City office space IS FILLING UP BUT not with workers
JIM DONOVAN Was More Than the Voice of the Browns; He Was the Heart and Soul of the Franchise
HUSTLE COMMUTE
EXAMINE HOW WE
THE HOLIDAYS Are Here With Festive Gifts to Buy, Christmas Bars to Visit and Winter Events to Enjoy
DRESS
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The perfect gift of pampering and relaxation for anyone. This December, take time for yourself - or someone special - by giving them the gift of relaxation and wellness with a Spa West gift card!
volume 53 / issue 12
ON THE COVER
46 ON THE JOB
What does modern work look like in Northeast Ohio? Catch up with various employees in different disciplines, and delve into what work — and life — look like for Clevelanders nearly five years after the pandemic. Edited by Ron Ledgard
Photographed by Megann Galehouse
Set styling by Magan McLaughlin
Talent by Docherty Agency
FEATURED
40 MELT DOWN Matt Fish's Melt Bar and Grilled Restaurant, once Northeast Ohio's most famous eatery, takes its second chance in a big pivot. By Annie Nickoloff
8 FROM THE EDITOR
10 CONVERSATION
LAY OF THE LAND
15 LONGTIME LIGHTS East Cleveland's Nela Park, GE Lighting's HQ, has showcased its famous holiday display for a century.
20 "UNBELIEVABLE RIDE" Remembering the iconic voice of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Donovan, who died in October.
24 A SPECIAL DOG'S TALE A Cleveland Clinic Children's facility dog has something in common with the children he visits.
26 INTO THE VALLEY Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrates 50 years.
FOOD & DRINK
33
THEATRICAL CAFE Playhouse Square welcomes a new cafe and cocktail bar inside the Bulkley Building.
35 HOLIDAY SPIRITS Festive pop-ups take over local bars with Christmas fun.
HOME
& GARDEN
123 POWDER PUFF Some designers modernize tiny powder rooms with bold designs and pops of color.
128 LOOK BACK Dip into Cleveland's highway history and the pivotal opening of the Innerbelt's striking eight-lane bridge, still used today.
PATRICIA A. DUGGAN,
Special Advertising and Promotional Sections
61
FACES OF CLEVELAND
Meet the visionary leaders behind some of Cleveland’s most innovative businesses.
83 HBA'S A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Check out the brand-new home being raffled off to benefit MakeA-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana and other local charities, and read the stories of three kids battling critical illnesses whose wishes are being granted thanks to this annual fundraiser.
99 NORTH COAST COMMUNITY HOMES
Find out how this organization creates a place to call home for those with disabilities.
111
WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE
Get to know six family-owned businesses that are thriving in Western Lake County.
12 OUT AND ABOUT
Denise Polverine publisher Dillon Stewart editor
managing editor Ron Ledgard
senior editor Annie Nickoloff
associate editors Jala Forest, Julia Lombardo
editorial assistants Danny Cunningham, Christina Rufo
contributing writers Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Ida Lieszkovszky, Ken Prendergast, Lynne Thompson, Maura Zurick
editorial interns Lainey Novak, Jaden Stambolia
art director Erin Stinard
associate art director Abigail Archer
contributing artists Ken Blaze, Megann Galehouse, Kevin Kopanski, Magan McLaughlin, Kaitlin Walsh, Gabe Wasylko
advertising vice president Paul Klein senior account managers Sarah Desmond, Tiffany Myroniak
account managers Julie Bialowas, Shayne Rose, Jessica Thomas
and audience marketing manager Jennifer Roberts traffic manager Kristen Brickner adsales@clevelandmagazine.com
content marketing
managing editor Jennifer Bowen Sima senior editor Ann-Marie Vazzano
managing art director Jenny Perdue art director Megan Rosta
production
production manager Alyson Moutz production@clevelandmagazine.com
Jacquie Chakirelis
manager Daniel Klinzing operations associate Camille Ross
Lute Harmon Sr. founder Lute Harmon Jr. president & ceo
Sedlak
Zohos
Valli
Leading the Charge
I’M AN EDITOR. I’m a writer. I’m a journalist. But I’ve never been a manager — until now.
I’m not alone in that. A study by the Chartered Management Institute found that 82% of respondents were “accidental managers,” or those who are promoted into management positions without prior experience or training. Just because you’re a great salesperson doesn’t mean you can manage a sales staff. Plus, you might be losing your best salesperson — all while “destroying the health of people and the health of the business,” says Ellen Van Oosten, professor of organizational behavior and faculty director of executive education at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. She suggests gradually converting an individual contributor to a manager in a series of smaller steps.
“It’s a myth that gets perpetuated
continually,” says Van Oosten. “As you rise through the ladder of an organization, functional expertise, like knowing the technology, becomes less and less important, and it gets replaced with relational excellence, or skills to connect with and collaborate with others who are likely very different from you.”
Internal support and books — my favorites are Making a Manager by Julie Zhou and Management Skills & Leadership Development Course by William L. Evans — have helped me overcome my deficits in this area. (At least, I think so. Ask my team for the truth.) But these books don’t confront how we work now, the subject of our cover story on page 46. Leading a remote workforce is a new frontier with skills to learn.
After training, a manager’s first step is to have a clearly defined hybrid collaboration plan. According to Gallup, nearly 50% of workers say their teams have not discussed a formal or informal process for collaboration. These techniques include regularly scheduled check-ins, guidelines for when to be available and a clear mandate for days in the office, if required. My team connects through weekly same-page meetings with direct reports, a weekly department meeting and quarterly conversations that let us think big picture.
“You need to integrate times for people to connect without having to talk about the work,” says Van Oosten.
If you’re rolling your eyes, you’re probably a millennial,
Gen Xer or boomer. Experienced employees might have control of their roles, but Gen Z is struggling to professionally develop at the same rate.
Every generation is accused of laziness and ineptitude. This one doesn’t seem to be as well-equipped as their predecessors. According to an Intelligent.com survey, 88% of businesses say that Gen Z is less prepared for the workforce than pre-pandemic graduates, and 94% admitted they avoid hiring recent grads.
Those numbers are staggering.
Both the future of our country (to get a little altruistic) and the future of our businesses rely on the contributions of subsequent generations, which should, eventually, replace our own. Whether we’re wearing suits or PJs, managers must make sure they get up to speed — no matter how challenging it may be.
Find a snapshot of working life in Cleveland today on page 46
Community magazines have a long history of helping local businesses by giving them direct access to readers
Let us help you reach your local market in new, exciting ways! For information, call 216-377-3638.
DOWN THE HOLIDAY ROAD
Can’t escape the winter cold this season, but still looking for a change of scenery? There are plenty of picturesque spots across Ohio to make you feel like the star of the next best holiday movie. All it takes
Decking the Halls
is a tank of gas. Our managing editor Ron Ledgard recently spent a day in the small town of Granville, Ohio, located 130 miles south of Cleveland. He shares his favorite stops on his one-tank trip.
‘Tis the season for carols, cookies and Cleveland Magazine. Ahead of one of the most festive times of the year, we asked Clevelanders for the perfect recipe to their holiday season.
Sign up for our free e-newsletters to get updates on entertainment and dining delivered straight to your inbox. Register at clevelandmagazine.com/ newsletter Purchase an annual print and digital subscription for just $20. Visit clevelandmagazine.com/ subscribe today or scan the QR code.
CHAGRIN FALLS
Enjoy the holiday magic
If you are looking for upscale and unique holiday gifts, we invite you to shop at Ohio’s festive and picturesque holiday village –Chagrin Falls.
Experience what it’s like to stroll through a Currier and Ives or a Hallmark movie setting filled with holiday decorations, lights and music. Enjoy that special mood with a cup of hot chocolate while receiving personalized service from our 53 locally owned shops and five art galleries and taste our special food and drink offerings from our 22 restaurants. Shop, Eat, Drink, Stroll and Shop
Learn more about our special holiday offerings including Carriage Rides, Victorian Carolers, Santa, The Grinch and Elf, Festivities for the kids, The Tree and Menorah Lighting, please visit us at: www.chagrin-falls.org/holiday
16TH ANNUAL NOACC CHAMBER
BRIGHT STAR AWARDS |
The 16th Annual NOACC Chamber Bright Star Awards Program, held at the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, recognized volunteers from over 40 chambers and military members from all branches of service. Each Bright Star received a personalized video presentation and proclamation from Governor Mike DeWine, in addition to a trophy, certificate, special event lapel pin and recognition in November's issue of Cleveland Magazine
Oct. 10, 2024
1) Matt Owen, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio; Cindy Holzheimer, NOACC & Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
2) Nancy Kuzenko, Anthem; Justin Hamlin, Bright Star & Mark Yantek, Richfield Chamber Board Chair
3) Mike Wyne, Green Area Chamber of Commerce & Dan Franks, Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce
MAPS Air Museum
2024 BEST OF CLEVELAND PARTY |
Cleveland Magazine and Cleveland Scene joined forces to celebrate the city’s best dining, shopping and entertainment destinations at the Best of Cleveland Party presented by Spa West on Oct. 17 at the Great Lakes Science Center. More than 75 Best of Cleveland winners were on site to showcase what makes them a local favorite. The event was emceed by WKYC’s Betsy Kling and Fox 8’s Natalie Herbick. Entertainment was provided by Ashley Nemeh, LoConti and E-V, who deejayed.
Oct. 17, 2024 Great Lakes Science Center
1) Ginger and Honey: Robbie Lathan, Roe Lathan & Ali Lathan
2) Chutni Punch: Sahithya Wintrich
3) Bradley Stone Industries: Brad Disandis
4) Best Hip-Hop Artist: Chelsea Pastel
THE LAND
FOR A CENTURY, East Cleveland’s Nela Park has been a source of local holiday cheer when it lights up with more than one million bulbs in a display of festive scenes. It’s also a showcase of historic innovation. The 92-acre Noble Road park has served as the headquarters for GE Lighting since 1913, just two years after East Cleveland was incorporated as a city. It only makes sense for a developer of holiday lights to show off their stuff, right? Since 1924, the company’s holiday lights have drawn thousands of visitors every year. “There’s generations of joy,” says GE Lighting President Kathy Sterio. “People love it. People get really excited. They talk about family that worked here. They talk about visiting here as kids, and they talk about hopefully bringing their kids here someday.”
This year, Nela Park lights up on Dec. 6 and will be illuminated every day, at every hour, until Jan. 6. The display is ultimately the product of months’ worth of work, says GE Holiday Lighting Designer Debbie George, who hand-builds and selects displays starting in July.
Nela Park isn’t the only space where you can see George’s and GE’s work; she also designs the National Tree on the Ellipse at the White House — a replica of which stands tall at the entrance of the East Cleveland headquarters.
Expect some extra fun in store for the 100th anniversary of the tradition. “When you think of 100 years, you think of an anniversary or birthday or celebration,” George says. “For the very first year, this year, we have decorated our coal tower as a giant candle.”
Not only that, but the striking brick tower will sport GE’s Cync smart lights that change colors to music. Elements of GE’s newest tech are embedded every year in the Santa hats, gingerbread houses and Christmas tree displays that stretch along Noble Road.
“Over time, seeing us going from older incandescent technology to LED, to now, using our connected technology — the fact that we’ve been here for over 100 years and we’re still innovating and still coming out with new things that are really interesting and fun, that people can use in their own homes, to me, is a really big deal,” Sterio says.
There’s a lot of modern technology and a lot of history here. Nela (which stands for National Electric Lamp Association) Park opened before its surroundings developed. Over the years, GE’s demands and shifts changed its use of the campus. Today, buildings that once were used for manufacturing now host product testing, administration, a merchandising center and a company museum.
Oh, and — George is quick to add — a Christmas storage room. One that’s stuffed to the brim with past displays, a wood shop and a carefully organized selection of LED lights that cycle in
and out every few years. “It’s packed,” George says. “It’s Santa’s workshop.”
In a major shift, GE sold Nela Park to property management company Phoenix Investors in 2022, and GE signed a long-term lease to stay on-site.
“We wanted to cherish it and treat it with the respect it deserves and put it in the hands of somebody who does real estate development,” Sterio says. “We don’t disclose the terms, but we are committed to being in Nela Park.”
Those interested in viewing the lights should park nearby and walk along Noble Road to see them through the park’s fence. (The display’s drive-through experience ended in 1959 when thousands of cars congested neighborhood
Nela Park, GE Lighting’s headquarters in East Cleveland, hosts an extensive display of holiday lights every year. This year marks the tradition’s 100-year anniversary.
streets, George explains.)
The lights will illuminate at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, when Sterio flips the switch with a special guest.
“I think it is really important for us as employees to really give back to the communities where we work,” Sterio says. “East Cleveland has been our home for so long that it is a big source of pride for us to try to help bring some joy to this community.”
THINGS TO DO
Winter Wonders
Ring in the joy of the holidays as Cleveland embraces its cold weather season with a batch of celebrations.
DECK THE HALL AT STAN HYWET HALL & GARDEN
The inscription above the Akron revival home’s front door, “Non Nobis Solum,” (Not For Us Alone) shows that the 65-room Tudor was always intended for public display, since being first owned by Akron rubber magnate F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tires. Each season, it’s decorated to the hilt with more than 1 million lights displayed on the estate’s 70-acre grounds. $9-$24, Nov. 29-Dec. 30, 714 North Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org
GREAT LAKES THEATER PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Ebenezer Scrooge returns to Cleveland for Great Lakes Theater’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. People of all ages can get into the holiday spirit
and experience the magic of the season as the protagonist of Charles Dickens’ classic novella does the same on stage.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden transforms into an immersive winter wonderland of ice arches, sparkling light displays and other winter-themed venues. Kids and families can enjoy marshmallow roasting, an icicle xylophone, a gingerbread house competition and special performances by local musicians. Visitors can also explore newly expanded outdoor lighting
trails and unique glasshouse displays, featuring biomes like the Spiny Desert of Madagascar and Costa Rica Cloud Forest. $5-$26, Nov. 23-Jan. 5, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, holdenfg.org/frost
A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE AND MUSEUM
Step into the world of one of Cleveland’s most festive and iconic landmarks. The fully restored house is complete with the famous leg lamp, while original movie props and memorabilia are found at the museum across the street. It’s a must-visit destination for fans, with the option to even book an overnight stay for a nostalgic holiday experience. $20, 3159 W 11th St., Cleveland, housefromachristmasstory.com
BY CHRISTINA RUFO
CLEVELAND BALLET PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
Cleveland Ballet’s rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker returns with new dances, characters and costumes to dazzle audiences. Artistic director Gladisa Guadalupe has created a distinctly Cleveland version of the familiar story with a twist, making it a must-see performance. $30-$131, Dec. 13-15 and 19-22, Connor Palace at Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandballet.org
NORTH POLE ADVENTURE ON THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD
All aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for this holiday experience. Like a scene out of The Polar Express, riders depart from Rockside Station
and enjoy the views of Cuyahoga Valley National Park while sipping on hot chocolate. Kids get to write a letter to Santa, deliver it directly to his mailbox and even catch a glimpse of the man himself. $50-$97, Nov. 8-Dec. 21, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, cvsr.org
WINTERLAND AT PUBLIC SQUARE
WinterLand kicks off the holiday season in Downtown Cleveland with a beloved winter festival centered around Public Square. The event features the grand lighting of the Christmas tree, live music, festive fireworks and plenty of family-friendly activities. Enjoy ice skating, roasting s’mores and capturing photos with Santa, all set against the backdrop of stunning holiday lights.
Markets at Tower City and pop-up events throughout the city help bring the holiday magic to life. Free, Nov. 30, 50 Public Square, Cleveland, winterlandcle.com
TOBOGGAN CHUTES AT MILL STREAM RUN RESERVATION
Fly down the toboggan chutes at Mill Stream Run
Reservation in Strongsville. This winter thrill features two 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes that operate with or without snow. Book your reservation on the Cleveland Metroparks website and choose a one-hour time slot. Riders must be 42 inches tall and wear winter gloves or mittens that cover their fingertips to ride the chutes.
$13-15, Nov. 29-late February,16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, clevelandmetroparks.com
For 25 years, since the team returned in 1999, fans watched Cleveland Browns games with the television volume down and the radio turned up. No touchdown, sack or game-winning field goal was complete without hearing Jim Donovan, the voice of the Cleveland Browns, describe it.
Donovan, a fixture on Cleveland’s WKYC since joining the station in 1985, died on Oct. 26 at the age of 68. The 40-year news and sports anchor had fought leukemia since 2000 but kept his diagnosis quiet for more than a decade. When the illness returned in 2023, he took a hiatus. Despite finishing the 2023 season on the radio airwaves, Donovan retired from the TV station in May and stepped down as the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns just before this season.
Donovan served as a guiding light through the ups and, more often, downs of the Browns fandom. His talent, passion and mentorship was celebrated both locally and nationally, with obituaries in The New York Times and a remembrance from former co-worker and analyst Cris Collinsworth on Sunday Night Football
playoffs for only the second time in his career. “The only thing that’s missing, is all of you!” As the PA system blasted those words over a roaring stadium, he turned to Zegura with childlike wonder. “They’re playing my call!” His passion remained through the end, and fans loved him for it.
The next time he made a playoff call was in 2023, his final season. The Browns clinched the postseason, despite cycling through several quarterbacks and landing on former rival Joe Flacco, of all people. Donovan missed most of the year for cancer treatment.
He returned on Dec. 18 for a Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears. In the waning seconds of the game, defensive back D’Anthony Bell intercepted a Hail Mary to seal a win and keep the Browns’ postseason hopes alive.
“He got it! Ballgame over! Browns win! Browns win!” Donovan screamed. The man battling cancer jumped up and down with his arms in the air.
Then, he said something, perhaps knowingly, that spoke to so much more than the game he’d just seen: “This is an unbelievable ride!”
Jim Donovan was the only full-time voice of the Browns since the team returned to action in 1999.
A Parent’s Instinct and a Hospital’s Expertise
Nolan Pinson, an energetic 5-year-old with a love for Legos, trucks and playdates, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on January 9, 2024. Nolan’s parents, Megan and Max Pinson, first sensed something was wrong when their typically healthy son didn’t bounce back from what initially seemed like a cold. After weeks of testing, a blood test revealed dangerously low levels of hemoglobin and platelets, and the next day, Nolan began his cancer treatment at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
ALL is a serious blood cancer but responds well to treatment, with over 95% of children reaching complete remission. Nolan’s treatment plan includes chemotherapy and enrollment in a National Cancer Institute study for a medication that targets cancer cells in his immune system. His parents have explained this journey to him in ways he can understand, calling his treatment his “body armor” and the backpack that holds his medicine his “jetpack.”
The journey has been challenging, but the Pinsons have found solace in the care provided by the Cleveland Clinic Children’s team. Megan’s parents, a physician and a nurse at Cleveland Clinic, offered comfort, though the family feels the exceptional care they received was universal. “From day one, we felt taken care of,” says Max. “The communication has been wonderful, and we’ve received immense support, empathy, and encouragement.”
A pivotal figure in their experience has been nurse care coordinator Lynn Butler, who, in Megan’s words, “got us up the emotional equivalent of Mt. Everest.” Lynn provided not only medical guidance but emotional support, sharing a sentiment that helped the family endure: “This is the worst day of your life, but long-term, it changes nothing. You will adjust, celebrate milestones, and still raise Nolan to be who he was meant to be.” The couple also credits Dr. Jamie Shoag, Nolan’s oncologist, and the hospital’s
child-life specialists, who made long days more bearable for Nolan with art therapy, music and therapy dogs.
Nine months into treatment, Nolan’s life is returning to normal. He started kindergarten in August, and the family hopes to visit cousins soon. “Progress isn’t always linear,” Megan says, “but we’ve gotten through the worst of it.”
Max adds, “We know we’re not alone, and we’re optimistic that other families will receive the same wonderful care we have. Living in Cleveland, we feel incredibly fortunate to have this medical team behind us.”
Their experience at Cleveland Clinic Children’s has been defined by compassion, expert care and a shared commitment to Nolan’s recovery. “We’re feeling hopeful,” Megan sums up.
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Relax, Rejuvenate, Reset
We tried a Japanese head spa to figure out if it’s worth the hype.
“TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES,” Kimmy Russo tells me.
I’m at Tranquil Escape at Salon Boutique in Mentor, founded by Russo and her colleague, Michelle Kremiller. It’s among the first salons in Northeast Ohio to offer the Japanese head spa, a service that has gone viral. Ocean-inspired wall art and Zen music occupy the space, illuminated only by candles and teal-blue ambient lighting.
And here I am, getting a foot scrub during a treatment supposedly focused on my head. I’m confused but not complaining. It’s science, Russo explains. Head spas promote detoxification and blood circulation so that follicles can grow healthier hair. Starting that process at the feet helps it work its way up. With a digital microscope placed at my head, Russo projects close-up footage of my scalp onto a screen. She shows me red spots indicating irritation and cloudy spots indicating buildup of dirt, dandruff and dead skin. She
mixes two shampoos to tackle each issue, making the experience catered to my needs before it even starts. This translates as I pick an essential oil for my aromatherapy treatment.
Russo massages the oil into my hairline, scalp and temples, then paints a detox shampoo onto my hair to clean her canvas. When she scrubs it in with two hard-bristle brushes, I feel every itch leave my body. She rinses the suds with a halo-shaped shower that gently cascades my head with water. Steam rises from the bath; the heat aids in oxygen flow. Two wide-tooth detangling combs practically glide across my hair, an oddly satisfying experience.
My customized shampoo comes next. Russo massages the lotion into my hair with a device called “turtle feet.” The treatment works at my roots with a unique twisting motion. At this point, my head feels tingly. Blood is circulating. She transitions into hand, arm and foot massages and a face mask. This
part is a perk, not a science.
“If you’re coming for relaxation, you may as well get it all,” she says.
After another rinse, my hair is dried and styled. My scalp feels light. We check the camera; the skin under my follicles is noticeably brighter. No debris in sight. No wonder.
Tranquil Escape is a milestone for Russo and Kremiller, who have been cosmetologists for 20 years. The head spa is an alternative solution to their clients’ hair and scalp issues.
“We figured the glitz and glam of the spa world must go hand-in-hand with the expertise to solve those problems,” they say.
And glamorous it was. Though not a luxury one enjoys regularly, this spa is an ideal pick-me-up for days I need a true reset, from my head all the way down to my feet.
The crown jewel of the Japanese head spa is the halo shower (left), enhancing the wash.
Discover theHolidays atLegacy
Anthony Vince Nail Salon
Arhaus Furniture
Bar Louie
Barre3
Black Box Fix
Brio Italian Grille
The Capital Grille
The Cheesecake Factory
Chico’s
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Contessa Gallery
Crate & Barrel
Deka Lash
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dippy Whip Custard
Drybar
Esporta Fitness
Ethan Allen
Giant Eagle
Hyatt Place Hotel
J. Crew Factory
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Ladies & Gentlemen
Salon & Spa
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L.L. Bean
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The Melting Pot
Milan Laser
Hair Removal
Nordstrom Rack
Pearle Vision
PodPopuli
Sola Salon Studios
Soma Starbucks
Sweet & Sassy*
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White House / Black Market
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*coming soon
their parents. One boy grumbles dis tantly about his appetite, while a toddler cozies up to watch Bluey in the waiting area. Down the hall, Kid, a pediatric facility dog, prepares for his day.
Relaxing beneath the desk of his handler, child life specialist Molly Gross, the 6-year-old golden retriever jumps at the chance to meet any friendly face or petting hand. Kid glides down the hallway to his first child of the day, a 10-year-old leukemia patient awaiting three rounds of chemotherapy.
The small girl lifts her head only for Kid as he enters, sniffing around the floor. “Kid, where are my kisses?” she says in a tired voice. Methodically, the dog lifts his front paws to her infusion chair so that she doesn’t have to strain when she reaches out her hand to touch his soft, yellow fur.
dogs. Kid would undergo 16 rounds of chemotherapy over 20 weeks.
“As a handler, it was very bizarre,” Gross says. “Suddenly, I was on the other side of the treatment process.”
Kid’s oncology team at MedVet Akron helped him through four treatments. He received four rounds of chemo via IV infusion or orally each cycle, then he would get a week off. Gross was surprised by the similarity of cancer treatments between dogs and people. “He was very familiar with the process.”
She and Kid have more in common than meets the eye. In April, Kid was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. “I expected it maybe down the line,” says Gross. “I was surprised that it happened so early.”
Golden retrievers as a breed are at high risk for cancer, especially in old age. B-cell lymphoma is the most
Kid is part of a duo from Canine Assistants, an organization based in Alpharetta, Georgia. His partner, Trotter, works with Pediatric Inpatient Units. Facility dogs differ from therapy dogs. As facility dogs, Kid and Trotter are bred and trained for service work. Meanwhile, a therapy dog is a pet who has been trained and certified to provide emotional support. Kid and Trotter clock in each day like the staff, Gross jokes.
Kid lives with Gross, who accompanies him to oncology appointments. She says he reacted to chemo in a similar way to humans, often nauseous and fatigued. “Zofran was our best
The child life specialists and other staff were careful when and if to break the news about Kid’s diagnosis to their young patients.
“I would always ask the parents first,” Gross says, “and for the most part, they have been open and wanted us to share the news.”
Kid’s role in the hospital helps to create a sense of normalcy for the patients receiving treatment. With him fighting the same disease, it only strengthened his connection with the children he visits. Gross says the patients were interested in Kid’s treatment plan and drew a common thread between his struggles and theirs.
Kid is now cancer-free. “We had our first checkup for this month, and he had a good checkup,” says Gross. “He will go monthly for labs and a physical exam; that will be our routine for several months.”
Kid’s diagnosis and treatment mirrors what many of the children at Cleveland Clinic are going through. He reflects them in his patchy fur from chemotherapy and the bruise on his left leg from IV infusions — but, most importantly, in his resiliency.
golden retriever, keeps up the good fight after his cancer treatments.
Naturally Speaking
Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrates 50 years: An inspiring story of transformation and restoration.
BY MAURA ZURICK
Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s transformation shows the natural value of Northeast Ohio’s wilderness.
What was once an auto salvage yard littered with old car parts and debris is now one of the most serene spots in Cuyahoga Valley National Park: the Beaver Marsh. Nestled within the 33,000 acres of restored parkland, the marsh is a testament to the valley’s remarkable transformation over the past five decades. And don’t forget a tip of your cap to the beavers.
“The Park Service thought we would make it into parking for a special event site,” says Jennie Vasarhelyi, chief of interpretation, education and visitor services for CVNP. “But between human efforts to clean out the junkyard and beavers returning to the area, we ended up with this wonderful wetland.”
This story of natural recovery is just one of many that make CVNP a unique example of environmental restoration and community dedication as the park celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“As the Park Service, our goal is to allow natural processes to occur kind of unimpeded,” she says. “The fact that beavers came back and dammed up the wetland was really lovely.”
The evolution of CVNP turned a once-polluted landscape — marred
by garbage dumps, abandoned structures and heavy land use areas — into a thriving green space. Now a regional treasure, the park attracts a growing number of visitors to Akron, Brecksville, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, Peninsula and more.
“This is something our region should be proud of,” Vasarhelyi says. Despite decades of progress, she emphasizes that the park’s evolution is not finished. There are several key milestones in the park’s “back to nature” transformation.
“Almost every acre of this park has a restoration story associated with it,” she says. “A lot aren’t as visible because they’re outside of where visitors go.”
One milestone came in 1999 when the Gund family and the Trust for Public Land made a deal to repurpose the vacant Richfield Coliseum land. After the Cleveland Cavaliers relocated Downtown, the coliseum sat empty for five years. After its demolition, 80 acres of asphalt were removed, and the land was transferred to the park. Today, the former industrial site is a thriving 60acre grassland, home to rare bird species like the bobolink, Savannah sparrow and eastern meadowlark.
In 2021, the National Park Service completed the decades-long cleanup of the Krejci Dump, a former salvage yard and waste disposal site in Boston Township. The restoration of this oncetoxic landscape garnered national attention that praised the recovery of vital natural areas.
The park’s journey began with Congress passing a bill in December 1974 that established the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area the following June.
“One of the things people see as a big evolution is our name change to a national park in 2000, but that really wasn’t that big of a change. Other than
DISCOVER THREE HIDDEN GEMS IN CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Canal Exploration Center: Rebecca Jones
Macko, a CVNP ranger who describes herself as a blend of a Lorax and a “history geek,” recommends the center for those interested in learning about the region’s rich history and the valley’s transformation. “This building tells the story of the Ohio and Erie Canal, its importance to Ohio and the country, and what was happening in 1825 when they started building it.”
Everett Covered Bridge:
It is the last remaining covered bridge in Summit County. Built in the mid- to late-1800s, the bridge is located in the southern part of the park and crosses Furnace Run. It offers a picturesque scene, particularly in autumn.
Waterfalls along Hemlock Creek Trail:
The park’s hidden waterfalls are a treasure. “We are a valley,” Macko says. “Every drop of rain that falls wants to get down to the river, so we have waterfalls hidden throughout the park.” One of her favorite places is Hemlock Creek Trail, a paved path starting in Independence. “Part of it used to be an estate for one of Cleveland’s former industrialists,” Macko says. “He developed his own personal trail through the land. There are lots of waterfalls along the way.”
our name, we were already a national park in function,” Vasarhelyi says.
She credits the name change to former U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, who “slipped it into the appropriations bill” while serving on the House Appropriations Committee.
“When we became a national park, this area already had pre-existing parks, ski areas, Blossom Music Center and other recreational amenities,” Vasarhelyi says. “But on the other hand, the area had been heavily used — mining, logging, paper mills and dumping. So, there were park-like elements and others that were the opposite. One of the first steps was for Congress to establish boundaries for the park and begin acquiring federal lands to stitch these recreational areas together.”
The land acquisition phase of the park’s history has incurred its bumps and bruises.
“The local community really felt forced to sell and felt it left their communities at a disadvantage,” Vasarhelyi says.
After the land acquisitions, the park shifted into a development phase.
“Our economic impact through tourism has really increased,” she says.
Vasarhelyi cited Park Service studies showing that in 2005, about 90% of CVNP’s visitors were from Ohio. A decade later, that figure dropped to 80%. By 2023, only 68% were Ohioans.
“We’re seeing more and more visitors from outside the area,” she says. “Tourism brings a positive economic impact to the local community. At the same time, we help people in the community who come here. Having green
space as part of your daily life is really healthy, both physically and mentally.”
Rebecca Jones Macko, a CVNP ranger for 25 years who previously worked at five other parks, knows CVNP is unlike other national parks.
“Of all the parks that I’ve worked at, this park is the least afraid to try new things,” she says. “This park celebrates the songs of everyday people like you and me making decisions about life, making decisions about the environment and preserving those stories.”
Yes, landmarks like Wyoming’s Old Faithful and Arizona’s Grand Canyon are highlights at other national parks. But don’t hold them against CVNP.
“Our icon is this tiny, little shallow river that has a really big story,” Macko says. “We have this incredible history and these remarkable stories that make it worth a visit. We have the story of this recovery. We are a park for all people.”
More than ever, visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park come from beyond the borders of Ohio.
One
FOOD &
DRINK
H O L I D A Y S
BY CHRISTINA RUFO
CLEVELAND’S HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS capture the fleeting magic of the season. A phenomenon that’s grown in recent years, these festive watering holes are all as unique as snowflakes, brimming with lights, themed cocktails and cozy atmospheres. Each visit feels like a special occasion. Stop by the Christmas Corner Bar for yuletide karaoke. Look to the ceiling of Jack Cleveland Casino’s Sleigh for projections of classic holiday movies. Escape winter’s chill in elaborate displays of tropical decor at Tiki Underground’s Mele Kalikimaka. As the blurry Christmas lights reflect in your eyes and cinnamon shots dance in your head, remember to savor the season, make memories and enjoy a night of holiday cheer before it’s gone — until next year, that is.
AT VAN AKEN, KATZ STRIKES AGAIN
KEEP ON ROLLING
Chef Douglas Katz opened his third restaurant in five years, this time an American bistro at the Van Aken District.
It’s always big news when Douglas Katz opens a new restaurant. And when that restaurant is as stunning and appealing as Kiln, the entire Northeast Ohio dining community gets rightly excited. After opening in October, Kiln at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights joins Zhug and Amba in the newly christened Edgewater Hospitality group that the chef operates with partner Todd Thompson. “I feel that we have been waiting for this as a community since the pandemic,” says Katz. The team has transformed the former Shake It/Kindred Spirit/Sawyer’s property into a warm, elegant and airy eatery. The two-level restaurant serves American bistro fare rooted in classical European cooking techniques. As at Amba and Zhug, Kiln offers a broad range of dishes meant to be shared and enjoyed family-style. More than two dozen items are available, including many vegan and vegetarian dishes. Diners can rely on servers to help guide them through the experience. kilncle.com
Paloma Retools
After two years of service, Paloma at Van Aken District has undergone a transformation of sorts. Owners Zach and Alyssa Ladner – along with partner Carl Quagliata –briefly shuttered the restaurant with the aim of elevating the entire experience. “We want to grow beyond just being thought of as a place to go to get really good tacos,” Zach says. When guests returned to the restaurant following the hiatus, they were greeted by an updated interior and a new menu starring upscale Latin-inspired dishes, made-toorder guacamole, and a slate of steak options. Those gourmet tacos are still available but only at the bar. palomavanaken.com
Urban Meyer’s Pint House, a game day destination now operated by Cleveland’s Saucy Brew Works, will expand from Columbus to the former Winking Lizard space in the Gateway District. Look for a summer opening. urbanspinthouse.com
Tom’s Watch Bar, a buzzy sports bar brand with locations in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston and more, will plant a flag in 5,000 square feet of the Electric Building on Prospect Avenue, which is undergoing a $40 million renovation. tomswatchbar.com
Good Pizza, chef Charlie Anderson’s pizza pop-up, gets the brick-and-mortar treatment this winter at the former Citizen Pie Roman Cafe on East Fourth Street. Anderson describes his pies and slices as an “artisan take on the classic New York pizza.” instagram. com/goodpizzacleveland
BY DOUGLAS
Bulkley Comes Alive
Barista-owner James Orlando is building on his success at Downtown’s Copper Moon with The Brasserie and The Bulkley Bar in Playhouse Square.
A SOLID REPUTATION, good conversation and a great flat white. That’s how James Orlando, owner of Downtown’s Copper Moon coffee shop at The Statler, caught the eye of Craig Hassall, president of Playhouse Square. Only, at the time, Orlando didn’t know with whom he was talking.
“I never ask what anyone does. Who cares?” says Orlando, who is known for holding court with his loyal following of customers at his small-but-mighty Euclid Avenue shop. “One day, this Australian man came in and said, ‘This is the best flat white I’ve had in Cleveland. Do you have any interest in expanding?’ I didn’t realize he was the president of Playhouse Square.”
Orlando quickly fell for the Bulkley Building space. Opened in October, Orlando’s new side-by-side coffee shop and bar has activated the lobby of the 1921-built, nine-story office adorned with intricate art deco decorations. The Brasserie brings
a modern touch to the patinated relic with green curtains, checkered tile, tulip lighting and an ornate tin ceiling. The bar matches with floral wallpaper, an elegant cylinder fixture and a white marble bar top. Each seat about 15.
A high-end espresso machine from Nuova Simonelli anchors the coffee program, which blends French and Italian influences. Orlando’s approach here is slightly more refined than at Copper Moon — but he still builds custom drinks based on your preferences, a signature at the OG location. With Ohio liquors, the barista-inspired cocktail menu offers rotating sweet sips like a smoked maple syrup glazed old-fashioned and a lemon meringue martini with tempered egg whites and a toasted top.
Orlando, whose coffee shop at The Statler has a cult following, brings a barista’s mindset to craft cocktails.
“I’ve been a barista for 20 years,” says Orlando. “Learning about alcohol, I think I have a lot to contribute.”
Sharing a kitchen, both spaces offer a menu of pan-European fare that centers around house-made baguettes. Bread is in Orlando’s blood. His grandparents own Orlando Baking Co. Now defunct, Truffles Pastry Shop on Clifton Boulevard and 112th Street, which he opened at 22, was the now 41-yearold’s first food endeavor. In the Bulkley Building, Orlando’s ambitious — some might say foolish — baguettes, which take two days to rise, show up in French dips with sous-vide flank steak or meatball subs with in-house mozzarella.
“Why would you do that? It matters to me,” he says. “I can’t cut corners.”
Open early and through showtime, Orlando hopes to serve theatergoers and office workers, who have expressed sometimes being too short on time to visit the busy flagship down the street. Whoever stops by, Orlando is sure to win them over with the same approach he’s always taken: great conversation and great coffee.
WORD OF MOUTH
JONAH ORYSZAK
OWNER,
HEART OF GOLD
In 2016, Canton native Jonah Oryszak launched The Plum Cafe & Kitchen in Ohio City, which later transformed into Heart of Gold. The family man’s 25 years of hospitality experience gives him a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge on our vibrant dining scene. — CHRISTINA RUFO
GO-TO BREAKFAST I love what Martha on the Fly in Tremont is doing. Those guys are super talented, and I just love everything about their vibe and concept, from the space, to the design, to the marketing — and obviously the food. I like any of their sandwiches. They do “Fly Bys,” which is a temporary menu special that changes. I usually get that since I don’t get to go very often, so it’s always something different.
TAKEOUT We get Irie Jamaican [Kitchen] a lot if we’re just picking up something to take home. I get their jerk chicken dinner with plantains. Their fried plantains are really good.
FAMILY SPOT It’s a funny one. I love Fat Head’s [Brewery] in North Olmsted. They have these smoked wings. I don’t think I’ve gotten anything else on the menu there. They have a giant dining room and game room. It’s super kidfriendly. My daughter loves it there.
SWEET TREAT Mitchell’s [Ice Cream] is the best I’ve ever had in my life. I’ll never be swayed. I used to be in bands, and we’d tour and go everywhere. I’ve gotten ice cream from all around, and I still think Mitchell’s is the best. The Campfire S’mores or Wildberry Crumble are definitely my favorites.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2024 A Night on the Ru
OPEN PREMIUM BAR • DOORS OPEN AT 8PM
Get ready to take your New Year’s Eve celebration to new heights as we invite you to an unforgettable night of glamour, excitement and entertainment that will leave you soaring into the next year. Located across from the Cleveland airport runways, The Aviator is the perfect setting to bid farewell to the old and embrace the new!
• Prepare to be dazzled as Sophia the Fire Performer welcomes you with an electrifying display of fiery artistry upon your arrival!
• Live Band - We are the Radio! | Night in New York by DJ Ryan Layman
Dress Impess!to Hotel Accommodations provided by The Orbit by Wyndham (next door to The Aviator) Use code LBAE for 15% OFF! Now Booking Igloo Reservations! Seat up to 8 people. Enjoy fabulous views of the planes landing at CLE from heated igloo!
• Chef’s Grazing Food Stations & Displays
• Speakeasy Lounge featuring Hayden Grove
TOAST THE NEW YEAR with Chef’s grazing stations, dancing and drinks. Let the night flow through our 4 rooms and over 30,000 square feet of different entertainment, premium bars and a lavish menu.
• Bubbly Champagne Room • Photobooths to capture the memories • Late Night Snacks • Hats, noisemakers & party poppers
SCAN HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS!
Road • Cleveland AviatorCLE.com • 216-770-5300
Dining Guide
CLEVELAND'S BEST CHRISTMAS BARS
BLITZEN’S POP-UP BAR
WHY WE LOVE IT: What started off as a bar simply putting up Christmas decorations has turned into a holiday wonderland every winter season. Grab your most festive gear and stop by the Christmas-themed spectacle of a space. TRY THIS: The Melted Snowman ($13) includes Wheatly vodka, Fireball whiskey, RumChata liqueur, vanilla cream and a torched marshmallow. 80 N. Main St., Hudson, 330-650-1955, hudsonspopupbar.com
THE CHRISTMAS CORNER BAR
WHY WE LOVE IT: Around the Corner, a 50-year-old Lakewood classic, has transformed its side party room into the Christmas Corner Bar every holiday season since 2017. The space, packed with decorations and twinkling lights, is one of the most festive spots for going out in Northeast Ohio. TRY THIS: If you prefer a more private setting, get cozy in an outdoor igloo. Prior reservations are required, available through the end of January. 118616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-5214413, facebook.com/thechristmascornerbar
BY CHRISTINA RUFO
Gift
The only gift cards redeemable our member locations. Available $10, $25, $50 and $100 denomintions.
CHRISTMAS TRIO AT ROLLHOUSE
WHY WE LOVE IT: Experience three uniquely festive Christmas bars across Rollhouse locations in Mentor, Solon and North Olmsted. Mentor’s Bomb Bar goes heavy on the decor, with 4,000 ornaments, a 9-foot Nutcracker, 12-foot Christmas tree and wall-to-wall decorations for its annual, appropriately titled Christmas Explosion attraction. Solon’s Tinsel Tavern is adorned in iconic holiday decor, including a Grinch Christmas tree. Enter North Olmsted’s Holiday Hideaway with glistening lights and silver decorations resembling a snow blizzard. TRY THIS: At Rollhouse Mentor’s escape room, it’s up to you to solve the puzzles and unlock the clues to find and free Santa before it’s too late — rescue him in time to save Christmas. 7300 Palisades Parkway, Mentor, 440-946-5131; 33185 Bainbridge Road, Solon, 440-248-4080; 24488 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, 440-777-6363, therollhouse.com
ELF’D UP IN MEDINA
WHY WE LOVE IT: Have a good ol’ fashioned country Christmas as Thirsty Cowboys transforms into a winter wonderland. This popup serves guests Wednesday through Saturday every week
until the year ends. TRY THIS: Line dancing remains open on the weekends, so don an ugly sweater, grab a festive cocktail and jump in for dancing, food and fun. 2743 Medina Road, Medina, 330-722-5400, facebook.com/medinapopupbar
MELE KALIKIMAKA HOLIDAY POP-UP
WHY WE LOVE IT: Have a very merry Hawaiian Christmas at Tiki Underground’s Mele Kalikimaka-themed pop-up. The eclectic Cuyahoga Falls cocktail bar warms itself up through
Jan. 4 with specialty cocktails made with Pusser’s Rum. The interior is decked in tinsel, ornaments and Santa Claus-hat-wearing tiki heads, creating a coastal castaway holiday hideout. TRY THIS: The Reinkiller ($12) features your choice of Pusser’s Blue or Gunpowder Rum blended with orange and pineapple juices and craft eggnog, topped with cinnamon. 1832 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 234-380-5398, tikiunderground.com
MIRACLE ON EAST FOURTH STREET
WHY WE LOVE IT: Head into Society Lounge for a festive takeover of holiday cheer. When the miracle arrives for the season, the Downtown Cleveland cocktail bar sports plenty of decorations and expertly made seasonal cocktails. Guests can revel in themed glassware and even take them home as souvenirs or gifts, up until its final day on New Year's Eve. TRY THIS: The Stocking Stuffer ($18) includes bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry, amaro, cinnamon syrup, iced “hot” chocolate, aromatic bitters and marshmallow. 2063 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-930-2655, societycleveland.com
SLEIGH
WHY WE LOVE IT: Located in the Higbee Building on the third floor of the Jack Cleveland Casino, this bar projects iconic Christmas movies onto the ceiling, covering every inch of the room in festive decor. It’s impossible to enter without being immersed in holiday cheer.
TRY THIS: Craving something steamy to warm you up? The Peanut Butter Cup ($14) features peanut butter-based whiskey and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkled nuts, caramel sauce and a mini peanut butter cup garnish 100 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-297-4777, jackentertainment.com/cleveland
SECRET CELLAR CHRISTMAS BAR
WHY WE LOVE IT: Hoppy holidays! For more of a speakeasy feel, head to the basement of Great Lakes Brewing Co. Brewpub for a warm and cozy atmosphere featuring creative holiday cocktails and, of course, the famous Christmas Ale. Enjoy the ambiance for yourself on weekends and other select dates, from Black Friday until Dec. 31. This popup is also collecting donations for Providence House, which works to protect children from abuse. TRY THIS: Ralphie’s Revenge ($12) is great for beer and liquor lovers, combining a pint of Christmas Ale and a Fireball shot. 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
Presenting Sponsor:
XMAS BAR
SOUTHERN CHEER
CHRISTMAS POP-UP BAR
WHY WE LOVE IT: Southern Tier? More like Southern Cheer. The Downtown brewery flips to a festive version of itself and stays that way up until Dec. 23. Descend into the taproom basement for craft beer, jolly cocktails and other fun.
TRY THIS: The strong Old Man Winter Ale ($7.83 for a draft pour) is a
WHY WE LOVE IT: This holiday hot spot transforms the East Bank of the Flats' Hi 5 Sports Bar into a Christmas experience complete with Santa hat chairs, ornament covered ceilings and colored lights galore. With festive decor, themed drinks, a cheerful atmosphere and a pristine view of the Cuyahoga River, this bar is a key figure in Forward Hospitality's expanding lineup, making it a goto destination for trendy festive gatherings and holiday cheer in Cleveland.
TRY THIS: Jingle Juice ($18) features cinnamon-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka, sweet and spicy syrup and pomegranate all served in a take-home Xmas Bar ornament. 1052 Old River Road, Cleveland, 440-409-9158, xmasbar.com/cleveland
caramel- and toffee-flavored take on a winter warmer. 811 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, 440-484-4045, facebook.com/stbcbeercle
Meet Ruffing’s exceptional faculty, talk with our Head of School, explore our beautiful and spacious classrooms, and discover for yourself why so many of your friends, neighbors, and colleagues have fallen in love with Ruffing and made it the school of choice for their children.
Visit ruffingmontesssori.net or call the Admissions Office at 216.321.7571 to schedule a personal tour or register for Ruffing’s Fall Open House.
WRITTEN BY
ANNIE NICKOLOFF
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
KEN BLAZE
After closing 13 of 14 locations and redesigning one remaining restaurant’s menu with new offerings in mind, can Matt Fish save Melt Bar and Grilled?
GUY FIERI’S MOUTH
IS FULL OF PIEROGI AND BREAD AND CABBAGE AND CHEESE.
“Oh man,” he says, muffled by his chomping, “out of bounds!”
He’s taken a bite of a creation called the “Parmageddon,” and the restaurant’s owner, a young Matt Fish, nods at the frosted-tipped Food Network host. They’re crammed into the Lakewood Melt Bar and Grilled’s kitchen on this feature in the eighth season of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, airing on Feb. 8, 2010.
“That is one of the best grilled cheeses I ever had,” a greasy cheeked Fieri proclaims.
Fieri is here just a few years after the Lakewood Melt opened. His big bites and loud chewing are the brand’s first introduction to primetime national TV. In one scene, Fish flambes a few pierogies over the stove, flames dancing across the pan. The chef’s snarling tattoo of Kiss singer Gene Simmons, on the back of his arm, is visible.
It’s different, for a Food Network show. It’s punk. It’s Cleveland.
In the episode, Fieri slaps his hands together. “I tell you: Michael Symon, Eric [Williams] at Momocho, Heather [Haviland] at Lucky’s —” (a grill sizzles behind his voice) “— and now, this guy? I don’t know about this town. Crazy people.”
Soon, a new food icon is born.
Three months after this episode airs, Melt
will unveil its second eatery in Cleveland Heights. A month later, it will appear on Man v. Food. The next year, Fish will open his third spot and be on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and Cleveland Scene readers will vote Melt the Best Restaurant in Cleveland.
Fish will launch a total of 14 locations across Ohio, including at Progressive Field, Cedar Point and even a short-lived spot in Downtown Cleveland’s Public Square The company will hire 350 employees between eateries, a production facility and a corporate office. More than 1,000 fans of the restaurant will get Melt-themed tattoos permanently etched into their skin. Fish will begin to negotiate leases on Melt’s first out-of-state spots, in Detroit and Pittsburgh. It will inch from humble beginnings and balloon into something bigger, and bigger, and bigger.
And then, it will fall apart.
FISH SITS, ON A RECENT THURSDAY,
in a booth near the front window, taking a break from his kitchen shift at the original Melt Bar and Grilled location. It’s the only one left. Since the pandemic, Fish’s other restaurants shuttered, falling like dominoes.
The chef-owner takes a gulp of hot black coffee. He’s got more tattoos on his arms; more lines on his face than when he started Melt nearly two decades ago. Since Melt came into the picture, Fish’s life has grown more complicated. He’s got a wife (his second marriage) and two young children now. On this day, the restaurant is slow at 5 p.m., but he says it’ll pick up soon. His hair is slicked away in a short, gray cut. He wears an all-black outfit and scuffed, greasy shoes.
In recent months, a handful of former landlords and suppliers filed lawsuits for broken leases and missed payments. Customers complained of a drop in quality, from cut corners in sourcing products after the chain closed its commercial kitchen. The company shrank to just 18 employees.
Former office manager Kym Mitchell was hired just before the pandemic, then let go this past August. “We worked really hard to do everything we could do to keep Melt afloat,” Mitchell says. “I will tell you that this
was the hardest four years of my life for a career. But it was also a very rewarding four years of my life.”
Melt’s rapid string of closures punctuated what was, in reality, a slow shift in dining habits and neighborhood dynamics, both accelerated by the pandemic. Rising labor and food costs aside, a steepening demand for takeout and an emphasis on healthy eating habits meant that, soon, Melt’s big sandwiches didn’t fit into the diets of former regulars.
And soon, Fish watched the empire he’d built over his adult life crumble.
could to make Melt Bar and Grilled, as is, work, and the only way to make it work was to not make it work.”
Don’t get it twisted: The Melt identity is here. It’s just grown-up.
“You don’t get a lot of second chances in life, you know? Fortunately, I got one. I’m gonna do my best to make sure it works.” — MATT FISH
The downfall cascaded to one pivotal decision, when Fish filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, where businesses liquidate, Chapter 11 allows a reorganization to restructure debts.
“You don’t get a lot of second chances in life, you know?” Fish says. “Fortunately, I got one. I’m gonna do my best to make sure it works.”
At work, he moves quickly. He cleans. He washes dishes. He preps. He cooks. He oscillates between the blazing-hot kitchen grill and the basement’s icy walk-in freezers, his long legs striding up and down, up and down, the restaurant’s steps.
His 6-foot-4 frame stoops under the prep room’s low ceilings. He lugs classic Melt makings like bread and cheese and buckets of thick-cut fries. There are different dishes, too — onion hummus, local pasta, chimichurri, crab cakes, cuts of meat from a butcher down the street. Health-conscious, vegan — considerations on a menu he overhauled in September. This new menu is printed on long plastic sheets, no longer plastered to the backs of old record sleeves.
A year ago, Fish and Melt’s chief operating officer Neil Sanchez were in an office, confined to administrative work for the fleet of shops. Now, they take turns running Lakewood’s day-to-day. “We make everything from scratch, but it’s a small enough menu that there are five of us working in the kitchen, and we can execute all the prep, all the cooking, all the cleaning, all the ordering,” Sanchez says.
The new vision means a new interior, too; Fish closed up shop for one week to deep-clean every corner, replace the furniture and install wood paneling. He kept the characteristic plastic blow-mold Halloween and Christmas characters posed above the bar, along with the hanging modular glass star lights.
“Melt was gonna close in three years, if not less, if I didn’t do this, because the brand was played out,” Fish says. “We tried everything we
You can still order the Parmageddon. These days, it’s served with a big, locally sourced pierogi from Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma, Fish’s hometown. It’s still topped with cidery cabbage piled on two greasy slices of bread.
“We’re back to the basics, where we prep in our own kitchen,” Fish says. “I can honestly say the quality is back to as good, or better, than it was when we first started.”
But a question remains: Will this new version of Melt catch on like it did 18 years ago?
Time will tell. On this Thursday evening, a pair of customers step inside. They sit and scan menus in the otherwise-empty restaurant.
EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING POINTS,
there’s something constant about Matt Fish. He’s a workaholic and always has been, says Matt Bene. Bene saw an early example of the “Fish marketing machine” when Fish drafted a release strategy for their seventhgrade rock duo called “Inferno,” selling home-recorded tapes of crappy Kiss covers to classmates.
Later, they formed Whatever — and Fish promoted the punk group up to local and national renown. The band reunited last year after a 25-year hiatus.
“Music was always my first passion and still is, but it doesn’t pay the bills,” Fish says, “and restaurants sort of, sometimes, pay the bills.”
You could see and hear the young version of Fish inside the young version of Melt. Like the bar, the four walls of his childhood room were plastered with stickers, flyers, vintage ads and oddball toys. Melt’s background music has mixed rock, new-wave, punk and indie tunes from the ’60s to today — much like Fish’s shelves of tapes and CDs. “He was always quirky.” Bene laughs. “His room at home looked a lot like that original Melt. It was him, through and through.”
In that Parma childhood bedroom, Bene and Fish’s music grew up with them. It stuck with Fish when he graduated from Lutheran West
Melt Bar and Grilled’s original restaurant at 14718 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood is the only location still open, after a string of closures in the past few years.
MELT TATTOO FAMILY
Melt offers a 25% lifetime discount for those who get a tattoo of a grilled cheese. The business reached 1,000 card-carrying tattoo family members last year.
As the number of Melt tattoos crept toward four digits, longtime Melt server Jess Janicek decided to get her own grilled cheese tattoo. She opted for a version of “kid slug” ink, featuring a sandwich face — and nabbed the 1,000th Melt Tattoo Family membership card last year.
“I’d always get crap from my tables, because I’m covered in tattoos,” she says. “I was like, ‘I should probably snag that awesome number.’”
Janicek is one of the latest to get body art in a promotion that’s nearly synonymous to the restaurant (and continues today, in the remaining location’s rebrand). Brian McConville got his tat in 2008 to make use of the 25% off discount. His ink of a dagger slicing through a grilled cheese is No. 47 in the Melt Tattoo Family.
“It’s kind of neat to see [Matt Fish] build his empire; I hated to see the way it went,” McConville says. “When he was at his peak, it was just crazy. … Who would have thought a little cheese place would be like this?”
Hundreds of other diners have gotten permanent portrayals of this local eatery, whether it was for a discount or for their love of the space. “Melt’s like a second home to me,” Janicek says.
in Rocky River in ’91. It took Whatever on a half-dozen tours of the United States and two across Europe. The group opened up for prominent acts like Rancid, Pennywise and Jawbox; it got a record deal with punkfamous Dr. Strange Records, giving the band a national boost.
Fish was a big reason why. “You need the songs. You need the talent. You need the drive,” Bene says, “but you also have to have somebody that knows how to make these connections and build relationships and organize and get things done. And that is his superpower. Always has been.”
Fish is busy now; he was then, too. He spent days stocking shelves at Marc’s grocery stores. At night, he went to band practice, or shows, or to Rocky’s Pizza in Parma, where a girlfriend worked the night shift and where he’d occasionally help with orders and deliveries. The hot pizza kitchen was Fish’s first pull to restaurants — then came culinary school at Cuyahoga Community College. He supplemented his punk nights with days working in local eateries like Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar, a spot that inspired Fish’s vision for a place of his own.
Before all that ramped up, Whatever called it quits in late 1998. Bene was the first to pull away, forcing music into the backseat. Fish didn’t. The year Whatever broke up, he joined The Chargers Street Gang and played with the on- and off-again rock group for more than two decades.
And in the middle of that, in 2006, the old Bud’s White Door saloon went up for sale. It was across the street from the Lakewood Arabica coffee shop (now a Chipotle) that Fish frequented in the ’90s punk scene. With an idea for his own craft beer spot and restaurant, he snapped it up. Melt soon absorbed Fish’s focus, but music never left his plate.
After all, hammering the drumset, the raw intensity of it, has always been an outlet. It’s essential. “Music is a release,” he says. “It’s aggression; it’s something completely different than what I do on a day-to-day basis.”
That’s why, a few years ago, when Bene and Fish started to consider bringing Whatever back to the dead, it was an instant “yes.”
That’s why, even as Fish shuttered most Melt locations and returned to 80-hour work weeks, he still yanks himself out of the kitchen by 6 or 7 p.m. every Thursday for band practice.
There, he pounds out frenetic heartbeats on old Whatever songs with titles like “Me Against The World” and “Something New.” And you’ll hear Fish on a fresh batch of 12 fast-paced rippers from Whatever’s upcoming album, due in 2025, recorded with acclaimed Jawbox frontman J. Robbins in Baltimore this past summer.
But, yeah: Outside of music, Fish is going through a lot. His bandmates see it. “With the relaunch of the new restaurant, I knew that he was very busy and that this was very important to him, and we all want to support him,” Bene says. “I mentioned at practice, ‘Maybe we should take a little
LEFT: Melt Bar and Griled initially became well-known for its over-the-top, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. BELOW: Matt Fish and Jessica Fish both work to adapt Melt to changing audiences and demands.
hiatus while you get this thing underway. I know you’re busy.’ And without hesitation, he said, ‘Absolutely not. I need this.’”
FOR A LONG TIME, Matt
Fish knew how to prioritize his life: music and business. It was hard work and long hours getting a restaurant open in the 2000s — but it clicked for the chef. “I told everybody when I opened Melt: Plan to not see me for two or three years,” he says. “If you want to find me, you know where to find me.”
Jessica Fish happened to find him there. A year or two after Melt opened, she escaped a blustery cold Lakewood sidewalk with a friend and stepped inside the restaurant. “I remember feeling enveloped in warmth and music and the loud clamoring that comes from a restaurant, and it just felt good,” she says. “I don’t remember what I ordered or what I ate. I just remember thinking how cool of a place it was, and then seeing Matt come out to say hi to us, and being like, ‘Oh my God, hello.’”
The two were in relationships at the time, but Jessica says Matt was a “crush at first sight.” Then, in late 2012, when they both happened to be single, they hit it off over a weekend in Cleveland spent with a mutual friend. Jessica returned to New York City to complete culinary school, and Matt eagerly messaged her the first in a string of daily chats.
By early 2013, she made the leap, moving in with Matt in his Lakewood home. On Oct. 1, 2016, they married in Monterey Bay, California, where Jessica grew up. Two years later, they had their son, Felix, and three years after that, their daughter, Zoey. Then, the family relocated to Valley View.
Matt, now 51, originally didn’t plan on having kids. He knew how taxing the restaurant industry could be and how he exists within it. “I know what my personality is,” he says. “I know the person I am, and I didn’t want to raise my kids from a distance.”
These days, he wakes up early, at 6:30 a.m. every weekday, even if he worked until close the night before. He makes sure to walk Felix to the bus stop. It’s important, he says. Sometimes, it’s the only time of day he gets to spend with his son. “Truthfully, I need them probably more than they need me,” Matt says about his kids. “They keep me grounded.”
While Matt solidifies the ins and outs of Melt’s rebrand, Jessica has adjusted to the demands of primary parenting. She pitches in for the
business, too, baking hundreds of ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies with a hint of sea salt for the restaurant’s dessert menu every week, using a recipe she’s honed over the past seven years. She also manages Melt’s social media, where, lately, she’s busy fielding divisive comments around the restaurant’s updates. Beyond the trolls, criticisms revolve around the decor shift, around the rebranded concept’s “pretentiousness” and “douchebag ingredients.” (“Most of the ingredients that we are using in our current menu are the same ingredients that we’ve been using for the last 18 years,” she says, annoyed. “We’re talking about jalapeno and cilantro here.”)
Both of the Fishes acknowledge that Melt’s changes aren’t for everyone. They’re designed to cater to people who have, like Matt, grown up with the brand.
For Matt, a big part of growing up meant letting go of Melt’s statewide, multi-store operation. While he originally planned to whittle things down to three Melts in the company’s reorganization, he decided to shutter Mentor and Akron in late August — leaving just Lakewood. The restaurant that started it all.
“I was not happy at all owning 13, five, three stores,” Fish says. “I hadn’t been happy in years running Melt, because I was doing it because I had to, not because I wanted to. I’m finally doing this because I want to again.”
Now, he’s back to one hot kitchen. Back to from-scratch, locally sourced, chef-driven plates. Back to where he began.
“It’s hard work, but it’s fun work. That’s the restaurant industry. I still love it,” he says, with a short pause. “I hate it. But I love it.”
ON A RECENT FRIDAY EVENING, the 18-yearold eatery slowly comes alive as an older crowd, a noticeably not rowdy crowd, trickles in.
Couples, dressed for date night, order glasses of wine. Friends at a booth grab a couple of appetizers at the end of a long work week. A mother and daughter sip craft cocktails near the window that overlooks Detroit Avenue.
They’re seated at tables that don’t have white tablecloths. But they do have live candles. They flicker under the hum of rock music in the background, in a room of smells and tastes and years of memories — including this one, right now: a steady dinner rush at the new Melt.
Work is a fundamental part of Clevelanders’ lives, but the way we work looks different by the day. The COVID-19 pandemic put existing trends into hyperdrive, and technology coursed its way through the heart of many workplaces, bringing efficiency along with tumult. The following collection of local stories provides a glimpse into the concept and transformation of “Work In Place” — wherever that place might be.
In Plªce
edited by Ron Ledgard
photographed by Kevin Kopanski and Kaitlin Walsh
written by Ida Lieszkovszky
DR. TIMOTHEUS WATSON
Pediatric Cardiologist, Akron Children’s Hospital
It’s a sunny Monday afternoon, and Dr. Timotheus Watson of Akron Children’s Hospital is getting ready to examine a baby born with a hole in her heart. Her foster parents are hoping for good news. “Thanks for fixing yourself,” he tells the baby as she coos up at him. He’s clearly enjoying delivering this bit of good news; the hole in her heart closed up on its own. Then it’s on to a toddler who passed out while sick and crying, a girl who fainted at the mall and then a newborn whose heart chambers developed in reverse.
NOMADIC DOC
The pediatric cardiologist examines all of them with devotion. He listens to their heartbeats and gently measures their pulse on their bare feet, tickles them lightly and jokes with their parents.
On a typical day, Watson, a pediatric cardiologist, sees 10-12 patients like this. Many cases are routine, like kids crying so much they hold their breath and pass out. Others are more nuanced, like the baby with reversed heart chambers who will need complex surgery at some point in her life. But where he sees all these patients is less typical.
He’s in Beachwood on Monday. On Tuesdays, he’s in North Canton or at the Mahoning Valley office doing prenatal scans.
On Wednesdays, he’s usually in Warren, on Thursdays he’s typically in Mansfield and on Fridays he heads to Akron or Canton. Throw in the occasional week of hospital duty, and you’ve got one unpredictable schedule.
Watson doesn’t mind this nomadic work week.
“I applaud Akron Children’s saying, look, we’re going to go where the families are, try to make appointments convenient, try to put the focus on the patient,” he says.
Watson is part of an effort by
Akron Children’s to make sure doctors are where the patients are. It’s not quite a house call, but it’s a conscious effort to make sure patients don’t have to drive too far to reach their doctor’s office. The hospital system has set up pediatric offices and emergency centers all around Northern Ohio, and specialists like Watson drive around between various offices to meet patients close to their homes.
Pediatric nurse practitioner Rachael Passodelis, who works with Watson in Beachwood on Mondays, enjoys the variety the outreach program offers.
“I like the changeup a little bit, to be honest, because I think it makes each day a little bit different,” she says.
In any given week, she’ll work out of offices in Boston Heights, North Canton, Medina, Mansfield, Norwalk, Akron or Beachwood. Still, at the end of a long day, nobody looks forward to a long drive home.
“(My) favorite place is the one that’s always closest to home, to be honest, because some of these locations are so far that the days I get to be at a really close location makes it easy,” she says.
Dr. J.R. Bockoven, the director of outreach at Akron Children’s
photographed by
Kaitlin Walsh
Heart Center and a pediatric cardiologist, coordinates with Watson, Passodelis and the rest of the traveling doctors. He says it takes a certain kind of person to become an outreach physician, someone who can be flexible and work off of a main campus where they “don’t have all the resources.”
He tells doctors he’s recruiting that “you’ve got to love to drive, or not hate to drive; let’s just put it that way.”
Bockoven joined Akron Children’s in 2003. Now, his mission is expanding the hospital system’s network far and wide, and he practices what he preaches. He sees patients at offices in Beachwood, Medina, Mansfield, Marietta, North Canton and Wooster.
When I caught him by phone, he was in his car driving back from New Philadelphia. He said he put 38,000 miles on a new car in the first year of driving it.
A map on the hospital system’s website shows a web of offices filling up the state’s Northeastern quadrant. By now, you can find Akron Children’s offices as far west as Mansfield and out east near the Pennsylvania border in East Liverpool and Lowellville. There are offices as far north as Mayfield Heights on the East Side, Lorain on the West and as far south as Belpre and Marietta, by the West Virginia border. They’re not quite content with that; Bockoven said they’re working on opening up a new regional center in Medina within the year.
“If we were just at Akron Children’s, everyone can come from all of these places up to Akron,
Being there for dinner is everything to me right now. It’s just a simple thing: I want to see them before they go to bed, have dinner and hang out.”
— DR. TIMOTHEUS WATSON
but they’re driving upwards from an hour, to two and a half hours,” Bockoven says. “If we can have clinics closer to home, then we can provide the same level of care closer to their home, which is better for a lot of different things: for patient access, for patients being able to keep the appointments, for patient satisfaction.”
It makes life easier for patients. “Patients love it,” he says. “They love when you have the expertise closer to home and you don’t have to drive so far.”
Nearby access to specialty physicians is especially important for folks living in rural parts of the state where the closest specialist could be several hours away, and some patients with complicated conditions need to see their doctors frequently. Watson says he has patients for whom he drives an hour to see, and they still have to drive an hour or more to get to him. Being closer to those folks is “invaluable,” he says, and “helps with outcomes too.”
It’s also easier for patients to navigate smaller, suburban and rural offices than the often lab-
yrinthine main campuses that anchor many large hospital systems, he says.
“You drove up, you parked, the office is right there; it’s not some huge garage structure that’s charging $15 to park and then you’re trying to navigate,” he said. “It makes a huge difference to just be able to go in walk up the steps come to our office.”
He knew what he was getting into when he accepted the position last January. In fact, it decreased his drive time. He’d previously worked at an Atlantabased system that served 22 offices around Georgia. He recalls Bockoven warning him about all the time he’d have to spend in his car and thinking, “That’s kind of right up my alley right now, just with less traffic.”
“I’ve been doing that in one of the busiest cities in the country, driving, you know, being stuck in traffic,” he recalls. “I was like, this is going to be a breeze.”
A self-proclaimed “electric vehicle nerd,” he spends hours on the road listening to podcasts about electric vehicles.
He said it helps that Akron Children’s appreciates all the
driving he has to do, and incorporates the time it takes for him to be on the road into his daily schedule.
“If it’s a real remote clinic, our days end a little bit earlier, so we’re not getting home at 8 p.m.,” he says.
There are additional accommodations to ensure clinicians don’t get burned out, too. Watson particularly likes an AI system the hospital recently invested in that takes notes for him during visits. Previously, he’d have to spend another hour or two catching up on clinical notes after he got home.
“For me, being here, what attracted me was kind of getting some of my time back,” he says. That became especially important to him once he became a parent. He has two daughters who, at his old job, used to complain that he works all the time.
“Being there for dinner is everything to me right now,” he says. “It’s just a simple thing: I want to see them before they go to bed, have dinner and hang out.” Though, he admits, they might prefer to play with their dolls.
written by Kristen Hampshire
short to be super overwhelmed all the time.”
“The lifestyle I had been living until everything stopped was unsustainable and unhealthy,” she says.
Daniella Cortez was running ragged on a work treadmill overseeing a content team at a Northeast Ohio boutique marketing firm — and she was quite good at it. A committed boss balancing mom life, the work was fulfilling. But how empty she actually felt didn’t kick in until the pandemic forced her team to 100% work from home for several months. “I was in my 40s and realized I had been white-knuckling it through my career,” Cortez says. She discovered, “Life is too
Hybrid was no longer comfortable. “And I have a high-risk child who could absolutely not get COVID,” she says of her daughter’s seizure condition. “In general, returning to the workplace made me feel really nervous.”
Cortez started a low-key job hunt to see what remote-only possibilities were out there.
Then on LinkedIn, she stumbled upon a post about Curriculum Associates, a Boston-area tech-ed company that produces instructional and assessment software. An open social communications role caught her eye.
“I did four interviews with them in less than three weeks, and it felt like the right role, the right time and the right team from the moment I saw the job description,” Cortez says.
The life-changing career move has given her a sense of freedom, three years and a couple of promotions later.
UNRAVELING STRESSORS
While working from home, Cortez realized, “It was easier to accommodate myself.” She gained knowledge of ADHD diagnoses and says understanding her neurodiversity has been an enlightening path to working healthier while also scaling the corporate ladder.
FRUIT SNACKS ON ZOOM
With fully remote work and an employer out of town, the responsibilities are no different than attending a 100% in-office position. But there’s a level of understanding in the work culture Cortez joined that she appreciates. For one, no more daycare at about $900 per month. Cortez walks her daughter, who is in kindergarten, to school every morning as part of a daily routine. She says, “If there is an 8-year-old wandering around eating fruit snacks on a Zoom call, that’s part of being understanding.” Because Cortez works in a market with higher wages, she won a nice-sized bump, nearly double her previous pay.
STRUCTURED WFH
During her time at the local marketing firm, Cortez admits, “I had zero idea how to work at home. I was just working all the time. Work was always here.” Boundaries are big. For Cortez, that meant converting a sunroom to an office, closing the door to that space on weekends, using a different laptop for personal matters and maintaining traditional hours with the mind space to do everyday life. “Being in control of my space is super helpful for my productivity,” she says.
AT HOME, OUT OF TOWN
photographed by Kaitlin Walsh
written
RACHEL HUNT
WHAT EVENTS?
Concertgoers disappeared overnight during the pandemic while Hunt was in a full-time marketing role at the Grog Shop. At the time, she didn’t know if the industry she loved would tank. She moved to a boutique marketing studio full-time, a hybrid environment. She reported to the office for three days and worked from home for two. In some ways, it was like continuing education. “I gained more skills, learning how to run ads and submit ad plans to clients,” Hunt says. In other ways, all of her newfound eventplanning and marketing knowhow applied to the work, regardless of the client’s business: pharma, financial, nonprofit. Meanwhile, Hunt was still hosting radio shows, weddings were coming back for her DJ talent, and she’d occasionally work at clubs to help with bookings.
Serial multitasker. This should be Rachel Hunt’s official title, which has followed her through iterations of her marketing, communications and event planning career since graduating from Case Western Reserve University with a degree in art history and English. Hunt has gotten paid to run social media accounts (“I would have said, ‘You’re crazy,’ if you told me I’d be doing this 15 years ago”); she was a contributing food editor at Cleveland Scene; she helps run volunteer radio shows on WRUW called Live from Cleveland and Guilty Pleasures, a longtime gig she fell into in 2010 while a student. She has managed bookings for Grog Shop, repped as an account manager at a local boutique marketing firm and curated vendors and content for Asian-fusion Night Market events. She now manages all things marketing and beyond at Grog Shop as one of the venue’s scant full-time employees. Oh, and she DJs at weddings, hosts trivia and bartends. Variety brings experience and perspective to her day job. “I’ve always been like this, honestly,” Hunt says. “Since I was in high school, I’ve always had, like, three jobs, and I do like the variety.”
BACK ON STAGE
After about 18 months beginning in January 2021, Hunt was asked to return to Grog Shop full time. She jumped in with mostly office hours, on site daily. “I like working from home, but the reality is, people still call us to buy tickets over the phone, and people still leave their credit cards at the bar,” Hunt says. These days, Hunt DJs about 10 weddings every year, bartends one evening per week and is on air at WRUW weekly; “people keep asking me to do cool stuff, and I like to be a part of those things, so I say yes,” she laughs. Hunt says side hustles were a must in the past; that’s not the case now. “It just makes me happy, and it makes other people happy.”
Marketing Director, Grog Shop
BOOKED AND LOVING IT
by Kristen Hampshire photographed by Kaitlin Walsh written by Kristen Hampshire
written by Ron Ledgard
FORWARD THINKING
Flexibility is great, but making an in-person impression is worthwhile, too. Catch up with two pros who know how to find balance in a career that involves extra screen time.
Q: Who benefits the most with a work-from-home option?
A:
expands
It’s not a one-size-fitsall situation. For many companies, being able to hire remote workers
the geography where they can recruit, which is a big advantage in a tight labor market. Employees can also benefit by an enhanced quality of life when not having to deal with a long commute five days a week, but that must be balanced by the potential downside of isolation.
— JEANNE COUGHLIN
JEANNE COUGHLIN | President, The Coughlin Group
How did the pandemic change the workplace for all involved?
Instances of employees expecting more accommodations around their personal life. While this has generally been a healthy change, I have seen circumstances where parents are caring for their young children while working from home, which isn’t good for the children or the company.
What are the best ways to keep a department or a team together and on task?
There definitely must be a concerted effort to bring teams together for non-work-related events and discussions. Also, good collaboration software can make a big difference for tracking project work.
How can workers stay connected to be considered for promotion and raises?
It is the responsibility of the worker to stay connected with their manager and to request one-on-one time on a regular basis. It’s also helpful to be transparent about what the impact of working remotely could be to future roles.
ANNE TEMPLETON ZIMMERMAN
| MD Professor of Bioethics, Director of Education, Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
How has work in the office changed?
Work in the office has changed for better and for worse. In the office, people tend to be more targeted and organized for what they want to accomplish on “in office” days. Office supervisors have to communicate clearer vision and purpose for what is to be accomplished in person. On average, people have become more thoughtful about their work in the office, even appreciating office space and cultures more than they used to.
How can you be noticed for good work?
If workers are predominantly working from home, they should still really make an effort to network so that they are thought of for promotions, raises, etc. If scheduling an in-person meal or coffee is impossible, people can do so quite effectively over Zoom or Facetime, for example. Asking supervisors or others more senior to you for short mentoring check-ins with targeted questions (and perhaps targeted agendas of accomplishments) is welcomed at many workplaces but has to be driven by the employee.
written by Kristen Hampshire
HOW TO SHOW UP
HALLIE ABRAMS | The Wardrobe Consultant
She’s here to take the stress out of getting dressed. She’ll also help you understand the new rules of dressing for work — and for the job you aspire to have one day. Hallie Abrams is The Wardrobe Consultant. The 54-year-old Chagrin Falls stylist and blogger works in person and by Zoom with clients close to home and across the country. She started the business about 20 years ago, and the concept was born from helping her husband’s sister figure out her personal style before she returned to the workplace after time away to raise children. More recently, she’s been a go-to for women and men in a variety of work and life stages who have eased back into the office, shifted to work from home completely or are on a hybrid schedule.
Find your style words Abrams takes a layered approach to outfitting clients that begins with addressing personal taste, body type and life roles. “All of this influences what you need in your closet,” she says. From there, create a style statement. For example, a client told Abrams: “Classic, elegant and timeless with a touch of something unexpected.” Next, Abrams performs a closet analysis of pieces that work, items that can be edited out and what’s missing. “This way, we can create a targeted shopping list, like going to the grocery store with a recipe.”
Zoom in Much like newscasters who wear brighter colors when they’re on the air and stray from busy prints, Abrams advises applying these best practices to dressing for Zoom. “Incorporate an accessory to add interest — a necklace, scarf, earrings — and for men, a bold color or shirt with a collar,” she says. For women, avoid going overboard with makeup, but keep lipstick at your desk, Abrams advises. Can you dress for online meetings from the waist up only? “That depends on whether you will need to stand up during the call,” Abrams says of pajama pants.
Here’s the shortlist. It’s OK to go bolder with the lipstick on Zoom. Sneakers are fine; just wear hybrids. Your jeans don’t have to be denim. (“There are literally sweatpant jeans.”) Add accessories done right for personality. (We’ll explain.) Combine business-pleasure outfits that show a sense of ease and professionalism. And above all, you still can’t let it all hang out. Think of a dress code as a lead line. There’s more slack now, but it’s still tethered.
Relaxed fit
Suiting is not so stuffy these days.
The latest footage: Oxford-sneaker hybrids can replace traditional penny loafers, and women can trade pumps for boots or flats, Abrams says. There’s slack for pants, too. For women, there are blouses with a true poplin front and T-shirt back, and men can find collared shirts made from performance material. Swapping out a button-down with a T-shirt or sweater under a blazer is acceptable. But Abrams says, “You can never go wrong dressing for the job you want.” If a dress code is business casual, she says, “Make sure business is the lead, and you can include elements to help it be more casual.” Fair or not, the reality is your appearance makes an impression. “What we wear is the first line of communication,” Abrams says. “And you’re the master of your ship. You have a choice to say, ‘I don’t care,’ but think about the message you are sending.”
written by Ken Prendergast
SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
In
It takes much longer to rebuild something than it does to destroy it. Even in the past year with the removal of 42% of office inventory from the Greater Cleveland market, there are signs of recovery.
“Before COVID, Downtown Cleveland was riding high,” says Nathan Kelly, president of real estate services for Playhouse Square. “We were actually ahead of the game compared to other cities, thanks to a smart move to convert outdated office space into vibrant residential areas.”
Companies were drawn to density because talent wanted to be where the action was, he says. The suburbs are trying to imitate that, with amenityladen places like Legacy Village, Crocker Park, Pinecrest, Van Aken District and more. Owners of individual residential and office buildings are trying to add workplace amenities, too.
One example is Downtown’s 52-year-old AECOM Building. It saw vacancy rates drop from 45.2% in 2019 to 26.3% in 2024, according to Moody’s Ratings.
“You have to treat your office buildings like a hotel,” says Terry Coyne, vice chairman of the Cleveland office of brokerage firm Newmark. (He handles
leasing at AECOM.) “It’s all about amenities.”
That can include a wide swath of features such as heated indoor parking, hotel-style lobbies or offering the latest interactive technologies and huddle rooms. Employees are looking for things like tenant lounges, childcare services and snack bars. A big plus is state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
Another way to view a return to the office is to see it as beneficial to employees, especially in terms of advancement.
“A person who is 25 years old — how do you train them?” Coyne says. “Working together has value. We learn a ton. People like to hang out with people. When you’re working from home, you get promoted less, get fired more and earn less.”
“Working from the office isn’t just about butts in seats — it’s about building culture, reducing turnover, knowledge transfer, process improvement and, yes, command and control,” Kelly added. “Some roles like customer service jobs with high turnover probably aren’t coming back to the office in a big way, and that’s fine. Not every position needs to be in person.”
written by Julia Lombardo
INTERIOR DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHER
NIKKI PULVER
Owner of Shaker Interiors
Location: Shaker Heights
Favorite thing about their office: “The circa 1936 architecture: a grand bay window, extensive millwork, a Dutch door and a wood-burning fireplace. My partner and I specialize in historic restoration, designing and renovating century homes, so this office is the perfect muse.”
AISLEY HERNDON
CEO of Aisley Herndon Photography
Location: Akron
Favorite thing about their office:“My favorite part of my office is all of the memorabilia on the wall. It feels like a time capsule of all of my favorite memories. Also the vibe: (The lighting) is all pink, so it feels pretty fun and empowering to be in there.”
INTERIOR DESIGNER
BRAND MARKETER
OTELIA VERGEZ
Owner of Vergez, Inc.
Location: Cleveland
Favorite thing about their office: “This space feels like us. Just about every item is thrifted, gifted, DIY’d or found and curated over the years so each element has a story that reflects our work, travels, time spent in other cities and our family and friends’ connections.”
SHANNON MCFAUL
Founder of Clover Studio
Location: Chardon
Favorite thing about their office: “My favorite item in my workspace is my Himalayan salt lamp. It gives the perfect ambiance and vibe for working.”
photographed by Kevin Kopanski
HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the season with these great gifts for anyone in your life.
Give the gift of Cleveland Independents. The package features The Deck, with $500 in offers, the 2025 Cleveland Independents calendar and Cleveland Independents gift cards, redeemable at any member restaurant.
clevelandindependents.com
Make your holiday shopping stress-free and give Charles Scott Salon & Spas gift cards. You can purchase a $100 gift card for $85 during its holiday sale Nov. 24 through Dec. 24.
19025 Old Lake Road, Rocky River, 440-333-7994; 34970 Detroit Road, Suite 230, Avon, 440-899-1957, charlesscott.com
(starting at $299) from Wired Right Automotive Electronics is the perfect solution. Remote start your car from the comfort of your home or office with the world’s best-selling vehicle security and remote start brand.
22350 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-734-3838
This handcrafted, Cleveland-made natural skincare features plastic-free packaging, cruelty-free formulas and USDA-certified organic ingredients. Support small business with every gift set for healthier skin and a greener planet, priced as low as $16.50.
quarter-zip sweater by Peter Millar is an ideal transitional piece that's perfect on its own or as a second layer under a jacket ($395), sold at Ford's Clothier. It features a wool, yak and cashmere knit for warmth and softness, and an intricate knit pattern for texture and added style.
19821 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-333-2355, fordsclothier.com
Give the gift of the remote control SoccerBot toy, sold at Once Upon A Time Toys for $54.95. Practicing tabletop RC soccer promotes hand-eye coordination and cause and effect skill training. And it’s just plain fun.
19285 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-333-2327, onceuponatimetoys.com
Give a loved one a day of shopping at Legacy Village with a gift card, available in any denomination from $5 to $500. They are accepted at most shops and restaurants, including L.L. Bean, Nordstrom Rack, Crate & Barrel and more.
25001 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, 216-382-3871, legacy-village.com
Meet the individuals whose passion, creativity and dedication to their crafts make Cleveland stand out.
MGM NORTHFIELD PARK
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PONSKY FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY
PG. 66
THE AVIATOR CLEVELAND PG. 67
BRADLEY STONE INDUSTRIES
PG. 68
CLE SMILES BY DR. NIKI
PG. 69
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PG. 70
FOGLIETTI FOSTYK PLASTIC SURGERY
PG. 71
HEALTH ACTION COUNCIL PG. 72
JUDSON SENIOR LIVING PG. 73
AKRON CHILDREN’S PG. 74
TAP ROOT HOSPITALITY GROUP
PG. 75
SPRY PERSONAL PRIMARY CARE PG. 76
HARRINGTON DISCOVERY INSTITUTE AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
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W DESIGN
PG. 78
ZAPPY’S AUTO WASHES
PG. 79
LORAIN BREWING COMPANY
PG. 80
WELCOME
The Faces of Cleveland. A phrase that resonates with trust, authenticity and local expertise. In this special feature, we are thrilled to present the outstanding businesses and organizations that shape our vibrant community. Each profile highlights people whose dedication and innovation make Cleveland a better place to live, work and enjoy life.
Whether enhancing our homes, caring for our vehicles, bringing excitement to our days or guiding us toward healthier, more confident lives, we want to introduce you to the exceptional people behind some of Cleveland’s most successful businesses.
Please explore and connect with these leaders who go above and beyond, offering a level of service that adds something truly remarkable to our community.
SINCERELY,
DENISE POLVERINE Publisher, Cleveland Magazine
THE
FACE OF WINNING
DAVE ADDLEMAN
MGM Northfield Park
Though Dave Addleman, VP, Regional IT Operations, makes MGM Northfield Park his homebase, he’s responsible for IT at seven properties across the country. The question he’s asked most often is, “do you ever sleep?” With a sly smile, his answer is, “not often.”
Dave came up the hard way at the Lorain Square housing projects. The neighborhood was resentful of the tenants, and school was no different, as he was picked on for wearing the same clothes day after day. Missing meals in those days was common, but Dave was determined to never miss an opportunity.
He started as a restaurant dish washer, working up to general manager. He later took a role as a tech for Amtote International, where he serviced Thistledown and Northfield Park.
In 2012, while constructing Hard Rock Northfield Park, Chairman & CEO Brock Milstein called on Dave to ensure all IT systems were best-in-class. Dave spent months poring over technical manuals and working in the field to become a self-taught IT executive. MGM Northfield Park and its sister properties are now his beneficiaries.
When not overseeing technology for the leading gaming company in the world, Dave spends time working out and mentoring his 12-year-old grandson, a football and basketball standout. It’s clear winning is in their genes.
Dr. Diana Ponsky empowers clients to embrace their individuality through customized plans for the nose, face and neck. At the forefront of advanced medical technology, she integrates 3D morphing, AI and other innovations, often adopting them ahead of larger institutions. A double board-certified surgeon, Dr. Ponsky is recognized as a leader in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Her numerous accolades include Cleveland’s Best Doctors and the peer-nominated Castle Connolly Top Doctors award. Through her work, she inspires confidence and helps clients become the best versions of themselves.
3700 Park E. Drive, Suite 160, Beachwood, 216-508-4055, drdianaponsky.com
Soaring
THE FACES OF CUSTOM STONE DESIGN AND FABRICATION
STACY STEIDEL, BRAD DISANDIS AND KEVIN MACKO
Bradley Stone Industries
Brothers-in-law Bradley Disandis and Kevin Macko, along with Operations Manager Stacy Steidel, have grown Bradley Stone Industries into the largest and most technologically efficient company of its kind in the region. A recognizable brand for over 30 years, the management team attributes its success to a “no fail” team concept that has the whole staff’s buy-in, including sales, production and installation.
Bradley Stone Industries offers the most diverse product line of applications, including marble, quartz, quartzite, granite, porcelain, glass, ceramic and other hybrid materials. Every project receives the full measure of attention, from the simplest counter to the most high-end and complex in the residential market — as well as many of the most noteworthy commercial projects in the region.
30801 Carter St., Solon, 440-519-3277, bradley-stone.com
Smiles by Dr. Niki
THE FACES OF A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DR. KAREN MILLER, SHANA MARBURY, DR. MICHAEL A. BASTON, INDIA PIERCE LEE AND DAVE KUNTZ
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) has had an indelible impact on Northeast Ohio since opening its doors to students in 1963. Since then, more than 1 million community members have come to Tri-C in search of a better life. Over the decades, we have created new ways to contribute to the region socially, culturally and economically by meeting the evolving needs of Northeast Ohio’s residents and businesses and strengthening our corporate and community partnerships.
We imagine a future in which every citizen, regardless of where they live, is educated and supported to enter a career where they can earn what they need to care for their family — a future where their children can grow and prosper here in Northeast Ohio. To that end, we are committed to providing greater clarity around career pathways and increasing postcollege success.
Our impact is not confined to our campuses. It reverberates throughout Cuyahoga County and beyond, shaping the future of our community, one student, one program and one partnership at a time
DR. MARK A. FOGLIETTI AND DR. ALANNA FOGLIETTI FOSTYK
Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery
In 2018, Dr. Alanna Foglietti Fostyk joined her father, Dr. Mark A. Foglietti, in his prominent Northeast Ohio plastic surgery practice, creating the only father-daughter cosmetic surgery team in the country. Together, they offer a multigenerational approach to plastic surgery. Dr. Foglietti brings decades of surgical experience, the advancement of his trademark surgical techniques and wisdom gained from years of watching gimmicks in the field show up, then disappear. Dr. Fostyk complements the team with a fresh take on today’s trends, the benefit of a woman’s perspective in cosmetic treatments and most importantly, outstanding surgical abilities. This father-daughter, independent practice presents patients with a comfortable, personalized approach to plastic surgery. Metropolitan Plaza, 22901 Millcreek Blvd., Suite 145, Beachwood, 216-292-6800, allnewyou.com
ADVOCACY
Health Action Council
The health care environment continues to evolve, and the regulatory landscape grows increasingly complex, as does the benefits marketplace. As CEO of Health Action Council, Patty Starr navigates the organization through transitions and embraces change as a vehicle for continuous improvement and innovation.
Focusing on quality, transparency, education and cost, she and her team serve as trusted advisors to member employers, creating solutions that improve outcomes, reduce costs, simplify complex issues and help employees thrive. Through thought leadership, innovative services and collaboration, she strives for a healthy, vibrant and prosperous community where businesses can thrive.
6133 Rockside Road, Suite 210, Independence, 216-328-2200, healthactioncouncil.org
PATTY STARR
VIBRANT SENIOR LIVING
RICHARD MOORE, FRAN HELLER AND MARY ALICE VALVODA
Judson Senior Living
Judson Senior Living creates an enriching environment, providing a backdrop for residents to reconnect with lifelong passions or explore new areas of interest, along with providing comprehensive senior living solutions.
Judson Manor in University Circle, Judson Park in Cleveland Heights and South Franklin Circle in Chagrin Falls offer a diverse range of health services and programs designed to provide peace of mind and support for older adults. Judson at Home — a unique membership program — allows individuals to experience the Judson lifestyle while remaining in their own homes.
Judson Senior Living has a long-standing commitment to creating an environment where aging is vibrant. This is the essence of how Judson brings community to life.
DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, MD; IRA TAUB, MD, FAAP AND SIMEE MALIK, MD, FAAP
Akron Children’s
At Akron Children’s, being one of the top children’s health systems isn’t just about rankings — it’s about being trusted experts who provide care and support for babies, kids and teens through their health care journey. With two hospitals, seven health centers and 44 pediatric offices, Akron Children’s delivers trusted, comprehensive and compassionate care that is close to your community.
Akron Children’s new pediatric urgent care center in Beachwood is ready to handle your kids’ unexpected scrapes and sniffles, while its expanded surgical center in Beachwood offers same-day surgical care.
If you’re seeking a primary care pediatrician, visit any location, including the newest pediatric primary care in Mayfield Heights. This ongoing growth reflects Akron Children’s commitment to making expert pediatric care inclusive and accessible. 330-543-1000, akronchildrens.org/cleveland
THE FACES OF FINE DINING & A CHIC BOURBON CLUB
KATHLEEN DANGELO, LEO HINES AND GEORGE MATOS
Tap Root Hospitality Group
Fine dining, Napa wines, extraordinary hospitality and a world of bourbon — all set within visually stunning spaces — this is Tap Root Hospitality Group. We invite you to visit Sapphire Creek Winery and Orchid House Winery to indulge your senses and enjoy unparalleled food, drink and hospitality. In addition to finedining, both wineries are the perfect venue to host weddings, as well as corporate and private events. Additionally, a secret speakeasy exists within the depths of Orchid House Winery. The Never Ordinary Bourbon Society (No-BS) is a private, members-only club featuring a wide variety of bourbons and Prohibition-style, craft cocktails in a stunningly modern but comfortable setting.
16965 Park Circle Drive, Chagrin Falls, 440-543-7777, sapphire-creek.com
RAISA LERNER, MD AND LAUREN O’BYRNE GOPAL, DO Spry Personal Primary Care
At Spry, we tailor care to your health care needs. When you schedule an appointment, we take time to listen and build a relationship. You always deal directly with your board-certified physician, who addresses complex medical scenarios. We personally coordinate every facet of your care, simplifying a complicated health care system and expediting the healthiest outcome. Spry delivers an elevated experience, and our membership model allows us to provide a personalized health care plan — because, at Spry, your time is as valuable as ours. 811 Prospect Ave., Suite 200, Cleveland, 216-957-7779, myspry.com
MEDICINES
JONATHAN S. STAMLER, MD
Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals
Dr. Stamler, distinguished university professor and president and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, leads an organization dedicated to advancing scientific discoveries into the clinic and transforming breakthroughs into life-saving medicines. Established in 2012 with a $50 million gift from the Harrington family, the institute has supported over 200 scientists across the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Through an innovative model that combines world-class drug development expertise, philanthropic funding and nearly $1 billion in mission-driven capital, Harrington Discovery Institute is accelerating the development of nextgeneration medicines to improve human health around the world.
Dr. Stamler holds the Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Innovation at University Hospitals Health System. He is a Professor of Medicine and of Biochemistry and the Founding Director of the Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. 11407 Euclid Ave., Floor 2, Cleveland, 216-675-6800, harringtondiscovery.org
THE FACE OF
IMPECCABLE INTERIOR DESIGN
WENDY BERRY
W Design
Recognized for her attention to detail, Wendy Berry of W Design captures a functional elegance through a sophisticated approach to design. With offices in both Cleveland and Naples, Florida, the W Design team has been providing their clients a full range of interior design services for over 20 years. In 2020, W Home Collection opened its doors in the heart of Chagrin Falls. The retail location offers a bespoke line of home decor, custom upholstery and fine dinnerware. Together, Wendy and the team utilize their creativity, enthusiasm and passion for design to exceed clients’ expectations time and time again. Let’s explore the possibilities together.
86 West St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-4474, wdesign.com
THE FACE OF AUTO DETAILING AND WASHING
AJ ZAPPITELLI
Zappy’s Auto Washes
AJ Zappitelli and the Zappitelli Family started Zappy’s Auto Washes in 2007 with one car wash location in Mentor, Ohio. Now, in 2024, they have over 20 locations in and around the Cleveland area.
Zappy’s prides itself on having all your car care needs covered and met, from expert auto detailing services and mobile detailing to touchless laser washes and tunnel drive-thru washes. Zappy’s also provides an extensive selection of auto detail products at the Zappy’s retail store located at 8806 Mentor Ave.
In addition, Zappy’s provides bumper-to-bumper car care at Zappy’s Auto Care Center in Mentor and a Zappy’s gas store right down the street to get you fueled up and on your way.
AJ Zappitelli and the Zappy’s team strive to be your one-stop shop, making you fall in love with your car over and over again for years to come.
Mathias Hauck and Brian Weaver’s dream of fostering community through exceptional food and drink has transformed their family-owned breweries into beloved local landmarks. With a commitment to their patrons, they’ve created a welcoming atmosphere reflected in their motto, “Welcome to the Family.”
From their initial location in Avon to their expansions in Lorain, Medina and Madison, the brand has consistently impressed. Recognized by Cleveland Magazine as a “Best Brewery” and “Best Restaurant” year after year, their success is a testament to their dedication to quality and community. Each location offers a unique blend of seasonal and classic American cuisine, paired with a rotating selection of craft beers. Visit Lorain Brewing and Event Center, Medina Brewing, Madison Brewing and ZZ’s Big Top to experience firsthand the warm hospitality and exceptional offerings that have made these breweries local favorites. 500 Shipyard Way, Lorain, 440-230-8481, lorainbrewing.co
“NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THE VALUES THAT MADE OUR CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY:
hard work, collaboration, innovation and respect.”
— LUTE HARMON SR. FOUNDER, CLEVELAND MAGAZINE
Do you have a favorite place to dine, drink, shop or play on each side of town? We want to know! Scan the QR codes above to nominate your favorite West Side and East Side destinations, and then check out our April 2025 issue to see if your favorites made the list of finalists!
Building Hope
Your chance to win A Home for the Holidays benefiting MakeA-Wish OKI (Ohio Kentucky & Indiana) and HBA’s Charitable and Education Foundation.
Make an Impact
Are you looking to make an impact this holiday season that will last far longer than anything unwrapped from under the tree? The hope and joy of a wish are the most valuable gift you can give this time of the year. I speak from experience! In my nearly 15 years with Make-A-Wish, I’ve had the pleasure to help grant thousands of life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. By partnering with Home Builders Association’s Charitable and Education Foundation for the A Home for the Holidays house raffle, we’ll be able to grant even more wishes for Northeast Ohio kids, some of whom you’ll learn more about in the coming pages. Besides wishing for you to win the brand-new home, my wish for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana is that we grant the wishes of every eligible child. More than 4,000 children will be diagnosed with a critical illness over the coming months. Instead of family gatherings and celebrations, they face hospital stays, harsh treatments and scary surgeries. That’s why wishes are so important, especially this time of year. A wish gives a child with a critical illness and their family hope, and with hope, anything is possible. With every raffle ticket you buy, you can feel good knowing your financial contribution and mission support will be far-reaching, transforming the lives of children, their families and entire communities. On behalf of all of us at Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, thank you, and we wish you happy holidays!
SINCERELY,
The trusted protection your customers deserve.
Hardie® fiber cement products are specifically engineered to resist damage from fire, water, weather, pests, and time, giving your customers a look they’ll love with added peace of mind.
Stephanie McCormick President & CEO
Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
Siding | Trim | Soffit
Chuck Brunello Jr. Mayor/Safety Director City of Highland Heights
A Message from the Mayor
The City of Highland Heights, along with our 8,750 residents, encompasses a perfect balance of neighborhoods, green space and businesses, with easy access to Downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Hopkins Airport and other regional offerings. This balance distinguishes Highland Heights as a convenient, familyfriendly and safe place to work, reside and raise children while affording residents the opportunity to enjoy additional amenities available nearby. We are proud of our 5-star rated public school district, excellent safety forces, community programs and recognition by Cleveland Magazine as a Top 5 suburb in Cleveland.
We are delighted that the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland’s Charitable & Education Foundation and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana have chosen Highland Heights, providing an opportunity for someone to win a dream home in our Grappa Farms development. This project also provides educational opportunities for students considering a career in the building trades within the Mayfield City Schools’ Learn and Earn Program. It is a sincere privilege to be associated with this charitable endeavor that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and helps to relieve the traumatic stress associated with their diagnoses.
The City of Highland Heights is grateful to the Home Builders Association’s Charitable and Education Foundation, JEMM Construction and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana for allowing us to help support this philanthropic and compassionate initiative.
SINCERELY,
NORTHEAST OHIO’S
Most Trusted Roofer
Family Owned & Operated Since 1981
SENDING YOU WARM WISHES... AND DINNERS , THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Win a Home for the Holidays or Cash Prize
Your ticket purchase benefits HBA of Greater Cleveland’s Charitable & Education Foundation and Make-A-Wish.
The Cleveland Home Builders Association is once again partnering with Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana to raffle off a custom home, this time in Highland Heights.
The $799,000-plus, 2,500-square-foot European style ranch will feature three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a three-car attached garage, and is located in the Grappa Farms development.
Tickets are $100 each with raffle proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish OKI and HBA’s Charitable and Education Foundation.
Since the Home for the Holidays raffle began five years ago, over $750,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish’s efforts to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, as well as for the HBA’s Charitable and Education Foundation that provides scholarships and supports workforce development programs and other local charities.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
BUY A TICKET
Ticket
$100, with no purchase limit
Online
HBAHomeForTheHolidays.org By phone
216-447-8700
Goal
15,000 tickets
TOUR THE HOME
In person
217 Grappa Farms, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143
Virtually HBAHomeForTheHolidays.org
WINNING TICKET
Winning ticket will be drawn on Dec. 31, 2024
Winner will be notified by phone, email and certified mail
A Wish is Hope
Brave and resilient, these Wish Kids inspire their families and communities as role models for pushing through critical illness. BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
“With hope, anything is possible,” says Stephanie McCormick, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana (OKI). She adds that the wishes supported by organizations including the HBA’s Charitable & Education Foundation through it’s A Home for the Holidays campaign “are a magical, powerful medicine.”
“Emotions and attitude are everything, and when times are tough, these kids get to reflect back on that wish, that moment, the journey they took with their family that was special or look in their own backyard at a new playground,” McCormick says.
A Make-A-Wish impact study showed wishes help relieve traumatic stress, empower kids who are faced with a critical illness and even improve compliance with treatment, therefore keeping them healthier for longer.
Now in its fifth year of supporting MakeA-Wish OKI, the HBACEF has helped grant more than 75 wishes and raised $750,000 for the organization with a goal to surpass the $1 million mark this year, says Brenda Callaghan, executive director.
Here, brave wish kids and their families share their inspiring stories.
Connecting Young Warriors
Addison Oberhouse stood in front of the mirror getting ready for school her sophomore year. “I had a new necklace, and when I put it on, it was fitting weird and was lopsided,” she says.
Confused, she tried to reposition it, adjusting the chain, when she discovered a golf ball-sized lump on the left side of her neck. “I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before,” says Oberhouse, 18 and now a senior at Monclova Christian Academy in Toledo.
The situation swiftly advanced to a doctor’s visit followed by a CT scan, then the hospital.
“They told us they found a mass in your chest, and they think it is cancerous,” the Oberhouses told Addison.
Shocked, scared and partially in denial, she said, “I’m driving myself to the hospital. I’m fine.”
Oberhouse is a four-season athlete with grit. She had no idea how much of her personal push and stamina would be required
I shut my door and cried, and even though I remember thinking, ‘God’s got me,’ it felt real.”
— Addison Oberhouse
to undergo treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma, the diagnosis that bloodwork unveiled after about a week of waiting.
She recalls spending time with a friend the week she learned the news. “Should we?” they exchanged a glance while looking at the empty search engine. Consulting Dr. Google is often a rabbit hole, opening up endless what-ifs.
“The fact that there was even a survival rate listed is what scared me,” she says. “I thought, ‘How is it that I got cancer?’ I shut my door and cried, and even though I remember thinking, ‘God’s got me,’ it felt real.”
It turns out, a baseball-sized mound in Oberhouse’s chest had been growing for about two to four years and was dangerously close to her heart, so surgery to remove it was off the table. She immediately moved into a treatment protocol of potent chemotherapy every two weeks, which left her mouth “feeling like battery acid” to the extent that she’d spend the following four days after treatments sucking on ice cubes. She enrolled in a clinical trial combining chemo with immunotherapy.
“It was kind of scary because it was a trial, but I was thankful for it,” she says.
After six months of treatment, Oberhouse was pronounced cancer-free, and she met the one-year mark in October. This past May, her wish was granted. It was to bring together young survivors for a day of hanging out and self-care, including assembling care packages for the hospital to deliver to new cancer patients as a token of understanding. Every gift bag had a card attached with her cell phone information and social media handles.
She and others who weathered the cancer journey during the time she did gathered at the cancer support organization, The Victory Center. They created Zen gardens, enjoyed reflexology, picked out wigs at the on-site shop and just talked.
She’s building a meaningful support network following her experience and with the help of the wish. Today, Oberhouse reports she is feeling “very good” and back on the volleyball court. But, she adds, “I don’t think I will ever not think about the experience.”
Persisting Through Treatment
“When something is wrong with your child, you know,” says Ashley Wolfe, explaining the shooting pain in her son Finn’s leg that would come and go. “When it came, he was in agony, and nothing helped — not heating compresses and not Motrin.”
The biting sensations in his left leg “felt like a bone was hurting,” Finn told his mother. He was in pre-kindergarten at the time, and his teacher would call Wolfe and report that her son was lethargic. “He was laying around during recess time, and that is not our son.”
After taking Finn to get bloodwork — and several back-and-forth trips to the pediatrician — Wolfe noticed her son’s lips had turned a blue-gray color. They were still waiting for results, and the doctor had hinted at leukemia, suggesting the family make a hematology appointment in the meantime.
But before this appointment, the bloodwork arrived along with the doctor’s orders to go to the emergency room. Finn was diagnosed with leukemia on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, and after further testing, physicians determined its type: acute B-cell. “We are very fortunate because it is a common type and very treatable, but it’s still a two- to three-year plan,” Wolfe relates.
Finn spent 17 days in the hospital getting blood transfusions and care to stabilize him while doctors and nurses kept a close watch on his absolute neutrophil count (ANC), a measure of the white blood cell type that helps the body fight infection. It needed to reach the 500 level, and he was far off.
During this time, Finn underwent surgery for a mediport, which is still the gateway by which he receives spinal chemotherapy and will for an undetermined amount of time. In addition, the medical team can draw blood, and Finn can get blood transfusions and platelet transfusions through the mediport. He also gets an intrathecal methotrexate (chemotherapy administered like a spinal tap) every three months. He continues an oral chemo medication daily, and on Fridays there are two pills to swallow.
I don’t want parents to diminish a feeling their kid is having, because it could be very serious.”
— Ashley Wolfe
Even this part of treatment was a learning curve, because though Finn is now 6, he hadn’t learned to swallow a pill until he had to fight his cancer. “The nurses helped teach him by using candies, and it took some time, and there’s a taste factor that goes along with the treatment,” Wolfe says.
Throughout treatment, the Wolfes tried to introduce a sense of normalcy at home, but that wasn’t easy. Finn loves to draw, especially characters from some of his favorite YouTube shows and games like Garten of Banban, along with faces from Minecraft and Super Mario Brothers. Wolfe admires his strength — he’s a young role model.
But in reality, Finn has had to live an incubator life in many ways. School parties during his initial more intensive chemo were out of the question. If he runs a temperature, this means a trip to the ER. “Once he was okayed to start kindergarten, I was very nervous,” Wolfe reflects.
Germ is a four-letter word.
But so is love.
Going back to her gut that something just wasn’t right, Wolfe encourages parents to blow the whistle and never second-guess their instincts. “I don’t want parents to diminish a feeling their kid is having, because it could be very serious,” she says, noting that Finn’s cancer could have traveled to his spinal cord or brain had it not been diagnosed until later.
Finn has a younger brother named Barrett, who has also been traveling the up-anddown journey and will be realizing Finn’s wish — along with his parents and an older brother of his father’s — to visit Universal Studios Hollywood‘s Super Nintendo World.
Together, they are on a path to a next chapter. For now, Wolfe says there are opportunities like going to a beach that are not possible because of his immune system. “But he will,” she says. “And I believe that.”
Fight My Journey
You’ll see J’ior on a series of RTA buses because of his super-supporter, mother Shawna Storms. She wants the community
HOUSE OF LIGHTS
to know that everyone can, “Fight My Journey,” which is her first-grader’s invitation — a campaign she’s getting out into the community through a social media handle with the same name.
J’ior was born with a rare disease called biliary atresia, which affects the bile ducts in infants. It can quickly cause liver damage and scarring, eventually leading to liver failure. The first step to avoid a
liver transplant was a Kasai procedure. This is when the blocked bile ducts and the gallbladder are removed and a segment of the small intestine is attached to the liver to allow bile to flow more freely. It’s a highly complex surgery.
For J’ior, the Kasai procedure wasn’t enough, so he had a liver transplant at 17 months of age, only to then acquire a related blood infection followed by another bowel obstruction. Since birth, J’ior and Storms have spent months at a time in the hospital. Any symptom of illness results in getting admitted, she says. It’s one emergency surgery after the next.
Storms has navigated all this as a mom warrior.
Her primary support through the journey has been J’ior’s health care team, and by sharing his story to educate others. She is working to start a foundation called Fight My Journey, and J’ior’s book is available on Amazon. The description reads, “Thanks to my liver transplant donor, I am alive sharing my warrior story
This is why to say, ‘yes,’ to being an organ donor.”
– Shawna Storms
with many other kids around the world who are like me, helping us fight our journey together.”
J’ior and his mom will travel to Disneyland next spring, meeting Storms’ older son who lives in California during the trip. Learning his wish was granted, Storms says her son “was very excited,” and the vacation will provide a welcome escape from everyday challenges.
In the meantime, she presses forward with a message that J’ior represents on billboards, buses and the bureau of motor vehicles as a poster child for Donate Life. She says, “This is why to say, ‘yes,’ to being an organ donor.”
UNLOCK HOPE AND POTENTIAL
HBA
BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
“Apinch-me moment” is how Josh Edgell, co-owner of JEMM Construction, Painesville, describes the opportunity to design, build and coordinate skilled trades to construct the HBA’s Charitable & Education Foundation’s A Home for the Holidays house.
The connections are two-fold for many Northeast Ohio HBA members involved — and for members of communities across the region. The fifth annual fundraiser has raised more than $750,000 for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
(OKI) with a goal to beat the $1 million mark in raffle ticket sales this year.
The benefit also supports the HBA Charitable and Education Foundation that initiates vital workforce development programs, including the newly launched Pre-Apprenticeship Certified Training Program (PACT). The successful pilot program has grown from six to 30 students at Mayfield High School.
The HBA will sponsor at least two more high schools this year, says Brenda Callaghan, HBA Greater Cleveland executive director. Proceeds from the $100 raffle tickets to win a 2,500-square-foot home in Highland
Heights’ Grappa Farms community (or a cash prize) benefit students by offering programs and funding for education opportunities while supporting children diagnosed with critical illnesses and their families.
So far, the HBA of Greater Cleveland has helped Make-A-Wish OKI grant more than 75 wishes, which are valued at roughly $10,000 per experience. There are more than 1,700 children on the waiting list for a wish in this territory, says Stephanie McCormick, the chapter’s president and CEO.
From donated labor to materials, resources and talent, HBA Greater Cleveland members are passionate about creating A Home for the Holidays every year that makes an impact on families during life-changing times of critical illness, while also paving career opportunities to grow the skilled trades.
“For us to help wishes come true for critically ill children in our area is so special to everyone in our organization, because it really brings it home to know what a difference we’ve made in just five years,” Callaghan
says. “If we hit the $1 million mark this year, it will be a truly special celebration.”
Meanwhile, equipping students with the tools and vital skilled trades programming to grow a rewarding livelihood is also life-changing. Students involved in the PACT program engaged in the Make-A-Wish building project during hard hat tours and hands-on involvement guided by mentors.
“It’s important to us to be a great steward to the community and give back, and both giving to Make-A-Wish and helping young kids get into the trades mean quite a bit to us,” says Brian Rutherford, regional manager of the Cleveland division of Gunton Corp./Pella Windows & Doors, which donated nearly $35,000 in materials to the project and has participated since the benefit’s inception.
Exteriors Plus Owner Greg Meyers says the pinch-me moment is real. His company covered more than $25,000 in labor to install James Hardie siding on the raffle home. “If I’m fortunate enough to participate in something this impactful, I’m helping,” he says.
Make Wishes Come True
Win a 2,500-square-foot European-style ranch home with three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a three-car attached garage and luxury finishes built by JEMM Construction, or a cash prize. Valued at $799,000-plus.
Address: 217 Grappa Farms, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143 Tickets: $100 each Winner: Listen for the announcement on Dec. 31, 2024 on News 5. Purchase online: HBAHomeForTheHolidays.org
INSPIRED LIVING IN GRAPPA FARMS
Thoughtful design, high-integrity construction and functional features make this a Home for the Holidays and every day.
BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE
The European-inspired modern ranch home JEMM Construction designed and built for the fifth annual Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Cleveland A Home for the Holidays raffle is situated in the desirable Grappa Farms neighborhood in Highland Heights — a culde-sac of newly developed properties ranging in value from $750,000 to $2.5 million.
The three-quarter-acre lots offer expansive greenspace and outdoor entertaining opportunities in a location close to golf courses, the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation and everyday conveniences like retail and health care.
With 21 home sites on the quiet street, one of the last two available is 217 Grappa Farms, this year’s home that will be raffled off to benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana (OKI) and the HBA’s Charitable and Education Foundation.
The home is valued at $799,000-plus, and JEMM Construction’s co-owner
Josh Edgell emphasizes that the custom millwork throughout is “a step above.”
“Easy and flexible one-floor living makes this a versatile home,” he adds. “It can be a family house or an empty-nester house, and the location with the school systems, proximity to private schools and shopping is attractive.”
JEMM Construction managed the build from concept to completion with its multidisciplinary in-house team, enlisting HBA colleagues to support labor for installing siding, windows and doors, along with providing materials, finishes and furnishings.
“Working on this project means a lot for me and my company because of all the good it will do,” Edgell says.
ACCOMMODATING AMENITIES
Warmth and functionality topped the priority list when JEMM Construction set a vision for the floor plan and accommodating features that take into
account everyday life, from unloading bulk groceries from a trunk to a pantry to alternative ways to utilize a front-facing bonus room.
Another stand-out feature is how JEMM Construction, in partnership with Lisa Basham at Willoughby-based Helpful Home Staging Design & Rental, reimagined a front room near the entry.
It’s a lounge appointed as a brandy room.
“It could be an office because it is a private space, but we are thinking outside the box and furnishing it with seating around a round coffee table,” Basham says.
Reimagining the space as a room to gather intimately and share conversation inspires other ideas for putting the space to use for the future owner’s needs, whether working, crafting or even creating an additional bedroom.
A CUSTOM APPROACH
With a focus on integrity in design, materials and construction, HBA members contributing to the project introduced the latest innovations in windows, doors, siding and beyond. James Hardie cementfiberboard siding in a cafe au lait tone with rich brown accents is resilient, weather-ready and “can take a hailstone if it needs to,” says Greg Myers, owner, Exteriors Plus, Akron.
“And it is versatile, so if you decide to change the color 10 years from now, you can paint it, unlike vinyl siding,” Myers says.
His company covered an estimated $25,000 in labor for the project while James Hardie’s corporate office also did its part.
Myers points out, “All of our team members are skilled carpenters, and with this product, you have to be very precise with your cuttings.”
Brian Rutherford and Gunton Corp./Pella Windows & Doors supplied the sliding patio door and all the fiberglass windows.
“This is the strongest, most durable material you can buy in a window or door, and it fits well in the neighborhood,” says Rutherford, regional manager. The front windows include a modern grille pattern in brown.
“The windows are low-maintenance and protected by a lifetime warranty for the frame,” Rutherford adds. “They’re durable, look great, function well and Pella conducts air and water tests so we know they will perform well.”
A collaborative effort across trades has resulted in A Home for the Holidays — and every day. A $100 ticket could unlock the doors to this custom-designed property.
HOME HIGHLIGHTS
Apron Hood: In the kitchen, a custom apron-style hood donated by Vidmar Custom Woodworking anchors the space. Its sleek, black finish juxtaposes the white shakerstyle cabinets on either side and along the range wall. Meanwhile, the dark finish repeats on the generous island and breakfast bar area.
Custom Millwork: With 2,506 square feet and voluminous ceilings of varying heights, Edgell says extensive custom millwork helps achieve the warmth and “grounded” feel while capitalizing on the scale. “We incorporated cornice work and walls that are trimmed out by our talented team,” he says, pointing to a tray ceiling in the great room with exposed beams, along with tongue-and-groove feature walls, wainscoting and molding throughout.
Costco Door: The home includes a bulk item door often referred to as a “Costco door” that opens from the garage directly to the walk-in pantry. “It’s a smaller door you can open up to push heavy items into the storage space,” Edgell explains of the trending concept that has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram.
BBB Accredited Businesses are committed to operating with integrity, honoring promises and telling the truth. Always look for the BBB Seal, it’s The Sign of a Better Business TM .
BBB Accredited Businesses are committed to operating with integrity, honoring promises and telling the truth Always look for the BBB Seal, it’ s The Sign of a Better Business
BBB Accredited Businesses are committed to operating with integrity, honoring promises, and telling the truth Always look for the BBB Seal it’ s The Sign of a Better Business
Photo courtesy of Ingrid Porter Interiors, Stephanie Penick Photography
People are ‘The Why’ at North Coast Community Homes. //
By Kristen Hampshire
It’s more than a seat at the table, more than a reminder. A repurposed dining room chair’s crossbars hold messages both simple and empowering: Independence. Opportunity. Community.
The seat is plastered with photographs of individuals living in North Coast Community Homes (NCCH) residences across Cuyahoga and Summit counties, along with a crayon drawing bearing a sincere “thank you for helping me” note.
The chair is always at the boardroom table, and at every internal meeting and gathering with supporters in this space.
People are “The Why” at this nonprofit housing solutions partner, which provides quality community-based residences and supportive services to foster independence.
“Whenever we have discussions, it always comes back to the residents we all know and care about,” says Chris West, president and CEO. “Everything that comes out of North Coast is about maintaining a person-centered
focus. And while the system has always talked about that, we are really living it in every decision we make.”
Individuals with disabilities who join the NCCH Neighborhood of residents become family to the organization and each other. And because of the organization’s 40 years of providing high-integrity homes that support independence, more than 600 residents are successfully thriving in the community.
“We are really in the people business,” West says matter-of-factly. “We’re constantly asking, ‘What is the best solution to serve our residents?’”
There are many ways to answer this question.
“Our residents all have their own personalities and individualized needs, so
we meet them where they are and do everything we can to create an environment where they can reach their potential,” says Nicholas Stroup, director of operations.
Housing is ultimately the NCCH platform. NCCH homes provide an accessible, safe, comfortable foundation where residents can live their best lives with personalized support services to enhance
We are really in the people business. We’re constantly asking,‘What is the best solution to serve our residents?”
– Chris West
Boardroom chair
their physical, emotional, behavioral and social wellbeing.
Today, NCCH owns or manages nearly 200 properties positioned as the “best house on the street” where residents lease from the nonprofit, building a sense of pride and dignity. The nonprofit’s model is different because it is centered on supportive independence, not merely a place to live.
Its homes are the place to live for a wide spectrum of individuals because every resident, every day, has a seat at the NCCH table.
Breaking Barriers
NCCH was founded 40 years ago in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) in response to a need for community-based homes for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges so they could live with supported independence.
At the time, the startup nonprofit was a progressive move toward fair, accessible housing for this population. The model bucked a longtime systemic tradition of moving those with developmental disabilities into institutionalized environments that Stroup describes as “not appropriate.” There was an affordability gap in alternative residences.
When an aging parent caring for an adult child relying on county Service and Support Administrator (SSA) assistance could no longer stay in the family home due to diminishing health, illness, death or other circumstances, where would the loved one depending on help go?
NCCH addressed the issue head on. The nonprofit initially was backed with a start-up grant from the Cleveland Foundation, and through the years it has gained support from passionate trustees.
Its acceptance-based community building and bold vision have moved the needle for individuals and their loved ones, parents and guardians. “If we didn’t provide this service and these options for individuals, too many families would continue to struggle to provide homes as they age,” says Neil Gavin, director of sales at Swagelok and NCCH
Our residents all have their own personalities and individualized needs, so we meet them where they are and do everything we can to create an environment where they can reach their potential.”
– Nicholas Stroup
board member. Gavin's father, Michael, was a founding board member.
Every NCCH team member shares a passion for helping and feels the difference in their everyday efforts to create a tailored home environment with out-of-the-box solutions that address behavioral needs. For instance, for a resident whose coping strategy was to draw on the wall, rather than assessing fees and repainting it time and again, maintenance staff created a chalkboard wall. A simple fix that served the resident's individual needs.
As the chair’s message reads, “Thank you for helping,” a universal expression among residents. People require different accommo-
dations and NCCH is at the center of listening, learning and connecting the dots.
“Can I call you dad? I don’t have any family, and it would be really nice to call you that,” a North Coast resident told Jemille Cecil, a member of the maintenance staff who is assigned to maintain this home.
These deep connections bloom from trust and care, meeting each individual living in a North Coast home where they are with the modifications, wrap-around support and basic TLC every person deserves.
“Those are the best part of any of our days, when we make these connections and enhance residents’ lives,” Stroup says.
Integrity and Individuality
The homes NCCH provides to residents are fully accessible, accommodating specific residents’ needs and accounting for medical equipment, behavioral health support, and quality of life for everyday activities.
This means that certain modifications, such as ramp entries and a sprinkler system, are found in NCCH homes, a significant extra not found in typical residential environments.
Additionally, it engages its in-house Residential Services Liaison Team with the County Board of DD, direct service provider agencies, families, and guardians. The Residential Services Liaisons is a growing solutions-based staff at NCCH that focuses on developing collaborative communication and productive improvements for the people in the homes. Many individuals living in NCCH homes would have to resort to institutionalized care if it weren’t for the nonprofit’s accessible, high-quality housing solutions in the communities where they have lived for years.
“When you are a parent and have lived with and cared for your adult kids their whole life, you’re worried about them, realizing that at some point, you must entrust their care to someone else. We have empathy and are privileged that families put their trust in North Coast Community Homes to ensure their children have a home beyond their years,” West says.
It’s about people and integrity.
However, some communities misperceive the impact of an NCCH house in the neighborhood. Who will live there? What are their needs? What
if they don’t fit into the existing neighborhood dynamic? Will it reduce our property values? NCCH is committed to building inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities can thrive. The organization has a 40-year history of fulfilling its mission of providing quality homes for people with disabilities.
Quality and optimizing independence are a focus at NCCH.
“With every one of our homes, we ensure it optimizes the resident’s independence while seamlessly blending into the neighborhood. There may be an accessibility ramp to the front door, and we will make it beautiful,” West says. “We just completed a new home renovation with a decking ramp that blends with the exterior, and if you were driving by, you wouldn’t realize it unless you were looking very closely.”
NCCH creates open shared living spaces to improve access. Zero-entry showers and grab bars are likely installed. “It costs about $30,000 to put in a sprinkler system to allow residents an extra seven minutes to get out of a house in case of a fire,” West says. “It doesn’t put out a fire, but as our residents age and some experience mobility concerns, it gives them that extra time. We install this with every house we purchase and renovate.”
These are NCCH standards. Customization expands to personal needs, with input from guardians, SSAs, and the nonprofit’s Residential Service Liaison Team. On every front, the home is personal and a platform for supporting independence and the resident’s ability to thrive.
The reality is these are homes on a street that become soughtafter. NCCH homes improve property values and house great neighbors.
north coast community homes
North Coast is very creative,
thoughtful and willing to push boundaries to investigate opportunities.” – Anne Rapacz Kimmins
“We had a gentleman struggling with some challenging behaviors, and our team was talking and listening to him,” West says. “He loves the Cavs. ‘Can you paint my walls in Cavs colors?’ he asked. Of course, we can! So, we did. From that moment on he has taken such great pride in his house and encourages his roommates to do the same.”
A NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) undercurrent is an inherent challenge for an organization like NCCH. Over the years, the nonprofit has faced challenges in establishing housing for individuals with disabilities. Its committed group of leaders never back down, managing to build a model and platform where current and future residents thrive.
“We align several needs all at once and try to have the best home on the street,” Stroup says. “Simultaneously, we want our homes to look like every other home on the street.
NCCH and our residents are great neighbors, and the whole NIMBY issue gets smothered out quickly, soon after you have a five-minute conversation with residents and staff.”
Creating Pathways to Independence
Living in the present and looking ahead, NCCH is fluid in its strategy and tethered to its mission: people first.
“We’re focused on responsive maintenance to our homes, figuring out how to address any issues within our homes that serve residents proactively and preparing for the future so we can curate the very best environment for them,” Stroup says.
An initiative to construct groupings of tiny homes (less than 500 square feet) with a main house for supportive services will offer an innovative, much-needed option for individuals who can stretch their independence while providing a caring community.
“We are in a couple stages of development and have a state-approved design,” Stroup says.
The typical NCCH model is a home with three to four individuals sharing space and receiving 24/7 support for activities of daily living from a care provider agency.
Another innovative arrangement with CCBDD is the TryTech smart apartments at Cranford Apartments in Lakewood. This integrated building offers short-term leases so individuals can try tools and technologies for mealtime, entertainment, security, wellbeing, self-care and more in their future daily home lives.
It’s immersive in a single building, branching out from NCCH’s traditional community ranch homes for multiple residents. “North Coast is very creative, thoughtful and willing to push boundaries to investigate opportunities,” says
Anne Rapacz Kimmins, senior vice president at PNC Bank and an NCCH board member for over 20 years.
Innovation requires support, understanding and vision. It calls for a team that believes. That’s NCCH. “Everyone at North Coast has residents they know well. Every time our team members talk about them and share stories, they smile,” West says. “That proves what we are doing here makes such a big difference.”
Stroup adds, “Our team stays focused on the work we are here to do.”
The typical NCCH model is a home with three to four individuals sharing space and receiving 24/7 support.
in People Investing
Filling a historic void for resourced housing to accommodate individuals with disabilities is a mission-driven passion for its supporters.
// By Kristen Hampshire
When Anthony HillMcShepard was seeking another way to make a marked impact on the community — to leverage affiliations with organizations he touches and fill a gap — a mentor suggested North Coast Community Homes (NCCH).
Already ingrained in various grassroots nonprofits and service as an Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, Hill-McShepard discovered immediate synergies with NCCH.
“How can I change someone’s life?” he asked, and he found the answer when he became an NCCH board member.
Everyone knows someone, somewhere, who could be uplifted by an NCCH home — a family member, friend, neighbor, colleague or acquaintance. As a nonprofit housing specialist for partner organizations founded in conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD), NCCH directly addresses housing and support challenges for individuals with disabilities. It’s life-changing work that HillMcShepard is passionate about and feels more people should understand.
“Every community needs a North Coast home,” says Hill-McShepard, a senior territory manager at Integra Life Sciences. “Every community has individuals with developmental disabilities, and NCCH allows them to live independently while giving them the tools and resources to live a happy life. And that is one of the best things. The residents are happy, and just being around them brings you joy.”
NCCH drastically differs from a traditional landlord, housing development corporation or affordable housing entity. NCCH is about creating homes that emphasize supporting independence with customized home modifications,
Every community has individuals with developmental disabilities, and NCCH allows them to live independently while giving them the tools and resources to live a happy life. And that is one of the best things.”
– Anthony Hill-McShepard
a spectrum of residential resources, and wraparound services that address everything from maintenance to behavioral and physical needs.
To this point, Hill-McShepard notes an especially eye-opening moment while visiting several NCCH homes and meeting residents. A gentleman with severe autism was writing on the walls in frustration. “North Coast said, ‘Let’s make it more accommodating for you,’” he says of the team's solution to use chalkboard paint on the wall to allow the individual to self-soothe and reduce damage.
“Let’s make it more accommodating for you” is the core of NCCH and why board members, along with giving individuals, foundation support and volunteers, invest in propelling the mission and advancing the cause. “We provide very nice homes with a high level of quality that are financially accessible, and we engage with residents and their service providers to determine how we can create the best environment possible where they can thrive,” says Neil Gavin, board member and director of sales and operations at Swagelok.
A Visionary Mission
Gavin’s father, Michael, was a founding member and the first board president of NCCH. So he grew up around the organization from the time it started in 1984, seeded by a grant from the Cleveland Foundation. The work of NCCH is personal to Gavin, whose sister has a developmental disability. The family navigated the “what’s next” for her housing question and, fortunate with resources, supported her transition and necessary services to maintain independence.
“There are so many individuals who need a supportive, safe home where they can live so aging loved ones who care for them can have peace of mind,” Gavin says.
Gavin has led the governance committee and is the incoming board chair. “An important aspect of what we do at North Coast is making sure communities understand the need for these homes,” he says. “And, unfortunately in some cases, help people in those communities that might be initially opposed to a ‘shared living environment’ such as ours understand what is really involved so we can make them comfortable with our mission and be an advocate.”
Certainly, over the years, NCCH has confronted some “barriers to entry” that its leadership persistently and passionately works to reverse by explaining “The Why.”
It’s all about people.
And there’s a consistent demand for homes like the supportive environments NCCH provides, Gavin points out. Home by home, NCCH is filling the gap with the help of invested board members and partners who share a desire to reimagine what independent living looks like for those with disabilities and mental health challenges.
“We need as much housing as required and are positioning ourselves to ramp up and make significant increases to available homes,” Gavin says.
This involves innovating into the future and constantly pushing boundaries on what supportive independent housing looks and feels like. The vision includes exploring “mixed use” in a building integrating NCCH residents and community tenants, and considering how grouping tiny homes (less than 500 square feet) on a property with a main house for supports could provide opportunities for residents who can navigate everyday activities with less support.
“We want to be open to looking at other models and understanding how we can best serve the needs of individuals,” Gavin says. “What we offer is a critical service to those with developmental disabilities, and without North Coast too many families would continue struggling to provide homes for loved ones as they age.”
Because many NCCH residents have needs even beyond support for independent living, the nonprofit aligns with complementary services to provide home goods, furniture, housecleaning, personal hygiene products and deliveries from Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Alpha Phi Alpha Food Pantry.
We are looking to create that comfort for families. We aren’t just landlords.”
– Anne Rapacz Kimminst
Creating a True Home
“North Coast and the board’s commitment to the individuals living in the homes — really making it a home for them — is at the core of the mission,” says Anne Rapacz Kimmins, senior vice president at PNC Bank and an NCCH board member for more than 20 years.
Kimmins loves to share its story, connecting colleagues and community members who might benefit from the visionary NCCH mission. Countless times, she has introduced the nonprofit to someone who winds up on a home tour and is then empowered with a solution for a loved one with a disability. “Having community involvement is so important,” she says of why investing in NCCH is critical to health and human services.
What has always struck Kimmins about the organization is its thoughtful, resourceful and always creative approach, which demands a high level of collaboration and partnership.
Because many NCCH residents have needs even beyond support for independent living, the nonprofit aligns with complementary services to provide home goods, furniture, housecleaning, personal hygiene products and deliveries from Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Alpha Phi Alpha Food Pantry.
NCCH has a resource center called Boundless Journeys, which accepts these basic household and furniture items so residents can establish a safe and comfortable home.
“We are looking to create that comfort for families,” Kimmins says. “We aren’t just landlords. We want to be there to maintain that home, customize that home for the individual who is living there just as if it were our own children — and that is an important point. Whether it’s sprinkler systems in homes or windows that can’t be broken or non-reflective surfaces for a resident with sensory struggles, we work with individuals, families and the county board of DD to make it a place they can really call home.”
Filling Vital Housing Gaps
The Sandra Hoskins Legacy Foundation (SHLF) intentionally seeks out and supports projects that provide quality housing and employment opportunities for individuals with barriers to economic independence.
When Christie Yonkers, executive director, learned about NCCH and its work in the space, she identified a strategic, visionary alignment of their missions.
“North Coast provides not only accessible housing solutions, but also a holistic support system that makes day-to-day expenses affordable and independent living attainable,” says Yonkers, who was introduced to NCCH by Chief Development Officer Jillian Frazier.
“We love that they focus on activities that empower residents to achieve greater independence, community inclusion and improve quality of life,” Yonkers says. “They quickly noticed gaps in services in the existing housing models and got to work bridging those gaps. The passion and commitment of the staff and leadership of NCCH truly sets them apart, from our perspective.”
Like others invested in NCCH, Yonkers says you can see and feel the North Coast Community Homes difference. “It’s the way
staff at every level talk to clients as if they are cared-for family members and celebrate their successes,” she says. “And it’s the way they all care for each other as a team. It is not hierarchical. Everyone is on the same page. We have important work to do, and that work is what matters to all of us.”
SHLF awarded its first grant to NCCH in the fall of 2023, supporting its life-changing work and residents’ ability to sustain an independent lifestyle with the comforts and safety anyone should attain. Yonkers admits surprise at just learning about NCCH and hopes sharing the story will ignite passion in other organizations, nonprofits, communities and individuals who can make a measurable difference in the lives of individuals living with disabilities and their loved ones.
“They are mission-driven,” she says simply. So is SHLF, which was founded by Sandra Hoskins, an occupational therapist who started Legacy Healthcare Services, which under different ownership today, continues offering physical, occupational and speech language pathology services to the aging population. The foundation supports projects focused on quality housing and employment opportunities for individuals who have barriers to economic independence.
“Sandra saw a lot of individuals who were primarily cared for by their parents, and then as their parents aged or became incapacitated or passed away, the adult children who had no real independence beyond their families suddenly did not have appropriate housing option,” Yonkers relates. “They ended up in long-term care facilities or institutional environments,” she continues.
“This is why Sandy was so passionate about this being a population we serve. She wanted to ensure the growing population of individuals with developmental disabilities has appropriate housing and the level of support they need to achieve as much independence as possible.”
The empowering work NCCH has accomplished since 1984, and its trajectory for creating even more housing opportunities for individuals in the future is inspiring. Hill-McShepard says, “NCCH is celebrating 40 years—and it is 40 years ahead in the way they’re making an impact as a housing partner that allows individuals with developmental disabilities to live with supported independence.”
For this reason and beyond, he says as a stakeholder and board member, “This is a forever home for me.”
It’s the way staff at every level talk to clients as if they are cared-for family members and celebrate their successes.” – Christie Yonkers
Supporting Independence, Planning for Tomorrow
Ray and Hope Carr have been raising their children Michael and Mary Ann in a home built especially for them with a ranch layout, wide hallways and space for the medical equipment their two children require to eat, engage and simply do life.
The Akron couple moved to the home when Michael was 22 and Mary Ann was 13½ after battling a tricky floorplan with steps and a historic home that lacked the modern modifications their children needed.
Ray and Hope are now in their seventies. “Where do we turn?” relates Hope. “The house we live in now has everything, including a Hoyer lift and backup generators so the electricity never goes off because of the equipment the kids need, and there is easy access,” Ray says.
The Carr children are diagnosed with microcephaly, which is a birth defect in which a baby’s brain is not properly developed and can result in developmental delay, feeding problems (swallowing), hearing loss, vision impairment and a host of related challenges.
Together, in Familiar Surroundings
Since the earliest days, the Carrs have worked with the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board, receiving various support and personal care services, along with enlisting in a thoughtfully curated team of professionals for home health care and therapies.
They reached out to the board’s assistant superintendent, Drew Williams, to find out what options
exist for keeping Michael and Mary Ann in their home once they, as parents, reach a time when they move out and can no longer provide the 24/7 hands-on care they’ve been managing for decades.
Williams pulled together some resources, one of which was North Coast Community Homes (NCCH). “We wanted to provide a path forward for the Carrs,” relates Williams, describing a collaborative partnership with NCCH and its president and CEO, Chris West. “Chris met with the family in person, and his ability to listen and support the Carrs through the process gave them peace of mind. I witnessed his empathy and patience during a difficult emotional journey for Ray and Hope.”
The Carrs decided to sell their home to NCCH so Michael and Mary Ann could live there indefinitely while giving the siblings the pride of “ownership” as tenants paying the lease.
Ray says, “They have been together for 24 years here and they can stay in familiar surroundings. North Coast made that all happen, and without that, we’d be lost.”
“Chris met with the family in person, and his ability to listen and support the Carrs through the process gave them peace of mind.”
– Drew Williams
• Alera Group
• Ancora Holdings, Inc.
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
• Kristen & John Bartels
• Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs LLP
• Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
• Gene Ptacek & Son Fire Equipment Co.
• Patricia & Charles Mintz
• Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation
• Precision AlarmTech Inc.
• Driverge Vehicle Innovations
• Chemical Solvents, Inc.
• Mary &Timothy Edquist
• Janice &Tony Gusich
• Kelly & Michael Hamilton
• The Lubrizol Corporation
• MGO One Seven
• Mont Surfaces
• Oatey SCS
• Dawn & Michael O’Brien
• PNC
• Kip Reader
• Tracy & Paul Roesch
• Search Masters Inc.
• Sherwin-Williams Company
• Smith Garofoli Group - Howard
Hanna - Pepper Pike
• Chelsey & David Souders
• Swagelok Cleveland
• Stephanie & Christopher West
• Heather & Mike Weingart
• Winsupply of Cleveland
• Vestian Global Workplace Services
OPENING THEIR HEARTS
wwlcc members show the community how much the chamber cares.
The Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce (WWLCC) is known for its participation in community events, but now it has a formal committee dedicated to giving back. Chamber Cares began in 2023 and picked up steam when Custom Cleaning and Maintenance of Willoughby came on board to serve as a financial sponsor for the five-person committee, which is made up of the Board of Directors, says Janice Cackowski co-founder of Centry Financial Advisors Inc., and chair of the committee. From donating resources to volunteering time, chamber members contributed to some of the area’s biggest philanthropic events in 2024. Here are some of the highlights:
• Donations benefiting the St. Noel Church Food Pantry in Willoughby Hills and the Wickliffe Family Resource Center were among the biggest collections drives in early 2024. The food pantry gained 153 pounds of canned goods from the February collection effort, while the resource center, which is known to help anyone in need, stocked up on food and personal items.
• Area residents broke bread with chamber members who volunteered at the Agape Feast at the First Presbyterian Church of Willoughby in July. Volunteers gathered to set up and serve the community meal, which is provided the last Thursday of every month.
• In August, more than 20 volunteers from the chamber and Custom Cleaning participated as “guest” field buddies and worked the concession stand while nearly 300 athletes rounded the bases at the Miracle League field in Eastlake. The baseball diamond is designed for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.
If you are interested in learning more about Chamber Cares, please reach out to info@wwlcchamber.com
OCCUPATIONS FOR GENERATIONS
family-owned, chamber member businesses dig deep to deliver value and virtues to the community. / by christine schaffran
STREB ELECTRIC
There was no lightning rod that sparked the idea for Streb Electric in 1975. The concept for the full-service residential electric company ignited when cutbacks at Fisher-Fazio’s grocery chain forced Bill Streb Sr., the head meat buyer, to look elsewhere.
Streb relied on word of mouth in the early days to secure each customer at his business, Streb Electric. His son, Bill Streb Jr., occasionally served as clean-up man through high school and after college before becoming fulltime in 1989, when he realized he had fallen in love with the trade. He became owner in 2001.
Now with eight trucks and 17 employees, Streb Electric has stood the test of time. The chamber member of 11 years says the company’s devotion to customer service makes it stand out in a trade where leaving a customer’s home cleaner than they found it matters.
Bill Jr. will soon hand the torch to his son, Ryan, to take over the company while Bill and his wife, Rolanda, fly south to Arizona for the winters. “He’s ready to take over as the third generation,” Bill Jr. says. “He’s already thinking about the future of the company and what he wants to do with it.”
WICKLIFFE LANES
Wickliffe Lanes owner Jim Gierman had two bedrock principles for the bowling alley — keep it clean and maintain top-notch customer service. His sons, Randy and Jeff, who now manage the business, agree those principles are the secret sauce that keeps the magic alive at the establishment, which opened in 1975.
During its time, the 45,000-square-foot building has seen scores of bowlers pass through, mostly league players, who spend about 33 weeks a year honing their hobby sport. Jeff says his father’s knack for getting to know customers is what keeps the bowling alley thriving.
“My dad was a people person and he always got to know customers, so we kind of learned from that,” he says.
Although he retired in 2013, Jim still stops in once a week.
Meanwhile, the brothers carry on the legacy that their father began nearly 50 years ago with a catchphrase that encapsulates the spirit of their business and its ability to flourish after all these years:
“We just keep setting them up and they keep knocking them down.”
CARE 2 U WEIGHT LOSS, WELLNESS AND MED SPA
When Janaya Burke realized she could bring weight loss to the masses, she first wanted to make sure the products were legitimate in helping clients achieve a healthy lifestyle. So, she tried them herself.
The nurse practitioner lost 15 pounds, but she also began working out and paying more attention to her diet. After starting out with virtual visits, she soon realized most clients couldn’t afford the entire amount for the medication at once.
In May, Janaya and her husband, Corey, opened Care 2 U Weight Loss, Wellness and Med Spa on Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe. Janaya points to the benefits of weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide (better known as Ozempic and Zepbound, respectively) as her driving force for wanting to help make the medications more accessible. Those benefits include lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as weight loss.
“We care about you, your whole person, and that’s your mental well-being and your physical well-being,” Corey he explains. “In a society where money drives a lot of people, our care and our love for human beings drives us a lot more.”
IT’S GAME DAY!
This year’s theme for the WWLCC Annual Awards Luncheon was Game Day. The event, held Feb. 9, 2024, was presented by Lake Erie Distillery and Ohio Living Breckenridge Village. The Annual Awards Luncheon gives the WWLCC the opportunity to provide a year in review and to highlight the local businesses and business owners that were nominated for the Chamber’s prestigious awards.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 BUSINESS WINNERS!
THE 2024 ANNUAL AWARDS WINNERS:
✴ Ohio Living Breckenridge Village — Large Business of the Year
✴ Fred Astaire Dance Studios — Small Business of the Year
OLYMPUS AEROSPACE
Olympus Aerospace began as Apollo Products in 1994 at the hands of Jesse Baden and Mike Scanlon, two men with a desire to control their own destiny. The coworkers combined their engineering and sales backgrounds to run three separate businesses — all of which relate to the process of making parts for airplane engines.
In 2022, Katy Baden and Chris Scanlon purchased the empire from their retiring fathers. The partners waited a year before consolidating the three namesakes, Apollo Products, API Pattern Works and Trucast, under the Olympus Aerospace umbrella to create a more cohesive brand, Katy notes.
Now, with more than 180 employees, Katy and Chris pride themselves on being “working owners” who handle the day-to-day operations as CEO and COO, respectively. Words like “trust,” “transparency” and “community” serve as the backbone of the operation that encourages workers to go to their child’s choir concert at lunch or to leave early to attend a parent’s doctor appointment.
“We want to continue to be a place that our employees and our staff want to work,” Katy says. “Because without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
✴ The Campus of Wickliffe — Showcase Award
✴ Lann Insurance — Customer Service Award
✴ Lake Erie Distillery — WWLCC Chamber Service Award
D&S AUTOMOTIVE
Collision repair isn’t an industry where patrons look forward to making an appointment. So C.J. Paterniti finds other ways to make D&S Automotive’s Kirtland Collision Center stand out.
Paterniti’s father, Carmen, began building the brand in 1977. In 2023, C.J. bought his dad out after handling the day-to-day operations for more than 12 years. In that time, the business had grown to include five locations and a mobile glass repair outfit.
The Kirtland location was C.J.’s second acquisition while flying solo — although he admits his dad still comes around to lend a hand. The building on Euclid-Chardon Road formerly served as the home of Danny’s Custom Touch until the March 2024 purchase; it now specializes in collision repair and serves as the home base for 10 of the company’s more than 100 employees.
When he’s not working, C.J. never shies away from a sport or a cause that needs a sponsor or a financial hand.
“We’ve always been huge Chamber supporters,” he notes. “You always invest in the communities that support you, so that’s why we support them.”
KLEMENC CONSTRUCTION CO. INC.
Klemenc Construction is small but mighty. The residential roofing company does a significant volume of work while utilizing eight to 10 employees year-round. The business that began in 1994 was the brainchild of Michael and Susanne Klemenc, a husband-and-wife team who still oversee the day-to-day operations.
Beyond the charity work that the company is eternally committed to, Susanne says they are equally as committed to their dedicated workforce.
“It’s not so much that we’re a family-owned business, but all of our employees are our employees,” says the Chamber member of 10 years. “They’re not subcontractors.”
Susanne adds that her husband’s “likeability” and handling jobs efficiently makes for a winning combination. Klemenc Construction also prides itself on its high degree of customer satisfaction and enjoys an A+ rating with the BBB.
“It’s a very big commitment now when it comes to roofing and any type of housing improvements,” she says. “It’s very expensive anymore, so we try as best as we can to make our customers happy.”
Discover the lifestyle you’ve been looking for through our array of housing options, from ranch homes to brownstones to apartments tailored precisely to your tastes and needs. Our life plan community invites you to embrace your unique journey, supported by customizable amenities and services that give you freedom from daily chores, foster personal growth and provide peace of mind knowing that top-tier care is at your fingertips.
Experience comprehensive care for all stages within one community campus that nurtures your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Immerse yourself in a diverse range of activities, from exhilarating fitness classes to tranquil moments in one of our 11 libraries. Unleash your creativity through artistic pursuits or engage with our enriching lifelong learning and spiritual programs.
At Ohio Living Breckenridge Village , the possibilities are endless. It’s more than just a residence; it’s a thriving community designed for you to live life exactly as you wish. What are you waiting for? Put your plan in place today.
Services:
Assisted Living
Health & Hospice
Lifeplan Community with Independent Living
Long-Term Care
Memory Care
Ohio Living Concierge at Home
Ohio Living Home
Rehabilitation
willoughby western lake county chamber board of directors and staff
Liz Crosby, Secretary WWLCC members as of October 2024
Certa Pro Painters of Westlake and Medina/Strongsville
Classic Interior Completions
David Brown Construction
Dever Design & Build LLC
Elite Air Systems
Firenza Stone Inc.
Great Lakes Crushing LTD
Hoernig Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Huffman Equipment Rental & Contracting
IDA Power and Controls Inc.
J D M Enterprises LLC
J.R. Sbrocco Plumbing Inc.
Kahoe Air Balance Co.
Klemenc Construction Co. Inc.
Kost Electric Inc.
Lake Erie Closets Inc.
Lakeland Construction Group
Lanigan Heating & Air Conditioning LLC
Lou Severino Construction LLC
Marous Brothers Construction Inc.
Milan Door Service
Northeastern Refrigeration Corp.
Northstar Tower Services LLC
Powers Roofing and Exteriors
PuroClean of Western Reserve
Raw Roofing Solutions
Reeves Plumbing and Heating Co.
Rich and Sons Home Services LLC
Richards Plumbing
Royal Heating & Air Conditioning Service
Shepp Electric Co. Inc.
Streb Electric LLC
Thermal Construction Inc.
Toku America Inc.
Trax Construction Co.
Wiesler Painting & Decorating
CREDIT UNIONS
Cardinal Community Credit Union
Eaton Family Credit Union
DANCE STUDIO
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
DANCE STUDIO/MARTIAL ARTS
Savelli Dance and Martial Arts
DENTISTS
Center For Dental Health
Kent A. Caserta, DDS Inc.
Lakeshore Family Dental
Philip J. Weiss, DDS, Ltd.
DISTRIBUTORS
American Specialty Metals Inc.
Essentialware - Global Principals
Holmbury Inc.
My-Happy Feet Socks
US Foils Inc.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Andrews Osborne Academy
Auburn Career Center
Best Version of You CEVEC
Fate Into Destiny Wellness Center
Kirtland Local Schools
Lake Erie College
Lakeland Community College
Leadership Lake County
Little Learners Too
NK Consulting of Ohio LLC
Precision Machining Institute
Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc.
Wickliffe City School District
Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools
EDUCATION/TRAINING HEALTH CARE
CuttingEdge Medical Solutions
Val Woods CPR LLC
ENGINEERS
CT Consultants Inc.
Digital Laboratories Inc.
I-C Automation
Polaris Engineering & Surveying
Rockaway Civil LLC
Tec Inc. Engineering & Design
Technical Assurance Inc.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
ADP
Barbish Financial Group
Centry Financial Advisors LLC
Elevated Wealth Solutions
How Money Works
MAI Capital Management
New York Life
Ohio Payroll Plus
Paul F. Rodgers
Paula Strumbly, Wealth Advisor, Stratos Wealth Partners
Raymond James Financial Services
Rocket Mortgage, Tim Koenig
Sharaba’s Financial Services
The Hamm Agency
WestPoint Wealth Management
Yvette Williams, PFS Investments
FLOORING & FURNITURE
Fuller Flooring & Design
Jeff Hagey Floor & Wallcovering Inc.
Sharing Vintage Revivals Furniture
FLORISTS
Flowers on the Vine
Heartfelt Florals
Plant Magic Florist
FUNERAL SERVICES
Brickman Bros. Funeral Home
Davis-Babcock Funeral Home
McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home
Monreal Funeral Home
Northcoast Memorials
GOLF COURSES
Manakiki Golf Course
GOVERNMENT
City of Eastlake
City of Kirtland
City of Wickliffe
City of Willoughby
City of Willoughby Hills
City of Willowick
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Lake Development Authority
Lakeline Village
OhioMeansJobs-Lake County
Timberlake Village
HAIR & NAIL SALONS
Anas Hair and Nailz LLC
John Robert’s Salon and Spa
Mane Chic
Mirror Mirror Salon and Bridal
The BOHO Beauty Bar
HANDYMAN
Larson’s Handyman Services
HEALTH & FITNESS CLUBS
Cleveland Biomechanics
Club Pilates Willoughby South
Game Day Men’s Health
Go Bare Skin Clinic
NORTH COAST AIKIKAI
OsteoStrong
Power Yoga Collective NEO LLC
HEALTH CARE
All Star Physical Therapy
Apex Dermatology
BrightView-Willoughby
Care 2 U Health Services
Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center
Cornerstone Foot Care
CSL Plasma
Kirtland Rehabilitation and Care
L’Bri-Pure n Natural
Lake County ADAMHS Board
Lake County General Health District
Legacy Willoughby
Maple Health DPC
Move That Mountain Functional Medicine
Neuros Medical Inc.
Safe Harbor Home Healthcare
Synergy Physical Therapy and Wellness
The Botanist
The Wellness Connection
Todd J. Pesek, MD Inc.
Triumphant Counseling Services
University Hospitals, Lake Health
US Ultrasound Services
Wickliffe Country Place
Windsor Laurelwood
HUMAN RESOURCES
Minutemen of Ohio
Sedgwick
Spooner Risk Control Services
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY MANAGED SERVICES
Affordable-IT
Exodus Integrity Services Inc.
Griffin Technology Group
Monreal IT
Nicki Ruiz-Bueno
INSURANCE
AFLAC represented by Kay Catlett
American Family Insurance-Joe Robinson Agency LLC
AssuredPartners
Baehr Insurance Agency
Bosu Insurance Group
Corsaro Insurance Group
Dan Contento Insurance Agency Inc.
Erjavec Insurance ServicesRepresenting American National
Kevin P. Davis-Statefarm Agent
Lann Insurance Agency
M. Ritch & Associates LLC-American Family Insurance
Merhar Agency
Mormile Agency Inc.
Ohio Health Insurance LLC
State Farm Insurance-Ferguson
State Farm-Lori Smul Insurance Agency
State Farm-The Estes Agency
Western & Southern Life
WestPoint Wealth Management
INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS
EJS Design
Helpful Home Staging Projects by DBC
Sunray Window Films LLC
Well Dressed Windows Inc.
JEWELERS
Select Jewelers
Steven DiFranco Jewelers
JUNK REMOVAL
The Junkluggers of Cleveland, Mentor & Solon
LANDSCAPERS, LAWN CARE & SNOW REMOVAL
Absolute Grass Inc.
AVV Landscaping
Ecolawn
Levesque Landscape & Design
LIBRARIES
Kirtland Public Library
Wickliffe Public Library
Willoughby Hills Public Library
Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library
Willoughby-Eastlake Public LibraryAdministration
Willoughby-Eastlake Public LibraryEastlake
Willoughby-Eastlake Public LibraryWillowick
LODGING
Holiday Inn-Mentor
Marriott Courtyard Willoughby
LODGING/RESTAURANTS/TAVERNS
Willoughby House-Julia’s 1902 Restaurant
LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN
Blue Grace Logistics
MANUFACTURING
AC Wellman
Alexy Metals
Apollo Welding & Fabricating Inc.
Astro Manufacturing & Design
Ball Gage & Inspection Inc.
Bickford Flavors
Bowden Manufacturing
Buckeye Tec Corp.
Bud Industries Inc.
Bud Manufacturing Inc.
Budzar Industries
Carbide Specialists Inc.
Cast Nylons Ltd.
Commercial Anodizing Co. Inc.
Component Repair Technologies
Consolidated Metal Service Inc.
CPP-Consolidated Precision Products
DAI Ceramics Inc.
ENPAC LLC
Enpress LLC
Ericson Manufacturing
Euclid Heat Treating
Federal Gear and Machine
Feedall LLC
Fusion Inc.
G-M-I Inc.
GearTec Inc.
General Machine Products Inc.
Hudco Manufacturing Inc.
Infinity Laser Engraving Co.
Interlake Stamping of Ohio Inc.
JAB Supply Corp.
Kottler Metal Products Inc.
MAGNET
Magnus Engineered Equipment
Midwest Precision LLC
Mika Metal Fabricating
M R D Solutions LLC
Neway Stamping & Manufacturing Inc.
Ohio Broach & Machine Co.
Olympus Aerospace
P M C Gage Inc.
Pace Engineering Inc.
Pickands Mather Lake Services
Process Technology
Quality CNC Machining Inc.
Rino’s Woodworking Shop Inc.
Sawyer Technical Materials LLC
Silco Inc.
Slabe Machine Products Co.
Smolic Machine Co.
Spence Technologies Inc.
Stakes Manufacturing
Sticker Corp.
TDC Systems
The Heisler Tool Co. Inc.
The Kennedy Group
The Lubrizol Corp.
United Industrial Sales, Co. Inc.
United Machine & Tool Inc.
Universal Metal Products
Volk Optical Inc.
Weiss North America Inc.
Winter Equipment Co. Inc.
Z&Z Manufacturing Inc.
MARKETING SERVICES
440 Marketing
BMA Media Group
GMIGaskets®
GMIGaskets®
Extruded Rubber Profiles
Extruded Rubber Profiles
GMIGaskets®
GMIGaskets®
Extruded Rubber Profiles
GMIGaskets®
Extruded Rubber Profiles
GMIGaskets®
Extruded Rubber Profiles
Extruded Rubber Profiles
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
USDA Project No.: 13377
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
USDA Project No.: 13377
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
Plus Many More Extruded Rubber Profiles, Solid Rubber Cord and Tubing
USDA Project No.: 13377
USDA Project No.: 13377
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
USDA Project No.: 13377
USDA Project No.: 13377
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
Come for the food, stay for the fun.
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
This USDA Officially Accepted Strainer Gasket is designed to eliminate any possibility of the Elastomer material migrating into any exposed perforations within the Elastomer ID of the Stainless Steel Barrier.
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
Molded Gaskets and Variable Capacity Tank Seals
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
SS Orifice Plate, SS Perforated Disc, SS Screen, O-Ring & Custom Gaskets
Other Products
Other Products
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
Other Products
Other Products
Other Products
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
Other Products
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
Our family operated this location for over 13 years winning many honors along the way for our food, we are thrilled to be back with many of our past longtime employee’s to grow our history further. Come try our award winning sandwiches & home made sauce & soups.
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
G-M-I, Inc.®
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
DieCut, Laminated, Slit and Calendered Rubber Sheet and all are available with Cloth Inserted Fabrics. All Products are available with FDA Metal Detectable and FDA X-Ray Detectable Powders and FDA Teflon® Powder for Improved Abrasion Resistance.
G-M-I, Inc.®
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
DAYS
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
G-M-I, Inc.®
G-M-I, Inc.®
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
G-M-I, Inc.®
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
G-M-I, Inc.®
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4634 USA
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™ Rev 2021
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
Telefon/-Fax: 440-953-8811/-9631
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
Email: gmiinc@msn.com Url: www.gmigaskets.com
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™ Rev 2021
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™ Rev 2021
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™ Rev 2021
Quality Gaskets from Quality People™ Rev 2021
38464 Lakeshore North, Willoughby OH
CRE8IVRHO Digital
Direct Marketing Solutions
Eat Drink Live Local USA Cleveland
Equus Group LLC
Lakenetwork
Media Magnet
Milia Marketing
Owll Marketing
Torva Local
MARKETING SERVICES/ ADVERTISING & MEDIA/BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING/ BUSINESS CONSULTANTS
Alpha Key Digital
NEWSPAPERS
The Lake County Tribune
The News-Herald
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Alliance For Working Together Foundation
Alzheimer’s Association
Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Crossroads Health
Education Alternatives
Effective Leadership Academy
Erie Street Miracles
Extended Housing Inc.
Forbes House
Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio
Jordan Community Resource Center
Lake County Board of DD-Deepwood
Lake County Council on Aging
Lake County Development Council Inc.
Lake County Land Reutilization Corp.
Lake County Ohio NAACP Unit 3188-B
Lake County Safety Council
Lake Humane Society
Lake-Geauga Habitat For Humanity
LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County
Marcus’ Lantern Fund
NOACC
Phoenix Counseling Solution
The Family Resource Center of Wickliffe
The Guard & Reserve Aid Initiative
Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance
Tour Lake County OH
United Way of Lake County
Wickliffe Eagles, Aerie #4086
Willoughby Area Welcome Center Inc.
Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Lake Business Products
Staples
PET SERVICES
Barktown Willoughby Grooming
Kat and Dogs Ohio LLC
Mission EmPAWthy LLC
The Wright Pet Daycamp & Boarding LLC
PHOTOGRAPHY
B&D Enterprises
Forest City Studio
HeadshotCleveland.com
Jerry’s Sports Photography
Kucera International Inc.
LAKE COUNTY LANDLORDS:
PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
Craig Specialty Advertising
Rouhier Advertising Specialties
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
Nick Slattery, Paramount Properties group with BHHS PRO REALTY
7851 Reynolds Rd LLC
Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates-Lisa Blomgren
Gatto Group
Global Real Estate Advisors Inc.
Great Lakes Realty
Hallum Homes-eXp Realty LLC
Hanna Commercial
Hessler Holdings LLC
Home Smart Real Estate Momentum
Jason Horton
Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority
Lake Property Management
Marketing Communication Resource Inc.
MOTO Enterprises
Natalie Antosh Realtor LLC-Keller
Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast
Paratto Ross Real Estate W/ Howard
Hanna
Quality Community Management Inc.
RE/MAX RESULTS
RE/MAX Results-Kristina Zeleznik
Remax Results-Greg Gilson
Susan Hodali, Realtor Coldwell Banker
Schmidt Realty
USA Management & Development Inc.
REAL ESTATE SERVICES/ BUILDER
Marous Management Services
REAL ESTATE SERVICES/NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS
Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS
RECREATION/PARKS
Holden Forests & Gardens
Lake County Captains
Lake County YMCA-C
Lost Nation Sports Park
Morgan Tennis
The Jumpyard
The National Basketball Academy
Wickliffe Lanes Inc.
RECREATION/PARKS/GOLF COURSES
Lake Metroparks
RENTAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES
Aladdin Rents
RESTAURANTS/TAVERNS
1899 Pub
Ballantine Restaurant
Be Smoothie
Biggby Coffee Wickliffe
Buffalo Wild Wings
Candy Cloud Co.
Chagrin River Diner LLC
Charleys Philly Steaks
Chick-Fil-A
Crowley’s
Crowley’s Kirtland
Frank & Tony’s Place
Freshly’s
Geraci’s Restaurant
Giuseppe’s Pizza Inc.
Honey Baked Ham
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Kava Sol
Lake Erie Distillery
Mickey’s Ice Cream
Nora’s Public House
Panini’s Franchise Group
Paninis Bar & Grill
Pie Café
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Sol Willoughby
Sound Stage Tavern
Spirits in Willoughby
Subway-Pine Ridge Plaza
Texas Roadhouse
The Wild Goose
Tricky Tortoise Brewing Co.
Vittorio’s Buon Appetito
RETAIL
Ace Hardware
Blue Falls Car Wash
Bosphorus Enterprises Inc.
Breeze Tobacco & Vape
Buckeye Relief LLC
Commonwealth Lumber Co.
Cozy Noze LLC
EZ Pole Flagpole
Gomillion Furniture Services Inc.
Maple Country Meats
McDonald Equipment Co.
North Coast Games LLC
paintCLE/Benjamin Moore
Pnut Butter Cups Co.
Professional Electric Products Co.
Sheraton Furniture
The Baby Fairy Shoppe
The Missy Co.
Thee Hemp Co.
Volunteers of America Thrift Store
Woodhill Supply Inc.
Your CBD Store
Zoom Express Car Wash
SALES/SERVICE INDUSTRIES
Felco Press LLC
Impentra Security Glass
IWI Inc.
Stevenson Oil
Vecmar
SECURITY SYSTEMS
Ellis Security LLC
Santee Lock & More LLC
Total ID Solutions Inc.
SECURITY SYSTEMS CONTRACTORS
Legacy Fire and Security
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES
Willoughby Hills Senior Apts.
SERVICE INDUSTRIES
1-Tom-Plumber
Alpha/AXS Holding LLC, DBA Alpha
Imaging
Avanti Aerospace Inc.
We have something for everyone at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library!
Research Databases
Movie Nights
Children’s Storytimes
Passport Services
Book Clubs
Technology Classes
Author Events
Online Learning
Eastlake Public Library
36706 Lakeshore Boulevard 440-942-7880
Willoughby Public Library 30 Public Square 440-942-3200
Willoughby Hills Public Library 35400 Chardon Road 440-942-3362
Willowick Public Library 263 E. 305 Street 440-943-4151
WE247.ORG
Clean Express Auto Wash
EZshred LLC
Pine Ridge Restoration
S&F Exterior Washing
SERVICE INDUSTRIES/ DISTRIBUTORS
DeMilta Sand & Gravel Inc.
SIGNS & DISPLAYS/PRINTING
SERVICES
Agile Sign & Lighting Maintenance Inc.
Central Graphics
FASTSIGNS of Mentor
Great Lakes Publishing
Jones Printing Services Inc.
Willoughby Printing Co.
X Press Printing Services Inc.
SOLID WASTE HAULING/RECYCLING
Euclid Disposal Co.
Major Waste Disposal Services
STAFFING & HR SERVICES
All Pro Recruiting
Anderson/Biro Staffing
Bittner By Far- A la carte HR LLC
Deepwood Industries Inc.
Eagle Administrative Service Inc.
Express Employment Professionals
Group Management Services
INOVA Staffing
Staffworks Group
The Reserves Network
STAFFING & HR SERVICES/ MANUFACTURING
Vector Technical Inc.
STORAGE/MOVING
Ace Willoughby LLC
Moving Ahead Services
Two Men and a Truck
STUDENT MEMBERS
Brad Goble
Jacob Dimick
Omega Jackson
Tamika Little
TAILOR/ALTERATIONS
Fashion in Style
TECHNOLOGY
j.Patrick Audio Video Ltd.
TITLE COMPANIES
Emerald Glen Title
Premier Exams and Recordings LLC
TRANSPORTATION
A-1
Mr. Limo
Five Star Trucking Inc.
Laketran
TRAVEL SERVICES
Jackie at Bright Wishes Travel
Starlight2Travel Inc.
UTILITIES
FirstEnergy Corp.
VETERINARY CLINIC
Kirtland Veterinary Hospital LLC
We’re
Since 2001, NOPEC has been working to keep your natural gas and electric rates manageable. We make it easy, with no tricky contracts and the flexibility to move between products without penalties or fees. Plus, with our 24/7 Customer Care Center, we’re always just a phone call away. For more than 20 years, NOPEC has had your back. And you can be sure we will continue to for years to come. For more information, visit NOPEC.org or call 855-667-3201. communities working together to keep Western Lake County’s utility rates affordable.
Put NOPEC’s bulk buying power to work for you.
HOME &
GARDEN
REN O V A T I ONS
INTERIOR DESIGNERS have compared the powder room in a house to costume jewelry in a wardrobe. Unlike “investment piece” rooms, which typically are finished to be functional, durable and enduring in appeal, the powder room is a place where personal taste and creativity can be unleashed without fear of tiring the result. Its relatively small size usually makes renovations less expensive than larger, more involved rooms and less disruptive to redecorate when the decor falls out of fashion.
“A powder room is one place where you can have a lot of fun,” says Tara Mercio, senior interior designer at Maison A+D in Avon Lake. These two design concepts show how it can work as the most imaginative room in the house.
Mercio used the powder room in her Avon Lake center hall colonial to indulge a passion for “Dark Floral II,” an Ellie Cashman wallpaper that looks like an exploded Dutch masters rendering of dahlias, hydrangeas, peonies and roses in shades of white and pink on a black background. She wanted to inject drama into the generic cream-colored space she’d inherited from a previous owner. But at $48 per square meter, she only could afford to use it on one wall — and that’s if she cut the budget for other items.
A search on Facebook Marketplace yielded the solution: a 1940s washstand sink and matching peachy-pink commode salvaged from a Vermilion home, colorful upgrades from her white pedestal sink and commode priced at a mere $100 for the pair. She decided to paint the three remaining walls and ceiling black — a bold choice that highlighted the wallpaper, sink and commode — then picked up the plumbing fixtures from the seller and power-washed them in her front yard.
“I’ve always loved antiques, but I also love modern,” Mercio says. “So I have a style that meshes both. And I love to recycle.”
Mercio replaced the pitted chrome washstand legs with reproductions from Faucet Depot, a home-improvement brand. Maison A+D architect David Maison installed them, along with the commode, on a black arabesque tile floor. “I just wanted something sexy,” Mercio says of the shape. The finishing touches: an unframed square mirror and Anthropologie-brand bistro-style sconce consisting of two frosted globes attached to a white, black and gold tiled escutcheon plate.
“It’s my favorite room in the house,” she says of the result.
MICHAEL WYPASEK
LIKE MERCIO, Wendy Berry drew inspiration from a wall covering when designing the powder room for a justbuilt Victorian home in Mentor-onthe-Lake. The owner of and principal designer at Chagrin Falls-based W Design had long admired Gracie Studio’s “Waves,” a scene of white-capped blue waves based on an antique Japanese screen painting.
It was appropriate for a waterside-community abode built in an architectural style once hallmarked by items collected during occupants’ wellheeled world travels.
“The [clients’] directive was true Victorian with a little bit of Americana and nautical,” Berry says.
But the wall covering, the design of which is hand-painted to order on metallic paper, comes with a price that makes even the well-heeled gasp. W Design marketing manager Carley Porter
Elevate Your Lifestyle at 3377 E. Galloway Dr., Richfield
This totally renovated 5-bedroom, 6-bath home is the epitome of luxury and comfort. Nestled in the prestigious Glencarin development in the city of Richfield, this estate is set on a lushly landscaped, picturesque 1.2-acre lot. It offers everything you could ever need and deserve.
Key Features:
Location:
Lot Size:
First Floor
Details:
Bedrooms & Bathrooms: 5 spacious bedrooms and 6 beautifully appointed bathrooms.
Situated in the exclusive Glencarin development, known for its serene and upscale environment.
Expansive 1.2-acre lot with stunning landscaping. Arrive by entering the circular driveway and Portico. You will notice a 4-car garage and studio quarters above the garage.
Expansive Kitchen: A chef’s dream with state-of-the-art appliances, granite countertops, and a large island. The kitchen opens to a beautiful family room, perfect for casual gatherings and everyday living.
Beautiful Dining Room: An elegant space designed for entertaining guests in style.
Master Suite: A luxurious retreat featuring garden view blackout shades, an oversized glamour bath with a soaking tub, custom vanities, and a new shower. The suite also includes a walk-in custom closet with built-ins for abundant storage.
Covered Outdoor Patio: Featuring a gas fireplace, this area allows for seamless indooroutdoor living, perfect for relaxing or entertaining year-round.
Wavy scalloping on a lighting-fixture shade reinforce the powder room’s nautical theme.
Entertainment Extravaganza:
REDUCED $2,750,000
Lower Level: The ultimate entertainment space, featuring a Pub Room and Lounge area.
Indoor Basketball Court: Watch or join in the fun with a half-court indoor basketball setup, viewable from both above and below.
Theatre Room: Enjoy the latest Netflix series or a movie marathon in the large, stateof-the-art theatre room. Full Operating Kitchen and Bar: Perfect for hosting
Bonus Room/ Studio:
Located above the second garage, this versatile space can be used as a home office, art studio, or guest suite, offering endless possibilities for customization.
Hand-painted waves on the powderroom walls were inspired by those on a pricey wall covering.
estimates it would cost more than $20,000 to hang in the 78-square-foot room.
“It takes six to nine months to get that paper,” Berry adds. “We didn’t have the luxury of that time.”
So Berry hired Cleveland artist John Troxell to paint an approximation of the design above the powder room’s chair rail, an architectural detail with molding carved in a linear wave pattern. It was finished, like the walls beneath, in Sherwin-Williams Blue Cruise.
The wavy scalloping is repeated on the edge of a Coleen and Co. drum lighting fixture. The brick red lighting shade and cafe curtains pick up the accents in a hand-painted vanity sink, where a pair of navy blue
tall ships sail in its bowl.
“We literally Googled ‘nautical sinks,’” Berry says of the search for the plumbing fixture. The designer purchased the piece from a Turkish artist on Etsy.
The quest for achieving Victorian-period authenticity included under-mounting the sink in an antique chest turned into a vanity by replacing the top with a piece of rosso marble and hanging a gold-leaf mirror between candle sconces.
The commode seat and lid also were replaced. Berry ordered the wooden counterparts stained walnut, several shades darker than that on the whiteoak floor. Berry concedes that most homeowners would pause before committing to such a bold design.
“But [this couple] loves outside of the box,” she says. “They were easy in the sense that they really loved it.”
• Come home to the luxuriously appointed open floor plan on both levels.
• Family gathering spaces, both with custom stone fireplaces.
• Entertaining spaces, with full kitchen areas to enjoy year round.
• Many bedroom spaces including the fully separate Crewmans quarters.
• Workspaces that all take advantage of the stunning lake views. Come out to the
The view from the 4-season sunroom invites you to just relax & savor the surrounding beauty, open decks on both sides are for more sunbathing.
Steps down to the firepit and dock area to jump on the boat or the kayaks. The breathtaking water views from every room offer an unparalleled, picturesque setting you won’t find anywhere else.
The gourmet kitchen has white cabinetry, granite counters, subway tile, all appliances and a spacious breakfast bar for every cook.
A shipshape sink hand-painted by a Turkish artist punctuates an antique chest turned into a rosso-marble-topped vanity.
WESTLAKE | $535K
One floor living and so much more. This hard-to-find spacious Westlake ranch offers an elegant formal living room that flows seamlessly into the formal dining. Neutral and bright. Loads of natural light throughout. Light woodwork. The master offers a private bath and extra-large walk-in. Two additional bedrooms and remodeled bath.
NORTH ROYALTON
Stunning colonial on a quiet low traffic street. Over 2500 sq. ft. PLUS an additional 1600 sq. ft. in its finished walk-out lower level. Quality built. Meticulously maintained. Four bedrooms and two and a half baths. Many recent updates. The two-story great room with gas fireplace. Open
Meticulous maintenance is the hallmark of this home. So warm. So welcoming. The vaulted family room features a gas fireplace and is open to the kitchen. Sliders lead to a large sunroom overlooking the manicured yard. Stamped brick patio. Two car attached garage. Convenient to all amenities. Low Westlake taxes. Great city services.
Not ready to buy yet? Looking for a great rental in a wonderful neighborhood? We have that too! Four/five bedroom, two and a half bath colonial. Fully updated, Neutral. Ready to move in. Fabulous cul-de-sac location.
Look Back
IN 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act, the largest public works project in American history. But ideas for highways going in, out and around Cleveland had been in the works for at least a decade before that.
During World War II, civic leaders worked on a “Thorofare Plan,” which included an Innerbelt Freeway, originating at the eastern Shoreway near what’s now Burke Lakefront Airport. It skirted Downtown, spanned the Cuyahoga River south of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge into Tremont, and connected with the Medina Freeway, taking drivers out to the airport.
Construction began in earnest in 1954 on an eight-lane bridge that, at its completion five years later, was just the second span of that width in the world. Gradually, the pieces all joined together, culminating on Dec. 5, 1961, when a ceremony opened the 2.85-mile expressway.
“Don’t call this a freeway,” A.G. Donovan of the Ohio Department of Highways told The Plain Dealer. “At $25 million a mile, it is not free.” (The PD noted that the cost of $69,910,000 wasn’t quite $25 million a mile, but it was close enough.)
Broadway actress Gretchen Wyler, who was playing in Bye Bye Birdie at the Hanna Theatre, wore a mink coat as she passed out souvenir plastic shovels on a blustery but warm winter day.
And Mayor Anthony Celebrezze officially launched the highway not with a ribbon cutting but by firing up an acetylene torch and cutting through a one-inch cable. The party — with an estimated attendance of around 200 by the Cleveland Press but only about 100 by The Plain Dealer — then set out in a procession led by a 1911 Mercedes on the new highway.
The Innerbelt remains a well-used road today, as part of Interstate 90.
1961
WHEN EVERYTHING MATTERS
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