Karin Connelly Rice

SPACES to expand offerings in new Van Rooy space
Cavs paint the town in wine and gold to fuel excitement for NBA playoffs
The Cavs once again made it to the NBA Playoffs and this morning the schedule was announced for the first round against the Detroit Pistons.

To celebrate the accomplishment and to rally the city, the Cavaliers today began decorating the Cleveland landmarks – starting with Quicken Loans Arena – with banners and signs with boasting “#ALLIN216,” referring to the motto “All In to 16,” the number of wins needed to win the championship.
 
A full window wrap is being installed on the north and west sides of the building, including the front window. Banners are being placed on each arena bridge one on the bridge that connects The Q to Gateway east garage and one on the north bridge that connects to JACK Casino Cleveland’s Collection Auto Group Centre parking lot. Additional banners on the east and west side of the arena are also being flown.
 
After the signage is in place at the Q banners will then be hoisted all over town, many local businesses are also hanging banners with the motto.
 
“There’s so much signage going up in the next week or so,” says Tracy Mare, Cavs chief marketing officer. “Definitely fans will see it throughout the city.”
 
Cavs team representatives urge other businesses and individuals alike to also show their support. Last year, Marek says many residents painted their front lawns or put up their own signs to show support for the Cavs.
 
“We encourage all of Cleveland to recognize this as one more moment to show just how great Cleveland is, and to showcase our community,” Marek says. “Our playoff run provides an opportunity to look at the city with a different lens.”
 
Even if you don’t have a ticket to the home games or when the Cavs are on the road, there are plenty of ways to get in on the excitement. Marek says they will host watch parties and pre-game entertainment outside the Q, complete with food trucks, beer, live music and the Cav entertainment team for several hours before the games.
 
“There are so many more ways for people to get involved,” she says. “Even if you don’t have a ticket to the game, come on down. It’s an outdoor fun fest. Downtown Cleveland’s a great place to be.”
 
For a full Cavs playoff schedule and a rundown of activities, visit the Cavs Fan Guide
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Insomnia Cookies coming to the Warehouse District
Craving something sweet for a late-night snack? In a few short months, Insomnia Cookies will have you covered. The cookie bakery specializing in night owl delivery hours is slated to open a location in the Warehouse District at 1224 W. 6th St. this summer.

The company was founded in 2003 by University of Pennsylvania college student Seth Berkowitz, who was looking for sweet solution to study cravings. “We have seven other locations in Ohio and have received many inquiries to open in Cleveland,” explains Insomnia’s marketing manager Catharine Gatlin.We recently found a great space and everything fell into place from there.”
 
The company plans to hire 15 to 20 employees to work in the 900-square-foot shop, which will serve popular cookie varieties such as Chocolate Chunk, Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and the S’mores Deluxe, as well as cookie cakes, brownies and cold milk.
 
Insomnia Cookies will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Delivery within approximately a two-mile radius will be available from noon until 3 a.m.
 
Additionally, the bakery ships gift boxes, caters corporate events and offers fundraising opportunities for area organizations. “We’re looking forward to getting involved with the community and local events,” Gatlin says.
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Vision Yoga goes underground with second location
Vision Yoga and Wellness opened its doors on West 25th Street in Ohio City in April 2011 – bringing to the neighborhood a source for yoga classes at all levels, workshops, massage therapy and acupuncture. The offerings have been so popular, the 800-square-foot single studio space was busting at the seams and owner Theresa Gorski couldn’t meet the needs of her growing clientele.

So in February, Gorski opened a second location, Vision Underground, in the basement of St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3600 Church Ave. The 2,300-square-foot space will allow Gorski to cater to a broader range of needs. She now offers chair yoga, yoga for children and community-based workshops and certification classes.
 
“I don’t call it an addition, I call it an expansion,” Gorski says of the new space. “When you have only one studio, you have to cater to your clients’ makeup and the majority of the population are able-bodied.”
 
The chair yoga will cater to those who cannot easily get up from or sit down on the floor, Gorski says. The new space also allows Gorski to focus on the wellness aspect of her practice.
 
“There’s a new wave of interest in focusing on wellness and prevention,” she explains, “where people want to take care of themselves.”
 
Gorski hired three additional yoga teachers to help with the 12 additional classes now on the weekly schedule, bringing the staff total for the two spaces to 15.
 
The church itself also has historic significance. Built in the 1800s, St. John’s is the oldest church in Cuyahoga County, Gorski says, and the Vision space was the last stop on the Underground Railroad. The place is also used for Cleveland Public Theatre’s annual Station Hope celebration of the site. Vision Underground will go on hiatus during Station Hope.
 
Vision Yoga hosted Vision Underground’s grand opening on Saturday, March 4 with donation yoga classes taught by Gorski, prizes, discounts on yoga packages and refreshments. Almost 100 people attended the open house and $1,000 was raised through a raffle and donations.
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