Local Food Economy

Spicing things up: Restauranteur Bebenroth is reinventing take out with Keep the Change Collective
After a dark year and making the decision to close Spice Kitchen + Bar, culinary innovator and restauranteur Ben Bebenroth has reinvented the takeout scene with Keep The Change Kitchen Collective.
In the bag: Pope’s Kitchen launches new line of cocktail pouches this weekend
Food entrepreneur Clark Pope is launching a new line of cocktail pouches in three flavors this summer. 
Bartleby supper club will embrace the indulgence of the 1920s with a modern take on giving back
Restauranteur Morgan Yagi says the Bartleby supper club will have a lounge atmosphere with plenty of soft seating, music, and a cozy environment when it opens later this year in the historic United Bank Building in Ohio City.
Blanket statement: Picnic Party Cleveland brings the picnic trend to The Land
Over the last year, picnics have come back in a big way—thanks to the ability to gather safely in an open-air setting. With the "New York Times" hailing the trend and bespoke picnic companies popping up around the country, Kelly Testa decided to give Cleveland a seat at the proverbial table by launching Picnic Party Cleveland.
On the Go: Cleveland Restaurant Week shifts to take-out only format
Get your forks and knives ready to support local restaurants—Cleveland Restaurant Week To Go starts Thursday.
Thinking outside of the (cookie) box: Girl Scouts get innovative during pandemic

Cleveland-area Girl Scout troops are getting creative in making socially distanced cookie sales this yearsetting up drive-through booths, printing door hangers with online QR codes, and even selling online.

The Creative Cafe prepares to open its doors in Old Brooklyn
Will Sanchez hasn’t been able to reopen the doors to his vibrant Clark-Fulton art gallery, La Cosecha Galeria, in nearly a year— but that’s not stopping this long-time local artist. Instead, Sanchez is doubling down and opening a new gallery space in Old Brooklyn, replete with a café and retail component.
Eat up: Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week starts Friday
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week brings you 10 days of dine-in or carry-out food specials from some of your favorite local eateries. 
Share the Bread: Orlando Baking and Hunger Network team up to feed struggling restaurant workers
With the restaurant industry in trouble, the Orlando Baking Company—a fixture in Cleveland since 1904—is working with the Hunger Network to raise money, and food, for the area's foodservice industry staff who have been hit the hardest.
Food withdrawal: GO Buddha makes plant-based eating as easy as going to the ATM
Joshua Ingraham is blending his background in functional medicine and his culinary skills to serve vegan snacks and meals 24/7 at a self-serve  kiosk in his GO Buddha restaurant. 
It’s time to chase away winter with the annual Slovenian Kurentovanje festival
Shake your bells and chase away winter at the 8th annual Kurentovanje—a Slovenian festival centered around the mythical Kurent, who is believed to usher in spring with its supernatural powers.
Campaign promotes responsible fun in Cleveland neighborhoods this winter
Cleveland civic organizations encourage residents to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer (in a responsible way) this winter. 
Mindful munching: New vegan restaurant adapts to growing lifestyle trends
Practicing mindfulness is a tool used to reduce stress and anxiety. Andrew Taylor-Shaut is promoting mindful eating through his new vegan restaurant SomethinGood to Eat in Larchmere. 
EDWINS staff hosts virtual cooking classes for all ages, skill levels
Brandon Chrostowski and his EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute staff launched a cook-from-home Zoom cooking class series this month—offering classes for all skill levels and ages.
Suburban minority restaurant owners look to funding to keep doors open
The pandemic has hit the restaurant industry particularly hard, and even with $7.5 million in Cuyahoga County CARES act funding set aside for small business, many minority-owned suburban eateries are struggling to stay in their communities.  
Dirty Bird ghost kitchen takes flight during opening weekend in Van Aken District
Hunter Harlor thought he would ease into opening Dirty Bird ghost kitchen in Michael's Genuine last week, but the smoked and Nashville hot chicken offerings proved to be a popular option for diners, and opening week was a hit. 
Pour Cleveland’s Charlie Eisenstat: International coffee purveyor
When the coronavirus hit,  Pour Cleveland owner Charlie Eisenstat decided to close his downtown coffee shop and shift to a new business model—an online roast-to-order coffee program featuring some of the world's best coffee roasters.
Sweet victory: CLE-based bakers win $10,000 on Netflix baking competition “Sugar Rush Christmas"
Katie Gayner and Anthony Radencic experienced the sweet taste of victory during Netflix’s recent airing of “Sugar Rush Christmas."
Ohio City Farm has fresh produce and herbs in mind for holiday gift giving
Ohio City Farm is already selling its 2021 CSAs, as well as bundles of dried herbs, after repeated requests from those who want to give the produce packages as holiday gifts.
A world of flavors: Chef Doug Katz launches second ghost restaurant in Cleveland Heights
Inspired by the spices and flavors of different ethnicities, Doug Katz uses the ghost kitchen takeout and delivery concept as a testing ground for new restaurant ideas.