Making a better Sauce in University Heights - cleveland.com

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The success of a business can sometimes cause growing pains, as well as problems that need to be fixed.

University Heights Building Commissioner James McReynolds acknowledged some of the issues at The Sauce Boiling Seafood Express, 13888 Cedar Road, at Wednesday’s City Council meeting (Oct. 23).

McReynolds addressed some of the complaints about the restaurant, which a resident had voiced at a September council meeting.

The resident spoke of garbage not being picked up in a timely fashion from the back of the eatery, questioned whether outdoor dining should be allowed and spoke of parking problems along Vernon Road as delivery trucks took up street parking spots.

The carryout restaurant has been quite successful since its opening in August, with lines of patrons frequently heading out the door and around the corner onto Vernon Road.

“It’s the success of the business that’s the problem,” said Councilman Steven Sims, who recently visited The Sauce. “The facility, based on the level of business, is just too small, to be honest.”

Sims said he sampled the restaurant’s food. “I would encourage everyone to try the food,” he said. “It’s really wonderful.”

As for the complaints, McReynolds said: “They’ve been under some scrutiny, and I think they’ve (ownership) responded. The parking lot is much cleaner, and they’e making their (garbage collections) more regularly.”

McReynolds said owner Kyler Smith was told to discontinue outdoor dining on the Vernon Road side of the building until the restaurant provides a landscaping plan that hides the fence around the eating area. Dining should only take place until dusk or 8 p.m., whichever comes first.

McReynolds said that the restaurant has agreed to have three garbage pickups per week, whereas, in the past, it had two such pickups per week.

“The owner intends to open up three more franchises based on the success of this store,” McReynolds said.

Councilwoman Pamela Cameron asked if there was a larger storefront in University Heights that could accommodate the business, but Economic Development Director Susan Drucker said that there were none large enough that are available at this time. Drucker said the city has a very good vacancy rate of 5 percent, while most neighboring communities have a vacancy rate of 10 percent.

Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, who said he, too, is a fan of The Sauce’s food, added: "They are a victim of their own success. It’s an incredible business there. It’s that their facilities are a little limited for all the business they’re doing. I think it will normalize at some point.

“We’re thrilled they’e successful, the food is great, and the ownership is responsive and they understand that there are issues and we’re working through them. We’re confident we’ll get through this. There’s nothing like success.”

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Making a better Sauce in University Heights - cleveland.com
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