Face of downtown Geneva continues to change
Jul. 19—GENEVA — City leaders hope to capitalize on the current growth spurt in downtown business by adding new components to the shopping and restaurant district.
The addition of the Darkroom Brewery has provided the downtown with a major boost as more people are seen after 5 p.m. along North Broadway.
The Ohio Wine Producers Association has anchored downtown Geneva with an office near the intersection of Route 20 and Route 534 for many years. OWPA Executive Director Donniella Winchell said the downtown area has really picked up with the opening of the brewery.
"It is exciting," she said of the new growth.
Winchell said many of the downtown businesses have beautiful upstairs apartments that are presently being used as bed-and-breakfast options.
"If we need anything it is more food [options]," she said.
Winchell said she believes a few more upscale restaurants would be good.
Winchell said they don't need to be white-tablecloth establishments, but places offering more options to add to the restaurants already in town.
Pueblo Real is one of the new restaurants that recently moved into the former Luisa's Mexican Grill property on North Broadway. The facility adds to the restaurants the company already operates in Jefferson and Conneaut.
Robert Keyerleber is actively helping to reshape the downtown area as well. He said he sold his insurance agency, also located near the intersection of Route 20 and Route 534 on the northwest quadrant and is rehabbing the old Rees' Drug Store property.
Keyerleber said he has a good possibility on a business to lease the building. He said he would like to see a small cafe or a wine bar downtown, to help magnify the options already available.
The city has also recently hired an event planner, Lauren Merimer, to increase the bookings at the Geneva Community Center. City leaders said more bookings will help improve the existing downtown businesses.
Grant money will soon be spent to improve the downtown area, including the creation of a pop-up park if all goes to plan.
Winchell said the downtown Geneva location is a center point for winery operations all over the state of Ohio. There are 35 area wineries with others "sniffing around" she said.
The Cake Corner Bakery has also opened recently on North Broadway, bringing many customers downtown.
The bakery opened Easter weekend with a long line of customers extending out the door.
Tina Wyatt, the owner, said it has been a good start, and there has been good tourism traffic this summer.
"This is just a better location," she said.
The addition of a downtown Geneva Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area — known as a "DORA," is presently being reviewed by officials of the Ohio Department of Commerce. It would allow people to purchase alcoholic beverages in downtown businesses and carry them outside within a specific regulated area.
A variety of summer events are also scheduled downtown including a concert series at the Rotary Pavilion.
The downtown area is always alive with activity during Halloween and Christmas parades.
