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Businesses filling up Belmont
The avenue’s central location is key to success
By LINDA M. LINONIS
liberty
Pat Ungaro can only smile as he travels on Belmont Avenue, the main thoroughfare in the township.
The township administrator described the economy as “still rough,” but even so, he said, the township has seen an upswing of new businesses’ relocating to the township and others making improvements.
“We’re filling up the [vacant] spaces,” Ungaro said. “The market is working here.” He said Liberty went through a period when businesses left for various reasons. Now the opposite is happening.
Ungaro attributed that to location, location, location.
“Our location is catching on. ... It’s key,” he said, noting that Liberty is in the middle of Trumbull and Mahoning counties. It’s easily accessible by Interstate 80, the 711 connector and state Route 11 at Tibbetts Wick.
He said new and existing businesses have spruced up with remodeling and landscaping. New buildings include KFC, 3717 Belmont, and Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership, 3163 Belmont.
The administrator said empty storefronts send a negative message to passersby; Ungaro said about 20,000 cars travel on Belmont daily.
Businesses’ making improvements and new buildings make a difference in many ways.
“A lively business district helps the market value of homes,” Ungaro said. One business can help others in attracting customers. He noted that Walmart on Belmont Avenue “increased the interest level” for Liberty as a business site.
Li Yang, who is a partner with her father, Jin Ting Yang, in Golden Hunan restaurant, said they decided to “invest in themselves” by buying and remodeling the former Kentucky Fried Chicken building at 3390 Belmont Ave. The restaurant and lounge is currently at 3111 Belmont but will be moved.
“We’ll be more visible in the new location,” Yang said.
She said the restaurant has a loyal customer base from many ethnic backgrounds. “They keep coming because we have good food,” she said. Yang said she anticipates the move as increasing business because the building is right on Belmont, and potential new customers will easily see the restaurant. It will offer sit-down dining and takeout. “We hope to add Thai food,” Yang said.
Yang said they anticipated moving into the new quarters in December. The remodeled building will have “an Asian influence,” she said, featuring a metal roof and burgundy and beige colors. The Yang family has been in the United States for 20 years; they bought Golden Hunan in 1995.
Kathy Burgdorf, owner of Lifeline Partners, a physical-therapy and rehabilitation facility, said the business relocated from Church Hill-Hubbard Road and bought a building at 1825 Tibbetts Wick Road, which she renovated. Lifeline has offices throughout Northeast Ohio, and Burgdorf said the Liberty location is easily accessible to I-80 and Route 11.
“We can service all Trumbull and Mahoning counties,” she said, noting she thought it was an excellent location.
Stan Nudell, a Liberty trustee and commercial and industrial real-estate agent, said new businesses in the township benefit the school district, which has an “excellent” Ohio report-card rating. That and other amenities continue to attract new homeowners and businesses.