SPOTLIGHT ON CHAGRIN VALLEY
A Cleveland Jewish News Advertising Special Section
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Chagrin Valley continues to appeal to homebuyers
MARTHA SOROHAN msorohan@cjn.org
Area Realtors agree that the housing market in the Chagrin Valley is healthy.
So healthy, in fact, that Berkshire Hathaway Home Services’ Sharon Friedman calls the market in Chagrin Falls “bonkers.”
“Consistently escalating,” she said. “ ere hasn’t been a drop since COVID(-19).”
Melanie Richardson of Engel & Volkers Distinct Real Estate in Pepper Pike calls it “strong and desirable.”
“Older homes in the Chagrin Valley do well due to charm, larger lots, established neighborhoods and personal preference for proximity to desired amenities,” she said.
e Chagrin Valley is made up of a 13 quaint villages and townships tucked among rolling hills, where excellent schools and highway access draw families and empty nesters.
e communities are: Auburn Township, Bainbridge Township, Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Newbury, Orange, Russell Township, Pepper Pike, South Russell and Woodmere. ey are often, in the real estate world, grouped together as “Chagrin Falls.”
“When people say ‘Chagrin Falls,’ it can also encompass Bainbridge, South Russell, Bentleyville, and the 44022 and 44023 ZIP
codes,” Friedman said. “Sometimes, agents will say it’s Chagrin Falls because they think Chagrin Falls has more allure.”
Buyers pay premium price for that allure, especially Chagrin Falls’ renovated historic homes, Friedman said.
“People want to be within proximity to the village,” she said.
Downtown Chagrin Falls’ central Triangle Park surrounded by Main Street restaurants, shops, parks and the Chagrin River falls make it especially appealing.
Its $715,000 median price for a singlefamily home is well above the national average, but low inventory means it’s a seller’s market, according to Richardson.
While traditional 30-year mortgage rates are holding steady around 6 to 6.4%, Adam S. Kaufman of Howard Hanna’s Pepper Pike o ce said that rates do not a ect the high end of the market.
“ ere’s lots of cash out there, too,” Friedman said.
New construction is also plentiful in the Chagrin Valley, where, according to Friedman, new condominiums command up to $3 million.
“New construction homes are appealing as they o er modern layouts, lower maintenance and energy e ciency,” Richardson said.
ey include entry-level senior living condominium options within Judson Retirement Community’s South Franklin Circle, Eliza At Chagrin Falls, an Eliza Jennings community on Chillicothe Road, both in Bainbridge Township.
“It’s an option for people who want to stay in the community,” Friedman said.
Outside Chagrin Falls, buyers seeking land are drawn to the 2-acre-minimum lots in Moreland Hills.
“Unless the property was grandfathered in,” Friedman said, describing one buyer who is tearing down a “cute and clean” house on a 1.7-acre lot.
“ e buyers didn’t want to spend tens of thousands of dollars to renovate it,” she said.
New development is also booming in
areas such as Bainbridge Township and South Russell, due to Route 422, which Friedman said o ers country-life living with easy proximity to the city.
“It’s 25 minutes from Bainbridge to the airport,” she said.
“Anything that’s in good condition, and updated, whether old or new, will sell quickly,” Kaufman said. “I love how the Cleveland market has evolved, especially the luxury market.”
Friedman has watched the Chagrin
Valley grow exponentially over the past 50 years, especially the number of housing developments which extending farther east into Geauga County.
“Some people want to go there because of lower homeowners’ and auto insurance, because it’s outside Cuyahoga County,” she said. “Pilgrim Village in Bainbridge has a pocket lake for swimming and boating. One house I sold there had four o ers, all over list price. e buyers from Canton are ecstatic to be moving there.”
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Friendship Circle of Cleveland opens its doors to valley and beyond
MARTHA SOROHAN msorohan@cjn.org
You are doing something right when children riding by point to a building and tell their parents that they want to go there – and it’s neither candy nor a toy store.
Such is the e ect of Friendship Circle of Cleveland, an organization that serves children and adults with special needs.
“Our mission is to spread light throughout the world,” Chava Schwartz, program director, said. “We recognize the light in every child’s soul, whether they have special needs or not.”
Housed in a former church-turnedsynagogue at 27900 Gates Mills Blvd. in Pepper Pike, Friendship Circle draws clientele of all ages, although their core peer-topeer programming focuses on children and teens ages 5 to 18 with targeted programs for young adults ages 17 to 23. eir participants are primarily from Cleveland’s eastern suburbs.
Friendship Circle of Cleveland was founded in 2003 by Rabbi Yossi Marozov and his wife, Estie Marozov. e organization, a liated with the Chabad Hasidic movement, started as a grassroots initiative matching ve children with developmental
disabilities with 15 teen volunteers.
ey have established a safe place with programs for people of all ages with special social needs, ranging from Sunday Circle, after-school and summer and winter camps, tutoring and more. Friendship Circle is also a place where teens can learn the power of volunteering, through pairing one-on-one with children enrolled in the program.
“ e Marozovs have dedicated the last 20 years to empowering Jewish teens to do volunteer work here,” Schwartz said. “We’ve had about 300 teens come through these doors.”
Each week, Friendship Circle serves about 150 clients in programs that require nothing more from applicants than a 10-minute registration process. No o cial medical diagnosis for conditions like ADHD, ADD, oppositional de ant disorder, or ODD, and others is required because Friendship Circle’s mission is to help everyone who feels a need.
“ at’s the nice thing – we’re here to help,” Schwartz said. “Parents can get stalled in applications (for other programs) because they’re so used to lling out 30 pages, with doctor diagnosis, and it’s so overwhelming.
Friendship Circle of Cleveland program director Chava Schwartz stands inside the building lobby at 27900 Gates Mills Blvd. in Pepper Pike. | CJN Photo / Martha Sorohan
at’s not our mission. Ours is to build friendships, connections and support for kids with special needs.”
e “no-diagnosis” aspect of Friendship Circle is important, she said.
“Sometimes, parents see that their kids need support, but because there is no o cial diagnosis, they don’t get it,” Schwartz said. “Even if they get it, there is no guidebook. ere is a whole host of diagnoses that can a ect friendships. at’s why we’re called ‘Friendship Circle,’ because children need friends, and they nd them here. We can handle their social needs. It’s beautiful. Children love our programs.”
e programs are led by Friendship Circle’s 18-member sta , described by Schwartz as “highly-creative people.”
“We have so much fun around here,” she said.
Schwartz said Friendship Circle makes sure that everyone has a best rst day.
“ e kids run in and are ne, but the parents are jittery,” she said. “All are in groups together, and the teens guide and help them grow. We are all friends here and build o each other’s strengths.”
Friendship Circle also o ers events for parents, such as fortnightly morning co ees for mothers, and Dad’s Night Out.
Its adult social skills program teaches
life skills such as grocery shopping, creating menus and hygiene, as well as how to meet and greet people and handle emotions. Its newest program, “Friends At Home,” was launched last September by sta member Bashi Levowitz. Most popular in the Orthodox community, it pairs children and teens with one- or two-hour home visits that can include trips to local parks. It has 70 participants.
“She knocked it out of the park,” Schwartz said.
Summer is the busiest time at Friendship Circle. Day camp is o ered from June 8 through Aug. 14 not only at its Pepper Pike location, but also on Cleveland’s west side.
Although Friendship Circle undertakes no testing to measure its success, Schwartz said that it receives plenty of positive feedback. Based on parent surveys, its retention rate is 75%.
“Kids beg to come back,” she said. One current obstacle the organization faces is space. It is beginning to outgrow its current space so as part of its long-term plans, the organization hopes to demolish the existing building and construct a new facility on the other side of the property.
Friendship Circle is supported through grants, fees, an annual My Walk 4 Friends event – this year on Sept. 6 – and donors. “We don’t turn anyone away,” Schwartz said. “Just call. We can help.”
Shimshon Lesser, 11, of Beachwood, is tutored at Friendship Circle by A+Learning Solutions’ Ruby Tyree, of University Heights. | CJN Photo / Martha Sorohan
Pinecrest, Eton Chagrin Boulevard ring in shoppers for the summer
CASEY COUCH ccouch@cjn.org
Local shopping centers are giving visitors more reasons to linger long after they’ve checked o their shopping lists this summer.
With build-your-own bouquet bars, cocktail jazz lounges, custom fashion experiences and dog-friendly events on the calendar, Pinecrest in Orange and Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere are turning retail therapy into full-day summer entertainment.
Ana Liberati, Pinecrest marketing director, said that Blossom Flower Bar is slated to open at Pinecrest in the coming days and has generated a lot of buzz in the community.
“ e 1,500-square-foot oral shop, located between Club Pilates and Shake Shack, will o er the chance to build your own bouquet or arrangement with hands-on creative experiences, workshops and private events,” she said.
Gorjana, which Liberati described as a “stylish” jewelry brand, and Solidcore, a tness studio, will open later this summer. Aritzia and Abercrombie & Fitch will also be moving into Pinecrest later this year.
According to Liberati, the shopping center’s open-air environment is an attractive quality that brings guests out during the summer months.
“Especially with more leisure time in the summer, visitors can spend the whole day enjoying best-in-class retailers, chef-driven restaurants, entertainment o erings and more,” Liberati said.
Graeter’s o ers kosher ice cream at Pinecrest as well.
is summer, events at Pinecrest will include Putt Around Pinecrest for Father’s Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20, an Art Walk from 3 to 7 p.m. June 27 and a “Yappy Hour” event where shoppers can bring their dogs and socialize on July 9. Finally, a Back to School Bash will round out Pinecrest’s summer calendar in August.
Leaving Pinecrest is RED, the Steakhouse, which will be relocating to Eton Chagrin Boulevard in the former Heritage Steak and Whiskey location at 28869 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere. e steakhouse is set to open early summer.
According to Stacie Schmidt, vice president of marketing for Stark Enterprises which owns and manages Eton Chagrin
Boulevard, customers have been enjoying their newest cocktail bar, Nightjar, which opened Feb. 13 by founders Sam Friedman and Michael Paley. Schmidt called it a “hidden gem” for those looking to enjoy some drinks and music this summer.
“It’s an amazing little space,” Schmidt said. “You feel like you are transported into New Orleans. It’s a cocktail jazz bar with classic drinks, live music and an intimate, hospitality-driven setting.”
Schmidt also added that a new location that has gained quite a bit of popularity is Becco Bags, founded by Chagrin Falls resident Caitlin Osborne, which opened at Eton Chagrin Boulevard on April 10.
“Becco stands for her four children’s initials, and the O is for Osborne,” Schmidt said. “ ey’re unique bags, and there is embroidery inside the store where you can make custom patches. It’s been really big for colleges and sports teams, and they host kids birthday parties where they can choose their own custom patch and attach it to a bag.”
Kilgore Trout, a Cleveland original, will also be expanding its location at Eton Chagrin Boulevard to almost 10,000 square feet, which is set to open next month.
“ ey are a classic location in our market with beautiful apparel and personal services,” Schmidt said. “ ey’re building a new seamstress area where people can come in and get their clothes hemmed, so we’re excited about that as well.”
Eton Chagrin Boulevard is also home to Fiamma by Mendel, a kosher restaurant. In addition to its shopping o erings, Eton Chagrin Boulevard opened Mahjong Maison in February and also o er live music every ursday with Boulevard Beats. On Aug. 1, Eton will host a Color Craze – End of Summer Bash that will feature shopping, singing, dancing, coloring and more.
Liberati Schmidt
Valley Art Center’s Art by the Falls June 6-7
Valley Art Center will holds its annual Art by the Falls event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field at the South Chagrin Reservation on the corner of Chagrin
River Road and South Woodland Road in Moreland Hills.
Art by the Falls is a juried ne art and contemporary craft festival that draws 170-plus artists and 25,000 attendees from across the country, according to a news release
e event will have art, live music, children’s activities, culinary o erings, free trolley to town, art ra e, community art and photo opportunities. For more information, visit shorturl.at/MEGNV.
Plenty of dining options in the Chagrin Valley
Local eateries in the Chagrin Valley o er the perfect ingredients for a summer dining bucket list. Whether you’re a resident or visiting, there is no shortage of standout spots to enjoy. e Cleveland Jewish News has compiled a list of some of the local restaurants that showcase the area’s vibrant culinary scene.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP
Bummin’ Beaver Brewery 11610 Washington St. 440-543-9900 bumminbeaver.com
Sirna’s Pizza 11773 E. Washington St. 440-708-1130 sirnaspizza.com
The Patio Bar & Grill 10584 E. Washington St. 440-543-2799 auburnpatiobar.com
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
Alladin’s Eatery 16725 Chillicothe Road 440-708-0088 alladins.com
Cowboy Food & Drink 8586 E. Washington St. 440-708-1011 cowboyfoodanddrink.com
Crumb & Spigot 16783 Chillicothe Road 440-384-3035 crumbandspigot.com
Revolution Pizza 8311 E. Washington St. 440-591-5333 revolutionpizza.com
The Hive/Timberfire 8200 E. Washington St. 440-692-4483
thehivechagrin.com
Sapphire Creek 16965 Park Circle Drive 440-543-7777
Saphire-creek.com
CHAGRIN
FALLS
Pub Frato Chagrin Falls 25 Pleasant Drive 440-600-7029 pubfrato.com
17 River Grille 17 River St. 440-893-0797 17rivergrille.com
Bar Fuoco 87 3/4 West St. 440-318-8120 barfuoco.com
Batuqui on the Falls 17 E. Orange St. 440-600-2122 batuquicleveland.com
The Reserve 42 N. Main St. 440-318-1492 thereservechagrin.com
The Sleepy Rooster 5210 Chillicothe Road 440-557-5212 thesleepyrooster.com
Two and Company 177 E. Washington St. 440-384-3236 twoandcompany.com
Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop 53 N. Main St. 440-247-6577 chagrinfallspopcorn.com
ETalian 13 Bell St. 440-600-2001 etalianpizza.com
JoJo’s Bar 87 West St. 440-394-8120 jojosbar.com
Lemon Falls Cafe/Marketplace 95 N. Main St. 440-247-8000 lemonfalls.com
GATES MILLS
Sara’s Place 1501 Chagrin River Road 440-423-1000 saras-place.com
MORELAND HILLS
Cru Uncorked 34300 Chagrin Blvd. 440-903-1171 cruuncorked.com
Lola’s Bistro 86 N Main St. 440-318-1428 lolachagrin.com
M Bevy 87 West St. 440-600-7189 mbevy.com
M Italian 22 West Orange St. 440-247-7474 mitalian.com
Muvel 524 Washington St. 440-337-0051 muvelsociety.com
OddFellows 16 N. Main St. 440-600-7770 2oddfellows.com
Flour 34205 Chagrin Blvd. 216-464-3700 flourrestaurant.com
Luna Bakery 34105 Chagrin Blvd. 216-672-3600 lunabakerycafe.com
ML Tavern 34105 Chagrin Blvd., Suite A 216-591-0340 mltav.com
NEWBURY
Madrick’s Tavern 10760 Kinsman Road 440-564-1180 madrickstavern.com
DINING | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Mangia Mangia 11018 Kinsman Road 440-564-2227 mangiamangiagood.com
ORANGE
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse 27100 Harvard Road 440-514-0090 bjsrestaurants.com
Condado Tacos 10 Park Ave., Suite 12 216-230-2722 condadotacos.com
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant 27200 Harvard Road 216-285-3500 chwinery.com
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
211 Park Ave., Suite 109 216-910-9100 firebirdsrestaurants.com
Graeter’s Ice Cream 10 Park Ave., Suite 116 216-727-0933 graeters.com
Kitchen Social 211 Park Ave., Suite 115 216-202-6444 ourkitchensocial.com
Lao Sze Chuan
PEPPER PIKE
Geraci’s 29425 Chagrin Blvd. 216-831-1595 geracisrestaurant.com
SOUTH RUSSELL
Hunan by the Falls 508 Washington St. 440-247-0808 hunanbythefalls.com
WOODMERE
Agave & Rye at Eton Chagrin Boulevard 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 900 216-493-8226 agaveandrye.com
Cafe Honeycomb at Eton Chagrin Boulevard 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 910 216-831-3630 cafehoneycombohio.com
Fiamma by Mendel 28699 Chagrin Blvd. 216-342-4244 fiammabymendel.com
Pacific East at Chagrin Boulevard 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 850 216-765-1305
10 Park Ave., Suite 106 216-331-4642 laoszechuanohio.com
Pinstripes 111 Park Ave., Suite 105 216-415-8010 pinstripes.com
Taza – A Lebanese Grill at Eton Chagrin Boulevard 28601 Chagrin Blvd. 216-464-4000 mytaza.com
The Original Pancake House at Eton Chagrin Boulevard 28700 Chagrin Blvd. 216-292-7777 originalpancakehousewoodmere.com
RH Rooftop Restaurant 4009 Orange Place 216-691-3121 rh.com
Sandy Pebbles
100 Park Ave., Suite 120 216-245-6092 sand-pebbles.com
The Last Page 100 Park Ave., Suite 128 216-465-1008 thelastpagerestaurant.com
Shake Shack 311 Park Ave., Suite 121 440-600-8689 shakeshack.com
RED Steakhouse (Coming Soon) 28443 Chagrin Blvd. 216-591-1762
–Compiled by London DeMarco, Karen and Richard Spector Intern at the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company