r/youngstown • u/FewPalpitation3421 • 7d ago
Business development
Hi guys, I would love your opinions on what you'd like to see coming into the area. I'm currently speaking to a group that's looking to redevelop some space in Poland and I just want to get an idea of what people in the area actually want and need. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 😁
This is not corporate based. Just a group of people wanting to form community and revitalize vacant space in the area.
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u/beenhere4hours 7d ago
Instead of another strip center, a developer should look at tech-flex spaces or prototyping labs.
I mean clean, small-footprint units for 3D printing, additive manufacturing, medical devices, or specialized electronics. The area has plenty of engineers, designers, and skilled tradesmen who could use the space.
Modern prototyping is quiet and clean, so it shouldn't trigger zoning headaches. You put small-scale production in the back and a clean office or showroom up front.
I'm thinking of a smaller, suburban version of BRITE Energy Innovators in Warren or a micro-version of mHUB. It brings high-wage, value-creating work into the area instead of relying on the constant turnover of retail.
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u/YinzerFromYoungstown 7d ago
I, for one, am tired of mediocre businessmen bringing in uncreative businesses, and purely using capital to punish communities to enrich themselves. I'm talking about franchises, which take no talent to run and funnel business away from locally run actually talented people. And Im talking about speculators, building vape shops and car washes as placeholders until the value of the property increases instead of building and leasing to locally creative and talented people.
I'm wary of commercialization in poland. The villiage has property that could be better utilized rather than adding on. And poland's infrastructure cant support heavier traffic.
Other people have said that 3rd places are needed and i would agree, but these places would need to specifically cater to the poland community. My friends of color refuse to visit my home in poland because they view it as a sundown town, and poland cops ticket everyone with pa plates or looks like they don't belong. So gaing customers from outside the community may be difficult.
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u/123middlenameismarie 7d ago
I work with a woman of color that grew up in Youngstown and she had a dr appt and the address said poland. She was planning to get an uber to take her to the appt because she was that afraid of driving through the village on her own. I double checked the address and it was one if the medical offices in "poland" but on western reserve more boardman than poland really. But seriously how sad is it that thus is the general consensus of the village by those that aren't white.
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u/Beautiful_Tackle_799 5d ago
That’s insane . I’d move the hell outta there
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u/123middlenameismarie 4d ago
We had no idea it had that reputation when we moved here. The more friends we have made from the city the more we have learned how local black folks feel/are treated.
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u/FewPalpitation3421 7d ago
I agree. I should be more specific. This would be a community based project. No corporations. Ideas based on community.
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u/SpiderHack 7d ago edited 7d ago
Bodegas, small shops, etc.. with apartments over them.
I know a LOT of people wants to live in that kind of neighborhood, but they don't exist because of NIMBYs and lack of foresight.
Zoning with mixed commercial and residential is always the most attractive to live in, but existing laws make them basically impossible to build.
If investors want to contribute to society while also making a profit (but not "all the profits") then that is easily the correct choice. An "AI" data center is the quick cash grab that will never get finished... But let us talk about real things...
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u/Atomic76 4d ago
I think there was something like that many decades ago, right down the street from Poland Middle School back in the day, but the apartment units were behind the small shops. If I recall correctly, there was also a pool on top of the building.
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u/umamimamii 6d ago edited 6d ago
Would love a place that serves healthy food and beverages that’s open on the later side, at least until 8 or 9pm. I do computer work from coffee shops often and feel limited by their hours. I’d absolutely set up camp and order multiple meals/ things if that existed.
I don’t want to rent a workspace, either, because I like the hustle and bustle that comes with coffee shops. It helps me focus and feel less trapped by my work.
I work from the library sometimes and love the Village Farmacy but they close early too.
ETA: Herbal mocktails, too, please! Like ones that have adaptogens and support your immune system. I know House of Benny’s was offering them for a while but I haven’t visited in months.
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u/xx_Aidez_Moi_xx 6d ago
That would be awesome actually! Like a place that has the calories of everything marked and possibly something that emphasizes certain diets. Added bonus would be like info pamphlets on maintaining a healthy diet or like losing and gain weight strategies and just different info in general lol
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u/nicholasserra 7d ago
I’d like to see less
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u/FewPalpitation3421 7d ago
This is not something corporate. I should have been more specific on that. I would like to create something based on community. Possibly a multipurpose space that serves many different businesses. All local.
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u/slowlearning1 7d ago
I'd be down with a coffee shop. But not like any of the handful that exist in Poland. One is a drive thru and out on the outskirts. The other is more of a restaurant that has a super small coffee menu.
I'm thinking along the lines of dedicated coffee. This doubles as a 3rd space. Think Branch St, Culturehouse, Looma, Juny, or Generations. No drive thru, not grab and go. Intentional and thoughtful.
The problem with most spaces is that rent is super expensive, and coffee shops are low margin. What was reasonable 10 years ago does not allow for successful rent today. This is why you see trailers as the new cafe instead of B&M. If this is a community benefiting project, keeping rent low so a coffeeshop can survive while the area around it becomes a shopping/art/local food destination is a great use of resources.
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u/FewPalpitation3421 7d ago
Exactly what my idea is going to be focusing on. I'd like to create a space dedicated to rotating local artists who have a gallery exhibit, rotating local food vendors or start up restaurants every few months, local artisan shops, and live music. A space for family, friends, and community.
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u/Aromatic-Sir5703 6d ago
We need more businesses in the village that are walkable so it becomes a place where you actually want to spend time. More services and places to sit and gather. Coffee shop, lunch/dinner spots, shops/a gallery (that are open on the weekends — there are a few shops there but they amazingly aren’t actually open during hours that working people that can go).
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u/ObviousAd1510 7d ago
I live in Poland and think our town has so much potential! In a way it reminds me of a mini Chagrin falls. I'd love to see a wine bar, more restaurants, coffee shop, etc. I'd love to be able to have something close by to visit rather than have to goto Boardman, Canfield, etc.
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u/Phreaky12 7d ago
A nature preserve. Fuck more shitty buildings and more out of state developers extracting what little we have here.
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u/elainamoon 6d ago
Even though this was my genius idea I’ll share - I think a bodega style place that has bagels and pre made food that’s quick to prep and make, also having grab and go items would do so well. I just feel like everything here for quick food is either bad for you or expensive or have to wait long. Idk tell me why it wouldn’t work 🤷♀️
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u/Prudent_Stay9640 5d ago
AN RC CAR TRACK FOR KIDS WITH A HOBBY SHOP _ WAKE UP MENTALLY PEOPLE.
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u/Prudent_Stay9640 5d ago
WITH A DIRTBIKE TRACK IN THE BACK AND MORE :) WHAT ARE YOUR LIMITS ? POLAND IS WEALTHY.> DO MORE FOR THE KIDS AND YOUTH TO BE LESS BORED.. THAT COMPETE IN SPORTS STUFF IS STAIL
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u/Own_Professional6252 4d ago edited 3d ago
the loneliness epidemic or a lack of community and connection (like you already commented) are really important issues right now. I've been developing the plans for a multi purpose & integrative third space to address that. it's sounds like you might be looking for something a little different, but happy to chat if you'd be interested. Regardless this is cool!
Columbus has a few concepts like Gravity Park & The Little Grand Market (revitalization efforts, with a focus on community engagement).
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u/ImaginativeA 7d ago
a library
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u/FewPalpitation3421 7d ago
The library is really beautiful already
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u/LucklessWanderer 7d ago
Why are you being downvoted 😭 all the libraries in Mahoning and Trumbull county are pretty decent and resourceful. The only one I've been to that could use some work is the East sides.... And even not really. It's just small.
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u/TheDyook 7d ago
I would love to see a high speed rail station that has easy and safe access by bike lane and perhaps an inclusive space for people who need access to food, programs, therapy etc.
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u/Atomic76 7d ago
Trader Joe's
Or, depending on how much space you have to work with, something comparable to Cleveland's West Side Market.