By The West Park Times Staff
The future of the historic building at 17209 Lorain Avenue, long known to West Park residents as the former Kamm’s Café and Old Tony’s, remains undecided, according to Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife.
“To the best of my knowledge, the property remains for sale or lease and there are no definitive plans for the building,” Slife shared. “Clearly a past plan that required city approvals for a limited demolition did not come to pass.
All this being said, the building remains in very good condition. I was inside of it recently.”
Slife’s remarks help clarify the current status of the site, which has been vacant since 2016 but continues to draw strong community interest given its history and location at the corner of Lorain Avenue and Rocky River Drive—the very heart of Kamm’s Corners.
A Landmark of West Park History
The Kamm’s Building, dating back to 1900, stands on the site of Oswald Kamm’s original general store and post office—making it one of the most historic properties in all of West Park. It later became home to Old Tony’s, a neighborhood bar and restaurant that operated for decades before closing in the 1990s.
Since then, the building has seen a rotating lineup of tenants, including Panini’s Bar & Grill, Ironwood Café, and Kamm’s Café, none of which remained long-term. The building has sat empty since the mid-2010s.
In 2020, concerned residents launched a petition to “Preserve the Kamm’s Building,” garnering more than 1,300 signatures. The campaign emphasized the site’s importance to the neighborhood’s identity and urged city leaders to secure its future through preservation and adaptive reuse.
What Comes Next?
While there are no active redevelopment efforts at this time, Slife’s comments suggest the building is being maintained and remains in a condition that could support new life—if and when the right project or tenant emerges.
The building’s prime location, architectural character, and symbolic value continue to make it a promising opportunity for a business or organization looking to plant roots in West Park.
Know Something? Have Ideas?
If you’re a resident with memories of the building, thoughts about what it could become, or information to share about its potential future, email us at editor@westparktimes.com. We’d love to hear your voice on the future of one of West Park’s most iconic corners.