September 6, 2026
Nelly Belly update: As with most construction projects and new builds, unexpected delays happen. As first reported here last year, Nelly Belly is taking over the space formerly occupied by Railroad Brewing Company at 1010 Center Road.
The owners were hoping to be open Labor Day weekend, but unfortunately, there are just too many small delays.
The owners did share a charming story update. They ordered a wood fired brick oven that ended up being dropped from the fork lift when they were loading for shipping. They had to have another one custom manufactured with a six-week turn around. They had to go ahead and start on some of the kitchen build out, but switched to a double door entry so the oven could fit into the building.
The new oven will be one of the biggest ovens in Northeast Ohio. It was delivered and forklifted off the semi, only to discover the forklift needed to lift the 6,000-lb. oven was too big to fit into the building. The owners had numerous equipment companies come out to measure and figure out how to get it in the building. Then a building inspector for the City of Avon Water Department came out and said his future son-in-law might be able to help with the company he worked for. He arrived and said; "Nelly Belly?!! You are catering my wedding next weekend with your food truck!" He eventually got it moved in.
An opening date is still finalized as work continues on the space.
For 14 seasons, Nelly Belly wood fire pizza trucks have been catering events across northeast Ohio. Now the owners have purchased the three acre property and are opening a restaurant with not only their woodfired pizza, but smash burgers, fresh cut fries fried in beef tallow, homemade soups and salads, sandwiches, and soft serve ice cream (made locally with organic dairy). Don’t worry, their fleet of trucks will still be rolling around.
The new location will also include an outdoor space for live music, sand volleyball, bocce ball, tether ball, and cornhole, as well as ice keg curling in the winter.
Meet and greet: Get to know your City Council members during a special Meet and Greet event at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive.
Spooky stories: The Lorain Public Library System (Avon and North Ridgeville branches included) invites students in grades 6-12 and adults who live in or attend school in Lorain County to submit their original ghost stories as part of the third annual Spooky Story Contest.
Entries will be accepted online now through Sept. 21. Participants must upload their stories as a .doc or .docx file using the online form. Teachers or parents
submitting multiple entries on behalf of students may email them directly to contest@lpls.info. Each entry must include the required contact and school information.
Submission requirements:
All entrants will be invited to the Spooky Story Recital at the Main Library, 351 W. Sixth Street, Lorain, from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, where winning stories will be read aloud and prizes -- sponsored by the Friends of the Lorain Public Library -- will be awarded.
Kids Kloset: The annual Avon Early Childhood PTA’s Kids Kloset resale event is from 7 to 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road.
Halloween activity: Registration is now open for the city’s annual Not So Spooky Halloween event taking place Oct. 10 at the Avon History & Storybook Trails (near Avon Aquatic Facility and Every Child's Playground, 36265 Detroit Rd.). Pets are not permitted at the event.
Arts, crafts show: The upcoming free Avon Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive. The outdoor pop-up market features 30 handmade artisan and crafters selling their items.
Book sale: The Friends of the Avon Lake Public Library Book Sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12; and from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the library, 32649 Electric Blvd. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
Police academy: The Police Department will be hosting an eight-week Community Police Academy on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the police station, 32855 Walker Road. Applications are available in the lobby. The program gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at police operations and the criminal justice system.
Spilling the tea: Move over coffee shops…there’s a new beverage in town as tea is taking over. Harmony Blends is a new destination for loose-leaf tea, honey, olive oil, chocolates, tea ware, and other gift items. The new business will be located at 690 Avon Belden Road. An opening date has not been announced.
Support local fundraiser: Shop for handmade goods at the Crafted Corner benefiting the Avon Lake Women’s Chorus taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 32747 Lake Road. The Avon Lake Women’s Chorus has been a part of the community for 78 years.
Service project: Kudos to the North Coast Rotary as members recently completed a service project at Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) by helping prepare expanded spaces for the installation of new flooring. The flooring project will support CRS’s expansion and enhance its ability to provide food and other essential resources to community members.
North Coast Rotary is funding the new flooring through a Rotary District 6600 grant, which provides a 50% match to funds raised by the club. Through the generous support of the community and proceeds from various club fundraisers, North Coast Rotary contributed $5,000 toward the project. With the district match, the total funding available for the new flooring is $7,500.
As part of the service project, North Coast Rotary members moved shelving, redistributed essential supplies and sorted donated items to prepare the expanded spaces for flooring installation.
Deer survey: City officials are asking residents to complete an online survey regarding the deer culling process in the community. The survey data collected goes directly to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This is the organization who determines how many tags are distributed to each participating city.
If you would like for your property to be considered for a culling location, email rgillespie@cityofbayvillage.com. Not every site is an acceptable location, as personnel have strict safety requirements.
Potato Bar fundraiser: September is National Potato Month and the Senior Center is celebrating with a Potato Bar with all fixings at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 25, 300 Bryson Lane. Cost is $5 in person /$6 online. This event is sponsored by Nivalis, Homewatch Caregivers, Howard Hanna, and Amada Senior Care.
Shred day: Gather up your sensitive documents and other papers and take them to the free paper shredding and recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at the Bay Village Service Garage, 31300 Naigle Road.
Top scholars: North Ridgeville High School recently recognized 101 students who earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards and AP Capstone recognitions for their academic performance during the 2025–2026 school year.
The students earned 130 honors, with several students receiving more than one distinction. The recognitions include:
Revolution experience: The Nathan Perry Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is opening the American Revolution Experience Sept. 15 at the North Ridgeville Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road. The pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of America.
The exhibit will run through Sept. 24 and is available for viewing during normal library hours.
Arts festival: The city’s Fall Arts Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at Olde Detroit Shopping (Old River Road) area. The free event features local artists, live music, and area merchants. Proceeds benefit the Rocky River Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Safe streets: Bike Rocky River is asking residents to show up at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 for the Rocky River City Council meeting, 21012 Hilliard Blvd. Public comment is open, and residents are asked to advocate for safe streets for everyone, every mode of transport, bikes, cars, walking, wheelchairs, and strollers. According to the members, this isn't a bike issue. It's a whether-you-can-safely-cross-your-own-street issue.
Centennial party: Kensington Intermediate School is inviting the community, alumni and families to share in its 100th year celebration. A party will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the school, 20140 Lake Road. The event will include food trucks, treats, time capsule, art project, and several special guests.
In other school district news…The Board of Education recently recognized the Rocky River Athletics and Activities Booster Club for their support of $85,000 that will go directly to students engaged in programming. The Board also recognized all of the donors of student scholarships that support Rocky River graduates as they go to post-secondary opportunities.
The Board approved a contract to replace the high school display sign. The new LED sign will be scheduled for completion over the coming weeks.
New businesses: Exclusive Men’s Salon, 25075 Center Ridge Road, recently opened offering haircuts for men and boys. To book an appointment, call 216-413-6557.
Westshore Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Sept. 23 for Eyes on Dover, 2650 Dover Center Road. The new facility offers eye exams for adults and children.
Library card month: This month, the Westlake Porter Public Library is celebrating National Library Card Sign-up Month. This year’s theme, “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes,” is a reminder that libraries are for everyone, regardless of age, background, or goals.
With a library card, patrons access the materials, services and programs the library offers. Getting a library card is free. Stop by the library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, or register online for a card.
Food truck challenge: Cleveland's most popular food trucks will go head-to-head for top honors in a variety of categories, with winners selected by a panel of both judges and event guests during the annual Food Truck Challenge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at Crocker Park.
The event also includes live music provided by The Scenic Route, kid-friendly activities, and more than 20 food trucks onsite.
Planning updates: The city’s next Planning, Zoning, Legislative Committee meeting slated for 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at City Hall, 27700 Hilliard Blvd., is packed with lots of applicants for new businesses and developments.
Theater production: Tickets are now available for “Angel Street (Gaslight),” at Clague Playhouse, 1371 Clague Road, running Sept. 11- Oct. 4. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Talk-backs with the director and cast following the show are Sept. 19, Sept. 27, and Oct. 3.
Patrons can also call the box office at 440-331-0403 (hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 1 to 6 p.m. and on show dates one hour before curtain time).
