Thursday, August 16, 2012
Olmsted Township blender manufacturer plans to expand by end of year
Vita-Mix Corp., the Olmsted Township-based manufacturer of high-end blenders, is planning to expand into Strongsville this fall, creating about 100 new jobs. "We're ecstatic," said Ben Stankewicz, assistant to Mayor Tom Perciak. "These are manufacturing jobs, and they're saying 100 to start -- there may be more." The company announced it is leasing a 175,000-square-foot warehouse at 23221 Morgan Court, which is off Lunn Road between Foltz Parkway and Marks Road. Mayor Tom Perciak could not be reached for comment Thursday morning. The company has leased the space for five years. The 91-year-old family-run company employs more than 500 people and is currently building a $10 million expansion to its headquarters on Usher Road. By year's end, …
Monday, July 30, 2012
Intralot provides security for lottery and betting operations all over the world
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Old Carolina is already a hit at rib burnoff
A restaurant that promises authentic southern barbecue is looking to open in Strongsville. Old Carolina Barbecue Co., which now has six locations -- including one that opened in May at Legacy Village -- is seeking to operate in the Strongsville Plaza, 14783 Pearl Rd., on the first floor of Elevated Fitness. The business wants to occupy 3,820 square feet for a sit-down restaurant. The plans got a favorable review from the city Planning Commission last week. It's not the restaurant's first foray into Strongsville. Old Carolina has been an award-winning part of the Strongsville Rib Burnoff -- in 2010 and 2011, it won the People's Choice Award for best ribs -- and will again have a stand at the event this year. The burnoff, sponsored by the …
Friday, June 1, 2012
The city is noted in the 2012 issue for its 'business savvy'
Cleveland Magazine's annual Rating the Suburbs issue is out, and Strongsville gets a mention this year for its business growth. Beachwood is listed as the suburb with "Business Savvy," but Strongsville is also noted as a "Like-Minded City." "Businesses created more than 400 new jobs in 2011, and more are on the way with HDI Landing Gear, Precision Production and Sentro Tech set to move in this year," the magazine says. The story also notes the new Giant Eagle Market District store slated to open next year on Pearl Road. "The growth is good for residents, too, as the city added three new ball fields and a new playground to its array of services," the magazine says. Economic Development Director Brent Painter credited the vision of Mayor Tom…
Saturday, March 10, 2012
New store includes frozen food and a deli counter
Mayor Tom Perciak cut the ceremonial ribbon at Discount Drug Mart Saturday, officially opening Strongsville's newest retail store. Perciak, flanked by city officials and by Parviz Boodjeh, founder of the Discount Drug Mart chain, said the company first tried to open a store here 30 years ago. "Thank you for waiting all this time," Perciak said. The new 27,960-square-foot drug store anchors a renovated Royalville Plaza. Drug Mart took over the former Vigliucci's Bi-Rite and expanded the front section with a drive-through pharmacy. The store includes frozen foods and an in-store deli. Perciak said the company took over a plaza that was "old and tired" and renovated it into something modern and useful. "This is really a great thing for our …
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Here's a wrap-up of our biggest stories over the last few days
Here's what went on in Strongsville this week: • Store to open -- Discount Drug Mart announced both its ribbon-cutting ceremony and the day it will actually open for business. • Coyotes -- Residents on one street were concerned when they spotted a pack of five coyotes running together. • Happy Nomad -- A Strongville High grad took what he calls the "happiness plunge," leaving a six-figure job to travel to rural villages in developing countries to volunteer, learn and teach. • Traffic woes -- In response to an outpouring of complaints about traffic issues, Mayor Tom Perciak said city officials already know where the problems are and have already determined whether they can be fixed. • Business boom -- Why is retail thriving here despite a…
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Retail is thriving here despite the stagnant economy
When Janet Yurcik decided it was time to expand the home-based bakery business she and her mom ran, she chose a storefront in Strongsville. "It is a continuously growing community that more and more people are considering as a great place for shopping," Yurcik said. She and her mom, Marcia Rehak, haven't had a moment of regret since opening the Cute Little Cake Shop in December. "Business has been better than we ever could have imagined," Yurcik said. "We have been selling out every day since Day 1." It's no secret the economy has taken a toll on small businesses across the country. But you'd hardly know it looking at Strongsville's thriving retail and industrial community, which has boomed while those in other suburbs have struggled. The …
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Company has four other locations in area
Cleveland-based Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream is looking for a site in Strongsville for one of its ice cream parlors. The company, which makes its popular flavors at a Rocky River store, said earlier this week it is seeking to open in Strongsville and Avon. Strongsville's Economic Development Manager Brent Painter said Pete and Mike Mitchell have been in town to search. "They've been looking for a location in Strongsville for a while now," Painter said. He said the company wants a free-standing building rather than a storefront in a strip shopping center, which has made their search a little more difficult. Mitchell's has three stores in addition to Rocky River -- in Westlake, Solon and Beachwood. The Mitchells say they have developed a …
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Companies are expanding, city official says
Since January, 250 new jobs have been created in Strongsville, Economic Development Director Brent Painter said. Painter, speaking Thursday at the city's quarterly Business Networking Breakfast, gave a rundown of business growth and activity over the last few months: • ITT Technical Institute has finished a renovation that includes an Internet cafe and new classrooms • Industrial Video on Sprague Road is planning a 3,500-square-foot expansion. • Olympia Candies has introduced a food menu that includes burgers starting at $3, other sandwiches, salads and sides from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. • A Taste of Excellence, 16888 Pearl Rd., has moved into what Painter called a "beautiful" renovation of the former Strongsville Lanes and in the fall …
Tom Brennan
7:00 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Nothing against any of the small businesses that have opened up in Strongsville recently, but this is more of the type of job/business growth we need. Really, how many cupcake shops and frozen yogurt places can this city support? Though looking at the physical condition of many Strongsville residents, like the American populace in general, there will never be a shortage of demand for bad food … more ›