Stories

Lakewood hits a new tippling point with Western Reserve Distillers
After four years of planning, Western Reserve Distillers is set to take its spot as one of just a handful of certified organic distilleries in the country. The family-owned business—run by husband-and-wife team Ann and Kevin Thomas—celebrated its grand opening in early September.
Who's Hiring: FutureHeights, Honeycomb, MAGNET, Cooper's Hawk, Advanced School Staffing, FreshWater
Welcome to the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. This installment includes jobs from FutureHeights, Honeycomb, MAGNET, Cooper's Hawk, Advanced School Staffing, and FreshWater Cleveland. Click here for the freshest job opportunities fit to print.
 
Neue Auctions caters to a new generation of antiques enthusiasts
Move over, traditional antiques dealers and auction houses—there’s a new kid on the block. Veteran antique dealer Ronald Greenwald and Aspire Auctions co-founder Cynthia Maciejewski have joined forces to open Neue Auctions, a one-stop online auction house and art gallery geared at Millennials and women.
Will it be tourists or new residents that take CLE to the next level? The answer is both.
With downtown Cleveland projected to hit 20,000 residents by 2020 and the advent of Destination Cleveland's #VisitMeinCLE campaign, all eyes are on Cleveland as both a short-term and long-term destination.
Ohio Marijuana Card brings doctors and patients together
In September 2016, a comprehensive bill (Ohio HB 523) was signed into law, legalizing medical marijuana in Ohio. Now that the program is up and running—with dispensaries opening soon—many prospective patients have been wondering how and where to obtain their marijuana card, and where to find both doctors and dispensaries. Ohio Marijuana Card helps make that connection.
Free Stamp: All things free in the #CLE for September 2018
Fresh Water's monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up the freshest free events in Cleveland.
First installation of Inner City Hues to be revealed on Buckeye Road
Amanda King graduated from Case Western Reserve University's law school last year and still lives in the Cleveland Heights apartment she rented as a student. But instead of practicing law, King has immersed herself in her true love—photography. Now King's six-part portrait series, "The Marigolds," will be showcased as the first of four installations in LAND studio's Inner City Hues project.
What do Skyline Chili, Yuengling Lager, and crab chowder have in common? Ask JACK Casino.
In honor of the Browns playing the Steelers, chefs at JACK Cleveland Casino made Pittsburgh’s well-known smiley face cookies—with the cookies in Browns colors smiling and the Pittsburgh colors frowning. Rounding out the offerings were other favorites like wedding soup and chipped ham BBQ on pretzel buns (along with Yuengling lager, naturally). The Pittsburgh-style feast kicked off the casino's new "Cook the Competition" menu, which will highlight the opposing teams' hometown fare.
A cut above the rest: Old Brooklyn's barbershops offer style and substance to the community
Barbershops offer much more than traditional haircuts in Old Brooklyn—where barber chairs double as school desks, as psychologists’ couches, as job counselor offices, and as safe spaces. 
Cleveland's first cookie dough truck is coming around the corner
Like a trail of cookie crumbs, Vicki Kotris’ whole life has essentially been leading up to this moment—from making Food Network cupcake recipes at age eight to that time she traveled to New York just to try the Cronut. Now she and her husband, Steve, are preparing to launch Cleveland’s first mobile cookie dough business: the CLE Cookie Dough Co.
We're amped up about the Rock Hall's efforts toward sensory inclusion
Imagine 100,000 watts of surround sound pumping out high-voltage performances from 100 artists including Prince, the Rolling Stones, and Metallica, shown on 12-foot-high moving screens. Top it off with 761 laser lighting cues (one per second), and the Rock Hall’s “Power of Rock Experience” is one potent multimedia mashup.

For many people, “Power of Rock” amounts to a highly memorable music experience, but for those with sensory processing issues, it can be a whole lotta overload.
Old Brooklyn celebrates the opening of its first brand-new school building in 54 years
Yesterday, a festive ribbon-cutting celebration feted the opening of William Rainey Harper—replete with drum corps, performances by Pre-K students, and an appearance by CMSD CEO Eric Gordon. The school welcomed its inaugural groups of Pre-K to third grade students on August 13, becoming only the third CMSD school to follow the International Baccalaureate model. It's also the first new public school to be constructed from the ground up in Old Brooklyn since the mid-1960s.
Cleveland embraces its rich tapestry of immigrants, with a little help from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
The Land has been a welcoming place for immigrants since the dawn of the 20th century—when Cleveland was the nation’s fifth most important immigrant gateway city. Over 100 years later, immigrants continue to be a vital part of Cleveland’s population. Their significant impact is felt not only in Cleveland’s economy and vibrancy, but also celebrated in the city’s cultural offerings.

Take a visual journey through the great work of five organizations highlighting Cleveland’s immigrants with grants from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Signs of Cleveland’s past uncovered as Lumen construction progresses in Playhouse Square
In early April, crews broke ground on The Lumen—the 34-story, 396-foot, 318-unit apartment building at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 17th Street in Playhouse Square—and construction crews have been moving along ever since. During the routine foundation work, crews have uncovered some fascinating pieces of Cleveland’s history dating back as far as the early 20th century.
Ahoy! It’s Cleveland Navy Week
Ahead of the Cleveland National Air Show with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, sailors from the guided missile nuclear submarine the U.S.S. Ohio have descended on Cleveland this week. They join 125 Navy sailors and personnel from around the country in visiting Cleveland, the 11th stop on the 14-city tour.
A tale of two tastemakers: Lilly Chocolates and Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. join forces in Old Brooklyn
Where chocolate and cheese intersect, there are always plenty of foodies to be found, and this weekend’s joint pop-up between Lilly Chocolates & Confections and Old Brooklyn Cheese Company was no exception. It’s fitting these two businesses would team up at this moment in time—after all, both are poised to do big things in Old Brooklyn in the near future. 
PHOTOS: The Malls come alive with the sounds of InCuya
From Cake to SZA to Rock Hall inductee Booker T. Jones, more than 20 musical acts descended on downtown Cleveland this weekend for the inaugural InCuya summer music festival. Along with enjoying 10+ hours of live music each day, festival-goers also got free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, along with other special touches that added ample Cleveland flavor to the amped-up event. (Check out our pre-coverage for more details.) FreshWater's managing photographer, Bob Perkoski, was there to capture the sounds and sights.
United Way and Lyft team up to offer free rides to those in need
It’s no secret that hundreds of low-income families in Cleveland struggle to find reliable transportation. Enter a new partnership between Lyft and United Way, which aims to “close the transportation gap”—helping Cuyahoga County veterans, families, and individuals access free transportation for non-emergency healthcare, employment, and social service-related needs.
Who's Hiring in CLE: United Cerebral Palsy, Martinet Recchia, Cleveland Museum of Art, CVNP....
Welcome to the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. This installment includes jobs from United Cerebral Palsy, Martinet Recchia, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Union Miles Development Corporation, Earnest Machine, and Slavic Village Development. Click here for the freshest job opportunities fit to print.