Permitting troubles are holding up the reopening of Triple Crown restaurant

The Triple Crown restaurant on state Route 91 in Munroe Falls has sat empty since 2011. But that could be changing — maybe.

For the past year, the mother-son team of Sandy and Chris Kanieski has been working to secure permits to open a new restaurant in the horse-themed building. And despite having missed their target opening date more than once, the duo is forging ahead in its efforts to turn the lights back on and crank up the ovens at the once-popular restaurant.

But it hasn’t been easy.

“The people that want to lease it from me are having trouble getting their occupancy permit due to the place being closed for a while,” said the property’s owner, Dr. Anthony Salem, a dentist with Summit Dentistry of Fairlawn.

According to reports, the Kanieskis have indicated they plan to open an “American style” restaurant featuring steak and seafood, and they want to keep the Triple Crown name. But a time frame of when that could happen is anyone’s guess.

“We have no updates to report,” said Lisa Hawes, Munroe Falls community and economic development director.

The Kanieskis did not respond to messages from The Spotlight.

Akron-area developer, philanthropist and horse breeder Edward Barr opened the Triple Crown in 1983, naming the restaurant in homage to his passion for horse racing. Renowned in the area for its elegant dining in a unique setting, Barr ran the Triple Crown until his death in 1994, at which point his widow, Patricia Barr, took over operations. She closed the restaurant in February 2007, citing a business slowdown.

The restaurant got a reboot in 2010 under a different owner, Deborah Parz of Hudson, who kept the Triple Crown name. It closed again less than a year later.

And it’s been vacant ever since, albeit not for lack of trying on the part of Sandy and Chris Kanieski.

“They are working hard to obtain the permits to open,” Salem said.