Stories

Test tube retail: Van Aken District launches program for retail and food entrepreneurs
The Van Aken District's Entrepreneurial Initiatives program allows both food and retail entrepreneurs to take their businesses for a test run before deciding to open their own bricks-and-mortar establishments.
Look out for one another—we’re not at our best right now
We all might be letting our appearances slip during the pandemic, but nothing is worse than running into your hair stylist after a bad home dye-job.
Holy homes: Historic Zion Church preserved, reconfigured as San Sofia Luxury Apartments
Tremont's historic Zion Church UCC has been transformed into 26 luxury apartments that preserve the ornate stained glass and other elements of the church's 135-year history.
Hunka hunka body love: Local photographer set to spotlight 'Dad Bods of Cleveland'
As a lakefront wildlife haven with more than 260 bird species, Wendy Park is considered one of Cleveland’s most scenic spots. But anyone taking a stroll there last weekend was treated to some unexpected sights—namely, the men of the upcoming “Dad Bods of Cleveland 2021: A Year of Midwest Sexy” calendar.
Broadway rising: University Settlement, NRP break ground on $20 million affordable housing project
Slavic Village's University Settlement and developer NRP Group are working on an affordable housing project that they hope will be the beginning of the neighborhood's renaissance.
Who’s Hiring in the #CLE: TITLE Boxing, bd’s Mongolian Grill, Jack Casino, and more
Need a job? Check out 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.
Eerie Eyeful: Maelstrom Collaborative produces immersive, COVID-safe haunted house experience
In its continued effort to produce quality arts events while also keeping patrons and artists safe from the coronavirus, Maelstrom Collaborative Arts is producing "The Wandering" just in time for Halloween season.
Cleveland is the nation's least connected city. This Bolivian transplant wants to change that.
Rolando Alvarez is kicking down doors to the knowledge of the world—the Internet. After working to bring high-speed Internet to rural villages in his native Bolivia, Alvarez's mission now is to connect more than 27,000 households around Cleveland in tandem with DigitalC.
Changing course: Newly minted suburban mayors chart new territory during pandemic
Fairview Park Mayor Patrick Cooney and Lakewood Mayor Meghan George took their oaths to office on the first day of 2020, only to face the onset of the coronavirus. The two rookies have weathered the storm and proven themselves worthy, even in the worst of times. 
Making memories is always fashionable, even when they're retro
There's nothing like shopping for vintage clothing and accessories to help mother and daughter bridge the generation gap.
Cleveland Orchestra musicians perform summer shows for neighbors, move to fall streaming concerts
With summer concerts canceled, Cleveland Orchestra musicians took to neighborhood yards for intimate performances to calm their fans' appetite for live music. And the winter concert season is still on hold, so the world-renowned orchestra moves to online performances.
Crafting cure-all: Entrepreneur develops kit to relieve coronavirus boredom and stress
Lora DiFranco enjoys activities that help her slow down and unplug. In fact, she's created an entire line of products—including her new collage kits—to help her customers occupy their minds during the pandemic. 
Gordon Green brings modern elegance, safe wedding protocol, to historic Detroit Shoreway building
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, earlier this month Gordon Green was able to open its events center in the renovated century-old Berger building and allow brides and grooms to save their dates.
Free Stamp: All things free in the #CLE for October 2020
The best things in life are free, indeed, and our monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up all the free #CLE events that get our "stamp" of approval.
#PeopleofCLE: Leah, empowering girls to be their true selves
Northeast Ohio is changing. These are the people shaping its future. Our latest installment.
Early Arrival: Downtown CLE Fall Restaurant Week starts Monday to give city eateries a boost
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week comes early this year—next week, in fact—as the Downtown Cleveland Alliance moves the annual winter event into fall to spark safe dining out (or curbside pickup or delivery) at city restaurants.
Old school still rules: Lee-Harvard’s high census response rate could teach others a few tricks
Cleveland's Lee-Harvard neighborhood has seen an impressive response rate to the U.S. Census—as high as 70%. What can other areas learn from this east side neighborhood?
A thousand words: Images of CLE public art send powerful messages in troubled times

Cleveland can be an ever-changing canvas for artistic expression, and our city certainly can claim a wealth of talented artists. 2020 has been a tough year. But look hard enough, and positivity and beauty can be found around almost every corner, under any stone. 

Pride in the CLE will look different when the celebration goes virtual this weekend
Pride in the CLE, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland’s annual march and festival, may have been delayed in June, but this weekend revelers will make a virtual show of Pride in the CLE.