New Starbucks Slated to Open Mid-August
The coffee shop will fill a vacant space on Kent Road.
In February, Starbucks expressed an interest in opening a store in a former bank building on Kent Road.
This winter, 1st Choice Facilities Services received a conditional zoning certificate for the property at 4249 Kent Rd. and just two weeks ago the city issued a building permit.
Chief Building Inspector Tony Catalano said he spoke with a 1st Choice representative Monday morning who said the new Starbucks should be finished in eight weeks and open sometime in mid-August.
Some were excited about an empty store front being filled, others were disappointed a chain was coming in. Some even said the location was confusing because a Starbucks is inside of the nearby Target.
How do you feel about a Starbucks opening in Stow? Tell everyone in the comments section!
Joe Earley
7:41 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I think it's great. We need new business whether a chain or not. They also repurposed existing property when so many chains would have built new.
Susan Kemmerline
8:29 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I think it's great. Starbucks is very popular and our new Starbucks with a drive thru will bring people into the community that may otherwise have gone to a Starbucks in another community. Stow will benefit from the tax revenue as well.
Susan
8:34 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I'd be more likely to visit a stand alone Starbucks than the one inside Target.
Chris Collins
9:22 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Looking forward to its opening. Bring on the caffeine!
Tom Stephan
10:16 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Lest we forget: Mocha Joe's is a LOCAL business, owned and operated by LOCAL folks trying to eke out a living in our LOCAL municipality. I have nothing against designer brands of anything, but home-team loyalty should always trump visitors.
joe ponikarovsky
12:30 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
while i totally agree with you on supporting a local business tom, that's not always the ideal option for one's dollar. i love many things about mocha joe's, but i certainly prefer starbucks coffee and i've felt this way for about thirteen years, ever since i started visiting either establishment. if i'm going to pay $3+ for a coffee drink, i'm going to get one i'll enjoy; not suffer through one i'm not happy with just to support the local guy. that goes for any product, really; nobody has money to burn.
again, nothing against mocha joes. i love their patio, their employees are excellent all around and their food totally trumps starbucks. but if i just want a coffee, i'd prefer starbucks. luckily, not everyone feels this way as i always see a good bit of steady traffic when i'm in mocha joe's. and i think that's somewhat by design; their coffee is different from starbucks in a way that some people prefer. many people find starbucks too strong tasting, too bitter, too hot, etc. and those people have another option, which is great.
Cindy Lewis
1:32 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
In response to Tom's good comment, and as a former chamber director, I see the advantages of both. It is VITALLY important to support local business while at the same time welcoming new business to the local community. Both have fans and are diverse enough to draw their own business. Personally, however, I will continue to support Mocha Joe's, my preference for many years.
Annie Hanson
12:15 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I agree, Tom. Supporting local business is key. I often wonder about the planning that goes into inviting new businesses to the area. I am thrilled to see new economic development opportunities in Stow, but have to question the sensibility of placing competing businesses on top of one another. For example, Sweet Frog was jam packed on Father’s Day with no waiting at Handel’s just 80 yards away.
I encourage our leaders to continue to attract new jobs and a diverse tax base to the area, but please be mindful of the local businesses that built this community and the power of VARIED competition.
joe ponikarovsky
3:09 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
annie: from my understanding, handel's and sweet frog are different. handels is mainly cone-based ice cream with some dish-sundae and also frozen yogurt options while sweet frog is all frozen yogurt. obviously, the two experiences are totally different.
the only time i went to sweet frog (opening weekend) it was busy, but handel's was packed. fathers day it rained a good bit, so maybe that contributed to the situation since sweet frog is indoors? regardless, my guess is the novelty of sweet frog will wear off and people will make their decision based on what they're in the mood for not just "let's try this new place." meaning i think handel's will do fine (and it should, it's great!)
Tom Tucker
6:25 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
"Sorry, Starbucks. I realize you want to open up another store in a vacant storefront -- and that Stow is the second largest city in Summit County -- but we already have A coffee shop in the city, which happens to be locally owned. Sorry, but you should take your tax dollars to somewhere else."
The suggestion that ANY city should be "mindful" of a local business when trying to attract a business is just flat-out ridiculous (for starters). The business (in this case, Starbucks) essentially decides WHERE they want to locate -- IF they even decide to locate in a city.
And you also need to take a look at a map of the city. Mocha Joe's & the new Starbucks are hardly "on top" of one another. They're about 2 miles away from each other. Plus, they are VARIED competition.
Also, Sweet Frog and Handels have essentially different offerings. Joe P. and Karen are both spot-on. Perhaps you should educate yourself before criticizing.
What's next? You're going to complain that McDonald's wants to build a new store in front of Hobby Lobby while Swenson's is a stone's-throw down the street?
Amanda Harnocz
12:39 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I'm jumping in right now to thank all of you for the wonderful discussion going on here. As you all have seen at times, not every conversation goes so smoothly when people share their opinions. Thank you ... you make Patch and your community successful.
Karen U.
1:05 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I think it is great that Starbucks is taking over an existing vacant building. I love Starbucks, the company, for many reasons. Their sandwiches are great! However, not crazy about their coffee as it is too strong for me. Thus, enter Mocha Joe's. To me Sweet Frog and Handels are also two different types of choices for consumers -- one is yogurt and one is ice cream. The reason SF was packed on Father's Day is that it is new. Anything new trumps an existing. After the newness wears off, they both will be able to enjoy business. Actually last week when I took my son to Handels, a couple families came in together with a total of 5 or 6 children. Some of them wanted SF and some wanted Handels! So they went to both! Keep the businesses coming; especially to fill in the vacant buildings.
Ron Gluszik
2:31 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
As owner of Mocha Joe's I want to thank those of you who posted favorable comments for MJs.
Starbucks certainly has the right to open where ever they see fit and it isn't Stow's job to limit competition. A bigger problem than competition is the ecomony. Get the economy going and there will be enough business for everyone.
At Mocha Joe's, we think we have a superior product compared to Starbucks and we always try to price ourself below them. As Joe stated, he prefers Starbucks taste compared to ours and that is going to be the case as our coffee has a different taste profile.
It is difficult to beat the national names but there are advantages to local businesses. The locals can be much more involved in the local community. We try to do that as much as our finances allow.
I feel for Handel's with Sweet Frog right next door in Stow and then a Menche's going in at Portage Trail right across the street from the Handel's in Cuyahoga Falls. Handel's deserves Stow's and Cuyahoga Falls support. They are also involved in the local community and are good folks.
Again thanks for your support!
Ron Gluszik
Mocha Joe's Coffeehouse
Amanda Harnocz
11:32 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Love to see business owners jump into the conversation. Thanks Ron! (and, you know I always have a sweet spot for my office away from home.)
Craig Miloscia
8:06 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
I enjoy both Mocha Joes and Starbucks coffee. Ron when are you going to have a new sign on your building? The old one needs upgrading.
Stow Resident
2:53 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I am very glad that Starbucks is opening a location here. Yes Mocha Joe’s is local and I have tried their coffee. I don’t think the quality is as good as Starbucks though. Yes I know Starbucks is a chain but I frequent business where I feel that the quality is to my liking. Sometimes the local restaurant is better, sometimes not. For example when traveling to New Orleans you can go to the chains like Starbucks or Community Coffee or locally owned stores like Croissant D’Or which I like better than Starbucks. It all comes down to preference and quality. Starbucks in this location is a good thing, especially since the building was vacant.
Tom Tucker
9:54 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
And there are many people who prefer McD's coffee over Starbucks.
Perhaps we have too many establishments in this city selling coffee.
So, Stow leaders, please start being mindful of any business that wants to move into the city that sells coffee. Or any beverage because do we REALLY need another business in this city that sells Coke, Pepsi, juice, tea, etc.?
Or serves food. Because we have enough of those--including grocery and convenience stores.
Or sells clothing. Or health and beauty products.
Since we have enough of everything in this city, you might as well knock down Stow-Kent Craphole Center and throw some grass seed down because we don't need more businesses in this city -- even though they would bring additional jobs and income INTO the city. Pfft. Let them go to Munroe Falls.
Yeah, I'm being a jerk to further show how ridiculous a suggestion that the city should be "mindful" when trying to lure a new business into the city.