Bob Evans On Detroit May Close, Raising Cane's Could Go In

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Bob Evans on Detroit Avenue may become a Raising Cane's drive-thru. A proposal has been introduced to the city's Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review that would make the conversion possible.

Under the proposal, the Bob Evans building would be demolished and a new structure would be constructed for Raising Cane's, Bryce Sylvester, Lakewood's planning and development director, told Patch. Before the plan is accepted though, several hurdles need to be cleared.

First, the developer will need to get their proposal cleared by the city's planning commission. The first public meeting on the proposal will be next Thursday, September 6, Sylvester said. The developer will need to get conditional use approval for the drive-thru portion of the restaurant, a requirement of city code.

According to city code, because the restaurant abuts a residential property zone, the drive-thru must be closed by 10 p.m. every night. The developer will also have to prove it can stack 10 cars in its drive-thru line. Finally, the developer will have to provide a traffic impact study to the Planning Commission, for discussion of how the restaurant may impact Detroit Avenue motorists.

The developer will also need to create a parking plan that fits the city's code. With the current proposal, Raising Cane's would have too many parking spots, so the developer would need to create a new proposal to adjust the plan.

Sylvester said the developer could offer use of the proposed Cane's lot to nearby businesses, or construct a streetscape, or increased storm water retention plan. Ultimately, the developer will have to be creative and have their proposal approved by the Planning Commission.

City Officials React

Councilperson Tristan Rader first shared the news of the proposal, and said City Council would not directly weigh in on the issue. Once the possible conversion is settled, Rader wants to discuss additional legislation restricting drive-thru restaurants in Lakewood.

"Our goal should be to promote the health of the community; the vibrancy of our city as a whole; and local, homegrown businesses... More fast-food and more drive-through chains do NOT fit that vision, in my humble opinion," Rader said on Facebook.

Rader later told Patch that while he saw certain benefits to a fast food chain being installed on that particular lot, he was still not happy with the development on Detroit Avenue. He's not the only councilperson with reservations about the Raising Cane's proposal.

"I was disheartened to hear that a fast food restaurant had already purchased and submitted a proposal for the Bob Evans site. It has become increasing clear over the past few years that the vast majority of Lakewood residents do not see the addition of another fast food establishment as a positive for the community," said Councilperson-at-Large Meghan George.

"I think it’s imperative that we maintain the cultural and historical makeup of our unique bedroom community and not develop for the sake of development. In order to maintain our uniqueness we need to be cautious of such developments. I am hoping to work on some tougher drive-thru restrictions with my colleagues on Council who feel similarly," she added in an email to Patch.

Raising Cane's currently has a single location in Northeast Ohio, a newly opened Strongsville restaurant. Should the Lakewood proposal go through, this would be the chain's second foray into the region.

The Bob Evans on Detroit Avenue has been open since 2014. The 4,274 square feet restaurant cost about $1 million to construct, according to cleveland.com.

The Bob Evans restaurant chain was sold to Golden Gate Capital in 2017 for $565 million. The company said at the time of the acquisition that the more than 500 full-service locations would continue to operate. Bob Evans did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

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Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch