland's most famous retail/entertainment districts have declined in recent years: Coventry, Shaker Square and The Flats... where are Cleveland's hot spots today?  (Please don't say Crocker Park)

I'm just an ignorant outsider... but what was Coventry like at its peak?  And when was its peak... 10 years ago?  I only experienced it in the past couple years...

 

 

depends on who you ask.

 

ask the hippes, the 60s and early 70s

 

ask the yuppies/college kids pretty much right now.

I changed my mind, I don't think Coventry has declined. It's not like that was ever an area with a bunch of big-time shops, I don't think. I wasn't around during the heyday, but it has a reputation of being Cleveland's counter-culture center. Today it reminds me a little of the shops around Harvard Square. It's just not that extreme anymore.

 

In terms of retail/entertainment, what are you looking for? Besides clothes, I get nearly everything in the city:

 

Best record stores: Bent Crayon on Detroit and W.117 in Cleveland; Music Saves in Collinwood.

Book store: The new store in Tremont has a great selection; the place on W. 25 in Ohio City is great if you want to root around. It's no Strands though ;(.

Rock club: (I don't do dance clubs) - House of Blues, downtown; Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights/Coventry; Beachland Ballroom, Collinwood.

It seems that 3 of Cleveland's most famous retail/entertainment districts have declined in recent years: Coventry, Shaker Square and The Flats... where are Cleveland's hot spots today?  (Please don't say Crocker Park)

 

The Warehouse District & E 4th as far as entertainment & nightlife. Basically the flats moved to the top of the hill (WD). Shaker Sq & Coventry had past their peak but are far from dead.

 

I wouldn't say that Coventry or Shaker Square have declined in recent years.  SS went through some problems awhile ago, followed by a rehab and rebranding in the 90's that didn't stick, but more recently it has begun to remake itself as a solid neighborhood commercial center with some upscale restaurants.  Coventry isn't the counterculture mecca that it once was, but it is still a solid and desirable college neighborhood retail/entertainment center.  Even the decline of the Flats is, imo, primarily due to Wolstein buying up and shutting down a good chunk of the main strip so that he could demo and redevelop it.

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