Retail development is dead - So what can Lakewood do?

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
Thtere was an article in yesterday's PeeDee that discussed how the recent credit crunch has killed retail development.

Thank Goodness Lakewood did not face being in the early phases of a development project when this hit.

Retail is the US is dead. Let's face it. We (NE Ohio) already have way more retail properties than we are using or could possibly need for many years.

So, hats off to our Planning Dept. for not starting anything like that right now.

So, is any type of development dead? Well, given the credit crunch. I think we will all agree it riskier.

So what can the City to to actually improve it's financial situation?

[Stephen Eisel]

Support the retail that we already have!!!!!!! I love Lakewood Hardware and Goddess Blessed...

[Jim DeVito]

I think both of you said it best right there.

We have too much empty retail space. We need to focus on supporting the retail we have here in town as well as bringing new retail into the existing space.

Perhaps all some of the storefronts need is a good coat of paint and some minor cosmetic work.

I think Bryan has brought this point up before. Some of the store fronts do look a bit dated. In the end would it really cost that much to slap on a coat of paint and fix some molding around the windows.

[Amy Bennett]

Well, one thing that has been very successful in Lakewood is the Community Supported Agriculture sponsored by LEAF every Thursday night during the growing season. Over the past 2 years we have signed up over 300 families who participate in at least one of our programs to buy local fruits and vegetables. When I look around LEAF night, I see a lot of young families who are concerned for the environment and who are willing to put their wallets where their mouths are.

Perhaps it's my current state of being that leads me to think this but I believe a store that would be solely devoted to green baby/child items would do very well in this city. Green Smart Gifts has many wonderful baby choices, including biodegradable diapers and wooden toys. We no doubt will purchase everything this store has to offer in the way of baby items. There are many, many other green items (organic crib sheets, glass bottles, etc.) that I would prefer to purchase in Lakewood rather than on-line.

It's just something I've been thinking about and then this subject was posted, so I thought I'd share my thoughts.

[Lynn Farris]

Amy, I think that is an excellent idea. I have always thought that Lakewood should set itself up as the leader in environmentalism in NE Ohio. A type of branding for the people we normally attract anyway. LEAF is an excellent program that plays right into it.

Many people I know that live in NE Ohio get their green babuy stuff from the internet cause I don't think there is really a store in the area for that. It could easily fit into one of our vacant storefronts.

The only catch is many people do say they want green things but they also want the convience and price of non green items. The key I believe is to get the green items to be as easy to use and as cost effective as the non green items. Or at least close.

[Rhonda loje]

After today...(SPP)....I think we should focus on the great pet businesses we have here in Lakewood....Pet's General Store...Lakewood Hardware...Lakewood Observer...Lakewood Animal Hospital...Debbie Riddle Design...North Coast Dogs...Inn the Dog House..Cuttin Loose Hair Salon...Pretty Coat Junction...maybe we can think about marketing around animal related business they are a wonderful asset to the City of Lakewood and beyond!..much, much, better than the big box stores!! There were alot of people out there today...we should take advantage of it!!

All of my support came from small business owners...no big box!! We should support them!!

[Stephen Eisel]

Pet's General is a great store... Great customer service and knowledgeable staff..

[Rhonda loje]

They are the BEST!! Everyone should go there for pet supplies. They are one of the best small businesses in Lakewood! One we should all support and appreciate!!

Rhonda

[Danielle Masters]

Pet's General is a great store... Great customer service and knowledgeable staff..

Finally something we agree on.

[Diane Helbig]

Here is an idea I've tried to float by a couple of 'leaders' in our community.

Thoughts?

VYBE – Valued Youth Being Engaged

Mission: To engage Lakewood’s tweens and teens in socially responsible, constructive, creative, and educational endeavors for the betterment of the community.

Premises:
Not all students go to college.
Not all careers require a college education.
Young people should be engaged constructively.
The opportunity exists to play to the strengths of the individual young people and build a dynamic, revenue generating non-profit organization that will serve the entire Lakewood community in a positive way.
Giving young people ownership in their activities improves the odds of success.

Details:
Create pods throughout Lakewood, up and down Detroit and Madison Avenues with duplication on each end of town.
Set up a centrally located hub.
Pods include but are not limited to:
Music
Art
Literature
Computer skills
Woodworking
Sewing
Math and language arts assistance

Revenue Generation:
Music – create band, cut cds and sell them
Art – conduct art shows
Woodworking – create products for sale – ie: bird houses
Literature – write and publish books – short stories, poems. Can self-publish thru lulu.com
Sewing – create clothing or products for sale

Marketing – in the computer skills pods those people can create marketing materials to market the various events, products, etc

Start with two pods on the east and two on the west sides of town.
Acquire private funding from various organizations
Solicit the support of the various organizations that already exist in Lakewood
Work with the schools and religious organizations to identify young people who could benefit from and enjoy such a program
Allow the young people the opportunity to design the pods – painting, furnishings, etc.
Identify a handful of young people with leadership skills and bring them into the management of the program.

Put plan together and discuss with John Zitzner of Entrepreneurship Preparatory School – guidance
Committee members with grant writing skills to solicit funds – Joanns, Home Depot, Magic Johnson, Local band foundation (or something), Pat Catans, Etc
Get press

[Jim O'Bryan]

Here is an idea I've tried to float by a couple of 'leaders' in our community.

Diane

Take a step farther back, and go beyond youth, and it is perfect.

We can go farther, do a search for "entrepreneur zones," on this board.

This is a rough, that takes into account all the people power, the needs of green space, and a way to make it all work in the future.

Simple things like underwriting successful home based businesses to move into storefronts, while handing them all the tools they need to be a success.

We can harness the youth, the old and everyone in between. We can use this as a way to attack business, jobs and residents to the new city.

I like it.

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[Diane Helbig]

Jim,
I don't disagree with you. However, what I know abou project management is that you have to target - do one specific thing. There is no reason why we can't do all you suggest in your post.

I simply submit that we have to start SOMEWHERE. All the talking in the world will not solve the problems or create greater success in this great city.

There are plenty of leaders in the city. Why not divide up the initiatives and move forward.

I tire of the chat. I'd love to see some action.

[Ruthie Koenigsmark]

Diane, don't wait --just do it! You are correct--people do get sick of all the talking, planning and no action. If you truly have passion for this--you are the best person make it happen--get to a small group of committed citizens together, figure out a plan, and just DO IT!

[Jim O'Bryan]

I tire of the chat. I'd love to see some action.

Who is talking? You must run with a different crowd.

What we realized over 5 years ago was a plan to get Lakewood to a better place without needing government money. Something we saw as ending soon anyway.

So then the framework had to be put in place. Some of our earliest projects failed because the SunPapers had stopped covering Lakewood and the PD never came to Lakewood.

So we started a paper for non-profits and businesses to keep in touch with residents. That way the work of many could be documented and written about. Today, the "framework" can identify businesses in other cities, or homes, help move them to Madison or Detroit. Get them discounts on starting their business, promotion, nearly free websites, and a very low cost way to keep in touch.

As you said, "media." At that point we found that we could not get much beyond borders. Today we have 7 projects working and the LO has space in all of them to advertise Lakewood, events and businesses.

In 2009 MAMA and now finally DADA will be hosting classes from some of the best retailers around in everything from window presentation, to getting the most out of the Observer and Internet.

But all good ideas need some planning and support.

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[Jim O'Bryan]

Diane

PS

What I meant was there are now many different frameworks of support and they work with each other as well.

There is no reason to not get something going. Sometime it pays to see if someone else is working on a similar program. Last week I was speaking with some art students that wanted art in Lakewood and thought... I stepped in and said, Lakewood Is Art, might be a good group to start with.

The Observer will support and work with any group trying to make Lakewood better, safer, more enjoyable.

Out of that original list we had, 3 failures early on. From there 9 successes in a row. Two of the failures, were just not solid. The third was good, but needed a very solid framework, and a better leader.

So I would echo Ruthie, but ask around, it might even be easier than you think.

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