May 20, 2026
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Memorial Day tradition: Kudos to Avon High School honors art students for continuing to create dozens of ceramic poppies for display at the Avon Lake American Legion Post 211, 31972 Walker Road, Avon Lake, in honor of Memorial Day.
The red poppy is a worldwide symbol of remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives in war. National Poppy Day is May 22. The public can view the poppies now through May 31.
Anyone interested in purchasing ceramic poppies ($25) to honor a loved one who served may do so at the Post.
New location: Master Pizza is officially open at its new location, 36962 Detroit Road (Dairy Mart plaza). As reported in Short Takes, the location moved from Avon Commons a few weeks ago.
New businesses coming: If you travel down Chester Road near Moore Road, you may have noticed several trees being cut down. The corner will be home to Gerber Collision & Glass, 1530 Moore Road.
Other new businesses coming to the city include Balance Pilates, 33420 Just Imagine Drive (Nagel Crossing); and Degree Wellness, 35840 Chester Road (former McConnell Meats space in Chester Road Square).
Folks also keep asking on social media what's going on at the former Smith’s Custom Catering space (it was also mentioned in Short Takes several months ago), 37500 Colorado Ave. It’s being renovated to house Westside Pancake Co. The 60-year-old family breakfast concept based in Sandusky is planning to open sometime in the fall. Follow on Facebook.
K4 Architecture is requesting approval from the city’s Planning Commission (meeting is May 20) of the Final Development Plan to construct a new 2,517-sq.-ft. credit union building with drive thru service at 2295 Nagel Road (diagonally across from Sheetz).
Upcoming library events: Friends of the Avon Library Book Room Hours for this month include from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 23 and May 30. Stop by the library, 37485 Harvest Drive, to find books and DVDs for all ages for a suggested donation of $1 per item.
Join Thomas Becker from OSU Extension Lorain County as he provides an introduction to the insects and diseases participants may come across while working on their lawns and gardens during a special presentation from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 30 at the library. Pre-register online.
Soccer competition: Not to be confused with orange barrel construction season, three United Soccer League ( USL) League Two clubs based in Northeast Ohio recently announced the formation of the Orange Barrel Cup, a new competition that will showcase the region’s top teams battling for local bragging rights throughout the summer season.
The Orange Barrel Cup will feature Akron City FC, Cleveland Force SC and Lorain County Leviathan FC. The home and away league matches between the three clubs will also count toward the standings for the new trophy. At the end of the season, the club with the best point total will be crowned champion and take home the Orange Barrel Cup.
Bike travel: The school district’s annual Bike to School Week will take place May 26-29. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when traveling through town in the mornings and afternoons.
Refurbishing history: After years of work behind the scenes, the city’s Historical Society is ready to finally unveil and dedicate the newly refurbished 1938 Dodge American LaFrance Avon Lake Fire Department #1 fire engine.
Residents are invited to attend a special ceremony marking the occasion from 1 to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Fire Department, 32811 Walker Road. Following the dedication ceremony, residents will have the opportunity to “ring the bell,” take photos, and see the fire engine up close.
A food truck will be onsite and beverages will be available courtesy of the police department.
The fire engine will make another grand debut in the upcoming Memorial Day Parade May 25. The parade begins at 10 a.m.
Lake life: The boat launch at Miller Road Park (33760 Lake Road) is now open. Staff will be onsite from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Launch fee is $5 per day. Season passes are available for $50.
There is a building adjacent to the boat launch where a staff member is available to assist those who would like to purchase a one-time pass or season pass.
Expanding supper: If you have never ordered from Sam’s Supper Club, 33688 Walker Road, you are missing out on a hidden gem in the city. The shop features daily specials, as well as catering services.
The sandwich shop does not have a dedicated dining area now, but according to the owner, they are expanding into the space next door. The shop will have seats for the lunch crowd, and will now have an event space. Plans are in the works for Saturday brunch and hosting specialty events where food is involved.
The expansion should be finished by June 1. Follow on Facebook.
One door opens, one closes: As previously reported in Short Takes, the owners of Edacious Kitchen + Bar owners are renovating the former Isla’s Ice Cream shop, 140 Lear Road, to become a sandwich shop that will also serve Isla’s handmade ice cream, as well as offer wine/beer, and boozy milkshakes.
It’s called William Fine Sandwich Shop & Cold Creamery. Andrew and Lisa Gorski from Edacious will be operating it. David Maison and Tara Mercio are handling design and build-out. Mykala Hyland from Isla’s will be making the ice cream.
The new shop is scheduled to open May 28. Follow on Facebook.
It appears The Kitchen, 32822 Walker Road, has closed. There is talk around town that new owners purchased the space and it’s undergoing a remodel. Stay tuned to Short Takes for updates.
Money matters: The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the city for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024.
Winter prep: The city was awarded $75,000 in the second round of grant funding by Ohio EPA’s new H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant Program. The city’s public works department recently completed installation of a new salt brining system, reducing the need for solid rock salt to keep the city’s roads clear during winter snowstorms.
Salt brine is utilized for pre-wetting salt prior to applying it to roadways. Because of its water content, salt brine activates rock salt and starts working right away to melt snow and ice, while solid rock salt must first absorb moisture from the air or snow. Two city trucks have been outfitted with salt brining equipment, and two additional trucks will be outfitted in 2027, according to the press release.
Sweet honors: Congratulations to Bay High School and West Shore Career-Tech senior Finn Getts, winner of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Championship in Baking & Pastry. She will compete nationally in July in Washington, D.C.
Food Truck Fridays: Stop by on Fridays beginning May 29 through Aug. 28 to enjoy food from a variety of food trucks scheduled to be onsite from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during Food Truck Fridays at City Hall, 350 Dover Center Road.
The first food trucks of the season will be Thai it Up and Sip Boba Tea & Acai, and live music will be provided by Kristine Jackson.
A complete list of participating food trucks is available on the city’s website.
Water line replacements: The city participates in Cleveland Water Department’s suburban water line replacement program. Over the last 15 months, the city has been awarded over two miles of new water lines. This includes replacement of lead water lines to residents’ homes in the replacement areas.
Installation of new water lines will occur now through next year. Funding received from Cleveland Water for the projects exceeds $3.7 million dollars. Once the water lines are replaced, the city will repave the streets in the project areas.
Training equipment: To help support firefighter training and community outreach, the fire department recently added a new BullsEye Fire Extinguisher Simulator.
The system uses digital flames to simulate real fire, allowing participants to practice proper extinguisher use in a safe, controlled environment. Because there is no open flame or cleanup required, training can take place indoors.
Kudos to the VFW, R.W. Beckett, the Corn Festival Committee, as well as community donations to the Fire Department Donation Fund, for assistance in purchasing the simulator.
Memorial Day plans: In preparation for the city’s Memorial Day Parade, as well as celebrating America’s 250th birthday, residents are encouraged to meet at the multipurpose trail at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road, to Chalk the Walk from 3 to 5 p.m. May 22. Chalk will be provided.
Summer splash: The recent cold temperatures are not stopping the opening of the Splash Pad for the summer season. The pad (for residents only) opens at 10 a.m. May 23 at South Central Park. The hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Senior carnival: The Senior Center’s annual Carnival and Vendor Fair will take place at 10:30 a.m. May 28, at 7327 Avon Belden Road. The event also includes a themed lunch. The cost is $5. The deadline to register is May 26, call 440-490-2056.
Farmers market: Applications are now available for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program through the Ohio Department of Aging. The program provides eligible adults age 60 and older with $50 in benefits to use at local farmers markets and farm stands. Benefits are available to individuals with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Household income limits include $29,526 for one person, and $40,034 for two persons.
Participants can access benefits through a mobile app or a physical card. Those who received a card in previous years will have this year’s benefit added to the same card, but an application is still required each year.
Locations in the area that accept the benefits include Red Wagon Farm, 16081 East River Rd., Columbia Station; Grobe Fruit Farm, 43875 Telegraph Rd., Elyria; Fenik Farm, 6413 Lake Ave., Elyria; and select vendors at the North Union Farmers Market at Crocker Park.
For more information, click here.
Garage sales: The city’s Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau is sponsoring its annual citywide Garage Sale Days June 3-6. To register your sale, stop at KLT Insurance, 6480 Pitts Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 29; and from 9 a.m. to noon May 30.
The cost is $5 which includes publication of the sale. Permits from the city are not required for this event. For more information, call 440-327-3737.
New businesses coming: The city’s Planning Commission recently reviewed plans to bring Playa Bowls to River Square in the former Tide Cleaner space near Whole Foods. The quick-service fast-casual restaurant specializes in bowls, smoothies, juices, and matchas.
It appears a new Italian restaurant will be taking over the former Stino Da Napoli space, 19070 Old Detroit Road. Pietro’s Old River Italian Steakhouse and Bar is finalizing renovations to the space and will open in the coming months. Stay tuned to Short Takes.
Beachcliff Market Square, 19300 Detroit Road, will also be getting some new businesses. Two signed leases already include W Gallery, a jewelry store; and the other with Eleanor Hobbs, a clothing/soft goods retailer.
Recently signed businesses are Crave Cookies and Callie's Pilates.
Summer reading party: Kick off the summer reading season from noon to 2 p.m. May 30 at the Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road.
The theme is "Unearth a Story," and families can test their archaeology skills, find dinosaurs and play a variety of lawn games.
Memorial Day celebration: The city’s annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on May 25. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, the parade begins at St. Peter & George Coptic Orthodox Church, 25800 Hilliard Blvd., and proceeds to Clague Park.
Big splash: The Aquatic Center and Peterson Pool open at noon May 23 (weather permitting). Mayor Dennis Clough will once again mark the occasion with a ceremonial first dip.
In other pool news…Beginning June 1, the indoor pools at the Recreation Center will be closed for renovation.
Members may select to use the North Olmsted Rec Center indoor pool beginning June 1 until Fairview Park Gemini Center pools open. Currently, there is no confirmed date for opening.
Individuals must be current Recreation Center members and maintain an active membership throughout the duration of the closure.
Members have the choice to freeze their current Westlake Rec Center membership as of June 1 and return once the pools re-open. All family members included in the membership will be suspended from using the Westlake Recreation Center, the WAC during August shutdown, the North Olmsted Recreation Center and Fairview Park Gemini Center. Time suspended will be added to your expiration date once Westlake Rec pools re-open. You must purchase a WAC membership to use the outdoor pools.
All requests must be submitted online by May 31.
If you have additional questions, email recinfo@cityofwestlake.org.
To sign-up to use the North Olmsted and/or Fairview Park Gemini Center, click here.
To freeze your Westlake Recreation Center Membership, click here.
All requests must be submitted online by May 31.
