Located in the heart of Cleveland's West Park neighborhood, Kamm's Corners is getting a food facelift. According to the Kamm’s Corners Development Corporation, numerous buildings on or near Lorain are being renovated into restaurants. This comes on top of the award-winning Peace, Love and Little Donuts opening earlier this year. Also, The Panini’s in West Park recently got city approval for an outdoor screen projector on its patio, part of a larger patio upgrade package scheduled to be rolled out next summer.“It’s a great time to be opening a business in Kamm’s Corners,” says Cindy Janis, manager of commercial development for the Kamm’s Corners Development Corp.
Chipotle has started renovations on the old KFC location at 16729 Lorain, promising to add variety to the already successful Si Senor (probably one of the best authentic Mexican joints in all of Cleveland), located directly across the street. Chipotle is eliminating the exit drive-through lane, and adding a front-facing patio.
There’s also talk of another live music venue about to take over the closed Stir location. Under the previous two tenants, this place was plagued with fights, police calls and noise issues. If the rumors are true, the new music venue will feature national Irish acts.
In the same strip of buildings, Thai Elephant (16610 Lorain) is under construction. This will be the second location for owner Sirima Krabnoic, who also owns Thai Chili in Avon Lake. Fairview Hospital will be getting a new neighbor — Café Falafel (3843 Riveredge Rd.), scheduled to open by year’s end. Owner Ihab Enaia says that along with its namesake, Café Falafel will offer shish kebab, hummus and other Middle Eastern cuisine. “This is a type of restaurant we don’t have in the neighborhood,” notes Janis.
Getting a new look is the Dunkin Donuts on Lorain. The franchise, which also offers Baskin Robbins ice cream, will don new awnings, paint and signage. It is part of a corporate initiative to reface all the company stores. They are not alone. Franchises like McDonalds, Rally’s and Taco Bell on West 150th St. are all currently updating their exteriors.
Am I hearing this right? Falafel, Thai, gourmet burritos, donuts with Oreos, and AMP all within a radius of a few blocks? Kamm’s Corners has always offered great entertainment; now it’s offering decent grub as well.
