Business Changes: Manzella's Closes, Shorecrest Lanes Comes Down

It has been a time of change and some sadness among St. Clair Shores residents as the business landscape of the city has changed over the past week.

closed Saturday after 47 years, demolition started on the former Shorecrest Lanes bowling alley and the former Cillufo’s Florist location has been filled by an antique store.

The closure of Manzella's created a number of posts on the St. Clair Shores Patch Facebook page, with users sharing their sadness and disappointment over the closure.

"Sad day in the city with the closing of Manzella's Fruit Market, they opened in 1964, very sad for the city," Gerri Lepere wrote.

Owner Vito Manzella was clearing out the store Wednesday and declined to comment on the reasons for the sudden closure of the store. 

A constant stream of well-wishers stopped by, lamenting the loss of the second family-owned store in the Shores in recent months. In March, .

Further south on Harper, demolition is under way at the former Shorecrest Lanes. The property owner received approval recently from city council for a Brownfield plan for the former bowling alley on Harper, near 9 Mile.

Under the proposal, the city is not committing to any reimbursement from the Brownfield Authority for the demolition. That could come at a later date.

Once the demolition is completed, the land will be cleared for future development. Christopher Rayes, St. Clair Shores community services director, said no plans have been submitted for the property.

Eva Strzelewicz wrote on the St. Clair Shores Facebook page about the demolition, "It's about time. That place has been an eyesore for way too long. And it was always uncomfortable riding a bike or walking by there after they closed it down. Hopefully, a new investor will build something that will be an asset to the Shores."

As the bowling alley comes down, the building that houses the former Cillufo’s Florist is fully occupied with Moezart Salon and Studio Vintage, an antique store which opened on the Harper side of the building.

Owner Dave DeLaunay is also repainting the exterior of the green building on Harper, south of 12 Mile.

Additionally, the former Quizno's building on Harper may soon be renovated.

According to a post on the St. Clair Shores Facebook page by councilwoman Candice Rusie, the community development department is working with Tim Horton’s for the location. Plans have been submitted for renovation and construction will likely start in about a month, Rusie wrote.