News Archive

Joy Harlor opened the first all-local, year-round produce stand at the West Side Market in July to provide an alternative to arcade vendors who sell mostly non-local produce.

“We started tossing the idea around because it’s so frustrating to go to the market and have the repetitious experience of every [produce] stand being like the last one,” says Harlor, who also owns Le Petit Triangle at the corner of Fulton and Bridge Avenue. “Yeah, you can go there and get cheap produce – but it’s basically grocery store produce with the exception of The Basketeria and a few other local stands.”

Harlor, who sources many of the ingredients used in her restaurant from local farmers, took an entrepreneurial leap and implemented an idea that’s been discussed for years.

“There’s an abundance of local food sources and farmers markets, but we thought it would be great to have local produce at the market, which is a big deal in Cleveland.”

New to Ohio City, Town Hall offers a variety of fresh, healthy foods and juices along with an extensive selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The restaurant also offers three different restaurant experiences for guests, who  can enjoy their food in a casual cafe, full-service dining room or seated on the beautiful front or back patios.

After spending a few years in Florida, Cleveland native Christa Fitch returned home to open Town Hall. This isn’t Christa’s first time opening a restaurant, but this is her first time opening a restaurant in Ohio City. Along with being passionate about Town Hall, Christa is passionate about the Ohio City community and wants  Town Hall to add a unique component to the culture and excitement of the area.

Are you from the Cleveland area?
Yes, I grew up in Rocky River. I attended Bowling Green State University, lived in Southwest Florida for 3 years and now I’m back in the Cleveland area, living in Lakewood.

Most college students probably prefer to leave simple living behind when they graduate and seek a full-time job. Yet it’s fair to say members of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps are not your typical college graduates.

For a one-year stint, the young people who sign up to participate in the JVC program scrimp on worldly delights to help the poor. The JVC is a national service program that places young people at nonprofit agencies and schools in order to serve marginalized communities in the U.S. and in developing countries.

For over 40 years, 6-8 JV’s have moved to Cleveland annually to join the program. For the past 30 years, the Cleveland JV’s have lived in a Church Avenue home owned by longtime Ohio City residents Bill and Jean Merriman. 

Leading Cleveland real estate company Abode has donated six new Cleveland Select Pear trees to Market Square Park, along with bronze bench placards that serve to commemorate Cleveland history.

Each of the donated Cleveland Select Pear trees symbolizes a key Ohio City stakeholder or event that has helped to shape one of Cleveland’s most vibrant, well-loved neighborhoods. 

According to Justin Campbell and Andrew Brickman, Partners with Abode, the donation of trees “symbolizes Abode’s commitment to Cleveland as a world-class city. When you can make urban living eco-friendly, it has appeal.”

The partners add, “We’re excited that the Ohio City community shares our vision.”

Abode is well-known as the developer of modern luxury townhome communities that include 27 Coltman, Eleven River and Clifton Pointe. The firm is known as a forward-thinking, creative company on the leading edge of sustainable homebuilding.