Wickliffe Mayor Joe Sakacs is a man with a vision when it comes to economic development in the city he leads. There seems to be a lot of exciting things happening in Wickliffe, with current and proposed efforts aimed at boosting both the business and residential sectors.
One such development is the upcoming opening of Online Liquidation Auction LLC in the west end section of the city. According to Sakacs, OLA will be located at 28801 Euclid Ave., a property that was formerly home to the old drive-in, Palisades Palace bowling alley, and RollHouse. This move is seen as a significant win for Wickliffe, with Sakacs praising the company’s growth from humble beginnings in a garage to a multimillion-dollar operation.
The renovation of the building, both inside and out, is currently underway, along with improvements to the road and driveway leading to the location. OLA is known for selling over 35,000 items per week and is described as the “Amazon of auctions.” The company’s presence is expected to bring in a high volume of traffic, with Sakacs anticipating between 800 to 1,000 cars daily as customers come to pick up their purchases.
Not only will OLA create job opportunities in the city, with an estimated 30 to 40 employees in its first year, but it is also expected to have a positive impact on surrounding businesses. Sakacs expressed gratitude to OLA for choosing Wickliffe as its new home and highlighted the collaborative effort that went into securing this development.
In addition to OLA’s arrival, Wickliffe is also set to see further growth with a New York-based company purchasing the former McDonald’s location on Euclid Ave. The intention is to open a standalone restaurant at the site, bringing new dining options to the area. Sakacs expressed optimism about the future of the former ABB Inc. site, which is currently awaiting redevelopment by Premier Development Partners.
Premier Development is working towards securing funding to revitalize the ABB property, with plans to demolish the existing building, construct a new facility, and attract businesses that will create job opportunities in the city. Sakacs is closely involved in the process and remains hopeful that the site will not remain vacant for long.
Overall, Wickliffe is experiencing a wave of economic activity and growth, with various projects in the pipeline that promise to rejuvenate the city’s business landscape. The enthusiasm and dedication shown by Mayor Sakacs and private developers bode well for Wickliffe’s future, and it is essential for city government leaders and stakeholders to continue working together to sustain this positive momentum.
