The Observation Deck

Stephen Gross wrote:>Well, clearly we disagree about this. I've made my best argument, so if you still agree with me then there's not much I can say.

--Steve

Steve

Do not agree with you, I can't I grew up in this town and know too much about it and where to find things I like. I have no problem driving to Borders or Legacy Village. I like the ride to tell you the truth, gets me away from the workload I am usually under. Great time to listen to music, talk, and just think of what is going on. Another advisor found Liberty Books nice, but way to close. Like myself he appreciates the art of the drive.

With only 5.5 square miles to deal with and 99.99% built out I grew up realizing that Lakewood could best be described as you described, "the best place in the county to live." So after that everything seemed either like fluff or selfish. Me as you know, I am always willing to take one for the team. Others are not as gracious. I understand both, thanks to my deep spiritual background and learning.

If you ever want to walk the city again, drop me a line.


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Is there any other place that satisfies more of your living needs than Lakewood, Stephen?

It is ok to drive to adjacent municipal shopping centers once in a while. Considering most of them are less than 2 miles away is a big advantage.

Yet since you have to live here, since Lakewood does supposedly meet more of your residential needs than alternatives, it can only help to apply greater consideration to the options available in Lakewood. And to options closer to Lakewood rather than further from Lakewood. Westlake, Rocky River, and Avon are reasonably close. The opportunity costs of completely emulating their shopping centers would subtract from the list of things you enjoy about Lakewood.

At the very least go for a walk down Detroit or Madison once in a while. Some retail venue or amenity may engage your interest, and it is good exercise.

Lakewood can't be, doesn't have to be, shouldn't try to be one-stop shopping for all needs. Perhaps part of its appeal is proximity to Cleveland's downtown plus shopping in Rocky River and Westlake.

Nevertheless, Lakewood still can and should improve its shopping amenities. What specifically is the devil in the detail.

Note I just caught up on back-issue PD reading and discovered this apt story:

Solon contemplates adding traditional center-of-town area
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1164362051108030.xml&coll=2

So everything isn't a bowl of cherries in the exurbs...

Steve

AS you know I think you are pretty sharp, we both agree more than we disagree and when we disagree it is always good conversation. We come from different worlds, generations, lifestyles even religious backgrounds. Maybe this is why I often see you as both the breath of fresh air, and the strange aromas that are carried in that air.

So as you head off to this vision meeting.

Is Lakewood best served worrying about the coffee shop for you, or, the place for everyone?

Should Lakewood duplicate other's efforts or strike out at new endeavors?

Should we be the next Westlake, or the improved Lakewood?

Is some of this easier than others?

Would coffee at the Library help, and hinder?

If you want to start another coffee shop, the WestEnd needs one, I have locations and can get you a great deal on equipment.

Thanks for kicking it with me, always fun, but I prefer walking with you and Tara.

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I wasn't aware that Regos owns the property at Madison and Bunts.
they have set-up a nice little neighborhood market on Lakewood Heights. I love the place. It would be nice to see them do similar on Madison, but it may be close enough to cannibalize the Lakewood heights store.

On the Drug-mart front, they have a place, but they are low overhead if not a bit scruffy. Sure, I go in there. I do have to Wonder how much business they will get out of the new development across the street though. Will the folks buying new-urbanist town-houses want to shop in a place that looks like Drug-Mart? Neither is bad, but they may not mix.
If the development draws real-estate prices up (as hoped), will there be a more valuable use for the land Drug-Mart sits on? If so, it would behoove them to rent or buy land elsewhere. Madison and Bunts? How would the rent compare?

Brad Babcock wrote:I wasn't aware that Regos owns the property at Madison and Bunts.

Brad

It's Detroit and Bunts. Speaking with the Rego Brothers, it would seem the biggest problem is they do not want to move out of the Lakewood Heights store. That was their dad's first store and they are happy to keep it alive for sentimental reasons.

FWIW



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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Shawn

The point always come back to the same topics. You want pants, my wife wants skirts.(for the record Geiger's has both, as do another half a dozen places). Someone else wants a Coach Bag, and on and on.
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what are the half dozen others???

Right thought, wrong intersection.
Regos' seem to be doing the smaller neighborhood market thing.
They seem to be doing pretty well with the smaller is better idea...as convenient as a convenience store with prices that are reasonable, if not always the cheapest.
Service is polite and personable. Good way to run a store.