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Time is right for Chagrin Falls
(by Barbara Christian - August 07, 2008)
Time is right for Chagrin Falls
In case you have not noticed, Chagrin Falls is one happening place these days. I am not sure when the renaissance began. Maybe when streetscape was done. The wires came down, and our "cool quotient" went up.
Or perhaps it was the revamped village government three years ago, when -- dare we say it -- there came a more liberal view of zoning and parking, issues which had flummoxed us for years.
There was immediate movement to getting rid of onerous parking requirements for buildings in the central shopping district. The solution? Get rid of the parking standards. It was an "I shoulda had a V8" moment.
About the same time that was going on, a group of visionaries drew a line around the River, Main and West Orange streets neighborhood and designating it Chagrin Falls' new arts district. Such an image will make the village a destination and help its merchants compete with the fancy, schmansy suburban "lifestyle" shopping centers. It remains a work in progress.
And from the arts district came the Chagrin Foundation for Arts and Culture. Its mission is to guide the district's evolution and support the arts and cultural activities of our town.
No sooner did the foundation get its feet on the ground when it was off and running as the organizational wing of the new Chautauqua in Chagrin Falls summer series of lectures and music. It was begun by a group of inspired residents who knew when it was time to call the pros.
Another reason to acknowledge there is something special going on in our town right now is Village Council's appointment of its new arts commission, which serves as liaison to the foundation and is in charge of growing arts-and-culture opportunities in Chagrin Falls.
There are many other indicators that prove a new age is growing in Chagrin Falls. Shall we count the ways?
Very few empty store spaces remain in the central shopping district. The old-now-new-again Village Exchange building has become a great spot to stop for lunch or carry-out, and its patio is one of the more relaxing places in town. Don't miss the artful iron gate while you sip your Smoothie. Soon the local Spillway partners will open a brewery-restaurant-inn, and they will reuse the old buildings at the Ivex plant to do it.
Additional falls-view outdoor eating spaces are planned for the refurbished Blake's restaurant across the street, and Gregory Bumbu, owner the former Mario's building, also on the river, says he is going to deliver something special there. Michael Longo is planning a trendy new style of Asian cuisine when he opens his new restaurant where Chagrin Fine Jewelry once was.
More news from the renaissance: Rumor has it that a whole block of second-floor, above-the-store apartments are on the drawing board. Village View Condos on West Orange Street should break ground any day now, and a small outdoor seating and performance space is being planned for Riverside Park. Can't you just see Shakespeare in the park without traveling to New York City?
There is so much more, but my space here has run out. Just know these are the days, my friend. Be happy about it.
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