What's in, what's out: One business closes, others coming into Montrose
One thing the Montrose area is not is dull.
The commercial sector in West Akron, Bath, Copley and Fairlawn is a nearly continuous center of activity, with businesses opening and occasionally closing throughout the year. Here's an update on what's happening there:
Coming soon: Party City will make a new home in Montrose
Those planning a birthday party or another celebration will have a new place to purchase their balloons, decor and other party supplies.
Party City is scheduled to open in The Shops of Fairlawn on West Market Street on Friday. It will open in the former Pier 1 Imports location.
According to a Party City representative, this location "will be the first Next Generation Party City store in the market." This will spotlight the store's Balloon Experience, which includes a counter in the middle of the store with its own checkout. Other highlights include lower shelf heights, shorter isles and overall "easier access" to the products in the store.
In addition, Party City will offer curbside pickup, and same-day or scheduled delivery, as well as online shopping.
There had been a Party City store near Akron's former Chapel Hill Mall. It closed in May 2021 shortly before the mall itself, which was mostly vacant at that time, was sold. There also is a Party City in Aurora.
For details, visit www.partycity.com online.
For Sale:Former Bath Fire Station No. 2 in Montrose area now on the market
Hackers for Hire:Fairlawn company works to crack cybersecurity threats
Gone, but not for long: Dave's Cosmic Subs closes Montrose location but plans to reopen in the area
Meanwhile, across the street at 3750 W. Market St., Dave's Cosmic Subs closed — but area fans of the sandwich shop will hopefully see a new Dave's opening in the area in the near future.
Paul Sidhu, the new CEO of Dave's Cosmic Subs, said that his company, Sidhu Realty Capital in Cleveland Heights, had owned and operated six Dave's Cosmic Subs franchises in the Cleveland area, including a recently opened restaurant in Strongsville. Sidhu Realty Capital purchased the franchise outright about a month ago, on July 7.
"We saw value in the brand, which is doing better than ever, and we are positioning it for future expansion," Sidhu said.
Sidhu said the Fairlawn location "performed very well there," but they are "looking to right-size our space."
"A lot of places are looking to right-size," he said. "A signature part of the business is grab and go, and we are looking for a place to better fit that market, where someone can grab a sub sandwich and leave in a few minutes."
There are Dave's Cosmic Subs in several locations in Northeast Ohio, including Hudson and Macedonia. Sidhu said he hoped to expand in the Youngstown area and, eventually, nationally.
For details, visit www.davescosmicsubs.com or sidhurealtycapital.com online.
The return of Geoffrey:Toys R Us returning to Summit Mall, other locations nationwide in partnership with Macy's
A Western flair:Boot Barn in Montrose offers Western-themed apparel, hats, work boots, more
Something's coming — but what? Store moving into former Earth Fare space still a mystery
It's easy to spot where the new Party City is going: There's already a large and colorful sign on the storefront in preparation for its opening later this month.
But there's still speculation as to what its neighbor will be. Even as of last week, there was "nothing new to report regarding the Earth Fare space," said Bill Arnold, the commissioner for zoning, housing and residential building for Fairlawn.
Representatives for Stark Enterprises, which owns the plaza, also had no updates to share.
Unknown grocer moving in:Montrose's mysterious new grocery closely resembles Amazon Fresh storefronts
As of now, the only thing known is that it will be a grocery store. Also, the remodeled facade bears a striking resemblance to Amazon Fresh stores across the country, with its charcoal gray marquee area, lighter gray outer walls and whitish pillars with modern black torch lighting.
One thing it will not be is Earth Fare again. While the grocery store company has reopened its store in Fairview Park, it will not reopen in its previous Montrose location, said Beth Clayton, who helps handle public relations for Earth Fare.
There also is an Earth Fare in Canton.
In its second-quarter financial results, published July 28, Amazon stated it would open 12 Amazon Fresh stores across the U.S. and the United Kingdom, offering customers technology like the Amazon Dash Cart. Amazon Dash Cart uses computer vision algorithms and sensor data to help identify items placed in a cart, so customers can skip the checkout line when they are done shopping.
The report did not specify where those stores would open.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Montrose continues to be active with businesses coming, changing
