Welcome to The Westside Buzz! We’re the only newsletter that publishes instead of going on a honeymoon. We care about keeping our Buzzers informed on all happenings on the west side of Cleveland.

We hope you had a wonderful New Year’s! (We sure did)

If you haven’t heard, we got married!

We’re still recovering from the celebration, but we are excited to have you with us.

Today we are buzzing on:

• 🥪 Restaurant openings and closings

• 🏴‍☠️ West Side City is getting some national recognition

• 🍦 Ice cream trivia

Here’s to big things coming in 2025!

Cheers,

—The Briggses

Community Notes

🧾 Frommers names CVNP one of the best places to go in 2025

According to the renowned travel publication, you don’t have to go very far to experience one of the best places in the world.

Sandwiched between Brixen, Italy, and the Grand Cayman on the official list of best places to go in 2025, the author points out how the CVNP has over 140 miles of hike, bike, and running trails and hosted over 3 million visitors in 2023.

Travel + Leisure names Rocky River a top city for retirees

Rocky River, Ohio: Where retiring feels like hitting the jackpot. Ranked #2 on the best retirement spots list, it scores a stellar 88/100 for livability. With a monthly cost of living at $4,111 and a 15-year retirement price tag of just $403,761 (Social Security perks included), it’s as budget-friendly as it is welcoming—24.1% of your neighbors will also be in the golden-years club.

But it’s not just about crunching numbers—it’s about living the dream. Stunning lakeside views with a buzzing local scene of parks, restaurants, and coffee shops, it’s great to see River getting national recognition.

Business Blend

🥪 Formerly Beloved Lakewood Staple is closing its final location

Melt Bar and Grilled went from a darling sandwich shop featured on one of our favorite shows, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, to 13 locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Since the pandemic, owner Matt Fish closed every location (some without any warning to employees) except the OG Lakewood shop, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Still, he made the tough decision to close the business.

In a long Instagram post, he detailed his journey and outlined the many difficult decisions he and his family made to finally close the business. When Melt first opened, I felt it embodied what made Lakewood and the West Side so great.

Share any thoughts you have on Melt closing by replying to today’s email!

🏌️‍♂️ Birdie Town Opens!

The wait is over. Tomorrow Birdie Town Lakewood opens its 12,000-square-foot gem that combines upscale dining, craft drinks, and 18 holes of inventive indoor mini-golf.

Designed by Cleveland-based Shred & Co., the courses seamlessly blend into the stylish architecture, offering a fresh twist on a classic pastime.

If you are looking for a unique night out Birdie Town looks to be more than just mini-golf. They are hoping to elevate the experience with a menu crafted by Chef Jill Vedaa featuring elevated comfort food like calamari with coconut glaze and short rib grilled cheese.

As a true Clevelander, my family grew up vacationing in Myrtle Beach, which meant begging my parents to take me to the many putt-putt courses. Birdie Town is hoping to make you feel like a kid again.

✂ Lorain Brewing Opens at the Lorain Shipyards

One of my favorite things in the world is when a new business opens or a construction project starts. Not because it signifies the dawn of something exciting.

I love the big scissors used to cut the ribbon.

Congrats to LBC! If anyone went to the grand opening, send us your favorite thing on the menu.

👋 Burntwood Tavern Bids Farewell to Crocker Park

Burntwood Tavern in Crocker Park is closing its doors for good. On Thursday, Jan. 16, the restaurant will host a guest-appreciation night with live music, special pricing, and a unique send-off menu to thank its loyal patrons.

The closure is part of Monven Group’s bigger plans to refresh and expand their Burntwood Tavern portfolio, with renovations slated for other locations starting in February. While this chapter ends, Burntwood fans can look forward to revamped designs and an enhanced menu at other spots soon. Cheers to new beginnings!

🏀 NBA Basketball

Kenny has these guys believing

The Cavs continue their blistering start to the season and solidify their status as a title contender after they beat the Nugs, Warriors, and Lakers on a short West Coast trip.

First-year Coach, Kenny Atkinson won back-to-back Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors.

Here are two fun stats sure to impress at happy hour:

• The Cavs are the highest-scoring team in the Eastern Conference averaging 122.4 per game

• They are the only team in the league to shoot 3-pointers above 40%

Upcoming games:

Friday, January 3rd

Cavs @ Mavs 🕗: 8:30 PM

Sunday, January 5th

Hornets @ Cavs 🕕: 6 PM

Trivia

Event Calendar

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 = Family Friendly

Friday, January 3rd

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Health and Wellness Fair 2025 📍 Dom Umerley Civic Center: 21016 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River

• 🕕: 7:30 PM-9 PM

Comedy Night at CODA 📍 2247 Professor Avenue, Cleveland

• 🕕: 7:00 PM-11:30 PM

David Lucas 📍 Funny Bone: 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland

• 🕕 7:00 PM

Saturday, January 4th

Cleveland Home Show 📍 Huntington Convention Center: 500 Lakeside Ave.

• 🕕: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Resolution Run 5k 📍 Crocker Park: 292 Main St. Westlake

• 🕕: 9:00 AM

Mastering the Espresso Martini 📍 Western Reserve Distillers: 14221 Madison Ave, Lakewood

• 🕕: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

David Lucas 📍 Funny Bone: 1148 Main Ave.

• 🕕: 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM

 HOLIDAYS at CITY GOODS 📍 City Goods: 1442 W 28th St.

• 🕕: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday, January 5th

Cleveland Home Show 📍 Huntington Convention Center: 500 Lakeside Ave.

• 🕕: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Cleveland Vintage Market 📍 The Madison: 4601 Payne Ave. Cleveland

• 🕕: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Boozy Brunch (Sabrina Carpenter Theme) 📍 The Winchester: 12112 Madison Ave. Lakewood

• 🕕: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

📅 Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming January Events

January 15th - 19th

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Disney on Ice: Let’s Dance 📍 RoMoFiHo

January 16th - 19th

Cleveland Boat Show 📍 IX Center

January 24th - 26th

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Crocker Park Ice Festival 📍 Crocker Park

January 31st - February 9th

Great Big Home and Garden Show 📍 IX Center

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday, January 3rd

• Wish You Were Here | Agora Theatre 8 PM

• Nocturnal | The Foundry 9 PM

• Audiophile | Time Warp Bar 9 PM

• Andrew McManus | Gormley’s 7 PM

• Tom Petty Tribute by Shadow of Doubt | Music Box SC 7:30 PM

• Moody Blues Tribute by Time Traveller | Music Box CH 7:30 PM

Saturday, January 4th

• CSU Men’s BBall Vs IUPUI | Wolstein Center 3 PM

• Holiday Hangover (feat. Old Skool) | House of Blues 7 PM

• Pet Cougar | Time Warp Bar 9 PM

• Kelly & Matt | Gormley’s 8 PM

• Santana Tribute by Evil Ways Band | Music Box SC 8 PM

• ’80s Night! Dance Party with The Sunrise Jones | Music Box CH 8 PM

• Iced Cherry | Dawg House 9 PM

• Ace Molar | Local Bar North Olmsted 9 PM

Sunday, January 5th

• Paul Kovac’s “New Year Jam” | Forest City Brewery 3 PM

• Irish Trad Music Session | Gormley’s 8 PM

Weather

Friday

30 🌡️ 21 | 🌨 | 90% | 💨 NW 10-18 mph | 🌊 3 to 6 feet (15 - 25 knots)

Saturday

25 🌡️ 18 | 🌨 | 80% | 💨 NW 18-20 mph | 🌊 3 to 6 feet (20 - 25 knots)

Sunday

26 🌡️ 21 | 🌥 | 50% | 💨 W 18-21 mph | 🌊 2 to 4 feet (15-20 knots)

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 38ºF}

^{Temperature readings are Friday forecasts for Lake Erie off Cleveland}

Thanks for your support of our small business!

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses