The Observation Deck

what do you think about a Nicky Nicole store in Lakewood? They currently have stores in Hudson and somewhere else on the east side. I saw them this morning on Good Company (I think).

Really cute store for girly girl stuff. My daughter would be in heaven!

Just a thought. They may be looking at a westside location.

Isn't there something similar to that at Westgate Mall next to Marshall's now? Unfortunately my youngest daughter (13) has outgrown those stores because she is so tall.

I don't know. It appears to be more than apparel - a real destination for girls. They have webkinz, jewelry, accessories, clothes, etc for ages 4-14 (according to their website).

Maybe I'll have to venture over to Westgate to see what's there.

My daughters were very disappointed in that it appears all of the store fronts at Rosewood Place are taken up by an Army Recruiting station. They were hoping a clothing store would have moved in there but they were thinking more along the lines of Hollister or American Eagle. They are 11 (very tall) and 14 though. I really think some clothing retail outlets would do well in Lakewood. My daughters would much prefer to shop walking along the streets of Lakewood with their friends to being driven to Crocker Park.

I've been kicking around an idea and not sure how it would work exactly or if maybe it already exists. Would there be a market for a storefront location that provided expert assistance with catalog purchases for clothing? From what I've heard many would prefer not to have a big retailer or what many would refer to as a department store. But what if we created a retail center that offered clothing lines and labels that you don't normally find in a Kohl's or Kaufman's. Now the hangup is why would anyone go to a brick and mortar store when they can just do it themselves. Honestly, I don't have a way to fix that one. What I would see as the advantage would be that the staff would assist with sizing (since the store I have in mind would be from overseas) and would also have swatches available so you can get a better sense of material than the description would provide in a catalog. The additional benefit could maybe be free shipping offset by some minimal fee for shopping in the store. If the companies got behind it to finance it, Lakewood could become a center for unique fashions.
Is there anything to this or is it just a silly idea? My ideal would be to have 10 shops like this move into one of Lakewood's cathedral style churches. It would be like a miniature Faniel Hall. The stores would be much smaller than normal retails since there wouldn't need to be displays or inventory on hand.

I'm sure American Eagle would love to move into the storefronts vacated by the Armed Forces, as would any other business looking to move into Lakewood.

Corey

Lakewood has no clothing stores so even chains would be welcome. Why let all that money go to other communities? I don't shop at Old Navy or a lot of stores that many do, but having a couple of those in a place like Rosewood or place with parking would be nice. It is really nice to see you looking seriously into what the community wants and needs Shawn. Keep it up!

Corey Rossen wrote:I'm sure American Eagle would love to move into the storefronts vacated by the Armed Forces, as would any other business looking to move into Lakewood.

Corey

Not American Eagle...we need American Apparel:
http://americanapparel.net/

Bryan Schwegler wrote:

Corey Rossen wrote:I'm sure American Eagle would love to move into the storefronts vacated by the Armed Forces, as would any other business looking to move into Lakewood.

Corey

Not American Eagle...we need American Apparel:
http://americanapparel.net/

If this article is true, I don't think I want to shop at AA:

http://tinyurl.com/2klfxf

David Lay wrote:

Bryan Schwegler wrote:

Corey Rossen wrote:I'm sure American Eagle would love to move into the storefronts vacated by the Armed Forces, as would any other business looking to move into Lakewood.

Corey

Not American Eagle...we need American Apparel:
http://americanapparel.net/

If this article is true, I don't think I want to shop at AA:

http://tinyurl.com/2klfxf

haha! I love your source. Here is a better one. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... _mz017.htm

I'm not sure I would want to see an American Apparel, but I would love to see something like Revival out of Akron. For a short time, I was trying to figure out how much money would be needed to open such a store in Lakewood, until I figured out that there is no way I could afford it at this time.

http://www.revivalresale.com

Looks like they are in the middle of a redesign, here is their myspace to give a better picture.
http://www.myspace.com/rubbercityrevival

There were 2 clothing stores that opened up not too long ago on Detroit (one just west of Lakeland) and then about a year later just east of Lakeland. They both folded fairly quickly. I can't remember the names, but I remember going into the one west of Lakeland once and the jeans were like $100. That's not in my budget!!

How about an IKEA?

Stephen Eisel wrote:How about an IKEA?

Ikea would be nice, but I don't think we'd have enough room in Lakewood for one. That might better be suited a little further out. I read somewhere that they may be looking into an Ohio location and were choosing between Columbus and Cleveland. Does anyone know more about that?

chris richards wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:How about an IKEA?

Ikea would be nice, but I don't think we'd have enough room in Lakewood for one. That might better be suited a little further out. I read somewhere that they may be looking into an Ohio location and were choosing between Columbus and Cleveland. Does anyone know more about that?

They already chose and the location will be outside of Cincinnati.

What about tearing down half that stuff on Berea Rd? Seems like there might be enough room there.

Lake Erie Screw might have space for retail but this would take us in a direction away from "downtown".