Stories

The poke craze hits downtown Cleveland at 2nd and High
In coastal big cities like New York and Los Angeles, poke places can be found on almost every block, but here in Cleveland, notsomuch. That’s about to change, starting with 2nd and High Poke House + Bar—the new incarnation of downtown's 2nd and High Social House.
Former College Club is being converted to apartments and townhomes
The historic 1904 mansion that overlooks University Circle and was home to the College Club of Cleveland for the past 61 years will soon be converted into 10 apartments, with an additional four apartments in the carriage house and 13 townhomes on the 1.8-acre property at 2348 Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights.
Trend watch: Cohousing makes its way to Cleveland
About two or three years ago, Cleveland Heights resident Mary Kelsey and some friends began talking about the concept of cohousing—a community of homes that are clustered around shared spaces like a common house and outdoor areas. While there are fewer than 200 cohousing communities across the U.S., Kelsey says there are “quite a few” are in progress, including right here in Northeast Ohio.
Rare Japanese art takes the spotlight in Little Italy at The Verne Gallery
“A lot of people take for granted that this little special Japanese print gallery is in Cleveland,” says Michael Verne, who took over the gallery more than 30 years ago. “This is the one place in the world that you can see some of the highest-quality Japanese prints.”
Cleveland named a top city for startup growth by Robert Half Technology
The label “startup hub” is no longer reserved for a few select cities across the nation, and Cleveland is being dubbed a haven for innovation as more entrepreneurs set their sights on our city to put down roots. Robert Half’s list of “Top 10 U.S. Cities Where Startups Are Growing” ranks Cleveland at number eight based off its survey of 2,600 CIOs in 26 metropolitan areas around the country—citing access to skilled technology talent and an attractive quality of life. Other cities on the list include Charlotte, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, and Seattle. Click here to see who else made the list.
Heights Libraries decides to give Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus a chance
The Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus and the nonprofit groups working out of the building will remain in the former Coventry School building after Heights Libraries opts to buy the property from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District for $1, saving the grounds from possible commercial development.
Historic Hessler Road townhomes are becoming modern-day living apartments
As president of Berusch Development Partners, Russell Berusch converts college campuses into neighborhoods that are convenient and accessible for the typical college student, such as University Circle’s Uptown neighborhood and Euclid 116 student apartments.

Now Berusch is taking on an historic neighborhood on Hessler Road in University Circle.
Free Stamp: All things free in the #CLE for February 2018
Fresh Water's monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up the freshest free events in Cleveland.
Who's Hiring in #CLE: Hard Rock Rocksino, Wigs 4 Kids, Sustainable Community Associates & more
Welcome to the latest edition of Fresh Water Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. This edition includes jobs from Sustainable Community Associates, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, and Hard Rock Rocksino. Click here for the freshest opportunities fit to print.
Beer marks the spot: Mappy Hour debuts for Cleveland adventure lovers
The great outdoors + beer + community = one compelling equation. That’s the basis for Mappy Hour, a new network of adventure and travel enthusiasts who are passionate about the outdoors, maps, guidebooks, and physical activity.
City and Food Bank team up to distribute fresh produce to AsiaTown seniors
For the first time, the city and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank have come together in a collaborative effort to get fresh produce to the seniors living in AsiaTown. On the first Wednesday of each month, the Food Bank comes out to Sterling Recreation Center for a Senior Produce Market. Find out when the next distribution is—and how to volunteer—here.
Back to nature: Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has diverse programming down to a science
Nearly a dozen nature and science organizations receive support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, and they provide an integral foundation for exploring the county’s rich variety of resources—from the Great Lakes Science Center on Lake Erie’s coast to suburban nature centers, downtown community gardens, and grassroots nonprofits.
In living color: YARDS Projects kicks off an exciting year for the Cleveland art scene
It’s Liz Maugans’ first official day as Director of YARDS Projects at Worthington Yards—a bold new space in the Warehouse District that combines four apartment buildings with public art and an art gallery. Her to-do list is long, and it ends with making Cleveland the global arts destination.
Redfin names Shaker Heights and University Circle among "Neighborhoods That Have It All"
Redfin recently dropped their list of “25 Neighborhoods That Have it All,” and this year, two Cleveland neighborhoods have made the cut. In a ranking dominated by the Chicago metropolitan area, Shaker Heights and University Circle throw spotlight on Cleveland, weighing in at numbers 16 and 20, respectively. Read all about the rankings here.
Sold-out Cleveland Public Theatre show seeks to solve poverty in "90 Minutes"
Touted as “part play, part town hall meeting,” How to End Poverty in 90 minutes (with 119 people you may or may not know) explores the complex subject of poverty through the eyes of art. A collaboration between Cleveland Public Theatre, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and Sojourn Theatre, the 90-minute experimental play runs from January 24-28 at Gordon Square Theatre and is fully sold out.
Wake up and smell the coffee, and donuts, this Friday at the opening of Daylight Donuts
While Matt and Trevor Gile and their father, Chuck, may have gone into the auto repair business three years ago with Cleveland Heights-based Motorcars Collision, the family has dreamt about donuts for at least seven years. Now the trio is realizing their dream with the opening of Daylight Donuts and Coffee (3077 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights) along with their newly-relocated Motorcars Collision.
Ready to launch: The Q's Launch Test Kitchen about to debut three minority chefs
Quicken Loans Arena (aka “The Q”) isn’t just launching the next generation of pro basketball stars—it’s turning out culinary power players as well. Today, the arena’s Launch Test Kitchen announced its newest lineup of local chefs, all three of whom come from minority-owned businesses.
PHOTOS: Scenes from the Women's March 2018 in downtown Cleveland
An estimated 7,000 participants made their voices heard in Public Square on Saturday for the second annual Women's March—marching for issues including women's rights, racial equality, reproductive rights, healthcare reform, and more. Fresh Water's Bob Perkoski was on the scene to capture the resistance in action. Inspired? #UsToo.
Long-awaited Kensington Pub to open by March in Cleveland Heights
When partners Jeff King and Brad Poe open the Kensington Pub in Cleveland Heights this spring, they promise to have something for everyone at the bar that has been known for decades as Tavern Company. See what's in store here.
With Oscar buzz for 'Knife Skills' and a James Beard guest stint, EDWINS is really cooking
When EDWINS founder Brandon Chrostowski told documentarian Thomas Lennon that he was "opening the greatest French restaurant in the country, in Cleveland,’” that alone was enough to pique Lennon’s interest—but then Chrostowski told him the restaurant would be staffed entirely by people just out of prison. “I knew in 10 seconds there was a film,” says Lennon.