Quaker Steak & Lube...

[Danielle Masters]

My father in law is a biker, like a goes to Sturgis biker. He is in his mid 50's and works as an engineer at Intel. He's a good guy and has a nice bike. I used to live down the street from a bunch of 20 somethings and their crotch rocket bikes. They'd speed down the road at all hours of the night and were just plain rude. I'd certainly take a harley rider over a crotch rocket rider any day.

I am torn on how I feel about the idea of Quaker Steak coming into town. I don't like being anti-business especially in this economy. I remember when Beer Engine moved into my neighborhood years back with their atrocious gaudy sign. Some of us were worried but it worked out way better than could be imagined. I guess I'd like to know what exactly they plan on bringing to Lakewood before I pass judgement.

[Kate McCarthy]

Jim,

Lakewood is a densely populated community. I might want to shoot some skeet in Kauffmann but I think the folks that live around there might raise some objections. A big open field in Valley View, no problem.

I don't think anyone here raised the issue of bike night being "scary". Loud, yes. A nuisance, yes. If Quaker Steak and Lube wants to join what I think is an already very crowded pack of places serving burgers and wings, fine. If they want to host regular bike nights in a location near a residential neighborhood, I will object.

As you often tell folks complaining about the lack of clothing retail in Lakewood -- Sheffield Lake and Valley View are only a 20 minute drive away.

And it was Lakewood Alive that came up with this brilliant idea? Geez.

[Jim O'Bryan]

As you often tell folks complaining about the lack of clothing retail in Lakewood -- Sheffield Lake and Valley View are only a 20 minute drive away.

And it was Lakewood Alive that came up with this brilliant idea? Geez.

Kate

This is not clothes, this is engines! Cars! Bikes! Burgers, and if you do a search for "AUG192009" on
you tube limitless possibilities for Lakewood, our residents, businesses and even education.

While I generally frown on drastically changing the city, just to say it is changing, or drastically changing
the home town, friendly feel. But this is something I like. When that finally happens everyone still
takes the opposite side! Damn, no wonder my friends say I need professional help!

When I was growing up there were at least 6 real biker bars in town. Guys riding bikes all over
the place. "Rabbit" doing wheelies from the gas station to the newly built McDonald's. We survived.

I am telling you, Sloan Ave, hunderds arriving through The Emerald Canyon, hundreds
more through Sloane Underpass to Lake Road, cross marketing and educational
opportunities. We have a real chance here.

Kate I remember they have a vegetarian menu, fish sandwich, onion rings and fries!

I smell another award for Lakewood coming!

.

[Brian Pedaci]

I think some people need to have their sarcasm meters adjusted

[Jim O'Bryan]

Brian

I am serious as a heart attack. Ask any of the people that know me. I spend at least
6-12 Sundays and Tuesdays at Quaker Steak each summer.


1959 Cadillac At Quaker Steak and Lube.

It has gotten to where my wife avoids me all Sunday fearing I want to go. When we finally
run into each other, she can tell I will ask, and interrupts, changes the subject, anything.
Then I ask and she finally gives in. She then fearfully asks, "What are we driving?" If it
is anything but the BMW, she accepts her fate, then asks, "Do we have to eat there?"
I always say "sure, the wings aren't bad, burgers are ok, and the onion rings come on an antenna!"
If I say the BMW she fights it till about 6 pm. then has to give in fearing for her life that
we will have to drive home in the dark!

I love the place.


Deb going back to her 1977 Austin Mini at Quaker Steak and Lube

My wife on the other hand tolerates it about as much as Hooters.

Hey!

You know what...


.

[Kate McCarthy]

Okay...I watched the video on youtube and it's not April 1st...what am I missing?



A foggy day on a three day weekend = way too much time on the computer.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Jim,

Check the ISO on your camera. Your photos are grainy for sunny, summer evenings.

It might just be a Nikon thing..

All for QSL in Lakewood...but whatever happened to that Applebees? It seems like there's always a new project being tossed around and nothing ever ends up getting started.

[Stephen Eisel]

I thought Lakewood was getting an Urban Active?

[Grace O'Malley]

Yeah, what did happen to Applebees?

Here's my prediction on QSL - opens, busy for a bit, then business drops off. They aren't offering anything you can't get elsewhere and for the money, they aren't that great.

The "Bike Night" thing gets to be a hassle for them and Lakewood so they quit having it. End result? I give them about 24 months then they decide they aren't making enough money and they quietly close.

As usual, I'm disappointed that the plan for the plaza and Kauffman Park consists of nothing more than a questionable facelift and the addition of a ho-hum restaurant chain. I'm disappointed that a great location is being underutilized - it's like they are putting lipstick on a pig.

[Kate McCarthy]

Grace,

What are the plans for Kauffman Park and Drug Mart Plaza?

I hope the plan is the county is going to seize the property for nonpayment of property taxes. Here is the link to the county auditor's search page and the parcel numbers for the drug mart plaza. http://auditor.cuyahogacounty.us/repi/default.asp

312-14-106
312-14-107

How many Lakewood home owners would be able to go this long without paying their property taxes?

[J Hrlec]

Sounds great.

I'll add some of my opinions to all the opinions being presented.

I think QSL will be a good addition for those people who don't always (or ever) care to go to the smaller establishments and/or don't particularly like those places grub. Whether or not you believe Lakewood should be only small businesses or not...doesn't mean all residents believe in the same direction or going one extreme or the other.

Noise can be a minor issue but I feel if you live near one of the main avenues, you should expect this at some level. I personally moved from a rental to a single house years ago I am a couple houses from Madison and some bars. Sure there's noise, especially with a recent patio addition but I expected this possibility when I moved in, so I believe some realism comes to play. I feel it is highly unrealistic to expect no change.

I believe Lakewood can be a mix of new and old....large and small... "family owned" or "commercial" and still be as great as it ever was.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim,

Check the ISO on your camera. Your photos are grainy for sunny, summer evenings.

It might just be a Nikon thing..

Ivor


Thanks, I went back
and looked at some of your
photos and you are right
it was kind of grainy.

So I copied everything
you do, and made sure
it was just like one of
your fabulous photos.

I was out last night
in the fog trying different
things but set everything
like you told me
I believe I
captured the
look
and the
feel
of an Ivor Photo.










.

[Charlie Page]

I'm not a big fan of chains but if they put out a good product, I will go there.

QSL has a good unique product and will be around Lakewood for a good while. Same as the Winking Lizard. But I think QSL will do better. I'd like them to go into the old Giant Eagle site.

Applebee's, on the other hand, is the epitome of what a chain means to me (think of the movie Office Space and flare). I'm so glad they never opened here.

[Mike Coleman]

QSL is now a chain, but I believe the original (Sharon, Pa.) is in a setting much like downtown Lakewood.

[Kate McCarthy]

Mike,

Yes. The original is in Sharon, PA but there are absolutely no houses nearby on google maps. It's in the middle of a bunch of parking lots, one of which abuts a river or canal or something. And Sharon PA is roughly the same size as Lakewood but has a population of only 16,000. Lakewood does not have any wide open spaces ... we are all full up and most of it's filled with houses.

Again, the restaurant is fine. I don't care if it's a chain or not. But the concept of weekly bike nights in any location in Lakewood beyond the southeast industrial corner is ludicrous to me.

The idea of Trader Joes is floated and suddenly a whole bunch of people are ready to give away a park. Now another chain with a different following makes an appearance and suddenly no one gives a hoot about the quality of life for the people in the neighborhood? Perhaps we should just get rid of all those pesky houses and the people who live and try to sleep in them. It would make things so much easier.

And let's not worry ourselves about property owners who don't pay their taxes. They are going to give their tax-delinquent property a spit shine and give us wings. Maybe we should send some block grant money their way as well?

And again Jim...you are joking right?