DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS NOT HAPPY
Downtown business owners are not happy with the streets and parking spaces being blocked off for four days to accommodate the Tri-C College students filming.Some of the merchants said they found out about the production when the no parking signs went up. Andy, one of the owners of the newly opened Downtown Fitness Club said they would like to have known in advance about the parking being blocked off. “I saw the signs on the posts out front, that’s how I found out. It’s hard enough to do business here and now they block off all of our spots, I just don’t understand it.”
Sandy Laubenthal, owner of Moss’ Prime Rib and Spaghetti House, said this is an ongoing situation in downtown. “I don’t like this, I have no problem with them using the park to shoot a film but to block off the streets like this and taking all the parking spaces away is ridiculous. Now we have to deal with this all again next week when the apple Festival hits downtown.” Laubenthal organized the recent “Dining Under The Stars” that was held in Ely Square said she likes that things are happening downtown but that some common sense should come into play. “I don’t see why, for a college film, all the parking is blocked off and the roads are closed.”
Bob Waters, owner of The Barbers Blend, said that the parking was horrible enough before the college kids came into town. “I have been fighting ever since I moved into this shop for better parking in downtown and now they block off the streets for this. I had an elderly gentlemen come in today who carries a portable oxygen tank, he had to park down by Conrad’s and walk all that way. This is ridiculous.”Sharon, from Flower’s by Sharon, said she is also not happy about the roads and parking spaces being blocked. “I’m not happy because they close these streets down on a whim anymore. This is our businesses that they are messing with and it is not helping at all. I would also have appreciated a little advance warning about what was going on, I found out because of the no parking signs that went up.”
Main Street Director Tamela Grubb said that she believes this is a positive for Elyria. “Anytime you can get exposure in a film like this it is good for the city and good for the downtown. Maybe someone will see it and say I would like to visit that city. It might also attract other filmmakers to Elyria and who knows maybe even a George Clooney film.” Grubb said that her understanding is that the film will not be released rather it will be used as a marketing tool for the production team.
When asked about the downtown merchants being upset over the parking and traffic issues Grubb said that parking has always been an issue, with our without the filming. “Parking is always an issue downtown. It’s not a matter of if there is a film or a festival, its taking advantage of the fact that we have people coming down here to appreciate what we have in downtown.” Grubb said that the downtown merchants should take advantage of times when the people are downtown for the festival or filming and invite these people into their businesses so that maybe they will return in the future. When asked about the issue of merchants not knowing about the filming Grubb said that the production team told her that they went around and passed out a flier to each business in the downtown area. Of the 8 merchants that we spoke to today, only one had received a flier. Grubb also said that the Chronicle had run a front page article about it so everyone should have read that and known what was happening.
Motorists driving through downtown at 3 p.m., one of the busiest times for traffic, were stopped by Officers at the request of the production team. Motorists upset and fed up waiting in traffic were turning their cars around in the middle of Broad Street.The fun continues tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
To see more photos: CLICK HERE
posted by TMC NEWS at 7:17 PM
4 Comments:
I am writing in response to the issue of closing off streets and blocking parking spaces in downtown Elyria for the college film.
I respect the fact that these kids are learning film making and I glad to see them doing what they love and I am glad to see that the city of Elyria welcomes them into our city. However, that welcome mat appears to have been a little too big. For the city of Elyria to allow these kids to take over Ely Square for four days and block off streets and parking spaces is not only ridiculous it is outrageous. I know many business owners in downtown Elyria and I spoke with them today, they are furious with this city and their constant attempts to hurt them. These kids approached the city a long time ago about making this film and since then not one person from the city or from the group that is suppose to be the champion of the small businessman in downtown, Main Street Elyria has made visits or phone calls to alert people what was going to happen or why it was being allowed to happen. I read in the TMC NEWS article that the Main Street Director said the kids were suppose to pass out fliers and that the Chronicle Telegram ran a story about it. Well, then I guess you can just sit back on your keester and let other people do your job. I am not sure if that is just laziness or incompetence, either way the downtown business owners should be showing her the door.
Next week downtown Elyria will have the carnies rolling into town with their overpriced sausage sandwiches, funnel cakes and Carmel apples. Once again the downtown business owners will have to suffer through four days of that nonsense. Many of the people I have talked to said that given the opportunity to find another location away from downtown or even the city they would leave quickly and I see it is already starting. Court Street Café after having been a staple in downtown Elyria for more than 20 years is gone and what a shame. They were truly supporters of Elyria, allowing many groups to use their facilities for no charge and even after hours. They just grew tired of the nonsense that comes with being in business here in Elyria. Vandermark Jewelers is moving out of downtown and Donna’s Diner will be leaving shortly as well. How much longer will it be before downtown is just bars, lawyers offices and Ike downtown?
The Sundays with Jason guy asked what will turn this city around and return it to its glory days. I have thought about that question and I honestly don’t have the answer. The sad thing is, neither does this current administration. I believe in my heart that this Mayor believes in and loves this city, I just don’t think he has what it will take to turn this around. I pray that someone figures it out before it gets much worse.
Just an Old Man who is a lifelong resident of Elyria! (I hope Jason doesn’t make fun of me for that fact, even if he does, I still love reading what he writes.)
Excellent post Old Man. +1 and kudos to you for your ability to convey those thoughts.
It's amazing what people will do when they think they will be on tv, or in a movie. Like this production will make it past the CCC class room. IT'S NOT A REAL MOVIE PRODUCTION COMPANY PEOPLE! Don't let them screw up the already bad traffic patterns. Haas
Wow Elyrian....You managed to say it all so well that nobody else is going to bother to post..
You are so right, and well written.
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