Summer Weekends in CLE

It has been a busy week with the launch of The Cleveland City Living Awards, but I couldn't resist sharing all of the awesomeness that our great city has going on this weekend!

But first, the picture above is one of the many that I snapped at Parade The Circle last weekend. I just needed to give a shout out to University Circle and The Detroit Shoreway for giving me one of the best (and free) Saturdays in Cleveland. I can't say it enough- the trollies were perfectly timed, the day was beautiful, and the crowds were happy- it was a great sign of summer!

This weekend offers just as much fun around Cleveland. I am thrilled to announce the soft opening of the first retail on E. 4th in years, Dredgers Union, that is taking place this Friday night. Danielle Deboe's latest venture looks more then promising and I can't wait to get my shop on!

Also this weekend is the 6th Annual Ohio City Market District Run & Crawl 5k. This 5k night run/walk is a sure way to kick start your Saturday night! Many of the restaurants in the neighborhood offer specials for post-race celebrating. I hope to see you there!

Lots of new business happening around Gordon Square

The already-bustling Gordon Square Arts District is getting a little busier with the addition of three new retail businesses.

Wednesday marked the official opening of Sweet Moses, a soda fountain and treat shop at 6800 Detroit Avenue, one block west of the Gordon Square Arcade.

The owner is Jeff Moreau, who's offering a turn-of-the-century soda shop experience. Sweet Moses serves homemade ice cream dishes and handmade confections. Coming soon will be peanut butter sandwiches that can be topped with options including bacon, marshmallow cream, Nutella, sliced bananas and potato chips.

In addition, two women's boutiques soon will open at the West 65th Street and Detroit Avenue intersection.

One of the businesses, Turnstyle, will sell a mix of vintage and contemporary items. The other business comes from “Project Runway” fashion designer Valerie Mayen, who is creating a “pop-up” store of her fashions next to the Capitol Theatre on West 65th Street.

(Article courtesy of Crain's Cleveland)

Sweet Moses! Grand Opening

With great pleasure I am proud to announce that Sweet Moses, a soda shoppe in theDetroit Shoreway will be opening its doors to serve Clevelanders with a sweet tooth this Saturday afternoon.

From noon to 3:00pm diners can delight in a variety of ice cream sundae options, custom blended sodas, and specialty peanut butter sandwiches. Located on Detroit Avenue and West 68th Street, this charming throwback to the days of the soda shoppe are a welcoming addition to the already bustling Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. I for one am very excited to live within walking distance and plan to make a ritual of visiting the shop for a sundae on warm summer nights! Check out all they have to offer on their website Sweet Moses Treats

Thanksgiving Eve Celebrations

Are you planning on taking part in the bar room festivities the night before Thanksgiving? If you haven't yet been persuaded or are still unsure where to go this list below should be of some help coordinating a great night out for friends and family. Cheers!

Sachsenheim Hall (7001 Denison Ave.)Heavy Metal for The Hungry- A concert that benefits the Cleveland Food Bank.

Liquid Nightclub (1212 West 6th) Thanksgiving eve, and every Wednesday Liquid has Ladies Night with complimentary drinks + dancing all night.

Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Ave.) will be hosting a not so average bar night by putting on a burlesque show.

Roc Bar (1220 Old River Rd) will be hosting an Ugly Sweater party- so bust out your most hideous garb and grab a drink. Designated drivers get their non-alcoholic beverages for free!

The Cleveland Improv Comedy Club and Restaurant (2000 Sycamore Street) Hosts of WNCX 98.5’s “Scott and Jeff Show” will tag-team an unbelievably funny show.

Touch Supperclub ( 2710 Lorain Ave.) Party with some of Cleveland's best DJs.

The Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd.) will be hosting their 5th anniversary 'This Way Out' show.

The Coventry of the West?

Could it be that Detroit Avenue is becoming the Coventry of the West? I suppose the bloggers disagree, but think about it. Take out the college campus, and got some striking similarities.

The Capitol Theatre, an independant three-screen theatre, the Cleveland Public Theatre, an Avante-garde "off-broadway" performing arts experience, and a string of retail shops line Detroit Avenue. Add to that mix Gypsy Beans & Baking Co (coffee shop and bistro), LUXE (a trendy restaurant and lounge), Stone Mad (Irish Pub), La Boca, Happy Dog, Reddstone, and more!

What about a new street-scape so people can walk into the shops like Kitsch City and Room Service? Oh... it has that coming too... See the video below.



Even if there's only one Coventry, like my bloggers on the CCL Facebook wall said, you have to admit that Detroit Avenue is really coming into it's own and developing. I'm excited... I think I'll go to LUXE tonight!

Detroit Shoreway Streetscape Plan Begins

Mayor Jackson and many special dignitaries join together to break ground on the streetscape plan for Detroit Avenue that will re-shape Cleveland's near west side. Widening the sidewalks to make the more pedestrian friendly is one of the first goals. Burying utility lines is part of that as well, which will make room for functional art on the street. New lighting and street painting is also visible in the renderings.

This project, which has been years in the making, is the first step in the second phase of creating a "West-side Coventry" as many people put it. Luxury housing has already been built and sold, new restaurants have opened and are flourishing, and the Capitol Theatre is scheduled to air it's first show in April 2009. This streetscape connects these individual projects together.

The reinvention of Detroit Avenue will begin at West 58th Street (home of "Krazy Mac's, Latitude 41'N, and the Happy Dog) and will continue to West 73rd Street (just past the McDonald's, Our Lady Mount Carmel Church, and Craciun-Berry Funeral home.) The project may take as long as 2-3 years to truly complete, but noticeable changes will be visible by next Spring.