I've lived in Lakewood for almost 20 years now. I enjoy walking with my family up and down Detroit, to the various parks, and down several of the beautiful tree lawned streets. We own our house so we understand the importance of property values. However, I don't understand why so many people get upset about chain stores in Lakewood. The new McDonald's and Quaker Steak and Lube coming to Lakewood are two of the best things that have probably happened to Lakewood in a long time. We need businesses that people will use and have sustainability. I love the "local" stores too, but the reality is most of them over value their products and eventually run into cash flow issues and go out of business. More than anything, I hate seeing the empty buildings that come and go.

Hi Peter, have you checked out moving to Cleveland Heights? Lakewood is a city that understands these very tough economic times and is planning and adjusting to that reality as best it can. If that mean more "chain"type stores for tax reveneues, and if the citizens support these stores over smaller ma and pa ones, well that is the reality of Lakewood. If that is going to be uncomfortable for you, you may want to reconsider moving to the East Side of town, where I find them somewhat more time warped than Lakewood. If however, you believe in mixed usage for businesses, a variety of both chain and ma and pa stores providing what we need as the reality of life for most of us, and in a semi-progressive political town like Lakewood, then you may want to consider living here. Otherwise, if you seek a romantic bygone vision of Main Street USA, sadly, that existed about 20 years in Lakewood.

HI Joe J - great comments! I firmly believe the majority of citizens of Lakewood share your views and believe in the future growth of Lakewood via sustainable businesses that are either corporate or ma and pa shops. The "romantic" memories of a Lakewood full of small neighborhood owner shops has declined and will only survive in the future with very smart business plans and support financially from customers: it is all about being in business to make a profit, not a loss. Chains are not to be blamed for the changing character of Lakewood - its citizens are as they are the ones who choose where they want to spend their money. Obviously, times are changin and there are various levels of attractions to customers that national/corporate chains provide - consistency in product, predictability in value, convenience of location/time, standards of cleanliness and staff training, etc.
These are valued in today's two parent working families with limited time and resources. If Lakewood citizens want smaller shops/ma and pa businesses, then they must be supported financially and they must also provide a consistent quality product and environment for customers. So, whatever happens to the "romantic" image of a bygone era in Lakewood, I agree with you that any business that brings jobs, a quality product, and tax revenue to Lakewood should be welcome with open arms and a big THANK YOU for believing in Lakewood's future!

Mitchell's--YES!!

That would be a great location for Zapatelli's. Adam - Are you listening?

It would be a great place for Zapatelli's. If they would still sell pizza by the slice they could do a good amout of business after school because Garfield Middle School is right across the street.

A mega drugstore? Why?
I truly hope you are being facetious.

Gee, Barbara, don't you see how under-served Lakewood is by bars, hair salons and big box drug stores? Apparently, the City planners, zoning board and City Council think so.

Hi William - Business 101 is all about being in business to make a profit.
It is not relevant what new businesses open in Lakewood. If they make a profit, they will survive. If they don't, they will close. The shoppers/citizens of Lakewood will decide what businesses survive and what businesses will not - be they bars, drug stores, dollar stores, hair salons, etc. City planners, zoning boards and City Council have no impact on where Lakewoodites spend their money. End of Business 101.
So William, where are you going to spend your money in Lakewood?

A Starbuck's or any kind of coffee shop would be nice. Or a small restaurant and maybe put the coffee shop where the old Drug Mart is instead of the insane Value World? I know it's already going through.

HI M-F - how about a small deli or coffee shop with deli? or a breakfast/lunch dinette, or an antique store or a vintage second hand consignment shop would be coool too. and I agree = unfortunately your NIMBY neighbors will rally around rejecting just about anything, especially parking spots! LOL

Tearing down homes encroaches on neighborhoods. Unless the house is vacant, dilapidated and in significant disrepair, I don't think it is a consideration. Prime real estate exists up and down the Detroit/Madison corridor.

I'm sure the family that lives in the house adjacent south to Red Rooster would take great offense to such a statement. It is well maintained and has quite a history. Directly east of Red Rooster on Detroit is a business, then a house, and then City of Lakewood services. I believe we pay our taxes there and our water/sewer bill. The property on Alameda you are referring to would be quite a ways up the street.

Your plans would mean squaring off the entire block on Detroit between Cohassett and Alameda. That is a serious chunk of land and I really don't think the City of Lakewood has any plans to relocate their services with City Hall across the street.

Hi Peter, Trader Joes was approached about relocating in Lakewood proper, and they have so far declined. Their location at Crocker Park is doing very well and at present, they have no desire to invest/develop another store on the West Side. You may want to shop at Nature's Bin, which is a fantastic alternative to Whole Foods/Trader Joe's. On the other hand, Whole Foods will be opening a brand new store in Rocky River, only about 1/2 to 1 mile from Lakewood's west side. Heinen's, which is a locally owned family chain is also very excellent, and has far superior fruits and fresh vegetables than either Nature's Bin or Trader Joe's. Earthfare is also about 4 miles or so from Lakewood in the Westgate Shopping Mall. Similar to a Trader Joe's in some ways. Also, West Side Market in Ohio City is amazing for lots of variety of foods. When you relocate to Lakewood, food choices will not be a problem!

Trader Joe's is a national chain.

Also, since Whole Foods is now confirmed to open in 2014 in Rocky River, literally next door to Lakewood's West Side, the potential for Trader Joe's to open anywhere in Lakewood, which was never on the corporate books of TJ anyway, is nil. It just won't happen as the competition is too much with Nature's Bin, Earthfare and now Whole Foods all within a short distance of each other. Plus Heinen's and Giant Eagle. No profit incentive for TJ to invest with so much competition now on the West Side.

Alexandra - 100% cotton quilting fabric and quilting notions are NOT sold in these locations. Stitch is all about lessons and I believe knitting. Kathy's sewing shop is lessons and machines. Virginia Marti fabric is for fashion/clothes. I hate to run out to North Olmsted when all I need is some quilting needles or quilting thread, patterns, etc.