Jimmy John's Among New Tenants in INA Building

After significant redevelopments during the past year, the on the 14700 block of Detroit Avenue continue to see vacancies filled.

The newest occupant is the self-proclaimed "ridiculously fast" Jimmy John's, on the Warren Avenue side of the Bailey building.

Fifteen new Jimmy John's sandwich specialists are now working at the company's latest location in Lakewood, which opened Dec. 21. Meanwhile, other jobs are being created as occupants continue to fill the halls of the INA building and the attached Bailey building.

Brian Basinger is the area manager for Jimmy John's and runs a few of the Cleveland-area outlets. Business is going smoothly so far, he said, noting the building is a prime spot for restaurants like his.

"This is a good spot. There is definitely a lot of foot traffic that goes by," Basinger said.

Several businesses have sprung up since the building and adjacent 400-car parking garage were sold in 2009.

The redevelopment of ground level retail space at INA and the former home of Bailey's department store was a major investment by the partnership of Kowit & Possov Real Estate Group. 

Four to five more businesses should be opening up in the next several months, property manager Rachel Woods said.

Moe's Southwestern Grill, which is next to Jimmy John's at the corner of Detroit and Warren Road, is expected to be open for business soon. On the building's third floor, MF Cashet, a distributor of chemical products, recently arrived as well, and Neighborhood Pediatrics will expand onto the second floor.

"There are talks the University of Akron will hold classes here," Woods said. "The agreement hasn't been finalized right now, but it's looking good. "

Mayfield Heights-based Kowit & Possive, is in charge of leasing office and retail space. 

Rino Dovico has seen the building change through the last 42 years as the building's well-known barber. used to be on the ground floor facing Detroit Avenue, but has relocated in the last year to the second floor after the remodeling. The kitchen of Panera Bread, which opened in 2009, now sits in his old shop.

Dovico said a lot has changed: doctors and insurance companies used to be the main tenants of the INA building. Even the building's name pays homage to one of the former insurance companies, which is now no longer in business.

He looks forward to a busier future throughout the building, but admits at least one problem will still need to be addressed.

"The only problem I foresee is parking," Dovico said. "It's a real pain around here."