Trending
COLUMBIANA -- Once known for being a dry area, the city has now embraced alcohol-related business, and is changing its reputation from antiques to entertainment.
A portion of the former Arrowhead Lanes bowling alley on South Avenue will house a new brewery, bringing yet another alcohol establishment into the area.
The city's planning commission approved a site plan review at this month's meeting for a beer manufacturing business that will be owned by Brian and Vanessa Lalama.
Within the last two years the city has seen a significant increase in interest from beer and wine manufacturing business owners, and that business has ushered in a new dynamic for not only the downtown business district but the outlying areas as well through the Town Center development.
Some city officials see the change as a draw to the city for those who may not have otherwise given thought to visiting or even doing business here.
During the commission meeting, commission member and Mayor Bryan Blakeman said he thinks the new businesses are a "very good thing" for the city.
"It doesn't hurt to be known for entertainment in a day and age when commercial and retail businesses are struggling in competition with the internet," he said.
He went on to say that other areas, like Canfield in particular, are modeling themselves after what the city is doing.
Blakeman said the new alcohol-related business and the entertainment these businesses provide has not resulted in any negativity or problems.
"They are not coming here to party ... I don't know of any police issues we have had on Main Street so far. I do think it is a mindset change, but I think that it is here to stay and I know other communities are starting to model what we are doing," he said.
In 2016, the city oversaw the establishment and subsequent success of the BirdFish Brewing Co. on South Main Street, which has attracted a crowd of people interested in its craft beer and other products.
BirdFish has also partnered with other local businesses on products, like the new Sundog Cellars and Lamppost Farms, to help foster a dynamic of working together to create successful economic development for everyone.
Sundog Cellars is a new winery that opened on South Main Street earlier this year.
"It is definitely different than the antique stores we were known for in the past," Blakeman said.
In addition, the new businesses have also generated interest in other new businesses, like food trucks, which can be found nearby the establishments that don't offer food.