Shoregate's announcement came in November of 1953. Planned and financed by Willowick Estates, a group of all Clevelanders, layouts included four separate buildings in a semi-circle fronting towards Lakeshore blvd. A total of 1,200 feet of frontage for retail would be available. These smaller units offered spaces ranging from 40 to 200 feet wide.
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| Original Weinberg & Teare rendering November 1953 |
Three of the four structures were geared towards retail. The fourth building was a 100,000 square foot space fit for a department store, and at the time, negotiations to fill this space were already underway.
The new Willowick shopping center was estimated to cost $7,500,000 and would be anchored by the 100,000 sqquare foot department store. Shoregate was to rival in size any shopping center in the eastern United States. Westgate shopping center in Fairview park was being built at the same time for nearly the same cost, and was to be about the same size.
All new structures at Shoregate boasted air conditioning and a covered walkway.
This original incarnation of Shoregate shopping center fronted 1,900 feet along Lakeshore boulevard, and went south down East 305th. The 75 acres that was once the Willowick country club and golf course was to be utilized for Shoregate.
Over 4,000 parking spaces were planned, both in front and behind the structures. Two "arcades" would connect both sides of the parking lot.
Construction was set to start in early 1954, and Shoregate's architects were Weinberg & Teare. The population of Willowick was surging, with over 600 new homes already built or in the process of being constructed very near the new Shoregate. Interested parties could contact Joseph Laronge, Inc. for leasing inquiries, per this ad from July 1955:
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| July 31, 1955, Cleveland Plain Dealer |
Filed under, "well, yeah", the Alves brothers admitted they relinquished their lease on the golf course and would retire, eventually in early 1954. Even with the building of Shoregate, 9 or the 18 holes would remain in use.
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| August 25, 1955, Cleveland Plain Dealer |
Shoregate ended up costing only about $4,000,000 to build after all, and when it did open they did so with much fanfare and a ten day celebration. According to the Plain Dealer in this 1955 article, Zehman-Wolf & Sherman Construction company were the contractors, who completed this project in less than a year. As you can see from the 1953 render, things were a bit different when Shoregate was actually built.
Here's a wonderful grand opening flyer published late August 1955, complete with beautiful handwritten details and packed with events.
Did you visit the Shoregate Spaceman? Shoregate Willowick's grand opening celebration included a giveaway for a vacation for 2 to Miami Beach! Three Cleveland Indian pitchers would be signing autographs and taking photos; Bob Feller, Early Wynn, and Herb Score! Outfielder Gene Woodling was also scheduled to appear.
Radio personalities Tommy Edwards, Bill Randle, and Bill "Smoochie" Gordon would all three be broadcasting live from Shoregate. If you haven't read about these people, take a few minutes.
Lots more to do including free door prizes, a PARD Pooch Parade, cartoons in the Shoregate movie tent, and the kids even got the opportunity to name the aforementioned Shoregate Spaceman, who I never heard about before writing this in 2024.
Finally, a full list of retailers opening Shoregate shopping center in 1955 were:
- Van's Clear Sylk - 30200 Lakeshore Blvd.
- D.O. Summers
- Miles Shoe
- Peter Pan Dress Shop - 30116 Lakeshore Blvd.
- The Windsor Shop For Men And Boys - 30224 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Carousel Shop - 30150 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Cleveland Fabric Shop - 30108 Lakeshore Blvd.
- F.W. Woolworth
- Fisher Foods - 30040 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Foodtown - 30320 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Garfinkel's Shoes 30232 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Swift's Cleaners
- George Mawby's Restaurant - 30024 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Greenhut's Gift Shop
- Kaase Bake Shop
- Kinkopf Meats
- Marshall Drug - 30000 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Mary's Style Shops
- Thomas Coiffure
- New York Bakery - 30248 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Slenderella - 30008 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Shoregate Barber Shop
- Shoregate Hardware - 30050 Lakeshore Blvd.
- Shoregate Jewelers
- Shoregate Restaurant And Delicatessen - 30240 Lakeshore Blvd.
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