Former eatery in Old Village set to be repurposed

A new — and entirely different — use is proposed at a longtime restaurant location in Mentor.

The city Planning Commission on June 14 will consider a preliminary site plan and conditionaluse permits for a Discount Tire store on the former Urban Roadhouse property, 8807 Mentor Ave.

The 4,900-square-foot restaurant building

was constructed in 1995 for Pizzeria Uno, which left the market several years after opening, and the space was then occupied by a succession of independent restaurants. They included Wing House and Cruisin’ 50’s Diner, prior to Urban Roadhouse.

A temporary sign posted in October indicated that another eatery, Craft Street Burger Company, was taking the spot.

“The economics of the site apparently warrant the demolition of the existing building and construction of a 10,200-square-foot, single-purpose building,” said Ronald M. Traub, Mentor’s economic and community development director. “While the popular perception may be there are enough tire stores in the city, we aren’t privy to the business model which dictates a store here. We can ensure it will be an attractive

addition to the community.”

This project is reminiscent of the Firestone Complete Auto Care facility built at 7495 Mentor Ave. — originally approved for a Howard Johnson’s restaurant in 1980. Subsequent tenants were Ground Round and Lone Star Steakhouse. The latter building was demolished in 2008. Firestone received Planning Commission approval in 2015.

Along with selling and installing tires and wheels, Discount Tire provides air pressure checks, tire rotations, flat tire repairs and inspections. It does not perform any mechanical repairs or handle any hazardous wastes, such as antifreeze or motor lubricants.

The proposed hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The facility is expected to employ 15 to 20 people.

The permits are required for an automotive use and a request to reduce the required buffer between adjacent property.