by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- The remaining tenants in State Road Shopping Center are preparing to make way for developers, and making their plans for the future.

With the exception of outlying businesses, the 55-year-old shopping center that straddles Portage Trail is expected to be empty by the end of the year, according to a settlement agreement with the city signed by each shop owner.

The city of Cuyahoga Falls and State Road Associates closed on the long-awaited transaction to purchase the State Road Shopping Center in August. An agreement was reached earlier this year between the city and shopping center management to purchase the plaza for $10.2 million after the city filed an eminent domain action in October 2007. Susan Truby, the city's community development director, has said, "Our major goal is to demolish the entire plaza in the first quarter of 2009 to prepare it for redevelopment."

The agreement states each business must be vacated by Dec. 31, said Truby. She said in some cases the city offered business owners loans. In other cases, officials did a general search of the area for vacancies.

"Each business has had a different set of circumstances," said Truby. "In some cases, a business just closed their doors, not establishing a new location. Others, such as the key shop, have moved a little further south on State Road." She said the city is continuing to work with other businesses who want to relocate.

What business owners have to say

"We hope to come back when they rebuild the plaza," said Beth Doyle, manager of Best Cuts, located in the section of the shopping center south of Portage Trail, at 2701 State Road. Doyle has worked at this location of Best Cuts for almost 16 years, she said. She said she has a loyal clientele who do not want to see the beauty salon close for good.

Doyle said when Best Cuts is forced to close at the end of the year, she and her four co-workers will transfer to other Best Cuts locations, including one on Graham Road. She said they hope the reassignments will only be temporary.

Whether the State Road Best Cuts would reopen would be decided by the owner of Best Cuts, Regis Corp. of Minneapolis, Minn., Doyle said.

Kim Fleming, the area supervisor for Best Cuts, said she started working at the State Road location when it opened 21 years ago. She was a stylist then. "That's when this plaza was booming," said Fleming. "I hope they get a retail center back here. I'd love [for Best Cuts] to have the opportunity to come back. I'm willing to wait it out."

Located in the plaza north of Portage Trail is Famous Hair. Currently doing business at 2923 State Road, the salon will move to a new location early next year, said Jodi Heisler, the company's area supervisor. "We are scheduled to open in February in a new location next to Domino's Pizza on Graham Road," said Heisler. Famous Hair is also owned by Regis Corp.

John Ankney owns Cigarette Outlet, located at 2903 State Road. Cigarette Outlet has been open at this location for 14 years, Ankney said, and he has four employees. Ankney does not want to move far.

"We are looking to move to a location close to the [current] store," said Ankney, adding, "We are undecided on the new location." Although he does not know when the store will move, Ankney said at no time will the business be closed.

"We will end up closing at the end of business on one day and opening up again at the beginning of business the next day," he said.

"We are definitely looking for a new location," said Beth Galambos, marketing and public relations manager for Goodwill Industries, which has a thrift store at 2689 State Road. "We have some locations in mind. We would love to stay in Cuyahoga Falls." Located in the State Road Shopping Center since 2003, Goodwill has 25 employees. There are also seven people currently enrolled in the State Road store's job training program.

In the interim period between Dec. 31 and when a new store is opened, every employee will be offered a position in another store, Galambos said. Goodwill of Akron owns 10 stores and five drop-off stations in a five-county area, with an 11th store set to open in Northfield before the year's end.

Galambos said a committee is looking for an existing building that has access to public transportation and is easily accessible for shoppers and donors. Ideally, Goodwill would like a building where donations can be dropped off in the rear.

Loretta Smith of Cuyahoga Falls said she comes to the thrift shop every day. "My car doesn't pass here without turning in," she said. Another customer said she lives in Hudson and shops at the Falls store on a weekly basis.

"We do a good business here," said Jane Ash, a Goodwill employee. "The customers brag about how clean our store is and how good the deals are."

Fleming and Doyle said they both grew up in Cuyahoga Falls. Fleming said she remembers coming to State Road Shopping Center when she was 5 and buying candy at the "five and dime" Montgomery Ward. The plaza on State Road is in a good, central location, Fleming said.

"This is the most awesome spot in Cuyahoga Falls," Fleming said. Doyle agreed, saying her clientele is all ages, including many elderly customers who live nearby and come to the shop on foot or by bus. She said all her customers want State Road Shopping Center to become a busy retail center again.

"It's a shame the city didn't do something sooner," Fleming commented. "But in all fairness, we do a hell of a business here."

Fleming said State Road Shopping Center will be "awesome" again. "I truly believe it can be like it was."

E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141