Local Business

Local natives Jennette Bando and Julie Kline decided to bring a taste of the sunny Southwest to Cleveland. Thus, in their first business venture, the pair opened The Ark too in Rocky River last April. With items from around the world and local artisans, The Ark too is a community-oriented business that prides itself on featuring unique gift items.

Putting a local spin on the Southwestern idea, Bando and Kline order products from other small businesses and carry several limited edition, handmade items. Currently, The Ark too has stuffed animals from bijoukitty by Rocky River's own Susan Hank and ceramics and jewelry from other local artists, as well as a natural personal care line from Olmsted Falls.

For centuries home ownership has been the essence of the American Dream. For most of us, it becomes reality only when we realize that we are just as worthy of that dream as our landlord. The ability to pay yourself each month, let alone paint your walls any color other than “renter’s white”, is a goal that’s within reach. First Federal Lakewood wants to help you get started. Join us for our free First Time Homebuyer Seminar on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the University of Akron, 14725 Detroit Avenue, just across the street from the First Federal Lakewood Branch.

As we return from the long holiday hiatus to our workplaces, we settle into our workaday routines.  But for some among us, there’s no pride in settling—and there’s no fun in routine.  We seek a sense of adventure and creativity, to express our can-do spirit, and we desire more control over our daily work.  If you’re feeling that way, you just might be an entrepreneur.

There’s no question that we crave hot comfort food during these cold winter months.  We tend to save salads for the warmer months, when simply the thought of turning on an oven or slaving over the stove makes you sweat.  This Mediterranean chicken salad bridges the gap between the desire to eat a warming, satisfying meal during the winter and the need to eat your greens. It’s healthy, filling and delicious.

Gloria Cipri Kemer lifts the lid on a pot of her special house blend “Gemini” - a red bush, loose leaf tea from South Africa, one of 75 flavors she serves at her Emerald Necklace Inn & Tea Room in Fairview Park. Making a pot of loose leaf tea sounds complicated, but it’s easier than it looks. A proper pot of tea can be made in a few simple steps.  Start with a kettle of near-boiling water (not microwaved), for each cup place one teaspoon of premium loose leaf tea into the tea pot, pour in the hot water and let it steep for three-to-five minutes, then stir and strain into your favorite teacup.  

The new Ritzy Chic shop is having a storewide sale.  Many items in the store - shoes, coats, boots - will be marked down by 50%-75%. The sale will start on Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m. and continue through February 16. Ritzy Chic is also adopting new hours on February 6: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.  Consignments are accepted on Thursdays.

Chipotle Chocolate Brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream are rich and decadent, with a little bit of heat.  Isn’t that how you’d like to celebrate your Valentine’s Day, after all? 

If you can’t get to The Olive Scene to pick up a bottle of Chipotle Oil, you can substitute neutral oil or melted butter for the Chipotle Oil and add ½ teaspoon of ground chipotle powder with the dry ingredients.

Why not clean out your closet to make some money for yourself and help someone else at the same time?  The Ritzy Chic has the know-how to turn your goods into cash.  As an upscale designer clothing and jewelry shop, we are very selective in choosing what we feel can sell and are actively looking for upscale items.  All sales benefit cancer survivors.

For more information about consignment or helping a survivor, contact Debbie at 440-331-5200.

Many of you probably remember Neil Zurcher’s “One Tank Trip” segments, which ran for more than 25 years on WJW TV-8, Cleveland. The popular series featured interesting destinations in and around Ohio. Zurcher, now retired, continues to write for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Worthy of coverage by Zurcher, in our opinion, is an interesting spot located about an hour from Cleveland’s West Side in Port Clinton, just 50 miles west on the Lake Erie shoreline.

Abode Modern Lifestyle Developers, the Cleveland-based real estate development firm creating the Riversouth Modern Ecohomes abutting the Emerald Valley of the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks System has received the green-light from the City of Fairview Park Board of Zoning Appeals as well as the city government itself.

“We’re glad to see an investment in our city,” said Mayor Eileen Patton following the project’s announcement party in November.

Enjoying a nightly glass of red wine is a great treat and offers health benefits. An average bottle of wine contains about four glasses of wine. How to properly store wine to keep it at its peak is one of the most frequently asked questions of wine drinkers.

Fruit salads aren’t just for summer!  This dish takes advantage of some of the beautiful winter seasonal fruits to create a fantastic and healthy salad.  Try it when you have a craving for something sweet - without the calories from those leftover Christmas cookies.  We know it sounds strange to add vinegar to fruit, but a high-quality balsamic like that sold at The Olive Scene will taste more sweet than tart.  And at only two grams of sugar per tablespoon of balsamic, this is a great way to add tons of flavor to your food.

The new millennium has given way to more “techknowledgey“, eating on the run, and many devices with which to multi-task our lives. A holiday meal, however, allows us to slow down, gather around a wonderfully dressed table and enjoy family and friends and savory food.

In the past, tables were set with umpteen forks and spoons and seven courses were served. Times have changed. Yet the holidays still present a great time to shine the silver, clean the crystal and take the stacks of china out of that dark cupboard. While a set table no longer requires the same number of items as in the past, I think it is nice to have a wine glass, water goblet, dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate and flatware.

Whether you are in need of a gift for coworkers, friends, family, a hostess, or a last-minute thank you, wine makes the prefect gift for the holidays. The big question is…what kind of wine? Ever stand in the wine section staring at all the labels just to have them start staring back at you. It can be overwhelming.  At Winestyles, we do things a little differently.

These flatbreads are easy to make and perfect for holiday snacking.   You can make miniature ones as appetizers for a dinner party or cut a large one into pieces for a light meal.  This recipe combines flavor-packed pesto with melted mozzarella, smoky roasted red peppers, earthy mushrooms, peppery arugula and sweet balsamic vinegar.  But the idea is so versatile!  You can use whatever you have in your fridge, whether it’s leftover roasted chicken or fig jam with brie cheese remnants.

The Olive Scene carries imported Italian food goods, and their Marchesa brand is the best jarred version available.  Their roasted red peppers and mushrooms are packed in oil and have delicious Italian herbs for added flavor.

Indigo Perfumery, Cleveland's first and only niche perfume shop, opened in Lakewood on October 16. Lifelong Clevelander Ann Onusko brings her extensive knowledge of flowers and fragrances to a gallery space where the perfumes are made by smaller, artisanal companies who concentrate on the art of the scent rather than mass production.

Indigo Perfumery hosts Guys' Night Out on Thursday, December 12, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. -  a chance for men to find not only their own signature cologne, but also gifts for their loved ones. Indigo will also host Très Chic, cohosted by jewelry stylist Ginger Burnett, which combines Chloe + Isabel jewelry and perfume for an evening of Parisian-inspired fun on Thursday, December 5, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Digital Imaging Solutions, formerly CR Photo, was established in 2001. It is a small business that offers a quality product at a reasonable price. The roots of the company are in photofinishing, but the advent of digital photography has expanded the services provided. We still offer traditional photo services, some done in house, and other services are provided via send out.

Some of the services provided are photo restoration; photo, negative and slide scanning to a digital format; and video transfer. Have you ever accidentally deleted a photo? We offer a deleted file recovery service.

Cleveland’s newest boutique and salon is trendy, upscale, chic – and just for pets! Fetch Pet Boutique and Spa is a dream for any pampered pet. Inside the chandelier-filled, two-story storefront, you will find unique products for pets and pet lovers alike. The shelves are stocked with grain-free dog treats, organic catnip, peppermint and tea tree conditioning shampoos, and bow tie collars! While you’ll find an array of other merchandise like nutritious dog and cat food, the real draw of Fetch is its luxury spa.

Abode anticipates breaking ground on Riversouth in Fairview Park in early spring 2014, during which time the firm will begin construction on 34 units that range from 1,200 to 2,200 square-feet. Overlooking the Emerald Valley of the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, the residences comprising the Riversouth Modern Ecohomes represent Abode's most ambitious project to date.

Rising rents, low inventory, and higher sales prices…is it the right time to consider downsizing?

The National Association of Realtor’s Commercial Real Estate Outlook predicts the multifamily vacancy rate will not change over the next year, with rents increasing 4% this year and another 4% next year.  This is pushing renters to consider homeownership as a viable financial option now. Although interest rates remain at historically low levels, available inventory remains soft at best.  First-time buyers coming out of rentals are faced with very few options in most West Side neighborhoods. 

The Cleveland Tile & Cabinet Co. was founded in 1933 by Carl Dryer.  The company, an original tenant in the Terminal Tower Arcade, initially installed metal cabinets and metal tile in the kitchens and bathrooms of clients. As time progressed, other types of cabinetry and materials were introduced into the company's offerings.  Cleveland Tile and Cabinet also became one of General Electric’s first major appliance dealers.  By the early 1950s, it became known as the premier kitchen and bathroom remodeling company in the greater Cleveland area. 

For as long as I can remember, Once Upon a Time has been a part of my life. Being a relative of the owner definitely had its benefits while I was growing up. When I turned five, I brought all of my friends to the store for my birthday party. It was one of the best birthday parties I ever had!

Every year good ole Jack brought some new and fabulous toy to my house. I looked forward to each visit from him not only because of the memorable toys but also because of his zany personality. The way Jack treated me as a kid made me feel like I could conquer the world and achieve all of my dreams. He talked to me as though I was a grown up and not just a little kid. When he talks to children in the store,  I know exactly how they feel - empowered - just as I did.

The Welsh Home has been in Rocky River since 1922, well before it became a city in 1960. The home has become a landmark to many residents of Rocky River and the surrounding communities. Behind a picturesque pond, set back from Center Ridge Road, The Welsh Home has been a home as well as a road to recovery for many people.

On September 6, 1911, 18 ladies met in a family home to organize The Ladies Auxiliary of the Welsh Society of Cleveland. Officers were elected and the history of what is now known as the Women's Welsh Clubs of America began. Incorporated in 1913, The Women’s Welsh Clubs of America is celebrating its centennial anniversary.