The red British phone booth has landed, signaling that the long-anticipated opening of the first phase of new West Point Market in Fairlawn is near.
“We’re anticipating a Dec. 1 opening, but that depends on the plumbing inspector, electrical inspector and the health department inspection,” third-generation owner Rick Vernon said hurriedly this week while taking a break from stocking shelves.
“If we can do that [pass them all], we’ll pretty much be ready,” he said.
The 80-year-old West Point, which featured the phone booth as part of its in-store decor, closed at the end of 2015 and suspended retail operations while it relocated.
The new West Point — featuring a wine bar — is at 33 Shiawassee Ave. in Fairlawn, off West Market Street. It is about 2 miles west of the old site, which West Point sold to make way for a 365 by Whole Foods grocery.
“It’s finally coming together,” Vernon said. “We’re getting a lot of customers coming up to the front door.”
He added, “We’re all excited,” noting employees of the old store are working with the new operation. He has kept some managers on the payroll to help plan the relocation.
Vernon had hoped for a October opening for the first phase, but a change in general contractors led to the delay.
The state still needs to transfer the liquor license, and Vernon hopes that is done in time for a Dec. 1 opening. The license allows for beer and wine sales, a critical part of this first phase of the new West Point.
Overseen by Bill Krauss, a familiar face at the old store, the wine department will feature about 2,000 labels. The large selection represented a big chunk of sales at the former West Point.
The new wine bar will offer sales by the glass and the bottle, and beers from local craft breweries on tap and in bottles. Cafe seating will be available when phase two is complete.
Phase one also will include some holiday specialty items, such as packaged cakes, cookies and candy, as well as year-round favorites like Charles Chips, Ohio-made Richards maple syrup and Vosges chocolate.
The Shiawassee plaza is a decades-old structure; it was home to a beauty school and an auto parts store but had been vacant for several years. Vernon plans to add a kitchen and bakery to the existing building, which West Point is leasing from John Chlebina, who owns residential and commercial properties in the area.
The second phase will encompass the fresh and prepared food departments, including cheeses, meats, bakery items, oven-ready foods, deli, chocolate and ice cream. It also will include some “customer favorite” specialty foods, such as salsas and jams, and nonfood items. Vernon has not disclosed a construction timetable for the second phase.
The plan is to reinvent the West Point operation, creating a more sustainable business model. Vernon and managers envision opening the Fairlawn store and then developing satellite stores with a common commissary.
Blue Door drive-thru
The door of the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls is now open seven days a week.
And it now boasts a liquor license, allowing for beer and wine sales except on Sundays.
True to form, Blue Door — known for its attention to ingredients and preparation, and its artfully presented plates — is not offering just any old booze.
Owner-chef Michael Bruno, Michelin-starred chef Torsten Schulz, and other employees have carefully developed the list; the beer is all German, including Andechs, made by Benedictine monks. Bruno’s parents are from Germany.
The move to seven days for breakfast and lunch ties in with the opening of a drive-thru, Bruno explained, noting he’s never heard of a drive-thru not being open every day. It opens at 6 a.m. and offers a limited menu with package deals such as an almond croissant, fruit and a cup of coffee. All pastries are house made and available through the drive-thru.
Customers also can call ahead, ordering anything off the breakfast and lunch menu, and pick it up there.
So what’s a place that boasts about its locally sourced food, one that tops its tables with white tablecloths and flowers, doing running a drive-thru?
The idea, Bruno said, is to capture more grab-and-go customers. An original part of the business plan was to get people to stop on their way to work and pick up a “nice breakfast pastry and a nice cup of coffee,” a la European cafes.
Alas, he said, “everybody is in cars, whereas in Europe everybody is walking.”
The restaurant continues to offer its four-course prix-fixe option at dinner, allowing customers to choose each course.
Check out the Blue Door’s Facebook page for descriptions and hunger-making pictures of weekly features (Raisin Brioche French Toast with roasted chestnut purée, sweet ricotta and white chocolate maple sauce is being offered this week).
The restaurant at 1970 State Road is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations are suggested for dinner. Call 330-926-9774 or go to www.bluedoorcafebakery.com.
Nuevo, Crave team
Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar and Crave, both in downtown Akron, are again teaming up for a progressive dinner. This Dec. 5 event is being billed as a wine dinner, with pairings at each restaurant.
This time, diners will start at Nuevo, at 54 E. Mill St. at 6 p.m. A shuttle between the restaurants will be provided.
Courses include foie gras, peach chutney and smoked hazelnuts; cumin-crusted tuna; oak-smoked seared salmon with chile-roasted butternut squash; and vanilla blue cheese ice cream and warm strawberry pink peppercorn compote.
Cost is $85. Call Nuevo for reservations at 330-762-8000.
Reminders
• Madrigal Dinners at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 164 W. Market St., in Akron are returning for the fourth year. The four-course dinners will be Dec. 9 and 10, with roast pigs and chickens cooked outside on a spit. Doors to Corrigan Hall will open at 6:30 p.m. with a fanfare, and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40; reserve by Dec. 1 by calling 330-535-3135, ext. 103.
• Reeves Cake Shop in Akron is offering classes to make a gingerbread house. You can take the class at the bakery or as part of a group at your own house or other location. There are still spaces available in the Dec. 7 class at the shop. Cost, which covers all supplies, is $25. Call 330-848-1036 to reserve. The bakery is at 2770 Cory Ave.
If you have a large group, employees of the longtime family-owned shop will come to you and present a workshop. Call 330-848-1036 or visit www.reevescakeshop.com for information.
Have a sip or two
• Galaxy Restaurant in Wadsworth hosts its Premier Holiday Wine Festival from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
It promises more than 100 wines for tasting, along with hors d’oeuvres, live music, cooking demonstrations, a blind tasting table and silent auction to benefit the Salvation Army featuring large-format bottles. All wines in the tasting will be available for sale.
The cost is $75. The Galaxy is at 201 Park Centre Drive, off state Route 94 and Interstate 76. For reservations, go to www.galaxyrestaurant.com or call 330-334-3663. Hotel packages are available at the nearby Holiday Inn Express (330-334-7666) and Comfort Inn & Suites (330-336-7692).
• 3 Point, 45 E. Market St. in downtown Akron, still has spaces open for its South American Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. Monday. Five courses will be paired with wines. The menu includes Chilean sea bass and scallop ceviche; chicken chili verde with corn tortilla strips; and roasted pork shoulder and poblano tamales. Cost is $60. Call 330-535-6410.
• On Dec. 7, Regency wine store and bar in Fairlawn will host its Champagne Tasting. Cost is $50, plus tax and tip. Appetizers are included. A tasting of high-end reds will be available at the same time for an additional charge. Both tastings will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Regency is at 115 Ghent Road, across from Summit Mall. Call 330-836-3447.
• Six wines, paired with appetizers, will be featured at a 7 p.m. Dec. 13 tasting with Traderman Distributors at H2 Huth & Harris Wine Merchants at 221 S. Court St. in Medina. Cost is $40. To reserve a spot, go to www.h2winemerchants.com.
Chick-fil-A enters mall
The Chick-fil-A chain — its breaded chicken sandwiches have attracted a loyal following — has opened in the food court in Summit Mall.
Next to TJ Sushi, it offers catering in addition to eat-in and takeout food. The chain is known for its “Eat Mor Chikin” cows marketing slogan.
Open for holiday?
Fear not: If you don’t want to cook and you’re not heading to someone else’s house, here are a few local places open for Thanksgiving Day.
• Frank’s Place On Market, 549 W. Market St., Akron, opens at 5 p.m. www.franksplaceonmarket.com.
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 4000 Medina Road, Bath Township, opens at 11 a.m. offering a four-course meal for $39.95. 330-670-5200.
• Prime 93, 4315 Manchester Road, New Franklin, buffet from 11:30 to 5 p.m., 330-644-2239.
• Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron, buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 330-376-7171.
• Galaxy, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth, buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 330-334-3663.
• Papa Joe’s, 1561 Akron-Peninsula Road, Cuyahoga Falls, limited menu featuring Thanksgiving favorites from noon to 8 p.m. Its Italian Market, where customers can pick up a dinner to go, will be open the same hours. 330-923-7999.
On hiatus
Dear readers, I won’t be writing Akron Dish for several weeks. I will return to the office early next year. In my absence, have wonderful food adventures over the holidays and send food news to features editor Lynne Sherwin at lsherwin@thebeaconjournal.com.