A banner year for business growth in Strongsville: Strong Points

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Retail and industrial development in Strongsville rebounded well in 2021, with a number of new businesses opening or announcing plans to operate in our community. On the retail side, Discount Drug Mart and Arby’s have constructed new buildings, while Harbor Freight Tools, V Dessert, Hot Chicken Takeover, Restore Hyper Wellness, Pho & Beyond, Goldfish Swim School, Wine Down & Sweets Café and Parma Movers have opened in existing storefronts.

Even more are coming soon: Seafood Shake is taking over the former Rockne’s site; Crumbl Cookies is opening next to Rosewood Grill; Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is renovating the former Burger King on Pearl Road; Barrio is finished remodeling the former Molly McGhee’s; Dave’s Cosmic Subs is taking over a Pearl Road storefront and both Blue Habanero and Szechuan Gourmet are coming to The Greens of Strongsville. Building new outlets are Sgt. Clean Car Wash and Strickland Brothers 10-Minute Oil Change. “Strongsville’s commercial and industrial growth has remained strong throughout the pandemic, illustrating the city’s designation as a job hub within the region,” Economic Development Director Brent Painter said. Strongsville’s business parks also had exceptional growth in 2021 as well – especially for corporate headquarters. Expanding this year were Infinium Walls, which built a new 120,000 sq. ft. headquarters on Prospect Rd.; Woodpecker Inc., which leased an additional 79,000 sq. ft. of space on Prospect Rd.; CCL, which received approval to start building a new 105,000 sq. ft. North American headquarters on Foltz Parkway; Union Home Mortgage, which opened its new state-of-the-art training center in the former ITT Tech building; Greller & Co., which relocated its corporate headquarters to property it purchased on Progress Dr.; Plidco, which relocated its headquarters to a 233,000 sq. ft. building it purchased on Alameda Dr.; Newko Polymers, which leased an additional 12,000 sq. ft. on Alameda Dr. and NCDS Medical Billing, which purchased a 3,600 sq. ft. office building for a new headquarters. Strongsville also hosts corporate headquarters for Foundation Software, TestOil, Clark Reliance and National Automotive Experts. Also in 2021: Third Federal leased office space in the Greens of Strongsville; Mechanical Rubber leased an 80,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility; Intralot expanded its Ohio Lottery IT Center by 26,000 sq. ft.; NPL Home Medical relocated its medical device repair operation to Strongsville; TricorBraun leased a 30,000 distribution center here; and Scannell Properties presented plans to build a new 317,000 sq. ft. spec building on Royalton Rd. Economic development has a wide-reaching impact on a city, from job opportunities for residents to increased property values. Between 2010 and 2019, there were 3,618 net new jobs created in Strongsville. Businesses also generate tax revenue for city services and schools, and help maintain a vibrant, in-demand community.

Pepe LePew: Skunks are very active this time of year. It’s mating season for skunks and other wildlife in northeast Ohio. Animal Control Officer Chuck McCleary is already getting lots of calls about pets being sprayed.   He advises being vigilant about scoping out your property before you let your pup outside, especially in the evening. Make sure Pepe LePew is nowhere in sight so your dog doesn’t encounter him in the yard.  But if you are unlucky enough to experience a skunk spraying incident, here is a link to help you through the smelly situation:  https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pest-control/22379715/skunk-smell-removal .

Free concert: The Strongsville Community Band will play a free concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 6 at Strongsville Middle School directed by Ken Mehalko.

Outstanding musicians from all walks of life, including students, professionals and retirees join together in this community band because of their love for making music. The ensemble programs a variety of musical styles including marches, light classics, popular selections and other contemporary literature from the concert band repertoire.

Everyone is invited to enjoy this special community band for an evening of fine listening.

Library lineup: Note the following February 2022 events are being held on Zoom virtually and presented by the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration and an email address are required for all events in order to send a Zoom invitation. Visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information or call 440-238-5530. The Cuyahoga County Public Library Strongsville Branch is located at 18700 Westwood Dr.

· Cuyahoga Works – Need help with your resume or interview skills? A Cuyahoga Works Career Counselor will be at the Strongsville Branch on Thursdays from 1 – 5 p.m. to meet with individuals in need of job search assistance. For more information, visit https://cuyahogalibrary.org/Services/Cuyahoga-Works.aspx. To schedule an appointment, call 216-475-2225.

· English as a Second Language – in person Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Aspire Greater Cleveland is once again teaching in-person classes to help non-native speakers learn English and validate their skills. Students must attend an ESOL/Citizenship orientation session before beginning ESOL or citizenship classes. If you are interested in attending these ESOL classes, call Aspire at 833-277-4732 to register.

· Computer Classes – Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced. Classes are currently being held in-person as well as some virtually which requires a web browser and an Internet connection. There is no additional software to download. Google Chrome is the recommended browser. A valid email address is required for registration. Registrants will receive an email with a link to join the class at least an hour before the start time. Registration opens 30 days before the start of the class and closes prior to the start of the class.  To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, visit https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes/2021-Virtual-and-In-Person-classes.aspx .

Strongsville Branch in-person classes:

o Internet Basics – Tues., March 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

o Word 1 – Wed., March 16, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Read more news from the Sun Star Courier here.

Let the Strongsville community know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at [email protected].