Larry-You called it! I do think that retail shopping would ultimately benefit our city, but I agree 100% that a theater wouold be a great draw. Having raised 2 kids here in Stow, and having grown up here, I can tell you first hand that, unless your kids are into sports or bowling, there is ZERO for them to do. I've been saying this for years! The skate park, which is the size of about 10 parking spaces, is a joke. We need for the public to have a reason to come here, spend their money here, and employ the citizens, who love this city, and want to see it thrive. The potential is there-let's make it so!!!

Can people still afford to go to the movies? The cost to go to a movie alone is astronomical, paired with any kind of meal or snacks and its unthinkable.

Jeff,
I don't think there is any language on the books dealing with blighted/neglected business properties (like, I believe Cuyahoga Falls has and used to knock down State Rd. Shopping Center, which had serious structural issues). If there is, I didn't see it a few months ago when I looked. That enabled the city to use eminent domain proceedings (which is never popular) and have it knocked down. That would be a start because then it gives the city authority to do something for a neglected shell like Stow/Kent, up to and including legal action like declaring it blighted/nuisance and going as far as eminent domain. So, if a city really doesn't have any legal recourse to go after deadbeat owners like the people who own S/K, all they can do is constantly be pests.
Cuyahoga Falls had to fork out the money to tear it down (about $11-14mil I believe &, IIRC, I think they're recouping somehow from the developers). Plus, another big issue S/K prob. has due to its' age is asbestos, so that will have to be removed (not cheap) before it's torn down.

The owner of this plaza hasn't made a single "improvement" to any of the entire structure in over 20 years! At this point, the land has to be worth much more than the plaza itself. There is NO WAY any "anchor" business would move in there in it's present condition. It's a complete mess. It's a shame the city can't claim imminant domaine and have the whole thing torn down and rebuilt. Jack is 100% correct-the owner should be FINED for this complete eyesore. He has no intention of improving anything-the cost of repair must far outweigh the cost of rebuilding-it's prime real estate, and the Mayor needs to look at this from that angle. Just investigate the history of this owner-it's ALL take, and no give. Nobody, including our fair city, is benefitting from this ghetto plaza smack in the middle of it. This is our Randell Park. It sits on the main drag through the center of our city. It speaks volumes to everyone who passes by.

This sounds like the condition of State Road Shopping Center before it was knocked down (& the behavior is similar -- did nothing but continued to raise/collect rent). I wonder if the people who owned State Rd also own this Stow/Kent Shopping Center. Hmm.

The last thing Stow needs is a big box retail store in this location. Traffic flow would be a disaster and the impact on the other stores would be detrimental. I would fight this suggestion to the death. NO TO Wal-Mart!!!!!

That parking lot would not be anywhere near big enough to support the traffic of a Walmart. That and there is one 5 min down the road still in the city of Stow.

Traffic will be a problem no matter WHAT (successful) store moves in there, Larry! But then again, more traffic means more business to the other stores around there. And you are right, Adam - the Hudson Drive Wal-mart *is* a Stow location. I always think of that area as Cuyahoga Falls. Thanks for the correction (but please remember that Patch requires use of first and last names).

Hi Debbie - Understood that traffic will be an issue but big box retail brings in not only customers but also large semis delivering goods. This is especially true of a Wal-mart or Home Depot and that traffic will disrupt the surrounding area 24/7 not just at peak hours. I think folks need to realize that having such a store right around the corner has a high price. Also as I am fond of asking, do you live in the area of Stow-Kent Plaza? I do so I know first hand the current problems.

Larry - thanks for clarifying your concern & definition around "big box" retailers. I live in Partridge Highlands behind the high school, but I am over in the plaza area nearly every day. The fact that you can access that plaza from either Fishcreek or 59 is a real plus and helps the traffic flow, in my opinion.

Thanks Debbie - nice to know we are reasonably close neighbors!!

While the changes to Fishcreek did help with traffic flow in same cases having it narrow back down to a two lane road yet having the large truck traffic coming off 91 is a danger in my mind and I am sure not sitting well with those residents.

I would love a Whole Foods! I have to go to the one in Fairlawn now...

wonderful idea. i'm curious if enough people in Stow would support it though. a Trader Joe's would also be fantastic.

So there would be an Acme, Giant Eagle, Aldi and new grocer all within a stones throw of each other. Can't imagine that would be healthy for the current stores. Someone would fall victim to a new "fancier" store opening.

I would love a Whole Foods, too, and while we're at it, how about a Trader Joe's? The nearest one is 45 minutes away! As far as restaurants are concerned, I would love to see an Olive Garden.

They go to Hudson, Kent or Chapel Hill. Why not provide a local alternative that would draw addtional eating establishments, hopefully some locallly run ones.

A local theater would charge just as much as a chain theater. That is IF they can get movies. They get the movies from the same distributors -- and it's not cheap (they're leased for a set amount of time). When I was in college, I worked in a movie theater for a period of time and I can tell you that anyone who runs a movie theater is in the concession business -- NOT the movie business. Why do you think concessions are so much? THAT is where they make the money -- NOT from the movie.
For the first few weeks the movie is out, the theater would be lucky to get MAYBE a couple of bucks -- literally -- from every ticket (some movies they get none at first). Most of the money goes right back to the studios. Once the movie has been in the theater for about 5 weeks, then the theater starts to keep 50% or more.
We have enough screens in our area (although I love drive-ins lol). And w/restaurants, we really have to watch. We don't need restaurants cannibalizing each other because then you'll wind up with empty structures. We're in a tough area because of what surrounds us. Which is why a Wal-Mart or a Home Depot is, honestly, ridiculous. There are only HD's in Cuyahoga Falls, Streetsboro & Macedonia for a reason.

Hudson or Macedonia are my two favorite theatres.

I agree with you Tom. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say they wish there was a Trader Joe's around here!! And I like the idea of the theatre too.
We like the set up of the one in Macedonia, and they should offer Senior discounts, etc. I would like to see them show some of the old "larger than life" movies from way back when. Maybe in the afternoons during the week. I think it might be a nice draw and change too. It would draw people to the area to shop, see a movie and eat out! Sure we can see those oldie goldies on TCM cable, but to see it on the big screen is awesome. Remember the race seen in Ben Hur? Or the car chase in Bullitt??? They really need to think on this one.

No Barnes & Noble - big box book stores are on the way out. There's a reason they're the only ones left!

NO big box retail!!!!!

I have to agree with Ed here, I would think a Home Depot or the like would be a huge success.

A Home Depot or Wal-Mart would absolutely destroy the area. Big box retail is NOT what Stow needs.

I would also like to point out that when Home Depot was exploring moving into Stow they did not want to move into the Plaza. They wanted to build their own so they had more control over who else would be in it further up on Kent Road (59). This would have placed the back portion of the store next to residential areas.

I have been at Dave and Busters in other cities and after the initial newness wears off I would be concerned about the long term potential. D&B does a lot of coporate parties to augment revenue and I am not sure that would be the case here in Stow. A larger city perhaps.

i'd enjoy that. there's one in westlake and it does quite well. i'm sure they could get enough traffic from stow, husdon and kent residents to pay the bills.

I tried that in 2004, with 5 investors & a partnership with a local pizza/chicken joint that wanted to relocate in Stow. We had planned indoor golf (live vegetation), large video game & redemption area, table games (Pool, Hockey, Foosball, etc), projection TVs (live games), dart league & a lead on 24 go-karts. All drawn up in a workable business plan to go in the old hardware store end, before they tore down the lumber yard section. Property manager said not interested. Jeff

A friend of mine from Tallmadge was just complaining that there wasn't a Menards in the area. You may have something there Ed.

We already have two auto parts stores in that area. Why would you suggest adding a third?

I went to the Menards in Massillon on Black Friday & I really liked that store. But since we have a Lowe's and Home Depot already around us, I don't see any home improvement superstore coming here any time soon.

I hope the goal here with the plaza is to make it a self sustaining, tax revenue producing entity rather than a public works project that sucks tax money from the residents. Most facilities run by other cities operate at a loss increasing the burden on the residents. If we make wise choices here we can provide a plaza that benefits the city of Stow and its residents rather than dragging down everyone with increased taxes, terrible traffic and other infrastructure burdens.

I think affordability is the key here. If they can find a happy medium between cost and quality then this is a great idea. Problem is just as you mentioned there are a multitude of other rec centers surrounding the community, does a central location alone make it worth the investment?

I am with you on sushi! (not as an anchor store of course) I usually go to Akron, Fairlawn or the valley for my rolls.

An Aladdins or other similar resturaunt would be great too. I concur the sushi suggestion as well.

Pad Thai, Hiabachi Japan, Golden Dragon, all closer than Fairlawn.

@Adam: Golden Dragon and Pad Thai aren't Japanese. Hibachi Japan is good, but i meant something more like Sakura in Fairlawn: small, sit-down (and take out) Japanese food and sushi bar.

I like the Old Navy idea.

I didn't know there was a website! Thanks for sharing. Yes, the mayor posts on Patch occasionally. She also has a blog: http://patch.com/B-6V3.

During our discussion about the plaza, she said that the economy is really the main reason stores aren't interested. She said, "In the last couple years, the economy has really been the big issue ... at one point in time we thought we secured a major box store, then that major box store chain pulled the plug on new developments when the economy was hit hard."

And I for one was very happy when Home Depot pulled the plug on that.

I don't know if it was asked, but do you know if she mentioned anything about proposing legislation to tackle properties like this -- like Cuyahoga Falls did several years ago to get rid of State Rd Shopping Center (they actually added the law mainly to go after that shopping center).

I didn't ask Jack, but I sure can follow up. (I've also sent the mayor a link to this story, we'll see if she can chime in about a few things...)

Just so every one knows, a lot of folks in that area complain about the noise the airport creates (in their mind) yet they did not understand the ramifications of a big box retailer like Home Depot going into the same area. When I explained they could listen to trucks pulling in at all hours of the night, the airport didn't seem so bad. Be careful what you wish for whe you say you want a big box retailer to go into the area. Once in place a lot of control over their operation is lost.

This really is a great topic and a great discussion. I'm glad Amanda asked this of the Mayor. It's clear that many of us want SOMETHING done what place.

Several years ago CF council approved & added a blight ordinance to their laws for residential and commercial properties. But, its' main intent was to go after the owners of State Rd Shopping Center. They also defined what constitutes a "blighted property" in their new legislation. Then they had to hire someone to determine if the center was "blighted" under this new law. It's a multi-stage process. Robart wanted the former owners to sell it to someone else who would make the investment and improve it (since the current owners were not willing to), rather than obtain it through eminent domain. The city even tried to facilitate a sale between the owners & a potential developer, but the owners at the time weren't cooperating.
Honestly, I think the city really needs to look at what the Falls did, and put language on the books addressing blight. Because they then can go after the owners of Stow/Kent, and it would also enable the city to declare other areas "blighted".
And since this owner has the attitude it has, then the city should should have the attitude "ok, well we'll put laws on the books to make you fix it up, sell it or we'll take it". This place is of no benefit to the community.

Last time I looked there is still a big empty field in CF with a sign touting all the great things that will be there. Many cities have enacted blight area regulations and a large number have ended up just like CF, big empty fields that drained badly needed money from their budgets. Added to that the strong arm tactics employed by Mayor Robart to try to get business to relocate to State Road really did not make me a big fan of this approach but if handled PROPERLY may be a way to go if the owner will not cooperate. We also want to make sure the ordinance does not allow too much latitude that could then be abused.

Larry -- the State Rd delay was affected by the economy, and it's still going to happen (although the usual Negative Nancy's think otherwise, but what else would you expect from people who do nothing but whine and moan). Stark is not a fly-by-night company; they know what they're doing. The thing w/Stow/Kent is it's NOT generating anything, nor is it of any benefit to the city. And it appears the owner(s) are not really interested in doing anything w/it but using it as a tax write-off as a business loss.
I don't think Robart was strong-arming at all. He was after the owners of State Rd for years to do something. And they were the same way to him these owners are to Stow. .
Also, the law for eminent domain was changed a few years ago so it is now even more difficult to pursue eminent domain proceedings (Robart got his stuff moving right before the change in the law). So, it's not easy for cities to use it at their leisure (or "abuse" it).
But, if previous administrations have been making conscious efforts with the owner and they've pretty much just sat around w/their thumbs up a certain crevice, then it's time for the city to start being a little more "forceful", if you will.
There's a lot of potential for this area -- even if 50% of it is turned into green space.

While I disagree with your term Negative Nancy, it is clear that CF jumped a bit too fast into this project. Who is to say that we won't see another downturn in the economy (checked you gasoline prices lately)? I just want to make sure Stow learns some lessons from our neighbor rather than repeating their mistakes.

Well, I refer to people who do NOTHING BUT complain -- or have to bash a particular person/people no matter what they do -- as "Negative Nancy's" (and Stow certainly has their fair share as I see, well laugh at, regularly in the likes of The Stow Sentry. But, I digress. In addition, it was NOT directed to you personally or anyone posting here).
I don't agree w/you on a downturn of the economy happening again. Portage Crossings is not going to be big strip like State Rd was (if I remember correctly). To me, Stow/Kent and State Rd are in/were in the same boat.
They both served their purpose 50 years ago when they were built and nothing else was around. Unfortunately, the owners of BOTH places neglected them and allowed them to go into states of disrepair when, if they kept up, they could still be viable centers today.
But, I was not suggesting that Stow "rush" to do what Robart did. But, I think Stow DOES need something on the books to deal with blighted properties such as Stow/Kent Shopping Center (w/eminent domain being THE last option when all others have been exhausted). The city has a vested interest in this property--or really any property in the city--that they don't become what they are. I would argue this owner has all-but-abandoned this place if they're not making an active effort to bring in retailers & are sitting just sitting back collecting rent.

I don't believe that big box retail is needed to revitalize the area. You also proved my point with your comment "And who really likes to fight their way thru traffic at Chapel Hill to go to their Home Depot ?" Moving the traffic problem to Stow where the infrastructure won't support it and it will destroy the area (yes I live on that side of town).

To add to this discussion about big box retail versus smaller community centered ideas, take a look at how Hudson revitalized their downtown. No big box retail just small shops, eateries and the like with ample parking and access via walking.

Ed, that center already has an "anchor" -- Macy's. There are not very many standalone Macy's in NE Ohio (not even the one in Cleve Hts counts anymore since they rebuilt it as part of a shopping complex). That's huge advantage! Like I said, a good chunk of the shopping center -- from the center of it all the way to where Stambaughs was) -- needs to be bulldozed. Then offer the land for redevelopment. Heck, maybe Big Lots might want to build a new store -- then you can knock it down all the way to Fitworks LOL. Maybe even approach Macy's and see if they'd be interested in expanding their current location. Tear up most of the parking lot. Consider significant "green space" (maybe in the middle with landscaping, benches, etc..sort of a "town center"-like feel).
The "new" S/K doesn't need to be filled w/retail. Nor should it be. Keep in mind that small strip in the Hobby Lobby area has a lot of vacancies. Same goes w/restaurants. You wind up putting up too many and they'll start cannibalizing each other.
If that shopping center is going to be revitalized, it's going to have to be at a fraction of the size, a different layout and with limited retail offerings. The current S/K is simply too big and no longer viable.

Matt - you may think the argument is lame but one only has to go and see for themselves what a Home Depot or other big box retailer does to an area. I would be curious if you are located anywhere near the plaza? I am so I already know the traffic flow issues that have been created since Pambi Farms was built out. Adding big box would drastically alter the area and not for the better. As I posted earlier, there are ways to renew the area without the destructive inclusion of a big box retailer. I do agree with you that we must to the best of our ability strive for a successful effort.

Using the term "lame" was inappropriate. I apologize.

I love Corky and Lenny's. I just heard that they will be in the new casino in Cleveland.

I agree with Chili's not being truly upscale, but it would be upscale for Stow. Frankly, I don't think this city would support a truly upscale place. I agree that it would be nice to draw a "better element of shopper" but the question is, would ANYTHING more upscale actually draw people to Stow? Stow doesn't have the charm, reputation or draw of a Beechwood or Hudson - and it's not just because of the lack of upscale retail...

OH an IKEA--such a wondeful idea!!!

Would LOVE an IKEA!!!

You`ll never see IKEA in Stow, those stores, like Bass Pro Shops are destination locations. Always by a busy interstate. Not happening here. Trader Joes is owned by the same company that owns ALDI`s, so forget that one, too.

I would add that a retailer like Trader Joe's are very strategic about where they place their stores (average income of the cities surrounding/immediate area, demographics, etc). Take their 2 NE Ohio locations -- Westlake (W) and Woodmere (E). Look at the cities immediately surrounding them -- esp. Westlake. North Olmsted, Avon/Avon Lake, Bay Village. Woodmere has Shaker Hts, Beachwood, Solon, Mayfield Hts, Pepper Pike, etc. Here there's Stow and Hudson. That's it.

Aldi's and Trader Joe's may be owned by the same company but they are completely different in their approaches and clients. Westlake has both.

Ed, I didn't mean to come across like I was "talking down" to you, so if it came across that way, I apologize. It "sounds" like the current owners want to get businesses in the current structures. Which isn't going to happen in the condition that place is in.
It needs to come down and reconfigured. A good example is Westgate Mall in Rocky River (near Cleveland). The mall was old and losing stores to Great Northern Mall. So, they closed the mall, tore down everything -- except a Kohl's. They rebuilt it as a walkable outdoor center AROUND the existing Kohl's. They attracted some unique stores (although many are chains) that are not around there and a Target from another shopping center about 1/4 mile down the street (that shopping center that Target moved FROM is a ghost town lol). That's an example of what I was suggesting that what needs to happen to the shopping center.

There's a place in Lexington KY that sounds like what you are describing. That would be wonderful to have something fun for the kids like that around here. http://gattitownlexington.com/

I don't understand why the owners simply don't just raze the joint (after Big Lots) and put it up for sale -- or make it available for retailers to build out individually. Given the age of the place, I would presume that asbestos is an issue, so that is an expense prospective businesses are not going to want to pay for.
I would believe the owner(s) would have better luck getting something else in there if they just forked out the money to have the asbestos removed and raze it. Or see if some area fire departments would be interested in using it for practice.

Would this be something that would compliment the Sto-Kent Family Entertainment Center (or whatever it is called) on Fishcreek? Or be a competitor?
I used to DJ and be involved in teen clubs in the 90's and I can tell you that they are a HUGE hassle and, honestly, not worth the time & effort. No matter how much you try to make it safe.

Putting any entertainment attraction in that area is going to be in competition with Sto-Kent FEC for consumer entertainment dollars, but it would not be a direct competitor for bowling, volleyball or outdoor minigolf offerings. I think there's always opportunity to compliment each other through promotions, etc.

We've talked about the ultimate hassle that could go along with having a teen center offering, but we believe our community needs a social entertainment option for our teens. Some things are just worth the effort.

For a tech store I am not a big fan of Best Buy but from my travels to other cities a Frys would be a unique addition to the area. It is large enough though that it would likely consume the whole plaza. Frys also has the added plus that there are none in Ohio I believe.

Part of that "incentive package" would have to include subsidizing their annual losses. As long as screens remain in Hudson, Chapel Hill & Kent, a movie theater is simply is not financially viable in Stow.

I still strongly believe that Stow/Kent shopping center is no longer viable AS A WHOLE for retail, and that other uses for it that is NOT retail (nor residential) should be strongly considered.

The entire former Kmart came down and that was all rebuilt.

Mr. Helbig - The KMart store was not torn down and rebuilt. Only the front facade was redone. The majority of the store remained during the renovation.

I stand corrected. I thought it came down after Kmart closed that store.