Cleveland Magazine - January 2026

CLE WEDDINGS

How Local Vendors and Personal Touches Make the Big Day Feel Like Your Own

LEFT OF THE DIAL

The Takeover of WCSB Inspires a Noisy Battle for the Future of College Radio

ORDER UP

Chef Zachary Ladner Brings the Heat (and the Meat) in Two Fast Casual Gems

ALL EYES ON

MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE JANUARY 2026

Lili Reinhart

From Cleveland Roots To

Hollywood Spotlight Sandra Morgan Honors

Her Grandfather’s Legacy

Jarrett Allen Brings

Quirk to The Court

Mackenzie Bart Forecasts Her Hidden Talent

Holiday Cocktail Competition

HOLIDAY COCKTAIL WINNING RECIPE VAULT CLEVELAND

BERRY CHRISTMAS CREATED BY GERARD STEFAN 1.5 OZ. MAKER’S MARK 0.5 OZ. COINTREAU 0.75 OZ. FRESH LEMON JUICE 0.75 OZ. STRAWBERRY PUREE GARNISH: LEMON PEEL

In partnership with Maker’s Mark, Cleveland Magazine hosted a Holiday Cocktail Competition on November 17 at The Aviator. The festive showdown featured 13 local restaurants competing to create the best holiday cocktail concoction. VAULT CLEVELAND’s Berry Christmas emerged as the crowd favorite, as voted on by attendees. Created by Gerard Stefan, the drink featured Maker’s Mark, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice and strawberry purée, finished with a bright lemon peel garnish.

Scan QR Code for the full list of cocktail recipes 

Gerard Stefan & Erica Demastes

FIRST PLACE WINNER VAULT CLEVELAND BERRY CHRISTMAS

Matthew Hallas

SECOND PLACE WINNER MARBLE ROOM AUTUMN REVERIE

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

Derek Ivancic & Jamie Cook

BEST DECORATED TABLE JACK THISTLEDOWN

AND THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

CONTENTS

34

January 2026 volume 55 / issue 1

34

ON THE COVER

MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE Meet the movers, shakers and creatives who make Cleveland the fascinating place it is. Our 2025 Most Interesting People exemplify the Cleveland spirit in their respective worlds. Edited by Annie Nickoloff Photo by Anum Sajjad

CONVERSATION

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GIRLS' JOINT A Gordon Square shop aims to create an inclusive, femme-forward space in the expanding cannabis industry.

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"Cleveland” (ISSN 0160-8533) is published monthly for a total of 12 issues per year by Great Lakes Publishing Co., 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115. / Periodical postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to Cleveland, 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115. / Subscription rates: U.S. $20.00 one year, $34.00 two years, $42.00 three years / All subscriptions are subject to state of Ohio sales tax of 8% based on publisher county of origin. / Copyright 2026 by Great Lakes Publishing Co. All rights reserved. / Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Title registered in U.S. Patent Office. / Printed in the United States. / Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or cartoons.

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CLEVELAND

01.26

FROM THE EDITOR

LAY OF THE LAND

NEW YEAR FUN Even if it's cold, get out this month with these events and spaces to make the most of your January. ENERGIZING GLOW We tried red light therapy, a skin care trend that's sweeping spas in Northeast Ohio.

RADIO FIGHT After Cleveland State University's college radio station went off the air in late 2025, what does it mean for local creative communities — and what will come next for XCSB?

FOOD & DRINK

HIGH ON THE HOG Zachary Ladner's love of meat shines in an easygoing butcher shop and a barbecue joint in Mayfield. ZERO-PROOF Find the best, most inventive mocktails that can satisfy and delight during Dry January.

HOME & GARDEN

149

COZY BASEMENT A Westlake basement transforms from a playroom, into the coziest space in the house.

152

LOOK BACK The minor-league hockey team, the Cleveland Barons, ended in 1973.

59 77

CLE WEDDINGS HOME DECOR

SPECIAL SECTIONS

MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE: MEGANN GALEHOUSE / GIRLS' JOINT: SOPHIE SAND KANNBERG WCSB PROTEST: MARK OPREA / SMOKEHOUSE 91: KAITLIN WALSH / HOME AND GARDEN: AMY CARRUTHERS

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PROGRESSIVE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW

Get a taste of summer at the state’s largest boat show, and find the vessel that’s right for you. 97

PRO HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW GUIDE

Find fresh ideas for stylish spaces, along with insider advice from experts who know how to bring homes to life. 137

WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

From scenic parks to charming local boutiques, uncover the hidden gems that make western Lake County worth exploring.

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C O N V E R S AT I O N

Just Another Year in Journalism FOODIE FA N FA R E Meet Christina Rufo, an editorial assistant for Cleveland Magazine and the curator of our monthly dining guides and Word of Mouth series. Her portfolio ranges far beyond food, also penning holiday party guides and newsy updates on pop culture trends. She even rode front row on Cedar Point’s Siren’s Curse — never afraid to take risks for a good story. Favorite Cleveland Restaurant: I love going to The Fairmount. They’re open late, the food is amazing and the drinks are always outstanding. Trust me, I’ve tried almost the entire menu. Hobbies Outside of Writing: I go line dancing nearly every week. I’m also a big movie fanatic. Any time I can take a trip to Regal Cinemas is a good day. I also enjoy painting, running and jigsaw puzzles. A Fun Fact About You: I hoard photos in my camera roll. I have thousands of screenshots and blurry photos that I refuse to get rid of, just in case.

2025 was a busy year in Cleveland; we could barely cover it all. Before we settle into a new season of news, relive the thrill of our buzziest and most-read stories from last year.

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Cleveland’s 25 Best Restaurants In a city boiling over with culinary excellence, our annual Best Restaurants issue chopped it down to a list of 25 trailblazers, go-getters and ol’-reliables in Cleveland dining. clevelandmagazine.com/best-restaurants

Cleveland Fish Fry Season 2025 Is Here: Find Dozens of Choices in Our Interactive Map Whether it was West Side, East Side or somewhere in between, we pinned hundreds of must-try fish fries in one convenient place. clevelandmagazine.com/fish-fry

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ICE Raid Hits Northeast Ohio Small Business In the wake of nationwide arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officers entered Cilantro Taqueria’s Cleveland Heights location and detained six individuals in late January, prompting local outrage. clevelandmagazine.com/ice-raid

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publisher

Dillon Stewart editor

managing editor Ron Ledgard senior editor Annie Nickoloff associate editor Julia Lombardo editorial assistants Christina Rufo, Jaden Stambolia contributing writers Robin Goist, Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Kate Bigam Kaput, Lainey Novak, Ken Prendergast, Ken Schneck, Lynne Thompson, Maura Zurick editorial intern Jalen Hobson art director Erin Stinard associate art director Abigail Archer contributing artists Liz Cook, Alex Denver, Megann Galehouse, Sophie Sand Kannberg, Kaitlin Walsh editorial@clevelandmagazine.com advertising vice president Paul Klein senior account managers Sarah Desmond, Tiffany Myroniak account managers Julie Bialowas, Jessica Thomas event manager Jennifer Roberts audience manager Kristen Brickner traffic coordinator Paige Schuller adsales@clevelandmagazine.com cleveland studios managing editor Jennifer Bowen Sima senior editor Ann-Marie Vazzano managing art director Jenny Perdue art director Megan Rosta-Walcutt video producer Carrie Largent production production manager Alyson Moutz production@clevelandmagazine.com d i g i ta l m e d i a director of digital strategy Jacquie Chakirelis development manager Daniel Klinzing digital campaign coordinator Kate Wildenthaler

Summer Patios: Cleveland’s 33 Best Spots to Eat and Drink Outside The season of sunshine is scarce in Cleveland, so our expansive guide to the region’s best outdoor dining spots made it easy to bask in the rays with a good bite to eat. clevelandmagazine.com/summer-patios

Lute Harmon Sr.

After the Mall, What Comes Next for Cleveland’s Suburbs? The shopping hubs of yesteryear are changing right before our eyes, faster than we can comprehend. We dove into what’s happening to these beloved community cornerstones. clevelandmagazine.com/malls

president & ceo

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FROM THE EDITOR

Chorus of a City The individual and the community are symbiotic. Vel Scott, inspired by her late husband’s health challenges and a trip to West Africa, wanted to bring healthier, plant-based food to her Cleveland neighbors. She knew it could resonate — with the right messaging. So she used the phrase “global soul cuisine” when describing the diet she was advocating. “I didn’t use the term ‘plant-based,’” says Scott, who has become a trailblazer in urban gardening and a champion of plant-based eating. “When you start naming things like ‘vegan,’ ‘vegetarian,’ many people in our community say, ‘Well, that’s not for us.’” Not only is Scott’s initiative reshaping the way her community thinks about healthy food, but her understanding of her community also shaped the way she approached her initiative. Across this month’s Most Interesting People issue (Page 34), you’ll meet creatives, politicians, businesspeople and community activists who are ingrained in their communities, shaped by their communities, and focused on building things that serve and feel like their communities. Mackenzie Bart, the Fox 8 meteorologist who moonlights as a ventriloquist, felt accepted by her team and viewers when she arrived at a station that allowed her to embrace her talents, which, in turn, have been used to bring fun to the broadcast. When Derrick C. Moore reluctantly embraced the nickname his followers gave him, “Unc,”

his social media account of food criticism finally skyrocketed. “I realized my relationship with my nephew was like the relationship with the community that I was trying to build,” he says. “So, I stopped denying it.” Place influences product and politics, too. Charles Craig, Swensons Drive-In’s culinary director, tapped the best of Cleveland’s dining scene to reinvigorate the brand’s local ties. Newly elected East Cleveland mayor Sandra Morgan had a spiritual pull to public service, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, the inventor Garrett Morgan. Gina Prodan Kelly, Cleveland Women’s Pro Soccer co-founder, knew there was a thirst for soccer after growing up around the sport. “I think we’re a horribly overlooked and undervalued market,” Kelly says. “We tend to be overlooked by people who are unfamiliar or haven’t done the work to understand the market.” The sentiment even rings true on the biggest stages, with those who left and who have come from afar. Guardians infielder Brayan Rocchio isn’t a native, but he may always be remembered as “Playoff Rocchio” for his heroics in Cleveland. Meanwhile, actress Lili Reinhart, who grew up in Bay Village and broke out with her role on Riverdale, honed her chops in local dance studios and on long drives to auditions in New York City with her mother as a teenager. She brings her Cleveland accent to each role she plays, as she’s occasionally reminded by co-stars. Now, as she sits on the precipice of her biggest roles yet, with three new movies set to release this year, we celebrate her as the cover star of our annual Most Interesting People issue. Cleveland is a quilt, not a tapestry. We are a patchwork of individual talents and quirks, each working in context with one another to build something warm, embracing and bigger than ourselves.

Dillon Stewart, editor

8 CLEVEL AND 01.26

THE DARK ROOM CO.

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Local personalities and trending topics

PRETTY LIT This woman-owned smoke shop brings creativity and confidence to cannabis culture. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

PG PHOTO BY SOPHIE SAND KANNBERG

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Monthly Events

PG

16

Red Light Benefits

PG

18

College Radio Controversy CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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LAY OF THE LAND

T

SHOPPING

he Girls’ Joint feels more like a creative studio than a smoke shop. There are no sterile glass counters or intimidating product walls. Instead, light pours over colorful shelves stocked with kitschy ashtrays, rose-petal rolling papers, bejeweled bongs and handcrafted joint wands. Nothing feels rushed or cold like the typical head shop environment. Multi-colored light fixtures hang overhead, and a hand-painted rainbow walkway climbs the wall. It’s a rare discovery among Cleveland’s cannabis scene. The boutique, founded by Mandi Cavano and Judie Vegh, redefines cannabis culture by blending education, artistry and community under one bright roof, empowering women to shop comfortably. “The experiences we’ve had in some of these other smoke shops weren’t very pleasant,” says Cavano. “From a feminine perspective, we’re looked at like we don’t know what we’re doing. No one wants to take the time to educate or help. And if they do, they’re looking down instead of at your eyes.” The two recognize that everyone’s relationship with cannabis is different and felt that disconnect in the shops they visited. In building The Girls’ Joint, they wanted a place that caters to the individual, sourcing 12 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

The Girls’ Joint is a femmeforward cannabis accessory boutique in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood.

cannabis accessories to fit every need. Cavano, who holds a medical card, uses cannabis to treat PTSD and manage pain following a near-fatal brain hemorrhage three years ago. Vegh, on the other hand, turns to cannabis recreationally as a way to unwind after work without the side effects associated with alcohol. Their different relationships with the plant mirror a national shift. According to a 2023 University of Michigan study, women ages 19 to 30 reported a higher rate of past-year cannabis use than men of the same age group, marking a reversal of a long-standing gender gap. The Girls’ Joint fits seamlessly into the Gordon Square neighborhood, celebrated for its strong network of women-owned businesses. The shop sources 85% of its inventory from women- and minority-

BY CHRISTINA RUFO / PHOTOS BY SOPHIE SAND KANNBERG

SHOPPING

STORE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR: COURTESY THE GIRLS’ JOINT

owned brands, with standouts like Blazy Susan, My Bud Vase and Canna Style. Rather than competing with nearby dispensaries, The Girls’ Joint complements them, offering accessories, insight and a safe, inclusive space for exploration, rather than the product itself. That community continues to grow; Mavuno, a women-owned dispensary, is set to open nearby in the coming months. “There’s so much that we can do to get involved in the area,” says Vegh. “It’s a community that supports each other, and that’s definitely something we want to be a part of.” At The Girls’ Joint, being “femme-forward” means more than pink branding or pretty packaging; it’s about creating a place where women feel seen. Cavano and Vegh have built an environment that’s approachable and easy to navigate, where anyone can ask questions, learn and connect without judgment. Men are welcome, too, but the focus remains on women and femme-identifying individuals, with products and experiences crafted around their perspectives and values. Every product is chosen with intention, and the shop is already working with Cleveland makers to introduce exclusive, locally made pieces. But that mission doesn’t end with what’s on the shelves. Cavano and Vegh envision The Girls’ Joint as a true gathering hub, which is why they plan to introduce hands-on programming with local artists and creatives. The goal is to offer a relaxed hangout where people can meet and create together through art nights and women-led comedy shows, many of which will have nothing to do with cannabis at all. The boutique additionally plans to roll out workshops and Marijuana 101 sessions so newcomers can feel supported. “I would love to be able to share stories of women and how cannabis has shaped their lives. Everybody has their own individual experience,” says Vegh. “We want to be able to remove that stigma that it’s something that can’t be talked about.”

LAY OF THE LAND

3 Picks at The Girls’ Joint

These three pipes and accessories from the Gordon Square shop add unique flair to Cleveland’s cannabis scene.

SAPPHIRE JEWEL BONG, MY BUD VASE $150

Styled to look like a home decor piece, this bright blue water pipe delivers a smoother, heavier inhale than a standard joint or pipe. Its wide chamber pulls in more smoke at once for a stronger, more efficient high with less throat burn. While it might look classy, it does not play around when you use it.

SHARK ATTACK BUBBLER, BURNING LOVE $78 A hybrid between a pipe and a bong, a bubbler filters smoke through water for smoother hits, but is compact enough to use with one hand. This piece works with flower or with a quartz banger attachment for dabs. Heat the concentrate, drop it in and inhale. Flower keeps things chill, while dabs take you to the moon.

LOOKAH BEAR 510 VAPE BATTERY $25.50+

This pocket-sized battery pairs with standard 510 vape cartridges from dispensaries. Twist on the cart, power it up and adjust the heat to control the vapor level. It gently warms concentrated oil for smooth, low-odor hits without throat burn or heavy smoke. Discreet and easy to use, it’s ideal for a clean, controlled high. CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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LAY OF THE LAND

THINGS TO DO

GETTING OUT

S A V E T H E D AT E

TOBOGGANING AT THE CHALET IN MILL STREAM RUN

FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS IN JANUARY Zip down Mill Stream Run’s icy chutes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month (except Jan. 2). Reservations allow for unlimited rides until the close of the day. Warm up with cocoa in The Chalet building. $13-$15, 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, clevelandmetroparks.com

(Yes, we’re still leaving the house.)

See the Youngest Animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo DAILY

SHAKESPEARE’S GREATEST HITS AT THE MUSIC BOX

JAN. 15 To be, or not to be? The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival presents iconic Shakespeare scenes in a monthly cabaret show — complete with plenty of sword fights. $15-$20, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, musicboxcle.com

EURO CRAFT BEER FEST AT SLOVENIAN NATIONAL HOME

JAN. 10 Prost! Sip a sample or enjoy a full pint at this brewing bonanza. More than a dozen local breweries showcase their best beers while live bands perform. $10, 6417 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, slovenianhome.com

THE CHARGE GAMES AT PUBLIC AUDITORIUM

T H E C L E V E L A N D M E T R O P A R K S Z O O comes alive in a different way in its winter months, particularly this season, following a “baby boom” year of

high-profile animal births at the park. The zoo’s 2025 babies include a sloth bear, tree kangaroo, giraffe, red panda, tufted deer and rhino. While some of them have grown to adult sizes, many continue to follow their parents in their spaces. “The baby rhino, of course, is out, weather permitting,” says Andi Kornak, the deputy executive director of the zoo. “So if it’s a little too chilly, that baby rhino may choose to stay in a little bit warmer area, and the public might not be able to see it.” Regardless of weather, you should typically see action from the red panda and tufted deer, which are cold-hardy species. “One of my favorite times to go through the zoo and observe animals is on some of those colder, snowy days,” Kornak says. “The animals’ activity stays the same, even if the weather is a little chilly.” Admission $17.50-$21.50; free for children under 2; Mondays free for Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township residents; 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, clevelandmetroparks.com 14 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

BY ANNIE NICKOLOFF

COURTESY THE CLEVEL AND ME TROPARKS ZOO

JAN. 2, 30, 31 Cheer on Cleveland’s G-League basketball team, the Charge, at three home games this month. Extra festivities include K-Pop Night (Jan. 2), giveaways (Jan. 30) and a concert (Jan 31). $13+, 500 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland, cleveland.gleague.nba.com

LAY OF THE LAND

WELLNESS

Seeing Red

Red-light therapy is a timeless treatment that’s continuing to evolve with newfound benefits.

I L I E F L A T I N A R O O M at Soul Space in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood, on something

reminiscent of a massage bed. A red-light panel is suspended 12 inches above my body. I’ve got 20 minutes, the maximum time advised for a red-light therapy session, and I have no idea how long it’s been. But as I ease into the warming sensation, I feel tingly, like my body is starting to relax. The time passed starts to matter less — until a timer ticks and everything goes dark. When I remove my protective goggles, the room is blue, then teal, then blue again. The light was white when I entered. As I gather my things and exit the space, I ask chief operating officer Jamie Fiore why the colors change. He shoots me a confused look. “There’s no colored lights,” he says. “That’s probably your eyes adjusting.” The beauty of red-light therapy is that its benefits are actively being researched for practically every part of the body — eyes, waist, face, hair. Put simply, red-light wavelengths penetrate through skin to heal at a cellular level, reducing fine lines, wrinkles and other irregularities while also enhancing skin tone and texture. Red light is commonly used in dermatology to help with acne and skin pigmentation and in orthopedic medicine to treat inflammation and muscle pain. Jacob Wolf, a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist with University Hospitals Connor Whole Health in Beachwood, also notes its prevalence in holistic medicine and natural therapy. “It’s the same logic of why you go outside to expose your skin to the sun to get vitamin

Want to bask in the red light? Here are some unique ways to get a dose across Cleveland.

TRUE REST: A Vitality Suite combines the healing properties of a red-light therapy session with a cold-water plunge and infrared sauna for a bundled experience that attacks inflammation in three ways. 21643 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, 440-333-7378, truerest.com 16 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

YOGA STRONG : Red-light yoga classes

use full-body, near-infrared panels for muscle recovery, skin rejuvenation and a good stretch in one quick flow. 1104 Prospect Ave. E. Cleveland, 216-2054642; 5896 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, 330-526-6001, yogastrongstudios.com

KÜR: At this medical spa specializing in aesthetic treatments, a face-focused red-light therapy session using a medical-grade LED light is ideal for those looking to reduce acne and wrinkles. 1415 W. Ninth St., Cleveland, 216-634-9088, chooseyourkur.com

BY JULIA LOMBARDO

ISTOCK PHOTO, O2O CREATIVE

Red-Hot Fads

D,” Wolf says. “Those wavelengths are passing through the skin and activating different things to allow your body to create vitamin D. With red-light therapy, you’re getting activated by a light source and fine-tuned to those specific wavelengths that have their own medical properties and absorption depths in the skin. You get a more targeted frequency for what you need.” Newer studies show that red-light therapy can also aid in producing collagen and elastin, boosting mood and reducing eye strain — far beyond what the treatment once was. “The concept has been around since at least the 1950s or ’60s, using laser devices to do the same treatment in very small, concentrated areas,” Wolf says. “Through some technological developments with NASA, it shifted into these LED-based products. They essentially invented (red light) LEDs to be able to grow plants in space, and then used that technology in experiments to assess for wound healing and got good data.” There’s power in just one red-light session; I feel smooth, like I’ve shed a layer of skin, and I sense an elevated eagerness in my demeanor. But this isn’t a one-and-done thing. “Think about it like working out,” Fiore says. “You’re not going to really feel what it can do unless you do it frequently.” Both Fiore and Wolf say that folks usually know what they’re getting themselves into with red-light therapy, though as demand spikes, an unruly market of face masks, belts and helmets can dupe the average user. “There are a lot of reputable dealers out there, but take consumer-level products with a grain of salt, because it’s hard to control the quality,” Wolf advises, noting that devices may not use the correct wavelength to reap benefits like medical-grade equipment. Regardless, he says that red-light therapy has been proven safe when used within reason: “It’s an external treatment. It’s nondamaging to the skin and other tissues. We have good evidence that it can be effective for a lot of different things.”

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LAY OF THE LAND

C O M M E N TA R Y

TOP AND MIDDLE: MARK OPREA / REMAINING: ANNIE NICKOLOFF

The Battle Over the Left End of the Dial: After being pushed off the air, XCSB finds a new future. 18 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

BY ANNIE NICKOLOFF

C O M M E N TA R Y

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lison Bomgardner speaks into a microphone with authority at the Beachland Ballroom on a late October evening. Of course, she’s good at speaking into microphones. The former WCSB director has plenty of experience from hosting her freeform show Squirm, which she ran under the DJ name “Squirrel.” But on this day, her show, along with the rest of the college radio station’s programming, is off the air. Bomgardner is joined at the Beachland by former WCSB business director Liam Main and programmers from WRUW and WJCU, in a conversation about the impact of Cleveland college radio, hosted by the local nonprofit Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future. “The left end of the dial is for commercial stations and college students to eff up on air. But it’s also where you get the most genuine connection with your community,” Bomgardner says. “Even if we look at WMMS or an iHeart (Media radio station), most of the time, it’s either syndicated; some of them even use AI now. That’s something you wouldn’t find on the left end.” An audience of just under 100 people, many of them fellow college radio station DJs — myself included — fills the indie venue, anxious to hear what comes next for the newly dubbed “XCSB” after the former college radio station was replaced by a 24/7 JazzNEO channel that’s run by Ideastream Public Media in early October. To understand what it all means for Cleveland’s college radio world. It’s personal. A big chunk of my post-college life has had something to do with college radio. Every Friday morning of the past 10 years, I’ve trekked to WRUW-FM 91.1, Case Western Reserve University’s basement station, to host a freeform music show, Sunny Day. I started out as a fourth-year CWRU student and, as many alums do, stuck around as a community member DJ. Now, nearly every week, I get up before the sun rises and head to the wood-paneled Studio B to queue up a mish-mash of tunes. I manage the sound boards and share stories about music and gardening and pets and life, all while taking occasional calls and online messages from listeners. Those calls and messages have shown me how college radio can forge community in unlikely spaces. Clevelanders from all walks of life tune in: There are office workers and researchers listening on the job, parents driving their kids to school and mechanics working in car shops, all of whom, for their own reasons, like indie radio. Through phone requests, I befriended a local artist working on sculptures in the super-early morning hours. I once chatted with a veteran who said that hearing college radio hosts at night helped him manage post-traumatic stress disorder. And I connected with an alum and regular listener who tunes in from Germany, in a vastly different time zone. It’s one powerful, personal, diverse, far-flung community. XCSB had that, too. Programming at CSU’s college radio station spanned cultures and generations in its 98 weekly shows. There was Herb Irvin’s soul, funk and R&B show, Anti-Urban Contemporary Thang, and Lisa Miralia’s experimental noise show, Mysterious Black Box. Liam Main helped organize CSB Live, a live program showcasing local bands. There was Scary Ellen’s ’70s and ’80s punk program Millions of Dead Chickenheads. The Monster Boogie ska show. A talk program called 669. Darrick Grant’s acclaimed Eclectic Soul program. Longtime programming was beloved by Slovenian, German, Arabic, Hungarian and Polish communities — and a few of these shows were selected to maybe have new slots on Ideastream, according to Ideastream President & CEO Kevin Martin.

Students and community members have protested an October decision by Cleveland State University to end the college’s student radio station and transfer its operations to Ideastream for its new JazzNEO channel.

LAY OF THE LAND

But on Oct. 3 (notably, World College Radio Day) all of the former CSU station’s weird-and-wonderful blend of student and community programming went off the air in an agreement between the university and Ideastream. Around 11 a.m., it suddenly switched, making FM 89.3 the home of JazzNEO. There was no warning or discussion, says Bomgardner. News 5 was on the scene as CSU police abruptly escorted students out of the building that day. The moment cut off a nearly 50-year run of independent, eclectic and experimental music and talk programming on the left end of Cleveland’s airwaves. And WCSB became one thing it had fought to never become: homogeneous. While CSU retains its Federal Communications Commission license, it’s entered an operating agreement with Ideastream that lets JazzNEO use the terrestrial signal. A copy of that agreement shows that, while no money was directly exchanged between the two organizations, CSU will receive internships and learning opportunities, 1,000 onair underwriting announcements and a seat on Ideastream’s Board of Trustees. The agreement fueled ire in Cleveland’s college radio community, which instantly flowed in social media comments sections and fervent email chains among DJs, all detailing a profound sense of loss and grief. A few days after it went off the air, XCSB gathered on a drizzly October day for a silent protest with about 200 supporters present. Other protests followed: at a City Club of Cleveland event featuring Ideastream leadership, at Bloomberg’s State of the University address, at the university’s board of trustees meeting — and at the college’s Fall Visit Day. A petition to retract Ideastream’s operations of WCSB and return the station to the students gathered more than 3,500 signatures. Cleveland city councilman Kris Harsh, himself a former WRUW DJ, railed against the decision at an Oct. 6 City Council meeting, saying he canceled his donations to Ideastream due to the new agreement. “What makes Cleveland a beautiful place is the amount of people we can support in our community. Not just the mainstream, not just the normal folks, but those weird misfits that need their own island, those people that don’t belong anywhere else, those people like me who tune in in the middle of the night and discover grindcore,” Harsh said in an impassioned speech. “We need a place to go. We need a home. And college radio gives us our home. It gives us a place to say ‘I belong.’” I understand Harsh’s sentiment — the CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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LAY OF THE LAND

C O M M E N TA R Y

“WHAT MAKES CLEVELAND A BEAUTIFUL PLACE IS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE CAN SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY. NOT JUST THE MAINSTREAM.” – KRIS HARSH, CLEVELAND CITY COUNCILMAN, FORMER WRUW DJ

fulfillment I’ve experienced, sharing and discovering new music in one of the most musically passionate scenes in the city. (And, it’s worth noting the numerous professional development opportunities, industry connections and audio and tech experiences college radio has given me and every other programmer I know.) Cleveland college radio is home. That home, for XCSB, is changing, but it’s not demolished. In November and December, XCSB student members worked to get back into its studio space in the Cole Center, which they had lost access to when operations switched to Ideastream. They aimed to rev up the former station as a student organization with a new format, possibly streaming. At least initially, the new iteration of the station won’t include community members, Bomgardner says — and won’t feature XCSB programming on its original signal of FM 89.3. “It’s really important to note that practical solutions and steps happening do not mean we’re at the end of this fight, nor are we willing to end this fight. Even if we get access to the space, and even if we possibly continue as a streaming station, that does not mean our advocacy is going to stop,” Bomgardner says. “It doesn’t mean that this is the end at all.” Months earlier, at the October Beachland event, conversation dips into independent radio’s support of local musicians and concert venues; how station work has led directly to some DJs’ current careers. The panelists talk about XCSB’s extensive vinyl collection and its future. They recognize CSU’s financial struggles and challenges as a public university in the current political climate. The four panelists, from three different signals, come together to talk about the troubling trend of college radio stations dwindling away in recent years. According to a study in the Journal of Radio & Audio Media, more than 30 college radio stations transferred or closed their licenses between 2010 and 2015. Since 2019, Ohio’s Wittenberg University, Denison University and Ohio Northern University have relinquished control of or sold their licenses to external organizations. As that control now leaves XCSB, many in the community continue to push for a reverse course. On the same October day that XCSB station members discuss the importance of college radio from the 20 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

stage of the Beachland Ballroom, across town, Cleveland City Council brings some of the same topics to council chambers. Ward 9’s Kevin Conwell denounces Ideastream’s deal with CSU and jazz programming push; former Ward 3’s Lauren Welch discusses her influential experiences as an emo music college radio DJ and as a musician, encouraging CSU students to, in honor of The All-American Rejects, “give them hell.” The issue drew hundreds of public comments online; “more comments on this issue than any issue in the history of public comments in Cleveland,” Harsh says. On this night, City Council unanimously passes an emergency resolution urging CSU to restore WCSB to its former station members. At the Beachland Ballroom, attendees share the resolution update live, in a room full of DJs and listeners cheering together, in community. A victory. But this resolution is not likely to get XCSB back to what it once was. The following day, after her State of the University speech, Bloomberg tells WKYC that despite the resolution, the deal won’t budge. “While I believe we need to honor the legacy of this radio station, I firmly believe we also need to pivot to the future and look at the technologies that students can access today that allow more college-age students to access the media,” Bloomberg says to WKYC. “A lot of college students do not have FM radios; they are accessing information on their phones through streaming.” The future of XCSB is unclear. But the protests and events continue. The Happy Dog owner Sean Watterson hosts a weekly Friday night XCSB DJ event series in the month of November to support former programmers. WRUW hosts an “XCSB On Air” show from 2-3 p.m. on Saturdays, featuring a rotating guest list of former WCSB college radio DJs. Beachland Ballroom owner Cindy Barber mentions finding space for XCSB to use in the Waterloo Arts District, if needed. Despite the turmoil of the past couple of months, the 50-year-old piece of the local music scene continues, as always, to forge a community in Cleveland — its impact reverberating and resonating still. (Editor’s note: This column does not necessarily reflect the views of WRUW, which has released an official statement about WCSB, stating: “As a station that has supported independent student and community programming for over 50 years, we express frustration at the decision of Cleveland State University to switch from freeform student programming to a 24/7 Jazz alternative.”)

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01.26

Delicious bites and the people who make them

DOUBLE CUT

In side-by-side Mayfield storefronts, chef Zachary Ladner has perfected a meat-centric, fast-casual approach. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

PG PHOTO BY KAITLIN WALSH

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Pizza Guy’s Hot Picks

PG

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Mocktail Mania CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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FOOD & DRINK

REVIEW

This Strip Mall Is Home to Some Serious Sandwiches and Barbecue Smokehouse 91’s barbecue lineup and The Village Butcher’s sandwich menu showcase chef Zachary Ladner’s love of meat — and some of his best work.

Smokehouse 91 and The Village Butcher

818 SOM Center Road, Mayfield, thevillagebutchermayfield.com

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heat emanates from the corner of SOM Center and Wilson Mills roads. It’s not just from the billows of two smokers, a box-style for ribs and a reverseflow for brisket, sitting behind the Mayfield strip mall, but also from the buzz surrounding some of the best new barbecue in Northeast Ohio. In side-by-side storefronts, chef Zachary Ladner offers two unique odes to meat. Opened in March, Smokehouse 91 is a straightforward Texas-style, counter-service barbecue joint with all the fixins. Next door, the Village Butcher, which has been around since 2022, provides the locally sourced beef, turkey, chicken and pork and delivers its own lineup of protein-packed sandwiches. Ladner is a busy man. A Texas-native, his first foray into the Cleveland dining scene was Smokin’ Qs, just down the street. Underappreciated and misunderstood, perhaps, the concept made our Best Restaurants list in 2019, combining barbecue and tacos into a spectacular Tex-Mex adventure. Since Smokin’ Qs closed in December 2023, the space has been revamped into the ItalianAmerican Cuoco Bello. Meanwhile, his Tutto Carne in Little Italy is an Italian restaurant for carnivores, putting a fine-dining polish on his artisan butchery. He’s also the executive chef of Giovanni’s Ristorante, a Chagrin Boulevard classic since 1976, and two concepts in Shaker Heights’ Van Aken District: Paloma, which serves stellar tacos, and Haute Donuts & BBQ, a mashup doughnut and barbecue stall in the Market Hall. He doesn’t do it alone. Alyssa, his wife, helped found Haute. Carl Quagliata owns Giovanni’s Ristorante, where Ladner is executive chef, and serves as a partner in others. Chef Bradley Zaremba heads up the kitchens at The Village Butcher and Smokehouse 91. Ladner is passionate about meat, especially butchery that uses the entire animal. Much of the product from The Village Butcher, as well as Paloma, which is also equipped to break down whole cows and hogs, is Ohioraised from farms within 50 miles. BY DILLON STEWART / PHOTOS BY KAITLIN WALSH

REVIEW

FOOD & DRINK

In addition to sandwiches, The Village Butcher offers retail buys and supplies a number of sister restaurants.

“At the end of the day, eating a whole bunch of meat is not the most ecologically friendly thing to do,” Ladner says, “but I feel if I’m using the whole animal and sourcing it from responsible farmers, I’m doing my due diligence to satisfy the needs of people who want to eat meat, but in a way that is best for the local economy and ecosystem.” The focus on reducing waste is why we’ll start at Smokehouse 91, not with the meat but with the phenomenal sides, if you should even use that word for something so central to the experience. On the surface, the lineup screams “no, duh.” But each offering delivers more complexity than your average barbecue accompaniment. The collard greens ($5.50) are so loaded with smoked pork neck that you could eat them alone for lunch. The chefs use baby back rib trimmings to make a stock with huge chunks of slow-roasted pork. The brisket chili ($5.50) uses leftover brisket to create, possibly, our favorite bite of the meal. Chipotle chilis and Frank’s Red Hot crank up the heat just enough to make you sweat, giving Mexican mole vibes. The mac and cheese ($5.50), more reminiscent of a Velveeta mac than the baked steakhouse style, is another star. American cheese gives the sauce its consistency, which pulls as much as it goos,

while a pepper jack-Colby Jack combo brings dynamic flavor. The real secret, though, is a deep pan that allows the chefs to place cooked mac and cheese on the bottom and then add more cheese on top to be broiled, creating a layered texture. Round it out with Alyssa’s Cornbread ($5.50) served with honey butter, a fan favorite from Smokin’ Qs. Meat, served by the half-pound, exemplifies textbook execution. Fatty or lean brisket ($31.99) gets a simple salt, pepper and sugar rub before hitting the smoker for 18 hours. The result is flaky without falling apart. The pulled pork ($17.99) is saucy and finely shredded. The sausage ($15.99), traditional or poblano, is served sliced but leaves enough of that coveted snap casing on the bite. While smoke can overpower white meat, the turkey breast ($18.99) is a good example of walking the line. Ladner uses a herby rub and a 72hour brine, the vinegar in which helps prevent over-absorption of smoke. Pair these with seven house-made sauces, our favorites being Alabama White and Hot and Spicy. The counter-service approach is inspired again by Ladner’s upbringing in Texas. You can eat in, but the restaurant has fewer than 20 seats. Service starts with a meat carver, who lets you try before you buy. Move down the line to snag sides and a house-made

W H E N YO U G O

GET CORNY

Served in a mini-pan, the crumbly Alyssa’s Cornbread ($5.50) with honey butter is a delicious holdover from Smokin’ Qs.

EARLY RISER

If you’re thinking dinner, make it early. Smokehouse 91 closes at 7 p.m., and Village Butcher closes at 6 p.m.

ALL THE FIXINS

Each plate comes with house-made coleslaw, pickles and white bread, for a full Texas experience.

lemonade before checking out. “We were trying to do very traditional Central Texas barbecue, where you sort of build a rapport with the staff there,” says Ladner. “We didn’t want it to feel like you were at, like, a Chipotle.” Next door, at The Village Butcher, the lunch and early dinner rush can be overwhelming, especially leading up to the weekend. Some customers shop for prepared foods, pantry items or one of nearly 100 unique cold cuts, steaks, sausages and more. But most are there for the sandwiches. The original concept was a butcher shop that served smashburgers, which The Village Butcher does to great success with the classic cheeseburger on a brioche bun ($12). The two dry-aged patties are much thicker than your average smashburger, but still present some crunch on the edges. The menu has grown to include 13 staples, including sandwiches with meatballs ($12), chicken cutlets ($12) and steak ($15). Specials like Nashville hot chicken rotate in based on whatever’s exciting the butchers at the moment. The most popular among the standards is The Larry ($14), a take on a Philly cheesesteak that puts a boatload of shaved, grilled beef on a baguette with caramelized onion and American cheese before smothering it in Jacques dressing, a mustardy mayo vinaigrette that fans of Giovanni’s will recognize. The Village Butcher and Smokehouse 91 are two separate concepts, but pairing them feels organic and cohesive. Each excels in celebrating the meat Ladner so loves, no pretense necessary. It’s the perfect addition to Ladner’s quickly growing culinary universe. And the best part? Trying them both only takes one trip. CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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FOOD & DRINK

WORD OF MOUTH

Vincent Morelli Chef-Owner, Cent’s Pizza & Goods Northeast Ohio’s top chefs share their local favorites.

IN T HE NEIG HB O RHO O D: I have a couple of favorite spots on Lorain Avenue. The Judith has

such a cool concept and some amazing people behind it. It’s Parisian and cozy; I usually get the tuna sandwich on Leavened bread. It hits all the right notes: salty, savory and it’s a satisfying quick bite. Duck Rabbit Coffee is another favorite; the aesthetic is great, and their coffee is always on point. My go-to order is an oat cortado, same at both places. ITALIAN MEMO RIES : I have a nostalgic relationship with Presti’s Bakery in Little Italy. Growing

up, we’d always stop for cold slices. The artichoke and cheese slices are still my favorites. If I’m driving through the neighborhood, I’ll pop in for a quick snack every time. DELIG HT FU L DES S ERT S : My favorite desserts are ice cream or cheesecake. I love Mason’s

Creamery in Ohio City. I’ll mix a sorbet or fruity flavor with something creamy, kind of like a peanut butter and jelly combo. And Larder (Delicatessen and Bakery) does a really good, classic cheesecake. B RE AK FAST B IT ES : I usually get the bacon, egg and cheese from Cleveland Bagel Co. in Ohio

City. Or if I want a cheap, easy breakfast sandwich, I’ll go to Johnny Hot Dog in Ohio City. Juneberry Table is my favorite sit-down breakfast spot. There, I get the breakfast burrito that has beef brisket, refried beans, peppers, mushrooms, lime rice, queso and is topped with a fried egg. I prefer a savory breakfast.

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COURTESY VINCENT MORELLI

Originally from Parma, Vincent Morelli never planned to be a chef, though food was always central to his Italian American roots. After time in Cleveland’s restaurant scene and New York’s fashion industry, he merged his love for food, art and design, opening Cent’s Pizza & Goods in Detroit-Shoreway in 2021 and bringing his Roberta’s-honed pizza craft home to Cleveland. “I learned to take inspiration from anything and everything,” he says. — CHRISTINA RUFO

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FOOD & DRINK

DINING GUIDE

18 BEST

MOCKTAIL SPOTS IN CLEVELAND

Alley Cat Oyster Bar

WHY WE LOVE IT: Perched along the Flats East Bank, this waterfront favorite serves fresh seafood and panoramic river views in a setting that feels equal parts coastal and Cleveland. Behind the bar, the team gives mocktails detailed attention, crafting bubbly sips that fit the breezy vibe. TRY THIS: A spirit-free take on its classic Cat’s Pajamas cocktail, the Kitten’s Pajamas ($6) is a delicious lemonade that can be offered in strawberry jalapeno or blueberry basil. 1056 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-574-9999, alleycatoysterbar.com

Amazonia

WHY WE LOVE IT: Inside a cozy, converted Lakewood home, Amazonia feels like an explorer’s retreat with an ever-evolving menu built around flavor and concept. Inventive pours and nuanced alcohol-free versions are all crafted from scratch, as ingredients lead and spirits follow. TRY THIS: The zero-proof Coconut Song ($15) replicates the experience of its alcoholic rendition with a different kind of buzz. A custom blend of Seedlip, Lyre’s and house-made syrups, plus custom smoking techniques and charred lime, add a touch of tropical sweetness, smoke and bitterness for a complex, island-inspired sip. 1640 Hopkins Ave., Lakewood, 216-712-6745, amazoniabar.com

Cloak & Dagger

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CLEVELAND

01.26

BY CHRISTINA RUFO

COURTESY AMAZONIA

WHY WE LOVE IT: This Tremont hotspot serves a dark academia aesthetic with moody vibes, elegant details and a touch of culinary mystique. Its ever-changing, all-vegan menu paired with wildly dynamic cocktails and mocktails makes every visit feel unexpectedly unique. TRY THIS: Smaller Acts ($16) is a standout from the Secrets of the World: Act 3 menu that remains available year-round. This silky, nutty mocktail mirrors the richness of its spirited counterpart, balancing coffee, hazelnut and a touch of sea salt for a smooth, luxurious finish. 2399 West 11th St., Cleveland, 216-7955657, cloakanddaggercle.com

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FOOD & DRINK

DINING GUIDE

Amba

WHY WE LOVE IT: Step into a transportive dining experience where bold Indian-inspired flavors meet vibrant, thoughtfully crafted drinks. The intimate, amber-lit setting makes it an ideal spot to savor the moody ambiance and shareable small plates alike. TRY THIS: The Spiced Nectar ($13) offers a sweet, aromatic and earthy blend of citrusy zero-proof spirit and cardamom agave, finished with a dried lime wheel. 1430 W. 28th St., 216- 417-6718, ambacle.com

Cordelia

Crumb & Spigot

WHY WE LOVE IT: Blending rustic charm with an upscale atmosphere, this gastropub serves wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails and an easygoing neighborhood vibe in Lakewood and Bainbridge. It’s a go-to for both casual nights and special occasions. "We were inspired to provide a different avenue versus just normal cocktails," says owner Jamy Bolling. TRY THIS: The Sober Clover ($12) offers a bright, tangy sip that balances sweet grenadine with apple cider vinegar, citrus and a silky egg white finish. 16783 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge, 440-3843035; 15322 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-7126992, crumbandspigot.com

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LIZZIE SCHLAFER

WHY WE LOVE IT: A love letter to Cleveland’s past and present, this restaurant blends modern creativity with homey heart. “It’s Midwest melting pot meets modern grandma. It’s a celebration of our farmers, purveyors and the seasons,” says proprietor Andrew Watts. Sip a clever craft mocktail while soaking in the bustle of East Fourth Street. TRY THIS: Using Lyre’s and Seedlip with house-made syrups, the bar team creates nonalcoholic versions of their most popular drinks. The 3 Dope Boyz In A Cadillac ($17) swaps in Lyre’s American Malt and Lyre’s Amaretti with apple cider, ginger beer and fresh lemon, finished with skewered candied ginger. 2058 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-230-2355, cordeliacle.com

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CLEVELAND

01.26

DINING GUIDE

The Fairmount

WHY WE LOVE IT: This Cleveland Heights gem blends a cozy neighborhood hangout with the style of a modern cocktail lounge, perfect for relaxed evenings or lively weekend outings. The menu features a variety of flavor-packed, spirit-free options, and a new “low-proof” lineup is set to debut soon. “People are becoming more health-conscious and paying closer attention to what they put into their bodies, especially younger folks,” says general manager Brian Matthews. “It’s a nice option to be able to offer.” TRY THIS: The Little Green One ($10) mixes cilantro, lime, pineapple, mint and jalapeno into a bright verdita juice, topped with Fever-Tree tonic and a Tajin rim for a zesty, booze-free twist on a spicy margarita. 2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-229-9463, thefairmount.net

Heck’s Cafe

WHY WE LOVE IT: Across its Avon, Beachwood and Ohio City locations, this local favorite pairs plant-filled interiors and soft lighting with a relaxed, modern vibe. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, burgers or cocktails, it always

feels like the perfect spot to unwind. TRY THIS: The pomegranate-ginger spritz ($10) balances sweet, tart and spicy notes in one refreshing blend topped with a sparkling nonalcoholic wine. Various locations, heckscafe.com

Humble Wine Bar

WHY WE LOVE IT: Warm lighting, a stone oven and inviting neighborhood energy set the tone for a space that strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined. The wood-fired pizzas and thoughtful wine list make it easy to settle in and stay awhile. TRY THIS: The Phony Negroni ($10) is the perfect evening pairing, featuring a blend of Seedlip Spice, DHOS Bittersweet and Apertivo Rosso. 15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-767-5977, humblewinebar.com

Jukebox

WHY WE LOVE IT: A neighborhood staple in Hingetown, this music-centric bar keeps things casually laid-back and lively with a curated jukebox, regular vinyl nights and a warm, come-as-you-are energy. The menu leans comfort-forward with house-made pierogis and creative bar fare, paired with a

FOOD & DRINK

drink list that’s as inclusive as it is fun. TRY THIS: Easy-drinking picks include Athletic Brewing’s Cerveza Atletica ($5), BrewDog’s Hazy AF IPA ($5.50) and Surely Brut sparkling wine ($11). For something more intricate, try a house mocktail like the creamy Harry Nilsson ($9). 1404 W. 29th St., Cleveland, 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com

Kava Sol

WHY WE LOVE IT: Kava Sol brings a welcoming boho-chic energy to Downtown Willoughby, shifting from cozy daytime cafe to vibrant evening hangout. Its alcohol-free drinks are crafted with botanicals designed to restore, relax and uplift. “We wanted to create a place where people could socialize without alcohol and find connection and community,” says co-owner Lindsay Kronk. TRY THIS: The Speakeasy ($9) is Kava Sol’s unique twist on an old fashioned, blending bitter and sweet flavor profiles. It features Three Spirit’s social botanical elixir, The Pathfinder Spirit and Kava Sol’s house-brewed elixir, rounded out with orange and maple notes. 4055 Erie St. Rear, Willoughby, 440-710-6065, kavasol.com

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DINING GUIDE

Never Say Dive

WHY WE LOVE IT: With playful bites, inventive cocktails and a nostalgic atmosphere, this spot has defined a bar-scene revival in Old Brooklyn. TRY THIS: The strawberry tonic ($9) is an effervescent delight with strawberry syrup, cinchona bark, fennel seed and basil. If you’re in the mood to crack open a can, check out any of the four nonalcoholic beers offered. 4497 Broadview Road, Cleveland, neversaydivecle.com

Seeing Double

WHY WE LOVE IT: Tucked away in North Olmsted, this speakeasy-style bar mixes effortless charm with modern flair. The dim lighting, plush seating and live music set the stage for creative cocktails and easy conversation. TRY THIS: With 10 creative mocktails on the menu, mostly bright and fruity, you can still enjoy a fun, flavorful drink without the alcohol. The NA Painkiller ($10) is a tropical blend of coconut, orange, pineapple, lime, grenadine and a sprinkle of nutmeg that tastes like pure vacation. 26880 Brookpark Ext., North Olmsted, 440-641-1267, seeingdoublecle.com

Tartine Bistro

WHY WE LOVE IT: Treating Rocky River like a little slice of Paris, this bistro pairs classic French charm with West Side ease. Woodfired quiches and a sidewalk patio elevate any occasion. TRY THIS: The Petit Autumn ($13) blends cider, vanilla, maple, ginger, cayenne and apple butter for a cozy, spiced sip topped with a bruleed apple, while Mon Petit Coeur ($13) layers alcohol-removed red wine with apple cider, cinnamon and maple for a smooth, seasonal treat. “As the years have passed, people have been focused more on wellness, and they’ve removed alcohol from their lives, and I’m also one of those people. So, that kind of pushed me to ensure that there were other options for those who still want to go out and have a nice time,” says general manager Sarah Migal. “It offers them something other than a Coke product or water. I think that’s important, and people appreciate it.” Guests can also choose from several nonalcoholic beers, along with alcohol-removed wines and kombucha. 19110 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, 440-331-0800, tartinebistro.com

Verbena Free Spirited

WHY WE LOVE IT: After Dry January prompted a lifestyle shift for Molly Cheraso and her husband, she crafted a vision that became Cleveland’s first cafe-by-day, dry-bar-by-night. At the trendy Hingetown store, guests can sample nearly everything on the shelves before taking bottles home, and each craft mocktail is served in elegant glassware to mirror the traditional cocktail experience. Meant to function as a community third place, the inviting shop is adorned with vibrant colors, abstract patterns and charming decor. Its concept aims to fill a gap in Cleveland’s nightlife scene by offering an evening gathering spot that isn’t centered around alcohol. TRY THIS: The New Romantics ($13) is a delicate, yet complex cocktail shimmering with edible glitter and fresh floral notes. The drink packs personality with layers of pink peppercorn gin, peach peony tea, rose syrup and lemon juice for a balanced mix of soft sweetness, gentle spice and bright citrus. Served in a martini glass with a flower garnish, it’s equal parts refined and playful. 1434 W. 29th St. Cleveland, 216-273-7170, verbenafreespirited.com

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CLEVELAND

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DINING GUIDE

Viking Public House

WHY WE LOVE IT: Located on the Cleveland State University campus, Viking Public House combines a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere with bold character. Large mead hall-style tables and Viking-inspired decor create an immersive setting that feels both unique and familiar. TRY THIS: “Since we’re on a college campus, a lot of our students aren’t 21 yet, so it’s nice to have something fun for them to enjoy,” says bar manager Amber Flaesgarten. The mocktails draw inspiration from past drinks, each given its own nonalcoholic twist, including the 86 Freya ($5), a refreshing mix of strawberry, lemon and lime finished with a sugar rim — a reimagining of the former Freya 75. 2300 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-802-3131, viking-publichouse.com

JAMES ELLIS

The Watson

WHY WE LOVE IT: Hidden behind a faux post office entrance, this Cuyahoga Falls speakeasy turns any night out into an experience. With Gilded Age decor, vintage films and cocktails served in cages, smoke boxes and bubbles, every visit feels like a secret

Sunday

January 11

FOOD & DRINK

adventure. TRY THIS: With six mocktails on the menu, many of them made with holistic adaptogens, this spot proves zero-proof can still pack a punch. The Pepper Pickletini ($12) is inspired by a nonalcoholic gin mixed with botanicals, fresh brine and a pinch of salt and pepper, and delivers a crisp, savory kick. 1846 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-801-0009, watsonspeakeasy.com

Zhug

WHY WE LOVE IT: A lively mix of boldly spiced Middle Eastern flavors and modern energy, rooted in joyful sharing, this Cleveland Heights favorite turns dining into a true communal experience. The airy, industrial space buzzes with warmth as guests share plates piled high with vibrant meze. TRY THIS: The N/A No. 2 ($12) offers a refreshingly bright citrusforward balance of Ritual gin alternative, lemon and chardonnay vinegar, reminiscent of a sweet Tom Collins. Or, opt for one of the house gazoz drinks ($11), a fizzy soda water infused with fruit syrups for an elevated, flavor-packed sip. 12413 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-862-2508, zhugcle.com

2–4 pm

Birchwood School of Hawken is now accepting the Ohio EdChoice Scholarship CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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most interesting people 2026 Whether they have HIDDEN TALENTS, BIG-TIME FAME or UNEXPECTED HOBBIES, these ACCOMPLISHED Clevelanders have UNIQUE BACKGROUNDS and stories — but they all share one thing in common: PASSION for their COMMUNITIES.

EDI TED BY ANNI E NI CKOLOFF S T O R I E S B Y K AT E B I G A M K A P U T, R O B I N G O I S T, VINCE GUERRIERI, JULIA LOMBARDO, ANNIE NICKOLOFF, CHRISTINA RUFO, K E N S C H N E C K , LY N N E T H O M P S O N , M A U R A Z U R I C K PHOTO G R APHY BY MEGANN GALEH OUSE A S S I ST E D BY M AG A N M C L AU G H L I N MAKEU P BY LI Z CO O K

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FOX 8 METEOROLOGIST AND VENTRILOQUIST

mackenzie bart WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Fox 8 News meteorolo-

gist Mackenzie Bart is also a ventriloquist, a talent that helped The Ohio State University grad win the title of Miss Ohio in 2014. A LOVE OF LAMB CHOP: Bart credits her grand-

mother with introducing her to ventriloquism with tapes of famous duos’ performances. “To take a toy and make it talk, sing these songs and act them out, I was completely mesmerized. I started doing sock puppets, trying to mimic what Shari Lewis was doing with Lamb Chop.” BIRTH OF A SIDEKICK: Bart got her puppet, Roxy,

custom made by a professional puppet-maker in Virginia when she was 12 or 13 years old. The blond bombshell is endowed with a sassy personality. Bart’s mother made the red sequined gown worn for performances. “I wanted somebody who was the complete opposite of me.” TRICKS OF THE TRADE: Bart divulges that she has

to modify her vocabulary when voicing a puppet. She eschews words containing an “m” or “p,” for example, because they require lip movement. “You’re almost thinking ahead to what you’re saying and then editing it in your mind.” LOVE ME, LOVE MY PUPPETS: “(Fox 8) is, I think,

the first station that I’ve worked at where they’ve totally just accepted my ventriloquism.” She recently introduced her puppet, Raven, in a live segment where viewers messaged in name suggestions. “Before, (people at other stations) were like, ‘Eww, that’s kind of weird. Maybe don’t tell a bunch of people that you do that.’”

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WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Since 2024, the senior vice president of culinary at Swen-

sons Drive-In has led collaborations with Cordelia, Black Cap Hot Sauce, Cleveland Kitchen and more. From grilling burgers to curating menus, Charles Craig has maneuvered the restaurant and hospitality industries longer than he’s known how to drive. FROM SCRATCH: The Southern California native has worked in restaurants across

the country, and enjoys homemade cooking that honors his many heritages. “I’m very much a mutt: Scottish, Danish, Russian, North African, Latin American, deep Spain, Germany, Sicily.” MAKING THE MENU: At 92 years, Swensons is the oldest brand Craig has worked

for. When crafting the restaurant’s recent limited edition specials, he’s been careful to maintain its rich legacy. “People are fanatical about Swensons. You don’t take something that’s built such a firm, solid base, take a crowbar and start breaking it.” BLOOD BROTHERS: Five months into Craig’s job with Swensons, when he collaborat-

ed with Cordelia chef Vinnie Cimino, the pair got matching tattoos to honor the experience. “Every market says they love each other, but one arm’s around your shoulders, and the other one’s holding a knife to your back. This is the one time in my life where there really has been this level of support, camaraderie and celebration.”

SOMETHING FISHY: Craig has always loved scuba diving and nearly pursued a career

in marine biology. “It didn’t make sense, and I was already making more as a line cook.”

47: The number of times Craig has moved for work or family purposes, living in Texas,

Arizona, Idaho, Florida and New York. His move to Akron is his first stint in Ohio. SWENSONS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT CULINARY

charles craig

Jarrett Allen

C AV S C E N T E R WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Since joining the Cavs in

2021, Jarrett Allen has become a fan-favorite for his love of Pokemon, his High School Musical wedding dance and his iconic afro. One of the quirkier athletes in Cleveland, Allen insists he’s “a normal dude.” “It just happens that I’m 6-(foot)-9 and really good at basketball, but I still enjoy everything that people usually do.”

SERIAL HOBBYIST: Off the court, Allen dabbles in

woodworking, 3D printing, reading sci-fi and even juggling. “I feel like I go through phases with things. People call them hyperfixations.” LET EM MEOW: Nearly four years ago, Allen adopted his

cat, Sasha Fierce, from the Cleveland Animal Protective League — then later adopted another cat, Silo, from an Austin, Texas, shelter. The two became internet-famous on a fan’s “Let Em Meow” T-shirt gifted to Allen. THE FRO: Allen’s afro hairstyle has been a signature look

since he was a teenager in boarding school. “My dad wasn’t around to give me haircuts as often, so I just let my hair grow. And it just turned into my style.”

EARLY HOOPS: Today, Allen is a star with the Cavaliers,

ETHICAL BASKETBALL: Allen has discussed the Cavs’

“ethical basketball” in media events — specifically, playing “farm-raised, non-GMO, organic, free-range, ethical basketball.” Jokes aside, Allen’s a big team player in his philosophy around the sport. “I’m trying to make sure that not only I’m doing the best I can, but my teammates are doing the best they can.”

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but he got a rough introduction to the sport at the age of 6 or 7. “My first shot hit off the bottom of the rim, hit me in my face, and I ran off the court. I never wanted to play this game again. From there, probably five or six years later, I joined my middle school team, and after that, it just blossomed into the game that I play.”

ACTRESS

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: You’ve seen her in Hustlers,

Chemical Hearts, American Sweatshop and Riverdale — and you’re about to see this Bay Village native in a whole lot more. Lili Reinhart has three upcoming movies set to release in 2026: the horror-comedy Forbidden Fruits, political thriller The Very Best People and rom-com adaptation The Love Hypothesis. “Right now, I’m on this path of making each project I do very different from the last. I don’t want to play the same character twice.”

lili reinhart

MIDWEST ROOTS: At a young age, Reinhart took ballet,

jazz and hip-hop dance lessons at Bay Village’s Emjaez Dance Studio, then, at 12, participated in Olmsted Performing Arts community theater. Later on, she signed with a local talent agency, which, along with Reinhart’s mother, helped her book auditions in New York City. “My parents are not in acting. They were not trying to pressure me to be in it. I think they were just like, ‘Well, why not? My kid apparently is good at this.’” LOCAL ACCENT: Since working as an actress, Reinhart

has had to work to avoid her Midwest accent, which has given some short “a’s” a two-syllable pronunciation. “Sometimes, rarely, someone will say, ‘Oh, where are you from?’ because they’ll hear some sort of Midwestern something in my voice, and it always makes me smile.” SIDE PROJECTS: The star runs Personal Day, a skincare

line designed for acne-prone skin, and Small Victory Productions with her producing partner, Catherine Hagedorn, which is designed to champion women’s stories. She also wrote and released a bestselling poetry collection, Swimming Lessons, in 2021.

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Vel Scott supports Cleve-

land neighborhoods and beyond with fresh produce, gardening skills and a message of healthy living through her expansive Vel’s Purple Oasis urban garden program. “We’ve taken vacant land, almost nothing, and created something very vital to a community where there were no grocery stores; there was no place to access fresh food.” VEL’S ON THE CIRCLE: The plot is located near what

Vel Scott V E L’ S P U R P L E OA S I S FOUNDER

most interesting people 2026

was formerly Vel’s on the Circle, a nightclub owned by Vel and her husband, Don Scott. The couple also ran a bowling alley and Red Carpet Lounge, a popular venue. “Motown was just beginning at that time. So my husband would go and get different acts and bring them through the club.” R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Vel recalls once helping to hire a drum-

mer for a young Aretha Franklin, who had a gig at the historic Music Box venue on Euclid Avenue.

HEALTH TURNS: After Don’s diagnosis of congestive heart

failure, the Scotts toured West Africa to learn more about lifestyles and flavors that could help his health. Those travels, along with Vel’s youth in Mississippi, informed her take on global soul cuisine. “I didn’t use the term ‘plant-based.’ I don’t use it a lot now, because when you start naming things like ‘vegan,’ ‘vegetarian,’ many people in our community say, ‘Well, that’s not for us.’” Don died in 2010, and Vel honors him in her work today. The headquarters of Vel’s Purple Oasis is named the “Don Scott House.” TYPING PRO: An accomplished court reporter, Vel tried to

get hired in the courts, but it was an uphill battle at the time. “They said, ‘There’s no way that they’re going to hire a woman, number one, and a Black woman at that.’” She opened her own firm and employed 12 other court reporters. IN THE FAMILY: Vel has two children: Avis D. Scott, a busi-

ness owner, and Don D. Scott, who works in TV and movies in Los Angeles. He wrote the movie Barbershop.

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PHOTO CREDIT

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gina prodan kelly

CLEVELAND PRO SOCCER WOMEN’S TEAM CO-FOUNDER

Starting a professional women’s soccer team in Cleveland is a task in itself. But a whole league? “It is a big effort,” says Gina Prodan Kelly, who became involved with Cleveland Pro Soccer during an attempt to bring a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team to Cleveland. That particular effort was unsuccessful, but it demonstrated the commitment Clevelanders are willing to give to pro soccer. “They said they needed 10,000 season ticket pledges,” she recalls. “We ended up with 16,000, and a really great campaign for NWSL. And it was during that time, I had to think about if this was the direction I wanted to go.” A Euclid native, Kelly grew up playing soccer, at Euclid High School and then on a club team at John Carroll University. In fact, she still plays soccer. “I grew up in the ’80s. Everyone played soccer.” “I grew up in a Croatian family,” she continues, “so I was required to love soccer. It went right into my bloodstream.” It was a heady time for soccer locally. The Richfield Coliseum was filled to the rafters as fans cheered on the Cleveland Force, and then the Crunch. “That’s how I got into the sport,” Kelly says. “I was born into it, and it’s never left me. And now, I want

most interesting people 2026

more of it.” She’s not alone. Major League Soccer has completed its 30th season. It has expanded from 10 teams in its inaugural season of 1996 to 30 today. Watching soccer on television is easier than ever, and Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids — like her sons, Jack, 12, and Charlie, 10 — are interacting with the sport in myriad ways, following players and watching game clips on social media. “Seeing how kids engage in media and seeing how prevalent soccer is — and not just watching soccer but having it be part of their lifestyle — I feel like soccer to them now is what Saturday morning cartoons were to us,” she says. “It was a ritual.” Pro leagues are proliferating around the country as well, but it’s thus far eluded Cleveland. “I think we’re a horribly overlooked and undervalued market,” Kelly says. “We tend to be overlooked by people who are unfamiliar or haven’t done the work to understand the market.” Kelly has. She’s worked in web development and marketing around the city, including at Union Home Mortgage, which taught her about sports sponsorship. (The company is now a sponsor for the Cleveland Guardians as well as the Cleveland Marathon.) “The company didn’t do any

advertising like that at the time,” she says. “It was a slow process. It went from spending 100 bucks a month to ‘Let’s buy the outfield at Progressive Field.’ It was an interesting scale up. I left in 2019, and it’s been wild to see how much they’ve taken on.” She’s also a big booster of her hometown. In past years, Kelly once ran a blog called Unmiserable Cleveland — a project inspired by Forbes’ 2010 article which named Cleveland the most miserable city in the United States. Kelly also worked with local institutions like the Cleveland Flea and Harness Cycle. (Her office is in the Vitrolite Building on Detroit Avenue, in no small part because Harness Cycle is there.) “I love when we do things here that are unique,” she says. Two years after Michael Murphy and Noel Gallagher founded Cleveland Pro Soccer in 2021, Kelly met with the duo and ended up signing a letter of intent for a team in the Women’s Premier Soccer League Pro. The new league that is scheduled to start play in 2027, optimally with 16 to 20 total teams. The as-yet unnamed Cleveland team will play in a new 10,000seat South Gateway Stadium, not far from Progressive Field and the Western Reserve Fire Museum. (The stadium will have the ability to increase capacity to 20,000.) Cleveland Pro Soccer is working with the Cleveland Metroparks on that project. Kelly envisions the teams and the stadium having a community impact and continuing to encourage the growth of the game, both on the amateur and professional level. Her lifelong passion is expanding across the city in new, profound ways. “We wanted to be the example of not only building a fan base and creating two strong and high-performing teams, but we wanted to help people use the power of soccer for great,” she says. “Our mission is to be the north star of soccer in Northeast Ohio.”

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WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Mitch Zlotnik is the founder and president of Audimute,

a Bedford Heights manufacturer of acoustic panels and soundproofing solutions for homes and businesses. The Solon resident’s client list includes musicians, namely drummers, that run the gamut from Carter McLean, drummer for the hit Broadway musical The Lion King, to Matt Billingslea, who keeps the beat for pop star Taylor Swift. SOUNDPROOFING BEATS: Zlotnik began playing the drums in the seventh grade,

after experimenting on his sister’s boyfriend’s drum kit. “I started visiting him as often as he would have me in his house to play.” DRUGSTORE START: Zlotnik developed his entrepreneurial savvy working in mar-

keting for Medic Drug, a regional drugstore chain once co-owned by his father, Jerry Zlotnik. “I was trying all these different things because we were trying to offset losses in the pharmacy.” OUT OF NECESSITY: Audimute is the result of a solution that Zlotnik, who once

played in a jazz band called One Wish, developed to quiet neighbors who complained when he practiced drumming in his South Euclid bungalow. “You can’t even have a conversation once a person has called the police on you a couple of times. They’ve been more than patient before they pick up the phone and call the cops.” POWERED BY THE PANDEMIC: Zlotnik says the health crisis thrust Audimute into

the music business. “Everybody went home. Nobody could go to recording studios.” HANDS-ON OWNER: Zlotnik has converted spare rooms, basements and backyard

sheds into studios for the likes of Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jake Sommers, percussionist for country superstar Luke Combs.

AUDIMUTE FOUNDER

mitch zlotnik

Madelyn Varela

CHEESEMONGER WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Seven years ago, Madelyn

Varela was chasing a childhood dream of becoming a farmer. But a fulfilling internship on a goat farm in Arizona led her to a love of cheesemaking, which quickly became a full-time career as a cheesemonger. She works locally at Heinen’s and has also gone abroad to learn, taste and talk endlessly about the dairy delicacy. A MELTING POT: Varela’s knowledge of cheese is most-

ly self-taught, relying on research and networking in groups she’s joined like the American Cheese Society. GLOBETROTTING: Traveling worldwide and exploring

other cheese scenes is one of Varela’s favorite hobbies, which has taken her to France, Japan and Portugal. While the trips aren’t always for work, they can quickly become a business meeting. “Inevitably, I end up meeting with cheese people. We just kind of find each other.” CHEESIN’ FOR THE CAMERA: Varela’s career shifted to

content creation after a promotional video she made while working at a cheese shop garnered 3.6 million views. Now, with over 245,000 followers on Instagram, she’s known for quirky-yet-informed concepts like assigning each cheese a sexuality and pairing candy bars with different cheeses. “It’s gone so much outside of my original customer base, but the main drive of it is the same: to focus on making cheese more approachable and more accessible to the average consumer.” rela’s favorite cheese is an Italian Negroni blue cheese soaked in gin, vermouth and bitters. But when she’s not digging dairy, she loves to eat sushi and cook Indian dishes. “I wouldn’t say cheese is my favorite food; it’s just kind of my life.” 45: The number of cheeses that Varela sampled as a

judge at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland.

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THE DINNER MENU: Of everything she’s ever tried, Va-

C L E V E L A N D C I N E M AT H E Q U E D I R E C T O R

bilgesu sisman WHY SHE’S

INTERESTING: Bilgesu

Sisman’s path from a philosophy scholar in Istanbul to a film programmer in Cleveland might seem unlikely, until you hear her share her insights on cinema. In 2024, she succeeded Cinematheque co-founder John Ewing, who directed the alternative and repertory film theater at the Cleveland Institute of Art for nearly four decades. As the new

most interesting people 2026

director, Sisman blends scholarship and storytelling to keep one of the city’s most revered film institutions thriving. FROM PLATO TO

PROJECTORS: After ob-

taining a master’s degree in philosophy in her native Turkey, Sisman came to the U.S. to complete her doctorate degree at DePaul University in Chicago. She specialized in political

philosophy, writing her dissertation about “state violence over dead bodies as a technique of modern political power.” While in academia, she taught classes on philosophy and film. “I realized that those were my favorite classes to teach.” A NEW WAVE OF

PROGRAMMING: “One of

my main goals coming into the role was to bring in younger people to the Cinematheque. Looking at the numbers, I’ve been able to fulfill that goal, which makes me really happy and proud.” Still, she honors the theater’s loyal base. She estimates

about 80% of the films she’s showing would also be what Ewing would select if he was still in the role. For the other 20%, she’s been programming more genre pieces and non-exclusive films. MAKING CLEVELAND

HOME: Sisman moved to

Cleveland Heights with her husband and their two cats. She enjoys the short commute from her home to CIA, especially since she doesn’t drive a car and uses public transportation and a bike to get around. “I’m a homebody at the end of the day. I enjoy staying at home and reading a book with the cats.”

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WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Dr. Faith Durden is a board-certified dermatologist in

Beachwood and one of only a handful of Black dermatologists in Ohio. She is on a mission to raise awareness about how skin care can differ across racial and ethnic groups and can lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis by health care providers. KERATIN KID: At age 8, Durden told her mother that she wanted to be a doctor and

attend Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “She said I would change my mind. I said, ‘No I won’t.’” Durden did indeed graduate from CWRU. Durden’s father, Edward, was a civil rights activist in East Cleveland who died protesting injustice. SKIN CARE: When Durden advises that everyone wear sunscreen SPF 30 or higher,

she means everyone, and every day. “Even if you have the darkest skin tone and it’s the cloudiest day, that sunscreen can save you.” Her advice surpasses skin cream. She recommends wearing a white brimmed hat that covers the face and behind the ears. DOCTOR DEARTH: Durden says her extremely competitive field is why there are so

few Black dermatologists. She urges more support within the specialty. “Mentorship is so very important. If you don’t have a mentor, you’re already behind the eight ball.” MEDICAL TRUST: With historically marginalized groups seeking medical help at far

lower rates than their white counterparts, Durden acknowledges the mistrust and wants Black patients to do their research. “Look up the doctor online, ask around about them, and if one doesn’t feel comfortable, that’s not the one for you.”

DERMATOLOGICAL DISTINCTIONS: Misinformation abounds that Black people

cannot get skin cancer. “Black people not only get skin cancer, but they have a higher mortality rate. It is critical for everyone to get checked out.”

D E R M AT O L O G I S T

faith durden

Olivia DePiore MODEL AND INCLUSION A D V O C AT E

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: From Paris to Milan to Bang-

kok, Olivia DePiore has stunned on countless runways, breaking barriers as an international model with Down Syndrome. Along the way, she has received the President’s Gold Award for Volunteerism, raised $100,000 for cancer research and worked daily to inspire greater inclusion of diverse models. CALL SHEET: DePiore would most like to have a phone

call with her friend and fellow Northeast Ohio model, Courtney DuPerow, who was a contestant on the 22nd season of America’s Next Top Model. “I love her cuteness and her energy.”

MODEL BEHAVIOR: Of all the feelings running through

DePiore when she walks a runway, happiness is the dominant emotion. “It makes me smile when everyone is clapping very loud at me when I walk by.” NOT QUITE A CATWALK: DePiore says she feels a bit

more equine than feline when she walks the catwalk, carrying the lessons she has learned in horseback riding onto the runway. “I keep my back straight and make sure to look at everyone in the audience.” RED CARPET SPARKLE: DePiore made history in 2025

as the first model with Down syndrome to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Beyond that event, she’s taken her talents to runways around the world. Of all the places DePiore has visited, Thailand stands out as a favorite for its cities, crowds and, of course, food. “I loved the rice there.” OLYMPIC-LEVEL EXCITEMENT: When the Special Olympics comes to Cleveland in 2030, DePiore will be standing at the ready to support the athletes. “I definitely want to be an athlete there one day.” MOMMY DEAREST: Although DePiore’s mother and

manager, Vicky, does have to remind her to make her bed, Olivia couldn’t ask for a better travel partner. “I love working with my mom. We have fun together.” BOOKING THE GIG: A favorite book for DePiore is the

Bible, which helps ground her as she travels the world. “I love reading about God and the niceness that is out there.”

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derrick moore d. FOOD CRITIC AND CHEF

Derrick Moore enjoyed posting about his meals (and his opinions about them). But he wasn’t thrilled by some of the comments his followers left. Specifically, he didn’t like that they often referred to him as “Unc,” short for “uncle” — a playful jab at his age. One day, though, his nephew encouraged Moore to embrace the nickname. “I realized my relationship with my nephew was like the relationship with the community that I was trying to build,” he says. “So, I stopped denying it.” He soon changed his handles to variations of the moniker, becoming @unc_reviews_ on Instagram and @myunkreviews on TikTok. He also started addressing his followers as “nieces and nephews,” his way of bringing them into the proverbial family as he shared honest takes on meals from Toledo to Mentor and everywhere in between. “That mindset change led to the name change, and it inspired the way that I interact with people,” Moore says. “Suddenly, it took off.” These days, Unc boasts more than 320,000 followers across both platforms — a number that continues to grow. Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Moore speaks with a leisurely cadence and a friendly tone

most interesting people 2026

as he introduces his followers to various types of cuisine: pork arepas from Tumbao58, spongy injera from Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant and “soul rolls” from 7 Cravings stuffed with greens, yams and mac and cheese. In one video, he tells viewers, “You can’t say you don’t like something until you try it.” He’s willing to try just about everything. “If you only eat one kind of food your entire life, and then go to a Michelin-star restaurant, you’re going to dislike it,” he points out. “But it’s not because the food is bad. It’s because you’ve never had it.” Though Moore does accept some paid partnerships, many of his reviews are organic. He reviewed Slyman’s Restaurant and Martha on the Fly, for example, after popping in at random and loving his experiences there. Both videos went viral. “If I go somewhere and the food is good and the customer service is fantastic and I can help bring business to that business, that’s the reason why I’m making the video,” Moore says. He hopes he can encourage his followers to step outside their comfort zone and try something new. And though many of his videos offer glowing reviews, Moore promises to tell the truth about everything he eats — even on the rare occasions that it means giving less-than-stellar feedback. “No gimmicks,” he says. “When

you go talk to uncle, he’s going to tell you the truth. So, for my nieces and nephews, when I go review a place, it’s going to be based on my experience and my taste buds.” It helps, of course, that those taste buds know a thing or two about good food. Moore worked in manufacturing before transitioning to a career in the food industry, training in various kitchens in Mississippi and North Carolina before moving to Sandusky to be closer to family. There, he opened two popular restaurants of his own: the eponymous Derrick’s Diner and Derrick Jr., a barbecue spot named for his son. When the pandemic took a toll on both, though, Moore pivoted and opened a food truck instead. And that’s when he got into social media. “The cooking was fun, but the joy came from making content,” he says. “You get addicted to it. I’d be making content at work, then I’d get off work and drive somewhere to do more of it. It was a craving, and I had to have it.” As his follower count grew, so did his confidence in his ability to make content creation a full-time job. In September, Moore sold his food truck and officially closed the restaurateur chapter of his life. Now, he’s fully focused on exploring what other people’s businesses have to offer, raising up the food he loves and helping his followers find their next great meal. He’s also become a freelance consultant for businesses that need a little leg up with their own social media presence. For the time being, Moore still lives in Sandusky. But he’s eagerly planning a move to Cleveland, which will give him better access to even more restaurants. “A lot of my younger nieces and nephews are really calling me to move to Cleveland,” he says. “I can walk down the street (in parts of Cleveland) and somebody will call out, ‘Hey, Unc, what are you doing here?’ It’s weird, but I love it. I just love community.”

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F O R WA R D H O S P I TA L I T Y G R O U P C O - F O U N D E R

bobby rutter WHY HE’S

INTERESTING: Bobby

Rutter has mastered the art of balance, being an attorney, entrepreneur, husband and father. As a partner at Rutter & Russin and founder of Forward Hospitality Group, he blends structure with creativity, law with nightlife and family with business. LAW AND HOSPITALITY:

Rutter began his career defending insurance

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companies before switching sides to represent policyholders. Rooted in lessons from his parents’ pizza shops, Rutter credits hard work and adaptability as the foundation of his success. To him, law and hospitality are two sides of the same coin, both centered on understanding people. “At the end of the day, law is just normal people with legal problems. I’m a better lawyer because I talk to so many

different people every day.” FAMILY LAW: Together,

Rutter and his father, who is a fellow attorney, have handled numerous trials over the years. “It’s a pretty unique father and son experience.” GOOD CAUSE: Rutter

serves on the board of Folds of Honor, a national nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders. Though he has no personal connection to the cause, Rutter was moved by the

organization’s transparency, purpose and the stories of the families it supports. HAPPY HABITS: Out-

side of work, Rutter stays active and family-focused. As a devoted volleyball dad, he spends weekends traveling to tournaments with his two daughters. “It’s crazy but fun. We’ve made lifelong friends, and my kids have had great experiences.” 22+: The number of For-

ward Hospitality venues Rutter has helped open in Ohio and beyond ­— including from Goodnight John Boy, I Hate Cowboys and Welcome to the Farm.

WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Michael Sachs grew up in the Mad Men world of New

York advertising, but his best pitch turned out to be musical. For 38 seasons, the Cleveland Orchestra’s principal trumpet has performed on stages from Severance Hall to Salzburg, Austria, shaping the ensemble’s distinguished sound. World-renowned trumpet player Wynton Marsalis composed “Concerto for Trumpet” for Sachs, which he premiered for a sold-out Severance Hall in 2023. CHOOSING MUSIC OVER MADISON AVENUE: Both of Sachs’ parents worked in

Edward Orcutt

B R O O K PA R K M AY O R WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Brook Park is buzzing again,

and much of that momentum traces to Edward Orcutt. The mayor has guided the city toward fiscal stability, infrastructure improvements and community revitalization — all while preparing it for the development of a new Cleveland Browns football stadium. CITY ON THE RISE: City Hall has been lively, and Orcutt

says the energy is unlike anything he’s seen in years. “It’s been a busy but deeply rewarding year. Leading Brook Park right now feels like being at the center of a city that’s truly moving forward.” From rebuilding roads to bringing back the city’s indoor pool after a longtime closure, his administration has prioritized various forms of investment. “There’s a lot of pride here. Seeing that pride grow every day makes the hard work worth it.” FORWARD THINKING: The potential Browns stadium

advertising agencies in New York, which eventually brought them to Los Angeles and Santa Monica, where Sachs grew up. The young Michael was intrigued by all of the exciting business dealings, but he was also falling in love with music. “When I was 4 years old, I saw an elementary school band play, and a kid got up and played a little trumpet solo. I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever heard.” STRINGS AT TACHED: Sachs says his decades-long love story with his wife, harpist

Yolanda Kondonassis, began in 1984 at a music festival in Colorado, “and we barely spoke to each other the entire summer.” After years of long-distance calls and missed connections, they finally reconnected when she locked her keys in her car — coincidentally, parked right outside of Sachs’ Cleveland Institute of Music teaching studio. FANFARE FOR THE HOME TEAM: A lifelong sports fan, some of Sachs’ favorite

performances have been playing the national anthem at Cleveland Guardians games. Although he’s a ride-or-die for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has lived here long enough that he considers himself, for better or worse, a Cleveland sports fan. SOUND WAVES: A licensed ham radio operator since 1975, Sachs’s call sign is

WD6DIR. Musicians make great radio operators, he says. “Morse code is rhythm.” C L E V E L A N D O R C H E S T R A T R U M P E T P L AY E R

michael sachs

project has brought national attention to Brook Park. Orcutt sees it as a chance to showcase the city’s readiness for growth. “It could bring jobs, investment and new life to the area in a way that benefits our residents first. We’re committed to making sure any development enhances Brook Park’s long-term future.” LIFE BEYOND CITY HALL: Away from the demands of

City Hall, Orcutt is happiest when he’s spending time with the people closest to him, or getting outdoors and out into Brook Park’s community. “I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible, whether that’s taking a walk through one of our parks, catching a local ballgame or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of coffee at one of our neighborhood spots.” But at the end of the day, nothing means more to him than being home with his family. “My family is truly the heart of my life. We enjoy everything from family dinners to weekends at home or heading to the park when the weather cooperates. No matter how busy things get, we always make time for each other.”

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PHOTO CREDIT

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jamey haddad PERCUSSIONIST

Jamey Haddad gestures to the corner of his living room, where a variety of drums from around the world are stacked up to the ceiling. “There’s 17 there.” He points to another corner. “Eighteen there.” He points to the mantle between them. The shelves below them. The wall behind him. Under the coffee table. Down the hallway. More instruments, everywhere. Big ones and tiny ones; djembes, darbukas, drumsticks, mallets, shakers and cymbals. Tools of the trade. Peek into his music storage room, and it’s packed, floor-toceiling, with more gear, including the collections he takes around the globe as a longtime percussionist for acclaimed singer-songwriter Paul Simon. On the second floor, fragile-looking ceramic drums rest on custom recessed shelving in the living room. A drum kit and piano are set up, ready for jams, near the back door of his Cleveland Heights home. There’s another one on the third floor, too. All in, he estimates, there are maybe 500 instruments in his collection. Some of the drums are Haddad originals. The “Hadgini” (a combination of Haddad’s and ceramicist Frank Giorgini’s names) is an asymmetric take on a two-chamber udu drum. The “Hadphoon” is a spiraling cymbal attachment for drums to augment different heads’ sounds, inspired by African tongue

most interesting people 2026

drums. The “Hadjira” — a take on the kanjira, a type of tambourine — features interchangeable bell attachments in addition to its jangling metal discs. Some creations are in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent instrument collection and on display in Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum. But most of Haddad’s collection was acquired on travels around the globe. He gathered some while studying South Asian carnatic music in India for a year-long Fulbright fellowship, and while living and touring in Brazil for nearly a year in the ’80s, and while performing in far-flung locales in Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. After studying at Berklee College of Music, he played in Tunisia and other parts of North Africa, then traveled to Nigeria along with fellow Cleveland jazz musicians Kenny Davis, Kip Reed and Joe Lovano. “We had an amazing experience there,” Haddad remembers. “Unfortunately, I got malaria when I was there. Obviously, I survived it, but it was not fun.” His instruments allow him to dabble in genres, but he found a strong pulse in world music. “I was a jazz musician through and through,” he says. “But at the same time, I had this itch about what was so beautiful about the world music scene, and I had to follow my heart.”

That traces to Haddad’s youth spent going to Lebanese family picnics, which featured Arabic performances by relatives. That first inspired him to pick up percussion, and he spent his teen years as the drummer of Cleveland’s North River Street Rock Collection, a popular rock band in the late ’60s and early ’70s, before studying at Berklee. He lived in New York City for 25 years, then he, his wife and daughter returned to Northeast Ohio in the early 2000s to help take care of his mother. He taught at both Oberlin College of Music and Berklee for years, taking leaves of absence for recording work and performances with acclaimed musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Carly Simon, Esperanza Spalding, Simon Shaheen, Nancy Wilson and Steve Gadd. And, of course, Paul Simon. Signed tour posters and framed CDs hang in Haddad’s living room, showing the star’s imprint on the drummer’s life. A chance encounter with Simon’s guitar tech, Jim Corona, who happened to live near Haddad during his New York years, was a turning point for the drummer’s career. “My daughter was at the park, being a few years old, and she met another little boy who was there with his dad. And his dad happens to be Paul Simon’s guitar tech,” Haddad says. “That simple.” One serendipitous connection led to another. This year, after retiring from his Oberlin teaching gig, Haddad will continue to tour with Simon. He’s headed to Europe with the group in the spring. With him, he’ll bring a kit filled with just some of his instruments. After spending a little bit of time in Haddad’s home, seeing and hearing him shake and tap beats and bend tones out of his life’s collection, you’ll hear the origins behind each one. Then you start to understand why he keeps so many instruments around. It’s not just about the sounds they make. It’s about the stories they hold.

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WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: After spending 17 years as a finance attorney for an in-

ternational firm, Melody Chu took a leap. “My husband asked, ‘What would you want to do, if you could do anything?’ and my immediate answer was to try to write novels, just to see if I could do it.” Her debut novel, Mathey Girls, came out in May and was selected as the featured book for Cleveland Public Library’s One World Day celebration.

Logan Broadbent BOOMERANG CHAMPION

ART IMITATING LIFE: Mathey Girls is fiction, but it melds two aspects of Chu’s iden-

tity: her Chinese American heritage and her Princeton education. As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she grew up on Cleveland’s West Side but felt disconnected from Chinese culture and community. After spending a summer abroad in Beijing, she lived there for five years and then lived in Hong Kong for five years.

WHY HE’S INTERESTING: Logan Broadbent has been

club chats — even with attendees who are critical of her book. “I’m not offended.”

throwing boomerangs since he could walk. At 14, he became the youngest athlete to compete on the U.S. Boomerang Team, later earning three world championship titles and back-to-back runner-up finishes at the World Boomerang Championships. “My dad grew up in Lakewood and was obsessed with boomerangs, so naturally I took after him.” Beyond the field, he’s a global managing director at Iron Mountain, leading international sales and digital transformation initiatives.

FAVE READ: Chu often rereads Somerset Maugham’s 1915 novel Of Human Bondage.

MAKING A NAME: What started as a childhood passion

TRANSFORMATIVE TRAUMA: When Chu gave birth to her third child in 2018, she

experienced an amniotic fluid embolism — a medical emergency that landed them in the intensive care unit. “The doctors kept telling me, ‘You’re so lucky you’re alive. It’s a miracle.’” They both recovered, but it was a life-changing experience. CONVERSATION STARTER: Chu has discovered that she loves participating in book

“It’s the best book about sadness, exploring your artistic impulses and growing up.”

GAMER GIRL: Between parenting three kids, penning another book and working part-

time as an attorney, Chu doesn’t have much free time. But she and her husband do like to play co-op-style video games where they work together. “I’m not usually competitive, but we get so locked in.”

A U T H O R A N D AT T O R N E Y

melody chu

evolved into a lifelong pursuit of precision and performance. Through his company, Boomerang Ninja, Broadbent designs high-quality boomerangs for throwers of all ages and skill levels. Fans might recognize the brand name: Known to fans of American Ninja Warrior as the “Boomerang Ninja,” he’s competed on eight seasons of the show, most recently in Las Vegas. “Most people know me from my YouTube collaborations or for boomerang throwing, but American Ninja Warrior is a great way to connect with people who’ve never seen the sport before.” FITNESS FLAIR: Athleticism is Broadbent’s art form. The

four-time team world champion and top individual finisher in obstacle course racing has also conquered marathons in Boston, New York and Berlin. When he’s not training, he plays ultimate frisbee for fun, crediting the sport with sharpening his coordination and boomerangcatching skills. COMMUNITY CHARACTER: Giving back has always

been part of Broadbent’s DNA, shaped by a childhood that taught him resilience, empathy and the value of community. His sister and twin brother both live with cystic fibrosis, inspiring Logan’s deep involvement with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a lifelong commitment to service. He supports organizations like United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and he’s mentored students through organizations like GE Lighting and the MC2 STEM School. “I connect boomerangs to service. What you throw out into the world — your words, your actions, your energy — always comes back. A boomerang doesn’t return because it’s lucky; it comes back because it was built that way, with intention and purpose.”

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WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Through her unflinching honesty and sharp sense of hu-

mor, Shalida A. Askanazi is changing how people talk about disability and identity. The lifelong Clevelander, who began as a fashion blogger, is now an author and advocate whose voice challenges stereotypes and empowers others to live unapologetically. TRENDSET TER: At Cleveland School of the Arts, Askanazi launched her blog The

Fashion Wheel in 2010. What started as a style diary became her first act of activism. “I just loved clothes, but when I started modeling my own outfits because agencies turned me down, that was my way of saying, ‘I belong here, too.’” FINDING HER VOICE: A disappointing night at Playhouse Square became a turning

point when staff told her she was blocking the aisle in her wheelchair. She shared the story on TikTok — and they listened. “They changed their accessibility training and their website. That made me realize my voice could make a difference.” WRITING HER TRUTH: Askanazi’s upcoming memoir, titled That Girl’s in a Wheelchair,

doesn’t shy away from hard topics like trauma, sex and self-doubt. “I get nervous people will think, Girl, you could’ve kept this to yourself. But being vulnerable shows others they don’t have to be perfect.” JOY AS RESISTANCE: When she’s not writing, Askanazi restores vintage designer

handbags, reads books like Mexican Gothic and spends time with her husband and their two bunnies. “Joy is an act of resistance. You can fight for change and still have fun doing it.” KID LIT: Her beloved bunnies, Iggy and Bianca, inspired the children’s book she’s

writing with her husband.

Jenna Fournier MUSICIAN AND ARTIST

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Jenna Fournier thrives as

both the frontwoman of shoegaze rock band, Niights, and the soloist behind Kid Tigrrr, whose album was the first vinyl unrelated to The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan that released under his record label, Martha’s Music. Fournier has since toured with Corgan while still dabbling in other artistic endeavors. EUREKA MOMENTS: Sparks for Kid Tigrrr’s dreamy,

AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST

shalida a. askanazi

ethereal sound fly far beyond the music realm. “I’m inspired by surrealists like (painter) Salvador Dali and (director) David Lynch. My friend, who’s a published author, Benjamin Liar, has also been a big influence on my writing. And nature is definitely inspiring, getting away to the parks and decompressing.” A SHOT IN THE DARK: Before the pandemic, Martha’s

Music made a call for female vocalists, and to Fournier’s surprise, Corgan saw her audition tape and helped release the vinyl for Kid Tigrrr’s debut album, Stoned + Animald, in 2024. Fournier then joined Billy Corgan & The Machines of God this summer as a bassist on The Return to Zero tour. “It’s been really validating to have one of your musical heroes say that he likes your original work and wants to collaborate with you.”

ELECTRO BEAT: Before Cleveland, Fournier grew up in

Las Vegas, where she was deep in the rave scene. “I have a secret appreciation for techno and electronic music, when they’re done well.”

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JARROD BERGER

“JENNA” OF ALL TRADES: Outside of music, Fournier has worked on sets for several indie horror films, and she pursues a lifelong passion of drawing and painting. “Sometimes, I think if you are trying to say something, the written word is the best way to say it. Other times, a visual is the best way to say it, and other times, the song is the best way to say it.”

EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

carl allamby WHY HE’S

INTERESTING: After 25

years of running his own auto shop, Carl Allamby fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor, graduating medical school at age 47. He now brings his steady hands and diagnostic instincts to healing people in the emergency room. DRIVEN TO HEAL:

As a kid, Allamby was captivated by the med-

most interesting people 2026

ical drama St. Elsewhere. “Denzel Washington was the first Black doctor I had seen. There were no Black doctors that I knew of, certainly not in my community.” In his blue-collar East Cleveland neighborhood, medical school felt out of reach. During high school, he worked at an auto parts store at 19 years old, which led to his longstanding Advanced Auto Care business.

DR. BARNES’ BIOLOGY 101: Allamby attended

Ursuline College to study business administration, and he procrastinated on taking the required biology course until his final year in the program. “When I took that biology class, it sparked something in my mind that I hadn’t felt for a long time.” With encouragement from the professor and the support of his wife, Kim, Allamby set out on a decade-long journey of selling his business to become a physician. BODY WORK: Fixing

cars and treating human patients might seem like quite distinct skillsets,

but just as people can be distraught over a major car breakdown — fretting about how it’ll affect their job, the financial cost, the impact on their family members — Allamby has seen that same dynamic in emergency medicine. “Every day I walk into the ER, I feel like I’m walking right back into my auto shop.” IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Allamby’s story has made national headlines and inspired people around the world. There’s even a TV series in the works based on his life. “I was thinking Michael B. Jordan would be a good actor to play me, or maybe Denzel’s son.”

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PHOTO CREDIT

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sandra morgan EAST CLEVELAND M AYO R

Sandra Morgan’s leadership journey goes back farther than you might think. Flip the calendar to the 1970s, and you will find a middle school Sandra Morgan participating in an ambassador program at Euclid Central Junior High school that sent a few select student leaders to other schools to bond with their peers and compare notes on contemporary issues. Although she can’t quite remember the name of the program (“Up Close? Get Close?” Morgan laughs), she said the program supplied her with a profound exposure of bridge-building. She was hooked. “I cut my teeth early on diplomacy,” Morgan says. Fast forward 50 years and the 64-year-old has unlocked the next achievement of her storied career: becoming the first female elected mayor in East Cleveland history. Her Nov. 4 election caps a roller coaster year for a woman who is the product of history — her grandfather was legendary Clevelander Garrett A. Morgan, inventor of the three-way traffic light — though not someone who always had public service in her sights. When she grew up in Euclid, Morgan instead imagined herself having a medical career. “But chemistry was not my best subject,” she says. Determined to see the world

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and ready for exploration, Morgan left Ohio to attend Smith College, long-revered as a historic women’s college. Although she was nervous to attend the school as a middleclass woman of color at a predominantly white institution, the Smith experience quickly proved transformative. “What I found there was that our issues and our insecurities were universal,” Morgan says, “and we lifted each other up and celebrated each other as women in a special way that just doesn’t happen in other places.” After Smith, Morgan bounced around the East Coast, met her husband and had three children. When her marriage ended, she was faced with the choice: move back home to Cleveland or try to set up a new life in New York City. “It just made far more sense to come back home to Ohio with three children,” she says. The move back to Cleveland also provided Morgan with an opportunity for a career change, pivoting from her work in financial services to securing a position as a regional manager for World Trade Center Cleveland. The focus on global issues of economic development fulfilled her “hankering” for international relations. A few years later, Morgan pivoted again and was hired as a strategic partnerships director at

Kent State University. Although she loved the work of cultivating partnerships with external partners, she very much did not love the drive from Cleveland’s West Side to Kent. On a chance drive around Cleveland with her three kids in the car, the family impulsively stopped by an open house in the Forest Hills neighborhood of East Cleveland. “It was perfect, and we immediately felt at home,” she says of the house she lives in to this day. Morgan had never held political office before 2025, though she was involved with various civic engagement opportunities, having been appointed to the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board by Mayor Mike White in the 1990s and more recently serving on East Cleveland’s fiscal oversight commission. When East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King was removed from office while awaiting trial for theft, Morgan put her name into consideration for the interim mayoral appointment in an effort to bring civility and professionalism to the embattled City Hall. A judge appointed her to the role in February, only to have the Ohio Court of Appeals install City Council President Lateek Shabazz as interim mayor in July. Despite the twists and turns (“This year has been like a telenovela,” she says), Morgan remained determined to secure the position, this time through the full election. She handily won the September primary with 78% of the vote and then the November election with 84%. Now the work of duly elected mayor begins, and Morgan stands at the ready to lead, with her sights set on working to change East Cleveland’s scarcity mindset and eager to build bridges between East Cleveland and the surrounding municipalities. She has in hand the lessons she learned in 2025 about the strength of her resiliency. “I make no promises other than I will work hard, pull up my socks, sharpen my pencils and get down to business,” Morgan says.

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WHY HE’S INTERESTING: When most kids his age are still figuring out what they

love, Brady Lewandowski is already chasing his racing dreams full throttle. The rising go-kart driver won the cadet championship at Quaker City Karting in 2025 and made the podium in 85% of his races this past year. With an eye toward the International Motor Sports Association — North America’s top professional sports car racing series — he’s proving that talent and dedication know no age limit. BORN TO RACE: Lewandowski’s passion for speed started early. “I was 5 years old

when I got my first kart for Christmas. I’ve always loved cars and racing. My first race was at an IndyCar event at Mid-Ohio when I was 6 months old.” Growing up, he watched his dad and uncle race enduro karts and spent hours pretending to drive. TRACK LIFE: His race days start at sunrise and stretch into the evening. “I get up at 5

a.m., head to the track with my dad, practice, qualify and race. After the podium ceremony, we pack everything up and head home — and most nights, I still jump on my simulator to race some more.” This past season alone, he raced in 20 events and took home trophies from both Pitt Raceway and Quaker City Karting. LEARNING JOURNEY: Like any racer, Lewandowski learned some lessons on the

track. “One race, we forgot to tighten one of the wheels, and it came off on the first lap. I learned to always double-check everything on the kart before a race.” FULL SPEED AHEAD: Lewandowski looks up to F1 champion Max Verstappen and

dreams of joining the International Motor Sports Association, North America’s top professional sports car racing series. “I love road courses like Mid-Ohio and Pitt International. I just want to keep getting better every time I’m on the track.” He loves hanging out with friends, fishing or heading to Cedar Point for another adrenaline rush.

GO-KART DRIVER

brady lewandowski

Brayan Rocchio

GUARDIANS INFIELDER WHY HE’S INTERESTING: In each of the past two post-

seasons, Brayan Rocchio — normally a light-hitting middle infielder — has come on strong, with key home runs against the Tigers in last year’s Wild Card Series and the Yankees in the 2024 American League Championship Series. Rocchio’s postseason statistics track well above his regular season numbers. BOUNCING BACK: Last year’s accomplishments for

Rocchio were especially sweet. The start of the year was a rough one for him, necessitating his being sent down to the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate in Columbus. But he bounced back and was a key part of the team’s stretch run to win its unprecedented 13th American League Central Division title. “I needed the time and space to get down there and work on it and help the team at the end of the season.” “THE PROFESSOR”: Rocchio got the nickname from the

scout who signed him as a 17-year-old in his native Venezuela. “I’m not sure why, but I think in his report on me, he highlighted my high baseball IQ.” MAJOR COMEBACK: In the history of major league

baseball, no team has ever come from as far back as the 2025 Guardians did — 15.5 games back in July and 10.5 games back in September — to win a division title.

he’s been given for his October output but can’t deny that he locks in for the postseason. “I always try to have the fire and the same approach, but whenever the situation gets bigger and bigger, I’m able to focus more on the little things.” OFFSEASON PLANS: Rocchio, who is 5-foot-9, 170

pounds, is working on his physique in the offseason to help withstand the grind of a 162-game season. “Nobody knows how short the offseason is.”

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COURTESY CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

“PLAYOFF ROCCHIO”: Rocchio laughs at the nickname

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: For almost five decades,

Diane Simon has been a fixture at Cavaliers games, greeting players with bags of her homemade cookies. She’s baked for dozens of players, from Michael Jordan to LeBron James.

NBA COOKIE MOM

diane simon

HOW IT STARTED: Simon’s cookie legacy began when

she babysat for Cavaliers players Jim Brewer and Jim Chones. When former Bulls player Jim Cleamons offered her tickets to a game, she decided to thank him the best way she knew how — with homemade cookies for him and his wife. Soon after, she was baking for Jordan, Scottie Pippen and players across the league. THE SWEET SPOT: Simon bakes about 10 dozen choc-

olate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and sugar cookies per game, packaging five or six in each bag for players to grab after the final buzzer. BEYOND THE COOKIES: Before she became known as

the NBA’s Cookie Mom, Simon spent more than 40 years working outdoors in utility and communications for the Illuminating Company and AT&T. After retiring, a conversation with her parish priest led her to Holy Name Elementary, where she now works part-time as a teacher’s aide. “This is my third year. I love the kids.” STILL A FAN FAVORITE: Simon continues to attend Cavs

home games and even travels to cities like Detroit, Chicago and Washington D.C., cookies in tow. “Some players say I’m the best reason to come to Cleveland. When they come out of the locker room, waving and yelling ‘Cookie Mama,’ it makes my heart feel good.”

WHY SHE’S INTERESTING: Geeta Minocha’s path has

CHINEY LEE

been anything but linear. With degrees in business and law, she’s built a career examining how systems of power, finance and health intersect. After founding the Ohio Public Banking Coalition, she expanded her impact through pro bono legal work and health equity research. Modeling remains a creative outlet that balances her academic and policy pursuits. Now based in New York City and pursuing a medical degree at Stanford University, she believes meaningful change begins with understanding how structures work and where they fail.

Geeta Minocha

L AW Y E R A N D M O D E L

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MODELING MISHAPS: A spontaneous moment in New

York City pulled her back into the modeling world. After being scouted from the audience to fill in for a missing model during New York Fashion Week, she walked two runway shows in a single day, reigniting her passion for fashion. “There were girls already on the runway, and

I’m backstage frantically getting fitted into the gown. It was such a surreal experience.” Since then, Minocha has modeled for numerous designers and artists, including a collaboration with stylist and painter Eleonora Volpe. FOND MEMORIES: Self-described as deeply sentimental,

she has kept a “memento bag” since college, filled with letters, ticket stubs, playbills and other keepsakes from meaningful moments. DEEP ROOTS: Growing up between Florida and Ohio made

for an unconventional childhood full of contrasts: beaches and blizzards, small-town warmth and big-city dreams. In Ocala, her mom’s medical community felt like family, while summers in Middleburg Heights meant grandparents and plenty of local charm. “I’m Midwestern to my core. It’s Ohio over everything for me, so I’m gonna come back sooner rather than later.”

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A M ATCH M AD E IN CLEVELAND Two local voices officially joined together during a wedding celebration mashup of humor, heritage and hometown pride. BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE

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Distinct Cleveland niches were weaved into even the smallest details of the Polks' wedding — an ode to the city that brought them together. 60 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

G E N E V I E V E N I S LY P H OTO G R A P H Y

e’s the comedian Cleveland has watched poke fun at local quirks for years, unleashing viral clips like the “Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video.” She’s the journalist and Ideastream host with a law degree and a knack for cutting through noise — the person you want explaining anything complicated. Together, Stephanie Haney and Mike Polk Jr. are a distinctly Cleveland couple: two public personalities whose paths somehow never crossed despite living nearly parallel lives for years. They moved through similar media circles, yet it took Cleveland, and ultimately WKYC, to finally put them in the same room. Mike, who works as a features reporter for WKYC, noticed Stephanie’s energy from his loft workspace above her desk. He jokes that “illicit eavesdropping” gave him an inside track on “this truly remarkable person.” Stephanie calls their coming together serendipitous, “a perfect storm of being in the same place and the universe finally letting you run into your person.” Four years later, he put a ring on it — first a family heirloom used for the proposal, then an elongated cushion-cut diamond that the couple designed with former WKYC anchor Laura Caso’s father, Richard, of Weston Diamonds. Next came planning a 350-person classic Cleveland wedding that brought together their overlapping (and sometimes wildly different) worlds of colleagues, comedians, fellow broadcasters, longtime friends and out-of-towners. “We wanted people to experience our Cleveland — the one we actually live in,” Stephanie says. Mike agrees: “There were lots of worlds

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While a cake kept tradition at the forefront of the wedding reception, a cotton candy machine reflected Stephanie's taste and personality.

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G E N E V I E V E N I S LY P H OTO G R A P H Y

crashing together colorfully.” The Italian Cultural Garden became the ceremony backdrop for the al fresco nuptials Stephanie had envisioned, with photos in the neighboring Irish garden — a nod to Mike’s heritage. The grand yet grounded amphitheater, framed by twin staircases, created a natural stage. Mike and the groomsmen walked in to a string rendition of “The Final Countdown,” an orchestral wink to his comedic identity. The constellation of familiar faces involved in their day was intentional. “Everyone there had a role in our lives,” Stephanie says. Their officiant was comedian and longtime friend Jim Tews, whom Mike (also an officiant) had married just a few weeks earlier. Mutual friend and broadcast legend Leon Bibb delivered the ceremony reading. “When you have access to the best voice in Cleveland, you’d be foolish not to use it,” Mike says. The archway they stood beneath was built by their friend Zachariah Durr, a local artist and comedian. “I didn’t even see it until the ceremony — that is the level of trust we had in the people who took part in our wedding,” says Stephanie, an exacting planner who once created a business model for a bachelorette party planning service. “In a different life, I’d be an event planner.” Both call the ceremony their favorite part. Stephanie remembers slipping into the bridal suite that morning and reviewing her vows as the room buzzed with siblings, moms and bridesmaids getting ready. “I had this overwhelming feeling of peace and feeling very loved with everyone in the room,” she recalls. The couple hosted a welcome party at Kevin’s Martini Bar and a rehearsal dinner at Pickwick & Frolic — complete with loge access to the comedy show at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, Polk’s home stage. “We spend a lot of time here, so it was

PHOTO CREDIT

THREE GENERATIONS OF CATERING, MEMORIES LASTING A LIFETIME

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THE FACES BEHIND THE "I DO" It takes more than two people to make a wedding happen. These are some of the many who helped with the Polks' big day. DRESS

Frederique by Maggie Sottero, found at Galleria Gowns in Highland Heights

important for the venue to be a big piece of our wedding,” Stephanie says. For the reception, they partnered with AURA Venue CLE and Nichole Lang to transform the former Twist Drill Co. warehouse into a warm, industrial backdrop. The night included nods to their life in Cleveland: cotton candy spun beside the cake because Stephanie prefers it; a burgundy-forward color palette anchored by her love of tiger lilies; and pescatarian and vegetarian entree options, supported by A Taste of Excellence. A friend gifted them the band Moss Stanley & Nightbridge. “Any reservations people might have had about dancing were quickly dispelled,” Mike says of a dance floor “crowded with revelers.” “It was amazing to see how it all came

together,” Stephanie adds. “The space was filled with so many people we love from so many pockets of our lives — a sea of faces supporting us.” The next day, the Polks hosted more than 120 guests at a Guardians game, where the team surprised them with the chance to throw out the first pitch. Their guests, many visiting Cleveland for the first time, left as fans. “They were blown away,” Stephanie says. “They saw the city through our eyes.” Looking back, she offers simple advice: “Don’t reinvent yourselves for the wedding. Bring your people into your real life.” Mike adds: “Be involved in the planning, even the tiny stuff. It should feel like both of you.”

GROOM SUIT

Kenneth Cole

GROOM'S WEDDING BAND

Freddy Hill Designs, made of wood from a Moses Cleaveland tree

GROOMSMEN SUITS

Giorgio Fiorelli, found at Jabbour's Clothier in Hudson PHOTOGRAPHY

Genevieve Nisly Photo VIDEOGRAPHY

Joe Garman, Red Rose Cinema HAIR

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G E N E V I E V E N I S LY P H OTO G R A P H Y

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Stephanie's bridal party and Mike's groomswoman were free to choose their own attire in either burgundy, dusty rose or dusty blue.

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P OURI N G NEW

POSSIBILITIES Sip Social NE Ohio is part of a growing movement toward mindful celebration, raising the bar with drinks that bring people together and redefine the wedding toast. BY CHRISTINA RUFO

O

Mobile bars and mocktails are two elements being sighted as current wedding trends. Sip Social NE Ohio serves both with an elegant aesthetic. 66 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

searches for “dry wedding” have risen 85% in the past year. “Customers are super grateful that we have nonalcoholic options available,” Ischay says. “I think people are just kind of getting tired of thinking that you have to drink alcohol to have a great time.” A 2023 Gallup poll found that only 62% of U.S. adults under 35 say they drink, down from 72% in 2001. Many younger guests are embracing moderation, exploring mindful drinking or skipping alcohol entirely, in favor of creative alternatives that still feel celebratory. With her line of kegged beverages, Ischay is helping to meet that shift, offering guests something more exciting than soda and water at a time when fewer young adults are reaching for alcohol. That same care extends to presentation. Each setup includes garnishes, creative toppers and handcrafted touches that lead with

intention. Whether it’s a frothy mocktail made with Fee Foam or a cocktail finished with a touch of smoke, every beverage receives the same attention to detail. The mobile setup adds another layer of appeal for weddings and private events. The truck’s tap wall becomes a natural focal point at receptions, drawing curiosity and encouraging guests to interact. Beyond the novelty, the tap system also makes spiritfree options feel seamless and discreet. Every drink, alcoholic or not, is served the same way, allowing guests to enjoy what they like without standing out. “They are treated no differently than we would do for an alcoholic beverage,” Ischay says. With every pour, Sip Social NE Ohio is redefining the wedding toast, crafting drinks that look, feel and taste like a celebration of something new.

COURTESY SIP SOCIAL NE OHIO

pen bar decisions can feel overwhelming, especially for couples trying to balance creativity, cost and guest preferences. From mocktails to margaritas, today’s weddings are moving away from one-size-fits-all bar setups in favor of curated experiences that reflect the couple’s spirit. Sip Social NE Ohio offers a fresh alternative with a variety of options that feel personalized, inventive and manageable. After spending 25 years in the nonprofit sector running development teams, Maureen Ischay saw a gap in the event industry. She planned countless fundraisers and galas, often hiring bars that were either too simple or too over-the-top. She wanted something in between, an experience that felt elevated without the expense or waste of a full open bar. That idea is the foundation for Sip Social NE Ohio, which uses up to seven taps to deliver customized wedding beverages that strike the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated. Innovation has become a driving force behind the business. Ischay and her team create a new drink each week to feature on social media, using it as an opportunity to test flavors, experiment with ingredients and connect with potential clients. Lately, she has noticed a growing demand for spirit-free drinks at receptions and showers, inspiring recipes that are designed to be flexible and fun, tasting just as good on their own as they do with a shot added for guests looking for an extra kick. According to Wine Enthusiast, citing data from wedding planning platform Breezit,

C L E WEddI NgS

BLACKBERRY

ITALIAN SODA

Soda water

Blackberry lemon simple syrup Half and half

STRAWBERRY

MINT LEMONADE

Freshly squeezed lemon juice Simple syrup

Water with strawberry mint simple syrup

CHERRY

GOOD TIME

Cold brew

Vanilla chai simple syrup Oat milk HABANERO LIME MARGARITA

Orange juice

Water

Lemon juice

Spirit free tequila (optional)

Lime juice

Simple syrup

PHOTO BY ALEX DENVER

Habanero lime syrup

Cherry syrup cold foam

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LOV E AT FI RS T FLIGHT

Wing mates Lexi and Jake Peters said yes with a wedding that traded tradition for tail numbers and a bird’s eye view. BY KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE

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history. “We just clicked.” Lexi, a flight instructor and artist, was raised on a grass airfield in Oklahoma. Jake resided south of Canton, on the Beach City, Ohio runway known as 2D7. He’s on his way to instructing, and both dream of operating a flight school. “We’ve both been flying since long before thinking about driving a car,” says Jake, figuring his first flight was age 8. ​ Lexi had a thing for an iconic 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, like a Ford Model-T of planes, and Jake knew exactly how to propose. He tucked

a hand-painted canvas inside its cockpit, knowing she wouldn’t be able to resist peeking. She opened the door, froze and turned to find him kneeling beside the aircraft. “She couldn’t stop smiling,” he says of the will-you-marry-me message. They swooped into no-frills planning, ​ making gut decisions on the fly. They already knew the venue: the runway and hangar at 2D7. Lexi wore a champagne-toned cocktail dress easy to fly in. She bought it on a whim online, just for fun, before she even met Jake. He wore a suit from Miller's Cloth-

AISLEY HERNDON

efore Jake Peters met Lexi, he laid eyes on her airplane. The lifelong pilot had spotted an RV-4 on the tarmac in Lancaster, Ohio. He looked up the tail number (as pilots do) and later saw the same aircraft on Instagram — this time belonging to Lexi Blaes. From there, one message turned into a meetup, an unexpected brake failure and a backup plan that ultimately launched a lifelong partnership. “He still flew down to see me,” Lexi says of her grounded plane and shared aviation

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GOLDEN HOUR, ALTITUDE EDITION Akron-based photographer Aisley Herndon didn’t just document the wedding — she climbed into the back of a homebuilt airplane to shoot it. When Lexi and Jake floated the idea of a formation-flight session, she assumed she’d be on the ground. Instead: Are you afraid of heights? Would you ride in the back? She was all in.

“I basically folded myself into a ball with one camera,” she says of squeezing into the tiny rear seat.

Lexi and Jake Peters' pilot-inspired wedding stayed true to everything and everyone they love, which naturally brought flair to the intimate ceremony.

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“You could see them smiling back at me mid-flight,” Herndon says. “It was unreal.” What made the images work, she adds, was trust: “They weren’t worried about posing. They just wanted it to feel like them — adventurous and genuine.”

Before they landed, Lexi’s dad treated her to a few gentle spirals on the way back — a fitting finale to a wedding that was as much an experience as an event.

AISLEY HERNDON

ing & Shoes in New Philadelphia. Guests signed a salvaged airplane propeller that the couple found days before the wedding. “We wanted a genuine ‘this is us’ wedding,” Lexi says. However, a basic plan turned into 160 guests and 14 airplanes flown in by friends, flight students, coworkers and family. The pastor, a former student of Lexi’s who had just earned his license, flew in to officiate. Throughout the day, planes taxied in and out. Mid-reception, the couple slipped away

for a spontaneous “intermission flight,” looping and rolling in Jake’s RV-4 before returning to the celebration. (They briefed the formation flight in advance.) ​They were swept up in every moment, forgetting some of those landmark wedding “dos” with no regrets, such as the cake cutting. “We were having too much fun enjoying each other and our company,” says Lexi, sharing that she even left behind her bouquet. Their true first dance happened later, alone in the hangar after guests had gone home. Their advice? “Be yourself and embrace the chaos,” Lexi says. “Stay a team,” Jake adds.

For 15 minutes, she photographed the couple flying just feet away in their Piper Cub as the planes circled at sunset.

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T H E NeW ERA O F N U P T IA LS Industry experts weigh in on the current state of the wedding celebration. BY LAINEY NOVAK

T

housands of Cleveland couples will walk the aisle at intricately coordinated ceremonies and receptions this year. Every wedding is as different as the couple it celebrates, but each year, certain trends can be spotted across a range of these singular events. The Knot, a sweeping wedding planning platform, publishes its an-

nual "Real Weddings Study" that compiles a year of wedding trends from thousands of surveyed couples. We scoured some of the newest stats and spoke to Valarie Kirkbride, founder and team manager of Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design, to get some tips on how to craft the trendiest Cleveland wedding.

LYR IC S OF LOV E

SAVE THE DATE

STAY AT HOME

In Northeast Ohio, where the weather is notoriously finicky, the season, month and day of a wedding is of utmost importance. “September is usually a really safe bet,” says Kirkbride. “It’s the month that has the safest weather in Cleveland.” The Knot’s research and insights team agrees, stating that the most popular day to say “I do” in 2025 was Sept. 20, and in 2024, it was Sept. 21. Kirkbride says that this temperate month is always the busiest in the wedding industry; with that comes high demand venue booking. She says couples should always be ready to book their venues 18 months out.

The average wedding in the U.S. costs $33,000, based on 2024 data. Deciding where to place your event geographically has a significant impact on that total. The Knot says that couples can save up to $7,000 by choosing a hometown wedding over a destination. For instance, the average Midwest wedding costs $29,000. “A lot of people who grow up in Cleveland move away to cities like Chicago or New York. But their families still live here, so they have their wedding in Cleveland,” Kirkbride says. “They like having a bit more flexibility to spend on experiences or design details.”

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W E D D I N G : G E N E V I E V E N I S LY P H OTO G R A P H Y / E LV I S : R C A V I C TO R R E C O R D S / C H R I S S TA P L E TO N : M E R C U R Y N A S H V I L L E R E C O R D S KELSEY HART: CURB RECORDS / E T TA JAMES: ARGO RECORDS / TAYLOR SWIF T: REPUBLIC RECORDS

Looking for the perfect love song to dance your way into newlywed life? Sometimes a classic choice for a first dance song leaves the most lasting impression. According to The Knot, the most popular first dance song of 2024 was “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” by Elvis Presley for the second year in a row. The other top four are "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton, "Life With You" by Kelsey Hart, "At Last" by Etta James and "Lover" by Taylor Swift, respectively.

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U N DER A ROC K Trends for the shapes and styles of engagement rings change frequently, but the newest trend in rings might save you a pretty penny. The Knot says that for the first time, over half of engaged couples shared that their ring features a lab-grown stone. These man-made gems have rapidly increased in popularity, boasting a 40% growth in prevalence since 2019.

NO SIZE FITS ALL

The Knot’s report states that Gen Z couples averaged more wedding guests at 131 when compared to millennial celebrations with 113 invited friends and family. The 18-guest contrast may seem small but makes all of the difference when paying per head. Regardless of guest amount, Kirkbride says she has seen a rise in more intimate feeling ceremonies and receptions for Cleveland couples.

“We have seen a lot more private residence weddings and rehearsal dinners take place this year,” says Kirkbride. “It’s fun because there are a lot of really cool vendors in Cleveland that you can add to a wedding like that, such as bar trucks or walk-around dessert options.” The Knot’s study agrees and recognizes experiential features such as on-site mixologists and portrait painters as a key trend for 2025 weddings.

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The days of long gift registries full of kitchen gadgets and linens are over. The Knot says that couples are registering for money, gift cards and experience, more than anything. The most commonly requested by couples are cash funds for honeymoons, new homes and round-trip airfare. The survey says that 69% of newly wed couples took a honeymoon in 2024. Over half of those couples funded their getaways on their own, and the remaining half paid for their vacations through financial gifts from friends and family. Weddings are innately unique. Each event is an amalgamation of trend, tradition and the love couples hold for each other and the people who matter to them. Kirkbride says that in the end, it is the essence of a couple that create an unforgettable wedding. “I always say that happy people have happy weddings,” says Kirkbride. “So, the energy the main characters bring to the day truly matters more than what color flowers you picked or what patterns are on the linens.”

Large online registries have been standard for wedding gift giving over the last few decades, but in more recent years, The Knot has seen a rise in couples registering for more unique and experiential gifts, rather than the standard household goods. The most common experiences registered by couples include NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL tickets. Gift cards have also risen in popularity with Home Depot, Airbnb and Delta Airlines being the most popular.

HOME DECOR IN THE LAND

Whether it’s paint colors or charismatic accessories, lean on expert insight to learn more about the little things that make any space truly feel like a home.

COURTESY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS PAINT COLOR UNIVERSAL KHAKI

STORIES BY JULIA LOMBARDO, LYNNE THOMPSON AND MAURA ZURICK

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E MBR ACING THE DARK

Light neutrals are a canvas for any sort of home interior, but as designers introduce dark, moody color tones, we teach you how to approach the change in hue. B Y L Y N N E T H O M P S O N

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Palmieri Schwartz, lead designer at House of L Designs in Warrensville Heights, it’s being interpreted in rich colors such as chocolate, aubergine, pine green and ochre. Carter adds black and deep grays to the list. The appeal lies in its contrast to the bright whites and light neutrals that have dominated homes in recent years. “When everything becomes a wash of the same, people start to say, ‘Ugh! I don’t want my house to look like everyone else’s house!’” Schwartz says. “There is a trend to

this traditional movement of personalization, creating areas in a home that feel closer to the person living in the home.” Going to the dark side, however, takes skill and, for some, a little courage. Carter and Schwartz suggest starting small in what Schwartz describes as “an easy area to take in the color without overwhelming” that can serve as “a surprise element.” Both recommend the powder room, typically a less-used space where people feel freer to experiment. Carter offers small full baths

COURTESY HOUSE OF L DESIGNS

I

t yields a space that’s invitingly cozy, the sort of spot where you curl up with a good book and glass of wine on a cold winter’s night. Some describe the interior design trend as dark and moody. Sean Carter, senior interior designer at Sapphire Pear in Rocky River, defines it as dark academia, a style being popularized on social media that traces its origins to 19th-century Victorian architecture and the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s. According to Libby

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and spare bedrooms as alternatives, while Schwartz lists fully enclosed halls, formal living and dining rooms, and R-and-R retreats like bars and dens as options. “This trend works best with more intimate, individual spaces,” Carter advises. The medium of choice for beginners is affordable, DIY-friendly paint. Carter advises covering a portion of a wall, perhaps a 12-by-12-inch patch, and living with it for a week or so, observing how the color changes with the light during the day and when lamps are turned on and off at night. Those who decide to move forward may opt to paint more than the walls. “One of the things we’ve seen that has really taken root is color-drenching,” Schwartz

says. “There’s no delineation between moldings such as casings on doors or windows, crown molding (that serves as) the transition from a wall to a ceiling. Even the ceiling sometimes gets the same allover color.” Carter notes that dark academia invites blending the old and new, making it a good interior-design choice for those furnishing their homes with an eclectic selection of family heirlooms, antiques and vintage finds scored in thrift shops. “Thrifting has gotten really large, especially (among) millennials and the younger generations,” he says. “They’re just getting a little bit more thoughtful about what goes into our homes instead of buying what you would call ‘fast fashion,’ where you buy

something from H&M and it only lasts you a couple of months.” There are pros and cons to indulging in a dark decor. Carter believes the biggest drawback is the time it takes to achieve the desired wall color with three or four coats of paint. But the advantages can eclipse the effort. “There’s a serenity that comes with doing a room in a darker hue,” Schwartz observes. “You enter it, and you can’t help but feel enveloped by the color which, to me, is like a grounding blanket.” Carter says it also provides a benefit for those who prize personal appearance as much as mental and spiritual health. “The lighting is dimmer,” he says. “Everyone in the room looks better.”

PAINT: COURTESY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS / HOME: HOUSE OF L DESIGNS

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A N D N OW, F O R T H E FINISHING TOUCHES Shop local for the finer details that bring personality and polish to a room. B Y J U L I A L O M B A R D O

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By Wild Northland Add rustic, outdoorsy flair to any room with pennants flying with pride for Ohio, Cleveland, Lake Erie and beyond. Each hand-sewn, hand-designed piece is both sustainable and one-of-a-kind. $22-$38, wildnorthland.com

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By PERIPETI HOME Keep your space smelling fresh for up to nine months in scents ranging from grapefruit vanilla, balsam mint, pomegranate spice and more. Upgrade to flower reeds ($5) for functional decor with dainty appeal. $40, peripetihome.com

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By Love, Anji Whether there are cloudy days ahead or you simply can’t keep plants alive, opt for a stunning, uncanny alternative with extra longevity and little maintenance. Choose from over 12 colors and build the faux bouquet of your dreams — vase included. $160, loveanji.com

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THE NEXT BIG HUE

Get to know the team behind Sherwin-Williams’ annual color forecasts. B Y M A U R A Z U R I C K

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It’s a year-round global process overseen by Sue Wadden, the company’s director of color marketing, and a team of specialists who analyze design movements, cultural shifts and emerging influences to guide the brand’s next steps in color. Wadden says that collective expertise is central to the Trendsight approach. “The Sherwin-Williams Trendsight Team of expert forecasters is made up of the foremost thought leaders and design professionals in color with over 200 years of collective experience combining research analytics and diligent trend tracking to monitor and report on trends,” she says, “defining the future of design and color across the globe.” The team’s identity became more formalized a few years ago when Sherwin-Williams introduced the Trendsight name to highlight

the people behind its research. “One of my core leadership values is shining a spotlight on the incredible expertise behind our color leadership,” Wadden says. “It’s never just one voice; it’s a chorus of perspectives that bring the story of color to life.” Each member represents a division of the company’s global color groups, a collective she describes as “visionaries.” The Trendsight Team was first formed with a focus on architectural color perspectives, but its mission expanded as the company’s forecasting needs grew. Today, the group includes color leaders from industrial finishes, wood coatings, furniture design and architecture. “Our insights span Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America, giving us a

COURTESY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

t Sherwin-Williams, understanding where color is headed begins with the Trendsight Team, a collective of global experts studying everything from fashion runways to economic signals. The group shares research, tracks cultural shifts and examines emerging movements to inform the brand’s annual Colormix Forecast. That process begins in Cleveland, where Sherwin-Williams has been headquartered since its founding in 1866, growing into one of the largest paint and coatings manufacturers in the world. The Trendsight Team’s work is part of that larger legacy, anchoring global design direction in a city with more than 150 years of color history. For Sherwin-Williams, forecasting color is never the work of a single tastemaker.

COURTESY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

panoramic view of how color moves across cultures and markets,” Wadden says. This broad view allows the team to see how design influences flow from one industry to another. What gains traction in furniture may later inform architectural palettes, while industrial finishes can signal what will shape mainstream design. During the fall and winter months, the team begins curating the annual Colormix Forecast. “Each year, the Trendsight Team comes together to discuss color direction, macro trends and other drivers that play a key role in influencing the color story for the following year,” Wadden says. “We look at a variety of influences ranging from art and culture, fashion, sustainability and innovation to tech and AI.” Through this research, the team selects 48 directional colors, which are then divided into four palettes that express the themes of the year ahead. The conversations continue throughout the year. This year’s forecast falls within the Colormix Biennial Anthology system, which Sherwin-Williams introduced in 2023. The

biennial format alternates each year between a broad reference anthology and a more traditional trend forecast. The first volume, Anthology: One, grouped emerging hues into four color families. The second volume builds on those families with updated interpretations that include frosted tints, sunbaked hues, restorative darks and foundational neutrals. To define these palettes, the team tracks influences across fashion, art, architecture, social media, cultural mood, economic shifts and global events. Environmental considerations continue to drive interest in earthinspired pigments and natural materials. After the forecast is complete, the team selects a single Color of the Year. The chosen shade is one that feels trend-forward yet usable, a reflection of where color is headed and what homeowners are ready to embrace. “We look across all the palettes to find the single hue that best captures the emotional and cultural direction of the year ahead,” Wadden says. “We’re seeing a universal desire for interiors that move beyond fleeting trends toward lasting beauty and functionality.”

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NEW YEAR, NEW NEUTRAL

This year’s Color of the Year, Universal Khaki SW 6150, rose from the Trendsight Team’s work choosing a shade that best reflects what people want in their homes: comfort, warmth and effortless style. “Universal Khaki SW 6150 stood out because it perfectly captures the balance people are craving right now,” Wadden says, “simplicity, comfort and timeless style.”

“It’s enduring, adaptable, and quietly confident,” Wadden says, “the kind of color that never tries too hard, yet makes every room feel complete.”

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COURTESY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

She describes the color as adaptable and quietly confident, a neutral that feels grounded but elevated. It works across nearly every room, offering a warm backdrop for wood tones, stone surfaces and layered textures.

FIND OUT HOW YOUR VISIT TO THE PROGRESSIVE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING — STARTING WITH YOUR SUMMER PLANS.

JANUARY 15-18, 2026

IX-CENTER • CLEVELAND • CLEVELANDBOATSHOW.COM

Memories are made on the water.

Discover your next family adventure. OnTheWaterOhio.org/stories

BOAT SHOW

COVER & THIS PAGE: COURTESY OMTA

DEAR CLEVELAND MAGAZINE READERS, EVERY JANUARY, AS THE SNOW GATHERS OUTSIDE, something magical happens inside Cleveland’s I-X Center. Families and friends step into a world of shimmering hulls and endless possibilities. For 69 years, the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show has been more than a showcase of boats — it has been a celebration of our shared connection to the water and to one another. This year carries a touch of nostalgia, marking our final voyage through the I-X Center. Countless memories have been made here, from children discovering their first captain’s hat to families taking the leap and saying, “Let’s buy the boat.” While this may be the last show in this familiar harbor, it is far from the end of our story. The show will go on, one way or another, because boating endures. The water calls, and Ohio answers. Boating is for everyone. Whether you grew up with it or are stepping aboard for the first time, the boat show is your invitation to dream, explore and imagine what life could look like with more sunshine, laughter and time spent together. Board the boats, meet the people and discover the joy that comes when you drop your anchor.

We’ll see you at the show, where memories are made and new adventures begin. MICHELLE BURKE, PRESIDENT Ohio Marine Trades Association

SHOW AT A GLANCE

JAN. 15-18, 2026 I-X Center | 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44135 HOURS: THURS., JAN. 15 – Noon–9 p.m. FRI., JAN. 16 – 10 a.m.–9 p.m. SAT., JAN. 17 – 10 a.m.–9 p.m. SUN., JAN. 18 – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

AT THE DOOR: General Admission: $20 Senior and Military Discount Tickets: $15 Children 7 and Under: Free

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES: Family 4-Pack: $60 Purchase tickets online at CLEVELANDBOATSHOW.COM. Tickets are also available to purchase at the I-X Center box office during show hours.

COUPE In Stock

What ‘thinking of everything’ looks like

Ohio’s official dealer 573-434-6320 vermilionmarina.net CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

BOAT 3

BOAT SHOW

ANCHORS

AWEIGH!

We share some tried-and-true fan favorite exhibits and tips on what not to miss this year at the Progressive Cleveland Boat Show. STORIES BY RUTH CORRADI BEACH When an event takes place for 69 years, it’s clear that visitors are finding a lot to love and a lot to come back for. If this is your first visit to the Cleveland Boat Show, here’s an overview of what you’ve got to look forward to. And if you’ve attended the Boat Show year after year (and you’re in great company!), here’s a round-up of tried-and-true fan favorites that keep you — and so many others — coming back.

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notes that the Buy the Boat Lounge is “designed to feel comfortable, like visiting your best friend and talking boats.” PORTS OF CALL While cruising through the show, be sure to stop and enjoy the can’t-miss experiences that await you at every turn. The Shores & Islands Main Stage offers live music every day, including crowd favorites Chad Hoffman and Island Doctor. The Vic’s Sports Center’s Berkley Tank and Toyota Tundra’s Fishing Stage will

COURTESY OMTA

A FAMILIAR HARBOR The Buy the Boat Lounge will be front and center this year, located much closer to the show’s entrance. It’s the ideal place to start (or continue) your search for the boat that’s perfect for you. Here, you’ll find knowledge and answers from boat owners and retailers while getting inspired by the boating lifestyle. The lounge sets the tone for the whole Boat Show vibe — a friendly, laid-back place to get tons of trustworthy boating lifestyle information. Michelle Burke, president of the Ohio Marine Trades Association,

BOAT SHOW

offer information about kayak fishing on Lake Erie, Q&As with boat captains and fishing demonstrations. And On the Water Ohio’s paddling pool and paddling center offer the chance to try a kayak (yes, in the water!) as well as attend presentations on kayak safety and rescues. Be sure the kids know that Canines in the Clouds, a canine diving act, will premiere at the Boat Show this year.

COURTESY OMTA

TREASURE MAP The Boat Show’s legendary vendor lineup is “diverse and exciting,” Burke says. “You will find everything from top-of-the-line marine electronics and fishing gear to beautifully crafted accessories and apparel that reflect the boating lifestyle.” Again this year, Paddle North will bring a variety of inflatables for the boat, including docks and kayaks. There are fun accessories, clothing and flags, along with snacks and treats as well as fishing tackle and even goose control. And, of course, fan favorite Beagle Bay Knot Works will be back with knot-tying demonstrations and a wide variety of nautical products. THE LORE OF THE SEA “As always,” Burke assures, “we are proud to offer a full slate of educational programming again this year. Our seminars cover everything from beginner boating tips to navigation and docking.” Most of these are hands-on activities. DIY workshops offer experience with maintenance and upgrades, including outboard tune-up and diagnostics.

For anyone considering a career in the industry, the Boat Show is the place to meet experts and learn more about everything the field has to offer, including job openings. You can attend presentations on boat buying and take advantage of the many opportunities to “ask the captain” any questions you have. As for staying safe on and around the water, “our safety demonstrations, including life jacket fittings and emergency preparedness, are led by experts committed to making boating both fun and safe,” says Burke. ANCHORS DOWN And what would a Boat Show be without boats? The Cleveland Boat Show is a boat-buyer’s dream. The sheer number of vendors means that customers can compare types of boats and boat accessories. And, says Bob Armington, “If you’re buying at the Boat Show, you’re getting the best deal of the season. It’s common knowledge.” Armington is president of Buckeye Sports Center and has been selling boats and accessories and offering years of knowledge at the show for decades. The Boat Show’s big deals can, in large part, be attributed to sheer volume. “It’s definitely consumer driven,” says Armington. “The manufacturers and dealers both know that this is a scenario where they are literally 20 feet away from their competition and need to put their best foot forward. It’s an aggressive mindset. They don’t want to get beat by the dealer or manufacturer across the aisle. [At other times] customers may visit two or three dealers, but here there are 20 or 30. It’s definitely a buyers’ market at the Boat Show.” CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

BOAT 5

BOAT SHOW

ANCHORS UP,

Boating is an outstanding way to involve the entire family

PHONES DOWN

in a lifelong activity.

Find out how boating can bring families together and build lifelong bonds. It’s a truism in our culture: Kids spend too much time on their phones. What’s less obvious is how families can fill that time. Sports and hobbies are good contenders, but often, those activities don’t involve parents, let alone siblings. It’s easy to see how boating can literally separate kids from their phones (leave it on the dock!), but boating is also an activity that actively brings families together. In fact, in boating families, kids spend more time per week with their parents than do nonboaters. And perhaps proving that it’s about more than just having everyone physically out on the water together, this is true even during winter months.

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FIND OUT HOW YOUR VISIT TO THE PROGRESSIVE CLEVELAND BOAT SHOW COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING — STARTING WITH YOUR SUMMER PLANS.

JANUARY 15-18, 2026

IX-CENTER • CLEVELAND • CLEVELANDBOATSHOW.COM

COURTESY TOM MACK / OMTA

BOAT SHOW Tom Mack, founder/former owner of South Shore Marine, has exhibited at boat shows for several decades. He’s also part of a boating family, so he knows first-hand that boating is an outstanding way to involve the entire family in a lifelong activity. “Instead of sending people in different directions, like about 90% of other family activities [do], the boat is going to be the hub of what the family wants to do,” says Mack, who owns Yachts Inc. “It’s going to be a magnet bringing everybody to the same place.” And that pull continues even after they’re grown, Mack has found. “As your kids grow up, that’s what keeps them coming back. Let’s say you have a daughter and she marries a guy whose family’s got a waterfront cottage and your family’s got a house in suburbia. Guess where they’re going to spend their time?” Mack knows this from experience. “I feel so darn lucky as a family with a boating lifestyle

because, I hate to say it, but we kind of monopolize how our kids and their friends choose to spend time.” KID FRIENDLY You can get a taste of how the whole family can enjoy boating by spending a day at the Boat Show. The Kids’ Discovery Zone offers all kinds of activities for families, including the main showpiece, an interactive boat exhibit and fisherman’s shanty. Families can “sail” high-performance sailing simulators and pretend to fish, as well as learn knot-tying and water safety. It’s a great way to introduce the family to the myriad skills and experiences boating offers. Mack has advice for anyone looking for ways to entertain the whole family and make priceless memories together: “I think if you love your family and you want to see a lot more of them, figure out what it is that brings them all to one place.”

Love Lake Erie? Help Protect What You Love. Your support keeps our lake clean, healthy, and thriving for generations of boaters, anglers, and families. Help LEF keep Lake Erie safe for the next generation of boaters.

Lake Erie gives us world-class fishing, unforgettable summers, and a lakefront lifestyle that defines Northern Ohio. But harmful algal blooms, rising nutrient pollution, and shoreline erosion threaten the lake we all depend on. Lake Erie Foundation is solely focused on solving unique challenges Lake Erie faces and restoring the lake through advocacy, science-driven solutions, and community action. If you enjoy Lake Erie, you can help safeguard it.

Join. Donate. Get Involved. Every dollar helps reduce nutrient pollution, support lake-saving research, and keep our waters safe for recreation. LakeErieFoundation.org

CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

BOAT 7

BOAT SHOW

“Boating is for everyone, and it can be more accessible than people think.” — Michelle Burke

THEY BOUGHT

THE BOAT

Check out the stories of two people who took the plunge, bought the boat and wouldn’t have it any other way.

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water — it’s freedom from everyday life,” he says. “There’s so much running around with school schedules and everything that life is, but when we’re out there, we’re just there as a family.” There’s also the experience of getting to know the lake. “We live in the shadow of this natural wonder, and I think it’s truly astonishing how little of a connection so many people have with the water — until you’re on it. That’s something that boating has the power to change.” Instead of regretting the number of years it took him to finally buy the boat, Taseff is focused on what having that boat does for his family. “It’s been such an amazing first summer of memories with the boys out on the water,” he enthuses. “I hope those moments become some of their greatest memories of us as a family and then something we

COURTESY ADAM TASEFF

For the past six years, Adam Taseff has spent a lot of time at the Boat Show, even though he didn’t have a boat. Taseff is a partner at Lewis Eldred, a full-service creative events agency that helps produce the Boat Show and other OMTA activities, which “kind of forced me to be around the industry,” he says. Year after year, he admired the same boat. Finally, at the 2025 boat show, Taseff bought the boat — a Yamaha 25-foot jet boat. “It was kind of a game-changer after that for our family,” he says. Taseff and his wife, Holly, have two sons, 5 and 9, who especially enjoy tubing behind the boat and jumping off the inflatable “island” surface that attaches to it. As Taseff sees it, the idea of getting away from everyday life is a big part of what changed the game. “It’s the ability to kind of leave everything at home, to pull away from the dock, to get out on the

COURTESY ADAM TASEFF

BOAT SHOW can continue to share and grow together as they get older. It’s something you can really do as a family, and there’s no hard stop to it. It’s something you can build over a lifetime.” Michelle Burke, OMTA’s president, has a boating backstory that’s somewhat the opposite of Taseff’s. Rather than spending lots of time around boats before owning one, Burke bought one and then fell in love with the boating lifestyle. “I did not grow up boating,” she says. “In fact, I truly believed boating was only for wealthy people and something reserved for those with second homes or yachts. But that is simply not true. Boating is for everyone, and it can be more accessible than people think.” Burke is a passionate advocate for recreational boating and the joy it can bring to people’s lives. “We need to create the opportunities, the access points and the experiences that get people on [our] beautiful waterways, because once you are out there, it changes you,” she says. “There is nothing quite like it.”

“It’s the ability to kind of leave everything at home, to pull away from the dock, to get out on the water — it’s freedom from everyday life.” — Adam Taseff

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CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

BOAT 9

BOAT SHOW

in technology, boater shopping habits have noticeably changed in the last few years.

WHAT’S

NEXT? The Boat Show has changed a lot over the years. Tom Mack, who has exhibited at dozens of them, explains: “If you go back to the early years, it was really simple — here’s a bunch of boats and here’s a bunch of boat dealers … It was pretty straightforward.” The show is now an event people look forward to as a midwinter reminder of the upcoming boating season — a kickoff party, if you will. “What Michelle [Burke] has done, and I think it’s brilliant, is she has figured out that there’s so much more than just the boat. It’s the whole boating lifestyle. She’s created a fun environment with a positive vibe — just a fun place to go with something there for everybody. If your kids are distracted … there’s literally a green space with fake grass and cornhole.” The show is a destination in itself, Mack says. In his years as an exhibitor, he’s seen people who want to buy a boat in a private setting, and he’s seen some who turn boatbuying into a social event, offering another aspect to the Boat Show that’s changed: “Some people are really happy to transact in public with their friends having a cocktail around them,” Mack says. “It’s totally a sport, watching your friends [buy the boat].” Bob Armington agrees that things have changed — something he’s observed over more than 25 years of exhibiting. Like Mack, he notes the entertaining atmosphere: “Michelle [Burke] does a great 10 BOAT

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Experts share what’s in store for the future of boating while reflecting fondly on the past.

job getting other things going on, getting entertainment. It’s always been done to some extent, but even more so now. If you’re not going to get a boat, you can still go and have a good time.” Armington notes that shopping habits have changed, too, and much of that is due to technology. “Twenty-five years ago, customers might have had an idea [of what they were looking for], but now they’ve got it narrowed down to a couple boats. They have a better idea what they’re buying before they walk through that door. Customers are more educated now, more savvy due to the resources available to them compared to years ago.” As for the future of onboard technology, Armington explains, “I’m most excited about what seems to be more and more prevalent every year — docking mechanisms to assist with low-speed docking. They’ve been on yachts and cruise ships forever, but they’re now coming down to price points that are more manageable.” He’s referring to a mechanism (often a joystick or tab on the steering wheel) that allows a boater to maneuver into a busy marina or dock, much like parallel parking a car. “For a lot of customers, even seasoned boaters, it’s a little intimidating to pull up to a busy marina, or if there are winds. I’ll bet we sell 30 to 40 boats a year with that technology. Five years ago, it was two.”

ELECTRIC BOATS ARE HERE!

This year, for the first time, Jeremiah Swetel’s Riverfront Marine Sales and Service will be bringing electric boats to the Boat Show along with the sailboats they traditionally bring. The dealership became a dealer for X Shore Electric Boats, a company from Sweden that started its production line in 2021. “You’re not going to cross the Atlantic with an electric boat, because range will become an issue, but for most recreational boaters out there for a day ride, they’ve got plenty of range,” he says. These boats are entirely electric, requiring only a standard shore power post to recharge (they will charge even faster with DC fast charging, which electric cars use, but that technology is not as widespread in the marine sector yet). Powering from the shore power post happens with the boat in the water, because fresh water is cycled through the cooling system as the battery recharges. Electric boats appeal to environmentally conscious boaters, just like electric cars do. “Also, people who don’t like the smell of gasoline outboards or the risk to water quality. And then there’s no maintenance,” Swetel explains. “You’re not changing oil ... Because it’s an electric drive, there’s nothing there to service.” Electric boats are comparable to their gas-powered counterparts when you factor in the maintenance cost. “They’re a little bit more expensive, but in that same ballpark,” Swetel says. “Within 10%, depending on what you get on it.” In addition, Taiga electric jet skis will be available at this year’s show.

C O U R T E S Y B U C K E Y E S P O R T S C E N T E R / J E R E M I A H S W E T E L : R I V E R F R O N T M A R I N E S A L E S A N D S E R V I C E / C o py r i g ht 2 0 2 6 by G re at La ke s Pu blish in g . N o par t o f th is pu bl ic a tio n m ay be re pro du ce d by any m e an s w it ho ut p e r m i s s i o n o f G re a t La ke s Pu b l i s hi ng . A l l r i g ht s re s e r ve d . O M TA O n t he Wa t e r O hi o a nd t he pu blish e r are no t res po ns ible f o r er ro rs o r o m is s io n s . A ll i nf or ma tio n is s u bjec t to ch a nge .

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CLEVELAND

Discover your next adventure.

JANUARY 15-18

I-X Center Cleveland

ClevelandBoatShow.com

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2026 SHOW GUIDE

Make Your Home

Your Haven

Discover how you can create calming, rejuvenating spaces — plus get industry-leading expertise — when you visit the PRO Home Improvement Show.

PRO Home Improvement Show Jan. 23-25, 2026

LaCentre Conference & Event Center, Westlake

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UPFRONT 4

Welcome Letter

A message from PRO Home Improvement Show Chairman Chris Kamis.

6

Show Rundown

FEATURES 8

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Here’s how to turn your home into an oasis for relaxation and leisure.

BOARD MEMBER Tim Smelcer ISI Solutions

12 Expert Advice

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS Chris Kamis, CR Absolute Roofing & Construction Inc.

For advertising information, call 216-377-3693 Copyright 2026 by Great Lakes Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without permission of Great Lakes Publishing. All rights reserved. Professional Remodelers Ohio and the publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions. All information is subject to change.

6

Find out what to expect at the PRO Home Improvement Show and how to make the most of your visit.

E XECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kathy Masterson

PARLIAMENTARIAN Kristopher Toth, CRP Toth Painting Solutions Inc. COVER: COURTESY ARTISTIC RENOVATIONS OF OHIO LLC

8

Remodeling experts share insights about trends to watch for in 2026.

PRO RESOURCE GUIDE 14 Member Specialties 16 Member Directory 18 Certified Remodelers 22 Code of Ethics

On the Cover A welcoming hearth sets the tone for a living room designed to nurture calm, comfort and well-being in this remodel by Artistic Renovations.

12 14 professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 3

WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE

2026 PRO Home Improvement Show

Celebrating 43 Years of Serving Northeast Ohio Homeowners Dear Homeowners, On behalf of the Professional Remodelers of Ohio (PRO), it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 PRO Home Improvement Show. Now in its 43rd year, this event continues a proud tradition of connecting Northeast Ohio homeowners with the area’s most trusted and experienced remodeling professionals. This year, we are especially excited to host the show at LaCentre in Westlake, January 23–25. The new venue offers a more intimate and engaging atmosphere — perfect for meaningful conversations, personalized guidance and a true sense of community. As a local organization, PRO’s dedication extends far beyond this annual event. We are committed to supporting homeowners year-round by providing education, resources and connections to ethical, skilled

professionals who are passionate about their craft. Whether you’re planning a major renovation or simply gathering ideas, our mission is to help you make confident, informed decisions about your home. This year’s show highlights the latest design trends, innovative materials and creative remodeling techniques that inspire fresh possibilities for every home. Most importantly, it celebrates the collaboration between homeowners and professionals who share a common goal — building a stronger, more beautiful Northeast Ohio. Thank you for being part of this tradition and for allowing PRO to be your partner in home improvement. We look forward to welcoming you to LaCentre and continuing to serve our community throughout the year.

Warm regards,

Chris Kamis, CR Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc. PRO Home Improvement Show Chairman

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SHOW RUNDOWN

All Under One Roof

Get the inside scoop on the 2026 PRO Home Improvement Show and find out how to make the most of your experience. STORIES BY SARAH WEBB

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6 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

Additionally, the “Meet the Remodeler” lounge area will give attendees the chance to engage in one-on-one conversations with verified contractors to discuss project ideas, budgets and timelines in a relaxed setting. For homeowners planning to attend the show, Masterson suggests they come prepared. “Bring photos or measurements of your current space and jot down what you’d like to improve, as this will help contractors better understand your goals,” Masterson says. “Take time to explore each exhibitor’s booth and ask plenty of questions about their experience, credentials and process.” At the show, attendees should plan to take notes on styles, materials and design features that inspire them. Tickets can be purchased online through the Professional Remodelers Ohio (PRO) website (professionalremodelersohio.com), on the show website (clevelandprohomeshow. com) and at the door during show hours. “We’re proud that the PRO Home Improvement Show continues to be a community-driven event that celebrates professionalism in remodeling while helping local families create better homes,” Masterson says.

2026 PRO Home Improvement Show LOCATION: LaCentre Conference & Event Center, Westlake, Ohio DATES: Jan. 23-25, 2026 SHOW HOURS: Fri., Jan. 23: Noon – 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 24: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ADMISSION: $12 per adult; children ages 16 and under are free PARKING: Free for all attendees

COURTESY PRO

or Northeast Ohio homeowners looking to renovate, the PRO Home Improvement Show can serve as the foundation for all their home improvement needs. “Whether you’re planning a simple update or a major renovation, this show is the best place to start your journey — with the area’s most trusted remodelers all in one place,” says Kathy Masterson, executive director of PRO. “Our goal is to help homeowners find remodelers who can bring their renovation dreams to life. We want every visitor to leave feeling inspired, informed and confident about their next home improvement project.” The show, running Jan. 23-25, will feature experts in every aspect of home renovation, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, exterior updates, landscaping and wholehome remodeling. It also provides a sneak peek at the latest trends. “This year, we expect to see strong trends in energy-efficient remodeling, sustainable materials, smart home technology and creative space utilization as more homeowners look to modernize their homes while improving comfort and value,” Masterson says.

WELLNESS RETREAT

by Design From spa-inspired bathrooms to restorative home gyms, here’s how to create a space that supports your well-being.

Y

ou’ve likely heard the expression, “home is where the heart is,” and in recent years, it’s also become where health begins. “Over the past decade, people have increasingly recognized that health encompasses more than just diet, exercise and medicine. It also includes mental and emotional well-being,” says Cortney Kalfas, president of R.A. Kalfas Construction in Strongsville. “Our surroundings can significantly impact how we feel and function. As a result, many individuals are striving to create healthier living spaces that promote self-care, relaxation and overall balance.” Kalfas, Ken Perrin, president of Artistic Renovations of Ohio in North Royalton, and Brian Pauley, president of Remodel Me Today in Olmsted Falls, dive into how you can make your home a wellness oasis. 8 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

COURTESY R .B. SCHWARZ INC. / COURTESY ARTISTIC RENOVATIONS OF OHIO LLC / COURTESY R . A . K ALFAS CONSTRUCTION

Feel Good

A calming, organic feel can turn any bathroom into a spa. Try using natural light, soothing colors and natural materials.

WELLNESS RETREAT

Steam showers and tubs with jets add a touch of everyday luxury.

Relaxing and Restorative Bathroom Retreats To create a spa-like feel, homeowners often start by renovating their bathrooms. Here’s a look at some elements that can create this rejuvanating atmosphere.

COURTESY REMODEL ME TODAY

Heated Surfaces Floors aren’t the only element within this space that can be heated, Perrin says, as many retreat-style bathrooms he installs also include heated shower seats and shower tiles. “If you sit down on a cold granite or tile seat, that’s not comfortable,” he says. “People are using these heated components all year long — not just in wintertime.” There’s another added benefit to this feature: “It helps dry the shower out, so you don’t get mold buildup,” Perrin says.

Steam Showers Steam showers are another trend that have gained — well, steam — in recent years. Many homeowners have added a tankless water heater in the bathroom closet to elevate the experience.

“That way, they have more hot water, so they can take longer showers,” Perrin says. Pauley notes that oversized showers have also taken off. “We’re doing a lot of body jets for therapeutic reasons, as well as rain heads,” Pauley says. “We can also do a lot of adjustments on steam showers, like the number of steam nozzles, the shower size, temperature controls and timers.”

Natural Materials No spa would be complete without natural materials to bring in the effects of a tranquil environment. “Incorporating natural light, soothing colors and elements like wood and greenery helps create a calming, organic feel,” Kalfas says.

Aromatherapy + Therapy Lighting Aromatherapy can also enhance the experience by engaging your senses and promoting relaxation, while therapeutic lighting brightens the whole experience. “The lighting is made up of different colored lights you can turn on to simulate sunlight at different times of day,” Pauley explains. professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 9

WELLNESS RETREAT

Work Out Well As homeowners embrace the convenience of working out in their own living spaces, home gyms and wellness rooms have muscled their way onto the scene. “People realized they can save time that would’ve been spent driving to the gym by getting their exercise done at home,” Perrin says.

Home Gyms Gone are the home gyms that have a tired-looking treadmill in the corner and a couple of dumbbells. These days, homeowners favor gyms that include high-tech features such as AI mirrors and Peloton machines, along with traditional weight-lifting setups. “With the AI mirrors, you can craft your own workouts with them,” Pauley says. When it comes to the gym flooring, Perrin says his company uses recycled rubber material. “For every square foot of flooring, they’re taking one tire out of the landfill,” he notes. “Homeowners can lie down on the floor and do their Pilates, and because it’s all rubber, if they have weights, they can drop them and it’s not going to hurt anything.”

Make a home gym work for you. These ballroom aficionados added a dance floor to their basement.

Saunas

People realized they can save time that would’ve been spent driving to the gym by getting their exercise done at home. Don’t want to take over the whole basement? Tuck a gym behind a set of barn doors. 10 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

— Ken Perrin, Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC

COURTESY ARTISTIC RENOVATIONS OF OHIO LLC / COURTESY R . A . K ALFAS CONSTRUCTION

To complete the home gym experience, many homeowners have sought to add a sauna, citing reasons such as relaxation, improved circulation and detoxification. “They are primarily located near the recreation room,” Perrin says. Pauley adds that some homeowners have decided to double down by also adding in a cold plunge, which can help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.

WELLNESS RETREAT

5 Easy Ways to

Make Your Home Healthier You don’t have to completely renovate your home gym or bathroom to make your space healthier. Here are a few easy ways to prioritize wellness.

1.

2.

Especially in newer homes that are more airtight, it’s a good idea to have an air exchange system. “There are bathroom fans that help exchange the air in the house with fresh air from outside, so you’re not constantly breathing the same stale air,” Perrin says. “That gives you a nice, fresh input of air into your house and helps with allergies and asthma.”

Air purifiers are another way to boost your home’s wellness score. Kalfas recommends placing the air purifying units in “breathing zones,” such as bedrooms, living rooms or home offices — areas where you spend most of your time. “Be sure to run them continuously and maintain them regularly by cleaning and replacing filters as needed,” Kalfas says.

ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK: VISUAL GENERATION

Consider an Air Exchange System

Incorporate an Air Purifier

3. Clean Your Home’s Appliances Maintaining and cleaning household equipment, such as washers, dryers, furnaces, air conditioning units and exhaust vents, can help keep your home’s air supply clean. “Clean your air ducts once every three to five years, clean your exhaust fans, and fill your home with plants to help purify the air naturally,” Kalfas says. Change the air filter in your furnace at least every 90 days or more frequently if you have a large family, pets or ongoing construction.

4. Install New Flooring Consider installing hard-surface flooring rather than carpet that can trap allergens. For example, COREtec flooring looks like tile but has a rubber base and a center core that’s granite. “It can look like wood, but it doesn’t give off gasses like a cheaper floor, such as laminate would, because it’s made from all-natural materials,” Perrin says. “It’s also easier to clean, so you don’t get all the dust on the floor that can irritate allergies.”

5.

Add a Humidifier Especially in winter months, humidifiers can improve air quality and comfort by minimizing dryness in the home. professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 11

EXPERT ADVICE

Blueprints For 2026

Remodeling experts share upcoming trends and discuss what you should nail down before embarking on your next project.

When it comes to remodeling a home, there are a lot of details to hammer out. To help you build a solid plan, we talked with Ken Perrin, president of Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC in North Royalton, Robert Schwarz, president of R.B. Schwarz Inc. in Chesterland, and Cortney Kalfas, president of R.A. Kalfas Construction in Strongsville. Let’s dig in. Q: What’s one small project you recommend to refresh a home in the new year? SCHWARZ: New countertops are one way to change the appearance of a room. You can also refinish the floor or put in new cabinet hardware. Paint is also a really simple way to dress up a room. PERRIN: Lighting is a good way to refresh a home. There is such a spectrum of lighting now where you can change not just the colors but also the lumens. For example, the lights can be a brighter whitish-blue color when you’re cleaning and getting ready for a party, but then you can downplay them to be a softer, amber light during the party. KALFAS: Adding organization and smart storage solutions is an effective way to breathe new life into your home, creating spaces that are beautiful, functional and organized.

Looking for a small project that’ll make an impact? Upgrade the mudroom or entry with built-in organization and smart storage solutions.

Q: What’s the first thing homeowners should do before starting a remodeling project?

PERRIN: Because of a shift in the electrical code, manufacturers are soon going to be coming out with small, wireless appliances for the kitchen.

PERRIN: Make a wish list and decide what you must have and what you can live without. If you organize pictures in a book as examples, be able to say specifically what elements you like about them.

KALFAS: Expect to see more use of organic and natural materials such as wood, stone and natural fibers. Homeowners are also embracing texture and depth, such as slatted wood, decorative molding, stone veneer and wallpaper.

KALFAS: Establish a budget that reflects the full scope of your vision. Always prepare for the unexpected by setting aside a contingency fund for unforeseen issues, changes or upgrades. Also, remodeling can temporarily disrupt your daily routine. Create a plan to avoid or work around the area under construction.

Wellness also continues to be a driving force in home design, with dedicated wellness areas like home gyms, spa-inspired primary bathrooms, meditation zones and quiet reading nooks. Color trends are shifting away from the cool grays and stark whites to warm, rich and soothing colors, such as earthy tones: warm beiges, browns, greens and blues. These neutrals help create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. 12 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

It’s also important for homeowners to recognize their limits when taking on remodeling projects. While DIY projects can be rewarding and cost effective, certain tasks — like electrical work, plumbing or structural changes — are best left to the pros. SCHWARZ: Read the plans and understand how the items you’re picking out will affect the size of the room.

COURTESY R . A . K ALFAS CONSTRUCTION

Q: What trends do you think will dominate remodeling this year and why?

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DIRECTORY

RESOURCE GUIDE MEMBER SPECIALTIES CONTRACTORS Additions

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC................................ 216-520-0838 Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498 R.B. Schwarz Inc........................... 440-729-2480 Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665

Basement Remodeling

Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498

Bath & Kitchen Fixtures

Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665

Bathroom Remodeling

14 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665

Commercial Remodeling

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563

Decks & Porches

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Land Creations Landscaping Inc.......................440-748-2500 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498

Green Products

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Gutters & Downspouts

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563

Insurance Restoration

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563

Kitchen Remodeling

Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665 Land Creations Landscaping Inc.......................440-748-2500

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498 R.B. Schwarz Inc........................... 440-729-2480 Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665

Dormers & Extensions

Landscaping

General Contracting

Patio & Patio Enclosures

Design & Build

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498 R.B. Schwarz Inc........................... 440-729-2480

Land Creations Landscaping Inc.......................440-748-2500 Land Creations Landscaping Inc.......................440-748-2500

Roofing

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563

COURTESY REMODEL ME TODAY

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC................................ 216-520-0838 Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 R.A. Kalfas Construction........... 440-238-5498 R.B. Schwarz Inc........................... 440-729-2480 Remodel Me Today...................... 440-249-7665

Cabinets & Countertops

Artistic Renovations of Ohio, LLC

Additions | Kitchens | Whole House Renovations | Bathrooms Local and National Award-Winning Design Build Firm. Cleveland’s Only NARI National Contractor of the Year Award for the renovation of “Society Lounge”

FIND IT HERE

216.520.0838

[ HISTORIC HOM [ HISTORIC HOMES ] MODERN FAMILIES

W H O L E - H O U S E R E N OVAT I O N S 16 Membership Directory 18 Certified Professionals W H O L E - H O U S E R E N OVAT I O N S • A D D I T I O N S 22 Code of Ethics

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A www.artisticreno.com DDITIONS •

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KITCHENS

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KITCHEN

BATHROO

MODERN FAMILIES

Retaining Walls

Land Creations Landscaping Inc.......................440-748-2500

Siding

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Skylights

[Custom HISTORIC HOMES ] Remodeling and Fine ] MODERN FAMILIES [ HISTORIC HOMES Custom Remodeling and Fine W H O L E - H O U S E R E N OVAT I O N S

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W H O L E - H O U S E R E N OVAT I O N S

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KITCHENS

ADDITIONS

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KITCHENS

BATHROOMS •

BATHROOMS

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563

Water Damage Repair & Restoration

MODERN FAMILIES Home Renovations Home Renovations

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[ HISTORIC HOMES Exacting craftsmanship and meticulous]attention

Custom Remodeling and Fine Home Renovations W H O L E -Custom H O U SRemodeling E RENOV A TFine IONS • ADDITIONS • KITCHEN and Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc......................216-898-1563 Home Renovations W H O LExacting E - H O U S Ecraftsmanship R E N O V A T I O N Sand • meticulous A D D I T I O N S attention • KITCHENS • BATHROO Whole House Renovation

MODERN FAMILIES to every detail, every job. Exacting craftsmanship and meticulous attention to every detail, every job. to every detail, every job.

Hurst Design Build Remodel......440-234-5656 R.B. Schwarz Inc........................... 440-729-2480

Windows & Doors

W H O L E - H O U S E R E N OVAT I O N S

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ADDITIONS

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KITCHENS

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Exacting craftsmanship and • meticulous A D D I T I O N S attention • KITCHENS to every detail, every job.

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BATHROOMS •

BATHROOMS

216.952.9801 ~• www.rbschwarzinc.com ~• www.rbschwarzinc.com 216.952.9801 ~• 216.952.9801 www.rbschwarzinc.com MCR, CRPM UDCP, CKBR

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Custom Remodeling and Fine Home Renovations Custom Remodeling and Fine Home Renovations

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professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 15

DIRECTORY

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CONTRACTOR 3rd Generation Home Improvement Inc.

Roland Miller 35835 Vine St., Eastlake, OH 44095 440-810-2203, 3rdgenerationhomeimprovements.com A Glass Block Vision

Dave Villoni 5959 Carsten Road, Medina, OH 44256 330-321-4251, aglassblockvision.com

As of November 5, 2025

All Construction Services

Golden Hammer Remodeling Group

American Plaster & Drywall LLC

Healthy House Systems

Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC

Home Appeal

Dave Lehotan 945 Industrial Parkway N, Brunswick, OH 44212 330-220-6666, allconstructionohio.com Nicholas Foley 711 W. Bagley Road, Berea, OH 44017 440-532-7177, americanplaster&drywall.com

Kenneth Perrin, EPA Lead RRP 12333 Ridge Road, Suite 1B, North Royalton, OH 44133 216-520-0838, artisticreno.com

Donald Foldesy 39327 Thornfield Drive, Avon, OH 44011-1776 440-934-6307, goldenhammer440.com Tyler Reese 9249 Coit Road, Ravenna, OH 44266 330-993-0626, healthyhousesystems.com Micheal Maida 5411 Crystal Cove Circle, Stow, OH 44224 330-995-0551, homeappealohio.com

Baths R Us

Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc. Chris G. and Michael T. Kamis 12301 Sprecher Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135 216-898-1563 • FAX 216-898-1853 mkamis@absoluteroofing.com absoluteroofing.com REGIONAL Northeast Ohio’s most CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR trusted roofing company. WINNER With 35-plus years of operation, we are committed to excellence in craftsmanship. From roofing, siding and additions to historic restorationrenovation, we are truly a full-service company. First-place category winner of the prestigious CotY award 19 years in a row. Named one of the top 100 roofing contractors in the nation by Roofing Contractor Magazine and awarded a Big 50 designation by Remodeling Magazine. We have three HAAG-engineeringcertified roof inspectors on staff to meet your storm/hail damage needs.

Advance Design and Remodel

Andy Ieropoli, CR 29299 Clemens Road, Suite 1-C, Westlake, OH 44145 216-544-0455, advanceremodel.com Alair Homes Hudson

David Nystrom 10 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236-2851 440-893-9600, alairhudson.com 16 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

Chad Howman 3985 Medina Road, Suite 260, Medina, OH 44256 440-457-0101, bathrus.com Bennett Builders & Remodelers

Tim Bennett 27899 Clemens Road, Westlake, OH 44145 440-835-3277, bennettbuilders.com Brad Smith Roofing Co. Inc.

Brad Smith 24550 Sperry Drive, Westlake, OH 44145-1572 440-835-3377, bradsmithroofing.com Carrieri Construction Inc.

Michael Carrieri 11133 W. Sprague Road, North Royalton, OH 44133-1264 440-842-6718, carriericonstruction.com Chris Margevicius

Chris Margevicius 17813 Ingleside Road, Cleveland, OH 44119-1316 First Class Construction Inc.

Matthew Urbas 325 Park Road, Painesville, OH 44077 440-391-0060, fccoh.com

Hurst Design Build Remodel Pat Hurst, Owner/CEO, MCR, GCP Dan Hurst, Owner/COO, MCR, CRPM, CLC 26185 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, OH 44145 440-234-5656 hurstremodel.com Hurst Design Build Remodel, an awardwinning, full-service design-build firm, specializes in combining innovative design solutions and expert craftsmanship into one seamless experience. Let us create the perfect kitchen, bath, addition, basement, whole house renovation or outdoor living space for you. The Fine Art of Reinventing Home.

J.R. Luxury Bath and Plumbing

John Weddell 6739 Wise Ave. NW, North Canton, OH 44720-7358 330-494-2365, jrluxurybath.com JEMM Construction LLC

Mark Maltry Jr. 200 Blackbrook Road, Painesville, OH 44077-1215 440-358-0008, jemmconstruction.net

DIRECTORY

Joyce Windows, Sunrooms and Baths

Paul Rondeau 120 Blaze Industrial Parkway, Berea, OH 44017 440-586-4980, joycefactorydirect.com Land Creations Landscaping Inc.

Teal Rickards 33593 E. Royalton Road, Columbia Station, OH 44028 440-748-2500, landcreationslandscaping.com

R.A. Kalfas Construction Cortney Kalfas 12001 Prospect Road, Strongsville, OH 44149-2935 440-238-5498 • FAX 440-238-6255 rakalfas.com

Remodel Me Today Brian Pauley 25564 Bagley Road, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138 440-249-7665 remodelmetoday.com

Leisuretime Warehouse

Ted Dellas 30140 Lakeland Blvd., Wickliffe, OH 44092-1779 440-623-7554, leisuretimewarehouse.com Lux Home Remodeling

Dan Margin 9360 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, OH 44082 216-333-3538, luxhomeremodel.com NEO Custom Closets

Tony Smolinski 5400 State Road, Cleveland, OH 44134 216-925-3437, neocustomclosets.com

R.A. Kalfas Construction is a familyowned and -operated general contractor located in Strongsville. A recognized and trusted name throughout the Cleveland area for more than 35 years, we are a fullservice remodeler, offering architectural services and interior/exterior design services. R.A. Kalfas is a goodstanding member of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau, PRO, the HBA and the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce.

John Neubert 15401 Commerce Park Drive, Brookpark, OH 44142-2012 216-529-0360, neubertpainting.com Adrienne Robenstine 8295 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087-2307 330-425-0797, ohiobasementsystems.com Ohio State Waterproofing

Paul Trecarichi 365 E. Highland Road, Macedonia, OH 44056-2103 330-467-1055, ohiostatewaterproofing.com

Tim Englert Construction Inc.

Justin Englert 7176 Boneta Road, Wadsworth, OH 44281 330-336-2770, remodelmyhome.com

Neubert Painting Inc.

Ohio Basement Systems (Groundworks)

Currently dreaming of a new kitchen or bath? Visit our showroom to find quality cabinetry, tile, fixtures, flooring and an award-winning design staff to help guide you or your client on the design decisions from beginning to end. Remodel Me Today is a consumer, builder and remodeler’s showroom that also offers design-build services, if desired.

Toth Painting Solutions Inc.

R.B. Schwarz, Inc. Robert B. Schwarz, MCR, CRPM, UDCP, CKBR 12944 S. Woodside Drive, Chesterland, OH 44026 216-952-9801 • 440-729-2480 rbschwarzinc.com R.B. Schwarz, Inc. restores historic homes for modern families. Specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodeling and full-house renovation, Schwarz excels at maintaining historical integrity of gracious homes in Northeast Ohio. The same team of meticulous craftsmen have been working together since 1987. Their technical competency and professionalism ensure the success of every job.

Kristopher Toth, CRS 210 Hayes Drive, Suite E, Brooklyn Heights, OH 44131-1056 216-459-8684, tothpainting.com Unique Home Solutions

Jaqueline Olsen 6930 Engle Road, Suite X-Y, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 330-460-6950, uniquehomesolutions.org

professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 17

DIRECTORY

The Measure of a Great Remodeler REMODELING A HOME IS A BIG DECISION. Outside of buying a home, it may be the singlebiggest investment a homeowner makes. One needs to know that the remodeling contractor chosen is a full-time, dedicated remodeling professional. PRO’s certification programs offer this assurance through an extensive screening and testing process. Only full-time remodeling professionals are eligible for PRO certification. A PRO Certified Remodeler is an individual who has made a strong commitment to his/her business. Remodelers are not eligible for certification until they have been actively involved in the remodeling industry for a minimum of five years, so you are assured that the PRO Certified Remodeler has had time to develop the experience and skills that can only be gained through extensive hands-on practice. PRO certification is a challenging process, requiring extensive knowledge of the industry and a commitment to professional conduct. Even highly experienced and skilled remodelers find the screening and testing process formidable.

Nicholas Atkins, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

TO BECOME PRO CERTIFIED, ONE MUST…

Receive a satisfactory review by the PRO Certification Board, by providing an outline detailing his or her hands-on experience, industry training and continuing education. In addition, he or she must prove his or her technical skills, practices in business management, association involvement and community service hours served. Commit to intensive study on a broad range of critical industry issues. Most certification candidates participate in a formal study group and spend eight to 12 weeks studying in preparation for a difficult written exam. Successfully complete a comprehensive and challenging written exam covering critical subject areas such as sound business management practices, knowledge of building codes and construction law, plans and specification, proper and safe use of tools and equipment, safety, standards of practice, math and several special skill areas. ONCE AWARDED THEIR CERTIFICATION, PRO Certified Remodelers must meet annual recertification requirements, involving continuing education credits and participation in industry-related programs. HOMEOWNERS WHO HIRE A PRO CERTIFIED REMODELER can be assured they have chosen a professional with specific experience, dedication to training and a commitment to ethical conduct. PROFESSIONAL REMODELERS OHIO IS PROUD TO PRESENT its Certified Professionals…the best of the best in the remodeling industry!

Andy Ieropoli, CR Advance Home Improvement

Brian Pauley, CR Remodel Me Today

PRO CERTIFICATIONS CFS

Doug Dilley, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

Chris G. Kamis, CR Absolute Roofing and Construction Inc.

Mark A. Schwarz, CLC R.B. Schwarz Inc.

Joshua Gillies, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

Frank Kinczel Jr., CFS Gunton Corp. dba Pella Window & Door Co.

Robert B. Schwarz, MCR, CRPM, UDCP, CKBR R.B. Schwarz Inc.

Certified Fenestration Specialist CKBR

Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler CLC

Certified Lead Carpenter CR

Certified Remodeler CRPM

Brian Hurst, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

Dennis Keller, CR Hurst Design Build Remodel

Kristopher Toth, CRS Toth Painting Solutions Inc.

Certified Remodeling Project Manager CRS

Certified Remodeler Specialist Daniel Hurst, MCR, CLC, CRPM Hurst Design Build Remodel

Patrick G. Hurst, MCR, GCP Hurst Design Build Remodel

18 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

Mark Maltry Jr., CR JEMM Construction LLC

Kevin McDonald, CR, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

Michael Voloschuk, CR, CLC Hurst Design Build Remodel

Tyler Wilhelm, CLC, CRPM Hurst Design Build Remodel

GCP

Green Certified Professional MCR

Master Certified Remodeler UDCP

Universal Design Certified Professional

DIRECTORY

SUPPLIER/ MANUFACTURER ABC Supply Co. Inc. - Cleveland

Leo O’Connor 4855 W. 130th St., Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44135-5137 216-362-1400, abcsupply.com American Countertops Inc.

Lisa Marti 7291 Swamp St. NE, Hartville, OH 44632 330-417-2565, acitops.com

MSI International

Staci Giera 9501 Allen Drive, Valley View, OH 44125 216-617-2200, missurfaces.com National Design Mart

Jennifer Gonzalez 2255 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256-9695 330-721-1914, nationaldesignmart.co

Apollo Siding Supply Inc.

Dennis Reber 38396 Apollo Parkway, Willoughby, OH 44094-7724 440-942-4647, apollosupply.com Bradley Stone Industries Ltd.

Sarah Binder 30801 Carter St., Solon, OH 44139-3517 440-519-3277, bradley-stone.com Crooked River Building Supply

Floyd Maxwell 19106 Miles Road, Cleveland, OH 44128 216-478-9700, crookedriversupply.com Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery

Steven Caldwell 24441 Miles Road, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128-5483 216-825-2200, ferguson.com Firenza Stone

Ray Cellura 33205 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake, OH 44095 440-953-8883, firenzastone.com Granite Stone Works Design

Tony Nasrallah 875 Crocker Road, Westlake, OH 44145 440-892-8761, graniteworksstonedesign.com Hamilton Parker

Gabriel Cantrell 1100 Resource Drive, Brooklyn Heights, OH 44131-1854 216-351-2030, hamiltonparker.com

Gunton Corporation

Pella Window & Door Company/Gunton Brian Rutherford 26150 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146 216-831-2420 • FAX 216-591-1561 guntonpella.com Gunton Corp. — Your local distributor of Pella Windows and Doors. “Viewed to be the Best.”

ProSource of Cleveland

Kevin Marett 29300 Clemens Road, Westlake, OH 44145 440-892-5999, prosourcecleveland.com

Proudly serving the Woodworking Industry since 1958!

Featuring thousands of products for your woodworking and home improvement needs: Rockler Partner Store, Power Tools, Cabinet Hardware, Drawer Slides, Kreg, Distributors of Fine Tools, Stains &Machinery, Finishes, Saw Blades, Router Bits, Festool, and Accessories Saw Stop, SENCO and Exotic Woods proudly serving the Woodworking Industry since 1958.

14181 Foltz Pkwy. • Strongsville,OH ~ Full-Service Sharpening Shop ~ Our 12,000 sq. ft. OPEN TO PUBLIC! facility THE located just 3.5

miles west of I-71 at

440-238-5770 the corner of Rt. 82 and Foltz Parkway in 4,000 SQ. FT. 800-338-4534 Strongsville, includes SHOWROOM

FULL SERVICE GRINDING SHOP

4,000 sq. ft. of showroom space for•youStrongsville to see first hand all the 14181 Foltz Pkwy. latest in woodworking technology. From the do-it yourselfer, to M-F 8-5p, Sat. Tool 8:30-1p the largest manufacturers, Cleveland & Cutter, with it’s expert sales staff, factory trained service technicians, and full service Visit at: to serve all of your woodworking needs. grinding shopus are ready

cletool.com

440.238.5770 440.238.6775 Fax • 800.338.4534 Ohio

Scan the QR code to get the latest digital edition!

WWW.CLEVELANDTOOLANDCUTTERINC.COM M-F, 8-5 • Sat 8:30-3 Northeast Ohio’s Only Rockler Dealer Visa, Mastercard, Discover Accepted

Schluter Systems

David Juhnke 194 Pleasant Ridge Road, Plattsburg, NY 12901-5841 800-472-4588, schluter.com Somrak Kitchens

Linda Hilbig 26201 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146-1400 216-464-6500, somrakkitchens.com Trevarrow Inc., Sub-Zero and Wolf Distributor

RoseMary Eager 12610 Corporate Drive, Cleveland, OH 44130-9309 216-362-9200, trevarrowinc.com

S PECIAL PROMOT IONAL S ECTI ON

PICTURED:

Renovation by Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC

2026 SHOW GUIDE

Make Your Home

Your Haven

Discover how you can create calming, rejuvenating spaces — plus get industry-leading expertise — when you visit the PRO Home Improvement Show.

PRO Home Improvement Show Jan. 23-25, 2026

LaCentre Conference & Event Center, Westlake

professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 19

DIRECTORY

Virginia Tile Co.

TRADE RELATED

Melanie Giordano 4670 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128-6410 248-571-6557, virginiatile.com Welker-McKee Supply Co., Division of Hajoca

Ron Buffa 6606 Granger Road, Cleveland, OH 44131-1429 216-447-0050, welkermckee.com Wolff Bros. Supply Inc. - Akron

Bob Doherty Jr. 1200 Kelly Ave., Akron, OH 44306-3735 330-773-0200, wolffbros.com

Great Lakes Publishing

Paul Klein 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115-2001 216-377-3693, clevelandmagazine.com ISI Solutions LLC

Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland Pamela Anson 200 Treeworth Blvd., Broadview Heights, OH 44147 216-241-7678 • FAX 216-861-6365 cleveland.bbb.org For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. Your BBB offers FREE business ratings, scam alerts, customer reviews, request-a-quote and more! Find a trustworthy business at bbb.org.

Tim Smelcer 3505 Perkins Ave., Huron, OH 44839 419-871-4549, isisolutions.org Katzbach Insurance Agency Inc.

John Katzbach Jr. 902 Westpoint Parkway, Suite 300, Westlake, OH 44145-1534 440-835-1770, katzbachinsurance.com Medina Auto Mall

Roger Ollom 3205 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256-9631 330-723-3291, medinaautomall.net Minute Men Ohio Comp

John Oliverio 2900 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-2649 216-426-0646, 1-888-OHIOCOMP.com

BETTER

ROOFERS BBB Accredited Businesses are committed to operating with integrity, honoring promises, PLUMBERS and telling the truth. Always look for the BBB Seal, it’s CONTRACTORS AND MORE The Sign of a Better Business.

SM

BUREAU

20 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

Find a Better Business

Be e a Better Business

DIRECTORY

ISTOCK: NUT TAPONG PUNNA

OHIO DOESN’T REQUIRE CONTRACTORS TO BE LICENSED, so we recommend hiring a PRO remodeler. PRO members are put through a screening process to ensure favorable status with the BBB and the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Proof of appropriate local registration, liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance and pledging to follow a strict Code of Ethics are requirements of PRO members.

PRO TIP: SELECTING A RELIABLE CONTRACTOR EMPLOY A CONTRACTOR WITH AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS in your area. Check references from past customers in your area or through your local Better Business Bureau (BBB).

IF YOU SOLICIT BIDS FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS, be sure they’re bidding on the same scope and quality of work. Discuss variations in bids and beware of any bid that’s substantially lower than the others.

Quartz | Quartzite | Granite | Tile | Marble | Soapstone | Porcelain Slabs

Bradley Stone features an extensive array of stone and tile for floors, walls and countertops.

Quartz | Quartzite | Granite | Tile | Marble | Soa

Photo courtesy of Hurst Design Build Remodel

bradley-stone.com | 30801 Carter St, Solon, OH 44139 | (440) 519-3277 appointments suggested

Bradley Stone features an extensive professionalremodelersohio.com PRO 21 array of stone and tile for floors, walls and countertops.

DIRECTORY

CODE OF ETHICS

Member Standards GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE OF PRO

Professional Remodelers Ohio (PRO) is dedicated to being the best resource for knowledge and training in the remodeling industry. Our organization exists for two reasons: to help professionalize members of the home improvement industry and serve as an ally to Ohio’s homeowners. CODE OF ETHICS

Members shall observe the highest standards of integrity, frankness and responsibility in dealing with the public while adhering to the following principles: 1. O nly those home improvement projects, which are structurally and economically sound, shall be fostered and encouraged. 2. All advertising statements shall be accurate and free of the capacity to mislead or deceive the consumer. 3. Accuracy shall be required of all salespersons in their descriptions of products and services. 4. All contracts employed shall be unambiguous and fair to all parties concerned. 5. All contractual obligations shall be promptly fulfilled. 6. All work shall be performed in a manner compatible with recognized standard of public health and safety and applicable laws.

22 PRO Home Improvement Show Guide | 2026

THE ETHICS COMMITTEE

The mission of the Ethics Committee is to uphold the ethical standards of the association by enforcing the Code of Ethics and to promptly deal with consumer and member complaints. The Ethics Committee is assigned the duty of receiving and considering violations of the PRO Code of Ethics, brought by the general public against a member or by another member of the organization.

To submit a written complaint, a consumer needs to contact the PRO office at 216-631-7764 and request to speak to the Ethics Committee liaison, who will mail or email out a complaint packet. ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE PACKET and

delivered your complaint to the Ethics Committee liaison, you will receive a letter confirming receipt and requesting any additional information. Next, the member company at issue will be contacted and asked to respond. Once the response is received, the committee will attempt to resolve the complaint. If an amicable resolution cannot be reached, the committee will make a determination as to whether PRO’s Code of Ethics was violated and recommend or take action as deemed appropriate.

AGAIN, PRO’S GOAL is to help the parties involved come to

an amicable agreement by opening the lines of communication. PRO accepts complaints reported within two years of the discovery of the issue in question. PRO will accept complaints on behalf of consumers who have engaged legal counsel and will review the conduct of the member in relation to the PRO Code of Ethics but will not be able to act as third-party mediator.

WE MAKE THE ENTRANCE GRANDE 30815 Solon Rd. Solon • 440-248-0050 • finelliironworks.com Excellence since 1961

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% 0 INTEREST FOR

1 YEAR *EXCLUSIONS APPLY. EXPIRES 1.31.2026

Pella Windows and Doors is locally owned and operated and has been serving the Northeast Ohio area since 1932. With an impressive average Google Review rating of 4.9, our reputation speaks for itself through our exceptional products and quality of service. Visit one of our nearby Pella Experience Centers listed below, or schedule a FREE in-home consultation to explore our product lines and get expert guidance to bring your home improvement dreams to life!

Akron 2965 W Market Street Akron, OH 44333 (330) 836-5548

Highland Heights

Canfield

4010 Boardman-Canfield Road 775 Alpha Drive Canfield, OH 44406 Highland Heights, OH 44143 (330) 533-9766 (440) 942-2262

PellaCleveland.com/CLEMag | (888) 800-9527

Westlake 975 Crocker Road Westlake, OH 44145 (440) 892-9008

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS

2026

THE ANNUAL LIST OF TOP ATTORNEYS

OHIO

TOP 10

CLEVELAND

TOP 50

2007-2009, 2012-2026

Bashein & Bashein At Bashein & Bashein, Co., L.P.A., Craig Bashein and his team have represented thousands of Ohio families who have lost loved ones or suffered catastrophic injuries in tragic incidents and, over his career, Bashein has recovered almost $1 billion on behalf of his clients.

CRAIG BASHEIN

SUPER LAWYERS HONOREE

Bashein is the president of Bashein & Bashein, a highly respected law firm specializing in wrongful death and catastrophic injuries as a result of construction and worksite incidents, auto, truck and motorcycle accidents, defective products, unsafe premises, and workrelated injuries, as well as protecting the rights of state and federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, and our nation’s service members and veterans. TERMINAL TOWER 50 PUBLIC SQUARE, 35TH FLOOR CLEVELAND, OH 44113 PH: (216) 771-3239 • FX: (216) 781-5876

basheinlaw.com

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

SELECTION PROCESS Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process.*

OUR PATENTED SELECTION PROCESS

The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. We limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.

NOMINATIONS Diverse list of the top attorneys nominated by their own peers

The Super Lawyers selection process involves the steps outlined in the graphic (at right).

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH Evaluated by third-party research across 12 key categories

LEARN MORE SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess

PEER EVALUATION

QUESTIONS? SL-Research@SuperLawyers.com

Reviewed by a highly credentialed Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys

visit SuperLawyers.com

FINAL SELECTION

Search for an attorney by practice area and location, and read features on attorneys selected to our lists.

2.5%

of attorneys selected to Rising Stars

DISCLAIMER: The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon the advertising or listings in this magazine. Super Lawyers does not certify or designate an attorney as a specialist, is not a title conferred on individual lawyers, and is not intended to communicate that lawyers selected will achieve better results upon the advertising or listings in the magazine.

5%

of attorneys selected to Super Lawyers

*U.S. Pat. No. 8,412,564

HIGH STAKES LITIGATION + HIGH LEVEL M&A = C&G

OHIO

TOP 100 CLEVELAND

Ciano & Goldwasser, LLP Recognized for their tenacity and skill, Ciano & Goldwasser is a boutique law firm that clients rely on when the stakes are highest. With offices in Cleveland and Beachwood, the firm’s expertise spans Partnership Disputes, Sports Law, Commercial Litigation, Middle Market M&A, Sexual Assaults, Catastrophic Injuries, and Wrongful Death.

CIANO & GOLDWASSER

LLP

c-g-law.com

TOP 50

Standing L-R: Oliver Herthneck, Anastasia Wade, Brent S. Silverman* Seated L-R: Denise Houlahan, Phillip A. Ciano*+, Andy Goldwasser*, Quenna Bell *Selected to Super Lawyers +Top 5 Business Litigation

S-2

SUPERLAWYERS.COM

2344 Canal Road Cleveland, OH 44113 Phillip A. Ciano Andy Goldwasser Brent S. Silverman

3201 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 350 Beachwood, OH 44122 (216) 658-9900

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

James L. Ferraro

John Martin Murphy

2025 Florida Super Lawyers Honoree

Super Lawyers Honoree

Trial Lawyers for the Working Class For over 25 years, Kelley Ferraro, LLC has been a premier advocate for working-class victims of asbestos-related diseases. As one of the largest asbestos litigation practices in the nation, Cleveland-based Kelley Ferraro has recovered over $1 billion for its clients. Kelley Ferraro’s expansive mass tort practice includes advocating for those suffering from cancer and other health issues as a result of prescription drugs, defective medical devices, toxic exposures, and environmental contaminations. Additionally, the firm offers personal injury, medical malpractice, discrimination, probate, and criminal defense services. From the pandemic to the effects of inflation, America’s working class has faced enough challenges on its own. Let the experienced trial attorneys at Kelley Ferraro handle your legal challenges instead. We are committed to advocating on your behalf by challenging manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and more.

950 Main Ave. Suite 1300 Cleveland, OH 44113 PH: (216) 575-0777 Toll-Free: (888) 839-8479 Shawn Acton

Super Lawyers Honoree

Matt McMonagle

Super Lawyers Honoree

Joyce Chambers Reichard

kelleyferraro.com

Rising Stars Honoree

SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

S-3

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

TOP 100

AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2026 OHIO SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS.

TOP 10 BASHEIN, W. CRAIG #BTIFJOª #BTIFJO $P $MFWFMBOE CRANDALL, STEVE $SBOEBMMª 1FSB -BX $MFWFMBOE FRIEDMAN, IAN N. • Ranked Number Three • 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE FRIEDMAN, SCOTT N. 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT MITCHELL, JOHN R. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE

Friedman, Ian N. 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE

O’Connell, Matthew C. 4VUUFS 0µ$POOFMM $P $MFWFMBOE

Friedman, Scott N. 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT

O’Shea, John L. $PIFO 5PEE ,JUFª 4UBOGPSE $JODJOOBUJ

Galeano, Judith E. .PXFSZ :PVFMMª (BMFBOP %VCMJO

Oliver, Jami S. 0MJWFS -BX 0GGJDF %VCMJO

Gallucci III, Frank L. 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $MFWFMBOE

Paris, David M. /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

Goldwasser, Andy $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE Gosnell II, Gerhardt "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT Gounaris, Nicholas G. (PVOBSJT "CCPVE %BZUPO Grossman, Andrew S. (SPTTNBO -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT

Pelini, Craig G. 1FMJOJ $BNQCFMMª 3JDBSE /PSUIª$BOUPO Pera, Marc G. $SBOEBMMª 1FSB -BX $JODJOOBUJ

Groza, Jonathon W. ,PISNBO +BDLTPOª ,SBOU[ $MFWFMBOE

Peschke, Joel L. $BMEFSIFBE -PDLFNFZFSª 1FTDILF -PWFMBOE

Haber, Richard C. )BCFS 1FQQFSª1JLF

Price, William J. &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

Hannigan, Erinn McKee 4UBHOBSP )BOOJHBO ,PPQ $P $JODJOOBUJ

Ray, Frank A. 'SBOL " 3BZ $P $PMVNCVT

Harris, Sean )BSSJT -BX 0GGJDF 8PSUIJOHUPO

MULLIN, JEANNE M. 1FSF[ .PSSJT $MFWFMBOE

Helfman, Jill F. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE

PATNO, CHRISTIAN R. • Ranked Number Two • .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Horvath, Dennis E. 8PMJOFU[ª] )PSWBUIª] #SPXO $PMVNCVT

RAY, FRANK A. 'SBOL " 3BZ $P $PMVNCVT

Patno, Christian R. .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Hensel, A. J. *DF .JMMFS $PMVNCVT

Howard, Barbara J. #BSCBSB + )PXBSE $P $JODJOOBUJ Jonson, George D. .POUHPNFSZ +POTPO $JODJOOBUJ Kadish, Matthew F. 'SBOU[ 8BSE $MFWFMBOE

Reagan, John J. ,JTMJOH /FTUJDPª 3FEJDL $MFWFMBOE Reynolds, Christopher R. ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE Rhinehart, Erin E. 'BSVLJ %BZUPO Rinehardt, John K. 3JOFIBSEU *OKVSZ "UUPSOFZT .BOTGJFME Rittgers, Charles H. 3JUUHFST 3JUUHFSTª /BLBKJNB -FCBOPO Rittgers, Ellen B. 3JUUHFST 3JUUHFSTª /BLBKJNB -FCBOPO

ROACH, ADRIENNE J. ,FBUJOH .VFUIJOHª ,MFLBNQ $JODJOOBUJ

Kadish, Scott P. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $JODJOOBUJ

Roach, Adrienne J. ,FBUJOH .VFUIJOHª ,MFLBNQ $JODJOOBUJ

Kelley, James M. &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

UNGAR, MICHAEL N. • Ranked Number One • 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE

Rourke, Michael J. 3PVSLFª #MVNFOUIBM $PMVNCVT

Khouzam, Marie-Joëlle C. #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Russell, Christopher C. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $PMVNCVT

Kirila, Jill S. 4RVJSF 1BUUPO #PHHT $PMVNCVT

Rutter, Robert P. 3VUUFSª 3VTTJO $MFWFMBOE

Kitrick, Mark ,JUSJDL -FXJTª 4UBMFZ 4MBEFL $P $PMVNCVT

Sansalone, Monica A. (BMMBHIFS 4IBSQ $MFWFMBOE

Ahern, Ann-Marie .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE Arnold, James E. "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT Bashein, W. Craig #BTIFJOª #BTIFJO $P $MFWFMBOE Blasik-Miller, Susan 3FNJOHFS %BZUPO Bossin, Phyllis G. 1IZMMJT ( #PTTJOª "TTPDJBUFT $JODJOOBUJ Bowman, J. Scott (FJTFSª #PXNBO $PMVNCVT Butler, David J. 5BGU $PMVNCVT Chandra, Subodh 5IF $IBOESB -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE Ciano, Phillip A. $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS $MFWFMBOE Copp, Matthew R. 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $PMVNCVT Cox, Jeffrey T. 'BSVLJ %BZUPO Crandall, Steve $SBOEBMMª 1FSB -BX $MFWFMBOE

Lansdowne, Dennis R. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE

Schaefer, David A. .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Layman, Brian C. -BZNBO -BX (SPVQ $BOUPO

Schneiberg, Jerald A. /BHFS 3PNBJOFª 4DIOFJCFSH $P &VDMJE

Leffler, Amanda M. 4IVNBLFS -PPQª ,FOESJDL "LSPO

Scott, Craig P. 5IF -BX 0GGJDF PG $SBJH 4DPUUª $P $PMVNCVT

Leveridge, Julia L. ,FNQ 4DIBFGGFSª 3PXF $P $PMVNCVT

Scott, John C. (BUMJO 7PFMLFS $JODJOOBUJ

Lipcius, Jesse R. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $JODJOOBUJ

Scott, Stuart E. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE

Luka, Lori A. -B[[BSP -VLB -BX 0GGJDFT 3PDLZª3JWFS

Shlonsky, Patricia A. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE

Malemud, Franklin C. .D%POBME )PQLJOT $MFWFMBOE

Silverman, Brent S. $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE

McKinlay, Amy M. .D,JOMBZ -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT

Smith, Zachary D. ;BDIBSZ % 4NJUI $JODJOOBUJ

Meadows, William A. 3FNJOHFS $MFWFMBOE

Sommers, Brian A. ,JSLMBOEª 4PNNFST $P %BZUPO

Meister, Julia B. 5BGU $JODJOOBUJ

Sullivan, K. James $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

Menashe, Diane 5IF .FOBTIF -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT Mester, Jonathan D. /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

Treneff, Craig P. 5SFOFGG $P[[B -BX 8FTUFSWJMMF Tucker, Michael S. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE Turnbull, Tracey L. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $MFWFMBOE

DiCello, Nicholas A. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE

Miller, Brian G. #SJBO ( .JMMFS $P 8PSUIJOHUPO

DiSilvio, Marilena &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

Mitchell, John R. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE

Dorman, Andrew J. 3FNJOHFS $MFWFMBOE

Moore, Daniel N. 5IF .PPSF -BX 'JSN $JODJOOBUJ

Elliott, Rex H. $PPQFS &MMJPUU $PMVNCVT

Mordino, Joseph T. (BUMJO 7PFMLFS $JODJOOBUJ

Evans, II, Gordon D. 5IF %POBIFZ -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

Mullin, Jeanne M. 1FSF[ .PSSJT $MFWFMBOE

Williams, Christopher S. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

Frantz Oldham, Megan J. 1MBLBT .BOOPT "LSPO

Murray, Edward D. ,SVHMJBL 8JMLJOT (SJGGJUITª %PVHIFSUZ $P $BOUPO

Young, Andrew R. 5IF -BX 'JSN GPS 5SVDL 4BGFUZ $MFWFMBOE

Fried, Adam M. 'SJFE -BX (SPVQ #FBDIXPPE

Nowlin, Ryan P. /PXMJO 'BNJMZ -BX 3PDLZª3JWFS

S-4

SUPERLAWYERS.COM

Mirman, Denise 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT

Ungar, Michael N. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE Valentine, Nancy A. .JMMFS $BOGJFME 1BEEPDLª 4UPOF $MFWFMBOE

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

TOP 50 WOMEN

AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE WOMEN LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2026 OHIO SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS.

Ahern, Ann-Marie .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Khouzam, Marie-Joëlle C. #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Barnes, Nancy M. 5IPNQTPO )JOF $MFWFMBOE

Kirila, Jill S. 4RVJSF 1BUUPO #PHHT $PMVNCVT

Biacsi, Mary J. 5IF 'BNJMZ -BX (SPVQ $P $MFWFMBOE

Lampe, Lynn 5IF -BNQF -BX 0GGJDF 8FTUª$IFTUFS

Blasik-Miller, Susan 3FNJOHFS %BZUPO

Leffler, Amanda M. 4IVNBLFS -PPQª ,FOESJDL "LSPO

Bossin, Phyllis G. 1IZMMJT ( #PTTJOª "TTPDJBUFT $JODJOOBUJ Brauer, Kami D. &NQMPZNFOU -BX 1BSUOFST *OEFQFOEFODF Cozza, Andrea L. 5SFOFGG $P[[B -BX 8FTUFSWJMMF DiSilvio, Marilena &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT Frantz Oldham, Megan J. 1MBLBT .BOOPT "LSPO Fuhrer, Loriann E. ,FHMFS #SPXO )JMM 3JUUFS $PMVNCVT Galeano, Judith E. .PXFSZ :PVFMMª (BMFBOP %VCMJO Hannigan, Erinn McKee 4UBHOBSP )BOOJHBO ,PPQ $P $JODJOOBUJ Haupt, Erika L. #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT Helfman, Jill F. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE Howard, Barbara J. #BSCBSB + )PXBSE $P $JODJOOBUJ

Rhinehart, Erin E. 'BSVLJ %BZUPO Rittgers, Ellen B. 3JUUHFST 3JUUHFSTª /BLBKJNB -FCBOPO Roach, Adrienne J. ,FBUJOH .VFUIJOHª ,MFLBNQ $JODJOOBUJ Sansalone, Monica A. (BMMBHIFS 4IBSQ $MFWFMBOE

Leveridge, Julia L. ,FNQ 4DIBFGGFSª 3PXF $P $PMVNCVT

Santoni, Christine 1FSF[ .PSSJT $MFWFMBOE Santosuosso, Cara L. -BX 0GGJDFT PG $BSB - 4BOUPTVPTTP 8FTUMBLF

Luka, Lori A. -B[[BSP -VLB -BX 0GGJDFT 3PDLZª3JWFS McKinlay, Amy M. .D,JOMBZ -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT McLafferty, Sydney S. 5IF 4UVDLFZ 'JSN %VCMJO

Schraff, Patricia J. 4DISBGG 5IPNBT -BX 8JMMPVHICZª)JMMT

Meister, Julia B. 5BGU $JODJOOBUJ

Sferra, Anne Marie #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Menashe, Diane 5IF .FOBTIF -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

Shlonsky, Patricia A. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE

Mirman, Denise 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT

Stagnaro, Michaela M. 4UBHOBSP )BOOJHBO ,PPQ $P $JODJOOBUJ

Monihan, M. Elizabeth 4DIOFJEFS #FMM $MFWFMBOE

Stautberg, Lee M. %JOTNPSFª 4IPIM $JODJOOBUJ

Mullin, Jeanne M. 1FSF[ .PSSJT $MFWFMBOE Myers, Kelly Mulloy 'SFLJOH .ZFSTª 3FVM $JODJOOBUJ O’Neil, Colleen M. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Oliver, Jami S. 0MJWFS -BX 0GGJDF %VCMJO

Keating, Amy M. ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE

Pantages, Pamela /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

Kemp, Jacqueline L. ,FNQ -BX (SPVQ %VCMJO

Petersen, Susan E. 1FUFSTFOª 1FUFSTFO $IBSEPO

Stone, Susan C. ,PISNBO +BDLTPOª ,SBOU[ $MFWFMBOE Turnbull, Tracey L. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $MFWFMBOE Wade, Claire I. 4PCFM 8BEFª .BQMFZ $MFWFMBOE Weis, Amy 8FJT -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

Djordjevic & Marmaros, L.L.C. LV DQ 2KLR ODZ ĠUP GHGLFDWHG WR and specialized in representing victims of medical malpractice cases throughout the state and around the country. The members of the ĠUP 0LFKDHO 'MRUGMHYLF DQG 3HWHU 0DUPDURV KDYH HDUQHG DQ $9 Preeminent® UDWLQJ E\ 0DUWLQGDOH +XEEHOO®, the highest possible rating IURP ERWK WKH MXGLFLDU\ DQG WKHLU SHHUV IRU OHJDO DELOLW\ DQG HWKLFDO VWDQGDUGV &ROOHFWLYHO\ 'MRUGMHYLF DQG 0DUPDURV KDYH PRUH WKDQ years of experience in medical malpractice and have successfully obtained in excess of $500 million in compensation for their clients. Michael Djordjevic has been designated an Ohio Super Lawyers honoree for 21 consecutive years. He was named the Best Lawyers® 3ODLQWLIIVł 0HGLFDO 0DOSUDFWLFH Ń/DZ\HU RI WKH <HDUń LQ DQG DQG 3ODLQWLIIVł 3HUVRQDO ,QMXU\ /LWLJDWLRQ Ń/DZ\HU RI WKH <HDUń LQ DQG +H LV OLVWHG LQ The Best Lawyers in America® DQG WKH 7RS $NURQ /DZ\HUV DV ZHOO DV GHVLJQDWHG DV RQH of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Ohio by The National Trial Lawyers. 'MRUGMHYLF KDV EHHQ HOHFWHG D IHOORZ RI WKH /LWLJDWLRQ &RXQVHO RI $PHULFD WKH LQYLWDWLRQ RQO\ KRQRUDU\ VRFLHW\ IRU ZKLFK OHVV WKDQ KDOI of one percent of all lawyers are chosen. Peter Marmaros has been designated an Ohio Super Lawyers KRQRUHH IRU FRQVHFXWLYH \HDUV +H LV D PHPEHU RI WKH 0LOOLRQ 'ROODU $GYRFDWHV )RUXP®, listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and has EHHQ VHOHFWHG WR $PHULFDłV 7RS 3HUVRQDO ,QMXU\ $WWRUQH\V® of Ohio. 0DUPDURV JUDGXDWHG ZLWK +RQRUV IURP &OHYHODQG 0DUVKDOO &ROOHJH RI Law, where he served on the Law Review. He has devoted his life to the representation of families throughout the state of Ohio who have been catastrophically impacted by inappropriate medical care and treatment. 0DUPDURVłV OHJDO LQWHJULW\ DQG SURZHVV KDYH EHHQ UHFRJQL]HG E\ WKH MXGLFLDU\ DV HYLGHQFHG E\ KLV SDVW DSSRLQWPHQW DV WKH IRUHPDQ RI WKH JUDQG MXU\ LQ &X\DKRJD &RXQW\ 2KLR

MICHAEL DJORDJEVIC

PETER MARMAROS

SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS

SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS

East: Chagrin Richmond Plaza 25550 Chagrin Blvd. Suite 202 Beachwood, OH 44122

West: 616 Dover Center Road Suite 100 Bay Village, OH 44140

(216) 781-4900 (330) 376-6766 mike@dmlawohio.com pete@dmlawohio.com

dmlawohio.com

SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

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SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

TOP 50 CLEVELAND

AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2026 OHIO SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS.

Ahern, Ann-Marie .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Layman, Brian C. -BZNBO -BX (SPVQ $BOUPO

Rinehardt, John K. 3JOFIBSEU *OKVSZ "UUPSOFZT .BOTGJFME

Bashein, W. Craig #BTIFJOª #BTIFJO $P $MFWFMBOE

Leffler, Amanda M. 4IVNBLFS -PPQª ,FOESJDL "LSPO

Chandra, Subodh 5IF $IBOESB -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE

Luka, Lori A. -B[[BSP -VLB -BX 0GGJDFT 3PDLZª3JWFS

Sansalone, Monica A. (BMMBHIFS 4IBSQ $MFWFMBOE

Malemud, Franklin C. .D%POBME )PQLJOT $MFWFMBOE

Schaefer, David A. .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Ciano, Phillip A. $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS $MFWFMBOE Crandall, Steve $SBOEBMMª 1FSB -BX $MFWFMBOE DiCello, Nicholas A. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE DiSilvio, Marilena &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT Dorman, Andrew J. 3FNJOHFS $MFWFMBOE Frantz Oldham, Megan J. 1MBLBT .BOOPT "LSPO Fried, Adam M. 'SJFE -BX (SPVQ #FBDIXPPE Friedman, Ian N. 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE

Meadows, William A. 3FNJOHFS $MFWFMBOE Mester, Jonathan D. /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE Mitchell, John R. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE Mullin, Jeanne M. 1FSF[ .PSSJT $MFWFMBOE Murray, Edward D. ,SVHMJBL 8JMLJOT (SJGGJUITª %PVHIFSUZ $P $BOUPO Nowlin, Ryan P. /PXMJO 'BNJMZ -BX 3PDLZª3JWFS

Goldwasser, Andy $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE

O’Connell, Matthew C. 4VUUFS 0µ$POOFMM $P $MFWFMBOE

Groza, Jonathon W. ,PISNBO +BDLTPOª ,SBOU[ $MFWFMBOE

Paris, David M. /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

Haber, Richard C. )BCFS 1FQQFSª1JLF

Patno, Christian R. .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE

Gallucci III, Frank L. 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $MFWFMBOE

Helfman, Jill F. 5BGU $MFWFMBOE Kadish, Matthew F. 'SBOU[ 8BSE $MFWFMBOE Kelley, James M. &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT Lansdowne, Dennis R. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE

Pelini, Craig G. 1FMJOJ $BNQCFMMª 3JDBSE /PSUIª$BOUPO Price, William J. &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

Rutter, Robert P. 3VUUFSª 3VTTJO $MFWFMBOE

Schneiberg, Jerald A. /BHFS 3PNBJOFª 4DIOFJCFSH $P &VDMJE Scott, Stuart E. 4QBOHFOCFSH 4IJCMFZª -JCFS $MFWFMBOE Shlonsky, Patricia A. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE Silverman, Brent S. $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE Sullivan, K. James $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Tucker, Michael S. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE Turnbull, Tracey L. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $MFWFMBOE Ungar, Michael N. 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE Valentine, Nancy A. .JMMFS $BOGJFME 1BEEPDLª 4UPOF $MFWFMBOE Williams, Christopher S. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Young, Andrew R. 5IF -BX 'JSN GPS 5SVDL 4BGFUZ $MFWFMBOE

Reynolds, Christopher R. ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE

TOP 50 COLUMBUS

AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF THE LAWYERS WHO RANKED TOP OF THE LIST IN THE 2026 OHIO SUPER LAWYERS NOMINATION, RESEARCH AND BLUE RIBBON REVIEW PROCESS.

Alton, John +PIO . "MUPOª $P (BIBOOB

Haupt, Erika L. #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Mordarski, Daniel R. .PSEBSTLJ -BX %VCMJO

Arnold, James E. "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT

Haynes, S. Scott )BZOFT ,FTTMFS .ZFSTª 1PTUBMBLJT 8PSUIJOHUPO

Nolan, William A. #BSOFTª 5IPSOCVSH $PMVNCVT

Bowman, J. Scott (FJTFSª #PXNBO $PMVNCVT Butler, David J. 5BGU $PMVNCVT

Hensel, A. J. *DF .JMMFS $PMVNCVT

Clifford, Damion M. "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT

Horvath, Dennis E. 8PMJOFU[ª] )PSWBUIª] #SPXO $PMVNCVT

Copp, Matthew R. 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $PMVNCVT

Kemp, Jacqueline L. ,FNQ -BX (SPVQ %VCMJO

Curphey, James D. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $PMVNCVT

Khouzam, Marie-Joëlle C. #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Elliott, Rex H. $PPQFS &MMJPUU $PMVNCVT

Kirila, Jill S. 4RVJSF 1BUUPO #PHHT $PMVNCVT

Evans, II, Gordon D. 5IF %POBIFZ -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

Kitrick, Mark ,JUSJDL -FXJTª 4UBMFZ 4MBEFL $P $PMVNCVT

Friedman, Scott N. 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT

Leveridge, Julia L. ,FNQ 4DIBFGGFSª 3PXF $P $PMVNCVT

Fuhrer, Loriann E. ,FHMFS #SPXO )JMM 3JUUFS $PMVNCVT

Little, Jr., Marion H. ;FJHFS 5JHHFTª -JUUMF $PMVNCVT

Oliver, Jami S. 0MJWFS -BX 0GGJDF %VCMJO Pettit, Christopher R. %JDLJF .D$BNFZª $IJMDPUF $PMVNCVT Ray, Frank A. 'SBOL " 3BZ $P $PMVNCVT Rourke, Michael J. 3PVSLFª #MVNFOUIBM $PMVNCVT Russell, Christopher C. 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $PMVNCVT Saia, Jon J. 5IF -BX 0GGJDFT PG 4BJB .BSSPDDPª +FOTFO $PMVNCVT Schneider, Karl H. &BTUNBOª 4NJUI $PMVNCVT Scott, Craig P. 5IF -BX 0GGJDF PG $SBJH 4DPUUª $P $PMVNCVT Sferra, Anne Marie #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT

Galeano, Judith E. .PXFSZ :PVFMMª (BMFBOP %VCMJO

Marshall, John S. .BSTIBMM 'PSNBOª 4DIMFJO $PMVNCVT

Geiser, Michael K. (FJTFSª #PXNBO $PMVNCVT

McKinlay, Amy M. .D,JOMBZ -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT

Taneff, Thomas 5IPNBT 5BOFGG $P $PMVNCVT

Goldstein, David A. %BWJE " (PMETUFJO $P $PMVNCVT

McLafferty, Sydney S. 5IF 4UVDLFZ 'JSN %VCMJO Menashe, Diane 5IF .FOBTIF -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

Terlecky, Myron N. 4USJQ )PQQFST -FJUIBSU .D(SBUIª 5FSMFDLZ $P $PMVNCVT

Meyer, David P. .FZFS 8JMTPO $P $PMVNCVT

Treneff, Craig P. 5SFOFGG $P[[B -BX 8FTUFSWJMMF

Miller, Brian G. #SJBO ( .JMMFS $P 8PSUIJOHUPO

Weis, Amy 8FJT -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

Gosnell II, Gerhardt "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT Grossman, Andrew S. (SPTTNBO -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT Harris, Sean )BSSJT -BX 0GGJDF 8PSUIJOHUPO

S-6

SUPERLAWYERS.COM

Shroyer, David I. $PMMFZ 4ISPZFS "CSBIBN $PMVNCVT

Mirman, Denise 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

TAX, LEGAL, GROWTH: TAILORED FOR YOU

Joseph G. Corsaro

Meet Your Owner-Lawyers L-R: Joseph G. Corsaro, Esq. (Selected to 2008-2012, 2014-2026 Super Lawyers, designated Federal Tax Law Specialist by the Ohio Supreme Court), Barbara F. Sikon, Esq. (Selected to 2014 Rising Stars), Christian Bates, Esq. (Selected to 2014-2015, 2017 Rising Stars), Michael M. Gardineer, Esq. (Selected to 2025-2026 Rising Stars), Michele L. McAteer, Esq., Scott R. Poe, Esq. (Selected to 2014-2021 Rising Stars), Vincent J. Palumbo, Esq., Ivan Hladni, Esq., Steven B. Beranek, Esq., Michael F. Halper, Esq., Mark A. Kikta, Esq., Andrew M. Tichenor, Esq.

28039 Clemens Road, Westlake, OH 44145

(440) 871-4022 | corsarolaw.com SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

S-7

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 "ENJOJTUSBUJWF -BX 4 "MUFSOBUJWF %JTQVUF 3FTPMVUJPO 4 "QQFMMBUF 4 "WJBUJPO BOE "FSPTQBDF 4 #BOLSVQUDZ #VTJOFTT 4 #BOLSVQUDZ $POTVNFS 4 #VTJOFTT -JUJHBUJPO 4 #VTJOFTT $PSQPSBUF 4 $JWJM -JUJHBUJPO %FGFOTF 4

5)& "//6"- -*45 BY PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE

5IJT MJTU JODMVEFT GFBUVSFE BUUPSOFZT TFMFDUFE UP 4VQFSª-BXZFST PS 3JTJOHª4UBST GPS UIF DVSSFOU ZFBS " GFBUVSFE BUUPSOFZ JT POF XIP IBT QSPNPUFE UIFJS MFHBM QSBDUJDF UISPVHI 4VQFSª-BXZFST PS IBT CFFO TFMFDUFE UP B UPQ MJTU "MM PG UIJT ZFBSµT TFMFDUFFT DBO CF GPVOE PO TVQFSMBXZFST DPN /BNFT BOE QBHF OVNCFST JO RED JOEJDBUF BO BEWFSUJTFNFOU GPS UIBU BUUPSOFZ PO UIF TQFDJGJFE QBHF 1IPOF OVNCFST BSF JODMVEFE GPS BOZ BUUPSOFZ XJUI B QBJE QSJOU BE

$JWJM -JUJHBUJPO 1MBJOUJGG 4 $JWJM 3JHIUT 4 $MBTT "DUJPO .BTT 5PSUT 4 $POTUSVDUJPO -JUJHBUJPO 4 $POTVNFS -BX 4 $SFEJUPS %FCUPS 3JHIUT 4 $SJNJOBM %FGFOTF 4 $SJNJOBM %FGFOTF %6* %8* 4 $SJNJOBM %FGFOTF 8IJUF $PMMBS 4

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW RISING STARS 4NJUI #SBOEPOª. (SBGGª .D(PWFSO $PMVNCVT

BRANDON M. SMITH

(3"''ª .$(07&3/ -1" $PMVNCVTª

www.graffmcgovern.com

&NQMPZNFOUª -BCPS 4 &NQMPZNFOU -JUJHBUJPO 1MBJOUJGG 4 &TUBUFª 5SVTU -JUJHBUJPO 4 &TUBUF 1MBOOJOHª 1SPCBUF 4 'BNJMZ -BX 4 (FOFSBM -JUJHBUJPO 4 (PWFSONFOU 'JOBODF 4 (PWFSONFOU 3FMBUJPOT 4

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SUPER LAWYERS Alton, John +PIO . "MUPOª $P (BIBOOB 1H ª4 "SUIVST ,BJUMZOª% /PSUIFBTU 0IJP 'BNJMZ -BX BOE .FEJBUJPO 4PMPO 3BZ 'SBOLª" 'SBOL " 3BZ $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 8FJTT +FSPNFª' .FEJBUJPO 4IBLFSª)FJHIUT

)FBMUI $BSF 4 *NNJHSBUJPO 4 *OTVSBODF $PWFSBHF 4 *OUFMMFDUVBM 1SPQFSUZ 4 .FSHFSTª "DRVJTJUJPOT 4 /POQSPGJU 0SHBOJ[BUJPOT 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ (FOFSBM %FGFOTF 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ (FOFSBM 1MBJOUJGG 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ .FEJDBM .BMQSBDUJDF %FGFOTF 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ .FEJDBM .BMQSBDUJDF 1MBJOUJGG 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ 1SPEVDUT %FGFOTF 4 1FSTPOBM *OKVSZ 1SPEVDUT 1MBJOUJGG 4

APPELLATE SUPER LAWYERS +PIOTPO #SFOEBª. /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE 4GFSSB "OOFª.BSJF #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 4U +PIO ,BUIMFFOª+ /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SUPER LAWYERS -FCPWJU[ +BNJFª3 /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

4DIPPMTª &EVDBUJPO 4 4FDVSJUJFTª $PSQPSBUF 'JOBODF 4 4FDVSJUJFT -JUJHBUJPO 4 4PDJBM 4FDVSJUZ %JTBCJMJUZ 4 4VSFUZ 4

BANKRUPTCY: BUSINESS SUPER LAWYERS "MMFO 5IPNBTª3 "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT $PGGFZ 5IPNBTª8 $PGGFZ -BX $MFWFMBOE

Tax 4

$PVUJOIP +BNFTª" "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT

6UJMJUJFT 4

%F(JSPMBNP "OUIPOZª+ "UUPSOFZ BU -BX $BOUPO

8PSLFSTµ $PNQFOTBUJPO 4

4UPWBMM 3JDIBSEª, "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT

S-8

SUPERLAWYERS.COM

BANKRUPTCY: CONSUMER SUPER LAWYERS /FNFUI 3JDIBSEª) /FNFUIª 1FSSZ 8FTUMBLF

BUSINESS LITIGATION SUPER LAWYERS "SOPME +BNFTª& "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 #VUMFS %BWJEª+ 5BGU $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 $JBOP 1IJMMJQª" $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

PHILLIP A. CIANO $*"/0ª (0-%8"44&3 --1 $MFWFMBOEª

$MJGGPSE %BNJPOª. "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 $PF 4UFGBOJFª-ZOO "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT $VSQIFZ +BNFTª% 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 %JMMBSE +S .JDIBFMª- "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT %VCZBL 3PCFSUª+ %VCZBL /FMTPO $MFWFMBOE Ferguson, Kate "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT 'VISFS -PSJBOOª& ,FHMFS #SPXO )JMM 3JUUFS $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 'VTDP .BSLª4 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE (FNCBMB 3ZBOª. (FNCBMB .D-BVHIMJOª 1FDPSB $P 4IFGGJFMEª7JMMBHF (PO[BMFT +PIOª. #FIBM %VWBMM -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT Gosnell II, Gerhardt "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 (SP[B +POBUIPOª8 ,PISNBO +BDLTPOª ,SBOU[ $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 )PDLTUBE ,BSFOª4 %JOTNPSFª 4IPIM $PMVNCVT )VHIFT .BVSBª- $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE +FUU 4UFQIFOª) #VDLJOHIBN %PPMJUUMFª #VSSPVHIT $MFWFMBOE -JUUMF +S .BSJPOª) ;FJHFS 5JHHFTª -JUUMF $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

1SPGFTTJPOBM -JBCJMJUZ %FGFOTF 4 3FBM &TUBUF 4

5VDLFS .JDIBFMª4 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

www.c-g-law.com

&MEFS -BX 4 &NQMPZFF #FOFGJUT 4

5FSMFDLZ .ZSPOª/ , Strip Hoppers Leithart .D(SBUIª 5FSMFDLZ $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

.FOEP[B .BUUIFXª. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE .JMMT -BVSBª- .JMMT .JMMT 'JFMZª -VDBT $BOUPO .JSNBO +PFMª) 5IF .JSNBO -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

JOEL H. MIRMAN THE MIRMAN LAW FIRM, LLC $PMVNCVTª

www.themirmanlawfirm.com /FBM +PIOª/ 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 /FVNBO 5PEEª) "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT 0µ/FJM $PMMFFOª. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 1FUUJU $ISJTUPQIFSª3 %JDLJF .D$BNFZª $IJMDPUF $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 1PUUFS 4UFWFOª# %JOO )PDINBOª 1PUUFS $MFWFMBOE 4BWBHF *** +BNFTª4 -VQFS /FJEFOUIBMª -PHBO $PMVNCVT

CIVIL LITIGATION: DEFENSE

CIVIL RIGHTS

SUPER LAWYERS )FOTFM " ª+ *DF .JMMFS $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 )PMUIVT %PVHMBTª1 'SFFNBO .BUIJTª (BSZ $PMVNCVT ,NFU[ ,JNCFSMFFª+P ,NFU[ -BX )VETPO 1JMBXB %FOOJTª. 1JMBXBª #SFOOBO $P #FEGPSEª)FJHIUT

4FHFSNBO %PVHMBTª+ -VQFS /FJEFOUIBMª -PHBO $PMVNCVT

4DIBFGFS %BWJEª" .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

4JMWFSNBO #SFOUª4 $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

Zimmerman, Todd 3PISCBDIFS 5SJNCMFª ;JNNFSNBO $P 8FTUFSWJMMF

5IPNBT 1BUSJDLª+ 3JU[MFS $PVHMJOª 1BHMJB $MFWFMBOE

RISING STARS "NBEPS ,FMMJª+ %JOTNPSFª 4IPIM $PMVNCVT

5VSOCVMM 5SBDFZª- 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

Zronek, Mark #BLFSª )PTUFUMFS $PMVNCVT

8FJTFOTFMM +PIOª$ 8FJTFOTFMMª $PSHBO "LSPO 1H ª4 8JMMJBNT $ISJTUPQIFSª4 $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

Pattakos, Peter 5IF 1BUUBLPT -BX 'JSN "LSPO

RISING STARS 3FUUJH .BEFMJOFª+ .BSTIBMM 'PSNBOª 4DIMFJO $PMVNCVT

4DIJMMFS +PIOª&EXBSE 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE

6OHBS .JDIBFMª/ 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

SUPER LAWYERS Chandra, Subodh 5IF $IBOESB -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

Schlein, Samuel .BSTIBMM 'PSNBOª 4DIMFJO $PMVNCVT

CLASS ACTION/MASS TORTS SUPER LAWYERS Judge, Shawn (JCCT .VSB $PMVNCVT RISING STARS Chambers Reichard, Joyce, Kelley Ferraro, $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4

CIVIL LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF SUPER LAWYERS .JOD "BSPOª. .JOD -BX $MFWFMBOE

CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION

;BHSBOT &SJDª) ;BHSBOT -BX 'JSN 1PXFMM

4UFCCJOT "OESFXª$ #VDLJOHIBN %PPMJUUMFª #VSSPVHIT $MFWFMBOE

RISING STARS #POBNJOJP /JDIPMBTª" $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

RISING STARS $PSDPSBO +FGGSFZª3 "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS /FMTPO -JOETBZª. "MMFO 4UPWBMM /FVNBOª "TIUPO $PMVNCVT CONTINUED ON PAGE S-10

$PMMJFS .FSFEJUIª, $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE DiCuccio, Robert ,BU[ %J$VDDJP $PMVNCVT %PFSS 3ZMBOEª" $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $PMVNCVT

FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF NORTHEAST OHIOANS Nathaniel G. Szep

(BSSFUTPO -BVSFOª, $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 8FO 4BHFª9JO $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Whaling, Gretchen $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $PMVNCVT

BUSINESS/CORPORATE

Derek N. Rodstrom

SUPER LAWYERS #FIBM 3PCFSUª+ #FIBM %VWBMM -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT #SFOOBO ,JNCFSMZª" 1JMBXBª #SFOOBO $P #FEGPSEª)FJHIUT

Jay Romer

Michael G. Polito

*

Roanna Thawley

**

*Super Lawyers Honoree **Rising Stars Honoree

)PCTPO ** 4UFWFOª3 )PCTPO 3BTOJDL 'PYª ,PMMJHJBO "LSPO 7FSHJMJJ +FOOJGFSª- $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 8JMMJT +FGGSFZª" 8JMMJT $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS #PTBL %BWJEª" (PSEPO 3FFT 4DVMMZ .BOTVLIBOJ $PMVNCVT #SJHHT %BOJFMª% $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Cericola, Kessia $FSJDPMB -FHBM 4PMVUJPOT $PMVNCVT Kelley, Brenden #SFOEFO ,FMMFZ -BX $MFWFMBOE 5IPNBT 4UFGBOª5 ª& 5IPNBT *OHSBN -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

Polito | Rodstrom | Szep LLP is a fullƊĎƂƵijāĎ΄ʼnåƶ΄ǙƂő΄ƊĎƂƵijœħ΄āʼnijĎœƖƊ΄ƖĮƂŜƞħĮŜƞƖ΄ kŜƂƖĮĎåƊƖ΄tĮijŜ͟΄ ÎijƖĮ΄ ŜƵĎƂ΄ ̆̅​̅΄ ƼĎåƂƊ΄ ŜĦ΄ āŜőĀijœĎĈ΄ ʼnĎħåʼn΄ ĎƻſĎƂijĎœāĎ΄ ijœ΄ ƖĮĎ΄ åƂĎåƊ΄ ŜĦ΄ ƶƂŜœħĦƞʼn΄ ĈĎåƖĮ΄ åœĈ΄āåƖåƊƖƂŜſĮijā΄ijœŃƞƂƼ͚΄œƞƂƊijœħ΄ĮŜőĎ΄åĀƞƊĎ΄ åœĈ΄ œĎħʼnĎāƖ͚΄ ĎƊƖåƖĎ΄ ſʼn圜ijœħ΄ åœĈ΄ åƊƊĎƖ΄ ſƂŜƖĎāƖijŜœ͚΄ſƂŜĀåƖĎ΄åœĈ΄ƖƂƞƊƖ΄åĈőijœijƊƖƂåƖijŜœ͚΄ ĀƞƊijœĎƊƊ΄ åĈƵijƊŜƂƼ͚΄ āƂijőijœåʼn΄ ĈĎĦĎœƊĎ͚΄ ĈŜőĎƊƖijā΄ ƂĎʼnåƖijŜœƊ͚΄ åœĈ΄ åĈŜſƖijŜœƊ͚΄ ƖĮĎ΄ åƖƖŜƂœĎƼƊ΄ åƖ΄ ¢΄ aa ΄ ſƂŜƵijĈĎ΄ āʼnijĎœƖƊ΄ ƶijƖĮ΄ ƁƞåʼnijƖƼ͚΄āŜƊƖͲĎǖĎāƖijƵĎ΄ʼnĎħåʼn΄ƂĎſƂĎƊĎœƖåƖijŜœ͟

ŜʼnijƖŜ΄ χ΄ ŜĈƊƖƂŜő΄ χ΄ ¢džĎſ΄ aa ΄ ĮåƊ΄ ƖĮĎ΄ ƊņijʼnʼnƊ΄ ƂĎƁƞijƂĎĈ΄ ƖŜ΄ ņĎĎſ΄ å΄ āʼnijĎœƖ΄ ŜƞƖ΄ ŜĦ΄ āŜƞƂƖ͚΄ ƂĎſƂĎƊĎœƖ΄ å΄ āʼnijĎœƖ΄ ijœ΄ āŜƞƂƖ͚΄ ŜƂ͚΄ ijĦ΄ œĎāĎƊƊåƂƼ͚΄ åſſĎåʼn΄ åʼnʼn΄ ƖĮĎ΄ ƶåƼ΄ ƖŜ΄ ƖĮĎ΄ tĮijŜ΄ ¢ƞſƂĎőĎ΄ ŜƞƂƖ͚΄ ƶĮĎƂĎ΄ ƖĮĎ΄ ǙƂő΄ ĮåƊ΄ ƊƞāāĎƊƊĦƞʼnʼnƼ΄ åƂħƞĎĈ΄Ŝœ΄őƞʼnƖijſʼnĎ΄ŜāāåƊijŜœƊ͟΄

Polito I Rodstrom I Szep LLP

̇̆̈̅​̅΄aŜƂåijœ΄ ŜåĈ AåijƂƵijĎƶ΄ åƂņ͚΄tI΄̉​̉̆̇̋ I͙΄ͬ̉​̉̅ͭ΄̍̎̊Ͳ̆̇̈̉΄χ΄AÓ͙΄ͬ̉​̉̅ͭ΄̍̎̊Ͳ̆̇̈​̈

pbrslaw.com

SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

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SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 CONSUMER LAW SUPER LAWYERS 'SFEFSJDL 3POBMEª* 'SFEFSJDLª #FSMFS $MFWFMBOE

Grant, Madelyn 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE 4NJUI 4FUIª3 5IF -BX 0GGJDF PG 4FUI 3 4NJUI /FXBSL

Heck, Jeremiah -VGUNBO )FDLª "TTPDJBUFT %VCMJO

5SPUU -VDBTª% 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE

RISING STARS Mitchell, Nicholas / 1 8FJTT -BX &MZSJB

8BMDIBOPXJD[ 5ZMFSª+ 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE Wolfe, Brad #SBE 8PMGF -BX $MFWFMBOE

CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS SUPER LAWYERS Owen, Andrew $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $PMVNCVT 7BMFOUJOF /BODZª" .JMMFS $BOGJFME 1BEEPDLª 4UPOF $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

CRIMINAL DEFENSE SUPER LAWYERS #FMMJ %FOOJTª$ "UUPSOFZ BU -BX $PMVNCVT #JMMBL %BNJBOª" #JMMBL -BX $BOGJFME 1H ª4 Blake, Dustin #MBLF -BX 'JSN $P $PMVNCVT %BJLFS 1BVMª# 1BVM %BJLFS -BX *OEFQFOEFODF 'SJFENBO *BOª/ 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 'VOLIPVTFS %PVHMBTª" %PVHMBT " 'VOLIPVTFS $P $PMVNCVT (PMECFSH .JDIBFMª+ (PMECFSH %PXFMMª "TTPDJBUFT $MFWFMBOE

MICHAEL J. GOLDBERG (0-%#&3( %08&--ª "440$*"5&4 --$ $MFWFMBOEª

www.michaeljgoldberg.net

+PIOT -FTMJFª4 "+-+ -BX $MFWFMBOE +POFT "TIMFZª- "+-+ -BX $MFWFMBOE Joslyn, Brian +PTMZO $SJNJOBM %FGFOTF -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT ,PSFZ 1IJMJQª+ "UUPSOFZ BU -BX $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 -POH &SJDª' 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE .BMBSDJL %POBMEª+ 0IJP %FGFOTF 'JSN "LSPO Menashe, Diane 5IF .FOBTIF -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 Nemecek, Eric 'SJFENBO /FNFDFL -POHª (SBOU $MFWFMBOE 1BMNFS 4UFQIFOª& 1BMNFS -FHBM %FGFOTF $PMVNCVT 3FBSEPO +BNFTª8 $BSSBCJOFª 3FBSEPO $P .FOUPS Robey, Gregory -BX 0GGJDF PG (SFHPSZ 4 3PCFZ .BQMFª)FJHIUT 4BCPM %BOJFMª+ 4BCPMª] .BMMPSZ $PMVNCVT 8PPE 4DPUUª1 $POSBE 8PPE -BODBTUFS

RISING STARS $BTTFTF 'SBOLª- #FUSBT ,PQQ $BOGJFME

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SUPERLAWYERS.COM

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI SUPER LAWYERS $BMFTBSJD 3PCFSUª& "UUPSOFZ BU -BX /FXBSL Dominy, Shawn %PNJOZ -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

&.1-0:.&/5ª -"#03 SUPER LAWYERS #BSOFT /BODZª. 5IPNQTPO )JOF $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 #SJTLJO 4FUIª1 .FZFST 3PNBO 'SJFECFSHª -FXJT $MFWFMBOE Floyd, Lydia 5IF -ZEJB 'MPZE -BX 'JSN 3PDLZª3JWFS 'SJFENBOO 1FUFSª( 5IF 'SJFENBOO 'JSN )JMMJBSE (BMFBOP +VEJUIª& .PXFSZ :PVFMMª (BMFBOP %VCMJO 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 ,IPV[BN .BSJF +PqMMFª$ #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 ,JSJMB +JMMª4 4RVJSF 1BUUPO #PHHT $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

.BMMPSZ $IBTFª" 4BCPMª] .BMMPSZ $PMVNCVT

-FUDIFS #BSCBSBª, .PXFSZ :PVFMMª (BMFBOP %VCMJO

O’Shea, Michael -JQTPO 0µ4IFB -FHBM (SPVQ 3PDLZª3JWFS

.BSTIBMM +PIOª4 .BSTIBMM 'PSNBOª 4DIMFJO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

Probst, Michael 1SPCTU -BX 0GGJDF $PMVNCVT

/PMBO 8JMMJBNª" #BSOFTª 5IPSOCVSH $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

4BJB +POª+ 5IF -BX 0GGJDFT PG 4BJB .BSSPDDPª +FOTFO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

1BMNFS 5PEEª' $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 1PMMPDL 4UBDZª7 1PMMPDL -BX %VCMJO

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE COLLAR SUPER LAWYERS #FSDLNVFMMFS 'SJU[ª& $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE #FZFS 8JMMJBNª% 'BEFMª #FZFS 3PDLZª3JWFS .JUDIFMM +PIOª3 5BGU $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 4DIOFJEFS ,BSMª) &BTUNBOª 4NJUI $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 5IPNBT %BWJEª) 5BGU $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS #BVHINBO ,FMTFZª- $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

ELDER LAW SUPER LAWYERS +POFT -JOETBZª$ 4DISBGG 5IPNBT -BX 8JMMPVHICZª)JMMT 1H ª4 ,BCC &GGSPO 3BDIFMª" 5IF ,BCC -BX 'JSN #FBDIXPPE

1PTUBMBLJT 4UFQIFOª1BVM )BZOFT ,FTTMFS .ZFSTª 1PTUBMBLJT 8PSUIJOHUPO

STEPHEN PAUL POSTALAKIS

)":/&4 ,&44-&3 .:&34ª 1045"-",*4 8PSUIJOHUPOª

www.OhioLawyersGroup.com

3VTTFMM $ISJTUPQIFSª$ 1PSUFS 8SJHIU .PSSJTª "SUIVS $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 4BCP 'SJFENBOO 3BDIFMª" 5IF 'SJFENBOO 'JSN )JMMJBSE 4UFQUFS 3BZMª- 4UFQUFS -BX 0GGJDF 8PSUIJOHUPO

RISING STARS Bryant, Daniel #SZBOU -FHBM $PMVNCVT $BUBMVTDJ -PSSBJOFª. 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE Tomsick, Emma $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

4DISBGG 1BUSJDJBª+ 4DISBGG 5IPNBT -BX 8JMMPVHICZª)JMMT 1H ª4 ª4

SUPER LAWYERS Ahern, Ann-Marie .D$BSUIZ -FCJU $SZTUBMª -JGGNBO $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 ª4

4UFJOFS -BVSJFª( 4PMPNPO 4UFJOFSª 1FDL .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

#SBVFS ,BNJª% &NQMPZNFOU -BX 1BSUOFST *OEFQFOEFODF 1H ª4 (JUUFT 'SFEFSJDLª. 5IF (JUUFT -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUPER LAWYERS 4IMPOTLZ 1BUSJDJBª" 6# (SFFOTGFMEFS $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 RISING STARS $SFHBO /JDPMFUUFª5 & $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

)BCFS 3JDIBSEª$ )BCFS 1FQQFSª1JLF 1H ª4 ª4 -BMBL $ISJTUPQIFSª+ -BMBL 8FTUMBLF .BSHPMJVT "OESFXª- .BSHPMJVT .BSHPMJVTª "TTPDJBUFT $MFWFMBOE 1FUSPW %BOJFMª1 5IPSNBO 1FUSPW (SPVQ $P 4IBLFSª)FJHIUT 8BEF $MBJSFª* 4PCFM 8BEFª .BQMFZ $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 RISING STARS Hux, James )VY -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE 4FMG -JOETFZª, )BCFS 1FQQFSª1JLF

%BIMCFSH $ ª(VTUBW #BCCJUUª %BIMCFSH -BX $PMVNCVT

)FDLFSU $ISJTUPQIFSª& )FDLFSUª .PSFMBOE $PMVNCVT )FMGNBO +JMMª' 5BGU $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

C. GUSTAV DAHLBERG

Helmbrecht, Laura "UUPSOFZ BU -BX $PMVNCVT

#"##*55ª %")-#&3( -"8 --$ $PMVNCVTª

&45"5&ª 53645 -*5*("5*0/

)PSWBUI %FOOJTª& 8PMJOFU[ª] )PSWBUIª] #SPXO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4

www.bdfamilylaw.com

%FMMJHBUUJ .JDIBFMª+ %FMMJHBUUJ -BX 8PSUIJOHUPO

*CPME %FOOJTª+ *CPMEª 0µ#SJFO $IBSEPO

%VWBMM %F"OOBª+ #FIBM %VWBMM -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

+PIOTPO ** +PIOª1 $PPLF %FNFST /FXª"MCBOZ

-BXTPO 4IBOFª" 'SJFE -BX (SPVQ #FBDIXPPE

&JOTUFJO %JBOOFª%J/BQPMJ &JOTUFJOª (JCTPO Westerville

,FBUJOH "NZª. ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4

.BMFNVE 'SBOLMJOª$ .D%POBME )PQLJOT $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

'PY 3PCFSUª3 )PCTPO 3BTOJDL 'PYª ,PMMJHJBO "LSPO

5IPNBT +PIOª1 4DISBGG 5IPNBT -BX 8JMMPVHICZª)JMMT 1H ª4

'SJFENBO 4DPUUª/ 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4

SUPER LAWYERS 'SJFE "EBNª. 'SJFE -BX (SPVQ #FBDIXPPE 1H ª4 ª4

RISING STARS (SPTTDVQ -FFª. .JMMFSª (SPTTDVQ -BX 'JSN "LSPO Schneckenburger, Nicholas .BHVJSF 4DIOFDLFOCVSHFS -FHBM (SPVQ 5BMMNBEHF

&45"5& 1-"//*/(ª 130#"5& SUPER LAWYERS Balch, Jacintha #BMDI -BX $PMVNCVT )BVQU &SJLBª- #SJDLFS (SBZEPO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4

,FNQ +BDRVFMJOFª- ,FNQ -BX (SPVQ %VCMJO 1H ª4 ª4 ,VFO[J )BOTª$ ,VFO[J 4PNPHZJ #FBDIXPPE -BVCBDIFS &SJDª3 -BVCBDIFSª $P 3PDLZª3JWFS -FWFSJEHF +VMJBª- ,FNQ 4DIBFGGFSª 3PXF $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

SCOTT N. FRIEDMAN

-FXJT "NBOEBª+ 1BPMPOJª -FXJT ,FOU

'3*&%."/ª .*3."/ $0 - 1 " $PMVNCVTª

-FXJT (SFHHª3 )BSSZ -FXJT $P $PMVNCVT

www.friedmanmirman.com

-PPOFZ %BWJEª" %BWJE " -PPOFZ $P "LSPO

(JMMFTQJF 3PTTª" (JMMFTQJF -BX %VCMJO (SBIBN )VSE .FMJTTBª" .FMJTTB (SBIBN )VSEª "TTPDJBUFT "LSPO (SBN[B .JDIFMMFª- 4DIBMMFS $BNQCFMMª 6OJUFE /FXBSL (SPTTNBO "OESFXª4 (SPTTNBO -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 )BZOFT 4 ª4DPUU )BZOFT ,FTTMFS .ZFSTª 1PTUBMBLJT 8PSUIJOHUPO 1H ª4

.BSLT 3JDIBSEª4 .BSLTª $IBOEMFS $P ,FOU .D,JOMBZ "NZª. .D,JOMBZ -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

AMY M. MCKINLAY

MCKINLAY LAW OFFICES, LLC $PMVNCVTª

www.mckinlaylawllc.com CONTINUED ON PAGE S-12

-BZNBO #SJBOª$ -BZNBO -BX (SPVQ $BOUPO 1H ª4 ª4 .FZFS 3JDIBSEª' 3 ' .FZFSª "TTPDJBUFT 8PSUIJOHUPO .POJIBO . ª&MJ[BCFUI 4DIOFJEFS #FMM $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 1FDL +FOOJGFSª&MJ[BCFUI 4PMPNPO 4UFJOFSª 1FDL .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT Taneff, Thomas 5IPNBT 5BOFGG $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 Vary, Jaclyn $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

RISING STARS 1BWJDJD .BVSFFOª5IFSFTF $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Stackhouse, Zachary $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Thawley, Roanna 1PMJUPª] 3PETUSPNª] 4[FQ 'BJSWJFXª1BSL 1H ª4

FAMILY LAW SUPER LAWYERS #FSHFO "OOª4 5IF -BX 0GGJDFT PG "OO 4 #FSHFO 8JMMPVHICZ #JBDTJ .BSZª+ 5IF 'BNJMZ -BX (SPVQ $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 #SPXO &SJDª. 8PMJOFU[ª] )PSWBUIª] #SPXO $PMVNCVT #VDL &MBJOFª4 #VDLª 'JTI $PMVNCVT

JOHN C. WEISENSELL Selected to Super Lawyers

WEISENSELL & CORGAN, LLC

Akron, OH (330) 376-5756 jack@wolf-lawyers.com

https://wolf-lawyers.com

BUSINESS LITIGATION | PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF | GENERAL LITIGATION John C. (Jack) Weisensell is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Florida, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Jack graduated from The College of Wooster in 1981 and from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1985. Following graduation from law school, Jack accepted a position as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul C. Weick with the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Jack is a former president of both the Akron Bar Association and the Summit County Trial Lawyers Association, and a former board member of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

$P[[B "OESFBª- 5SFOFGG $P[[B -BX 8FTUFSWJMMF 1H ª4 SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

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OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 FAMILY LAW SUPER LAWYERS CONT’D FROM PAGE S-11

Mirman, Denise 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

DENISE MIRMAN

'3*&%."/ª .*3."/ $0 - 1 " $PMVNCVTª

www.friedmanmirman.com

/JDLPMMT -JOETBZª, 5IF /JDLPMMT -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE /JHI +PTFQIª" 5IF /JHI -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT /PXMJO 3ZBOª1 /PXMJO 'BNJMZ -BX 3PDLZª3JWFS 1H ª4 ª4 Petroff, Ronald 1FUSPGG -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT 3FZOPMET $ISJTUPQIFSª3 ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 4BOUPTVPTTP $BSBª- -BX 0GGJDFT PG $BSB - 4BOUPTVPTTP 8FTUMBLF 1H ª4 4PNPHZJ 3PCFSUª&SJD ,VFO[J 4PNPHZJ #FBDIXPPE 4QPOTFMMFS /BODZª- -BX 0GGJDF PG /BODZ - 4QPOTFMMFS %VCMJO 4VSJBOP 4VTBOª. (SFDP -BX %VCMJO 5SFOFGG $SBJHª1 5SFOFGG $P[[B -BX 8FTUFSWJMMF 1H ª4 ª4 5SPMJOHFS $ISJTUPQIFSª- 5SPMJOHFS -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT 8FJOGVSUOFS ,ZMFJHIª" ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE Weis, Amy 8FJT -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 8PMJOFU[ #BSSZª) 8PMJOFU[ª] )PSWBUIª] #SPXO $PMVNCVT ;BTIJO "OESFXª" ;BTIJO -BX $MFWFMBOE ;PMMBST $PVSUOFZª" 5IF /JHI -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS Borshchak, Dmitriy #PSTIDIBL -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT #VDL 5IPNQTPOª& #VDLª 'JTI $PMVNCVT Donizetti, Michael 5IF -BX 0GGJDFT PG 4BJB .BSSPDDPª +FOTFO %FMBXBSF (MFBTPO &MJ[BCFUIª' 5SPMJOHFS -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT (SFDP +S "OUIPOZª8 (SFDP -BX %VCMJO +F[JPSPXTLJ +PTFQIª4 (SFDP -BX %VCMJO ,SZWPLPMJOTLB 7BMFSJZBª4 'SJFENBOª .JSNBO $P $PMVNCVT .FJT .JDIFMMFª+ 5SPMJOHFS -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT Overstreet, Joseph (SFDP -BX %VCMJO Roberts, Jaelynn (SFDP -BX %VCMJO Rowland, Jessica 5IF /JHI -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT Sonderman, Hank #PSTIDIBL -BX (SPVQ $PMVNCVT Weiss, Nicholas / 1 8FJTT -BX 4PVUIª&VDMJE

GENERAL LITIGATION SUPER LAWYERS $PSXJO +POBUIBOª1 "SOPMEª $MJGGPSE $PMVNCVT

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%BUUJMP "MFYBOESBª7 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE Doucet, Troy %PVDFU $P %VCMJO

INSURANCE COVERAGE

(PMETUFJO %BWJEª" %BWJE " (PMETUFJO $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

SUPER LAWYERS Demian, Mark 3BUICPOF (SPVQ $MFWFMBOE

Holford, Andrew )PMGPSE -BX $PMVNCVT

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DIMITRIOS S. POUSOULIDES

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS RISING STARS #PXFO .JDIBFMª8 $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

HEALTH CARE RISING STARS White, Zach #VDLJOHIBN %PPMJUUMFª #VSSPVHIT $BOUPO

POUSOULIDES LAW OFFICES INC. /PSUI $BOUPOª

www.ohiotriallawyer.com

3PPG #SJBOª& 'SFEFSJDLª #FSMFS $MFWFMBOE 3VUUFS 3PCFSUª1 3VUUFSª 3VTTJO $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 4VMMJWBO , ª+BNFT $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 Wright, Benjamin 5IF -BX 0GGJDF PG 8SJHIUª "TTPDJBUFT $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS $IJSJDPTUB .BUUIFXª" $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE )VEOFMM /JDIPMBTª. $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IMMIGRATION SUPER LAWYERS #BSUFMM +POBUIBOª" #BSUFMM (FPSHBMBTª +VBSF[ *OEFQFOEFODF Dhinojwala, Duriya #SFOOBO .BOOBª %JBNPOE "LSPO DiFranco, Brian 3PESJHVF[ #FMMª %J'SBODP -BX 0GGJDF $PMVNCVT 1JOKVI -PSJª" 5IF 1JOKVI -BX 'JSN *OEFQFOEFODF 1H ª4 Shihab, Gus 5IF -BX 'JSN PG 4IJIBCª "TTPDJBUFT $P %VCMJO

GUS SHIHAB 5)& -"8 '*3. 0' 4)*)"#ª ASSOCIATES, CO., LPA %VCMJOª

www.shihabimmigrationfirm.com 8POH .BSHBSFUª8 .BSHBSFU 8 8POHª "TTPDJBUFT $MFWFMBOE

MARGARET W. WONG ."3("3&5 8 80/(ª "440$*"5&4 --$ $MFWFMBOEª

www.imwong.com

RISING STARS Georgalas, Lauren #BSUFMM (FPSHBMBTª +VBSF[ *OEFQFOEFODF

SUPER LAWYERS &NFSTPO 3PHFSª% &NFSTPO 5IPNTPO #FOOFUU "LSPO 8FOUTMFS 4UFQIFOª4 8FOUTMFS $MFWFMBOE

STEPHEN S. WENTSLER WENTSLER LLC $MFWFMBOEª

www.wentsler.com

RISING STARS -JLFOT %VTUJOª% $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE Parks, Jalyn 5IF + 1BSLT 'JSN $PMVNCVT Pulfer, Bradley $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 3FVMCBDI *** +PIOª- $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

.&3(&34ª "$26*4*5*0/4 SUPER LAWYERS %PZMF 5FSSFODFª' ª 5FSSZ $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE /FBSZ %PVHMBTª" $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE 1FUSPOZ +PIOª' 1FUSPOZ -BX 1PMBOE

+VBSF[ +S +PTFª" #BSUFMM (FPSHBMBTª +VBSF[ *OEFQFOEFODF

JOHN F. PETRONY

Wilkinson, Yubia +BNFT *NNJHSBUJPO -BX $MFWFMBOE

www.petronylaw.com

PETRONY LAW, LLC 1PMBOEª

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 3FVTDIFS $ISJTUPQIFSª1 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE

%FGPTTF[ .BSLª& 5IF %POBIFZ -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

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RISING STARS Ahern, Margaret $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

&BEJF 8JMMJBNª# &BEJF -BX $MFWFMBOE

+BWB 4BDIJOª7 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE .VSSBZ -VDBTª8 #VDLJOHIBN %PPMJUUMFª #VSSPVHIT "LSPO 5PUJOP 4BMWBUPSFª+ ª 4BN $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUPER LAWYERS #BMM %BWJEª5 3PTFOCFSHª #BMM $P (SBOWJMMF

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: DEFENSE SUPER LAWYERS 1FMJOJ $SBJHª( 1FMJOJ $BNQCFMMª 3JDBSE /PSUIª$BOUPO 1H ª4 ª4 RISING STARS 4UFXBSU .BUUIFXª% 3PISCBDIFS 5SJNCMFª ;JNNFSNBO $P 8FTUFSWJMMF

WILLIAM B. EADIE

EADIE LAW NURSING HOME INJURY LAWYERS $MFWFMBOEª

www.nursinghomeinjurylawyers.com

&JTOFS .JDIBFMª- 5IF -BX 0GGJDFT PG .JDIBFM - &JTOFS $MFWFMBOE &MMJPUU 3FYª) $PPQFS &MMJPUU $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 'JGOFS $VSUJTª. &MLª &ML $P %VCMJO Fitch, John 5IF 'JUDI -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT (FJTFS .JDIBFMª, (FJTFSª #PXNBO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 (FSWFMJT .BSLª4 (FSWFMJT -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 (PMECFSH 4UFWFOª. (PMECFSH -FHBM $P 4PMPO (PMETUFJO .JDIBFMª% (PMETUFJOª (PMETUFJO #FBDIXPPE 1H ª4 Goldwasser, Andy $JBOPª (PMEXBTTFS #FBDIXPPE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4

ANDY GOLDWASSER

$*"/0ª (0-%8"44&3 --1 #FBDIXPPEª

www.c-g-law.com

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF SUPER LAWYERS "DUPO 4IBXOª. ,FMMFZ 'FSSBSP $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 #BTIFJO 8 ª$SBJH #BTIFJOª #BTIFJO $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 #FSH "BSPOª1 $BSBWPOBª #FSH $MFWFMBOE

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www.cbjustice.com

#PXNBO + ª4DPUU (FJTFSª #PXNBO $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4

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AARON P. BERG

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0CSBM .BSLª+ 0CSBM 4JMLª 1BM $MFWFMBOE

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RISING STARS Fijalkovich, Ian &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT Laney, Katherine &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT .D$PZ $ ª+PTFQI .JDIBFM )JMM 5SJBM -BX $MFWFMBOE .FIMF 4UFQIBOJFª. (FSWFMJT -BX 'JSN $BOGJFME 1H ª4

Merriman, Tom .FSSJNBO -FHBM $MFWFMBOE

Payne, Joshua /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

$POOPMMZ .FHIBOª1 5JUUMFª 1FSMNVUFS $MFWFMBOE

.JMMFS #SJBOª( #SJBO ( .JMMFS $P 8PSUIJOHUPO 1H ª4 ª4

Rinehardt, Rachel 3JOFIBSEU *OKVSZ "UUPSOFZT .BOTGJFME

Cowan, Gary &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT

.PZFS 4UFQIFOª" .PZFS -BX 0GGJDFT $PMVNCVT

Schiff, Zachary 4DIJGGª "TTPDJBUFT $PMVNCVT

$SBOF ,ZMFª- ,ZMF - $SBOF $P $MFWFMBOE

Newman Jr., Danny 5IF %POBIFZ -BX 'JSN $PMVNCVT

Slone, Adam #SJBO ( .JMMFS $P 8PSUIJOHUPO

Carty, Matthew &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT $POEFOJ +PTFQIª" $POEFOJ -BX #SPPLMZOª)FJHIUT

$[BDL .JDIBFMª8 5IF $[BDL )PCCT -BX 'JSN *OEFQFOEFODF

/PMBO $ISJTª5 1FSBOUJOJEFTª /PMBO $P "LSPO

CONTINUED ON PAGE S-14

SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

S-13

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026 Walsh, II, Thomas ,JTMJOH /FTUJDPª 3FEJDL $PMVNCVT

.FMMJOP $ISJTUPQIFSª. 5IF .FMMJOP -BX 'JSN 3PDLZª3JWFS

#FSHHSVO +PTIVBª( $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

Wieber, Kyra /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE

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$BWFMM )VOUFSª( $BWFMM -BX )JHIMBOEª)FJHIUT

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PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: PLAINTIFF SUPER LAWYERS "CSBIBN %BOJFMª/ $PMMFZ 4ISPZFS "CSBIBN $PMVNCVT #FDLFS .JDIBFMª' 5IF #FDLFS -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE $BTFZ +BNFTª4 $BTFZ -BX $P .FOUPS Crandall, Steve $SBOEBMMª 1FSB -BX $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 $VMMFST 3PNOFZª# 5IF #FDLFS -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE %FCFWFD 3IPOEBª#BLFS 5IF %FCFWFD -BX 'JSN $MFWFMBOE

.JTILJOE )PXBSEª% .JTILJOE ,VMXJDLJ -BX $P #FBDIXPPE Pantages, Pamela /VSFOCFSH 1BSJT )FMMFSª .D$BSUIZ $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 3PCFOBMU 5IPNBTª% 5IF 3PCFOBMU -BX 'JSN 8FTUMBLF

Tittle, Allen 5JUUMFª 1FSMNVUFS $MFWFMBOE 5VUUMF $SBJHª4 -FFTFCFSH 5VUUMF $PMVNCVT

RISING STARS .BSLVT +PIOª" -FFTFCFSH 5VUUMF $PMVNCVT 3PCFSUT ,SJTUJOª.JDIFMMF ,BNQJOTLJª 3PCFSUT $MFWFMBOE

PERSONAL INJURY PRODUCTS: DEFENSE SUPER LAWYERS 0µ$POOFMM .BUUIFXª$ 4VUUFS 0µ$POOFMM $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4

PERSONAL INJURY PRODUCTS: PLAINTIFF

DiSilvio, Marilena &MLª &ML $P .BZGJFMEª)FJHIUT 1H ª4 ª4 ª4 %KPSEKFWJD .JDIBFMª. %KPSEKFWJDª .BSNBSPT #FBDIXPPE 1H ª4

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4ISPZFS %BWJEª* $PMMFZ 4ISPZFS "CSBIBN $PMVNCVT 1H ª4

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REAL ESTATE SUPER LAWYERS #PCFT 5ZMFSª4 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE $BUBO[BSJUF /JDLª3 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE Felker, Nathan 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE (BSEOFS ( ª"OESFX 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE

4$)00-4ª &%6$"5*0/ SUPER LAWYERS 4UPOF 4VTBOª$ ,PISNBO +BDLTPOª ,SBOU[ $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4

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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SUPER LAWYERS #BMJO 1BVMFUUFª' #BMJO -BX .FOUPS Bloom, Michael E. #MPPN %JTBCJMJUZ -BX 8BSSFO 'BSSFMM $MJGGPSEª. .BOSJOHª 'BSSFMM %VCMJO ,PMMJHJBO 4DPUUª. )PCTPO 3BTOJDL 'PYª ,PMMJHJBO "LSPO

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TAX

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S-14

SUPERLAWYERS.COM

%JNFOHP 4UFWFOª" #VDLJOHIBN %PPMJUUMFª #VSSPVHIT "LSPO 'FEPS +S 3PCFSUª+ 3PCFSU + 'FEPS &TR 8FTUMBLF

ATTORNEYS SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS WERE CHOSEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS ON PAGE S-2.

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

SORTED ALPHABETICALLY

,BEJTI .BUUIFXª' 'SBOU[ 8BSE $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ;XJDL (BSZª" 8BMUFS )BWFSGJFME $MFWFMBOE

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Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

ANN-MARIE AHERN

DAMIAN A. BILLAK

.$$"35): -&#*5 $3:45"-ª -*''."/ $0 -1"

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UTILITIES SUPER LAWYERS -BOH +BNFTª' $BMGFF )BMUFSª (SJTXPME $MFWFMBOE

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SUPER LAWYERS #BSOIBSU %BWJEª# 1IJMJQ + 'VMUPO -BX 0GGJDF $PMVNCVT #BTIFJO 3JDIBSEª8 #BTIFJOª #BTIFJO $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 $BTQBSZ $ISJTUPQIFSª% $BTQBSZ -BX $MFWFMBOE $PQQ .BUUIFXª3 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $PMVNCVT 1H ª4 ª4 $VSSZ 3PCFSUª+ 3VNNFMM $VSSZª 3FHHJOFMMP -BX 'JSN :PVOHTUPXO Duber, Brandon #FOUPGGª %VCFS $P $MFWFMBOE %VTTFBV .JDIBFMª1 1IJMJQ + 'VMUPO -BX 0GGJDF $PMVNCVT 'VMUPO 1IJMJQª+ 1IJMJQ + 'VMUPO -BX 0GGJDF $PMVNCVT (BMMVDDJ *** 'SBOLª- 1MFWJOª (BMMVDDJ $P $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 ª4 ,SBOTUVCFS $IBSMFTª8 -BX 0GGJDFT PG $IBSMFT 8 ,SBOTUVCFS $PMVNCVT Lallo, Matthew -BMMPª 'FMENBO $P 8JMMPVHICZ .BSUFMMP +BNFTª1 -B.POJDB $PMFNBOª .BSUFMMP $MFWFMBOE .D.POBHMF .BUUIFXª" ,FMMFZ 'FSSBSP $MFWFMBOE 1H ª4 .PSP +PTFQIª" )FMMFS .BBT .PSPª .BHJMM $P :PVOHTUPXO .VSSBZ &EXBSEª% ,SVHMJBL 8JMLJOT (SJGGJUITª %PVHIFSUZ $P $BOUPO 1H ª4 ª4 /BHFS %BWJEª& /BHFS 3PNBJOFª 4DIOFJCFSH $P &VDMJE 4DIOFJCFSH +FSBMEª" /BHFS 3PNBJOFª 4DIOFJCFSH $P &VDMJE 1H ª4 ª4

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF &.1-0:.&/5 -"#03

CRIMINAL DEFENSE $3*.*/"- %&'&/4& %6* %8* $3*.*/"- %&'&/4& 8)*5& $0--"3

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MARCO G. BOCCIARELLI

MARK S. GERVELIS

'3*&%."/ %0.*"/0ª 4.*5) $0 - 1 "

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PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF 1&340/"- */+63: 130%6$54 1-"*/5*'' #64*/&44 -*5*("5*0/

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MICHAEL D. GOLDSTEIN

LINDSAY C. JONES

(0-%45&*/ª (0-%45&*/ "5503/&:4 "5 -"8

4$)3"'' 5)0."4 -"8

40. $FOUFS 3PBE 4VJUF 8JMMPVHICZ )JMMT 0) 5FM MKPOFT!TDISBGGUIPNBTMBX DPN XXX TDISBGGUIPNBTMBX DPN

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SUPER LAWYERS OHIO / CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

S-15

SP E C IAL ADV E RT ISIN G SE C T ION

OHIO CLEVELAND & COLUMBUS 2026

SORTED ALPHABETICALLY

Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Rising Stars

PHILIP J. KOREY

MICHAEL LEIZERMAN

STEPHANIE M. MEHLE

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE $3*.*/"- %&'&/4& 8)*5& $0--"3 1&340/"- */+63: (&/&3"- 1-"*/5*''

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF 536$, 4"'&5: "/% "$$*%&/54

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF

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Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

CHRISTIAN R. PATNO

LORI A. PINJUH

PATRICIA J. SCHRAFF

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PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF 1&340/"- */+63: .&%*$"- ."-13"$5*$& 1-"*/5*'' 1&340/"- */+63: 130%6$54 1-"*/5*''

IMMIGRATION

ELDER LAW &45"5& 1-"//*/( 130#"5& &45"5& 53645 -*5*("5*0/

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Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

Selected to Super Lawyers

ERIC W. TAYFEL

JOHN P. THOMAS

ANDREW R. YOUNG

8FTU UI 4USFFU 4VJUF $MFWFMBOE 0) 5FM FUBZGFM!UBZGFMMBX DPN XXX 5BZGFM-BX DPN

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5":'&-ª "440$*"5&4

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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION 40$*"- 4&$63*5: %*4"#*-*5: 1&340/"- */+63: (&/&3"- 1-"*/5*''

&45"5& 53645 -*5*("5*0/ &45"5& 1-"//*/( 130#"5& &-%&3 -"8

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF 536$,*/( 4"'&5:

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Wickliffe Lanes

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Explore Western Lake County to discover flavor, character and new experiences around every corner. Featured Photo: Chapin Forest Reservation

Sponsored by the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Serving: Eastlake | Kirtland | Lakeline | Timberlake | Wickliffe | Willoughby | Willoughby Hills | Willowick

Willoughby House

OHIO LIVING Breckenridge Village

Discover Discover the the lifestyle lifestyle you’ve you’ve been been looking looking for for through through our our array array of of housing housing options, options, from from ranch homes to brownstones to apartments tailored precisely to your tastes and needs. ranch homes to brownstones to apartments tailored precisely to your tastes and needs. Our Our life plan community invites you to embrace your unique journey, supported by customizable life plan community invites you to embrace your unique journey, supported by customizable amenities and and services services that that give give you you freedom freedom from from daily daily chores, chores, foster foster personal personal growth growth and and amenities provide peace of mind knowing that top-tier care is at your fingertips. provide peace of mind knowing that top-tier care is at your fingertips. Experience Experience comprehensive comprehensive care care for for all all stages stages within within one one community community campus campus that that nurtures nurtures your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Immerse yourself in a diverse range your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Immerse yourself in a diverse range of of activities, from exhilarating fitness classes to tranquil moments in one of our 11 libraries. activities, from exhilarating fitness classes to tranquil moments in one of our 11 libraries. Unleash pursuits or or engage engage with with our our enriching enriching lifelong lifelong Unleash your your creativity creativity through through artistic artistic pursuits learning and and spiritual spiritual programs. programs. learning At At Ohio Ohio Living Living Breckenridge Breckenridge Village, Village, the possibilities possibilities are are endless. endless. It’s It’s more more the than just a residence; it’s a thriving than just a residence; it’s a thriving community community designed designed for for you you to to live live life life exactly as you wish. What are you waiting exactly as you wish. What are you waiting for? for? Put Put your your plan plan in in place place today. today.

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Services:

Independent Independent Living Living Assisted Living Assisted Living Memory Care Care Memory Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Long-Term Long-Term Care Care Hospice Hospice Robust Robust Activities Activities Spiritual Spiritual Life Life

36851 36851 Ridge Ridge Road, Road, Willoughby, Willoughby, OH OH 44094 44094

WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

440.942.4342 440.942.4342

ohioliving.org ohioliving.org

25years

of energizing communities

Caring C O V E R : C O U R T E S Y L A K E M E T R O PA R K S : S A R A H M A R C U S D O N N E L LY / A N T I Q U E S & U N I Q U E S / W I C K L I F F E L A N E S / W I L L O U G H B Y H O U S E / T H I S PA G E : COURTESY WILLOUGHBY WESTERN LAKE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Together

Chamber members join forces to make a lasting impact through Chamber Cares.

O

n any given day, you might find Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber members collecting nonperishable items for those in need, volunteering at charitable events or engaging in other acts of kindness that make a big difference in the community. It’s all part of Chamber Cares, presented by Custom Cleaning and Maintenance, a program created in 2023 to encourage giving back to the community. “It directly supports the WWLCC vision to foster a community where businesses and residents are proud to work, live and play,” says Chamber Cares Committee Chair Heather Fresenko, who serves as human resources manager at Silco Inc. “It’s a shared commitment among our board members, our Chamber Cares committee and also local businesses in the community.” In addition to annual initiatives like partnering with United way of Lake County for its Day of Caring and collecting items for food drives, Fresenko hopes to introduce some new events for 2026, including a blood drive. “Our members consistently show a strong desire to make a difference, and the Chamber Cares platform provides that channel and that spirit of service into meaningful action that ends up benefiting the whole community,” she says. Those looking to get involved can email info@ wwlcchamber.com for more information. —Ann-Marie Vazzano

Affordable Energy Rates

Multiple 100% Renewable Product Options Options

Advocating for Consumers

Helping Willoughby Save on Energy Costs. NOPEC is dedicated to securing affordable energy rates for residents and small businesses in 243 member communities across Ohio. Since 2001, we’ve helped our customers save hundreds of millions of dollars on their electricity and natural gas costs. Plus, our online energy-savings center provides valuable energy-saving tips to help you save even more. Together, we’re building stronger communities through smarter energy choices. Learn more at NOPEC.org or call 855-667-3201.

Your City. Your Story.

bet your organization is doing great things to make Cleveland better — more fun, Let’s Grow We successful and more healthy for all of us. You might want a print story that will share Together. more your message, a website that will acquire more customers or a video that will capture the clevelandstudios.com

audience’s attention. Find out how partnering with us can help make that happen.

WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Penitentiary Glen Reservation Nature Games located inside the Lake Metroparks

Explore !

Western Lake County is more than just a dot on the map. It’s a vibrant destination filled with flavor, charm and plenty of unique brick-and-mortars. Here’s how to spend a day in the region. // BY SARAH WEBB

W

hether you’re interested

LAKE METROPARKS

in exploring the great

Start your day off on the right foot with a hike through one of the 40 Lake Metroparks sites. The park system features 60-plus miles of trails, access to Lake Erie and 10,000 acres of shoreline, forests, wetlands, rivers and farmland. “Each year, more than 4 million visitors enjoy clean, safe parks with opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, fishing, boating, golfing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more,” says Sharon Metzung, chief of marketing, Lake Metroparks. While each park offers something a little different, here are a few highlights:

outdoors, experiencing

the joy of a local theater production or simply savoring a gourmet meal in a beautiful setting, Western Lake County offers something to discover around every corner. “Western Lake County is unique because it’s densely populated, it’s got a lot of city centers like Downtown Willoughby, which is a huge hub for local shopping and restaurants, and there’s the Lake Metroparks to explore,” says Neil Stein, executive director of Tour Lake County. “There are also people who live there from all walks of the world.” We’ve mapped out a day that Western Lake County’s Chamber organizations. Let’s hit the road! 4

WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

Indian Point Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, invites exploration of its archaeological features. Chapin Forest Reservation offers a striking overlook and a cross-country ski center.

Hidden Lake provides a quiet retreat with a fishing spot and an archery range. Lake Metroparks Farmpark encompasses hands-on activities, seasonal events and friendly animals that bring the working farm to life. Penitentiary Glen Reservation offers scenic trails through lush woodlands, a nature center with interactive exhibits, a wildlife rehabilitation center and a nature play area for hands-on exploration. Jordan Creek Park features an environmental learning center and an adventure play area with rope courses and climbing structures. “No matter your interests, any one of these parks can make for a full, memorable day,” Metzung says. 440-639-7275 | lakemetroparks.com

AL SUSINSKAS

highlights the best of Willoughby/

At Lake Erie Bluffs, a 50-foot observation tower and winding trails provide stunning lake views and wildlife sightings.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park includes a sandy beach that shines in the summer months.

ANTIQUES & UNIQUES Now that you’ve got your fill of the outdoors, take a stroll through the labyrinth that is Antiques & Uniques, a 24,000-squarefoot retail space where you can find anything from sculptures to vintage clothing to furniture, according to owner Robert Berges. “You never know what you’re going to find,” Berges says. “We’re offering an experience that’s different from any thrift shop or flea market.” Staffed by knowledgeable resellers, Antiques & Uniques offers a curated selection of goods that have been thoroughly vetted and cleaned. With nearly 100 dealers’ booths to peruse, Antiques & Uniques offers a fun way to get lost in the aisles and find that special item you didn’t know you needed (like limitedrelease bobbleheads). “All the dealers have their own unique specialty, and we all take pride in having an active customer relationship,” Berges says.

C O U R T E SY A N T I Q U E S & U N I Q U E S / P R E LU D E P H OTO G R A P H Y / W I L LO U G H BY H O U S E I N N /J U L I A’ S 1 9 0 2 R E STAU R A N T

30200 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe | 440-944-0133 | antiquesanduniquesoh.com

FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION Take a load off and catch a show at the Fine Arts Association, a 65-year-old community arts organization that offers classes in all artistic disciplines, live music performances and community theater productions. “There’s nothing better than a community that’s empowered by the arts,” says David Malinowski, Roger and Anne Clapp Chair of Performing Arts, director and actor at the Fine Arts Association. “The arts go much farther than just creating a piece of music, painting a piece of ceramic or even a theater performance. The arts have so much more to offer than just the physical thing you’re creating in that moment.” This year, the Fine Arts Association will be putting on Jesus Christ Superstar, beginning March 13. “That’s a perfect musical for families of all ages to come and enjoy,” Malinowski says. All productions and tickets are listed on the association’s website. 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby | 440-951-7500 | fineartsassociation.org

WILLOUGHBY HOUSE/JULIA’S 1902 To wrap up your busy day, experience the mouthwatering eats at Julia’s 1902, which offers a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience. Featuring locally sourced global flavors, Julia’s seasonal menu includes items like Wagyu skewers served with hoisin glaze, rocoto, pickled onions and mushroom dust; Anna’s tlayuda, which features avocado mousse, roasted tomatoes, radish, salsa macha, charred corn and microcilantro; and raw Royal Miyagi oysters, accompanied by cucumber mignonette, salmon caviar, horseradish and LP’s hot sauce. “We partner with a number of nearby farms to deliver local dairy and produce each week,” says Cody Cook, hotel manager at The Willoughby House and Julia’s 1902. Finally, rest your weary head next door at The Willoughby House, an enchanting boutique 10-room inn and event venue. An establishment that’s served as a private residence, an infirmary and a nursing home over the years, Willoughby House was restored in 2024. “A lot of effort was put into restoring and preserving the home’s original details, such as beautiful stained glass, hardwood floors, oriental rugs and period furniture,” Cook says. “There are very few properties like this that have as much love and devotion put into the restoration and furnishing.” 37819 Euclid Ave., Willoughby | 440-306-8332 | julias1902.com | willoughbyhouse.com WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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TO

DOWNTOWN WILLOUGHBY Downtown Willoughby is a mecca of local restaurants and shops. Stroll along shopfronts and please your palate along the way.

MANAKIKI GOLF COURSE

An elegant and well-maintained public course located 17 miles east of Downtown Cleveland, Manakiki Golf Course offers the perfect mix of short, long, tight and open holes.

MAGGIE’S DOUGHNUTS & CAFE Start off your morning by filling your belly with donuts, coffee, croissants, pizza bagels and chocolate cookies at Maggie’s Doughnuts & Cafe, featuring Bake by Cristina Soriano. 9183 Chillicothe Road, Unit B, Kirtland | 440-379-7099 | maggiesdonutshop.com

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WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

AWARDWINNING BUSINESSES The 2025 WWLCC Annual Awards Luncheon, held Feb. 7, 2025, was presented by ERIEBANK and Lake Erie Distillery. Congratulations to the Winners: D&S Automotive - Large Business of the Year

35501 Eddy Road, Willoughby | 440-942-2500 | clevelandmetroparks.com/golf/courses/manakiki-golf-course

WICKLIFFE LANES A dynamic setting for open play, leagues and events, Wickliffe Lanes encompasses 40 bowling lanes and 12 billiard tables. 30315 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe | 440-585-3505 | wickliffelanes.com

Tour Lake County - Small Business of the Year The Willoughby House/ Julia’s 1902 - Showcase Award Custom Cleaning & Maintenance - Community Impact Award Pie Cafe - Customer Service Award

COURTESY MAGGIE’S DOUGHNUTS & CAFE FACEBOOK / DAVID HRUSOVSKY / WICKLIFFE L ANES

Explore ! MORE

CHAMBER MEMBER LISTINGS ACCOUNTANTS Citrin Cooperman Hupp Tax Service Keptner Accounting & Tax LLC Parker Consulting LLC Rehmann Somich & Associates CPAs

ACCOUNTANTS/BUSINESS CONSULTANTS Bottom Line Accounting Solutions LLC ADVERTISING & MEDIA Advance Ohio C. Pearson Trophy & Sales Co. Eagle Advertising Gold 93.7FM OUTFRONT STROLL Kirtland Hills Valpak Meister Media Worldwide Mimi Magazine: Digital & Print

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Antiques & Uniques LLC Shops by the Lake

APARTMENT & HOME RENTALS K&D Management LLC

ARCHITECTS +Detail Joseph L. Myers, Architect Inc. Michael H. Wildermuth, AIA, Architect NRC Inc. ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) ART GALLERIES/DEALERS Finestra Gallery Stella’s Art Gallery Zilla Glass

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Beauty and the Beat Tribute Band to The Go-Go’s Cleveland East Suburbanaires Fine Arts Association ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS Brookdale Wickliffe Ohio Living Breckenridge Village Prosper at Wickliffe The Winfield at Richmond Heights

ATTORNEYS & LAW FIRMS Buckley King LPA Colombo Law LLC DiCello Levitt LLP Dworken & Bernstein Co. LPA Fortress Law Group Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLC The Law Firm of Patrick J. Ebner LLC AUCTIONEERS Dempsey Auctions

AUTOMOBILE SALES & SERVICE Cutting Edge Auto Center Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Willoughby D&S Automotive Collision and RestylingKirtland D&S Automotive Collision and RestylingMentor Defender Auto Glass Factory Auto Tint Hartville Golf Carts Krauss Garage Ltd. Mike Gisondo’s Auto Service Next Step Auto Sales Rad Air Complete Car Care RTS SERVICE CENTER

Serpentini Chevrolet of Willoughby Vintage & Auto Rebuilds Inc. Willo Wash Willoughby Hills Auto Repair

BAKERIES & CAFES Arabica Coffee House Biggby Coffee Eastlake Brice Brokerage Inc. Crave Cookies Willowick Maggie’s Doughnuts & Cafe featuring Bake by Cristina Soriano Michael’s Bakeshop Motley 7 Brew, dba 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee Nothing Bundt Cakes Sugar Mama Cannoli Cart The Sweets Geek

BAKERIES & CAFES/RESTAURANTS/ TAVERNS Fiona’s Coffee Bar & Bakery BANKING INSTITUTIONS Dollar Bank ERIEBANK First Federal Lakewood Key Bank-Eastlake KeyBank-Willoughby The Middlefield Banking Co. Third Federal Savings & Loan U.S. Bank

BOOKKEEPING Ecclesiastes Business Enterprise LLC Mac and Co. Bookkeeping Services Sherrie L. Cook Accounting & Tax Services BUILDER/REMODEL Marous Management Services K. Hovnanian Homes Perrino Builders LLC

BUSINESS SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING Gainar Consultants Inc. Blue Ridge Solutions Top Sales Success Group LLC

BUSINESS SERVICES Biodata Analytics Create A Space Life Safety Enterprises Inc. Wick Willo Professional Building Willoughby Workspaces at The Charlton Abbott BUSINESS SERVICES/CONTRACTORS Northstar Tower Services LLC CATERERS/PARTY CENTER Dino’s Catering La-Vera Party Center Normandy Catering Regovich Catering Sausalito at Kirtland The Banquet Center at St. Noel

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce CHILD CARE Early Steps Learning Center

CHIROPRACTORS Aligned Chiropractic and Physical Rehabilitation Chiro CLE Empower Chiropractic

CHURCHES & RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS Center for Pastoral Leadership First Presbyterian Church Historic Kirtland Visitors Center King of Kings Lutheran Church Willoughby Hills Friends Church CIVIC MEMBERS Heidi Lee Cameron Jason Bridges Linda Wise Monica Kelley

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICES Blue Lake Cleaning Custom Cleaning & Maintenance Domenick Electric Sewer Cleaning Co. Eco Cleaning Ohio Four Leaf Clover Office Cleaning Co. LLC JanTech Building Services Orion Cleaning Solutions Smart Choice Cleaning CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICES/CONTRACTORS/SERVICE INDUSTRIES Sewer Cleaning Co. COMPUTER SERVICES UX Cabin

CONSULTING, ENVIRONMENTAL & SAFETY Land Solutions LLC Elevate HR Strategies Training Services International

CONTRACTORS A.R.J. Inc. All Contractors Supply Bryan & Suns Heating & Air Conditioning Classic Interior Completions Dever Design & Build LLC Elite Air Systems EST Insulation LLC Firenza Stone Inc. Great Lakes Crushing Ltd. Hoernig Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Huffman Equipment Rental & Contracting IDA Power and Controls Inc. J.R. Sbrocco Plumbing Inc. Kahoe Air Balance Co. Klemenc Construction Co. Inc. Kost Electric Inc. Lake Erie Closets Inc. Lakeland Construction Group Lanigan Heating & Air Conditioning LLC Larson’s Handyman Services Lou Severino Construction LLC Marous Brothers Construction Inc. Milan Door Service Northeastern Refrigeration Corp. O’Neil Excavating Ltd. Powers Roofing and Exteriors PuroClean of Western Reserve Raw Roofing Solutions Reeves Plumbing and Heating Co. Rich and Sons Home Services LLC RoofTEC Royal Heating & Air Conditioning Service Shepp Electric Co. Inc. Streb Electric LLC Thermal Construction Inc. Thompson Electric Inc. Toku America Inc. Trax Construction Co. Wiesler Painting & Decorating

CREDIT UNIONS Cardinal Community Credit Union Eaton Family Credit Union DANCE STUDIO Fred Astaire Dance Studios Savelli Dance and Martial Arts DENTISTS Center For Dental Health Lakeshore Family Dental Philip J. Weiss, DDS Ltd.

DISTRIBUTORS American Specialty Metals Inc. APO Pumps and Compressors Essentialware - Global Principals Holmbury Inc. My-Happy Feet Socks US Foils Inc.

EDUCATION/TRAINING Andrews Osborne Academy Auburn Career Center Back to Basics Urban Homesteading Best Version of You BrainSpark Talent Development CEVEC Diamond Canine Dog Services Kirtland Local Schools Lake Erie College Lakeland Community College Leadership Lake County Little Learners Too Pfabe’s Music Academy Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc. Wickliffe City School District Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools EDUCATION/TRAINING/HEALTH CARE CuttingEdge Medical Solutions ENGINEERS Digital Laboratories Inc. I-C Automation Polaris Engineering & Surveying Rockaway Civil LLC Tec Inc. Engineering & Design Technical Assurance Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES ADP Barbish Financial Group Capital T Partners Centry Financial Advisors LLC Elevated Wealth Solutions How Money Works MAI Capital Management Mercuri Wealth Management New York Life Ohio Payroll Plus Paula Strumbly, Wealth Advisor, Stratos Wealth Partners Regina Iafelice, Raymond James Financial Rocket Mortgage, Tim Koenig Sequoia Financial Group The Hamm Agency WestPoint Wealth Management FLOORING & FURNITURE Fuller Flooring & Design Sharing Vintage Revivals Furniture Sheraton Furniture Floor Trader of Lake County FLORISTS Flowers on the Vine Plant Magic Florist

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FUNERAL SERVICES Brickman Bros. Funeral Home Davis- Babcock Funeral Home Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home Northcoast Memorials Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home Monreal Funeral Home

HEALTH & FITNESS CLUBS Cleveland Biomechanics Club Pilates Willoughby South Crunch Fitness Evolve Nutrition & Energy GameDay Men’s Health Go Bare Skin Clinic MOOD by Meg Power Yoga Collective NEO LLC NORTH COAST AIKIKAI

GOLF COURSES Manakiki Golf Course

HEALTH CARE All Star Physical Therapy Apex Dermatology ArchWell Health Breathe New Vita Brian J. Novack, DPM Inc. BrightView - Willoughby Care 2 U Health Services Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center Cornerstone Foot Care CSL Plasma Dr. Janet Blanchard’s Plastic Surgery Center Lake County ADAMHS Board Lake County General Health District Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers L’BRI Pure N’ Natural Maple Health DPC Move That Mountain Functional Medicine NEUROS MEDICAL Inc. Ritual Unwind Massotherapy LLC Safe Harbor Home Healthcare Synergy Physical Therapy and Wellness

GOVERNMENT City of Eastlake City of Kirtland City of Wickliffe City Of Willoughby City Of Willoughby Hills City of Willowick Congressman David Joyce’s Office Lake County Board of Commissioners Lake Development Authority Lakeline Village OhioMeansJobs-Lake County Timberlake Village

HAIR & NAIL SALONS John Robert’s Salon and Spa Mane Chic Mirror Mirror Salon and Bridal Stephany Marsia Beauty and Esthetics The BOHO Beauty Bar The Cutting Lounge Barber Shop Younique and Beautiful LLC

The Botanist The Wellness Connection Todd J. Pesek, MD Inc. Triumphant Counseling Services University Hospitals, Lake Health US Ultrasound Services Val Woods CPR LLC White Moth Wellness Windsor Laurelwood HUMAN RESOURCES Minutemen of Ohio Sedgwick Spooner Risk Control Services

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY MANAGED SERVICES Affordable-IT Exodus Integrity Services Inc. Griffin Technology Group Monreal IT

INSURANCE Advanced Insurance Solutions AssuredPartners Baehr Insurance Agency Bosu Insurance Group Corsaro Insurance Group Dan Contento Insurance Agency Inc. Kevin P. Davis Insurance Agency Inc. Lann Insurance Agency McGohan Brabender Merhar Agency Motosure America Ohio Health Insurance LLC State Farm - Lori Smul Insurance Agency State Farm Insurance - Ferguson State Farm - The Estes Agency

The Insurance Pad WestPoint Wealth Management/Scott C. Hanna

INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS Helpful Home Staging Eagle Cabinetry LLC Sunray Window Films LLC Well Dressed Windows Inc. JEWELERS Select Jewelers Steven DiFranco Jewelers

JUNK REMOVAL The Junkluggers of Cleveland, Mentor & Solon

LANDSCAPERS, LAWN CARE & SNOW REMOVAL Absolute Grass Inc. AVV Landscaping Ecolawn

LIBRARIES Kirtland Public Library W-E Public Library Wickliffe Public Library Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library Eastlake Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library Willoughby Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library Willoughby Hills Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library Willowick LODGING Holiday Inn - Mentor

Build Your Future, Affordably

EVERY WEDNESDAY Things ThingsToToDoDo EMAIL NEWSLETTER

YOUR NEWSLETTER GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND

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WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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Marriott Courtyard Willoughby

LODGING/RESTAURANTS/TAVERNS Willoughby House-Julia’s 1902 Restaurant LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN Pickands Mather Lake Services

MANUFACTURING AC Wellman Alexy Metals Apollo Welding & Fabricating Inc. Astro Manufacturing & Design Ball Gage & Inspection Inc. Bickford Flavors Bowden Manufacturing Buckeye Tec Corp. Bud Industries Inc. Bud Manufacturing Inc. Budzar Industries Carbide Specialists Inc. Cast Nylons Ltd. Commercial Anodizing Co. Inc. Component Repair Technologies Consolidated Metal Service Inc. Cortest Inc. CPP-Consolidated Precision Products DAI Ceramics Inc. EMI Corp ENPAC LLC Enpress LLC Ericson Manufacturing Euclid Heat Treating Extreme Green CNC Machining & Fab Federal Gear and Machine Feedall LLC Fusion Inc.

GearTec Inc. General Machine Products Inc. G-M-I Inc. Hudco Manufacturing Inc. Infinity Laser Engraving Co. Interlake Stamping of Ohio Inc. JAB Supply Corp. Kottler Metal Products Inc. M R D Solutions LLC Magnus Engineered Equipment Midwest Precision LLC Mika Metal Fabricating Neway Stamping & Manufacturing Inc. Olympus Aerospace P M C Gage Inc. Pace Engineering Inc. Process Technology Quality CNC Machining Inc. Rino’s Woodworking Shop Inc. Silco Inc. Slabe Machine Products Co. Smolic Machine Co. Spence Technologies Stakes Manufacturing TDC Systems The Kennedy Group The Lubrizol Corp. United Industrial Sales Co. Inc. United Machine & Tool Inc. Universal Metal Products Volk Optical Inc. Weiss North America Inc. Winter Equipment Co. Inc. MARKETING SERVICES Torva Local 440 Marketing

Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on what really matters—Family.

BMA Media Group Direct Marketing Solutions Equus Group LLC Lakenetwork Owll Marketing Rhonda Osa LLC Nicki Ruiz-Bueno Alpha Key Digital NEWSPAPERS The Lake County Tribune The NEWS-HERALD

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Lake County Council on Aging Alzheimer’s Association American Cancer Society Northeast Region Catholic Charities Lake County Crossroads Health Education Alternatives Effective Leadership Academy Erie Street Miracles Extended Housing Inc. Family Pride of Northeast Ohio Forbes House Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio Jordan Community Resource Center Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood Lake County Land Reutilization Corporation Lake County Ohio NAACP Unit 3188-B Lake Humane Society Lake-Geauga Habitat For Humanity LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County NAMI Lake County, OH NOACC

Phoenix Counseling Solution The Family Resource Center of Wickliffe The Guard & Reserve Aid Initiative Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance Tour Lake County OH United Way of Lake County Village Collective Inc. Western Reserve Junior Service League Wickliffe Eagles, Aerie #4086 Willoughby Area Welcome Center Inc. Willoughby-Cleveland Elks Lodge #18 OFFICE SUPPLIES Lake Business Products

PERSONNEL SERVICES Fate Into Destiny Wellness Center

PET SERVICES The Wright Pet Daycamp & Boarding LLC Kat and Dogs Ohio LLC Mission EmPAWthy LLC PHOTOGRAPHY BDK Photography Forest City Studio HeadshotCleveland.com Jerry’s Sports Photography Kucera International Inc.

PRINTING SERVICES FASTSIGNS of Mentor Central Graphics Cleveland Printer.com Great Lakes Publishing SpeedPro Chagrin Valley Willoughby Printing Co. X Press Printing Services Inc.

DieCit, Extruded, Molded and Laminated

TRADITIONAL BURIAL CREMATION SERVICES DIRECT CREMATIONS PRE-PLANNING ONLINE MEMORIALS DAILY GRIEF SUPPORT Providing compassionate, dignified services since 1954

All Available With Metal and/or X-Ray Detectable Ingredients An ISO 9001 Company

29550 Euclid Ave, Wickliffe, OH 44092 440 943-2466 • Orlandodonsantefh.com info@orlandodonsanteprevitefh.com

4822 East 355th Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4643 USA Fon/Fax: 440-953-8811/440-953-9631 URL: www.gmigakets.com EMail:gmiinc@msn.com

WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

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PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS Craig Specialty Advertising Rouhier Advertising Specialties The Welcome Box Co.

REAL ESTATE SERVICES 7851 Reynolds Road LLC Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty Century 21 HomeStar - The Stone Team CushMan & WakeField I Cresco Real Estate Gatto Group Commercial Real Estate Global Real Estate Advisors Inc. Great Lakes Realty Hanna Commercial Hessler Holdings LLC Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Lake Property Management Marketing Communication Resource Inc. MOTO Enterprises Natalie Antosh Realtor LLC - Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast Paratto Ross Real Estate W/Howard Hanna Professional Appraisals Inc. Quality Community Management Inc. RE/MAX RESULTS RE/MAX Results-Kristina Zeleznik Remax Results-Greg Gilson RISE Commercial District Susan Hodali, Realtor Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty USA Management & Development Inc. VSD Realty LLC RECREATION/PARKS Holden Forests & Gardens

Lake County Captains Lake County YMCA Lost Nation Sports Park Morgan Tennis The Jumpyard Wickliffe Lanes Inc.

RECREATION/PARKS/GOLF COURSES Lake Metroparks

RENTAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES Aladdin Rents Beyond The Toybox Event Styling | Balloons | Supplies Cintas RESTAURANTS/TAVERNS 1899 Pub Ballantine Restaurant Be Smoothie Biggby Coffee Wickliffe Buffalo Wild Wings Candy Cloud Company Chagrin River Diner LLC Charleys Philly Steaks Chick-fil-A Crowley’s Dive Bar - Eastlake Crowley’s Dive Bar - Kirtland Crowley’s Dive Bar - Painesville Erie + Vine Frank & Tony’s Place Freshly’s Geraci’s Restaurant Giuseppe’s Pizza Inc. HoneyBaked Ham Jersey Mike’s Subs Kava Sol

Lake Erie Distillery Mickey’s Ice Cream Nora’s Public House Panini’s Bar & Grill Panini’s Franchise Group Pie Cafe Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Sol Willoughby Spirits in Willoughby Texas Roadhouse The Wild Goose Vittorio’s Buon Appetito

RETAIL Ace Hardware Blue Falls Car Wash Buckeye Relief LLC Bulldog Battery Inc. Commonwealth Lumber Co. Gomillion Furniture Services Inc. Jeff Hagey Floor & Wallcovering Inc. Macomb Group McDonald Equipment Co. Oak Liquidators Professional Electric Products Co. The Baby Fairy Shoppe The Green Shepherdess LLC The Missy Co. The Viridian Bookshop Thee Hemp Co. Zoom Express Car Wash SALES/SERVICE INDUSTRIES Alfredo’s Italian Market Felco Press LLC Impentra Security Glass IWI Inc.

Office H2O Stevenson Oil Vecmar

SECURITY SYSTEMS Santee Lock & More LLC Total ID Solutions Inc.

SECURITY SYSTEMS/CONTRACTORS Legacy Fire and Security SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES Kirtland Woods Willoughby Hills Senior Apts.

SERVICE INDUSTRIES 1-Tom-Plumber Alpha/AXS Holding LLC, dba Alpha Imaging Avanti Aerospace Inc. Clean Express Auto Wash Culex Pest Control EZshred LLC Pine Ridge Restoration S&F Exterior Washing SERVICE INDUSTRIES/ DISTRIBUTORS DeMilta Sand & Gravel Inc.

SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL Natural Soap Lab Roots and Wings Zesty Compass Collection LLC

SIGNS & DISPLAYS Agile Sign & Lighting Maintenance Inc.

Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for individuals in Lake County with serious mental illness. Business Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm 270 E. Main Street, Ste. 300 Painesville, OH 44077 Phone: 440-352-8424 info@extendedhousing.org

Aikido Kids Self-Defense for

Aikido – teaches basic awareness of self-defense and self-protection. It is excellent for building coordination and confidence to both defend and avoid confrontation due to an attack or bullying.

Aikido is a Non-Competitive martial art.. Adults and Teens welcome

North Coast Aikikai 36495 Vine Street, Unit-J Willoughby, Ohio 44094 440-622-6485

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WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

www.ncaikikai.com located in the same shopping center as Zapetelli Taxes and Pierogi Palace.

SOLID WASTE HAULING/RECYCLING Euclid Disposal Co. Major Waste Disposal Services

STAFFING & HR SERVICES/ MANUFACTURING Vector Technical Inc.

COURTESY HEADSHOTCLEVEL AND.COM

STAFFING & HR SERVICES All Pro Recruiting Anderson/Biro Staffing Bittner By Far - A la carte HR LLC Deepwood Industries Inc. Eagle Administrative Service Inc. Express Employment Professionals Group Management Services INOVA Staffing The Reserves Network

STORAGE/MOVING Ace Willoughby LLC Two Men and a Truck MOVING AHEAD SERVICES

Jacob Dimick Old World Coin Exchange Omega Jackson Tamika Little Timeless Quest Whisked Away by Kylie WyvemCAD

TRANSPORTATION A-1 Mr. Limo Five Star Trucking Inc. Laketran Precision SGT Services

TECHNOLOGY j.Patrick Audio Video Ltd.

VETERINARY CLINIC Kirtland Veterinary Hospital LLC

TRAVEL SERVICES Best Life Travel Jackie at Bright Wishes Travel Starlight2Travel Inc.

TAILOR/ALTERATIONS Fashion in Style

STUDENT MEMBERS B. VA Family Co. BossBliinks Brad Goble Carol Bergeron Fire & Ice Pretzels G’s Throwback Jersey and Gear on Depop

TITLE COMPANIES Emerald Glen Title Premier Exams and Recordings LLC

2025 Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber Board of Directors and Staff Dana Wolfe, Executive Director Sophia Filipiak, Marketing & Events Manager Donna Swan, Member Service Specialist Pictured: 2025 WWLCC Board of Directors Contact: wwlcchamber.com . 440-942-1632 . info@wwlcchamber.com

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WESTERN LAKE COUNTY MAGAZINE

01.26

Inspiring spaces of character and revival

FROM THE GROUND UP An entertainment-focused remodel in Westlake creates a grand, inviting basement that never bores. AMY CARRUTHERS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 150

CLEVELANDMAGAZINE.COM

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HOME & GARDEN

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150 C L E V E L A N D 0 1 . 2 6

“We had to scale light fixtures very strategically to make them impactful, but not feel like they were (encroaching on) the spaces,” she notes. The banquette provides a prime view of the gaming area with its billiard and shuffleboard tables — and separates the main entertainment area from the wet bar. Smith defined the former with a beamed coffered ceiling and perimeter soffit. The small fireplace was transformed into a stunning feature approximating the scale of the lower level’s other elements by replacing the brick surround with a stretch of fluted marble that spans the entire width of the wall. The wet bar sports quartz-topped whiteoak cabinetry stained a flannel gray, mirrored backsplashes and brass-and-glass shelving units that provide a subtle contrast to the stained maple paneling covering most of the walls. Walls near one flight of stairs were covered in grass cloth to add texture and depth. But ceilings throughout the lower level were painted white; the floors were finished in an engineered white oak. “We wanted to combine and repeat several materials so (the lower level) had that continuity but didn’t feel boring,” Smith explains.

A stretch of fluted marble transforms a small fireplace into an eye-catching architectural feature.

AMY CARRUTHERS

he lower level of the Westlake home looked like a lot of basements, an open space left mostly unfinished so the kids could play without scratching a hardwood floor or putting a hole in a wall. Once the homeowners’ three sons had outgrown that youthful rambunctious stage, the entire family needed a place for spending quality time together that doubled as a spot for casual get-togethers. Laura Yeager Smith of Laura Yeager Smith Home & Design recalls that the hearth room, located off the kitchen in the busy heart of the house, had become a less-than-ideal place for relaxing. And the living and dining rooms were too formal to function as hangouts. She responded by transforming the lower level into an entertaining destination that included every amenity the family wanted: a bar, gaming area, home theater, gym and spa bath complete with a steam shower, along with the requisite seating areas. “It’s an elevated lounge,” she says of the result. “It almost feels like (that in) a boutique hotel.” The location of plumbing pipes and HVAC ductwork created a ceiling of varying heights that dictated the space plan. Smith used architectural details and finishes to delineate most of the dedicated areas of activity rather than separate them with walls. A banquette tucked in a corner under a particularly low section of ceiling serves as a central focal point for guests descending one of two staircases. Smith designed the built-in with a high channel-tufted back that draws the eye up; upholstered it in navy diamond-embossed velvet; added a cherry pedestal table and two cognac leather armchairs; and illuminated the arrangement with an antique-brass fixture covered in green-colored coconut-shell disks.

BY LY N N E T H O M P S O N

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High-end finishes, fixtures and furnishings give these activity areas a more luxurious feel than the average game room.

HOME & GARDEN

Smith upholstered the balance of traditional and transitional furnishings in a mix of velvet, linen-look performance fabric, leather and wool plaid in browns, creams and grays, along with touches of green and navy. Grays star in the menswear-inspired theater, which Smith finished with an acoustic wall covering that looks like textured black velvet and floored in gray plaid carpeting. A charcoal-gray velvet sectional and twin chaise lounges, along with a pair of swivel chairs upholstered in a flannel-gray-and-caramel plaid, replace the usual home-theater recliners. Yellow plays a supporting role in metallic-gold paper on the ceiling. “I far prefer a sectional and swivel chairs to a traditional theater chair because it’s more conversational,” she says. “It allows the room to be more multipurpose than the formality of everybody sitting in rows.” A walk-in closet installed to showcase the lady of the house’s designer wardrobe rounds out the space plan. Smith hung a crystal light fixture from a ceiling papered in an abstract rose-patterned grass cloth and painted the interiors of the white cabinets a blush pink. “We embraced the femininity of that,” Smith says. “She’s the only female in the house.”

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LO O K BAC K

1973 On a cold January afternoon in 1973, the Cleveland Barons died quietly – “of loneliness.”

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CLEVEL AND 01.26

C O U R T E S Y C L E V E L A N D S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y. M I C H A E L S C H W A R T Z L I B R A R Y. S P E C I A L C O L L E C T I O N S

That is how Plain Dealer writer Dan Coughlin framed the end of the story. Coughlin began covering the team nine years earlier, on its way to its ninth and, as it turned out, final Calder Cup. The team had been known as the Falcons and Indians before debuting as the Barons in 1937 at the new Cleveland Arena, which had been built in an unsuccessful attempt to lure the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens to town. The Barons were instantly successful, winning the division title in 1937-38 and their first Calder Cup the year after. They became known as the seventh best pro hockey team in North America, trailing only the “Original Six” of the NHL. The team played to packed houses at the arena, featuring stars like Fred Glover and Johnny Bower, who went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. In 1968, Nick Mileti bought the Barons and Cleveland Arena — the key component to the deal. Mileti had his eye on bringing an NBA team to Cleveland, which he did in 1970 with the Cavaliers. He also sought an expansion NHL team. Denied, he turned to the World Hockey Association, and the Cleveland Crusaders started play in 1972. The Crusaders drew attendance away from the Barons, as did the Cavs, and with the addition of the WHA and NHL expansion (the league had gone from six teams in 1967 to 16 in 1973), the talent pool had diminished considerably, as well. Finally, Mileti made the decision to move the team to Jacksonville. The final Barons game in Cleveland, a 5-0 loss to the Virginia Red Wings, drew 412 fans. It was their ostensible final game, but scheduling conflicts in Florida led to another game being played at the arena a month later. It was a loss, with another small crowd. BY VINCE GUERRIERI

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