The Observation Deck

Shawn -

Wouldn't another clothing resale shop be good for the environment?[/quote]

A resale shop like Plato's Closet which is a junior resale shop in N. Olmsted (but for adults) would be wonderful for Lakewood. They have high quality/name brand used clothing for very reasonable prices. However, a resale shop like Value World can stay far far away. That place has garbage and it smells BAD!

So, I hope this 360 Clothing Studio is comparable to Plato's Closet.

We'll see. 360 has multiple locations listed so it shouldn't be a mystery what they're going to be like. Has anyone been to one of these stores? Maybe they're better than the other consignment shops that we already have. I suppose that they will be good for the environment, can't argue with that.

Shawn Juris wrote: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.

If you're talking to me, I have no idea. It doesn't appear there isn't a consensus on what type of business should come to Lakewood, so how do you attract any particular one when it doesn't appeal to the masses?

I don't want to live in a neighborhood with a new strip mall at every turn.

I am less than enthusiastic to have a Gold's Gym & Crossfit Gym, to say the least. Give me a nice Recreation Center.....something my whole family would enjoy.

While I didn't patron Phillip's Vacuum on a regular basis, it was nice to have them available when I did need their services. I'm saddened to see them go.

I was recently at a county development office conference to discuss their various programs. They have brownfield assessment and redevelopment grants, where they offer funding to developers who are seeking a location for their businesses. I'm not sure about the area around Berea road, but old industrial sites are classic brownfields (lead and asbestos are qualifiers to be named a brownfield). The grants are very sizable. If green practices are incorporated into the redevelopment plans, the developer has to pay back less of the loaned portion of the grant. The county also announced a program named "PROCURE". Has anyone heard about it? Basically, cities who know of large commercial/industrial/retail properties for sale in their put the property information into a computer program (PROCURE). Any business owner or developer can go to that database and find properties that meet their needs (ie, square footage, ceiling heights, parking, etc). Lakewood was not in attendance at that meeting, however most of the development/building commissioners from the other communities in cuyahoga county were there. Who is slacking??

I would love a housewares store with nice, American made things like curtains, rugs, lamps etc.

~Annie

I missed a word in my last post - it should read "in their cities"....

Annie,
How much would you pay for an American made replacement lampshade with that was like an old antique shade...but new??

Rhonda Loje

Hi Rhonda,

I don't really know what lamp shades cost. I paid a lot ($400 or so) in lighting for my new kitchen, but no lampshades. I'd say around $50 would be a fair price for a lamp shade. I have a crappy IKEA floor lamp that has a dinky shade; that one probably cost $100 for the whole lamp, but the thing is so poorly made. I also wouldn't want to risk having producs containing lead in my house.

I would love to be able to buy new products locally made out of recycled materials. REI has shirts, coats, gloves etc that are made from recycled materials. I'd think it might be possible to do the same with lampshades or other household materials.

Actuallly there are a lot of repurposed items on Etsy.

They have the most beautiful Victorian reproduction lampshades that I've ever seen. They run about $100.00 which is to rich for me. But they are works of art, just stunning.

Anyone have any thoughts on the PROCURE program or the grants/loans available through the county?

~Annie

check out this county commissionsers site for resources available for brownfield development:

http://www.development.cuyahogacounty.u ... pment.aspx

Mary Anne,

Maybe you know who would be the person responsible for attending such meetings; as well as tracking and posting the available commercial properties on the PROCURE web database? In other cities it was either the development office, the building commissioner, etc., but I realize that not all cities designate their duties in the same way....
~Annie

Annie,

I would think this would fall into the lap of the Planning and Development Department. I know they are very familiar with County resources for brownfield and other commerical development. I can't speak to the PROCURE web database....I'll ask, tho'!

Mary Anne,

Thanks - I hope that Lakewood will take advantage of programs like these. Sometimes it's easier to just simply do our jobs, and get through the day to day, rather than seek out grants or other programs. These things take a lot of work, but can make our community better for all of us. We should be supportive of those working in roles like this who do take an active step to do MORE!

~Annie