Tallmadge to make Big Additions
David Romano
Tallmadge, Ohio has a lot of history as they were founded in 1807, but have plans to make some big adjustments. Tallmadge will be adding homes, apartments, businesses, and restaurants in 2017. Tallmadge is still trying to keep their small town feel and design in the buildings structures.
“We try to balance out that old time feel for the old town folks and keep that all together, but still try to build a downtown where people can walk around and sit out back here and have a cup of coffee,” Mayor of Tallmadge, David Kline said.
[pullquote]“We are excited to have more housing in Tallmadge, in hopes it will bring more business to our location, but the new restaurants will definitely add more competition on the round about,”[/pullquote]
In the new Testa building going in on North Avenue, they plan to add a Wally Waffle, a Jimmy Johns, senior living, and luxury apartments. This building is currently the biggest project in Tallmadge, but they have many more. On the roadabout in one strip, they plan to add a Planet fresh, which serves smoothies and healthy food options, a nail saloon, a bank, and a crimson cup coffee.
All these new additions will have an impact on other local restaurants such as Little Caesars on the round about. “We are excited they are adding more housing in Tallmadge, because that means we hope it will bring more business to our location, but the new restaurants will definitely add more competition on the roundabout,” Little Caesars Manger, Ashli Stub said.
These additions to Tallmadge are however very exciting for local residents. “I can not wait for them to add more food options, because some of them are getting old and it will be really nice to finally have that downtown feel that Kent has had for awhile,” Tallmadge resident, Derek Garner said. “I am excited to have Jimmy Johns closer. I always feel like I have to go to Howe or Kent to have a spot I can get food and just hangout, but it’s cool they are going to change the view here,” Tallmadge resident, Hali Strub said.
| Project | Year Started | Location | Finished? |
| Tear up and repave street | 2016(May) | North Avenue | Yes |
| Woodbridge Place Housing | 2016(Jan) | Oakview circle | No |
| Danbury Senior Living | 2015(Oct) | East ave. | Yes |
| Ohio Health Benefits | 2016 (Aug) | West ave. | Yes |
| First Apostolic Church | 2016(Jan) | South ave. | No |
| Former Bob’s Big Boy(strip) | 2015(Dec.) | Roundabout (North ave.) | No |
| Testa Complex | 2016(Jan) | North ave. | No |
| Ripply Farm-new Housing | 2017 (May) | Tallmadge rd. | No |
| Meijers & Menard | 2017(May) | Tallmadge rd. | No |
Some projects can hit road bumps along the way like former Bob’s Big Boy location has. Once the private owner purchases the location they can take as long as they like, but do have some deadlines to hit before they get in trouble. “There is not a deadline for completion, but there is requirement to keep progress on the job. If it dies for lack of work for a year then he has to resubmit,” Kline said. Luckily David Kline has not had this happen since he has been the Mayor of Tallmadge.
One of the bigger additions coming to Tallmadge this year is a Menards and Meijers. Menards is a home improvement store, similar to Lowes or Home Depot. Meijers is a grocery and supercenter chain and its closest current location is Mansfield, Ohio. Meijer is also planning to add locations in Avon and Mentor. They have both agreed to start building on the current Maplecrest golf course on Tallmadge road and they plan to break ground in the coming weeks.
