The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Shopping center renovations approved
New tenant in works for vacant Babies R Us location
Another Mentor commercial center is getting a new look.
The city Planning Commission recently approved updates to the Mentor City Shopping Center at 7841 Mentor Ave., a Glimcher Group property.
“We’re looking to renovate the facade, raise the back so the stores are better seen from the road … and (to) update the side view on the ALDI side,” a representative told the commission.
Exterior renovations are planned along the front of the entire 104,918-squarefoot center, excluding the ALDI storefront, recently updated as part of a chainwide plan. Other businesses include TJ Maxx, Dollar Tree and Babies R Us, which closed earlier this year.
The project is intended to start before the end of the year.
“We have a potential tenant for the Babies R Us, so this will tie into them coming in, giving us a fresh feel,” the representative said.
The 11.7-acre site first was developed as a shopping plaza in 1967.
The commission also approved re-imaging a portion of Great Lakes Plaza nearby, at 7900 Plaza Blvd.
The former hhgregg location is to be renovated for Burlington. The store will be relocated from Erie Commons to the south.
The applicant wishes to paint the existing façade in keeping with the Burlington corporate colors. The updates will include painting the existing yellow pylons tan, the cornice white and the yellow canopy red.
The fate of the current Burlington spot is yet to be determined.
“Our specific retailer discussions are still in the preliminary stages,” said Kurt Pollex, technology and marketing manager for ShopOne Centers.
Other Mentor shopping centers and big-box stores that have been re-imaged in recent years include Creekside Commons, Colonial Plaza, Walmart, Gabe’s and the Primozz building at 8877 Mentor Ave. for Great Lakes Gastroenterology.
“The reimaging plans show that our developers and property owners realize the continued potential of the market and they’re looking to make an even greater investment in the Mentor area,” said Mentor Economic Development Director Kevin Malecek.
“Specifically, the move of Burlington over to the old hhgregg property and the Mentor City Shopping Center making an additional investment in their frontage and facade to accommodate the success of the existing retailers in the center — and the desire to attract other retailers to the center — exhibit the health and vitality of the area surrounding Great Lakes Mall.”