SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Terri Hiltabidel, co-owner of Wiscum Pampered Pet Products, is happy with her family’s choice to open their store inside the Saybrook Plaza on Route 20 in the township.
“We chose the Saybrook Plaza because we liked the location and our rent is reasonable, especially because we have a large storefront,” Hiltabidel said.
Wiscum’s, which opened in late summer, occupies a 40-foot storefront.
“Before we opened, the plaza manager, Bennett Kest, was easy to work with and was very supportive of what we wanted to do with the store,” she said.
The Saybrook Plaza was built during the 1950s and was the place to shop on the west side of Ashtabula, Kest said. Kest, who owns Kest Property Management Group, in Cleveland, has been associated with the plaza since his childhood.
“There is a lot of history here. It was my dad who shot the Fourth of July fireworks off the roof in the 1970s,” Kest said with a smile.
The owners of the plaza are Dr. Harvey Kulber and wife, Linda, and family, as well as David and Evelyn Simon and family. These families are all Cleveland natives but have resided in California for many years.
“The plaza has been in those families for 40 to 50 years,” Kest said.
The retail business is based on trends and customer traffic patterns, and it is subject to change.
“In the late 1980s, big enclosed malls came to rural areas, and once the big stores moved in, the smaller stores followed, pulling tenants out of the plazas,” said Daniel Raiz, of Tribeca Real Estate Corp., of Cleveland, which leases Saybrook Plaza stores to tenants.
The Saybrook Plaza was affected negatively by the mall trend. Many clothing and shoe stores moved out of the plaza and into the Ashtabula Mall — now the Ashtabula Towne Square — when it opened in 1992.
Today, there is a reverse trend.
“We are now seeing stores leaving the malls to seek out reasonable rents in the plazas,” Kest said.
“Today, the Saybrook Plaza is experiencing a resurgence of new growth because we can offer conventional and nonconventional retailers reasonable rates here,” Raiz said.
This fall, Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula moved into the Saybrook Plaza, and that company couldn’t be happier.
“Saybrook Plaza is a great location for us because it draws in new shoppers and allows us to serve more people within our community,” said Nicole Steele, retail and marketing director for Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
“When Goodwill called, we wanted to accommodate them, and they are doing extremely well. We’ve got to be flexible and give retailers an opportunity to thrive,” Raiz said.
“I recently got a call from a tenant in the mall, inquiring about our plaza for options for their future,” he said.
All these years, the Saybrook Plaza has been well-kept and well lit, Kest said.
“We are very thankful for our present tenants. Giant Eagle has been a beautiful anchor for us for many years, as well as Big Lots,” he said.
The plaza has 14 tenants today, with room for more than a dozen more.
“We will welcome retail stores, businesses, doctor’s offices, and we would love a restaurant,” Raiz said.
“Last year was a tough year economically for everyone, but we added three new tenants. Things are happening at this plaza.”
For further information, call Raiz at Tribeca Real Estate Corp. (216 371-7063).
Business
Related Photos
Discussion
February 10, 2009
Saybrook Plaza filled with history and 14 great places to shop
- Business
-
-
CFA moves forward on Chestnut Grove work
The Ashtabula County Convention Facilities Authority (CFA) on Friday approved spending up to $5,500 to move forward on two aspects of the Chestnut Grove project.
-
Your Special Place has been in Ashtabula for 32 years
Thirty-two years ago, three sisters-in-law saw a need in the community for specialty apparel and filled it with their own talents and perspectives.
Your Special Place Uniform and Maternity Apparel was born in 1978 when Chris Triozzi, a buyer for a local department store; Fran Hanselman, a business school graduate and expectant mother; and Deb Penna, a nurse; decided to join forces and develop a store that catered to the clothing needs of mothers-to-be and nurses. -
Quilters will delight in A Quilting Affair
Jane Wallace, of Ashtabula Township, walked inside A Quilting Affair on Thursday afternoon with a smile on her face.
-
Step back in time with Windy’s Stitch-in-Time
Growing up, Diane Barriball would watch intently as her grandmother Mary Campbell lovingly stitched all of her clothing.
-
Classic Cabinet Co.: fine custom craftsmanship
When Gary and Bonnie Stuyvesant needed new kitchen cabinets for their Ashtabula home, they knew just who to call.
-
Get back in line with Kist Family Chiropractic
Kist Family Chiropractic opened 10 years ago with the goal of helping people to feel better and improve their health.
-
The White Turkey Drive-In is open
The red and white stripes that surround the drive-in eatery act as a beacon to those traveling down Route 20: The White Turkey Drive-In is open for the season.
-
Get your garden started with Kusar Farms
— There is nonstop beauty at Kusar Farms this season.
- Chapman’s Food Service has a new spacious home Chapman’s Food Service, formerly located in the Harbor, has a new home to celebrate 30 years in business.
-
One company helps with party and the cleanup
Michael Gergely wants to help clean up this town and at the same time, help his customers host terrific parties.
- More Business Headlines
-
CFA moves forward on Chestnut Grove work
