The Death of The Bar Based Economy?

[Chris Dawson]

and about that closed Locals bar ...

From today's Cleveland Scene ... obviously this new owner hasn't talked to Bill, or he'd realize his venue is doomed for failure, since Lakewood is a dying city, and his restaurant isn't going to help.


Eric Williams of Momocho Divulges Plans for New Eatery
Posted by Douglas Trattner on Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 2:31 PM

Long-rumored plans of Eric Williams expanding his mod-mex empire to points west finally have come to fruition. By July, the chef-owner of Momocho and Happy Dog will open El Carnicero in the old McCarthy's Ale House in the West End neighborhood of Lakewood.

El Carnicero will be a full-service fast-casual restaurant and bar serving unique interpretations of Mexican street food. Billed as a carniceria, taqueria, and tamaleria, the resto will serve up traditional taquitos, tamales and antojitos — or other Mexican street foods. Of course, there will be plenty of margaritas, cervezas and specialty tequila-based cocktails.

"I wanted to capitalize on what we do at Momocho without hurting it or watering it down," Williams explains. "I want to showcase the Mexican cuisine that I'm known for and love but serve different foods that we don’t serve at Momocho."

The menu will feature 16 options of braised, roasted and grilled meats, poultry, seafood and vegetables. On Sundays, diners can enjoy authentic dishes like birria, which is a hearty stew of lamb, beef and pork red chile served with corn tortillas, cilantro, onions and limes.

The 3,500-square-foot space will have 35 bar seats, 80 dining room seats, and a private dining room. The restaurant will open for dinner first, followed by lunch service.

Also coming soon, says Williams, is Super Chango Tequilaria, a lounge located next door that will specialize in tequila cocktails, margaritas and beer. The bar will offer the full menu from El Carnicero during normal business hours.

[michael gill]

Thanks, Chris.

I don't really have anything more to add.

[ryan costa]

decent people need a place to drink.

[Bill Call]

and about that closed Locals bar ...

From today's Cleveland Scene ... obviously this new owner hasn't talked to Bill, or he'd realize his venue is doomed for failure, since Lakewood is a dying city, and his restaurant isn't going to help.

My point is that there are a limited number of customers for a restaurant, that a new restaurant in Lakewood will draw most of its business from existing Lakewood businesses and that the net affect of all of that turbulence is zero job growth, zero income growth, zero tax growth.

Detroit Avenue looks good, the City did a fine job in re-inventing Downtown Lakewood and Lakewood has a better chance to thrive than some other inner ring suburbs.

Overall we have excellent leadership, at least at City Hall. The Mayor and his team have done a fine job so far. But a sustained renewal depends on more middle or upper middle class people, aka, the people who pay the bills. That can only happen with a bolder housing policy.

But
without a bolder housing policy,
without public opposition to Cuyahoga County's downtown only development model
and without a willingness to challenge Cuyahoga County institutions

We are swimming up stream.

Sunday's Plain Dealer had this article about the future of Cuyahoga County. Our own Mayor Summers is quoted.

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index. ... cart_river

It seems he understands the problem. Will understanding bring action?

A start might be to get a value added development in Cleveland at Edgewater and 117th.

We need people to head East when they think of shopping or entertainment or living. The County has spent millions to subsidize downtown apartments, downtown office buildings, downtown hotels and downtown condos. How about a few dollars for West 117th and Edgewater? There are more people living within a 10 minute walk of that corner than all of downtown. Why not throw a few pennies their way?

Or maybe something more than a fresh coat of asphalt for Madison.

[ryan costa]

Is anyone doing anything with the old Sullivan's?

Preferrably, in such a way that does not alter the fixtures and furnishing.

[Bill Call]

Is anyone doing anything with the old Sullivan's?

Preferrably, in such a way that does not alter the fixtures and furnishing.

Part of the interior has been gutted. The new owner plans to build a sports bar.