The Observation Deck

Constantino's is a great store, and can do well in the right location. The question is, if the Bin, a longtime Lakewood institution with lots of support couldn't make it, what makes anyone think a new grocery store will have any better luck?

Constantino's is willing to take risks. For example, they opened a store in Rochester that, by all accounts, was eagerly welcomed. But, that store lasted about one year and they decided to close due to lower than expected sales.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/new ... /79648020/

They also were thinking of Tremont but that must have been tabled:

https://www.google.com/amp/www.clevelan ... be_hea.amp

"The Deck hates Lakewood" is the party line coming out of City Hall. Nothing could be further from the truth, but at times it serves them well. I will wait and see how Constantino's does in that location. It sounds like the kind of store I would like to patronize.

But I'd like to see JOB elaborate on his comments above. ("Just look at who joined to help them stay solvent and raise funding over the past 4 years. You will stop wondering.")

Dan Alaimo wrote: But I'd like to see JOB elaborate on his comments above. ("Just look at who joined to help them stay solvent and raise funding over the past 4 years. You will stop wondering.")

I would also like to see an elaboration on this comment.

That said, I will love having fresh food at that location again. I miss the Bin often. Does anyone know if Constantino's is still associated with what appears to now be a generic mini-mart on Clifton?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Mr. Wadden for chiming in on this thread.
Your participation here is ironic, since you are the perfect embodiment of the "disaster capitalism" technique being employed.

Allow me to explain.......

Two years ago Patrick came to the SLH Facebook page and tried to talk folks into accepting the Clinic's horrible deal. When pressed on the matter, he eventually acknowledged that the deal was bad, but said that we should accept it because the Clinic would eventually "outspend and outlawyer us" to get their way. He advocated submission over resistance.
His stance is EXACTLY what corporatists wants to hear.
They want folks to give up, stop fighting, and do whatever they tell us.

mjkuhns wrote:But yeah, keep talking Mike.

Yes, I will keep talking. So will Brian, Jim, Bridget, Mark and many others that seek the truth.
Justice can take a long time, but liars and cheaters are usually exposed in the long run.

Patrick Wadden wrote:Couldn't you guys just start a group text to talk about how much you hate Lakewood?

Very disappointing to see him trot out the most tired conservative cliché of all: "Love it or leave it".
Conservatives historically dismiss any dissent as lack of patriotism or loyalty. When the facts are against them, flag waving is the card they play.
Here's a classic example.....Nixon playing "God Bless America" a few months before his resignation.



Sadly, I expect to hear a lot of "They hate Lakewood" talk coming from Team Summers in the coming months. I suspect that Bullock, a scheming conservative at heart, is preparing such an attack to defend his council seat. When all else fails, wrap yourself in the flag (in this case, the Lakewood flag).

Dan Alaimo wrote:"The Deck hates Lakewood" is the party line coming out of City Hall. Nothing could be further from the truth,

But it's oh so convenient when they have no real response to a true statement.

That's the reason Jenn Pae and City Hall started their Lakewood Ohio (Community) Facebook page - the original, and still active Lakewood Oh page dared to discuss important issues so those people "must hate Lakewood."

It's so trite.

Bridget Conant wrote:

Dan Alaimo wrote:"The Deck hates Lakewood" is the party line coming out of City Hall. Nothing could be further from the truth,

But it's oh so convenient when they have no real response to a true statement.

That's the reason Jenn Pae and City Hall started their Lakewood Ohio (Community) Facebook page - the original, and still active Lakewood Oh page dared to discuss important issues so those people "must hate Lakewood."

It's so trite.

It's also very Trumpian. Let's look at all the alternative facts over here. Everything else is "fake".

Bridget Conant wrote: THIS.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.clevelan ... _doors.amp

Officials with Cornucopia Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates Nature's Bin, said increased competition led to the difficult decision.

"As shoppers' options to purchase natural and organic products have expanded, we have experienced a dramatic decline in sales, and Cornucopia can no longer continue to operate Nature's Bin," Assistant Executive Director Mary L. Johnson said in an email.

Declining sales due to competition from so many nearby places to buy grocery items:

Let me get this straight. Because a grocery store failed at one location due to what they said was increased competition, another should not open one? That makes no sense. By this argument, Jammy Buggars should have never opened because four restaurants in a row failed at their location.

Please let me know if that is not your argument. Because I still do not understand why so much dislike for Constantino's (as mentioned, a LOCALLY owned business) on this thread.

No one has said anything against Constantino's.

I

Patrick Wadden wrote:"Here's the bottom line: We traded a community-owned grocery store for a private out-of-town operation. I suspect that Natures Bin may have been undermined in its final years....a la the hospital."..Mike Deenen..

Wrong. Constantino's is owned and operated by a Lakewood family for decades. They currently live in Lakewood and will for likely decades to come. Now i am not sure where they are incorporated, likely at their large store in the Warehouse District in Cleveland proper. But yeah, keep talking Mike.

Couldn't you guys just start a group text to talk about how much you hate Lakewood? You, Lori, Bridget, etc.. The limit for people in a group text is 10 so you're well under that.

Everything about this is great news. The seller, the buyer, the community, the neighborhood, etc......

Mr. Wadden,

Are they going to make it their mission to employ and train individuals with disabilities? I don't think so. They blamed the closing of the Bin on competition due to Whole Foods?! It's a complete contradiction. Constantino's is facing significant competition with the new downtown Heinens. My guess is this is a last ditch effort to survive. Good luck to them. I won't shop there.

The mission of the Bin was inherently good. No, there is nothing to celebrate when the disadvantaged lose jobs & opportunities. Our city government should have intervened to help, not sabatoge, such an inherently good business.

Matthew Lee wrote:

Bridget Conant wrote: THIS.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.clevelan ... _doors.amp

Officials with Cornucopia Inc., a nonprofit organization that operates Nature's Bin, said increased competition led to the difficult decision.

"As shoppers' options to purchase natural and organic products have expanded, we have experienced a dramatic decline in sales, and Cornucopia can no longer continue to operate Nature's Bin," Assistant Executive Director Mary L. Johnson said in an email.

Declining sales due to competition from so many nearby places to buy grocery items:

Let me get this straight. Because a grocery store failed at one location due to what they said was increased competition, another should not open one? That makes no sense. By this argument, Jammy Buggars should have never opened because four restaurants in a row failed at their location.

Please let me know if that is not your argument. Because I still do not understand why so much dislike for Constantino's (as mentioned, a LOCALLY owned business) on this thread.

Jammy Buggars is a great example. So is Deagan's - how many restaurants tried and failed in that space before Deagan's.

Retail success depends on location and competition, but also on the marketing savvy and vision, as well as strategic positioning of the retailer. That's not critical of the Bin, or supportive of Constantino's, but arguing against the premise that because one retailer failed in a given location, so will others.

T Peppard wrote: Are they going to make it their mission to employ and train individuals with disabilities? I don't think so. They blamed the closing of the Bin on competition due to Whole Foods?! It's a complete contradiction. Constantino's is facing significant competition with the new downtown Heinens. My guess is this is a last ditch effort to survive. Good luck to them. I won't shop there.

The mission of the Bin was inherently good. No, there is nothing to celebrate when the disadvantaged lose jobs & opportunities. Our city government should have intervened to help, not sabatoge, such an inherently good business.

Actually...according to Cornucopia's statement, it appears that Constantino's will be utilizing the disadvantaged for employment & training. They will also be serving the Nature's Bin favorites. I hope they have the vegetarian sesame nuggets.

mjkuhns wrote:I wish the best to Constantino's, particularly if they're the same store which I recall making a shortlived attempt in Kamm's Plaza.

I'm ready to elaborate on any of these, if desired. (Unless I'm completely wrong about the third; something was there between Topp's and Marc's, but I might be mistaken about what.)

I think I was completely wrong about this. It was something else. Rego's?

Anyway, carry on.

Let me get this straight. Because a grocery store failed at one location due to what they said was increased competition, another should not open one? That makes no sense. By this argument, Jammy Buggars should have never opened because four restaurants in a row failed at their location.

I'd hardly compare these restaurant examples to the current situation. In fact, the Bin survived OVER 41 YEARS, including over 15 right on Sloane.

Their demise isn't one of location.

Could the difference to Lakewood be that Nature's Bin, as a non-profit did not pay property taxes and the new privately owned grocer will?

As the mother of a special needs adult who is STILL looking for a job I hope this new place still uses the training program. We have been using the training program thru Cornucopia and because Nature's Bin closed my son has pretty much been displaced with no work. The Lake Rd market was an option but they will only take on one special needs person and that is filled. My son needs something or I am going to go insane. I love him dearly but please go away. LOL. So I am going into this hopeful not just for my son for many other kids who need this program.