A Great Quality of Life in Westlake

By Ken McEntee

Today, much of Westlake’s activity centers around dynamic retail and service areas like Crocker Park, an outdoor mixed use “city within a city” that blends retail, office and residential space into a “downtown” experience. Stacie Schmidt, vice president, marketing for Stark Enterprises, owner of Crocker Park, thinks of Crocker Park as “the community’s playground where you can come to shop and also enjoy multiple experiences from special events to dining and playing — and sometimes working and living. We really want to make it feel like it’s a little bit of a big city in a suburban neighborhood.”

Locally-owned business are an important part of the eclectic mix of shops and eateries offered at Crocker Park, Schmidt said. “It’s not only about the national brands,” she said. “So many of our new locations are locally owned, like Tropical Smoothie [Café] and Bodhi Express, a new little fast casual restaurant. Whimsy Willow — a home decor shop—Canary Travel,

Sandbox VR and Urban Air [Adventure Park]

are some of our other new businesses with local ownership. So many business owners who live right around the corner wanted their businesses and franchise opportunities to be in Crocker Park.”

In 2022, at least 45 businesses opened, expanded or relocated in Westlake, Mayor Dennis Clough said during his 2023 State of the City address.

Contrasting Westlake’s bustling retail and commercial areas, the city also has abundant park space, including the

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