Imagine igniting an entire neighborhood with the proverbial flick of a switch. That’s what entrepreneur Alan Glazen has in mind for the North Shores Collinwood neighborhood, specifically the stretch of Waterloo Road by the Beachland Ballroom.

Rather than open one new restaurant in the underperforming neighborhood, Glazen is working with multiple parties to simultaneously launch five — instantly turning the area into a destination.

“I’m calling it Project Light Switch,” says the 62-year-old owner of ABC Tavern, XYX the Tavern, and Viaduct Lounge. “I’m so excited about the idea of the best people in the city combining to go turn on a neighborhood.”

While far from a sure thing — Glazen puts the odds at around 30 percent — the obstacles continue to melt away. Glazen has spoken to all of the city’s best chefs and operators, many of whom have expressed a desire to be a part of the project. Those chefs include Michael Symon, Jonathon Sawyer, Steve Schimoler, and others. Real estate deals are all but done on five separate spaces in the immediate area.

“This began just as an idea but now I feel like there is no reason I can’t pull this off,” says Glazen. “I’m in a unique position to get this done; I can afford the altruism.”

That altruism would likely come in the form of sweetheart deals on build-out, rent, and financing. The projects would not be copies of current concepts, but rather pet projects that a chef has been dying to try.

“I’ve asked everybody that I know in the business to do a fun and quirky thing and they are all interested,” adds Glazen, whose parents grew up in that neighborhood.

In addition to the restaurants — which would all open on the same day — Glazen is pursing a compelling mix of entertainment options. One concept involves a club featuring Rock Hall President Terry Stewart and his vast record collection. Another would offer free rehearsal and recording space for musicians.

“To me, that block could be the heart of indie music in Cleveland,” Glazen says. “I see this as a great moment in time for a neighborhood to go from zero to 100.”

Lap of Luxe: Four-year-old Luxe Kitchen & Lounge has new culinary leadership. Chef Brian Okin has been hired as executive chef. Founder of Dinner in the Dark — the monthly six-course dinner that raises money for charities — Okin most recently worked at Fountain.

Before that, he operated his own eatery, Verve, on downtown’s Carnegie Avenue in space now occupied by Carnegie Kitchen.

Okin, who started this week, says he and owner Melissa Cole have been in talks on how to take the funky Italian-Mediterranean bistro “to the next level.”

“Luxe has a cool vibe and lots of potential,” Okin says. “We just need to solidify the menu based on the original concept. I think Luxe can be something special in Cleveland.”

Okin says that diners can expect a pretty drastic menu change within a few weeks.

Luxe is at 6605 Detroit Ave. Learn more at 216-920-0600, or visit luxecleveland.com.

This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2012.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

15 replies on “A Big Turn On”

  3. To be clear, I have spoken to all the mentioned parties, and they all expressed interest. But none are necessarily “in.”.

  5. This is a pretty nice development except for two very big drawbacks.
    First is The Beachland Ballroom who has spawned the area’s growth has yet to get any relief from the city’s burdensome ticket tax. I see them being sold to some other party with deeper pockets and the prices will go up without a change in that law. So the keystone to this development goes away because of the city.
    Second, The parking situation in that area is already a mess without 5 more venues.
    Lets bring a lot more traffic to the area with no where to park except blocks away in residential neighborhoods. Or, much like Nautica and the Harbor Inn, the street parking gets used up in front of the Inn by people avoiding the parking fees and never stepping foot in the Inn. Dinner customers could very easily force The Beachland patrons further into the neighborhood to park leading to numerous police calls for noise late night.
    Lets not ever forget what development meant for the flats.
    A once active place with multiple venues grew up on its own and ended up dead on the east bank and only a few venues on the west leaving the original patrons nowhere to go.
    If this development concept means losing the Beachland in its current, I don’t want it.
    I’m a patron to the area now and these business opportunities only spell more headaches for those like me.

  6. We are working on this in tribute to Beachland and are reviewing every step of the way with them. This is not a “development” project in the usual terms. We’re talking about small, quirky places in keeping with our goal to open things up without actually expanding anything! Thanks for your comments. We’re all ears!

  7. FINALLY! Very exciting possibilities. The location of this neighborhood is fantastic—close to East and West, highway access, University Circle, walking distance from the lake and bike path—and it has good bones. Looking forward to seeing what happens.

  8. FANTASTIC! What a great idea. Imagination + hard work + investment $ = success! I am excited just reading about this. The Beachand needs a shot in the arm and I hope this does it. I love the ideas I read. I wish mad success! Maybe there is room for a small reggae club?!!

  9. As someone who is on the staff of UpStage Players, a non-profit childrens theatre company located in the Slovenian Workmen’s Home on Waterloo, I am thrilled to have new development on the street!

  10. Great news, with the recent closure of the Arts collinwood and a few other stores, I was worried the waterloo strip was on its way out, again. Dining options is really what the area desperately needs, especially low cost informal options. A few friends of mine are currently looking into acquiring a building on the strip as well, hopefully we can finally complete the economy and turn collinwood into the friendly, active, and safe arts district we all know it can be.

  11. With any new development, you have to consider where are people going to park to take advantage of the new entity. Part of the plan, as articulated above, needs to plan for off street parking. Is there a vacant lot nearby that could be devoted to a new parking lot? Or could a parking garage be built? If it becomes problematic for patrons to enjoy all the new venues, they won’t be back if they have a bad experience with the lack of parking or if the neighbors complain about noise, etc. Just an observation . . . but good luck with the new plans.

  13. Glad to hear someone is giving this awesome neighboood the love, attention (and money!) it needs. The locals are so loyal to their hood and Collinwood has a really groovy vibe! Go for it Allan!

  14. I Think It Will Benifit All who have been going to waterloo and the beachland already.Ithink that the beachland wont change it will only get better.With the beachland new chef and its brunch on sudays and with BLITZ BBQ ready to open the other shops on waterloo will also benifit

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