The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Businesses coming to Mentor
Brew Kettle, Slyman’s, Great Escape among establishments coming to city
The city of Mentor is saying farewell to a high-profile employee, filling a major retail vacancy and bringing a few new restaurants to town.
Those were among the notable announcements in City Manager Ken Filipiak’s jam-packed annual State of the City address Feb. 26.
The news about Slyman’s Tavern locating next to Title Boxing on Mentor Avenue appeared to produce the most excitement in the capacity crowd at the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held in Mentor High School’s Paradigm center.
Other locations of the popular eatery are in Cleveland, Beachwood and Independence.
In addition, The Brew Kettle will open a spot at Great Lakes Mall.
It will be the first on Cleveland’s east side for the tap room/smokehouse/ brewery.
The restaurant will occupy a 5,008-square-foot space on the northwest corner of the building that houses Round1 Bowling & Entertainment.
Filipiak confirmed that Mission BBQ is on its way to a portion of the former Bravo building on Route 306.
In other commercial development news, he shared that the 50,000-square-foot former Gordmans’ space at Creekside Commons will be filled by The Great Escape. Billed as the largest home leisure retailer in the Midwest, the chain’s nearest store is in Macedonia.
Filipiak also provided updates on the estimated openings of the following incoming retailers: Giant Eagle at City Market, April; Meijer, May; Menards, June; Hobby Lobby, later this year.
He indicated that the empty Sears property nearby is targeted for luxury apartments or condominiums.
He noted that creating community gathering places is an important part of public service, and said none have been more effective than the Mentor Civic Amphitheater.
The state-of-the-art facility hosted more than 40 events last year and drew 100,000 people, officials say.
This year’s lineup will include a free July 27 performance by the Gin Blossoms, an expanded Mentor Rocks concert series and potentially a theater series.
“Our ability to bring this kind of programming to you has a lot to do with sponsorships,” Filipiak said. “We anticipate raising $125,000 this year.”
Other recreational offerings will include large new water features at Civic Center and Morton pools.
The city also is working with a private health organization on potential additions to Springbrook Gardens Park, and investing about $200,000 to add 1,000 feet of bikeway along Headlands Road.
The manager’s remarks were chock full of information about various big projects in the city, including road and drainage improvements, upgrades to safety services, economic development efforts, manufacturing expansions, new health and wellness facilities, technological advancements and international trade initiatives.
“We know we can’t predict the future with certainty, but if we continue to commit ourselves to offering pathways to healthy living, achieving environmental and economic sustainability, continuing to be a caring community, embracing technology in our delivery of public and private services, and finding more ways to connect people in an increasingly disconnected society, we will add to our strengths — and success cannot be too far off,” he said.
He acknowledged with sadness that Police Chief Kevin Knight will retire at the end of May after 37 years of “distinguished service to the city,” six as chief.
Knight received a standing ovation from the crowd.