Visions for Vacancies: Samira on the Riverfront Should Be Turned Into ...

A pair of restaurants failed to turn a profit at the attractive riverfront property. Now what?

Visions for Vacancies: Samira on the Riverfront

A pair of restaurants failed to turn a profit at the attractive riverfront property. Now what?

Local restaurateur Nick Dadich hoped to have a hit when he opened Samira in December of 2010. Dadich focused on affordability after its predecessor, The River Brasserie and Bar, floundered from high prices and a somewhat stuffy atmosphere. Unfortunately, Samira's customer base steadily dwindled; and when news of its closure was announced in October, Patch readers widely criticized the restaurant's menu and service.   Cuyahoga Falls Deputy Director of Development Jennifer Syx is optimistic that another business will come along and take advantage of the spacious riverfront property, which originally served as a power plant decades ago.   What business (or businesses) could turn a profit at the attractive and modern location? Tell us in the…

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Say Goodbye to Samira

The riverfront restaurant closed its doors Monday due to a lack of business.

Due to a steadily diminishing customer base, Samira on the riverfront was forced to close its doors this week. The bad news came Monday morning when the restaurant's management texted employees and asked them not to come in, according to a former server who asked not to be identified.   On Wednesday, owner Nick Dadich offered a farewell message on Samira's Facebook page, saying: "We regret to announce that we have permanently closed the doors of Samira. We want to thank...every customer we’ve had the pleasure to serve, as well as the great bands we’ve hosted here. We appreciate your support, and we’ll miss you all. Thanks for the great memories!" The casual, fine dining restaurant opened its doors in December of 2010 at 2291 Riverfront …

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Dam Removal Project Held Up By Federal Permit Process

Cuyahoga River project may be postponed until 2013 if permission isn't granted soon by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Two Cuyahoga River low-head dams set for removal this year may still be around in 2013 if city officials don’t soon receive a federal permit that was applied for in mid-March. The concrete dams – located near the Sheraton Suites and Samira restaurant – cannot be taken out without a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has jurisdiction over navigable waterways. Cuyahoga Falls Engineer Tony Demasi said he doesn’t know how much longer it will take for the city’s permit to work its way through the approval process. “We hope it’s soon,” Demasi said. “We’re getting close to the date – not a specific one set on a calendar – that the contractor is likely to be unable to do work this year (due to temperatures).” The dams are …

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Hopes to Bring Whitewater Rafting to Cuyahoga Falls Still Afloat

City and EPA prepare to revive the river’s original rapids.

The removal of two dams in the Cuyahoga River could happen as early as next year. Once the dams are out of the way, Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart says that could create a new opportunity for the city to become a whitewater rafting destination. Without the dams in place, Robart said the river will be considered a Class IV or Class V for whitewater rafting. The Falls News Press reports the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the city are working on a plan to remove the two dams in Cuyahoga Falls. The removal of the dam behind Samira’s restaurant and the dam near the Sheraton Suites Hotel is funded by a grant from the North East Ohio Regional Sewer District’s CSO Elimination Program. Cit Engineer Tony Demasi told the newspaper it would…

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crazyriver

4:43 pm on Saturday, July 23, 2011

These dams are upstream of the gorge where things are a little cleaner.   more ›