PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Friday, March 20,2026; Lorain Theater building, 4601 Lorain Avenue: Visible Voice Books, Hausfrau Record Shop in the Lorain Theater building and other nearby businesses are livening up a stretch of Lorain Avenue.

(Plain Press April 2026) Last year’s move of Visible Voice Bookstore from Professor Avenue in Tremont to the Lorain Theater building at 4601 Lorain Avenue has added new life to that stretch of Lorain Avenue. The bookstore sells new and used books, wine, beer, coffee and tea. It also hosts book club meetings, live music and other events.

Visible Voice Books website notes the Lorain Theater building is one part of “The Highlands”, a duo of buildings that includes its next-door neighbor at 4517 Lorain Avenue. That building houses some vibrant businesses as well – Guitar Riot, The Guitar Conservatory, Jay Pawar Guitars, and Free Hearts Yoga Studio.

Just West of Visible Voice Books at 4609 Lorain Avenue is another new arrival on the street, WTF Pet Grooming.

The newest addition to “The Highlands” is Hausfrau Record Shop which moved from somewhat cramped quarters on W. 65^th Street on the east side of the Gordon Square Arcade to a spacious location in the top of the Lorain Theater building. While you need to climb lots of steps to get up to the Hausfrau Record Shop, at the top of the steps you will reach an oasis where owner Steve Peffer spins records in his spacious well-lit quarters high above Lorain Avenue.

This stretch of Lorain Avenue has also experienced some recent business closures as well with Arsenal Cider House closing its doors at 4507 Lorain and Forest City Shuffleboard across the street at 4506 Lorain also shutting down.

On the west end of the block at 4617 Lorain Avenue the Greek Village Grille has had a sign up for a couple of years promising that it will be coming soon.