October 19, 2026
Nelly Belly update: As mentioned several times in Short Takes, Nelly Belly is taking over the space formerly occupied by Railroad Brewing Company at 1010 Center Road.
Last month I posted a lengthy update from the owners that the opening is delayed as they were hoping to open Labor Day weekend. The issues are contractor/equipment-related and have nothing to do with the city (contrary to what some might think). The contractor issues continue and the target to open is now Black Friday (Nov. 27) if not sooner. Stay tuned.
Trunk-or-Treat: The Avon Animal Hospital, 37160 Detroit Road, is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The public is welcome (you don’t have to be a client to join in on the fun).
Bring the kids and your pups (all dogs must be on a leash).
SOUPer Bowl winner: The Avon and Avon Lake communities came together in the spirit of friendly competition collecting food and monetary donations for the Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) food pantry.
The 16th annual SOUPer Bowl was another successful initiative, with the winning community taking home the SOUPer Bowl trophy at halftime of the Avon vs. Avon Lake varsity football game this past Friday night at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium.
Both communities together collected 5,058 pounds of food and $18,499 in monetary donations, for a total of 97,553 pounds of food for the CRS food pantry (each $1 donation equals 5-lbs.).
Congratulations to Avon for winning the SOUPer Bowl trophy again.
The overall record of SOUPer wins is Avon 9 - Avon Lake 7.
Since its inception in 2010, the SOUPer Bowl Food Drive has raised a total of 97,907 pounds of food and $245,688 in monetary donations.
In addition to the SOUPer Bowl, the two football teams were also playing in the “border war” rivalry game with the winner taking home the Silver Rail trophy. The Silver Rail Rivalry trophy was created in 2015 by the Avon Lions Club to recognize the rivalry between the two neighboring schools. Avon won the game 27-0.
New business: A ground-breaking ceremony was recently held for the new Achieve Credit Union on Nagel Road (across from Sheetz). The new facility will bring expanded financial services to eastern Lorain and western Cuyahoga counties - featuring a member-focused lobby, expanded teller stations, two drive-thru lanes and a 24/7 ATM.
Coffee shop update: Folks keep asking when Biggby Coffee is opening at 33388 Walker Road (former Rio Coffee Brewery space). A soft opening is currently planned for Nov. 3. The date is subject to change. The location is currently hiring.
New councilman: City Council members recently approved the appointment of Robert Haas to the Ward 1 council seat previously occupied by Rob Shahmir who resigned last month to serve on the Avon Lake City Schools Board of Education.
The council term expires Dec. 31, 2027. Haas stated publicly that he does not plan to run for office when the term expires.
He was chairman of the city’s Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Committee and also served on the city’s planning commission and is a member of the historical society.
Six candidates applied for the council seat and Haas intends to reach out to each of them to discuss issues/concerns in the ward.
He will hold a Ward 1 meeting with residents at 5:30 p.m. Oct 27 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.
CRS update: Officials recently shared an update on the CRS pantry expansion and renovation project (33479 Lake Road), first announced at the annual Charity Ball in the spring.
The 620-square-foot expansion is now complete, made possible entirely through the generosity of landlords, Nate Gamilia and Henry Homza of Stop 65/Beachpark Station. With help from Eyring Movers, the staff successfully relocated our nonperishable food inventory and shelving into the expanded space.
New carpeting has also been installed throughout the back pantry and office area. Floor Coverings International completed the project at cost, with North Coast Rotary and Rotary District 6600 funding the flooring. Rotary members also volunteered their time to help prepare the space. New cubicles are now in place thanks to assistance from Eyring Movers and City Desk.
A new walk-in cooler has been ordered through Total Line Refrigeration at a discounted price and fully funded by an anonymous donor. Bendix also provided a grant to help purchase the additional shelving needed to maximize our expanded space.
The next phase will nearly double the size of the non-profit’s front service area while adding seating, shelving and greater functionality to create a more welcoming experience for clients. Floor Coverings International will replace the flooring, generously funded by the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop.
This summer was especially busy at CRS. The organization has seen a significant increase in pantry traffic (food assistance is up 23%), and has expanded the direct assistance they provide to clients (direct aid assistance is up 21%).
Thanksgiving meal: A free Thanksgiving meal is available for all veterans from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 hosted by the Avon Lake American Legion Post 211, 31972 Walker Road. For the third consecutive year the meal is provided by the American Culinary Federation Cleveland Akron-Canton chapter.
Last year over 250 people were served.
The gesture is given to veterans and their families with respect, honor and gratitude for their service.
If you plan to attend, you must RSVP. Call Chef Pam at 419-571-1317 so they have enough food for everyone.
New craft studio: Neon Heron Craft Studio recently opened at 660 Dover Center Rd., Suite 128. The location is a craft and sewing makerspace for adults and kids ages 9 and older. Guests can get creative with materials in the open studio, catch an event or workshop, or let the owners host your celebration in the studio.
Remembering Amy: The Amy Mihaljevic 5K, Walk & Kids Dash begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 24 at Cahoon Park.
The free community event honors Amy's memory and keeps her story alive in the community. While participation is completely free, donations are accepted to support the Amy Fund, which raises funds directly for critical costs such as advanced DNA testing to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Leaf collection: ‘Tis the season. Weather permitting, leaf collection throughout the city will run Oct. 26 to Dec. 4. Once collections begin, a leaf map will be updated on the city’s website.
Recreation director leaving: The city will be searching for a new Parks and Recreation Director after current director Kevin Fougerousse recently announced he is leaving to become the recreation director for the City of Rocky River.
The city’s Parks & Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the parks & recreation director position.
Also departing North Ridgeville is Assistant Finance Director Fabrice Dongo who is expected to be named Avon Lake’s new finance director. Former director Beth Krosse stepped down on July 29.
Historical Society updates: The final open house of the season at the District #9 one-room Schoolhouse, 5064 Jaycox Road, will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25.
The building is closed in the cold winter months and will reopen in May 2027.
The Historical Society is once again partnering with Rutherford Photography to offer residents an opportunity to have pictures taken with (or without) Santa at the historic District #9 one-room Schoolhouse. The photo event will take place Nov. 7-8.
Here’s how it works- you contact Rutherford Photography and reserve a 15-minute time slot for your family to have a private session with the photographer on either date.
A few weeks later you will receive a link to access your professionally edited photos to do with as you please. Reservations fill up fast. A portion of the proceeds benefits the North Ridgeville Historical Society.
Email alexandrarutherford42@gmail.com.
Technical writing overview: Learn from a former technical writer about what technical writing is, where it’s used and what skills could help you be successful during a presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the North Ridgeville Branch, 35700 Bainbridge Road. Pre-registration is preferred.
TIF district: Look for more single-family homes to come (211 to be exact) after City Council recently approved a residential Tax Increment Financing district connected to the Ridgefield subdivision. The arrangement will remain in place for 30 years.
The ordinance declares improvements to the parcels within each incentive district to be a public purpose and exempt from real property taxation; requires the owners of those parcels to make service payments in lieu of taxes; establishes a municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund for the deposit of those service payments; requires the
distribution of a portion of those service payments to the North Ridgeville City School District and the Lorain County Joint Vocational School; specifying the public infrastructure improvements that benefit or serve parcels in the incentive district.
Traffic grants: The city’s police department has secured two federal traffic grant awards totaling $63,964 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office for the High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) Program. The grants will fund overtime for high-visibility traffic enforcement between October 2026 and September 2027.
The need for these efforts is reflected in local crash data, which shows that over a three-year period, North Ridgeville had 147 impaired driving crashes, resulting in 34 injuries and two fatalities.
The first grant, Impaired Driving Enforcement Program (IDEP), provides $31,232 to help reduce the number of drug or alcohol-related fatal and serious injury crashes, primarily during the evening and overnight hours. The police department will increase its visibility and presence in higher-risk areas to support these efforts.
The second grant, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), provides $32,732 to focus on high-visibility enforcement primarily during rush hour and daytime hours to reduce traffic-related fatal and serious injury crashes. The enforcement efforts target speed, occupant protection, distracted driving, aggressive driving, failure to yield, motorcycle crash reduction, and other traffic safety concerns, according to the press release.
The grant funds are provided through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to support the efforts of safety partners statewide.
Free concert: Seniors are invited to a free concert from David Ciucevich featuring a mix of songs from the 1950's through the 1990's with some seasonal Halloween flavored songs in between, at 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Senior Center, 21014 Hilliard Blvd.
He currently serves as the Principal Clarinet of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, Lead Alto Sax, Clarinet, and Flute with the Akron Big Band, is in various musical theater venues, and sings lead vocals with the band Blue Cadillac.
Library update: Phase 2 of the HVAC Replacement is underway at the Rocky River Public Library. Construction takes place weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will last through mid-November. Temperature may be unstable throughout the building.
The 2nd Floor will continue to experience noise interruptions as the construction continues. However, it is fully reopened to the public; all materials and play area access are restored.
The parking lot will be impacted Oct. 27 with a partial closure for crane access from the ramp to the Riverview exit.
Daily updates on the project are available online.
Women’s market: The MotherLoad Women’s Market is popping up Oct 21–25 at Wagner’s of Westlake, 30855 Center Ridge Road. Shop for fashion, accessories, home decor, seasonal decor, and boutique all in one location.
A preview sale will take place Oct. 21 and tickets are available online. There will also be special vendor giveaways and prizes.
Free admissions days are Oct. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Discount days are Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (everything 50-75% off).
Input needed: Cuyahoga County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2027 and is asking residents for input. The Community Resilience Survey will help the county identify local risks, understand community needs, and guide strategies that reduce the impacts of natural, human-caused, and technological hazards. The survey is available online.
Restaurant closures: Hungry Howie’s recently closed at 24533 Center Ridge Road.
Wild Mango, 139 Crocker Park Blvd., is also permanently closed. As previously reported in a previous Short Takes (July 26), City Council passed a motion to not object to the transfer of D-1, D-3, D-2 permits from GR Funding at 239 Market Street to Next Restaurants LLC (doing business as Uncle Julio’s) at 139 Crocker Park Blvd.
New business coming: The city’s Planning, Zoning, Legislative Committee recently discussed (Oct. 19) granting a conditional use permit application from Kyle Hodgeman, Pilates Empowered, for a 1,675-sq.-ft. boutique Pilates studio at 24599 Center Ridge Road.
Public records requests: The police department has launched a new online portal for public records requests. All public records requests for the department should now be submitted through the portal instead of by email.
Garden club meeting: Westlake Garden Club will host Rob Swindell from the Black River Audubon Society presenting the importance of leaving fallen leaves Oct. 21 at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. Guests will learn how leaf litter provides essential habitat for pollinators, enriches soil health, and supports local wildlife while reducing waste and labor.
The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. with a social time and announcements. The speaker will present at 11 a.m.
Save the date: The city will cap off its year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with the Mayor’s 250th Celebration Ball Nov. 14 at LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility, 25777 Detroit Road.
The evening features dinner, drinks, live entertainment, dancing and gift basket raffles. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels Cleveland West and services provided by the Westlake Community Services Department.
Individual tickets are $125, and tables of eight are available for $900 (available online). Guests will select their dinner choices when purchasing tickets.
Businesses and community organizations are also invited to support the celebration through sponsorships ranging from raffle-basket donations to presenting sponsorships. For sponsorship information, contact Tina Arundel at tarundel@cityofwestlake.org or 440-617-4196.
