Ohio City Newsroom Archives
There's always something happening in Ohio City. Find out more below, including what others are saying about the neighborhood. Be sure to stop back often for the latest news on Ohio City residents, businesses, and events.
Ohio City in the Media
Check out the photos from the recent Ohio City Run & Crawl.
Check out this video from WOIO Channel 19 News featuring Ohio City's own Fit personal training studio
Read the profile in the Plain Dealer of new developments in and plans for Ohio City's Market District.
Read about residents' efforts to restore the gatehouse at Ohio City's historic Monroe Cemetery
Check out the preview of one of the homes on the upcoming Ohio City Home Tour in the Plain Dealer.
Cool piece on the renaissance of an Ohio City gem, the ABC Tavern.
Ohio City's own Great Lakes Brewing Company is the subject of a nice piece in a DC-area publication in which GLB's expansion into the DC-MD-VA area is discussed.
Light Bistro to add more seating inside and out, according to the Plain Dealer.
According to the February issue of Cleveland magazine, eight of the city's best bars are in Ohio City.
Ohio City's gourmet soup market, the Soupermarket, is featured in the February 18 issue of the Sun News.
Eric Williams of Ohio City's Momocho is one of four Cleveland-area semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation award.
The Sun News gives a nice review of one of Ohio City's newest dining spots, the fun and funky Ohio City Burrito.
Exciting news about a new brewery setting up shop in Ohio City is reported by the Plain Dealer
Ohio City's newest nightspot, Dragonfly, gets a plug in the Plain Dealer.
Ohio City personal training studio Fit and its owner, Kevin Smythe, were featured by WOIO-TV 19 on December 21 in a segment called "Happy Holidays: Eat More and Exercise Less." Visit the WOIO site to view the video of the segment.
Scene reports in its December 16 issue how Ohio City neighbors are banding together to stop the city of Cleveland from removing its stately ash trees.
As we enter the heart of the holiday season, the Plain Dealer asks, "Is it Christmas without Christmas Ale?" Read the article about this Ohio City--and Cleveland--icon.
Ohio City Near West Appoints New Executive Director
Speakeasy and its proprietor, Sam McNulty, are profiled in the December issue of Cleveland magazine
The first Ohio City Christmas Walk, to be held December 5, was previewed in the Plain Dealer
Christopher Lynn, director of Ohio City's SPACES art gallery, was interviewed in a recent issue of Ohio Authority
Ohio City's West 25th Street bar and restaurant scene highlighted in the Plain Dealer
Sam McNulty, owner of Bier Markt and Bar Cento, is profiled in the Plain Dealer
Redevelopment plans for an historic commercial structure on Lorain Avenue previewed in CoolCleveland
The new performing arts center at St. Ignatius was profiled in the September 2009 issue of Properties Magazine
Ohio City loft home featured in a recent issue of the Plain Dealer
The Intermuseum Conservation Association, the subject of the business feature in the Fall 2009 Ohio City Argus, also was featured in the July 2009 issue of Cleveland magazine and the dd edition of the Plain Dealer.
Jazz 28 Gets Some Ink from the Plain Dealer
One of Ohio City's newest restaurants, Jazz 28, received a glowing review in the August 26 Plain Dealer. Food critic Joe Crea described Jazz 28 as a "sweet spot" that is "at once warm and cool." He found the food inviting and appealing, singling out the Green Pasta as his favorite. Read the whole review here.
Plain Dealer Previews 2009 Open Air in Market Square
Open Air in Market Square, the eclectic weekly bazaar held in Ohio City's Market Square Park, is one of the neighborhood's great summertime pleasures. Featuring a wide range of vendors selling items from the classy to offbeat to downright weird (giant plastic eyeball, anyone?), as well as some of the area's best local bands, Open Air is something to look forward to after a long, cold winter. The nice folks at the Plain Dealer apparently agree. They've written a nice preview of this year's Open Air in their May 27 issue, which you can read here.
Two Features Give a Sneak Peek at Weekend in Ohio City
Weekend in Ohio City, which includes the Evening in Ohio City progressive food and wine tasting and the Ohio City Home Tour, are staples on Clevelanders' spring calendars. The events give people a chance to tour some of the neighborhood's most unique homes and see how Ohio Citians have put their creative juices to work. This year's version of Weekend in Ohio City was previewed by two pieces in area newspapers. Read the articles in the Plain Dealer and Westside Sun.
Ohio City's Velvet Tango Room Receives National Honors
In-the-know Clevelanders regularly experience the cool that is the Velvet Tango Room, that neat little joint from a time gone by tucked into a quiet corner of Ohio City. Now, readers of USAToday know about the VTR as well. In a recent article, the newspaper named VTR one of the nation's top 10 speakeasies. Read the full story here.
Fox8's Robin Swoboda Highlights 10 Ohio City Treasures
Every weekday at 10 a.m., Cleveland's own Robin Swoboda features snippets on businesses, sites and legends across Northeast Ohio on her show "That's Life" on Cleveland's Fox affiliate (locally broadcast on channel 8). In October 2008, she was in Ohio City to highlight some of the neighborhood's gems--both new and old. To view the video segments from that show, click on the links below:
Nate’s Deli
Something Different
Allstate Hairstyling and Barber College
Bier Markt & Bar Cento
Hansa Import House
Momocho
Glass Bubble Project
Clifford House Bed & Breakfast
Le Petit Triangle Café
Farkas Pastry Shop
West Side Market Named One of America's Great Public Spaces
For most people in Northeast Ohio, the West Side Market is the most recognizable landmark in Ohio City. Indeed, the market--one of the oldest such facilities in the country--has long been an anchor of the neighborhood at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue since its opening in 1912. Recently, the market received some well-deserved distinction from the American Planning Association, which named the market one of the 2008 Great Public Spaces in America for "its functionality as a neighborhood gathering place and fresh food market; its engaging atmosphere; and its role as an anchor in the community, stimulating nearby commercial and residential activity." The market joins other famous public spaces on this year's list, including New York's Central Park, Santa Monica Beach, and Union Station in Washington, DC. For more on the award program and the APA's take on the market, click here.
Ohio City Restaurants Cited in Gourmet Magazine
Clevelanders know their restaurant scene is light years from the traditional meat-and-potatoes format that much of the national media thinks still reigns on the Northcoast. But occasionally, enlightened writers get it right, as was the case in the recent issue of Gourmet magazine. Writer Anne Trubek, in her "Eight Great Recession Busters in Cleveland," noted "Cleveland is in the midst of a decade-long foodie boom that has convinced some coastal folk to make a stop on their flyover." She goes on to list eight restaurants that help diners stretch their buck, and three of them are in Ohio City: Light Bistro, Nate's Deli and Restaurant, and Bar Cento. Check out the full feature here.
Fit Personal Training Studio Featured on WKYC
One of the biggest trends in personal fitness is the "boot camp," a high-intensity, multi-exercise regimen designed to whip the entire body into shape. And one of the most prominent purveyors of the boot camp is Ohio City's own Fit personal training studio. WKYC-TV recently made a stop at Fit to showcase the studio's version of the boot camp and put one of its reporters to the test. You can view the video segments here.
Great Lakes Brewing: The Lovefest Continues
With August 2008 marking the 20th birthday of Great Lakes Brewing Company, expect to see a flood of features on the brewery, its beers and its impact on Ohio City and Cleveland as a whole. The most recent is the article in the August 18 edition of the Plain Dealer, which recounts the early days of the brothers Conway as they attempted to get the venture off the ground and looks at the mark GLB has made on the nation's beer-drinking public. While one could certainly debate whether GLB "almost singlehandedly transformed a run-down neighborhood into a fashionable Mecca of restaurants, shops and watering holes," as the article breathlessly claims, there's no doubt Great Lakes is a major asset to Ohio City and an economic development catalyst. And they also make some wicked beers. Read the full article here.
Ohio City's Restaurant Scene Featured on WCPN's "Around Noon"
On August 13, Dee Perry of WCPN 90.3-FM brought her popular "Around Noon" program to Ohio City, as she broadcast live from outside the Bier Markt and Bar Cento on West 25th Street. Dee and a series of panelists comprising Ohio City residents and restaurant owners discussed the topic of "Grassroots Gastronomy" in Ohio City to discover why restaurants are important to a community, and what ingredients are needed to make the relationship between community and restaurant work. Listen to a recording of the full 45-minute program here.
Ohio City Garden Tour Previewed in PD
Although the Ohio City Home Tour is one of the best-known events in the neighborhood, the annual Ohio City Garden Tour is fast becoming a popular outing in its own right. Held each year in the summer, the tour highlights eight eclectic urban gardens, each reflecting the style and taste of its owner. Read the July 10 Plain Dealer preview of the 2008 tour here.
Third Annual Ohio City Run & Crawl Previewed
Fast becoming one of the city's most popular road races, the Bier Markt Ohio City Run & Crawl, presented by Lutheran Hospital, makes its third running on June 21. Scene and the Plain Dealer offer up two distinctly different previews of this year's race, which winds its way through the heart of Ohio City and past many of the drinking establishments that, by evening's end, will be packed with sweaty runners for the "Crawl" portion of the event.
Sun News Gives Nod to Great Lakes' 20 Years
This summer marks two decades of great beer brewing in Ohio City as Great Lakes Brewing Company on Market Avenue turns 20. Sun News food Editor Barbara Collier, in her June 19 column, extols the virtues of what she calls "one of Cleveland's greatest success stories." Indeed, Great Lakes is an anchor of the Ohio City dining and drinking scene, and cranks out brews that few, if any, breweries in the country can consistently match. Read the full article here.
New Jazz Joint/Restaurant Opens in Ohio City
When one door closes, another opens. That's certainly true in the restaurant biz, as evidenced by the launching of a new spot in the old Traci's/Halite/Budapest Blue space at the corner of West. 28th and Clinton, as reported by Scene food editor Elaine Cicora. Now serving up live jazz with its fine-dining fare is Jazz28, run by musicians with strong ties to the Cleveland music scene. Cicora notes the new spot will focus on small plates and entrees, complemented by a full bar and, of course, live music. Read the full blog entry here.
Monroe Cemetery Subject of PD Article
Ohio City is rich in historical artifacts, and that includes several "final resting places" around the neighborhood. Arguably one of the most historic of these burial grounds is the Monroe Street Cemetery, located on the namesake street in the southern end of Ohio City. Featuring fabulous architectural details, including an elaborate gatehouse and arch, the cemetery has recently fallen into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism. A cadre of Ohio City residents is hoping to reverse that trend and is spearheading a campaign to restore the cemetery to its former glory. Read about this group's efforts in the May 29 Plain Dealer article here.
Ohio City "Kicks It" with Kenny on Fox8 Cleveland
"Kickin' It With Kenny," the popular segment on Fox8 Cleveland's morning show, broadcast live on the morning of May 15 from one of the homes featured on the 20th annual Ohio City Home Tour, May 18. Host Kenny Crumpton took viewers through the home of Mireille and David Klous, showing off the myriad elements in the house that epitomize Ohio City style. With architecture dating back to the Civil War era and new furnishings reflecting Mireille's Swedish roots, the home is a wonderful example of what happens when history, imagination and hard work converge.
Free Times, Scene and CoolCleveland Alert Readers to Upcoming Weekend in Ohio City
Reflecting the strong interest in the Ohio City neighborhood, all three of Cleveland's leading alternative news media included previews the week of May 12 on the upcoming Weekend in Ohio City, May 17-18. Read the mentions in Scene and CoolCleveland.
Light Bistro and Momocho Profiled in the PD
In the May 7 edition of the Plain Dealer, food editor Joe Crea devoted half of his Restaurant Row column to two Ohio City establishments: Light Bistro and Momocho. Crea lauded Light for its continuing of the tradition set by its predecessor, Parker's: buying local ingredients wherever possible. It's a philosophy that is winning over fans from across Northeast Ohio. He also announced new menu items at Momocho--one of which may not be for the faint of heart or stomach. Read the full column here.
20th Annual Ohio City Home Tour Previewed in Plain Dealer
The Ohio City Home Tour is well-known for featuring some of the most interesting and eclectic residences in Northeast Ohio. This year is no exception, as Plain Dealer reporter Melissa Hebert's May 1 tour preview article shows. The piece highlights a 3,500-square-foot Italiante home that was rescued from the wrecking ball in 1989 and transformed into a lush home complete with an in-ground outdoor swimming pool and Art Deco kitchen. This house and eight others will be featured on the Ohio City Home Tour on May 18. Read the full article here.
Mod Mex at Momocho for Mayo
In its Cinco de Mayo preview, the Plain Dealer was sure to cover the goings on at one of the rising stars of the Cleveland dining scene, Momoocho. This Ohio City hot spot serves what chef Eric Williams calls "Mod Mex" cuisine--in other words, not your father's burritos and tacos. To see what else Williams has up his sleeve for the Mexican festival--some of it featuring quite unusual takes on traditional Mexican cuisine--read the full article here.
Touch and Bar Cento All Over Local Media in April
Two of Ohio City's coolest restaurants, Touch and Bar Cento, were living right this year as both received glowing reviews in major Northeast Ohio media in the spring of 2008. Bar Cento, the hip joint right next to the Bier Markt on West 25th Street, was featured in the April issue of Cleveland magazine as well as the March 21 edition of the Plain Dealer. Touch, the combo restaurant/dance club, got its props in the March 12 issue of Scene and the April 23-29 edition of the Free Times. Both establishments are smokin' hot and deliver the quintessential Ohio City experience.
Ohio City Landmark Slated for Renovation
The historic United Bank Building at the corner of West 25th and Lorain is slated to undergo an ambitious remaking by a partnership controlled by MRN Inc., the team responsible for the makeover of East 4th Street downtown. An article in the March 3-9 Crain's Cleveland Business reports the circa 1929 structure--designed by famed architects Walker & Weeks--will be transformed from its current warren of offices into a mixed-use property featuring office space, retail and residential. No schedule is yet in place, but the effort is estimated to cost in excess of $15 million.
Lake Erie Living Salutes The Harp
The Harp, one of Ohio City's venerable Irish-oriented establishments, is featured in the February-March edition of a new magazine covering the happenings around our great lake. In the article, Lake Erie Living comments on the strong visible ties to the Emerald Isle throughout The Harp, not the least of which is the vast selection of premium Irish brews and traditional Irish food. Despite slightly misplacing The Harp's location (noting it as being on Cleveland's far west side, the article gives great props to a beloved neighborhood bar and restaurant. The article is not available online.
OCNW Names New Executive Director
Ohio City Near West (OCNW) Development Corporation, the organization overseeing the continued renaissance of Cleveland’s historic West Side neighborhood, announces the appointment of Nate Coffman as executive director. Coffman has been active in the Cleveland development community for nine years, most recently serving as executive director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland (HBAGC), a non-profit trade association representing the Greater Cleveland residential construction industry. At OCNW, Coffman will be charged with overseeing all aspects of the development corporation’s efforts, including residential and commercial development, community outreach, fundraising and marketing. For more information, contact OCNW at 216.781.3222.
Kick Off Your Shoes and Stay A While
Looking for a place to stay in Ohio City? Check out the February 3 edition of the Plain Dealer, which features an article on local bed and breakfasts. Included in the piece were four Ohio City establishments, each offering a unique environment and experience in the heart of the neighborhood: Stone Gables, Clifford House, Glendennis and J. Palen House. Read more about these and the other three B&Bs profiled here here.
Chicago Tribune Discovers There's Actually a City in Ohio With Restaurants
Restaurants? In Cleveland? And some that even don't start with Apple and end in Bees? We never knew! Well, thanks to famous foodie author Michael Ruhlman, who just happens to live in our fine town, all of Chicago now knows that Cleveland--and Ohio City--have some great places to slake one's thirst and sate the appetite. In a recent Chicago Tribune piece, Ruhlman took the Windy City denizens on a tour of his favorite places, and four Ohio City establishments made the cut: Great Lakes Brewing Company, Flying Fig, Velvet Tango Room and, of course, the West Side Market. Read all about it here--and be proud!
West Side Market Gets Some PD Ink
Most Clevelanders are at least vaguely aware of the West Side Market, which attracts upwards of 1 million visitors a year. But fewer may realize that the venerable Ohio City institution is approaching a landmark anniversary: its centenary. In 2012, the Market turns 100, an event that's sure to inspire lots of events celebrating the many things that make the place so special. Plain Dealer reporter Debbi Snook has gotten a headstart, with her January 23 article profiling four Market vendors: "a butcher, a baker, a cheesemonger and a crepe maker." Read the whole piece here.
In Praise of Cocktails--VTR Style
In its January 18 Friday! magazine,the Plain Dealer devoted its cover story to the revival of classic cocktails in America--and one of the best bars in the country leading the charge, Ohio City's own Velvet Tango Room. Read the article and hear the VTR's owner, Paulius Nasvytis, waxing eloquent about the French 75 and other beauts from the past.
Light Bistro Reviewed in Sun Courier
One of the Ohio City restaurants currently generating substantial buzz--both locally and nationally--is Light Bistro. Housed in the former Parker's New American Bistro space at Brige Avenue and West 25th Street, Light Bistro continues to impress critics with its innovative fare and locally sourced ingredients. The latest of the food scribes to come under Light's spell is Barbara Collier of Sun Newspapers, who penned an enthusiastic review of the hotspot in the November 1 issue of the Sun Courier. Read the full review here.
Soup's on in Ohio Magazine
The Soupermarket, Ohio City's funky and innovative gourmet soup stand at the corner of Lorain and West 25th, receives a three-page spread in the November 2007 issue of Ohio Magazine. The feature discusses the growth of the business since its founding five years ago, and includes the recipe for owner Matthew Moore's hearty mulligatawny soup--a fan favorite. Read the feature here.
Cleveland Jewish News Touts Ohio City's Attractions
In the October 30 issue of Cleveland Jewish News, writer Christine Gordillo sings the praises of Ohio City. She notes the neighborhood's diverse community, which includes people, housing options and nightlife. Gordillo points out that Ohio City rivals Tremont "as the place to go for an evening out," and talks up the fact that housing prices make the neighborhood accessible to anyone--from those looking for a simple worker's cottage to those seeking a glamourous, restored Victorian or hip new townhouse. Read the full article here.
In the Air with US Airways Magazine
Cleveland was the subject of a huge and very positive feature in the October issue of US Airways Magazine, the in-flight publication of said airline. Ohio City received a major plug in the article, as the writer highlighted the West Side Market and surrounding restaurants including the Flying Fig, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Phnom Penh, Nate's Deli, and Talkies. Read the full, amazing feature here.
Le Petite Triangle Captures the Fancy of PD Writer
Let Petite Triangle, occupying the space of the former Le Oui Oui cafe, is fast becoming a fixture at the intersection of Fulton Road and Bridge Avenue. Restaurant reviewer Beth Segal, in an October 26 article for the Plain Dealer, proclaims the cafe provides a little bit of Paris in Cleveland. She notes "There is much to indulge us in the appealing menu," citing the sweet and savory crepes as Exhibit A. Read the full review here.
Light Bistro Gets PD Love
Light Bistro has quickly made a name for itself as serving up some of the most cutting-edge cuisine in the city. Faithfully carrying on both the philosophy and the space of the former Parker's at West 28th and Bridge, Light was described by David Farkas in his October 19 Plain Dealer article as having "a hipper vibe" than Parker's and a "clever menu" that appeals to a wide range of palates. Read the full review here.
More National Recognition for Ohio City Restaurants
Occasionally, food writers take a break from their fascination with the coasts and check out what's happening in the heartland. A recent visit from a reporter at Food & Wine paid dividends for Ohio City in the form of a nice piece in the November 2007 issue on Cleveland eateries. Writer Kristin Donnelly specifically called out Light Bistro and Flying Fig as two of Cleveland's gems. Read the full article here.
Great Lakes Brewing Racks Up Another Award
One of the stalwarts in the Great Lakes Brewing Company's line-up, the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival held in Denver this October. More than 470 breweries and 2,790 beers competed at the festival. The Edmund Fitzgerald Porter beat out 61 other breweries for honors in its category “Robust Porter.” Read more from Great Lakes.
Ohio City Is the "Best of" Many Things
Scene has issued its annual Best of Cleveland edition (October 10), and Ohio City once again figures prominently. The neighborhood was name "best of" in 11 categories by the paper's editors and three by its readers. Among editors, selections included Belgian watering hole (McNulty's Bier Markt), breakfast (West Side Market Cafe), new restaurant (Light Bistro), higher education (the beer school at Great Lakes Brewing Company), and taste of Ohio's bounty (Flying Fig). Readers named Ohio City home of the best gay bar (Bounce), salon (Zen Salon), and body art shop (Voodoo Monkey). Read the full issue here.
The Season for Ohio City Restaurant News and Reviews
The end of the summer has brought a flurry of attention to Ohio City's vibrant restaurant scene. This month's edition of Cleveland Magazine has a feature on Light Bistro, the spot that carries on the location as well as the legacy of the venerable Parker's restaurant at the corner of West 28th and Bridge Avenue. Furthermore, both of the city's alt-weeklies have reviews of other Ohio City spots. In the August 29 issue of Scene, Elaine Cicora offers her take on the West Side Market Cafe, while in the same issue of the Free Times, Doug Trattner offers his insights on the new Dish Global Deli, which recently opened in the old Opa space on West 25th near Bridge Avenue. Finally, in the September 12 Plain Dealer, Bill Lubinger spreads the word of the September 24 opening of Budapest Blue, "an after-work night spot designed in seven shades of blue, with domestic and imported beers, martinis and wine to wash down traditional bar fare." Budapest Blue's new home is the space that formerly housed Halite. If you haven't been to the neighborhood for a while, it looks like September is a good time to visit and try something new.
New Eatery Set for Bier Markt
Bar Cento, a wine bar serving dishes based on Roman recipes, will debut this autumn in the now-vacant space adjacent to the Bier Markt on West 25th Street. Launched as a joint effort between Bier Markt owner Sam McNulty and chef Jonathon Sawyer, Bar Cento will offer such fare as house-cured charcuterie and antipasto, traditional and modern brick-oven pizzas, and daily Italian specials including lasgna and gnocchi. Plans are to have 100 wines by the glass and serve dinner and late-night nibbles seven days a week.
New Life for United Bank Building?
According to an August 13 article in Crain's Cleveland Business, the United Bank Building in Ohio City is headed for a $15 million renovation that may include condominiums on the upper floors and offices on the lower floors. The project in the circa 1926 building, which sits prominently at the southwest corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street, is being undertaken by MRN Inc., developers of the East 4th Street neighborhood downtown. There's been no firm commitment by the developers on their plans for the building, but MRN's application for historic tax credits with the State of Ohio has signaled their intentions. More on this as it develops.
Two New Businesses Debut in Ohio City
The J. Palen House bed-and-breakfast and Blue Star Design are the newest businesses to take root in Ohio City. Run by two long-time neighborhood residents, the Palen B&B will feature two private suites in a Victorian home built for a former brewmaster. Blue Star Design, owned by Julia Briggs, is a graphic design studio specializing in identity, design, websites, marketing and illustrations for growing businesses. For more information on these two outfits, see the Businesses section of ohiocity.com.
OCNW Executive Director Moving On
Joe Mazzola, executive director of Ohio City Near West Development Corporation, has joined Stark Enterprises as director of development for the developer's ambitious proposed Warehouse District mixed-used project. Mazzola was ED for three years at OCNW, the organization overseeing the continuing renaissance of Ohio City. David Stack, OCNW's controller, has been named interim director while the organization's search committee seeks a new director. Read more in Crain's Cleveland Business.
More Ink for Ohio City Condo Project
The expansion of the proposed Detroit-Superior Lofts condo project, mentioned in the Crain's article below, was explored in more detail in a June 21 article in the West Side Sun News. Click here for the whole story.
Beer Excursions Becoming Alternative to Wine Tours
A recent CNN story on the growing trend of beer and brewery tours prominently featured Ohio City's own Great Lakes Brewing Company. The story noted that as "beer drinkers are becoming more sophisticated in their suds consumption, matching beer with food and experimenting with different varieties, . . . many beer aficionados are taking vacations that are more like extended beer runs, visiting the nation's many craft breweries, brewpubs and beer festivals." Great Lakes was showcased as one of the top destinations for such trips. Read the full story here.
Market Avenue a Hotspot for Outdoor Dining
The July issue of Cleveland Magazine features an article on some of the best local districts to enjoy fresh air with one's fries or fritattas. Leading off the piece is Market Avenue, Ohio City's hopping little brick street that's home to Great Lakes Brewing Company, Talkies Coffee & Film Bar, the Market Avenue Wine Bar, and the Flying Fig. The article gives thumbs up to the street's "mellow atmosphere with a communal vibe, one that’s enhanced by the variety of options," as well as the top-notch people watching. Check out the full article, which includes a great picture of the scene, here.
Condo Project Grows
According to the June 15 Crain's Cleveland Business e-newsletter, a proposed condo development in Ohio City has been dramatically redesigned as a seven-story tower at the corner of Detroit Avenue and West 28th Street. Originally envisioned as a development for eldery gay and lesbian population, the project is no longer affiliated with A Place For Us, which had conceived the original project's direction with Tom Gillespie, now the sole developer of the project. The new tower's design is geared toward providing more lake views, and the attached parking garage is expected to include a green rooftop deck. Excavation of the site is anticipated to begin summer, and Progressive Urban Real Estate has been signed up to handle sales and marketing of the units.
Flying Fig Flies Right in Continental Magazine
It's no secret among the Northeast Ohio media that Ohio City's Flying Fig is one of the area's top restaurants. The establishment's cool vibe, stylish bar and dynamite food attract hipsters and foodies alike to hopping Market Avenue. In June, passengers on all Continental Airlines planes can read all about the Fig as well--in the airline's in-flight Continental magazine. The article, penned by local writer Laura Taxel, highlights the verve of the restaurant's tireless owner, Karen Small, and Small's "creative yet accessible" approach to cuisine. To see what Continental's frequent fliers are reading, click here.
Crain's Profiles Proposed Condo Project on Bridge Avenue
The proposed conversion to condominiums of the circa-1920 West Side Community House at 3000 Bridge Avenue was page-four news in the May 21-27 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business. The article noted that the new units would range from $175,000 for flats to upwards of $400,000 for penthouses with dramatic views of Ohio City and downtown Cleveland. The renovation would restore many original features of the historic building--an effort eased by the developers' discovery of the original drawings. The project would add 15 residential condos and three business condos to the corner of Bridge Avenue and West 30th Street, diagonally across the intersection from Heck's Cafe. Visit the project's website here.
Crain's Says Expansion on Tap for Great Lakes
According to page one of the May 14-20 Crain's Cleveland Business, Ohio City's Great Lakes Brewing Company is gearing up for a five-year, $6.8 million expansion that will substantially increase its brewing capacity and, eventually, its real estate footprint. The first phase is expected to begin shortly and unfold over the next two years. New real estate is anticipated to follow in phase two. For more information on Great Lakes and its stable of award-winning, hand-crafted beers, go here.
2007 Ohio City Home Tour Home Previewed in Plain Dealer
In the May 10 issue of the Plain Dealer, home and garden reporter Melissa Hebert previews the home of Judy and Dave Hart, one of the stops on the May 20 Ohio City Home Tour. The article describes why the couple were drawn to the neighborhood and decided to sell their Cleveland Heights home and move to their new three-level townhouse in the city. Read the full article here.
Looking for Eats? Free Times Says Check out West Side Market Cafe
Ohio City is home to lots of great restaurants and drinking establishments. But as an article in the May 9 Free Times points out, there are few that fill the gap betweeen "high-brow and cheap eats." That's where the West Side Market Cafe comes in. Food editor Doug Trattner notes in his review that "there is little not to like" about the cozy restaurant with the fabulous new neon sign on the Lorain Avenue side of the market building. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the West Side Market Cafe, says Trattner, "offers a tremendous level of quality for the price."
Read the full review here.
Dancer Sarah Morrison Lauded in Plain Dealer
Sarah Morrison, one of Cleveland's most innovative performing artists, celebrates 10 years of entertaining and challenging audiences in Northeast Ohio--a feat recognized in the March 12 issue of The Plain Dealer by dance critic Donald Rosenberg. In his column, Rosenberg briefly reviews Morrison's past decade of dance and highlights her upcoming performances at Cleveland Public Theater. Read the full column here. Morrison's studio is located in Ohio City on Lorain Avenue.
Ohio City Eateries Highlighted in Free Times and Scene
In its St. Patrick's Day issue, Scene provides its list of six recommended establishments in which to mark the "wearing 'o the green" on March 17. Not surprising given its strong Irish heritage, Ohio City landed three spots on that list: Great Lakes Brewing Company, The Harp, and Old Angle Tavern. Read here. In the same week, Free Times explores its five favorite "greasy spoon diners--a list on which Ohio City's Nick's Cafe and Ohio City Cafe proudly sit--and also gives a brief blurb on the offerings at the newly opened Light Bistro. Read here and here.
Spotlight on Ohio City Developments
It's no secret that Ohio City is one of Cleveland's strongest housing markets, as well as a hotspot for adaptive reuse of historic buildings--facts that are reinforced by two articles in the March 12-18 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business. The paper features stories on both the renovation of a circa-1860s brick Italiante on Lorain Avenue into office space as well as the construction of a landmark new residential condo complex on Detroit Avenue overlooking Lake Erie.
Heck's Cafe as Dining Survivor
One of Cleveland's most venerable restaurants, Ohio City's Heck's Cafe, was spotlighted in the March 7 issue of Scene. Food critic Elaine Cicora made multiple trips to Heck's recently and came away impressed that after nearly 40 years, the joint still exudes charm and warmth. Cicora was especially charmed by Heck's Sunday brunch, which runs the gamut from whipped cream-topped waffles and apple and bacon omelet to cinnamon-flavored French toast and eggs Benedict. Read the full review here.
Ohio City Featured in March 2007 Issue of Cottage Living
The secret about Ohio City is out. Cottage Living, a national "home and garden" magazine focusing on smaller spaces, featured Cleveland's historic neighborhood in its March 2007 issue. The story is based on a visit to Ohio City in 2004 by David Hanson, the magazine's travel editor, who spent four days touring the neighborhood, meeting neighbors, and stopping in various shops and restaurants. The article highlights many of the things that Ohio Citians and vistors to the neighborhood hold near and dear to their hearts, including the West Side Market, the diversity of the neighborhood, the historic housing stock and Urban Community School. The article also presents some revitalization tips for other urban neighborhoods, and gives props to several Ohio City businesses, including restaurants Johnny Mango and OPA. An excerpt of the print article can be read online here.
New Salon Opening in Ohio City
The Studio, a Paul Mitchell Focus salon, opens in March in the location of the old Ohio City Laundromat--just across the street from the Carnegie Library and next door to Kimo's Sushi and Le Oui Oui Cafe. More details as they develop.
YMCA Residential Conversion Featured in Properties
The new condominium development being carved out the the historic YMCA building on Franklin Boulevard is highlighted in the February issue of Properties magazine. Click here to read the full story.
Thundering Along
Ohio City resident and entrepreneur Jason Therrien was featured in the the March 2007 issue of Inside Business magazine as part of the publication's NEO Success Awards for emerging companies. Therrien's company, thunder::tech, was recognized for its robust growth from the time it was founded by Therrien during his junior year at John Carroll University. The company now has 20 employees serving 170 clients--and is poised for further growth as the company has expanded its offerings from Web design to print and graphic design, media relations and events.
Crepes and More
As noted in the February 14-20 Free Times, French bistro lovers will find new ways to satisfy their cravings in Ohio City. Le Oui Oui cafe, the first creperie in the neighborhood, will have new owners come March who will expand the menu to include croissants and other deli items while retaining the French theme. And in the West Side Market, a new crepe stand, Crepes Deluxe, will open shortly next to City Roast (just inside the West 25th Street entrance), providing dozens of sweet and savory varieties. Read the full piece here.
Ohio City Businesses in the News
Two Ohio City businesses received prominent exposure in area publications. In the January 31 Plain Dealer article “Latin Quarters,” Lelolai Bakery & Café was highlighted as one of the growing businesses in the Cleveland area catering to area diners’ increasing appetite for Hispanic cuisine. In fact, Lelolai founder Alma Alfonzo noted in the piece that the majority of her customers are, surprisingly, non-Hispanic. Twist Creative, a graphic design firm, was featured in the February 5 edition of Crain’s Cleveland Business. The article centered on Twist’s cool office space in a former flophouse building at West 28th and Lorain Avenue. The owners of Twist, Michael and Connie Ozan, commented on how much they like Ohio City, especially the neighborhood’s energy and walkability.
Parker's Bistro Gets New Life
An Ohio City institution, Parker's New American Bistro closed at the end of 2006 after a 14-year run. Now, according to a January 29 Plain Dealer article, the space will reopen as Light Bistro. Light is expected to emphasize tapas, as well as large entrees for sharing. Opening day is planned for March 12 after a brief updating of the interior. Read the full article here.
Ohio Once Again Cleans up in "Best Of" Awards
In the numerous northeast Ohio "best of" contests sponsored by local media outlets, Ohio City typically receives its share of attention. But this year's "best of" edition of Scene brought Ohio City to an entirely different level. Neighborhood establishments or attractions were cited as "best of Cleveland" in no fewer than 19 categories:
- Restaurant (Flying Fig)
- Bowl of soup (Soupermarket)
- Fondue (Le Oui Oui Cafe)
- Southeast Asian cuisine (Phnom Penh)
- Aloha on a plate (Kimo's Sushi)
- Bite of modern Mexico (Momocho)
- Bistro in a dance club (Touch Supper Club)
- Toddy (Talkie's Coffee & Film Bar)
- Harvey Wallbanger (Bounce)
- Glamorous bar (Velvet Tango Room)
- Place to buy beaded jewelry (City Buddha)
- Eats street (West 25th between Lorain and Jay)
- West Side Market surprise (Kim Se)
- Irish bar on west side (The Harp)
- Hair-metal bar (Garage Bar)
- Brewpub (Great Lakes Brewing Company)
- Beer lesson (free tours at Great Lakes)
- Pub grub (Old Angle Tavern)
- Limited-time veggie offer (Parker's New American Bistro)
Read the full article here
Ohio City Garden Tour Previewed in Plain Dealer
In a preview of the September 17 Ohio City Garden Tour, the September 14 Plain Dealer highlighted one of the lush urban gardens on the tour. Read the full story here.
More Raves for Great Lakes
The October 2006 issue of Men's Journal features a list of the 25 best beers in America. Great Lakes Brewing Company owns two of those 25--Holy Moses, which placed seventh, and Burning River Pale Ale, which finished 14th. To read the full story, pick up the print version of the magazine--or check out the Plain Dealer coverage here,
AOL Plugs Great Lakes Brewing Tour
AOL is running a feature on the top 10 brewery tours in the U.S. Guess who comes in at number two? Ohio City's own Great Lakes Brewing Company. Read the entry on GLB and see the other nine breweries here.
Momocho Continues to Rack up Kudos
At the risk of this news blog becoming the Momocho hit parade, we highlight another gushing review of this white-hot Ohio City establishment. This one comes courtesy of Cleveland magazine's September issue, in which Momocho is noted for its innovative approach to Mexican cuisine and its comfortable atmosphere. (Online content available to magazine subscriber's only.)
Momocho Lauded for Innovative Fare
Ohio City's newest restaurant, Momocho, received raves from reporter Debbi Snook in the August 4 Plain Dealer. Snook was taken by Momocho's "mod-Mex" fare, singling out the black bean and cheese chilaquiles, mushroom quesadillas, and fresh-fried chips and guacamole as especially good. Read the full review here.
Another Weekend in Ohio City Preview
The May 18 issue of the Plain Dealer contains an article featuring the home of Joe Butz, a transplanted Chicagoan whose Ohio City home will be included on the May 21 Ohio City Home Tour. Read the full piece here.
Wine Bar Makes the Grade
The May 5 issue of the Plain Dealer features a Q&A with Market Avenue Wine Bar manager Joy Valentine, who dishes on Clevelanders' favorite wines and the secret to the Wine Bar's success.
Weekend in Ohio City Previewed in Live and Scene
The May issue of Northern Ohio Live magazine carries an enthusiastic preview of the 2006 Weekend in Ohio City, paying special attention to the variety of homes on the Weekend's tours and the reasons why Ohio City is such a special neighborhood. And in the May 3-9 issue of Scene, food editor Elaine Cicora mentions the upcoming Evening in Ohio City, citing the restaurants making their Evening debuts this year (Momocho, Snicker's, Kimo's Sushi, Touch Supper Club and Bier Markt).
More Ohio City Restaurant News
It's been a banner month so far for Ohio City restaurants in the media. The May issue of Inside Business features a glowing review of Opa! on 25th. Phnom Penh, one of Ohio City's newest restaurants, gets similar treatment by Scene in its May 3-9 issue. And a host of Ohio City culinary outlets are recognized in Cleveland Magazine's annual Best Restaurants feature--including Best Middle Eastern (Nate's Deli, second place); Best Hamburger (Heck's Cafe, first place); Best Vegetarian (Johnny Mango, third place); Best Local Microbrew (Great Lakes Brewing Co., first place); Best Beer Selection (Great Lakes, second place); and Best Cheese Selection (West Side Market, tied for third place). In addition, Flying Fig was mentioned as one of the editors' "5 Favorites"; Great Lakes and Flying Fig were included as "5 Places Changing How We Eat"; and Seamus at the Harp was recognized as Best Bartender.
Momocho Gets Early Kudos
Ohio City's newest restaurant, Momocho, received a great initial review from the Plain Dealer food critic. In his April 26 Restaurant Row column, John Long claims Momocho has "hit a home run with [its] new approach to Mexican" cuisine. Long was impressed with the balance that owner Eric Williams has struck between tradition and avante garde, and liked the fact that all dishes could be served family style. Momocho, in the old Fulton Bar & Grill space, is a welcome addition to the neighborhood's dining scene. Read Long's review here.
Great Lakes Pulls in Another Medal
One of Ohio City's cornerstone businesses and most popular tourist attractions, Great Lakes Brewing Company recently added another medal to its beer wall of fame. In the just-concluded (April 14) 2006 World Beer Cup competition--featuring beers from all over the world--Great Lakes won the gold medal in the Imperial Stout category for its stellar Blackout Stout. Great Lakes was one of only two Ohio breweries to medal in the event. The other: Another Cleveland-area favorite, Rocky River Brewing Company, which won the gold in the Baltic Porter category with its Neptune's Nemesis. Read the full list of winners here.
Restaurant Update: Two New Establishments Land in Ohio City
In a recent Plain Dealer Restaurant Row column, John Long noted the opening of two new eating venues in Ohio City: the latest outpost of Cambodian favorite Pnohm Penh and Momocho, offering modern Mexican fare in the old Fulton Bar & Grill space. Read the full column here. In other Ohio City restaurant news, French bistro Le Oui Oui was profiled in the March 22 Free Times Bites column. Columnist Doug Trattner noted the changes new Oui Oui owner Michael Crowdes is making to the menu and the venue. Read the full column here.
Ohio City Food Spots Get Ink
February 19-25 was a banner week for Ohio City food purveyors, as several neighborhood spots received positive mentions in the local papers. The Plain Dealer raved about the delicious Cambodian fare at the Kim Se stand in the West Side Market and the authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at Nate's Deli. In the Free Times, Doug Trattner saluted the Soupermarket's range of fabulous offerings and lauded the impending arrival of Phnom Penh, which brings its own mix of Cambodian dishes to a renovated space a few doors down from the Market. And in Scene, Elaine Cicora featured the relaunched Touch Supper Club, extolling the virtues of the nightspot's "homemade goodness" and portions that are generous and prices that are easy on the budget.
Market Square Park Redesign Planned
Market Square Park, the hub of Ohio City activity at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue and site of the annual Open Air in Market Square, has a dramatic facelift in the offing. Ohio City Near West Development Corporation (OCNW), ParkWorks, and Cleveland Public Art are teaming to redevelop the space to make it more functional, inviting and attractive. The groups have hired City Architecture to help craft some new looks for the park, and the results of those initial efforts can be viewed here. The planning team currently is seeking funding and sponsorships to make the redesign a reality.
Velvet Tango Room Reloads
To celebrate its ninth anniversary this year, the Velvet Tango Room has gone ultra-clean. Read the January 20 Plain Dealer interview with proprietor Paulius Nasvytis, who explains VTR's new smokeless policy and air- and water-filtration systems designed to enhance the VTR experience and keep anything from standing in the way of cocktail enjoyment.
New Bier Markt Getting Ink--and Crowds
Interest is high in the newest addition to the Ohio City drinking and dining scene. McNulty's Bier Markt, housed in the storefront of the old Fries & Schuele department store building on West 25th Street, is making its mark as one of the most unique drinking emporiums in the city and the state. Focusing on high-end Belgian beers, the Bier Markt is attracting self-described "beer geeks" from around the Midwest. Read the January 11 Plain Dealer story on the place here.
Great Lakes's New Menu Gets Raves
The November 23-29 issue of Scene explores the new menu at Great Lakes Brewing Company, noting that finally, the brew pub has food that matches the quality and sophistication of its beers. Singled out in the article by food editor Elaine Cicora are the pork potpie, open-faced lamb sandwich, and Alaskan salmon. Read the whole article here.
More Kudos for Ohio City
Add the editors at Cleveland magazine to the growing cadre of Ohio City supporters. The fine ladies and gents at our city's leading monthly recognized three Ohio City establishments and one neighborhood entreprenuer in the magazine's October 2005 Best of Cleveland issue: Kan Zaman restaurant (and its famous hookahs) as the place to go for the best "legal high"; Bounce as the best drag queen bar; Pierogi Palace at the West Side Market as the joint with the best pierogies; and Paulius Nasvytis, the natty proprietor of the Velvet Tango Room, as the city's best host.
The Best of Cleveland Right Here in Ohio City
Ohio City typically fares well in the area's "best of" features (see note about the July 20 issue of the Free Times below), and this month is no exception. In the September 28 issue of Scene, the neighborhood is represented in the categories of best soup (Souper Market), meatloaf (West Side Market Cafe), coffee house (Talkies Film & Coffee Bar), beer (Great Lakes' Dortmunder Gold and Nosferatu), thrift store (Unique Thrift) and place to spot celebrities (Moda Nightclub). Read the whole feature here.
Flying Fig Gets Some Love in Cleveland Magazine
One of Ohio City's best restaurants, the Flying Fig, is profiled in the September 2005 issue of Cleveland Magazine. The writer of the piece unabashedly proclaims his admiration for the Fig's cuisine and vibe, and noted something that Fig devotees have known for some time: that the place is one of the
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