🏙️ Community Blend

Capitol Theatre Calls on Arthouse Management 📍 Gordon Square

If you're still paying $50 a month for a landline, you know something about refusing to let go.

The Capitol Theatre — Cleveland's oldest operating cinema and a certified Westside icon — just changed hands. Northwest Neighborhoods CDC is handing operations to Arthouse Management LLC starting July 31, the team behind successful historic theatre revivals in Atlanta.

Why the shake-up matters: Like indie cinemas everywhere, the Capitol's been bleeding since COVID. Cleveland Cinemas ran it for years, but the model broke. Hundreds of Westsiders told them loud and clear in surveys: they didn't want Cedar Lee West 2.0. They wanted more — more indie films, international cinema, local partnerships, reasons to actually drive there.

What's next: Arthouse Management is betting the Capitol survives by leaning into what makes it different, not cloning what works across town. Expanded programming. Deeper community ties. The kind of theatre West Siders have been asking for all along.

The Westside's indie cinema gets another shot. Let's hope it gets more use than your home phone.

Cleveland Marathon recap

Before most Westsiders had finished their first cup of coffee Sunday morning, 13,000 people were already running until their knees screamed, their lungs burned, and they questioned why they paid money to do this to themselves.

Runners from all over the country flooded Cleveland streets Sunday for the University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon — a post-pandemic high for one of the country's 50 oldest marathons. Hotels downtown sold out, and the city showed off.

Why it mattered: After years of construction detours, organizers redesigned the course based on runner feedback. Runners spent miles 13–26 winding through Lakewood before a final push down Detroit Avenue through Ohio City and Hingetown straight to the finish line.

Local heroes: Lakewood's Joseph Kelly won the 10K (35:42), Cleveland's Lauren McCafferty took the women's 10K (41:41), and Rocky River's Noah Chavez won the non-binary 10K (58:16). Cleveland's Hayley Jannielli claimed the non-binary 5K (32:04).

Full results: Jacob Kocis (2:21:50) and Ashton Swinford of Hudson (2:44:36) won the full marathon. Hunter Brignall (1:08:49) and Cuyahoga County's Katie Clute (1:15:12) took the half.

🗞️ Short Takes

Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short. We can’t fit everything into the email newsletter so you can find the full column on our website.

Avon

Memorial Day tradition: Kudos to Avon High School honors art students for continuing to create dozens of ceramic poppies for display at the Avon Lake American Legion Post 211, 31972 Walker Road, Avon Lake, in honor of Memorial Day.

The red poppy is a worldwide symbol of remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives in war. National Poppy Day is May 22. The public can view the poppies now through May 31.

Anyone interested in purchasing ceramic poppies ($25) to honor a loved one who served may do so at the Post.

Avon Lake

Refurbishing history: After years of work behind the scenes, the city’s Historical Society is ready to finally unveil and dedicate the newly refurbished 1938 Dodge American LaFrance Avon Lake Fire Department #1 fire engine.

Residents are invited to attend a special ceremony marking the occasion from 1 to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Fire Department, 32811 Walker Road. More info

Bay Village

Food Truck Fridays: Stop by on Fridays beginning May 29 through Aug. 28 to enjoy food from a variety of food trucks scheduled to be onsite from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during Food Truck Fridays at City Hall, 350 Dover Center Road.    

The first food trucks of the season will be Thai it Up and Sip Boba Tea & Acai, and live music will be provided by Kristine Jackson.

A complete list of participating food trucks is available on the city’s website.

North Ridgeville

Senior carnival: The Senior Center’s annual Carnival and Vendor Fair will take place at 10:30 a.m. May 28, at 7327 Avon Belden Road. The event also includes a themed lunch. The cost is $5. The deadline to register is May 26.

Summer splash: The recent cold temperatures are not stopping the opening of the Splash Pad for the summer season. The pad (for residents only) opens at 10 a.m. May 23 at South Central Park. The hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Rocky River

New businesses coming: The city’s Planning Commission recently reviewed plans to bring Playa Bowls to River Square in the former Tide Cleaner space near Whole Foods. The quick-service fast-casual restaurant specializes in bowls, smoothies, juices, and matchas.

It appears a new Italian restaurant will be taking over the former Stino Da Napoli space, 19070 Old Detroit Road. Pietro’s Old River Italian Steakhouse and Bar is finalizing renovations to the space and will open in the coming months. Stay tuned to Short Takes.  

Westlake

Big splash: The Aquatic Center and Peterson Pool open at noon May 23 (weather permitting). Mayor Dennis Clough will once again mark the occasion with a ceremonial first dip.

In other pool news…Beginning June 1, the indoor pools at the Recreation Center will be closed for renovation.

📸 Seen on the Westside

I can’t believe this is a sentence I am about to type. A woman in Berea can often be seen riding a carriage to Giant Eagle pulled by her emotional support mini horse.

As lifelong Westsiders, how have we not known about this?

Apparently, her and her four hooved whip made news a few years back when it “used the restroom” inside of small claims court.

The full video is pretty freaking hilarious.

Westside History

Don’t Forget Your Passport 📍 Westlake

Even if you convinced your kids that visiting historical markers counts as a theme park, you'd still need a gimmick to make it stick. Westlake just found one.

The city launched the Westlake Passport, a mobile scavenger hunt that sends you to seven local historical markers around town. Visit each spot, snap a photo, collect a digital stamp. Finish all seven and unlock a completion badge — plus entry to win a $100 Crocker Park gift card if you're done by August 31.

Why it works: Westlake turned "let's appreciate local history" into a weekend activity by adding a points system and a prize.

My first memory as a child is getting a gold star for using the toilet. Want people to get into something? Gamify it.

We think this is something that other cities or the whole Westside should do for their own communities.