🏙️ Community Blend

Fire Sparks Need for Westside Support 📍 Olmsted Falls

A heartbreaking scene in Olmsted Falls has turned into something Westsiders know how to do well: rally together.

A fast-moving fire tore through the building that housed Falls Family Restaurant, Keith Jewelers, and The Eye Place Friday evening, leaving all three businesses with devastating losses. Thankfully, officials said no one was inside and no injuries were reported.

By Saturday morning, residents were stopping by to see what was left. For many, the hardest part was seeing longtime neighborhood staples, including Falls Family Restaurant, which recently marked 30 years, reduced to rubble.

Now, the community is moving from shock to support.

Nearby business owners, including Jessica Cliff of Matteo’s, are working on ways to help employees and owners impacted by the fire, including possible donation drives and fundraiser events.

For now, the cause is still under investigation. The community response is not.

Follow along here and Falls Restaurant’s socials for updates to see how we can help.

Let’s Get Physical 📍 Downtown

If you drive through downtown Cleveland on I-90, you probably spend more time thinking about brake lights than bridge design.

Fair. But ODOT’s new $328 million Central Interchange project, just broke ground and will do more than replacing old pavement and 1960s-era bridges between E. 9th and Carnegie.

The goal is a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly downtown.

One of the more interesting pieces is the rebuild of the East 22nd Street bridge, which will include wider sidewalks, a dedicated multi-use path, planters, and space for local art.

That may sound like a small detail and a plethora of orange barrels for the foreseeable future. But it’s more than that.

The aim is to have a more well-thought-out Downtown so it becomes easier to develop into the city we all hope it can become.

Additionally, developers tend to follow places that feel connected, not places that make you play real-life Frogger to grab lunch.

The project runs through 2032, so it won’t happen overnight.

But the bones matter. And if downtown Cleveland wants more residents, more businesses, and to build on the momentum we have, it needs infrastructure that works for people outside of cars.

ODOT appears to be building like that finally matters.

🗞️ Short Takes

The full May 5 column is packed with so much information today and it lives here on our website but here are the highlights worth your morning coffee.

Avon

Cilantro opening soon: A few months ago I first reported Cilantro Taqueria is coming to the space formerly occupied by Anytime Fitness at 35516 Detroit Road behind Mitchell’s Ice Cream.

The owners had hoped to be open to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. They are now hoping to open around May 18. As with any new business, especially restaurants, it’s tough to pinpoint an actual date due to inspections, licenses, etc., but it’s getting closer to opening.

Rebrand: Little Meraki Market, 34970 Detroit Road, is now Meraki House. According to the owner, the rebrand ‘better reflects our new space and vision, featuring our wine bar and expanded small bites menu.’

Visitors can stop in during business hours for a cocktail, a glass of wine, or charcuterie. Space is also available to rent for special events.

Avon Lake

Plant sale: Stop by the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon May 9 at the Avon Lake Goddard School, 430 Avon Belden Road.

Club members have dug up plants from Civic Gardens and their own gardens to sell during the event, which is a great time to purchase a plant(s) for Mother’s Day.

Memorial service: The community is invited to gather at 9 a.m. May 11 at the Safety Center, 32855 Walker Road, for the annual Peace Officers Memorial Service.

Bay Village

Walk this way: Bay High School’s Key Club is once again partnering with the Thirst Project to host their annual Walk For Water fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. May 15 at Bay High School, 29230 Wolf Road. Participants are invited to run or walk the 3.75-mile route, representative of the average distance families in developing countries walk daily to get water. The event also features games, food trucks, and raffles.

Fun run: Online registration is now open the 16th Annual May in Bay 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is at 8:30 a.m. May 23 at Bay High School. Proceeds benefit Bay High School PTSA’s Mental Health & Wellness Program, as well as supporting initiatives including student mental health and wellness programs, learning environments, and student leadership training.

North Ridgeville

In between owners: After three years in business, the owners of Between the Bun Bar & Grill, 34445 Center Ridge Road, have made the bittersweet decision to sell the restaurant. More Details

New ownership: Celebrate the grand re-opening of Alfie’s Laser & Engraving (formerly Laser Pics & Gifts), 31966 Center Ridge Road, now under new ownership, from noon to 3 p.m. May 9. Hot dogs, snacks, popcorn and a free gift (while supplies last) will be available for guests.

Rocky River

Smart money: The city’s finance department recently received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFO) award from the Auditor of State’s Office.

There are 17 separate indicators, and Rocky River received the highest possible grade or level on all 17.

Beautiful music: For the 10th consecutive year, the Rocky River City Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from the NAMM Foundation for its support and commitment to music education.

Westlake

Be kind: In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the city has joined the United States of Kindness, a national movement to complete 250 Acts of Kindness and encourage kindness across the community throughout the year.

New business: Just in time for summer pedicure season, The Nail Artisans recently opened at 26457 Center Ridge Road offering a host of nail services. Appointments are available online.

🍵 The Long Steep

I recently came across an interesting stat about our Buckeye state. Ohio has the largest population of Hungarian Americans in the entire country — Cleveland being a big reason for that.

That got me thinking why Cleveland?

It seemed to have started in the 1870s when factory jobs here exploded, job prospects back home were sparse, and immigrants would tell their family members what we tell people all the time — Cleveland ain’t that bad!

Chain migration became very strong.

From one Hungarian district alone, more than 7,000 people immigrated to Ohio. Theodore Kundtz, a Hungarian cabinet maker, employed 2,500 workers by 1900—most of them Hungarian immigrants.

They became so tight-knit that Buckeye Road by Shaker Heights was known as “Little Hungary” because over 90% of the residents were Hungarian.

Today the community has dispersed, but their legacy remains imprinted on all of Cleveland. But hold your goulash and paprikash high as Ohio still holds the Hungarian crown.

🐦 Sighted

More than just our American League foes, the Baltimore Oriole is common to the eastern US with the adult male having an unmistakable rich Orange body. They tend to visit feeders with arrays of nectars and fruits.

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

Matt Fish to Open Proof Public House 📍 Ohio City

Restaurateur Matt Fish, known for Melt Bar & Grilled, is set to open Proof Public House in Ohio City this June. Fish describes the new venture as a "punk-rock bar with really good food," moving beyond his behemoth grilled cheese persona. His new venture promises to blend unique dining like smoked wings and pork butts with a great place to hang out. (4116 Lorain Ave)

Jossi’s Bakery to Open New Cafe 📍 Tremont

Jossete Rivera is expanding Jossi’s Bakery with a new cafe set to open in Tremont, bringing a fusion of Latin American and European flavors to the neighborhood. This new location promises to offer an enhanced experience with even more exotic flavors than the original Broadview Heights location. This video shows off what they will add to Tremont’s food scene.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

Lakewood’s Front Porch Concert Series is back for 2026, bringing nine free outdoor concerts to Friday nights in June and July.

Shows run 7–8:30 p.m. and will take place in front of the Lakewood Public Library Main Branch

The library lineup includes:

June 5: Bassel & The Supernaturals
June 12: Brady Lorince
June 19: The Michael Weber Show
June 26: Grupo Fuego
July 3: Cats on Holiday
July 10: Raven Rae
July 17: Black Voltron

Free summer concerts, library lawn energy, and a very strong chance someone brings a folding chair they’ve owned since 1998. We can’t wait for warm weather!