Sweetwater Landing Closing; New Restaurant Taking Over

The owners of the Sweetwater Landing restaurant will hand over the keys to the building at the end of the month.

Emerald Necklace Marina Grille & Waterside Room is expected to open in its place on April 1 after winning the bid to take over the location, owned by the Cleveland Metroparks.

The new owners are expected to renovate the marina grille, “inside and out,” said Melissa Nelson, a partner in the venture. 

The Big Show catering company, which recently won the bid to take over the space, has worked for years with the Cleveland Metroparks on various projects. 

Plans are in the works for some changes at the property. 

In addition to an outdoor “tiki bar,” the outdoor seating area will be expanded — with enough room for live music.

“We will also be offering a soup and salad bar, and applewood-fired pizzas and piadinas (thin Italian flatbread),” said Nelson.

Sweetwater Landing, in business for more than a decade, is owned by the Lucarelli family. The family bid on the space, but lost to The Big Show.

The business will remain open through the end of the month, and planned activities — including a Lakewood Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 22 — are still scheduled.

Patty Ryan, the executive director of the chamber, said that the Lucarelli family has been active in the community. But they’re not going anywhere: The family still owns the popular restaurant Player’s on Madison.

“(The marina) is a coveted location, so the competition gets tough,” Ryan said.

The original building at the marina was destroyed by river flooding and ice in 1994. The current building was constructed two years later.