Giant Eagle - W116th - on its last leg?

[DougHuntingdon]

Two days ago, I saw a petition on the bulletin board asking for customers' signatures in an attempt to keep the Giant Eagle on W116th from closing. Does anyone know more about it? I wish Lakewood could take that entire block via eminent domain. A year ago, I heard a rumor they were thinking of building a new Giant Eagle on W117th near I90.

Doug

[Charyn Varkonyi]

We recently drove through the area of Cleveland that is currently being dismatled (near 117th)... now THAT is one disturbing scene.

From the signage that was posted, I believe that a Target is going there - but considering the size of the affected area, I am guessing it will be a full blown retail development with Target as the anchor/landlord.

Anyone else have more specifics on it?

Peace,
~charyn

[Bryan Schwegler]

Two days ago, I saw a petition on the bulletin board asking for customers' signatures in an attempt to keep the Giant Eagle on W116th from closing. Does anyone know more about it? I wish Lakewood could take that entire block via eminent domain. A year ago, I heard a rumor they were thinking of building a new Giant Eagle on W117th near I90.

Doug

Lakewood can't do anything, that's in Cleveland. And the new Giant Eagle is happening. When it opens both the Giant Eagle on W 116th and the one on Bunts will close.

Personally I hope the one on W 116th closes. It's too small to be viable for a large grocery chain and I honestly think it's dirty and gross.

[Bill Call]

Brian:

I think you are correct about the Bunts store closing when the new 117th Street Giant Eagle opens. Are we expected to believe that a city of 55,000 can't support more than one grocery store?

The Bunts Road location would be ideal for a Trader Joe's or Dave's or (INsert your idea here). Is anyone at the City working with Giant Eagle to secure a new tenant for that space?

[Charyn Varkonyi]

Whole Foods Marke would make a nice additona to the city. They are well suited for this areas and have a very sucessful.proven business model. Not to mentiona that they are starting expansion into the North-east Ohio area (beginning with one in the Mayfield area - opening date TBD)

Peace,
~Charyn

[Joan Roberts]

Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, either one works for me. Yum!
Speaking of the Clifton Giant Eagle, wouldn't it make sense for the Rego Brothers to open one of their smaller-format stores there?
How is that one on Lakewood Heights Blvd doing by the way?

[Jeff Endress]

It probably isn't an issue of Lakewood not supporting the Bunts G.E. I assume, that the decision to close two smaller stores (116th and Bunts) and open a SUPER DUPER G.E. up at I 90 makes sense to them.....Forget issues of those who get to the grocery via the circulator. At least they'll still have Topps. It's pretty much the same scenario they followed when they closed the Lorain and Rockport stores, and opened the bigger one on Center Ridge, past Westwood.

I'd love to see a Trader Joe's.....or how about a Mustard Seed (North)? Maybe some outside the box redevelopement (I think they also own half of the Hixon's Lot). Anyway, I won't miss Giant Eagle...they were never the same after they took over Stop N Shop..

Jeff

[Bill Davis]

Joan-

I've gotten to know the Rego boys over the years, and I don't think they'd go back there. (I could be wrong). That was one of their dad's stores when Rego's was a semi-major chain in Greater Cleveland. They all did time there growing up. Dad sold the biz off to Riser Foods fifteen or twenty years ago. The kids started their own store on Lake in RR and now have 3 stores.

The Lakewood Heights store is doing well they tell me. Interesting fact: that was their dad's first store.

What they should do, is get the Giant Eagle space. It would be nice to get a quality food store in the heart of Lakewood.

Nice employees, good food.

FWIW

Bill

[Bryan Schwegler]

Whole Foods Marke would make a nice additona to the city. They are well suited for this areas and have a very sucessful.proven business model. Not to mentiona that they are starting expansion into the North-east Ohio area (beginning with one in the Mayfield area - opening date TBD)

Peace,
~Charyn

That would be so great to have a store like that come to Lakewood.

[ryan costa]

The Giant Eagle on Bunts would make a nice Super Big Lots.

[Brad Babcock]

I too have seen the destruction of the neighborhood by 116th. It is not in Lakewood, but it is close. I hear a lot of sirens there at night. Now that the neighborhood is destroyed, I am anxious to see almost anything replace the current ghetto. That may be Short-sighted of me, but the wheels are already in motion, and an unabated ghetto has a way of becoming cancerous.
As for the Rego Bro's store on Lakewood Heights, it is great. Walking distance from home for a Sunday Morning paper and some breakfast fodder.
They even carry Lo.

[Kenneth Warren]

Brad:

Over the past fifteen years I have seen the ghetto roll down Detroit in Cleveland.

Your post suggests that the ghetto roll is near Lakewood's door step.

What are the rolling ghetto conditions that need abatement?

What abatement strategies - local or regional - might you suggest.

How much of the class struggle that rolls the ghetto is playing out in the real estate game to Lakewood's advantage or disadvantage?

Is the class struggle in the real estate game the only game in town?

Any insights?

Kenneth Warren

[Charyn Varkonyi]

Kenneth:

If you haven't driven through the develoment area, you should. It is an eye-opener to say the least. I don't know if anyone can adequately express the image in words...

Peace,
~Charyn

[DougHuntingdon]

I went to Giant Eagle tonight on Clifton. I see the petition has not been up for weeks. I asked a checker if they were closing...she said she doesn't know but says they are thinking about maybe closing. Anyone know the official word from the top birds at Giant Eagle? I emailed them on their website but no response. If they keep the store, I hope they fix it up a little bit. It is the worst Giant Eagle I have ever seen, and not just because it is small. On a related note, I noticed what appeared to be a bald eagle circling today over Lake Avenue near the Envoy in typical vulture fashion (must have been hungry).

Doug

[Bryan Schwegler]

They're not keeping the store. Construction on the new location on W 117th near I-90 has begun. Both the Clifton and Bunts Giant Eagles are closing when the new store opens.