Willoughby's Vine Street wants some love and attention

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - During his 19 years as mayor, David Anderson has focused attention on sprucing up downtown Willoughby and that attention has paid off. There are now 179 businesses in the Downtown Willoughby Alliance.

The city supplies flowers, waters them, sweeps the sidewalks, lights the trees at night, pays for advertising, public parking, banners, Christmas decorations and fountains. Downtown Willoughby is thriving with popular restaurants and shopping.

At the end of Erie Street in downtown Willoughby is Vine Street. More businesses are setting up shop on Vine Street, like Genis Woodworking and Design, across the street is My Song Boutique owned by fashion designer Jackie Bertolette.

"We have some fabulous shops around here too," Bertolette said.

Bertolette and other businesses have now formed the "Divine District" and plan to ask Mayor Anderson to share the love and spruce up Vine Street, like downtown’s Erie Street to attract more businesses and customers.

"We would like to see Vine Street spruced up on our end of town as well," Bertolette said.

Mayor Anderson said he's ready to help, budget permitting.

"We've got a lot of business areas in the city and if they want to work together that's great and we can help with some collective advertising we can help with that," Anderson said.

Other businesses joining “Divine District” include Spray U Tan, Body 4 U and Molta Bella Pizza.