More Westgate stores announced
Max's Deli to relocate from Detroit Road location
By Kevin Kelley
Westshore
Published July 25, 2007

Max’s Deli, which closed at the end of June after 25 years on Detroit Road, will re-open at Westgate. The West Side dining institution will move to a 4,000-square-foot space at the new shopping center located at Center Ridge Road and West 210th Street.

In addition to the re-opening of Max’s Deli, Westgate announced the names of nine additional stores and restaurants scheduled to open at the open-air shopping center later this year.

Max’s Deli, known for its deli sandwiches and made-on-site cakes and pastries, plans to offer outdoor patio dining, enhanced carry-out and catering services at its new location.

“We chose Westgate in order to stay close to our many customers in the area and to continue supporting the communities of Rocky River, Fairview Park and nearby areas,” said Michele Kotoch, owner of Max’s Deli. “We’ll still serve the same great menu and dessert favorites our customers have enjoyed for many years. But now, we’re able to offer them in beautiful new surroundings that have been designed around our customers’ preferences and conveniences. Whether it’s lunch in the art-inspired dining room, dinner on the outdoor patio, or quickly picking up a carry-out order for the entire office, the new Max’s Deli will be even better than ever.”

Construction remains on schedule for the new center, according to Bill Fullington, spokesperson for Westgate.

The shopping center, a joint venture of Centro, The Richard E. Jacobs Group and Transwestern Investment Company, also announced today that the following stores will open later this year:

• The Avenue, a seller of plus-size women’s fashions in sizes 14-32.

• Five Guys Burgers and Fries, a burger store that has won many awards for “Best Burger.” The Westgate restaurant will be its third Cleveland-area location.

• The Little Gym, featuring non-competitive motor-skill development programs for children, such as gymnastics, sports skills and karate. The Little Gym was awarded one of six 2007 Hot Retailer Awards by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

• Gamestop, a retailer of video game consoles such as Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation.

• Camille’s Sidewalk Café, a national franchise serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon chill, dinner and catering in an indoor setting evoking the feel of an outdoor sidewalk café.

• Mattress Warehouse, which sells over 50 models of mattresses.

• Dolce Wraps, the first location for a new concept in traditional sandwich wraps made with healthy ingredients.

• Inkstop, a retailer of printing supplies and accessories such as ink and toner.

• T-Mobile, which sells T-Mobile phones, calling plans and accessories.

Target, one of Westgate’s anchor stores, will officially mark its grand opening July 29 at 8 a.m. No big ceremonies are planned that day, according to store manager Katie Novak. However, shoppers can find grand opening specials.

Although the official grand opening is July 29, the store will open for business at 8 a.m. today to allow clerks to adjust to the new store.

Many employees at the new store are Target veterans, having worked at the Rocky River Target store at the Rockport Shopping Center on Center Ridge Road. That store closed at 5 p.m. yesterday. According to Novak, 98 percent of that store’s employees are transferring to the Westgate location.

Petco will open in mid-August, Westgate said in a news release. Lowe’s, now under construction in the only section of Westgate within the borders of Rocky River, plans an early November opening.

Other anchors will include the existing Kohl’s, Marshall’s, and Ulta Cosmetics. Ulta was recently awarded one of six Hot Retailer Awards by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Most announced retailers and restaurants plan a fall grand opening, with an additional wave of openings occurring in the spring of 2008.

Previously announced restaurants coming to Westgate include The Original Pancake House, Chick-Fil-A, Mark Pi’s Chinese Restaurant and Molly Brannigans — A Traditional Irish Pub and Restaurant. Starbucks and Robeks Fruit Smoothies will also open locations at Westgate.

Justice, a national fashion retailer featuring clothing and accessories targeting the “tween” market of girls 7 to 14, is among the specialty retailers that Westgate has announced will be opening. Others include Kay Jewelers, Verizon Wireless, Alltel and Famous Footwear. Precision Lenscrafters and Great Clips will also open stores at Westgate.

Westgate Mall opened in 1954 as one of the first suburban malls in the nation. After years of declining traffic, it was demolished early last year to make way for a new open-air shopping complex.

When completed, the new Westgate will offer more than 600,000 square feet of retail space.