Welcome to St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Westsiders. Today is the first 70 degree day of the year so get out and enjoy it!

Today we are buzzing on:

• ☕ Starbucks coming to Ohio City

• 🏀 Avon Lake girls basketball goes for state title

• 🐶 Wait until you see Monster

Let’s get to it!

—The Briggses

COMMUNITY BLEND

First Chipotle, now Starbucks | Ohio City

What was once a haven for craft beer drinkers, misfits, and mom and pop stores, will soon have two of the largest chains in the world. We recently found out that Chipotle is going to be taking over the building that currently houses Soho Chicken + Whiskey, now we have learned that Starbucks will open a location on West 25th.

Starbucks will occupy most of the muraled building in the above picture, which will include a drive thru out onto Abbey Ave behind the Intro Building. The main difference between Chipotle and Starbucks’ foray into the neighborhood is that Starbucks is revitalizing a vacant eyesore, while Chipotle is essentially kicking out a beloved restaurant.

I am so proud of the W. 25th and Ohio City neighborhoods as a Clevelander and the growth and development we have seen over the last decade. But at what cost?

💬 Share your opinion and we might feature you on Tuesday’s newsletter

Spring golf is in full swing | Westlake & Avon

There’s nothing quite like warm temperatures in early March. It’s a nice treat that Mother Nature rewards us with for braving through another Cleveland Winter. As a lifelong golfer and someone who has played all over the USA, I can confidently say that Cleveland is blessed with an abundance of great golf courses at affordable prices (comparatively).

Clevelanders love golf. The evidence is when temperatures creep into the 50s and 60s this early in the Spring, golfers flock to the golf courses instinctively, like the American Tree Sparrow migrates north (I am trying to get into birding).

If you hadn’t heard, Avon is getting their own Top Golf. It broke ground last December at 35343 Chester Road and is expected to be complete later this year. It is expected to employ 200 Westsiders and will be a fun place for friends and family to drink, eat, and play.

Not to be outdone, the City of Westlake announced via News 5, they are investing $5 million into a state-of-the-art practice facility for all skill levels. The plan is to build 18 heated bays equipped with similar technology to a Top Golf that accurately tracks your shots and allows you to compete against one another.

This is a game changer for Westside golfers! If you’re anything like me, you’ve complained that there aren’t enough practice facilities within a quick drive. It looks like those days are behind us. Maybe I’ll finally fix my driver this Summer!

See you out on the links!

🧠 TRIVIA

🍣 NEW BUSINESS

Funshi: Sushi, Boba, & Ramen soft opening 3.17 | Rocky River

Funshi is bringing a futuristic dining experience to Rocky River, where you'll enjoy refreshing boba drinks, steaming authentic ramen, and fresh sushi… delivered by an actual robot server!

They are having a soft opening Monday, March 17th.

📍 Location: 21605 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River

Want a free Boba drink? Follow their account and share the post below to get a free, in-store Boba drink when they open! 👇

ADOPT

New Friend Friday | Cuyahoga County

The Cleveland APL is running a special for Cuyahoga County residents every Friday in March.

How much: $21

📰 WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What’s Brewing

🏈 Avon Lake: Interior offensive lineman, Max Riley, has committed to playing at The Ohio State University. Max correctly chose the Buckeyes over Clemson and 20 other power 5 schools. O-H! (On 3)

🏀 Avon Lake: The Avon Lake Shoregals basketball team got revenge on their rival, Brush, to advance to the OHSAA State final. They will take on Cincinnati Purcell Marian at the University of Dayton arena today at 1 PM. Good luck Shoregals! Follow the game 👉 HERE

🛫 Cleveland: Great news if you’re looking to honky tonk and pay $120 for a carry on. On May 8th, Spirit Airlines will add a twice weekly direct route to Nashville, which is the fourth non-stop destination from Hopkins. (Crain’s Cleveland)

🥳 WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Unofficial Westside Buzz Meet up TONIGHT | Rozi’s Lakewood

💫 Weekend Lineup

Friday

Saturday

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday

The Ark Band: Bob Marley Tribute | Music Box, Flats 8 PM

Vanessa Rubin and Brad Wagner Big Band Birthday Bash | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

SHINDIG | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Joshua Donato & The All Star Band | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM

& Juliet | Connor Palace, Playhouse 7:30 PM

Naruto: The Symphonic Experience | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 8 PM

Taylor Swift Night | House of Blues, Cleveland 8 PM

Dance Punk | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM

Saturday

That ‘80s Band | Time Warp, Westlake 9:30 PM

The Boys from The County Hell | Music Box SC, Flats 8 PM

OHM! (Dan Bruce, Jordan McBride, Gabe Jones) | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

Katy & OC | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Sunny Tabler | Backstage Bar, Westpark 9 PM

St. Paddy Shamrock Bar Crawl | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 5:30 PM

& Juliet | Connor Palace, Playhouse 7:30 PM

One - A Celebration of U2 | House of Blues, Cleveland 8 PM

Barely Alive’s “Watt Tour” | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM

Sunday

Crawley & Sofranko | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Sunny Tabler | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM

Yacht Rock Brunch | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 11 AM

Cavs vs. Magic | Rocket Arena 6 PM

Hello Doubt - No Doubt Tribute | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM

Weather

Friday

72 🌡️ 58 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 S 9-11 mph

Saturday

70 🌡️ 51 | ⛈ | 80% | 💨 S 20-23 mph

Sunday

58 🌡️ 34 | 🌧 | 80% | 💨 SW 14-18 mph

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day!

46 🌡️ 37 | 🌤 | 10% | 💨 S 10-14 mph

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 33ºF Waves omitted due to the lake being mostly ice-covered.}

^{Weather courtesy of the National Weather Service}

Where are you going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses