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- ☕Holiday Magic: 6 Events You'll Love
☕Holiday Magic: 6 Events You'll Love
Could Cleveland support another pro sports franchise?
Good morning Westsiders! This morning we are buzzing on:
🏠 Lakewood’s Big Housing Win
🍺 Avon Brewing Bids Farewell
📆 Jam Packed Events Calendar
We are not buzzing on decaf coffee…get that weak stuff outta here.
Let’s kick it!
—The Briggses
Community News
Lakewood’s Big Housing Win: Idle Property Primed For Growth
Say goodbye to the old Steve Barry Buick dealership on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood and hello to 190 new residential units, 10,000 square feet of commercial space, and 200 parking spots. Lakewood’s latest project is transforming a space that’s been idle since 2018 into a thriving hub for housing and business.
Spearheaded by NewBrook Partners, this development isn’t just about new apartments—it’s about meeting housing demand and boosting the west side’s growth. With construction slated to begin in the next few months, this is a win for Lakewood and a step forward for the entire west side of Cleveland. 🏡 (Full scoop here)
Business Closing
Avon Says Goodbye to a Local Favorite 🍺
Avon Brewing Company is packing up and heading to the Lorain Shipyards, leaving a bittersweet mark on Avon’s community and economy. The brewery had big dreams for a new Avon location with double the seating, a beer garden, and a production facility, but plans fell through in 2023.
For Avon, this move means losing a local gem that has been a gathering spot and symbol of resilience through challenges like COVID. While Lorain Brewing Company is poised for success with its waterfront views and expanded space, Avon will undoubtedly feel the absence of the homegrown brewery that has been part of its identity.
Pro Sports
NWSL Women’s Soccer Team Bid
A new pro sports team might be destined for The Land. Cleveland is a finalist to become the 16th team in the National Women’s Soccer League.
There is no doubt that Cleveland can get behind a pro soccer team. Remember these names? Otto Orf and Hector Marinaro of the Cleveland Crunch won a men’s pro indoor soccer championship in the 90s. Overall enthusiasm for Women’s Pro Soccer has soared as 2024 attendance in existing clubs grew 42% year over year.
Better yet, if Cleveland gets the bid, they plan to put a stadium just south of I-90 on an ignored piece of property in partnership with the Cleveland Metroparks.
Rendering of Soccer Stadium | Credit Cleveland Pro Soccer
Keep your fingers crossed as we have to beat out Cincinnati and Denver for the right to build the franchise. (Full story here)
Cavs Win Thriller Over Celtics to snap short skid
After 17 consecutive wins to start the season, the Cavs dropped 2 straight games…to the Hawks?! What the heck? (Sadly one was our fault as we attended the game…Don’t worry Buzzers, we’ll be better next time)
The Celtics came to town Sunday. For the Cavs, it was a chance to prove themselves worthy at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Unlike myself, Donovan Mitchell shook off his Thanksgiving hangover to drop 30 points in the second half and lead the Cavs to a very satisfying victory.
Next up - Washington (2-16) @ Cavs (18-3) Tonight 7 PM
Friday Night Lights Recap
Avon Eagles Soar to the State Finals! 🏈
The Avon Eagles just pulled off one of the biggest wins in their program's history, toppling powerhouse Archbishop Hoban to secure their spot in the Division II State Finals for the first time since 2011. With a dominant 35-10 victory, the Eagles showed they’re ready to claim their place among Ohio football’s elite.
This isn’t just a win for Avon—it’s a win for the west side of Cleveland. Let’s rally behind the Eagles as they take on Cincinnati Anderson in Canton on Thursday, December 5th, and show the state what west-side pride is all about. Let’s go, Eagles! 🦅💪
St. Eds falls to Liberty 21-7
St. Eds football had the hopes of a four-peat dashed by Olentangy Liberty from Columbus. Going into this game, St. Eds had won a remarkable 22 straight playoff games.
Congrats to Eds on a gritty season as they battled through injuries all year. 👏
This Weeks Events
Historic Hotels Tour
🕕 Day & Time: Tonight 12.3 @ 5:30 PM–7 PM
📍 Where: 401 Euclid Avenue Cleveland
Explore three of Cleveland's historic hotels with a festive twist! This holiday tour by Take a Hike Cleveland takes you through iconic landmarks like The Arcade, Hotel Cleveland, and The Statler, all decked out in seasonal charm, while guides share stories of famous guests and events.
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate in a keepsake tumbler and a voucher for drinks and bites at 1890 Lounge, courtesy of the Hyatt Regency—making this the ultimate mix of history, holiday cheer, and local flavor!
Village Project Holiday Market
🕕 Day & Time: Thursday 12.5 @ 5 PM–8 PM
📍 Where: 27378 West Oviatt Bay Village
FREE
Come shop with a purpose at the Village Project Holiday Market. Get into the festive mood, grab a warm drink, and find one-of-a-kind gifts made by vendors from all over northeastern Ohio.
The Village Project is a non-profit that supports families fighting cancer by delivering nourishing meals.
Olde Avon Village Wine Walk
🕕 Day & Time: Friday 12.6 @ 6 PM–9 PM
📍 Where: 36840 Detroit Road, Avon, Ohio
💸 Tickets: $20 wristbands at the door (21+ only)
🍷 Gets You: 10 wine samples & 10 food bites
Stroll through participating shops, sip on wine samples, snack on delicious bites, and soak up live entertainment while you shop local treasures. We’ll even hook you up with a map so you don’t miss a single stop.
And rumor has it, Santa himself might drop by—so bring your holiday spirit (and maybe your wishlist). See you there!
Christmas By The Lake Craft Show
One of the West Side’s favorite holiday craft shows is back, and it’s bigger than ever!
📍 Where: 175 Avon Belden Road, Auxiliary Gym (look for the green & red craft show flags)
🕘 Date & Time: December 7th @ 9 AM–4 PM
💸 Tickets: $3 admission (benefits ALHS students through the PTA)
With 120+ talented crafters showcasing only handmade goods, this is your chance to buy unique gifts for your loved ones. Plus, the Vendor Raffle supports the ALHS PTA Scholarship Fund. Shop small, support local students, and get into the holiday spirit! 🎁
The 8th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl® Is Coming to Cleveland!
📍 Where: Dive Bar, 1214 W 6th St, Cleveland
🕘 Date & Time: December 7th @ 12 PM
Get ready to deck the halls, your friends, and yourself in the wildest holiday gear imaginable—Santa suits, ugly sweaters, elf costumes, or even your coziest holiday onesie! This isn’t just a bar crawl; it’s a full-blown holiday extravaganza.
🎁 What You Get:
16oz Color-Changing Santa Cup, Light-Up Christmas Necklace (first 100 at registration!), Santa Hat (first 250 at registration!), VIP wristband for no cover and exclusive drink/food specials at all participating bars!
Groups of 10+? Save up to 25%!
🎉 BONUS: December birthdays? Show us your ID, and you get a FREE ticket + discounts for 5 friends to celebrate in style.
After registration, hit up any of the bars on the route and enjoy drink specials galore until 8 PM. With a Santa cup in hand and your squad dressed to impress, you’ll be spreading holiday cheer (and maybe a little chaos) all over Cleveland.
Rain, snow, or shine, this is the most wonderful crawl of the year. Don’t miss it!
🎉 2nd Annual Cleveland-Westlake Children’s Festival
📍 Where: Market Square at Crocker Park, Westlake
🕘 Date & Time: December 7th @ 12 PM - 3 PM
Get ready for a day packed with family fun! Meet Santa, play mini golf, dive into laser tag, try your hand at carnival games, and enjoy performances, face painting, balloon artists, and even a Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet. Plus, explore local booths, discover winter programs, and snag unique holiday gifts—all while munching on free cotton candy, cookies, and popcorn.
Don’t wait—this event fills up fast!
Civil News
⚖️Cuyahoga County Council Meeting
📍 Where: 4th Floor 2079 E 9th Street, Cleveland
🕘 Date & Time: Tuesday, December 3rd, 5 PM
On the agenda for tonight’s county council meeting:
$1.3mm grant for modernization of the West Side Market
$5mm in additional funding for the Opioid Innovation Fund
County contract with AT&T, 5 years just over $1mm to provide site-to-site fiber network services
Weather
Tuesday
33 🌡️ 23 | 🌨 | 40% | 💨 SW 11-15 mph | 🌊 3 to 5 feet (15 - 20 knots)
Wednesday
37 🌡️ 22 | ☔🌨 | 60% | 💨 S 18-23 mph | 🌊 6 to 10 feet, occasionally 14 feet (30 knots)
Thursday
32 🌡️ 25 | 🌨 | 70% | 💨 SW 23-36 mph | 🌊 9 to 12 feet, occasionally 15 feet (15-20 knots)
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 47ºF
Temperature readings are Friday forecasts for Lake Erie off Cleveland
Have a great week! If you have made it this far, please drop us a note if there is anything you would like to see us do differently. We are always striving to give you more of what you want.
Best,
The Briggses