Patch's Visions for Vacancies asks for your input on empty commercial storefronts
It turns out a lot of people like the idea of a Trader Joe's "specialty retail grocery" moving into the vacant Tops storefront on South Water Street near S.R. 261. But so far it's just that — an idea. Sixty of the 138 total votes cast in a Patch poll about possible tenants for the space were cast in favor of Trader Joe's. Like you, city leaders think the store that specializes in hard-to-find food stuffs would be a good fit for Kent. "I really like the idea of Trader Joe’s," Kent Economic Development Director Dan Smith said. It's one of several grocers, including Marc's, that Smith has reached out to in the past while on the lookout for potential tenants for the space, which has been empty since Tops left in 2006. Smith said he's had …
41.136242
-81.354974
Famous Hair
1600 S Water St, Kent, OH
/articles/city-trader-joe-s-a-good-idea-but-tough-sell-for-old-tops-plaza
1093942
/locations/6753199
41.136242
-81.354974
Fancy Nails
1600 S Water St, Kent, OH
/articles/city-trader-joe-s-a-good-idea-but-tough-sell-for-old-tops-plaza
1094315
/locations/6753200
Patch's 'Visions for Vacancies' asks for your input on empty commercial spaces
We asked, and you responded. Kent Patch posed the question: "What would fit well in the old Tops storefront?" And most readers who responded agreed some variation on the grocery store theme would succeed, including suggestions for Trader Joe's, Mustard Seed Market and Whole Foods Market. Other readers thought a different type of retailer, like Swedish furniture store Ikea or outdoor store Cabela's might succeed. Take our poll and cast your vote for which suggestion might prove the most successful. The anchor store of the former Tops Plaza at 1600 S. Water St. has been vacant since 2006 when the grocery chain scuttled dozens of its Northeast Ohio stores. The plaza has about 67,000 square feet of empty space, according to Kimco Realty …
41.136242
-81.354974
Famous Hair
1600 S Water St, Kent, OH
/articles/poll-tell-us-your-pick-for-vacant-tops-storefront
1093942
/locations/6717715
41.136242
-81.354974
Fancy Nails
1600 S Water St, Kent, OH
/articles/poll-tell-us-your-pick-for-vacant-tops-storefront
1094315
/locations/6717716
Debra-Lynn Hook
7:36 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
To Eric M. Miller's point, check out what Wooster is doing: http://www.wksu.org/news/story/31782 more ›