What would it take for a Crocker Park type area for Lkwd ?

[Mark Crnolatas]

What would it take?

Pre-Xmas/Holiday/fill in the blank - shopping time, Crocker Park was mobbed. It's always busy, anyway. Many Lakewood people go there spending their money there and not in Lkwd. Why? The stores there are the "draw" type. What would it take to get something similar set up in our city?


1)We would need a location. Accessible. We do have space if we get creative.
2) People willing to invest in a such a project. I'm sure there are people with money in Lkwd that would like to invest in a high-draw shopping area.
3) The City willing to work with those people. It would be a win-win situation.
The city as a whole would benefit from taxes collected, jobs created, the whole positive financial structure that goes with that type of thing.

The "somethings" and "someones" to kick-start the whole machine to have such a great money-maker in OUR city.

So, what would it take, detail wise? Or am I off base and for some reason it cannot be done here?

Mark Allan Crnolatas
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

[Joan Roberts]

Mr. C

I'm not sure that a Crocker Park style development is possible or even desirable for Lakewood.
By way of offering an alternative, what COULD happen here would be a spontaneous restaurant "scene" with new, creative, cutting-edge restaurants clustered in a convenient little area.
Think about it. Lakewood is awash in one critical thing for restaurants, which is liquor licenses. Also, unlike retail, small creative restaurants don't need acres of parking.
If only a small percentage of "shot-and-beer" bars somehow morphed into decent restaurants, Lakewood could be a dining mecca. Along with the restaurants, you might see a music scene, then small retail would follow.
The problem is, these zones tend to happen spontaneously. One hot chef/owner opens a place, and the competitors follow. Not much "we" or government can do to really spark it. But an interesting fantasy nonetheless, wouldn't you say?

[Mark Crnolatas]

For many years, my wife and I were on the road, as road musicians, hitting just about every major city in the U.S. and uncountable small ones in every state but Hawaii. We've seen a ton of people, places and things out there. We've seen shopping areas in the mountains that defied gravity, or under downtown areas, or up the side of hills, and in areas similiar to Lkwd, we saw clusters of shops similar to Gap, Old Navy, and all the name brand things in the middle of industrial areas too. That tells me where there's a will there's a way.

One example:
We drive down Berea Rd. often, from the bridge on Lkwd Hts Blvd, to W.110th to cut up to Lorain. I look at that area, and wonder how much of it is Lkwd's and fantasize a long strip of cobblestone walks, gaslights, and shops, restaurants and such ..along the left side as your heading toward W.117th.

Maybe its just a nice daydream. Maybe it could be more?? ....Just daydreaming here..

It seems the major complaint with downtown Lkwd, surrounding Warren going east and west, is it's saturated. So, Lkwd still has other areas too.

[Joseph Milan]

Three things are key factors here. Two of the are already mentioned. Access and financial backing. The third is a customer base, which Lakewood keeps losing to other cities as people move out for greener pastures.
Access is key so that those people and others will come back.
Of course, the stores would also factor into this equation, as would marketing.
We had the right idea a few years ago, but it was not only in the wrong area but received nothing but negative press. Build it next to the highway.
Joe

[Jim O'Bryan]

What would it take?

Pre-Xmas/Holiday/fill in the blank - shopping time, Crocker Park was mobbed. It's always busy, anyway. Many Lakewood people go there spending their money there and not in Lkwd. Why? The stores there are the "draw" type. What would it take to get something similar set up in our city?


1)We would need a location. Accessible. We do have space if we get creative.
2) People willing to invest in a such a project. I'm sure there are people with money in Lkwd that would like to invest in a high-draw shopping area.
3) The City willing to work with those people. It would be a win-win situation.
The city as a whole would benefit from taxes collected, jobs created, the whole positive financial structure that goes with that type of thing.

The "somethings" and "someones" to kick-start the whole machine to have such a great money-maker in OUR city.

So, what would it take, detail wise? Or am I off base and for some reason it cannot be done here?

Mark Allan Crnolatas
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

Mark

Wait till you see the first edition of the Lakewood Observer!

Crocker Park! more like Cracker Park.

Thinking out of the box is not doing something even the developer Bob Stark wishes he had never done! If anything take the single biggest lesson learned from there. It is a faux city with no soul.

Will Lakewood is a vibrant city with a very deep soul and many engage residents.

In the coming year we will unveil many exciting ideas and concepts for the city of Lakewood.

But please take note. We had a thread about people getting together and having something fun down at Lakewood Park this winter. It was nothing but TALK. No one to my knowledge took the initiative. What I am talking about is residents that REALLY want to make a difference get off their asses and do something. Even if it is just showing up.

This New Year will kick off what I believe to be a very special 2006 in Lakewood. It will be challenging, it will take some effort, but I promise you it will be thee most fun we have ever had collectively as a city in a long, long time.

So please, let's all get involved.

.

[Mark Crnolatas]

I remember the thread. Personally, due to my family situation, I'm not able to attend things as much as I'd like.
As far as our city in general, Jim, I'm glad you keep a positive thought all the time .
It's a little tougher for me, since I have suggested many things, offered to do them, over the last 15 or so years, and in each case, my concepts were mostly just ignored, my take being because it might be "stepping on someone's toes", yet when I would offer the same suggestions in Cleveland, they were taken. I started a volunteer program as we talked about, you and me, over the last year, in Cleveland but I first offered to, here, 15 or more years ago. I couldn't get it off the ground here, but not only did it get off the ground in Cleveland, but at least 4 or 5 other similar groups were formed too, around the various areas of the city of Cleveland, so I guess I see things from a different perspective, the one with slap marks from just trying to help here.

I love Lakewood no matter what tho' , and I'm just trying to help yet again. Even if it's just by some suggestions. I'll try and get more involved, and I hope more people will also, since for example that thread about Lkwd Park just sat there, in the same black hole as my ideas have, lost somewhere.


P.S I'm still willing to do that "project" from last December or earlier if it ever becomes possible here. It's BEEN going on in Cleveland, and so many people say how Cleveland is a lost cause. Things should be easier, one would think, in Lakewood, being more open minded, or so it's been said.

Mark Allan Crnolatas
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

[Tom Bullock]

Great thread.

I fully support improved high-end shopping in Lakewood, with bookstores, restaraunts, sidewalk cafes, and a place I can buy appliances. Combining them into a district for strength would be even better.

The Lakewood Main Street program is the most tangible step and program towards this that I'm aware of thus far. This is a City/Chamber of Commerce initiative to improve the marketing, business practices, and streetscape of the downtown business corridor (Detroit from the hospital to the Library, roughly).

Another idea I've been pushing: start an outdoor market to run on Saturday mornings in good weather. It'd have vegetables plus more--art, tshirts, knick-knacks, fine chocolates, etc. It'd incentivize coming together and enjoying sidewalk cafes in the morning.

[Jeff Endress]

Ever since the old Pandemonium closed at Beachcliff, I've searched (in vain) for a quality cook's emporium. Mostly now, I'm forced to the web if I'm looking for anything unique. Sure, you can go to Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond, but the prices are ridiculous, and they seldom have what you REALLY want. King Arthur Flour, Cook's catalog, Sur La Table are usually a better bet, but there's still something nice about actually handling the cutlery, checking the weight and balance, or browsing over the multitude of gadgets.....or checking out some special spices, oils and cookbooks. I don't know if a specialty cooking store could make it, but I sure would rather spend my money on one in Lakewood, rather than sending it out of state. Couple a store with some cooking classes....what's not to love?

Jeff

[Joseph Milan]

Another factor that has to be taken into account is whether or not our state representative, city council, and the rest of the politicians are willing to be favorable to business. For some politicians, this varies from day to day, project to project.
Joe

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mark

I refuse to see the negativity. What really has me down is the concept that Lakewood is the ugly sister in this region.

To beat the drum yet once again. Cleveland was chosen by a London based group as the most livable area in the country. Cost of living, things to do, schools, weather, commute times, etc. 200 categories that deal with daily life.

Meanwhile Lakewood is chosen as the nicest suburb in the county by the Scene, Free Times, and Cleveland magazine. But for some ungodly reason we need Crocker Park?! We need?

I'm dying, the grass is always greener on the other side of the street for some.

Does Lakewood need attention, sure, but how many more "You do not have to be ashamed" is needed by people in this town?

You think it is better somewhere else here in town. Name the city and I will email the phone number of a friend there who lived here and wished they hadn't moved.

I just do not get it.

.

[john crino]

So why doesn't everyone on this thread have a meeting about throwing in on a bookstore in Lakewood? I'll throw in $5k. Any takers? I think Lakewood needs a bookstore too, but I know nothing about running a successful bookstore. Anyone here know a Lakewood resident (besides ken warren) who can operate a bookstore? A retired teacher maybe? Let's put it together.
Any commercial property owners here want to donate a month or two free rent to get things going and fill an empty retail space?
Lemme know.

[Jim O'Bryan]

So why doesn't everyone on this thread have a meeting about throwing in on a bookstore in Lakewood? I'll throw in $5k. Any takers? I think Lakewood needs a bookstore too, but I know nothing about running a successful bookstore. Anyone here know a Lakewood resident (besides ken warren) who can operate a bookstore? A retired teacher maybe? Let's put it together.
Any commercial property owners here want to donate a month or two free rent to get things going and fill an empty retail space?
Lemme know.

John


In.



Jeff/John


I guess you forgot this part of the last meeting!




.

[dl meckes]

Ever since the old Pandemonium closed at Beachcliff, I've searched (in vain) for a quality cook's emporium.

The other place I miss terribly was a store that would now translate as something like "Hold Everything." I think it was called the Basic Place and it had storage items, etc. galore.

[Mark Crnolatas]

The reason I brought this up, is not because I think Lkwd is anything less than any other city. I think Lkwd has more going for it than ANY other city...since traveling around the country for 20 yrs, we've seen all sorts and types of places.

We were not in a financial position to shop at Crocker Park, but we looked around, and as a gift, my mother-in-law took us there to get a few things ..and I met up with several Lakewood people. That spiked a simple thought. Those people in all directions were packing their trunks and back seats and mini-vans with packages. Money spent outside of OUR city. In different threads theres posts that say on this forum, "While I was at Crocker Park..." ..so apparantly it is a high drawing money maker.

I'm not down on Lkwd at all. I'd just like to see more and more business located here.

The wishlist has some good suggestions. Now it takes some finances and people willing to get them going to start them. God/Allah/Supreme Being knows I would start a business in a NYC second, here again, if I had the finances.

I supposed I'm thinking out loud again and that seems to always cause a problem on here.

My concept is ...no one should NEED to leave the city limits of Lakewood, to do their shopping for anything. How about no one should have to leave Lakewood for any type of entertainment? A movie theater!! FANTASY? ? Maybe so. But that is MY concept of what Id' like to see in our city.
I'd like to get a pair of Levi's here. I'd like to buy a new Caddy here, or a new Chevy or Dodge Magnum here. The wife wants to shop at a TJ Maxx type store here. A Target. Why not in OUR city?

I think those are all out of the box, since the 2 dealerships left. Oops, forgot Jackshaw Pontiac. Ok we need physical room for car dealerships.
There's many other types tho, that COULD open up here. That's what point I'm trying to get across. Why doesn't TJ Maxx open up here? Footlocker? That drugstore near Warren and Madison that we in the southern half of Lkwd need.

I'm just throwing out some ideas, like fishing bait , and hoping something is good enough for someone to take a bite, and get hooked. I believe it all CAN be done.
I'm just one person with more ideas than cash right now tho'.

I'm by far, not down on Lakewood, and I do not envy other cities, to be sure. I'd just like to see as much happen as many of the others on this forum, and since I HAD a going business, maybe more so.
Since I got to see at least a thousand or more places around the country, and still chose Lkwd, that's my proof I LOVE it here.

Mark A.Crnolatas
*looking for a new line here*

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mark

I see it as a Walmart thing. If I buy at Walmart I am putting the USA out of business. If I shop at Crocker Park, I am putting a Lakewood store out of business. Every Lakewood store closing is just another space that has to be filled with a business either started from here or drafted in.

As far as bringing Crocker here, we should be working harder to make local stores better so they can franchise. I know of at least ten businesses in Lakewood that could go franchise, all they need is a good bottom line.

I guess I am just tired of the "grass seems greener..." statements and questions. How many people have been in Turnstyle, The Mission, Lion and Blue, Arc Ancient, Rare Earth, City Dweller, Scents and Accents, Local Girl, Hixson, Geigers!!!!!, Rozi's, Cosmic Collectibles, Plantation, and on and on and on.

Could we use some other stuff sure, if it fits. But I really see Condos as a better choice. Condos with another couple thousand residents would have an immediate impact on local stores. The math is pretty easy, we have density, we have the real thing in storefronts, and we would seem to have an engaged city. Now let's start aiming and working towards building the brand.

There are some strong plans to get things going, but we really all have to grab an oar. Might not be easy, but we can have some fun doing it.

Didn't mean to preach, but we had twenty ideas for Winter Fest and no damn Winter Fest! I'm starting to feel like some people aren't rowing!!!!