Restaurant slated for Mario's in Chagrin Falls

November 30, 3:05 AMCleveland Restaurant ExaminerJoann DiMatteo

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Finally, it's about time!  The current owners of Mario's International Spa and Salon, Chagrin Falls location,  plan a restaurant makeover.

Before the 80's urban exodus to this quaint village in the eastern outskirts, Mario's Salon offered hairstyling and manicures to the local ladies. It occupied one of the most charming buildings in a town filled with charming.  The rear of the structure, which appears suspended over the Chagrin river, is lined with windows offering a panoramic scene of the falls, flowing water and the park which surrounds it.

All those many years ago I was a resident of this little haven. Even then there were more dining spots, per capita,  than the Big Apple. "Beautiful...perfect for a restaurant" I would think when walking past on my way home.  "It's a waste, their heads are under hair dryers, they can't enjoy it," I exclaimed to friends. This is not meant to disparage Mario's.  It was a very busy shop with a fine reputation, still whenever I looked its way I could almost see tables filled with diners.  A free standing space, in the center of town, with parking and the best view available should cater to those inclined to linger.  This is a fact well known to restaurateurs everywhere.

As the years passed Mario's International became one of the first to introduce Clevelander's to the spa experience and has since become synonymous in our minds with being pampered, massaged, and cajoled into wellness.   I  would guess they outgrew their place on the falls. The new owners have some issues to reconcile with the council, hopefully it will all work out. Their vision may be different than mine but no matter, it is still a wish fulfilled.

We all know the prospect of a worsening recession looms large and even in the best of economic times restaurants come and go as fast as Cleveland weather changes. Should it have only half the success of its former occupant this eatery can plan on many years of business.