Discover Brecksville 2023

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Civic Pride

We welcome you to the City of Brecksville and all that our community has to offer as a wonderful place to live, work, play and visit. Founded in 1811, we exemplify our motto, “building our future with respect for our past” by retaining historic, family-oriented and park-like characteristics, while fostering an environment that makes Brecksville a premier location for businesses to call “home.”

Kathy Stefan Golem | AVP, Retail Manager

Dan Bender | SVP, Commercial Lending Team Leader

Jason Niec | Commercial Banking Development Officer

Our charming downtown features a historic public square, 1874 Old Town Hall and vibrant local businesses, and is home to the events deeply ingrained in our local history, including Memorial Day parades and Home Days.

One-third of our land comprises the Cleveland Metroparks’ Brecksville Reservation and two championship golf courses, as well as the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Erie Canal Heritage Area. The Community Center offers indoor/outdoor aquatics centers, an indoor running track and fitness center. The new Blossom Field House features four multi-use courts available for rent. There is no point on our main thoroughfare, Brecksville Road (State Route 21), where you are more than 2 miles from an interchange, and we are one of three Cuyahoga County communities with direct access to the Ohio Turnpike.

Brecksville was rated the second-safest city in the state, and our school district ranks among the top in Ohio. The 190acre Valor Acres mixed-use development, anchored by Sherwin-Williams’ Global R&D Center, is underway and embodies our forward momentum.

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you like to learn more about our wonderful city.

Sincerely,

HRUBY

PROUD BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HEIGHTS ALUMNI ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU

KRISTOPHER TOTH PRESIDENT, BRECKSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JERRY

MAYOR, CITY OF BRECKSVILLE

Scene from the City

Mayor Jerry Hruby shares recent successes the city has enjoyed — and what’s on the horizon.

By Linda Feagler

19.54 square miles

13,607

What are several of the best initiatives that have happened in Brecksville over the last year?

The new additions to the Community Center — including the outdoor and indoor pools — have been completed, which residents are enjoying extensively. And I’m very pleased that we’ll be opening new retail downtown. Apricot Lane, a women’s boutique, opened in March, and a new barbershop is also coming.

On the south side of town, the DiGeronimo family is nearing final approval to move DiGeronimo Companies’ corporate headquarters — which will be a 5-story office building providing space for 700 jobs — to Valor Acres.

It’s also noteworthy that due to new construction of homes and businesses, we increased our total property valuations by $100 million last year — which is a record for us as our tax rate continues to drop, and a milestone few other cities in the county have achieved.

Brecksville also celebrated the opening of the Blossom Hill Field House next to the new elementary school. What does this expansive sports complex mean to the city?

We’re getting raves from our residents about this fantastic new addition to Brecksville. The 29,308-square-foot facility features volleyball, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, as well as batting and pitching cages, a two-lane walking/jogging track and fitness classes. Additionally, the Field House hosts tournaments just about every weekend, which brings revenue in to help with the operating costs. And, since we partnered with the school [in the initiative], it saved taxpayers money and works out great for all of us.

What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?

We’re looking forward to a $3.4 million road program for improvements to our neighborhood streets. [Plans] include replacing sewer and water lines on Glenwood Trail and parts of Chippewa Road from Riverview to Wiese and [improving] Route 82, including sidewalks all the way down to Riverview Road. Nothing fancy is planned for this year. It’s all about infrastructure.

5,750

Single-family homes occupied $309,200

Median Home Value

$115,370

Median Income Per Household

Apricot Lane Boutique

The Place We Call Home!

Mayor Jerry N. Hruby & City Council

Laura Redinger, President

Dominic Caruso, Vice-President

AJ Ganim, Daryl Kingston, Ann Koepke, Beth Savage, Brian Stucky

Building for the

Future

The new elementary school focuses on fun and safety for young learners.

By Lisa Galek

On the first day of school, students at the new BrecksvilleBroadview Heights Elementary School walked through hallways filled with brightly-colored honeycomb patterns and engaging activity walls featuring Scrabble games and crossword puzzles. The project — creating a state-ofthe-art building to appeal to young learners — was in partnership with the City of Brecksville. “We have a great relationship with the city,” says Brecksville-Broadview Heights Superintendent Joelle Magyar. “They were so collaborative throughout the entire process.”

Safety and Security

With school safety constantly in the news, security in the new building was a priority for parents. “We made sure there were a lot of elements to keep our kids safe but that didn’t make you feel the kids were locked down,” Magyar says.

Visitors enter through a series of secure glass doors. Inside the main entrance is the full-time school resource officer, a police officer from the City of Brecksville trained to work with students. In an emergency, multiple doors throughout the building shut and lock, blocking classroom access.

Mental Health and Wellness

Over the years, the district has strengthened its focus on mental health. In 2022, it received a grant to begin training a new therapy dog, a chocolate brown Labrador named Cocoa.

Activity walls around the building — like Lite-Brite or Lego walls — help give students a break when stressed. These walls are also used in physical and occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills.

THE BRECKSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE knows it takes more than Monopoly money to help local students. In 2022, the group created Beeopoly, a twist on the classic board game. Instead of Boardwalk and Park Place, Beeopoly features beloved Brecksville and Broadview Heights businesses. The brightly-colored game boards, with graphics designed by Chamber Vice President Jana Vanadia, are currently available for purchase through the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce.

Sales and sponsorships from the project directly benefit Brecksville-Broadview Heights students, with a portion of the proceeds going to organizations like the Schools Foundation and Parent School Organization. By supporting Beeopoly, people can be part of a unique piece of local history while giving back to the community.

“We have two cities but one school community,” says Don Lloyd, treasurer of the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great way to get people from both cities together to do something good.”

Make School Feel Cool

From the moment you walk into this building, it’s obvious — you’re in an elementary school. A sun-bright yellow slide twists down from the second floor into the media center. On the playground, students can dash through a timed Ninja Warrior course. The Field House allows students to run, jump and play during physical education classes. It’s all part of an effort to help kids love learning in the new school.

“As a former elementary principal, I know you can’t teach kids unless they’re ‘there,’” says Magyar. “You’ve got to help them want to be in school. Then you can educate them.”

SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS

More than 30 years ago, a group of parents, educators, district administrators and business leaders formed the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools Foundation (BBHSF). Their goal was simple — fund innovative classroom projects outside the typical curriculum offered to students. Through the years, that mission has expanded to include annual scholarships for graduates — almost half the gifts awarded on Senior Night.

When it comes to classroom grants, BBHSF pays particular attention to improving services and opportunities for students with special needs. In February 2023, the organization raised over $20,000 at Buzz Around the World, a charity wine-tasting and silent auction held at 750ml in Brecksville. Schools Foundation President Janelle Henning is currently recruiting new volunteers, especially those with experience in finance, event management or communication. “We’re looking for people who want to have an impact on the students,” says Henning. “It’s people who really want to leave a mark on the community and school district.”

South Suburban Montessori School provides an authentic Montessori education to children 18 months to 14 years. Our values of compassion, authenticity, respect, and excellence inspire our school’s rich tradition of nurturing each child’s natural love of learning. Founded in 1970. South Suburban is located just 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland in Brecksville’s beautiful Blossom Hill Complex.

South Suburban Montessori School provides an authentic Montessori education to children 18 months to 14 years. Our values of compassion, authenticity, respect, and excellence inspire our school’s rich tradition of nurturing each child’s natural love of learning. Founded in 1970, South Suburban is located just 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland in Brecksville’s beautiful Blossom Hill Complex.

Caruso’s Coffee

Dominic Caruso, who co-owns Caruso’s Coffee with his brother Michael, has clearly mastered the secret of making unforgettably perfect cups of coffee and tea.

Since 1982, family members have shared their talents as premier coffee roasters, sourcing Fair Trade beans from the world’s major growing regions and meticulously crafting them into tastes to please even the most discriminating palates. Each batch of beans is custom roasted to order, packaged the same day and mailed within 24 hours.

Customers can order the firm’s house blends online and have them shipped directly to their homes. The company also conducts wholesale business with restaurants and coffee shops, as well as with distributors that deliver the products to convenience and grocery stores under private labels. Caruso’s creates an impressive line of specialty teas, too.

“I enjoy being the primary person who does all of our taste-testing and buying of the actual beans,” Caruso says. “I love coming up with recipes for specific customers and experimenting with different flavor profiles and nuances.”

A lifelong resident who’s serving his first term on city council, Caruso is proud of the fact that his family’s roots in Brecksville date back to the 1950s.

“My parents started the company with a little one-pound roaster in a small retail shop on Brecksville Road that evolved into the business we are today,” he says. “Brecksville is definitely home and, as a family, we’re extremely invested in the city’s success. The Chamber of Commerce does a great job of supporting and promoting local businesses, which keeps our downtown vibrant and safe.” carusoscoffee.com

Selecting a dentist is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family. Dr. Heather J. Petroff has developed a familyfriendly dental practice by building strong relationships with her patients and focusing on overall health. She has been treating families in the community since 2004. Dr. Petroff has been selected as one of Cleveland's Top Dentists for over 15 years. To better serve the community, she recently moved her practice and created a state-of-the-art facility. Dr. Petroff is currently accepting new patients, both adults and children. She will be "Promoting Generations of Healthy Smiles" in her hometown of Brecksville-Broadview Hts. for years to come.

My parents started the company with a little onepound roaster in a small retail shop on Brecksville Road that evolved into the business we are today.”

Dominic Caruso

SULLIVAN ORTHODONTICS

No matter what your age or stage of life, the team at Sullivan Orthodontics is dedicated to turning smiles into beacons of radiance.

“Orthodontics is a little different from general dentistry,” explains Annelise Sullivan, DDS, MS, owner of the practice that bears her name. “There are no needles or injections here. We focus on moving teeth with a variety of appliances.”

As a result, her patients range in age from the 7 year old who needs an expander to ensure permanent teeth will align correctly to the adult contemplating whether or not to be fitted with the braces they didn’t get the opportunity to wear as a child.

“When I was younger, you waited until you had all your permanent teeth before you saw the orthodontist,” says Sullivan, who opened her practice in 2012. “But now, there are a lot of really helpful things we can do for young children that will help guide their teeth to come in in a better position.

“I love our adult patients, and we have a good time,” she adds. “But it’s watching the kids who, when they first come to us may be shy and not have the most beautifully aligned teeth, become more confident when their treatment is finished. It’s fun to be a part of that transformation.”

Sullivan, who lives in Brecksville with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, values the convenience and amenities the city provides.

“Brecksville-Broadview Heights has a great school district,” she says, “and once our kids get a little older, there are wonderful opportunities for them to take part in sports and other activities. Since my practice will be here for quite a long time, I want to be within close proximity of the schools. I also enjoy the sense of community that comes when I meet patients at places around town. It’s a beautiful city that residents take a lot of pride in.”

That sense of camaraderie extends to the environment the Chamber of Commerce nurtures.

“Members make a point of keeping everyone involved in the community,” Sullivan says. “And they never lose sight of keeping the focus on Brecksville and what’s good for the city.” sullivanortho.com

It’s watching the kids who, when they first come to us may be shy and not have the most beautifully aligned teeth, become more confident when their treatment is finished. It’s fun to be a part of that transformation.”

Annelise Sullivan

AHOLA PAYROLL & HR SOLUTIONS

For 56 years, Ahola Payroll & HR Solutions has been dedicated to helping businesses stay in business.

“We like to say we help employers manage everything from hire to retire — from finding, attracting and onboarding employees,

to helping manage them and appropriately track their time, compensation and benefits,” says Sonya Ahola, whose grandparents Chester and Rheta Ahola founded the company in 1967. Today, the firm’s services reach 2,300 clients in all 50 states, with the majority based locally in Ohio, managing more than $1.5 billion of payroll, and processing nearly 2 million payroll checks annually. In 2012, Ahola was awarded an Ohio Historical Marker that recognizes its place as the world’s longest continuously operating family-focused payroll provider.

Additionally, Ahola’s HR Consulting Division assists businesses by providing updated policies, helping develop employee handbooks and answering questions that crop up in the course of a business day.

As Sonya Ahola, along with her father Jeff Ahola, uncles Mark and Scott Ahola and aunt Marja Ahola, continue their

family’s tradition, they appreciate the benefits of belonging to the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce.

“Our headquarters are here, so we want the city to have a spotlight shine on it and thrive,” Sonya Ahola says. “We’re proud to be chamber members because we enjoy helping businesses in our community that we frequent as residents — including the small, family-owned restaurants we eat out in and the medical offices we go to — succeed. By working together, [as the saying goes] ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’” ahola.com

Our headquarters are here, so we want the city to have a spotlight shine on it and thrive.”

Sonya Ahola

CMIT Solutions

Now more than ever, businesses need the peace of mind that only comes with a sound cybersecurity protection system. CMIT (Completely Managed Information Technology) Solutions provides innovative technology solutions, cybersecurity and managed IT services including data backup, procurement, compliance, productivity applications and help desk for small- to medium-sized businesses.

“We keep our clients’ computer networks running efficiently, productively and, most importantly, securely,” says Brecksville resident Mary Ann Cordiano, who co-owns the business she and her husband Ed Cordiano launched in 2018.

She recalls a talk given by a Cleveland FBI agent at a Brecksville Chamber of Commerce meeting a few years back that emphasized the importance of cybersecurity. “He looked around the room and said, ‘There are two types of businesses. Those that have already been hacked, and those that will be hacked. So if you’re not doing something about

protection, you better start, because the hackers are coming for all businesses, big or small.’”

Information sessions like these are part of the reason the couple is active in the Chamber of Commerce.

“[The organization] promotes businesses through events, sponsorship opportunities, e-newsletters and being the go-to for any resources needed,” says Ed Cordiano, adding that networking opportunities help the couple spread the word about the services they offer.

“We love helping businesses by taking the worry of IT off their plate so they can focus on growing their business.” cmitsolutions.com/cleveland-oh-1188/about/

We love helping businesses by taking the worry of IT off their plate so they can focus on growing their business.”

Ed Cordiano

“Every parent knows it takes a village to raise your kids, and we’re certainly a part of that village,” he reflects. “Our instructors, coaches in programming, are active influences on our students’ lives. But beyond that, we do our best to be an inclusive place for all kids to come and learn and have fun doing it.”

World Elite Kids

AJ Ganim, vice president of World Elite Kids, loves nothing more than seeing children and teens ages 2 through 18 enjoying themselves as they engage in the physical activities his company offers.

“We exist,” he says, “to elevate them and give them an edge in life.”

Ganim, a Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School grad and Brecksville city councilman, opened his business in 2012. It’s designed to build confidence, character, connection and skills through a variety of classes that include tumbling, gymnastics, cheerleading and martial arts.

5

Deciding on the location, Ganim adds, was an easy choice.“My wife, who grew up in Charleston, West Virginia, and I lived in Tremont in our young adult lives,” he says. “As soon as we had kids, we moved to Brecksville. It’s a community built with strong families, and we serve families in our business. We saw that we could fill a need.”

Brecksville, he adds, also provides easy access to the highway and local neighborhoods.

Ganim didn’t think twice about joining the Chamber of Commerce.

“I helped build and create a business that serves families in our community,” he says. “So why wouldn’t I want to participate in our small-business community? I’m a firm believer in sharing your gifts with others. The networking lunches and different activities the chamber hosts provide great opportunities to meet new faces and see old friends.” worldelitekids.com

Every parent knows it takes a village to raise your kids, and we’re certainly a part of that village.”

AJ Ganim

Live, Work, Stay and Play

By Lisa Galek

In this busy world, so many people aspire to improve their work-life balance. Designed by DiGeronimo Companies, Valor Acres is intended to meet that need — creating a space where residents can work, play and live.

Located off I-77, at the site of the former Veterans Administration Hospital, Valor Acres is divided into several phases. At the southern end of the property, along Miller Road, a 25-acre mixed-use development will feature restaurants, shops and offices. DiGeronimo Companies is also working to bring a smaller format grocery store and a boutique-style hotel with approximately 130 rooms.

WORK AND PLAY

While the developer has not yet announced which businesses will be located on the property, at least one tenant has committed. “DiGeronimo Companies is relocating its headquarters from Independence to Valor Acres and will occupy the first office building to be constructed,” says Tari Stahl, director of development operations for DiGeronimo Companies.

If all goes according to plan, the office spaces will open in late 2024. People in these offices will work alongside employees at the new research and development center being built by Sherwin-Williams Co. on the western section of the site.

LIVE

Just a short walk from the mixed-use district is the residential area at the northern end of Valor Acres, also known as Canvas at Valor Acres. DiGeronimo Companies has started construction on luxury living units offering modern and efficient designs and many sought-after amenities. Potential residents can currently choose from 25 townhomes and attached lofts for sale, with more to come in future phases.

For those who would rather rent, there will be 157 luxury units in a multifamily building and 11 townhomes. These upscale living spaces are designed to appeal to people from all walks of life — families, couples and young professionals — and offer fresh housing options in the community.

STRIKING BALANCE

Safety and convenience are key selling features of both the homes and businesses. DiGeronimo Companies believes the people who live and work in Valor Acres will be drawn to the more holistic approach of the complex.

“By having a community where people can live, work, stay and play, Valor Acres offers the work-life balance opportunities that so many are seeking today,” says Stahl.