The Tavern Company owner Chris Armington and his fellow business owners along Lee Road in Cleveland Heights were tired of hearing their customers complain about how difficult it is to find parking on the weekends.

So they got together to solve the problem and, hopefully, increase their business traffic.

Most of the restauranteurs, bar owners and the Cedar Lee Theatre got together and hired VIP Valet to park customers’ car on Fridays and Saturdays. “It’s a convenience for customers,” says Armington. “Everyone’s biggest complaint is parking, walking, getting tickets.”
 
For $5, patrons can park at any of the four valet stations located in the business district along Lee Road – from Taste and Brennan’s Colony  to Parnell’s Pub. When they are done eating, drinking and catching a movie, they can pick their cars up at any station – regardless of where they dropped it off. Even establishments like Lopez, which has its own lot and valet, are participating.
 
Customers do not have to specify where they are heading to use the service. “They won’t turn anyone away,” says Armington. “The business owners are paying for it [the up-front costs] so people can have fun all evening at the restaurants and bars.”
 
Of course, the convenience also means better traffic for the business owners. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Armington says, adding that the LED “valet” sign cones VIP uses make the valet stations easily identifiable, “inviting and safe.”
 
The service, which began on Friday, Dec. 18, is slowly catching on, according to Armington, with more people using the service as word spreads. “Every weekend is a little better and better,” he says. “Ideally, we want to make Lee Road a destination where people can go, park and then go anywhere.”

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Business has been booming at Geiger’s since the sporting goods retailer opened its third location downtown last month. “Things have been going really well,” says co-owner Gordon Geiger. “We’re quite pleased with the traffic and the acceptance of the store.”
 
Geiger admits there has been a learning curve to running the store in a downtown environment, as opposed to its Chagrin Falls and Lakewood locations, but the owners have consulted with the owners of neighboring Heinen’s about how to adapt.
 
Then, in a brainstorming session, Geiger’s management came up with an idea that not only returns to the era of personalized service during the holidays, it saves time for busy downtown residents and shoppers.

Geiger’s will offer personalized shopping for its customers during the holiday season.
 
“You have to be a good listener and trust your instincts,” says Geiger of his consultation with Tom and Jeff Heinen on the new store. “We realized the solution of personalized service could be of some value to our downtown clientele.”
 
Geiger says the idea came out of brainstorming session in which that staff were recalling the days at department stores like Bonwit Teller and Halle’s department stores. “Those were the heydays of retail,” says Geiger. “It was a high level of service era, one which we hope will be once again.”
 
Shoppers can call (216) 755-4500 to make an appointment and share their gift lists. A personal shopper will then bring a selection of gifts for everyone on the customer’s list. Customers can enjoy a coffee or another beverage while relaxing.
 
“If they don’t know what they want to get, we can make some nice suggestions,” says Geiger. “In the 11^th hour there may be some interest in this sort of thing for last minute shoppers.”
 
Customers can make appointments during business hours, but after-hours exceptions can be made. The service includes free gift wrapping.
 
The service runs through Sunday, Dec. 20. Geiger says they may extend the service year-round if there’s demand for it.

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