📰 Another fancy restaurant bites the dust

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Rising home values sound great until the tax bill shows up. Now there’s talk of scrapping property taxes altogether 🏡📈

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

All the world’s a casino and we are merely gamblers...

Sunday’s Super Bowl has inspired some of the most absurd prop bets. You can wager on:

Betting mania has exploded in the U.S., with $160–170 billion in wagers in 2025, up from $150 billion in ’25. And it’s infiltrated all aspects of culture:

Ohio is America’s fourth-biggest betting state, with 15 online platforms – despite Gov. Mike DeWine saying that legalizing them was one of his biggest mistakes.

Even the most hardcore bettors among us lament one thing about it: Emmanuel Clase.

U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs last month, up 118% from the same period a year ago and 205% from December 2025 – the highest for any January since 2009.

So, what does that have to do with sushi?

Apparently, there aren’t enough high rollers to keep Cleveland’s most extravagant and expensive dining experience going.

Sushi Kuwahata is closing after its investors pulled financing.

The Ohio City omakase-style eatery was the talk of the city when it opened last year.

Chef Kwan and served multi-course meal – 15 to 20 courses -- at an eight-seat Hinoki Counter.

Price tag: $350 per person.

But a struggling economy that has led to several closings in the last two months was insurmountable – even for Sushi Kuwahata.

“After much thought, we want to share that our last day of service will be February 28,” said Chef Kwan and his partner Ryan Endrian. “We’ll see what the future holds for Sushi Kuwahata.”

It follows the December closing of Kyuu-juu, a sleek but more affordable Japanese eatery that also occupied the same Victorian house as Sushi Kuwahata. It also closed when investors pulled out.

Seeing the value of your house go up is nice. Not so much after getting your property tax bill this week.

A 32% rise in home values has resulted in an unprecedented increase in unpaid property taxes in Cuyahoga County.

It’s also fueled a tax revolt: A Fallon Research poll finds that 61% of Ohioans would vote yes on a constitutional amendment that would abolish property taxes.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed several bills to relieve property tax burdens by capping the amount school districts get from rising prices.

Not good enough, according to Citizens from Property Tax Reform – a local group pushing a ballot initiative.

Property taxes account for more than half of school funding across Ohio – and “would be absolutely devastating,” warns DeWine “Sales tax could go up to 17, 18, 19, 20% on products that you buy.”

FRIDAY

MIX at CMA: The monthly bash at the Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates Black History Month DJ Kristyles and the Kinsman Dazz Band. 6 tonight. Info.

One Night at… The Chamber: The party celebrates Cleveland’s beloved nightclub that ruled the Goth, Industrial and Dark Wave scenes for two decades. 9 tonight at Mercury Music Lounge. Info.

Walk All Over Waterloo: Check out the clubs, shops and cafes on the Collinwood strip on Waterloo Road. 5 tonight. Info.

The Heart of Robin Hood: The tale of the puckish outlaw who takes from the rich and gives to the poor is reimagined with daring feats. It opens at 7:30 tonight in Hanna Theatre and runs through Feb. 22. Info.

SATURDAY

Cleveland Bazaar Valentine: The market throws its annual Valentine’s soiree at Lake Effect Studios – with lots of local makers and artists. 10 a.m. Saturday. Info.

Mardi Gras Party: Music Box gets an early start on Fat Tuesday with Mo’ Mojo playing Zydeco and Mardi music. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Flipper-fingers wagged with excitement when Arcade on Detroit opened.

Now, it’s game over for the retro barcade known for classic video and tabletop games, craft beers and cocktails.

“It is with great sadness that we at The Arcade on Detroit share that we are permanently closed,” announced owner Dan Deagan.

The Lakewood spot opened in the former home of Deagan’s Kitchen + Bar for 13 years, which closed in 2023. Deagan has no plans as of now to do anything else in the space.

Jim Brown, Gary Collins and Frank Ryan and stout defense led the Browns to a 27-0 win over the Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. To read more and watch highlights of the game, go to our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

20 °F 🌡️ 12 °F | 🌥️ (Cloudy / Lingering Flurries) | 20% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 knots)

25 °F 🌡️ 15 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy & Cold) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

36 °F 🌡️ 28 °F | ☁️➡️🌧️ (Cloudy / PM Showers) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Kings, 10:00 PM February 7 (Saturday)

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