Bob Carr, Ward 4 Councilman
KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente will be having a Farmers Market event in their parking lot on July 18th from 11:30-2:30. It’s primarily for employees, but open to the public. They requested this to be a regular event but had only received approval for a one time event. So it does not conflict with the regular Saturday Market.
CITY HAPPENINGS
Gathering of Eagles – July 14-15 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Lost Nation Airport. Enjoy aircraft displays and airplane rides.
Immaculate Conception Oktoberfest – July 20-22. Visit immaculate.net for more info.
ArtsFest -July 21 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm in Historic Downtown Willoughby. Over 125 artists, food and entertainment.
IT PAYS TO SPEAK UP!
I heard recently from a resident concerned about the visibility and safety when turning right on red at the Colonial – SOM intersection. After investigation and review it has been determined that the sight line ordinance has specific regulations and the homeowner has been requested to make some changes to the landscaping. If you see something that is not right and believe we can make improvements, please bring it to my attention and I promise to check it out.
OTHER CITY NEWS
Cappelli’s Party Center would like to relocate to the former Sleep Source in Downtown Willoughby. They would like to have a martini bar (currently known as Billy’s) on Erie Street and capabilities to host events (weddings) for up to 150 people. Discussions are taking place with Ingress/ Egress (parking) and Planning Commission to work through the details.
To view the PDF version of the newsletter, click here: July 2012
Bob Carr is Willoughby’s Ward 4 councilman. For questions or comments, please e-mail Bob Carr at rcarr@willoughbyohio.com.
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I think that Capellis would be an awesome idea in DTW. There need to be more than just antique stores and restaurants. I also think that the Farmers Market needs competition as the produce stands have become overpriced and of horrible quality. The stuff goes bad the next day.
Regarding Cappelli’s interest in relocating:
As a Willoughby native, I have watched the historic district evolve from a quaint but utilitarian business center (1970′s) into a largely stagnant and unoccupied stretch of merchant space (1980′s and early 90′s) … and then into the vibrant, entertainment-centered area it is today. While our downtown boasts a number of interesting shops to draw both residents and visitors, it is no secret that the many pubs, bars, and eateries of Erie Street and vicinity are partly responsible for the city’s current popularity.
That said, the historic downtown area has, I believe, already overreached its carrying capacity in terms of drinking establishments and night spots. It’s not uncommon for me to hear fellow long-time residents say: “Erie Street is very nice … but there are too many bars.” Downtown Willoughby has developed the reputation of being something of a party center in its own right; inviting a bona fide one — with its accompanying martini bar — risks cementing that impression in the minds of locals and visitors alike.
I want to thank Mr. Carr for this public forum. I want to please let the world know that at 63 this week, my intention was to retire out at the end of my 10 years in Mentor. It was my wonderful customer base and the fact that I have a daughter interested in carrying out the family name. It is impossible for her to carry on at our present volume without my involvement, therefore it became possible because after 27 years of strictly private catering we opened Billy’s-A Cappelli Martini Bar, 10 years ago. Billy’s is small, quaint and a wonderful clientele that can bring an eliminate to DTW that will enhance and balance some of the younger drinking establishments now existing there. To ensure the fact that our intention is to bring the quality of people to the area without vehicles, we have taken several stps. That is, for any private events, we have connected with the Courtyard Mariott down Rt 84, where 30 to 35% of our guest would stay and be brought in complimentery via Shima Limousine and private shuttle. We will also be providing complementary shuttle and “drunk rate” rooms to ensure no Billy’s customers drink and drive. Our events in the private area at this location will average only 100-125 guests. This is the same size as party rooms available at many places in DTW right now. To help the city day to day traffic, we have hired one of the top engineering firms in the county to put together a plan to revamp the parking area behind us, where owner, John Forker, and Cappelli’s will be adding several parking places, controlling aisles to all businesses in the area, a benefit for all. As cars are organized in the lot a drive connecting Todd Field for valet use will be provided by John Forker and Cappelli’s. This will prevent the “kamikaze” situation that exists now with valet parkers fighting 2 way traffic on Glen Dr. And to cover any cars we have missed, Cappelli ‘s has acquired the lot next to 5/3 bank, across from the court house, that will be paved and hold an additional 200 cars. This lot will be available to the public with shuttle service on a daily basis. Private events will be noted on invitations and tickets to park in Cappelli’s lot if they are not hotel guests. Several shuttles can be available at peak times, but Billy’s shuttle will be available from any lot if anyone needs transportation from any lot to anywhere.
No business has ever come to Willoughby trying to aid and improve parking and traffic confusion like Cappelli’s according to administrators.
Police, fire and building have unanimously recommended permits be issued to Cappelli’s. Many, many tenants, owners, even food service people support this project. A few competitors are viciously trying to prevent this move. As several professionals in the area stated, this is the United States of America, built on free enterprise. To try to prevent competition, though it is a wonderful complement to Cappelli’s, completely overplays our role. We are only looking to continue, is a very minimal way, a family tradition of finesse, fairness and very personal service.
Please respond to this blog and let us know your feelings. We are taking the only dead, ugly space left in the area, as approved by historical and design committee and making it a vibrant part of the community complimenting all other business in DTW. We are coming to complement – not to compete.
Thanks for listening and feel free to attend meeting in basement of Willoughby City Hall, July 26th to show your support.
My opinion, short and sweet, and rather inarticulate, is that this sucks. I’ve been a frequent Billys patron for six years plus. Not only for the reasons of wanting to avoid DTW, but it was a great location and a convenient and fun atmosphere. Honestly, I’m incredibly turned off by this move and while I will still check out the new location, it will just never be the same to me.
I think Billy’s martini bar and cappellis would be a great in down town willoughby they both have great food, drinks and environment and the staff is just amazing. I think it would also bring that something special to the area and open up more job opportunities to the area.
I am very bummed about the move to DTW . . . I will still patronize Billy’s, but it’s not nearly as convenient to myself and my friends as the current location is . . . I understand Billy’s/Cappelli’s is trying to deal with the parking issue, but I think it’s still going to be somewhat of a hassle, just like it is now (in DTW). Like I said, I will still patronize Billy’s, but I probably won’t make it there as often — it won’t be as convenient to just “pop in” for one quick drink — because of parking or depending on the weather, etc. There aren’t any other “bars” in Mentor like Billy’s — you either have “dive bars” or bars in restaurants . . . no lounge-type bars like Billy’s. It’s taking a good thing away from the City of Mentor.
And, the clientele will definitely change because of the move.
Billys/Capellis would be an awesome addition to downtown Willoughby!!! They have great drinks, great food, and especially great service! It is always a fun time and it will be the same, if not better in downtown Willoughby!
Traffic will be terrible. This an awful idea. Please reconsider. The city doesn’t want more trashy bars in downtown Willoughby.
Thanks,
Steve Berger
Looking forward to the move to DTW! Billy’s is a classy establishment that will only bring wonderful opportunities to the strip. This move will compliment the area well.
I think Billy’s move will be a fresh and fun change to DTW. It is a new place for us younger adults to migrate! I cannot wait to check out the new location and all it has to offer. I know I will be spending a lot more time in DTW!
I also would like to thank Mr. Carr for the blog regarding our establishment. This move is more for me then my mother, she is attempting to retire after 37 years in this successful business and I am the one that wants to carry on the amazing legacy she has built for my family.
Cappelli’s has been my entire world my whole life. From my parents pushing me around the kitchen in my infant seat, and making sauce with my grandmother day in and day out, it truly has become my entire life.
Since I came home from college I have been learning the depth of the business every day for the past three years. What I have learned is what I knew all along. We are a big family here who truly cares about every person that walks through our doors.
My mother asked me when her ten years came up in Mentor if I wanted to continue the business in her place or if after 37 years she should retire and close the doors – I didn’t hesitate or think twice when I answered that I want to continue the great family name and business that she has worked so hard her entire life to build.
I adore our Mentor location however, Holiday Inn is taking over our building and they require that we change every aspect of our business to fit their mold. We are a small, family owned and operated business and I cannot have a corporate Georgia based operation not allow me to use the recipes that have been passed down in my family for several generations.
When we came across the Downtown Willoughby location, it immediately seemed perfect. The small elegant feel and home and family atmosphere fit what we are better than any place I could’ve ever imagined. However before my mother and I started this process we both agreed that we had to focus on parking. After working with the traffic engineer and trying to solve to problem that has been going on for years we feel the there is no greater issue with our move.
Everyone who knows our business knows how much blood, sweat, and tears goes into our everyday operation. I would like to downsize and compliment that intimate Downtown Willoughby feel so that my mother can have the relaxing life that she deserves so very much.
Thank you everyone for your comments – Please knows that I am only trying to continue what my mother has built and continue the business the county has grown to love.
With my experience at Cappelli’s, via Mrs. Linda Cappeli, you couldn’t pay me to step foot in this location. She will state ad nausuem that she has been in business for 37 years, however, it doesn’t mean she knows the first thing about customer service or how to apply quality assurance to paying clients.
I know the Billy’s/cappellis move is going to be great for all parties. First to all mentor patrons, it’s only a few miles in a different direction. It will have more room, same great people, and afresh new look with the same old style we love about Billy’s. The new cappellis is gonna be something out of a magazine, and who doesn’t want their event catered in a stunning palace like space. People say, well DTW has fights and drunks, well I suggest you take that up with those bars, not the new one in town. And obviously it wasn’t enough to scare Billy’s/ cappellis away. This is no fly by night operation, there is 3 generations in there. Very educated chefs and staff, great bartenders, and a totally different style that although some will compete with other it will actually compliment those establishments. With 7 days in a week, there are plenty of people are money to be made if your bar/ resturant is what people are looking for. They aren’t there to steal your business, they have plenty of their own, but if your nervous step your game up to Billy’s/cappellis level. Welcome to America in 2012, you can build a burger king next to McDonald’s if you have the balls to do it. If you don’t like it then don’t go, but remember why it is that you don’t want them there. Just food for thought, Ido recall Billy’s/ cappellis moving in a store that’s rundown and not open , which to me would mean property values would go up. And this economy is a great thing. So if your bar or resturant is worried step your game up, worried about fights then dont over serve, worried about parking, take a cab, walk a block, or get dropped off, big cities do it everyday. If people didn’t challenge people where would this world be???? In closing i will see you at Billy’s on trivia night, ladies night, or every night. And if I don’t, I will see you sometime at a wedding of a loved one. You really shouldn’t be so negative about something so positive.
As a current neighbor and patron of Cappelli’s I must say that the city of Mentors loss is DTW’s gain. The food, drinks, and service are first rate. The Cappelli family have been serving lake county for almost 4 decades. The party center and martini bar will quickly become a welcome edition to DTW’s already thriving bar/Restraunt scene. I will definitely miss them in Mentor, but look forward to enjoying all they have to offer in DTW!!
I would think Billy’s and cappelli’s would be a great new place in dtw. They have very good food, and management! On the parking situation I don’t see any of these other places trying to help eachother solve the parking problem, Billy’s and cappelli’s are the only ones helping!
Very best of luck
Karl Kaufman
As a resident of Willoughby, I see no downside to adding the Cappelli party center/martini bar to the Downtown Willoughby scene. This can help spur more economic growth within the city of Willoughby by bringing in outisde patrons to the DTW area for weddings and parties in which they probably will frequent other Willoughby shops/businesses before and after their event. Also, by adding this business into the vacant Sleep Source, this will boost the storefront line in DTW — which I think we can all agree an occupied store is better than a vacant store. This will improve the image of the hometown feeling which has managed, for the most part, to keep large chain establishments out and shows that small, local businesses can thrive. When traveling for work in surrounding Cleveland cities/suburbs, that used to have areas similar to DTW, it is sad to see closed up storefronts that cannot succeed in the current economic climate filled by a few national chains of varying business functions. To keep it simple, adding Cappellis/Martini Bar, a business that has a reputation to succeed in the area, will generally help Downtown Willoughby in many facets of the economic climate.
And as for the proposed parking issue: People who may have to walk a little bit further from their cars to their end destination may not always be a negative. What if they stop in a store that they see on their 2 minute walk instead 5 second walks and make a purchase? I imagine the store that gained a sale from the increase parking traffic would not complain from seeing increased sales.
You don’t see other places trying to solve the parking “problem?” Haven’t you noticed the shared valet service?
I FEEL BILLY’S & CAPPELLI’S WOULD HELP TO ROUND OFF THE WHOLE PICTURE IN DTW. SINCE 1959 MY LATE PAPA CARMEN VITALONE STARTED CARMEN’S TAILOR SHOP (WHERE BURGER’S & BEER BREAKFEST IS NOW). AND MY LATE UNCLE BRUNO WITH BRUNO’S SHOE REPAIR ON VINE ST.,HE RAN FOR COUNCILMAN A FEW TIMES WAS ALSO WELL KNOWN. MYSELF DELIVERING THE CLEVELAND PRESS IN DTW BACK IN 1967. WE’RE SEEN ALOT THUR THE YEARS THE GOOD,THE BAD & THE UGLY. WHEN I USE TO WORK IN MY DADS TAILOR SHOP MANY YRS. AGO THE WHOLE DTW WAS A LAUGHING STOCK TO MANY. WE HAVE A GOOD PROBLEM NOW ,BUSINESSES ARE KNOCKING DOORS DOWN TO GET IN TO DTW!!! THEIR GOOD PEOPLE IN OUR EYES BILLY,LINDA & KELSEY THE OWNERS,WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THEM SINCE THE LATE 70′S IN WICKLIFFE. THEY HAVE A DIFFERANT SPIN THEN THE OTHER GREAT BUSINESSES IN DTW,WHICH ALL OF YOU CAN WORK IN HARMONY TOGETHER. RESPECTFULLY YOURS,ROCCO VITALONE P. S. I POSTED THIS A COUPLE A NIGHTS AGO,WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPEN ? WASN’T MEANT TO BE THEN???
Billy’s Martini Bar in DTW is an outstanding idea. The dining experience is excellent, the martini’s are second to none (Try Linda’s Lemon Drop, it’s delicious), and the service is incomparable. What’s not to like? It seems as if Linda Cappelli has gone to great length to alleviate the additional traffic that adding a new establishment will potentially generate. The fun, laid back, and unique atmosphere of Billy’s will rapidly become a favorite of the community and its residents. Billy’s in DTW is a great move for all parties involved, and I’d love to see it happen.
This is very exciting! I can’t wait to see how laid out this new venue is going to be!
IMAGINE A CAPPELLIS NEW YEARS PARTY IN DTW! Going to be nuts!
I would like to see Billy’s Martini Bar come to downtown Willoughby. Good for them, I think the location is perfect, and the sleep center site has been a large empty hole for too long. Billy’s is a nice martini bar and as long as they keep the correct size of a martini with the “side shooter” I”m there! Seriousl, I have seen the price of a martini stay the same in other Willoughby establishments “more than one”, and the size of the martini glass shrink. since I enjoy a good martini – good atmosphere, and good food, I can’t wait until I can enjoy all of those things under one roof! Maybe Santa will come early this year and they will arrive before the holidays!
No matter where Billy’s is or where the Cappelli’s are, I will be there. This will give me am excuse to visit dtw more often too. No matter who says what, it will be a positive thing to have Billy’s and the party center be a part of DTW. The situation with Holiday Inn leaves this good family with only one choice….bring their talents to another good area of Lake County.