The Observation Deck

Maybe Lakewood Library could create a used book store annex in the new Library to make their one-day book sale a place that is open yearly!

Actually, I think Heinen's is reasonably priced. Their only disadvantage is that they don't double or triple coupons, like Tops and GE do. However, that sometimes doesn't matter, as Tops often wouldn't have the item that we had coupons for, so whether it was doubled, tripled, or quadrupled, it didn't do us any good.

For the most part, we've found Heinen's prices to be pretty good, and we end up paying only a few bucks more than what we would have paid for similar groceries at Tops. Plus, I think Heinen's has better meat, and my wife adores their produce section, which I admit is definitely a step above GE and Tops.

I'm optimistic that even though GE is going to do a fast move across the street that they'll ultimately upgrade and renovate that store, to look more like their newer model, as in the Rocky River store.

And anyone here have a connection to the city where they can get the city development folks to approach Borders or Barnes and Noble to encourage them to open up here? If not at the old GE site, how about at Rockport? Rosewood?

Though I guess we can be encouraged by the soon-to-be-open Liberty Books at the Beachcliff development in Rocky River. Apparently it's owned by the family that used to own the Little Professor chain (which was pretty highly respected in the bookselling world), and it has the potential to be a very good bookstore for us bibliophiles in the 'Wood.

Here's a review I found online:

"Liberty Books & News is a relatively new bookstore at The Shops on Lane Avenue (1649 West Lane Avenue) in Columbus, OH. If you are a reader, you seriously have to check this store out. It's got an excellent selection of both children's and grown-up's books, and it has the single best magazine section I've seen in town, hands-down. Not only do they carry Locus and the SFWA Journal, they have issues of The Journal of Irreproducible Results.

The comics section is much better than in most bookstores, but of course can't touch the offerings of the city's actual comic book shops ... As added bonuses, Liberty Books & News has comfy chairs, free coffee, and offers author readings."

Another blurb I found online says "They have a vast selection of books and magazines, comparable to any of the larger chain stores. In addition to all of the national bestsellers, you can also find information and books on Ohio and Columbus. Nearly any magazine and newspaper you can imagine is available, including newspapers from around the world that can be printed on demand!"


So while I would love to see a big bookstore in Lakewood, at least there will be a good one nearby.

Thanks for news on Liberty Books, I'll definitely check it out. It's a lot closer than driving to Westlake. Although, it would be nice to just walk or ride my bike to a bookstore in Lakewood.

I'm familiar with Little Professor Bookstores. I remember the store they had at the Lane Avenue mall and I believe they had a large bookstore at Worthington Square Mall also.

Oooh! I used to love Little Professor. They had a store in Cincinnati when we used to live there. It wasn't gigantic but they did have a very good selection and it wasn't just Stephen King, Tom Clancy and other "best seller" only lists. Good staff, too. This is very good news and I agree, if we can't have a good book store it nice to have one so close. It is a very short bike ride across the Detroit bridge, too!

While I would love to have a bookstore in Lakewood, I doubt that the big guys would find the 'Wood as a part of their store placement plans. I think they look more towards being a "mini-anchor" in larger malls. And with the opening of an independent bookstore over the river, I doubt that you could sucessfully maintain another here.

Maybe we could use a new drug store

Jeff

well, you never know. Barnes and Noble, in particular often will wait until a competitor opens up, and then swoop in nearby. They've done this before locally ... usually they've located stores near Borders after Borders opens up. It's not entirely a bad strategy, because they save money on having to do demographic research; if an area is good enough for one bookstore, then it must be good enough for the competition (the thinking is that an extra store actually increases the customer base, rather than tightening the market). Heck, the big coffeehouse chains do this all the time!

I doubt it'll ever happen, but it'd be nice if a big bookstore would open up in town.

Besides, that'd be a lot better than a drugstore or a gas station/convenience store.

Of course, this is all hypothetical ... we'll just have to watch and wait and see what happens with the GE property once they move across the street.

My main hope is that the property does get bought up and redeveloped quickly, and doesn't sit with an empty storefront, month after month.

c. dawson wrote:I just hope Giant Eagle doesn't do what some companies do ... close their location, but not sell the building, so they can prevent any sort of competing business from opening up in their former location. I've seen it happen before, and you get an empty storefront that is detrimental to the community, but the company could care less.

C. D.

I attended Congressman's Dennis Kucinich meeting on the Giant Eagle Topps merger today.



They touched on every topic we have brought up and more. The general thought/fear is that they will do that as they have developed into a monopoly in the area. That could have serious consequences down the road.

One thing I was not aware of that "Dave's" is also now owned by Giant Eagle.

Another topic that was hit is that where Walmart goes, under devastation follows. Not just scrapbook stores, hardware stores, but grocery stores close for miles around them.

I hope Mayor Tom George or State Rep Mike Skindell might jump into the discussion as they both played a key role in the discussion, and the further meetings. One of the mayor's comment that really hit home was when he mentioned that Dennis, Mike and him have been at far too many of these meetings lately. NASA, Social Security, etc. where job losses are big.


Lakewood's Mayor Thomas George, Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, State Rep. Kenny Yuko, and State Rep Mike Skindell.

Another thing that struck me is how hard this has hit some cities. Maple Heights is looking at losing over $1.5 million in taxes that they were counting on, and desperately need. Some communities are left with no stores. On rep mentioned that there are now only two full service grocery stores from State Route 91 east to the Pennsylvania border.

But even with the lost of almost 100 jobs I believe Mayor George mentioned, Lakewood is still served by Giant Eagle, Regos, Sapellel's, Heinens, Lake Road Market and the Lakewood Observer Food Security Network.

more to follow...




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I do not think that Dave's is owned by Giant Eagle...it is still owned by the Saltzman family, and they will lease their pharmacy space out to Giant Eagle.

Esther Hazlett wrote:I do not think that Dave's is owned by Giant Eagle...it is still owned by the Saltzman family, and they will lease their pharmacy space out to Giant Eagle.

Esther

Thanks for jumping in. I will try to track this down. The comment about Dave's came right out of the meeting yesterday and took me by surprise. Yesterday while talking with others in the food business they confirmed, and said this is why Dave's got four of the Tops store in the deal.

Will try to find out.

Thanks again.



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When I left Sheffield Lake, Giant Eagle was the single largest Employer there. It is easy to imagine this being the case in other small municipalities.

It is a good thing Giant Eagle didn't cut and run and sell a few of their stores to Tops.

Were both the Tops and Giant Eagle in Lakewood operating profitably? If so there is greater possibility of another grocery store going in the former Giant Eagle location, though Giant Eagle probably wouldn't want such a thing. Buehler's is a pretty nice Grocery Store, as are the Hawkins Markets. As long as it isn't Krogers.

ryan costa wrote:Buehler's is a pretty nice Grocery Store, as are the Hawkins Markets. As long as it isn't Krogers.

Wow, Buehler's & Hawkins....that brings back memories of growing up in Wooster...

Are Jeff and I the only Heinan's shoppers? This is a great chain, family owned, local, good to their employees....what more could you want? As for meat, I prefer TJ's or K & K but if I'm using a grocery store Heinan's still cuts it's own and its not full of antibiotics etc.

I would occasionally buy groceries or the rare piece of fish from Heinen's when I lived near there.

It is sad to see the sudden disappearance of these giant grocery stores. but that's one of the weaknesses of not having many smaller grocery stores and butcher shops instead.

Esther Hazlett wrote:I do not think that Dave's is owned by Giant Eagle...it is still owned by the Saltzman family, and they will lease their pharmacy space out to Giant Eagle.

As of last year, that was true.

As far as I know, this is true. Daniel Saltzman (3rd generation) is now running the business.

dl meckes wrote:

Esther Hazlett wrote:I do not think that Dave's is owned by Giant Eagle...it is still owned by the Saltzman family, and they will lease their pharmacy space out to Giant Eagle.

As of last year, that was true.

As far as I know, this is true. Daniel Saltzman (3rd generation) is now running the business.

From newsnet 5

...A Giant Eagle press release said that the acquisitions will include 13 corporately owned Giant Eagle supermarkets, one independently-owned supermarket and four Dave's Supermarkets with Giant Eagle pharmacies.


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