The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Bravo restaurant closes
Starbucks project next door to use some property
A sign on the door of Bravo in Mentor indicates that the eatery is closed for good.
A patron shared a photo of the sign on the Mentor Community Page on Facebook Oct. 14. She said she had gone in hopes of celebrating her husband’s birthday.
“Thank you for being a loyal guest” the sign reads. “It is with much consideration that as of today Bravo Mentor will be permanently closed. We have enjoyed serving you and invite you to visit us at Bravo Eton in Woodmere, Ohio. Gift cards and Loyalty Rewards can be redeemed at any Bravo or Brio location. You can reach us at 888-452-7286 or email loyaltyservices@foodfirst.com.”
The business, which opened in Mentor in 2004, was going to
lose some parking spaces to the new Starbucks with drive-through to be built to the south at 7827 and 7787 Reynolds Road, the northeast corner of Route 306 and Tyler Boulevard. A building on the site has been razed.
An attempt to reach a representative of the property was unsuccessful.
City officials said they are aware of the closure.
“As with all of our vacant properties, we are anxious to work with the property owners on a new tenant, but we are not aware yet as to concrete plans for that property,” said Mentor Economic Development Director Kevin Malecek. “Given the economic vitality of the (Route) 306 ‘Restaurant Row’ corridor and the plans for imminent development around the site, I would anticipate that the vacancy created by Bravo’s departure will not remain for very long.”
Starbucks on Aug. 16 received permit approval for the drive-through and outdoor dining. The new 2,389-square-foot building and patio will sit on about 1 acre.
A lot line adjustment to the north will enable Starbucks to more than double the existing acreage on the site. Some shared parking was planned with Bravo, according to a project representative at the Planning Commission meeting.
At the time, a commission member questioned whether enough parking would be left for Bravo.
Construction of Starbucks is anticipated to begin in November with opening in May or June next year.