Bar, restaurant openings, Cle-centric gifts, Natural History Museum opens

Together With

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop, the newsletter that sleds down the slopes of Edgewater Hill, glides across the frozen shores of Lake Erie, and weaves through the dazzling light displays at Public Square—all to bring you the freshest happenings in The Land. First time reading? Join over 10,000 local curious readers. Sign up here.

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected].

In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

• Three new restaurant, bar openings for 2025

•  Charge move to Public Auditorium opens historic building to generations of Clevelanders

•  Museum of Natural History opens after one of most ambitious renovations in country

• Cle-centric Gift Guide: Local shops with Cleveland spirit, unique gifts

• Vintage Cleveland: Arthur Treacher’s

  
  
  by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

Advertise with Us!
Reach over 10,000 engaged readers each week. Boost your brand visibility and connect with a highly targeted audience. Reply to this email to learn more!

A MEESAGE FROM OUR PARTNER ACRONIS CYBER PROTECT

Protect What Matters Most 🔒

Clevelanders, keeping your digital world secure has never been more important. Whether it’s family photos, work files, or your small business data, Acronis Cyber Protect combines backup and cybersecurity to keep everything safe and sound. With cutting-edge features and easy-to-use tools, it’s like having a personal bodyguard for your digital life. No worries, no stress—just complete peace of mind. 💻 Ready to protect your data? Get started here. Because your digital life deserves top-notch security.

IN THE NEWS

Three new restaurant, bar openings for 2025

A lot of people seem to be making the same New Year’s Resolution... to open restaurants and bars in 2025. There have been a number of new openings announced of late. Here are the latest…

Arthur Treacher’s: The iconic fish and chippy once had 820 stores around the country. It was down to one when the Garfield Heights location closed in 2021. In stepped George Simon, who re-opened it in 2021 and purchased a second location, in Cuyahoga Falls. He will open a third spot early next year, on Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights, in a space that once housed, yes, an AT from the ‘70s-‘90s.

The Dugout: Many cities allow outdoor drinking within designated areas. It took a while, but Cleveland plans to do that this summer, when it opens a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in the current valet parking area on East Fourth. Central to it is the Dugout, a seasonal sports bar that rolls out a ballpark look, a seating area and an adjacent ice cream stand.

The Witch Doctor: Two bars six-tenths of a mile from one another might not make a trend, but the 2005 opening of the Witch Doctor will fit in nicely with Never Say Dive (which opened June ’24). The Witch Doctor, located in the old Sticks and Stones Social Lounge, will feature a craft cocktail list and a welcome-all approach that has worked well at NSD. Give me four more openings on the street and we have a bar crawl.

Charge move to Public Auditorium opens historic building to generations of Clevelanders

“It’s more than a game,” the cliché goes. It really is in this case. On Friday, the Cleveland Charge played its first game at its new home, Public Auditorium. The Cavs G League affiliate defeated the Wisconsin Herd, 141-131. More than a game, it’s a walk into Cleveland’s glorious past. The circa-1922 neoclassical jewel has kept a low-profile for decades and, as a result, has remains a mysterious fortress to generations of Clevelanders who have never been inside.

Hosting the Charge opens the doors to the space and its place in Cleveland cultural life. Public Hall, as it’s often called, was built during the 1920s-1930s architectural heyday and went on to host political conventions, presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, a Joe Lewis boxing match and legendary concerts by jazz greats Django Reinhardt and Duke Ellington and rock legends such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin. For a Charge schedule and tickets, go here.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEET’S COFFEE

Brew Better Days ☕

Hey there coffee lovers! Whether you're fueling up before a stroll through the West Side Market or warming up after a snowy day by the lake, Peet’s Coffee has your perfect cup waiting. From rich, bold blends to smooth, flavorful roasts, Peet’s brings coffee crafted with care, right to your doorstep. Because every great day starts with a great brew. Your next coffee moment is just a click away!🌟 Ready to sip? Order your favorites here.

Finally! Natural History Museum opens after one of the most ambitious renovations in country

The tables have turned: Now, it’s the earth movers and cranes that are on the extinction list and the dinosaurs are at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The private parties and sneak-peaks are over and the museum -- 1 Wade Oval Drive, in University Circle – is open to the public.

The University Circle institution has just completed one of the most ambitious museum renovations in the country. The $150 million project lasted more than a decade and has expanded the museum by 375,000 square feet and two acres of outdoor visitor areas. It also brings immersive activities and experiences to exhibits. For hours and info, go here.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

CLE-centric Gift Guide: Local shops with Cleveland spirit, unique gifts make shopping an adventure

The days are flying by and the shoppers are in a mad rush. Resist the urge to scoop up whatever pops up on your screen and check out these CLE-centric shops. They exude as much personality as the things they stock – and, the bonus: They make for a shopping adventure amid the holiday hustle.

Flower Child, 11508 Clifton Boulevard, Cleveland: You never know what you’ll find at this vintage shop, which just celebrated its 25^th anniversary . There’s always something colorful, mod, chic and sometimes weird. Much of the stock has a CLE feel to it: old Twigbee bears, vintage local T-shirts, artifacts and works by 20th century Cleveland designer Viktor Shreckengost. For more info, go here.

‘A Christmas Story’ House Gift Shop, 3159 West 11^th Street, Tremont: The gift shop across the street from the ‘A Christmas Story’ house is loaded with kitschy merch related to the movie… everything from leg lamps to board games to big pink bunny suits and slippers to figurines depicting the house and characters from the movie… Whoa, even the Bumpus hounds.

Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery, 5580 Ridge Road, Parma: The family bakery is beloved for its immaculate pastries, tasty pierogi and fun-loving personality. There’s always a unique concoction and theme, especially around the holidays. Check out the ‘Christmas Story Pierogi’ (potato, meatloaf, parsley, seasoning) and ‘Mr. Jingaling Pierogis (inspired by the chicken pot pie once served at the iconic Cleveland Silver Grille). Both are big sellers and holiday gifts, along with Rudy’s Christmas cookies and the Parma-opoly board games. For more info, go here.

CLE Clothing, GV Art + Design (both have multiple locations): Clevelanders love their hometown T-shirts, thanks in no small part due to the designs from these manufacturers. Both have rolled out holiday and seasonal lines that include shirts, hoodies and sweaters, hats. GV specializes in sports-related attire. CLE Clothing offers a broader collection that include ornaments, drink ware and décor.

Big Fun, 1814 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights: The pop culture emporium, which closed in 2018, is back as a pop-up store. Yes, it rolls out vintage wrestling and Halloween masks, retro toys whacky memorabilia. It’s also a deep dive into CLE-related artifacts: backstage passes from legendary area concerts; bags and boxes from Hough Bakery; 1950-‘80s sweaters, dresses, skirts and pants from Ohio Knitting Mills. For hours and more info, go here.

Ohio City Goods, 1442 West 28th Street, Cleveland: This unique collective of local artisans and makers is located in what look like mini airplane hangars or giant mail boxes. There 30 vendors selling everything from albums to skin care products to jewelry to soaps. The complex also features the Lounge, which serves cocktails, beers and wines – to stay or to go. For info on vendors and hours, go here.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

In the the 1970s, the Ohio-based Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips was one of the biggest fast-food restaurants in America, with more than 800 locations. Even though it was based in Ohio, it marketing itself as a British fish and chippy. It was named after British actor Arthur Treacher, who would show up at restaurant openings in a double-decker bus. No other food chain did anything so elaborate. But increased competition resulting in the fast-food wars of the 1970s squeezed smaller players like Arthur Treacher's.

Every edition, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Cleveland (and surrounding areas 😉). Where are we? Only true Clevelander will know. Tell us your guess on Instagram or Facebook, or simply reply to this email.

And don’t forget! Tag @LiveMusicInCleveland or @The216Scoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

WEATHER

Monday
53°F 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ | 90% | 💨 SSW 16 mph (14 knots)

Tuesday
45°F 🌡️ 34°F | ⛅ | 24% | 💨 SW 15 mph (13 knots)

Wednesday
43°F 🌡️ 32°F | ☁️ | 24% | 💨 SW 14 mph (12 knots)

A WORD FROM OUR PARTNER ACEABLE AGENT!

Your Real Estate Career Starts Here 🏡

Thinking about a career in real estate? Whether you’re dreaming of selling homes in Cleveland or flipping properties in Tremont, Aceable Agent makes getting your license a breeze. With flexible online courses and all the tools you need to succeed, you can study at your own pace and take the next step toward your goals. It’s education built for busy lives—like yours. The key to your future is waiting! 📚 Ready to begin? Start your journey here.

Live Shows in the 216

Monday

Mahall's | Ben Quad + Summerbruise + Others | 6 PM

MusicBox | Eric Roberson + Susan Carol | 6 PM

Tuesday

Cleveland Institute of Music | Mike Block + Jamey Haddad | 7:30 PM

Grog Shop | Subliners + Huntmere + Others | 7:30 PM

Wednesday

MusicBox | Peter Mayer | 5:30 PM

Grog Shop | The Wonderfool + Clare Feorene + Dallas Brake | 7 PM

Immigrant Son Brewery | Thor Platter Band | 7 PM

Thursday

Beachland Ballroom | Apostle Jones | 6:30 PM

Beachland Tavern | Bill Kirchen | 7 PM

House of Blues | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | 7 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers
Away vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16
Home vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who went to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium recently.

Follow us on social media!