Stories

COVID-19 Rapid Release Fund grants more than $950,000 to 19 nonprofits in latest funding
The COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund continues to grant funds to nonprofit organizations helping those affected by the coronavirus. Read about what latest grant recipients are doing in the city.
Volunteers team up to make, distribute masks to Cleveland’s homeless population
The Campus District and Across the Lines are recruiting volunteers to make masks from old T-shirts for their Mask the District campaign. So far, the groups have distributed 500 masks to the homeless.
Pop goes the wedding: How Cuyahoga Valley National Park is keeping the bridal dream alive
May typically signals the start of wedding season, but in the face of COVID-19, the forecast looks a whole lot different this year. Enter the pop-up wedding option at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an intimate gathering for 10 people or less that highlights Ohio's only national park as its backdrop.
I scream, you scream, the entire Sage family screams for their Busy Bee Ice Cream shop
After Lainey Sage spent five years earning extra cash by working in a Brook Park ice cream shop, the entire Sage family decided to buy the building and launch into their own ice cream endeavor with Busy Bee Ice Cream Co.
Get outside, Cleveland. But remember you’re not the only one there
Kathleen Osborne revels in the beauty of the unofficial start to  Summer in Cleveland, while also reminding us to follow safety protocols.
Comeback kids: Local retailers prepare to reopen amid coronavirus concerns
Even though Ohio's stay-at-home order is lifted, suburban small business owners struggle with the pros and cons of re-opening and keeping their customers safe.
Summer fun at home: Summer arts camps go virtual with programming
Institutions and schools are closed to the public right now, but many Cuyahoga Arts & Culture arts organizations are taking their summer programming online to enrich kids during their time off from school.
Local love: Made Cleveland takes the flea market shopping experience online

If Etsy and the Yellow Pages had a baby, it might look like Made Cleveland. Set to launch this Saturday, May 23, Made Cleveland is an online e-commerce hub and directory featuring local artists and makers — and is ready to fill in the gaps and meet demand in the absence of in-person markets this season.

Kudos to you: Lunch Owl pivots from lunch deliveries to goody boxes for employees working at home
With offices shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lunch Owl owner Scott Himmel create a new business, Kudo Box,  to honor employees working from home with locally-made goodies.
Easy riders: CycleBar to re-open with state-of-the-art air purifier to keep riders safe from COVID
CycleBar in Beachwood is one of the first fitness centers in Northeast Ohio to install a state-of-the-art hydroperoxide air purifying system—making owner Joe Purton confident his members will be safe when he re-opens in June.  
COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund grants more than $900,000 this week to 20 nonprofits
The COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund continues to grant funds to nonprofit organizations helping those affected by the coronavirus. Read about what latest grant recipients are doing in the city.
Who's Hiring in #CLE: Cleveland Clinic, T.D. Security, RTA, Nestle, 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.
Culinary Crisis: The Fairmount's Jake Orosz breathes easy after Friday’s patio reopening
The Fiarmount owner Jake Ororsz has used the restaurant shutdown order to hone his takeout operations and tweak the food and drink menus in anticipation of reopening. Now, Orosz says he's ready to take on any battle in the war on the coronavirus.
It’s business as usual for most West Side Market vendors, as rent relief eases pain
West Side Market vendors share their stories of weathering the coronavirus and fighting to stay open as business is slowly picking up.
Debunking presumed fears and limitations in our kids
Columnist Kathleen Osborne marvels at how well her college-aged daughter handles the challenges life throws at her, even while deconstructing childhood bedroom bunk beds.
Little Africa Collaborative brings food and nutrition education to Cleveland’s food deserts
The Little Africa Food Collaborative has the mission to feed and educate the residents in Cleveland's food deserts. With recent grant money, the group is closer to opening co-op grocery stores in neighborhoods like Hough-Fairfax and Central-Kinsman.
Popcorn and a movie: Cleveland Cinemas has you covered with curbside snacks for its streaming films
Order your popcorn and other movie-watching snacks for curbside pickup at most Cleveland Cinemas movie theaters, then download an on-demand film for viewing at home.
Artists paint mural to boost morale as Cleveland begins COVID-19 recovery
Graffiti artist Bob Peck and graphic pop artist Rich Cihlar collaborate on a mural depicting a phoenix rising from the ashes as Cleveland starts to open for business amid the coronavirus.
Culinary Crisis: Luna Bakery’s Bridget Thibeault searches for bright spots during a pandemic
Bridget Thibeault, owner of Luna Bakery and Cafe, shares her story of building her business over the past 10 years and the anxieties of making it through the COVID-19 pandemic.