Efforts that boost economy deserve kudos

The novel coronavirus pandemic not only became a menace to public health earlier this year, but it also devastated the U.S. economy. Many businesses were forced to temporarily close or reduce operations, and lay off employees. In fact, so many workers lost their jobs that the national unemployment rate in April rose to its highest level since the Great Depression.

In the midst of these setbacks and a challenging period of recovery, it’s nice to see that businesses are still undertaking projects that will help bolster Lake County’s economy.

Two recent News-Herald stories reported on efforts involving the manufacturing and retail sectors.

Let’s begin in Wickliffe, where Premier Development Partners is looking to fill the ABB Inc. buildings that have been vacant since January of 2018.

The company, through an auction, purchased the property, which consists of two buildings located adjacent to each other on 29801 Euclid Ave. and 1400 Worden Road, equaling 570,000 square feet. The purchase also came with a lot across from the building on Worden.

Premier Development Partners President Spencer Pisczak said the company bought both buildings and the lot across the street about four or five months ago.

Pisczak said since the building has been vacant for a few years, a lot of renovations had to be dealt with before the company begins renting out the space.

“This property has been empty for two and a half years,” Pisczak said. “ABB generally speaking did a good job maintaining while they were here. A lot can happen in two and a half years. It’s been a process getting it back up and running again.”

When ABB left, 400 jobs were lost, Wickliffe Mayor John Barbish said. With the purchase by Premier Development Partners, Barbish said he hopes to refill those positions with the intention of not worrying about how much revenue will come in, but about the jobs the incoming tenants can provide for citizens.

“I don’t even necessarily care about the payroll at this time, more or less just getting activity going, getting the vacancies filled, and going from there,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Concord Township, Lucky’s Market will officially fill the 35,800-square-foot space formerly occupied by Reider’s Market that remained vacant for about three years.

Lucky’s is owned by Cleveland-based Dave’s Markets.

“It is with great excitement that we would like to announce Lucky’s Market Concord, coming to the Gristmill Village Shopping Center in the spring of 2021,” said Aaron Saltzman, member of the ownership family, in a news release dated Sept. 15.

Saltzman is a fifth-generation member of the family-owned grocery chain begun in the late 1920s by Alex Saltzman.

The news release went on to state: “Customers can look forward to the freshest farmers market style produce, natural and organic foods, highend meat cut daily by butchers on site, freshly prepared foods from our kitchen and healthy living products. Other store highlights will include an extensive beer and wine assortment, an emphasis on local offerings and enough of the grocery staples to round out your shopping experience.”

While explaining the store’s concept, Concord Township Administrator Andy Rose noted that “it’s closer to a Heinen’s than a Marc’s.”

He added that a grocery store has been the most requested type of business from residents for the past few years.

In summary, these are two projects with the potential to fill significant needs in their respective communities. We commend Premier Development Partners and Lucky’s Market for the investments that they are making and their desire to do business in Lake County.

We also feel triumphant in realizing that COVID-19 has failed to destroy the entrepreneurial spirit in our region. Here’s hoping that other investors and business owners follow the lead of Premier Development Partners and Lucky’s Market to continue meeting the challenge of fortifying our area economy.

Here’s hoping that other investors and business owners follow their lead.