The Observation Deck

That's the rumor anyway.

I'll reserve judgement on wether that's good or bad. Letting the market pick the tenant is probably the best outcome.

No rumor, and considering we could have got Max's Deli in there I would say terrible news.

FWIW


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does the city have a "business recruiter"? Seems to me that you could have a position where someone's entire purpose was to go about trying to help landlords fill empty storefronts. The person could also aid new tennants in getting through any red tape and obtaining any licenses, etc. needed to get up and running faster. They could pay for the position based solely on the additional taxes brought in.

Bret Callentine wrote:does the city have a "business recruiter"?

Chamber of Commerce?

Planning Director?

Heck, I think it's kind of cool. What am I missing here?

The Autozone's I've been to are well maintained buildings with excellent customer service.

Lakewood has some great places to eat especially on Detroit - 'ing Lizard, Cleats, The Melt, Dave's Cosmic Subs, Three Birds. (I'm sure my new neighbor and owner of Three Birds appreciates me grouping his place in with Dave's.) Player's, The Beer Engine and Angelo's on Madison draw well also.

I've never been to Kovachy, but Murray's is on 110th and Lorain, Advanced at 139th and Lorain and 117th, Napa on 134th and Lorain, Budget on 237 south of Kamms Corners.

Needless to say, I have a 95' Subaru Legacy with 147,000 miles, a 2001 Minivan with 70,000 and am always up and down Detroit Avenue.

David Anderson wrote: Needless to say, I have a 95' Subaru Legacy with 147,000 miles, a 2001 Minivan with 70,000 and am always up and down Detroit Avenue.

David

As you know I am a car guy and think it is insane!

Now I can tell you what I can do on all of my pre 75 cars, even my pre 90s cars. But I can't think of much that can be done on a 2000 on car? Except what they stock wipers, batteries, oil, place mats, etc.

To me what is even more troubling is when they appear, and when they disappear.



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I love Max's - but they had plenty of time to lease this space and they haven't - I don't know why.

But Autozone is a legitimate business who fills an empty storefront.

I have always been a believer that a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. Or there is an Aespo's fable about a dog and a bone.

We can do all the recruiting we want - but at the end of the day - we should welcome legitimate businesses who serve a purpose in Lakewood. I hope they do exceedingly well here.

Lynn

Michelle had a spot saved at the New Westgate.

Quickly she became disenfranchised by the whole Westgate program, and made it clear to many that she was looking elsewhere, and Lakewood was on the list.

This could explain the time lost.


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I have to agree that a good business is a good business. If it makes money, pays its bills and keeps the lot and location clean, cool! If it is a bad match for the place, off it will no doubt go. I would think a lot like that with built-in parking is a premium in Lakewood. Be thankful it isn't another payday loan scam set up or some such!

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Lynn

Michelle had a spot saved at the New Westgate.

Quickly she became disenfranchised by the whole Westgate program, and made it clear to many that she was looking elsewhere, and Lakewood was on the list.

This could explain the time lost.


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I loved Max's, but at some point if she doesn't make a decision and re-open soon, I think it will be fatally damaging. It's already been closed so long, people move on.

Phil Florian wrote:I have to agree that a good business is a good business. If it makes money, pays its bills and keeps the lot and location clean, cool! If it is a bad match for the place, off it will no doubt go. I would think a lot like that with built-in parking is a premium in Lakewood. Be thankful it isn't another payday loan scam set up or some such!

Oh

Guess you haven't been to one? While I agree we should reach out to those that want to make Lakewood there home. It is nice to have dreams, and dream bigger, better, greener.

Many do their work right there in the lot. Usually nothing worse than changing oil. One might ask where they are moving from and why.

Speaking of welcoming new business to town. Any word on the Hotel that wanted to build on Sloan? I would have thought this city would be all over that.


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It is my understanding that AutoZone is close to moving into the space that used to be Hollywood Video. In terms of economic development, it’s an improvement over Hollywood Video (and obviously better than a vacant building). AutoZone is a Fortune 300 company, will add at least 15 jobs, conduct $1.6 million dollars in sales, and wanted very badly to be in Lakewood. I expect them to be a good neighbor and attract traffic to nearby businesses.

The City introduced the site to a number of businesses, but at the end of the day, the tenant willing to pay the most to the property owner is the one that gets to move in. As long as the business fits within the zoning (no pun) code, the City cannot dictate who’s in and who’s out. By the way, if any car repair happens in the lot, that would be violation of the zoning code, and the City would like to know about it.

Phil’s right: that site goes a premium. I’m not privy to what AutoZone is paying, but Hollywood Video is rumored to have paid $27 a square foot. At 7700 square feet, that’s not affordable for most local businesses, even if the space was divided. AutoZone is likely going to pay less than that, but not much less.

Bottom line is that AutoZone is not official (they don’t have an occupancy permit yet), but it’s real close.

AutoZone works for me. Maxs was never a Lakewood business anyway and never showed any real interest in becoming one. The proprietor could have moved east in the first place but set her sights on greener pastures.
I always wondered why Lakewood didnt have any auto parts stores (Im talking clean, well-organized, relatively female-friendly stores). Its a good addition in my book IF it happens.

Nathan Kelly wrote:Phil’s right: that site goes a premium. I’m not privy to what AutoZone is paying, but Hollywood Video is rumored to have paid $27 a square foot. At 7700 square feet, that’s not affordable for most local businesses, even if the space was divided. AutoZone is likely going to pay less than that, but not much less.

Bottom line is that AutoZone is not official (they don’t have an occupancy permit yet), but it’s real close.

I agree with your analysis.

All though I do have a pet peeve. The property sold in August of 2007 for $1,950,000 but the market value is listed as $785,000.

http://auditor.cuyahogacounty.us/repi/t ... l=31322010

The property taxes should be $67,000 per year and not $26,000 per year. How do these out of town buyers of business property get a 60% discount on their property taxes? Is that deal available to homeowners? How can I sign up?