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The entrepreneurs behind Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt have unveiled the concept behind their new shop in University Circle. The Cleveland-based company's latest location, Piccadilly Artisan Creamery, will feature a style of ice cream and yogurt that is made using liquid nitrogen to rapidly freeze small batches of delicious ice cream.
This process of using liquid nitrogen to instantly craft yogurt and ice cream has grown rapidly on the West Coast, but Piccadilly is the first company in Cleveland to employ the technique. The process has three main benefits, say founders Adrian and Cosmin Bota: the rich and creamy texture it gives the frozen treats, the customization afforded to the customer, and the lack of preservatives needed when making it.
It all begins with the liquid nitrogen, which boils at an astounding -321 degrees Fahrenheit (that's several degrees colder than it was during the recent Polar Vortex). The nitrogen is added to the other ice cream ingredients in a mixer, where the nitrogen instantly freezes the contents on contact.
“We're really gonna let people go crazy and create their own thing,” Adrian explained during a demonstration on Thursday evening. Customers can decide what goes into their yogurt or ice cream and how soft or hard the texture will be. Because the ice cream or yogurt is being prepared fresh for each customer, preservatives are never necessary, which the owners claim results in a better-tasting product.
The Botas teamed up with designer Sailee Gupte, who helped transform the new store on Euclid. The tables and countertops are made of thick slabs of raw, live-edge wood. Exposed brick on walls gives the shop an edgy, urban feel. “Each area [Piccadilly] moves into has a specific feel and we want to pay homage to that," Sailee explained. To pay tribute to University Circle, the owners opted for “a more vintage and rustic theme.”
Piccadilly's owners have a passion for local, organic food that is evident in the menu offerings at their existing locations in Cleveland Heights and Ohio City. The owners buy from a local farm that does not use any preservatives, hormones or antibiotics, and they source other ingredients from the West Side Market. The Botas also will offer vegan yogurt options in the University Circle store.
“We’re just excited to be a part of this neighborhood," Bota told those in attendance.
The official grand opening of the new Piccadilly in University Circle is May 24th.
There's more than one way to get around Cleveland. As more and more alternative transportation options like Lyft, Uber and pedicabs enter the local market, residents are discovering that it's increasingly becoming easier to leave the wheels at home. Fresh Water took them for a test drive.
introducing cleveland, the 'entertainment capital you never knew about'
In a Travelers Today feature titled "Five Reasons Cleveland is the Entertainment Capital You Never Knew About,' writer Will Walker calls our fair city "one of largest and most underrated cultural hot-spots in the country."
According to Walker, here are five reasons Cleveland is the entertainment capital that's "ripe for exploration by any traveler adventurous enough to take a chance on it."
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
"Opened in 1995 by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, the Rock Hall marks a must-see destination for anyone interested in Rock & Roll, music, or pop culture in general.
Cinematheque
The Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque offers what the New York Times called one of the country's "best repertory movie theaters."
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland has one of the "best and most important art museums in the country, boasting works from artists as diverse as Caravaggio, David, and Monet."
Playhouse Square
"The second largest theatrical complex in the country (outside of New York) Playhouse Square's nine theaters sprawl over two city blocks, casting an impressive shadow of cultural sophistication that the rest of the city can't help but take note of."
Cleveland Orchestra
According to the British music periodical Gramophone, the Cleveland Orchestra ranks as the seventh best in the world, topping every single United States orchestra outside of Chicago.
Read the rest of the good news here.
According to Walker, here are five reasons Cleveland is the entertainment capital that's "ripe for exploration by any traveler adventurous enough to take a chance on it."
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
"Opened in 1995 by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, the Rock Hall marks a must-see destination for anyone interested in Rock & Roll, music, or pop culture in general.
Cinematheque
The Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque offers what the New York Times called one of the country's "best repertory movie theaters."
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland has one of the "best and most important art museums in the country, boasting works from artists as diverse as Caravaggio, David, and Monet."
Playhouse Square
"The second largest theatrical complex in the country (outside of New York) Playhouse Square's nine theaters sprawl over two city blocks, casting an impressive shadow of cultural sophistication that the rest of the city can't help but take note of."
Cleveland Orchestra
According to the British music periodical Gramophone, the Cleveland Orchestra ranks as the seventh best in the world, topping every single United States orchestra outside of Chicago.
Read the rest of the good news here.
Welcome to the latest edition of Who’s Hiring in Cleveland?
There are plenty of good jobs to be found here in Cleveland. This is the latest installment in a regular series of posts in which we feature companies that are hiring, what those employers are looking for, and how to apply.
Here’s the latest Cleveland hiring news:
Lazorpoint, a customer-service driven information systems consulting company, has positions available within their IT help desk. The company also needs support/system engineers, .NET application developer and a CRM architect. Visit the Lazorpoint careers page for more information on each position and how to apply.
JumpStart, an organization that partners with community leaders to spark the growth of new entrepreneurial companies and builds resources and support for those companies, has three positions open: a marketing principal; a director of the mentoring program development; and a product development manager. Register with JumpStart’s career center to apply for these jobs.
Beachwood-based Luscious Verde, creators of handmade cards, invitations and announcements, needs a rock star full time salesperson. The position pays a base salary plus commission. The candidate with a great track record will be compensated accordingly. Send resume and cover letter to the hiring manager.
Have hiring news you’d like to share? Email Karin at Fresh Water Cleveland and send us this information or career links!
There are plenty of good jobs to be found here in Cleveland. This is the latest installment in a regular series of posts in which we feature companies that are hiring, what those employers are looking for, and how to apply.
Here’s the latest Cleveland hiring news:
Lazorpoint, a customer-service driven information systems consulting company, has positions available within their IT help desk. The company also needs support/system engineers, .NET application developer and a CRM architect. Visit the Lazorpoint careers page for more information on each position and how to apply.
JumpStart, an organization that partners with community leaders to spark the growth of new entrepreneurial companies and builds resources and support for those companies, has three positions open: a marketing principal; a director of the mentoring program development; and a product development manager. Register with JumpStart’s career center to apply for these jobs.
Beachwood-based Luscious Verde, creators of handmade cards, invitations and announcements, needs a rock star full time salesperson. The position pays a base salary plus commission. The candidate with a great track record will be compensated accordingly. Send resume and cover letter to the hiring manager.
Have hiring news you’d like to share? Email Karin at Fresh Water Cleveland and send us this information or career links!
When Tim Hayes told his family as a kid that he wanted to make a cardboard box fly, they laughed at him. Yet decades later, he drew on those childhood experiences to help name his two-year-old product development company after the kind of imaginative, "blue sky" thinking that he exhibited on that day.
Cardboard Helicopter Product Development, as it is now called, might just be inventing the next big consumer product right from the heart of Lakewood.
"I've wanted to be an inventor forever," says Hayes, an industrial designer who started the company with two childhood friends that he's known for years, Sean Barry and Carlo Russo, and fellow Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) grad Mustafa Kalic. "That's kind of why I went to school, to do my own thing one day."
Although Cleveland isn't as well known for product development as coastal cities like San Francisco, and Hayes has watched dozens of talented coworkers leave the area over the years, the landscape is shifting. Companies are more open to ideas from outside than in the past, thanks in part to the trend of open innovation. Essentially, Cardboard Helicopter's founders spend their days pitching ideas to companies, in hopes that they'll get a chance to create the next big thing.
Hayes explains that the business is broken into three parts: contract industrial design for hire, where Cardboard Helicopter helps design a product that's already sketched out; product licensing, where the firm designs a product from scratch and then attempts to license it with a company; and manufacturing, where the company attempts to create its own products.
The company's 6,000-square-foot headquarters on Detroit in Lakewood's west end provide a veritable playground for dreaming up and creating new ideas. The upstairs is an open-space studio with a ping pong table and pool table "to help get the blood flowing once in a while," says Hayes. The downstairs has a shipping area, large kitchen and shop where products can be built and tested.
Hayes and most of his coworkers live in Lakewood and enjoy walking or biking to work. The company recently has done work for Enerco and Jokari, among others.
"In the next five years, we'll hopefully have hundreds of licensed products," says Hayes. "We're able to do everything at a very low cost, because we have industrial design resources here. [We're] about keeping creative talent here. I went to school and just watched everybody leave, but there are so many manufacturing companies here. I think people can stay here and have longevity."
Cardboard Helicopter Product Development, as it is now called, might just be inventing the next big consumer product right from the heart of Lakewood.
"I've wanted to be an inventor forever," says Hayes, an industrial designer who started the company with two childhood friends that he's known for years, Sean Barry and Carlo Russo, and fellow Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) grad Mustafa Kalic. "That's kind of why I went to school, to do my own thing one day."
Although Cleveland isn't as well known for product development as coastal cities like San Francisco, and Hayes has watched dozens of talented coworkers leave the area over the years, the landscape is shifting. Companies are more open to ideas from outside than in the past, thanks in part to the trend of open innovation. Essentially, Cardboard Helicopter's founders spend their days pitching ideas to companies, in hopes that they'll get a chance to create the next big thing.
Hayes explains that the business is broken into three parts: contract industrial design for hire, where Cardboard Helicopter helps design a product that's already sketched out; product licensing, where the firm designs a product from scratch and then attempts to license it with a company; and manufacturing, where the company attempts to create its own products.
The company's 6,000-square-foot headquarters on Detroit in Lakewood's west end provide a veritable playground for dreaming up and creating new ideas. The upstairs is an open-space studio with a ping pong table and pool table "to help get the blood flowing once in a while," says Hayes. The downstairs has a shipping area, large kitchen and shop where products can be built and tested.
Hayes and most of his coworkers live in Lakewood and enjoy walking or biking to work. The company recently has done work for Enerco and Jokari, among others.
"In the next five years, we'll hopefully have hundreds of licensed products," says Hayes. "We're able to do everything at a very low cost, because we have industrial design resources here. [We're] about keeping creative talent here. I went to school and just watched everybody leave, but there are so many manufacturing companies here. I think people can stay here and have longevity."
The New Ventures Healthcare Challenge once again will kick off the Cleveland Clinic’s 2014 Medical Innovation Summit, introducing the world to healthcare information technology companies with new and creative concepts.
"We’re looking for anything creative, innovative or inspiring," says Gary Fingerhut, executive director of Cleveland Clinic Innovations (CCI). “We want anything that’s going to revolutionize the health of our patients.”
While the summit does not start until October 27, the deadline for the first round of the challenge -- a video submission -- is Friday, May 30. “This year is a much more structured approach, with three rounds,” says Fingerhut. “There is the new video round, which explains what’s unique, why the idea is a game changer and how big an impact it will have." The second round is a web conference presentation. A select group of candidates will then be asked to present at the summit to a panel of experts and venture capitalists."
The winning company will work with CCI and its advisory board on commercialization strategies. The team will also demonstrate its product to a select group of Cleveland Clinic caregivers.
“Last year, the competition added a lot of energy because we had these really bright entrepreneurs from 40 states and 20 countries,” says Fingerhut. “It’s an exciting way to kick things off.” Eleven teams ultimately presented their concepts to the board.
Last year’s winner presented a thermometer that connects to the cloud for predictive analysis of the flu across the country. CCI currently is assisting the team with commercialization end of the product.
Applicants must submit a You Tube link to MIS2014@ccf.org by May 30 to be considered for the video round.
"We’re looking for anything creative, innovative or inspiring," says Gary Fingerhut, executive director of Cleveland Clinic Innovations (CCI). “We want anything that’s going to revolutionize the health of our patients.”
While the summit does not start until October 27, the deadline for the first round of the challenge -- a video submission -- is Friday, May 30. “This year is a much more structured approach, with three rounds,” says Fingerhut. “There is the new video round, which explains what’s unique, why the idea is a game changer and how big an impact it will have." The second round is a web conference presentation. A select group of candidates will then be asked to present at the summit to a panel of experts and venture capitalists."
The winning company will work with CCI and its advisory board on commercialization strategies. The team will also demonstrate its product to a select group of Cleveland Clinic caregivers.
“Last year, the competition added a lot of energy because we had these really bright entrepreneurs from 40 states and 20 countries,” says Fingerhut. “It’s an exciting way to kick things off.” Eleven teams ultimately presented their concepts to the board.
Last year’s winner presented a thermometer that connects to the cloud for predictive analysis of the flu across the country. CCI currently is assisting the team with commercialization end of the product.
Applicants must submit a You Tube link to MIS2014@ccf.org by May 30 to be considered for the video round.
playhouse square chandelier attracting glow of national media
In a Gizmodo feature titled, "The World's Biggest Outdoor Chandelier Beckons You to Cleveland's Stage," writer Andrew Tarantola describes the past and present of Playhouse Square, and some technical info on the new chandelier.
"For a time in the Vaudeville Era, few theater districts outside of Broadway were hotter than Cleveland, Ohio's. But as the decades rolled on and times changed, the district fell upon hard times. But now, after a concerted revitalization effort, the the crown jewel of the district is back in business -- and it sports the world's largest outdoor chandelier to prove it," he writes.
The world's largest permanent crystal chandelier is "comprised of more than 4,200 crystals and illuminated by 70 GE LED Infusion Modules. The 20-foot tall crystalline (actually acrylic resin, not glass) structure is suspended from steel trusses some 44 feet off the ground at the corner of E. 14th Street and Euclid Avenue."
"And don't worry about the snow," he writes, "this installation has been designed specifically to cope with the frigid conditions presented by Cleveland's harsh winters, and has been thoroughly stress tested."
Read the rest of the news here.
"For a time in the Vaudeville Era, few theater districts outside of Broadway were hotter than Cleveland, Ohio's. But as the decades rolled on and times changed, the district fell upon hard times. But now, after a concerted revitalization effort, the the crown jewel of the district is back in business -- and it sports the world's largest outdoor chandelier to prove it," he writes.
The world's largest permanent crystal chandelier is "comprised of more than 4,200 crystals and illuminated by 70 GE LED Infusion Modules. The 20-foot tall crystalline (actually acrylic resin, not glass) structure is suspended from steel trusses some 44 feet off the ground at the corner of E. 14th Street and Euclid Avenue."
"And don't worry about the snow," he writes, "this installation has been designed specifically to cope with the frigid conditions presented by Cleveland's harsh winters, and has been thoroughly stress tested."
Read the rest of the news here.
Camino, a new Mexican restaurant and "tequileria," has opened on West Ninth Street in the heart of the Warehouse District. Eddy Galindo, the restaurateur behind Luchita’s, opened the venue to provide a casual, everyday option for downtown’s growing residential base.
Camino aims to capture the neighborhood’s “up-and-coming and increasingly residential community,” explains manager Lindsey Henderson. The venue, which is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, serves tacos, wings, burgers, empanadas, salsas and guacamole. On the drinks side is a sizeable selection of tequilas, craft beer and margaritas.
The menu features small plates priced from $3 to $5, including flank steak, mango-chicken, and chicken tacos. Margarita flavors include cucumber and pineapple-chili, but mojitos also are a big crowd pleaser.
Camino's tasty food and drinks are accompanied by a modern, unique dining room. A long communal table sits in the middle of the room, providing guests with the option to dine family style. Spacious tables and a large bar provide plenty of additional seating. Patio seating also is available; Camino is in the process of obtaining a license so that guests can enjoy their margaritas outside.
The owners plan to honor regulars and neighbors by implementing a rewards card system that would give benefits and discounts to those who stop by frequently.
Camino aims to capture the neighborhood’s “up-and-coming and increasingly residential community,” explains manager Lindsey Henderson. The venue, which is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, serves tacos, wings, burgers, empanadas, salsas and guacamole. On the drinks side is a sizeable selection of tequilas, craft beer and margaritas.
The menu features small plates priced from $3 to $5, including flank steak, mango-chicken, and chicken tacos. Margarita flavors include cucumber and pineapple-chili, but mojitos also are a big crowd pleaser.
Camino's tasty food and drinks are accompanied by a modern, unique dining room. A long communal table sits in the middle of the room, providing guests with the option to dine family style. Spacious tables and a large bar provide plenty of additional seating. Patio seating also is available; Camino is in the process of obtaining a license so that guests can enjoy their margaritas outside.
The owners plan to honor regulars and neighbors by implementing a rewards card system that would give benefits and discounts to those who stop by frequently.
Finding the perfect apartment to rent can be a pain in the neck. Factor in the desired amenities, attractions and location, and the search becomes even more difficult. Amit Patel thought of all that when designing Quo, a rental tool that matches users with apartments that suit their lifestyles.
“The idea around Quo is how we can change the way people search for residential rentals,” explains Patel. “There are hundreds of places on sites like Craigslist, all with the same feel and all through the same basic search engine. We wanted to understand what people are looking for, what their lifestyle is.”
Scheduled to launch later this month, Quo targets college students and young professionals who are looking for specific features in their neighborhoods. “Now you can put in preferences like, I want to live near a Starbucks, or near nightlife or places to eat,” explains Patel. “Or, choose areas that are walkable, bikeable or driveable.”
The site also will have a renter’s toolkit, where users can pay rent, split the rent between roommates and purchase renters insurance. A referral program offers incentives for renters who introduce friends to Quo. If a referral rents an apartment through the site, the referring user gets a cash incentive.
Even though Quo hasn’t yet officially launched, excitement already is building through word of mouth. The company already has more than 2,100 likes on its Facebook page.
“The idea around Quo is how we can change the way people search for residential rentals,” explains Patel. “There are hundreds of places on sites like Craigslist, all with the same feel and all through the same basic search engine. We wanted to understand what people are looking for, what their lifestyle is.”
Scheduled to launch later this month, Quo targets college students and young professionals who are looking for specific features in their neighborhoods. “Now you can put in preferences like, I want to live near a Starbucks, or near nightlife or places to eat,” explains Patel. “Or, choose areas that are walkable, bikeable or driveable.”
The site also will have a renter’s toolkit, where users can pay rent, split the rent between roommates and purchase renters insurance. A referral program offers incentives for renters who introduce friends to Quo. If a referral rents an apartment through the site, the referring user gets a cash incentive.
Even though Quo hasn’t yet officially launched, excitement already is building through word of mouth. The company already has more than 2,100 likes on its Facebook page.
Sometimes, even the most adventurous resident can grow a little too comfortable living in the same city after a while. But one can always find something new to discover if we just dig a little deeper. Lucky for us, a number of smartphone apps will help the explorer in all of us get reacquainted with the city we call home.
It's been four and a half years since the first edition of "Moon Handbooks: Cleveland" was published. Considering all that has taken place in Cleveland during that time, author and Fresh Water managing editor Douglas Trattner says that for the second edition, which was released this week, he went back to the starting gate.
flashstarts launches only software mentorship program of its kind
Flashstarts, which recently won an award for best small company internship at the annual Expys, is launching a new mentorship program for aspiring software developers. The interns will be a part of a Flashstarts 12-week accelerator program – assisting the startup companies with their software needs while receiving advice and coaching from mentors who are senior software developers.
“Our mentors serve different roles, depending on their areas of expertise,” explains Flashstarts CEO and founder Charles Stack. “A lot of software developer interns haven’t had experience working in groups. We thought we’d expand that experience.”
Flashstarts hired 20 interns from multiple disciplines for the summer of 2013. The interns worked for 10 startup teams that participated in Flashstarts’ first accelerator class and provided each team with software development, marketing, graphic design and business management services.
The organization is one of only a few startup accelerators in the country to hire interns as support staff for their startups. There are still two software developer internships open for this summer’s group of startups.
Additionally, Flashstarts raised its follow-on funding from $1.25 million last year to $2.5 million this year. “This will give us much more follow-on funding,” explains Stack. “Teams can get up to a half-million in funding upon graduation.”
The accelerator teams trade eight percent equity for a $25,000 investment, office space and access to coaching and services. The summer 2014 program begins May 27.
“Our mentors serve different roles, depending on their areas of expertise,” explains Flashstarts CEO and founder Charles Stack. “A lot of software developer interns haven’t had experience working in groups. We thought we’d expand that experience.”
Flashstarts hired 20 interns from multiple disciplines for the summer of 2013. The interns worked for 10 startup teams that participated in Flashstarts’ first accelerator class and provided each team with software development, marketing, graphic design and business management services.
The organization is one of only a few startup accelerators in the country to hire interns as support staff for their startups. There are still two software developer internships open for this summer’s group of startups.
Additionally, Flashstarts raised its follow-on funding from $1.25 million last year to $2.5 million this year. “This will give us much more follow-on funding,” explains Stack. “Teams can get up to a half-million in funding upon graduation.”
The accelerator teams trade eight percent equity for a $25,000 investment, office space and access to coaching and services. The summer 2014 program begins May 27.
downtown rental boom covered in wall street journal
In a Wall Street Journal feature titled, "Developers Turn Former Office Buildings into High-End Apartments," writer Eliot Brown covers Cleveland's downtown rental boom and efforts to ease that demand by converting former commercial space into residential space.
"Historically, office space has commanded substantially higher rent than residential space," Brown writes. "But that is starting to change, especially for older buildings that have lots of architectural charm -- often located in urban downtowns -- but are no longer desirable as top-notch office space."
"The Residences (in the East Ohio Gas building) are in the vanguard of a major realignment taking place in cities across the U.S. as landlords repurpose their buildings from spaces where people work to spaces where they sleep."
With demand for downtown rental apartments so strong, developers are racing to repurpose buildings.
By 2015, Downtown Cleveland Alliance "projects that the area will have 7,071 residential units, up from 2,881 in 2000. That includes nearly 600 units in seven office-to-apartment conversions that are under way -- the most ever at one time for the city."
Read the rest of the story here.
"Historically, office space has commanded substantially higher rent than residential space," Brown writes. "But that is starting to change, especially for older buildings that have lots of architectural charm -- often located in urban downtowns -- but are no longer desirable as top-notch office space."
"The Residences (in the East Ohio Gas building) are in the vanguard of a major realignment taking place in cities across the U.S. as landlords repurpose their buildings from spaces where people work to spaces where they sleep."
With demand for downtown rental apartments so strong, developers are racing to repurpose buildings.
By 2015, Downtown Cleveland Alliance "projects that the area will have 7,071 residential units, up from 2,881 in 2000. That includes nearly 600 units in seven office-to-apartment conversions that are under way -- the most ever at one time for the city."
Read the rest of the story here.
From Seattle to Washington D.C., forgotten alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly places. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages to become havens for pedestrians, public art and small business.
gigi's on fairmount springs forward with glitzy new patio
Gigi’s, a small wine bar tucked into the quaint shopping strip at Fairmount and Taylor in Cleveland Heights, allows guests to experience the romance of French dining. Now, the restaurant is taking the experience to the next level thanks to a patio addition.
The outdoor space, located directly in front of the café, will include a fenced-in patio with seating for 22 people, umbrellas and flowers adorning every corner, and old-fashioned string lights that complete the ambiance.
Gigi’s opened its doors last November and has enjoyed great success as Gia Ilijasic and her husband James Patsch, the entrepreneurs behind the restaurant, knew they would. The restaurant opened as “a passion for both of us [that] turned into a business," says Patsch. That's evident the moment you walk through the door and see the attention to detail, delightful atmosphere, and passion for dining and entertaining that the owners possess.
That passion now flows outdoors onto the front the patio. The tiny interior and general lack of patio seating in town led the couple to start work on the project. As soon as weather becomes consistently warm, the owners intend to host live entertainment outdoors and possibly include a Jeni’s ice cream cart.
To play off the new patio, the owners hope to launch Friday Frolic, a community development program that involves keeping the shops of this tight-knit strip open later one Friday per month to increase foot traffic.
The energetic couple also is devoted to helping the community. Gia and Jim have created a program to raise money for nonprofit causes dubbed Magnificent Mondays. Each Monday in a given month, the cafe will donate 10 percent of its gross income to a selected charity. “Instead of just giving out small amounts to local charities, why don’t we pick a month and let our presence create an impact on the community in a much larger way," Patsch explains.
The warm welcomes start early at this neighborhood gem, like the pink lettering on the front door that reads, "Hello Gorgeous."
“Gia and I want everyone to feel like a superstar and to be received with love as soon as they walk in," Patsch beams with pride.
The outdoor space, located directly in front of the café, will include a fenced-in patio with seating for 22 people, umbrellas and flowers adorning every corner, and old-fashioned string lights that complete the ambiance.
Gigi’s opened its doors last November and has enjoyed great success as Gia Ilijasic and her husband James Patsch, the entrepreneurs behind the restaurant, knew they would. The restaurant opened as “a passion for both of us [that] turned into a business," says Patsch. That's evident the moment you walk through the door and see the attention to detail, delightful atmosphere, and passion for dining and entertaining that the owners possess.
That passion now flows outdoors onto the front the patio. The tiny interior and general lack of patio seating in town led the couple to start work on the project. As soon as weather becomes consistently warm, the owners intend to host live entertainment outdoors and possibly include a Jeni’s ice cream cart.
To play off the new patio, the owners hope to launch Friday Frolic, a community development program that involves keeping the shops of this tight-knit strip open later one Friday per month to increase foot traffic.
The energetic couple also is devoted to helping the community. Gia and Jim have created a program to raise money for nonprofit causes dubbed Magnificent Mondays. Each Monday in a given month, the cafe will donate 10 percent of its gross income to a selected charity. “Instead of just giving out small amounts to local charities, why don’t we pick a month and let our presence create an impact on the community in a much larger way," Patsch explains.
The warm welcomes start early at this neighborhood gem, like the pink lettering on the front door that reads, "Hello Gorgeous."
“Gia and I want everyone to feel like a superstar and to be received with love as soon as they walk in," Patsch beams with pride.
as cleveland goes: how the local craft beer scene is shaping up
This is the first of a three-part series written by Columbus-based Kyle Kastranec that chronicles the state of craft beer in Ohio, and how it could lend insight into national trends and future growth for the entire industry. He begins with Cleveland.
"Over the last few years, a new wave of breweries has been reshaping the craft beer landscape along the shores of Lake Erie," he writes. "It's not the most mature market in the country; it's not even the most mature market in the region. But Cleveland, with its fleet of fledgling and developing breweries, is becoming a bellwether for national trends and craft beer's narrative arc across the country."
Kastranec writes how beer and breweries directly affect the local economy and the revitalization of neighborhoods.
"[Andy] Tveekrem returned to Cleveland in 2010 and partnered with a local entrepreneur, Sam McNulty, to launch Market Garden Brewery, a venture that kick-started the transformation and revitalization of West 25th Street and the entire Ohio City neighborhood. "When we opened, there was about 75% vacancy on West 25th between these three blocks," Tveekrem says. "Now it's zero."
Of course, Great Lakes Brewing played a major role in launching the craft beer scene in Cleveland and Ohio. "But more than that, the GLBC history has shaped the very fabric of the local brewing community. Everyone is connected, and all roads lead back to Great Lakes, whose culture and attention to detail has prepared the current generation of brewers to innovate, to adapt, to grow, to anticipate market demands, and most importantly, to ensure quality through it all."
Read the rest of this great beer feature here.
"Over the last few years, a new wave of breweries has been reshaping the craft beer landscape along the shores of Lake Erie," he writes. "It's not the most mature market in the country; it's not even the most mature market in the region. But Cleveland, with its fleet of fledgling and developing breweries, is becoming a bellwether for national trends and craft beer's narrative arc across the country."
Kastranec writes how beer and breweries directly affect the local economy and the revitalization of neighborhoods.
"[Andy] Tveekrem returned to Cleveland in 2010 and partnered with a local entrepreneur, Sam McNulty, to launch Market Garden Brewery, a venture that kick-started the transformation and revitalization of West 25th Street and the entire Ohio City neighborhood. "When we opened, there was about 75% vacancy on West 25th between these three blocks," Tveekrem says. "Now it's zero."
Of course, Great Lakes Brewing played a major role in launching the craft beer scene in Cleveland and Ohio. "But more than that, the GLBC history has shaped the very fabric of the local brewing community. Everyone is connected, and all roads lead back to Great Lakes, whose culture and attention to detail has prepared the current generation of brewers to innovate, to adapt, to grow, to anticipate market demands, and most importantly, to ensure quality through it all."
Read the rest of this great beer feature here.
jointly issued report shows positive economic growth for region
A report issued jointly by 10 different economic development organizations shows positive economic growth for Northeast Ohio as a region. The Northeast Ohio 2013 Regional Economic Development Report shows business investment projects created or retained 26,092 jobs, $1.2 billion in payroll and $2 billion in capital investment last year.
The report, which was produced by Team NEO, was initiated by 10 regional groups, each with its own economic development concentration: BioEnterprise, Greater Akron Chamber, Greater Cleveland Partnership, JumpStart, MAGNET, NorTech, Stark Development Board, Team Lorain County, Team NEO and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
“This certainly means there are signs of economic vitality, and it shows a whole lot of good things going on,” says Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire. “There are a lot of positive things happening, a lot of businesses growing and adding employment.”
This is the second year the group has compiled the report. “We thought it would be interesting to look at the impact that all of these businesses together have in Northeast Ohio,” says Waltermire of the regional report, as opposed to just a Cleveland-focused report. “When we act as a region and collaborate, it makes us much stronger and more competitive.”
The individual cities in the region only benefit from collaboration. “The competition is mainly outside the region,” explains Waltermire. “It would not even make sense for our metropolitan areas to compete.”
Rebecca Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech, stresses the importance of each of the 10 specialized organizations working together. “Through each organization we fill a specialized role, but working in concert leads to a healthy, thriving economy,” she says.
The report also highlights success stories related to business attraction; business growth and development; entrepreneurship; and technology, innovation and commercialization.
The report, which was produced by Team NEO, was initiated by 10 regional groups, each with its own economic development concentration: BioEnterprise, Greater Akron Chamber, Greater Cleveland Partnership, JumpStart, MAGNET, NorTech, Stark Development Board, Team Lorain County, Team NEO and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
“This certainly means there are signs of economic vitality, and it shows a whole lot of good things going on,” says Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire. “There are a lot of positive things happening, a lot of businesses growing and adding employment.”
This is the second year the group has compiled the report. “We thought it would be interesting to look at the impact that all of these businesses together have in Northeast Ohio,” says Waltermire of the regional report, as opposed to just a Cleveland-focused report. “When we act as a region and collaborate, it makes us much stronger and more competitive.”
The individual cities in the region only benefit from collaboration. “The competition is mainly outside the region,” explains Waltermire. “It would not even make sense for our metropolitan areas to compete.”
Rebecca Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech, stresses the importance of each of the 10 specialized organizations working together. “Through each organization we fill a specialized role, but working in concert leads to a healthy, thriving economy,” she says.
The report also highlights success stories related to business attraction; business growth and development; entrepreneurship; and technology, innovation and commercialization.
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