Community Blend

West Side Market Unveils Renovated KeyBank Produce Arcade

The West Side Market’s eastern produce arcade has officially gone from dumpy charming to chic.

On January 9, Cleveland’s iconic market unveiled the first big piece of its $70 million transformation: a fully renovated produce arcade complete with refrigerated cases, modern vendor stalls, and working sinks—a novelty for anyone who’s ever seen lettuce wilt in real time.

Why it matters:

The market, long beloved but famously aging, is getting a major refresh thanks to the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, which has already raised nearly $60 million for the overhaul. The idea? Blend historic atmosphere with modern function, make it easier for vendors to interact with customers, and functioning heating and cooling.

The next phase of renovations will focus on the larger northern section, which is set to become a prepared food hall featuring local vendors.

Zoom out:

The official ribbon cutting happens tomorrow, January 14 at 1 p.m., with Mayor Bibb in attendance. Expect speeches, celebration, and possibly a produce pun or two.

Short Takes on the Westside

Avon

Art awards: The Avon Local Schools recently announced winners from the Regional Scholastic Art Show. This year, there are 451 works in the show represented by 32 different high schools from Lorain, Erie and Hudson counties.  Avon received 50 spots in the show (roughly 11%). Awards included 31 Honorable Mentions, 12 Silver Keys, and seven Gold Keys (highest honor).

Senior Sofia Valdez received a Gold Key American Vision Award (top five in show) for her work "Transcendence."  All Gold Key works move on for national judging.

An artist reception for all Scholastic winners in the region will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Stocker Art Center at Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Road N, Elyria.

See the winners works-of-art, which mexican fast-casual restaurant is opening, and many more local stories in the full column of Short Takes.

Avon Lake

Talent showcase: The Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., is hosting its first-ever Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Jan. 13. Whether you're a seasoned performer or trying the stage for the first time, this is your chance to share your music in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Bring your instrument, your voice, or your band. Basic audio setup provided. All music needs to be suitable for the general public. The event is for performers ages 14 and up.

Come to perform or just come to enjoy an evening of live music and community vibes. Coffee and tea will be provided. Sign up

Shout-out: Congratulations to the Avon Lake High School Academic Challenge team, winners of the first match of 2026 on WEWS TV 5’s Academic Challenge high school quiz show. Avon Lake topped Geneva and Lawrence high schools with a score of 490.

Avon High School competes March 14 and Rocky River High School is scheduled for May 16. The quiz show airs at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

Bay Village

‍Possible merger: City officials are considering whether to combine the city’s senior center and recreation department into one building.

Some of the benefits highlighted in a draft plan presented during a recent council meeting include intergenerational engagement as mixing age groups fosters interaction between seniors and younger community members, which can reduce loneliness and improve mental health for older members. Dive deeper

Pizza samples: Mark your calendar for another amazing Bay High Key Club Pizza Bake Off from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Bay High School cafeteria, 29230 Wolf Road. Proceeds benefit the BHS Thirst Project.

North Ridgeville

Hoop dreams: The community is invited to come out and cheer on the employees from the city’s police, fire and public works departments as they participate in a Charity Basketball Tournament at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Road.

‍Night at the Races: January can be dull, but the North Ridgeville Lions Club has the perfect remedy - a fun night out for a great cause. Join the Lions for the annual Night at the Races event Jan. 31 at St. Clarence Pavilion, 30106 Lorain Road, North Olmsted. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Details

Rocky River

‍Book sale: The Friends of the Rocky River Public Library will host a Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the library, 1600 Hampton Road. Fill a bag of books, music, and movies for $5. Bags will be provided– get a free tote bag while supplies last.

Also new at the library, Friends Board Member at Large Jody Hobson, has created a new Little Library located near the front entrance.

Westlake

Planning for the future: Dave Herwerden of WestPoint Wealth Management, LLC, will discuss tax planning changes through the four stages of retirement during his “Tax Planning for Retirement” presentation from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. Register

‍Sports complex: City officials from the Planning, Zoning, Legislative Committee are discussing plans for approval of a conditional use permit application from Westlake Indoor Sports, Liberty Development Company, to permit construction and operation of a new indoor sports facility primarily focusing on indoor volleyball and basketball on Viking Parkway.

📜 Today(ish) in Cleveland History

The Night Eliot Ness Took on the Harvard Club

January 10, 1936 — just a month into his job as Cleveland’s new Safety Director, Eliot Ness (the not-yet-infamous Prohibition agent) found himself outside the Harvard Club in Newburgh Heights, trying to shut down the city’s biggest illegal gambling den.

What followed was part Prohibition-era thriller, part political farce.

The raid started with Prosecutor Frank Cullitan, a handful of special deputies, and a stack of warrants. But when they showed up, the club’s operator, James “Shimmy” Patton, essentially told them: “Come in and we’ll mow you down.”

After the Cullitan / Patton situation led to a stalemate, the Prosecutor called in Ness from the bullpen.

He exited the City Council meeting he was in, rallied 30+ off-duty Cleveland cops as private citizens, told them their pensions weren’t guaranteed to their families if they died, and led the charge anyway—unarmed.

By the time they breached the club that night, most of the gambling equipment (and some of the gamblers) had conveniently disappeared. Patton and his partner escaped out a back window. The safe was empty. But the message was clear: Ness was here, and Cleveland’s crime rings were officially on notice.

Seen Around the Westside

Last night the transformer station near West 42nd and Fenwick

Eyewitnesses say the flashes lit up the sky for over 30 seconds, with outages reaching all the way to W. 117th.

Meanwhile, FirstEnergy is asking regulators to ease up on reliability standards. Because apparently…less reliable power is what we’re all craving these days.

Mark Your Calendar

Let's Do Lunch Networking Event - January 22

The Rocky River Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Let's Do Lunch" networking event at CASSA Kitchen on Thursday, January 22 from 12-1 p.m. Come for a casual networking opportunity that offers lunch-time connections with fellow business professionals and community members. Drop by anytime during the hour to meet new people and strengthen local business relationships. Do Lunch 

Crocker Park Ice Festival - January 31

Bundle up and head to Crocker Park in Westlake for the Ice Festival on Saturday, January 31. This all-day winter celebration at the outdoor shopping destination will have winter activities, entertainment, and family fun. Embrace the season and have some frigid fun.

Irishtown Bend Update

Cleveland’s Newest Park Is Preserving a Heavier History

At Irishtown Bend, 100-ton coal dock foundations are getting a second act.

The upcoming 23-acre park along the Cuyahoga River isn’t just adding trails and wetlands. It’s turning Cleveland’s industrial past into something you can actually walk through. The old concrete foundations from the neighborhood’s coal era—each weighing more than a semi-truck—are being stabilized, lit, and turned into monuments in the park’s Irish Heritage sector.

Why it matters:

The project is part of a broader effort to reconnect Ohio City to the riverfront while honoring the immigrant families who helped build Cleveland’s industrial backbone. Rather than bulldozing the past, planners are baking it into the future—complete with interpretive signs and lighting that turns former coal docks into open-air storytelling platforms.

It’s a design move with some symbolic weight: what once choked the neighborhood with soot and smoke will now sit quietly beside walking paths and native plants.