Empty Spaces Dot Local Retail

[MTigers006]

http://www.indeonline.com/local_news/x1470918218/Empty-spaces-dot-local-retail-landscape

There is a part then mentions Massillon Commons and possible plans to "improve" the shopping center. What im wondering is what does this do or mean for Home Depot. Me and my Grandmother love this store and get most of our home improvement needs from here. I sure hope the city and the owner force them out. As for Menard's we dont plan to shop there much. In fact we both agree three Home Improvement Warehouses is one too many for Massillon. I feel Menard's may be a mistake as it could interfere with Lowe's and Home Depot. HD is my personal favorite and they have the perfect store colors. They are a great fit here in Massillon. I wouldn't want to see them go.
As for the other vacancies I would like to see them filled. Another store I would love to see come to Massillon is Best Buy. As it is a long trip to Belden and with gas prices im not able to make it over there much. It would sure be nice to have everything Canton has without having to go there. I want to avoid Canton as much as possible for obvious reasons.

[obie7661]

I'd like to have a Costco's warehouse in the area.

[MTigers006]

I'd like to have a Costco's warehouse in the area.

Funny you mention that as me and a friend was talking about them today. They are slowing making a move into the area and are competing well with Wal-Mart Stores. They got their start in Virginia and the south. My late Aunt used to live in Manassas VA. Its very simular to Massillon, but with federal and high paying jobs due to Washington DC being only a 20min drive. Doing a quick search I found there is a Costco is the Mayfield Heights area , but none in the surrounding area of Massillon as of yet. Give it time though.

[Kick]

They need to tear down that strip where Goodwill used to be. Talk about an eyesore.

[MTigers006]

Kick, I been saying that all along that a revamp of that shopping center is in order. I dont think Mr. Oser will spend the money to do it. That and the fact he has a beautiful restuarant building sitting empty up the street falling apart as well. The Lincoln Square Shopping Center as called in the Inde I believe can be a bit larger and very prosperous for both Mr. Oser and the City of Massillon. I still dont understand why Advance Auto did not build there as there is more room than where they are located. The thing that might hurt that space is it is plenty wide, but not very deep and there is a residentual neighborhood less than 20ft behind it.
Massillon Commons (Formerly Oak Park Centre):
I agree with the Mayor (For Once. LOL) The eastern side needs to be demolished and redesigned. Business Owners want to be seen. Not hidden. I believe what is in order is building it in either a straightline or diginal patern to make the spaces in that side viewable from Lincoln Way. That may involve getting some of the unused parking from K-Mart as we all know the western end of their parking lot is rarely used if used at all.
Speaking of K-Mart I think a remodel of both exterior and interior is in order as they are both VERY outdated and plain. The store itself inside is very gloomy as not to mention the building was built and opened in 1963. Consumers are more likely to spend more money at modernized stores in a comfortable atmosphere. Another problem I have noticed with K-Mart is the limited stock of items or being out of them totally sometimes for weeks even if the item is in their weekly catalog. Have fun finding help at times as well.
Family Dollar Mayflower:
What is up with that store anyways? Very outdated. Used to be a Demmer Hardware second location. Lots of stuff on the sales floor which is VERY crowded. That alone with stock sometimes left in the way to the side of the aisles. Why dont they check into renting the old doctors offices next door and modernizing and expanding?
Baltzly Drug:
Not so friendly serivce, VERY limited stock. High prices. Very out dated (what is this 1964)!
Towne Plaza:
Nice job improving the look somewhat with the new roof although a refurbishing of the old sign or complete removal is in order. Although I dont like that latter because of it being a Massillon Landmark even though it looks like someone tried to run it over a few times and possibly throw in some vandels throwing rocks at the bulbs etc. Also the parking lot is in need of a repaving and remarking. Just these few things can make the plaza look new and more attractive once again. In fact im surprised Mr. Kowell actually spent money on improving it. I congratulate him for that.
Downtown:
Many store fronts remain empty. Some for years such as 121 Lincoln Way E. and the old Sugar Bowl. These store fronts could be very profitable to a business and the downtown area. However I believe what is hurting them or keeping them from being filled could be the lack of or dificulty in parking. There is the parking deck, but most people are either not able to walk the downtown area to shop or plain lazy.
Lastly Mr. Mayor can we PLEASE get a Best Buy? Also as mentioned a Costco would be a nice fit.
Just my thoughts and opinions on what could be done to improve some of the citys retail.
One more thing the old AP Station on the westside beside Sammy's needs to be demolished and cleaned up. A big eyesore.

[gotigers3796]

They need to tear down that strip where Goodwill used to be. Talk about an eyesore.

Every time football season comes around I am SO tempted to go incognito in the dead of night and paint a huge GO TIGERS! on those giant blank windows!:ers:

[gotigers3796]

Kick, I been saying that all along that a revamp of that shopping center is in order. I dont think Mr. Oser will spend the money to do it. That and the fact he has a beautiful restuarant building sitting empty up the street falling apart as well. The Lincoln Square Shopping Center as called in the Inde I believe can be a bit larger and very prosperous for both Mr. Oser and the City of Massillon. I still dont understand why Advance Auto did not build there as there is more room than where they are located. The thing that might hurt that space is it is plenty wide, but not very deep and there is a residentual neighborhood less than 20ft behind it.
Massillon Commons (Formerly Oak Park Centre):
I agree with the Mayor (For Once. LOL) The eastern side needs to be demolished and redesigned. Business Owners want to be seen. Not hidden. I believe what is in order is building it in either a straightline or diginal patern to make the spaces in that side viewable from Lincoln Way. That may involve getting some of the unused parking from K-Mart as we all know the western end of their parking lot is rarely used if used at all.
Speaking of K-Mart I think a remodel of both exterior and interior is in order as they are both VERY outdated and plain. The store itself inside is very gloomy as not to mention the building was built and opened in 1963. Consumers are more likely to spend more money at modernized stores in a comfortable atmosphere. Another problem I have noticed with K-Mart is the limited stock of items or being out of them totally sometimes for weeks even if the item is in their weekly catalog. Have fun finding help at times as well.
Family Dollar Mayflower:
What is up with that store anyways? Very outdated. Used to be a Demmer Hardware second location. Lots of stuff on the sales floor which is VERY crowded. That alone with stock sometimes left in the way to the side of the aisles. Why dont they check into renting the old doctors offices next door and modernizing and expanding?
Baltzly Drug:
Not so friendly serivce, VERY limited stock. High prices. Very out dated (what is this 1964)!
Towne Plaza:
Nice job improving the look somewhat with the new roof although a refurbishing of the old sign or complete removal is in order. Although I dont like that latter because of it being a Massillon Landmark even though it looks like someone tried to run it over a few times and possibly throw in some vandels throwing rocks at the bulbs etc. Also the parking lot is in need of a repaving and remarking. Just these few things can make the plaza look new and more attractive once again. In fact im surprised Mr. Kowell actually spent money on improving it. I congratulate him for that.
Downtown:
Many store fronts remain empty. Some for years such as 121 Lincoln Way E. and the old Sugar Bowl. These store fronts could be very profitable to a business and the downtown area. However I believe what is hurting them or keeping them from being filled could be the lack of or dificulty in parking. There is the parking deck, but most people are either not able to walk the downtown area to shop or plain lazy.
Lastly Mr. Mayor can we PLEASE get a Best Buy? Also as mentioned a Costco would be a nice fit.
Just my thoughts and opinions on what could be done to improve some of the citys retail.
One more thing the old AP Station on the westside beside Sammy's needs to be demolished and cleaned up. A big eyesore.

ok, I gotta throw this in. I know it's not a building, but... that old dingy beat up rusted out MASSILLON sign by the Variety's restaraunt. I mean, who does it belong to? I like it cause it says MASSILLON really big in orange and black, but come on, the rest of it's an eyesore. And yes, I did bring it up to the mayor face to face last year. I know this stuff money, but for God's sake hold the owners responsible. Why are they allowed to let buildings sit empty? As you pointed out, the station by Sammy's, overgrown, broken down, beat up. SOMEBODY own's it, SOMEBODY should be responsible for it.

And thanks to the awesome Inde for bringing this subject to light!

[gotigers3796]

Oh and one more thing lol! I would TOTALLY rent the top floor of one of the buildings downtown for my own awesome bachelor pad! Hmmm... I just may look into this!! :hyper:

[mike_da_man13]

They need to tear down that strip where Goodwill used to be. Talk about an eyesore.

ty thats where i would have put my buisness if i was khols... idk if there would be enough room for parking however

[MTigers006]

ty thats where i would have put my buisness if i was khols... idk if there would be enough room for parking however

Yeah, the lot is nice and wide but very shallow.

GoTigers3796,
That sign is an old landmark. Been around most of my 33years. I know at one time there must have been more to it and it probabily lit up at one time like the sign at Towne Plaza. Just have not been taken care of over the years and let fall into disrepair. With some money and some work they can be beautiful again.
I know the AP Station was supposed to be going through bankruptcy, but I always thought it was a state law that non-functioning gas stations MUST have the tanks removed from underground which the tanks at the AP Station have not because the vents are still comming out of the ground over by the old dumpsert pad. Recently I had to call police to the station becuase kids have been sighted on the lot and the door was wide open. I would like to see the building demolished and another station put in or Sammy's get the land for either more parking or expansion.
Forgot to mention the old Dairy Queen. I would like to see it restored. I dont know when it was built but im sure it can be put to good use. As for the building and gravel lot behind it what is up with that mess? Doesnt the city enforce anything anymore? How can it even pass inspection. Two words - Major Dump. Some parts of Massillon are getting rediculous such as the 5th and 6th ST SW area. Filthy and messy looking and a closed bridge with knee to waist high weeds dont help either. What gives? Also what is with relocating or forcing successful businesses downtown out and demolish the buildings for just an empty lot to become overgrown with weeds? What ever happened to City Centre Phase III? The city government is too worried about fighting amoung themselves and over land that was given as a gift to be used for recreational use only thats what I think. We need a change. Our motto says: Massillon Ohio a city with a future. WHAT FUTURE? There will be no future unless someone gets off their butt and makes something happen instead of fighting like over grown middle aged children. We are as one. One team, one cause, one common goal. Likes work like a team and make things happen and help this city grow and become prosperous. With that come jobs, then comes families. Familes with young males and females. Males to play football and sports. Girls to do the same and increase our enrollment at WHS. Then we wouldnt have to worry about stepping down a division or maybe more. Then we would have more tax revenue which means more money comming into the city to upkeep roads and pay public service personel and hire new ones. Massillon is alot bigger than what it used to be through annexation. We need morepublic service personel to serve this area. To pay into the school system so there is less need for levies. Massillon can be so much more and have much promise if we just get along and work together. We are after all on the same team. Massillon Always !

[jwptiger]

Aw, the Sugar Bowl, that brings back memories! I worked there for 5 years until it closed in '89. And the H.D. you speak of replaced another job I used to work for Gabriel Brothers. To the person who said you would like to use the above floors as your bachelor pad, the Sugar Bowl building is huge, has 2 bathrooms upstairs and has an awesome but totally eerie basement!!! I don't live in Massillon anymore but I spent 35 years there and still have family there and visit on a regular basis and I have noticed alot of changes. The movie theatre was a nice addition but what is up with the non finished street next to the rec center? The rec center rocks by the way too! I didn't know Baltzly's was in business anymore lol! They also tore down the Tiger Store for what is now an overgrown field. Is the Pizza place still there? I hope all the changes you speak of come to pass!!!

[jeffm93]

I've thought Kmart has needed to remodel since the 80's.
It seems that the same person owns most of the empty buildings in town.
If you want small businesses to move into these empty buildings, the owners need to keep the rent at a resonable price. My step dad owned a business in Dover, but had to close because of high rent. Now the building has been sitting empty for months now, along with most of the other store fronts on that block. :stars:

[thebili]

This whole subject is the reason for the Art Displaced Project.
I have spent the past several months, researching who owns these empty spaces to put on art shows.
The idea being that we'll get people into those spaces and spread the word about its availability. So far so good; 2 of the spaces we have used were rented, All the artists have sold several hundreds in art, and the food vendors have genrated extra business for themselves. Even the musician/performers are getting new gigs through us.

Anyway most landlords are very cooprative. I think most of these guys have payed off their mortgage on the building and could afford lowering the rent, or at least fixing them up a bit to attract a new tenant. It could really help downtown a lot. Perhaps its a little "tree-hugger" of me, but new businesses should try to look into re-using old spaces, rather that building new. Urban sprawl is making the landscape uglier everyday.

Anyway, I have used spaces from Tim Putman, Paul Doering, Dale Evans & Bob Garl who are all very cooperative. I have talked to Cornell who has no interest in our project, and I've been told it wont be easy if I ask Oser.

Right now I am shopping for our September show, Kowell wants us to use the old "Mad Potter" store, but I think we need something bigger and more open.
Since we are all talking about it, any suggestions? I am trying to stick to the Downtown area. What are rest of the big emtpy spaces downtown? Who owns them?