Ideas to replace IHOP?

[Missy Limkemann]

Well the Krazy Mac thing is kind of goofy. I do not know any of this personally, this is just something I heard, so take it with a grain of salt. I heard that since there were no sprinklers in the ceiling that the city said "no you cant unless you are up to code" but the owner of Krazy Mac's said that it was not his responsibility that it was the owner of the building, and the owner would not do it, so now he wont go in there. I think the cost was huge too. I read somewhere that he is now looking for a new place.

I only ate at Sonic once in Florida when I was in Florida coming home from the beach. We stopped there on the way home. Ahhh the days of when I lived in Florida.

[Christopher Bindel]

Yes, I totally agree with Sonic. We really do need one of those around here, every time one of their commercials com on me, and who ever I happen to be with at the time, lament at their lack of presents around here. And I think David is right, their commercials around here are just from national or cable broadcasts.

One thing however, I don’t know if they ever would come to Lakewood because I don’t think the city’s building codes would allow them to create their typical restaurant.

As far as Krazy Mac Goes I don’t care where they open up just as long as they do and it is in Lakewood. Although I think the Hylander would have been the perfect spot for them.

[Mark Crnolatas]

I'm an avid fan of the food channel on Cox ch.40, I would think any of the major chain eateries with a solid reputation would do well, from Steak and Shake to any of the other ones we don't get around greater Cleveland, let alone our city.

From being out on the road and keeping in touch with the "road scene" via food channel and other shows, as well as adding in the desires of the patron of say, The Melt, any would do well.

[Valerie Molinski]

Well the Krazy Mac thing is kind of goofy. I do not know any of this personally, this is just something I heard, so take it with a grain of salt. I heard that since there were no sprinklers in the ceiling that the city said "no you cant unless you are up to code" but the owner of Krazy Mac's said that it was not his responsibility that it was the owner of the building, and the owner would not do it, so now he wont go in there. I think the cost was huge too. I read somewhere that he is now looking for a new place.

Well, depending on his lease structure and verbiage, he is right. It is up to the building owner to bring the building up to code to be occupiable. If you are moving in to a space 'as is,' you can often argue to a city that you are not changing it and therefore should not be responsible for bringing it up to code. But if you are making enough changes or opening up the ceiling to add lights, hvac, etc, usually you are then on the hook for complying with current code, whether it is sprinkling or ADA bathrooms.

That said, I still hope he stays in Lakewood. With the space he had in Shoreway, I heard that he felt it was really nice and a great location, but it was too big and cut up for the type of place he wanted to run. It was always half empty because the place was big. The patio rocked though.

Edited to add: It is usaually a higher dollar number to put in sprinklers, but man, why WOULDN'T the owner just do it? He's going to have to do it eventually to get some sort of tenant in there. I don't get it.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I once again got the call from Greg Williams about moving a Hot Sauce Williams to
Lakewood, and mentioned IHop, but he still wants a drive through or maybe a place
with a liquor license like their "Inner Circle Lounge." Which has been very successful.

FWIW


.

[Margaret Brinich]

The trend I see here, and by which I am a bit taken aback, is the desire for a chain restaurant. Replace one chain with another? How does that play into Lakewood's reputation as a more unique piece of suburbia than are our nearby west side suburbs? Granted, an option such as HSW, is not a chain in the same way that another McDonald's would be (seeing a local business owner succeed and expand is a positive event), but ultimately, still replication of options that already exist nearby. I also understand that someplace like Sonic would be an immediate draw into Lakewood based upon name recognition, but may or may not have a lasting benefit depending upon the company's decision to expand with additional franchises in the area.

While Krazy Mac's may not be the ideal candidate based upon rumors of inconsistencies in ownership/management, a well thought out restaurant option unique to Lakewood (designed and willing to fit itself into the Lakewood community) has the potential for a more long term appeal. Clearly if the existing structure is to house anything beyond a generic chain the new tenant would most likely be required to commit to substantial renovations; however, thinking beyond another fast-food restaurant is deserves serious consideration. I see this as a mini challenge- a challenge for Lakewood to show it's ability to retain our originality and show that we can be supportive of cultivating talented entrepreneurs and chefs.

[Jerry Ritcey]

The trend I see here, and by which I am a bit taken aback, is the desire for a chain restaurant. Replace one chain with another? How does that play into Lakewood's reputation as a more unique piece of suburbia than are our nearby west side suburbs?

Exactly. No one is coming here for a chain restaurant. No one's coming here for Applebee's when they are located all over suburbia anyway.

[Kristen Dutton]

A book store. A large bookstore with new releases and classics. I could be wrong, but a Bookstore is one of the few things Lakewood does not have. Does anyone remember "Turn of the Page"? I loved that place.

[Christopher Bindel]

A book store would be nice, and yes it is something Lakewood needs, but as we have had several attempts with independent book stores in Lakewood in the past it is prevalent that it is nearly impossible for one to be successful on its own. I agree with Margaret that trying to keep things local is the way to go, but if Lakewood is ever to get a bookstore I think it will have to be an express store for a chain. That way even if the store cannot keep itself afloat maybe the franchise owner can.

As for IHOP I would not suggest that as a place for a bookstore for the sole reason that it was built with a full functioning kitchen which is a prize commodity in store fronts. If we could grow a new successful local restaurant there that would be fantastic. It is a good location and a perfect building for a restaurant (if someone takes out everything that makes it an IHOP). I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

[Stan Austin]

if someone takes out everything that makes it an IHOP). I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

You mean, throw away those glossy menus featuring 4 fried eggs, a pork chop, pancakes with mulicolored syrups and whipped cream

wonder why it shut down?

[Vince Frantz]

If expensive, unhealthy chain store food didn't work then I would eliminate anything fitting that bill. Sonic, Five Guys, Steak N Shake etc are all DOA in Lakewood. As it was mentioned before - no one is driving to Lakewood for things like that.

Smaller, eclectic franchises like Deweys or Alladins would probably work.

But if I was in the restaurant business I would go for starting a vegan or very vegan friendly place a la Tommy's in Cleveland Heights.

I know there are handful of vegan possibilities in Lakewood but nothing on the order of high class vegan. I am not vegan but I have had some great vegan meals and would love me some seitan done right.

The iHop location may be a bit big for something like that to start. But it is on the scale of Tommys so a very vegan friendly diner would be a good bet.

Horizons is a great example. http://www.yelp.com/biz/horizons-philadelphia

[Jim O'Bryan]

.

[Jim DeVito]

Hey, everybody needs a place to relax...

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim

This is a new church on Lorain. I was up there walking around last night talking to
people and found the name very compelling. Went over and spoke with the minister
who was a very nice upbeat guy. Thursday night was "Bible Movie Night" and he
was piping the soundtrack out onto the street.

Nicky Cruz' "The Cross And The Switchblade" a movie about gangs and god. I mentioned
I knew Nicky threw some work I did in the Inner city when I was a kid. I met him during
one of his crusades, and had the opportunity to speak with him after that maybe 5 times.


In the 70s, Nicky had a very compelling story, and was great at reaching into the gangs
of LA and New York and getting them to stop gangbanging and turn to God and helping
the neighborhood. The minister mentioned he was hoping to do the same thing. Coming out from
Mi Pueblo I grab a couple photos of the church. It was not til I got home did I realize how
the photo really is.

It seems that many churches are filtering in to Lakewood storefronts on Detroit Ave.,
maybe IHOP could be the home for one. After all Ernest Angley is in the old building
that was the Catherdal Cafeteria/Rex Humbard compound in Akron.


just a thought

maybe not.


.

[Justine Cooper]

If expensive, unhealthy chain store food didn't work then I would eliminate anything fitting that bill. Sonic, Five Guys, Steak N Shake etc are all DOA in Lakewood. As it was mentioned before - no one is driving to Lakewood for things like that.

Smaller, eclectic franchises like Deweys or Alladins would probably work.

But if I was in the restaurant business I would go for starting a vegan or very vegan friendly place a la Tommy's in Cleveland Heights.

I know there are handful of vegan possibilities in Lakewood but nothing on the order of high class vegan. I am not vegan but I have had some great vegan meals and would love me some seitan done right.

The iHop location may be a bit big for something like that to start. But it is on the scale of Tommys so a very vegan friendly diner would be a good bet.

Horizons is a great example. http://www.yelp.com/biz/horizons-philadelphia

I was thinking along the same lines. What about LEAF teaming with someone and doing a local organic type of menu? Even adding local favorites like Baba's Kitchen (in the Russian church on Madison) with homemade perogies? And serving the local breadmaker's bread? Baba's church also makes the best pastries which are all chemical free. Something like that would be a really nice addition to Lakewood. And of course displaying local art.