34 HOLIDAY THROWBACK Every December, Cleveland transforms into a festive wonderland, and we explore the historic, classic and very-Cleveland traditions of the season. Edited by Ron Ledgard and Annie Nickoloff
Illustrated by Ryan Melgar
FEATURED
44 2025 WRAPPED Revisit the people, trends and releases that made 2025 a year to remember in Northeast Ohio. Edited by Annie Nickoloff
6 FROM THE EDITOR
8 CONVERSATION
LAY OF THE LAND
13 SALON ICONS The couple behind Mentor's Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa share their perspectives from decades of haircuts and styling.
16 FESTIVE FUN Find a few holiday and nonholiday events to enjoy this month.
19 GARFIELD FLICK The buildup to the assassination of Northeast Ohio native President James A. Garfield is the focus of a new Netflix show.
FOOD & DRINK
21 EXCLUSIVE SIPS The Warrior Club is Lakewood's secretive, new member's only cocktail lounge.
24 SLICE OF HISTORY Pizza Hut Classic locations provide nostalgic throwbacks, complete with lunch buffets and stained glass lamps.
HOME & GARDEN
77 HOLIDAY DECOR Find inspiration and tips on decorating your rooms for the Christmas season from House in the Heights
80 LOOK BACK The Browns win a bitterly cold, impressive tiebreaker game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve in 1950.
Denise Polverine publisher Dillon Stewart editor
managing editor Ron Ledgard
senior editor Annie Nickoloff
associate editor Julia Lombardo
editorial assistants Christina Rufo, Jaden Stambolia
contributing writers Vince Guerrieri, Ida Lieszkovszky, Dennis Manoloff, Lainey Novak, Ken Prendergast, Afi Scruggs, Lynne Thompson
editorial intern Jalen Hobson
art director Erin Stinard
associate art director Abigail Archer
contributing artists Ken Blaze, Ellen Gobeille, Daniel Lozada, Ryan Melgar, Sophie Sand, Kaitlin Walsh, Gabe Wasylko editorial@clevelandmagazine.com
advertising vice president Paul Klein
senior account managers Sarah Desmond, Tiffany Myroniak
account managers Julie Bialowas, Jessica Thomas event manager Jennifer Roberts
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Home for Christmas
Growing up, my suburban family only traveled the 30 minutes from Mentor to Downtown Cleveland for a few reasons.
The most common was baseball. Our season tickets gave us front-row seats — well, third-baseline seats — to the glory days of mid-’90s Cleveland baseball. Looking up at the towering buildings as we drove down East Ninth Street, learning the parking lots and alleys, and eating street dogs made me feel like a Clevelander.
Once baseball season cooled off, only holiday traditions motivated us to dig ourselves out of East Side snow and make the trek to the city center. With grandma, we’d see The Nutcracker at the State Theatre and Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Palace Theatre or Music Hall, taking a detour to visit the Public Square lights.
Yet, no Downtown holiday trip held the magic like our annual Tower City outing.
The space itself was romantic. In the basement of Cleveland’s most iconic building, the mixed-use project had only opened in 1990. The architecture blended Art Deco beauty with modern features, such as the breathtaking skylight, which revealed itself only after walking through the Union Terminal lobby and past a tight row of shops.
Tower City truly came alive during the holidays, however. Traversing the escalators put you face-to-face with circusstriped blimps and fairy lights that hung
from the ceiling of the three-story atrium. Crowds of visitors, patiently waiting, perked up when the Toy Soldier came marching down the fountain centerpiece toward the Christmas tree, fulfilling lucky children’s holiday dreams with salutes and lifting babies high above the crowd. Chatting with Bruce the Spruce, the talking tree whose intrigue instilled wonder and a bit of fear, depending on the kid, got us ready for the moment we were all waiting for: a chat with the big man himself. Seeing those sepia photos now, I still feel the warm hug of my knit Gap sweater and the squeeze of my mother’s hand.
In this month’s cover story (pg. 34), we wanted to trace the lineage from Higbee’s of the ’70s to A Christmas Story of the ’80s to Tower City of the ’90s to the traditions of today. Social media fosters a nostalgiaobsessed culture, and our city is susceptible to glory-days thinking. Rightfully so, those memories are beautiful and foundational. Too many traditions have been lost and devalued. Feasts, games and formal dress have been replaced by takeout, phone scrolling and PJs. The traditions that remain must be nurtured.
I was holiday-jaded once, too. But seeing Christmas through the eyes of my children now bubbles up a holiday spirit I no longer knew I could access. Their annual visits to see the lights of WinterLand and even to Tower City, where we enjoy the “Noon Year’s Eve” balloon drop, carry no remorse for the days of Higbee’s or Toy Soldiers — only joy of the holiday that is and the ones to come.
• Stroll the Festively Decorated & Beautifully Lit Streets
• New Upscale & Unique Stores & Restaurants
• Santa, Carriage Rides, Carolers
• And Our Beautiful Historic Downtown Bridge is Done
Please go to chagrin-falls.org for more up-to-date information, times and events.
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And VIP sweepstakes when you
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to Lake Erie region’s
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Planting the Seed
Our November issue highlighted everything glamorous about Cleveland’s vegan dining scene, including local vegan influencer Nzinga Young, the month’s stylish cover star. Readers of both meat- and plant-based diets united to show their love.
@ms.annaregina They couldn’t have picked a more beautiful cover girl �� best role model ��
@peta Yesss �� Thank you for highlighting Cleveland’s amazing vegan scene! Major love to @veganzinga for showing us all how fun and delicious plant-based living can be �� ��
@lavegan I need this to frame for my house!!! �� ❤
Sightseeing Seekers on Facebook You’ve covered it all so beautifully well. Thank you.
Chuck Northcutt on Facebook As a vegetarian, I appreciate all of the plant-based offerings out there!
Nick Harley on LinkedIn Love that Cleveland’s restaurant scene excels at this. My partner is vegetarian, and while I am not, it’s great to know that we can visit a wide variety of restaurants where she’ll be comfortable and I’ll still enjoy a high-quality, satisfying meal. Cloak and Dagger and Vegan Doughnut Company are two of our absolute favorite spots in the city and places we always recommend to folks visiting from out of town.
Discover more vegan eats at clevelandmagazine.com/vegan
Cleveland Current
Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year!
Take a break from the holiday carols, and listen to our mix of Cleveland’s best new tunes. Cozy up to local artists making waves in the worlds of indie pop, R&B, hip-hop, rock and more on our 30-song playlist, updated monthly.
what you’re reading? Got a good story to tell? Reach out, and let us know at conversation@clevelandmagazine.com
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You want your home to be comfortable year-round, your family protected, and an investment you can feel great about for years. Now during Window Nation’s End of Year Sale, you could SAVE BIG on windows to do just that. They’re so good, you’ll actually save money on lower utility bills every month, and can be installed in 1 day. Unlike the big brands, we design ours specifically to keep Cleveland’s weather outside – and are backed with a lifetime warranty. Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year!
Best of Cleveland Party |
Cleveland Magazine and Cleveland Scene brought together the city’s standout dining, shopping and entertainment destinations at the 2025 Best of Cleveland Party on Oct. 9 at the Great Lakes Science Center. More than 80 winners — selected by our editors and readers — shared the flavors, finds and experiences that make them favorites across the region. Guests enjoyed samples of signature bites and spirited drinks, while also picking up promotions and prizes from local businesses. Live music and a busy dance floor kept the energy going all evening with performances from E-V, Hayden Grove and Bad JuJu Cleveland.
Oct. 9, 2025
Great Lakes Science Center
Do you have a favorite place to dine, drink, shop or play on each side of town? We want to know! Scan the QR codes above to nominate your favorite West Side and East Side destinations, and then check out our April 2026 issue to see if your favorites made the list of finalists!
Local personalities and trending topics
LOVE OF HAIR
After 50 years, Nancy and Ed Brown maintain Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa as a hub for upscale service and community gathering. CONTINUED ON PAGE
When Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa opened in 1975, it was an anomaly as a space for both men and women to share in the art of styling hair. Founder Nancy Brown’s fierce passion helped her run a rapidly growing business alongside her husband, Ed, and no matter where success took them, their hearts were always embedded in their flagship Mentor location and neighboring Brown Aveda Institute. As the company celebrates 50 years of innovation and creative liberty, the Browns reflect on the moments that have kept them grounded.
Nancy: I always loved to do hair. I entered a contest when I was 15 and got my tuition paid to attend Mary Rutherford’s Lake Erie School for Cosmetology. I looked up to her a lot. When I got done with school, they asked me to be a junior instructor. I was 17, in a room teaching styling to people who were in their 30s.
In the very beginning, men weren’t allowed to come to the salon. They would go
to the barbershop. When that law changed in 1975 was when I opened my salon in the Painesville Shopping Center. The Barbershops’ Union was mad.
I saw all over town people would have everything named after themselves. My philosophy was, Once you put people under your name, they’re never going to go above it. My main thing was giving people an opportunity. I would rather stay here and make sure everything
was running smoothly, and send people to other places. I thought, If everyone was better than me, that would be a good thing.
My particular reason for naming my salon Ladies & Gentlemen was so men would know they could come in. Back then, Ed was a customer.
Ed: I’ve got this unruly curly hair, and I was always self-conscious about it. Every place I would go, I could tell they didn’t seem too excited about doing my hair. I finally got fed up. Someone mentioned Nancy’s salon, and I got treated like I was the best customer in the world. She was very interested in doing my hair, talking about the products to use. She loved it.
I worked at the Cleveland Clinic, but I always had a longing to do something of my
The Browns credit much of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa’s vitality to a longstanding team of stylists at its Mentor and Lyndhurst locations.
The Kids Room at the Mentor salon is a pride and joy for Nancy, who has seen generations of families sit on the same carousel seats for a haircut.
own. Nancy needed help with the business side of the salon, and I had experience with human resources. She asked me to become a partner, and I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
Nancy always wanted to open a cosmetology school. Everybody told us not to do it; the schools were really bad. I thought it was a no-brainer. We were the first Aveda school in Ohio. I really think our legacy is going to be the opportunities that we gave students, whether they’ve opened their own business or they’re working up the street.
That allowed us to open up in Legacy Village and a school in Rocky River (now Strongsville). Then, Aveda came to us and asked us to expand to Chicago in 2010, when the economy was bad. We had to carry it for a while before we left in 2017. Honestly, of all of our locations, even Chicago, Mentor has
always been the one that’s generated the most retail service. We’re really a destination.
You have to be resilient. Yesterday’s gone. Tomorrow’s not here. So you just do the best you can every single day, and things will work out.
I have never, in 50 years, reconsidered what I was going to do. And we don’t really have any plans to retire, because right now, people are living longer. What are you gonna do for the next 50 years?
The one habit that I have is getting up in the morning and doing some kind of reflection on my life. I look around and I think, If I’m not grateful for what I have right now, there’s no reason to think I’m gonna get anything better. Life becomes totally different.
Making the Cut
Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa founder Nancy Brown highlights a few of today’s most timeless hairstyles.
PIXIE CUT
Since the 1950s, this cut has been revered for its simple maintenance and adaptability, and nowadays, it’s still a gateway style for individual expression and going back to basics. Longer hair at the top gives way for layering and fringing, while short sides frame the facial features in a way that’s always flattering and never boring.
MULLET
“The unisex look lives on in many alterations,” Brown says of the ‘80s trend. The edgy, sleek cut, which is traditionally long in the back and short on the sides and in the front, has made a noteworthy comeback among younger generations in the 2020s with the addition of bolder colors and more layers.
WEDGE BOB
The wedge’s keen shape and the bob’s savvy length were popularized as a hybrid in the 1970s when sported by athlete Dorothy Hamill. “The ice skating gold medalist inspired a hairstyle we do with many modifications,” Brown says. The wedge is a longtime favorite among adults for its chic, uniform design, and the bob has attracted clients of all ages for its versatility and sophistication.
At the end of every year, The Ohio City Singers emerge on local stages. Two new songs en ter the nine-member supergroup’s catalog of original, upbeat Christmas party music this year — “Santa Won’t You See Me Tonight,” written by band member Doug McKean, and “Christmas Card from Heaven,” written by band member Chris Allen, in honor of his late father. (Plus, expect a possible new OCS album, or more singles, next year.) If you’re headed to a show at Music Box (Dec. 6), the Winchester (Dec. 12), Forest City Brewery (Dec. 19-20) or The Treelawn (Dec. 21), break out an ugly sweater or a spiffy holiday accessory and be ready to have some festive fun with longtime fans. “We get people that come up to the shows with young kids that have been coming to our show since they were really little, and that’s their family’s Christmas music,” Allen says. “That’s just the biggest compliment you could get.” Various locations and ticket prices, ohiocitysingers.com
Chill Out, We’ve Got Your Winter Gear Covered
Cure the seasonal blues with stylish local products for battling the cold or staying bundled up at home.
WINTER BARN JIGSAW PUZZLE
DALE KINCAID FINE ART
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARTWORKS
Snow got you stuck inside? Keep your mind sharp through the gloomy days with a puzzle, featuring local artist Dale Kincaid’s original photograph of Hale Farm at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Customize the design before you buy with various piece counts, image sizes and puzzle orientations. $45.50-$57, dalekincaid.com
BEANIES
JLS CUSTOM DESIGNS
Each hand-knit hat shines with a customized variety of festive colors, which come together from top-quality fiber for timeless design, enhanced longevity and optimal comfort. $40-$75, instagram.com/jlscustomdesignsart
CLEVELAND THERMAL TUMBLER
FLAVOR OF OHIO
A splashy, vibrant collage of hand-painted doodles represents Cleveland’s most beloved attractions, making this a perfectly practical souvenir. Keep your morning coffee fresh from the pot for up to four hours, or brave a chilled drink for up to six with a steel cup designed for insulated temperature control. $49.99, flavorohio.com
WE BLEED OHIO
Get festive, sporty and comfy all in one with a specialty crewneck inspired by A Christmas Story and the Cleveland Browns — two iconic franchises keeping Clevelanders glued to their TVs each winter. $50, webleedohio.com
Lightning and Thunder
MIKE MAKOWSKY’S TASTE in reading runs toward historical nonfiction, and one day, at his local bookstore, he picked up Destiny of the Republic, Candice Millard’s book on the life and assassination of James Garfield, who grew up in poverty in rural Northeast Ohio to Congress and ultimately to the presidency. He found the story tragic, poignant and even perversely absurd — and irresistible.
“I ended up reading it in one sitting,” Makowsky says. “It was incredibly riveting. I was in awe. I got Candice on the phone and pitched my heart out, and she entrusted me with the book.”
Makowsky is the creator, producer and writer of Death by Lightning, a Netflix miniseries that premiered Nov. 6, based on Millard’s book. (The title is taken from a quote by Garfield himself, who met with the general public regularly and didn’t use bodyguards, saying, “Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning.”)
Michael Shannon plays Garfield, and Betty Gilpin is his wife, Lucretia. Matthew Macfadyen is Charles Guiteau, the assassin, and Chester Arthur, Garfield’s vice president, is played by Nick Offerman, in a bit of inspired casting.
“As soon as I started fleshing out who the character was, I was picturing Nick’s voice in my head the entire time,” Makowsky says.
The story begins with Garfield’s improbable nomination for president in 1880 and the paths he and his assassin go on, even meeting each other on occasion.
“It felt like fertile dramatic territory to present for the first time,” Makowsky says. “There are names so many Americans know, but know so little about. You have one man who falls upward toward greatness because he’s noble of spirit. And you have another man who just desperately tries to court greatness, and seems to bang his head against the brick wall and fails abjectly.”
The four-hour miniseries was filmed in its entirety in Budapest — the architecture there resembled late 1800s America — but drew inspiration from the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, says Mary Lintern, who’s been a ranger there for 25 years.
“We had no official role in the production of the show,” she says, “but we were informally consulted.”
Makowsky made what he calls a pilgrimage to Northeast Ohio while he was developing the series, visiting Garfield’s tomb at Lake View Cemetery and his former home in Mentor, which appears in the miniseries. Lintern says the site also fielded questions for the sake of accuracy, from buttons on overcoats and lace on dresses to questions about invitations to Garfield’s inaugural ball (which turns out to be a plot point in the show).
As president for just six months, Garfield was the second-shortest tenured president, but he remains one of the great what-ifs of American history.
“I really think he could have been one of our most remarkable presidents,” Makowsky says. “He had a magnificent intellect. I really fell in love with the idea of a politician like him. His story deserved to be told.”
Mike Makowsky produces Death by Lightning from Candice Millard’s book on 20th U.S. President James Garfield, a Northeast Ohio native.
Netlfix miniseries, Death by Lightning, stars Michael Shannon, who plays President James Garfield.
Behind a wooden door adorned with gold lettering, confidentiality and secrecy is part of the service.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
bites and the people who make them
Pizza Time Warp PG 24
Chef’s Cravings PG 26
Holiday Spirits PG 28
Inside The Warrior Club, Where History Meets High Society
A private haven for Cleveland’s movers, shakers and deal-makers, this members-only club blends handcrafted cocktails with an unspoken code of trust.
Inside the historic St. James Catholic School, built in 1913, a tall, heavy wooden door stands on the second floor, outlined in gold and marked with the words “The Warrior Bar,” crowned by a Spartan emblem. Below, in cursive, it reads “Members Only.”
Through the door is a tall, handsome young English lad named Christopher Jew in a suit and tie, greeting a member, her son and his girlfriend as they walk in. Jew is not the doorman but the general manager in charge of The Warrior Club. The new private “millionaires” club is designed to offer an exclusive, luxurious experience while also providing each member with a space of solitude.
The general manager, along with the other staff members, is one of the few names shared with members, as the elegant ambiance comes with unwritten rules of discretion for the attorneys, entrepreneurs and other members who fill it with tete-atetes. Privacy starts at the front door, which unlocks when a member’s phone is within proximity of the club. Members can sit in the
private library, at the bar or in the vault, without worrying about eavesdroppers. Suspended above the bar, three 400-pound noise dampeners absorb the hum of conversation. Even in the evening, when around 20 guests settle in for cocktails and connection, the space retains a calm and confidential tone.
Jew is one of the few nonmembers who walk through the front door. Before moving to Lakewood, his new home, his 21-year career saw him head up a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in New York, consult on drink and menu creation in the Maldives and work in a pub back in England.
“I like the way that I have been given the trust within the running of a business that is partially mine, without it being my business,” says Jew, who has been a part of The Warrior Club since the very beginning.
That trust has led Jew and his small staff of three to create a high-end service and culture for members, making the club feel like a home.
“Every time you arrive, you walk in and you sit down, you are given something for free,” Jew says. “It is our thank you for coming to trust us to spend your money with the club.”
A free item can be a small tasting or a unique cocktail. While Jew knows more than 1,000 cocktails, he has created 12 originals featured on the menu, each reflecting the experience, history and values of the club and the old Catholic school it exists within.
Those who order the St. James ($14) will receive a libation that is equally tropical and boozy, featuring orange and pineapple flavors with a Spanish blend of rhums intended to honor the patron saint of Spain.
The 007 ($14) fits the secrecy of The Warrior Club and nods to James Bond’s signature drink, blending gins, vodkas, vermouths and saline with a hint of dragon fruit, garnished with a champagne vinegar–preserved lemon.
On the far side of the 21-foot bar, which features an elegant white-and-brown granite counter, a small family sits in one of three lounge areas. Above the bar is a half-circle stained-glass window, in the middle of which runs a wooden trim reading “For God, country, home.”
Just as any home promises privacy, The Warrior Club built that same principle into its design, service and unwritten rules. To become a member of this prestigious club, you have to be invited. Members and staff must share the same core values around trust, confidentiality and respect.
“Every single member of staff will know every single member,” Jew says. “You’ll only
On the far wall, members’ personal bottles of liquor are tucked away in their private lockers and can be opened only upon request.
ever be known by your first name unless you’re in a situation where other people are there and they don’t know you. We won’t give away your first name.”
Near the entrance sits the barrel room, or “the vault,” as some of the owners call it.
It’s a small, tucked-away room marked by a high arched entryway. Inside, four wooden tables sit against red velvet–lined walls with matching benches beneath. Across from them, light brown leather chairs and wide white stools complete the intimate setting.
The vault serves as a quiet haven for the club’s mix of members, including attorneys, bankers, insurance professionals and small business owners, from landscapers to machinists, who come to seal a deal or simply talk about life, family and politics without the worry of being overheard.
“Members know that if you see someone with somebody you shouldn’t see them with, in a business relationship, you keep it quiet,” says one of the founding members. “It’s unspoken. We don’t have a written set of rules that say, ‘Don’t tell anyone I was here.’ It’s just understood.”
A Slice of the Past
A rare Pizza Hut Classic keeps the retro dream alive, drawing curious customers and lifelong locals into a time-warped corner of comfort.
Stepping inside is like opening a time capsule. The red vinyl booths are still there, the lighting is warm and those stainedglass Tiffany-style Pizza Hut lamps dangle above each table like they never left. Many still have the signature red roof and trapezoid windows.
These aren’t just any Pizza Huts; they’re reimagined versions of the legacy dine-in stores many grew up with. You’ll spot them from a distance thanks to the retro pole signage, topped with the word “Classic” and that familiar old-school logo.
On the front door, there’s a sticker of Pizza Pete, a playful nod to a character that was once the face of the brand but has long since disappeared. Inside a Pizza Hut Classic located at 3401 Elm Road NE, Warren, framed photos of Pizza Huts from decades past line the brick walls.
In a sea of delivery apps, ghost kitchens and QR-code menus, the return of dine-in nostalgia feels almost radical. But that’s exactly what’s happening at a handful of quietly revived Pizza Hut locations across the country.
Though Pizza Hut hasn’t published an official list, fans and retro enthusiasts, such as The Retrologist, estimate there are around 60 Pizza Hut Classics nationwide.
Founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, Pizza Hut grew from a single red-roof parlor into a global brand with nearly 20,000 locations. Ohio ranks among the top states for total Pizza Hut locations with 288, coming in fourth behind Texas, California and Florida.
Near the Warren location’s entrance, there’s a small plaque with a quote from Dan Carney, one of the company’s co-founders: “It reminds us of the Pizza Hut where generations of Americans first fell in love with pizza. We’re so happy to have you here; we hope you will fall in love all over again!”
While it feels like a blast from the past, these Classic remodels have only been popping up since about 2018.
Online, the nostalgic stores have developed a cult following, with walk-through videos, detailed reviews and comment sections full of people asking if these places really still exist. Creators like @poppincollars have
posted about their experiences, garnering over 250,000 views. Rolando Pujol, who runs The Retrologist Substack, receives comments on his original 2022 post several times a week, with readers sharing new Pizza Hut Classic locations they’ve discovered.
“Stepping into an old-school Pizza Hut is a major nostalgia bomb, and it just connects them to a time and place of their life that is special and meaningful,” says Pujol. “For so many people, when they think of Pizza Hut, they think of Saturday afternoons with their parents after a day of shopping, or Friday night after the basketball game. It’s tied into those kinds of formative life experiences.”
Yet, a veil of mystery surrounds the Classic locations, as Pizza Hut corporate has never released a statement or even an official list of how many locations were included in the Classic remodel or why.
The result is a kind of digital folklore, a mix of internet myth, memory and fast food architecture that keeps people watching, sharing and searching. And in Ohio, especially, there’s a sense of pride that some of these rare locations still exist and that they look just like people remember.
Ashley Young, HR director at Bluegrass Restaurant Holdings — the franchise group behind Pizza Hut Warren — says the Classic remodel was offered by corporate for a limited time, ending after a leadership change.
“We go through a process with Pizza Hut corporate, and every so often, a location comes up for a remodel,” Young explains. When this one did, Young says it made sense to turn it into a Classic because of its strong community-based dine-in business.
The buffet is the star of the show, served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 2:30 p.m., with a fountain drink in a red cup included.
A Pac-Man machine sits in the corner beside a full salad bar, loaded with more than a dozen toppings and a wide variety of dressings, enough to turn even the most reluctant eater into a salad fan.
People travel from all over to get the Classic experience, says Jessica Jemison, general manager of the Elm Road location. Some even walk in convinced they’ve discovered a hidden gem frozen in time.
Jemison, a Pizza Hut employee of more than 10 years, demonstrates how the pizzas are made in the back, pressing dough into pans and carefully layering cheese and pepperoni with a practiced, delicate hand. When asked how it felt to be part of a Classic location, her eyes light up and a wide grin
spreads across her face, clearly honored to be part of something that celebrates the brand’s roots.
Guests begin to trickle in promptly at 11 a.m., like clockwork. Some older diners come in alone, while two or three small family groups slide into booths. Servers carry steaming pizzas from the kitchen and place them under the warm buffet lights.
A comforting aroma of fresh dough and marinara fills the air. While the menu at Classic locations mirrors that of many other dine-in Pizza Huts, it’s the experience that sets them apart.
The buffet is abundantly stocked with a rotating selection of Signature Pizzas, including Backyard BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni Lover’s, Supreme and Veggie Lover’s. The pizzas all vary from thin crust, handtossed and original pan. The oven-baked pastas and breadsticks offer a hearty change of pace.
As I carefully build my plate, making sure to grab a bit of everything, it feels like the thoughtful ritual that goes into crafting the perfect Thanksgiving spread — balanced, abundant and deeply satisfying.
“It’s really the community aspect that makes it different,” says Jemison. “You’re interacting with people all day, and you start to build real connections. The servers love it, too. They’re really close with a lot of the customers.”
In a world where so much of life has gone digital, there’s something grounding about sinking into a weathered booth and sipping from a plastic cup. The nostalgia isn’t just aesthetic, it’s emotional. It feels like a home away from home, a memory treasured.
“Nostalgia is big right now. It often connotes authenticity, a real place where you can have a real life experience that has nothing to do with your smartphone,” says Pujol. “Sure, you might post about it later, but in the moment, you are present.”
Trends come and go. But for now, here in Warren, there’s still a place where the pizza comes out hot, and the past feels just close enough to reach.
Red booths and a buffet give retro charm to Warren’s Pizza Hut Classic: one of more than 60 locations tracked by fans nationwide.
Heather Haviland
Chef-owner, Lucky’s Cafe
Northeast Ohio’s top chefs share their local favorites.
Raised in a catering family and shaped by early kitchen experience, Heather Haviland has always found a sense of home in cooking. She studied activism at Kent State University, but felt a true calling to building community through scratch-made, locally sourced meals. Since starting Lucky’s Cafe in Tremont in 2005, Haviland has become a fierce advocate for Cleveland’s food scene, local farmers and intentional cooking. — CHRISTINA RUFO
COZY COFFEE: I love Rising Star Coffee Roasters in Ohio City. I get their pour-over coffee with nothing else, just because the quality of the coffee is amazing. You just want to be able to savor every nuance about it. But anytime I get an hour to myself, my favorite place to have coffee is at a friend’s kitchen table or on their front stoop. They named a coffee after me at Lucky’s. It’s a mocha with two extra shots of espresso and a dash of vanilla syrup served over ice. It’s my go-to; it makes me super happy and gives me that burst of energy.
CRAVING COVENTRY: I love Tommy’s. I like to get a light chocolate, heavy malt milkshake with french fries. My absolute favorite is the Ripp. It’s a grilled cheese with Muenster, sunflower seeds, lettuce and tomato. It’s absolute perfection. It has all the right things inside, and it just works. Also, High Thai’d Cafe does this tofu dish with peanut sauce that’s to die for.
TOURING TREMONT: Leavened is my favorite. I probably go there twice, if not three times a week, and they have this amazing olive loaf that I get. We make chocolate chip cookies at Lucky’s, and it’s my recipe. I’m a fan of it. But there’s something about Leavened’s chocolate chip cookies that is insane. They know that I like them a little bit light and with less chocolate chips, and they make this cinnamon twist puff pastry that’s crazy good. Banyan Tree is right across the street from Lucky’s, and they’re my go-to if I ever need a present. I like that they represent local artists’ jewelry.
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DINING GUIDE
CLEVELAND’S BEST CHRISTMAS POP-UP BARS
XMAS Bar
WHY WE LOVE IT: This Flats bar gets a merry makeover in early November. XMAS Bar on the East Bank turns up the holiday spirit with Santa hat chairs, ornament-covered ceilings and twinkling lights, plus flavorful cocktails and plenty of cheer as part of Forward Hospitality’s seasonal pop-up lineup. TRY THIS: The Jingle Juice ($18) blends vodka and sweet citrus with a touch of sparkle from 7-Up, served in a take-home ornament. 1052 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-644-8885, xmasbar.com/cleveland
BY
ORVILLE
CHRISTINA RUFO
Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Pop-Up
WHY WE LOVE IT: Trade in your snowshoes for flip-flops and have a very merry Hawaiian Christmas at Tiki Underground’s holiday pop-up. The Cuyahoga Falls cocktail bar transforms into a castaway Christmas hideout Nov. 24 through Jan. 3. Santa-hatted tiki heads and twinkling tinsel set the scene, while the bar shakes up a seasonal menu featuring Pusser’s Rum cocktails. TRY THIS: The Reinkiller ($14) features your choice of Pusser’s Blue Label or Gunpowder Proof Rum blended with orange and pineapple juices, craft eggnog and a dash of cinnamon on top. 1832 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 234-380-5398, tikiunderground.com
Erie & Vine’s Spiked Nostalgia Christmas Bar
WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the season with a throwback twist as this Downtown Willoughby bar rewinds to the late ’90s and early 2000s for a themed holiday pop-up filled with retro cheer starting Nov. 26. Expect nostalgic decor, holiday hits and eight themed cocktails served all season long. TRY THIS: Don’t miss the shareable showstopper, the Ho Ho Ho Holy Sh*t That’s Strong ($50), a jumbo Sugar Cookie Martini made with vanilla vodka, amaretto and RumChata, garnished with an actual sugar cookie. 4027 Erie St., Willoughby, 440-671-7500, erieandvine.com
Jolene’s Honky Tonk Holiday Bar
WHY WE LOVE IT: Saddle up for a Dolly-fied Christmas from Nov. 20 through Jan. 4 at Jolene’s rooftop bar. Step into a pink, sparkly winter wonderland filled with glittering lights, country charm and over-thetop festive flair. It’s a down-home holiday bash where Nashville spirit takes center stage. Grab your sequins and cowboy boots, then sway along to Southern tunes.
TRY THIS: The Frosty Jolene ($15) offers a bright mix of vanilla vodka, ginger ale and cranberry that’ll have you singing before the night’s through. 2038 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-205-4368, instagram.com/jolenescle
Sleigh
WHY WE LOVE IT: The story continues with a brand-new literary twist as Sleigh returns to The Library bar inside the JACK Casino. From Nov. 26 through Dec. 27, guests can sip cocktails inspired by classic tales among Christmas trees made of books and a wintry Cleveland backdrop. TRY THIS: The menu is divided into “Short Stories,” “Chilly Chapters” and “Warm & Cozy Reads,” offering everything from an edible cookie shot glass to spirited sips. The Candy Cane Chronicles ($14) is fresh and fruity with vodka, Starry, grenadine and lime with a crushed candy cane rim. 100 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-2974777, jackentertainment.com/cleveland
Seeing Double’s Christmas Bar
Saint Nick’s Social Club
WHY WE LOVE IT: Step back in time and sip your way through the Roaring ’20s at Society Lounge’s annual holiday takeover. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, this Downtown speakeasy transforms into a glitzy, Gatsby-style celebration. This year’s theme brings a charming twist to holiday tradition. Expect jazzy tunes and just enough mischief to test whether you’ve been naughty or nice. TRY THIS: Smolder and Spice ($18) was created by De’ja Lloyd and brings festive flavor with Basil Hayden rye, spiced apple syrup and a hint of lemon, topped with an allspice dram floater. 2063 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-9302655, societycleveland.com
WHY WE LOVE IT: For the fifth year, this North Olmsted bar becomes a holiday wonderland packed with merry decor, themed cocktails and live holiday music performances. This holiday takeover runs Nov. 4 through Jan. 4 and introduces two limited-time cocktail menus, one for November and another for December. TRY THIS: Toast the season with a Cookie Dough Old Fashioned ($15). Not drinking? There’s a whole lineup of non-alcoholic creations that deliver all the holiday magic, minus the buzz. 26880 Brookpark Ext., North Olmsted, 440-641-1267, seeingdoublecle.com
Quartz | Quartzite | Granite
| Tile | Marble | Soapstone | Porcelain Slab
Festive Fun
Discover cozy looks, meet Santa Claus, enjoy story time with Mrs. Claus, and listen to holiday tunes all season long. Plus, mark your calendar for our Winter Wonderland event on December 20th!
Secret Cellar Christmas Bar
WHY WE LOVE IT: Hoppy holidays! For more of a speakeasy feel, head to the basement of Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Brewpub for an explosion of sparkling lights and garland galore. Known for its creative holiday cocktails and, of course, its famous Christmas Ale, the bar offers a cozy atmosphere to keep warm in. Enjoy the ambiance on weekends and other select dates, Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. TRY THIS: The Red Ryder boilermaker ($12) is great for beer and liquor lovers, combining a pint of Christmas Ale and a Fireball shot. 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
The Christmas Corner Bar
WHY WE LOVE IT: Around the Corner takes its holiday spirit to new heights starting Nov. 14, transforming all four of its bars into uniquely festive spaces filled with dazzling lights, themed decor and signature cocktails. Between the new multi-bar setup, Christmas karaoke and cozy igloo rentals, this Lakewood favorite delivers holiday magic on every level. TRY THIS: The Dirty Grinch ($14) is a legendary classic, featuring vanilla vodka, creme de menthe, creme de cacao and a creamy chocolate drizzle. 18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216521-4413, facebook.com/thechristmascornerbar
The Misfit Bar at The Yard on 3rd
WHY WE LOVE IT: At The Misfit Bar, holiday spirit takes a walk on the wild side. This tongue-in-cheek, apres-ski-meets-trailerpark pop-up turns this spot into a cozy chaos of spiked stockings, cheeky decor and igloo rentals. Open Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 26 to Jan. 4, it’s the perfect place to warm up and party this winter. Strong, spirited and sweet, the bar's cocktails pack a punch to keep you toasty all night. TRY THIS: The Blitzened Berry ($15) is a frosty mix of Blackberry Crown Royal, lemon, simple syrup and Sprite. 38040 Third St., Willoughby, 440-527-8070, theyardon3rd.com
Discover the Ultimate Staycation in your Backyard.
Discover unparalleled luxury and impeccable service at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, where every stay is an unforgettable experience. Indulge in world-class amenities and exquisite dining in the heart of the city. Explore more by scanning the code below or visiting ritzcarlton.com/cleveland.
Once upon a Time...
Cleveland shimmered under strings of colored lights and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifting from street corners. Downtown windows glowed with wonder, children pressed their faces to the glass at Higbee’s, and the Terminal Tower wore its holiday best. Families bundled up for a trip Downtown or crowded into the living room to watch Mr. Jingeling tell his tales. The city felt smaller then, a bit warmer, somehow, when magic lived in familiar places and traditions bound us together. These stories unwrap that feeling once more, reminding us why Cleveland still sparkles at Christmastime.
Edited by Ron Ledgard & Annie nickoloff
Illustration by Ryan Melgar
35
By Ida Lieszkovszky
AVeryCleveland Christmas S tory
The House
Although the movie A Christmas Story doesn’t take place in Cleveland, it was filmed here, making it a part of the area’s holiday history ever since the flick arrived in 1983. The most famous spot of all is the yellow Christmas Story house, where Ralphie and his family lived, and the blue Bum pus House with rowdy dogs next door. Both homes are locally owned and have operated as tourist attractions since they were first bought off eBay more than 20 years ago. Gary Biletnikoff is an administra tive assistant at the house, and he says they get between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors annually, most around the holidays, though they are open year-round. “It’s one of those things that’s just like bite-sized nostalgia,” Biletnikoff says. “You can step into the house and revisit a lifetime of memories of this film.”
The Higbee Building
The Higbee Slide
Ralphie’s memories of the Higbee Building might not have been so warm and fuzzy. One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is when Ralphie claws his way back up a slide to tell Santa what he really wants for Christmas, only to be denied and then kicked down the slide. At Castle Noel in Medina, you can relive Ralphie’s slide escapades. Dana Klaus of Castle Noel says the original slide was just a prop that was destroyed after filming, so they built their own version in 2013. “Our whole motto is, We’re going to make you feel like a kid again,” Klaus says. “So this is about bringing out the joy in people of all ages.”
The Leg Lamp
Many Cleveland businesses proudly display a lamp of a woman’s leg in fishnet stockings, and customers like to take photos and joke about how fra-gee-lay they are. At The Treehouse pub in Tremont, owner Paul Jones says some folks even try to steal the Major Award; he’s had to screw it into its stand. “You get people on bar crawls and scavenger hunts, and they all think they’re funny and want to take a piece of your place with them,” he says. “But that one’s going to stay.” Nearby, Banyan Tree boutique also displays a leg lamp for the holidays, and has sold leg lamp keychains, candles, greeting cards, ornaments and more. Owner Christie Murdoch says the leg lamp is synonymous with Christmastime in Cleveland. “It’s kind of taken on a different symbol,” Murdoch says. “It was absurd, but now it’s like, Oh no, this is Christmas.”
The other famous filming location in the movie is the Higbee Building, where the Parkers make their annual pilgrimage to a not-so-jolly de partment store Santa. That building is now Jack’s Casino Downtown. Last November, the casino put up a plaque commemorating the site as a “historic filming location” for its role in A Christmas Story. Aleksan dra Breault, the director of public relations and communications for the casino, says people often come into the building not just because of the movie but also to “reminisce about what the Higbee Building used to mean to them.” “So you have a lot of people who come down to the casino and say, ‘I remember coming down and being on this floor and shopping with my grandmother,’” she says. “Those memories still live within our walls.”
The Pink Bunny Suit
For the full Christmas Story experience, dress the part. Pink bunny suits are for sale in the house’s gift shop in adult and kid sizes, and for $10, you can rent one to wear while touring the house. “It’s something that is both joyful in how we remember it and also a moment of Ralphie not being too happy,” Biletnikoff says. “So it makes for all kinds of photo opportunities.” You can even stay overnight in the Parker or Bumpus house and rent the outfit for the night. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like going to sleep in Ralphie’s bed in a pink bunny suit.
Public Square Decked Out for Christmas
Mr.Jingeling Reboots His Christmas Spirit
Mr. Jingeling was only meant for a one-time gig, but now, he has a permanent place in the city’s annual holiday traditions.
Don Beck has been portraying Mr. Jingeling for the past five years, but this summer was a first for him.
Like many baby boomers, Beck ran home as a child to watch the character’s appearance on Captain Penny during the holiday. And no trip to Halle’s department store was complete without a visit to the seventh floor and Mr. Jingeling — the keeper of the keys, who helped Santa when he was locked out of his workshop one year.
Beck jumped at the chance to portray the character — even if it meant shaving his beard — and has made many appearances. But this summer was the first time he’d been asked to show up in his green suit with his familiar keyring at a celebration of life.
By Vince Guerrieri
“This person enjoyed Mr. Jingeling so much, he was invited to his celebration of life,” Beck says. “It really was fun. Celebrations of life should be happy, and this one was. It’s an example of how much Mr. Jingeling means to people.”
And nearly 70 years later, the character is not just finding an audience, but continuing to build one.
Every city used to have its own department store. Big cities would have two or three. And a lot of them created their own character for the holidays. Horne’s in Pittsburgh had Christopher Candycane. Marshall Field’s in Chicago had Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer became so well-known that his department store origins — at Montgomery Ward — have been obscured.
And Cleveland had Mr. Jingeling. Initially supposed to be a one-off at Halle’s, he proved so popular in his 1956 introduction that he became an ingrained part of the holidays. When Halle’s closed, he lived briefly at Higbee’s. The character continued after that store gave up the ghost, but had a much lower profile until 2020, when he debuted with a limited schedule before a full launch the following year. “It was right after COVID,” Beck says. “Cleveland was ready for him to come back.”
Tower City and could be found at a variety of events throughout Cleveland, including the annual festival at the I-X Center and at Severance Hall. He continued to hand out keys to kids, now a little prettier and more durable than the paper keys kids got in the 1950s and 1960s.
Ever since Mr. Jingeling joined the local holiday scene, multiple generations have bonded with the character.
“He’s got the fans who watched him on Captain Penny, and he’s finding a place in the hearts of kids today,” says Jimmy Langa, the creative director for Mr. Kringle & Company, which oversees Mr. Jingeling’s appearances. “There’s a great bonding experience where they see their parents and grandparents are as excited as they are.”
Langa says there are further plans for Mr. Jingeling, including a doll and a Mr. Jingeling Suite at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa in Canton. Mr. Kringle also owns the rights to Twigbee, the plush bear that was Higbee’s mascot in the 1980s. The company has plans to bring that figure to a new audience in the future.
Even after generations, Mr. Jingeling’s still Santa’s right-hand man, Beck says.
“He’s an important guy to know,” Beck says, “if you want to be on the nice list.”
a world of festive delicacies
By christina rufo
Taste the season through the stories of Clevelanders who proudly honor their heritage. These festive foods, rooted in cultures around the world, bring warmth and meaning to local holiday tables.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a beloved Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition featuring seven or more seafood dishes, often including baccala (salted cod), smelts, calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, octopus or even eel. For many Northeast Ohio families, Euclid Fish Co., a fourth-generation seafood business, has become the go-to source for fresh, traditional holiday specialties. “Some people only come once a year for these products. They bring their lists and their kids along. It’s an experience,” says Terrie Young, wife to store owner John Young. “We see the same families come back year after year. The names are familiar, and now a new generation is walking in saying, ‘My grandmother used to make this,’ or ‘My mom always cooked this — how do I do it?’ We keep recipes on hand, and I always enjoy sharing how I like to prepare things myself.” For many, the feast is less about formality and more about gathering in the kitchen and keeping cultural ties alive. 7839 Enterprise Drive, Mentor, 440-9516448, euclidfish.com
Cassava Cake
Tita Flora’s serves up the holiday spirit with its creamy cassava cake, made from grated cassava root and topped with a rich leche flan and ube drizzle. “When people try it for the first time, it melts their heart because it’s not something many people can find outside of the Philippines,” says employee Zoe Flores. In Cleveland, cassava’s rarity in regular grocery stores makes this dessert a treasured taste of home for the Filipino community. 6531 Brecksville Road, Independence, 216-232-4303, titafloras.com
Hanukkah Latkes
At Larder in Ohio City, chef Jeremy Umansky brings his family tradition to the menu every Hanukkah season with larger-than-life, freshly fried potato cakes. You can eat them plain or use them as a vehicle for a variety of toppings ranging from smoked fish and caviar to classic garnishes like sour cream and applesauce. “Growing up, my mom and dad always made the latkes, and it was a whole family process grating the potatoes and everything,” Umansky says. “Granted, the way we make them here at the restaurant is drastically different from what I grew up with, the whole spirit is still the same.” 1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-912-8203, larderdb.com
Kwanzaa Feast
Celebrate Kwanzaa with a feast rooted in tradition and community. Prime Meats, Cleveland’s trusted family-owned butcher of 15 years, has everything you need to honor the holiday with flavor, from lamb shanks and smoked turkey to tender beef for stews and spices for any marinade. “The city is very diverse in its cultures and neighborhoods, so we try to make sure we’re catering to all our customers,” says operations manager Dana Thomas. “We want to make sure everyone can get what they need.” Various locations, primemeatsllc.com
From Higbee’s to Jack Casino
Traditions of a Cleveland Christmas
Cleveland Public Square Lights
By Afi Scruggs
Fox 8’s Kenny Crumpton says the best thing about his job is he “gets paid to be a tourist.” He pulled out a list of local traditions: holiday decorations at GE; the gingerbread house at the Ritz-Carlton. His favorite is the light display on Public Square.
“If you want to nail me to one tradition, yeah, checking out the Christmas lights Downtown at Cleveland Public Square. I like the fact that Downtown symbolizes everyone in the city. Having our Downtown as a beautiful, cool, vibrant place, it says ’Everyone here, come here and celebrate, and you’re all welcome.’”
Barry Gabel has been the Trans-Siberian Orchestra guy in Cleveland since the band’s first tour in 1999. The Live Nation executive knows all about how the annual orchestral rock show has become one of the city’s beloved holiday traditions.
“(The Trans-Siberian Orchestra) has never missed a date here in Cleveland, except for the year of the pandemic when no one was touring. From day one, we’ve always been involved with a local charity, and we’ve been involved with St. Augustine Hunger Center. It is absolutely a tradition. You don’t do a tour for 25 straight years without it becoming not only a holiday tradition, but it literally has crossed the boundaries of demographics, where this becomes a cross-generational kind of event. Now we are starting to see almost four generations of people. It defies any tour that is out there. The music is in everyone’s DNA.”
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
By Annie Nickoloff
In October, Jane Austin and her husband, Bob, arrived at Great Lakes Brewing Co. at 6:15 a.m. to be the first in line for the brewery’s annual Christmas Ale first pour of 2025.
“The beer is the best. It’s not Christmas without Christmas Ale. This kicks off the holiday, and seeing all these people from many years; I’ve been doing this 12, 13 years. I came and did this, sneaking out of work, calling in a sick day. I can say that now because I’m retired. They can’t fire me. It’s so festive down here. The holiday season is so much fun; Public Square lit up and everything, Terminal Tower is fun. That’s the best part, when they change. It was lit red and green too, today. So was the West Side Market tower. It’s very festive. But you’ve got to come down here, because as soon as you walk in the door, it’s home.”
THE STANDOUT PEOPLE AND MOMENTS THAT MADE 2025 A YEAR TO REMEMBER IN CLEVELAND. WRAPPED
What’s in, and what’s out?
The dining experience shifted in new ways this year, showcasing emerging flavors and ideas in local bites.
Eating On-Trend
Girl Dinner
Who says restaurant meals have to be serious? The TikTokfamous Girl Dinner trend hit Cleveland, turning low-effort bites into the city’s newest going-out ritual. Local restaurants like Georgetown Vosh, Lago East Bank, Hi-5 and STEAK have served up no-frills combos of salads, fries and martinis to embrace the idea of uncomplicated, shareable meals that are light, chic and fun.
Shareable Drinks
Bigger is better behind the bar. From Porco Lounge & Tiki Room's Botany Bay barrel of rum-fueled punch to The Yard on 3rd's rubber ducky-topped Willbilly Punch, The Fairmount’s Scorpion Bowl and Erie & Vine’s shareable espresso martini, these over-the-top cocktails turn drinking into a group affair, with multiple straws included.
Whether you’re building muscle or trying to eat cleaner, protein is having a moment. From Starbucks’ protein lattes to Jack Frost Donuts’ glutenfree, keto-friendly ProNuts, even comfort foods get an unexpected nutritional upgrade, meeting a growing demand for more functional fuel.
Members-Only Bars & Lounges
Cleveland’s wave of members-only clubs redefine exclusivity through intimacy, craft and connection. Spaces like The Writer’s Room, The Warrior Club and Never Ordinary Bourbon Society trade velvet ropes for curated communities built on trust and taste — and, often, for a hefty fee. These hidden enclaves fuse privacy, exquisite design and rare spirits into luxury experiences for those seeking something more refined.
TikTok Trends
Cleveland’s food scene is having its viral moment as internet obsessions like dirty soda, Dubai chocolate and strawberry matcha pop up beyond the phone screen. From Malley’s Chocolates and Shibam Coffee to Blackseed Cafe and Goodkind Coffee, local spots turn online cravings into everyday indulgences.
Protein Prominence Seasonal
Every season’s a reason to party, and some spots embrace rotating pop-up bars and themed menus. There's Amici Italian Restaurant & Bar's eerie “CarnEvil” and tropical “Aloha” takeovers, Great Lakes Brewing’s holiday hideaways and Hudson’s festive Blitzen’s. Even Around The Corner joins in, decking out every room in shifting themes for year-round fun.
BY CHRISTINA
Eatertainment
The usual dinner-and-drinks routine can get old, but these spots keep things exciting even after dessert. “Eatertainment” venues redefine nights out with interactive twists that mix food, drinks and play. At Birdietown, guests can sip and snack their way through a mini golf course, while Five Iron Golf offers virtual fairways and craft cocktails. At The Arcade on Detroit, you’ll find retro games and a menu filled with nostalgic fun.
Hello & Goodbye
It’s been a fast-paced year in Northeast Ohio’s dining scene, with fresh concepts, trendy bites and kitchen shakeups. We welcomed a slate of anticipated new offerings, and said goodbye to beloved classics.
We said hello to…
1. Irishtown Bend Taproom 1849 W. 24th St., Cleveland
2. Lola’s Bistro 86 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls
3. Kyuu-juu 2054 Fulton Road, Cleveland
4. The W Sports Bar 5428 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
5. Sofia’s Kitchen and Bar 17621 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
… and waved goodbye to
1. Xinji Noodle Bar 4211 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
2. The Spot on Lakeshore 7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor
3. Re:Bar 2130 E. Ninth St., Cleveland
4. Wolf Pack Chorus 2175 Cornell Road, Cleveland
5. Velvet Dog 1280 W. Sixth St., Cleveland
Lola’s Bistro
10 Years of M[A]B
The Afrofuturist ensemble’s latest album
Flowers For The Living caps a decade of musical experimentation from the influential group.
RA WASHINGTON raises an arm and twists it, showing the art that’s centered on the back of his hand: three letters, M-A-B, perched atop three black blocks. He got the Mourning [A] BLKstar logo tattooed there 10 years ago, the week after he, LaToya Kent and James Longs went into the studio to record what would become the collective’s first record, BLK Muzak
“We’d never played a show yet,” he says, seated near a window in his Tremont home. “In spirit, I thought we would be going 10 years, at least — or forever.”
It feels apt: to know something like “the back of your hand.”
A decade ago, the Afrofuturist musical collective was built with the intention to grow and morph, as the artists within its ranks have. The core of M[A]B remains from those early days: Washington on drum machines and samples, vocalists Kent and Longs, drummer Dante Foley, trumpet player Theresa May and guitarist Pete Saudek.
There were comings and goings. Powerhouse vocalist Kyle Kidd and trombonist William Washington departed for other ventures —
Kidd, with a solo career, and Washington, with Da Land Brass Band and other projects. Artists like Chimi, Andersiin Pyramids, Kafari and Lee Bains cycled in and out as members and collaborators. Bassist Jah Nada, who started by recording and mixing M[A]B’s 2020 album, The Cycle, became the band’s current bassist.
“Early on, we started calling ourselves a collective because we figured if we had a chance, people’s lives would change, and maybe we would have different members come in and out,” RA says. “Being a collective, trying to exist with some of those practices of collective work and responsibility, really helped us and helped frame not necessarily our political intent — but kind of echolocated the effort with concepts we feel are actually in keeping with how you want to be as human beings; and how you can survive and maybe annihilate capitalism is through collective work agreement.”
It’s an approach that fuels M[A]B’s experimental, soul, punk and whatever-else sound. You’ll hear it on Flowers For The Living, the group’s latest full-length studio album, which arrived this May. Its 10 soothing tracks center in vulnerability and love — themes inspired by a string of social media posts by Theresa May, on giving flowers to the people you appreciate while they’re still alive to receive them.
The album’s title track gently asserts both the miracle of existence and life’s impermanence. “We should tell ourselves ‘I love you,’” Kent delivers. “The flesh is weak among us.”
M[A]B came together in grief a decade ago, when RA and Kent’s close friend and collabora-
EMANUEL WALLACE
tor Dwayne Pigee, who performed as Francois Fissi Bissi Okrakongo, was killed in a 2016 shooting in Cleveland. It happened a month after David Bowie’s death and the release of his album Blackstar. Both events factored into the band’s name, “Mourning [A] BLKstar.”
In the past 10 years, M[A]B’s fan base has expanded around the globe. Thanks to collaborations with Bains, the group signed with Don Giovanni Records and collaborated with acclaimed interdisciplinary artist Lonnie Holley. The band has released plenty of music — about 110 songs, spread between singles, EPs and intense albums that include The Garner Poems (2018), Reckoning (2019) and Ancient // Future (2024).
“We’ll keep that kind of schedule, a record every nine or 10 months, and flip-flopping (tours in the) U.S. and Europe, as long as we can — unless we all end up in worker camps or whatever, because of the political climate we’re in,” RA says nonchalantly.
M[A]B’s music, since the band's inception, simmers and responds to topics of injustice and racism.
“The personal is the political,” RA says. “If you have any concern for humans existing, if you actually care about yourself and care about your family, the things that you make are going to be informed by a political mindedness.”
The seven M[A]B band members regularly cram into the front room of the house to practice and write new songs. A drum kit fills a quarter of the space; art and posters and bundles of cords decorate the walls.
In the past decade, the band found its groove here, growing more seamless in its compositions. “It’s very much telepathy in the room,” RA says.
Flowers For The Living is the latest, but another M[A]B album is already forming for spring or summer of 2026. RA queues up some of the band’s newest songs, which flow from a speaker in the room. Flute parts, bass riffs, spoken word and warbling synth come together in a collage of sounds and grooving, head-nodding beats. They meld together on this sonic effort that continues onward and outward, into its next decade — into more ears and minds in and outside of Cleveland.
RA bobs his head to the music that he and M[A]B tracked just this fall: the start of the band’s next phase.
Ten years, at least, he said — or forever
2025’S BEST NEW LOCAL MUSIC
Hit rewind and revisit these albums and EPs from Northeast Ohio’s music scene, all released in the past year.
1. Miscellanea Aka & Co.
2. Resonance Bill Fox
3. On + On + On Brent Kirby
4. Mess of a Woman Chayla Hope
5. The Impact DJ $crilla
6. Emergence Emergence Ensemble
7. Jesse Jukebox Sells Out Jesse Jukebox
8. Pasture Girl Kahrin
9. A Bad Rep in the Rubber City Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric
10. Steel, Rust and Disgust Midnight
11. A Thousand Couple Times Model Martel
12. Flowers For The Living Mourning [A] BLKstar
13. The Overture Myron
14. Rovers Reverend Lee
15. Switchback The Shootouts
16. Layovers Signals Midwest
17. Price Sound On Tape
18. Fluorescence TRUSS
19. Ego Death Metal Two Mile Moon
20. Alignment Westside Lo
Listen to more music from the Northeast Ohio music scene by following Cleveland Magazine on Spotify.
The Year in Sports
Jan. 4
The Browns wrapped the disastrous 2024 regular season with Bailey Zappe as the starting quarterback and a 35-10 loss at Baltimore. Browns’ final record: 3-14. They ended the season on a six-game slide, including being outscored, 100-26, in the final four.
April 28
Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points as the Cavaliers destroyed the Miami Heat, 138-83, in Miami to sweep an Eastern Conference quarterfinal. They outscored the Heat, 504-382, in the series. The dream season ended in an Eastern Conference semifinal, when the Indiana Pacers disposed of the injury-riddled Cavs in five games.
Jan. 9
Darius Garland scored 40 points as the Cavs defeated the Toronto Raptors, 132-126, for their 12th consecutive victory. They improved to 4-0 in the calendar year and a ridiculous 33-4 overall, finishing the regular season at 64-18, No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The record featured three winning streaks of 12-plus games.
June 30
The WNBA officially announced that Cleveland was awarded an expansion team to begin play in 2028. They will become the league’s 16th active franchise and be owned by Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group. It marked a return to the WNBA for Cleveland, in which the Rockers played from 1997 to 2003.
July 3, 28
First, Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball as part of a gambling probe. Then, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was removed from the clubhouse for the same reason. Ortiz and Clase did not pitch again after their respective leaves, and they remain the only two players swept up in an MLB gambling probe in 2025.
Winning moments, devastating losses, stadium drama and betting scandals all factored into a fascinating, momentous year in Northeast Ohio’s sports world.
Jan. 20
Ohio State football defeated Notre Dame, 34-23, to win the national championship. The Buckeyes (14-2) capped a stirring College Football Playoff run that included victories over Tennessee, Oregon and Texas in the first year of a playoff expanded to 12 teams. The Buckeyes secured the program’s ninth championship.
July 26
Sept. 27-28
is given to one broadcaster each
The Guardians defeated the visiting Texas Rangers in the final two games of the regular season and celebrated an amazing turnaround, clinching a playoff spot on Sept. 27 and an American League Central title on Sept. 28. They had been 15.5 games behind in the division and went on to win back-to-back division titles. The Guards then lost to the Detroit Tigers in an AL Wild Card Series.
April 24
The Browns made a blockbuster trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the first day of the NFL Draft, dropping from No. 2 overall to No. 5 and acquired the Jaguars’ firstround pick in 2026. The Browns selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with the No. 5 pick.
Oct. 13
Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced that the battle over the Browns’ future home is over. Bibb said the city will end legal opposition to the move to Brook Park, where a multibilliondollar complex will be built, and the Haslams said they'd help raze and redevelop the lakefront stadium. Still, the Browns could stay in Cleveland through 2031 if necessary.
Tom Hamilton, voice of Cleveland baseball since 1990, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. “Hammy” gained entry via the Ford C. Frick Award, which
year.
20 OF 2025’S
LOCAL BOOK RELEASES
It was another big year in the Northeast Ohio literary scene. Here are just some of the many new books that arrived on shelves in 2025.
1. Beyoncé: The Stories Behind the Songs
Annie Zaleski
2. Cleveland Curse: Vol. 1
Dave Eifert
3. Cleveland’s Neighborhood Taverns
Thomas Kaschalk
4. Symon's Dinners Cooking Out
Michael Symon and Douglas Trattner
5. My Sweet Escape
Barbara Howard
6. Diego Fuego the Firefighting Dragon Allison and Rafael Rozo
7. Draven’s Run
Glenn Somodi
8. The End Is The Beginning
Jill Bialosky
9. Go Tell It
Quartez Harris
10. The Intermediaries
Brandy Schillace
11. Lincoln’s Ghost
Brad Ricca
12. Unfinished Business: Lisa Nicole D. Miller
13. Living Proof
Tiffany Graham Charkosky
14. Mathey Girls
Melody Chu
15. One Of Us
Dan Chaon
16. Pan Michal Clune
17. State Champ
Hilary Plum
18. Talking Baseball with Major League Stars
Wayne Stewart
19. We Look Better Alive
Ali Black
20. The Westport Jets Meet The Beatles
Peter Jedick
Find even more reads at clevelandmagazine.com/things-to-do/ arts-culture.
Twists and Turns
AMANDA FLOWER QUIPS about always keeping a book in her purse. She’s also taken up audiobooks for when she’s doing chores around her home farm in Tallmadge. The fulltime author’s capacity for leisure reading is slim but valuable. While she’s writing a few books a year, and publishing a handful more behind the scenes, it’s a welcome break from her own characters and plotlines.
“I’m constantly writing,” Flower says. “I always know that I have another book to do. So you need to be inspired, because this is your job. And I work really well under pressure when a deadline is close. That’s probably when I write my best stuff.”
The prolific mystery author has maintained a steady relationship
with presses like Kensington Cozies and Sourcebooks’ Poisoned Pen Press. Her intriguing imagination and unique passion have fueled a decade defined by 57 titles — and counting.
Before the days of a couple books in her bag, the Akron native grew up spending her summers lost in nearly 100 novels and entering local high school writing contests. She started drafting her first novel in college, then worked as a librarian before going full-time as an author.
Flower's final publication of 2025, Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off, follows a murder mystery in the sunny Amish community of Pinecraft, Florida. Earlier this year, Natural Barn Killer uncovered dark secrets in the farm town of Cherry Glen. The recent
Amanda Flower’s imaginative storytelling puts a comforting spin on crime and mystery novels.
Caturday Crime frames a group of cats as the only witnesses to a murder, and a forthcoming novel, Truffle Trouble, revives one her long-loved characters, Jethro the pig, for a chocolatier’s tragic summer wedding.
It seems extravagant, but Flower’s world-building isn’t far-fetched. Much of it comes from meshing her love for mystery novels with her own personal experiences of working at a library in Amish country (and sampling pie around Holmes County for “research”), living on a farm and housing 19 rescue cats. Often, cracking the case is the complicated part.
“I am a ‘pantser’ in the world of writing,” Flower explains, “someone that writes by the seat of their pants. So I don’t really know the killer until I get to the end. I may change my mind halfway through, thinking I know who it’s going to be. I’m always kind of surprised, myself.”
“There’s always a kind-of happy ending,” she adds. “Obviously, someone was murdered. But justice is served in the end, and you don’t always get that in the real world. That’s what I love about mystery novels. The right things are gonna happen, and wrongs are gonna be corrected.”
She’s seen her own sort of justice for her work: self-publishing her Cat Rescue Mysteries to funnel profits toward nursing her fleet of rescue cats, snagging recognition as a USA Today bestseller for her Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries series and winning three Agatha Awards — which are selected in honor of renowned mystery author Agatha Christie, one of Flower’s biggest influences.
Flower’s Agatha Award-winning series include her children’s Andi Boggs series, as well as her first dive into historical fiction, An Emily Dickinson Mystery series. The threebook collection launched in 2022 with Flower’s personal favorite of her novels, Because I Could Not Stop for Death, which turned the historic poet into a detective. In addition to earning an Agatha Award, the novel was also displayed at Dickinson’s homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts.
“It’s kind of the book that changed the trajectory of my career,” Flower says.
She’s also developing other historical mystery series centered around Nellie, the daughter of former President Ulysses S. Grant, and the Wright brothers’ sister, Katharine.
“I still love writing the humorous cozy mysteries, but I never want to rest on my laurels,” Flower says. “I’m really inspired by these women’s lives. I want to challenge myself, and I can also feel like I’m creating more serious work, too.”
CLE Films
The year was cinematic for the city, with a superhero blockbuster, an indie comedy and a crime thriller that put Cleveland on the big screen. The city wasn't just a backdrop, but became a character of its own in these flicks.
Cleveland’s connections to Metropolis are stronger than the Man of Steel himself — Cleveland native Isabela Merced stars as Hawkgirl and a local creator designed Lois Lane’s necklace. The kiss of the year happens between Superman and Lois Lane at The Arcade.
five characters over 24 hours as their lives intertwine at an antiques appraisal show touring through Cleveland.
Actor Samara Weaving plays Edie Meaney, a troubled young adult in Cleveland who falls in love with a lowlevel criminal. The couple descends into the city’s mob lore as Meaney must pull off a $3 million heist bound for Toledo to save her love.
Superman
Lost & Found in Cleveland Filmmaker and Cleveland native Keith Gerchak brought the star power to the city with Martin Sheen, Stacy Keach and Dennis Haysbert. The film follows
Eenie Meanie
With a new HQ and financial challenges throughout 2025, Sherwin-Williams is shaking up its business and headed into the new year with gusto.
Stirring Up The Paint
LAST WEEK was moving-in week at Sherwin-Williams’ new headquarters tower off the northwest corner of Public Square in Downtown Cleveland. So was last month. So it will be next month. And the month after that.
Indeed, every two weeks, another wave of several hundred workers migrates to the 616-foot, 36-story-tall glass tower that is Downtown’s fourth-tallest. The 1 million-square-foot campus with its parking garage and glassy pavilion is across West Superior Avenue from what was its first corporate presence, a two-story wooden structure that housed the company’s first offices and store in 1870, four years after it was founded. Workers began migrating to the new tower on Halloween, and they will continue through spring. The move will be completed on the 160th anniversary of Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams joining forces to “Cover the Earth,” the company’s longtime slogan.
Moves have also been made to the new Morikis Global Technology Center (MGTC) at 6701 Miller Road in Brecksville. The company began moving about 900 research and development employees from the Breen Technology Center at 601 Canal Road in Downtown Cleveland and from Sherwin-Williams’ Warrensville Technical Center in Warrensville Heights on Sept. 22.
The move to MGTC is scheduled to be done by mid-December, Sherwin-Williams' vice president of global corporate communications Julie Young said in a release. There, the company will continue to innovate. One of its earliest innovations is what set it apart from other paint companies in the 1800s: selling a pre-mixed formula.
Both the new headquarters and MGTC are the result of Sherwin-Williams’ $860 million “Building Our Future” construction program. Between the two, 4,000 workers will move into more than 1.6 million square feet of new facilities.
Overseeing the Building Our Future program was a joint venture between Welty Gilbane, composed of Welty Building Company of Fairlawn, Ohio, and Gilbane Building Company of
Providence, Rhode Island.
The move Downtown will take longer. More than 3,100 employees and their desks, computers, documents and other stuff will shift from the company's headquarters of 95 years in the Landmark Office Tower at 101 W. Prospect Ave.
Also considered part of the headquarters are several hundred workers who have spilled over into multiple floors of the neighboring Skylight Office Tower. About 100 employees from Warrensville will move Downtown, too.
Meanwhile, about 325 workers in a flex office in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood and 480 workers in the Higbee Building on Public Square will not move to the new headquarters.
Despite rumors of a second headquarters tower planned at the northeast corner of Superior and West Sixth Street, Sherwin-Williams said nothing is in the works. Its website says, “Initial project plans included the option for a second tower to accommodate future growth of the company if needed.”
In 2020, when the company confirmed it would pursue a new headquarters, it anticipated office employment growth of less than 10%. Instead, it saw 25% growth in Cleveland office jobs following its 2017 acquisition of rival Valspar.
The company’s revenue growth is even more stunning. The year before it acquired Valspar, Sherwin-Williams’ gross revenues were $11.86 billion. Last year, it earned $23.1 billion.
Sherwin-Williams hit a rough patch in 2025. It saw weak sales, economic pressures and rising costs resulting from new federal tariffs. Also, the new Building Our Future program, to be completed at the end of 2024, cost $260 million more than its original estimate of $600 million. The company instituted voluntary layoffs and suspended its employer 401K match.
The company will return its workers to the office in 2026, an update that received mixed reactions from employees, while Downtown restaurant owners and merchants welcomed the news.
The DiGeronimo Companies, developers of Valor Acres — a mixed-use lifestyle center built on the former Veterans Administration Hospital and anchored by the MGTC — welcomed it, too.
“These world-class facilities support our culture of winning together while serving the needs of our customers,” Young said in a release. “Our employees have so much to look forward to, including modern, attractive workspaces that fuel collaboration and innovation, as well as worldclass amenities such as fitness and wellness centers to support their health and well-being.”
3 New Developments
While the Sherwin-Williams headquarters and research center are the biggest, most expensive developments completed in Greater Cleveland in 2025, plenty of others carry impact. These three recent projects showcased major investments not only in real estate but also in the communities they serve.
CentroVilla25
Set in a 32,000-square-foot warehouse renovated for $14 million, CentroVilla25 on 3140 W. 25th St. is an authentic Latin mercado in Cleveland’s growing La Villa Hispana neighborhood. This is a launch platform where entrepreneurs, often firstgeneration immigrants, can energize their small businesses, realize their dreams and help Cleveland grow, too. cv25.org
MidTown Collaboration Center
Another launch platform opened in 2025, this time at 1974 E. 66th St. The 100,000-square-foot, $32 million center was built by the Cleveland Foundation next to its HQ on Euclid Avenue. It’s a wonderfully busy mix of people, tenants and disciplines – art, software, food, business, education, social and health services. clevelandfoundation.org
Skyline On Stokes
This seven-story apartment building at 2132 Stokes Blvd. in University Circle is smaller than its 22-story Downtown brother, Skyline 776. But it’s the first one built under Cleveland’s transit demand strategies that let developers trade some costly parking spaces for high scores in bike parking, access to public transit and walkability. skylineonstokes.com
CentroVilla25
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the season with these great gifts for anyone in your life.
Give a world of experiences in miniguides from Free Period Press For $25, get a bundle of books that offer a glimpse into Cleveland's best restaurants and parks — perfect for foodies, adventurers and Cleveland superfans. freeperiodpress.com
Make your holiday shopping stress-free and give Charles Scott Salons & Spas gift cards. You can purchase a $100 gift card for $85 during its holiday sale Nov. 24 through Dec. 24.
19025 Old Lake Road, Rocky River, 440-333-7994; 34970 Detroit Road, Suite 230, Avon, 440-899-1957, charlesscott.com
Give the gift of natural, plant-based skincare made locally at Orange Rose Apothecary in Hudson. Products from the 2025 Best of Cleveland-winning luxury brand OY-L range from $16-$70.
51 S. Main St., Hudson, 216-410-5485, orangeroseapothecary.com
Celebrate radiant skin and a healthier planet this holiday season. For $62, this Cleveland-made facial gift set from Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve pairs organic care with earth-friendly packaging in a gift that truly gives back.
A benchmark in sportswear style, the Peter Millar Suffolk Coat at Ford's Clothier is equally classic and current. For $275, its long-lasting design offers ample warmth and layering ease in a city-ready fashion.
19821 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-333-2355, fordsclothier.com
Give the gift of Air Toobz for $159.95. The STEM-based learning toy sold at Once Upon a Time Toys uses air to send foam balls flying through a network of tubes that kids can arrange however they’d like. Its innovation makes it a top holiday gift this year.
19285 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-333-2327, onceuponatimetoys.com
If your car is too cold in the winter or hot in the summer, Viper Remote Car Starter (starting at $299) from Wired Right Automotive Electronics is the perfect solution. Remote start your car from the comfort of your home or office with the world’s best-selling vehicle security and remote start brand.
22350 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-734-3838
Small balls pack big fun at Pins Mechanical Co. Cash in on gift cards this holiday season to score bonus bucks. Every $50 includes a $10 bonus, and every $100 a $25 bonus.
1880 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-340-0090, pinsbar.com
READ LOCAL. SUPPORT LOCAL.
In the spirit of the season, and in celebration of the incredible impact nonprofit organizations have on the Cleveland community, we’re giving back.
When you purchase a 1-year subscription to Cleveland Magazine through our Do Good, Cleveland campaign, we’ll donate the full $20 subscription cost to the participating nonprofit of your choice.
Read local, support local and Do Good with Cleveland Magazine.
MGM Northfield Park
PG. 60
CLE Smiles by Dr. Niki
PG. 62
Bradley Stone Industries PG. 63
Health Action Council
PG. 64
Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery
PG. 65
Cuyahoga Community College
PG. 66
Northern Ohio Chambers of Commerce
PG. 67
Luca West
PG. 68
Perrino Builders & Remodeling
PG. 69
W Design PG. 70
University Hospitals PG. 71
The Aviator Cleveland PG. 72
Zappy’s Auto Washes PG. 73
Akron Children’s PG. 74
Cleveland is filled with interesting and impactful companies that make life better for those who live and work here. Behind the company names are people who are passionate, creative and represent the very best of what our city has to offer. Inside this publication, you will see some of the fantastic faces who run everything from a custom stone design and fabrication powerhouse to a community college that touches every facet of our city to an innovative facial cosmetic practice and a dentist who can make anyone’s smile even more beautiful.
Sam Alonso serves as director of casino marketing for MGM Northfield Park, where he has successfully developed integrated marketing campaigns to drive annual growth while leading the Casino Promotions, Rewards, Host and Direct Marketing teams. Beyond the casino floor, he is known as “Mayor Sam,” having served as mayor of Reminderville, Ohio, for over 25 years. He also presides as president of the Mayors and City Managers Association for Northeast Ohio. Sam’s commitment to community has taken him across the globe, representing both Ohio and the United States in international initiatives focused on building strategic relationships and fostering economic growth. 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7625, mgmnorthfieldpark.com
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
DR. NIKI COCHRAN
CLE Smiles by Dr. Niki
Dr. Niki Cochran has been transforming smiles and lives in dentistry for 25 years in the Cleveland area. The team at CLE Smiles by Dr. Niki has created a compassionate, professional environment that makes the dental experience one that patients look forward to when they visit. With the newest technology and superb materials, beautiful smiles are created for all our patients. We love seeing families grow, treating children to grandparents and helping create healthy, aesthetic smiles for everyone. Come in for any dental concerns. We are the experts in creating aesthetic, healthy smiles for years to come.
Brothers-in-law Bradley Disandis and Kevin Macko, along with Operations Manager Stacy Steidel, have built Bradley Stone Industries into the region’s leading and most technologically advanced stone fabrication company. For over 30 years, the Bradley Stone name has stood for excellence, innovation and craftsmanship.
Bradley Stone offers one of the most diverse selections of premium materials available, including marble, quartz, quartzite, granite, porcelain, glass, ceramic and other hybrid surfaces.
In 2024, Bradley Stone proudly introduced Defined Quartz by Bradley Stone, a new division dedicated to the artistry and performance of Cambria Quartz Surfaces. Defined Quartz offers a curated showroom experience, providing clients with elegant, durable and sustainable quartz options that embody the next generation of surface design.
Bradley Stone: 30801 Carter St., Solon, 440-519-3277, bradley-stone.com
Defined Quartz by Bradley Stone: 26050 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, 216-553-3353, definedquartz.com
THE FACE OF HEALTH ADVOCACY
Health Action Council
As the health care landscape evolves and regulations become increasingly complex, so, too, does the benefits marketplace. As CEO of Health Action Council, Patty Starr leads the organization through adaptation and change, viewing each transition as an opportunity for growth and innovation. With a focus on quality, transparency, education and cost efficiency, she and her team are trusted partners to member employers, helping them develop strategies that improve outcomes, lower expenses and simplify challenges so employees can thrive. Through leadership, innovative solutions and collaboration, she works toward building a healthier, more vibrant community where businesses and people can flourish. 6133 Rockside Road, Cleveland, 216-328-2200, healthactioncouncil.org
PATTY STARR
KEN BLAZE
THE FACE OF
DR. DIANA PONSKY
Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Diana Ponsky stands at the intersection of artistry and technology in modern facial aesthetics. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, she has redefined what it means to achieve “natural beauty” through a blend of science, precision, artistry and empathy. Recognized among Cleveland’s Best Doctors, Crain’s Notable Leaders in Health Care and Castle Connolly Top Doctors for multiple years, Dr. Ponsky is an early adopter of AI-driven facial analysis, 3D imaging, rhinoplasty morphing previews and other innovations that bring surgical planning into the 21st century. Her mission is simple yet transformative: to help each client look like themselves — only more confident and rejuvenated! 3700 Park East Drive, Suite 160, Beachwood, 216-508-4055, drdianaponsky.com
THE FACES OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DR. DENISE MCCORY, DR. TODD KITCHEN, DR. SCOTT LATIOLAIS, DR. REBECCA RAHSCHULTE, AND STOMP THE TRI-C MASCOT
Cuyahoga Community College
Together, Tri-C’s four campus presidents represent the heart of Cuyahoga Community College’s mission — serving students and communities across Greater Cleveland with access, opportunity and excellence. For over 60 years, Tri-C has been a cornerstone of education and economic growth, empowering more than one million students to achieve their goals and strengthening the region’s workforce, businesses and communities. Alongside Stomp — the spirited Tri-C mascot and symbol of student pride and perseverance — they embody the energy, optimism and commitment that continue to shape the region’s future, one student, one family and one partnership at a time.
Under the leadership of Cindy Holzheimer, IOM, CAE, the Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) advances business growth and advocacy across the region. NOACC delivers high-quality, cost-saving programs to 140 chambers, empowering local businesses to reduce expenses. Members benefit from group health insurance premium savings, merchant services discounts, and lower natural gas and electric rates, among others. Beyond financial advantages, NOACC provides exceptional professional and organizational support to chamber leaders, helping them grow their organizations. The result is a win-win: businesses save money while chambers expand their impact. Through its memberships in the U.S. Chamber, ACCE, ASAE, and the Ohio Chamber — and partnerships with more than a dozen local vendors — NOACC ensures its member chambers and the business community receive the best services and programs available. Join your local chamber to help sustain a thriving business ecosystem in Northern Ohio. P.O. Box 3230, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-447-9900, noacc.org
ELEVATED DINING
Luca West
Chef Luca Sema has built his culinary reputation on passion, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Known for creating unforgettable dining experiences that blend flavor, artistry and hospitality, Sema’s influence extends far beyond the kitchen. His dedication to sourcing quality ingredients, mentoring young chefs and fostering a sense of community has made him a respected figure in Cleveland’s restaurant scene. Whether he’s crafting a signature dish or greeting guests, Sema’s warmth and creativity shine through. Making every meal not just a dining experience, but a genuine expression of his love for food and people.
24600 Detroit Road, Westlake, 216-201-9600, lucawest.com
THE FACES OF FAMILY LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN HOME BUILDING, DESIGN AND FURNITURE
TONY, COLLEEN AND PAT PERRINO
Perrino Builders & Remodeling
For 40 years, Pat Perrino established himself as a cornerstone of the Cleveland area. Today, Perrino Builders & Remodeling provides a complete solution for building new homes, remodeling and furniture needs — all under one roof. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Perrino has garnered numerous awards for its exceptional homes, reflecting a dedication to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. A legacy that Tony will continue with him leading the company. At the heart of Perrino’s success are its talented designers and architects, who excel at creating spaces that embody their clients’ unique visions. The design center showcases a variety of pre-planned styles, serving as a source of inspiration for those looking to customize their dream home. With an impressive array of customizable floor plans ranging from 2,000 to over 10,000 square feet, Perrino offers flexibility to adapt existing designs or create something entirely unique from scratch.
Recognized for her attention to detail, Wendy Berry of W Design captures a functional elegance through a sophisticated approach to design. With offices in both Cleveland and Naples, Florida, the W Design team has been providing their clients a full range of interior design services for over 20 years. In 2020, W Home Collection opened its doors in the heart of Chagrin Falls. The retail location offers a bespoke line of home decor, custom upholstery, fine dinnerware and most recently, a bridal registry experience. Together, Berry and the team utilize their creativity, enthusiasm and passion for design to exceed clients’ expectations time and time again. Let’s explore the possibilities together.
86 West St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-4474, wdesign.com
THE FACE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION
IRIS S. WOLSTEIN
University Hospitals
Iris S. Wolstein believes in the power of education to heal, uplift and inspire. Alongside her late husband, Bert L. Wolstein, she has championed research, teaching and patient-focused care at University Hospitals for decades. Today, her vision and philanthropy are bringing to life the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center — a state-of-the-art education, conference and training facility at UH Cleveland Medical Center. This transformative space will empower caregivers and ensure that compassionate, community-centered care remains at the core of health care education for generations to come. Iris S. Wolstein’s enduring generosity continues to shape the future of medicine and learning.
Where exceptional hospitality takes flight. What began with The Aviator Event Center & Pub, a premier destination for dining and events, has evolved into a family of venues defined by excellence: Via Roma Event Center & Ristorante, Encore Event Center and Flight Event Rentals.
Guided by Khadar Soussou, Spencer Shaw and their dedicated team, each space embodies a commitment to innovation, quality and unforgettable experiences. From meticulously crafted cuisine to thoughtfully designed events, their vision ensures that every moment soars above expectations and every guest leaves with a lasting impression.
The Aviator: 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, 216-770-5300, aviatorcle.com
Encore Event Center: 16808 Pearl Road, Strongsville, 440-238-7078, encorecle.com Via Roma: 8922 Ridge Road, North Royalton, 440-672-7662, viaromacle.com
THE FACE OF AUTO DETAILING AND WASHING
AJ ZAPPITELLI
Zappy’s Auto Washes
AJ Zappitelli and the Zappitelli Family started Zappy’s Auto Washes in 2007 with one car wash location in Mentor, Ohio. Now, in 2025, they have over 20 locations in and around the Cleveland area.
Zappy’s prides itself on having all your car care needs covered, from expert auto detailing services and mobile detailing to touchless laser washes and tunnel drive-thru washes. Zappy’s also provides an extensive selection of auto detail products at the Zappy’s retail store located at 8806 Mentor Ave.
In addition, Zappy’s provides bumper-to-bumper car care at Zappy’s Auto Care Center in Mentor and a Zappy’s gas store right down the street to get you fueled up and on your way.
AJ Zappitelli and the Zappy’s team strive to be your one-stop shop, making you fall in love with your car over and over again for years to come.
DR. ALICIA MANLY, DR. ARI GARTENBERG AND DR. REINALDO GARCIA-NAVEIRO
Akron Children’s
At Akron Children’s, being one of the top children’s health systems isn’t just about rankings — it’s about being trusted experts who provide care and support for babies, kids and teens through their health care journey. With two hospitals, eight health centers and 46 pediatric offices, Akron Children’s delivers trusted, comprehensive and compassionate care that is close to your community.
Akron Children’s pediatric urgent care center in Beachwood is ready to handle your kids’ unexpected scrapes and sniffles, while its expanded surgical center in Beachwood offers same-day surgical care.
If you’re seeking a primary care pediatrician, visit any location, including our pediatric primary care offices in Beachwood and Mayfield Heights. This ongoing growth reflects Akron Children’s commitment to making expert pediatric care inclusive and accessible.
330-543-2778, akronchildrens.org/cleveland
WHEN EVERYTHING MATTERS
Meaden & Moore provides you with the expertise to solve today’s challenges while understanding the importance of your strategy, vision, your team, and everything else that matters.
12.25
Inspiring spaces of character and revival
HOLIDAY HACKS
Deck the halls like a pro with thrifty tips from a local influencer and renowned decorator.
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As the holiday season settles in, many homeowners amp up their interior displays. For some, this is an exciting activity. For others, it’s a chore.
Leah Nowak, the creative behind the House in the Heights blog, sees both sides of the card. The home design influencer based in Shaker Heights has spent years mastering the art of decoration, building up her inventory and knowing how to optimize it. Whether you’re low on materials, pinching pennies or simply overwhelmed, Nowak imparts the tips that save her every season.
Go one room at a time.
For those looking to make decorating more manageable, dedicate your time to focal points in your home, like the living room, dining room or kitchen. “I get burnt out by the end of decorating,” Nowak admits. “Focus on the spaces that you’re in the most.” If your capacity only allows you to decorate one room, that’s better than nothing.
Accessorize your everyday essentials.
Don’t want lots of props cluttering your space? Turn simple home goods into festive statement pieces. “I bought a fun cookie platter because I host a cookie exchange with all my girlfriends,” Nowak says, noting that themed kitchenware is an easy way to feed into her holiday display.
Shop your home.
Sometimes, the missing piece is right under your nose. “Pull something from a different room,” Nowak says. “Even if it’s not Christmas decor, it adds a cozy factor.” She advises that holiday decorating doesn’t always have to be red and green with candy canes and gingerbreads. Sometimes, it’s just a quick rearrangement. “When your house feels empty, you think, I need to go out and buy all this new stuff,” Nowak says. “No, you just need to walk around.”
Get crafty.
If you can’t find the decor you’re looking for, make it yourself. For children, this doubles as a family-friendly activity. “We make chain garland with old wrapping paper and wallpaper samples,” Nowak says. “Or, we slice up oranges, bake them and make garland out of them.” She adds that salt dough ornaments and paper doily snowflakes are classic crafts that her family has done for years.
Don’t take everything down on Dec. 26.
Give your decorations their glory by finding ways to make them last. “Going into January and February, we live somewhere cold,” Nowak says. “It’s still winter, so you could leave all of this up, and just your Christmas tree and ornaments come down.” Nowak suggests simplifying supplemental items like bottle brush trees, garland, wreaths and candelabras, if you don’t want your house barren. Rely on texture and ambiance with cozy blankets, pillows, lamps and other functional decor to feel holiday joy throughout the year.
Let There Be Light
Strings of alternating red and white lights outline the windows and roofline on a charming Lakewood home, while red-ribboned wreaths studded with tiny white lights punctuate the reverse gables. It takes an expert’s magic touch to make the stone-and-brick residence shine like a holiday wonderland.
Matt Scullin, proprietor of exterior maintenance company Window Genie’s Cleveland West franchise in Avon, notes that this house was distinguished by a single illuminated tree before the homeowner contacted him three years ago.
“He didn’t do the house,” he says. “He didn’t have the time.”
It’s one of the reasons — along with quality of design and installation and fear of falling off a ladder — that homeowners hire a pro to design, install, maintain, remove and store holiday lighting displays.
Bill Wade, owner of Wade Roofing in Mentor, recalls that his company was among the handful of businesses providing the service seven years ago. That changed as increased demand made it a viable sideline for roofers, landscapers, pressure washers and the like.
Scullin’s prices range from $600 to $5,000 for what he calls “a
LYNNE THOMPSON
showcase job” — lighting gutter lines, peaks and bushes and hanging artificial wreaths, for example. Wade’s pricing begins at $700 and increases according to home size and display complexity. Scullin observes that most firsttime clients don’t know what they’d like or how much it will cost.
“We try to price everything out, line item by line item, and find something that fits their budget,” he says.
Both Scullin and Wade say the only prep needed for them to light a home is at least one functioning exterior electrical outlet that is turned on during installation.
“That way, we can test all the lights before we leave,” Wade explains. They provide all commercial-grade materials. All the customer has to do is plug the lighting into a timer.
“For all intents and purposes, (customers) are leasing the materials during the installation,” Wade explains.
Scullin, who was trained by Sussex, Wisconsin-based Reinders Holiday Lighting, starts installations the day after Labor Day; Wade, who is certified by the Christmas Light Installation Pros Association, begins contacting existing customers after the Fourth of July and hanging lights Oct. 1. (Wiring is placed so it’s hidden or less conspicuous during the day.) Both men’s teams return in November to hang wreaths and garlands and continue installing jobs into December as long as weather permits.
“Most of our customers are more than happy to allow us to get (the lights) up and get (them) out of the way,” Wade says. “That way, they can turn them on whenever they’re ready.”
Both men describe their design style as “classic elegance.”
“People get the best bang for the buck when we do gutter lines and peaks of the houses, basically following the exterior architecture of the home,” Scullin says.
Wade doesn’t hang icicle lights — a strong wind can send the danglers into the gutters. And both men eschew inflatables.
“If a customer wants to add them to the display after we leave, that’s their choice,” Wade says.
Teardowns begin in January, weather permitting. Most repeat clients stick with the same lighting design year after year. But Scullin warns against leaving temporary lighting up throughout the year.
“They’re not electrically rated to stay up year-round because of the exposure to UV rays and the sun,” he explains. “The typical lighting is supposed to be up for about three months out of the year.”
The scoop on holiday lighting installations reveals how to up your curb appeal without lifting a finger.
Many holiday lighting displays are recurring projects for Matt Scullin’s Window Genie Cleveland West franchise, including the one illuminating this Lakewood home.
For the first four years of their existence, the Browns dominated the All-America Football Conference.
When they joined the NFL In 1950, that was all expected to change.
But the Browns hammered the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener, and then romped through the regular season, finishing tied with the New York Giants in the conference. The two teams met at a frigid Cleveland Stadium for a tiebreaker game, and the Browns won 8-3 without scoring a touchdown. (Their points came from two Lou Groza field goals and a late safety.) The Browns would host the NFL Championship Game against the Western Conference winners, the Los Angeles Rams. It was the Rams’ first game
in Cleveland since they played the 1945 NFL Championship Game there as the home team, moving west a month later.
Television rights to the game were sold for $45,000 — the most in league history to that point — but the game was unavailable to watch locally in Cleveland. On Christmas Eve, nearly 30,000 fans braved 27-degree weather (with a wind chill near zero) to see an instant classic.
A total of a dozen future Hall of Famers took the field, and six records were set (and another three were tied). The Browns were trailing by a point when they got the ball back with two minutes left in the game. Otto Graham (who had already thrown four touchdowns that day) drove the team downfield, and Groza booted a chipshot 16-yard field goal to seal the 30-28 victory.
NFL Commissioner Bert Bell called it “the greatest football game” he’d ever seen.
