Volume 4 - Issue 3 - Fall 2012

The first time we saw our home-to-be, my wife Lynn Phares said, “This place would be perfect for house concerts.” This came out of the blue, but it made sense. We are both passionate about music, especially Americana and roots music. While living in Silver Spring, MD, we had been to a house concert and loved it. There is an immediacy that comes from being in a small, informal setting and listening to a live performer without the distractions and noise of a bar or nightclub. It’s like going to a tiny, friendly concert hall. Plus, you get a chance to talk to the artist and other people who enjoy the same kind of music. It’s a great way to experience music.

 A fresh crop of entrepreneurs is beginning to change the course of the road that runs through the heart of Ohio City. Having seen how how West 25th Street's success has turned the corner with Penzeys Spices, Crop Bistro and Bonbon Pastry & Café, they're pulling that momentum westward onto Lorain Avenue.

One way to lure that energy is with a steaming bowl of chili. Ian Enggasser did just that when he launched Palookaville Chili with a couple of secret recipes and boundless determination in April 2011. The move came on the heels of a 10-year odyssey through New York, Florida and San Francisco during which he played in bands, drove a taxi and worked in the film industry. Eventually, the cost of living on the West Coast spurred the Richfield, Ohio native's return to Cleveland.

On October 5, 2012, President Barack Obama came to town for a speaking engagement at Cleveland State University. Thousands of people waited in the rain downtown to hear the President speak. Shortly after President  Obama left CSU, he made a surprise visit to the West Side Market in Ohio City.

The President spent about an hour in the Market visiting and taking photos with vendors. The secret service secured the building and stopped letting people into the facility, ensuring intimate moments with those who happened to be in the Market during the visit.
No matter what political party you cheer for, it is a distinct honor to have the President of the United States visit the West Side Market and Ohio City. It was a moment that will be remembered at the Market for a century to come.