store idea

David Scott · Post by **David Scott** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:14 pm

Shawn - if there were current styles and name brands, then I would be interested. I would like the option of Kenneth Cole, Guess or Lucky jeans. For shirts I want Express, Kenneth Cole or Perry Ellis. Armani and Calvin Klien make some awesome jackets. If the names aren't there then I'm not interested (so I am a snob) I do a lot of my shopping at H&M because the styles are current and the prices are good

I do think something different would be a destination and would be a great place to take out of town guests

btw - If you can get Harrods or Marks and Spencer to contribute then its a no brainer. I am there

Lynn Farris · Post by **Lynn Farris** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:47 pm

First of all- while I will agree that more clothing stores would be nice in Lakewood - let's not forget the ones that we have.

Geiger's has beautiful clothing

Dots has good discount clothing

There are several interesting clothing stores on Madison - one next to the firestation.

And there are a few gently used clothing stores in Lakewood - one I believe that is run by the Hospital.

I love Ikea too and the Cinn. location is actually further than the Pittsburg and Michigan location. I was hoping for the Cleveland area - but they won't put another one this close.

I think Lakewood would be ideal for an Old Navy.

Tim Liston · Post by **Tim Liston** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:41 pm

I chatted very briefly with one of the people gutting the stores just west of Phoenix, including the old vacuum cleaner store. He said a clothing store was going in. Just what I heard, no other particular knowledge of what's going on there....

Dee Krupp · Post by **Dee Krupp** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:40 pm

What happened to Phillips Vacuum? Did they go out of business or just move?

I don't like Dots. The quality of clothing is horrible. They fall apart within a few short weeks (i.e. zippers on pants break, seams tear open, thread frays, etc.)

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:43 pm

Great news about a better use being found for the space there. I can't imagine that was a service that was a huge demand or that an argument could be made for it being a positive addition to Lakewood retail.

David,
I've got an email into Marks and Spencer, I have no idea what this is going to entail but a request can't hurt. If anyone has other shops of interest please throw them in the mix. More importantly, if some suggestions of how exactly stores are supposed to be attracted to an area that would be even more helpful.

Diane Helbig · Post by **Diane Helbig** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:57 pm

Shawn Juris wrote: If anyone has other shops of interest please throw them in the mix. More importantly, if some suggestions of how exactly stores are supposed to be attracted to an area that would be even more helpful.

So, is there where I restate my interest in getting a Nicky Nicole store here?

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:28 pm

Sure, why not. Owner has been sent an email. I'll keep you posted.

Seriously, how is this process supposed to work? Does the city have some demographic or marketing report that they provide? I'm more than happy to jump in on this, certainly wouldn't be the first time that I did something with little to no training. What do we do to take this from the "I wish there was a lollypop store" to there being one.

Anne Steiner · Post by **Anne Steiner** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:39 pm

Shawn Juris wrote: Seriously, how is this process supposed to work? Does the city have some demographic or marketing report that they provide? I'm more than happy to jump in on this, certainly wouldn't be the first time that I did something with little to no training. What do we do to take this from the "I wish there was a lollypop store" to there being one.

Well---just from my very limited knowledge (I'm just a shopping enthusiast)--when developers are looking for tenants they go to a big convention in Las Vegas. I don't know if cities attend as well, but it would be pretty cool if a city like Lakewood could attend, set up a booth with pretty pictures--demographic numbers and the like to try and attract retail.

Like I said before I've been to many cities and they all seem to be better served by retail than Lakewood.

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:46 pm

Cool. LO field trip?

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:51 pm

Tim Liston wrote:I chatted very briefly with one of the people gutting the stores just west of Phoenix, including the old vacuum cleaner store. He said a clothing store was going in. Just what I heard, no other particular knowledge of what's going on there....

It's 360 Clothing Studios - I saw a sign in the window this morning.

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:53 pm

ummm, google shows this as a consignment shop. uh, ummm, if Cleat's opening can get a comment of "don't we expect more" meaning more than another sports bar with pub grub (although it does seem to have alot of market here), but if we should expect more than that then what would be the appropriate response to another consignment shop? I feel deflated. It's a step up from knife sharpening but used clothes.... again?

Dee Martinez · Post by **Dee Martinez** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:57 pm

Shawn Juris wrote:What do we do to take this from the "I wish there was a lollypop store" to there being one.

What you do is you take your life savings, sign over the college fund for your children, quit your job, and start a lollypop store. Are you ready to risk your livelihood, your financial future, or your career?

If you wont make that commitment, why would you expect anyone else to? The people who say they would just love to have this store or that store usually have one thing in common. None of them are taking any risks. Careers can be ruined with one bad site choice or one bad investment.
Maybe if Lakewood gets hungry enough it can put some properties together in strategic locations and improve its desirability. It sounds harsh but without money its all idle chatter.

Shawn Juris · Post by **Shawn Juris** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:36 pm

Hey Dee,
I was thinking more along the lines of how we can put the chatter to use and attract those with the means and the product to sell. For instance Dave's cosmic subs had their package ready to go, well someone or somehow they found the space in Lakewood. How do we get a step ahead of the curve and get proactive? If we keep waiting around and leave it at posting it on a message board or telling a friend that it would be great if... then we will continue to either feel frustrated or complacent with brand new, prime real estate such as Rosewood being occupied by the military recruitment center or a corner location at the INA building that could be a department store being a telemarketing call center. Harrison's for example.. what would fit there and what calls do we have to make to get it filled with something that would be a good fit?
My life savings is tied up at this point but I'd be happy to help out and go beyond just talking about it but what is helpful?

Kate McCarthy · Post by **Kate McCarthy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:37 pm

Diane Helbig wrote:
Shawn Juris wrote: If anyone has other shops of interest please throw them in the mix. More importantly, if some suggestions of how exactly stores are supposed to be attracted to an area that would be even more helpful.
So, is there where I restate my interest in getting a Nicky Nicole store here?

I think it would be great if we could get one on the west side first. Has anything moved into the old Wilderness Shop? That's a great location in that it would serve Rocky River and the Westpark neighborhood as well as Lakewood and there's parking nearby.

http://www.nickynicole.com/

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:17 pm

Kate -

The old Wilderness Shop is Pride of Lakewood Scooters now.

Shawn -

Wouldn't another clothing resale shop be good for the environment?