Community Blend

Meijer Supercenter coming to North Ridgeville—Special from Julie Short

It’s an after-Christmas miracle…North Ridgeville city officials are finally ready to disclose the major retail development coming to the city.

Meijer has submitted plans for a new supercenter retail store on Cypress Avenue. The proposed site is located on the south side of Cypress Avenue, east of Lear Nagle Road.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Meijer is bringing its signature supercenter experience to our community,” said Mayor Kevin Corcoran, in a press release. “This proposal reflects years of focused planning, collaboration and a shared vision for what our community needs. Our residents have consistently told us they want more retail options that provide for everyday needs close to home. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver on that goal.”

Cypress Avenue is currently being extended to connect to Lorain Road in North Olmsted. The state-supported infrastructure project, now underway, will improve connectivity and was identified in city planning efforts as a catalyst for development in the corridor.

“The proposed Meijer would bring hundreds of jobs to our community,” said Corcoran. “The Cypress Avenue extension is helping turn long-vacant land into an area that can deliver lasting economic benefit to North Ridgeville for years to come.”

City officials acknowledge community concerns related to traffic congestion and safety in the Lear Nagle Road and Lorain Road area. As part of the Gateway North Ridgeville initiative, the city is planning roadway, intersection and access improvements, including the use of roundabouts, to improve traffic flow and enhance safety along these major corridors and at key intersections throughout the area.

The proposal will be reviewed by city departments, the Planning Commission and City Council, as required. Additional information and opportunities for public input will be shared as the process moves forward.

Stay tuned to the Buzz!

You Can Catch Salmon in Cleveland. Seriously. 📍 Rocky River

Turns out you don’t have to fly to Alaska or grow a beard to catch wild salmon—you just need a fishing pole and some Cleveland patience.

While they’re not exactly jumping into anglers’ arms, local fishing legend and Cleveland Metroparks aquatic biologist Mike Durkalec says it’s possible to hook coho, chinook (aka king), and even pink salmon in rivers around the city. His best guess? About 100 total across the state, with maybe a couple dozen per stream—“just enough that anyone may get lucky and stumble into one while steelhead fishing,” he told Cleveland Magazine.

It’s not a full-on salmon season, more like spotting Bigfoot with gills. But during the peak steelhead run (fall to spring), Durkalec’s detailed Metroparks fishing reports are a must-read for local anglers. This year, he’s seen “several dozen” salmon caught—more than ever before. As Durkalec puts it: “They’re not a viable fishery. They’re a novelty. But they’re real.”

Short Takes on the Westside

Avon

New doggie salon, pilates studio: Ohio’s very first Sparkle Grooming Salon is coming to Avon next month in the Nagel Crossing retail space, 1485 Nagel Road. The locally owned, membership-style grooming and hygiene salon, will be open 7 days a week, with convenient pick and drop off.  

Join the founder's sale before it opens

Also coming to Avon next month in the Drug Mart Plaza on Nagel Road is Studio ONE Pilates. Current locations are in Bay Village and Chagrin Falls.

The Hen 'N The Ivy, 36350 Detroit Road, floral and gift shop has been sold. The new owner plans to keep the name (with a small tweak to Hen 'N Ivy)  and the employees remain, but she will be adding her own touches to the shop which has been in Avon since 2004.

Avon Lake

Leaf collection: The weather outside has been frightful, but there are still leaves on the ground under all that snow. The last round of curbside leaf collection will begin this week starting on the east side of town, and moving west. Winter weather may impact the collection progress, but the round will be completed.

To stay up to date on the collection progress, click here.

New year, new name: Impressive Creations 4 U, 33382 Walker Road (Drug Mart plaza), has a new owner and new name. Welcome to The Crafted Corner. The store offers handcrafted items from more than 40 local vendors. Support local!

Bay Village

Interesting cover girl: Check out this month’s issue of Cleveland Magazine featuring the Most Interesting People in northeast Ohio. The cover model is Bay Village native Lili Reinhart. The Hollywood actress is highlighted for her adventurous new film roles, showcasing her acting range honed in local theater.

She rose to fame for her role as Betty Cooper on the CW's Riverdale. She has also appeared in the films “Hustlers” and “Chemical Hearts”.

North Ridgeville

Walk this way: Did you resolve to read more books this new year? Or, did you resolve to minimize or declutter? Reach both goals at once as the North Ridgeville Heart & Sole collaborative is hosting a book swap from Jan. 5-30.

Leave your books on the table after signing in, and browse other walkers’ books to take home. Any leftover books at the end of the month will be donated to the Friends of the North Ridgeville Branch Library.

Community Events Survey: The city wants to create community oriented events to bring people together. Take the survey to voice your opinion.

Rocky River

Road repairs: Plan an alternate route as West 210th Street south of Center Ridge Road is now closed to thru-traffic through from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday until March.

Westlake

Stores coming back: It’s been over a decade since the Abercrombie & Fitch store closed in Crocker Park. Customers will be happy to learn the store is coming back. The city’s Planning Commission reviewed plans/drawings during its Jan. 5 meeting for the storefront and signage for the new tenant, which will be located next to the former Arhaus space (175 Crocker Park Blvd.).

It appears Hollister Co. is also coming back to Crocker Park in the Arhaus space. Renderings for the Abercrombie & Fitch store signage show a Hollister Co. sign next door.

No word yet on when the stores will open. Stay tuned to Short Takes. —Julie Short

We can’t fit all of the Short Takes on The Buzz. Read the full column to learn about Westslake Scholarship opportunities, indoor walking locations, leaf collection times, and more!

📜 Today in Cleveland History

When Cleveland Lost Its ‘A’ Game (January 6, 1831)

On January 6, 1831, a typo changed Cleveland forever. Literally.

The city was originally named “Cleaveland” after Moses Cleaveland — a land surveyor and investor who spotted the area’s promise back in 1796 but never actually stuck around to live here.

(He probably would’ve done what a lot of us do: spent his 20s in Chicago, found the right person, and moved back home to raise a family near the grandparents.)

Fast-forward 35 years, and the editor of The Cleveland Advertiser faced a classic newspaper problem: not enough space in the masthead. His solution? Drop the first “a” in “Cleaveland.”

The typo stuck. Other papers picked it up. And just like that, we became “Cleveland” but this time with no extra vowels, and no takebacks.

Turns out the best things in life are happy accidents.

Business

Forest City Shuffling 📍 Ohio city

Forest City Shuffleboard has officially closed—but not for long. After a year under out-of-state management, the Ohio City favorite is on pause while founder Jim Miketo searches for a new local operator. A revival with hometown pride is expected in the coming weeks.

Another one bites the dust 📍 Flats East Bank

Punch Bowl Social has closed its doors, with a sign promising a “temporary upgrade to an exciting new concept” (feel like I’ve heard this before). With Rum Runners, Inferno, and Margaritaville also gone, the East Bank suddenly has a lot of waterfront real estate up for grabs.

Kyuu Juu is out after just six months 📍 Ohio City

The buzzworthy Japanese small plates spot in Ohio City closed on New Year’s Eve, despite lots of love from locals who did make it there. Upstairs, the omakase experience at Sushi Kuwahata is still taking reservations—at least through February.

Seen Around the Westside

Steelyard Goes Full MythBusters

If you were driving near the Westside this weekend and saw a massive plume of smoke rising from the Steelyard area—don’t worry. That wasn’t me burning a T-bone steak on a cast-iron skillet.

According to someone who works at the site, a “skim pot” (basically a container of molten steel) tipped over and made contact with a puddle of water.

Which, if you didn’t know, is very bad.

Think: dropping a pallet of Mentos into a vat of Coke…except the Coke is 2,500 degrees and capable of leveling a warehouse.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported. But it’s a good reminder of just how wild and dangerous steel production can be.

Here’s what that kind of reaction looks like inside a steel mill. (Warning: It's not exactly soothing Sunday content.)

Adopt

A longtime resident of the Berea Animal Rescue Friends is not yet adopted, but he is well enough to finally live in a foster home. Otis, a 3 year old terrier mix has been at the shelter since April of 2024. He has a blast playing in the backyard and enjoys cuddling on the couch, exploring new sights, and getting exercise on trails. Check out the feature on Otis and wish him the best for the new year.